Creative Expressions DT Call

I have taken the plunge and decided to enter the Creative Expressions DT Call.  The brief is to provide an ATC somewhere within your project based upon a "calling card" theme.  After some thought I went with the idea of the Victorian Calling Card. 

In polite society people did not just "drop-in" or text lol - so to make an introduction as a way to get into the elite society a calling card was often left.  I have enjoyed reading about the etiquette and the differences between a gentlemen's and a lady's card.  Cards were placed on a silver plate with the most impressive being on the top.  If the top left corner was turned down - it indicated that it had been delivered in person rather than by a servant.  Cards could be made from silver, ivory or papier-mache.

Therefore I thought it appropriate to decorate a heart papier-mache box for holding my calling cards.....Brief instructions are:- 

• I painted the box and my "calling cards with acrylic paint and then overstamped with ornate stamps using more acrylic paint.  I selected strong colours to reflect the opulence of the Victorian era.

• I created 4 squares of very thick cardboard (I used a Next Directory cover) which I then stamped with Victorian images in a permanent black ink.  I coloured these with water coloured pencils.  I then coloured the squares with distress inks; tumbled glass and aged mahogony.
• The text on the "calling cards" (from a Creative Expressions A5 plate) was stamped with Versamark and then embossed with gold embossing powder.

• My rossette flowers were made using an small oval scallop punch with coordinating paper, covering with glue stick and crumpling.  These were then layered and a touch of gold stickles added to the centre.

• I finished my box off with further rossette flowers, organza bow and a tag.  The ribbon was not the right colour so I coloured using tea dye distress ink.  The box and calling cards were edged with gold acrylic dabber.

I am pleased with the completed project, the colours are strong and I have used a good range of products, but most of all it was the perfect way to spend a Friday evening and the early hours of a Saturday.  Many thanks for popping by and I hope you get chance to check out the details of the Creative Expressions DT call.  

This is my second blog post of today so please scroll down to see my "Raindrops on Roses".  I am off to hang my washing out - heavens knows why as it is bound to rain!  Suzanne ~x~