PEP tangles - my Zentangle Inspired Art blog

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Fluttering Flourishes

Brenda (Floral Fantasies) is hosting a blogaversary & 4,000 follower special celebration challenge based upon something in connexion with her artwork/blog (for full details see Brenda's post).

It was sometime in the early part of 2011 that I began to visit Brenda's blog - at about the same time as I was becoming more interested in the Penny Black stamp company. Since then I've learnt much from her artwork & so it wasn't difficult to think of a number of things when pondering over my submission for her challenge.


I have CASEd the first card in Brenda's post Cherish & Dream in such a way as to demonstrate what I see in Brenda's artwork. A particular feature of her work is the matting of the main panel - there are usually two borders; the outer one thicker than the inner. Flowers & butterflies are common components as are die-cuts, swirls & pearls. More often than not there is some kind of stamping & inking (frequently with Distress Inks) combined with dimension in the form of shaped flowers or decoupage.

front of card
close-up showing shine of wet embossing plus
shaped dimension of butterfly
close-up of  background tone on tone stamping upon
linen textured paper prior to card assembly
inside of card

Brenda & I share a fondness for Penny Black stamps & so I used these for all the stamped elements. She often creates an inky background or a scene but after my husband caught me 'red-handed' (his words) I abandoned my attempts & created a floral background using my favoured technique of tone on tone stamping.

Recipe
Stamps Penny Black 30-117 free flight (butterfly & sentiment), 4159K sundial (background & inside of card).
Inks Fired Brick Distress Ink (background), VersaFine Onyx Black (sentiment), VersaFine Onyx Black with Stewart Gill Ultrafine Embossing Powder (butterfly), VersaFine Satin Red (inside of card).  
Pencils/Markers etc… Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Marker (edging cardstock & sentiment border).
Cardstock Whites & assorted blacks in various finishes from stash.
Paper Textured red from stash.
Dies Spellbinders Nestabilties Labels 17 (sentiment), Sizzix Bigz Die – Elegant Flourishes (swirls).
The pearls are Papermania.

17 comments:

brenda said...

Good Morning Paula,

It never ceases to amaze me how deeply you look into pieces of artwork, it's never a passing comment, it is always a thoughtful and meaningful appraisal of what you see. For that I am always most appreciative.

The colours of this piece of artwork are so very striking, the backgound stamping draws the eye to the focal elements without overshadowing them. And the sentiment and butterfly are amongst my favourite PB images.

I am so thrilled that you have made such a special piece to join in my blog celebration and thank you for your friendship.

B x

Sandra said...

Well, fancy being caught red-handed! Beautiful card Paula, a lovely CASE of Brenda's original. Sandra

Aquarius said...

So you've joined the red hand gang!! Great card and the swirls and butterfly work really well.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Paula, I can related to being 'red handed' (or purple, green, black or combination of all).

Your card is a beautiful & elegant design. I love how much thought you gave your creation in relation to Brenda's designs. The tone on tone background is very effective and I love the colour combination. The butterfly & flourish are beautiful as well. Have a great day! Shirleyx

Heather said...

A stunning card Paula, I love your colour scheme - a beautiful sentiment and gorgeous butterfly!!!
Your background is awesome - inky fingers are 'par for the course' when inking - just don't get ink in any cut - they can turn a bit funny!!!

hugs
Heather xx

jackiescrafts said...

Hi Paula
I've just recently discovered Brenda's blog and her wonderful work but I've not joined in her challenge yet I hope I might manage a bit of time to,do so but this is a busy week
I love your card, the colours are very striking and the dimension you have achieved with the butterfly looks stunning. I love your red on red background too

Hope you are feeling a bit better as you are managing to craft. I won't be around tonight for chat as I don't think I will be back from church in time

Take care
Jackie x

Jean said...

Paula your card is beautiful. I really like the tone on tone background, and the butterfly is so perfectly stamped and embossed and looks lovely on the super flourish.
Jean x

GinaA said...

Hi Paula,
As usual your attention to detail is amazing, perfectly positioned elements on beautifully crafted layers. The flower stamp is gorgeous and I especially like the 'Satin Red on white' combination that you have used for the inside of the card. Even your red fingers look good, especially with your fabulous wedding band.
Must pop along to Brenda's blog to have a look.

Sally H said...

It is a very beautiful card, Paula, and you have captured so many Brendaisms! Gorgeous work x

alexandra s.m. said...

What a glorious card Paula!
I like your palette of colors and the placement of your main elements st the bottom right corner is so pleasing to the eye. Bravo!

(I'm also super excited to see that you are crafting and posting again ;-)

Thank You~

Elaine said...

Another fabulous creation Paula.
The tone on tone stamping of the floral image is the perfect background for the other components. I adore the butterfly and the placement of it on the swirl.

I usually find myself with Walnut Stain all over my fingers..not a good look at all, I look like a 40+ a day smoker!

Big hugs
Elaine xxx

Cathy A said...

You are so funny, definitely caught red handed with this one! Funny I took a photo of my nay fingers today, but they were brown, so it looked as if I hadn't washed them in years!
I love our butterfly in the corner, you eye is drawn across the page from the tone on tone flowers to the gorgeous raised butterfly. Beautifully done!

Sarah said...

Paula, this is fabulous - love the red, black and white colour scheme, the perfect embossing, the flourishes, the insert - in fact the whole shebang! Beautiful work as always. Sarah x

Rocky said...

Hi Paula, just stumbled across your blog via Vronnie. Great card and I love the red hands!!!

craftimamma said...

I agree with Brenda, your comments are always a pleasure to read because they are so considered and constructive. You actually notice things about my creations that have come about naturally (ie the way my designs are balanced which is just something I do without being aware of it) and I really appreciate the time and effort you put into leaving me a comment.

Your card in this instance is really lovely. Your tone on tone stamped background is perfect and I love how you used the die cut flourishes as antennae.... a very clever idea. I'm glad you weren't tempted to add colour to the butterfly and your matting and layering is perfect. I always admire the way the inside of your cards is a beautiful as the outside too.

I'm so glad to read that you have managed to bring some degree of control to your migraines too. You certainly deserve a break from those.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

xxxtglxxx said...

LOL - Red handed! :)

This is a very striking creation, gorgeous bold detailing and very elegant too! :)

hugs

xxalisonxx

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful card. And you know it's been a successful crafting session if you're covered in ink afterwards. :)