My Steampunk Valentine

Steampunk .... or should that be STEAMPUNK!!!!
Yeah!  I have had a lovely two day ...... make that three.....  session.

I started off by adding some steampunk papers to each card and punched all four corners, two different punches were used as I wanted a 'punky' look.  I decided to edge the cards using one of my promarkers, so the colour of the card (cornflake box grey) didn't stand out too much.


I found some copyright free images for two of the cards and then cut out some hearts from copper paper for the other two cards. 

A brown biro gave an edge to the hearts and I also  added some gold embossed letters (LOVE).
I cut the border from a paper doily and used the metallic promarkers to colour them ...... I thought the white paper would clash!!!! 



For all four cards I used some tiny tags and fixed them to the card with a bronze brad.  In my stash were some silver hearts from the Fruit Pixie which I coloured up with my promarkers and attached with a large glue dot.


I printed some words out in a 'punkish' font onto cream paper, edged them with brown and used my gluestick to attach them.

I took some photos and prepared them for the post ........ and read the rules ....... 'each card should use a man or woman image' .... oops!!!

Well, at least I was good on two of the cards!!!   lol

I sorted and trimmed two more pictures, made up some more backgrounds and added on the images.  


I rather like these two images - a man in suit on a skateboard, and a woman mechanic.  

I attached some words, cut pennant style and edged,  but did not add the 'silver' hearts.  I also added a paper cog to the skateboarder card.

After I attached the tags, I felt the young man card was a bit messy so I removed the tag, leaving the brad in place.

Looking at them as a collection, they looked pretty plain and boring ..... a spritz with copper and pearl sprays, wiping the puddles off the top with a paper towel, and the cards were finished.

Once again I am in a situation where I don't really want to part with my cards!!!!  but I will!

March Colour Swap

I wanted these cards to be bright and cheerful.  After my bit of a failure with the Theme cards I was going to try harder!!
I sorted out out some quotes from a book bought for a long ago birthday - my 60th!!!!
i attached one to each card and then using my fingers painted over with bright lemon acrylic paint.



I used some bright green paint for the lime colour, I stencilled on this card using die cuts as my stencil.  I then added a strip of lemon ribbon across the top.
A few green daisy sequins across the top of the card completed my lemon/lime card.

I painted some green border on this card, extending the top border with leaves & stems.  

I stencilled the word 'sing' across the lower half.  

I added some flower sequins to the leaves.

I used the green paint through some puncinella across the top of this card and 'painted' a rose and some leaves across the lower edge.  I wanted to keep the 'greenness' of the lemon rose so had to apply several coats of the yellow on the rose and the bud.  I added some green sequin leaves to the side of the rose.

I'm really pleased with the way these three cards turned out, although as per usual, the last is the best ..... for me!


UPDATE
I have received the following cards:-


A very pretty card.
Thank you JudithAnn.

Someone knows me too well!!

Thank you Pat.

A very pretty patterned and coloured card.

Thank you Philippa. 

March Theme Swap

Children.
Are yes.
I had several ideas for this but when I completed the cards I was not really happy with them.  
I like the red card........ The embossed image was a gift to me, I cut a red mat for it  and attached it to a painted background.  I found a small quote which seemed appropriate for the the image, I fancy cut the text and edged it with red ink.
I removed the images from the other two cards.  I attached a background paper, to one of the cards and then added a brown oblong to which I placed the image.  I added the sentiment at the top left corner.
I found some paper pattern paper for my third card so went on a hunt for some paper pattern images.  


I liked this image as it is a boy and a girl - the theme is children after all.  After the paper and image were attached to the card, I added some faux stitching to the edges.





UPDATED:-
I have received the following cards .....


Such a pretty card - especially the pink ribbon!
Thank you LizR.

I would imagine that Little Soldier will try this one soon!

Thank you SueF.

This one is just so cute!

Thank you Margaret.

March Extra Swap - Double Sided

This extra swap is for a Double Sided ATC Swap.  No, I hadn't heard of a Double Sided ATC so, of course, I had to join in!!
The idea is to make both sides of the ATC a picture and add your details round the edges of the card.
I typed out my details in different fonts, measured the length of text I would need and then printed them onto thin paper.  I cut the text to size, adhered them along the edges of the cards and set them aside to dry.
I had to find a theme for these cards and my first thoughts were to have opposites like a woman on the one side a man on the other, a boat on one side and a plane on the other,  but then decided to make the cards on a theme of Different Perspectives .......



I sketched out a man on a desert island who sees a boat far out at sea and thinks he is about to be rescued.  

On side two I sketched out a man in the boat who sees land at last.

I sketched out an untidy man in a fast food joint with his phone on his hand on side one.

I sketched another man, deep in prayer, on side two.

One word but two meanings.

On side one I sketched the dog and on side two I sketched a cat.  

The thoughts of each animal shows the different perspectives.  

I wrote the words out on each side and then realised I had written them wrong, it should have read - These people take care of me and feed me, they must be God (the cat thinks - I must be God).  Too late to change them as I had used a permanent pen!!!

In order for this theme to be understood - my funnies are not funny to everyone - I made an envelope for each card and wrote the theme titles on each envelope. 

It will be interesting to see how the other members interpret this idea.

UPDATED.

This ATC is entitled 'Fairy Land' - perfect for me!

Thank you Bev.

 

This is pure Vintage.

Thank you Jan.

This ATC is very cleverly gold embossed.

Thank you Lin.

This ATC was accompanied by lots of goodies.

Thank you Kate for these and for hosting a great swap.

On my Blog Template this is set out perfect for my OCD but Blogger seems to have other ideas and not only changes the font but destroys the layout ......

February Swap

Back around Christmas I received this very sweet tiny easel card and determined that I would make one this year.  

I sorted out several papers, some cream card and embellishments.  

I used some backgrounds from a masterboard I painted up a couple of weeks ago.  
I cut the cream card to make the easel and then measured out the papers to fit.  
I attached all these to make the easel card and then attached the embellishments as 'stops'.
I think that for a first attempt I am very pleased but  .......
.... next time I try this technique ..... I will add a card backing to the papers and a less thick 'stops'.

I shall see what my partner thinks!!



UPDATE

I received these beauties by return; 
Postage stamp plus info on gold
Stitched red hearts with peel off
Tiny photos with glittery border.

Thank you JudithAnn.

One Black + One Colour

I checked that I could use my paints for this swap as the examples given showed named paints and that is something my paints are not!!!  I was given the ok so searched out some designs on the net.  I found some initials and abstract designs and then decided to paint a tree and a City Scape for my other two cards.


I painted up the background with a lively blue/green and then painted in the City silhouette.

I painted my background in purple, washing and colouring in spaces.  When I applied the black paint, round the purple spaces it began to look more like a mosaic abstract. 

I painted this card with a vibrant golden yellow and then painted a tree, although the black paint looked more of a brown over the yellow.





I drew out the design for this initial with a soft pencil then painted over the card with a red mica paint.  I painted in the black design once the mica was dry, adding a few freehand swirls along the curves.  Next day I repainted some of the red coloured swirls on the black and then added a wash of red on the face to indicate the cheek and eye.  I think I could've added more black, then red, then black and so on but I called it a day after a couple of coats.  I am happy with the results.
UPDATED:
i received these cards by return.....


Brilliantly atmospheric card!
Thank you Pixari.

Abstract Birds in a fantastic colour.

Thank you TrinaLD.

Just wonderful!

Thank you Suntrade.

February Colour Swap - Red

Red!  yeah! for red!
I don't know if this has anything to do with it being a February swap!!!


I found the striped banner in among my scraps so decided to add a few more.  In retrospect I don't think I chose my papers very wisely!!!    My banners are not easily seen...... 
The background is some dark red music paper from my Personal Shopper days.  I cut two more banners, one from fibre paper and one from sparkly paper.  
I coloured up a Peel Off in red and attached it to the lower edge of the card.

I used Peel Offs on this second card but, as Peel Offs are rarely allowed in my other swapping group, I sought to camouflage them.  I attached both of them to other paper and then fussy cut them out.  I chose a red paper with gold spots for my background so I used plain papers for the Peel Offs.
  I love this little card. 

I chose a plain 'leather look' paper for my background on the third card with a fine white tissue paper, printed with red hearts, cut as a panel and attached down the centre of the card..   I added two playing cards, King & Queen of Hearts, to the centre of the card and a gold Peel Off down each side.


UPDATE:
i received the following cards:

 Beautiful shoe on a red shiny oval.
Thank you Jan.

Red pearl paper diecuts.

Thank you Jan S.

A real professional card.

Thank you Mel.