Time To Create Art...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week our theme is ~ Use Your Favourite Tool and we hope you'll join us for this fun challenge and can't wait to see what you create!

For my project, I created a canvas panel and not only did I use my favourite tools, I included them on my panel ~ a paintbrush and a ruler! These two pieces are items that I probably use on every single project I make, I'm a little OCD about straight lines, so a ruler is essential for making sure I'm not a millimetre out!! So, I hope you love this project I've made and enjoy how I created it...

 

I began by using a 18 x 24cm canvas panel and wanted to create a peeled paint effect on the background, so started by using a base layer of Distress Paint in Cracked Pistachio, Rusty Hinge and Peacock Feathers until the entire surface was covered. Once the paint is dry, I then added a little more depth to the background by using the same colours but in crayons and adding more layers. Give the panel a blast of heat and now for the fun part, I smeared quite thick layers of Vaseline over random areas of the canvas, applying it anywhere you want it to look as if the paint will be peeling.

Then, all you need to do is add a top coat of paint, I used Gesso for this project and apply the paint over the entire canvas, being careful not to spread the Vaseline around too much. Once the top layer of paint is dry, go in with a paper towel and just wipe over the areas where the Vaseline was applied and it should wipe straight off! If you have any stubborn areas, then just use a craft scrapper or an old credit card.

I now had my basic background but wanted a little more texture and for this, I used torn strips of Tissue Tape and laid these directly onto the background and then applied Grit Paste through the Linen Layering Stencil. 

Blast with a heat gun to dry thoroughly and to complete the background, I just added some more highlights of colour by using Distress Crayons and a small amount of gold paint before flicking Black Soot Distress Paint and gesso across the surface and adding Black Soot Distress Crayon around the outside edges.

Now for the embellishing and for the collaged layer, I used a piece of ephemera from the new Collector's Layer Pack and Snippets packs and attached this directly to my canvas using Collage Medium. I then added some torn Designer Tape, Vintage Set. I added some shading with the Pumice Stone Crayon around the edges of all the taped areas and the ephemera pieces.

For the Vignette Box, I used the smallest of the four and applied a piece of paper to the inside and added Journey Design Tape around the edges.

Inside the box, I used Letterpress blocks to spell out the word ART and coloured these with Cracked Pistachio Distress Paint. Once the paint is dry, I lightly sanded the raised lettering to create a more worn effect. Attach the letters to the base of the box and I also added some cheesecloth and then the small pocket watch. Inside the pocket watch I attached a small circle of paper and then used Chit Chat stickers to spell out "Time To Create". I finished the watch with a small metal star before attaching it to the inside of the box.

I then positioned the box onto my canvas and added a knob to the top.

I then attached what I think has to be one of my favourite images from the Paper Dolls set (oh how I love these Paper Dolls) and placed him so that he stood on one of the rulers which I have broken down slightly. 

I added some colour to the image using Distress Marker Pens.

Finally, I added my paintbrush, just an old brush that I've misused and couldn't clean and had seen better days! I broke the tip of the handle and then attached it to my canvas, also adding a hinge clip.

For the finishing detail, I added two Nailhead Findings around the arrangement.

I hope you've enjoyed today's project and that I've inspired you with some of the techniques and ideas that I've used!

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Peacock Feathers, Rusty Hinge, Cracked Pistachio

Distress Crayons: Rusty Hinge, Black Soot, Pumice Stone, Peacock Feathers

Idea-ology: Letterpress, Collector's Layers Paperie, Vintage Design Tape, Journey Design Tape, Ruler Pieces, Nailhead Findings, Mini Pocket Watch, Vignette Box, Symphony Tissue Tape, Snippets, Chit Chat Stickers, Star Adornments, Paper Dolls, Hinge Clip
Layering Stencil: Linen

Mediums: Gesso, Collage Medium
Finnabair Mini Knobs

Palette Knife

Ranger Craft Sheet

Big Shot Plus

Heat Gun

Vaseline, Paint Brush, Canvas Panel and Cheesecloth from my own stash