January basket

Hello

Something a bit different this week and something I found a bit challenging. In previous posts I have mentioned that I am joining in with challenges hosted by Isa on Facebook. There are four a month; a technique on a tag, art journal, Christmas card and 'the basket'. 

The idea of the basket is to gather together crafting supplies which have never been used, or not seen the light of day in a while, and come up with something. For those in the UK it's the crafting equivalent of Ready, Steady, Cook!

I have A LOT of crafting supplies so I was able to put together a basket of unused and neglected items with a steampunk feel. I started with putting washi tape and peel offs on black card. Then added some Distress Oxide ink and gilding wax.

A little bit of a cheat as I used a new Stamperia alchemy stencil for the background.

The Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 ticket stamp must be over 10 years old and unused. The Tim Holtz mini file folders are even older than that. To finish off I added gilding wax to the wooden adhesive beads.

I struggled at first to think of what to do, which is why the items had been unloved for so long, but in the end it didn't turn out too badly. The eagle eyed among you will have noticed there are still some things in the basket I haven't used. If I have time I may return to it.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. Have a great day. xxx

Art journal - January

Hello

Today I'm sharing the start of an art journal for this year as I am joining in with #tagalongaj on FB. If you want to know more you can see the details at Isa.C Art&Craft.

I found a journal from the old 'Craft Barn' days with the cover decorated in air dry clay.

The prompts for this month are yellow, big letters or numbers and circles.

I think I fulfilled the brief. I enjoyed this and wonder why I haven't done more art journalling...too little time, too many crafts!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a lovely day xx

January tagalong

Hello

This year I'm going to join in with challenges set by Isa who designs for Katzelkraft and Crafty Individuals.

If you are interested you need to ask to join the private tagalong group. I won't share her techniques for obvious reasons. There will be live demos and prizes. I've really missed crafting with other people and this is a good compromise for present circumstances. 

January tagalong

The FBlive demos a technique, not a design, so everyone's tags are different.

Isa is also hosting a monthly art journal challenge, a monthly Christmas card challenge, and most intriguingly a basket challenge. The idea behind the basket challenge is to gather together a bunch of old and unfulfilled crafting supplies and do something with them.

Did I say it's free?! Maybe 'see' some of you at the next FB live in February.

Thank you for stopping by have a lovely week xx

Foxy fun

Hello

I'm back today with another couple of cards made with the background paper I showed here and a mixture of all sorts of stamps.

I'm enjoying these slightly magical, whimsical scenes so there may be more to come!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. Your comments are always welcome. xx

Birthday bunnies

Hello

I'm back with a quick one using more of the background sheet from the previous post.

I've added a bit of stencilling and some pink buds with a Stabilo fineliner.

Have a lovely day xx

Gone fishing

Hello and Happy New Year

I wish you good health and happiness in 2022...and of course lots of crafty inspiration.

Christmas and New Year are always a bit hectic but I have managed a few hours to have a bit of a play in the craft room.

I've been wondering what to do with this background for a while.

 

It was made ages ago by sprinkling Cosmic Shimmer pixie powders and spritzing them with a water mister, but the colours are a bit too intense for what I usually want. I decided to wet it again and lay watercolour paper on top to lift the colour...

 

...and ended up with a bunch of new papers with more subtle colours, perfect for stamping over. I stamped the moon and masked it off, leaving a bit of a halo around it.

 

Then added a little hickory smoke distress oxide ink all over, but keeping the centre lighter, followed by blueprint sketch on the lower half. I used a waterbrush to soften the edges of the moon and allowed the colours to bleed a little. 

More stamping was added to build up a scene.

Highlights were added with white gel pen and a few darker ripples in pencil. (You can read my review of a variety of white gel pens here.)

And so the crafting year is off to a start. I've signed up to join a Mixed Media Art Summit in February and I'm looking forward to joining Isa for a monthly tagalong. I have spent my Christmas present pennies on some crafting goodies, my lovely husband has given me a two year subscription to Creative Stamping magazine and I've been given a lot of watercolour books, so watch this space!

I hope your year is off to a creative start. Thank you for stopping by xx

 

 

Joy to the World

Hello

Somehow the end of the year has crept up on me. Just in time I managed to get all of my Christmas cards made AND sent.

I finished off with some snow globe cards using an Apple Blossom die set and stamps from Card-io and various magazines.

I'm looking forward to using the Card-io stamps for some spring birthday cards, so watch this space.

One last festive card using Sizzix dies.

I wish you all happy holidays and best wishes for the year ahead xxx