World Map

Hi Everyone. Happy Monday.

One of the first stamps that I wanted to get when the Stampin' Up! 2013/2014 catalog was released was held back for a while.   However, the minute it became available I added it to my next order.  That stamp was World Map.  You can get this in either wood mount or clear mount and it's also available as an MDS download.   Now, I love MDS and, in fact, my sentiment for tonight's card was made using MDS.  However, there are some things you just can't do with MDS.  The technique I used on tonight's card is one of them 🙂

I don't know about you, but I sometimes find myself in a stamping funk.  I am definitely in one right now.  I made over 300 cards for the recent OWH card drive and I find that trying to rush to get that many cards finished and made up, pretty much tires me out!   So, I needed to go do something to get a little inspiration.

I found a class on onlinecardclasses.com.  I'd always bypassed this class because it was run by Tim Holtz and I have very few Ranger products and, although Tim is incredibly talented, he tends to vintage and steampunk, which is out of my comfort range.  However, I realized that this was a technique class and considering I have really gotten myself into a rut with techniques, I thought this might be just what I needed to get some creative juices going.

What has this got to do with World Map, I can hear you ask?  Well, that's a good question!  Whilst I was watching a video on paint resist, I immediately had this idea pop into my head using the World Map stamp and the one bottle of acrylic paint that I own!

When I was making cards for OWH, I ran out of ideas and ordered a couple of card kits.  In one of the card kits were these alterable "THINGS".  Now, I always look at these little doodads and think…. aaaargh!  What on earth am I going to do with those?   Then I immediately set them aside and ignore them.  Well, when this idea for a card popped into my head, I immediately thought of these little doodads and plucked up the courage to open the packet and use them!

So, I took out my acrylic paint dabber, dabbed it all over the World Map stamp and stamped it on to Very Vanilla card stock.  When it was dry (it actually dries pretty quickly), I took out my one of only 3 distress inks and got to work blending the color onto the Very Vanilla card stock.   Lo and behold!  The map image started to appear.   Check it out

The white acrylic paint acts like embossing and creates a resist surface.  However, unlike white embossing powder, it isn't shiny and raised, which is exactly what I was looking for.  Because I wanted to create on old map feel, I didn't want the shine of the embossing powder.  I really liked the effect.

The next thing I had to do was take these little doodad thingys and alter them.  They are cut from balsa wood, which was way too light for the card, so I took some ink and a spong dauber and changed the color.   I let the ink dry and then adhered them to the map using Crystal Effects.

All that was left to do was to open My Digital Studio and type up a greeting that fit with the theme. 

Here's my card using the paint resist technique:

I wanted to create a shadow around the plane, so used a copic marker.  However, I think I should have used a cooler color, because it's a little too close to the color of the plane.  But, when I noticed it, it was much too late to do anything about it!  However, I did decide not to add any shading to the other doodads!  

I was really pleased with the result and will certainly use this technique again.  I will also challenge myself to find other ways to use the little alterables.  Now, I'm off to see what other techniques I can do to help get some creative juices flowing again! 

On a personal note:

Fall has definitely arrived.  The colors are not as intense this year as they were last year, but they are still beautiful.  They are also a little later this year, so we won't be at peak for another couple of weeks.  In fact, the fall color map indicates that we are only at about 25% of fall color.  Pam and John and Russ and Rach were here with us this time last year and the colors were definitely further along.   

As October 1 is almost upon us, we are getting ready to put out the Halloween decorations and I have been doing a little fall decorating in the house.    I love the cool colors of the sages and creams and greys for spring and summer, but really find myself wanting to inject some warmer colors at this time of the year.  I think it's almost time to change out the curtains in the great room!

As always, thank you for visiting my little neck of the stamping blogosphere.   Your visits and your comments are always much appreciated.   Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe – all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla.  Early Espresso
• Stamp:  World Map
• Sentiment:  My Digital Studio
• Accessories:  Studio Calico Wood Veneer alterables
• Inks:  Acrylic Paint (Adirondack).  Distress Ink:  Tim Holtz Tea Dye