Sunday, August 17, 2008

Faux French Knots (on Scor-Pal grid) & DIY black hodgepodge

Hi Gals n Guys, Thanks so much for all of your kind wishes. I'm feeling a little better now. :0)


This card is made using wee Faux French Knots on a Scor-Pal grid (tutorial is here if you'd like to try it.) I don't know how to sew very well, but I found it meditative and satisfying; all you do is tie knots.

The black card is stamped in white craft ink (& lightly embossed with white embossing powder. I used a gorgeous Penny Black stamp (Duhlbergs) that the sweet & ultra talented Janine sent me. (I can't wait to show you the card she sent with it!)




Nope, SU didn't come out with black hodge podge, I just painted this with black Stazon reinker and heat-gunned it dry--A fast way to get coordinating metal! :O) The Platinum hodgepodge shows through a little givin' it a distressed look. (if you add too much--like me--it gets gummy or uneven, but you can scrape/sand it off and add a little more & dry. It's forgiving.

The white embossed flower under the black hodgepodge is an SU scallop punched, then cut into a daisy, then embossed with my favourite background stamp: a Paisley (large design category) from Above the Mark (56005 I). (I used Versamark & clear e.p. on the scallop first.) The sentiment inside of the (formerly) Platinum Hodge Podge hardware is from Blooming Flourishes (embossed in black on patterned gesso cardstock) & it's punched with the small oval punch. The whole shebang is layered on a Nestabilities scallop which has some wee dots of Sakura Stardust Glitter pen around it. It's raised up on Dimensionals.



The Natural Beauty butterflies, like the sentiment, are stamped on patterned gesso cardstock
I stamped them in stazon to capture their detail, but the gesso c.s. lets you emboss them (I just added clear embossing powder.) The gesso cardstock is also sturdier so their little antennae are good and strong even though they're wee.

They have some Sakura Stardust Gelly roll pen scribbled on them (and smudged) for glitter & their little bodies are embroidered onto the Kraft Scor-Pal grid before assembling the card.


Other details:

The black card is also embossed with Polka Dots in Versamark with clear e.p. to echo the dots of the French Knot look. The white ribbon is mystery ribbon from my fab friend Kim. The black brads are by Queen & Company.


Thanks so much for stopping by; I certainly have missed you all!
:O)
Mel

P.S. there's black hodgepodge on that little 3x3 purse (squeakin in the top photo) too (template & tutorial here)

25 comments:

Janine said...

Beautiful Mel!!! And I am so glad that you feeling better...
Your work is fabulous!!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

great tip for the metal. I didn't know you could use Stazon reinkers. Of course I can't find the reinkers anywhere!!! AND my black inkpad is dry!

Mrs. Nancy G said...

Absolutely stunning!!! Wow-wee!!!

:-)

Donna Baker said...

just maarvelous, dahling

Deb Neerman said...

" The whole shebang ..." LOLOL, one of my favorite technical terms!!!

Soooooooo glad you're feelin' better Mel-a-Licious. Sooo, can you come over to my house to play?!?

Great tips here, as usual, and I LOVE the card! You da bombette!

~Hugs!!

Deb Neerman said...

PS: Can NOT believe I actually beat Anna over here! A first in Bloggin' history!

~More hugs!

Savitri said...

Oh WOW! Gorgeous! Glad you're feeling better and sharing this yummy card!!! WOWSERS!!!

Paula's ponderings said...

Glad you feel a bit better...migraines suck! Take it steady young lady!!
Fab card as always!

Lorraine said...

So pleased you are back and feeling well again. The card is just beautiful, adore the French knots so elegant.

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

Gosh, but this card is totally incredible!!! I LOVE your knotted scored grid -- and that black HPH is fabulous the way you layered it!!! Totally FABULOUS work!! TFS!!!

Annapurna said...

This is gorgeous Mel. All the little details you put into the card like putting polka dots on the base, embossing the flower with clear, they don't look like much, but boy do they add richness to the card.

Thanks for inspiring me to get my thread and needle out. Keep up the good work, you inspiring thing.

p.s: Glad you are back and feeling better.

Heather said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors and contrast and the knots are such a pretty detail with texture and elegance.

I am glad to hear your head is feeling better - Migraines are the worst!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

This is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen! Awesome work!!!

Thanx for stopping by me :) I really appreciate the comments!

Annapurna said...

I tried sending you an email and "TELUS. net" Postmaster told me that your mail box is over the limit and I can't send you an emails :-(

Hope you will get this one. You should sign up for gmail or start using it if you already have an account.

Anonymous said...

This is gorgeous. Black and white is such a class act! It can't be beat. I especially like the embellishment that you created with the nestability/punch/hardware. Who knew that you could colour them??? Leave it to you to discover! Very nice card. Hope that you keep feeling better each day!
Beth Greco

CharityHand said...

Simply fantastic. Such a stunning creation.

Joani McDonald said...

This card is so beautiful! Very, very elegant!
You hit the mark once again! Super great work!
Hugs,
Joani

Risa said...

Your card is super awesome Mel!
I love all the fine details that you put into your cards...your work is awesome!
hugs
Risa:)
p.s. I'm glad to know that you are feeling better and TFS the Scor-Pal tips:)

Maria said...

Wow, your card is so pretty! Very elegant. I haven't tried this grid technique but after looking at your card. . .well, I most definitely have to try it out. Your work is so inspiring! Again, another beautiful creation!!

Maria

Carolyn King said...

This is gorgeous!!! Love the grid work!!

Unknown said...

Oh this is just beeeeeautiful, absolutey gorgeous, love it xx

kathleenh said...

Oh boy- you took the scor-pal to a whole new level. I see you working on their design team.

Anonymous said...

Stopping by quickly, glad you are back from vacation, I got back last night. Lots to catch up on

Tonniece said...

Stunning card Mel, and welcome back.
Migraines are the pits, so happy you feel better.

Andrea L - EnchantINK said...

Hi Mel
I just think this is a gorgeous card ... and I hope you don't mind that I cased it for a stamp club night! Obviously a club night means ... keep it simple ... so my card is very simple compared to your amazing creation ... but I thought you might like to see it? http://andrealowcock.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/faux-tile-combo-french-knot/
And ... I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so many exquisite creations on your blog! You are a constant inspiration! Stampin' Hugs, Andrea (EnchantINK) Australia