Friday, February 03, 2023

Peaceful Night

Hi everyone.  

First, I want to say that I'm not happy with this card, but decided to post anyways.  I love this image, and I love the mica powders used to watercolour.  But the black mixed media paper I used warped and I couldn't get it flattened, no matter how hard I tried.  From now on I will be taping down the black mixed media paper when using. :)  You might save yourself some grief if you do that as well. :)

I also decided to try making larger cards this year.  Why not??!! :)  Well, because I found it really hard to photograph the larger size.  Not in my comfort zone.  You will see this one today, and another next Wednesday ... not sure if that will be the last of my larger-sized cards or if I can figure out something soon. :)  Sorry for the long write-up ...

Edited to add:  A few of you have suggested I spritz the card with water and weight it down with something heavy for several days.  I have done that ... it didn't work.  I think it's the nature of the mixed media paper that's the problem.

I bought this stamp after seeing a gorgeous card made by Pat (Colourful Card Creations).  I had seen this stamp done by a few other friends and thought I should buy it then, but life got in the way until Pat's card appeared on her blog in late last year.  I bought it and then promptly filed it away until I had time to ink it up.  Today's the day. :)

I stamped the image onto black mixed media paper, heat embossing the outline in gold embossing powder.  I used my mica powders mixed with gum arabic (binder) and some water to create metallic watercolours and had fun painting the image.

Close-up ...
Since this is the first time using this stamp, I'm sending this card over to NBUS Challenge #47.  I'm so thankful for Darnell's challenge that inspires me to use my "never-before-used-schtuff"! :)


Thanks for stopping by!


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Stamps:  Peaceful Night (Woodware)
Paper:   Black card base (SU!); Black Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark 
Accessories:   Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; Arteza mica powders (gift from a sweet friend), Gum Arabic, paint brushes

Challenges:

29 comments:

ciloma said...

Put it in between two clean sheets of paper and stack a bunch of books on it for a week or two.

Nstiz said...

I'm surprised you don't like this card because my first thought was "WOW." Love the metallic mica powders on black. This is gorgeous Loll. For cards that are warped I spritz the back with a bit of water and put something heavy on it overnight. I've never had it not work and I've had some doozies here.

Lisa Elton said...

Sorry you had problems with this one, Loll. It's a pretty card! The colorful houses are quite striking on the black base. Hopefully you'll get a remedy from someone or get it figured out!

Bonnie said...

I love this stamp and all that mica shimmer, Lolly! It shows so beautifully on the black background. It's always such a disappointment when the paper warps and just won't flatten no matter what you do.

Anonymous said...

I think it’s gorgeous! I feel your frustration! Just an idea. What if you watercolour then put through laminator to flatten and then stamp again and emboss. Hugs x

Darnell said...

I'm sorry this warped on you, Lolly, because it sure turned out to be strikingly beautiful! You used the perfect colors to reflect the little town of Bethlehem! Thank you for inspiring everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Dolly

Christine Alexander said...

such a stunning card and stamp. I would go with the taping the mixed media till it drys, so frustrating ♥

Susan said...

Very striking on the black background! The gold embossing and mica powders must give it great shine. Thanks for the tip about taping down the black mixed media cs.

kiwimeskreations said...

I too love this stamp Loll, and keep promising myself I will buy it... Loving the mica powders against the black, but how disappointing that it warped!
Blessings
Maxine

nancy littrell said...

Your stamped, heat embossed mica watercolored Christmas image is Gorgeous, Lolly. I have used Nancy's spraying with water and then adding a paper weight (lg clear stamping block)
until completely dry technique to remove warping also..it does work usually. A slimline card might be more difficult though? Loving your new Seven cardmakers technique blog:-) TFS Love and Hugs...Nancy

Julie B said...

Love this Loll, despite the warping! It's so striking on the black MM paper, such a shame. I agree about taping but how about some funfoam on the back to hold it firm? :)

TK said...

It's a BEAUTIFUL card, Loll! I know what you mean though when something warps and you just can't get it straightened out - so frustrating. These woodware stamps are simply awesome, and I've had my eye on them too -- maybe here's the push to "buy more" - uh oh...

Viv said...

I also have this stamp Loll - last year I simply silver embossed it onto dark blue cardstock but like you after seeing Pat's this year I gave it a go onto black watercolour card and painted with my metallic paints.
I was really pleased with how it turned out. I have never had a problem with the watercolour 300g/m2 - 140lb Etival Black paper from Clairefontaine.
Could it have been the Gum Arabic?
xx

Birgit said...

It can be so frustrating when making cards presents such challenges that we don't know how to fix. My first thought was, this is a stunning card! The shimmery colors on the black is so very striking. One trick I've used for photographing larger cards, is using a square format and putting the card at an angle. Don't give up on them Loll. <3

Marcia Hill said...

I'm sorry about the warping grief this card gave you Loll, but the image alone makes it fabulous, and then all the gold embossing and metallic water coloring make it even more FABULOUS!! I think it's an absolutely BEAUTIFUL card!! (When I get warpage, I sandwich my panel between a sheet of folded copy paper and run it back and forth through my die cutting machine and it usually works really well at flattening it out.) Hugs. :0)

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I have and love this stamp, but love what you have done with it even more, both are gorgeous warped or not.
Faith x

Brenda in IN said...

This is stunning and I'm so glad you posted it. The mica powders give such a beautiful shine and this stamp is awesome. You created a great card and so is Pat's card.

Bobby said...

I have this stamp and love it too, Loll. I've pretty much left it uncolored but I do need to try coloring it since yours is so lovely. I will take into consideration my paper when deciding what medium to use.

HilaryJane said...

I think we all hate it when the paper warp, it causes so many problems. You can't see it in your pictures though and I bet it isn't as bad as you think it is. I love this the shiny gold and the black look so good and it is such a lovely stamp. I can see why you had to have it. thanks for the tip on using gum arabic and mica powders to watercolour. I have some gum arabic, so will give it a try sometime xx

Leslie Miller said...

Wow, and here I am sitting stunned over how gorgeous this is. It is utterly beautiful, I'm sure you agree about that, but I know how it is when we get that seed of disappointment or frustration in our heads... it just won't settle. My friend has this stamp and I've always thought how spectacular it is. I'm still agog over your card. It's rare that I feel okay about making a large card, too. For the most part I'm happy in my comfort zone.

Papercraft Boutique said...

I'm sorry about the paper warp, Loll, and I understand your frustration especially when everything else turned out well like this card. But I don't see any warp in the photo, and the card looks amazing! The shine of mica powder is so beautiful!, and the size of the card is perfect for the image. Good for you to try something that is out of your comfort zone! Looking forward to your next Wednesday's card!
Hideko xx

Cat Craig said...

This is one heck of a stunner! I often time run my warped cards thru my die cutter and then leave it under a heavy board for a week. IT helps but its never a flat piece again. Those bigger cards are a paint to photograph, but I am so appreciative of your posting this gorgeous piece.

Brenda said...

Can't see the warping in your photo's Loll, but understand your frustrations. I guess larger photos are harder to photograph because we are used to the smaller ones? Who knows, but sometimes a stamp just needs a larger card base. This card is stunning! The mica powders on the black are just gorgeous. I love how the colors change depending on the light. This is a gorgeous stamp and I can see why you had to have it. I say, don't give up on larger cards just yet! Hugs, Brenda

Linda said...

This looks stunning (I can't see the warping from the photo). Love the mica powders on the black card and I love this stamp ..... might just have to give mine an outing. Well it has been in my stash for a while now! xx

Pat said...

This looks gorgeous Loll, and the warping really doesn't seem to show and the colours of the mica are so rich and go together beautifully. Thank you so much for your lovely words and link to my blog, and I am so pleased that it was mine as well as a few other cards made with this stamp that prompted you to get it, and you have made a brilliant card with it. x

Sue - said...

Gorgeous card Loll. I love the stamp too, I’ll have to try it on black.

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful stamp Loll - and it looks beautiful with the metallic water coloring inside the gold embossing! Maybe the gold embossing shrunk up the paper around the embossing?? Maybe try to steam iron it??! Julia xx

BożenA said...

I love metallic paints on a black base. Your city is really luminous. A wonderful Christmas card!
xx

Sandy said...

Your first card is extraordinary - love the colors. I have this stamp so might give my version a go using metallic paints. I really, really love the colors in your first card!!!
Sandy xx