International Art and Soul Challenge 44

Our challenge for this fortnight is to use the colours orange and black. Otherwise, the world, as they say, is your lobster!

I've collected the stamps from quite a few issues of Creative Stamping magazine, and I've found them to be really rather good. Of course, I tend to wait to buy them when they're reduced, but this time, I spotted a set I had to have, as I doubt this issue will be available on sale! It's got some beautiful wild animals, as well as the ones I've used here.

A very simple card, really. First, I applied ink to some card - a mix of Ripe Persimmon and Spiced Marmelade. Then I stamped the main image and birds using Versafine ink. Then, I tried to reproduce the effect in the magazine to get a reflection. However (note to self): Do not use Versafine ink for this!

I stamped the image again onto what I thought was the back of a wood-grain stamp. (Obviously, it was actually the front.) Still, I thought, that'll be fine! So I used that imprint to make the reflection. But, Versafine ink used this way sticks so well to that stamp, that I got only the faintest image. I repeated the imprint using the back of the stamp and got absolutely nothing. However, I decided that I quite liked the effect, so decided to leave well alone! So, I matted as you can see and thats it.

I had a hard job cleaning both the front and back of my wood grain stamp - the ink seemed determined to stay there, so whatever else happens, I'll have to remember to use a different ink for this technique in future.

I do hope you can join us!