Friday 10 May 2013

Entering Time

Hello Again! Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to new followers.

I've made my card today with a number of challenges in mind. The challenge at Frilly and Funkie is 'There's no time to waste'. As this card is for someone who is sitting exams soon that challenge theme is very appropriate (although the young gentleman in question needs no reminder from anyone re his studies). The challenge at Vintage Udfordring is 'Use paint or gesso' - I've used both on my card. The challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show is 'Inspired By' - well someone I greatly admire is Anita at The Artful Maven Haven. She is one of the most creative people in blogland - please visit her blog for immense inspiration. Anita always signs off her blogposts "I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!". My hands sure got inky and dirty on this card so I thank Anita for her inspiration. Finally I'd like to enter card to two of my favourite challenge spots Our Creative Corner (newly revamped / 'under new management') and Fashionable Stamping Challenges who both are running 'Anything Goes' at the moment.

So without further ado, here is my card.



The base layer is a cotton handmade paper. First of all I applied embossing paste to it through a Prima 6x6 stencil ('Crackle') and left to dry overnight. I next painted the stenciled paper with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Old Gold'. Once dry I applied a thin layer of Paper Artsy Crackle Glaze. When that was dry I again painted the sheet with Fresco Finish paint in 'Nougat'. By this stage the paper was gorgeously crackled - it's a pity that I had to cover most of it up! I dabbed the raised stenciled parts with distress inks and then some gilding wax to highlight.

Next layer up is a band of cotton paper that I aged with a wet teabag (Twinings!). On top of that is a complimentary sample of glossy card that I kindly received from Crafty Individuals. It looked much too shiny and new for this card so I diluted a little gesso with water and brushed over the card to 'age' it. I then 'aged' further with two useful stamps that I recently bought, both Kaisercraft Clear Stamps 'Crackle' and 'Distress' using Distress Inks.

The main door image is a stamp by Crafty Individuals CI-249 'Gothic Door'. I've stamped with Archival ink and embossed with Ranger Distress EP ('Vintage Photo'). Using my Tim Holtz waterbrush I coloured in the door and stone surround with various DIs. I then painted image with Inkssentials Crackle Glaze to give it a old leathery look. The door image sits atop a clock image. To make the chalky clock, I painted some CS with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Vintage Lace', once dry a layer of Fresco Finish Crackle Glaze and finally, when dry, a layer of Fresco Finish in 'Nougat'. Next stamped the crackled CS using Brilliance Ink with another Crafty Individuals Stamp CI-354 'Clock Face'. I then diecut the clock with a circular Spellbinder die. The clock does have a lovely crackled appearance but once again I ended up covering it up!

Using Sizzix die 'Hardware Findings', I cut some grungeboard. I painted a layer of Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Nougat', then FF crackle glaze, then FF 'Old Gold'. Next stamped all with the aforementioned Kaisercraft stamps for further aging effects. I attached with brads that I had coated with Inkssentials Crackle Glaze so as to look a bit worn. The two clocks on the right are stamped with a 7Gypsies stamp from the 'Venice' clear set using Archival and Brilliance inks. They are also 'aged' with DIs and cut to shape with a Spellbinders circular die. I've attached them via the keyhole diecut to fit with 'Time' theme.

Prior to assembling I decorated most edges with gilding wax. The metal clockhands are by Prima and the key is by Maya Road. Finished off with two little twine bows! Phew!

I thank each and every one of you who stop by - your visits and comments are truly appreciated.
Have a lovely weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and DTs at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Frilly and Funkie - There's No Time To Waste
Vintage Udfording - Use Paint or Gesso
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Inspired By
Our Creative Corner - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes

46 comments:

  1. LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! Where to start? Every inch of it is gorgeous, full of texture and attention to detail. Perfect complimentary colours and such a balanced design. I am thrilled silly to thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie and at Our Creative Corner. (Oh yes, know EXACTLY what you mean about exams - AS Levels and end of year assessments loom large in our house too at the moment!) Huge hugs to you my crafty friend, Jenny xxx

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  2. I LOVE your card, Nicola!!!!

    Awesome texture and a lot of stunning detail!!! Could look at it forever!
    Thank you for playing along with us at OurCreativeCorner!

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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  3. Absolutely amazing Nicola! Such awesome texture and detail and the arched door is just fabulous.
    Thanks so much for sharing your stunning creation with us at FSC too.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  4. This is stunning!
    Beautiful details:)
    Thanks for joining us at Vintage utfordring.
    Hugs, Heidi:)

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  5. Wow Nicola, this is absolutely fabulous! I love how you did the backing paper, all the texture you created, the ageing, the door, the key - I could go on but you have brought everything together to create the most beautiful of cards. Love it. I am also delighted to say - thank you for joining us at Our Creative Corner too! Big hugs, Anne x

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  6. That's a breathtaking creation, wonderful texture and details. Thanks for joining us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight.

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  7. What s fab project. Loving all the texture and techniques
    Rosie x

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  8. Wow this is fabulous Nicola - so much detail for the eye to take in and thanks for all the information on how you made it. I presume only a "Tetley" tea bag will do for the ageing process??LOL Love, Margie xx

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  9. This is so stunning, Nicola - really amazing textures throughout, including imaginative texture - a real sense of history and things lost in time - beautiful! I love the neutral colour palette and genius layering and composition - a real stunner! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Our Creative Corner.
    Alison xx

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  10. Wow Nicola this is fabulous,I love everything about it!!!!
    Kevin xx

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  11. This is really scrummy Nicola, wonderful vintage gorgeousness, fabulous textured layers and great colours.
    Hugs Brenda xox

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  12. Be still my heart!!! I don't know if I have ever been anybody's inspiration, and I am deeply honored!!!! Of course I am PINNING you!!! LOL! Not because you have honored me, but because this is gorgeous! Wonderful texture, and an awesome vintage feel. I can't believe you used real tea to color things....most excellent! I love the door, and all the time clocks, perfect for examinations! The key and hardware findings are wonderful additions! Beautiful work my Irish crafty sister! Thank you so much for being inspired this week and sharing it with us at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

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  13. This is just so cool! Love the texture and design embellishments! Very unique!

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  14. Hi Nicola.. My word! This is a work of A r t, Full of wonderful textures & techniques.. I Love the design & attention to detail is AmAzing.... Love it all!! Hugs May x x x

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  15. Stunning piece of art dearest friend^_^
    I love the details and the vintage colours used^_^
    Happy weekend,
    Sonia

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  16. It's simply stunning Nicola...so much to look at...going back for another look!
    Alison xx

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  17. WOW, I'm impressed, Nicola! What a great distressed look you've created with gesso and paints - I just love it!

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  18. Wow oh wow Nicola! This is such a textural, gorgeous card! Love the handmade paper base. Your use of the Fresco paints and crackle really are awesome! The crackled stamped door is such a cool stamp. I love all of the clock faces and Tim's hardware straps and keyhole you've added. The final touch...that metal key is awesome as well. Beautiful job! Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  19. what an amazing piece of art...love the design and workmanship...so happy you shared with us at the vintage challenge...

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  20. Beautiful! Such gorgeous texture and I love all the elements you used to pull this together!You should hang this on the wall as an art piece!

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  21. wow this is fantastic Nicola.fabulous texture and I love all your stunning details and colours ;D

    xx coops xx

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  22. Fantastic card Nicola ! I love the texture you've created and using a wet tea bag to age your paper is just amazing ! Gorgeous ! Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C x

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  23. Stunning Nicola every technique used is beautiful, love it to bits.

    Thank you for sharing it with us sweets at FSC.

    Hugs Shirley x x

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  24. Wooow Nicola, fabulous card again !!!! In vintage style this time to change ! I'm not a specialist in vintage, but all you do is fantastic and I love all without any exception. Beautiful texture today, and a lot of gorgeous embellishments artistically arranged and distressed, great job !! Have a nice week-end, big hugs Coco xxx

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  25. Fantastic card, love the textures and layers. Thank you for joining us at FSC this time.
    Yvonne/Meggymay

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  26. Hi Nicola...this looks amazing. You have good taste in tea too! lol Wonderful texture and colour.
    Thankyou so much for joining in the fun at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.
    Dot x

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  27. This is gorgeous Nicola, and you know I love cotton paper! Love all the layers. Elizabeth xxx

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  28. Hi Nicola, what a stunning make, just love the vintage, rusty, and gorgeous textural effects on this card, superb. xx

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  29. Really stunning, I love all the texture and the door, clocks and key are all fabulous
    Lindsay xx

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  30. wOOw, your card is just gorgeous girlie! I love the rich textures and the layers of die cuts - love love love it! xxx

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  31. Ahem.... it's me again. Just wearing a different hat now! Thank you so much for playing with us at the FSC! Big hugs xxxx

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  32. What wonderful details and layers of texture! Fabulous design! Glad you joined us this week at Simon Says stamp and Show!

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  33. WOW!!!This is Amazing,the door looks great and all other details are georgus, i love it to much.
    i see another great wonderful creationen of your blog,and now iam your new follower.

    Havea great day Greetnigs Jeannette

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  34. Hi Nicola this is absolutely gorgeous, I just want to touch it, its such a tactile project with all the lovely texture. Thanks for joining us at FSC this month
    Claire xx

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  35. What a beautiful card - so much work but so worth the effort! Love it! x

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  36. Wow! This is grand, Nicola! Gorgeous hand-feel too I bet. Out-of-this-world amazing! Hope you're well, my friend
    hugs, Asha

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  37. Absolutely stunning Nicola! So happy to see you joining us this week at Frilly and Funkie! You've outdone yourself on this one! Love all the different textures and colors!

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  38. Wowza! This card is GORGEOUS Nicola!! I love the vintage vibe , all the layers and texture! Pure eye candy!

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  39. Hi Nicola, wow this is a true feast for the eyes. Your layering and texture detail are just amazing, and the colours are some of my favourite. Hope you are well. Julia xxxx

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  40. Hi Nicola, What a fantastic card, so full of wonderful texture and finishes, perfect with the images you've used.
    Thanks for sharing with us at FSC
    Avril xx

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  41. Bravo, Nicola! Just stunning. Love, love, love the texture, colors, thought put into the design. Thanks for sharing with us at FSC.

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  42. Congratulations on your well deserved Frilly and Funkie win Nicola! So pleased for you. Hugs, Jenny x

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  43. WOW!!! I am speechless! Nicola, this is so amazingly stunning! I love all of it! - Thanks so much for sharing with us at Our Creative Corner - Love from Laura xxx

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  44. Everything about this is absolutely fantastic! Well deserved win!

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  45. Hello Nicola, Wow 45 comments on this piece. I can see why. Its absolutely stunning. I love the hands on the door. Very creative. Thanks for sharing and visiting me. Karen.x

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x