A year in review

...and so to the last day of the year.  For the last blog post of 2016 I've put all of The Craft Barn dictionary challenge entries together. 

2016 has been a pretty good year for me but I'm always looking forward and excited to try new things. The first few months of 2017 are going to be busy, but fun. 

I wish you all a very Happy New Year and wish that 2017 brings you many blessings. xxx

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

P is for Penguin

To round off the year we have the last letter in The Craft Barn dictionary challenge...P. In my house it just had to be penguin. I discovered a stamp set I must have bought years ago and never used. Think I might use it for next year's Christmas cards!

The background is white gesso, Inktense ink and white acrylic paint with touches of black paint pen. I used Distress Ink through stencils and some stamping for the border.

And here it is...the final letter...

It's been great fun to join in with the dictionary challenge this year. I've enjoyed looking at how everyone has interpreted the letters and a BIG thank you to everyone who has visited this blog and left such lovely comments. Looking forward to the New Year and a new challenge. xxx

Materials used:

gesso

Inktense blocks

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paint: snowflake

Archival Ink: jet black

Joanna Sheen: Jayne Netley Mayhew penguins

Kaisercraft: edges

Distress Ink: faded jeans

PaperArtsy stencil: PS031

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!
I've been so fortunate these last few months to be involved with The Craft Barn DT and what I love most about it is how it brings the crafting community together. Looking at the stats for my blog I have had visitors from all over the world.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not at this time it's good to remind ourselves that there is far more that unites us across the continents than that which divides us.

My latest project for The Craft Barn is on the blog today. Please do pop over and have a look. Meanwhile I wish you all happiness and crafty good times.

Merry Christmas

M is for Meadow

Penultimate letter of The Craft Barn dictionary challenge...M. A quick one as Christmas is nearly upon us. I've used a variety of flowery meadow stamps with a Gelatos background and some acrylic paint splatters. I rubbed away some of the background with a baby wipe and circle stencil to create a bokeh effect.

Just one last letter to go...

Materials used:

 Gelatos

PaperArtsy stamps: EDY10, EDY11

Woodware: hedgerow

Hero Arts: blooming meadow

Free magazine stamps

Archival Ink: cobalt, cornflower, jet black

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish acrylic paint

Collage at The Craft Barn

Hi there
Just a quickie to let you know I have a project on The Craft Barn blog today. Collage has been a bit of a theme recently and instead of the paper layering technique I went with one of the lovely Carabelle Studio collage stamps.

For full project details and a much better photo why not pop over to their blog for a look?

Y is for Youth

Hi
All a bit hectic at this time of the year. I'm scraping in at the last minute with my page for The Craft Barn dictionary challenge. This fortnight the letter is Y and so I have gone with bright cheerful colours for youth.

I'm afraid it's a bit blurred around the edges! Not enough time to redo. The background was made with Gelatos, stencils and a baby wipe. Only two letters to go now, amazing how quickly the year has gone.

Right...off to write some Christmas cards...

Materials used:

 Gelatos

GiogioCraft stencil: art deco flower

Carabelle Studio stencil: around the world 

Crafty Individuals: CI284

sticky gems

Red and Gold

Here's a sneaky peek of my latest project for The Craft Barn. This week's theme is red and gold.

Why not hop over to the blog and have a look at the sumptuous projects the design team have created?

Tealight Holder

With Christmas approaching it’s time for a bit of altering. I picked up a tealight holder in a charity shop some time ago that was crying out for a makeover. First texture past was added, left to dry and then painted white.

Next the background was painted, gradually blending the colours together. When it was dry speckled stars were added in white paint and the textured areas were highlighted with gilding wax.

  Die cut snowflakes were embossed and painted silver. When the silver was dry the raised areas were highlighted with white paint and the snowflakes were adhered with gel medium.

 Finally gems were added and the holder was sealed with gel medium which also gives a silk finish. To finish a circle of felt was added to the base.

 

Now that it's dark so early I really enjoy sitting in candle light when I get in from work. It's a great way to block out distractions and relax.

 

Materials used:

PaperArtsy grunge paste

Tando masks: distorted harlequin, Giovanna eighties

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paint: snowflake, blue oyster, china, southern skies, blueberry

Viva Decor Maya Gold: silver

Creative Expressions metallic gilding wax: patina

Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die: winter elements

Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folder: gridlock

Ranger Multi Medium: matte