Monday, June 22

The Mists of Ireland

Welcome! I am so excited for today, since I get to share my very first project for Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Today, it is all about stamps and mists. This week we want to see a project that features at least one stamp and one mist or color wash/spray. There are so many creative possibilities, I can't wait to see what you make!

Years ago, I took a wonderful trip to Ireland with my mom and two sisters. I loved Ireland, and from time to time, I contemplate moving there. If you ask my family, they will likely tell you I go a "little" overboard on the Irish! So, I immediately thought of this trip with a challenge about mists. I dug into some of my old stamps to design my card.


One of the sites we visited left a lasting impression on me. We visited Glendalough, a medieval monastery. It was a misty day, and the Celtic crosses were rather ethereal in the cemetery, and I felt the magic.

I created a base of blues and copper on my card using paints. I chose the blues (turquoise and stream) thinking of all of the water in Ireland - oceans, lakes, rivers, rain...and mist! I watered down the paints a bit, brushed some on the paper, then across my silicon sheet, and laid the paper into it.



Now I am starting to get the background look I want.

I stamped the lettering on the background (stamp by Judikins) with grey ink. I purposely inked only some of the areas of the stamp, to keep some of the background design open.


Finally, time to play with the mists! I chose three greens to use. Ireland is the land of a thousand shades of green, after all. I just happened to have a big old mailing envelope handy, so opened it up and laid it across my desk. It did a great job of containing the mists. It's also easy to spray into a box. Believe me, I have made a mess in the past not using anything...I'm learning!


Set that aside to dry, and time to work on the Celtic cross (stamp unknown). Made this background using the penny paint in the same way, then stamped with my black archival ink. I actually had another background piece that did not work out as well, so I stamped that too. I just wasn't sure which I wanted to use, so ended up using both and layering them.


Popped the cross up for some depth, and added a gear to the center. (I am a steampunk aficionado.) I am really loving these colors now!


Layered it onto the card with gray and black, a bit of twisted citron inking, and tied a mix of hand dyed ribbons around it. It's been a wonderful memory adventure making this card, and it's been so much fun to share it with you!




Time to get crafty and and join us in the fun!  A random winner is chosen every week to win a $50 spending spree from SimonSaysStamp!

Supplies:


   
   
   

38 comments:

  1. you have done a mighty good job of reminiscing and taking people over to Ireland. love your colour combo xx

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  2. The beautiful colors and stamps definitely make me think of Ireland. Beautiful card. Glad to have you creating with us!

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    1. Thanks! I am happy to be creating with this wonderful team!

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  3. Gorgeous card! Would love to see how you created your beautiful ribbons.

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    1. Thanks Sandy! Good idea, I will have to do a tutorial on the ribbons.

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  4. A very celtic card the ribbons are beautiful. x

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  5. Welcome to the team, Maura! We're so happy to have you! What a fabulous intro project! :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  6. Fabulous card, totally reminiscent of Glendalough :)

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    1. Thank you. It was such a memorable place!

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  7. This is beautiful! I really like the ribbons!

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Thanks Dodie! Glad you stopped by!

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  8. Love the card, the colors, and the story behind it. I can't wait to get my hands on the Twisted Citron. I've only picked up one of the new colors of ink so far (Cracked Pistachio), but I'm a bit overly excited as each one gets announced. ;-)

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    1. Thanks Laura! The new colors are fun to anticipate, and fun to play with!

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  9. beautiful! can you give me more info on the Celtic text background stamp, please. I would love to purchase it

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    1. Thanks Jan, sent you a msg about the stamp.

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  10. Stunning project, Maura! Love the Celtic stamp! The background is amazing along with the big bow! So happy that you've joined our DT! Hugs, Sandra

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    1. Thanks so much Sandra and thank you for the warm welcome! I am looking forward to working with the team!

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  11. So beautiful and original! Great project Maura! The background is spectacular! Happy to have you in our team! BArbarayaya

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    1. Thanks Barbara! I am excited to work with you!

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  12. Maura, I love this card!!! It is absolutely beautiful!!!

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  13. Firstly, welcome to the team Maura...so happy to have you crafting along with us and what a stunning first project!! I love how you've created the background for this beautiful card and I adore the Celtic stamp ~ wonderful work! :)

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    1. Thanks for the warm welcome Emma! And for the sweet comment. I am excited to be working with all of you!

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  14. Love your beautiful creation, Maura. The background is fabulous! :)

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  15. This is such a Beautiful card Maura! I love the background and multi coloured bow. I am so happy you have joined us!

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    1. Thank you Anna-Karin! I am excited to be working with all of you!

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  16. Beautifully done, Maura! The background is so dreamy! I've always wanted to go to Ireland myself, and was immediately drawn to that image.
    I'm so glad that you've joined the team. Welcome!

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  17. Thank you Michelle! Someday you will have to travel there! Thanks for the warm welcome!

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  18. I adore this piece! It has such a great sense of legend or tradition or history or something super-cool! It reminds me of all the beautiful carved and mossy sites I saw in Europe, so thanks for the lovely trip down memory lane!

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    1. Glad to take you there Andrea! And thank you!

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  19. Perfectly designed with the amazing celtic cross and the nice old scripture at the background. I like it very much. Thanks also for your dear comment on my blog.
    Dear greetings
    Sabine

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    1. You are welcome Sabine. Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. LOVE LOVE LOVE this! The celtic anything makes me swoon! Gorgeous background too!

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