Monday, October 25, 2010

October PTI Blog Hop

Eeek! I almost forgot the Blog Hop format changes again, lol!!

So, gee whiz, two blog or website lessons:
1. Don't talk politics
2. Don't talk religion

Uh oh, I think I am going to break that rule in this post.

One of the things I love about the PTI forum is how happy and accepting it is. Every once in a while something erupts, of course. Religion this time, I think. I am sorry about that. I think this month we were to make a winter season card, and I interpreted it to mean we were to think outside of the Christmas box. Easy for me, hard for some, I guess.

I used Mozel Tov and MT Additions to make this Hanukkah card for a co-worker. Woo Hoo! One card down 149 to go!

I first made the background paper with alcohol inks, using both the direct to ink and the tapped on method. I stamped the menorah in Versafine Onyx black and heat dried. Layered on True Black, the card base is silver shimmer. There's a wee bit of yellow Pearl Pen in the flames. the sentiment is done in silver detail EP. 9 SU brads finish off the right hand edge.



Forgot the inside when IU first put up the post...


Next up is a different kind of 'winter holiday' card. Since we are atheist's, we recognize and celebrate each solstice during the lunar/calendar year. We celebrate Mother Earth and Father Time, so to speak, and the changing of the season is way important for us. Gee, how would we know when to start chopping wood and when we can stop? Ok, no more politic or religion, lol!!



Inside and Out Holiday works great for the thought of the Winter solstice. The center yellow and red alcohol ink represents both the fire on the hearth that must burn from now until the Spring solstice, but also the light at the end of the dark winter months. The magic is, of course, that Spring will come again! The image is edged with a gold pilot pen, layered onto Smokey Shadow CS then put on the card base of Shimmer Gold.

The date was done on my computer, and printed out on Stamper's Select CS Vellum
I had to make the glitter brads with glue and glitter. Not terribly successful; I am hopping the glue will be dry by December 21st!

Thanks for reading to the end on this long Blog Hop evening!

46 comments:

Laura Isham said...

Beth.....this is STUNNING! What a beautiful effect you have created. I am in awe. It is really inspiring, both as a papercrafter and as a person.

merryf said...

These are stunning. I have never seen this technique before and I'm speechless at how gorgeous this is. That Hanukkah menorah is practially leaping off the card! WOW. What beautiful work!

Unknown said...

WOW! Those are some cool cards! You are so talented! Like them both but first one's my fave!

Keva said...

Whoa!! You HAVE to tell me how you did that "fire" background! I don't think I am familiar with the alcohol inks..these cards are fantastic! really cool.

Kelly said...

wow. i can't believe how beautiful your background is.

AllMyHobbies said...

Wow! Truly works of art. Great job!

Adele Fowler said...

what an amazing background!! :)

Kay D said...

Holy crap! (no pun intended) These are THE most amazing backgrounds. You say you did them with alcohol inks? Fabulous!
Any chance you could give us a tutorial on this? Pretty please? : )

Traci Nachtrab said...

Incredible! You're one talented gal.

Sarah said...

Ditto everyone's comments on the backgrounds. WOWZA!

Banu said...

WOW Stunning!! I really love how you did the brads under the sentiment. Really neat. I know there are a lot of similarities in the festivals between Jewish and Indian religions. I am eying the set that you used in your card. One of these days for sure.

Dana said...

OH Beth, I literally gasped out loud (GOL?) when I opened your link. I used to love using AI and haven't brought them out to play in quite a while. Such incredible cards... I can't stop staring. Seriously.
And I'm delighted that you "put it out there" on your blog your "non" religious beliefs. Brave of you. As an Atheist-Buddhist (I know, makes no sense) I am always worried about declaring that on my personal blog for fear of backlash. Silly, isn't it? You are my stamping idol today lady!

Lea L. said...

This is very beautiful! I love the effects of the alcohol inks, and the stamping is gorgeous!! Great job with the PTI Blog Hop challenge! ♥♥♥

Mariah said...

Wow great paper! You need to a tutorial on how to do it! LOVE IT!!!!

Marge said...

WOW, that menorah card is simply STUNNING!!!

Christi said...

The alcohol ink backgrounds are simply stunning. Like sitting in front of a warm roaring fire. Love your cards.

Debby said...

Fabulous cards! Truely great.

Terri said...

That are both beautiful! Love those backgrounds! I completely agree with you about religion and politics. I am happy to see so many people still participating though.

Karin Ã…kesdotter said...

WOW! It's amazing! Sooo GORGEOUS!

Kara said...

what a breathtaking technique!! just gorgeous

Suzanne said...

Jaw. Droppingly. Gorgeous. You have to give us a tutorial over on the forum on alcohol ink backgrounds. And soon. :-)

Kelly S. said...

Oh you are taking those alcohol inks by storm, Beth! I think at the last hop you were just starting to use them, but you SURE have got them down pat now! Stunning cards! Love the way they just GLOW!

nancy said...

You really captured the feel of light with the alcohol inks. If your cards are this breathtakingly gorgeous on the computer, I can only imagine what they are like in real life.

Jen Carter said...

Wow! This is stunning! Great work!

Mindy said...

These are AMAZING! I'd love to see a tutorial on the backgrounds as well! Wow!

Cindy Coutts Designs said...

This is one of the most gorgeous cards I've seen on this hop so far. It's beautiful!

sarahw said...

WOW! Your cards are just beautiful, I have never seen a card like that before. I would love to get that Hanukkah card in the mail. :)

Carol's Ink Spot said...

This is GORGEOUS!!! I love the backgrounds you made. So dramatic looking.

Stacy Simpson said...

Breathtaking!

Ginger Claire said...

Those backgrounds are so dramatic - I just love them. Fabulous cards xx

Sue in Grapevine said...

You work w/the alcohol inks is amazing!

Unknown said...

oh Bethie..lol..I totally agree about "no talk of politics and religion"..the cards are so pretty, you have done an awesome job! well your post was informative as well!

Chris Simon said...

Oh, wow. Those are spectacular! The backgrounds are simply amazing and I think you're about to send me on a buying spree for alcohol inks. Great job!

Jennifer Styles said...

This is a fabulous card, love it!

The sentiment you used totally rocks!

Melissa said...

These are breathtaking, Beth!! I've never tried alcohol inks before. Thanks for sharing about yourself, I enjoyed learning more about you!

Helen F. said...

Beautiful effect with the alcohol ink technique. Love the colors you created and blended. Lovely card...hope you can duplicate it another 149 times :)

Kristii said...

Absolutely stunning!!!!! You totally rocked the challenge!!!

Paula Laird said...

A-MAZING! I would LOVE a tutorial on how to make the background! It's just breathtaking! These cards are stunning!

Gayatri said...

Stunning! I agree with everybody, background is amazing, Beth! Great work!

Laurie HIMCR said...

WOW!! Gorgeous is all I can say! Or maybe BEAUTIFUL, specactular, awesome or stunning! TFS!

Linda said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous work! Your backgrounds are spectacular. You are so talented and creative. I don't think we get to see enough of your work. Thank you for sharing!!

Terri Trotter Earley said...

So pretty! Great job with the PTI challenge.

It's a good life!
Terri E.

pattylt said...

Beth, this card is amazing. I have played with alcohol inks but never produced anything that looks likes this! Thank you for putting your atheism out there as well. It isn't easy to do. This card just rocks!...and I am so going to CASE it.

DF said...

Beth, these are jaw dropping gorgeous!!! So warm and colourful! I have never worked with alcohol inks, but now I will have to give it a try. I also love the way you made the brads into a mini menorra - genious!

Thanks so much for your comment about tweaking my card. It's all permanently stuck on so it's got to stay how it is. But next time I'll try your suggestions. :)

Gabby said...

I'm speechless! This is the first PTI hop I've gone through (it's taking me two-three days but I'll get to the end!) OMGosh ... your menorah card is SPECTACULAR! It totally LIGHTS UP and makes the Festival of Lights come to Life! Excellent work. I hope one day I will be able to use my alcohol inks at your level! :)

jen said...

AMAZING!! It's so striking & the brad detail is a great element!!!