Allsorts Challenge #664 - I Love....

 Hi Crafters,

Saturday again!

Where do these weeks go?

Another Allsorts challenge theme to join in with and this week and we would like to see your cards and projects depicting what you LOVE to do.

Although I spend most of my time cardmaking for customers and my stall at markets when I have the time I love.....to create mixed media art, in the form of ATC's, Journal Pages or 3D projects.

Here are a few pictures of a page that I created in my journal.

Using Distress Inks and Oxides with some stencils I created the background before adding stamping, die cuts and some more stencilling with texture paste.

I had a polaroid stamp that I've been wanting to incorporate on a page and so I cut out the centre portion and added some mirror cardstock behind, this acts as a mirror showing the viewer a reflection of their own face which fits in nicely with the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous tall stamp down the spine.

Another Stamper Anonymous Heart stamp with a die cut word underneath following the theme.

Here you can see my camera in the reflective polaroid panel.....

...and a close up of the quote stamp and texture on the page.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Creative Fingers - #225 ATG

Crafting Happiness - #120 ATG

Art Journey Design - #131 Hearts

We Love Stamping - Anything Stamped opt. Stencilling

Creative Artiste Challenge - #79 ATG Mixed Media

The Crafters Cafe - #282 Make Your Own Background

Creatalicious Challenge - #229 ATG opt. Make Your Own Background

River of Creativity - #10 ATG

We Love 2 Create - #2 ATG Mixed Media

This week we have two prizes from Oakwood Archer a bundle of craft goodies and a craft stencil.

We only have a few rules - no backlinking, link to the challenge blog in your post, follow the theme and a maximum of 3 entries per person - so please adhere to them if you want to be in with a chance at winning a prize.

The DT are looking forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you have created.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry if I have been MIA this week but it was my youngest daughters Wedding on Tuesday so my time has been taken up in preparation for the Big Day. The weather could have been kinder but we all enjoyed a lovely celebration of the day which was so welcomed after being cancelled several times since last year due to the pandemic.

I'll leave you with a snapshot of the happy occasion.

Lorraine

xXx

Phew! In the Post

 Hi Crafters,

I have just put my last Christmas card in the post box today, phew!

Although I make Christmas cards all-year-round these go on to my stall at markets so everything else is made after that but it is done now and I can relax somewhat.

It has been an intense card making session over several days to get finished but all my Design Team friends should have received or will receive their cards in the next day or so.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me a card also, I know what goes into making them and really appreciate the time taken. I keep all the handmade cards that I receive in a memory album to display them.

This card was for a swap partner from the Gecko Galz and as she has received it today I am safe to share.

Recipe

Mixed Media Background - Distress oxides, Trellis and Star Stencils, Texture Paste, CE Enigma Stamp

Image - Lindsay Mason Designs Stamp - Winter Wonderland Snowman

Decoupaged and Coloured with Promarkers & Copics

Die-namics Stitched Scalloped Basic Edge Dies

Marianne Designs Sentiment Die

Challenges I'd like to enter:

CHNC Every Saturday - #572 ATG Christmas

Country View Challenges - Christmas ATG

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - #131 Non Traditional Colours

Christmas Craft Creations - Make a Scene

Ally's Angels - #53 ATG

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Cold As Ice

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy the rest of your Tuesday.

Lorraine

xXx

Mixed Media Playtime & GDT

Hi Crafters,

I was lucky enough to be asked to join in at the Try It On Tuesday challenge as a Guest Designer this week.

Their theme is...

USE A STENCIL OR TWO

I've been wanting to do more mixed media projects for some time now and a few weeks ago I created a Journal Cover to hopefully house my mixed media projects that I create in the future (see this post HERE) So this is my first page which initially was going to be folded in half to fit my journal but now that it's finished I can't bear to fold it! I should have made it in two halves but hey-hoe...learning curve!

I used 5 stencils in all, sometimes inking through them and other times to add texture paste.

The stamps are by Lindsay Mason which I stamped on to old book pages, water-coloured and fussy cut.

The sentiment comes from the same stamp set.

 Here are the stamps I used 

Challenges I'd like to enter:

SSS Monday Challenge Recycle (book pages)

Crafty Catz - #542 ATG/Use 3 of your Favourite Colours (Red, Green, Gold)

Allsorts - #615 A Stamped Image

Creative Moments - #210 ATG

More Mixed Media Challenge - ATG opt. Green

We Love 2 Create - #3 ATG

Thanks for stopping by today, hope you have a great day.

Lorraine 

xXx

ATC - Family

 Hi Crafters,

I'm popping in today to post last month's ATC swaps before it's time to share this month's!  I just don't know where my time disappears to. You would think with all activities cancelled and lockdown restrictions I would have oodles of spare time right now but it just isn't the case. Perhaps I have gotten used to the slower pace of life this weird episode in our lives has produced....I'm actually quite enjoying it. I think that looking to the future I will try to cut back on the things I once did and got involved in.

Anyway...here's my set of Family themed ATC's for the monthly swap at Charmed Cards & Crafts Facebook Group.

Three are for swaps and one to keep.

The background was created using acrylic paints and a brayer, when this was dry I randomly dabbed white paint using a natural sponge. I used texture paste and a stencil for some dimension and then added some stamping. The heart was cut using a Marianne Designs Die and then cut again using an Xcut Jigsaw Die. I inked and heat embossed it to give a glossy look. While piecing the jigsaw parts together I lifted two up on foam pads and stuck the other two flat to add even more interest and dimension to my ATC. Finally the word 'family' was added across the heart, this was a set of metal brads that I have had in my stash for about 10 years - who ever said being a hoarder didn't come in useful? lol.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Creative Craft Cottage - #137 Happy Valentines / Love

Moving Along with the Times - #127 Valentines / Love

More Mixed Media - Feb ATG with Optional them - Red

Crafty Galz Corner - #216 Add a Heart

Double D Challenges - Anything with a Heart

Thanks for joining me here today.

It's beautifully sunny here today, the washing is blowing on the line... small things make me happy :)

I hope you're enjoying your day too.

Lorraine

xXx

Art Journal Covers

 Hi Crafters,

I have been wanting to make an Art Journal for a long time but never had the courage to start one. Although I have been creating ATC's for a couple of years and swapping them an art journal seemed a big step up in scale and quite daunting. This weekend I took the plunge and after doing the rounds with You Tube videos, blog posts and Facebook groups I created a front and back cover to fit my A5 journal.

Front cover

Back cover

I started with a thick watercolour paper, gesso and scrunched tissue paper, I struggled with the order of the layers and so although there are some strips of music paper in there you can't see them as I unfortunately covered them over when painting. :/  I used several stencils, texture paste and stamps, alcohol inks and watercolour paints to create my background.

I had a set of napkins with these gorgeous large flowers on them so used that to make my focal point. The mistake came when I tried to add the bumble bee to the flower on the front cover which caused the layers of tissue paper to scrunch up and try as I might I could not flatten them again. So off they came and I decided to paint over the flower petals but actually I really like the texture that gave and am pleased how it turned out for my first attempt.

I'm hoping to be able to regularly fill the pages of my journal with more art work and I'm looking forward to challenging myself.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Try It On Tuesday - Uplifting or Positive Quote

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Layer It Up

Creative Moments - #206 ATG

More Mixed Media Challenge - ATG optional Colour Blue

We Love 2 Create - #1 ATG

Thank you for stopping by and for all your lovely comments on my previous posts.

Lorraine

xXx

ATC Swap

Hi Crafters,

These are the atc's that I created for the July Swap at Charmed Cards and Crafts. 

A close-up to show the texture and details.

We had a mood board to take inspiration from which was created using the new Cosmos collection papers from Stamperia.

Moodboard

I used a Sheena Douglas Distressed Grid stencil, texture paste, crackle paste, various paints and Andy Skinner embossing powders to create the texture for my background. My reindeer was cut using an Impression Obsession die and dry brushed with white paint before adding a little sparkle using Nuvo Glacier paste - which doesn't show up in my photo's <groan>

The label was printed on the computer and clear embossed for durability. A few white splatters and presto!

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Love To Craft - #37 ATG

Country View Challenges - Texture

Creative Moments - #174 ATG

A Perfect Time To Craft - #8 ATG

More Mixed Media Challenge - ATG opt. Bright

Thank you for all the lovely comments here recently, I really do appreciate your support and encouragement.

Lorraine

xXx

ATC's ~ Grungy Summer

Hi Crafters,

It's sooo hot here, I'm melting!

I hope you're keeping cool.

For our ATC challenge this month at Charmed Cards and Crafts we were given the theme of...

GRUNGY SUMMER 

or

the letter 'J'

I went with both :o)

I started off by making an inky background with Distress Inks / Oxides on my craft mat and water splattering. When this was dry I embossed one half of the ATC with a Crafters Companion Ivy Leaf embossing folder and inked over the raised parts with more Distress Ink. Now for the fun bit... I had treated myself to some Andy Skinner Mixed Media embossing powders and these are what I used on the leaves and flowers. The word Die is from Tonic and this too was heat embossed using the Andy Skinner Satin Sunset embossing powder. Finally I finished with a bit of stamping...using the Enigma Stamp from Creative Expressions.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Not A Card
Try It On Tuesday - Splatters and Splodges
Crafty Creations - #395 ATG
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make Your Own Background
Country View Challenge - Blues and Greens

I'm off now to sit in front of the fan...

Lorraine

xXx

'From The Body' ATC's

Hi Crafters,

'From The Body'

that was the theme of this months ATC swap at Charmed Cards & Crafts and here are the set of ATC's that I created.

I started by stamping and heat embossing the Woodware Vintage Hand stamp and cutting them out. I used distress inks to colour them. I then concentrated on the background and built up the layers using corrugated cardboard, texture paste, gauze, wooden heart-lock & key elements. I sprayed the backgrounds when they had dried with Cosmic Shimmer Mists and left to dry. I then added some gilding wax to highlight parts of the design and texture. My sentiment is a Lindsay Mason Stamp set which I have stamped, embossed and cut apart, inking the edges to define it against the background. Finally, after gluing the sequins I splattered the whole thing with thin white paint using an old tooth brush.

I thoroughly enjoyed making these ATC's and I'm looking forward to getting 'messy' again for next months swap.

Thanks for popping by today, hope to see you here again soon,

Lorraine

xXx

Christmas Card Club Catch-Up Post

Hi Crafters,

I missed this weeks Christmas Card Club challenge on Sunday due to being ill but was determined to participate in Mary's challenge of

MIXED MEDIA CHRISTMAS

I really love creating these types of projects but rarely get much time to do so. 

Here is my card, I hope you like it?

I used lots of products on this card - 

Paper - First Edition 'Christmas Wishes'

Music Paper

Corrugated Cardboard

White Acrylic Paint

Tim Holtz Holiday Knit Stencil

Crackle Paste

Sizzix Mittens Die

Sizzix Snow Flurries Edge Die

Sizzix Holly Die

Sizzix Tiny Tabs and Tags Die

Marianne Designs Fir Tree Branch Die

Wooden Snowflakes

Wooden 'Noel' Word

Berries

Anna Marie Snowballs

Viva Eiskristall

Twine and Net Ribbon

Distress Inks

Clear Embossing Powder

Metal Bell

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Try It On Tuesday - Colourful

Winter Wonderland - Traditional Christmas Colours - Red & Green

Country View Challenge - Stencils

Noor Designs - #36 Winter

613 Avenue Create - #203 ATG/3D Card

Glitter N Sparkle - #267 Add Metal

Thank you Mary for a fabulous theme this week.

Bye for now,

Lorraine

xXx

Belated Christmas Card Club - Mixed Media Trees

Hi Crafters,

Firstly I have to apologise to Mary for being late with this card but I was determined to get it made eventually and not miss a challenge for this year.

Recipe

Die Cut Trees...

...sorry I don't know the brand of die, these die cuts were purchased from Ebay, but it's similar to a Taylored Expressions die that I've seen.

Shabby White Frantage

Memory Box Woodland Deer Die

Clearly Besotted Sentiment Stamp and Die

Distress Inks for the background

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Winter Wonderland - Night Scene

Brown Sugar - #228 ATG

Country View Challenge - Christmas

Cardz 4 Guyz - #149 Christmas Animals

Creative Moments - #108 ATG

Crafty Creations - #330 Masculine

C.R.A.F.T. - #393 Winter

In real life the Shabby White Frantage gives a lovely texture on the bark of the trees as well as some sparkle too.

Hope to see you again soon,

Lorraine

xXx

...and Now for Something Different!

Hi Crafters,

 

I've been promising Pamellia that I would get messy soon and make a mixed media project - something I haven't had much experience with but love the idea of it. There are so many talented mixed media artists out there that there is no shortage of inspiration and tutorials but it is finding the time and making the space in my room to do it. You really need to spread out and leave enough space around your work area for the 'splatter' zone!

Well I have been putting it off for long enough and although I have masses of orders and family cards to make I packed them all away and got out my non stick craft sheet, my limited supplies of crackle medium and paints, a few inks and seam binding and ...had a PLAY!!!

 

This is the result...

Recipe

Distress Inks - Cracked Pistachio, Fossilized Amber, Abandoned Coral, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain.

Stamp Sets - Hunkydory Antique Pastime, Debbie Moore Travel set, Inkylicious Hession, Artemio Script stamp.

Crafters Companion Embossing Folder - Hessian

Distress Crackle Paint

Gold gilding Wax

Suze Weinbergs Beadazzles - Macarena

Frantage - Aged Taupe and Aged Bronze

Sweet Dixie Balloon Die

Foam Pads

Metal Suitcase Charm

Seam binding dyed using DI's

 

Here are a few close ups of the crackle paint and details..

 

 

 

 

 

I believe this qualifies for some challenges...

Country View Crafts - On Your Travels

Try It On Tuesday - Hot & Wild ( Hot Colours)

Frilly & Funkie - Raise It Up

That Craft Place - Words

TTCRD - ATG

Papertake Weekly - Build It Up

Not Just Cards - #22 ATG

 

All the pieces started life as white card and were inked with DI then stamped, crackled and gilded. It took all day yesterday on and off to make this 8 inch tag allowing for drying time and pondering time - I felt a little out of my depth and a few pieces ended up in the bin but on the whole, I enjoyed it and I have some pieces of inked background card ready for the next project! Get me!!

Not a full-on mixed media piece like many I've seen but baby steps is the way to go I think until my confidence grows.

 

Thanks for popping in today and looking at my little mixed media tag, I hope you liked it and see you soon,

 

Lorraine