Saturday 17 August 2013

85 - CSI Challenge



My first reaction when seeing this colour palette was "yikes" what on earth will I do with that!   Hmmm, I guess that's why it's called a challenge.  
 I decided to use a technique I learned at a workshop by Louise Nelson and so a tropical theme emerged....just perfect for this photo taken on Hayman Island when I was just a young flapper.

http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/forum/topics/case-file-no-85-case-closes-on-august-25-2013?

My base is grungeboard heavily gessoed and then dried.  The next layer is random misting to achieve a watery lagoon effect.  Then a layer of embossing through a stencil to create a beachy, sandy look.
The prehistoric sea creatures were found malingering in a sticker folder from about 10 years ago and are now forever contained in some new Prima Epoxy Stickers.



I stamped the hibicus flowers with some foam stamps, again from the retired scrap heap corner, sprayed them with glimmer mist, stamped onto white cardstock and cut them out by hand.   I  jazzed up the centres with some beads and tried my hand at a nautical knot....I think it could be a Granny's knot, but I won't tell if you don't.  Apologies to Heather Jacob.  She makes a piece of string look like a mini piece of art.

EVIDENCE
Numbers - in journalling
Something clear - the bubbles
Metal - the Brads
Decorative Brads
String
Frame - hand cut and misted
Something Sandy - the embossing
Something transparent - the bubbles

TESTIMONY
I chose to journal using the five senses. I was disappointed that the font I chose was a bit small and bled somewhat into the background mists.  A lesson for next time.

The journalling reads:-

1. SEE
Lush foliage
Vibrant orchids
Sun tanned bodies
Lei’s of Frangipani
psychedelic parrots
Catamarans skimming 

2. SMELL 
Exotic spices
Stir fried prawns
Fresh sea breezes
Ombre Solaire sun tan oil
Roasting pig during a Luau
Sweet passionfruit pavlova

3. TASTE
Barbequed sea food
Fresh tropical pineapple
Champage in crystal flutes
Coconut milk from the shell
Mango, lime and rum daiquiris
Umbrella trimmed Pina Coladas

4. HEAR
Music with a Latin beat
Surf lapping at the shore
Laughter of other travellers
Swimmers splashing in the pool
Languages from around the world
Squawking sulphur crested Cockatoos

5.  FEEL
Happy to be young and free
Excited about the unknown
So grown up and sophisticated
Refreshed, relaxed and renewed
Delighted to dance in the night club
Surprised by the attention from men

MATERIALS
Grungeboard - Imaginarium
Gesso - Atelier
Color Mates cardstock - Medium Terra Cotta
Tattered Angels Chalk board mist - Seven Seas
Tattered Angels Glimmer mist - Lemon zest
Dylusions ink spray - Squeezed orange
Kaisercraft pearls - Teal
Kaisercraft Alphas - Mini alpha, Latte
Francheville brads
Maria George - beads
Prima = Epoxy stickers
Prima - Alphas
The Crafter's workshop stencil - Tiny circles
Hibiscus stamps - unknown
Stickers - Mrs Grossman's paper company
Stickers - Bo- Bunny
String
Ribbon - spotlight
Stampendous embossing powder - aged teal
The Crafter's Workshop - Microbial

Photobucket

12 comments:

  1. Came here to see the details of this so beautiful lo. thanks for sharing the way you created it. And I've became a follower, so I won't miss your pages :).

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  2. I just love how you used the colours Helen and your journaling pieces. You are very talented indeed.

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  3. love this Helen and you have such a gift with words ..... super duper awesome x

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  4. Teehee! Apologies indeed:):) Mind you, you're right about Heather's stringing ability...but man, you're the Word Queen.....& that bg is TREMENDOUSLY gorgeous......sooo makes the photo the focal point, too....you cracked this case gooooood:):):)

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  5. Beautiful! I love the journqling and gorgeoys background!

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  6. Super background....really beautiful and love the blooms and string! Such gorgeous little details! Love your descriptive journalling too...makes me wish for many of my younger days too...spent on the beach! Beautiful page!

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  7. Woderful LO! Love your background work!

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  8. Awesome background work and colour Helen... love the framed B/W photo, the little beads and eyelets, the stamped hibiscus....and again,love how you used the 5 senses to do your journaling..... wonderful ... you certainly have a way with words....
    Thanks for sharing your talents with us. xx

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  9. Love your background and colors on this layout! Beautiful tropics theme : )

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  10. I loved this layout when I first saw it in the DT forum and then again in the gallery and I love it more each time I see it. It is such a feel good layout... and your journalling takes me right back to those days... when we were footloose and fancy free. I have looked hard at the photo Helen but I can't make out which one is you... I want to go with the short haired girl but part of me keeps saying NO! Please put me out of my misery :D
    I have just seen that you asked me on one of my blog posts about the gorgeous cream flowers and where I got them. I meant to answer but then I forgot. It was actually a head band that I bought with the intention of cutting it up because I loved the flowers :D love that you find stuff everywhere :d xox

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  11. This is really magical Helen, I love how you used those ancient sea-creature stickers in the epoxy .. looks amazing. Beautiful background too.

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  12. Very nice. I love all the thought & detail you put into each creation!!

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