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Thursday, 14 May 2015

Variations on a theme

Hi everyone and thanks for dropping in.
It's been a bit quiet around here because I have been busy with other things besides crafting and blogging. And today all I have to share is a modest trio of cards....
Like many of us, my blogging life started as a card maker, and now it's actually not often that I make cards anymore, but I needed a few, so had a card making session playing with a Penny Black stamp. Each card is just a variation of the same theme, - size and layout as well as technique, - just using different colours.
The finished cards are 6 x 6", but I started with a 5 x 5" piece of card. I stamped the wonderful collage stamp in Black Archival, added some texture, coloured with Distress Inks and then added a few embellishments. This one uses Shaded Lilac, Evergreen Bow, Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo.
This one started with Stormy Sky, then I added Faded Jeans and Frayed Burlap. The leaves were coloured with a mix of greens and the flowers were watered down Aged Mahogany and some Rusty Hinge. I then added some gold highlights with some watered down gold paint. The background stamp I used on each of the cards is by Andy Skinner and is my new favourite as it seems to work perfectly with so many of Tim Holtz's stencils.
This one finally uses Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves and Dusty Concord. I also added a bit of Wild Honey to the center of the flowers.

Just playing with Distress Inks (and Markers) is one of my favourite things to do, it's so relaxing, just what I needed at the moment.

Well that's it, thanks for your visit, I hope to find some time for visiting some of you soon, and sorry that I have not been around much lately. Hope you all get some inky time
xxxxx


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42 comments:

  1. Terry14 May 2015 at 15:57

    Your modest trio of cards are pure beauty for these eyes! I love your choice in colors and the richness and wonderful layers and textures! I need that die!!! Hugs!

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  2. brenda14 May 2015 at 17:19

    Sometimes it's nice to do something different Astrid and you can't go wrong with PS. I particularly like the last with the yellows around the image.

    B x

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  3. brenda14 May 2015 at 17:19

    Or even PB's !!

    B x

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  4. chrissie14 May 2015 at 17:32

    Stunning cards Astrid and great that you are doing other things as well

    Love Chrissie xx

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  5. massofhair14 May 2015 at 17:33

    Life happens to all of us Astrid, glad you ok and busy! Three beautiful cards, each one a delight because of their different colours. Can't see the Andy Skinner stamp you like but i am thinking it might be one of his crackle or peeled paint ones.

    Take care and enjoy each moment :-) xxx

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  6. Anneke14 May 2015 at 17:39

    You have used my favorite colors. These look adorable Astrid.
    Really live them they are so pretty. Thanks for sharing Anneke

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  7. Juliz Design Post14 May 2015 at 18:08

    Super cards Astrid.
    Julie x

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  8. Joan14 May 2015 at 18:09

    These are fabulous Astrid, you have taken my favourite PB stamp and given it your own unique style, I may need to get out the stamp and steal some of you ideas ! Gorgeous colours too.

    Joan

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  9. Anita Houston The Artful Maven14 May 2015 at 18:13

    I also love variations on a theme to see different color palettes! LOVE the image and love all the gorgeous color choices!

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  10. Unknown14 May 2015 at 18:24

    These cards are stunning, Astrid! The colour combination is wonderful. I really like Penny Black's stamps and these are adorable! X

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  11. Fliss14 May 2015 at 18:29

    These are all absolutely beautiful Astrid and such gorgeous bavkgrounds for those lovely butterflies.
    Fliss xx

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  12. Jenny Marples14 May 2015 at 18:47

    They are hardly 'only cards' Astrid! Even cards in your hands become works of art. Love each version though I think the second may be my favourite, although I like the way the flourish works with this stamp! Jenny x

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  13. Ellie Knol14 May 2015 at 20:46

    LOVE all three, they are real Astrid's !

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  14. Meggymay14 May 2015 at 21:59

    A stunning set of cards Astrid, they all look unique with the use of a different set of colours.
    Yvonne xx

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  15. Rita14 May 2015 at 22:21

    Beautiful cards Astrid. Perfect for lots of different occasions too. Looking forward to seeing you on Monday. Hugs Rita xxxx

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  16. Patty O'Malley14 May 2015 at 22:55

    These are beautiful, Astrid! Love the colors on each.

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  17. Ink Art Designs14 May 2015 at 23:55

    Hi Astrid, these cards look like good ol' inky fun!!! I love the stenciling and that flourish stamp is beautiful! They are such lucky people whoever gets these cards :)
    Dot x

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  18. Meihsia Liu15 May 2015 at 01:59

    Wow.. all these cards are gorgeous, Astrid. Love the beautiful background colors and patterns. :)

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  19. Jackie PN15 May 2015 at 03:16

    So cool how one stamp can look so different! All three are so gorgeous-hard to pick a favorite! xo

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  20. Deb15 May 2015 at 05:14

    Those are all beautiful Astrid, wonderful variations on your lovely theme!

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  21. Maryann Laursen15 May 2015 at 09:05

    Sooooooo beautiful all of them here Astrid. Such a great way to make several cards in a hurry, when you need it, and they´re just soooooo beautiful. And it makes sense to use a stamp more than once, when you have it all out anyway, and I really like, how you´ve changed the look completely just by the colors. Have a wonderful week-end now and take care.

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  22. Jennie Atkinson15 May 2015 at 12:20

    A fabulous trio of cards Astrid - wonderful variations! Jennie x

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  23. Inky and Quirky Designs15 May 2015 at 13:10

    A trio of tastiness Astrid,beautifully made as always in your lovely style :)
    Big hugs
    Donna xxx

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  24. Pamellia15 May 2015 at 14:02

    Wow Astrid, I'm drooling as usual!! Beautiful colour combos, the purple and yellow one really jumps out at me! Love that Penny Black stamp, yet another goodie to go on my wish list...do you know the name of that one...I would really like to grab one for myself. hugs :)

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  25. Words and Pictures15 May 2015 at 18:42

    So, finally I make it along for some catching up! What a lovely flower trio - all with such amazing depth from those fabulous vivid colour blendings.
    Alison xx

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  26. Rossella15 May 2015 at 20:12

    These are all beautiful
    Rosie x

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  27. experiments in paper16 May 2015 at 03:44

    Gorgeous trio of cards, Astrid - absolutely love their common elements and how each stands alone nonetheless! FANTASTIC display of the versatility of one stamp!! Wow.....will make me look more closely at my own rather prolific collection, lol!! Thanks for the great inspiration - xxx Lynn

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  28. rkramadh16 May 2015 at 04:26

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  29. Dorthe16 May 2015 at 12:05

    I love how your flowers pop out from their wonderful backgrounds,even some of them also have kind of bright colours,- The textures are as always so interesting and great, and the flowers so beautifully coloured, Astrid.
    Dorthe, xo

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  30. Paper Creations by Shirley16 May 2015 at 15:42

    All three are gorgeous ! I have so many cards now that I thought I would work more in Art Journal pages and can keep them. I also know about more things to do beside creativity, I've been very busy these days. We like to be outside in the nice weather so not in my craft room or behind the computer as much. Take good care, Shirleyxx

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  31. Kathy Bradley16 May 2015 at 16:16

    Your cards are absolutely gorgeous with beautiful colors! I too started out making cards and, in fact, had 4 large totes full of cards. I finally went through all the totes and kept a very small box of cards and took the remainder, along with several books of postage stamps, to an assisted living home that houses the less fortunate and they were excited to receive them. I ended up spending several hours there - some of the elderly never have visitors and some have been there years. And, I ended up finding out that many of them that haven't had visitors - have family living in this same city. I left with mixed emotions and really wanted to go and box some ears of their family members. Sorry, you ended up receiving the brunt of the story!

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  32. S@ndy Diller16 May 2015 at 16:25

    Lovely trio Astrid - The colors and stamping are so nice.

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  33. Unknown16 May 2015 at 21:14

    What a gorgeous trio full of gorgeous colours xx

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  34. Stamping With Bibiana17 May 2015 at 21:24

    just gorgeous combinations of color, love them all they are so pretty cards! and with penny black you can not go wrong!
    bibiana

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  35. Vintagehandmade17 May 2015 at 22:09

    Wow, Astrid, all three cards are brilliant! Color combos are just perfect and I love your clever combination of that Andy's stamp and Tim's stencils! Fantastic use of PB stamp! I am so impressed and inspired!
    Hugs :)
    Branka xxx

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  36. Diane Porazzo18 May 2015 at 01:48

    So pretty Astrid....colors are amazing!!

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  37. Marisa Job18 May 2015 at 14:35

    These cards are just beautiful!!! Love the colors and texture!!

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  38. Unknown18 May 2015 at 16:47

    Oh, Astrid! These cards are lovely! I got my start the same as you--in card making :) This trio of cards are just wonderful!! XOXO-Shari

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  39. pearshapedcrafting18 May 2015 at 22:02

    These are all so beautiful! Love how your colour choices and backgrounds make them all so different - great choices! Chrisx

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  40. Ruth19 May 2015 at 21:30

    Beautiful, beautiful cards, love them all, so pretty! Ruth x

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  41. Diana Taylor21 May 2015 at 08:46

    Wow, gorgeous cards, and I love how they all look so very different, yet it's the same stamped image. Really lovely colours and style.

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  42. Annie21 May 2015 at 09:55

    A stunning trio of cards and even nicer in real life. Thank you so much for gifting me one of your stunning cards

    Huge hugs Annie x

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