Friday 13 March 2009

Having a go at Jo Capper-Sandon's Technique - for Created by Hand challenge.




I spent all morning gardening, and was shattered, but thought I would have another look in the Craft Stamper Magazine to see if something would spark off my mojo and get me enthusiastic again.

There on the front page in the right hand corner something caught my eye. It is on page 54 and 55.

As per usual I have had to improvise - but it cheered me up doing so. The only thing I had on the list were beet mats - real ones - that my friend Kath has sent me to alter. I had already painted them with Gesso to hide the advertising, so I was up and running.

I won't go through all Jo's techniques etc - you can read those for yourselves - but here is my effort.


I didn't have those gorgeous stamps so used a couple which I did have.
I didn't have glimmer mists, so using Ecoline inks I made up a lime green and pretty blue in misters.

I did have raffia - from flower arranging - so used that to wrap around the beer mat.
I didn't have the printed acetate circles that Jo used - so made one myself which was perfect until I glued it onto the mat.

I placed a coffee mug on acetate and drew around it with a pen, then did the squiggly bit free hand. BUT when I glued it down using Tim Holtz clear glue (forgotten the name momentarily), it reacted to the ink and went all messy. In hindsight it would have been better to have the inked side of the circle uppermost!

As Jo was going for the 'grungey' look with hers, I figured the circle could be grungey too. Besides, it had taken so long to do the mat - which I was pleased with, I wasn't in the mood to start again.


I had another go at the next beer mat, and was pleased with how it turned out.
Outside the sky had turned black and the natural light was going, so instead of making four mats, I used these two to make a little shopping list book.
This book does look better in daylight - and the colours are richer than my rushed photos portray

I cut up some scrap photocopy paper I had, a bit more than I had intended, so the book is really chunky now. But I will be tearing pages out as I go.
So what's my verdict on Jo's article.

Well

It is a great technique, fun to do, and one I will definitely be doing again. If I had taken the time to prepare, think of a design, etc my attempt would have been a lot better. And if you have the 'proper' supplies listed - then it will be a doddle!

But - my motive today was just to do something as a distraction - and I am pleased with how it turned out - but I can do very much better if I tried.




Thanks for the inspiration Jo

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

A fabulous effort Lottie, well done! Must give this a try myself. x

Anonymous said...

love this Lottie...colours and everything - want to give it a go myself now Ive seen you do it!

Hazel said...

Lottie, I am glad you tried Jo's technique as it appealed to me, too. The colours you have chosen are really zingy, and the Glossy accents accident just looks distressed, not a problem! If you want raffia, I have loads- let me know and I will send it!

Sid said...

Your little book is superb, love your improvised way of doing it too. Colours look great and it's original too !

Willy said...

Wonderful booklet!

Momiji said...

great little book and lovely colours.your BIA is getting plenty of use!

Sandy said...

Wow what a stunning little book.
The colors are shining. Lovely.

Melanie said...

I'm really loving your notebooks Lottie,they're all beautiful,you've a real flair for them,gimme one LOL!

Flippinpest said...

I love this Lottie! I read my Craft Stamper from front to back but then it gets put away in a cupboard, its great to see you have a go at the techniques so successfully :-)

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

You're very welcome. I really love the fact that you try out so many of the articles in the magazine, mostly with make shift and alternative materials- they always look really superb. It just shows you dont have to spend a fortune.:0) x

joanne wardle said...

I'm loving all your recent work! This Jo inspired piece is fab, she has alot to answer for doesn't she? lol

sam21ski said...

Lovely shopping book Lottie, you have been busy lately, I'm thinking your latest craze is to alter notebooks, or create them - nice work xxxx