Sunday, February 6, 2011

Topic for Discussion: "Stamper's" Techniques

Do you ever wonder if non-stampers "get" our cards?  I remember a thread on SCS about someone's friend commenting the cards she sent that had all the "headless women" (aka MFT) on them.  I also wonder if people "get" TCP stamps with penguins dressed up as all sorts of characters and then I remember penguins are always appropriate. 

The reason I bring this up is the following sympathy card.  I stamped with clear embossing powder, then used my new distress inks to get that gorgeous color (yes, I want every color of distress ink--what are some of your must-haves colors?) and embossed the whole panel twice with UTEE.  And it looked pretty good. Then I asked DH if I should go ahead with my planned cracked-glass technique and he said yes (I love that my DH knows what I'm talking about when I ask him these things).  Anyway, now I'm not sure if it's ventured into stamper's-only territory (remember you can click on the pic to enlarge).  As in, will the recipient be asking herself why I sent her a dirty, broken card?  You can be honest here, I personally still like it but I'm not sure I would do it again.
FYI: I used Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass, and Vintage Photo distress inks, then PTI chamomile on the "glass" after it had been cracked.  If you don't know about the cracked glass technique, you put on a thick layer of clear embossing--either two of UTEE(ultra thick embossing enamel) or many layers of regular.  Then pop it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, take it out and bend your image where you want the cracks to form.  Then to show them off, apply some ink and then wipe it off-it will just stay in the cracks. 

This will be my last sentence because I don't want a sentence about "wiping it off" and "staying in the cracks" to be my last sentence of my post.  So I guess this one will be my real last last sentence. 

11 comments:

~amy~ said...

I think your card is absolutely gorgeous...I think there are a ton of things that a non-stamper doesn't get that we stampers do but she will know that you made it special for her and that's what is important...

Crafty Math Chick said...

I agree with you, I tried the cracked glass technique for the first time last month and when I was finished I was kind of disappointed with the result, liked it WAY better before and don't plan on doing it again. Hubby asked me why i 'ruined' it. Guess it is just personal preference. I do think your card is pretty and like the color fade Meg.
~Meredith

Emily Leiphart said...

HAHA, you're hilarious not wanting 'stay in the cracks' in your last sentence! I think your card is amazing and the fact that it's such a large panel of cracked glass makes it stunning. I honestly don't know what non-stampers think when they look at handmade cards but then again I don't really send them to those who might not appreciate them! I hope your recipient will love this because it's beautiful. I love your tip of putting it in the freezer - who knew?

Angela said...

Well first, that card is gorgeous and I think any card recipient with any aesthetic sense at all will be able to see that (wiping and cracks and all). I have the same mental debate about whether stuff gets appreciated -- I think the handmade gesture goes a long way towards that.

And must-have distress colors: I just made some valentines with fired brick, concord grape, and milled lavender. Lovely together. I also got pumice stone recently, though I haven't tried it out yet -- just a sucker for grey.

Pam said...

Hi Meg,

This card is lovely - I would appreciate it ;) Tough call on those who might not. I remember my mom getting so bent out of shape when someone didn't properly "appreciate" something she had done for them and I just kinda thought as a kid watching that it seemed a little ironic. Of course as a wiser adult, I say "to hec with them"!
Oh, and thanks so much for emphasizing the second to the last sentence of your post. Acccckkkk!

Lindsey said...

Thank you for the morning laugh! The sleeping cat, otoh, was a little annoyed. :P This card is gorgeous, and I think will be to anyone. I like my distress inks too... just wish you could be a little surer of what colour you're getting from the lid! Do like my faded jeans and peeled paint, vintage photo is just kind of a must-have, but not all that thrilled with worn lipstick. And yes, that would be the sum total that I own... so far... :P

Maria@Crafty Cre8tions said...

I wonder about it too!!! I really only send my 'hard work' cards to people who will appreciate it!
And...if you get a store bought one from me.....you can kinda figure out what I think about you! (doh!!)

Anyways...on to your GORGEOUS creation!!! I haven't bought the UTEE, but it's on the shopping list!! Love this look/technique. I hope this card was appreciated by the recipient during their obvious time of need!!
Maria

Linda McClain said...

Hee - your crack joke cracked me up. (Sorry, bad pun.) I totally get what you're saying. I usually don't like to give my cards to non-card makers for fear they won't "get it," but I still do. Once in a blue moon I'll give one to someone who really treasures it, and it makes it all worth it. Gave one to a boss who put it up on her bulletin board for YEARS.

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said...

Hmmmm, I agree, it is a hard call. I really like the effect, but it is alot of work. I kinda keep that in mind when I am making cards for people. I usually make V-day cards for my children to give out, but this year Toy Story for $3 seemed to make more sense!

Barbara said...

This is beautiful and so much my style. In fact, once again, I have that stamp so it's awesome for me to see samples with it. I think it's beautiful and it's really all about the art and if they get it or don't, it's all OK. It's you art and what comes from your heart. I love, love, love it.

p.s. i found your blog while just surfin' around. it's awesome.

stampinjane said...

just perusing the blogs and it is so funny that I just asked myself the same question recently but it was more along the lines of the distressing and tearing and I couldn't help but wonder if someone might think that my card was "old & recycled" rather than the "antique" look that I was working hard to achieve!
And your comment about "taking part of a statement" out of its intended perspective just "Cracks" me up...no pun intended!

stampinjane@yahoo.com