Christmas Samples For Creative Expressions

I was incredibly lucky recently to be asked to design some samples using the amazing new Creative Expressions Lisa Horton stencils and Sue Wilson Dies.  I nearly had to pinch myself when I saw them - they were steam punk themed for Christmas - totally me!!

Once I started to create using them I got a bit carried away, and so my samples will feature over a few blog posts over the next couple of weeks.

Most of my samples appeared on Hochanda - hearing the lovely things that Lisa and the presenters said about my work was so wonderful.

A massive thank you to Lisa, Danny and Creative Expressions for letting me loose to play!

Today I am sharing with you the 'cooler' coloured projects that I created - the blues, whites and silver:

I started really simply by using texture paste through this gorgeous Lisa Horton stencil and then covering it all with glitter while the paste was still wet.  The shine was beautiful when it dried.  I simply added pearls in the middles once it had dried.

Here, I used Distress Oxides in the background and then used the same stencil as before, this time with crackle paste.  It shows that you don't need to use a whole stencil to achieve a lovely result.  I love the crackle on this.

To make it into a card, I used 3 of the Sue Wilson Industrial Chic Festive dies.  These dies cut so well first time too!

For my tag, I painted a tag from That Craft Place and then used stencils to decorate it.

Here, I used Distress Oxides to create a snowy background and added Lisa's stencils.  I then used the fabulous Flying Santa and the separate wording that matched it.

This sample was very 'me'!  I created a brayed paint background and then added lots of stencilling and marking.  I cut the snowflake die to create corners and highlighted in black to make everything 'pop' on the page.

Again, I created a brayered background and added stencilling which I highlighted with a white pen.

I layered the cog wreath onto a burlap panel and added extra cogs, finishing with a ribbon.

For my final card....

This was really simple.  I created a background using PaperArtsy Infusions.  I then die cut the snowflake and wording in silver mirri card.  To finish, I edged the card using walnut stain ink.

So, there you have it… if you're still with me!!

I had so much fun creating these.  A wonderful selection of stencils and dies that can be used for clean and simple or grungy projects.

Thanks for joining me.....

PaperArtsy Sara Naumann Release

Today, the new PaperArtsy Sara Naumann collection has been released for Christmas.  You can see the full release and awesome inspiration from Sara on the PaperArtsy blog.

I have already been lucky enough to be able to play with this collection using only the stamps, stencils, Distress Oxides and Archival ink.

Here are my makes so far:

 

So, there you have it.  A quick play using Sara's new collection... and.... a start to my Christmas collection.

Thanks for joining me,

Baked Textures

Hi again.  It's my turn over on the PaperArtsy blog tonight.

The theme for the Challenge is Baked Textures.  If you haven't tried them yet then you are missing out!  I think I was afraid to try them but now I have opened those jars I can't get enough.

Along with the wonderful Baked Textures I used the new Courtney Franich Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints in the background of my project.

These colours are amazing and fresh - what a clever lady Courtney is!

Pop over to the PaperArtsy blog to see the detail of how I created my project.

Thanks for joining me this evening.

Happy crafting!
Miriam

Country View Crafts Challenges - Sun, sea and Sand

Today I am sharing with you my second project for the Challenge this month.  I hope that you have been enjoying the projects from the design team.

When I created this project I was sat in 30 degree heat day dreaming of being on the beach and near the sea.

I started my project by brayering Haystack and Smurf PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk paints.

I then drew and painted clouds in Nougat and a sun in Tango.

My beach huts were stamped from PaperArtsy JOFY mini 24.   These were painted using Cherry Red and Blue Glass before being cut out and mounted to the background.

The bucket and spade were actually stamped from the PaperArtsy JOFY Mini 43, which are supposed to be gardening tools.  These were painted, cut out and mounted.  I drew a handle to create the bucket on the flower pot.

To finish I added a quote from Tim Holtz Tiny Text Remnant Rubs.

So, there you have it.  My second project for the Sun, Sea and Sand Challenge this month.  

I hope that I have inspired you to join in with this month's challenge - it's sure to be a scorcher!

Pop over to the blog to see the projects throughout the month and to join in yourself.  Don't forget, there is a gift voucher up for grabs that can be used in the Country View Crafts Online shop.

Thanks for joining me.

Country View Crafts Challenges - Sun, Sea and Sand

Can you believe that it's August already!  What it does mean is that it is time for another challenge over at Country View Crafts.

The theme for this month is 'Sun, Sea and Sand'.

Here is my first project for the challenge.

I wanted to try something different to my 'normal' posts and so dug out my small journal.  I love this journal as it is a good size and the scallops are cute!  It was actually a set of 3 that I bought from Cath Kidston.

I started by lightly brayering PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk paints in Baltic Blue, Caribbean Sea and China.

I then used Archival ink to stamp the seaweed and coral from the PaperArtsy Eclectica ScrapCosy set ESC10.

  

Next, I stamped the fish from the same set using a different shade of Archival ink.

The sea horses are die cut from a Tim Holtz die that is sadly now retired but I adore.  These were painted using Coral Fresco Finish paint and then I drew in the eyes.

Once I added these to my journal page I drew around them using a Stabilo All pencil and softened the line with water.

To finish I stamped the fab quote from PaperArtsy Eclectica ScrapCosy ESC12.

I really enjoyed making this page.  

Make sure you pop over to the blog to see the inspiration from the other design team members.  

I hope that I have encouraged you to join in with this month's challenge.  It would be great to see your take in this month's fab theme.

Thanks for joining me.