Monday 21 May 2012

Summer Holiday

Welcome to Monday morning and another weekly challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Show with a theme of SUMMER HOLIDAY.  What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a SUMMER HOLIDAY?
The SUMMER HOLIDAY theme inspired me to use the Huck Finn plate from Artistic Outpost as it reminds me of summer holidays by the seaside and exploring the the rock pools with my children. Lots of blending with Distress Ink broken china, faded jeans and brushed corduroy create the scenes on both my cards.
My first card  is 5" x 6". I stamped my boat with black Archival Ink first and then using scrap paper I masked off each area and sponged with Distress Inks.
Once I added all my colours I spritzed with water to add a little more interest to the background.  The two boys were stamped onto white card, coloured with Distress Markers, cut out and added to the card. The words in the Huck Finn set are perfect for my scene, they seem to say everything about a SUMMER HOLIDAY with my children.  I stamped each word onto white card, coloured with broken china and brushed corduroy ink, cut out and added to my card.
To add a little interest I added some natural ribbon, two gears cut from white card using the Mini Gears Set, coloured with brushed corduroy ink along with some natural cord. Of course no summer beach scene would be complete without a bottle, here I used a Corked Vial from Tim's Idea-ology range adding 'MESSAGES' printed on my computer and coloured with broken china ink and adhering with Glossy Accents. I also added a heart wooden button to represent LOVE, as we love our SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
I decided to make a second card, varying the scene slightly and using the fabulous fishing boy image with his dog, I could not resist, especially as we too have a dog and we will be taking her along with us this year for our holiday.
This time around I added SUMMER to the top of my card cut from white card using the Chip Block Alphabet die, colouring with brushed corduroy ink.
For added interest on my second card I cut a piece of washer from white card using the Washer Border again coloured with brushed corduroy ink.  I have also added a mini gear along with an Idea-ology Mini Gear Sprocket.  Both cards have had some of the edges torn to add to the aged, worn feel.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x  




18 comments:

Sandy said...

Oh yeah this is summer feeling.
Wonderful work Tracy. Love the colors and stamps. Awesome. xoxo

Sophie said...

Zwei super Karten.
Chapeau!

Annie said...

Hi Tracy this is a lovely piece with a real seaside feel. I love the colour palette and stamped images. The burlap and gears are a fab edition. Thanks for sharing. :)

Helen said...

I love your idea of summer holidays... great memories!!

Sarah said...

fabulous cards Tracy - so summery with gorgeous colours and a real watercolour painting feel - these stamps look wonderful and the extra details and dimension is great - a beautiful inky two-some!

alison said...

Beautiful colours & designs Tracy! xx

Brenda Brown said...

I would be along the same lines of thought too Tracy. Love your pieces and the stamps you have chosen, beautiful.
Have a great week.
hugs {brenda} xox

Candy C said...

Tracy, your cards are so lovely! I really love the Artistic Outposts stamps that you've used on your cards. The Huck Finn stamps are amazing! I love the designs on both of them! The little bottle and ship's wheel on the first card look fantastic! I love the two little boys staring out over the Mississippi River. You did a fantastic job of making the water and the sky...and the banks. The second card is also really lovely, stamped in the brown tones. Your work is always so artistically done! <3 Candy

Sandi said...

tracy love both your cards, the colors are wonderful, hugs

pooky said...

Beautiful cards!! Really love the colors and fun embellishments:)

pooky said...

Beautiful cards!! Really love the colors and fun embellishments:)

Emma Williams said...

As always, these are absolutely gorgeous...they've really captured the feel of summery days at the beach!! I want to go now...lol.
Hope you had a lovely weekend...
Love Emma xx

Anonymous said...

Lovely cards Tracy. S xx

Suzanne C said...

Definitely a hot summer day with the boys watching the steamboats! Gorgeous card! Love the inspiration with the Huck Finn

Marjie Kemper said...

Beautiful cards! Love the burlap and gears, especially.

Lynn Stevens said...

I can almost smell that salt air! Love your embellies. that bottle is perfect!

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Hi
There is a wonderful warmth captured here, the colours you selected creating a real sense of nostalgia.
Wishes
Lynne

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Gorgeous work, Tracy! The embellishments are perfect!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!