Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Altered Playing Card


When I got up this morning I decided I wanted to create something just for fun and not for any of my design teams even though I probably should have been working on that - or the weeding and I didn't want to do that either.  Then I decided I wanted to enter the Stamps and Stencils challenge, which is to make something small so I  made an altered playing card.


My In-Laws used to take organized bus trips from their home in Alberta to a casino in Saskatchewan and they were always bringing back decks of cards for themselves and for us.  Usually the cards had a hole drilled through them so when I went into my games cupboard I was surprised to find a deck that was brand new.  I only used one and decided to start with one of the Jokers to make my creation.

I gave each side a coat of Gesso and then glued an old book page to it.  Then I gave it another light coat of Gesso.  Next I used a baby wipe and my finger to add some paint - watered down Craft Smart Robin's Egg Blue and Fresco Finish Hey Pesto, Smoked Paprika and Pumpkin Soup.

Once the paint was dry I worked on one side and added some stenciling with Jet Black and Watering Can Archival Inks through a couple stencils, Polka Dotty from Wendy Vecchi and Mini Chicken Wire Reversed from TCW.

I hand cut a heart out of card stock and used it to draw the heart shape.  Then I painted the heart with Red Oxide paint from Golden and when it was dry I added more polka dot stenciling and an outline with a Prismacolor pencil crayon blended with OMS.

I stamped the eye, which is from a Tim Holtz set called Random Thoughts and made the word ART on my computer and inked it with Antique Linen and Black Soot Distress Ink.  Finally I edged the card with Black Soot DI.


Next I altered the other side because I didn't think it should be left with just paint on it.  This time I used the Watering Can Archival Ink though the chicken wire stencil and a criss cross one I made myself.  I added some circles with Jet Black Archival Ink using the top of a small spray bottle.  I also added some Tim Holtz tissue tape.

Next I took my heart pattern and inked it with some Red Geranium Archival Ink and then heat embossed it with Red Geranium Embossing Powder.  It didn't heat uniformly but I loved the look so I kept it and added some checks with one of the stamps from the Tim Holtz Ultimate Grunge set and Jet Black Archival Ink.  The edge of the heart and the card was inked with Black Soot DI.  Finally I added some computer generated text that was inked with Antique Linen and Black Soot DI.

I had so much fun making this altered playing card and the best thing was that it only took me 3 hours from start to studio clean up, which might be some kind of record for me.  I can see a few things I could have done differently or added so I think the playing cards are staying in my studio.

I am going to enter this project in the following challenges:

Stamps and Stencils  - Small is Beautiful
Tuesday Throwdown - Stenciling
Allsorts Challenge - Use a Stamp
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Mixed Media Monthly  - A Year of Choices (New to You)

17 comments:

  1. Absolutely fabulous....I love both sides! The first one with the eye is gorgeous, love the shading around the heart. Your text is perfect and something you should always remember. This deserves a place of honor in your studio.

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  2. WOW!!! What a wonderful transformation Cec! Very artistic! Love it!

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  3. What an amazing alteration, Cec! Both sideas are fantastic! I love every single detail there and your awesome shading! Fabulous artistic design! Bravo!
    Hugs :)
    Branka xxx

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  4. A gorgeous piece of altering Cec! Both sides are lovely, you've got so many techniques fusing together on this small space great work. So glad you took time out to enter our 'small is Beautiful' challenge over at Stamps and Stencils. Toni x

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  5. I think I just accidently deleted my previous comment! Just wanted to say what a gorgeous piece of altering you've done here Cec! You've got lots of fabulous techniques on this little space! So glad you took time out to enter our Small is Beautiful challenge over at Stamps and Stencils. Toni x

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  6. Wow Cec, I was completely thinking of doing the same thing yesterday...great minds I guess! Unfortunately I didn't quite get there but you may have inspired me to try again today. Your cards are amazing, you are really channelling your inner Wendy again!! hugs :)

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  7. These are fantastic! Beautiful ink layers! Thank you so much for playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

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  8. Quite unique, it is a wonderful card , thanks for joining us at Allsorts this week, xxx

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  9. So nice that your were able to craft and create for you and fun. This little card is a looker! Wonderful use of colors and stencil layers with the stamping. How fun and creative! Fantabulous dear Cec! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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  10. Fantastic card alterations, love the bright bold colours and the layers of details.
    so pleased you are sharing them with us at Stamps and Stencils.
    Yvonne xx

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  11. So cute and quirky... it's nice to do something just for you, it allows you to be completely free from themes etc. These are just so funky xx

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  12. A beautifully altered playing card, just delightful Cec! Thanks so much for joining us at Stamps and Stencils. Ruth x

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  13. Gorgeous ATC, beautiful background and amazing design on heart. Love it Cec

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  14. Beautiful ATC . Love your background and pretty textures. Thanks for joining us at Tuesday Throwdown.

    Kim - TTDT
    www.lilypatchstamps.com

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  15. what a fun piece of mini art! they look amazing. Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge and celebrating our first birthday!!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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  16. Cec, this is a gorgeous little altered playing card! I love hearts so you had me there and then the background jumped out at me: love it! Thanks for joining my challenge at Stamps & Stencils. Juliax

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  17. cool altered card - love the background! Thanks for celebrating with us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    lynnkopas.blogspot.com

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I love to hear what you think about my work, so please leave me a comment.

Thanks!
Cec