I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas.......

Today I am showing a project over at the PaperArtsy blog.  The theme is 'True Colours -White' and I chose to use Kay Carley stamps and stencils for my project.

My natural instinct is not clean and simple and my art normally does not include much 'white', so this was a real challenge for me - and I enjoyed it so much I created a second project! I chose to create Christmas cards as I figured it would also help me get ahead with my card making.

Here is my first...

I started by stencilling Grunge Paste through a Kay Carley stencil in the top left corner and left of  the card blank.  Before the Grunge Paste dried I sprinkled clear glitter over the snowflakes.

I wasn't sure whether the glitter would stick to the Grunge Paste but it did and I thought it looked great.  This was then left to dry thoroughly.

Once dry, I sponged Zucchini Fresco Finish chalk paint through another Kay Carley stencil.  

Once dry, I stamped the co-ordinating stamp in Archival ink and blasted it with the heat gun to dry it thoroughly.  I then painted the leaves in Hyde Park and berries in Cherry Red Fresco Finish chalk paints.

I stamped the large flourish from an earlier stamp release.

Again, I painted the dots and snowflakes using Fresco Finish chalk paints.

To finish I stamped a few random snowflakes and added glitter to them, along with a sentiment.

I added a green border using green fine liner pen.

I enjoyed the project so much I decided to create a second while I was in the swing of it.

This project followed the same techniques as the previous.  This time I used two Kay Carey stencils - PS068 and PS069  .

Thank you for joining me today - make sure you pop over to the PaperArtsy blog to see the amazing inspiration from the team, and I hope you feel inspired to join in with the challenge.

Experimenting With Rust

Tonight I am sharing a project over at the PaperArtsy blog.  The theme for the fortnight is 'rust'.

I chose to use the gorgeous Everything Art stamps and to experiment with rusting powder.

Here is my project....

I wanted to create a rusted image with a stamp, stamping onto cotton - I had not tried stamping with rusting powder before so was quite nervous.  In fact, my first experiment didn't work - but I was delighted with my second attempt.

I used cotton as I thought it might create a soft effect.... and I was right.

I used the main image from Everything Art PaperArtsy stamp set 1.  I stamped using glue, making sure that I washed my stamp immediately after.  I then sprinkled rusting powder over the image.  In my first attempt, I sprinkled water and left the cotton - but it barely created and rust.  In my second attempt I squeezed a small amount of lemon juice over the image.  After a couple of hours (as can be seen in the pic below) I could see that this was more successful.

I then decided to leave the cotton panel overnight - the result was just what I was looking for.....

To finish the panel, I frayed the edges and added ink to 'age' them.

I then started to create a weathered rusty look panel.  For this, I layered lots of Seth Apter Fresco Finish paints until I was happy with the result.

This was then mounted onto a black card mat.

I stamped the word 'art' using Everything Art PaperArtsy stamp set 5 , then cut around them.  

I chose some rusty embellishments from my stash and then put everything together.

I had great fun creating this project, and I hope that you like what I created.

I hope that I have inspired you to join in with the fortnightly challenge and I look forward to seeing what you have created.

Happy Crafting!

Country View Challenges - Stencils

Today I am showing you my second project for the Country View Crafts Challenge this month.  You will remember that Gabrielle has chosen the theme of stencils for this month's challenge.

Here is my second project...

I tried to use different techniques in this project and chose to use the amazing new Seth Apter dies.  

I couldn't wait to get my hands on them when Seth announced them, so as soon as Country View Crafts had them in stock, I ordered them and die cut them all as soon as they dropped on my door step!

How awesome are those dies cuts??  Anyway - back to the project at hand!

I used the die-cut from the Strands die as a stencil and covered a card blank with Broken China Distress Oxide ink. I really liked this effect.

I then added drops of water to create splotches on the background.

My next step in this project was to randomly stamp Seth's French Text stamp in Archival Ink.

I also stamped other Seth Apter stamps randomly in Broken China Distress Oxide.  The edges were inked with Walnut Stain.

I re-purposed the die cuts that I used as a stencil and added these to the background.

I then covered the Periscope die cut in Deco Art gilding wax.  

I did the same around the edge of a card mat.

These were then all put together to form the card.

To finish, I used Tim Holtz Metallic Sticker Quotations.

So, there you go.  My second project for the Stencil theme.

There is plenty of time to join in with the Challenge this month - there is a £20 gift voucher up for grabs.  Pop over to the blog to see the amazing inspiration from the team.

Thanks for joining me again today.... Happy crafting!

 

Country View Crafts Challenge - Stencils

The talented Gabrielle has chosen stencils as the theme of this month's challenge.  I love stencils - in fact, I have loads of them!  So, my mind was swimming with ideas.

For my first project I decided to create a tag and I used different techniques with stencils on this.

I started by stencilling Grunge Paste through  the fabulous Scrap Cosy for Paper Artsy stencil 

I left the Grunge Paste to dry thoroughly overnight.  Is it a bit odd that I love how the Grunge Paste feels once it is dry - lol!

Next, I blended Broken China and Walnut Stain Distress Oxides over the tag.

These are two of my favourite colours!

For some reason I didn't take a photo of my next stage - I was obviously enjoying myself!  The next stage, however, was to use the Tim Holtz Bubble Layering Stencil and stencilling Broken China in random places.  I then blasted the ink with a heat gun and highlighted parts with a white gel pen.

The dress form has been in my stash for ages!  I thought it would be perfect for this tag.  I gave it a quick coat of gesso then coloured it with Broken China Distress Oxide.

Again, I must have lost track of time and didn't take photos!! But, I used the Bubble Stencil on the dress form, along with the word 'Dream' from a stencil in my stash.

I then attached this to the tag, along with a scrap of ruler and dried flowers that I had.

To finish, I added a coordinating flower to the dress form.

So, there you have it - my first project for the Country View Crafts November Challenge.

I hope that I have inspired you to join in - don't forget that there is a £20 gift voucher up for grabs. 

Thanks for looking - and happy crafting!