Paula DT - Break out the sponge

This week my cards are based on a technique that was introduced to me while working with Craft Stamper. The article was published in 2013 and written by Joanne Allison who showcased the technique called "Faux Airbrushing" (Joanne has given me her permission to use the basis of her technique.)

 

The basis of the technique is using the sponge part of a washing up sponge, you take the sponge and you make a smooth round shape, which you can hold as is, or use an elastic band to hold it into shape. You ink up the sponge with Distress Ink and lightly dab it on to your card, just keep going till you build up the look and colour depth you like - for my piece I was looking for the grass to be darker at the bottom then the colour fading out as you go upwards. To create more colour I used some ink on to some Cut n Dry foam and flicked the ink upwards from the bottom for the grass section and then flicked down from the top for the sky. The last part for this is to use the Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer and lightly spritz the green just over the grass part and the blue over the sky. If you haven't got this tool maybe you have some spray inks which you could use from a height over the piece (cover either grass or sky section when doing this - plus cover your room or use in a box) - the higher you spray the lighter and more speckled the effect. Also the green scourer part of the washing up sponge does make an interesting effect if you ink up and dab lightly - so just have a play and see what you can create with everyday items that surround you.

The stamped centre  4.5"x4.5" - I've masked across the card and only worked the top half.

The next part is stamping the Wildflowers 2 - stamp it several times over the card. Then ink the stamp again but stamp on to a piece of scrap paper then use the second and third impressions over the top to create depth.....keep doing this till you're happy with the look.

The stamped centre measures 3.5"x3.5"

The stamped centre measures 3"x3"

Shopping List

WORDage ~ Life & Rain (Sm)
WORDage ~ Value of a Moment (Sm)
BEAUtanicals: Wildflower 2
Distress Ink Mowed Lawn
Distress Ink Salty Ocean
Distress Marker Salty Ocean
Distress Marker Mowed Lawn
Versafine Onyx Black Inkpad
Cut n Dry Foam