Wednesday 18 September 2019

More Journal Time

Hello again.

Today I am sharing another page in my mini journal, very similar in style to the last. I got carried away with this page and forgot to take many pictures!


The background was, again, created using Distress Crayons.  I am really enjoying using these - I love how versatile they are!


This was how the page started - very different to the end result.

After blocking the colour I added stencilling and stamping.

The main image is from the new Mini Toadstool stamps from Tim Holtz - these are so lovely.


I used Polychromos to colour the toadstools in.  The quote is from an older Tim Holtz set.

I wish I had stamped the toadstools slightly lower, but I was really pleased.  They are sitting on the green distress crayon block and so it looks like grass!

Thanks for joining me again today.

Happy Crafting!

Saturday 14 September 2019

Mini Book Muse

Tonight I have a new project over on the PaperArtsy blog.  The theme is inchies & twinchies.  As soon as I heard the theme I knew exactly what I wanted to create.


I remember when I started to craft many years ago.  I came across a one page mini book whereby I took a sheet of 12x12 inch paper and created a mini book.  I loved that technique - and still have that book somewhere!

So, I got to wondering if I could scale this down to create a 2x2 inch book... and I could!


I started by decorating both sides of a sheet of card stock.  I used Fresco Acrylics in Zucchini, Teresa Green and Zesty Zing to create a wrinkle free distress look.


I then used Grunge Paste through a stencil, along with stamping all over the pages.


Once happy, I cut the card stock to 8x8 inches and scored vertically and horizontally at 2 inches.


I then cut and folded my page to form the inside of the book pages.


I used the left over card to create the covers and glued these to the pages.


I also cut some inchies to use in my book but also as mini tags,  These were stamped and the edges inked using Walnut Stain distress ink.


I then set out decorating my pages.


This was so much fun!


The urban snapshot stamps were some of the very first PaperArtsy stamps that I purchased all those years ago.


I saw them used in a Craft Stamper article.  And the rest is history!


Not only do they contain some great large and small images, but the quotes are really useful and are awesome!


I teamed the mini book with some sari silk ribbon  I loved the colour and texture of this ribbon and thought that it worked well with the book.



The inchie tags are so cute and would be great to add little words or notes on the backs.


So, there you have it.  My 'Twinchie' book.

This really was so much fun to make.  So much so, I thought I would like to share it with one of you.  Who is up for a giveaway?  If you leave a comment on this post by 30 September 2019, I will draw a winner and the lucky recipient will see this mini book winging it's way to them.

Thanks for joining me this evening - and good luck!

Miriam

Wednesday 11 September 2019

Journalling in my Mini Journal

I have been playing in my mini art journal lately.  Here is one of my pages:



I started off by creating a simple background with Distress Crayons - I used Peeled Paint, Broken China and Rusty Hinge.


Once I was happy with the background I added a bit of colour using the crayons through a stencil, which I then used my finger to distribute and blend through the stencil, adding more colour in some areas.


I added some stamping and white detailing.  I also added gold splats to the background.

The alterations flower was coloured using Distress Oxide inks.


I collaged some scraps from my scrap box and attached them together, finishing with a scribbled border around the edge.

I was really happy with the end result and really pleased I found the time to create.

Thursday 5 September 2019

Country View Crafts Challenges - Under The Sea.... and a giveaway!

I hope you have been enjoying the inspiration from the design team this month.

Here is my second project for the challenge:


For my second challenge I chose to make artist trading coins.

For this I created a distress ink masterboard.  I used a wrinkle free distress ink technique for this.  I then set about using stencils and adding micro glaze to add more effect and depth.

Once happy, I ensured the masterboard was dry before adding stamping in Archival ink.


I coloured a second panel of card using the wrinkle free distress method.  I then stamped the PaperArtsy ScrapCosy stamps using Archival ink and cut them out.


I then started to mount the fish onto the coins.


To finish, I added an Ideology word and created a scribbled border.


So.… the giveaway!  I thought it might be quite nice to pass these coins to three people (one each).  To be in with a chance of this, please leave a comment on this blog post.  The giveaway will run for the rest of the month and the draw will take place on 1st October. Good luck!

I hope that you join in with the challenge over on teh Challenge blog.  Don't forget that there is a £20 gift voucher up for grabs.

Happy crafting!
Miriam

Sunday 1 September 2019

Country View Crafts Challenge - Under The Sea

Happy September!  Where is the year going?

This month the theme for the Country View Crafts challenge is 'Under The Sea'.  Here is my first project


I have to confess that I got carried away and forgot to take photos for most of the project.  


To start the project I covered a panel with Tim Holtz collage paper.  I love this paper.  It works so well with ink and paint.


Next, I dipped the dried panel into various distress inks that I had spritzed with water.  After each 'dip' I dried the panel and then dipped again.  This gave a lovely depth.

It was from here I forgot to take photos!!


I coloured a panel of card using the same distress ink technique.  Once I was happy with these, I stamped PaperArtsy ScrapCosy stamps using Archival ink.  I love these stamps!  They are so detailed.



I stamped the sea weed using Archival ink directly onto the card and then attached the sea horses and word.

To finish, I added detailing in black and white.

I was really pleased with how this come out.  It was the very first project that I created in my newly decorated craft room.

Thank you for joining me today.  Please pop over to the Challenge blog to see the inspiration from the other design team members.  I really hope that you join in with the challenge - don't forget that you might be in with a chance of winning a gift voucher to spend in the shop!

Happy crafting!
Miriam