Something a bit different .....

I had a man's card to make this week, and had no idea what I wanted to use for it.   A mixed pack of stamps, stencil and embossing folder jumped out at me.   Not sure where I got it from - might have been from a magazine, or maybe a special offer through Hochanda, as I think it is an Indigoblu make, looking at some of the samps in the collection.  I decided to experiment!

I used the dotty circle stencil with Artistry Inks (a blue, a red and a yellow) through it straight on to the card stock , and then used one of the script stamps over it, using the same colours.

I cut a piece of card and the embossing folder, and then daubed the three colours again over the  raised parts.  I then applied a WOW embossing ink pad across the whole thing and added clear embossing powder, and heated it to give a glossy finish.   I stamped out the light bulb with the clear ink pad and then used the new WOW Blending Powder, heated it up and applied a blue foil to it.   I then coloured it with Artistry Inks and clear embossed the whole thing.

Finally I stamped and embossed the sentiment with Primary Ebony embossing powder and die cut it, and edge it with some of the red artistry ink.

So completely out of my comfort zone with this card, but as it is for a man who likes steampunk, I hope it fits the bill.

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.

MDF Guitar

I have had this MDF guitar kit sitting on my desk for at least a month, telling me it needs something done to it.  I bought it some time ago.  I think it was part of a kit for Powertex, but I forgot about it and then didn't have any inspiration to decorate it.

I put the main parts together with clear Powertex.  I then painted it with various acrylic paints to try and give the impression of a "curve" to the piece.

I originally wanted clear "strings" using beading thread, but I just couldn't get them to stick (even using red liner tape) so I ended up using twine, although it was thicker than I wanted - but hey ho go with the flow - as they say.

The kit came with two pink paper roses, but they were so squashed in the packaging they weren't really good enough to use, and anyway I needed 3 ( I always work in odd numbers). so I made some from air dry clay.

There was also am mdf "flower" type embellishment in the kit with hearts on, so I cut this up and used some of the heart for the keys at the top of the guitar, and then cut some more up and used them as a random embellishment.

I used a guitar stamp and a scribbled heart and a swirl on the guitar, and embossed it.   The Guitar stamp was painted with posca pens, as were the little heart decorations, and the three larger heart shapes that came with the kit.

Finally I added a little dried gypsophila in with the roses and and added some pebeo gold gilding creme and glitter to the twine.

another view

I wasn't to sure about this whilst I was working on it, or even when I finished it - but it is growing on me!

Nautical Birthday Card

It was a mad panic yesterday to discover that it was August and I needed to make a Birthday card and get it in the post for a family member.    He is quite into sailing, so I found this yacht stamp in my stash - I forget what make it is.  I do know it came free with a magazine, and I think it was actually a Sheena Douglass selection.

I stamped the image with my WOW! clear embossing pad, and used some WOW embossing powder in a blue.   I then lightly water coloured the image and also the surround of the card, and then edged the card with blue ink.   The sentiment was created in Craft Artist, and mounted on a piece of Joanna Sheen's faux pour paper.

Mixed Media Grungy Tool Box

One side

I suddenly realised that I hadn't posted the pictures of my little tool box, having earlier posted the work in progress photos.

Second side

I used various techniques with crackle paint, acrylic paints, stamps, distress oxides, stencils, spray inks, and crystal tints.  This is quite a deviation from my normal painting, but having been fascinated my examples of mixed media pieces, particularly those with a "grunge" them, I wanted to have a go.  It was sealed with Spray and Shine when I had finished to seal it.

One end 

The other end

With some of my tools in it 

Another view

I am quite pleased with the overall result, and if I get fed up with it - I can always apply some more gesso and start again!

Another Toadstool Card

A single "house" this time, with an extra embellishment for the door - a "witchy" button from Craftwood Creations - Button-It range.

Background painted with Spectrum Noir glitter pens as a wash, and the grass was stamped and painted using distress ink (bundled sage off the top of my head)  The fence was also stamped in a brown distress ink (walnut stain) and then "brushed out" with water.

The house was coloured with alcohol pens.