New Challenge at Try It On Tuesday

October already! So it follows that our next challenge at TRY IT ON TUESDAY Tuesday would be related to the time of year - our theme is AUTUMN MAGIC.
I've had a change from card making and made myself a bit of home decor!

Meet Leafbeard.....! Leafbeard is a magical gnome who lives at the bottom of the Oak Tree in the garden.

I had a bit of fun and also used up some odd bits that have been lying about in a box.
The hat is a small piece of slub linen material cut with out with pinking shears, folded and glued to make the cone shape. (I don't sew if I can help it!)

I used a small piece of stuffing inside the hat and tied the top with some string.

A piece of cardboard was cut as a base for his beard and the leaves were all die cut from bits of felt. Once stuck I put the top part of the cardboard into the bottom of the hat and glued.

His nose is a small polystyrene ball which I chopped in half with a knife so it would lay flat!

A few tiny scraps for patches and an offcut of the cone shape stuck on the hat and job done!

He measures about 8" in total and will be hung with the pumpkins and other bits on the twiggy tree display for Autumn.

Hope you can join us - can't wait to see what you create!

Vermeer

Jan (Johannes) Vermeer was a 17th century Dutch painter and is one of my favourite artists. Although he was not a prolific painter (it's thought he only painted about 35 works of art during his short lifetime), his ability to capture the effects of light and his attention to detail within each work is amazing.

Probably his most well known piece is 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' which is an awesome interpretation of youth, beauty and innocence.

I have made this project using the one of Vanmeer's painting's that ranks amongst those at the top of my fave list. This is called 'The Lacemaker' and depicts an industry which was flourishing at the time in the Delft area where Vanmeer lived. I love the concentration on the face of the lace girl as she uses her bobbins to make a border for maybe a tablecloth or pillow.

My piece measures about 6" square and is made from mountboard. I printed the image onto linen textured paper - I like this paper for the 'oil on canvas' effect it gives. I used K and Co 'Madeleine' backing paper and then added a variety of cotton lace from my stash, including a small crocheted coaster/doily which I think once belonged to my gran! The oversized needle must have come in a button pack at one time (don't know how long I've had it.....) and I know the two cotton 'spools' (probably from the same button pack) are not strictly to do with lacemaking but hope I'll be forgiven.

The rose lace in the top corner was cut from a wide strip and the addition of 2 buttons finish my small mixed media attempt!

I am submitting this into Gingersnap Creations C65 - Famous Painter or Paintings.

and Play Date Cafe's Colour Challenge is green, beige and dark brown - and as one of my little 'spools' is dark brown I am entering this there too!

Spring Butterfly?

I can now post this pic of the note holder I made for a present. I made two of these, in slightly different colours for crafting friends and I confess to shamelessly copying the idea from Craft Stamper magazine.(But the recipients seem not to have minded - lol)

The large butterfly was from a template I had saved on the PC (no idea where it came from- LOL). I cut it out in mountboard then used Distress inks to colour the background before stamping the butterflies and swirls.

The note holder is just secured with a small bulldog clip.

Doing these kept me busy in the early part of December and I enjoyed making them as they reminded me of Spring somehow.....

So Christmas is now over and 2010 is almost here. I recieved some fab presents from fellow crafters and I shall cherish each and every one - I know some real talented people!! We spent a quiet Christmas at home, the peace only broken by my squealing on opening an envelope from my darling husband which contained an extremely large sum of money gift voucher to be spent at Paperartsy!

Hope your festive season was all you wished for too!

Winter Wonderland

Another beer can! Basics are the same as the Winter Birds further down in this blog - a beer can ungrudgingly donated by the Other Half, the frame is the same Cuttlebug embossing folder. Wanting to create a 'cold' feel this time I used 'Sail Boat Blue' and 'Stream' alcohol inks with a silver mixative.

I mixed two different sets of beading along the bottom to try and represent varying shades of icicles. The snowmen image was printed onto canvas type card for texture. The greeting was in a pack of Christmas buttons and the pearly snowflake is from my stash with some fluffy snowy white fibres wrapped round it. I used the same fibres to make the hangers.

I have submitted this to Gingersnap Creation's, whose December challenge is 'Winter Wonderland' and also a very late entry into Theme Thursday's theme of 'Christmas Holiday Creations'.

More metal

Have no idea where the last week has gone..... I'd like to say I have been absent because I have been getting organised for Christmas but that is one great big fib! I have though made - a Xmas present (which I can't show you here cos it'll spoil the surprise), - another wall hanging from a beer can (which I'll post later) and - this small canvas. So I haven't been idle... just guilty of not finishing my Christmas Cards!

This was another dabble with metal (bought piece this time, not one of OH's cans!) and although I am reasonably pleased with it (and myself- LOL), there are a couple of things that need more practice. I am still struggling with getting the background completely smooth after embossing and stretching the actual design but I'm hoping that this is the case where 'practice makes perfect'!

The stamp and quote is by Elusive Images. I 'antiqued' the flower plaque by using acrylic paint, but opted to leave this (much used by me) quote bare. Both are mounted onto black card. I painted the canvas with a mixture of acrylic paints and cosmic shimmer powders. The 3 small metal 'studs' were in my stash and fortunately for me were a good colour match!

Winter Birds

I just HAD to make something out of the empty beer cans that OH has been obligingly supplying me with - it was a real labour of love for him as you can imagine - (lol!).

Inspired by Jan (and encouraged once again by Maureen re using alcohol inks) I completed this wall hanging this morning.

The beer can was embossed with the cuttlebug die and then coloured with alco inks (-Burnt Orange colour mostly).

The bird image I printed onto cotton fabric paper. I added some feathers and a couple of 'eggs'. The leaf arrangement on the right is made up of a large leaf that Maureen cut out and embossed for me (from yet another beer can OH donated - LOL) as I don't have a leaf die - (something else for the shopping list!) and two smaller fabric leaves and a couple of sparkly flowers from my stash. The beading at the bottom was a gift from Maureen and I thought it co ordinated well with the piece and finally I added an antique look chain to hang it with.

My other half appears to be delighted that I have taken to wanting metal to work with....... can't understand why!!!

I have submitted this piece to Gingersnap Creations whose challenge this week is to use frames.

Far too early arrival!

I have waited for a couple of weeks to post this picture - I made this for Nancy's birthday and posted it early as I wasn't sure if the postal strikes were going to muck up the delivery! Anyway it arrived in the USA just five days after OH took it to the post office and unfortunately two weeks early for the birthday- but she opened it anyway... despite the warning on the envelope! Honestly, some people!!!

The image was stamped and distressed and I used different shades of white, holographic and gold embossing powders for the rays of light. Although the pic doesn't sho the 'rays of light' tumble down onto the face (done with holographic powder!),

The vintage lace was acquired from my mother in law ( who is still clearing out and finding fab fabrics and lacy bits etc...goody!). I added the charm which says 'Live in the Light' and a fabric flowerbackground with a glass flower centre secured with a brad. The whole piece is mounted onto chipboard to give it some substance for hanging on the wall.

Nancy has said she loves it - thank goodness!

Checking through the challenge blogs, Lots To Do's theme this week is 'embossing'... thought about submitting the red and gold oriental card but decided this also fitted the challange!

Metal Experimentation!

Maureen has been visiting! I have had a great few days culminating in a slap up meal last night and lots of laughs at the dinner table!

My purse however is somewhat lighter due to the craft stash that I was FORCED to buy when we paid a visit to a craft shop in Lancashire - I will not advertise it here but for those card makers amongst you, if I told you the 'ladies room' was decorated in pink complete with black chandelier and gem encrusted toilet brush you might be able to guess where we were!

Anyway back to the visit. I have never tried to do anything with metal before but the bold Maureen (who I think has tried EVERYTHING - lol) arrives for the designated 'crafting day' complete with metal tools and metal sheets in varying lovely shades, after me mentioning in passing that I quite faniced having a go but didn't know where to start. (She arrived with tons of other stuff too but more of that later).

So with the men packed off to the bowling green we proceeded to make a mess in the craft room (which I had tidied up especially!).

This wall hanging was inspired by a book called 'Images on Metal' and is the result of my endeavours - image stamped onto aluminium sheet and then edged with a 'dot' tool, the blue background paper is from my stash with a few more stamped flourishes added and stuck onto mountboard. OH had found 3 rolls of plasterer's joint tape during a shed clear out and I painted some of it with silver metallic paint, pegged it out to dry then used it down the left side adding a blue skeleton leaf, some seed beads, a couple of mosaic tiles and a silver filigree piece and metal word.

I really like this and am determined to do some more experimenting with metal, particularly as I was the fortunate winner of a recent give away in Craft Stamper magazine - 7 Paper Artsy Geometric Stamp Plates especially for using on metal - which arrived as a great surprise 2 days before Maureen did!!

I will post more details of Maureens visit over the next few days..... am off for a lie down to recover!! LOL

Mixed Media Monday has the theme of Metal this week so I have entered this into the challenge!

'THE ALTERED ATC' - wall art incoporating matchbox window shrines

This shrine was the SIS project for Jan/Feb. (Details of SIS can be found here )

The project was to make a 'shrine' using a matchbox and an ATC.

I chose the theme of 'Love' cos it's February and also because I have had this 3 heart embellishment for over 2 years which was rescued from the inside of another project (didn't turn out the way I wanted so it went in the bin!) The 3 hearts and it's red background are air dried clay which have been painted. This fitted perfectly in the inside of the matchbox.

I used gold embossed paper for the box and toned it down a little using black ink and red ink 'dabbers' as the gold was too shiny for my liking - I wanted to achieve a muted 'antique' effect for the frame and box.

So the matchbox was used to house my hearts and the ATC was then cut out to make a window type frame. The ATC was covered in the same paper and toned down like the box. I added the metal embellishments, a tassel and some fibres.

(There is a tutorial on this project written by Ange and it can be viewed here if you fancy trying it! )

Lots To Do have set a theme of 'Frames' for this week so have entered this into the challenge!

Rainbow in Paris!

I recently received some Paris themes ATC's as a result of a 'lottery' on the NI group. I have lots of themes that I like and Paris is included in the list! Consequently I have had some Paris themed ATC's from one to one trades in my album too.

It seems such a pity to own these little works of art and not have them on display so I decided to start putting them on 'Themed' canvases with the idea being that I put them on the walls in the 'den' and display them in rotation.

So here is the first of the themed canvas project which is entitled 'Parisienne Rainbow'! The background is chalked and stamped, with some beads and other embellishments added and the finished piece measures 15" x 12".

Young Marie and her Beau?

Over at Theme Thursday, todays challenge was 'Couples'.

I have developed a liking for all things outrageously tragic and French as my blogging friend Margaret is obsessed with Marie Antoinette! This image reminded me instantly of Marie Anionette as it depicts all the outrageous fashion of the time, the powdered wigs, huge skirts and of course the painted on beauty spot! (A 'must have' fashion item at the time). The collarless dress jacket and breeches with the fancy waistcoat worn by the boy shows that during the early to mid 1800's, the clothes worn by middle and upperclass children older than toddlers (especially by girls) continued to be uncomfortable-looking miniature copies of the clothes worn by adults, with the exception that girls wore back-fastening bodices and petticoats rather than open-fronted robes. Towards the end of the 1780's, there was a change to styles that were more practical for children's play — long trousers for boys, and loose ankle-length skirts for girls. I bet they were delighted! I printed the photo onto glossy paper and then edged it on 3 sides with black glitter card, finishing off with a glossy black and silver flourish that I think came from a Christmas card! The sliver and black embossed backing paper was edged in black sequins and a pearl heart attached at the bottom. I finished the piece with a crystal 'shoe' buckle similar to the boy's shoe and threaded some black lace through to mirror the downright extravagance of the period! (And also to make something that the recipient could hang it up with!!! )

Heart

Over at MAMMA, there is a Valentine's challenge using a heart shaped template.

I am not good with a sewing needle and find working with fabric quite difficult so I opted for the safe old paper creation! Whilst I have in my list of favorites things pink, romantic and vintage I decided to have a change for this challenge.

The background of this heart is handmade paper which has been 'crinkled' although this doesn't show up very well on the photo. (In fact, I am not pleased with this photo as I was happy with this project once I'd completed it and I don't think this shows it off to it's best, so trust me, it DOES look better in 'real life'! If you want a better view just click on the picture - it makes it larger and clearer.)

After adding the crinkle paper, I double edged the heart with two different layers of lace. I placed a second layer of corrugated card over the back attaching the brown hanging ribbon before glueing.

The little brown spotty heart at the top is made from thin wood and I added fibres, a flower and a skeleton leaf and two fabric butterflies before attaching the silver 'Love' word charm. Over at 'Created by Hand' the challenge was to create something using the word Love - so here it is!

Enter The Dragon!

I have had so little time lately. I haven't even put up the Christmas Tree and am still a couple of presents short. The other things that have required my attention have prevented me from doing any serious crafting and I have felt real guilty that I haven't been able to send all my very good crafting friends a little something to show how much I appreciate their friendship, encouragement and inspiration. I had started to make a few things earlier in the year so for the last few days I have set about finishing them and sending them off to their intended recipients. The whole Christmas thing has had me really stressed out this year with so many other family things that I have needed to do.

This hopefully should have arrived at it's new home by now. It's ATC size and the background is acrylic paint, shimmer powders and red embossing powder. The fabric dragon was one of my purchases at the NEC earlier in the year.

Time please!

I have recently taken part in 2 jigsaw jams as those of you who have followed my blog recently will know. I have sat today and completed my 'Time' themed one and this is the result.
I random painted the canvas with acrylic paints. I made the clock face by using a downloaded image scaled to the size I wanted, then added my 'Queen of the Last Minute' stamp in the centre (again scaled down). After colouring with gel pens and distressing the main part of the face I then triple embossed it. The six jiggy bits were done by (from the top) Wendy K, Sheila C, Cindy, Me, Sherry and Jinny. They are fabulous pieces and the small picture on here doesn't do them justice. My other jammers put so much effort and creativity into their jiggy bits, I was completely overwhelmed when they all started to arrive.
Finally I added the metal letters before assembling it all onto the canvas.
I am really happy with this piece. The builders have finished in the new workroom and I am expecting to be settled in there next week..... complete with new clock!

Windows and Squish a Boob!!!!

The Creative Wednesday challenge this week was 'Windows'.

I have done a 4 x 4 piece. The background was done using Mica pigments in Golden Pear and Violet Frost with a blend of a pale pink ink sponged background. The lady image and the words were printed on acetate to allow the shimmer powders to show through, the flower swirls stamped and the sleeping mask and beads are suspended from the top of the window.

As I have used 3d pads to mount the frame the sleeping mask turns round! I added the lace, fibres and gems in an attempt to give the piece even more depth.

For those of you that have followed my blog this year you will know that the Breast Cancer Campaign is close to my heart.

This little 'Squish a Boob, Save a Life' penguin is a real cutie and as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, please pick him up, pass him on and pop him onto your own blogs!

Guilty copycat and Second hand Rose!

Am feeling really guilty! It's been a lovely afternoon here, sun shining and I have been very naughty! Instead of doing some work in the garden and taking advantage of the weather, I have sat here and turned the tidy(ish) craft space into a tip! I have been envious for a long time of Jans beautiful wall hangings and although I am not a 'fabric' person and am rubbish with a needle (unless it's x stitch!), I was desperate to try and do something similar. ( Note for Jan....Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ...honest!!)
Connie had sent me a card some time ago which had this beautiful image printed on acetate so I decided to try and recycle it.
Using a 4"x4" chipboard mount I covered in a musical score paper, I then tipped out the contents of the lace/ribbon box and found some scraps at the bottom! I used two eyelets so the fibre hanger could be threaded through and knotted at the front. The cut up tag is from a 'Tag Art' collage book which I had forgotten I had - (I think I might have bought it when I thought I might try scrapbooking!! Needless to say, this is the first time I've used it!)
Cannot remember where the 'ribbon rose' came from but it was definitely cut off something! And the shaker style heart came from our village craft shop and was left over from a few wedding cards I made as an order! I have called her second Hand Rose as it sounds so much nicer than recycled Rhona! Although this is nowhere near Jan's standards I'm quite pleased with it for a first attempt.... it wasn't made for anyone or with anything in mind, so I shall just keep it for a little while before I decide what to do with it! Just wish I was a better photograher, this is another one that looks better if you enlarge it!