Wanderlust...

Hello friends!

Hope you're all having a Happy Easter and had a wonderful weekend! Can you believe that it's Monday already? But the beginning of the week means one thing and that is, it's time for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called ~ SPLASH IT ON!

Whatever you choose to use, may it be watercolouring, water themes or maybe just splashing water onto your inky projects...we can't wait to see what you create and so looking forward to you joining us!

For my project, I was inspired by the deep blue ocean and the splashing waves as they lap against the sandy beaches and created a canvas panel full of texture and dimension and hope you'll enjoy the creative process behind this project...

 

To begin with I started by cutting a piece of watercolour card, 14 x 19cm and spritzed the card with a little light misting of water. I then applied some Distress Oxides to my craft sheet ~ Broken China, Cracked Pistachio and Faded Jeans, spritzed the ink on the sheet with some more water and then dipped my card into the inks, heat drying the surface and then going back for more if I needed it. To create the runs and drips, I just spritzed more water directly onto the inked card and letting it run. Once I was happy with overall effect I heat dried the entire surface and then started to add some layers.

To begin with I applied some Tissue Tape and the applied Grit Paste through the Herringbone Stencil (one of my favourite stencils to use) and gently heat dried the paste. Tip: Don't overheat the paste as it will bubble, just waft your heat gun over the top or you can allow it to dry naturally!

Once dry, I then added some colour into the paste and used the same colours of Distress Oxide Pads, applied to the craft sheet and with a damp brush, I picked up the colour and brushed over the top of the paste before adding even more depth using the Pumice Stone Distress Crayon.

Add a few splashes and splatters of Black Soot and Gesso over the surface of the card to complete the background.

Now to add that gorgeous texture....

For this, I began by applying some 3D Gel over the surface, concentrating on the centre of my inked card and also around the edges of the card panel. I then sprinkled Mini Art Stones and the larger Art Stones over the top. I allowed the stones to dry and set into the paste before adding some Dragon's Eye Sparks Acrylic Paint over the top.

To create my starfish, I used the Dimensional Stars die from Tim Holtz and cut five stars from card inked with Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Frayed Burlap and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks.

Construct the stars by folding along the scorelines and then apply a small amount of the 3D gel to them and sprinkle with the Mini Art Stones.

Once again, allow the stones to dry before brushing with a small amount of the Dragon's Eye Acrylic Paint. (You can see the sparkle in this photo)

I can now build up my layers and attached each of the stars over the top of a bed of silver decorative twigs and some cheesecloth that I dyed using Weathered Wood, Mermaid Lagoon and Faded Jeans Distress Spray Stains and arranging them around one of Tim's Quote Bands which I had altered using Gold Mixative and Rust Alcohol Inks. I also added some Hex Fasteners, again altered to create the rusty look.

I then added some real shells, some Pearl Baubles and a few of the Prima Melange Pebbles which I coloured with Rich Turquoise Alchemy Acrylic Paint and a hint of Fairy Wings Sparks Acrylic Paint. All these pieces are attached with Tim Holtz's Collage Medium.

To complete the panel, I added some Star Adornments and matted and layered the finish piece onto kraft card altered with a small amount of gesso, gold metallic kraft card, followed by a layer of blue kraft card and a final layer of kraft card.

I really hope you love the finished piece and I had so much building up the layers and creating the dimension using Tim Holtz dies and mixing them with the texture of the art stones to create this beautiful sandy beach feel...

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:

Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies: Dimensional Stars
Distress Inks: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Frayed Burlap and Tumbled Glass
Distress Oxide Inks: Faded Jeans, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China
Distress Crayons: Pumice Stone

Distress Spray Stain: Weathered Wood, Mermaid Lagoon and Faded Jeans 

Idea-ology: Symphony Tissue Tape, Quote Bands, Star Adornments, Pearl Baubles, Hex Fasteners
Surfaces: Watercolour Card, Classic Kraft Stock Paper Stash
Layering Stencil: Herringbone

Mediums: Gesso, Grit Paste, Tim Holtz Collage Medium
Alcohol Inks: Gold Mixative, Rust
Finnabair Prima: Melange Pebbles, Fairy Wings Sparks Paint, Dragon's Eye Sparks Paint, Rich Turquoise Alchemy Paint, Art Stones, Mini Art Stones, 3D Gel

Ranger Craft Sheet

Alcohol Ink Applicator tool

Blending Tools

Paint Brushes

Heat Gun
Palette Knife
Cheesecloth, twigs and shells from my own stash