Sunday 14 July 2019

Complete Overhaul (and a long post!)

A week since my last post. I sit now in a completely overhauled craft 'studio' - taken almost a week to do, but it has been worth it as the room had become cluttered and untidy and a revamp was long overdue!
It's not quite finished as it needs painting but at least now I have all my crafting stuff neatly to hand and dear husband has a proper area now for his electric piano to sit  alongside his iPad and laptop. Just to the right are his main PC and 3 screens (don't ask - but apparently they are an ABSOLUTE necessity when you command the Starship Enterprise😵 or are a General in War Planet Online😉😉!).

Having been able to actually sit at a desk yesterday I spent my time making up a few cards from my saved 'practice' bits.
I had messed about on some small pieces of Yupo with Alcohol Inks trying out different colours. I put them to one side to dry then promptly forgot about them until we began the big re-vamp! So here's one -  I topped it with a NBUS die cut (another odd bit!) and a gold metal butterfly.
Gold embossed the sentiment.
Quick, easy and more bits used up so am calling in on my good friend Di at Pixie's Playground with this make and also sharing at the CAS challenge at Allsorts.

Whilst my first DT card at CAS Stencil involved Alcohol Inks, (my card is HERE)  the challenge at CAS Mix Up called for  Alcohol Ink Lift Technique.

I found this technique much easier using a dry baby wipe with blending solution wrapped round a stamping block and applied to the stamp rather than using the Lift Ink Pad.  

Easier ?  Yes but happy with the results? Not really!!

My seahorse and seaweed stamp design looked so much better in my head!
But I will have another go at this I think as I like the soft etheral look  that is achieved using the blending solution to lift off the colour (and I have LOTS of bits of Yupo to use!)

I have a couple of plants to pot up outside then I am planning to enjoy my lovely new 'studio' (and use up the rest of the bits on the desk!)
Thanks for looking - enjoy your day whatever you're doing. xx

21 comments:

Lynne said...

Well done with the revamp but your comment about hubby's screens made me laugh. Love your backgrounds, I like the fact that you don't have to rely on someone elses colours or design when you do your own. They both look fab X

Bunny said...

Oh how nice it would be to have an overhauled craft room. I'm excited for you. I love your cards. They are beautiful.

I did have to laugh at the "Starship Enterprise" comment. Of course it's absolutely necessary!

[Bunny]

Jo said...

Beautiful cards, the backgrounds are stunning, especially the seahorse one. Hubby & his screens made me laugh, sounds like at my house x

Aquarius said...

Two striking alcoholic cards!! How lovely to have a clean and tidy workspace - mine is the usual organised chaos and I know it would take me much, much longer than a week to sort it. Good news is that chaos doesn't really bother me (even if it should!!).

Pia S said...

It’s always inspiring to see how oddments and leftovers can make up a beautiful card. I do like your design on the first card, where the butterfly has found its perfect spot. I know the feeling when a card turns out differently than what you envisioned , but not having any comparison, I can tell you, truly, it did turn out looking awesome!

Kathleen said...

Two really lovely cards Viv, great die and a fabulous background colour and a lovely butterfly.

Kath x

Bonnie said...

I love this seahorse and the coral swimming in this sea of alcohol ink, Viv! Love that red with the white lattice too. Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

aussie aNNie said...

Hi Viv, good on you revamping your prized crafting area, we tend to get lost at times within our stashes.
Great alcohol ink backgrounds and I love the use of alcohol lift ink....great stamp too.x

brenda said...

A perfect creation for our CAS theme at Allsorts this week and such intensity of colour on both, thanks so much for joining in. Can identify with three screens, hubby has the same on his desk as well.

B x

Loll said...

Have to say that you must have the best "bits box" around, Viv! Two gorgeous cards. I LOVE the vibrant mix with red and pink on your first card ... gorgeous coverplate and gorgeous filigree butterfly. One of those cards where I go "WOW" when I see it!

Great work on your second card. Lifting the background gives which a really dreamy, watery look ... perfect for your seahorse and seaweed. Great idea with wrapping our stamp and dipping into blending solution. Turned out great!! xx

Mac Mable said...

Your first card is stunning Viv and love the design and those fabulous alcohol ink colours.
The effect with the lift on your second card is perfect with the watery look and theme of of this card. Thank you for the tip about using a dry baby wipe instead of the lift pad x. Thanks for joining in the challenge x
Fabulous to have a re-vamped craft room and glad to hear about DH too x

Linby said...

Two great cards. I have been doing something similar with bits. When I couldn't find part of my large paper trimmer I too began a tidy up - I even moved all the furniture! Still can't find it!
I love the effect with the seahorse it is so ethereal as you say.

Stamps and Paper said...

Well done Viv for revamping your craft room... I strated at the end of the year but its a very slow job..your two cards are stunning

Anne

Jo said...

An ocean of magic. The AI lift is truly mastered ...in the perfect places. Impressive. Beautiful cards Viv, TFS xx

Pat said...

Two fabulous bright and beautiful AI backgrounds Viv, and I love the look of the white lattice over the top of the first and such a pretty butterfly, and then the dreamy look of the seahorse and coral looks great on the second, and I love the sentiment you have put with it. Glad you are so happy with your revamped craft studio. It does seem to clear the mind and give focus to creating when everything has been sorted. x

Viv said...

Well done on your revamp Viv!(now we just need pics!) I did mine a few years ago and it needs sorting again now lol...apart from the decorating this time thank heavens! Gorgeous cards here too, love them both ;) hugs Viv xx

Mervi said...

Thank you for sharing your fabulous card over at Allsorts Cas theme;-))m

Mummylade said...

Amazing projects! Thank you for sharing with Allsorts in our challenge this week.

Di said...

I love both these cards Viv! How interesting about the alcohol ink technique - I've just bought a few bits to 'have a go' after seeing Jennifer McGuire but am also so glad I bought the re-inker as I'll try the baby wipe idea first! And well done on the revamp! This place is sorely in need of one now that I'm back on my trotters! Hey,ho!

Hugs

Di xx

Papercraft Boutique said...

Congratulations on joining the CAS Stencil Challenge Design Team, Viv!
This is such a stunning deep sea card. I love the ocean colors and the soft ethereal look. Your seahorse and the seaweed lifted so well.
Enjoy crafting at your new studio!
Thanks so much for sharing this beauty with us at CAS Mix Up too.
Hideko xx

Sarn said...

Congratulations on your revamped room. Love the snippets cards you've shown xxx