Finding time to Craft at Christmas

I had a need to do something, anything!

So I made a journal page.

 I created a background by brayering layers of paint (pastel pink, green, and blue) followed by texture paste mixed with a little pink sugar glitter through a stencil and a few die cut shapes left over from  classes all stuck down in a pleasing to the eye slightly random manor.

Cotton printed ribbon and a little bit of purple masking tape or low tack tape combined with a few words produced with my Dymo, added a little interest.

A black soft charcoal pencil was smudged around the shapes after I had used a few watered down silks paints which were splattered onto the page and defused with more water.

Very spring like! A few days of cold weather and you can tell what I'm looking forward too.

Pre words tape and pencil.

All done!

Class Cards

Here are a couple of cards produced for my class using Spectrum Noir paints/inks.

 

 



Day 12 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Friday 19th December, Day 12.

I've just realised today this is my last
  card making post for Christmas, I couldn't have planned it any better.
It's the 12 Cards of Christmas this year in my case not 12 days of Christmas.

This card is a Tim Holtz Snowman stamp with Dylusions Holly stamp coloured with watercolour pencils and a small amount of red glitter. Layered onto a piece of text paper with the edges blended with Black Soot Distress Inks.

Only have to get them in the post now.

Day 11 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Thursday 18th December, day11.

This little number is made up of JoFY stamps by Paperartsy.
The bauble was stamped onto the card and onto patterned paper then cut out and placed on the top.
A little bakers twine to finish it off.



Day 10 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Wednesday 17th December, day 10.

 This is a combination of Tim Holtz and JoFY Stamps Coloured with watercolour pencils and a little distress glitter for a bit of Christmas  Bling.



Day 9 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Tuesday 16th December, day 9.

Heat embossed background stamp, Merry Christmas ribbon.
Soldier Stamp by Tim Holtz, stamped with Black Archival ink coloured with distress ink.



Day 8 Christmas Card Challenge to self

Monday 15th December, day 8.

Tree die cut, bit of ribbon,
 Christmas background stamp heat embossed, white gesso thin string.



Day 7 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Sunday 14th December, day 7.

Magnolia stamp, coloured with distress inks layered on papers, die cuts etc etc.



Day 6 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Saturday 13th December,  day 6.

Lilly of the Valley Snowman stamp, soooooo cute.
Layered with die cuts,
 coloured using distress ink pads and a bunch of flower stamens tied together.



Day 5 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Friday 12th December, day 5.

Magnolia stamp, coloured with distress inks, die cuts, string and rusty bells.



Day 4 Christmas Card Challenge to Self

Thursday 11th December, Day 4.

Yet another cute Magnolia stamp, didn't realise I had so many.
Water coloured with distress inks, lace, die cuts, ribbon, paper layering string and a button. 



Day 3 Christmas Card Challenge

 Wednesday 10th December - Day 3

Yes, its another cute one, but you are allowed cute at Christmas.
Another Magnolia stamp water coloured with distress ink pads, stitching, die cutting, layering and perfect pearls.



Day 2 Christmas Challenge to Self

Tuesday 9th December.

 It's a magnolia stamp, water coloured with distress ink pads using wet in wet method, a bit of sewing, lace, ribbon and paper layering.
Oh and a few die cuts.

Christmas Card A Day - Day 1

Monday 8th December,
I have set myself a challenge, a Christmas Challenge to be exact.

This is to force me to get my  Christmas cards done and in the post 1st class by 20th December.

Phew, that said here is the first one.

Day1

 

 

 

Workshop with Finnabair

I'm a very lucky bunny, for the second week in a row I was lucky enough to go and have a messy, painty Saturday morning.
 

After an early start and a quick drive down the A38 to arrive at the Artist Trading Post in Derby to start at 9am, we began our double canvas.
 

Well actually it was a single long canvas.
 

We began by plotting our design using our black and white photo as a starting point and building the design of the canvas around it.

 
 

Lace and canvas was added next all glued into position with 3d gel.

The flowers and metal embellishments were layered with what Finn refers to as Ugly buttons.

Basically buttons you may not want to use at any other time and in vivid colours (don't be put off the buttons as all the embellishments were painted white and blended in to create a base for the sprays).

A hot glue gun was used to add drips going down the canvas and yes everything was painted white except photo of course.
 

Then the messy spray bit began, two colours were sprayed onto the design and water spray was added to water down the ink and create more drips.

At this point time was running out we added a little charcoal pencil which was smudged in, followed by a small amount of stamping. 

It was at this point we had to leave as the next class were due in.

The canvas continued at home, more charcoal pencil was added around the embellishments 

treasure gold was added to highlight various bits and pieces.

Then beads were mixed with 3d gel and added around the embellished areas.

At this point I stopped as I didn't want to over do it.

Here is the finished project.

The colours don`t pop on these photos as I took them in rubbish lighting I will replace them asap.

December Art Journal

My journal this month started life very different to how it ended up.
 

I did try to finish what I originally started but it wasn't doing anything at all for me, so I used white gesso and painted over the page, then I thought, I know white paint and texture equals snow scene and stick men having a blast.

That is basically it for this month a few tiny polystyrene balls glued onto the page to add a bit more texture, not forgetting journal blocks and finni.

 

Hope you like it.
 

Another year complete.
 

Pop on over to the Kathryn Wheel to see other examples of art journal pages by Kate Crane and other like minded peeps.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
(Thought I`d get that one in early before I forget).

TTFN

France Papillon Workshop

OMG

FRANCE PAPILLON WORKSHOP

I've had an amazing Sunday up North.

The 23rd November 2014 will go down in my history book as a day to remember.

When my crafting buddy Rebecca asked if I wanted to go I of course said yes, though I must admit I didn't know what to expect as I don't go to many workshops or crafting events.

I am sooooo glad I did, we travelled up Saturday evening stayed in a Premier Inn had a full English breakfast then got stuck into a whole day of painting, sticking, gluing, using gel mediums, ink sprays

and loads more. France taught us how to get the best from the products by just talking us through the process and advising us how/what mediums mix well together.

Just being able to try out the products was a fab experience although I'm still not convinced about pans pastels, I did buy a couple when they first came out but passed them on to my sister in law.

 After all there are so many other product out there.

Once the trying out of the products was complete (am) we began making proper pages.
The first page was a group effort, our table although branded the naughty table got along well and took hold of this task and made it our own. One person would suggest a layer, once complete the next one would make a suggestion and so on. As you can see our table went round more than once (6 lovely ladies).

From what I remember, this is how the page developed.

Gesso, any colour.
Paperartsy Paint, any colour. (My choice)
Splatters.
Use a mask.
Texture, Using what ever medium you like.
Stick something on.
Use an Image, ie rub on.
Stamp something.
Use a book an old book page.
Do something to the edge. (My choice)


This was how my page turned out.

 
Next up was a guided page with suggestion from France.

Hit and miss clear gesso.
Apply Tissue paper plain or patterned.
Use transparent colour, anything goes.
Stamp around the edges.
Shadow stamp background.
Add a small amount of old text paper.
Add a small rub on.
Add an embellishment.
Add a small amount of opposite colour.
Add a word.

Here is my version.

Last page was a free for all with a title of,
"Sum up what you've learnt and what you are taking away with you today".
Or something similar to that, it was getting late and brain was muddled.

This was my page.

A little bit of everything.

Such a cool day, thanks to everyone who organised the workshop, to all of the other crafty peeps and to France for coming to the UK and teaching us  to create wonderful pages.

TTFN  xxx

Christmas Gift Bag

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells!

Bah Humbug!

Only joking I do like  Christmas and all the trimmings that come with it.

Creating cute cards with Santa  and snowmen,
 along with furry animals wearing silly Christmas hats.

Enough Christmas ramblings for a mo, next week I'm off on a workshop and for the first time since my eldest daughter was born (14 years)  I'm staying overnight in a premier inn, ( I know pushing the boat out a bit) but well worth it. My friend Rebecca and I are off up north for an all day workshop with France Papillion, looking forward to it soooooo much. I will try to remember to take photos and post what we managed to make.

Back to the task at hand, whilst preparing for a class sticking and gluing etc.
I remembered what I was asked to do next time, which was water colouring with Distress Inks and Christmas bag decoration.

 Me being me combined the two and this is what I came up with.

 

 It can take a while to stamp and colour the image, so with that in mind it has been mounted on simple layers with just a few die cut elements.

Enjoy!

Look Who's Been a Busy Bunny!

A few weeks ago I was asked to prepare cards for brownies and rainbows which I managed to finish and deliver to the brown owl PHEW!

Moving on from there my aunt asked if I would make some of the (fake candle) tea light holders for her to give as gifts. Deep breath, but not Christmas themed and one has to have red, one yellow and two neutral and not Christmas flowers.

So this is what I came up with.

  Hope she likes them as there are so many reds and yellows around to choose from.

I added this one in for my mum's Christmas table.

More Christmas Cards!

I had a need to make a quick, simple card which turned into four quick, simple cards. 

Here they are.

Stamped with Paperartsy stamps and coloured with watercolour pencils onto textured card blanks.

November Journal Page

My November page was actually done several months ago, all I had to do was remember to take a photo.

I went for a black theme with splashes of paint to give the impression of fireworks, a little bit boring but fun to do at the time. I found Splashes of paint on the dining room table for some time after.

Here is my entry this month.

Pop on over to The Kathryn Wheel  and check out Kate Crane's November Page along with other fab entries. 

The colours Kate used for November are bright and gorgeous (wish I was more adventurous).

Christmas!!!

Yesterday I went for play at my crafty friends house.

We spent a few hours preparing backgrounds for Christmas cards by brayering paints, stamping and   much more. This was followed by a frenzy of more stamping and layering of images to produce a few super toppers.

Once home ( for girls to return from school) I finished off the cards by mounting them onto card blanks and adding a few other bits and pieces.

Here they are.

 It's official Christmas cards have been started, just a few more to make now.

Paper Folding

Ummm, where do I start.

A day or two ago I went blog hopping and came across a posting on Finnabair's which

grabbed my attention and literally inspired me to have a go.

I began by finding a suitable book.
I initially began by imitating the word inspire, I quickly found out the reason why an encyclopaedia was used, (thin pages and lots of them).
My book had about 400 pages and they were quite thick.
After unfolding my previous attempt (ready to start again), I printed a few sheets of graph paper and
drew the word art.

 Using the lines on the graph paper and a ruler as a guide (so that I didn't fold to close to spine of book) I began folding.

This is how it turned out.

 
 As yet I haven't decorated my cover, that will be a job for next week when the girls are back at school.

 If you fancy having a go yourself there are many videos on you tube to show you step by step how to create your own version.

Bye for now

Black Gesso - Yum!

It's official I love using black gesso!

Todays experiment started with an 8"x 8" box canvas and a double coat of black gesso.

Next came stencilling using Marlin Limited Edition Paperartsy paint, followed by the addition of art words stencilled in Yellow Submarine paint and random stamping (also in paint).

 The  image was stamped onto smooth watercolour paper,  then colour was added to highlight the facial features with watercolour pencils.  This was cut out and the edges distressed with Black Soot Distress Ink to tone in the cut edges.

Two pieces of cardboard were layered together under the face image to lift it of the canvas.

Double sided paper was cut into 1cm strips, the edges were distressed with black distress ink and layered onto the canvas criss crossing using both sides. This was stuck into position using "Glue'n'Seal", then applied to the whole of the canvas to Seal it.

The face image was stuck into position.

A cogs die cutting set was used to make flowers in black double sided pearl card, this was treated to several different treasure gold colours which made them appear metalic.

Sapphire, Emerald, Classic and Spanish Topaz. 

They were then layered together with a white daisy type flower with black beaded buds in the centres and added to the project.

The words on the canvas ran along the bottom edge of the double sided paper, as the colour matched I cut them out and distressed the edges then stuck them down. Flowers from the same double sided paper were cut out and added to the canvas in the corners just to add a little something.

Classic treasure gold was added to the edges to add a finishing touch.

Hope you like it.

Christmas Cards for Rainbows and Brownies

A few weeks ago my friend Kim asked if I would design and organise cards for brownies and rainbows to make for Christmas.

 "No rush we're planning on doing them  2nd December," she said.

Not a shock really as I have been doing this for a few years now, however I had a sudden mental block.

 Several days later this is what I came up with.

The card for the rainbows is sort of a triangle shape so that it stands up on its own and not fall flat. The hat pulls up to reveal a Christmas greeting, they will have to put on the scarf, the hat rim and all the facial and body features and add a touch of glitter.

The Brownies will have to stick their slay onto the base card and cut out the Christmas gifts, then add bling and sparkle. 

Hopefully they will enjoy doing them and also have time for a chat to their friends as they work.

All I have to do now is cut and prepare them all, wish me luck.

Christmas Home Decor

Christmas is getting closer, before we know it, it will be here.

So, with that in mind and using  inspiration from my previous birdhouse post I decided on another home decor project this time with a Christmas twist.

Using the  "finn" birdhouse back as a template I cut a base from mount board.

The roof was created from small wooden sticks, the kind you use to stir your coffee in coffee shops.

The sticks were stuck to the top edges  to simulate a roof, torn corrugated card added  texture to the project. The whole thing was painted in Teal Paperartsy Paint and dry brushed with Chalk paint.

Treasure gold was added to the roof edges in onyxite and white fire, a small amount was added to the edges of the house too.  A small circle frame was also painted  to match and layered onto a  solid circle to create a bird house door.

 A few flowers were layered  together, twine, wire, lace etc. A wall stamp was stamped onto the flat background and a christmas sentiment stamped on dark brown card then embossed with shabby blue embossing powder, followed by adding white gesso which was put on the
edges of the  flowers, leaves roof edges etc, along with a tad of glitter, just to bling it up. 

Hope you like my little project.