Journal Challenge

I couldn't believe my luck a couple of weeks ago when my friend Darcy asked me if I would like to do a journal swap with her....excited but very nervous as her art work is fabulous.

This is my first page....

I started by layering Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paints over the page and added snowflake to tone them down.

I stencilled Fresco paints through Darcy's stencils to create these lovely 'flower' (Well I think they are flowers) and the torn look edge,  I drew around these with a white gel pen and added dots for extra texture and detail.

The main image is a Crafters Workshop stencil - which I adore!  I stencilled Little Black Dress Fresco paint through and then dried before painting over to add colour.

My next step was to add a few fine sprays of glimmer mist to add a bit of colour and sparkle.

To finish I added a quote from Viva Las Vegas.... such a great quote!

Quite a flat page with little dimension but I was happy with the result!

Just Doodling!

The current theme over at the Paper Artsy blog is doodles.  Most of us have done it at some point. Very often I doodle while on the phone.  However, when it came to creating something for this topic.... nothing!  Couldn't think of a single doodle! LOL!!

So - I set about just playing!  I decided to work on journal pages that I had started but didn't really like!

The background to this page was not my cup of tea.  And if I am honest I am still not that keen on my finished results.  But I persevered.

The background was painted using Dylusions paints and I didn't like the way that they wouldn't mix so walked away from it for a few days.

When I went back to it I tried to cover with some of my favourite Paper Artsy Fresco paints - this helped a bit but still not great.  I also scraped some paints onto the page.

I then started doodling using Paper Artsy stencils.  I drew around them then painted some parts in.  I then went a bit crazy with a white pen and added wording in black pen.

A bit meh!  But fun to do all the same.

I also had left over Dylusions paint on another journal page. 

This time I decided to paint a layer of crackle and then black over it so that the first layer only showed through a bit.

I decided to just doodle with a white pen..... and completely fill the page!  No method in my madness!  I simply went for it!  lol!!

So - thoughtful doodling is much more difficult that doodling without thought!! 

Thanks for looking.

Birthday Celebrations

On Friday it was my dear friend, Wendy's, birthday.  This is the card that I made for her:

To create the card I started by making a masterboard using the method that I showed you in my last post.

I then tore bits of this and adhered it to a card blank.

I then stamped circle and scribbles from Paper Artsy Emma Godfrey stamp sets.  The greeting is from my stash.

The Ellen Vargo flower was stamped and painted before being cut out and adhered to he card.

This was fun to make.  It was also fun to actually leave some white space!

Wendy had a fabulous birthday and loved her card!

Thanks for looking....

Rainy Days Are The Best Days!

Today was a long overdue day spent with my friends Caz and Wendy.  The weather was dreadful and so a day inside crafting was well planned.... and we actually managed to do things as well as craft!

Here is a journal page that I created.....

I coloured the gesso'd background in fresco finish paints (bora bora, wisteria and (I think) Amethyst).  I added a few black markings.

Next I stamped Paper Artsy Ellen Vargo stamps and a Carabelle Studios background stamp.

I added Amethyst to grunge paste and pressed this through a stencil to add texture.I also sponged ink through Seth Apter stencils.

The crazy cat was stamped and coloured using distress crayons and a water brush.  The hedgehogs are from the Paper Artsy Kim Dellow range - these were already in my stash.

To finish, I added white detail and scribbling.

Next I wanted to create a masterboard on tissue paper. 

The methods used were the same as for the journal page.  Again, I used Fresco Finish paints - Peeled paint, French Roast and Glass Blue.  The stamps and Stencils are from Seth Apter (and are amazing!).

I had great fun creating these.... and even more so because I was spending time with friends.... just what the Dr ordered!!

Thanks for looking.....

Girly Birthdays

I have had quite a few birthdays to catch up on!!

Here are some of the cards that I have made - all are the same style and using the amazing JOFY for Paper Artsy stamps.  The stamps are great for girls of all ages!!

Each stamped image was coloured using Polychromos.... I just love these pencils!!  Great for layering and shading.

Each card was covered using background papers from my stash. The stamped images were layered onto pin dot ovals in co-ordinating colours.

Each card was finished using ribbons that I love!! And gem stones were added to corners.

Such a lovely image to use  - and a delight to keep it simple to show the beauty of it!

Thanks for looking......

Anniversary Celebrations

Today is my parent's wedding anniversary.

Here is the card that I made for them

The background paper was in my stash (not sure where I got it from!).  I love the colours though and the fact it has script over it. 

I wanted to keep the card simple so that the main image 'popped'.  The gorgeous Paper Artsy stamp was stamped in archival ink and the coloured using Polychromos in reds and oranges.  The image was then cut out and mounted onto a black circle that has pin dots around the edge.

I added black seam binding and gold pearl embellishments to finish.

A fairly quick card (except for the colouring) but I think an effective card.

Here's to wishing my mum and dad many more happy anniversaries.

Cards For Men

Recently it was a friend's birthday.  I didn't have much time to make a card as I have had to concentrate on other things for the last couple of months.

Colin, like Dan, is a car enthusiast and so my card needed to contain a car!!

Here is my creation

A card blank was covered using car themed background paper.

A label and gears were die cut in Sahara Sand card stock and then adhered to the background.

The image was stamped using Momento ink and then coloured using alcohol markers.  It was then added to a square of card stock and fixed to the card.

To finish I tied taupe lace ribbon and added a sentiment.

Quite happy with a quick card!!

Thanks for looking.....

More Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday was one of the #PATWITS birthdays.  Here is the card that I made for Hazel....

Like me, Hazel is a HUGE Paper Artsy fan so I wanted to design a card using some of their lovely stamps.

To start I created a master board background using Fresco paints and stencils.  Once dry this was cut up and layered onto a black panel onto a card blank.

I then stamped flowers, borders and the cute caterpillar and coloured them using Fresco paints and markers.  These were then carefully cut out and layered onto the card. 

To finish I stamped a greeting that I had in my stash.

I almost forgot to post it early because of the bank holiday!

Thanks for looking........

Happy Birthday Bestie!

Last week was my bestie's birthday.  I created a card using her favourite colours and the totally fabulous Tim Holtz crazy cats stamps..... as a cat lover these were a must....and I was not disappointed!

I started by creating a gelli print image using Fresco Finish paints in pinks and purples and stencils.  I don't use my gelli plate anywhere near enough and really need to attend a workshop to utilise it better!!

Once I was happy with my print I cut it to size and added it to a card base covered with blackberry bliss card stock.

I then die cut a Tim Holtz frame using the same coloured card stock and added this to the centre of the card.

The image was stamped and coloured using alcohol markers before being cut out and added to the card.

To finish I added a pink feather and some purple gem stones!

I Finally Got Some Playtime!

Some of my followers will know that I have been rather busy for the last couple of months - and this has meant that I have not been able to craft!!

This weekend was the first time that I could do anything crafty and I could not wait to get my fresco paints out!! .....and I haven't done any journalling for even longer!  So I set about doing whatever took my fancy....

Page 1

I added various colours of Fresco paints and dried them.  Next I added Paper Artsy Infusions and activated them with water - I just love these!! They are fabulous to work with!

I then added various die cuts and shapes and added more paint and treasure gold.  I forgot to take more pictures of the stages because I was having so much fun!!

I added stamping using Emma Godfrey for Paper Artsy stamps - I thought the quote was quite apt for my creation. 

This is my finished page

Page 2

I was enjoying myself so much during this that I forgot to take any pics of the stages at all!!  I wanted something brighter - and this is what I came up with

You can see that I have scribbled and doodled on my page this time - I still totally blame, but thank, Kate Crane for this!!

Page 3

This is my final creation..... I used the Everything Art for Paper Artsy stamps.  I used the same Fresco paints for this as the last page - but they look totally different!  So much fun creating though.  And it was great to be able to get creative again this weekend - much needed!!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.....