Artistic stamper day.

Sneak peek.

I have a post over at the artistic stamper.  a bit of "mail art" to drive the postman crazy.

Calico Crafts day...

Well I dont scrapbook... I think that's important to say so you maybe can be a little kind to me. Technically this is my first attempt. I realise getting the composition on a canvas or ATC or card etc etc, is much the same skill as needed on a 12x12 scrapbook page, but the size seems daunting to me and I dont much like photos, unless they are vintage and sepia...
So with all that in mind, I found an old photo of my Granddad during the war (World war 2) and decided to make something with that photo. I used a little bulldog clip thing to hold the photo in place so i didnt have to get it near paint, ink or glue.
I used a sheet of 7 gypsies postale paper (called 'document') for the front main page. I tore it in places and rolled the edges back (I know, I do this a lot but I have liked it for the last 7 years, i dont predict a change any time soon lol). I also distressed all around the edges of the sheet and inked it with versamagic chalk ink (gingerbread)... now, because of the torn back bits i had to back it on to something else that was OK to show through. I raided my VERY old drawer of scrapbook papers and found a suitably boring brown vintage looking bit. not sure who it was made by. it looked a bit like very old Victorian wallpaper. I layered my postale sheet on top of that. it looked nice and sepia to go along with the tones in the photo.

The bunting flags are cut from another postale sheet (called 'post'). I thought the stripes looked almost patriotic in colour but aged and faded. the map at the back of the main photo is from Tim Holtz' "crowded attic"  salvage stickers (its a nice BIG sticker), as is the bit of hand written letter. The tags are 7 gypsies tags i had in my paper drawer.
And although its not relevant to the post, here is a wee close up of the photo and my Granddad...

Quicky altered box

I had an hour free from packing and other less fun stuff, so i quickly altered a pine box. as time was short, I took the photos before the mod-podge dried LOL so lots of milky white bits lurking.

the box starts life like this....

 its from calico Crafts HERE


and now its like this....

the image is from ARTChix and the flower is by Prima. all other supplies are from calico crafts.

Mixed media Canvas.

I altered this canvas using embellishments, lace and texture.... I had wanted to use an image of my Grandmother but all my old photos have been packed away till I move house (TUT)... so instead i have temporarily added an image from 7 gypsies trousseau papers.

I added a layer of textured papers and fabrics (lace etc) as well as some German/Dresden scraps... I then added some foliage and flower embellishments. when i had a composition I quite liked I made sure it was all glued into place, let the glue dry and then coated it all thoroughly in white "Gesso". Although i put a good solid coat of gesso on, I also made sure that the textures and shapes were nice and clear.

When the gesso was dry, I sprayed over the canvas sparingly with mica mist sprays (like tattered angels, glimmer mists, etc)... then i attached my image (coated in mod podge to seal and protect it). and lastly i added my arch window (also coated in gesso and sprayed).

Lastly I rubbed some treasure gold gilt wax polish around the edges and over some of the raised textured pieces of the canvas....  when I get my photos unpacked i will be replacing this image with one of  either one of my grans, May and Mary or my great aunt Mima

Blog selection.....

When I create an item for a design team, I dont show the full item on this blog but only show it on the shop/retailers blog..... but once the initial viewings are over I can put them here.. here are a few of the items I made during April that only appeared on other blogs....

Artistic Stamper Day...

Sneak Peek ...

It is my turn over at the Artistic stamper's Creative team blog. this is just a wee peek but for the full itm (its not much bigger lol) plase go over to the Artistic stamper's blog HERE.

Calico crafts time: French country beermat book.

Just click on the photo to go see the full post over at Calico Crafts.

Secret garden album.

I made this a few weeks back for the calico crafts blog... I only showed a sneak peek on here so here is the rest...

front cover

page 1&2 Violets

page 3&4 forget-me-not

page 5&6 daisy

page 7&8 spring nesting

page 9&10 rose

Artistic stamper day for me.

Sneak peek

Yes, its my 2nd artistic stamper piece for the month.... click the image to be taken to the full project on the Artistic Stamper Creative team Blog..... thanks x

Calico Crafts Part 2

I have a second project this week for Calico Crafts.... click the image to be taken over to the Calico Crafts blog and have a look at the full item. Many thanks Z x