Happy Hour Take 2!

After a very busy day at work I needed to try to relax and de-stress.  So... after the fun I had creating the background a couple of days ago I set about to create another.

I used the same Fresco paints to create a brayered background

I continued to layer the paints until I was happy!  I'm always scared of over doing it.... but I think I got it right!

 

Next I added infusions - today I chose Are You Cerise, Royal Blood and a touch of Black Night.  I really can't tell you just how wonderful these powders are - there are so many ways to use them!

For this background I decided to stencil on grunge paste and I did this in 2 ways.

Firstly, I coloured grunge paste with Pixie Dust and stencilled this on.

The second stencil I wanted to keep bolder and so kept the original colour of grunge paste.

Next I stamped lots of Emma Godfrey stamps in Watering Can and Black Archival.  I then used the small French Script stamp and stamped this in White Staz On.

Not content with leaving it there, I then used Portfolio pastels to highlight some areas.

I also used a white gel pen and a pink Pitt pen to add more scribbling!

And here is the finished article.

It looks very different from the background I showed on Monday and yet I used the same base colours.  Love it though!

I feel like this might be the last creation for a little while - but if I get the chance to play I will!

Thanks for looking.....

Happy Hour

Yesterday I had the rare opportunity to have a good old play with my craft stash.

There were a few things that I had been wanting to try for ages and so set to it!

I started off by creating a brayered background using Paper Artsy Fresco paints - Sugar Plum, Bourganvilla and Eggplant.

Once dry I then sprinkled Paper Artsy Infusions - Are You Cerise, Blueberry and a touch of Black Knight.  I just LOVE these powders!

I made sure this was dry completely and then got some Paper Artsy stamps out and stamped randomly in Watering Can Archival and White Staz On

This is a close up of one of the corners...

To finish I used my Portfolio pastels to add extra depth of colour and to scribble!! Yes!  I scribbled!! I have Kate Crane to thank for my scribbling - I almost cried when I had to scribble in a workshop the first time! lol!!

And here is the finished background.

My plan is to, at some stage, use it for card backgrounds.

I had so much fun creating this.... it really helped me relax and enjoy every minute!

Let's hope I get more of those opportunities!

Thanks for looking.....

21st Birthday Celebrations

Last week was my brother's girlfriend's 21st birthday (oh to be 21 again!).  Here is the card that I made for Mollie:

I started by covering a card blank with patterned paper. 

I punched a border and added this to the card.

The image was stamped and coloured using Polychromo pencils.  This was then cut out and added to a kraft oval die cut.

I die cut '21' in the same colour as the border and added ribbon which I tied into a bow. 

To finish I added gems to one corner.

I had great fun colouring this image and look forward to colouring more!

Thanks for looking.

Rebel Stampers ATC Swap

February flew by - even with an extra day slipped in!!

The themes for the February swap were music and resist.  Here are my creations:

Music

I started off by covering an atc in music tissue paper.  I then inked over the paper using broken china distress ink.

The Elvis image was stamped in Archival ink, cut out and mounted to the atc.

I then found words to make up the title of an Elvis track and added these to finish the atc.

Resist

I kept this atc very simple. 

I stamped the flower image directly onto the atc and embossed it using white powder.

I then did a very quick wash of ink over the embossing and allowed this to dry. 

Once dry I gently rubbed over the image using a baby wipe which made the white image 'pop' more.

I stamped a sentiment in Archival ink and added a few sequins to finish.

I had great fun making my atcs this month.

Thanks for looking.....

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK. 

I have already shared the gift that I made my mum - the Powertex figure.  I went to visit mum today - she didn't know we were going and was surprised to see us!  I also had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered in the morning.

Here is the card that I made for mum....

 I embossed grey card and used this as my background.

The banner was punched and sentiment stamped.  I added a bow to the top of this.

I die cut various flowers ad leaves and layered them together - adding pearls and gems to the middle of them.

Simple... but pretty!  And mum loved it!!

Thanks for looking.....

Happy Birthday

A few weeks ago I sent a card to a friend for her birthday.... and I've only just realised that I haven't shared it.

I started off by creating a brayered and stencilled background using fresco paints. I then tore a strip of this and adhered it to the bottom of the card

I stamped the butterfly and coloured it using Polychromos.  I then cut it out.

I used Darcy's new stencils and added images and backdrop to the card.

I finished by adding some of the Emma Godfrey circles and ribbon.

You may have already guessed.... but I LOVE the latest Paper Artsy releases!  And who could blame me!

Thanks for looking.....

First Play With Powertex

This week I had my first play with Powertex.... it's a medium taking the mixed media world by storm.

I wanted to complete this project in time for my mum's birthday in January but didn't get time... and so I made it for Mother's Day.

Here is my model...

This started as a white head, and a wooden stick on a cube!

I started by getting the head to glue to the stick.  Lots of glue and masking tape was involved. 

I then used the Powertex to colour the whole of the statue.

After this I cut some cloth and covered this in the Powertex, which I then started to mould to the statue.  Once I was happy I allowed this to dry for a couple of days.

After a couple of days I added bronze mica powder to varnish and painted this over the statue, leaving bits a bit shabby and bare.  This then had to dry completely.

Here are other shots of the finished figurine....

I was really happy with the finished product.  There are things that I would do differently next time... and I can't wait for the next project!!

Thanks for looking.