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?

Creative Dreams Journals

The 12 months have run their course and I have now finished and returned my last art journal to its owner.  I have been showing you the pages monthly as I've finished them, but here I've brought them all together. 
Firstly here is my last page, which is in Louise's journal (I'm sure by now she will have received it).

 

This page started with gesso randomly splotched around the page thru a template to create a resist.  Next I glued on some ripped pieces of dictionary paper.  This all got a good coating of Dylusions Ink Sprays in several different oranges, pinks, yellows, greens.  I love the effect I've got here.  Once this was dry I got out my latest template to create the foreground (flowers & butterflies) where I used several different coloured Distress Inks.  This is the first time I've had the chance to use my Prima 'lady' stamp, which I stamped onto dictionary paper, then coloured with gelato's & cut out.  The house was created the same.  The bricks were created with a Donna Salazaar stamp & chalk ink.  I then stamped the wording & framed the pages with Dylusions stamps.

 

Here are the other pages, starting with my own book right at the beginning:

 

 

Wow what a lot of variation, I really did try to do something a bit different everytime, especially if there was no theme.  I am proud of what I've created and now can't wait to get into some more of the same sometime.

Thank you to all the ladies who have contributed their time and talent in my journal.  At the time of publishing this post sadly it has not returned home yet.  I wait with baited breath.

Gift boxes galore

Creating these little gift boxes is such a fun way to send off that little something special.  Both these boxes I'm sharing today are going to special people who deserve 'just a little bit more'.

 This first box is my entry into the August I am Roses whose theme this month is 'anything goes' and 'make something special for someone'.  How could I resist?

I love the vibrance of these colours, and the special person who is going to receive this was especially interested in the zipper flowers I have created, hence having one as the centrepiece.  There is also more partially finished zipper flowers inside along with a very detailed tutorial, so I'm sure she can now learn to make her own.  The I am Roses products I have used here are 1. daisy, 2. mini roses & 3. buds.

The recipient of this 2nd box is waiting for a recipe from me, so she is getting a sample as well as the recipe in this little keepsake box.  This is just a little thank you for the lovely afternoon and evening we spent at her hubby's recent birthday.
                                          

The paper I've used here is gorgeous, and used together with the pearl trim & flowers is perfect for the more mature lady I think.  I also made the lace flower on top.  I hope she likes it.

Thank you for visiting.  Wish me luck for the challenge as I would sooo love to win some of their gorgeous blooms, they are so versatile, I love to use them on everything I make.

Colourful Beach Hop

This weeks creation for Imagine if . . is anything goes as Jo and her team of helpers are busy moving into the new shop following a 2nd really successful craft show (she does nothing the easy way, lol).  So to carry on with her theme of  'painting' I thought I'd show you the MDF Art Box I've made up.

 

This was such a fun project to work on, and allowed me to share my other passion with you all, yes I am a petrolhead. 

 

The MDF box comes in pieces and is assembled very easily as shown

 

I covered the base & outsides with embossed aluminium foil before painting each section with Lumiere Metallic Acrylic, this is a gorgeous, luxurious paint to use.  I love the finish I've achieved. 

 

Now for the real fun part.  I have so many photos taken at the Beach Hop - a Rock'n'roll & Hot Rod week held annually at Whangamata, which we've attended nearly every year since buying our Dodge.  It was a shame to cover the awesome background, so I've kept the colours true as best I could, and showing off the embossing where I could.

 

I've used lots of gorgeous Imagine if . .  chippies here.  The words & small cogs were heat embossed, chicken wire & banners were painted, lamp post was covered with embossed aluminium foil, while the quote was inked.  These flowers & leaves are also now available.  A few trinkets just finish the whole thing off nicely.

 

This has been a real fun project to tackle, I now wonder where this will live . . . in the man cave perhaps ? ? ?

 

 

Cheeky Monkeys

Gee where has this last week gone, here we are again, time for another blog hop with Imagine if . . where this time the prize for visiting all the DT's and leaving a comment is 2 sheets of quotes of your choice.  These are an awesome prize, very versatile, I use them on everything.

My layout this week is sadly a rush job as I was working on the wrong project, and didn't find out my mistake until Thursday night.  I hope you can't tell I struggled for inspiration.  This week Jo wanted us to showcase her awesome stencils of which I only received earlier in the week.  These are awesome, and who can't use more stencils?

 

I started with a Donna Salazaar paper and firstly using the bubble stencil I added some texture paste on both sides of the photo, I also inked thru the same stencil randomly around the page.  Next came the wording stencil inked around the edge, very apt for the photo I think.  I then added a bit of subtle colour by sponging ink on random places.  The cogs were heat embossed, monkeys got painted then flocked, bird on top was glimmer misted.  I've used another of the new zipper flowers I have just learnt to make.  Finally to use the 3rd stencil required I inked on some birds

 

The page feels quite strange to me, I'm not sure whether its the pale colours I've used, or whether its just the fact that I didn't have too much time to think over things.  Anyhow it has all come together quite nicely and shows off the photo well.

 

If you are following the blog hop correctly you would have come to me after visiting Jo, and now to continue on your way the next stop is Lilian.  As usual please leave a comment here and every stop to be in with a chance to win the lovely prize.  Good luck.

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Bottoms Up

Here's a fun layout I've done as part of the Creative Dreams August challenge.  The requirements were:  1. Green,  2. Use some Imagine if . .  chipboard,  3. Recycle something.

1. Green is easy, 2. as I have just been making some fun zipper flowers I decided they could be my recycled items, and 3. of course being on the Imagine if . .   design team I am lucky to have lots of gorgeous chipboard to play with.

 

I love the grungy look of this Kaisercraft 'Basecoat' paper which I've distressed & stitched the edges, randomly stamped & used some homemade texture paste through TCW stencils.  Behind the embellishments I've also inked thru Imagine if stencils.  These fun photos needed a bit more colour to be introduced so I've layered these coloured bits on top of some doilies. 

 

 

This little reed chipboard from Imagine if . .  is stunning, I've painted it with about 4 different browns & greens, then glued micro beads onto the seed heads.  I love the outcome, and have perched the small bird on top. More birds are used also, with one sitting on the lovely little branch, which was painted after I added some texture paste.

 

 

The zipper flowers have been fun to make, follow the link to my tutorial here.  Also used are I am Roses & Dusty Attic blooms.

This has been a great chance to use this fun photo taken on a recent holiday to Australia of these cheeky parrots having something to eat from a feeding station.

Thank you Jules for offering the challenge, I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.

 

Hearts, hearts & more hearts

Wow another month starting already, so now its time for our first blog hop at Imagine if . . .  This month will be a lot easier on us all now with all the pressures of SENZ over, even tho Jo is exhibiting again at the Quilt & Craft Show at Hamilton, so she has given us 'free rein' to create whatever we wish.  This layout has been created for our friends' daughter who recently got married.

 

These photos were all 'pinched' off facebook and sadly are not the best quality, so I decided they would be best shown off as this mosaic of shots rather than using one or two not so good photos.  The couple were married on Anzac Day in Cornwall Park, so I tried to use lots of elements from the day in my layout.

 

They loved all the stone walls where they had a lot of their photos taken, so accordingly I've started my page with a Kaisercraft Basecoat paper.  With the paper being so dark I found I needed to outline the heart shaped photo mosaic with the boldness of a wide black border.  The doilies and lace lighten and lift the page as well.  The bouquets were made up of dried hydrangea, dotted with red roses and all tied together with black organza ribbon, here I have copied this as best I could.  I've carried on the heart theme with Imagine if . .  hearts of differing sizes & patterns, which were all faux stitched.  The title also includes lots of hearts, which have all been finished with a coat of Glossy Accents.  The large 'double heart' matches the wedding invites as best I could.

 

Enjoy the close ups of the flowers which were painted to match, and you can see the stitching and glossy finish of the hearts. 

 

I am really privileged to do this keepsake for the family and hope they are can amicably decide who gets to keep it, be it the brides parents or the bride & groom.

 

So how are you all going through the blog hop?  You should have come to me directly from Ngaere, then leave here following my link back to the beginning which of course is Jo.  I hope you've enjoyed the diversity of all the creations and as always please leave a comment at all blogs to be in with a chance to win this weeks prize which is 2 packets of felt flowers.

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Zipper flowers

I LOVE trying out new techniques and projects, and my latest conquest is one I've been practising on and off for some time now.  I know I've still got to practice more before I'm completely happy with everything, but here's my first real efforts worth sharing.

 

I made these zipper flowers each out of a 7" zip.  The pink ones are mostly stitched, whereas the black is mostly hot glued.  I followed these excellent instructions on You Tube, for the pink ones here and the black here.  I'll be using the 2 pink flowers on my current project, and the black one has been made into a brooch for a friend as below.  Instructions to attach the pin are included in the pink tutorial.

 

I hope you have found this helpful and would love to see your efforts also.  I'm now off to try some multi-coloured flowers or perhaps a butterfly or dragonfly. 

 

As always have a happy scrappy day, and please leave a comment.