After a recent discussion with a friend about bits boxes and white paper off-cut boxes, today I decided to do something about them. I don't know about you, but so often a good clean out is a form of procrastination. In this case, I was hoping that if I cleaned up my desk I'd find my mojo hiding there somewhere and be able to get on with some creating.
I'm not entirely sure I found it, but I did find in my bits box something of interest. Some time ago, I did a class using Geared Up Garage and I taught my people how to make faux metal out of paper. There in the bottom of the box was the piece I made as demonstration, along with another thing we did in that class: using small stamps to create a tone-on-tone DSP.
Since my mojo was still on a go-slow, this week's sketch from The Paper Players came to my rescue with some inspiration.
So, here it is - the bits box bonanza:
The faux metal gears were made on Crushed Curry to get the golden underglow, then built up with layers of different browns and partial layers of clear embossing. A fun technique!
The strangest thing is that the stamped panel and the embossed card front are both Sahara Sand, even though they look different. The inner panel has been stamped, the edges sponged and then mounted on a narrow border of embossed copper foil. The card base has been embossed using the Subtle folder. Somehow, these two treatments make them seem as though they are different colours. After looking at the photo, I even had to go back and check the original card with my colour swatch!
So the results of this afternoon's activities were: this card, a much reduced bits box, a much smaller (and tidier) white off-cut box and a MUCH fuller paper recycling bin. 😀
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I totally agree with you Jan, a good old clear out of the bits and bobs box can often get some creative juices flowing too! It definitely worked for you - I'm loving this gears design and that faux metal technique looks fun. Weird how different treatments can make card stock seem as though they're different colours but it all worked out beautifully here :)
ReplyDeleteStay safe and well, Vicky x
Well, good for you, cleaning out and using up some of those bits. I confess...that hasn't happened lately in my room! I need to just STOP for a while and take care of business, LOL! I love these gears...they are totally amazing and I think the background you created is fabulous! What a great way to use your stamps!! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Paper Players this week! We always love seeing what you create!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jan, this is awesome! I think you're gearing up for a win :-) I think I'll give this a try after I finish my share sunshine projects.
ReplyDeleteJan - what a cool card - the sponging and embossing you did on the gears is genius! And yes - it's interesting that the Subtle folder "changed" the look of the Sahara Sand CS! Love all the little details - I think your Mojo is on a way-back!! Thank you so much for sharing your project with us this week at The Paper Players! :)
ReplyDeleteOk - challenge extended, I’m going to need to tackle my bits box too! This is a great find in yours though - those faux metal gears look great, I think I’m going to have to have to have a play with this technique myself - I never realised you started with coloured cardstock, I thought you had to start with foil. Love the subtle stamped background too - even if it did put you in a momentary colour spin! A great masculine card and one that is perfect for our Paper Players sketch this week!
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