Particraft has been hard at work adding to it's already extensive line of crafting supplies and goodies. Within the next few weeks, we plan on releasing over twenty new stamp sets as well as numerous other craft related products. The new Tim Holtz Distress Ink colours are, of course, part of the list of the "must have" products we will be carrying as well. I can't give too much away just yet, but I can show you a few of my creations using some of the new stamp sets.
Today's post is going to showcase our new Military themed line. There are three new plates called "Life In The Forces, " "My Hero" and "The Strong and The Brave." Sam Poole has drawn all of these new designs and I am especially proud of these for several reasons. Firstly, because I feel there is a real lack of stamping supplies in this area and I think they will fill a full needed niche. Secondly, because I come from a military background. My father was a Lt. Coronel in the American Air Force (he was stationed here in Molesworth during World War II) and I feel that the troops need and deserve recognition for their heroism. I say let's stamp some cards for the troops to show our support. I hope you enjoy mine and they inspire you.
The card below showcases a really cool technique that I learned on my recent trip to CHA, the wholesale show in California. I was watching Julia Andrus demo her new paint line. (For those of you not familar with her work, she was one of the first demo artists with Ranger and she helped develop the Perfect Pearls and Perfect Medium lines) She painted a piece of card with one colour of paint, dried it with a heat tool, then spread a thin coat of vaseline over it. She then painted over that with another colour of paint and dried it. Using a piece of kitchen roll, she then gently wiped small areas away and the resulting look is that of distressed or peeled paint. I gave it a go here and I think it's a great look for those masculine based cards, don't you? You can click on the card for a close-up view if you like.
On the card below, I had a go at making my own camouflage background paper.
I used the distress inks old paper, antique linen, frayed burlap and peeled paint to achieve this look. I used the inks direct to the paper in swiping motions. They aren't blended like you would get using cut and dry foam to apply the inks. I liked the look, though, when I was finished. The sentiment on this card is very poignant, as if from a military wife to her husband. You might have to click on it to read it clearly. It fits neatly in to the circle nestibilities.
All the samples have had the edges distressed with the edge of my scissors, then inked again with distress inks to give them a more rugged look.
Over the next few weeks, I am hoping to be able to showcase samples of all the new stamp sets and products that are being added to the Particraft line. I hope you like what you see and if so, they will be available on the website very shortly. All for now, Sue x
I used the distress inks old paper, antique linen, frayed burlap and peeled paint to achieve this look. I used the inks direct to the paper in swiping motions. They aren't blended like you would get using cut and dry foam to apply the inks. I liked the look, though, when I was finished. The sentiment on this card is very poignant, as if from a military wife to her husband. You might have to click on it to read it clearly. It fits neatly in to the circle nestibilities. 
This card was made using the ultra thick embossing technique called "cracked glass." You stamp into the ultra thick and then put your piece in the freezer for a bit, then bring it out and give it a quick bend and it cracks into these cool areas. It is difficult to see in this pic, though. I used some black soot distress ink to highlight the cracked areas even more.
This one is a quick and easy card using a small piece of decorative paper I had lying around and then just stamped the flowers in black on to it. The green piece was run through an embossing folder. Add a sentiment and a bow and your done!
This one is simply stamped with clear perfect medium, then brayered over it for a resist. Then I finished by stamping and embossing in white for a dramatic contrast. Add a satin bow (I love my ribbons!) and your card is complete!
This second card is another sneak peek from the show. It is simply a brayed background of sunshine yellow and sunset orange Adirondack inks on glossy white card. The colour simply gradiates from the lightest yellow to the bold orange tone with a mask added to create a sun shape. I dried it very well then stamped the wildflowers in black archival ink, added a sentiment, a butterfly and some ribbon, matted and layed the back ground to complete the card. So simple and quick, but I love the results.
