Clarity Stamp Challenge – “Anything but a card”
Leaving it till the last minute but at least I have managed to finish something enter something this month. I have been inspired by some amazing pieces of artwork on canvas using the “bleeding tissue technique” (a pack (or 2) just happened to end up in my basket when I did my last Amazon shop. ) and I knew that Clarity stamps and stencils would be ideal for giving this a go.
This was my first attempt which I was quite happy with, but when I showed it to my daughter she said it needed more butterflies…….
So just to please her I added a few more. sorry not the best picture, I should have taken the picture before I put it in the frame.
The Clarity Stamp Challenges are monthly with a £50 random draw on offer too. You need to use only Clarity stamps and stencils which I managed, well parts of, 2 stencils and 1 stamp, but ALL Clarity. Check out their web site, they have a fabulous range.
Thanks also to Rae Aloha Dalal and Eileen Godwin for their inspiration for the “bleeding tissue techniques.
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The Craft Barn weekly Challenge 29th March – “Retiform”
As well as the Monthly calendar challenge, which I am really enjoying taking part in, The craft Barn also run weekly challenges. Up to now though I have not had chance to take part in any but when this weeks post popped up I was intrigued as I had not heard of the term “Retiform” before, so continued to read though the post to find out more, followed through to Dawn’ post showing how to do the technique and decided I would have to sit down and give this a go. I think I have seen something similar being done in the past but have not tried it before.
All I can say is that it is like an extreme stamping and masking technique. It was thoroughly absorbing as had to concentrate and it took a couple of attempts to get the hang of it, but I did enjoy doing it – a great de-stress
Instead of using lots of different stamps I only used parts of 3,which just happened to be Sheena Douglas as they were to hand, Walnut Stain and Victorian Velvet Distress inks and Potting Soil Archival for the stamping.
Need to practice a bit more but do like the effect.
Sorry its a quick post as I wanted to post before I missed the deadlines, but we will now be having a go at these techniques in our Saturday “crafty aftys” during April so I will be able to show the techniques and step by steps in more detail then.
Thank you for visiting xx
Julie's Craft Room 
Wow nice and bright love your picture and the way you have the butterflies coming out of it good luck in Clarity challenge x
its lovely Julie – I think your daughter was right – just having them coming into the surround somehow just finishes it off.. good luck and thanks for entering the Claritystamp challenge
A lovely and clever combination of stamp and stencils.Thank you for taking the time to enter this month’s Clarity challenge and good luck! ;~}
Both entries are fantastic, fingers crossed for you. I left it too late lol. Really looking forward to trying the Retiform technique x
The vibrant background shows off the bold black images perfectly Julie. Thanks for entering the Clarity challenge, and good luck. Xxx
Lovely artwork Julie. Both images look good though the butterflies coming out of the main image on to the surround adds that little something extra. Thanks for entering this month’s challenge. Good luck!
Love it Julie. I really think that your daughter was right and the extra butterflies just set it off nicely. Best of luck in the challenge. xx
I love this Julie, it’s so vibrant. Good luck in the challenge x
It’s a nice first attempt at the technique which I always called the grid technique. I like the colours you’ve used and the shape of the card.
the octagon with all the little different triangles is just great.
2 fab projects. Love the colours on the first one and the stamps on the second piece are beautiful 🙂
Love your retiform shapes, very controlled but it gives a kind of kaleidoscopic effect, no wonder it took you a couple of goes to get it right! It works very well as a frame for the charming birds too.
Julie, your Retiform is amazing, glad you enjoyed doing it! Thank you for joining in The Craft Barn Challenge.
Jane x