Focus On The Good....

Hello friends!

Hope you are all keeping safe and well and thank you so much for popping by to join us for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge which this week is all about getting in the mood for Spring! If your looking for inspiration, then we have a Spring Mood Board below to get your creative juices flowing and while we all spending the time in our homes, for those lucky enough to be surrounded by nature, then you only need to look outside to be inspired.

For my project, I created a little whimsical piece for Easter, with the message to Focus On the Good and I hope this will make you smile. This piece was inspired by Alice In Wonderland and the White Rabbit but is my take on the story, because my bunny has had a little fur dye job to banish that grey, lol! So, get yourself a cup of tea and let's take a wander through my project...

So, let's get started because it's time to share all the details of my Spring project...

To begin with I took the second smallest and the smallest Vignette Boxes from the set of 4 and the second smallest panel which will fit on top of one of the boxes to form the lid.

To begin with I covered the top of the small box, which I turned upside down so that the base become the top, and the top of the vignette panel, (the lid) and adhered a panel of patterned paper that I took from the Etcetera Paper Stash onto each. I then applied some design tape around the top edges of the larger box and around the raw edges of the lid ~ this just gives the whole box a really nice finish.

Taking the boxes, I gave each of them a coverage of gesso and allowed them to dry. Whilst they're doing their thing, I took the Bouquet Thinlits Die and used it to die cut two panels of Mixed Media Heavystock card. I then cut the die cut card to create panels that would fit each of the four sides of my two vignette boxes and adhered the panels of die cut card into place with Matte Collage Medium.

Once the medium was dry, and the tape was in place, I dry brushed some Scattered Straw Distress Paint over the raised die cut surface. It doesn't matter if any of the paint settles onto the recessed areas, you can just wipe it away with a semi damp cloth. Once the paint was dry, I then applied a coat of Matte Collage Medium over each of the boxes and the lid.

Again allow for the paint to dry before moving onto the next stage, adding some Crackle Paste to the edges of the boxes. After letting the paste dry and crackle, I then applied some Walnut Stain Distress Crayon to the crackled areas and used a water brush to move the colour over the surface of the crackle paste to accentuate the cracks.

I also applied some of the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon along the edges of the box so that it creates more of a vintage feel to this piece.

So we now have all the boxes prepped and taking the small one, I attached this to the centre of the lid and attached it with Matte Collage Medium.

I then added a Theories Quote Chip, 'Focus On The Good' which I thought was perfect for our current situation and I gave the chip more of a vintage feel by applying the Walnut Stain Distress crayon to the surface and then just using my finger to blend it over the chip. I then added some Hardware Heads to either side of the chip...

...and I also added a clock face to the front of the small box. I had this piece in my stash, it was clean and white but I added some Distress Paints to make it look worn and old.

To complete the larger box, I added small pearls to the base as little feet.

So the box is ready to decorate and of course, you can create any scene you want but I chose to use one of the brand new Bunny Hop dies.

I took the die and cut three separate layers of thin chipboard which I layered together to create one substantial die cut. I then cut a fourth layer from Heavystock Mixed Media card which I'd inked with a combination of Distress Inks ~ Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap and Gathered Twigs, paying attention to the edges to create more definition around the bunny. I then attached this die cut over the top of the chipboard piece and added a little cottontail, a Darice Pom Pom.

For my bunny bow, I used a piece of Mummy Cloth, dyed with Faded Jeans Distress Spray Stain and then tied around his neck. I also added a little pink flower, a bouquet finding dyed with Tattered Rose Distress Spray Stain.

Attach the bunny die cut onto the top of the small upturned box using a dab of hot glue to hold it in place and allow for the glue to set.

...and while that's setting, I took two different sized Woodland Trees, and dyed them with a combination of Evergreen Bough and Crushed Olive Distress Spray Stain. I gently heat dried the trees to set the colour before attaching each of them to my scene, bending the tops to give a quirky feel to the piece. I then added small dried flowers into the trees and a little butterfly taken from the Snippets Ephemera set.

Around the bunny's feet I added some moss and some more of the Bouquet Findings flowers, that I snipped away from the main stalk and just attached the individual flowers into the moss.

Finally, I added my pearls to the lid! Now those regular visitors to my blog will know that I love these pearls and have used them in so many ways but what I really love about them is that they add instant colour and dimension to a project and these really did create that pop of spring once I'd added alcohol ink to them. I used various sizes of Bauble Findings and coloured them with four colours of Alcohol Inks ~ Alchemy, Cloudy Blue, Cool Peri and Mushroom.

I then took each of the coloured pearls and just attached them in clusters to my box lid, popping pieces of moss in between the pearls.

...and that completes my little box that can now be filled with chocolate eggs and sent to someone to say hello and let them know you're thinking of them or you can just use it as a display piece.

As you may know the lovely Heidi, and all the people working behind the scenes at the Simon Says Stamp Store are running on limited operations ~ they are still accepting orders but due to the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, shipping times are going to be slightly longer than usual!

But due to the outbreak we have made the very difficult decision to suspend the $50 vouchers for now but we know that many people are staying safe at home and we would love it if you would continue to enter the challenges and have fun! We are all in this together!

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today and see you again soon.

Stay safe everyone and take care of yourselves and your loved ones...

....love, care, believe ~ Emma

xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Bunny Hop, Bouquet
Distress Paint: Scattered Straw
Distress Spray Stain: Evergreen Bough, Crushed Olive, Faded Jeans, Scattered Straw
Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain
Alcohol Inks: Alchemy, Cloudy Blue, Cool Peri, Mushroom

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Hardware Heads, Baubles Findings, Theories Quote Chips, Woodland Trees, Bouquet Findings, Snippets, Design Tape, mummy Cloth, Vignette Box, Vignette Panels

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Crackle Paste
Darice Pom Poms
Natural Moss and Green Moss

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Graphic 45 Chipboard, Etcetera Paper Stash

Glass Media Mat

Big Shot

Heat Gun
Clock face from my own stash

One Vision...

Hello friends...

Hope you are all safe and well in this crazy world that we're living in right now! Over the last couple of weeks, with so much filling our heads and minds, it's been nice to be able to escape into my own little world of creativity and just allow myself to switch off and create some art and if you feel the same and would love to join us for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, then we would love for you to play along! Our theme for this week is all about "Steampunk"and we can't wait to see what you create!

So, as my regular followers have probably already guessed, I was kind of in my element with this theme and I created a project using that encompasses the theme and packed it full of rusty, crusty goodness!

So, let's get started because it's time to create some steampunk...

To begin with I used a 20cm MDF circular base which I primed with gesso ~ I have a few of these in my stash but of course, if you don't have one, then you can cut a circle from card, and just adhere it to a piece of chipboard or mount board.

I used Distress Paints to add the colour to my background and started with a layer of Peacock Feathers, which I applied over the entire surface. Once the paint was dry, I then started the layering using the dry brushing technique which I use to create depth of colour, dipping the brush into Black Soot Distress Paint, removing the excess onto a paper towel until there's hardly any left and then just brushing the remaining paint across the surface.

When the surface is throughly dry, I used a palette knife to apply some Crackle Paste to onto the background ~ allow for the paste to dry and crackle before taking the Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon and just running it over the top of the paste, then using a damp fingertip, just blend out the colour ~ you'll find that the pigment of colour from the crayon will seep into the crackles and really make them pop.

To add the rusty texture around the edges, I applied some Translucent Grit Paste and after allowing for the paste to dry, I applied some colour ~ a combination of Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Ground Espresso and Black Soot Paint, applied over the top of the textured areas, using a paint brush to layer each individual colour. When layering the paint, I always ensure that the previous layer is dry, otherwise it can become muddy in appearance which isn't the look we're aiming for!

Once I'd achieved my rusty edges, I then applied a small amount of Vintage Gold Alchemy Wax over the top, applying a light touch using my fingertip and just kissing the paste to accentuate the texture.

The background is now ready to decorate but before I did, I added one last detail...

I had a piece of metallic cardstock that I had leftover on my desk. The metal had been embossed with the Foundry 3D Texture Fade Embossing folder and I cut this into three separate strips before attaching each of these onto my panel. I then added some metal bolts onto the metal strips to give the appearance that they're riveted into place.

The next step was to create the cogs and gears and for this I used the Industrial Die to cut pieces of chipboard that I covered with metal foil tape and combined these with a few Kaisercraft Wooden Cogs that I had in my stash. Using a selection, about half of the gears I cut, I started to add my rusty colour to each gear, using the same paints as I used on the edges of my panel and adding some more Translucent Paste to create texture. With the remaining gears, I used an applicator tool to apply Alcohol Inks to the metal surface ~ Rust, Mushroom, Pitch Black and Patina.

In the centres of some of the gears, I added some metal knobs and bolts...

...and if you look closely, I've added a little hidden No.3, into the arrangement, which comes from the Specimen Remnant Rubs.

After building up and layering all my cogs, arranging them to create a circular frame in the centre of the panel, I then moved onto the central focal point of this piece.

The first thing I did was to die cut the top layer and for this I used the Steampunk Parts Bigz Die and cut the pieces from chipboard, (I didn't use the blades for this project so put these away for another day). I then applied gesso to each individual die cut before painting them with Black Soot Distress Paint. Once the paint was dry, I took the large circular piece and painted Candied Apple over the top of the painted die cut. For the circular frame piece and the nuts and bolts, I applied a small amount of the Vintage Gold Alchemy Wax. I then attached all my pieces together to form the frame. Adding the nuts and bolts pieces around the edge.

In the centre of the frame, I added a stamped image from the Inventor 2 Stamp Set and stamped the image of the head only, onto Heavystock Mixed Media card. After colouring the image, I cut it to size and placed it behind my red Steampunk Part frame, before adding a layer of black chipboard, cut slightly larger in size than the red frame. I then just added a touch more gilding wax around the edge of the chipboard before mounting the piece onto foam pads and attaching it to the centre of one of the ephemera pieces from the Urban Layers set.

To complete this piece, I then attached three Index Clips around the edge of the ephemera piece, all rusted up with alcohol inks ~ rust, pitch black and a touch of gold mixative before I then added a Hardware Head to each of the clips.

Attach the layered panel using foam pads and placing in the centre of the panel, over the top of the gears.

We're nearly there and all that's left is to add three Star Adornments around the outside of the cog arrangement. Each star was painted with Candied Apple Distress Paint...

...and finally, I added a metal plaque from the Foundry Adornments set, and placed this at the bottom of the panel, again all rusted up nicely with alcohol inks.

Hope you've loved this project and enjoyed me taking you through how I created it. If you click on the photo below, you can enlarge it to take a look in closer detail, see all the layers, the rusty goodness and the shimmer and shine from the cogs.

Don't forget, if you would like to see more inspiration from my talented teamies over on the challenge blog and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today and see you again soon.

Stay safe everyone and take care of yourselves and your loved ones...

....love, care, believe ~ Emma

xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Inventor 2 Stamp Set
Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Steampunk Parts, Industrial
Distress Paint: Ground Espresso, Candied Apple, Peacock Feathers, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Black Soot
Distress Marker Pens
Distress Crayons: Gathered Twigs
Alcohol Inks: Rust, Gold Mixative, Pitch Black, Patina

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Hardware Heads, Urban Layers Ephemera, Specimen Remnant Rubs, Star Adornments, Index Clips, Foundry Adornments

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Crackle Paste, Translucent Grit Paste, Black Soot Archival Ink

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Metallic Kraft Stash, metal Foil Tape, Graphic 45 Black Chipboard, Graphic 45 Chipboard
Kaisercraft Wooden Cogs
Prima Marketing: Mini Hardware, Vintage Gold Alchemy Wax

Glass Media Mat

Big Shot

Heat Gun
Circular MDF plaque from my own stash

With Brave Wings She Flies...

Hello friends!

Hope you are all safe and well amid the chaos that is currently engulfing the world. When we experience times like these, then there's nothing better than trying to escape it all and settle down to what a lot of us love best ~ creativity and art and today, the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge has begun and this week our theme is called, Stencil Fun and we hope you'll find some time to craft along with us!

For my project, I chose to use the gorgeous Tim Holtz Bouquet Layering Stencil to create a background panel for my Scribbly Butterflies to sit upon and used some of Tim's amazing new Distress Embossing Glazes to add colour to this vintage style piece. I also thought that the Theories Quote Chip was the perfect quote for today's piece....

So, let's get started because it's time to have some stencil fun...

To begin with I cut a panel of watercolour card, slightly larger in size than the Bouquet Layering Stencil itself. I then laid down the stencil onto the centre of the card and applied Crackle Paste through it. Once I'd removed the stencil, I then started to add my Glazes, which are just so cool. These glazes are translucent but create a beautiful sheen to the raised areas of crackle paste. They also blend together seamlessly and you can use them as I have here, but there are so many other uses which I am going to be showing you in future posts.

So whilst the paste is still wet, I used a tiny spoon to sprinkle the glazes over the top, applying Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint and Fossilized Amber, applying them to accentuate and pick up the detail of the layering stencil. Once I was happy with the coverage, I set the panel to one side before moving onto the next stage.

Whilst the panel is doing it's thing, I moved onto the butterflies and for this I used the Sizzix Scribbly Butterfly set by Tim Holtz and using watercolour card, I cut each butterfly twice. I then inked one of each of the die cuts using Gathered Twigs Distress Ink before drying them. For the second of each die cut, I watercolored them using Distress Marker Pens and then after drying them thoroughly, I added a little bit of shimmer to the wings by lightly dabbing a glue stick onto the surface and whilst it was still tacky, I applied some foil sheets over the top, transferring the gold metallic sheen onto the wings.

Layer each butterfly die cut by attaching them by their bodies only and then I shaped the wings to give them the appearance of them fluttering.

So moving on, I went back to my panel which was ready for the next stage, and I used a heat tool to gently heat the glazes until they are molten. Don't overheat but you will see a slight change in colour, they become ever so slightly darker when they're melted and of course, they create a glaze.

To create more of a vintage feel to the panel, I then spritzed it with a light mist of water before applying Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stains over the top. Be gentle when heat drying the background and any excess colour or moisture, can be dabbed away with a dry cloth. If you need any more, colour just repeat until happy.

So, I now have my background and after cutting the panel down to size, I inked the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and machine stitched a border around the outside, leaving some of the threads to hang loose.

I then matted and layered my panel onto gold metallic card, followed by a panel of kraft card and a layer of blue card from the Classic Kraft Stash.

I now have the background panel ready and just mounted this onto a canvas panel, slightly larger in size which I painted with a combination of Antique Linen, Pumice Stone and Picket Fence Distress Paints.

I then wrapped some twine around the bottom section of the panel before attaching a Theories Quote Chip using foam pads and of course, no project of mine is complete without some Hardware Heads and after inking them with Rust Alcohol Ink, I added one to either side of the chip.

Now you could leave it there and create a card or  smaller panel but I wanted to make a larger statement piece and decided to mount it onto a second canvas panel which measures, 24 x 17cm.

The panel is pre-gessoed, so all I did was to apply a coat of Antique Linen Distress Paint over the surface. Once the paint was dry, I then dry brushed Pumice Stone and Ground Espresso over the top before heat drying these layers.

I then applied Crackle Paste to the panel, adding various layers of paste to create different sized crackles. After allowing it to dry, I used my fingertip to add some Vintage Collage Medium, again dried the medium and then used a combination of Gathered Twigs and Walnut Stain Distress Crayons, to accentuate the crackles. I usually add a light mist of water over the surface or dampen my fingertip to allow me to blend the crayon into the crackles.

Once I was happy, I wrapped some more twine around the larger sized panel, wrapping it so that it created a fan of twine on either side and then mounted my smaller panel over the top using foam pads before adding some torn pieces of Design Tape to create a bit of interest around the small panel.

We're nearly there and it's just about the finishing touches, starting with a Field Notes Ephemera piece, Private Collection Specimens label which I added underneath the small panel.

I also added some Clips to either side of the twine, inked with Rust Alcohol Ink and placed a Hardware Head over the top.

To complete the butterfly panel, I placed a dress pin into the bodies of the butterflies until they felt secure....

...and added two tacks at the top of the panel.

Finally, I added the Prima Marketing Rusty Clip at the top of the smaller panel...

...and a Remnant Rub number in the top right hand corner.

So, that's my project for this week and I hope you've loved all the ideas and the techniques that I've used. As always, don't hesitate to share your makes by contacting me through social media as I would love to see them and hope you've been inspired by this piece.

Don't forget, if you would like to see more inspiration from my talented teamies over on the challenge blog and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today and hope to see you again soon, love Emma

Stay safe everyone and take care of yourselves and your loved ones!

xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Bouquet Layering Stencil
Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Scribbly Butterflies
Distress Paint: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Ground Espresso, Picket Fence
Distress Spray Stain: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap
Distress Embossing Glaze
Distress Marker Pens
Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain, Gathered Twigs
Alcohol Inks: Rust

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Hardware Heads, Field Notes Ephemera, Theories Quote Chips, Specimen Remnant Rubs, Design Tape

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Crackle Paste, Vintage Collage Medium

Surfaces: Distress Watercolour Card, Classic Kraft Stash, Metallic Kraft Stash, Media Board Canvas Panel
Prima Marketing Rusty Clip

Glass Media Mat

Big Shot

Heat Gun
Glue stick and foil from my own stash