A new year gives us the opportunity to start over with a clean slate – we can decide to exercise more, quite smoking or watch more movies on pay-per-view. The Paper Players have issued a great challenge for the beginning of the year – “A Clean Slate – Projects that Feature the Chalkboard Technique.” Clever way to sneak in a technique challenge, Nance Leedy!
Here’s my soft and subtle card that showcases the Chalkboard Technique:
And here’s the challenge banner from The Paper Players. You should definitely click over to check out the other projects.
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- A Green Chalkboard. While we typically see the Chalkboard Technique feature black chalkboards, I remember chalkboards in four different colors: black, gray, brown and green. The brown and green chalkboards were my favorites. As a child, I remember thinking that the brown chalkboards were very close to Soft Suede and the green ones were almost identical to Always Artichoke. OK, that was a lie. Those colors didn’t exist when I was a child, but they are pretty close, don’t you think? I posted a collection of chalkboard technique cards last Fall on the different backgrounds (you can check it out here).
- Getting the Chalky Look. Typically the Chalboard Technique consists of white embossing and suggests a sponging of white ink over the finished image to give the illusion of chalk dust in the background. After I embossed these flowers (I stamped these flowers free-hand because I didn’t want to mess with the difficult combination of the Embossing Buddy and the Stamp-a-ma-jig), I didn’t want to dirty things up too much by adding a large amount of ink. Instead, I generously swiped my Embossing Buddy over the image, leaving actual powder on the card front. I was happy with the effect this left.
- A Gorgeous Color Combination. By now, you know I love to play with color. I am IN LOVE with this color combination. My starting color was Always Artichoke (after all, that’s the base of the chalkboard I selected). I popped over to my Color Coach and saw that Always Artichoke pairs well with Wisteria Wonder and Crumb Cake. I was skeptical – until I pulled out all three papers and set them side-by-side. I added the tiny sliver of Pink Pirouette as a bonus soft color that (I think) completes the look.
Stamp Sets: So Very Grateful, Perfect Pennants Papers: Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Always Artichoke, Wisteria Wonder Accessories: White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, Banners Framelits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensional
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
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Suzie. Suzie is one of my favorite customers and a member of My Stampin’ Clubhouse. She is a talented stamper and has a kind soul, so I enjoy every correspondence I have with Suzie. This past weekend, Suzie and her husband were traveling from Minnesota to Florida (a trip they make this time of year every year) and stopped in Atlanta to say “hi”. Mind you, this was planned for months, but it still felt spontaneous and fun. We had dinner, enjoyed great conversation, and then Suzie and her husband got a grand tour of The Fungeon. 🙂
Oh my, Brian, I was afraid you might post that picture! LOL! After 2 days on the road and on the heals of Christmas, hubby and I were on the “struggle bus” (lack of sleep) but running on the adrenalin of getting from sub-zero temperatures to a much warmer climate! However, we were definitely rejuvenated by our stop in Atlanta and especially our tour of The Fungeon! Thanks so much, Brian!
Great reminiscence of the good old chalkboards! I think “green” was my favorite color for them. So refreshing after the black ones. And Always Artichoke IS the perfect choice. That “sliver” of Pink Pirouette is absolutely perfection. And using the Embossing Buddy to achieve the “chalked look” was a great technique hint 😉
I like that tiny bit of pink also . It really shows off the other colors .
What fun you had Suzie over for a visit . I know she loved seeing the famous Fungeon ! Loved the picture of you two ….
Hi Suzie ! Glad you are headed south . Looking forward to our card swaps in 2014 !
Cute card ,Brian …!
Chalkboard challenge perfection Brian!!! Amazingly AWESOME color combo and technique!!! How fun for you and Suzie, that is a great picture!!! I love your daily inspiration and humor, especially on a Monday!!! 🙂
Suzie it’s nice to meet you. You look great! Tell Brian that we all want a tour of the Fungeon virtually. It looks so organized.
Love the green chalkboard, Brian! Definitely a non-traditional take on the technique and the colors you chose to complement the green are perfect.
So delicate is what this card is. Lovely. Oh Suzie…you are one lucky gal! What a great stop over to make on your way back home.
Lovely card Brian. Very soft and smooth color combination and I agree that the sliver of pink really brings it all together and make it stand out. Suzie, you lucky lady you! How wonderful that you got to meet Brian face to face and to tour the fungeon. Too bad you didn’t have a few days to hang out there. I always figure that if I get into the fungeon the creative atmosphere will invade my head and suddenly I will be a clone of Brian’s creativity! LOL Hey, hope springs eternal right?
Love the card. When are you going to give us a tour of your Fungeon? Would love to see it.
Very pretty, Brian! I love the green chalkboard. Thanks for playing with The Paper Players!
So nice to be able to put a face to Suzie’s name on the Stampin’ Clubhouse list! Most of my classes had the green chalkboard, so I am loving this chalkboard technique card!!! I have an old color coach; looks like I must get a new one. This color combo is unusual but very pretty. 🙂
I love that you used different colors for your chalkboard technique, Brian…I actually had my sample done with Soft Suede but changed my mind. After seeing this, I may post it later in the week! Love the simplicity! Thanks for playing with the Players this week!
The artichoke was a great choice for the chalkboard technique, and I love the other colors you combined it with. The bit of pink is the perfect touch. Looks like you and Suzie had a fun time! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at The Paper Players, Brian! Always love to see you!
This color combination is GORGEOUS, Brian! Love your layout, choice of stamp set but most especially the GREEN chalkboard–exactly how I remember them from school. Thanks for rockin’ my chalkboard technique, oops, I mean “theme” challenge! 😉