The Beauty of Nature

Time for another blog hop with Imagine if . . where this week we are celebrating the glory of nature.  Hopefully after starting with Jo you should have followed thru the hop reaching Katrina before me.  Here I am sharing a stunning photo I took some time ago early in the morning showing how the spiders webs glisten while covered with dew.

 

Here is yet another Kaisercraft 'Basecoat' paper (gotta love these), which I distressed & inked heavily, then splattered with pink paint, & randomly stamped.  Corrugated cardboard, painted washi tape & strips of random papers underlay the photo.  

 

I love this large Bo Bunny flower, also I am Roses daisy, while the smaller red flower & leaves are available from Imagine if . .  .  The quote was distressed, then inked.

 

 

The netting has been inked, the grassy reed painted, then I attached more micro beads, then softened by placing muslim underneath.  The face & birds nest are lovely little treasures that add more interest.

Next on your journey you will find Beth with her lovely creation.   If you've not ventured there yet, have a look at all the gorgeous products Imagine if . . has to tempt your creative juices as well.   As usual please leave a comment.

Feathered friend

This week Jo from Imagine if . . wanted us to create  masterpieces on her oversized chipboard tags.  I just LOVE the fancy top she has on these, really elegant.  After much deliberating I came up with this, not too far off my original idea of going steampunk, but hey what the heck, when an idea comes its always easier to go with it rather than try and stick  to the plan.

 

I started with these yummy coloured paints and 'splotched' layers of the first 4 colours onto the tag. 

 

 
 

 

 

Next I used the bubble stencil with the grape paint (yes very bold I know).  When the grape was dry I 'bumped' the stencil and applied the sage over top.  Then when that layer was dry the whole tag got a really good sanding to show off the underneath layers and to soften and blend everything.  I LOVE this effect.  I learnt this technique from a video I watched on  Art of Craft.  I then inked the edges & drew on some faux stitching.

 

 

 I really didn't want to cover my painted finish, but that wasn't enough. Before applying anything I randomly stamped with a small script stamp.  Next I painted this birdcage/dress form, then inked & stamped and finished it with crackle paint.  'FLY' was created using TH alpha tiles, then I added a quote from the 'Wings and Things' quote sheet, which was distressed and inked.  These mini roses & leaves are also available from Imagine if . .   . 

 

I'm very pleased with how this has turned out, and LOVE this technique.  I'm sure I'll be using it again.

 

Have you visited my fellow designers yet, as usual we have all created something totally different to each other, I'm really loving being part of such a talented, versatile group.  Please leave a comment, I love to hear your feedback.

Giftbox for Marian

Todays creation is a challenge Jo put to the DT.  She supplied us all with 9 MDF squares and told us to 'go forth and create'.  I can't wait to see what the other girls come up with, something fabulous as usual I expect.  Again we are doing a blog hop which as usual starts with Jo,  you should have hopped from Beth's blog to arrive here if you are following the links correctly.  Anyways here is my creation of which I used 6 squares.    

 

 With my MDF squares I created the framework for this little gift box, then I made & covered a box to fit inside the frame.  My first intention was to use this as a photo box for all the older square photos I have as I have left the smallest gap on the outside to slide in photos (and change when needed), but sadly the inside dimensions of the box are 'just' too small for storage - and the paper is much too pretty to hide.

 

I've used gorgeous corners & feet which I bought from Faith , follow this link to see all the yumminess she has for us all.  All the framework was given a couple of coats of glossy black paint.  The lid fits loosely on top.  

 

I've also used these gorgeous zipper flowers, small rosette roses, Imagine if . .  felt leaves, & corner flourish dotted with small flat back pearls.

 

This 'friendship' quote adorns the back side of the box, along with more rosette roses.  This quote is so fitting as this is a retirement gift for a friend.

From here to continue the hop take this link to see what the lovely Tash has made to share with you.  Its amazing what you can make out of offcuts isn't it?