Wednesday 28 December 2011

It's A Mystery





Hi blog friends,  I found another Steampunk styled card done in gray and wine for today.  This one used a really fun technique which involves using Artist's Spackle and spreading it through a mask. Carefully remove the mask and  let the spackle dry thoroughly.  Be sure to clean your mask right away as you do not want the spackle to dry on to it. There is silver embossing in the recess of the grid lines if you look carefully.   I haven't posted this card until now for a good reason.  I cannot for the life of me recall how I did that part.   I thought that I probably inked the mask with clear Perfect Medium before I spakled through it, but I am sure the embossing powder woukld have stuck to the spakle and it clearly didn't so I am baffled.  Now, here is a question for you, how do you think that I got the silver embossing into the recess of the grid lines?  I am hoping that some one's explanation will trigger a memory for me.  I can't often look at a card I made and not remember the technique I used, occasionally the exact colours may elude me, but never an entire technique!   Must be old age!  LOL!
I painted some chipboard pieces silver and added some of Tim Holtz gears and cogs as embellishments, as well as a steampunk charm from my craft stash.  I stamped the train track stamp from corner to corner and I edged the two locomotive pieces with Aged mahogany Distress ink.  But I am still at a complete loss as to the silver in the grid lines!  Well, aside from that part, I hope you have enjoyed the card.  All for now, Sue x

81 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fabulous card for a man Sue love it. I would say that you put the spackle through the mask on to the silver, then the silver only shows where there isnt any spackle, the silver looks embossed, so I would hazzard a guess that you silver embossed then heated a piece of card, let it dry and spackled through a mask to make the effect, or you could have spackled onto plain card and then metalic markered the lines once it was dry, It could be many ways, but either way it looks awesome, tfs Helen O xxx

melanie said...

Great card I wouldn`t know how you did that but would love to know Melanie

Anonymous said...

I love steam punk and especially these stamps I am doing a brag book at the moment and it is all steam punk if I knew how to do it i would post a picture when it is completed. Perhaps that should be on my to do list lol. The spackle looks great there is a lot of work gone into this card Sue thanks for sharing
Heather x

Kazbomps said...

I would guess you embossed first with the perfect medium an mask and then spackled over the top. Great card. Karen x

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, great to see this Man's card I love the colour scheme that you have used and also the emblishments. Hope all is well with you, Love Suzie B

Luanne said...

Beautiful card! very masculine

Герцогиня said...

Great card! Very masculine.
Tanya x

mags said...

Great card Sue. Very fitting for a man. Love the colour combo and embellishments.
Mags
x

Mandy Makes and Mends said...

Fab sue you cant beat a bit of steam punk ! X

Pam Swadling said...

I haven't been to keen on steam punk but you've just changed my mind! Have no idea how did it, but would suggest you did the embossing first, then put it back in the die to do the spackle. Great mans card.

baconbits said...

Steam punk is not something that has floated my boat but you may have made me a convert, really liking this card!
the silver in the grid well i can only think that you embossed first and then spackled.
Hugs
Amanda x

Vee Cassidy said...

Dear Sue
I love this card so much and Sam's stamps are lovely. When you described the card I thought you must have drawn in between the lines with versa pen and embossed but looking closely at the card the coverage is pretty comprehensive so would you not have put perfect medium over the whole are of the base you were using and embossed it and then did the spackle? I love those cogs and gears from Dr Holtz and I try to make them go further by die cutting some with grunge paper and covering in metallic colours. I see a new contest in the offing! - You challenge us to guess how you did certain techniques?
Love, Vee xx ps way to get our brains working in the am!!

Jenny L said...

Hi Sue, fab mans card. I wonder did you use a perfect medium pen for the embossed silver lines in the recess maybe. Well I'm home again and having family come to stay today. Lots of love. Jenny L

Clare Powell said...

Great card :) I love the look of cards done in that style.

LellyJelly said...

Love this card. I expect you either used silver card or inked and embossed the card before using the mask and spackle.x

dutchess said...

another great fella card Sue...you are spoiling us with ideas...its a great set of stamps and I love the card take care Margaret

Jane said...

I can never think of idears for men cards, this one is fab, can you put the car that looks like its driving out of the card on the blog, I saw you make them on C&C but you haven't shown them

Jane xx

Ann said...

Wondering if you used the perfect medium to ink a sheet of paper, embossed the sheet with silver embossing powder then used the mask and spackle though I'm not sure the spackle would attach to an embossed surface. I thought that masking each square of the mask or using a versamark pen would be a bit fiddly.Ann

Doreen said...

What a fabulous man card,just beautiful.xxx

Shelley said...

Fab Card x

veronica said...

gorgeous card, love it, and i don't do steampunk! Thought of a versamark pen first, but base too even for that - what about a sheet of hammered(?) silver card to start with? would be far too much bother to heat emboss a sheet of card

Debbie Tinks said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debbie Tinks said...

SUE NICE CARD FOR A MAN
FROM DEBBIE

Anonymous said...

Love the male card Sue would like to see a few more if possible. Yvonne xx

Carol S. said...

Hi Sue, could you have used a Versamark embossing pen? Or could you have applied Perfect Medium to the mask and then run it through the Excalibur? Whatever, it is a briliant card! Hugs, Carol S.xx

Anonymous said...

Wonderful card, gives me so many ideas, thank you x Sue x

Kate's Cards said...

Sue where are the flowers? Hahahaha!! Fab card and quite unlike your normal cards.

Cumbrianlass said...

Hi Sue, I do like your card today, I got my OH to take some of his old watches to bits, then used them on his 65th birthday, he was not amused, but it made a fab card.
Janet xxx

Unknown said...

Fab card Sue. Just love the Artist Spackle. Is that Aged Mahogany you've used? Julia xxx

gwen70 said...

Brilliant card for a man, my hubby would love this

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue
is it possible u used embossed patterned card/paper before u started? Then your mask. Think would be the way i would do it. looks like been embossed through a grand nest abilities die see it on the edge.
Yes must be your age we all get there, some earlier than others lol. Like the stamps. You pick some unusual stamps. And Tim Holtz well what can u say. Finishes it off great. Good choice Sue.
Born again spellbinder
Nadine x
Hug

Linda (Lindyloo) said...

Good morning Sue and blog friends, boy is it cold and dreary here today and its so very quiet. I think all the neighbours children have disappeared at the same time. Very strange.
Anyway Sue, what a lovely change to see your stunning Steampunk cards again. I love Christmas cards but after months of seeing them everywhere it is so refreshing to see something totally different. Thank you. As to the embossed lines, I can only assume you used some nice silver coloured card and clear embossed it, then put Spackle through the stencil after as Helens said. Hard to be certain as a photo doesn't tell the whole story, but I also don't think it looks like silver embossing as it is too different from the silver embossed cogs. Lets hope one of us has jogged your memory or you get one of those 'lightbulb' moments. Whatever the answer, thank you for the conundrum, I love a puzzle and it lifted me out of this dreary mindset. Bless you.
Take care of yourself. Linda

Marie-Louise said...

A great male card.

CraftyJo said...

It's so reassuring to know I'm not the only person who forgets how she's done something!! :D

The card is lovely anyway - great idea for a train-lover (one of which I have in my family!!).

Vie Carter said...

A good male card, although not my style

Hope you had a good sit down with a sherry after this as no ribbon in sight

Love Vie
x

Ita said...

another lovely card and I love in your blog's that I can zomm in to see all the details.I am looking for inspiration at the moment as I have to start making my daughters wedding invites, and my mind is blank lol
Ita

Crafty Loops said...

Hi Sue. Well you just know I will love this card, as I love, love, love steampunk. It looks to me like the embossed silver was done first and then the spackle was added onto it afterwards. I cant for the life of me think how it would be done after the spackle was added, unless you went around it with your versamark pen. Hmmmm, tis a mystery. But it definitely looks to me like it was embossed first and then spackled. Lee xx

Vicki Sharkey said...

Hi, what a great card for men, they are so difficult to cater for and I think this hits the spot for many. Well done!
I think you have embossed or used silver textured card before spackling. let us know if you remember!!
Vicki :)

lilygee said...

I agree with the last comment - you must have embossed it first - it's amazing how we forget techniques - I do that all the time and then have to go and relearn what I did. It's a very interesting card with lots of detail to ponder on - all these stem punk cards have that quality and they have grown on me. It's be nice to see more stamping and background techniques from you Sue but you know I am so hooked on spellbinders that I have become a very rusty stamper. I loved all the cards you did using acetate, alcohol inks and crystal lacquer to make backgrounds and then you stamped on the acetate with archival black - the autumn leaves particularly spring to mind.
lots of love lilygee xxx

CathyinMN said...

This card is perfect for a man -- it's so hard to come up with good cards for the male species. Great details.

Fiona said...

No ribbons or flowers - well done!!

Maggie said...

Loving this card Sue have these stamps great sets from Sam they are on my desk waiting for inspiration for DH birthday card his birthday is in 15 days.....so thanks for the inspiration...need to get some Artist Spackle.
Would think you embossed silver lines before spackle or did you use embossing pen along grid lines?!

Maggie H

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue,
I confess that steam-punk is not my thing, but can appreciate the work and design in it.
Elaine J

lion_tamer said...

great male card ...love it xx

Missmizog said...

Hi Sue
Iagree with the previous comment, steam punk not my thing but a lot of work goes into it andi do appreciate that.
Sue

Barbara Phillips said...

Fantastic card Sue, love steampunk and am starting to collect all the CE stamp sets. Blowing a gale up here in Scotland so am clearing my desk and tidying my craft room.

Jan.moogie said...

Really like steam punk and am into having a go now that you have inspired me x

Maryann Laursen said...

Awesome card for a man Sue, and good to see something different now too after all the christmasssy for soo long. I just love the trainstamp you´ve used, it looks really cool.
Sorry but I just couldn´t helplaughing, when I read, that you forgot, how you did this, and I feel almost relieved, that it´s not just me, who can be like that ha ha ha ha. I don´t think, I can help thoug, as I haven´t tryed anyting like this before, but hope someone else can.
Have a wonderful New Year everyone, I wount be here anymore until after the new year as we´re going way for some days now, but I´ll be back for full in a week, so behave until then girls, and have lots of fun

Rhonda Miller said...

What a great card. I love the images and embellishments. TFS.

yorkshiresue said...

Hi Sue
Jury still out with me over Steampunk...
The card you've made is ideal for males and you have put so much work into it, it's outstanding
and may yet convert me!
Love
Sue
X

Carole Z said...

Superb card Sue...Steampunk isn't really my thing, I'm just not getting it and in the autumn I showed some pictures of some excellent Steampunk cards to male customers at a couple of craft fairs (none of which I had made)...but none of them were overly keen, even the ones who would be interested in steam etc...I'm beginning to wonder if it's a trend amongst crafters and artists, but not something most people would like...don't know...nevertheless, I like your approach to it Sue! Carole Z x

Carole Z said...

Just thought I'd add for all of you who are into making steampunk..did you know that you can pick up bags of watch parts on Ebay, very cheaply? I have a friend who makes steampunk jewellery and this is where she gets her parts...they are authentic and you get an awful lot for about £5 !

Craftychris said...

I keep meaning to have a go at a steampunk card - I really must give it a go. Yours is fab!! Carole's tip above is worth knowing, thank you. xx

Redanne said...

I really love steampunk for men and boys and this card is wonderful. I can only think that you used a versamark embossing pen in the grooves, if you used embossing ink first I think it might be too dry to emboss after spackling but I have never used spackle before so not sure how long it takes to dry - but anyway it is a great card! regards Anne Rx

lorraine (classylady) said...

SO DIFFERENT FROM YOUR USUAL SUE, BUT GREAT FOR THE DIFFICULT ONES IN OUR LIVES...IE MEN

LORRAINE
XXX

PaulineC said...

However you did it Sue I love it. It is so different and unusual.

pinky said...

Steampunk both scares and fascinates me Sue, but I so love what you have done here. Wonder is it on one of your samples from c&C I still have them on tape. It has such a great manly feel, love the cogs.

Lorraine said...

hi sue i love your card its lush and i think this is my fave set right now i need it lol xx

Yorkie girl said...

Love the card Sue know what you mean about old age and memory
Look forward to the next one
Theresa

violetclouds said...

Wow! this is a really beautiful card, I really really love it!
My first guess is the same as yours that you inked the mask with perfect medium, then spackled thro, but I am no expert. I would maybe look carefully at the torn edges of the paper, they might hold a clue as to what was done first? Spackling then using a versamark pen would take quite a long time! Plus you would have to use a ruler or something to keep the lines straight? I think the fact that the surface of the spackle has ended up with a few odd imperfections adds to the illusion of it being some sort of worn industrial floor.

Tracy Heaton said...

Oh fab! Must try this technique.
Take care
Tracy x

Sue Parish said...

I love a mystery! (Best friend calls me Miss Marple!) Not sure I can solve this one though. If it was ME trying to remember what I did I'd guess I'd used silver card - but because it's YOU we're talking about it's got to be cleverer than that! I used that nice tip someone gave us for enlarging (thank you for that, whoever it was, I'm self-taught at computing and so loved this tip I've been using it ever since!) and in close-up I have to say the texture on the gridlines is very similar to that on the cogs which I think you said were chipboard, so MAYBE you embossed these and the piece of card, before putting the mask and spackle onto it. That's just my guess anyway. I LOVE the card, great colours and so nice to have a card for men - my brother will definitely be getting something like it for his birthday this year! Thanks Sue. Warm wishes, Sue x

Sue H said...

Hi Sue
I had to look twice to make sure I was on your blogg! I love the card and I am quite taken with the steam punk style, maybe I will give it a try in the new year :D
Sue H. x

Rufus said...

Don't have any ideas on how you did this that haven't already been said. When you figure it out you'll have to tell us! Love this card, it would be great for all sorts of occasions. I've also got a train lover in the family, he'd love it.
R/

Bee and Dee said...

yum Yum really like this card Hugs Bee

craftimamma said...

Finally I found your blog Sue (something I've been meaning to do for an age) and joined your followers ...... and added you to my blog roll so I don't miss any posts!

I think this card is great and love the Steampunk theme. I notice Carole said she can't find anyone who appreciates it but I made a Steampunk themed wedding anniversary card for my Hubby (who 'tolerates' my obsession) and he loved it. It was the best reaction I've ever got from him for any of my cards so there are none crafters out there who like Steampunk.

I like Sue Parish's suggestion for how you possibly did the sparkle in the grid lines. Sounds quite feasible.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

eileen.fj said...

Hi Sue
Love steampunk and this is a great card.

Eileen x

uniqui said...

This is a nice change,love the colourways,where do you get your inspiration from.
Jacqueline

Clai01 said...

Really great card for a male, i love the colourways also

baa-me-chick said...

I love this one! :-)
Nicki xx

l00pyscraftcreations said...

hmmn, personally I would have said its hammered cardstock, embossed with versa mark and powder, due to the uneven surface it cant be mirri, as its too random, and it seems quite thick, where you tore the edges. Had you versamarked some hammered card about that time?

KimberleyG said...

Love the colours and embellishments.

Anne RD said...

Have not got the bug for steampunk as yet, but this has so many interesting facets I will have to give it a go!! Anne x

Stephen Cresswell said...

Hi Sue
Love this card, nice to see a card for the chaps for a change.

Knerten said...

This card is just fabulous ! Love this technique and all the details you have included herein :-)

Vee said...

hi sue. once the Spackle dried you inked the mask and laid it back atop the piece and pressed down. thus getting the versa mark only in the recessed areas. removed the mask and sprinkled with silver emb powder? however you did it, it is very stunning.

Unknown said...

I'm not sure how you did the technique but your card is AWESOME!!

scrapper said...

L love this card Sue - subject, colours and style are right up my street.

Thank you

Alyx said...

Hi Sue. All your cards and demos are incredible and such an inspiration to myself and others. This card is fantastic.

Big hugs for your sad time, Sue.
Lexie
xx

miislucky said...

This is soooo cool!!! I totally love this card! I hope you are doing ok. Hugs, Mimi

sheila said...

I just love steampunk both for men and women, nice to see a more masculine card