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Monday, June 6, 2016

Summer of Creative Chemistry 2016: Week 1

Hi everyone!  It's been a long time since I've been around crafty blogland.  The good news it that I feel great!  My life is so much different than it used to be prior to my surgeries.  The bad news is that with my good health comes a lot more work and occasions.  I was out of town almost every weekend and working hard during the week.  I did get some crafting done.  I just didn't get any of it posted here.  Sorry!!

Ok.  So I'm back for the summer and starting it off with bang.  I'm participating in Tim Holtz's Summer of Creative Chemistry.  I did Creative Chemistry 101 and 102 and I'm eagerly anticipating Tim's Creative Chemistry 103 at the end of the summer.  In the meantime, Tim is offering the Summer of Creative Chemistry participants weekly challenges. 

Week 1 Challenge requires us to use only four colors of Distress Ink and some of the techniques we learned during Creative Chemistry 101.  Here I created an 80th birthday card for my friend Betty.  The four colors that I used were Fired Brick, Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed and Spiced  Marmalade.  I love the bright colors!  What a very happy card to celebrate the "Noteworthy" occasion!


The butterfly was created with Tim's Brushless Watercolor Technique.   Foam squares were used to mount it on my background.


The border of the butterfly was created using Tim's Blended Spritz and Flick Technique.  Thanks to Tim's butterfly framelit (from Sizzix) I was able to mask my beautiful butterfly to do the border technique.  After I completed my spritzing and flicking, I added some sunshine warmth with some additional Mustard Seed DI over the top (thanks for the tip Tim!).  



 The background was made with Tim's Wrinkle Free Distress Technique.  The first and second layers were made with just Picked Raspberry.  The third and final layer added just a hint of Mustard Seed and Fired Brick.  The background was mounted on a kraft paper card.  The colors didn't pop the way that I wanted them too, so I used a Black Soot marker to color the kraft card stock edges.  Then I used Tim's Styled Labelss Die to add even more black accents between the butterfly and the background.  Tim's "Noteworthy" remnant rub and "celebrate" chit chat sticker outlined in black completed the front of the card.

  


 On the inside of the card, I used a piece of paper that soaked up some extra ink (using the Wrinkle Free Distress technique) to  create the butterfly below.  Tim's butterfly Movers and Shapers die was used with another Styled Label on black cardstock. The "80" was made from more remnant rubs.



I'm so glad to go back and revisit these techniques this summer.  There are so many tips Tim gives in his videos.  Love these classes!!!!  Thanks so much for dropping by.  I'm looking forward to visiting you all in the next couple of days.   Hugs!  -- Mary Elizabeth

9 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful piece, and nice to see you around again. Hugs, Valerie

Brenda Brown said...

Hi Mary Elizabeth I am so happy to hear that you are feeling well and fit now, what good news and glad that you are enjoying life again. It's fabulous to see you blogging and starting with CC3 is a brilliant way to go. Love your butterfly and use of distress inks. So looking forward to seeing more xxx

Words and Pictures said...

Hurray! So fantastic to see you back here, and even more fantastic to hear that you are so much better and busy with life and work. Your Noteworthy card is full of warmth and fire and the joy of life - you can feel it! - and I just love the softness of the watercolour stamping and those wonderful inky blotches and splotches around.

I'm sadly not going to get much of a look in on the CC summer, but that's because life is also busy with lots of lovely work and travel, so I can't really complain!
Hugs,
Alison x

sarascloset said...

Mary Elizabeth, I'm so happy to see you back and you started your return to blogging with a bang! Your card for your friend's 80th is beautiful--love those colors and your techniques are perfection! Huge hugs!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Cheers to you! I'm so thrilled you are feeling better. It's been a long road! Gorgeous card, and beautiful colors!

Mimi said...

Such an awesome card! The colors are so just appealling... they are like a hot summer night!

Barbara said...

Yayyy!!! Mary I'm so happy to see you on your blog and on Pinterest!!!! Your card it's absolutely fantastic! These colors are a ray of light in this day!!!!! Hugs Your italian friend BArbara

SewPaperPaint said...

Way way cool! Amazing DI colors and blending! Love the colored stamping! <3

A Pink said...

Fabulous ! Mary Great use of the techniques x