GLITTER TAPE AND A NEW DIRECTION

I often march to my own drummer. 

I really don't intend to offend anyone when I do this.

Seriously. I don't.

It's just that this "other drummer" is calling me. And I NEED to respond.

Most often this happens when I am working with someone else's idea. For example, when I'm at a workshop.

While the project upon which our creativity is to be based is usually a truly lovely project, well, it's just not MINE. 

One time I was at a stamping workshop alone. I was working at a table across from another woman, a stranger to me. Of course, I was doing my own thing. I was using the basic materials given to me, but giving it my own little twist. Apparently this woman was watching me closely, and at one point, she pointed out that I had forgotten one of the elements. I told her that this was how I wanted to do it. She looked at me with an alarmed expression on her face, and dismissed me with, "Well, to each his own."

The call of my own personal drummer happened to me again recently. Since I have my own workshops each month, I don't get to go to others' workshops too often. When this workshop came up, I told myself it would be fun to benefit from someone else's ideas. I wouldn't have to do the work for a change.

But no. It's just not that easy for me.

Once again my own drummer called me.

I used the colors my hostess provided, some of the elements . . . But, after a few gluing and cutting forays, I decided to bring it all home with me. And make it my very own.

Using her color scheme, some of the cardstock pieces she provided, and the yummy gold Metallics Glitter Tape that came in her kit, I proceeded to (do the work myself anyway!) finish it up my own way.

And this is what I came up with:

I am so very deeply in love with the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies (page 26 of the Occasions Catalog), I was, of course, moved to use some of those elements in my card. 

Drawing upon her color combo of Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip, I rooted through my old Designer Series Papers and found this piece that would be perfect. 

I made the flower and leaf, but when I added it to my glittery little intersection, it just did not look right. Grabbing a piece of Vellum Cardstock that had been embossed for a long-lost project, I used an old five-petal flower punch with the vellum, giving me a perfect ethereal base for my flower.

To coordinate with the gold glitter, I punched a 1/4" circle from some embossed gold metallic paper I had on hand for the center of my flower.

And, of course, I needed to continue with the gold metallic look throughout my creation. So, I embossed my sentiment (from the Rose Wonder set on page 18 of the Occasions Catalog) in gold, outlined with Chocolate Chip, and diecut with the frame from the Rose Garden Thinlets.

One thing that you may notice in the photos is that I embossed my background piece AFTER the Chocolate Chip strips and Glitter Tape had been attached. I love how the embossing looks through the glitter tape and the unusual dimension it adds to my card.

Jusr another glimpse of the sparkle and dimension of the card:

Now, on to the "New Direction" I referred to in the title of this post.

I had long been enthralled with handlettering. I'd taken online classes and watched numerous videos showcasing the lettering styles of others. 

Having been a quotes fan from waaaaay back, I decided I was ready to take on a few lettering projects of my own incorporating some of my favorite quotes.

Initially, I did my quotes atop various scrapbooking papers. I liked the way they looked. But, when I showed them to my Illustrator daughter, Emily, she thought that my works of "art" would be more effective if I would make my own backgrounds rather than use premade backgrounds.

Back to the tutorials, workshops and videos. I found so much inspiration out there on how to create backgrounds, especially from those who indulge in creating art journals. 

Below is my first end result. Using thick watercolor paper and lots of water and other moisture, my piece ended up very, well, NOT FLAT. 

Frustrating.

For my next piece, I finally got smart. I purchased a drawing board to fit the size of the watercolor paper I was using, and TAPED DOWN THE EDGES. Brilliant, huh? As always, go back to the basics. More on further, more successful quote pieces in upcoming blog posts.

I would really really like to know what you think of my new direction. Any hints or insights for me?

Watercolor

Smiles.