Sunday 6 May 2012

Time With A Kaleidoscope Of Colour. . . . . . .

I've come back from a lovely holiday with family who live in Cyprus and all I seem to have done is wash and iron - no time to sit at my desk and have fun until last night. Trying to catch up with all my favourite blogs and challenges is taking ages but I promise I'll get round to it - asap!

My initial inspiration came from the theme at Artful Times - quite aptly they've chosen 'Time'. At Simon Says Stamp and Show, the theme is 'A Kaleidoscope Of Colour' and at the The Stampman they ask you to show your favourite technique - how to choose is the problem for this one!


 I would also like to play along at Just Keep Creating where 'anything goes' but you have to include a holiday tale too! Where to start on that one? Perhaps my most favourite holiday was spent with my husband skiing in Banff, Canada. This holiday was very special because we also attended my sister Vikki's wedding which was held outside with a very snowy, mountain backdrop - it was magical (but oh so cold. Even the champagne froze in our glasses!). A sleigh ride completed the ceremony and a beautiful meal in the evening with the newly weds finished off a truly memorable day.


I decided that I would make a card which could be used for a variety of occasions and one which hopefully fits all themes at my chosen challenge blogs.

So, with no further delays, here is my card. . . . . . . .better put on your sunglasses for this one!!!

These are the individual elements I used to make the card.

The finished card.


This image shows the backgrounds I made. The top layer was made using Dylusion inks, a stencil and some spritzed water which was applied after the inks. Once dry, I used an embossing folder to create a raised design which was then embossed with gold powder. I like to do this without too much accuracy as I prefer a slightly more distressed finish. The edge of the top layer was inked around with Walnut Distress Ink. For info on the other layers, please read below.

In this image the centre layer can be clearly seen. Again, I got out the metal insulating tape and covered some card which was then dry embossed. I then added layers of acrylic paint in various colours to try to achieve a 'metallic' look. I do like the finished effect - it's so masculine but perhaps my taste is changing??!!
The bottom layer was coloured with Dylusion inks but I spritzed the card before applying them rather than after as I wanted to achieve a softer, more translucent effect. Watch faces were then stamped in onyx black versafine ink. The sentiment was printed out, applied to card, inked, roughed up around the edges and fixed into position using a brad (we used to call them 'split pins' in my day!!). Again, walnut distress ink was used around the edge.

I hope you like this rather bright, colourful offering from me - please leave a comment if you do as it so lovely to know that people are enjoying looking at what I do!



25 comments:

  1. WOW Linda, lovely card and so many techniques. I too have been to Banff, Canada and it's a gorgeous town. We skied at Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay.

    Thanks for taking 'time' out and playing along with Artful Times this week - Sam xxx

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  2. I love how all your techniques have work so well especially the gold embossing done with the folder :)
    Thank you for joining us at Artfull Times
    Von x☺x

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  3. Oh My - what fabulous colours you have used. I just love them, thanks for showing each one as an individual before putting the whole thing together. A great card for someone special.
    Thanks for joining us at Artful Times, Hugs, Neet xx

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  4. Love the colours and layers on this piece. You always come up with something different - it's so inspirational. Can you let me know where you get your insulation tape from as the silver tape I've used doesn't seem to work as well. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Buttons x

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  5. Hi Julia, welcome home! Wow, this certainly is a fabulous kaleidoscope of colour. My favourite layer is the top one - love your technique of two types of embossing on the inky background. A fabulous card. xx

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  6. wow Julia! I love your card with it's beautiful layers of color and texture! This is a great example of a kaleidoscope of color! Your hot air balloon is beautifully embossed! Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  7. What wonderful colours and techniques ! a truly fabulous card x

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  8. Adorable colours now I want dylusions inks too...........
    Male card again Julia I am well impressed.
    Kaleidoscope of Pirates next then........BJ

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  9. hi Julia,

    this card is certainly bright, beautiful and full of texture. I love all the beautiful colours, look so pretty together. This card can certainly be used for a variety of occassions.

    You must have had an awesome time in Cyprus,its always hard getting back to reality after travelling. Thanks so much for sharing your travel story about your sisters wedding, I have never heard of a wedding in the snow, sounds amazing and something you will never forget, pity about the smelly blankets :) :)

    Thanks so much for playing along at Anything goes, Just keep on creating. I hope you will continue to play along and good luck with catching up on all your challenges as well.

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  10. Gasp! Its divine - I love it. Cx

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  11. I think it is heavenly!
    Total in love with the couture folders & I really love how you have used this one.
    Glad to hear you had a wonderful holiday.

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  12. Hi Julia,
    Love all the layers and vibrant colours! And you sure have achieved the metallic look, it looks gorgeous with the gold in the foreground I think. Thankyou so much for following my blog, I am now following yours also.
    Dot x

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  13. I love this card and all the layers.

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  14. Hi Julia what a fabulous card I love the colours and the textures, thank you for your lovely comments on my blog xx

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  15. Great colours, love the hot air balloons.

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  16. Just stunning! Really love the colours and te gold embossing just makes it so lush!

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  17. Oh wow, this is just gorgeous. I love your background. Just my kind of thing and the brighter the better I say.
    Thanks so much for joining in with us at The Stampman this time.
    Hugs Lisax

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  18. Hi Julia this is gorgeous and I love your colours and embossed piece. The main stamped image is great . Thank you for sharing and good luck in the challenges. I had a look at your other pieces, which are right up my street and the reason I am a follower. Crafty hugs Annie :)

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  19. Gorgeous layering Julia! I love the embossing on the colourful top layer!
    Alison x

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  20. Such a fantastic and colorful piece, wonderful layers.

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  21. Wow Julia! I love everything about your card - it's fabulous.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and becoming a follower - it's very much appreciated.
    xxx Hazel.

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  22. Julia, this is lovely, but I absolutely love bold color and design. I am now one of your newest followers!

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  23. Really lovely work

    ps. let me know if you make any tags for Tag Tuesday and I'll post them to the blog for you

    Best wishes, Carolyn
    TAG TUESDAY
    http://tagtuesday.blogspot.co.uk

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  24. Julia, the saturated colors are MAGNIFICENT! It has almost a tie-dye effect. The gold embossed balloons are bee-autiful.

    Glad you had a good visit with family. Cyprus sounds so exotic to little ol' me in the US!

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  25. This is a stunning piece of art, the colours are glorious Julia. Thanks for linking to the Stamp Man's favourite technique challenge.
    hugs {brenda} xox

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax