Amongst the flowers

Hello everyone, welcome. I'm sharing a face I created using Frasco Acrylics from Paper Artsy and a Stabilo All pencil in black.

I think she's got a 70s vibe going on.

See you soon, hugs a Debs xxx

Stencil Mad

Hello everybody, I'm so thrilled you have come to visit. A very big welcome to you all, I hope you enjoy reading about how I used my stencils to create a 6x6 journal page. 

I was inspired to use my stencils by the wonderful inspiration on the Paper Artsy  blog.

I started by brayering Fresco Acrylic from Paper Artsy onto my smoothly card. First with Jade to which I added Pansy.

Above you can see where I used a paintbrush tip to draw some patterns in the paint.

Using a variety of Andy a Skinner stencils from Decoart I start building up my layers.

I loved how it was looking so stopped with the Acyrlic.

Using a black Craft Paste from DecoArt through a stencil I started added more detail.

I continued adding more texture with the Craft Paste.

I used a large Chit Chat sticker by Tim Holtz for Ranger for my sentiment.

I hope you like my little page using just stencils. Come back soon hugs 

Debs xx

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A card today

Hello everyone and welcome to my Thursday. I hope you are all well and enjoying yourselves whatever you are up today. 

I have to confess I mixed up my days as I thought today was the 26th, so over on that's blogging crafty you can see a birthday card I made for friend. What I didn't realise was today is the 25th so it's been posted a day early. I'm sorry about that but still hope she likes it.

So here is a sneak peak to see the whole thing and how I made it please visit here

Take care and see you all soon Debs xxx

Curly cogs

Shhhh... Here in the UK it is getting late. So I'll make this quick. Today I taught a workshop at Bird's In the Barn in Marks Tey. We had a fab time and the ladies created some fab pages. 

The pages this month were focusing on craft paste for texture as well as lots of layers with stencils and stamps. We incorporate lots of different techniques on the pages, all which can be used on other projects. 

It was a organic workshop designed to free creativity, and move out of your comfort zone. These were the inspiration pages. You can see what the ladies created by following this link.

My dinner was ready when I got home which was fab. I then finished off a page I had started at class. 

See you all soon. Hugs Debs.

Challenge time over That's Crafty

Hello everyone, I'm so excited, That's Crafty Challenge blog has a fabulous theme called Housey Housey. Mmm...

Getting your mind working? Yep! Ours too. Go see what the incredible talented Design Team came up with to inspire you. In addition entering the challenge puts you in with a chance to win 

                                    

Here is my my interpretation, but you may inspired by something else, reach deep into that creative pocket of ideas and see what deliciousness you come up with.

                   

                                  Created on a journal page using Media Fluids from Decoart.

So come on come join the fun. See you soon when I share what we got up to at Birds in The Barn on Saturday.

Big hugs Debs xx

I'm in the garden

Well I wish I was lol. Welcome and thanks for your visit.

Today Im over at That Crafty where you can see the full details of how this was created. That's Blogging Crafty.

Go take a look at all the marverlous creations from the team.

Big hugs from me, see you all soon. in fact there is a new challenge tomorrow at Thats Crafty and I have something that might just inspire you.

Debs xxx

One side finished

Hello everyone  thank you all  for taking the time to visit my little home on the net. Having you share my journey of art making, and the support and encouragement I recieve from you all, really touches my heart.

I have met some wonderful people on this journey, both in real life and the virtual world, all of whom have touched me in someway. Their art that inspires me, their humour and frustrations as well as their fears of 'not being good enough' all influence my art making and for that I am so grateful.  

In relation to inspiration this piece has been inspired by a few people. Firstly Leandra from Paper Artsy announced the new challenge last Sunday which is Hidden Objects . This gave rise to many ideas, but here I'm showing the top of a box I have created to house many secret things. It has a key to a secret box where the key to my box can be found. 

The style is influenced by Anna Dabrowska - Finnabair. You can see lots of her work here. She has a very distinct style which is fabulous and very addictive. I haven't been fortunate enough to attend any of her classes, but one day.

Lastly the colour is inspired by some recent art by Sam which you can see here. I just loved the combination and although this piece changes rapidly I love the depth of colour the layers created.

I plan to enter this into the following challenges
Frilly and Funky - Summer
Paper Artsy - Hidden Objects
Country View crafts - Shabby Chic



Mixed Media Monthly Challenge who are celebrating their 1st birthday. The theme is looking back over the year and picking one of the past themes. I have picked May Flowers

                                         

So to start, I planned my design and began sticking my elements into place. I used a combination of items from metal, to paper flowers.

I covered the area with white Gesso, however, the dye from the red flower diluted to a pink. 

                                      

Above you can see a paper bag which is ATC size which was stuck on and also gessoed. 

Once the Gesso was dried I used the Media Misters to build up some layers of ink. I used a combination of colours until I got the mix just right.

Here you can see the key attached to a Tag that fits in the pocket. I also used some cardboard letters to form the label for the box. I intend to store a small art journal in the box along with some mementoes as a keep sake.

Once all the items were thoroughly dry I applied a thin coat of Metallic Lustre in Expresso  to areas around the flowers etc to give a look of aged gilting. 

                               

The Tag out of the pocket - the address is hidden from view as it is on the reverse of the Tag.

And all together it looks like this. I really enjoyed assemembelling all the elements. Hopefully you can still see all the scrummy layers achieved by a first  layer of muslin, and and some found bits  and pieces in cardboard.

I loved making this. It's very tactile with all the elements. 

Well that's it for now. You all take care and don't forget to visit again lol. See you soon 

Hugs Debs xxx

It's a Man thing

Afternoon everyone, I hope you are having a lovely Sunday whatever your plans. I'm enjoying myself with my daughter and grandchildren although I must say makes feel old lol.

Now onto my project for today, which is my make for the new challenge  over at Mixed Media World where the theme is Masculine/ Fathers Day

                        N.             

All the paint crackle glaze, and sand Paste are from DecoArt 

I challenged myself to make something a bit different. I really struggle to make cards nowadays; I'm not too sure why, but every time I start, my mind goes blank and a doesn't shift.  However, this time I knew I was going to do one with a Steam Punk style, which is not a style I do very often.

Here are a few photos of the process.

Background - Media spray Mists and Quinacridone Gold over the top. A coat of Crackle Glaze to finish.

Next layer- Tim Holtz 'found relative' coated with Crackle Glaze and Antiquing Cream to the cracks. I was a little rough causing some of the flakes to fall off but I liked the look so wasn't concerned.

I also used a mixed Media die cut also from Tim Holtz which I have rusted up.

A close up of the cracks. You can also see a little of some cogs which I cut and again rusted. 

A close up of one cog  on which I had given the Andy Skinner touch. 

And the finish card.

I hope you like my card. Take care and see you soon.

Hugs Debs xx

Being Watched

Hello everyone, happy Thursday. And as it is Thursday its my turn over at That's Crafty

Here is a sneak peek.

For a much better look and all the details please visit That's Blogging Crafty. 

Check back soon to see what else I've been up to. 

Hugs Debs xx

Is this technique New?

Hello me again with just a quicky. I was playing last night and came up with this. Have you seen this before? I know I haven't, I got the idea while making something else and gave it a go.

Above what you can see is a 4x4 board which has one coat of burnt umber and a face painted with weathered wood crackle glaze.

I used Titanium White over the top.

I was so excited I forgot to take more photos. I rubbed Patina Antiquing Cream all over and then once dry rubbed it back. With a Stabilio All,in black I added some shadows around the face.

 I love this effect and cannot wait to play more. On this project I've used DecoArt products. 

Im calling this technique Crackle Drawing. 

That's it for now, see you soon Debs xx

Journal page

Morning you lovely peeps out there, welcome to  my crafty space. I hope you are all well and enjoying yourselves. 

I found this on the Internet and thought I'd share 

“Every time you take a risk or move out of your comfort zone,  you have a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, and your capacity.”      Jack Canfield.      it is so true. 

So to my page which, as most of my pages are started as a mop up.

I added more detail using Dina Wakley paint through her stencils. 

And added my faces using a Stabilio All in Black.

I loved the freedom this page gave me. Have a good day, and I will see you later.

Debs xx

Hidden things

Evening everyone thank you for coming to say hello. I'm sharing my secret art mail inspired by the challenge over at Paper Artsy.

I made an envelope and sprayed some colorbloom by Prima. I distressed the edges with stained Walnut.

Now at the weekend I got to play carving my own stamps. Donna from Inky and Quirky inspired me to have another go at calving and I'm so pleased I did. Here's a quick look at them.

And a quick play

Below you can see my design. I left enough room to add an address.

I then made my card for inside

I wrote a quote by Shakespeare.

You can see it peeking out but not the full quote as that's a secret. Shhhhh!

Here is another envelope waiting for its secret card.

I can see me making more of these as it was fun.

See you soon Debs xx

Playing

Hello everyone, great of you to stop by. I got to play this morning on a A3 canvas.

All Materials were supplied by DecoArt who are very generous with their products. I love the Media Mists and Fluids and for what I had in mind today, just perfect for the job.
I'm linking this to Paint Party Friday

I applied Traditions Extender and Blending Medium onto the canvas almost covering it. This extends the drying time and makes the colours easy to blend, especially if you want a more fluid effect.

I then sprayed the canvas and turned it around to get some drips. I wiped and dabbed and blended the colours.

The photo above doesn't show the inspiration for the painting but in the next one I have used a pencil to form what I could see.

                                  

I love it when art creates itself, it's so satisfying to feel intune with my creation. It's this feeling that calls to me constantly and can be annoying when I don't have the time.

I used the Media Fluids to add shadow and depth to the painting and lighter colours to increase the light.

I worked back and forth across the painting until it felt finished . Here are some of the stages.

The finished picture 

Fantastic Saturday! I've also been in the loft sorting again, another car full tomorrow. 

Take care all and enjoy the rest of evening.  See you soon xxxx

Hugs Debs xxx