What a wonderful Day...

...if you forget the thunder storm and downpour LOL

I have been looking forward to this class of Andy's (Andy Pearson - Pinnacle Crafts) so much as I love his 'inky/messy' classes - they are such fun and often include things that I wouldn't think to try at home. Class Saturdays have also become a time to meet up with friends have a chat over breakfast...toddle off to class...have some lunch...craft some more...and just have a fabulous day.

Grab a cuppa and see what we got up to on two of the three projects we made.

Andy started us off gently with a bit of stamping and heat embossing which we then coloured...

...using mica drawing inks...

...the finished flower-head used 3 shades of ink. The leaves were also coloured...

...using 3 shades...

 ...despite trying various angles my photos just do not show the subtle sheen...

...that the drawing inks give.
Once coloured, the pieces were cut out...

...and then given a light spray of Spray & sparkle...

...the box shows my pieces, Hilary's and Andy's. Andy had decided to try white embossing powder for his demo piece and it gave a very different effect.
The next step was to prepare the card base and this involved doodling...

 ...I DON'T DO DOODLING - so this was way outside my comfort zone. Deep breath and I went for it - silly really, after all it was only 4 straight-ish lines with a curvy line over the top.
A stamped sentiment...

...and some 3D foam. Then it was on to project two (which I will show you in another post).
Project three involved Distress Ink to create a background...

 ...I went for three shades of green and when I was happy with the basic coverage...

...I attacked it with a water spritz bottle and some kitchen towel.
Some fairly random stamping...

...and more colouring with the drawing inks...

...and an added sentiment. I love the sentiment, it came from the same set of stamps that we used for the branches...

...there were also stamps of birds but as there is not a brown in the range of drawing inks I waited until I got home because I knew I had this little die-cut chap. I haven't a clue what die it is (he was given to me with some other bits) all I know is that there are two bits - the solid background and the fancy top layer. I attached the birdie with some 3D foam.
Here is the finished Sunflower card...

 ...along with its doodled frame and this is the finished Distress Ink background card...

...with the little birdie sat on a branch.

After a rather dark and wet start to the day the sun came out and it was lovely and bright if rather humid. Andy's dog Holly had joined us for most of the class because she doesn't like storms but apart from a lot of cuddles and licks she was very good - I think she just wanted to be close to folk during the thunder.

So that was two of the projects we completed and it was a fabulous day. Andy's classes are always such fun and really enjoyable - if you are within easy access of the Barleylands Craft Village, you really should have a look at the lessons listed on the Pinnacle Crafts website and give it a go........................