Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Keep Calm and Hop On


Today I went out of my comfort zone to create a mini canvas. The 5 challenges I entered today required and Easter theme (Stampin Dragon Designz) with a humorous twist, clean, simple design that was NOT a card (CAS-ual Fridays), pastel colors and ribbon (3 Girl JAM) and buttons (Craftin' Desert Diva's). The challenge is freestyle at Hiding in My Craft Room - HIMCR. Hopefully you will play along. Here are the links:
Because this project was out of my wheel house it caused my creativity to soar! I used all new materials and techniques. First of all, this is way too small. I usually create A2 cards or 12x12 layouts. Smaller = stress for me. However, I challenged myself to make this without becoming stressed. Pre-planning and then letting my imagination run wild as I was creating were key.

The first step to creating this project was stamping the bunny. I wanted him to be blurry a little to show motion. He is hopping into a cartwheel. Then I stamped the same image on cardstock, cut it out and adhered it to the stamped image on my canvas (masking). Then I used a stippling brush to layer color on the canvas to make the background.

Once the background was the way I desired, I used a small portion of a flower stem stamp to create the grass at the bottom of the canvas. I inked the stem and lightly (yet randomly) stamped it several times before re-inking. The light and dark parts help to create depth. Adding the clouds (one half on the right and the other half of the stamp on the left) in the same ink as the sky worked well. The sentiment was supposed to say keep calm and shop on. However, I removed the ink from the "S" with a Q-tip. I was feeling very cleaver.... All that was left to do was remove the mask, add the button, ribbon, twine and chipboard button. In strategic places I added double-sided tape to hold the ribbon still.


Supplies:
  1. Artist's Loft primed wooden cradle board 1" (4 x 4")
  2. stamps - bunny and grass: Sandylion girl clear stamps, clouds: Recollections Fun Borders, Sentiment: Stampin' Up! Carry On
  3. Ink - Technique Tuesday green chalk ink, TPC Studio Clearly Better Green Ink pad, Clear and Simple Stamps Hybrid ink perfect black dress, paint the town pink, Simply Blue-tiful
  4. Ribbon/Twine: Stampin' Up! Marina Mist striped grosgrain ribbon 1 1/4", Mon Ami Gabby Couture Accents twine
  5. Buttons: Chipboard patterned button and mini blue button - stash
  6. Stippling brush
  7. Adhesives: Zots glue dots, Scotch ATG, Scotch double-sided tape

La-Vie

18 comments:

  1. That came out so cut; love it!

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    1. Thank you! I'm grateful that you provided me with this stamp set! I look forward to creating more with it.

      La-Vie

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  2. How different and cute! I know one of the challenges stated no card but that would make an adorable Easter card as well. Great inspiration!
    Melinda Strange
    Huntsville, TX

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    1. Melinda, thanks so much for your kind comments! Ya know, I just might create a card version too... Why not? Thanks for the idea!

      La-Vie

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  3. adorable!! way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new :-) thanks for linking up with us at 3 Girl Jam challenges!

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  4. Super cute little Easter bunny canvas! I always love when people are stepping out of their comfort zone :)
    Thank you so much for joining the CAS-ual Fridays challenge!
    Sylvia xx

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    1. Thanks a million Sylvia! It's a great feeling to step out of my comfort zone and have such nice comments as a reward!

      La-Vie

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  5. adorable! Love that teeny tiny lil button on the rabbit!! Thank you for linking up with us for linky party #3 over at http://craftindesertdivas.com/.

    Robin
    http://cutonedesignsbyrobin.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Robin! When I got those tiny buttons I didn't know when/how I'd ever use them. I was so glad to find a purpose and actually know where they were when the time came! Thanks for taking the time to leave a nice comment!

      La-Vie

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    1. Thanks for following me and for your kind comments! Hope you enjoyed your day as well!

      La-Vie

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  7. Such a fun project!! Love your blurry bunny, and all the details you put into this canvas. The ribbon wrapped around the sides is the perfect finishing touch. Thanks so much for joining the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!

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    1. Awww, thanks so much Kelly! You've made my day. Love is in the details!

      La-Vie

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  8. Hi Nana! Thanks so much for your kind comments for both challenges.

    La-Vie

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  9. So sweet! Ant the movement on the image is great! Thanks so much for playing with us at CAS-ual Fridays :)

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    1. Thanks Paperella! I live to compete in challenges these days and the ones at CAS-ual Fridays are just my style!

      La-Vie

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Your comments bring me SO much Joy! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and view my creations. If you love what you see, please share my posts and invite your friends to follow me as well! ~XXX La-Vie B.