Wednesday 27 April 2016

2016 #8 A Box of Cards {by Ellie Knol}

2016 #8: White Space

Hi everyone! Ellie Knol here, joining you this evening with a post about white space.

White space can be dramatic; highlighting the focal point of your project!. I always try to add a lot of contrast, as that is what ART is about, isn’t it? Without contrast, there will be no expression in your project. What better way is there to add contrast than (a lot of) white space?

I’ve made a box from cardboard (to fit the envelopes and cards), and used the same technique on the outside of it, as I’ve used on the six cards inside it. It will make for a nice and unique gift!  I’ll show you the step-by step of the box, the decorating of it.


Step One: Make a box for the cards with cardboard (3mm thick). Paint the bottom part of the box with a dark brown acrylic paint. Now for the lid of the box - crinkle up some blotting paper and cover the whole of it by glueing it to the surface with decoupage glue; this creates a beautiful texture. Leave to dry. Paint it with Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics (Snowflake). This gives a nice chalky surface to use as a base for the technique. 


Step Two: Tap a little bit of Nuance and Bistre powders onto an acrylic block (the one I used measures 6,5 x 5,5 centimeters). Mist it with water. Stamp with this onto the surface. Blot with a paper towel if there is too much color or water in certain areas. Leave to dry. This creates a base for the stamping and a die cut.

PaperArtsy says: this effect would be wonderful done with our new Infusions, available from your favourite PaperArtsy retailer now. 


Step Three: Add some stamping with Ink & The Dog Mini Stamps (Mini 61 and Mini 29) with a permanent dark brown ink. 

ID Mini 61
ID Mini 29
These mini stamps are beautiful to use for backgrounds. 


Step Four: Spray the surface with a fixative. Add a diecut. Add a permanent dark brown ink to the edges with an ink pad. Paint the whole surface with a multi medium. 


As I said - I've made six cards with the same technique. I did not use blotting paper as the base though, just plain cardstock.I used two more minis on the cards Mini 28 and Mini 58
 Mini 28
Mini 58
 Here are the cards, made with the same technique.  

(Mini 61 and Mini 28)


(Mini 61 and Mini 58)


(Mini 61 and Mini 28)


(Mini 61 and Mini 58)


(Mini 61 and Mini 29)


(Mini 61 and Mini 29)


It's so easy to do! 

The most difficult with this technique is to keep the white space white! (grin)
The sky is the limit here: you can choose different colors, stamp with a bigger acrylic block, maybe even a round one, or with a gelatin plate. You could choose to stamp with any other ink or paint; use a stamped image instead of a diecut. 

I've used two diecuts from Memory Box in this post. 
Give it a try! 
Hope you will enjoy this as inspiration to create your projects!
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Welcome to the blog Ellie, your style here is just beautiful. Using an acrylic block to transfer the colour is a great idea and gives an element of control. Fabulous layering, so very effective, and a stunning gift to give. ~Darcy 

The PaperArtsy blog challenge is an opportunity for you to play along with the ideas our bloggers present. The current topic is #8: White Space. You can put your own twist on the ideas presented, share or try something totally new. As long as it fits the theme we would love to see what has inspired you! So please join in and link up your creativity HERE to your own blog post.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. This link will close 19:00 (London Time) May 1st 2016

30 comments:

Helen said...

Ellie these are just wonderful!

PaperArtsy said...

So easy to do and s gorgeous effect!! Thanks for sharing Ellie!!

Craftyfield said...

This is exactly what I set out to do in my entry to the challenge! Love the effect of the powders for the background. Lovely set of cards .

craftimamma said...

Gorgeous cards and box Ellie! Simple but sooooooo very effective. Must give this a try!

Hugs
Lesley xx

craftimamma said...

Gorgeous cards and box Ellie! Simple but sooooooo very effective. Must give this a try!

Hugs
Lesley xx

JoFY said...

Great cards & use of white space.... :o))

Anneke said...

A beautiful box and set of cards Ellie. I love all the white, great combination with the die cuts as well.

Miriam said...

Gorgeous projects

Artmadnana said...

Gorgeous idea Ellie. Love the simplicity of these yet with such a sophisticated result.

Lauren Hatwell said...

Absolutely beautiful Ellie. Lx

Unknown said...

Stunning and elegant, love them all!

Kirsten said...

These are gorgeous!!

Jennie Atkinson said...

So beautiful, both the box and all those wonderful cards.

Ellie Knol said...

Happy to be here.. thanks for having me Paper Artsy!

Lucy Edmondson said...

I love your cards and box, Ellie, the white die cut cutting through the colour is really effective,

Lucy x

Jane said...

What a great idea to put the bister on the block..I must try that. Such a lovely set of cards x

pennylopes54 said...

All different and beautiful balance.

laury55 said...

beautiful cards, love them

Julie Lee said...

What amazing designs! Really lovely and effective! x

Etsuko said...

What a beautiful cards and great use of Infusions. xx

Hazel Agnew said...

Absolutely leave these Ellie....so inspiring, thanks! X

Words and Pictures said...

How lovely to see Ellie here - I'm a long-time fan of her work, and these beautiful cards are a great example of why.
Alison x

Annie said...

Fabulous card ideas Ellie.....thank you for sharing
Annie x

Julie S said...

White space can be a challenge for me, but your box and cards are so stunning I'm ready to try my hand at it. Love the technique using the acrylic block to stamp with.

geezercrafter said...

Thanks Ellie for show casing these mini stamps, your creations are truly inspirational

kassa said...

Simply beautiful - eye catching:-)))

Curls N Twirls said...

Thank you Ellie for inspiring me to try out the topic White space ..The cards are so beautiful, I loved it :)

xoxo Remya

Seth said...

This is such a beautiful series. Thanks for sharing the steps.

Ellie Knol said...

THANK you all SO much for your kind comments! I really appreciate it! I'm happy!

Cocofolies said...

This is a last late comment for you Ellie...:-)
I hadn't had time so far to read your contribution to the blog and look at this set of cards, simply missing time too much sorry.
What a brilliant idea to create stunning and effective cards quickly!!!
They are all very beautiful!!
Thanks Ellie. Coco xx