Accepting a Facebook Challenge

The other day Lou Withers did a live demonstration and challenged us to join her.   We had to take a piece of 12 x 12 paper that we didn't like much and transform it into something completely different.

This was the piece of paper I started with:

As you can see it was a Christmas paper with a pale green/beige background with gingerbread men and stars etc.

This was the finished result:

I started off with three shades of blue acrylic through different stencils.  We then kept adding more paint, using a different colour - I chose red.   Again more paint through stencils, and some stamping with paint.   Then more paint- this time white through another stencil to "knock it back" a tad.   Finally some random stamping with some iridescent orange with stamps and the edge of an old credit card.

Quite a transformation I think you will agree ...... and completely out of my comfort zone.  However, it was fun and occupied me for a couple of hours in this period of isolation for us all.

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

"Japanese Art Journal" 2

Using the same art journal as before and different papers, I tried to create a different picture of a flower.

The flower and leaves were created in the same was as the previous post.   However, this time I created the background using water soluble oil pastels - the first time I have used these!  I was quite pleased with their versatility.

I had intended to sew the beads on for the centre of the flower, but like most crafters, I was too impatient to wait for the paper to completely dry before I could do that - so they were glued on with  IndigoBlu Slap-it-on thick!   (Well what's the point of having these mediums if you can't cheat occasionally!)

"Japanese Art Journal"

I wasn't quite sure what title to call today's blog.  I ordered this little Art Journal made from Japanese handmade watercolour paper back in January.  There was a hiccup with the order with a delayed despatch, which then somehow got overlooked - so I didn't receive it until this week.   Well I had to play didn't I.  (Fortunately the demonstration was still on catch up, so I could remind myself why I had bought it and what to do! - lol!)

It came with some handmade Japanese papers too - a bit like rice papers, some japanese powdered glue and a waterbrush.

I created some leaves by wetting the paper and tearing them into shapes.   I then painted them with a couple of metallic water colours, and let them dry.  I created a background with water colours, and drew a stem with a micron pen, and then glued the leaves in place.   I added some details with some stamps and went around the edge with the micron pen.

Die-cut Birthday Card

Another simple card from me today using a Clarity Club die, cut directly into the cardstock.  I then added a few stamped images around the outside using some StudioLight stamps, stamped with Spectrum Noir Midas Platinum ink.

The background to the die cut image is one of the patterned vellums from Clarity Stamp.  I also added a little glue to the words and some Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Frost glitter.

Painted Roses Card

A painted card topper today.   The brickwork effect was created using Artistry Inks through a stencil I created from a die.   The blue background was also created with the same inks.   I then painted the roses and leaves in acrylic paint using the "paint fusion" technique of double loading the brush.  

Panda Cake

Following on from the Panda birthday card - this is the cake that went with it.    Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cake Mix (from a packet) as all the family with allergies can eat this and is a favourite.

The "buttercream" swirls were Toffee Apple flavour. using half and half ordinary cane icing sugar and Sugar and Crumbs Toffee Apple flavoured icing sugar, and because it had to be dairy free as usual I used hard Stork Margarine.

The cake topper was designed by me in Craft Artist and printed at our local sugarcraft shop.

Birthday Flowers Card

The image was stamped and embossed, and was from a set of stamps from Creative Stamping magazine.    The image was water-coloured with Versacraft inks, and the background was created using Artistry Ink pads and a blending tool.

Panda Birthday Card

A card for a little girl that loves pandas.   Inspired by her bedding.   Created in Craft Artist, and a little sparkle added afterwards.