Oct 14 2008
Fall Swan - Tutorial #134
I’m really loving this Swan stamp that I got from www.FirecrackerDesignsbyPamela.com. I paired it up with the Stampin’ Up Best Blossoms leaves that I already had sitting on my work space from a couple of projects I made earlier this week. I also put a twist on the brayered background by brayering at an angle to create an interesting light effect. Check it out in today’s tutorial.
Let’s get started. 
Supplies:
| Stamps: FireCrackerDesignsByPamela “Swan Song” & Stampin’ Up Best Blossoms |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss & Baja Breeze |
| Ink: Adirondack Butterscotch, Lettuce, Stonewashed, Aqua, Denim & Purple Twilight, Palette Noir Black |
| Accessories: Versamark Pad & Marker, Prismacolor Markers, Brayer, Fine Detail Clear embossing powder, heat gun, Sponge, Brads, Ticket Corner Punch |
Stamped Swan on a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock using Palette Noir Black ink.
Colored the darker parts of the Swan with a Cool Grey 10% Prismacolor marker.
Added darker shadows on the Swan with a Cool Grey 50% Prismacolor Marker.
Went back over the greys again with the 10% Cool Grey marker to blend them together.
Colored the beak with a Goldenrod Prismacolor Marker.
Colored over the entire Swan being very careful not to go outside of the design lines with a Versamark marker and then heat embossed the image with fine detail clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Stamped the leaves multiple times by first loading my stamp with Versamark, then Lettuce ink, then adding a bit of Butterscotch ink to the leaf tips with the corner of a Butterscotch ink pad before stamping.
Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Brayered Aqua ink all over the card stock.
Brayered Stonewashed ink at an angle on the bottom right corner and the top left corner.
Brayered Denim ink on the bottom right and top left corners not covering the the Stonewashed ink entirely.
Still brayering at an angle, added a bit of Purple Twilight with the brayer on the bottom right and top left corners not covering the Denim ink entirely.
Over stamped the embossed leaves with Oregano ink to add some depth to the scene.
Wiped the ink from the embossed images using a soft rag.
Sponged Denim ink around the outside edges of the card stock.
Used a ticket corner punch on all my panels except for the largest (bottom) panel.
Decided the background panels were a bit plain so I brayered on some Purple Twilight ink at the bottom right and top left corners of my Baja Breeze panel.
Assembled the card front and added some brads. Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″.
Hope this tutorial has inspired you to try brayering from a different angle to see what happens. It may surprise you!
May your day be as relaxing as this Swan scene.
Until my next post. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
Hugs,
Michelle
Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/
Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar
What a great way to start the day! I saw this swan set before and thought how lovely that would be in your style and here it is… very beautiful indeed!!
Beth
Gorgeous! That light effect is awesome.
A beautiful tranquil image to start the day. I’m loving all the beautiful vibrant blues!
I’m here with my mouth drooped open! No not because I just got up! This is beautiful! Michelle, you are going to have to become a Loan Officer along with all your other talents so that I can get a loan to purchase all these stamps you’ve shown how to create master pieces with. Long sentence, whew. Thanks for starting off the day with such beauty. Just got brayering down and now you add a slant to it!!! Okedokey, I’m game.
Serenity at it’s best!… Beautiful as usual! Thanks for a great morning eye opener!
Some do treadmills… Some do stair climbers… I do Zindorf! ! ! !
I concur with Phyllis. Oh my, this is a beauty! I too have trouble not purchasing the stamps you work with! You have so much talent with them. Thanks for sharing that talent with us!
Wow - it’s gorgeous. Should I send you a bill for the stuff I just had to buy from her?
Hope you have a great day!
I look forward to seeing your work every day. You are so inspiring. And, yesterday, I just bought my first set of Prismacolor markers (got to use my 50% off coupon at Michaels!). I could only afford the 24 set, but that will give me a good start as I learn the techniques. I know you have a BUNCH of them, but are there certain ones you use frequently? I’d like to know where to start as far as picking up a couple of markers at a time.
I love the colour combination on this card. It’s stunning! You never cease to amaze me.
Trish
This is just so beautiful, I love that swan so much, there is another one that I just have to have! I agree with the others we are all going to be stamp poor. lol Thanks for the lovely scene.
Evelynn
The light effect and the swan in the middle is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Anja
What beatuiful cards you make.
Where have you buy the “ticket corner punch”?
Lise-Lott from Sweden
Oh Michelle - This is just beautiful. Definitely one of my favorites.
I see I’m not the only one who must go out and purchase this swan stamp set. lol.
Thank you so much for making everyone’s day! We all appreciate it.
Karen
Grand Rapids, MI
Just beautiful ! You have created a truly peaceful and serene image. The colors are just beautiful, and the way you did the shading makes the card.
Another great card - so elegant and yet you seems to pull it all together so quickly.
I’ll just keep saying, “Wow!”
Beautifiul and relaxing card Michelle and yet another stamp set I need…….I have been so good for awhile now, but I am about toburst wanting new stamps!
Wow….gorgeous!!! I liked it a lot before you brayered the purple onto the Baja Breeze panel, but now - I absolutely love it!! As I said, Wow!
So beautiful, the swan is so elegant and regal. This was one of my recent purchases from Fire cracker so now I cant wait to get it out. Christine
The brayering on the layer is a nice touch!
Once again, a beautiful piece. I really love how you not only brayer color into your main image but into your background image as well. Well done!
Cyndi
WOW!! The blues and purples for the sky and water and leaf colors are outstanding! What a fabulous setting for the swan! Love it!
This has absolutely got to be one of my all time favorites. The additional angled brayering on the outside mat is genius. Michelle, this is excellent!
What a fabulous job you did! I’ve actually got a card from Pamela using this swan it is a gorgeous stamp! You did it justice!
Michelle: You’re gonna get it a week from this Friday when you come to San Jose to teach. I don’t know how many times I have ordered stuff cuz you used it in such a great way. Of course the braying went beyond the pale. Fantastic! Can’t wait for my second class with you!
Oh my gosh!!! You have totally inspired me for a life time! There are no words that can ever express the joy your work gives me. You go about your cards with an artist eye and man oh man they are truely something to be proud of. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with all of us.
Well, ya did it again. Now I have to get that swan set too darn it. LOL….I absolutely love the purple color. Great work!!
Gorgeous card!
All I can say is this is so peaceful and tranquil… you captured the swan perfectly… I am lucky that I do get to see them every once in a while on my way home from work as i pass through Jamaica Bay… I am sure after I post this, I will be on my way to purchase this swan set..and hope to see one on my way home tomorrow to remind me of this beautiful card
Thanks for sharing
I only recently “found” your blog. I am in total awe. The crazy thing is, you make me believe I could create something even remotely like it!! Amazing job!
This is beautiful Michelle!
This is really art.
You never cease to amaze me with your artistic talents. Thank you for taking the time to share. Really Really beautiful work, as always.
love this water scene! the leaves are so pretty!
Take care & STAY POSITIVE!
Just beautiful, Michelle. I love how the brayering looks like ripples in the water.
This card reminds me of a trip I took to Lakeland, FL where I got to see a swan up close for the first time. It was nothing like the ducks and geese from back home, the swans are HUGE birds, it was very unexpected. I spent hours chasing them with my camera. Swans are *very large* but beautiful creatures.
Great card. I love the leaves at the top. They certainly create a fantastic frame for the swan.
Heather
Your cards are truly works of art. And your tutorials make it all look so easy! You are amazing! I am such a fan! Best, Curt
I love the brayering on the corner of the middle layer…what a beautiful touch. This card is lovely! TFS. I will definately have to try that brayering of the corners soon.
Sue