asw Crafting

CLOSING THIS BLOG DOWN

2013-10-26T14:45:00.002+01:00

HELLO THERE .....

ITS NOW TIME FOR ME TO GO BACK TO THE FORMAT THAT L WAS RUNNING BEFORE I CAME OVER TO BLOGGER AND HAVE HAD SOME WONDERFUL TIMES.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A LOT OF GREAT CREATIVE PEOPLE DURING THIS TIME. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL NOW FOLLOW THE NEW CREATIVE JOURNEY THAT I'M ABOUT TO START.

ASW CRAFTING NOW NO LONGER EXISTS. I FELT THAT AS I'M GOING TO START TO BRING TO THE CREATIVE WORLD A LOT MORE OF WHAT I CAN DO, WANT TO DO AND LOOKING FORWARD TO RE-LEARNING THINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO.
SO MUCH SO THAT I HAVE RE-BRANDED MYSELF AS...

*****ASW CREATIONS*****

THIS I FEEL WILL ENABLE ME TO BRING TO MY CRAFTING WORD A GREAT BIG BALL OF FUN, CREATIVITY, EXPLORATION.

SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CLICK ON THE NAME ASW CREATIONS ABOVE AND THEN BOOKMARK THAT PAGE. ONCE AGAIN JOINING IN WITH ME AS I START A NEW CHAPTER IN MY CREATIVITY.

I WANT TO THANK ALL THOSE 'FRIENDS' WHO HAVE TAKEN TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY LIVES TO SEND ME MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AND QUESTIONS. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS IN THE NEW SITE.

THANK-YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN & I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OVER IN THE NEW SITE.

MAN WITH A HAT Tag

2013-10-23T00:30:00.000+01:00

This is a project involved using a set of stamps that l have been looking forward to getting my grubby mit's on This follows on from the last project l posted however this time its more of a MALE themed one.

For a change this time l stamped onto some cardboard that was used to pack something that l ordered. Us crafter's never throw anything away that can be used! So much so l also dived into the 'Scrap Paper' bucket to build up layers on the tag.

The stamp set is called Man About Town from Dylusions and is available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE STORE.

As l normally do if l have used a product that's not available @ Thats Crafty on Line then l have pointed you towards an alternative that is freely available. That way if you wanted to obtain something similar that you have seen promoted on my project then your able to get almost the same results.

PRODUCTS USED:

Some old packaging cardboard.

White Stamping Card.

1 x-Large Tag.

Dylusions Stamp Set's: Clear Stamp Set Man About Town ~ Further Around the Edge

Dylusions Journaling Block

Stazon Solvent Ink Pad: Jet Black ~ Timber Brown

Solvent Ink Stamp Cleaner

Paper/card/ribbon from our Scrap's bucket/box/containers

Tombow Glue Stick [a wonderful glue a must have in the craft box].

White Claudine Hellmuth Gesso and Broad Headed Brush.

Acrylic Paints: Here l have used EcoGreen CraftsAcrylic Paints: Clay~Pumpkin~Gourde.

Acrylic Paint: PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Old Gold

Water Spray Bottle.

GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray.

Stencils - Here l have used Cell Theory [I will ask Laura if she can stock this wonderful stencil] If you look at the Stencils/Masks that are available you will be spoilt for choice] ~ Well Rounded

Adirondack Ink Pads: Watermelon ~ Espresso

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads: Aged Mahogany ~ Vintage Photo

Inkssentials Blending Tool.

Prima Cling Mounted Stamp Set: Stitched Stamps [There is a stamp collection of 4 different designs. If you can afford them they are another super addition to your stamp collection].

Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen: White 101.

Hero Arts Stamp Collection: Stamp Your Story- Brush Strokes

Collection of Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Water brush Medium Tip.

Letraset Flex Marker Cool Grey 1.

Memento Ink Pad: Lady Bug

Craft Knife ~ Scissors ~ Tweezers

Double sided Tape ~ Double sided Mounting Foam ~ Clear Strong Glue

Orange fruit netting.

Set of small Wooded handle Type Face Stamps. [This l think is the smallest type face in store.]

Baby Wipes [Cheap and cheerful one's]

LETS MAKE A TAG!

The first thing we have to do after we have selected our tag is to dive into that 'scrap paper 'box and dig out some paper, card and ribbon to start making the base layer for our tag.

Here are the final pieces ready for selection. I have already cut the paper/card to the widths l would like to use and the other fabric pieces are there just in case l want to use them. The larger lace piece is something l DO WANT to use!

Using the Tombow glue stick i start to lay down layers, trying very hard not to be clinical about it but more free spirited. I do know that some crafter's this will be like climbing Mount Everest! But trust me the more random you are the better the final tag will look.

Here is my tag. As your able to see its not clean cut so to speak but l do hope that l have been able to place my 'Off cut's' in a random way. The next step will now have you thinking.....

'So why did Alan tell us to be random and not clinical when we are going to be doing THAT!'

Using a white Gesso its now time to make our base layer ready to take a paint. Okay we can paint right on top of the card and the lace etc..

However the reason that we use a product like Gesso is because it helps us get a true colour as well as helping us have a surface that will take the paint. Lace and paper are two different materials. So by using gesso we are now giving all our materials used a level playing field.

This is how my tag looked after l had used the Gesso. There is nothing stopping you from using a baby wipe to help with the different depths of Gesso.

Now then after the Gesso has dried we have to get it wet again!.

Only this time we are putting some water down so that when we add paint from the tube we are able to mix it around so then the paints combine and don't become a 'mucky' mess.

These are the Acrylic paints that l have decided to use for the background part two. I have kept it to 3 different colours that will work together. They are also a masculine feel about the colours as well as being Autumnal as well.

Here is the tag after the acrylic paints had been moved around the tag. Once again there is nothing in the Good Old Crafting Project Book that says you cant use Baby Wipes when your laying down colour. They are one of the most important items we should have not only for cleaning up but for helping in the depth of colour. Plus if you go back to a previous posting l showed you how to make flowers from dry baby wipes that had been used to help with the laying down of colour.

Now then l have to hold up my hand and say that this is the first time l have ever used this product. I saw it on a video about 18 months ago and as you do ordered it and by the time it arrived l had moved onto 15 projects further on. So it was placed on the crafting shelf and to my horror forgotten about.. [I have slapped the back of my leg for doing this awful thing].

Anyway l could say that the tag came about because l wanted to use this GooseBumps, however it was while l was searching for something else that l came across it again. So after l had made myself a cuppa l logged on to Y-Tube so that l could refresh my very crowded brain on how and what it did.. Oh it did such wonderful things it had to be used there and then!

The only this was what Stencil would l use? I have a few in my collection.. okay l go to several meetings where we talk about our need for masks and stencils. Its a long process however there are no medications out there that will help my addiction. This is one of my fav's. Its a wonderful stencil that's open to so many projects. Its so random it takes away that feeling Oh are they same? is it the same size?. Its wonderful there are not many stencils l would say are a MUST MUST have this one is such a one as it will work with anything.

Now then its time to start building up layers and colour. The first is to take a pad and just rub the pad across the tag. As GooseBumps is a glossy surface you can wipe the ink layer off them.

This is how it looks before the ink is wiped away.

After the ink is removed.

Using the white pen and coloured the stamp rather than using a ink pad. The next two stamp sets are among my fav sets. This one is using the straight stitch line stamp from Prima. The do a set of 4. Straight, Oval,Square and Rectangle. They are highly detailed and are worth every penny they cost. The next is also for me a must have....

The final layer of stamps using an Tim Holtz Distressing Ink Pad. This is wonderful stamp set. It has so many uses. Not just for Tags but also Canvas and card projects.

Unfortunately my brain has gone totally blank with the name and manufacturer of this distressing tool. When l find out l will do an edit and then amend it. It ink's up and then you just roll the stamp along a line. Your able to remove the 'head' and make it change direction rather than pushing and pulling.

I also have an apology. As you can see there is some gold. This was done using an Antique gold acrylic paint and the Crafter's Workshop 'Well Rounded' Stencil another one l have so many ideas with and for.

As you can see the lines have made a interesting addition to the feel of the tag. Here your able to see how the gold acrylic paint has just laid down not a solid layer but one that's just running over the top of the layers below. I think that the layer in question was a lace one.

Now lets start to build up the figure. I wanted to do something different so that's why l decided to use some old packaging as the base to stamp onto. Also with using a Stazon ink pad this will give me a great impression.

Using a collection of Distress Markers from Tim Holtz and a water brush l started to lay down some colour. Now then the next photo will show you the results. Its a more muted feel. No matter how bright the original hue is.

As you can see the colours are very muted and they have a 'aged' feel about them. Then as l like to do l took a light grey coloured pen and just went round the edge. This would help the final look after l had cut it out. I don't like having to cut along a line. I always make a slip up no matter how slow and careful l go. So this saves me all the pain and aggravation!

I wanted to add something else to the tag and not just have the figure and a hat. So l decided to dive into a old friend when it comes to stamping. If in doubt grab a Dylusions edge stamp. Works almost all the time. They are also very good for covering up those small mistakes!

This time l opted to use the Timber brown Stazon Ink Pad, stamping on some good stampig card.Please always remember to clean your stamp as soon as you have finished stamping, Use a cleaner that's recommended for Stazon ink pads and not just your normal cleaner/baby wipe.

Once again dipping into the Distress Marker Pens, this time l have opted to keep it to the 'Browner' side of the colour spectrum.

After l had finished colouring in the flags, to cut it out from the main l opted to use a sharp craft knife. If l had used a pair of scissors for the main flags it would make the card fold and distort l did on this occasion want the flags to be flat. Scissors were used to cut the straight line that l had made at the top of the flags.

To secure into place l used some double sided foam pads. Also aided with some strong clear acrylic craft glue.

Now then this is where the fun starts. I was using this netting when l was playing with my Gelli Plate. [some projects coming up using that product soon....] anyway l thought it would be just a great addition to the tag.

So using double sided tape......

Just putting a strip along the edge. This double sided tape is very strong. So it will hold the fine netting in place.

After the net had been secured at the back this how the front looked.

The next thing was to place the same foam double sided tape onto the reverse side of the figure. Not forgetting the hat!

I found these stamps in a bargain bucket at some craft show/store. Well as they were only £1 l decided to dive in and l came across just 3 sets. They are perfect for those smaller jobs that need small wording on them. So never pass a barging bin unless you have first been to the bottom of that bin.

To keep it in the same colour family l opted to use a good stand by Espresso Ink Pad from Adirondack. On a small piece of white stamping card. Again a scrap that's never thrown away!

Using a ink distressing tool and Vintage Photo Ink pad. the wording was coloured in.

After the blending tool had done its job the next step was to cut the word out. Then picking each one up and rubbing the edge along the ink pad it 'Framed' the wording.

The final part of this project was to secure the wording onto the tag. So using the clear strong acrylic glue and a pair of tweezers the wording was given its rightful place.

Hope you all enjoyed this project. It was one that evolved as l was making it. I enjoy those kind of things when you can just open the crafting arms and welcome everything in.

Any questions please send me a message and l will get back to you as soon as possible.

NIGHT @ THE OPERA

2013-10-16T00:30:00.000+01:00

I thought i would go back to making tags for the next few projects. i guess i have been inspired by that fab Designer and inspirational artist Dyan Reaveley. [i have linked her y-Tube channel so you can see what her products can do].
So much so you can guess that her Mask's, Stencil's, Ink's and Stamp Collection's will play a big part in these projects.
I have to say from the start that i am not trying to copy what she has done [however that's very hard as she has almost covered every part of being creative in some way or another].
However i am hopeful that i have been able to inspire you to get everything out from that crafting stash and just play.

All the goodies i have used are available from your 1 stop crafting shop on line and that is THATS CRAFTY ON LINE STORE. Laura keeps the site fresh and always has new and interesting crafting items there ready for your crafting projects.

MATERIALS USED/NEEDED:
2 x Large Manilla Tag's
White Stamping Card
Whimsy Stamps - Friendship Ticket Sentiments.
Cream Card
Stazon - Jet Black Ink Pad
Stazon Ink Cleaner - IndioBlu Easy Peasy Cleaner
Tim Holtz Alterations Thin Ticket Die
Glue Tape Gun
Tombo Glue Stick
Dylusions Clear Stamps - Mini Couture Collection
Stamping Block
Clear Gesso or This will work just as well - Claudine Hellmuth Matte Medium
Brush Set - Wide Brimmed + Small Tipped
Dylusions Ink Sprays - Bubblegum Pink ~ Lemon Zest ~ Calypso Teal
Project Journal [To use the Ink over spray and from the sprayed tag]
Water Spray Bottle
Heat Gun
Kitchen paper towel [if your not using the Project book]
StencilGirl Products Stencil Mask - Map
Mister Huey's - Shine Spray Bottle
Cosmic Shimmer Mist - 2 Complementary Colours
T.S.T - Stars Mask
Uni Posca - 0.7.. Bullet Shapet Pink~ Yellow ~ Blue ~ Green Pen's
We R Memory Keepers Sew Stamper + stitch head stamp [these are only pre-inked up in Black ink]
Adirondack Brights Ink Pad - Watermelon
Adirondack Earthtones Ink Pad - Rust ~ Stonewashed
Hero Arts - Brush Stamp Set [My new must have fav for those smaller projects]
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads - Ripe Persimmon ~ Picked Raspberry ~ Tea Dye ~ Vintage Photo ~ Brushed Corduroy ~ Black Soot ~ Festive Berries [There is an offer on T.H. Distress Ink Pads Buy 5 and get 5% off!]
Selection of Tim Holtz Distress Markers
Water Brush
Set of small type face individual stamps
Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool + Foam Pad's
Cool Grey 1 Flex Marker
Scissors
Sakura Glitter Pens
Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Double sided Foam Strip/Pads
Strong clear glue

LETS MAKE A TAG!

Once again this project can be split into sections. By doing this it alows us to keep the project flowing and your not having to wait for this or that to dry/set etc..
Part 1: The Tag
Part 2: The Ticket strip
Part3: The figure.

PART 1 ~ THE TAG.

The first thing i like to do when i'm going to be working with a lot of elements and the tag is a larger size, i do like to double up. This is just a personal thing you dont have to do it. Its just me and my little brain going all O.C.D on me lol

After i had placed a lot of glue tape from my gun as its going to be a lot easier to position one tag onto another i like to use a good strong glue stick. Tombow is one of the best sticks out there. Strong enough on its own. Double strong when added to another glueing medium.

The finished tag ready for use.
{This is where l have to hold my hand up and say that i used my electronic paper cutting system and an old manilla folder.}

As i was going to be throwing a lot of colour onto the surface i opted to give the tag layer a extra key. This would also give the tag that little bit extra strength. As i have explained that by using gesso on a 'naked' surface it does help with the colouring mediums that we then use later when we are adding colour to our projects. i like to get into that habit of making sure all the surfaces have this key.

When the surface of the tag was dry [helped by a heat gun] its only minutes for the surface to be dry i then go and wet it again!
I was doing this so that when i started to lay down colour from the Ink Sprays it would help them mix. i dont know if you have used these but they are a very bright and intense colouring medium. A little goes a long way. They are PURE COLOUR.

i don't like wasting anything that can be used again. This is why after i had sprayed the tag with colour and allowed to mix into each other i then placed it face down in a project book. As you can see i have been able to transfere a lot of the colour from the tag. Now if i wanted the colours to be more intense or 'In Your Face' i could have just taken my heat gun and then heat dried the tag. However i wanted a more softer look. If you don't have a project book then good old kitchen paper towel is just as good. However don't throw the towel away as you can use that coloured paper [with an texture] as a backing paper.

Finally i took my heat gun and dried the tag and that 'set's' the in.

Now the fun time.... Embellishment First i took a Map Stencil and a 'Clear Sparkle' mister and laid down my second layer. By just using a clear mist spray it will not take away from the colours that we have worked hard to do in the first place.

Now for some extra 'Sparkle' for this i used Cosmic Shimmer Misters in a Green and a Blue. i used the star mask as it would fit in with the overall concept of the project.

The stars did bleed out a little and i wanted to have a sharp edge. For this i used some 'Chalk Paint' look from these pens. Once again if you don't have them then use an Sakura pens you might have. it's all about using what you have. You may want to add these pens for a later date. i have just introduced them to you if you have not seen them in the past.

Once again l diving into the Clear Gesso. it was about time i protected the layers that were previously done. if you don't have clear gesso i have highlighted a very good alternative in the 'Shopping list'

i bought this memory Keepers stamping set a while back but i have not got round to using it before. This was the first project. Its a very handy tool and the heads are interchangeable it is easy to use however the only down side to me is that it has a black ink pad somewhere in the head. It would have been nice to have the option of using our own ink pads and not just Black.

i have come across a wonderful set of stamps from Hero Arts. For all those of us that are not comfortable taking a brush and making small marks on our projects then this is just PERFECT. i can give a very positive 10 out of 10 for this there is one other stamp set that's available at THATS CRAFTY that l think for any 'Newbie' to Altered Art and that is Tim Holtz Cling Mounted Stamp Set ~ BITTY GRUNGE. These two stamp sets will enable any crafter to make those background marks that work so well with projects like this.

By using different ink pads your able to make great background impressions. i have used different manufacturers to show you that they will work with any type of ink. Sometimes some stamps work better with a certain ink type. These.. well anything that you throw at them including water based colouring pens!

Now for the figure. For this i used a Stazon ink pad as i was going to use a water based colouring medium as well as a water brush on the surface when it cam to colour.

i have to say that this next part is VERY VERY IMPORTANT. When your using any Stazon ink you have to clean your stamp right away. Get in the habit of doing this right away after you have made the impression and about to pack the ink pad away. By doing this you will have a long and happy life with your stamps and you will not fear using this form of ink pad.

Using a Distress marker i wanted to colour the figure in bright colours. To get this faded look it is a lot easier than you think and its not with a little practice hard to do. Place a block of colour from the pen in the region where you want the colour to be the strongest. Then using a wet brush start to drag

the colour down. You can always add extra colour if the blending is becoming to weak. Just take your time. You can see what i mean by laying down a block of colour look at the purple. it's just a small area. Practice on some scrap paper until you feel comfortable.

Then when your happy with the way it looks take those glitter pens and just add some embellishments.

After i had cut the figure out from the card, i have this well how can i put it.. i just don't like white around a cut out figure or embellishment when its going to be a focal part of my project. So by going around the edge where there is white with a grey marker pen takes it away and helps the embellishment be a part of the overall project.

Then the final touch was a layer of Glossy accents. This not only protects the embellishment but for some strange reasons makes the glitter pen marks stand out and brighter.

After the coat of glossy medium was dry, i wanted the figure to stand up from the surface of the tag. By using double sided tape and some strong clear glue i was able to achieve this effect

The ticket section was easy to cut out if you have this cutting die from Tim Holtz. Once the strip had been cut out using the blank ticket stamp and once again as i was going to be using dye based ink's Stazon was the best option. As the ticket background wouldn't smudge.

A while back while i was rummaging around in a 'Sale' bin i came across a few sets of different type faces mounted on wooden stems. These are perfect for those smaller jobs that need wording.

Once the wording had been sorted out the next step is to give colour to the tickets. by mixing the 3 different shades your able to give depth and an aged feel. Also if your using just the one colour it will look flat.

To give a little extra lift to the tickets by adding a bright red in areas this would give a lift. As you can see from the photo below. i have only added the red in small areas. You don't want to cover all the blending you have done when we first started to add colour and depth.

There you have it.... a tag that's bright and cheerful [i hope it is anyway].
As in all my projects if you want to know anything or would like to leave a comment then please leave me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

UNDER LOCK & KEY

2013-10-09T00:30:00.000+01:00

Once again l have 'up-cycled' an old canvas bought from a car boot sale. Again i have used a electronic die cutting machine to make the embellishments. Materials used can be bought from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE STORE. If i have used a different brand of equipment i have directed you to a very good alternative on the web site.

This project rely's mostly upon stencils and modelling paste to give the raised elements.

MATERIALS USED:
Electronic Die Cutting Machine
Basic Strong Card
Crafters Workshop 6"x6" - Mini Roman Letters Stencil
Studio Calico Mister Hueys Mask - Bubbles
Eco-Friendly Acrylic Paint - Lilac ~ Periwinkle ~ Peony ~ Purple Metallic Paint
P.V.A. Glue
Wide Brim Brush
Brown Paper

White Gesso
Black Gesso
Clear Gesso
Tim Holtz Alterations - Hardware Findings
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink ~ Aged Mahogany
Ranger Blending Tool
Gold Antique Paint
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Type Face Style Individual Stamp Set [For a Typewriter style font: Hero Arts- Typewriter Letters]
Indian Black Ink and Pen
Cosmic Shimmer Dark Bronze PVA Glue
Pan Pastel: Paynes Grey ~ Copper
Soft Foam Blender
Viva -Moulding Paste Dark Silver ~ Gold ~ Terra
Cosmic Shimmer Clear PVA Glue
Black Alcohol Ink Pen
Pastel Fixative
Baby Wipes
Faber Castell Gelato Black Pen
Small length Bronze Chain
Hot Glue Gun
Palette Knife
Spray Mister

LETS MAKE A CANVAS!:

This is the 'up-cycled' canvas. One that would be given a new lease of life!

Now for the fun bit. Using up all that brown wrapping paper thats used to pack items into boxes. Crafter's never throw anything away well do they?

First thing we need to do as this is a coated canvas is to make sure we wet the surface.

It also helps to wet the paper so that its a lot easier to manipulate when we are creating a surface.

Now for the PVA glue. Dont be shy or a meanie!

Then after the paper has been ripped into sections that are easy to lay onto the canvas start to build up an interesting base layer, not forgetting the sides!

The finished base layer. A good dollop of glue to just fix it into place and to make sure that the paper is saturated right down to the bones... or to the canvas surface.

This is where we can use a thick bodied paste to build up layers. Viva Range thats available in quite a few intresting colours is a very handy addition to our crafting arsenal. If not then moulding paste and acrylic paint when mixed together do just the same job. Its all about what you have in your crafting room/space right at that moment.

i first used a terracotta coloured paint. as you can see its one of those in-between substances. Not quite thick enough to be classified as a moulding paste but thicker than a paint. This first layer was done by dragging some 'paste' through the Studio Calico Mister Hueys Mask - Bubbles and a spatula, if one isn't to hand then an OLD! store card is just as good. Leave to dry or 'skin' over. By this i mean allow it to become stable so that if you do put an object close by the paste will not be flattened but will hold some shape and substance.

Then the next layer. i went with a golden paste from the Viva Range. This one has a 'Gritty' feel to it and when it dry's on your hand it has a crushed 'Brick' feel. i know its not crushed brick but its a very firm and gritty paste.

When the paste had dried the next layer is a coat of white gesso. We do this so that when we start to paint the surface is a lot easier to paint on.

The selected colour range for the canvas.

Place a small amount of each paint oto the canvas, then with a small water tub, a wide brimmed brush and some baby wipes, get ready to start to lay down some colour.

Once the paint has been moved over the canvas we now need to start to create depth.

The quickest way to do this while the paint is still wet.. a BABY WIPE! These are a must have when doing Altered Art projects like this or as far as i'm concerned all crafting needs these wonderful little things. It amazes me how something that wasn't meant to be used in our field has become such a staple item.

if you look at the 2nd photo above this and then this photo you can see the difference. The paint has been 'thinned' where there are raised sections but left still the same hue at 'ground' level. To protect this we now need to seal it in. For this you can use a acrylic medium, however as i was going to be painting again the best option is to use a clear gesso to give me a good base to paint onto while protecting the work we have done so far.

Firstly im very sorry for this photo i dont know what happened. I used a purple acrylic metallic paint over sections of the canvas, once again to help keep the paint in the raised section i used a baby wipe to dictate how much paint was in areas. The baby wipes became my brush at times.

When that layer of paint was dry i wanted the canvas to have an aged feel about it and to look as if it was a few hundred years old and a treasured possession. For this l used Black gesso as the painting medium. Gesso is not just for preparing a layer for painting. The White Gesso is a wonderful white paint and the black is a deep black black, sometimes you get a black and it has a blue tint to it. Gesso doesn't.

Once again with the help of those trusted baby wipes you can build up the colour and not let the colour be the boss!

The canvas almost finished well the layer of colour is. Just a few touched her and there is now needed.

To give further high lights to the lettering i used a copper pan pastel. Don't be scared and say Oh you cant mix your mediums. Where does it say that? You can use what ever you want your the boss when it come to being creative, so pull everything you have out take stock and use things.

I was pleased the way that the pan pastel had coloured the raised surface, it gave another dimension, also the metallic pan pastel is a wonderful deep rich colour as are all the metallic pan pastels, i know they are a little more costly that the normal pastels, but trust me when l say they will still be there and able to be used 10 years down the line if you look after them and use them correctly. Don't dab or act as if your trying to fit a screw into the wall. Just take long strokes. ONLY IN 1 DIRECTION at a time don't go back and forth. That way you will cause the pressed medium to become unstable and that way you will loose more than you use on a project.]

it is best then after using pastels to use a sealant. This one here is a pump action spray that's non toxic.

Now then its time to make the embellishments. For this i opted to use the T.H. Alterations die to cut out some hinges, key and a key lock. For this i just used the thickest card i had available in my scrap box, or i could have used an old cereal box. I cut out 3 of each.

Using the black gesso i painted each one of the items. now then as i was going to glue them together i could have glued and then painted. There is reason in my madness. By painting each one separately the amount of paint on each item would be different. i also made sure that all the base colour was being covered in paint. Then when it came time to secure them the object would have reacted to the wet substance and became different. So when all glued together they would create different edges. A black Alcohol pen just touches up where the black paintr missed. also a great tool to get inside of the key panel section when its glued up.

Using a dab of gold paint on my finger i started to 'Rub' down gold highlight to give that Golden Buff look, this was used very spairingly.

When the black gesso had dried the same gold acrylic paint was used to paint the embellishments. While the paint was still wet i kept on buffing the object so that it looked aged.

The same treatment was done to the hinges. To make sure they adhered to the canvas i resorted to my Hot Glue Gun. Please take care when using this as it can burn. Make sure when placed down its onto a surface that can handle heat, just in case the glue drips from the pressure taken when forcing the glue out of the hot nozzle.

Now to give shading. For this i used a Pan Pastel Paynes Grey and a small adapter. By rubbing under the embellishment to give that aged look . it also gives the impression that the embellishment is a lot bigger than it is.

Right now to make the embellishments look natural. We need to give the impression of nails or screws. So this is when the Cosmic Shimmer Copper PVA glue come in. There is a wonderful collection of colours that can give you depth on a project.

Something was still missing from the surface. Viva do a great range of colours and textures. This Ferro is a nice gritty steel grey finish that can reflect the light. So i added just a little of it at the edges, the intention was to give the feel of metal.

Back to the hinges, they were still not fitting in, they looked to 'New', Faber Castell do a great range ow water soluble wax pen [i think they are wax, they have that feeling but i could be so far of the mark its not true.] when they are placed onto a surface your able to rub it. so the marks made from the above photo

To this one. The hinge now looks aged and fit's in just as l wanted it to.

i have in my stamps collection a set of magnetic ones. These are just a font style but they are very good when it come to just typing out a few words. Armed with some scrap card and a memento ink pad i started to stamp out my wording.

The edges needed some treatment so i opted to use a ink pad that complimented the card and just darken it at the edges. i could have used a brown but that wouldn't give me the look i was after it had to be a darker hue of the card.

A cheap black Indian ink and a wide nibbed pen were used to frame the text. Not a great deal of care and attention was undertaken while doing this as once again i didn't want perfect i was after imperfect.

A little bit of dark metal chain was used on the key to give some movement or the look of movement. Also you would always put a diary book key on a chain......

Above i have taken several photos showing in detail the finished project.

i hope you have enjoyed reading this project and how i went about it. As normal if there are any questions please feel free to send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.

THE HALLOWEEN TUBE

2013-10-02T00:30:00.000+01:00

i thought that i would try something a little different this time for me. i have to admit that the season of the GOOGLIES.. WITCHES and all those HOT BREWS that contain all sorts of nasty things. i have to hold my hand up and admit that this was not a planned journey of a project. i had an idea in my head and i had a empty tube. The result is what your about to see evolve. i hope that you like it and who knows in the future your able to take those empty tubes re-VAMP them......... and hand them back out to friends and family.

This project does rely upon the use of a electronic die cutting machine. However i know that there are lots of alternatives out there that can be used in place of where i did an electronic die cutting. its the same with the paints. Over the years we build up collections of things, so where i have used something i have directed you to an alternative on the site. This way like me you can build up your collection of crafting goodies. Some of my things i have had since i was a graphic designer out there in the work place. Even back in those days that were pre-computers i was able to experiment and build up 3D projects for clients to see. So the links will direct you to the on line store so that your able to add items and now the web site has been RE-VAMPED!!!! your able to form your own WISH LIST so your able to add items for later when the budget for today is limited and you can pass that wish list along to friends and family's so that when those special days come round they know exactly what to get you!

So bookmark THATS CRAFTY ON LINE you will not be disappointed at what your able to purchase today, tomorrow or next week/month or year. Its being updated weekly.

Right then back to this project. The paints and in some cases where i used the cut out there are rub-ons available. 1 such has been added to my crafting collection but alas a little to late for this one but its there for the future! So i know i keep saying this but any newbies to either my blog of Thats Crafty's Blog they will be able to adapt this with items that they have or waiting for the post office to deliver to them from Thats Crafty On Line store.

MATERIALS USED:
Old Cardboard Tube
Cricut/Cameo Electronic Die Cutting machine.
Black Card
Silver Card
Stampers Anonymous Stamp Sets ~ Classic #3
Memento Ink Pad - Lady Bug
Big and Juicy - Mountain Meadow Ink Pad
Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Walnut Stain ~ Black Soot
Friskars Clear Stamps - Tartan 'n Time
Scrolled Leafy Style Stamp A good set is: Autumn Leaves Acrylic Stamps ~ Flourishes v.3 by Rhonna Farrer.
Stampendous Cling Rubber Stamp: Lacey Background ~ Music Score
Crafters Workshop Template - Mini Well Rounded
Tando Creative Andy Skinner Stencils - Code Breaker
StencilGirl- Journalling Left Hand
Collection of Bright Acrylic Paints A wonderful collection of True Colours that are at a nice price.
Decoupage Glue
Wide brimmed brush
Enamel Water based Paints ~ Copper and Silver.
Paint Pallet
Pallet Knife
Hot Glue Gun
Heat Gun
Scissors
Small Peice of Black Packing Foam
Super Fine Sparkle Glitter
Water Spray Bottle
Black Indian Ink
Eo-Crafts Orange Acrylic Paint.
White Gesso
Black Gesso
Sand Paper Block
Glazing Medium
Elastic Bands
Paper from an OLD Book
Craft Mat
This would work spot on with this project: Tim Holtz Ideaolgy Rubs ~ Halloween Apothecary

LETS MAKE A PROJECT:

The old tube that had been sitting in a cupboard filled with small jars of high end mustards. So the first thing to do is using a sanding block just give the tube surface a 'key'. By doing this the next layer would be able to adhere to it a lot easier. So using papers that had been ripped out from an old book and some découpage glue the original surface was covered. When it was dry from all the glue we have used to adhere the papers a thin layer of 'Watered down' white gesso was used to act as a key for the next layer. Orange paint.

For this i wanted to use a bright true orange coloured acrylic paint. The Eco-Craft range of paints is just perfect for this.

To help the paint go further and also be wet that little bit more i used a glazing agent. This helps keep the true colour of the paint but enables you to move it around the project that bit more without drying out.

The finished Orange tube ready now for what ever we want to throw at it!

Stencils PERFECT for laying down layers of interest in our projects.

Select your Acrylic paints. Here i have gone for Bright colours. This is where you have to rely upon the paints you have in your store cupboard. We use what we have. If it comes time to replace then i have linked paints on my blog and on this project that will give you perfect results.

When using a small template that has several things on it and you don't want 'Over Spill' then by using those little sheets of glued papers your able to mask off what you don't want to use. These are a lot better to use than masking tape. A lot of the masks now a days have a lot of small cuts in them. By using masking tape you might bend something out of place or worse still rip something away. So these are just what is needed.

This now where you just dive into your stamp box and use what ever you have and that you want to lay down an image onto your project.

This stamp set is an oldie but a great one. The main stamp is a nice large back ground stamp! Its been a while since i dived into my box and have used this one, Good Quality Stamps never let you down!

One thing i did learn is that if i placed the stamp onto a flat surface and then just rolled the tube over it it gave me a much better stamped impression. You may want your stamp to leave marks all over the project. This time i wanted a good all over impression.

Again i dived into the box and pulled out a stamp from a set i have not used for a very long time. im not sure they even make this stamp any more so i have left you a very good alternative if your after a stamp like this one.

This is what the layers of stamping was beginning to look like. Layers of interest. it makes the project that bit more interesting when someone has a closer look.

You don't just have to use dark coloured in pads. By adding complementary colours your able to add even more interest and details.

Even the good old tried and trusted ink pads are brought into this project. i can still not understand as to why they are not making this brand of ink pad any more. They are still one of the best around and give such bright and vibrant stamping impression from Acrylic or Rubber stamps.

Now its time to start to build up what we are going to be using to make this a 3 Dimensional project. By using my electronic die cutting machine i first on silver paper cut out some barbed wire from a bought item. [if you want to know where from please send me a message and i will let you know].

Using the silver card gave me my base. However i want the barbed wire to be ages as if it had been outside in the rain for ages. By using a Enamelled Acrylic Water proof paint i was able to build up layers of the paint to give the aged effect.

Now the turn of the other elements. For this i used a black card stock as i was going to adhere these onto the tube its self. So there was no need for them to be coloured. This is where that rub on set from Tim Holtz would be just perfect!

To keep the spiders web onto the card i had to rely upon those very underrated crafting items.... The Rubber Band!

When it came to the spider i wanted it to be in a position where it stood out and not just flat on the tube. i also didn't want to have to use dimensional as that just wouldn't look right. The other option was to make it look as if it was spinning a web. That wasn't going to happen right now maybe another time when l can give it some more time in construction. But hey i WOULD LOVE to see if you crafty lot out there come up with something just like that. Let me know send me a photo of your project so i can show it on my blog and give you a name check!

To give the spider more depth i took some packing foam and then secured it onto the spider. With a sharp pair of scissors then started to give the foam a more natural look.

When i was happy with the dome, to give it a base for the next layer and to make the black uniformed the best option was to use Black Gesso.

Then while i still had the black gesson on a brush i tipped just a little of the glue that us being used so that l could add a glue to the black ready for when i sprinkled on some ultra fine glitter. This is the first time in over a year i have used Glitter so do l have to arrange a party?

The next part of this project was to protect all the items l had secured onto the surface [spider not included!] so using a wide brimmed brush and the decoupage glue a layer of glue was dabbed on over the black die cuts.

Photographs of the tub after all the glue has dried and its ready for the next stage of the project.

There was a extra item that i decided to cut out and that was this key and lock. it was going to be fixed at the top of the tube so that it looked as if the tube was in fact locked up and had to be opened.

The next step unfortunately i was not able to take a photo of at each step. But involves the use of acrylic paints and the Glazing Medium. This was a mix up the paints and then using the palet knife place some at the top and allow it to drip/run down the tube.

The final job for the surface of the tube was to drip down some black Indian ink down over the paint runs. One thing i did notice that to help force dry the paint when a heat gun is used it does distress the paint causing the paint to bubble up and this is a added bonus when we are after a aged grunged look.

Close up photographs of the tub completed. You can see the barbed wire that's going around the tub. To secure them onto the tub the best way is to use a Hot Glue Gun. Please be extra careful while using this crafting tool as it can burn if not used with care. The spider stands out from the base layer this was also secured using the hot glue gun as was the lock and key. You can also see how the paint has combined and become an interesting layer
Any questions about this project please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

Cards For Men ~ CHALLENGE 20 ~ MYTH & MAGIC

2013-09-30T00:30:00.000+01:00

Bugaboo Bio – Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps:

A Short Essay

As if raising five children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the world of paper crafting by opening an on-line store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago.

Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects. Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!

if your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps stamps at Totally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug.

*********************************************************************************

For this challenge i thought that i would do something a little different from the normal way of thinking. I wanted to do a darker style of card but still keeping the humour in it. This is what i would call a belated style birthday card. Just had to put the dog skeleton in as its just been sat there [sorry no pun ment] waiting to be used in a project.

This like all the project challenges i do for CARDS 4 MEN are all 100% Digitaly produced. You all know by now that i love doing digital work. We have so much clip art and imagery available to us now its a shame not to use them. There are lots of good programs out there that will help you do something like the above. However if your new and want to expand your knowledge and skill base in digital imagery then there is a wonderful little FREE yes i know i said the FREE word that is going to help you explor and play. It will also open and help you copy files into SVG format so they can be used on your cutting machines if they take the SVG format. Best check first....

The program is called INKSCAPE. JUST CLICK ON THIS TEXT TO GO TO THE DONLOAD SITE.

There are quite a few videos on y-Tube that will help you learn how to use this freebie.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

THE HAPPY COUPLE

2013-09-25T00:30:00.000+01:00

This project started out as a find from a car boot sale. There was a set of these canvas sets that are on sale a series of 'modern art'. The surface is protected so its important that you do use a good branded Gesso to give a good coverage over the canvas.
When i say good its worth while in the long term to pay that little more. i have bought a tub of white gesso from a high street store that cost £5.00. it was gesso but such a watered down liquid it could'nt cover a white sheet of card never mind a canvas like this one.
So its best to buy a branded tub as it will cover the surface a lot better and save you money and time long term.
i revisited an old faithful set of stamps for this project. it just goes to show that these sets of stamps have a long life and not just like some out there that are '1 trick ponies'. Again they may be a bit more expensive that some but they do have a long life when it comes to crafting. One thing i have learnt while crafting.. sometimes cheaper isn't the best and for those few extra pennies you get a quality product. The products used here are 99% available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE [who have just had a up-grade on their web site so is now so much faster and easier to navigate!].
Where i have used a project i have highlighted a product that will be a very good alternative. Over the years we all collect different products so we all understand that we do have differing products.
This project does rely upon items that i have explored in different projects on my blog.

PRODUCTS USED:

10 inch square canvas thats been reclaimed.
Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley: Dependable Dotty ~ Pondering Petunia ~ Back Ground Love ~ Basic Backgrounds ~ Bits of This ~ How Does Your Garden Grow ~ Right Up Your Street
Black Gesso
Stazon Jet Black Ink Pad
Stamp Cleaner for Stazon Ink IndioBlu
Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Marker
White Tile
Water Brush
White Stamping Paper
Scrap White Paper
Black Waterproof Drawing Pens [Try to build up a collection of different widths. They last and are worth that extra few pennies for them.
Scissors
Tim Holtz Distress Embossing ink pad
Clear Gloss Embossing Powder
Strip of Dry Wall tape and Silver Plumbers Tape [Raid your partners' D.I.Y space!]
Eco-Crafts White Acrylic Paint White or White Gesso
Prima Mounted Stitch Stamps: Lines
Collage Decoupage Glue
Glue Stick
Craft Knife
Cutting Surface
Heat Gun
Cosmic Shimmer Clear Varnish
Cosmic Shimmer Clear P.V.A. Glue
Posca White Pen
Dimensional Tape
Ruler
Black Soot Distressing Ink Pad
Distressing Tool
Print out of Computer Typeface Text
Silver Holographic Metallic Card
Cricut Electronic Cutting Machine

A PERSONAL STATEMENT:
These stamps are not cheap! However if you look beyond the price then you will see that i personally have had possibly 18 months of using them so the price was well worth it. i have hundreds of stamp sets that are in white plastic containers and they are just put on a shelf and the ones i use all the time are in another container close by so i can dip in all the time. So some of the stamps in the Dylusions Range are must haves, while some are mm okay maybe later ones if you know what i mean. I like to be honest with you all when you read my blog. its not worth my while trying to show you something that i feel isn't worth it.
During these times crafting to some crafter's is a luxury as the money is needed for other items. So when i say something is going to be a long term investment i mean that with all honesty and sincerity. i'm not in the habit of trying to push something that is not quality. I know that Laura is also in the same position as me. We don't like the idea of people not get value for money. Yes you can buy something cheaper but a different brand, i have learnt to my own cost that its just isn't worth it in the long term.
Like i mentioned that this is a project where we are going to use items that we have in our collection already, or there may be an opportunity to re-visit some of my earlier blog entries to see that these stamps have a long life in them and are not just like a lot out there Useful for just the one or two projects and then put away in a file box!

LETS MAKE A CANVAS FOR A WEDDING PRESENT IDEA!
Now then we have been round several car boot sales and found some canvases that were originally bought to hang on the wall, with the intention of Home Design.
i came across a set of 4 that were bought for would you believe it 25 pence EACH! As they were massed produced they will have a easy clean surface on them.

A nice thick coat of Black Gesso is just what is needed.

Using the drywall tape place two strips close by to each other. The silver tape is there just to hide the joins. As the tape isn't equal in the gaps there is no great need to be 100% accurate. Then to help protect the tape a layer of Decoupage glue is used. This layer will take a paint medium so there isn't any issues for further layering.

As an after thought i decided to protect the black gesso layer so once again i used the same medium to protect it.

While the canvas is drying we can get started with the images. For the figures i decided to use the stamp sets below. Th only bit of technical crafting is the hair for the bride!

Taking the stamp figure from the Pondering Petunia i inked the stamp up and made an impression on the stamp paper and then while it still had some ink on i re-stamped some scrap paper so i can make a mask for later.

Using a piece of scrap paper the next step of the project is to make a hair cut out. Be as wild as you want or be as neat as you want its your call now. Here i have gone for a kinda combed back with a quiff look. Make sure that the base of the hair matches the line at the top of the head..

After the section has been cut out using a crafting knife and cutting mat. You can use your scissors however i would strongly advise you to use a craft knife as the following steps will show you. the middle is discarded but kept safe as it will be needed later. its the cut out area or mask that we are going to use.

Place the stamped out figure first onto the stamped image on the white card, secure with a little dab of glue from a glue stick. Then place the hair mask on top of this so you have a 2 part layer stack.
1. The stamped image on the stamping card.
2. The stamped image on photo copy paper
3. The hair mask/template.

Then using the stamp you have selected for the hair here its a stamp from Background Love. As its a patterned one there wasn't a great deal of matching up to be done. Just be careful when placing the stamp.

After the hair had been stamped and while all the layers were still in place its a perfect opportunity for the next stamped layer. Remove the hair template and place over the hair impression the middle that was cut out

Placing the figure from the Dependable Dotty stamp set ink up again with Stazon and make an impression so that it will look as if the figure is standing behind the female image.

As we are using Stazon it can well not damage but can make the stamp not print as it should. So always get in the habit of cleaning your stamps right away after using this type of ink pad which is solvent based.

After all your hard work stamping and masking and layering it should look something similar to this.

By using a black micron drawing pen your able to join any lines that are not quite matching. Use a waterproof black pen for this stage.

In the Bits of This stamp set there are two flowers that can be used to make up the bouquet of flowers for the bride. This time we are going to stamp onto silver metallic style card. So the Stazon ink pad is used again. This is the best ink pad for stamping onto non porous surfaces. One of the smaller houses in the Right Up Your Street stamp set would make the perfect Church in the background.

i wanted to make this a black and white project. As i had used Stazon im able to use a water based material. So armed with my Black Soot distressed pen, a water brush and a white tile l started to lay down colour just highlighting areas. Just relax experiment with some paper that you used in the stamping. Its just like using your water based coloured brushes. Only this time we will be using the one colour, by adding more water to the mix your able to give a lighter layer of colour.

When the stamped image was as l wanted it to look the next step was to cut it out. This was done using both a good pair of sharp tipped scissors and a craft knife leaving a small gap surrounding the image, don't worry this will not show up. Using the same black Gesso that we used in the covering of the canvas this small extra from our stamped image will be covered up using a fine tipped brush and the gesso.

Now then its time to get back to our canvas. There is a wonderful set of stamps from Prima. Its a set of sewn image stamps in Straight lines, Circle Frame, Square Frame and Rectangle Frame. They are cling backed and to me can become a very good investment for future projects.

i opted to use one of the straight lines sewn stamps. Again Stazon was used as im going to be stamping onto a non porous surface.

The stamped layer. When dry i once again put a layer of Collage Glue over the image to protect it.

To give more interest and definition i opted to use a white paint. This Eco-Friendly acrylic paint is very good for covering surfaces. If you don't have it close to hand [its a very good paint that's highly recommended as a true white is hard to find]

This is what i did. selecting certain squares i filled them in with the white paint. If you don't have this paint in your crafting supply box while your waiting for it to be delivered white Gesso will work.

The background wanted something as it was just flat.

Before i finished with the white all that was needed was some where to place the Church building. By drawing freehand with a pencil i started to draw 2 hills this would also give depth to the image. Just 2 simple lines can work miracles to your project. When i was happy with the two lines that they fitted in with what i was doing i took my Posca white pen and drew over the pencil lines. You can use paint if your steady with your hands. In crafting its quite hard to find a good true white pen. Other colours are covered and they come in all sizes colours and makers. White is a bit different. There are good pens out there like the Tim Holtz Picket Fence one. But its not a deep white white. This pen does just that and comes in several different nib widths.

The background was still lacking something. it was flat. So armed with embossing Ink and the background stamps of Alphabet and Numeral Figures i started to stamp freehand over the canvas. When i say free hand i mean i didn't use a stamping block. As quickly as i stamped i put a layer of embossing powder down. When i had finished that's when i used my heat gun to fix the embossing powder.

You can make out some of the embossed imagery. It did cover the black segment of the canvas.

When it came time to secure the imagery onto the canvas i used a roll of dimensional tape. This was done in a double layer to give hight. Now then looking back i have not mentioned how l did the bouquet of flowers.
As the flowers were draw it was quite easy with a steady hand to separate them so i had in effect to have 2 separate flower heads and stems. By giving the stems a thicker base using a black pen the line was drawn. Then to make it look as if they were being held i just cut the flowers from the stems at a point where it would look okay to hold them. Then with some Cosmic Shimmer Clear P.V.A glue l secured then on top of the hands and then the stems below the hand. Overlapping the flower heads made it look bigger and as if they were part of the image.
The Cosmic Shimmer Clear Varnish was used in the glasses to make it look as if there was a layer of glass. Its all about layering even if they are small its still part of a bigger picture.
The Church was also secured to the canvas using the Cosmic Shimmer Clear P.V.A glue.

i wanted to put text on the canvas so that it looked as if it was a card or a hand crafted present as a keep sake. So after looking through the text on one of my cricut cartridges i say this phrase. Also it came in had as l did make an error. while i was painting the outline using the black Gesso it was not quite dry and as i was handling it i smudged the male figure around the collar area. it did stand out so i went into panic mode. However while i was searching i came across small flower shapes.. PERFECT i could give the male figure a flower pin and i can cut out small flowers to put on top of the flowers i already secured into place.if you enlarge the photo above you can see where i placed the flowers and fingers crossed it covers up my error in judgment.

After looking at the canvas the following day the text i had placed onto the canvas just didn't look right. A panic haze descended upon me. After all that effort i had put in it could be ruined and i would have to start again. So the lesson here i have learnt is don't place the text down securely until the following day and i have looked at it with fresh eyes. i grabbed the same card that i had used before and cut out a rectangle. Just big enough to cover the space where there was glues parts from the other text, but small enough to leave a border of the tape as the last thing i wanted was to cover it all up.

After it was cut out i took a distressing tool and worked on the edge. This was then ink using a Black Soot Distressing Ink Pad. Using a Black marker i drew a box a centimetre inside.

As i didn't have a stamp font i wanted to use instead i decided to print the wording out. Then using scissors i could cut them out and secure onto the newly distressed holographic card.

i wanted to have that symbol that's in a lot of wedding imagery and thats Doves. This is where How does Your Garden Grow come in. i could use the birds as a symbolic image. They don't have to fly so by placing them on the ground without legs it kind of gave that impression. These again were coloured around the outside edges by using Black Gesso.

The birds in place. You can also see the flower heads and the flower on the collar, that i mentioned a little earlier in the blog.

There you have it a different style of wedding project it can be changed over with a little tweaking using the stamps from this collection of stamps to fit almost any occasion.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

THE ACORN FALLS.......A TREE THEN GROWS

2013-09-18T00:30:00.000+01:00

This project started out well the basis of it was when i was ripping out some crafting goodies from a box and i saw what was under the two cardboard layers.

The 3 main images are from a set of Tim Holtz Stamps called AUTUMN BLUEPRINT and the other is a stamp from Sheena Douglas called THE MAGESTIC OAK These and a wide range of other great stamps singles/sets or collections are available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. A visit it highly recommended, as stock is always being updated all the time.

PRODUCTS USED:
12 inch Square Canvas
Collage Decoupage Glue Matte or Glossy
Selection of different width Headed Brushes
Moulding Paste
White Gesso
White Tissue Paper
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads: Black Soot ~ Old Paper ~ Vintage Photo
Ink Pad Distressing Tool
Archival Ink: Jet Black
Clear Embossing Powder
Eco-Crafts Acrylic Paint: Moss ~ Leaf Green ~ Ocean ~ Pistachio ~ Pure Copper ~ Aged Gold
Basic Dark Green Acrylic Paint [PaperArtsy Acrylic Paint Hey Presto an alternative]
Burnt Umber Acrylic Paint [PaperArtsy Acrylic Paint - Cinnamon an alternative]
Selection of LuminArte Paints [Something simular to use as a replacement Cosmic Shimmer Mica Pigments]
Stazon Ink: Jet Black
Baby Wipes
Pages from an Old Book
Hot Water ~ Coffee ~ Tea Bag
Selection of Tim Holtz Distressing Markers
Water Brushes
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Metallic Acrylic Paint: Old Gold
Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue
Cosmic Shimmer Clear Varnish Lacquer
Stazon Ink Cleaner
Heat Gun [optional]
Paper Towel
Cereal Packet Box
Cricut Electronic Cutting Machine.

LETS MAKE A CANVAS!:

As you know by now when i go on a art journey i like to show you all the ups and downs of that project. By doing this i hope that your not scared to make mistakes, thats its not the end of the earth and your able to rectify that error. So grab a drink, take a seat and lets go on this art journey.

While im working on a 12 inch canvas i have a MDF square that i was lucky enough to have cut out for me when i was ordering some other cutting to be done @ the local D.I.Y Store. This helps when it comes to stamping, painting and gluing things to it.
So if your able to have this done its something i can recommend. I have placed a photo below so you can see what i mean. Select a thickness of MDF thats going to work for most depths of Canvas's that have been attached to a wooden frame.

You can see that the square just fits 'As Snug and a Bug in a Rug'

The cardboard. The bottom sheet is what it looks like normally. The top sheet is what it looks like when one layer is removed.

To help the cardboard adhere to the canvas i took a sanding block and just 'Sanded' the glossy side so that it would help keep it secured when glue was used.

Ripped cardboard pieces were glued into place. Not just the surface but also the sides, by doing this it helps blend the over all finish of the project.

To help even out the ridges that are made by the depth of the cardboard i used a moulding paste to help level the surface.

Next step is to use our favourite base layer.... White Gesso. This will help us with the painting.

Now then this is where i started to go wrong, well not wrong but the start of going wrong if you know what i mean.
i had in my mind to use tisue paper that was embossed so that i could paint then stamped imagery and it wouldn't bleed out. So i first used Black Soot followed by Archival Jet Black to see which would give me the better final stamped image. To be totaly honest they are both the same when it comes to embossing.

i put the stamped images aside while i started to work on the canvas. By placing several 'Blob's' [thats a technical term by the way] then using a wide tipped brush and a little water started to blend the colours into each other. If your brush starts to get thick with one colour use your sheets of 'Paint waste' paper to help remove some and start again.

You can use a heat gun or just allow your canvas to dry naturally. i do like to allow the paint dry by itself as i had used a moulding paste i didn't want to crack that layer.

As i looked at the canvas it looked a little flat and needed to have some depth in it. So i dived into my acrylic paint box and found a simple cheapo dark green paint. This was placed into sections just to add depth.

i have never used well okay have played with but never used in a project my LuminArte Paints. As it included several greens and a gold this to was added to the canvas. I found that the luminArte paints didn't cover the painted layer but it added a layer of not glitter but a light background sparkle. If that makes sense?

Close up of what l was maybe badly trying to say.

As i wanted to protect the painted layer i used a thin layer of the Matte Decoupage glue. This would act as a barrier to almost everything i was going to throw at the canvas.

Using the copper acrylic paint i started to put a layer of colour on the reverse side of my stamped image. By working on the reverse it would help soften the overall colour depth.

After all the tissue paper images had been coloured and then using the same decoupage glue secured them onto the canvas.
This was when it went all wrong. i just didn't like the way that the tissue paper looked on the canvas. it just looked as if they were an after thought and not part of the project. So what could l do next to save all this work. i didn't want to re paint the whole of the canvas. So armed with a baby wipe.. i started to scrub away at the tissue paper.

One extra unforeseen advantage was that as i was scrubbing some of the paint was removed from the canvas. This was great as it now looked even aged which lead me onto what finally was the the finished project.

i found my old books [from a car boot sale] and as i was going to age them with Tea and Coffee i had to use a waterproof ink. Stazon. [Please remember to clean your stamps with a good cleaner. Stazon will stain your stamps but if you clean them after use then they will stay as pristine as the day you bought them.

Putting them on a plastic tray i first sprayed some warm water so that the paper would become more porous.

While the paper was damp i first scattered some coffee granules onto the surface. So that i could regulate how much the coffee soaked into the paper by using a paper towel remove the extra coffee and water.

As i had used the paper towel the paper was not saturated. i was now going to put even more water onto the paper. By using an old tea bag. i did use it to make a cuppa for myself but please DONT PUT MILK INTO THE TEA AND USE THAT BAG ON YOUR PROJECT. It has to be milk free.

The finished stamped paper images. There was also an added extra........

The paper towels i had used to help dry the stamped papers.. when dry would be a perfect addition to a project in the future so nothing is thrown away.

It was now time to work on the papers. As i had used Stazon i was able to dive into my Tim Holtz Distress Marker pens. [i was a slow convert to these pens. i have to hold my hand up and say that the first one i used was the White Picket fence. The nib frayed and wasn't what i expected. However it was a one off and the others including the replacement pen have been just well as you can see they have become almost my must go to pens.]

For the leaves i used Vintage Photo ~ Mustard Seed ~ Spiced Marmalade ~ Mowed Lawn

For the Acorns Tea Dye ~ Vintage Photo ~ Rusty Hinge ~ Brushed Corduroy were used.

To help give the paper stamped images more of an aged feel, the edges were not distressed with a tool but the were rolled over and made to look as if they had been thumbed a lot. Then using Old Paper and Vintage Photo with the aid of the distressing tool the edges were distressed with ink.

When i started to build up the canvas and by this i mean by placing all the items on the canvas and then playing with the placement something was just not sitting right. i then remembered a very big tree stamp that i had bought a few months ago. It would fit in perfectly with the paper stamps and the wording i was going to use.

Using the stamp once again with the Stazon ink pad this time i didn't use a stamping block but by placing it onto the surface and then using my fingers pressing down onto the foam backing. it didn't leave a 'Perfect' impression but one that fitted in with the aged look.

Before i started to secure all the items onto the canvas as i had walked away from it for a while i felt it needed something other than 'Green' so by adding brown and gold it would give a more wooden feel. if you click on the photo above your able to see how by adding those two colours gave the canvas more depth.

When i set out on this wonderful pathway of Altered Art i wanted to be able to use all the tools and equipment that i have built up over the years of crafting. So as i didn't have any cardboard Alphabet letters. Using a cereal box and the cricut mini im able to open up a wonderful world of possibilities and ephemera. [hope thats the right word... please not postcards on this one lol]

To colour the letters an Old Gold Metallic paint was used.

Securing the letters onto the canvas needed a very strong clear glue. In a tube there is not better that the Cosmic Shimmer PVA Glue. Its white to start with but dry's perfectly clear when dry no matter how much your using to secure your item.

The final thing to do was to Varnish the leaf and the acorn. By doing this it would make them stand out. Again its back to Cosmic Shimmer as their Clear Varnish Lacquer is easy to use. self levels and dries crystal clear.

Highlighted areas of detail. You can see the lacquer has given depth, also for some reason it might not have been 100% dry i stood it up at an angle and there is a little 'drippage' it works and i was not going to be put off by it.

i hope you like this project its a different colour scheme from what i have used in the past. i'm happy that i can step out from that safety zone of colours that we tend to keep to.

So now re look at the box that an item came in .. can you use it in another way apart from storage?

If you have any questions then please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

CARD's FOR MEN ~ CHALLENGE 19 - STRING IT UP

2013-09-16T00:30:00.000+01:00

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Challenge #19 - "String it Up" date 16th September to 29th
Sponsor : Digital Delights - http://digitaldelightsbyloubyloo.com/
Prize: Several Digi Images of your choice
Welcome to Digital Delights, a magical place filled with my little digi creations from all walks of life. We have a wide range of digital stamps which are delivered straight to your email 24/7!!

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On i had so much fun doing this. i was able to get all 'ADULT' on myself and make a project that maybe you wont find on the bottom shelf but hopefully it wouldn't be placed on the top if you know what i mean. I hope its both Adult and its also fun.

Fun is something that we sometimes loose sight of when we are making cards and we are scared to maybe dip into that 'Blackpool Seaside Postcard' side of doublon tundra.

So thats what the main image on the front of the card is a little on the ...... [make your own words up here lol] but its just a cartoon character its not meant to cause any offence, also the wording has to be connected someway with the image itself.

I made this project so that we can have a laugh, to me its a male card, they don't all have to have a Pint of Beer.. not all men like sports and if any thing like me a car is a car.. you switch it on it goes.. it runs out of petrol you will your drive on again.

So every now and then dip into this wonderful world of 'Blackpool Seaside Humour'. Its harmless, fun and its never meant to cause an offence to anyone. [fingers crossed]

ITS ALL ABOUT............

2013-09-11T00:30:00.000+01:00

This is the first project that i have done using imagery from a Altered Art Digi Kit. They were built up in Adobe Photoshop CS5. Printed out on a colour laser Printer [Nowadays there are such great deals with these printers and if you shop in the right place then the toner refills are nowadays very comparable with Ink Jet].
As usual i didn't have a set final image in mind however after a very fortunate 'Happy' accident i was able to finally go onto the right path for the printed out imagery.
The project has templates, Acrylic Paints, Stamps and Ink Pads involved in the layers that make up the final piece. I have used items that were mostly bought from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. However where i have used an alternative i have directed you to an alternative that's in store so that if you're following this project or giving it your own twist your able to gain access to various items and follow along. Any questions contact Laura @ THATS CRAFTY i'm sure she will be glad to help you and point you into the right direction of crafting goodies.

MATERIALS USED:
2 sheets 12 by 12 inch Paper from our ever growing paper Mountain. [Thats Crafty hold a nice range of 6 inch pads. These can be used instead of a 12 inch sheet just double up where needed]
A Good Collage Glue
Wide Brimmed Brush.
Masking Tape
A Artist Pad [The one i have used is A3 and is 300gsm].
White Gesso
Collection of Eco-Green Paints: Periwinkle~Melon~New Grass~Blue Sky~Bronze.
Moulding/Texture Paste
Lollipop stick and Small Container: [For mixing the paint and moulding past together].
12 inch Stencil: For this Project i opted to use: Grandma's Doily~Art Is~Cell Theory [As i always say don't worry if you don't have these stencils. There is a very wide range of wonderful stencils @ Thats Crafty On Line. It's a collection that's growing by the week so keep calling back!]
Dylusions Ink Sprays: Funky Fuchsia~Bubblegum Pink.
Tim Holtz Distressing Ink Pads: Dusty Concord~Fired Brick~Aged Mahogany~Black Soot~Tea Dye
Blending Tool
Tim Holtz Distress Marker: Picked Raspberry
Stampers Anonymous Stamp Sets: Mixed Media~Spills and Splatters [There is a smaller version available in a stamp set called Bitty Grunge]
Ranger Adirondack Earth Tones: Cranberry.
Buffing Wax: German Silver~Verdigris. {Here i have directed you to a wonderful alternative thats just as good as the ones i have in my stash].
Sharp pr. of Scissors and Craft Knife.
Selection of Washi Tapes
Cutting Mat Surface.
Print Out from Digital Imagery you have created.
Black Alcohol Ink Pen: Spectrum Noir~Pro-Marker
Xyron Creative Center [its been gathering dust now for months so had to be used!].
Indian Ink and Pen with Wide Nib: Here i have used Dr. Ph Martins Red Violet.

LETS MAKE A PROJECT!
Now then there is a story to this project i set out with 1 image in mind as to what i wanted to do. However after 1 aspect of this project it was turned around on its head and i re thought what i was going to do. This 'Happy Accident' was a blessing in disguise as the original creative path would not have been as interesting. So let this be a mantra to you all.. Just because a mistake happens it doesn't mean we have to ditch it and start again!
Like all of us we have a paper mountain growing in our craft space. It's something that grows and grows. People who are not connected in any way to the wonderful world of crafting will not understand the need to have even more paper. Well we might not have that style or colour... Its a designer producer that we like. So i would like to share with you my Paper Mountain. They are all 12 by 12 inch and the A4's are stored away in another space. Am i being to greedy? Should i get out more?

This is the Paper and Card Mountain. Its been acquired over several years however i don't think the bottoms seen the light of day now for a few years lol.

Right back to the project. After selecting two different papers the next step was to rip them up into sections.

Armed with a very good Collage Glue this is where we can get all creative and start to build up our first layer of texture.

i don't have a very big space to work in so i have adapted an old off cut of mdf and a pr of those high powered clamps. By adding this extra space i'm able to gain just that bit extra which allows me to spread out that bit more.

As i'm working with a spiral bound pad i don't want the colours i'm using to seep under this sheet and then contaminate the sheet below. So a layer of masking tape helps prevent this from happening.

The first layer complet. As you can see the papers have been combined but by leaving designs from each sheet your able to make an interesting layer ready for the next step. As the base layer can get quite damp i use large metal clips to help keep the base layer in a flat as possible way.

To help with the next step a layer of white gesso is used. To help remove the gesso from certain parts a baby wipe is used to dictate what is covered and what is opac.

Now its time to start to play with our colours. What i originally had in mind was going to be a outdoors themed layer. So once again using the paper paint pallet [it was an old one!. As it has a wax surface your able to re use several times.]

This was what i arrived at using the blues and greens. if you enlarge the photo by clicking on it your able to see where i have scrubbed away some paint to leave a 'not grunge but aged look.

i wanted next to start to build up from the base to add depth. The best way to get a quick layer is to use a texture paste tinted with a colour. This action can build up interesting shapes. You don't have to use all the template just use some. However i have to stress that once you have finished remove all the paste as quickly as possible. if it does dry it can cause issues later when you come to use that stencil again.

if you look at the above photo and the one below you can see whare i placed the texture paste.

When the paste was dry .[You can aid this process by using a heat gun however this can cause the paste to crack. So its best to let it air dry]

Now to add more colour to the mix. i realised that the base layer wasn't going to work as i wanted it to so by building up colours and other designs i was hoping to build on this. So using another stencil from my collection and those bright true coloured dye sprays from Dylusions.

When i had finished and lifted the stencil off i was knocked back. It has bleed under the stencil, this was done because i did not make sure that the stencil was flat. The ink had bleed under the stencil and caused a mess. i know it doesn't look to bad photographed but close up trust me it was a mess!. So what could i do next to salvage the project?

You GUESSED IT! White Gesso. As the ink was still quite wet when l started to place the white Gesso down using a lollipop stick [so l did not contaminate the pot of Gesso] By using the white gesso i was able to move the mixture around the page. it started to cover up the base layer with a very interesting layer of colour. While the mess made by the mistake of not keeping the stencil flat while not covered up it did make an much softer segment of the page.

To build up the covered dye image using a contrasting ink pad and blending tool i started to once again lay down colour in a random manner.

Then using a colour matching pen i opted to then pick out segment and make an impression using the pen to highlight a certain circle.

The next layer i opted to use a text stencil and another contrasting ink. Some times text used as a background can be interesting. To see parts of words or not a complete sentence.

Way back in the day i bought some washi tape it was in a job lot. When i got them i just placed them into a container to be used later. This project was later!

To help protect the washi tape and to keep it secure i placed some Collage glue as a barrier.

The next layer was going to be made using a selection of stamps. The drops of ink was the only one that i had placed on a block the others when i used them i just let the stamp take its own path and only stamped where i pressed down on to the stamps foam backing.

This is the only stamp that i used using a stamping block. Due to the design i felt it was important to use it all. However i didn't re-ink the stamp every time i made an impression.

The Stamping layer. i like to keep each layer to its own theme/style that way i'm not mixing them up. Sometimes a layer needs to be protected by using an protective medium. if your mixing your styles all the time without planning your going to effect what you have done before if that layer is not protected. [Hope that made sense it did in my head lol]

The original layer that i made using the paint and texture paint had become lost when i corrected the ink and stencil layer. Using a cream and buff on the tip of a finger and then just rubbing across the raised sections. Then using a soft cloth carefully starting to rub at those places until it became bright. Just like polishing your footwear.

Like i mentioned at the start this was a project that i was going to use digitally created imagery made up from components from digi kits that were bought from sites across the web. These are known as Art Dolls its a style that i have not come across before until i started to research into various Mixed Media styles.
i printed out 2 sets of lettering. One i had to put in the 'Later Projects Folder' and i used the ones that looked as if a label machine had made. To help with the cutting [we are not always spot on when it comes to sharp scissors or crafting knifes] by using a black pen around the edge it helps make it stand out from the base layer and it also helps cover up those small errors in cutting.

These were the ones that i had passed over. To help make the labels stand out i used a Tea-dye ink on the edges to make them look aged.

Now then while i was looking around the craft room for something not sure what, i saw my old Creative Station. it had been sat there on the top shelf since i last did my major/minor shuffle around. This is one of those machines that we used to look for all the time but as different styles come in some things are pushed to the back. i don't know if they are still being made or if the glue rolls are still available its something i'm going to have to look into. Its a shame that this machine has been discarded as its a wonderful piece of crafting machinery.

Glued and ready to be used in my project. All i have to do is cut them out [this time i don't have to be careful YIPPIE!] and secure them into place. A layer of collage glue when i have finished will keep them secured.

To give the images a grounding by using the same black pen [you don't have to use black use what ever colour or colours that you want to use] go around the image.

Then i used a pen with a wide nib and some complementary indian ink and gave the wording strips a frame.

Now to work on the edges. First i used Aged Mahogany.

Red Brick was next however this time i expanded the depth of the first layer by about 50% in certain areas. This was the maximum extra depth, but not all round just in places.

Finally using Black Soot i inked just the edges This would be the darkest point of the edging and give it an 'Edge'.

Some close ups of areas of the projects showing close up's of the layer i had created.

There you are a project that started as i thing but ended up another. i don't
think i will now ever panic when something goes so wrong that i feel that its just got to head to the bin. Things can be turned around with some thought and planning.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.

Take care and Happy Crafting

THE PHOTO FRAME from a CHILDREN'S BOOK

2013-09-04T00:30:00.000+01:00

I first saw a project like this on the good old y-tube. [A place of great resource for information and for giving the crafting mojo a kick start!]. So if this was your idea i thank you and i'm very sorry that i have not given you a name check.
This project started out as a Children's Cardboard Book! i know its a fab idea. So now all those car boot sales [it's where i bought about 10 last weekend all sizes] now mean we have another source of crafting buying. I paid 10p for this book and it is approx 7 inches square and has 5 inside pages. This would be the max. size in content maybe go to 6 pages not including the cover and back.

This project is 90% paint driven. Apart from the embellishments which spellbinders dies and embossing folder was used..... Oh and Peel-off's I never thought i would use them again lol.

Paints, Embossing Folders, White Card, Brushes and mediums are all available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. A store that's brimming with wonderful crafting items.

PRODUCTS USED
eBosser.
Spellbinders Dies = Rolled up Flowers, Bird and Bird Cage.
Spellbinders M-Bossibilities Folder - Industrial.
Paint Brushes.
Gold Peel Off's.
Acrylic watered down P.V.A. Glue
Sharp Tipped Craft Knife [and extra Blades].
2 Old Photographs.
Hot Glue Gun.
Mod Podge Matte.
Sand Paper
Double sided Tape.
White Gesso
Maimeri Gloss Gel
Stampers Anonymous = Bitty Grunge CMS089
Distressing Ink Pads = Vintage Photo - Walnut Stain - Aged Mahogany.
2 lengths of complementary Ribbon [to use as locking/closing]
Eco-Crafts Acrylic Paints = Bronze - Pure Copper
Acrylic Paint Dark Brown e.g. = PaperArtsy Fresco ~ Cinnamon - Pebeo Deco Matt ~ Ash Brown - Claudine Hellmuth Studio ~ Sable Brown - Eco Green - Mulch..
Acrylic Paint Red Colour [For undercoat crackle] = Claudine Hellmuth - Modern Red ~ Eco Green - Tomatoe Red
Gloss Multi Medium
Gold Card Stock.
Metal Edged Ruler.
Sheet photocopy paper.
Plastic Crafting Hand Clamps.
Patterned Paper to cover front and back.
Crafting Roller.

LETS MAKE A PHOTO FRAME!

This is the sort of children's book that is used in this project.

You can see that the pages are nice and thick. This will give strength when secured together.

So that the frame opening are the same i made a paper template so that both sides are equal.

To help secure the pages together, sandpaper is used to help give a 'tooth or grip' when we glue them together.

Make sure that you go around all the edges. The center is going to be cut out so you dont have to pay a lot of attention to that area.

By useing a good Ultra Stong double sided tape and Mod Podge Matte secure the pages together in the two sets you have. One side here had 3 pages the other side had 2 pages.

To help set the pages i used some plastic d.i.y. hand clamps.

Using the paper template the area to be cut out was drawn onto the surface of the 'Middle' pages.

Using the sharp craft knife i started to cut out the openings. I used a metal edge ruller first to give a line where i could then follow freehand with care.

The 1st opening is done. Don't throw away the middle as you can use this as a guide for your photograph.

Both sides have now been removed.

White Gesso was used now to cover the printed illustrations.

Using the patterned paper i covered the front and the back. To help adhere the paper to the surface i used an roller to help remove the 'bubbles' [This paper came from a free in-store catalogue]

I was going to leave the front and back like this and build textures onto it. However it did not fit into the 'Victorian' feel l was looking for.

Gesso came out again. Its just the Multi Media Artist best friend!

Using the embossing folder and some scrap card i ran this though my machine and then ripped the edges. Using Mod Podge Matte it was secured onto the front.

To give that Victorian feel i used a Dark brown Acrylic paint to cover the inside of the frame.

Now then this is where i had inspiration flash No2!. It just didnt feel as if it would look right so, armed with my NEW best friend i mixed in some gesso to lighten the base.

Then taking the red acrylic paint i just put a few 'blobs' down in a few places.

Not being precise i started to then dry mix [by this i mean .. using a dry brush and a light touch drag the paint over the surface. You can see the next step at the top.. The watered down PVA glue.

Using the glue and a wide brush i started to lay down the glue 'IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY' place a thick'ish layer of glue and let dry so that it forms a 'Crust'

Then i reused the brown that i originally used in the first step.

The finished layer as you can see the crackle has worked brilliantly.

To help protect the crackle layer i used a Gloss Acrylic Medium.

Now them lets start on the photographs. I have a selection on file that have been kindly offered out to crafter's to use in their own projects as long as the person downloading does not 'SELL' them on as their own imagery in a collection or as a single item. So please abide by the owners copyright rules. As this project was not going to be sold i am okay. So to add some age to a printout by mixing the inks up a bit and using what can be seen as 'Aged' Marks. So this stamp set is just perfect!

The 'Aged' photographs.

Now that the frame insides was dry i looked at it and okay it had a nice crackle going on but that was it. So i honestly didn't think i would ever dive into my old Peel-off's.

I honestly did not think that by using the peel-off's it would give that finishing touch to the frame. It also made it look more Victorian to me.

Once again i picked up the Gel Medium to pay down a protective layer. This would also help keep the peel-off's secured.

The finished middle. The photographs had been secured, it was ready for making permanent.

The front and back now needed some attention. Using the gold's and the Bronze's mixing them on the project and not on a pad or tile. i an able to use all the paint and to mix then in a mottled effect.

This is where you have to take great care part 2. Using a HOT GLUE GUN. PLEASE PLEASE keep it away from anything that might knock it over, also use it on a surface that's not going to melt itself. Here l have used my old stand by a 20 x 20 inch sheet of MDF. Once the glue has become very very hot your able to lay down some glue all over the front and back. pressing it together until set solid.

Using a gold acrylic paint the edges were painted. This hopefully would make the frame look like 1 and not a book glued together.

i was still not happy with the front it just did not look like a Victorian Photo frame. They are from what i can remember very elaborate. So armed with some spellbinders metal dies i started to build up some elements.

To help 'Age' the frame i used some dark brown acrylic paint and a mixing medium. [This will help keep the hue or depth of the colour, but will allow you to lay down a layer of colour that can be moved around the project without covering the colour below]. This is used 50/50

This is what the cover of the frame looks after the paint had been moved about on the cover with the help of a baby wipe! [Multi Media Artist best friend No 5].

So there you have it a Children's reading book rescued from the unwanted bin and turned into something else. I will revisit this project again in the future however i'm going to give the frame a completely new look. Will go all Modern on the feel. It will be nice to see what can happen and what kind of journey it will take me on.
There is one other thing i would like to share with you.

This photograph is showing you something that we all use and just throw away. The paper on the right is a paper mixing pallet. Its got a waxy surface that allows you to lay down colour and mix it. It also can be refreshed with a 'spritz' of water. The other paper is a Children's Tracing Pad. Why am i showing you both? Well they are both paper...... They both have Paint on them... THEY ARE BOTH GREAT MIXED MEDIA ITEMS. After i have mixed the paint on the paper pallet i then remove the paint by removing it on the tracing pad. Then when it comes to washing the brush i only have a little. The paint is not being washed down a drain! It is something that i can highly recommend you using when using wet paint media.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

CHALLENGE 18 - 'TAG IT!' ~ CARDS FOR MEN

2013-09-02T00:30:00.000+01:00

Start Date: 2nd September

Finish Date: 15th September

Theme: Make a Tag or use a Tag on your card

Sponsor: Fresh Brewed Designs

Web: www.freshbreweddesins.com

Prize: $10 gift certificate.

Hi. I am Heather Dennis. I am a home-schooling mother of 2 wonderful children, the wife of 12 years to the love of my life, a Christian and the owner of Fresh Brewed Designs.

I have loved to draw and create ever since I was a child. My daughter has inherited my love of art and recently inspired me to start creating again.
All the images in my shop are hand drawn. I offer a wide range of images from coffee, cute and inspirational.

I also love to create custom drawn images, so if you are looking for anything in particular, please feel free to drop me an email.

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Once again l have gone all digital on you for this challenge. It was a not difficult project but one that i had to think about as i had to include a 'Tag'. it was also about time that i did my first Christmas card of the year so i can now say i have that scheme out of my system lol.

The colour scheme was kept quite traditional but i wanted that 'home spun' feel. Something that the family could do as they sat around a table crafting away.

i really enjoyed doing this project and the illustration i used fitted in perfectly.

if you have any questions please send me an email and i will get back to you as soon as i can.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog its very much appreciated.

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WISHES IN THE WIND

2013-08-31T00:30:00.001+01:00

This digital image is from the NEW COLLECTION of Illustrative imagery from FITZTOWN CHALLENGE BLOG. i was asked if i would like to bring my spin on their illustrations for the launch as well as a Guest Designer Spot on the Blog. To say l was delighted is an understatement. The company responsible for all these new images is CRAFTS BY FITZTOWN [ART FIRE.COM].

i have enjoyed being able to bring my interpenetration to these wonderful images and in turn i hope that it might have inspired you to look at them and your computer in another way.

As you know im a BIG Advocate of Digital Imagery and the use of Design Programs that allow us craftier s to be creative and stay glue free!

i have been lucky enough to have been asked if l would like to stay with Fitztown Challenge Blog as a Guest Designer and provide one or two digitally produced craft projects for them. i was delighted to say yes as it gives me the opportunity to work with another company's illustration and bring my spin on what they are providing us crafter's.

If there are any questions you would like to ask about how i did this or that on this project then please send me a message and l will respond as soon as possible. PLEASE PLEASE don't feel that your question is going to be daft of silly. There could be a lot of fellow crafter's out there thinking the same thing but not able to ask. Trust me i have asked a lot of what i thought were DUMB questions in my time only to find they were not and i picked up some useful information.

Thank-you and please explore what your laptop or computer can do for you.

THE PHOENIX RISES FROM THE EMBERS

2013-08-28T00:30:00.000+01:00

This project has a journey. It started off to being this very paper orientated and was going to utilize the backing paper that was used in a package that i received.
Unfortunately [to some this may sound kinda daft but to those who know what its like will understand]. We lost a friend. Let me start off by saying she was a cat that we got from the rescue centre in the cold month of February 2012. She was a fiery little critter right from day one she was independent and had a swagger about her as she knew she was just a cute. But she gave us back unconditional love as well a lot of happy memories. Her name was Mia and i have included a photo of her as she has inspired me in the making of this project.

MIA 2010 - 2013

She died of F.I.V. which is the cats version of H.I.V. The vets told us that she probably was bitten while she was in her original home. We can be thankful that she did not suffer a long prolonged bout of illnesses she first fell ill 3 weeks ago we took her to the vets and they kept her in for 2 days as she had lost a lot of weight. Then when i felt that she was still not well we again took her to the vets. It was there that they told us her blood count had gone from a normal healthy cat to 21. They said that in a week her blood cell count at this rate would be at best 8 to 10. That means she could fight the infection that had taken hold of her marrow. So i had to take that awful decision to ask the vet to make sure Mia was in no more pain and suffering. so on the 22nd August at approx 10.45pm Mia was released from pain and suffering.

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So what or how did l start this project and what did i use? Well as per usual 90% of the items i used were from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. If i didn't have a product name that they carry i can tell you that they will have an alternative to most of the materials or equipment used. So please don't think that as l have used brand B that the brand Thats Crafty On Line hold is not as good It is and 9/10 is better in a lot of cases. I only wish that i was able to have everything that they stock in my crafting arsenal.. its something im working towards lol.

PRODUCTS USED:

Silver Card.

Cricut Cutting Machine

Art Nouveau Cutting Die

White Gesso

Brown Wrapping Paper

Mod Podge Mat Glue

Eco-Crafts Acrylic Paints: Peony/Tomato Red/Coral/Pure Copper/Bronze

Paint Brush

Sheet of Bubble Wrap

Artistcellar Map Stencil - Paris

Claudine Hellmuth Studio - Classic Teal Acrylic Paint

Crafters Workshop 12 x 12 inch Template - Paint Lid [Use any you have]

Collection of Adirondak Alcohol Inks

Blending Tool and Felt Pad

Collection of Pots of Acrylic Paints

Dylussions Diamond of a Border Large Template and Small Template

Gold Acrylic Paint

Gold Mica Flakes

Wooden Paint Mixer

Black Indian Ink and Pen

Cosmic Shimmer Mist - Bronze and Green

Gold Rubbing Wax

Cosmic Shimmer Liner

NeoColour Wax Water blend Sticks [a good alternative]

Cosmic Shimmer Varnish

Cosmic Shimmer Pearl PVA Glue.

Print out of a Bright orange image

Letraset Pro-Marker - Mandarin

Clear drying Craft Glue

White Card Stock

JustRite Font Collection

Archival Ink - Jet Black
Faber - Castell Gelatoes Red/Orange/Yellow

Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Dried Marigold/Red Brick/Spiced Marmalade/Aged Mahogany
Artex or Heavy Texture Medium. i.e.. Embossing Paste

Print out of a Dolls Face from my Altered Art/Mixed Media Collection.
Old USED Store Card

LETS MAKE A PROJECT!

This was the brown paper that was used in packaging . PERFECT for a base layer!

When dry a nice interesting texture. To be added to by using a Artex medium!

This is where the OLD store card come in. It is a lot easier to spread over the surface. It also works with paint!

To help with the paint a layer of White Gesso is used.

Using the selected colours placed onto a painters paper pad. [This helps with the mixing and clean up!]

Our good old friend the bubble wrap was used on the wet surface. This bubble wrap is the large version.

The finished surface......... Or is it? Only time will tell... Okay you got it.. ITS NOT!

Using a gold paint and the Paris Map selected areas of the stencil are used to lay down colour.

It is not an IN YOUR FACE layer but it has subtle tones when placing more layers. You don't have to have the whole page covered with your stencil. Be selective.

The next layer is going to be a brighter colour using a 12 inch template. Any one will do and it doesn't have to be a 12 inch if your not able to have one like this in your collection. We don't stress or worry we adapt and use what we have. Adding to our crafting stash as and when we can afford it.

This is the colour i picked for this layer.

As you can see l did not use all of the stencil, also if you can see i have gone 'Off the Page' with some of them.

Now to colour the cut out i made from the Cricut Art Nouveau Collection. As it was a glossy surface i thought these would colour better.

The finished sections.

Using the larger of the same styled Stencil i went around the edges.

Then using the smaller or Standard stencil and a Purple and Yellow acrylic paint i started to lay down some colour.

i was now going to start on the center of the project. This is where the face and the fire would be. So using a thick gold textured paint and the credit card i started to lay down some colour.

To give a bit of 'Bling' Mica Flakes were used. This is the very first time i have used these. i bought them way way back when they were first introduced to us on a TV show.

The finished layer of gold.

i wanted to lay down some black ink. i honestly dont know why i wanted to but this was the outcome. To say i wasnt happy would be an understatement. So it was back to the reclaim drawing board!

With a dropper i placed some ink into the center of the circles and then tipped the page up and let it run down.

Using a small brush i took some different acrylic colours and placed dots along each of the drops. i was still trying to find a way to recover from the Black Circles!

Using the Thin Liner pen/brush i went over the dots of colour so that it looked as if the dots had a coloured shadow on them. The mistake was starting to correct itself at long last.

This is when l now wanted to add the fire. i used the wax sticks first and then [sorry forgot the photo] i used matching Gelato sticks to give the impression of fire. when they were rubbed in and blended i took a water spray and just put enough water down so that it started to drip.

Now for the FIRE. i took an digital paper that i have in my digital stock and compressed it from 12 inches to A4. This caused it to become something different. Then after printing it out using a pencil and free hand i started to draw flames. These would be ripped out free hand.

Using a complementary Pro-Marker the white edges were coloured.

We some times have happy accident when something goes on that we didn't expect. This was one of them. When i added the varnish to the die cuts the varnish mixed in with the Alcohol inks causing it to become a deeply coloured varnish.

I did not like the way that the face are looked when all the varnish and alcohol mixed in . So using a craft knife i scrapped away as much as i could and then laid down a base coat of acrylic paint so i could then glue a image of a head into that space. To help decorate the head using the coloured pearlecent pva glues to give some detail around the top frame and the neck region.

Once the face had been glued into place as you can see by this photo how the flames and the colour of the head are working well together. This was very much a pleasant suprize!

As in last weeks project the good old JustRite Font sets came into play. As i was going to be using the Distress Inks pads i had to use a waterproof ink. Archival fits that brief.

The selected Distress Ink Pads. They work well with the final project and they don't look as if they are just stuck on.. i didn't take great care and composure when i was laying down ink colour in fact it was on this case 'Dip' and 'Blod'.

There you have it what l hope is a fitting tribute to a lost friend.
Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as i can.

HAPPY CRAFTING

ALAN

BEHIND THE FLOWERED WALL ~ Journal Book Project No1

2013-08-21T00:30:00.000+01:00

INTRODUCTION:

After taking a weeks holiday i have come back into the THATS CRAFTY ON LINE STORE Crafting fold with this Project.
While i took my week off i chatted with friends [Laura included as she has become a friend] over what direction i wanted to go and what i was giving to the Design Team as i was feeling that i was letting the team down with the projects i was offering.
So with Laura's help and my close friends i came up with a new plan as to what i was going to do. i have always wanted to do a project book exploring different techniques bringing together all the things i have at my disposal. i mean the Cricut and Cameo machines just sit there becoming paper weights so why not look at ways of using them to become an integral part of my new found direction. i'm sure there are lots of other crafter's that feel guilty over the fact they spent all this money on things and they just don't use them as much as they should.
So this is the first project from my first project book. i hope to be able to see a progression of what i'm doing and how as a Multi Media Artist how my skills set improve. It may sound strange in calling myself as a Multi Media Artist, its a goal and something that in aiming for long term.
So hop on board and i hope that you will enjoy this journey just as much as i am hoping to do.

MATERIALS USED:
My 12 by 12 inch Black Card Stock Project Book.
Some old 12 inch Embossed Papers.
Selection of Acrylic Paints Eco-Green Crafts Paints as well as some basic colour tubes.
Old Debit Store Card.
StencilGirl Crackle L169 Stencil.
Dylusions Letter jumble Stencil.
Dylusions Large Stencil - Luscious Leaves
Pan Pastels.
Tim Holtz Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Bitty Grunge CMS089.
Tim Holtz Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Autumn Blueprint CMS133.
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads - Dusty Concord, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany,
Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad
Lynne Perrella Collection LPC021 Stamp Set.
White Gesso suh as Claudine Hellmuth Studio
Collection of Water colouring Brushes; Aquamarkers - Tim Holtz Distress Markers
Water Colouring Brushes
Collection of Gel Glitter Pens
Clear Gloss Varnish Spray
Mod Podge - Matte, Old paper Glue
Selection of Brushes
Spray Booth
Gelato Stick - Red
Baby Wipe
Cut and Dry Stamp Foam
Sunflower Spellbinder die
White Card
White Tissue Paper
Distress Stain Ripe Persimmon
Sand paper
Clear Tape
JustRite Stamping Set
Spellbinders Distressed Frame Metal die.
Spectrum Noir DR7 Alcohol Pen
Pastel Spray Fix
Cosmic Shimmer Clear Varnish Lacquer.
Water Spray Bottle.
Heat Gun.
Scissors and Craft Knife.
Clear Strong Silicone Free Glue
Double Sided Mounting Foam.

LETS MAKE A PROJECT!

i know that not everyone has access to a 12 x 12 inch project book with card inlays. This can be transferred over to a canvas or a single sheet of card stock.
As usual i have included lots of photos however i did kind of delete 1 photo so this will teach me to delete photographs on the computer and not the camera! So that's my FIRST TIP of the day lol.

For this project i decided to look into my paper stash notably that section where we put papers and think mmm if i'm desperate [like we all do... well l hope we do lol]. i wanted to use those papers that are heavily embossed so that when used it would give texture.

As you can see its not just simple coloured papers

After ripping up the papers to different sizes i was ready for the next stage of this project.

Using a pva medium such as Mod Podge i secured the ripped papers onto the 'Blank Canvas'.

Using a spray container filled with water i just dampened the surface a little. This would help with the next step when layering the canvas with paint.

A few dabs of paint were placed on the canvas and with the help of a old store debit card. i started to move the first paint layer over the canvas.

How the first layer of colour looked. Then with the help of a heat gun i just not dried the paint but helped it if you know what i mean.

The 2nd layer of colour, once again the store debit card was used.

The 3rd layer of colour, again the card was used.. wonderful tool's and they stop you from using them in shops lol

Finally i wanted to use a bright yellow so i had to dip into my paint box!

The foundation layer complete. From this i will build up using stencils, stamps etc..

Using the StencilGirl Stencil and white Gesso i started t lay down some white pattern area's. Don't think that Gesso can only be used for 'Prep'ing' a surface. it is also a wonderful medium to use with stencils etc.. Only warning i can give you is wash or place them in a bowl of water as soon as you have finished using the stencil or brush as it can set on most surfaces and you could damage your stencil trying to get it cleaned up after use.

Then using the Letters Stencil from Dylusions and some red paint. i started to dab into the stencil using a small piece of foam cut out from the sheet. These are washable so can be used over and over again. You don't just have to use spray's or dabber's when using stencils.... Paint can also do a wonderful job. Just remember to clean up as soon as possible.

Lets now start to use our stamps and lay another layer onto the surface.

Another stamp from the set with a new colour.

The base layer is for now almost finished and can be put away to 'Rest' and 'Cure'

Lets now work on the decoration layers of the project. By now after i had made my base layer i kind of knew where it was now going to go. This is something that normally happens. i let the paint or materials take me on this journey. Sometimes i do have an overall project in mind and work with that single vision. However i find that by letting the materials 'speak' to me and for me the project is more interesting and it evolves into the final piece. i have in my stamp collection some wonderful Oriental imagery and i knew that i wanted to use one or two of the stamps in this project. However i picked just the one and this was it. The positioning of the face was the focal point to everything i was trying to do.

This is the part where i say sorry. The photo of the colours and how i placed colour into my stamped image was deleted by my eagerness to make space on the disc. After selecting a colour range that worked with the background i kept it simple then by using the glitter pens i just gave some highlights to the flowers and the wheels making it look as if the light was coming from a single direction.

Using the Colour Catcher or mini spray booth i used a high gloss varnish sray to seal in the colours and give it that high gloss Oriental look. As with all sprays of this type SPRAY WITH WINDOWS OPEN OR BETTER OUTSIDE AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.

Then when that was dry usinf the Mod Podge i secured it into place.

It looked as if it was just floating and needed to be anchored onto the canvas. So by using a Gelato Stick [Wonderful items to your stash this is my MUST BUY for the day if your budget can afford them. They will be a highly useful addition to your crafting arsenal.]

As Gelato's are water soluble then by using your finger or as i have done here a baby wipe, i just started to blend the colour into a shadow effect. i used red rather than a black on this occasion ans i thought the black would be to powerful.

This is how the finished gelato layer looked. As you can see it has not 'blacked out' the impressions used under but just hidden them a little.

Now then this is where i kind of got all excited. I was going to bring into the project items that i thought were only going to be used for my card projects. As you know by know i think its important that we use EVERYTHING we have at our disposal. After all this is a MIXED MEDIA Project.... not just a Paint and stencil project. So using the wonderful Sunflower die with leaf i started to cut out 5 flowers. Always remember the rule of ODD's when using flowers etc.

To colour them i dived into my Pan Pastels. These were bought and placed into a box put on a shelf. Then i say the clear plastic trays. They hold 20 and this now means my Pan Pastels are on display and not hidden away. Again if you don't have any ask people who use them a lot to point you in the direction of what colours to buy. When i asked i was told keep it simple, think about what colour ranges you normally move towards [mine is Orange/red..... Blue/green]. In each set there are 4 different shades. I don't know much about them technically but i will post a link to a site to give you technical information on my blog in the INFORMATION TO BE SHARED Page.

After i had finished colouring them once again i gave these items a blast from the high gloss spray.

i now went back to my canvas, there now needed to be other layers to build up the story. So using the Leaves Stencil and a set of 3 paints from Eco-Green and once again a piece of foam i started to build up leaves up the right side. These were not going to be a main focal point, it was just to add a layer a suggestion suggestion that leaves were here. That's why i didn't use a darker pen and go around the edges of the leaves as i have done in past projects.

From the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Autumn collection i opted to use the oak leaf and the aged mahogany distress ink pad. i was going to stamp out onto a 'Clear' tissue p[aper. So when it was glued onto the surface of the 'canvas' it would look transparent.

5 of the leaves were secured into place using the Mod Podge Matte glue.

When i looked at the sun flowers i was not happy with the way they looked. They were 'FLAT' even with the high gloss shine. So armed with a sanding block i started to remove some of the gloss as if l was going to re paint a table but it had to have the old colour removed first.

But due to my eagerness one of the petals also decided to be come removed from the main flower head.

So armed with some strong clear tape i was able to secure it on the reverse side. i also knew that as l was going to use a strong clear acrylic glue i could make sure some were placed on this petal to double strengthen it.

After they had been sanded and a layer of the Ripe Persimmon Stain had been used.

i don't know about you but i have in my collection of crafting goodies something that was all the rage a few years back. JustRite brought out these wonderful stamping block and letter forms like the good old days of Type Setting. [i will place a link on the Information to be shared if you want to know more about this wonderful subject area.]

i am able to make up any words that i want. The type faces is kind of a small selection but what is out there does cover most of your needs for this kind of project. My only sad bit is that i would have loved to have a old typewriter font in this collection and not just as i have in a normal acrylic stamp set]

After i had stamped out the words, i dived back into my spellbinders folder and found this oblong die that would fit just perfect.

Once again i used my Pan Pastels to colour the lettering. A darker red'ish Brown pen was used to go round the edges of the flowers and leaves.

Using the Colour Catcher and a Pastel Fixative. This one is a spray and is totally harmless so can be used in your normal craft space, but just be careful and make sure nothing is around that might not like a layer of fixer on it.

To give the lettering the final look i used the clear varnish from Cosmic Shimmer [i think that's the name of the company but i stand corrected if not] The one added bonus to this is that it saturated the card and made it distort. This gave a really aged and interesting look to the paper when dry.

The final thing to do before l secured the flowers into place was to draw a wall. This was done free hand using the Aquamarkers. This gave me time to blend colours into each other and not just be a flat layer of colour.
Below are close ups of the finished project. i hope that you find it interesting what i have opted to show you and that you might take something from this project.

i'm very excited like i have mentioned at the start of this project about what i'm going to be doing in the future. As my confidence grows i hope to start to video recording these projects so that you can see what i'm doing and how i do it. it will also give me the opportunity to show you close up the products that i have used.
Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.

BIRTH OF A DRAGON

2013-08-18T00:30:00.001+01:00

This image was a fun project to do. it's a project i was asked to do for the FITZTOWN CHALLENGE BLOG which i was very lucky to be asked to be a Guest Designer for this month. This digital image and along with a very impressive collection of other digital images are available at CRAFTS BY FITZTOWN {ART FIRE.COM}.

It has been a joy to work for the blog this month so much so that i have been asked to 'stay on' in a reduced capacity and bring my interpretation to other digital imagery from Crafts By Fitztown [Art Fire.com].

i was delighted that they asked me and i'm looking forward to bringing my twist to project's and hopefully inspiration to both the blog and its follower's.

i also hope to bring short videos from y-tube to help explain much better than l could on how certain things are done in a Digital program be that for a Laptop or a Desk top computer.

If there is anything you would like to know about what you may have read or seen then please feel free to send me a question no matter how daft you may think it is as there are NO DAFT QUESTION'S when it comes to any form of crafting like this. I hope to enable digital newbies to expand their skills set and in return produce projects that they can feel a sense of pride when they are asked... 'Oh where did you get that Image?' to be able to reply 'Oh i did it!'

So please send a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.

THINKING........ and WISHING......

2013-08-17T00:30:00.000+01:00

This wonderful digital illustration is available from New collection from FITZTOWN CHALLENGE BLOG.
it's a wonderful soft image that can have a wide range of scope when it comes to our crafting.
This image along with a wonderful selection of other Mystical Imagery is from CRAFTS BY FITZTOWN [ART FIRE.COM].

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FITZTOWN ARE HAVING A BLOG HOP where you could win a SUPER PRIZE and a CODE fora FREE DigiKit.
So click on this link to visit the site and join in you never know!
As they say you have to be in it to WIN IT!
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For this project i decided to go softer and use muted colours.. okay the hair is a bit on the bright side but i thought it gave a nice balance and interest.

This project was all done using my graphics tablet [if you would like to explore digital illustration to a high level then l do make a small suggestion that you can if possible invest in a graphics tablet. They come in all shapes and sizes as well as prices. i have one that cost a few pounds that's used when i'm on the road, the one i use when i'm at home cost just under £200 but l paid for what at that time i could afford.

if i ever win the lotto then i already have my eyes on the tablet i would like.. and that one could cost me almost £2000's so as you can see there are tablet that allow you to do this kind of illustrative work and not break the bank. All i can suggest is RESEARCH..... RESEARCH and then some more.

Y-Tube is a wonderful place for looking into this kind of tool, there are hundreds of people who are willing to share their knowledge with you.

I can highly recommend a visit to Crafts By Fitztown to explore what they can give to you for your crafting projects at a price that's just right for your pocket. They don't just have Mystical and Magical imagery they have a wide range of digital images to fit any project you may want to do.

Any questions about what you may have seen or read on my blog please send me a message, it could be something simple or something technical i will do my best to help to answer them.

THE WARRIOR QUEEN

2013-08-07T10:16:00.000+01:00

This week i was asked if i would join FITZTOWN CHALLENGE BLOG as a Guest Designer for this month. I was delighted to join and work with some of their wonderful digital imagery provided by CRAFTS BY FITZTOWN [Art Fire.com].
They have some wonderful digital images and i can recommend a visit. They are also at a price that is easly affordable and can fit all your project needs.

As you all know i kinda get on a soap box when it comes to working with digital imagery and how i think its going to be the way forward in a lot of cases.

There are hundreds of wonderful sites out there that offer you digital imagery to suit all price ranges and projects. i honestly don't think i have come across a site selling crafting items for the digital crafting world that do not fit into any project area such as Male/Female Birthdays.. New Born... Spring Day.. Sorry to hear.. the list goes on and i can recommend that you go to your search engine and just type in Digital imagery and see what happens. The digger you dig the more you will find.

The more you find the bigger your hard drives are going to be. i have folders filled with digital imagery from papers.. to buttons... to ribbons... as you can see by this project all the items used are digital. The only advise i can offer you is to look for PNG Files. these files have the background removed, in a JPEG File its the drawn image but it could have a white background.

There are ways round this by using BLENDING LAYERS. To help remove the white background i mostly use the MULTIPLY BLENDING MODE

i have uploaded a film from y-tube that explains what Blending Modes are. The opening music is quite loud so turn the volume down a bit to start with. This video should help you understand B.M a little better. This video has been made by MICHAEL ARTS.COM. He is an Art Instructor and has a lot of videos on y-tube that you can subscribe to [for free] and watch.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.

THE OLD MAP OF LONDON

2013-08-07T00:30:00.000+01:00

This was inspired by those old maps that they used to make in the Victorian times where the 'sponsor' of the printing run placed their logo and company details onto it and highlighted were they worked and where customers could visit. It is also a 'Quickie' Project
The map is a template called LONDON and is made by ARTISTCELLER STENCIL. There are 4 in the map range and are sold as a single template or as a set of 4 if your feeling extravagant. The stamps used are from a set called LONDON TELEGRAPH from OXFORD IMPRESSIONS. These and a VAST COLLECTION of other crafting goodies are available from THATS CRAFTY ON-LINE STORE.

MATERIALS USED:
London Stencil
Oxford Impressions - London Telegraph.
Sheet A4 sheet White Smooth Card.
Sheet 12 x 12 Complementary Card
Embossing Machine and plates.
Oval and Square Spellbinders Dies
Adirondack Earthtones - Espresso
Tim Holtz Distressing Inks - Tea Dye * Antique Linen * Old Paper * Vintage Photo * Tumbled Glass * Mowed Lawn * Fired Brick and Walnut Stain.
Ranger Glossy Accents
Cosmic Shimmer Coloured Pearlescent PVA - Gold
Gold Card Candi x4
Ranger Blending Tool
Blending Mat
Clear High Tac Glue
Masking Easy Lift Tape
Stix2 Glue Glider Pro [for mounting the map onto the backing card. A lot easier that double sided mounting tape]

LETS MAKE A QUICK PROJECT:

First thing we need to do is stamp out the items that we are going to use to embellish our map. i started out by stamping 2 different things and using spellbinders [or other manufacturers dies] to cut them out ready for the next step.

Placing them onto a blending mat and using two complementary colours start to build up a interesting colour by blending them onto the card surface.

Once they have been coloured on the figure Glossy Accents was used to build up a layer so that when it was dry it looked like glass.. Also golden card Candi's were placed in 4 corners once again to give the look of them being secured into place.

in the end i opted to use the gold cosmic shimmer as it would fit in better with the card candis used.

Securing the map onto a sheet of white smooth card, i started buy using the lightest colour as a base and then start to give depth to the image by using the darker inks to build up definition.

Blue was used in the regions where there would be water like the River and the ponds in and around London. This was not done to be 'spot on' as old maps would fade so this is the look we are going fore just blend it in and it it goes to sections next to do worry it will just add to the final look.

Like the Blue a green is used to highlight where there would be woodlands. Again don't be precise but just indicate where they were.

Once you have placed layers onto the paper leaving the map in place we are now going to run them through the embossing machine. This is an old technique that's been around for ages. What we are trying to do is make a raised ridge so that we can do the final layer of colour.

Embossing plates and rubber mats used to create the raised layer.

The next thing to do in the colouring is to colour the Roads. This was done by layering a light layer of Vintage photo over the whole of the card. Final step is to take the the Vintage Photo and give the edges a rub using the ink pad directly, then while still wet using the blending tool and drag the wet ink into the centre of the map. This is done just to add the feeling of age and the map being used.

Before we trim and mount the map onto a backing sheet we have have to secure where we want the stamped images to go also in the stamp set there is the text London as well as a date, so these were used to stamp directly onto the map using the same ink pad as the other imagery was stamped.
Then trim around the edges and mount on some complementary card.

There we have it a quick project that can be used for a scrap book page or a male relative card front.

If there are any questions please ask away i will do my best to respond as soon as possible.

CARDS FOR MEN.......... CHALLENGE 16 ~ HEAVY METAL

2013-08-05T00:30:00.000+01:00

Start Date: 5th August

End Date: 19th August

Sponsor: Kenny K

Website: www.kennykdownloads.com

Theme: Heavy Metal

i'm sure you're all familiar with the wonderful work of KENNY K's SHOP but what about the man [and woman] behind all those wonderful and creative digital images! Take a look by clicking on the link below to see their journey.......

http://www.kennykdownloads.com/about-kenny-and-elena.php

THE PRIZE FOR THIS CHALLENGE IS: 4 Digital Images. [Pity i cant enter as there is more than 4 i would love to have in my collection of Kenny K's images!

Well what can i say about this project.. it was inspired by one of my favourite programs GAME OF THRONES and one of the best characters still alive in the show and will no doubt Kick *** over the forth comings seasons.. [i still cant believe what went on during The Red Wedding show that was not what i expected!].
As soon as i saw what the theme of this challenge was i knew what image i was going to use from my stash of Digital Imagery.
The back ground is a paper that was part of a digi kit from an American Company. This time i did not have to make my own which saved a lot of time.
For the background i embellished the original image by overlaying a square frame. i don't like just having a plain image at the back it has to have depth and interest. This is where digital crafting comes into play. There are lots of wonderful sites out there that allow you to download and use. To build up layers using this one jpeg image.
i know i am a firm believer that digit and 'Hand's on' are both welcome additions to the crafting world. its something that i am looking into more and more, combining a original photographic image and then using different elements i.e., cartoons, illustrations, scanned images to make a new original work of art. The added bonus of the digital world is that if you don't like something you DON'T have to start all over again.. you just delete the part you don't like and carry on.
Right back to my project and put the soap box away for a few hours lol. then after l had put the square overlay on i place onto the file some Victorian line drawings of cherubs.
Before i go on can i spend just a few moment is explaining to some what i mean by layering.
Layering is the building up of different items, like a sandwich.
The original photograph of the woodlands was say the base layer that would then be built up, the square frame was the next layer, then the drawn illustration is another layer so i now have 3 in total so far. each one is independent from each other. Then i placed onto the picture the metal ribbon. followed by the 3 gems. Each gem had its own layer, i know it sounds like we have this massive stack, i have worked on some projects that has included up to 65 different layers, if you think about a physical project it is as if the card is the base then the next layer is the card, the next layer is the topper etc.. just in the digital world each item is given its own individual layer this can be switched on and off.
Each layer then has its own 'Blending Mode' don't think its complicated as its not. There are blending modes in all the main digital crafting programs.
Each Blending Mode treats that layer differently, so open up that program bring in several items and then just go to your blending mode section and play.......
What can happen?
NOTHING!!
its not paper.. your not going to break your computer so just play and explore how each blending mode gives you a different look or outcome.
if you want to know more there are Hundreds of wonderful tutorials on Y-Tube.
Also if you would like to know more about the basics in Digital Crafting them please just ask ... i will do my best to help you if i can.
The only other expense i have had is buying a graphics tablet. This allows me to paint or draw as if the computer screen was my paper. If your interested in taking your digital crafting to a new level and would like to know more then please ask i'm always willing to share the knowledge that i have.

COLOURED CIRCLES ON A BLUE BACKGROUND

2013-07-31T00:30:00.000+01:00

i thought i might do something a little different for this weeks 'How 2 Make' i thought about making some wall art.
This project was made on a 12 inch canvas but please don't let that scare you or put you off having a go at something like this. There are hundreds of old picture frames out there that are screaming out for a new lease of life. So just replace the canvas with some paper insert and then place on a wall.

Once again this has been a journey as the original concept was as we say 100 miles away from what it ended up. i also have to apologize for some of the photos they are blurred and l also missed out one section which isn't of great importance so a few extra words will be okay.

The main products of this project are ACRYLIC PAINTS. after playing with some i found that ECO GREEN CRAFTS ACRYLIC PAINTS gave the best coverage as the paint is thick and has a strong colour hue which covers what is under very well.
These paints as well as a wide range of other crafting goodies are available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. A visit your not going to be disappointed with.

MATERIALS USED:
12 x 12 inch canvas [cheapest one you can find].
White Gesso
Selection of Eco Green Crafts Acrylic Paints.
Wide tipped Brush and a Fine Tipped Brush.
White Marker Pen
Glitter Pens Both Coloured and Clear.
A 12 x 12 sheet of USED Bubble Wrap.
Template of your choice here i have used Circles but you can use one with Squares, Ovals, Hearts etc.
Paper from Old Books to give strength to the canvas.
Tub of 50/50 PVA Glue and Water to secure the paper onto your canvas.
Moulding Paste [to make the surface level and cover the lines made by layers of paper]
Heat Gun [USE LIGHTLY]
Pencil
Mod Podge Mat

LETS MAKE SOME WALL ART

The canvas was covered by using an old AA Driving Atlas using the Watered down P.V.A GLUE.

As i was not sure as to what i was going to do next i placed a layer of White Gesso over the canvas. Getting ready to help with the layers of colours the project was going to involve.

i opted to give the canvas a layer of Bronze thinking that it would make for an intresting back ground.

On second thoughts the Bronze was not a good move.

Once i had opted to change the direction, i took the moulding paste to make the surface of the canvas level and cover up the surface that had some warping in the paper.

Once the moulding paste dried i took a sanding block and sanded the paste so that the final surface was flat and had no ridges.

This is where i jumped in got excited and forgot to take a photo. The Blue was just so vibrant i couldnt wait to do the next step.. BUBBLE WRAP!

i carefully removed the Bubble Wrap and the result was just great, the impressions made by the used film left a very unique layer of design and colours.

To protect the back ground i used some Mod podge to protect the base.

This is where the fun starts, after selecting the template i wanted to use, a soft leaded pencil i started to build up the design.

The pencil mark impressions and the design that was finally decided upon.

SORRY ABOUT THE PHOTO! The selection of paints that were going to be used.

To help with the saturation i first decided to lay a layer of white Gesso and then mix in the paints with the gesso so that it leftdiffering shades of that colour.

The next point where i decided that i had to make a change. the mixing of the gesso and the paints was just not working for me . So i decided that i wanted a flat colour.

Once the paints had dried the next step was to take a strong white marker pen and place dots around the circles.

The finished circles and dots.

There was something missing the background just didn't feel right. So i took a dotted flourish mask and started to build up flourishes in the background. These flourishes didn't go over the circles but were to look as if they were behind them. A coloured Gel Glitter pen was used first.

Then to look as if the dots were shadowed i took the clear gel glitter pen and put the mask just a little of sync. This would make it look as if it was shadowed.

The final part was to take a flower template and using a clear gel glitter pen in the centre of the larger circles.

There you are a simple art project that by just using some paints and a template or two you can build up some modern art.

As l stated at the start you don't have to use a canvas your able to transfer the skills in this how to make onto a paper surface and then securing into a frame that you have found and treated from a car boot or charity shop.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.

KEEPERS OF THE SUNFLOWER FIELD

2013-07-24T00:30:00.000+01:00

I don't know about you but this 'Heat Wave' while its been great to just relax and able to get out without the fear of returning home dripping wet, has made my Crafting Mojo take a holiday all on its own!. I have not been able to do anything crafty at all. There are several projects that I have started and then just walked away from. So if this is happening to you then I give you a warm welcome to the 'I WISH I WAS CRAFTING BUT I CANT CLUB!'
Now then this weeks project, have to tell you that it was a hard project to do, however once I started it was a case of 'Hang in there and just do it'.
For a change I decided to dig around what I already had in the house, instead of a canvas I used a polystyrene sheet that comes in packages [we have to keep packaging for a few weeks before throwing away]. Then I had this idea about stamping onto the reverse side of a cereal packet [again I keep them just in case IoI!]. So this project was constructed by using things that are just laying around the house at any one given time.
The stamps used are: LOST COAST: SHOPPING DIVA WITH FACE + BUBBLES BACKGROUND
STAMPENDOUS JUMBO CLING STAMP SUNFLOWER
INDIGOBLU: WILD MEADOW

These and a wide range of creative stamps and stamp sets are available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE STORE, along with Inks, Paints and tools used. If they don't have an item you want contact Laura and ask.... You never know what might or could happen.

MATERIALS USED:
White Styrofoam sheet 12 inches by 12 inches.
Empty cereal packet.
Selection of Tim Holts Distress Markers.
Selection of Pro-Markers.
Adirondack Ink Pad: Pitch Black + Rust + Meadow.
Cosmic Shimmer Mist: Meadow Lush.
That Special Touch Mask: Leaves
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads: Rusty Hinge + Walnut Stain.
White Stamping Card.
Scissors.
Sharp Crafting Knife.
Ranger Ink Blending Tool.
Strong Clear Glue.
Black Foam Pad.
Eco Friendly Acrylic Paints: Blue Sky + Stormy + Tide Pool + Zucchini.
White Gesso.
Water Brush Set + Ordinary Painting Brush.
Mod Podge Matte/Mat/Mate.
Heat Gun.
Selection of Gell Glitter Pens.
12 by 12 inch Patterned crafting paper.
Black Double sided Foam Tape.

LETS MAKE A PROJECT!

The first thing we need to do is to make the white foam able to take paint. The best way is to place a layer of white Gesso.

Then when the Gesso has dried [it will take longer as unlike paper it will not soak up the liquid.] Taking our selected paints start to build up the background to our project.

As you can see i have used 2 blue's and two Green Acrylic paints to build up a layer of paint that makes an interesting backdrop to our project.

To protect the paint from our further treatments its best to seal the paints below and make a barrier for our next layers.

One thing that did happen and that i wasn't expecting was when i tried to force dry the sealer it started to 'Bubble' up which added another layer of interest which was a added bonus.

Now its time to start PHASE 2:

Using the reverse side of the cereal packet the image was stamped several times. By doing this it gave me the option to select the best ones.

Selecting 4 stamped images [again i could select the best 3 from 4] and 4 colour groups in Pro-Markers i started to colour the images.

Once they had been done i thought that if i cut out the body and then using black foam mounting it would give depth. So as the bottom layer was solid colour the top was coloured using the same for the overall but a complementary colour was used to highlight.

Further colouring highlighting was done by using Gell Glitter pens.

Now then the wings.. i could have used a stamp that l already had but i wanted to try something different. So i decided to draw them using card as a template, then using a large stamp i was going to be able to add a pattern.

Taking a sheet just bigger than the wings i used a large stamp to build up the interest, a patter that was also be able to colour.

Once again selecting 4 groups of colour i started to build up a decorative pattern.

The 4 finished wings.

To give depth from the body and the wings i used black double sided foam. By using black it adds to the shadow. if i had used white it would have stood out like a sore thumb.

Taking the large flower stamp and Rust Ink Pad i made 4 impression on the 12 by 12 inch patterned crafting paper.

After i had cut them out using a sharp tipped crafting knife i used the selected Tim Holts Distressed pens [i am starting to fall in love again with these pens. So the new ones are going to be added to my collection!]

Once i had coloured the flowers in using a water brush, they didn't feel rustic so by using Matching Ink Pads and not being to clever or precise i just went ahead and started to ink the imagery in a hap dash way.

To secure them onto the canvas i used a P.V.A. Glue stock that l have. Its a mix of PVA 50 - 50 with water. Its a staple glue that is used when im securing paper onto a canvas at the very beginning of a project.

To give further decorative imagery and colour a stencil was used and a Cosmic Shimmer Mist.

i felt that there was also something missing when i looked at it so to anchor the project there are stamps made by IndioBlu that do just that. The added bonus is also wonderful detailed stamps like the butterfly used.

To give height to the figured imagery i used some foam that's used in packaging [again some that had been used in a item i bought]. Using the strong clear glue to adhere them to the figures as well as the painted surface.

The foam glued to the back of the figures.

The final project. i hope there are parts of this project that you can use in your projects, maybe look at those cereal packets and use them in a project in the future. Re-cycle them you never know what can happen.
Any questions please send me a message or leave a comment and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

CARDS FOR MEN - CHALLENGE 15 ~ CHRISTMAS IN JULY

2013-07-22T00:30:00.000+01:00

Start Date: 22nd July

End Date: 4th August

Sponsor: Meljens Designs Website:

Theme: Christmas in July

Prize: 4 images

Meljen's Designs (http://meljensdesigns.com) is a digital stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins.

She illustrates whimsical, fun digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and it is steadily growing.

The new store offers instant downloads, organized categories, and a search feature.

We have new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Mondays and a monthly Guest Designer at the Meljen's Designs Blog (http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/).

Please visit the store to find more of Melissa's wonderful images!

When i was asked what image i would like to use for this challenge, i have to tell you it was a hard decision as i was stumped as to the high quality of designs that were there on the web site. in the end i opted for this christmas mug to use as it was generic, had an ageless feel about it and it could be coloured in any way so that it would suit any age group that you have in mind.

Once again i have gone 100% digital in this project. Like i have mentioned in mother challenges i use Cards For Men [who allow me to follow whatever path i pick [THANK-YOU!]] So by doing a digital image i hope to show my fellow crafters that you can sit at your Computer/Laptop and make something creative. You don't always have to get your papers.. glues and tapes... scissors.... colouring pens or paints... Give your digital images a chance there are lots out there that you can download and use for your own personal use as well as in some cases images that you can sell for some profit. Always check the designers options of usage before you head forward. in some cases all they ask is that you give a credit or a link to their work or website as payment for using.

So PLEASE put those normally reached for crafting tools and equipment and give digital imagery a chance. There are a few programs that come with software like Docrafts offer. There is Serif Craft Artist which once again offer you the opportunity to buy what they call Digi Kits. These programs allow you to import digital imagery like the one's that you can purchase at Meljen's Designs. There are also free programs that do take a little learning but there are always wonderful instructional videos at y-tube web site that will help and advise you.

INKSCAPE is one such free program that's going to be good enough for most projects. just click on the text Inkscape to be directed to the web site so you can download.

i have been using Adobe Photoshop and illustrator now since they first came out and all i had was 10 fonts to pick from, i'm still learning how to do advanced things now i don't think you will ever be at that point when they say 'i KNOW iT ALL!'. However i have to say one thing about these other programs. No matter what people say Adobe Photoshop is the Graphics Industry program of choice. it's the top of the pile program.

Anyone who says different is putting their head in a massive bucket of sand. im saying this so that you my highly informed readers have all the facts and are not sold ideas by people who are in the business to sell this or that program.

You may know or not know that i have a Degree in Graphic Design and have been in that area of creativity since 1974. As a Photographer since 1972 when i first developed my first black and white film and took prints of that set of negatives. All self taught.

i cant remember when i first looked at the future when i saw that small white box with a 4 or 5 inch monitor. Here i could design things and it started me on another learning path which i'm still on today.

i hope that fingers crossed you might take that plunge and join me in that wonderful world of Digital Creativity.

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

STEAMPUNK BUTTERFLY'S in a SPRING MEADOW

2013-07-17T00:30:00.000+01:00

This project started out as one thing but ended up completely different from the original concept. So thats why i wanted to upload this one to show that you don't have to be afraid of letting a project take you on a crafting journey.
The main focal stamped imagery is a set of stamps from INDIGOBLU called WILD MEADOW, available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. While there why not explore the wide collection of original Stamp Designs.
The template used is a CRAFTERS WORKSHOP 12 inch Template. A Wide selection of 12 inch as well as 6 inch Templates from other Creative Designs Makers are available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE.

MATERIALS USED:..
12 inch square Canvas.
White Gesso.
Paint Brush.
Water Craft Brushes.
12 inch Crafters Workshop Template [Spring Meadows was used].
Texture Paste.
Selection of Acrylic Paints [To colour the Moulding Paste to desired colour/hue]
Home Made Ink Sprays [See a few
Packet of Old Watch parts.
Plastic Spatula.
Selection of Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pens.
Cosmic Shimmer Clear Glue.
Versafine Pigment Ink - Onyx Black.
White Stamping Card.
Sharp Tipped Scissors.
Double sided Foam Pads.
Strong Clear Glue.
Marvy Jewel Picker.
Small mixing utensil and a mixing tool [i used a wooden coffee stick mixer].
Sakura Glitter Gel Pens

LETS MAKE A CANVAS....
Like i said at the start this was going to be a bright in your face with lots of bright colours..

However i was just not 'Feeling' how this project was going. So i placed it to one side walked away and then after a few hours looked at the canvas again.

There was only one thing to do.... Pick up the White Gesso and then 'knock' back the deep rich bright colours taking it back to what i felt was a blank canvas.

A few projects back i included in a project how to make your own Spray Paints using Acrylic Paints, water and a Mod Podge blending agent. So why not use these to make an interesting back ground to start all over again. As you can see i have dont the 'DRIPS' which is becoming a trade colouring of my projects.

Using equal amounts of an acrylic paint and a moulding paste in a small utensil. Then using a wooden stick i combined them both until it was all one colour.

Using a 12 inch template the next step is to place the mixed paste over the 'Open Areas' of the template.

After the paste had been placed all over the template using the spatula, its left to cure for 2 minutes, then carefully lifted from one corner then when 1 inch from the canvas the opposite corner is lifted using your free hand.

This is what your left with. Just allow to air dry. You could force the drying time by using a Heat Gun, but by doing this you can make the paste crack in areas.

Now its time to get creative again. Using the butterfly stamp i stamped it out 3 times onto good white card. As i was using water based colouring medium a Pigment ink was used. By using this form of ink it allowed me to use a water based colouring medium and the stamped lines wouldn't fade or be washed away.

The colour mediums and tools to be used for the butterfly's

Using 3 pens in 3 different sets i coloured in the stamped out butterfly's, to highlight them i used the glitter pens just to give a little highlight and to be only seen when the light reflected from them. You don't have to use a lot, just a thin line or a small area of dots.

While l was waiting for the butterfly's to dry i started to tidy up as you do when you don't want to.. i came across a small plastic container that inside of it was a collection of old watch parts that i had bought over 12 months ago. Thats when it hit me... i could make the butterfly's different from just the original way i was going to do them. For this i had to then locate my pick up tool.

The finished Butterfly's. By just adding a few watch parts it completely changed the whole look of them. This could be used on almost any project.

i hope that you find this project interesting and i might inspire you to maybe look at your normal stamped images and think 'i wonder if.....?'

Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you as soon as possible.

THE GOLDEN SCROLL

2013-07-10T00:30:00.000+01:00

This project was all about speed rather than a project that was built up over a period of days. This one i completed in a morning. The focal point was an image from LOST COAST called ORIENTAL DOLL. This a wide selection of other stamps by this manufacturer are available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE STORE.

i have also been watching a few programs on the Discovery Channel which no doubt inspired me in some way.

MATERIALS USED:
6" x 4" Canvas [You can cover several layers of brown card glued to form a stack with Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Backed Canvas]
Black Gesso
Paint Brushes
Brilliance Graphite Black Ink Pad
Eco-Friendly Acrylic Paint Aged Gold
White Tissue Paper [just larger than the original stamp]
Mod Podge Matte-Mat
White Stamping Card
Adirondack Pitch Black Ink Pad
Cosmic Shimmer Gold PVA Glue
Card Candi's [Gold and a Black with Gold Text]
Scissors
Set of Wooden Rubber Tipped Font Stamps.
Black Foam Mounting Foam
Clear Glue
Gold Gilding Cream.
Heat Gun

LETS MAKE A CANVAS:

Take the small canvas and cover it with a layer of Black Gesso. You can use Black Paint if you're not able to put your hands on some Gesso. i used gesso as its a lot easier to use other mediums on top of it. Place to one side to dry.

On a lot of tissue paper there is a slightly smoother side than the other. i used the smoothest side to make the stamp impression, using the Brilliance Ink Pad [after testing several inks i found this the sharpest black impression].
One thing about stamping on tissue paper that i have found is that the stamping ink can go right through the tissue paper and lease some of the ink on the surface your stamping one. So use a glass mat or a surface that you can clean. After you have made the impression lift up the tissue paper and just check that you don't have any left behind. i say this as the first time i stamped i ended up with a double image as i just moved it slightly and it caused a shadow image. Lesson learnt for future.

After the ink had dried the next step is to flip the tissue paper over and then lay a double thick layer of the Aged Gold Acrylic paint.

The reversed side of the painted side. Using a heat gun and a low setting the tissue paper was dried.

Using the Gold Gilding Cream and a finger start to build up a layer of colour on the edges and sides.

Next step is to secure the stamped and painted tissue paper onto the canvas. Firstly by ripping the tissue paper and removing the waste so you're left with a 'distressed' image. Then using a Mat medium like Mod Podge adhering the tissue paper onto the canvas. This kind of medium not only glues but also seals the material being glued into place.

After the tissue paper had been glued place aside to dry and let the mod podge set.

To add further decoration using the good old crafting stand by's Card Candi and Cosmic Shimmer Gold PVA glue.

Using a set of wooden rubber tipped stamps the title of the project was stamped out and then coloured again by using the same paint that the reverse side of the tissue paper was painted with.

Black mounted foam tape was used to secure the text onto the project. Black was picked so that it blended into the black of the project.

There you have it a easy project that was for me a quickie and i didn't spend several days waiting for layers of paint and other mediums to dry. Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.