Some things get better when you let go

Hello

I've been looking forward to using one of my new stencils from GelliArts designed by Giogiocraft and finally I had the perfect project. 

I cut the top of the frame off the stencil as I didn't want it getting in the way. The Distress ink colours were picked from the August mood board for the #TAWI challenge with Isa. The theme for the month is vellum, combined with a line of three prompts from a 'tic-tac-toe' grid. I went with label, bird and swirls.

As usual I started off with every intention of taking photos...and then completely forgot! After using Distress ink through the stencil and on the edges, I stamped some background swirls in Distress ink and some bolder ones in black Archival ink.

The bird, foliage and flowers were cut with a Sizzix die from vellum and coloured with Inktense pencils. I found a handy little vellum tag which hopefully counts as a label, and some words from an old booklet. To finish off I added some pearls and spatters.

I was able to make a card with the remaining vellum die cuts.

It turned out better than I expected as I always find vellum a bit tricky. Not sure if I prefer the blue or the pink bird. Let me know what you think.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day xx

More plant play

Hello

I've been experimenting again with some new and old stencils designed by Giovanna Zara.

I started by tracing the shapes with a black Stabilo All pencil which is water soluble.

I used liquid watercolour to build up the layers.

With a few Posca paint spatters to finish.

I really love how this turned out and will be experimenting with different compositions. I'd love to hear what you think.

Thank you for taking the time to visit. Have a lovely day xx

Plant play

Hello

Recently I had a wonderful parcel of stencils from Giovanna Zara including her designs for GelliArts.

I thought Brusho would be good for a first play.

I layered the images using both the stencils and the masks, starting with the palest colour lemon yellow and then working through leaf green, sea green and violet.

 I love the texture you can get with Brusho when you control the amount of water

Lots of fun and lots of inky fingers by the end. I've lots of ideas for these so watch this space...

Thank you for stopping by xx

Hanging on in there

Hello

A bit of a catch up post as I haven't had internet for a while and blogging on the phone is far too fiddly!

First of all the last of the cards using the technique I shared here. I've left space for a sentiment later on. My sister is just about to get some black and white kittens so this might be one for her.

Next up I thought I would do the card challenge with Isa using the mood board ideas and the theme of flip cards. It took a long time. While I was struggling to photograph it I suddenly realised that it isn't even a flip card but an accordion card! D'oh!

First I die cut four panels and stencilled them in the mood board colours.

I joined them together and linked the centres.I think that's where my confusion came from as the centres do twist as you open and close them.

I stamped images based on the mood board onto circles.

Then added them onto the card.

Fun to do even if it doesn't quite fit the brief.

Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are always appreciated. xx

Hellebores

Hello

It's been another week of life getting in the way of art. I had a lot of prep to do for the craft night at Chertsey Museum. The ladies made really great frames for mirrors or photos. The die cutting in advance paid off as there wasn't much queuing for equipment on the night.

I have managed to make cards for Mothering Sunday in the UK. A friend gave me a lovely hellebore stamp by Sheena and I tried to combine it with the moodboard colours and easel card challenge with Isa on Facebook.

As they say 'That's All Folks' for this week anyway.

Hope you have a lovely week. thank you for stopping by xx

Leap-frog

Hello

I've fallen a bit behind with crafting and blogging, partly because I have been prepping for an up-coming craft class, and partly because I have been a bit under the weather.

I have managed to do the March challenge for #tagalongwithIsa on FB. I used the mood board colours and the challenge was to have an element repeated three times.

The background stencils and the laser cut frogs are from GiogioCraft. 

March is the month for frog spawn but with the weather we've been having I hope it's not all frozen!

I hope the week puts a spring in your step. Thank you for stopping by.xxx

Seahorse

Hello

A very quick one today. Back in September I posted about using Pentart light modelling paste with stencils. You can read it here. Today I'm sharing another card made with the same batch of backgrounds.

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This time I used watercolour for the background and paint pens for the seahorse.

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It is destined as a birthday card for a seahorse lover.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a lovely day xx

Life happens...

Hello

This is one of those weeks where life happens and craft doesn't! I have lots of birthdays for family and friends this time of year, but I'm afraid celebrating does interfere with crafting. Hence just a quick one today.

I started with Pentart light modelling paste through a Craftreat stencil. It's light, like it says, but also quite flexible when dry, which makes it great for cards that need posting and won't crack if they get bent.

Once dry I sprinkled it with Brusho, spritzed it, then spattered Distress Ink.

A little stencilling with one of the new Giogiocraft stencils in the corners added a bit more interest. I gradually built up highlights and shadow with alcohol markers and gel pens.

A few spatters finished it off and tied it all together. A handy masculine card for a beer lover.

Hope your week goes well. Thank you for stopping by xx

Feeling blue

Hello

A bonus challenge with Isa this month was to create a tag that is completely monochromatic, no black, no white. 

I started by gathering together various inks in blue. First I gave everything a pale blue wash with Brusho...no white remember!

The blue was paler on the elephant but still there...honestly.

Next I used my new hamsa amulet stencil from GiogioCraft with the grey-blue weathered wood Distress Ink. Then I forgot to take any more photos!

The stamps were from Creative Stamping magazine issue 93. The elephant was layered up using foam pads.

It was a really tricky project and not very satisfying. I'm still itching to give it some white splatters or highlights! It was, however, a good exercise in appreciating 'value' and contrast in projects if you want them to be cohesive and grab interest.

I'd be interested to know what you think. Your comments are always welcome.

Have a lovely week...full of colour and contrast! xxx

Winter magic

Hello

Today I'm sharing another mixed media fantasy scene. I had every intention of capturing the process and took a first photo...

...but then forgot to take any more until the end! I started with the gate gel printed uisng a GiogioCraft stencil and a watercoloured background.

By the time I'd played around quite a bit it looked like this...

I wanted to try out some new Coliro pearlescent watercolours and a new rigger brush. I think more playing is needed!

Thank you for taking the time to visit. Hope you have a lovely week xxx