Friday, January 26, 2007

Metal Fatigue

It's Friday again, and you know what that means, don't you?


"Okay Everyone, it's time to move on to another Dare and now it's Saffa's turn...

This week's dare is entitled:

HEAVY METAL

..no I don't mean rock music! I would like you to make a card on any theme you like with the rule that it must include something metalic...thats all! You could use wire, charms, foil or even metallic pens."

This is my card. I really wanted to double-dare myself into doing something new, so on the way to this one I had a dabble with those alcohol inks that have sat on the shelf, still sealed in their packet for well over a year - more of that later, suffice to say this card does not use the stuff I made with the inks!

I fell back on an old favourite, but not one I use very often as it's fiddly and time-consuming. I only make short words with wire as I tend to get tied up in tangly, knotted wire after a while, so here you are, the word "Love" is hand made from a length of wire, some of the beads are threaded onto the wire and the others are threaded onto the metallic thread I use to sew the word onto the card. I added a double bow of red organza ribbon, two different tiny silver heart charms dangle on silver thread, and some tiny little silver brads. Then the black card was mounted first onto silver card then onto white before fixing to the gorgeous dark red "Stardream" card from pda - the photo doesn't really show how fab this card is - it's a lovely heavy card with a pearlescent finish on both sides.

At the bottom of the card I cut some slits to weave silver metallic ribbon through and added a metal heart shaped button tied with more of the red ribbon.

Please visit the DCM blog where you'll find all the cards for this dare and all the others we've done. If you're inspir4ed to join in the info on how to show your own cards is there too. You'll also find links to the personal blog of each member of the Design Team, with more info about all the cards and other crafty stuff we indulge in!

I thought I'd add a photo of the things I made using my alcohol inks. I'm quite pleased really - they weren't bad for a first attempt with the stuff. I love the paper and even the metal squares and flowers look pretty good - I went on and UTEEd some of these pieces and added a few extra bits and bobs in the hope that I'd have a brilliant (even mediocre would have been OK after hours of playing with them) idea for using them on a card. If you check out Lythan's blog you'll see that she made a beautiful flower with some of the alcohol ink background paper she's made - now why didn't I think of that? :-(

Anyway, despite playing around with them for DAYS, and almost pulling my hair out at the lack of inspiration I just couldn't work out how to use it all on a card - so I gave up, had a bit of a scream, banged my head against the wall a few times, made a cup of coffee then came back and made the wire word card instead.

Ah well, maybe if I look the bits of metal long enough some little whisper of an idea will work it's way through the haze. Fingers crossed, eh?

12 comments:

Pearl said...

I can see it is a pearlescent card ! I've always adored them ! wahoo wowie - you made the wire word yourself ! precious ! wish you were my neighbour now ...lol ...it's such a fantabulous shade of red ! this card ! how not to love it !

thats quite an experiment there with the alcohol inks ! lol - maybe looking at some card sketches sometimes will give you inspiration to try something new with these fabby bits & bobs !


ttfn, Pearl

Rhi said...

Gorgeous card Kathy, love your home made embellies, there so striking that I think they would look good on a vary plain card, gorgeous and inspiring!

Susan Hurley-Luke said...

I love this card - it looks very special. Thanks for telling us how you made it - wow - a wire word!! The little beads would really set it off.

The alcohol inks are new to me too - I like what you came up with. Your own designer papers!

Gillian said...

I honestly thought you must have bought that gorgeous wire word.. You are amazing! how clever are you...When do we get a lesson in making them... Please!!!!!
Kathy this card is Brilliant...
I'm so going out to get some of that ink, so I can play too...

Paula J Atkinson said...

Stunning card Kathy. I'm sure the alcohol inks will come to you eventually. Its best to give up thinking about them for a while.
I didn't word my blog to weel tonight, I LOVE the spot paper just not sure who makes it!!
My hands are so cold took ages to get the boiler going, pilot went out!! am still sat in my coat!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the wire word and you did a fab job with that card. Oh the alkie inks, I love the flowers and square metal bits you did. Your paper looks good to.

Dollydimps said...

Beautiful card Kathy-the wire word is fantastic! The alcohol ink flowers are brilliant-looking forward to seeing what you do with them
xx

Sheila said...

You made the wire word??????
WOW that is just fab!!!

Love your AI experiments too.....don't get disheartened that you don't use them straight away. I have a drawer full of experiments that I always go to for bits.....so one day they will be the perfect thing for something you are doing.

Sheila-x-

Em said...

I am very envious that you made that word yourself Mrs B - how clever are you??!!

I'd never have the patience, and I'm pretty sure that if I made one no-one would even know what it spelt lol!

Am also v jealous of your piccies of snow - you could've sent some to me!

xxxx

Oblibby said...

Love the love card, Kathy. I don't have a clue which metal thing to use for this challenge.

Bex said...

Hiya Kathy
Thanks for popping by!
Can't believe the weekend is over already - But I have had a good one!
The DCM challenge is on my list so hopefully I will come up with something one evening this week.
Loving your latest creations as always.
Have a good week xxx
Love Bex

Tracey said...

Fab card Kathy. Alcohol inks are great aren't they - so versatile!