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Wednesday 21 February 2007

Daring Cardmakers-Men


Making cards for men is the challenge from the Daring Cardmakers this week and when it comes to mens cards I always thank heaven for rubber stamps because without those images I would struggle to make any mens cards at all.
So the cards I am sharing today are both done using the same set of stamps from Rubbadubbadoo but done with different techniques.
The beautiful background on the blue card is a technique called drunken chalks which I love doing because you get a different look every time you do it.
For this technique you need to have-:
Fluid Chalk Ink Pads
Encore Metallic Silver Pigment Ink Pad
Surgical Spirits (Rubbing Alcohol)
White Gloss Card
Cheap Hairspray
I wanted to get a sort of misty early morning effect for the background here so I have used fluid chalk inks in blues and mauves.
Starting with blue at the top I have coloured direct to paper just by dabbing the chalk ink pad onto the card.
The next step is to cover the whole of the piece of card with the metallic ink until you can no longer see the chalk colours applied.
Then take a piece of cotton wool and soak it in Surgical Spirits.
Starting in one corner and working your way across and down the card, dab the cotton wool onto the metallic ink. Dab once and then move on, try not to go over the same spot twice.
You will see the metallic ink start to fracture.
Now either leave on one side to dry or if you are impatient like me.......dry it with a hairdryer.
Take some soft facial tissue and start to very gently buff the card. Some of the silver ink will come off but some will stay behind having been dried by the applied spirits.
Every time you do this technique, even with the same colour inks, you get a completely different finish so I usually make two or three pieces and then choose the best one for the images I am using.
If you are not happy with the look of your first application just re-apply the metallic ink and the spirits again then dry and buff.
Once you are happy with the look of your piece....spray with two coats of cheap hairspray and leave to dry.
The silhouette images look really good with this technique and couldn't be easier.
Stamp your image onto plain smooth card and cut out. Then using the same ink pad that you stamped with just cover the cut out image.
If you use a different ink or a pen to colour you will see the outline of the ink pad ink through the colour which spoils the effect so I always stamp and colour with Stazon.




The second card is just really chalking but then I have spritzed over that with a Sticky Fingers Autumn Inks Spray in Olive.
All stamping has been done in Stazon.




While I am not the author of the Drunken Chalks technique how I have described it above is my own version of the technique which works best for me.
Surgical Spirits is a flammable substance so as always please always observe good working practice and work in a well ventilated area........and put yer fag out!!!


Thanks as always to the DCM Team for the challenge.
Sheila
-x-

12 comments:

  1. I think these cards would make a man take up stamping Sheila...
    they are both totally amazing.. and a great example of using the same stamp to create two totally different cards... Fabulous!!!!!

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  2. I love your drunken chalks technique Sheila, such a fantastic effect :D Great cards and a great way of showing how versatile stamping is. Youre an inspiration Missus!

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  3. fabby cards hun, my dad would love those being a keen fisherman.

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  4. Oh I bow to the master of card making. Your talent is just awesome Sheila!

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  5. gorgeous, that technique is so effective, you are the stamping queen :)

    jo xx

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  6. wow I love your mens cards they are very inspirational....I always have problems with cards for men ... I bet any man would be glad to receive one of yours though.

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  7. Terrific effects and how amazing to get such totally different looks with one stamp! Love the duck silhouettes too. Thanks so much for sharing your technique - I am fascinated. I will have to round up some f those products you used...

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  8. Beautiful Sheila!!! I find it hard to make men cards, but the ones you have made are gorgeous!

    Can you send me your snail mail addy? You won some blog candy on my blog and I want to see it out to you! lol

    Thanks!!
    :)
    Kim

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  9. wow, these are so clever and I love the effect you've acheived with the blue one. I always wondered if those silver encore pads had any use!zw

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  10. Lovely explanations for the techniques, and 2 amazing cards for men. Thanks so much Sheila

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  11. Wow! Your cards are outstanding and very man friendly. Beautiful!!!

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  12. zFab designs, men are so difficult!!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave me a message.
It is much appreciated.
Sheila-x-