Pages

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Kaleidoscope - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today we are starting a new technique at Group of Seven.  I saw a beautiful card made by my friend Jenny (My Paper Epiphany - third card in post) using this technique and I'm so excited we tried it out for Group of Seven. :)  Thanks Jenny!!

Jenny's inspiration card
For the card at the top of the post, I stamped a large image in Versamark onto mixed media paper; then heat embossed with Liquid Platnium (Ranger).  I used Distress Re-inkers to watercolour the image, making sure the whole card front was covered with colour.  I believe it would be OK to leave bits of white, but not large patches of white.  Once dry, I cut the panel up into 1/2" wide pieces, rearranged them in a random order; then taped them to my card front.  These bright colours are so HAPPY!! :)

Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...
Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...
  • Tried this with a variety of stamped images and was happy with each one.  A great technique if you are looking for an arsty type of card.
  • The technique is to colour the images loosely, which I did for the Christmas cards below, but keep mostly inside the lines for my two Floral cards.  Both ways worked.
  • Also tried this with stencils and it worked great.  Best to make sure your background is coloured before sponging over the stencil.  I simply smooshed a light colour of ink.
  • Try cutting up your panel in random-sized strips for a different look
  • Great way to use some images from your stash that you've been hanging on to for a long time, but not used because they aren't "quite right".  This technique makes everything look good. :)
* * * * *

Close-up ...

* * * * *

I had this image in my "need to finish" pile for a long time.  It's called Roses Be Happy (Stampendous - retired).  It was already watercoloured, but I used my zigs to add more colour as I find vibrant colours look awesome with this technique.  Then I cut it up into strips, rearranging them randomly and cut it into a smaller panel.  LOVE how it turned out.

* * * * *

I decided that I should try this using sponging through a stencil. :)  I smooshed the background, then sponged over the Layering Poinsettia stencil by Tim Holtz with more Distress Inks.  

The stencil was removed before I sponged around the outside edge of the poinsettias and holly.  We have done this technique before and we called it Stencil Bleed (click to see our Group of Seven post)

I cut the panel in half and outlined one with a silver metallic pen.  The other panel was left as is.  It's amazing how different they look. :)  Thanks for the suggestion to try it both ways Christine!

 
Sending the above card to the following challenges:
 

* * * * *

I have done a similar technique in the past, cutting up pieces with random widths and spacing them apart a little (below ... 1) foiled piece; 2) stenciling over coloured card stock).  Here's a few alternative ways to try this technique ... 
Past cards
(click on photos for more info)
 

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:
Stamps:  Dahlia Collage (Stampendous); Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Re-inkers: Mowed Lawn, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Salvaged Patina (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: Liquid Platinum embossing powder, White embossing powder (both from Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes

Card #2:
Stamps:  Roses Be Happy - retired (Stampendous); Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Zig markers
Accessories:  Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; watercolouring brushes

Card #3 & 4:
Stamps:  Merry Christimas (SU! - retired)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed 
Accessories:  Water mister, Layering Poinsettia stencil (Tim Holtz); detail sponges, Silver metallic pen (Pilot)

22 comments:

  1. Your first card is magnificent plus, and the others are magnificent!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Four beautiful cards created using this fun technique Loll - my fav is your first with those wonderful vibrant colors along with the light blue! Julia xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loll, you've really made this Kaleidoscope technique shine in so many ways! I remember those darling cards with the strips, too!
    Hope your surgery went well and that you will be back to card making before you know it!
    =]

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great post, Lolly! I feel like I took a class that I should have paid a lot of money for, but got for free! Thank you for all the beautiful examples and inspiration!! Hugs, Dolly

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love, love, love this technique and your beautiful cards. I can hardly wait tto try this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. woWza what a collection of gorgeousness...I'll have to give this some thought.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A whole herd of fabulous cards, Loll! Bright colors, soft colors, fun techniques and fanciful designs -- these are all really terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You did a fabulous job on the technique, Loll! All of your cards are fabulous - wonderful vibrant colours, great card designs.

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOW, four fabulous cards Loll, what a fun interesting technique - I'm sure I've some stamped images in my stash that maybe I wasn't too happy with so they just might get used now... have a wonderful day, hugs Robyn

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful cards Loll - love the way you experiment with the technique, and then post your pros and cons points.
    Blessings
    Maxine

    ReplyDelete
  11. The first card looks stunning on my sideboard and now I know how you did it!
    This looks an interesting technique to try! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. WOW! What a fabulous technique, all your cards look amazing. I really love the poinsettia one, very arty looking. And what a great way to use those 'not quite right' pieces .... love it! xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my goodness -- I usually go for clean and simple but these cards took my breath away. I love the bright colors. The first one is fabulous but I have to admit, the Poinsettia is my favorite. OMG, I love it!!!!
    Sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Every one is it's own masterpiece, Loll. The colors on the first card really pop. Love the Christmas cards too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great results on each of these cards, Lolly! I love that you tried different ways of doing your backgrounds and show that each way works great. Very artsy!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL cards Loll! I love how colorful each one is and they truly do look like a Kaleidoscope! Such a fun technique and one I will definitely have to try out! Hope you are healing and feeling stronger every day!! Hugs. :0)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fabulous examples of this technique, Loll, & I love your past ones with the bit of spacing between the strips. My fave is the Christmas one but all are amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love all these bright and beautiful examples of this kaleidoscope technique Loll, and it works so well with the bright floral stamps, and then with the layered poinsettia stencil on the last two. In fact I like that threeof the examples have some white/lighter space which seems to emphasise the areas where there is bright colour, but the first with more dense colour is gorgeous too, so lets say I can't really pick a favourite..lol. x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for all your examples of this simple and interesting technique. I can't quite get over how effective it is. Love how you have left some lovely white space on them too. I do hope you operation went well and you are recovering as expected xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. such beautiful examples of this technique Loll. Your bold flowers in the first card is stunning ♥

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow I love all of your cards! It makes me want to play with this technique even more! The vibrancy in the first card is incredible!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment. I love hearing from you! Loll :)