Circles Card

 Random stencilled circles and a stamp for this card for a man.    Just something a bit abstract and different!

Beer Helps !

 

I had a male birthday card to make.  I struggle with those,  particularly if it is family as you want to do something different each year.

I tried a few layouts and then I remembered that I had a stencil which was part of a set that I bought, and I didn't think I would have occasion to use this one!    Wrong - I think it will come in very handy for male birthdays - particularly in this crazy pandemic world.

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.

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!

Card for a 16 year old

My eldest granddaughter is 16 this week, and I created this card for her, using a bit of parching and one of the trees that I created the other week.   (Painstakingly cutting it out as you can see from the original below!)

Let your dreams fly

A bit of an experiment for me today with this card.   I had a bundle of odd Indigoblu stamps that I wanted to try out, and this was one of the first I came to - and thought it would make a good man's card for my nephew.

I created the background with distress oxide stamps, using an Tim Holtz stencil to start with.  I then stamped the image with a brown Artistry Ink, and using a damp paintbrush and the leftover blue oxide on my craft mat I coloured part of the balloon.   I then added a border with a brown micron pen, and few dots on the balloon.

A little bit different from my normal cards as I don't normally do the "grungy" look, but it's good to experiment, and let's face it men don't really appreciate "pretty" cards!

Glass Coasters

Hi there followers.  I have been very bad and not done any blogging for a while.   I have been crafting, but have just forgotten to take photos. 

However, I did remember to take some photos of these coasters that I made the other week.   I bought the coasters back in the summer and have at last got around to doing something with them.  Originally it was going to be something with etching and painting, but I changed my mind and made these.

I used an Imagination Crafts stencil for the words using Stazon.  I then applied some pattern rice paper, which I had torn into random shapes.   Finally I used Imagination Crafts Starlight paints in a gold and turquoise colour and sponged it all over.   When it was dry I applied acrylic glaze and the little feet that came with the coasters.    Everything was done working on the back of the coasters.

I think I need some more "word" stencils - as it if I attempted to do this again with stamps - it wouldn't work and I would have to stamp the word on the "front" side.

I didn't know who would get these - but my son rather liked them - so he got them!

More T-shirts

Last week I shared the T-shirts that my three youngest grandchildren had painted.   Today I have sat and painted three more for them.

Regardless of the colours in the photos - they were actually all white t-shirts.

This first one was stamped with Threaders fabric inks and stamps.  I created a template on a piece of paper to get the positioning right, and put this under the material as a guide.  (In fact I used the template as a guide for all of the printing, to ensure I got them in the right place.

Can you guess my granddaughter's name?

This second one was created with Threader's stencils and metallic fabric paints, and then stamped with the Threader's inks and Clarity Stamp mini fairies, and was for the five-year old.   

I had no idea what to do for the 8 year old - she had said something about wanting bananas in pyjamas - erm yes well no!  lol!   Looking through my stash I came across the dog stamp from My Clarity Stamp Club, and thought ummmm - she likes dogs.  I then found the butterfly stencil, and decided I could probably combine the two.   

Printed the dogs on the t-shirt with Threader's ink, and then masked it with a circle and played with the stencil using various metallic and plain fabric paints.   

I trust they will all like what I have produced!

More on the Fairy House - Work in Progress

Having applied a coat of Powertex thinly to the house, I then added some texture to the roof with some cotton swabs dipped in Powertex, that I had to use when my husband was alive for washing his legs.  Needless to say the rest of the packet is now in my craft stash!  I wasn't sure how I wanted to progress so I sprayed a bit of Bister on whilst still wet

I then found some stencils - a brick one from Clarity Stamps,  and a random sort of cracks one which I believe was from SplodgeAway (but I don't think they are in business anymore).

The brick was created using the new Pebeo fine sand paste, and the random cracks with the concrete texture gel.  I didn't bother with a palette knife of scraper - I just used my fingers

oops the bister leaked over the edge of the roof - not to worry - I got rid of that.

I also dipped some cotton lace into powertex and used this to edge the front gable edges of the roof

Right I am going to keep you in suspense ........ I will show the finished house tomorrow!  Watch this space.