Friday 15 January 2010

Distressing

For those of you that know me very well you would agree I am not the distressing type. I am a perfectionist everthing must me neat and tidy, clean cut, new and in the correct place. So when a few of my fav blogs had the theme of distressing this week I knew I was way out of my depth. But a challenge wouldn't be challenge if it was easy, so I took the bull by the horns so to speak and decided to face this challenge head on.

The problem was where do I start? I have seen many cards using distressing tools and products. I have certainly heard of the famous Tim Holtz but none of these things are in my home. Well the answer came when one of my cats (Sophie) decided to sleep in a cardboard box (full of D.I.Y)which wasn't that secure and so she fell in giving a load meow!!Off I went to save the cat and low and behold what did I find......sandpaper!!

Well I must confess I found sanding my gorgeous K&Co papers rather distressing excuse the pun! Who in their right mind would do such a thing, it just seemed so wrong but I carried on until I got the desired effect. I was going to say correct but I will leave that for the pros to decide and then I thought about saying happy.However that would be wrong too as I wasn't sure If I was happy destroying my gorgeous papers.

My idea of happiness is colouring my Sugar Nellie stamps using my new promarkers so that was exactly what I did next.

After having a wee play around with my new sizzix dies and some peewee glitter, I finally put together all the elements of my card and this is what the end result was.



Andrew aka hubby said my card wasn't distressed enough and made a few changes.Made us both laugh!!



*****
Below are the challenges I am entering

simon says stamp-distressing/DT call
sugarbowl challenge-fab sketch
sophisticat Challenge-doth the north wind blow

recipe

tools-sizzix dies (flowers and vines),bigshot,sandpaper,promarkers(dusky rose,khaki,almond)
stamp-Windswept(Sugar Nellie) & CC sentiments
papers-K&Co and The Papermill

*****


Do I like it??Answer=Unsure. I will certainly give distreesing another go. So feel free to leave any hints or tips in the comments section.

hugs Clare x

P.s Shhh don't tell hubby about sandpaper!!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Claire,

    gorgeous card, your distressing looks fabulous and I think you have done a great job, I dont own a tim holtz tool but I use the middle of an old pair of scissors and just drag the paper through it, I also ink the edges lots thats as far as my distressing goes lol.

    Joey.x

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  2. I like your layering. Nice card.

    Barb (from Toronto)

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  3. This is lovely! Beautiful layers and image. Distressing looks fabulous!

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  4. Well Claire I link it is beautiful, what a great find...I cannot do without my Sandpaper, which I bought at a Poundstore...great bargain....many thanks for joining us at Sophisticats this week. Hugs Avril xxx

    PS have you checked out the ECP challenges, they quite like to see Scrapbook Layouts.....xx

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  5. Gorgeous card, it's such a fab image & I love the papers you've used.

    Thanks for joining us at Sophisticats this week & best of luck

    Jan xx

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  6. A lovely card! I understand about using sandpaper on K and Co papers - seems sacriligious doesn't it?

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  7. Gorgeous card ! you did a wonderful job with the distressing :-) I don't own any posh distressing tools either ,,, a bit of sandpaper and one of those stitch unpickers does the job I think :-) I used some gorgeous magnolia paper on mine and was almost crying when I was tearing it and inking it ,,,, :-)

    thanks for joining the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and DT call :-)
    luv
    Lols x x

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  8. please consider turning off word verification :-) x

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  9. absolutely stunning..love the K&Co papers..and i had a "very distressing time" too...lol..Debs x x

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  10. Wonderful card - love it!
    Thanks for joining in with my challenge at Sophisticats this week.
    Hugs,
    Teri (GD)
    x

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  11. Have to admit I'm with you and hate to destroy my beautiful papers!! You have made a great job with your distressing, love the gorgeous colours too!!
    hugs Angela x

    Car is back to the garage this week, 3 days - engine management light back on???????????

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  12. Hi Clare, I think she's is so beautiful...love the sepia colour too haha! well done. Beaut colours and bellies. Distressing is lovely.

    Thankyou for joining us over at sophisticat challenges this week. We Hope to see you again soon!

    Hugs
    Lisa.x
    DT /Ow

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  13. Claie just to let you know the shaker box from my blog hop is a sizzix bigz xl die, they are not as big as they sometimes look, I have a few but not had time to play with them. If you have a look at Sarah's blog she has some fab creations using them
    http://wwwcardoasis.blogspot.com/
    Hope you are well, my car is back again, fingers crossed!!!
    Have a good weekend, hugs Angela x

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