Saturday, September 25, 2010

Papertrey Blog Hop- and Philosophy


September's challenge from Nichole for tonight's Blog Hop is to 'show off any skill you might have learned from any stamper.'

So here's my philosophical thinking~ I do not consider myself having created any technique in card making that is mine, only mine- an original thought, so to speak. In philosophy, there is much discussion about whether there is such a thing as original thought, or is every thought (or creation) anyone has just built upon what comes before... is that too obtuse to think about on Blog Hop night? Suffice it to say that I consider everything I do in card making is learned from some other stamper.

The trick this month, then, was to think about which technique or tip has had the biggest effect on me. Ah! That's easy!

Look at these!

Early in my card making I went to All About Paper LLC in Hampton, NH (www.allaboutpaperllc.com). There, an entirely new world of card making was opened up to me~ I saw the most wonderful imported papers, and all kinds of things made from them- cards, 3-D items, and best of all, alcohol inks!


From Catherine, I learned how to line edges with a gold Pilot pen, how to let the paper carry the card, and how to get things to look 3 dimensional even when they are flat. And, lol, I learned to love little gold stickers!!

Mostly, though, I learned how to use alcohol inks. For that lesson, I am forever grateful!

She told me about score-tape that is 6 inches wide, and how it will hold down any thick photo paper, and also how when you punch through the stock then put the tape on the back- glitter will stick! She also taught me how to use an xacto knife with a ruler and cutting mat to get perfectly straight lines. Wow, I needed that, and went home and threw away my cutter that always made for wonky cuts. Freedom!


Catherine's cards also use lots of layers to pull the color away from the central image all the way to the edge. Can you see the gold in the inked background? Another lesson from Catherine: how to use metallic's with your inks.
Here's the last card tonight, hard to see in the photo, and maybe I've shown you this one before~ but a great example of using those imported papers along with alcohol inks, how to create a planned image with inks, and how to stamp on top of the inks!
Other than the fact that it's tough to make baby cards with alcohol inks, lol, it's still my favorite way of creating cards!
Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom, lol, and now carry on with your hopping!

38 comments:

Rhonda said...

What a great 1st teacher you had! Love the cards Beth

Anonymous said...

WoooooooooW!
These are gorgeous!
All the neat and different things you've done...totally rocked the 'technique' portion of this! LOL!

Karen C said...

All wonderful cards! I love the dimension of the daffodils!

Pam W. said...

These are beautiful! Thanks for participating in the hop.

Aimes said...

What great projects! I love your work with those alcohol inks!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Kay D said...

Oooh, these are just stunning! I absolutely adore all the rich colors and techniques you've picked up!

Sandy in Epping said...

Very different from all your baby cards, Beth. These are really stunning. I would love to learn more about using alcohol inks, too.
Catherine is quite the teacher, as well as an artist. You did well to be able to get into a class or two with her.

Anne Tussing said...

What wonderful and unique cards! Thanks for sharing!

Teresa said...

Beautiful cards Beth! I love alcohol inks and don't use them nearly enough.Thanks for the inspiration!

Laura Isham said...

Beth, these cards are so beautiful. They are rich-looking and stunning. what a great technique.

Marge said...

Very beautiful!!!

Deb C said...

What gorgeous creations. Thanks so much for sharing them all.

Kelly S. said...

WOW Beth what amazing cards! I think you could make some fab baby cards with this technique!! That daffodil one is my fave, WOW!

peggysue said...

Beautiful! What a gorgeous collection of cards and I agree with Leah, so different, great work with showing so many different techniques! i'll be back later to have a closer look at all of them.

Stephanie said...

Absolutely beautiful, Beth! You are so talented!

Sue Ann said...

So I had to come back this morning to read your post again or all the way through. When I read philosophy on the top I thought oh maybe I should have a cup of tea for this and both eyes open. Like you my eyes opened to the world of crafts at this AMAZing ART store ..... it was really all about stamps but how she used them was art. Diana taught me so much and I bought all my hand made paper from her and my first luxury ribbons...... she taught me masking and coloring on markers ........ ect but I can now see that maybe I should call her and ask her about those alcohol inks because those cards you are showing on this post are AMAZING!!! The card with the gold in the background paper ........ OH MY LORD!!! Great post last night Beth !!!

jen said...

awewsome cards & technique!! I'm with you- there are so many ideas out there- who's to say where they originated! I think we all evolve as crafters with the influence of other crafters!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards, and a lovely tribute!

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Thanks for the heads up on the PTI Scrapbook challenge...gotta go check it out!
=o)

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Very cool technique and wonderful cards you've created!
Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello! : )

Sara Mac said...

Wow Beth, so many great cards there. I love alcohol inks too. Just need to remember to use them. Thanks for sharing those tips with us.

Heather Rogers said...

Beth, these are amazing. Such great work. :)

Terri said...

I love working with alcohol inks too. Great job on all of them!

Huguenot Girl said...

Stunning cards. Love all the different techniques using the alcohol inks! Thanks for sharing.

Allison Rankin said...

Wow...this makes me wanna break out my alcohol inks which I never do! TFS!

Jen Carter said...

What fun and cool techniques you learned! Great job with all of those cards!

Betty Wright said...

WOW! Beautiful techniques and designed cards, Beth! Amazing looks and details!

klarcher said...

Your cards are so beautiful, what a wonderful way to honor your first inspiration by going on to create such beauty

Nerina said...

Wow, wow, wow!! Beth your cards are UNBELIEVABLE! This was like attending an art gallery, not stopping by on a hop! I'm feeling speechless! (And I like the philosophy part ... that was good :0)!

Kristii said...

Absolutely beautiful!!! Love your work with the alcohol inks!!!

Emily said...

Very pretty, Beth. I love the one with the giant medallion stamp!

Taheerah said...

Certainly surprised me Beth - not a baby card in sight, lol! Great cards and techniques though!

Lee said...

Such stunning cards. I have never used alcohol inks. Guess it's time to learn a new technique. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cammie said...

How wonderful to have had such a wonderful teacher and for her to have had such an apt student! These cards are art!

Vanessa said...

Wow, so many great techniques and you used them so well!! Vanessa x

k prakken said...

Beautiful cards. I think I need to look into alcohol inks. That is a technique I have never tried.

DF said...

Such beautiful works of art!!! I've never tried alcohol inks before, but certainly now I will. Thank you for sharing these cards and your thoughts!

Sheri said...

Oh my goodness, I love everything you have done but the gold pen takes the cake! You have had great teachers!