Postcard number two - Spain

Darcy's postcard challenge takes us to Spain this week

I cannot explain how this challenge has taken me to the very outrance of my creativity, I am so enjoying the art AND the writing side of the challenge. My teachers always urged me to take sensible subjects ie maths, economics and english to 'A' level as I had good grades and an aptitude for the more academic qualifications, but, I think, deep down, my arty side has always been screaming to be unleashed, the beauty of this challenge is that it allows me to utilise both sides of my personality.

Here is my 'Espanol' inspired postcard

My base is an actual postcard, bought from T.K.Maxx this week ( love that shop) I bought a little book of 20 fantastic quality postcards, they are all decorated with really pretty fairy images, but, I have used them as a base. I have mainly covered up the images but left the outside showing and used the colours as inspiration for my finished piece.

I used lots of Spanish ephemera, all inked with Vintage photo distress ink. I created the ornate frame by embossing chipboard with gold patina embossing powder.

And here is the back of the card with the second instalment of the story, please don't strain your eyes I have typed out the writing below this next photo.

Kathy's message to Sammy reads :

Your letter arrived and I have placed it into my safe. It looked very official !

The cottage is fine and all the plants are watered.

I hope you don't mind but I took it upon myself to dig out a new flower bed.

I travelled a lot when younger, I guess I was really trying to run away, but as you know, travel is impossible now.

I dug out some bits and bobs from my very last journey, I hope you like my Spanish inspired card!

Please stay safe sweetie and don't work too hard (Carlton is a slave driver !)

Do you know where you are next ?

Oh and I nearly forgot, a rather persistent gentleman keeps calling for you but won't leave his name or a message - very odd !

Take care

Love Kathy

Only one of my characters is travelling ( you will discover why Sammy's neighbour and friend, Kathy, can't, later in the story) so I had to weave in a way to explain the second set of postcards. Carlton - Sammy's boss is introduced this time and we have a mysterious guy trying to track Sammy down.

 I wanted Kathy and Sammy's postcards to be different so am using two separate ways to make them, I am also using different styles of handwriting to reinforce their personalities. Sammy's handwriting is loose and free flowing, she is a free spirit and generally happy-go-lucky with a good sense of humour, so her writing will hopefully convey that.

Kathy on the other hand is older, wiser and more considered in her writing. She is precise and suffers from OCD among other things, she cares deeply about Sammy and her well being and is trying to look out for her young friend and neighbour.

Here is the original postcard I used as the base.

As my desinence today I will leave you with this famous Spanish quote

Art is a lie that makes us realise truth - Pablo Picasso

xxx