Faux Grid Lines

The Monday SCS Technique Lovers Challenge was to create a project with faux grid lines.  Huh?? I didn’t really think I would like the technique and was not going to do the challenge.  I then stopped and lectured myself (I talk to myself all the time) on what a challenge is all about.  I have learned so much over the years by stretching myself and trying something that did not seem like it would be attainable or enjoyable and so often I have been happily surprised by the results. Many times I have been happier with the creative experience than the finished project but I learn something from each attempt. The faux grid lines project was fun and I think it is funny that it looks more like a tile kitchen backsplash than a card front.

I turned to one of my all time favorite Stampin’ Up! sets- Long-Time Friends.  I wanted to use an image that could stand on it’s own as a focal point for the project. I didn’t want to center the basket  as I thought that too predictable so I chose the lower right corner. I randomly stamped the small flower image around the paper as I didn’t want them to be centered in a tile square. I watercolored the images with a brush, water and reinkers. I measured and marked for my lines and then used a ruler and artist pen to draw them being careful not to draw over any of the images.  I didn’t like the stark hard lines and since this was starting to look like kitchen tile I decided to sketch lightly along the lines to soften and look a little more like tile grout. I used a Color Box foam stylus to lightly sponge on a yellow highlight. The rust colored grosgrain was the perfect simple embellishment  for the project.

Stamps:  Long-Time Friend   Paper:  Cold Pressed Watercolor, Bordering Blue, Really Rust   Ink:  Black Craft, Really Rust, Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss,Vintage Photo   Accessories:  Grosgrain, Color Box Stylus, Ruler, Artist Pen, Brushes, Brads