Wednesday 4 April 2012

Time for Summer.

I've been working on my entry for the CI Challenge for 3 days now (not all the time, of course...if only!). That is a long time for me, I usually start and finish my stamping projects within a day. I felt really inspired by this challenge and it was great to have the time to devote to it as I have a week off work.
The theme is Time for Summer, I chose to do a trio of blocks as I wanted it to be 3D and to be able to use a technique I learnt from Helen - fake washi tape.
The first block was Time for Summer in the Garden. I began by colouring a piece of card blue to make it look like the hazy blue skies of summer (I used the same technique for all three blocks). We eat outside as much as we can in the summer so I stamped a cakestand and teacup and used green crochet lace to give the idea of grass, then I stamped a
 butterfly from the CI 333 set as well as some flowers from the same set, I punched a mini doily and coloured it yellow to symbolise the sun and used a ribbon with strawberries on and a vintage button that has a clock face on. It's great to relax in the garden but you still have to clock watch to some extent as there are still things to be done, meals, collecting the children from school - such a bore!
Because I wasn't sure how I am going to display these blocks, I wanted the backs to be as decorative as the front. To achieve this I used paper from the CI book of backgrounds number 7, summer, I then stamped the title of the block using a vintage typewriter font stamp.
The next block is Time for Summer in the City. The clock charm is there because the people in their offices will more than likely be watching the clock wishing for the working day to end, and the flowers in a frame (CI 262) could be the only flowers they see throughout the working day!
(I always make up little stories for my pictures, I can't help it!)
Again, this was backed with a CI background paper and the text stamped by me.
The third block is Time for Summer in the Meadow.
I used crochet lace again and the butterflies from CI 333, the birds are from my all time favourite set, CI 329. I use this set a lot.
Can you see the clock in the meadow? The only clocks you will find there are the dandelion clocks, of course!
The back of the meadow block, CI backing paper and vintage font stamp again.

On the sides and top I used the fake washi tape method. I love this technique although it is very messy (or is that just me?!) So clever.

A couple of pictures of the blocks together.
The stamped images were coloured in with Derwent Coloursoft pencils on all three blocks.
I loved this theme and I'm off to enter my blocks into the CI Challenge now, and find somewhere to display them. Not easy!

This is also my week 14 project

Thanks for visiting.
xXx


14 comments:

  1. Suzanne, your blocks are gorgeous. Must take forever to do though. Enjoy your Week-end. Hugs Rita xx

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  2. These are just fabulous, love all three the stamping and embellishments are just perfect, Happy Easter, Hugs May x x x No11

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  3. Just joined as a follower, Hugs May x x x

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  4. hi Your blocks are gorgeous they made me smile ;o) thanks for sharing #45

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  5. Hello, I came over from WOYWW and I'm glad I did - what a gorgeous set of little blocks! Very inspiring, as I'd never have thought of using my stamps to make something like this. Just beautiful! And you've covered all the sides of the blocks too... lovely!
    So pleased I came - I think I'll be back!
    Lizzie (WOYWW - link 117!)

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  6. I see why your project took so many days--WOW! You put a lot of thought and work into your blocks. They are so beautiful and spring like and I love your stories to go with them. I like the office skyline one with the branches peeking down. I feel like I may have snuck away from my office for a little frolic in the sun.

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  7. These are awesome and you took so much time to add details to them, my favorite is the summer in the meadow, until I saw them all together, and now I can't decide! Just lovely! #44, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina and wishing you a Happy Easter :)

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  8. Love those blocks! They look great pictured together, the sides are just gorgeous too :) Washi tape...fake or not...is ahappy place for me too right now!

    Claire #85

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  9. WOW Suzanne these are just stunning, you can clearly see all your hard work and time that you have put into them, they look amazing :)

    I have added my name to your list of followers, I hope that is okay??

    Have a good day, luv Karen xx

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  10. Such a well thought out entry and I like that the elements have meaning and also stories (I definitely relate to that as most times I have little stories in my head when creating).
    Thank you for joining us at the Crafty Individuals Challenge with your creative canvases.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  11. Hi Suzanne
    Those blocks are lovely - really make me think of summer. Love the tape you've made - much better than my version.
    Missed the M&M this morning.
    Have a good break!
    Helen

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  12. What pretty and joyful summer blocks Suzanne, and bang on trend. Thank you for joining us at Crafty Individuals. Jean

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  13. Loving your beautiful blocks. Annette x

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  14. gorgeous canvasses. well done.
    Lynn
    One I Made Earlier Today

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