Sunday 11 May 2014

Welcome GD: Keren Baker Project #1 Clean & Simple Card Ideas

"Hello everyone, Keren here with the first of this week projects, I’ve used the Lynne Perella Collection. As each of my projects are clean and simple, I’ve created 3 for you in case you feel a little shortchanged (wink)"!


For this Clean and Simple card I’ve chosen to add colour details with alcohol based pens. I have used my favourite stamping card, which is, of course, Smoothy White Stamping Card along with the Copics/Promarkers blended well on the surface!

For any of you that haven’t used them, they blend amazingly - think felt-tip pens, except they're a million times better as the alcohol in them means there are no lines where the brush strokes meet. You can create some stunning effects. By adding different layers of colour you can get depth that would be difficult for a beginner like me to obtain with paint. I’ve separated the individual images, coloured them and then mounted them onto cardstock. I used a punch to create the shapes behind the images using a little washi tape and patterned paper. I’ve used adhesive pearls to add movement to the project.




Knowing that you all like techniques, my projects are fairly simple on the eye - I’ve prepared a couple of other card projects using this set.


The Lynne Perella set reminded me of a set of beautiful pictures, so I thought I’d recreate a little wall of art. 

I stamped out the images and then measured the sizes to cut out frames from bright coloured cardstock. My default colours are always bright and fun, so I just used whatever scraps I had lying around. I added tiny shapes from dies and punches to give depth to the frames (whilst also cutting out some very un-straight straight lines!!).


By adding gold thread to the reverse of the frames and ‘suspending’ them by hooking around little brads it created the ‘art wall’ look. I broke out my London Bus Fresco Paint and added to one of the PrimaEmbellishments , loved the fact this colour is translucent so I can still see the surface effect of the embellishment through the colour

http://shop.paperartsy.co.uk/fresco-finish---london-bus-3256-p.asp

For my last simple project I decided to play a little with the paints.

The ‘pen’ image in the stamps reminded me a little of fancy 'turrets' (think Taj Mahal!) so by stamping and white embossing them, I wanted to create a simple skyline by using the paints watered down.

I used these colours as they jumped out at me, I stamped and embossed the image several times over before starting.

I then added some water to make them even more translucent. 


Once mixed well, I added in broad strokes across the embossed cardstock. I was looking for strong bands of colour rather than a graduated effect although I think it would have looked better had I picked my colours more carefully (!).

Once dried, I trimmed the piece down and chose to use the offcut. I stamped a sentiment from the Eclectica Sara Naumann Collection.

http://shop.paperartsy.co.uk/e-sara-naumann-01-4121-p.asp


I wanted to stamp the sentiment that way, so that when positioned on the card, the colours would be going in a different direction and so add interest to my project.
I then added my embellishment, mounted the sentiment and adhered the painted piece to a kraft base before adding some white gel pen ‘stitching’.

"I’m back tomorrow with another project- and this time there won’t be a card in sight"! 

~Keren~

Leandra Says: Wow all these ideas are great Keren! When those stamps came out, I think this set immediately grabbed me with the wealth of options it offers! You have captured that perfectly. Bravo and so nice to have you here!

Gillian Says: Welcome Keren. I love your Clean and Simple style of art .... something I really cannot master lol. Love your use of bright colours which works so well with the Clean and Simple style. We are in for a treat this week :)

If you would like to join in this week's challenge and play along with Keren's techniques, then do link up your creativity here, and go in the draw to win some PA stamps of your choice! You need to link your entry by 17:00, Sunday May 18th 2014 

28 comments:

craftytrog said...

Gorgeous cards Keren! xxx

Helen said...

I'm very envious of people who can do clean and simple well, as it's harder than you think (I can't for example!) Love these cards, they all look gorgeous. Those white embossed pens look particularly great.

Unknown said...

Fab cards hunni. Well done! I love them all but the last one is my fave. Fab colours! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, three stunning cards! I love the frames on the middle card, but they're all beautiful.

Craftyfield said...

Not short changed at all! Love your little frames card and the Clean & Simple style

Steven said...

Wow, money's worth!! Inspiring stuff. Love small projects like these.Nice and clean and simple!

Ruth said...

Just what I was thinking, 3 stunning cards, love what you've made. Really like the turrets! Looking forward to the rest of your posts.

margaret said...

Love he clean lines and the stamps used made me the decide the stamps I would choose as I was a winner this week. Margaret

Unknown said...

Great clean cards, I agree with Helen clean is harder than you think!! My fave is the frames it looks so fresh, but they are all fab xxx

massofhair said...

Three fab cards, love the first two very much. Great start to your semester. Looking forward to your next post very much:-) xxx

Unknown said...

Wow Keren,as always,wow. LOVING the mini picture frames-genius idea <3
Lou x

Deborah Wainwright said...

Love these cards Karen each so different but still scrummy. Great to see you here too. Looking forward to the next makes xxx

Liesbeth Fidder said...

Wonderful clean cards Keren ! Looking forward to your other posts ! X

yoursartfully said...

Beautiful, beautiful cards Keren. I too wish I could do CAS, it's something I really struggle with.

Lin

Anonymous said...

Hi Keren. Fab projects. Love the last one with its bold stripes. Good to see you going somewhat Artsy. :-) xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Your cards are beautiful keren, I really like your style, vibrant and striking. Look forward to more!

Lucy x

craftimamma said...

Welcome Keren. Really enjoyed your first post with these gorgeous cards. Fabulous style and love your colour choices..... quite funky and bright which I definitely find difficult to use.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Julie Lee said...

Really striking cards! I love how you really bring out those wonderful, Lynne Perrella images. This is so new and fresh! Welcome! Julie Ann xxx

Katie said...

great projects Keren and i have a soft spot for book print stamps. will have to go shopping again

Unknown said...

These are really gorgeous!

Sarah G said...

Cool cards, Keren! I especially love your little wall of art with the bright frames - so clever :) Love your CAS take on these great images!

Kathi said...

I think CAS is incredibly difficult to do well and your CAS cards are great! I love your use of color.

I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us this week!

Paula Whittaker said...

Congrats on the PA gig. Loving your CAS work Keren.

Annie Stamps said...

I particularly love the wall art. The colours are bright and beautiful. Annie P xx

~amy~ said...

WOW, love everything!

Virginia L. said...

LOVE this so much!! The white space and images are gorgeous together in these CAS designs!

Etsuko said...

Clean and simple cards are really beautiful and lovely xx

Kezzy said...

Wow totally unique gorgeous CAS cards, beautiful:-) Kezzy xxx