Sittin' Comfy

I am loving your guesses, but so far no one has even come remotely close. The Heidi Swapp masks have been in my store for at least a month and I love my Distress Inks, but I hadn't thought about carrying those - hmmm, perhaps I should. But this is something I love even more than masks and ink Ü I have once again used this new product again tonight.

I have always been intrigued with adirondack chairs - they are so comfy looking and to sit in them with a glass of lemonade and a good book is a very relaxing thought.

I have been doing a little thinking about trends lately and was a little surprised to read that neon colors will be resurfacing again this year in a much bigger way. So I thought perhaps a bold "neon" colored chair might be appealing. Being that the Lockhart stamp has a very folk-like feeling to it I didn't want this chair to completely jump off the paper - I wanted it to look aged - distressed. I pondered for a bit as to how I might achieve that look.

I began by coloring the chair, flowers, pot, and grass with Copic markers. I started with intense, bright colors, but then I added a little pale olive to the neon blues I had colored the chair with just to add the feeling of rusticity. Next I created a reverse Eclipse mask as shown below. As you can see only the chair remains visible behind this mask. Everything else is covered. To cut out such fine detail I stamp my image on the Eclipse tape and then adhere it to my Magnetic Precision Mat and use my Retractable Blade Craft Knife  to cut the image out. This knife allows me to get in to the tiniest of places. Then using the Weathered Wood backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms I overstamped the chair using Antique LInen Distress Ink. This gave the chair a wonderful used feel.

Here is another view of the project in progress.

I felt at this point it was still a little stark and wanted to add color to the background. I used the other portion of the mask and placed it back over my chair and did a little airbrushing as shown below.

Airbrushing from the right side allowed me to control the spray so that it did not hit the flower pot, thus giving a brighter look to the lower right corner. I then removed this portion of the mask and using my Colorless Blender added clouds to the sky.

Just a few added touches of linen and thread brings that rustic feel back to this bold, bright card.

Keep those guesses coming girls - I can hardly wait to debut this new product on Monday!

Comments

[bluemoon]

The airbrush system? or the clear blender copic marker you mention? I dunno LOL. Great tutorial, great colouring. thanks, :)

[Lynne Hurlburt]

Thanks for the colouring lesson, I really need that. My guess is that you are getting the CUTTLEBUG in your store. I sure love mine and would recommend it to anyone. Have a good one, Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne

[Debbie Olson]

Beautifully done, Ellen! I'm guessing that it's been guessed! :-D (How's that for an answer?) Neon scares me. Your charming chair, however, does not!

[Debby Moreau]

Beautiful beautiful Ellen. I love those chairs too. Neon colours coming back? Well I'm glad I saved all that crazy paper.

[Marlene]

I too like the others was wondering about something in the sewing/paper piercing line or CHF backgrounders. Love what you did with the chair!

[Rose Ann]

I love your card!! Your chair is gorgeous, and I love the paint effect!

I don't have a clue about the new product, but whatever it is...I'm sure it'll be fantastic!

[Elaine]

Could it be little charms?? I hope so!!

[dini]

Awww, man, someone beat me to guessing the CHF stamps. I have a few and love them!

[Lisa Strahl]

Yuck! Neon? :P

[Rose Huffman]

Love your blog and your store. I think it is sewing related like a sewing machine or rub on thread. Can't wait to see the next item I HAVE to have.

[Kristyn Sinnott]

Is it a template to make a line of holes so as to give the impression of stitching or you can leave it blank and just have the line of holes?! I know I don't have anything that I can use for this. The SU template is short and my lines never meet up right. Ummmmm. This is fun, though. Thanks.

[reflections:0)]

Love the card!

I am thinking sewing...

reflections:0)

[KathyN]

Cornish Heritage Farms backgrounders. Must be that. You said something about it when Lisa came to visit you. But the way you stated it, it was like YOU were going to get some for yourself. :-) We have to wait until tomorrow?!

[Pat S.]

2 more possibilities:

something from the Melissa Frances line (proceeds go to breast cancer)

or

SuperNib from Masquepen...this looks like a product you would enjoy :)

[Zauna]

CHF stamps? That would be wonderful!

[Pat S.]

Hi Ellen!
Beautiful card...love the distressed look on the chair.

Is your new product rub-on transfers?

[Viv (VivLyn)]

What a fabulous idea! Great card!

[Theresa Grdina]

I am going to guess the sewing machine. I see you have stitching on this card and you didn't mention it in your "tutorial". I hope I got it this time!!!

[Beth]

Could it be the CHF stamps? I thought about it with the last post but felt it was just too good to be true! I love this card! You certainly achieved the goal of not letting the vibrant colors take over the rustic qualities of this sweet image!

[hb]

Ellen, your creations ALWAYS knock me right off my chair! This one is no exception (although I think I fell off, looked at it again and then fell off again! lol)!!!
I've yet to try CHF products, but I am really intrigued by these backgrounders. I'm hoping that's your new line! Hugs!!!

[Jackie]

It has to be the CHF Backgrounders!

[~liz]

Is it background stamps?

[tylersmum05]

My guess is something sewing related. machine maybe. Cant wait to sse. -Molly B

[Sue B]

Are you going to carry the little Janome sewing machine? You've got stitching on both cards. I love that chair, BTW.