Bee Friendly - Hobby Art

Today's project is another ATC (Artist Trading Card) and, as with most things I make, it has a garden theme. My life revolves around the great outdoors, flowers, foliage, nature and if I'm not outside immersed in them, then I'm inside nurturing my 'little' (Cough!) houseplant collection or creating something crafty along that theme (in between washing, ironing, dusting...UGH!)

I started with a Strathmore Illustration Board ATC for my base. These are sturdy little cards, perfect for taking a lot of mixed media liquids, water and weight.

Then it was a case of playing with different textures and mediums. So I started by spreading Liquitex Super Heavy Gloss Gel through a honeycomb stencil. You can use any gel medium, matt or gloss, it doesn't matter which brand and there are loads of them to choose from. Once dry (a few hours later) I drizzled a selection of yellow, orange & brown sprays and paints (if you're interested...Prima Colorbloom 'Spring Dandelion' & 'Pot Marigold' sprays, Distress 'Vintage Photo' spray and Finnabair's Dark Chocolate Impasto paint).

I then stamped, coloured with Promarkers and fussy cut the flower and bee from a stamp set by Hobby Art called 'Bee Friendly'. I also painted Glossy Accents on the bee's wings.

Once stuck onto my card I added some glass stones and gold Micro beads and then drizzled on more spray liquid where I felt it was needed.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Honestly...just play with what you have. Faff, like I do (lol) until you're happy with your project. Step back (or away) if it's not quite going to plan and then return to it another day. I do this all the time...I have a vision in my head of how I want something to look and then more often than not it doesn't work out that way. Just play and have fun!

Now...go out and help those bees!

Mixed Media Tag

Ahoy!

It's cold, rainy, windy, grey n' gloomy out so I thought I'd share some delicate, warm, summer shades with you today to help chase away those winter blues. 

I love making tags. They're great for either prettying up gifts or for giving as a gift itself. I especially like making them either with a photo of the recipient, or of a loved one, or simply with a message of some kind.

I started with a tag from Prima, covered it with a sheet of paper from First Edition's beautiful 'The Promise' collection. then began decorating...the best bit!

As per...there's ooooodles of stuff on here... wooden embellishments, Nuvo Drops, mini art stones, glass stones...

...beaded decorations, flowers galore (from Wild Orchid Crafts) and even my first attempt at a paper clay mould (that swirly bit at the back).

I resisted adding any glitter on this one...SHOCK! HORROR!

A simple message of encouragement et voila!

Job done.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back again soon...I'm on a roll...lol.

AB Studio - Secret Forest

Stepping wayyyyyyyy outta my comfort zone with this 'creation'.

I use the word 'creation', but seriously...if you'd been in the room when I made this, you'd think otherwise.

Despite its tiny size (4 x 4 inches), I managed to throw my toys out of the pram, yell 'That's it...I'm selling all my craft stash!' (again), shed a frustrated tear or two and have a small breakdown...lol. 

Seriously, there is a whole comedy series available just watching me create.

To cut a very lonnnnnnnnng story short....I used fussy cut elements and papers from AB Studio's 'Secret Forest' paper collection, microbeads, polystyrene balls, snowflake paste, glass stones, glitter, distress inks, Prima sprays. In fact EVERYTHING but the kitchen sink went into this. 

I then went up to bed totally deflated that it just wasn't happening, that what was in my head wasn't being reproduced on that ickle piece of paper. I started cleaning my teeth and thought...'I know what....flick Picket Fence Distress spray all over it, that's what it needs'. So just after midnight I returned to my project, flicked paint all over it and then promptly knocked the bottle over and spilt the contents all over my desk. 

Panic ensues. I should have gone to bed, but no, it couldn't wait until morning. Flicks needed to be flicked and flicked right now. Now I'm up to my elbows in wet wipes & kitchen towel frantically mopping up bloody white paint, It's carnage, but you know what...come the morning I had fallen in love. The flicks worked, gawd know how or why...but that's all it needed.

So the lesson today is... flick paint if flicks are required....but maybe wait until the morning.

Be Your Beautiful Self

Welcome back.

Today I have thrown everything PLUS the kitchen sink (hidden behind that big, white flower..lol) at this project.

I started with a white, gesso'd heart and smooshed it with the most gorgeous of green Impasto paints from Prima /  Finnabair, Green Apple.

There's all sorts on here... glass stones, wooden pieces, microbeads, flowers, beady bits.

These Impasto paints are brilliant...you can use them with stencils as a kind of paste or add water to dilute and make the colours flow. 

Finding just the right sentiment is the hardest part but I love this one...

'be your beautiful self'

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you have great weekend.

Prima / Finnabair - Don't Forget To Fly

I made this tag a while back, inspired again by the sentiment in Prima /  Finnabair's beautiful stamp set 'Don't Forget to Fly'. 

I made some of the embellishments with paper clay and silicone moulds.

There's also metal, brassy elements, glass beads...

.... glass glitter, micro beads, Nuvo Drops....

... and vellum butterflies.

I like that tags have so many uses, whether it be on a present or as a gift in itself with an inspiring, encouraging message.

Have a great weekend x

Mixed Media Heart-Shaped Gift Box

Ahoy!

I hope you've had good week and, if in Blighty, managed to enjoy some of the beautiful weather we've had. 

Today I have a little heart-shaped gift box, which started out rather plain before I got my grubby, mixed-media mitts on it...lol.

Embellished within an inch of its life, I really enjoyed transforming this little box from an ugly duckling.

Have a groovy weekend.

I intend getting my knees out and catching some rays.

Enjoy!

Follow Your Heart

Spring has officially arrived this week and, as an outdoorsy-kinda-gal, I can't be more thankful.

Flowers are appearing, there's a hint of green in the trees and the sun's got some warmth to it...Yay!

In celebration of all things 'springy', I've made a gift drizzled in sunshine yellows with a message for all of us.

Follow Your Heart.

This applies in so many aspects of our lives.

Just do it.

As always, I prepped my heart base with gesso, added crackle paste and then went to town (and back) with my embellies.

There's ooodles of white microbeads and glitter alongside some tiny, yellow flowers, glass stones and hearts. Drizzles of Lemon Peel impasto paint and Wink of Stella shimmer.

The weekend is here.

I hope the sun shines where you are.

Follow your heart.

XXX

Spring Mixed Media Tag

Another tag today, this time with fresh, cheery, spring colours.

I started with a leafy piece of 6 x 6 inch paper from an old Basic Grey collection called 'Sultry' and cut it a few millimetres smaller than my chipboard tag, which is a 3.5 x 6 inch tag from Prima.

I roughed up the edges of the tag and the paper (in an non-violent way...lol), adhered the paper to the tag and then started decorating.

A mixture of elements....Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and flat beads, a Prima keyhole mould, wooden foliage and birdcage embellishments that I embossed with a white, glittery powder from Honey Doo Crafts.

There is additional colour in amongst the embellies using this luscious Green Apple Impasto paint from Prima.

More texture with various sized artstones, which I love...

....sisal and and then a couple of metal dragonflies.

I love making these tags, they can either be used on gift packaging or as a hanging ornament. Sometimes I like to add a message or encouraging sentiment.

And then, as if by magic, when I photographed it the sun came out.