Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

Got something that might interest you guys looking out for DT calls. Have you seen the Creative Expressions DT call?

Creative Expressions is a UK craft manufacturer and distributor supplying many of your favourite crafty retail shops and they also have their own lines of rubber stamps designed by various designers. If you haven't seen the recent steampunk themed stamps from Sam Poole then you should go check them out!

All the details for the DT call are on the Creative Expressions Website but it is in the form of a challenge:

Calling Card 

The only other requirements are that there is an ATC somewhere in the make and that the make uses stamping.

So I thought I would have a play and for my project I've made a photo album / scrapbook from recycled packaging and business or 'calling cards' - see what I've done there? LOL!

What you will need:

Stamps - Creative Expressions Umount Vintage Photo, Creative Expressions Umount Texture

Inks - Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain; Ranger Archival Coffee; StazOn Jet Black

Paper - Calling/business cards; Cardboard; Kraft packaging paper

Usual Suspects - PVA Glue; Golden Heavy Gel;

Equipment - WRMK Cinch; Scissors; Blending tool; Heat tool

Other - Tea-dyed fabric; Kuretake Screwtop brads; Acetate; Spiral wires; Prima Mask Set 5; Gesso; Acrylic paint Sand, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber; Kitchen towel; Red ink

Making Backgrounds From Calling Cards

Ok so what do you do with your old business / calling cards? Between me and David we have boxes of these things from jobs we have moved on from over the years so what better way to get rid of them than to use them in making backgrounds?

Tear The Business Cards Into Strips

Tear the business cards into thin strips approx 1cm wide.

Weave the Business Card Strips

Weave the business card strips onto a spare piece of paper with dilute PVA and using the same principle as the Collage Background Technique but a bit more structured and leave to dry.

When the weave is dry cover with Gesso and allow to dry.

Paint The Weave Background

Cut the weave background down to the size of an ATC (2.5 by 3.5 inch) and build up layers of colour by adding paint then wiping the majority of the colour off again with kitchen towel to show the layer underneath. I started with a layer of Eco-Green Acryllic Paint Sand, the next layer was Raw Sienna and then I finished with Burnt Umber. When the paint is dry edge the ATC with Ranger Tim Holtz Walnut Stain and dry with the heat tool.

Prepare The Album Covers

Cut the album covers from packaging cardboard (~17cm square) and punch holes in one side. Paint the album covers with Gesso and when it is dry paint with Eco-Green Acryllic Paint Sand.

TIP: You might also have noticed that I've stamped out the images I wanted to use on spare paper first? I usually do this so that I can play around with the composition of the piece before I commit myself!

Build Up Texture With Masks And Stamping

Start building up the background with blending Rangers Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress ink and the Prima Grid Mask from Set 5 and then use Creative Expressions Umount Vintage Photo stamps and the writing stamp from the Creative Expressions Umount Texture set to decorate the corners. Then finish with Rangers Tim Holtz Distress inks Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain and dry with the heat tool.

Add The Sentiment

Stick down the ATC with the Golden Heavy Gel and stamp out the photographer stamp onto spare card in Ranger Archival Coffee and colour with red ink before sticking to the cover. Tear a rectangle of acetate and paint the back with the sand paint. When the paint is dry stamp the sentiment from Creative Expressions Umount Vintage Photo in StazOn on the front and attach with the Golden Heavy Gel and add the Screwtop brad.

Finish With A Stamped Film Strip

Stamp the film strip from the Creative Expressions Umount Vintage Photo in StazOn onto acetate and carefully line up the image to stamp again giving the effect of a continuous strip of film. Attach it to the cover with the screwtop brad. Assemble the album and finish with strips of tea-dyed fabric tied around the binding wire.

Have fun with the challenge and catch you later.

Kim