Clarity Stamps Challenge- Scene Building

I used DecoArt Acrylics, Cadmium Yellow, Lemonade, Avocado Dip, Titanium white, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber

These were applied in layers lightest to darkest down the page using a MDF ATC onto watercolour paper applied horizontally to create the sky and landscape

The Clarity Winter Trees were stamped using Stazon Timber Brown

Craftbarn Alpha Challenge Letter I

The last one of the year!  I've done them all, admittedly not always on time...

Such a wonderful Challenge, and a really good theme to continue, I will be making all the pages into a Journal

I chose Indri, as I love Lemurs

I applied the images digitally and the background colour scheme is based on the colour of their mesmerising eyes

The tails were drawn onto card, coloured and cut out

I was lucky enough to visit a zoo at a private event in the evening and saw the Lemurs preparing to go to sleep, they all cuddle together and wrap their tails around each other and inter twine, forming a wall of stripy fur against the cold! Wonderful!!

Happy Christmas

Journal Page for Stampotique Challenge Anything Goes and the Craftbarn Alpha Challenge Letter X-Xmas!

I have longed to use Oh my Deer as this was my first Stampotique acquisition! and along came Santa Baby who arrived just this week!!

I started by stamping the images and colouring with water colours an early Christmas present!

Then distressed the edges with Distress inks, Black Soot, Walnut Stain and Barn Door

The Dictionary background was washed with DecoArt Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Orange and Carbon Black

Once dry I applied the collage pieces and distressed further with the inks and acrylic paint splats

Have a lovely Christmas Everyone and a Happy New Year!

Jools :)

Winter Silhouette Canvas

I started by applying two coats of gesso to a 12" x12" canvas, then tore a piece of corrugated cardboard to approximately 10" x 10" and distressed randomly around the edges
This was applied with DecoArt Glue & seal and left to dry

Next I selected Crafters Workshop Mini Harlequin & Imagination Crafts Bay leaf stencils and applied DecoArt modelling paste to the exposed canvas. On hindsight, it might have been better doing this first but it did allow for accurate placement

 

Covered the cardboard with approximately 1mm – 2mm depth of Gesso.

I then stamped into it using Stampotique Daniels Hearts, which left a nice pattern and texture

 

Once dry, I applied torn stripes of a dictionary with glue and seal and allowed to dry

Paint time!

I wanted to create a subtle toned graduated effect like a watery winters sky, so starting at the top I applied DecoArt Titanium White, Orange Twist, Lemonade & Sea Aqua. 

I like to apply quite unusual brights first which show through from the texture and create a hazy glow, it is always easier to tone down lighter and brighter colours

The lighter areas around the centre were a combination of DecoArt Metallic Silver Sage and Shimmering Silver

 

I applied the paint in large horizontal brush strokes blending each colour into the next.

Finally, working towards the bottom with Williamsburgh Blue then adding Prussian blue, Burnt Umber taking it gradually darker to the bottom edge of the canvas.

At this stage the colours were too bright so I toned the whole canvas down with white and the Metallics adding Williamsburg blue and burnt umber to gradually darken and tone down the overall colours

 

Once dry, I used the Crafters Workshop branches stencil, applying the paint from the top down with the lightest colour Williamsburg Blue, adding Blueberry & Prussian Blue to gradually darken as I worked down

This was followed by a combination of Windsor & Newton water mixable oil paints Payne’s Grey and Raw Umber, as a wash over the background and around the edge of the cardboard centre to tone down and give a really distressed vintage effect

Finally I added a touch of DecoArt Metallic Lustre Silver Spark to highlight the texture around the edge and just a little on the edges of the cardboard to keep it subtle

 

I finished with a label with the meaning of Silhouette distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Inks, as I am entering this into The Craftbarn Alpha Challenge

 

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial, any questions please just ask

Jools :)
 

Stampotique Early Christmas Challenge

I'm not really a card maker but I do always make Christmas cards for my nearest and dearest

I have just acquired the Beautiful Oh Tree stamp so was keen to use it, I wanted to keep it quite simple as I don't really do bling! there is a little bit of sparkle on the snow dusting on the branches Stampendous Winter Wonderland embossing powder applied with a glue pen

I started by cutting the triangles 4'' x 8'' x 3 and then stamping in Black Archival Ink

The heart at the top was coloured with Distress ink Fired brick applied with a brush and the base of the tree coloured wit DecoArt Siver metallic paint

I then laid all the pieces flat and stuck together with small pieces of sellotape, the final side was done with small tabs of paper and glue

I will be doing a four sided version for posting with a small artificial candle included

Stampotique Splat Challenge

All the guys were looking out at yet another Stampotique splat attack!!

This one wasn't too bad only purple, turquoise and a bit of red! The last one was horrendous pickled raspberry pink!!

I created the background using the Gelli plate with Clarity Stamps double bubble stencil. DecoArt Prussian Blue, Dioxazine Purple and Shimmering Sliver Metallic.

 I then masked the bubbles and stamped all the characters into their little port holes.

Then I masked them and started splattering with distress stains Persimmon, Peacock feathers & Seeded Preserves

Great fun!

Craftbarn Alpha Challenge

Challenge 23- Letter Q

Not an easy one but I decided to do Queen which was a great opportunity to use the beautiful TJ Alice in Wonderland stamps, I adore the original Alice drawings of John Tenniel and these stamps are beautiful

I started by printing two copies of the dictionary pages and folding the top one where the word appeared and cutting the heart shape out, I kept the cut out and shaded with distress ink Fired Brick

I then used washi tape to create a layout, and then stamped a variety of images with Fired Brick and Black Soot

Stamps used

TJ- Alice in Wonderland, A Walk through Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass
Lost coast- Fourth Dimension
Paperartsy- MN83
Prima Finnabair- Triangles & Chequered
Blockheads- feeling Regal 
Paperbag Studios- Diamond & Button Heart
Indigoblu- Jack
Studio 490- Art from the Heart
Justrite- Harlequin Script
Invoke Arts- Scripted Heart

Clarity Stamps Challenge- Christmas

I decided that I would use the Clarity Folk Trees and wanted to create an Alpine theme

I started by making a print on the Gelli plate using DecoArt Prussian Blue, Dioxazine Purple and Shimmering Sliver Metallic, I applied random colour with a brayer than placed the Prima Grunge Chevron stencil and took a print

Then removed the stencil and took the ghost print which I used as it had more white relief which reflected snow covered mountains

I then stamped the trees with Stazon Royal purple and coloured with Promarker Petrol Blue and finished with a silhouette star

Stampotique Challenge- One Layer

Frank knew he would find someone special in the crowd!

I started by stamping Stampotique smile, then covering him with masking fluid

Once dry I coated the background with a mixture of DecoArt Silver sage, Glorious Gold & Rich Expresso metallics

Once dry I stamped the Stampotique heads with Stazon Timber Brown and the hearts in Royal Purple & Black. The hearts were then coloured with pro markers. They didn't cover too well but I liked the texture effect

Then I rubbed off the masking fluid and applied subtle shading with distress inks, Pumice Stone & Milled Lavender 

DecoArt ArtDeco

I love Angels and on seeing this image I was keen to use the image transfer technique I'd recently learnt on one of Andy Skinners workshops

Well here goes to my first tutorial, if anything isn’t clear or you have any questions please just ask :)

 

I started by applying two coats of DecoArt Gesso to a small wooden Box
Whilst drying I printed the Angel image in reverse, useful to mark the top on the front and reverse of the printout, you can view more of this technique on Andy Skinners brilliant Splash and Image transfer tutorial http://youtu.be/HV8ngTZ-ZVM

Apply the Decoart Faux finish medium to the image and the substrate and allow to dry, then apply another layer to the image and substrate and press together. Burnish well and allow to dry for approximately one to two hours, once dry take a damp sponge and start to rub the paper away, best apply a little pressure in a gentle circular movement and the image will be revealed

 

I then applied the Decoart 2 part crackle, Step 1 was applied and left to dry completely, then apply Step 2 and allow to dry fully

Once the cracks appeared and were completely dry, I applied Carbon black and wiped back with a baby wipe and to get a really distress finish applied heavier on the edges and corners

 

The base of the external decoration was made up of Tim Holtz die cuts from all 3 sizes of the Angel Wings Die, overlaid along the sides and adhered with Glossy accents

I then moulded the Deco Angel wings with paper clay in a mould I had made from a decoration. These needed to be dried overnight and were then applied with glossy accents, again overlaying them with the height descending from the centre, with the access trimmed off

The entire box was then painted with black, whilst wet I curled the feathers around the perimeter of the lid

it was important not to apply too much adhesive too high on the wings as the lid wouldn't have opened!

Once dry I spritzed  the feathers with a spray made from DecoArt Metallic Lustre Silver Spark and Black Shimmer and water see link.... http://decoart.com/andyskinner/spray-bottle-technique/ 

I love this product its such lovely quality, easy to apply and fantastic results

The Deco feathers were then highlighted by fingertip with Metallic Lustres Black Shimmer and Silver Spark which highlights the textures beautifully

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial

 Jools:)

Stampotique Design Challenge- Gesso

I applied a layer of gesso onto a piece of chipboard, and varied the thickness

Stamped Stampotique Daniels Hearts & Hanging Hearts, the textures were added with a palette knife and scrunched carrier bags

I made a large heart stencil and applied the Gesso and distressed the edges with the palette knife, this needed to dry overnight as it was about 2mm depth

Once dry I stencilled CWS tile texture onto the hearts and stencilled the diamonds using Prima Finnabair Checker stencil

I coloured using a variety of Dylusion & Mister Hueys sprays

Then stamped the hearts with clear embossing and used Stampendous Aged Silver embossing powder and highlighted with DecoArt Silver metallic Lustre and Treasure Gold Aquamarine

That Craft Place Challenge- Sentiment

 

Take part 10th November

http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

Frame covered with the open hessian tape both available at That Craft Place

Painted black and highlighted with DecoArt Metallic Lustre silver & black shimmer, The inside was lined with newsprint and distressed with black acrylic, stencilled with DecoArt silver metallic paint

The hills were made from the top of the Lavina Mushroom Dwelling and the main image also Lavina stamps Fairy Houses

The clouds & sentiment are Ditzie Designs( exclusive to That Craft Place) all were coloured with Tim Holtz, Pumice Stone & Black Soot and pro markers

The heart was from invoke stamps and coloured as above & mounted on silver distressed parchment

Craftbarn Aplha Challenge

Challenge 22- Letter N

After a lot of deliberation, I decided on Nylon
I found a fab image of the molecular structure of Nylon and overlaid onto the dictionary page
this had lovely red and purple colours, so this became my colour theme

I then stamped textures of Fishnets (Visible Image stamps) and nets (Prima) in Distress Inks Chipped Sapphire and Aged Mahogany

I used Dyan Reavleys gorgeous Pin up girl in her glamorous nylons, with Petunias head and added some crazy hair and coloured with Promarkers

Stampotique Fabulous Folds Challenge

Flower Fields

Foraging in the folds, hunting for their favourite flowers!

Folded paper then sprayed with Dylusions and highlighted with Decoart gold rush

The trees were stencilled with distress inks, The characters and flowers were all coloured with promakers and distress ink

Rock Hard Hat! and some cracking news!!

I am very pleased and excited to announce that I have been invited onto the Decoart International Design Team!

I was very honoured to be asked by Andy Skinner, Decoarts Executive Creative Consultant. I first met Andy two years ago and was instantly a fan of his style of work and techniques, he is an incredible artist and an innovator of mixed media techniques

Through Andy's workshops I was introduced to Decoart products, which are great quality and always produce excellent results. Their product portfolio is extremely extensive http://www.decoart.com
I am really looking forward to the opportunity of using more of the products as part of the design team

 

For this project I was inspired by a rather unique place we visited regularly when I was a child, Mother Shipton's Cave in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

It is said to have been the birth place of an English soothsayer and legendry prophetess 
But the most fascinating thing for me was the Petrifying dropping well
As I a child I looked in awe at the hats and teddy bears hung in the flow of water slowly turning to stone
Some of the items have been frozen in time since 1853; you can turn an item to stone in as little as 5 months' for more info http://www.mothershipton.co.uk/

I had always wanted a stone hat, so this was my opportunity to recreate it! Hopefully in less time…..

I had acquiring a rather dapper bowler hat, a bit battered but the real McCoy and proceeded to use Andy's techniques Rock my Book to transform it, it’s quite a large scale project for me and the first time using the techniques. But with Andy’s expert tutorials it has probably taken about 5 hours in total

I'm really pleased with the result and love the colours and all of the texture and detail

 

For more information on the techniques used, please visit Andy skinners Book of Ruination online workshop, which incorporates the Rock my Book workshop

http://bookofruination.andyskinnercrafts.com/

Products used- Tando gears, Tim Holtz embellishments, die cuts, pearls and screw heads

Decoart Modelling paste and paints as shown

Halloween Ensemble

Happy Halloween!

Up on the hill in the old house next to the graveyard, all was very quiet until the lights flickered on and the music got louder

Loud enough to wake the dead!

 

Danse Macabre

 

Creepy  Coffin!

 

Tando coffin kit,  the sides and the base were decorated with Cricut ornamental iron painted with black and the detail highlighted with Decoart Black shimmer. Then lined with black ribbon for maximum comfort!

The top of the coffin lid was covered with modelling paste, a fork used to texture the wood effect

Painted black, highlighted as previous. Embellished with a cross cut on the Cricut and highlighted with treasure gold aquamarine

Octobers Occupant!

Plastic Skeleton, painted with warm white and quin gold and dry brushed with black for a distressed look. I added black rhinestones for sparkly eyes and topped of with a party hat to get him in the mood for dancing!
 

 

Halloween Haunts

I had seen this incredible haunted house on Cricut Happy Hauntings and thought perfect lets have ago.... 16 12"x12" cuts later and lots of glue and a bucket full of patience

The result, I hope you think is pretty special. I have to confess that I had a lot of help from my partner as he used to make models, even he said it was tricky!!

Painted it black, grey distress, texture added to the roof and black shimmer gilding applied

The end result is fab and looks amazing as It's illuminated and looks very spooky

 

 

 

Stampotique Challenge- Fabric & Lace

Lavinia's Lacy Lanterns

I layered  and glued lace and braid onto chipboard, then painted with black and white gesso

Then sprayed with delusions inks, once dry I dry brushed with orange acrylic and black shimmer guiding wax  I stamped the Stampotique and Lavina stamp images and tore them , and coloured with Tim holtz Distress inks Persimmiom,  dusty Concorde, peacock feather, spun sugar and black soot

Clarity Stamps Challenge- Winter

The background was created on the Gelli plate using Clarity dotty stencil and CWS Branches. I tore the strips for the landscape and then stamped the trees and Deer from the Wonderland kit and the sheep from the Shepherd's KIt, the grasses were from the bird house kit

Paint colours- Decoart Aquamarine, Prussian Blue & Titanium White, Ink-Stazon Royal Purple