new traditions (with tutorial)

Good morning! I am back again with a canvas that I made for the numbers challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity (where there is also a DT call going on, if you are interested!). I also took a few photos along the way, to show you how I made it.

This is also my guest design piece for Mixed Media Mojo, where I just happen to be this month's guest designer. The challenge there this month is 'new', with the added twist of '15'.

And finally, this is also my piece for the Documented Life Project where for Week 1 the art challenge is book paper and the journal prompt: be your own goal keeper.

I've got a few numbers on my piece. My 15 is on the bottom left hand house, to the right of the pink button. Some of the buttons have numbers stamped on them too.

Here is how I made the canvas.

I started off with an 8 x 8 inch canvas and covered the front and all four sides with Kaisercraft book paper. I used mod podge to adhere the paper to the canvas and then as a seal over the top.

I then added a dollop of gesso to the canvas and then used an old credit card to scrape it over the front and sides of the canvas. The idea is to still be able to see the book paper underneath, but it is now muted slightly.

I then put some mod podge on my craft sheet and added a little Distress Paint ~ Pickled Raspberry. You don't need too much of either. I then mixed them together thoroughly.

Again, using my old credit card, I scraped the mixture over my piece. Not too heavily. I still want to see the book paper peeking through in places underneath. The mod podge helps to seal in the gesso layer below.

I then free cut some houses and a cloud and added them to the papers. I used old Sassafraslass papers that I had. These made it really easy to create my design and the papers have layers within themselves.

Again, covering all the sides.

I then began to work all the paper pieces into the canvas using Faber-Castell Pitt Pens, rub-ons and rubber stamping.

I added real buttons, inspired by the button images on the papers. Then I stamped on them, to merge them into the piece.

The blue speckles on this photo are glitter, which I added on with mod podge.

The windows and door were free cut using the left over scraps from the original Kaisercraft paper that was my first layer on the canvas. You are my sunshine my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You can still see some of the first layers of uncovered Kaisercraft book paper peeking through in places.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

• new beginnings ~ Anything But A Card Challenges 
• what's new? ~ Crafty Calendar Challenge 
• anything goes ~ Dream Valley Challenges 
• all things new ~ Natalie & Amy Challenges 
• get in shape ~ Papertake Weekly 

Thank you for looking.

Keeley

today is the day I fell in love

Hi there! I can't believe it's been two months since I blogged!

I have been making a few things, so will be share them with you as soon as I can get them photographed and written up!

Today I have a little KaiserCraft album to share, which I have altered up, all ready for a few photos to be added.

Papers: Little Yellow Bicycle ~ Love Letters. Love how these work so well together. 

I have finished the edges of each letter with a silver wax patina.

Lots of buttons with silver Kreinik thread.

Notice the little word stickers at the foot of each letter. Together they spell out 'today is the day I fell in love'.

Thank you for looking!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

• anything goes ~ Creative Inspirations; Dream Valley Challenges
• love is all around ~ My Time to Craft
• love ~ The Pink Elephant

Keeley

having a {me} day

Hello! Well it is Friday and that can mean only one thing ... a new challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity. Today we have a colour challenge with 'Corrosion' colours.

I had so many ideas for this, but as with everything, when you start creating, it kind of turns into something else and you think, that wasn't what I was thinking of!

So I had this art journal by Dyan Reaveley, which I bought way back last February, some six months ago!! It arrived a bit bashed and battered, but I guessed that didn't matter if I were to cover it anyway.

Well I didn't even hide it away, it has sat on my craft desk all this time, awaiting inspiration. So when I saw this colour challenge, I knew that I would use it to decorate the cover of my journal.

Now, having read a bit about art journalling, I know that people don't always start at the beginning or work page by page, but that they work randomly on a page here and there. OMG! This is just completely alien to me and sends me into obsessive compulsive disorder! I have to take each page in turn and cannot even start that until I have decorated the front cover. Hence, this is why six months have passed without me touching my art journal. I think!

OK, so for my front cover, and I haven't even touched the spine or back, as that may spell a different story by the time I get there. 

Firstly I stuck down Kaisercraft music paper. I love music, but couldn't read a note to you sadly :( 

Then I added my letters to spell out 'Having a {me} day'. Well I mean, what else could my art journal be about? My letters and numbers were from a chipboard Basic Grey alphabet which I bought way back when and untouched, so it seemed good to use them for this.

I added some other abstract symbols from the chipboard alphabet and also added some Tim Holtz grungeboard elements. 

Then I coated this all with gesso, which I diluted down first with a bit with water, so that the music paper would show through.

Then, when dry, I went about stamping the numbers and symbols with stamps using Archival Ink. The 'Having a {me} day' letters, I dry brushed with paint dabbers using a paint brush. Then rubbed the edges with Treasures paint.

Finally, I randomly inked some splodges and a cup stain with a Bo Bunny stamp. Then painted the whole cover with Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint.

My elastic band got a bit covered with paint and stuff and has gone a bit baggy. So be it!

OK. Not sure I love the end result, but this is my first foray into art journalling, so will go with it! It's either that, or coat the whole with a thick layer of gesso and start again! 

Anyway, I am putting it out there! I do like the texture of it.

Thank you for looking.

Keeley

Paris album

Here is a Paris themed album that I made using Prima ~ Madeline papers and chipboard stickers.

I've used a Teresa Collins ~ 7" x 13" white scalloped album as my base and painted the edges with various colours of PaperArtsy ~ Fresco Finish Paints until I got the colour just right! 

I decorated some mini manilla tags.

Added a KaiserCraft ~ Manequin.

Some vintage flowers.

 

Finally, the back of the album.

I am entering this in at the following challenges:

• bring on the May flowers ~ Inspiration Journal
• Mother's Day or anything girly ~ Shopping Our Stash

Thank you for looking.

Keeley

Paris haute couture

 

This week at Crafts 4 Eternity we have a blue & white or blue & cream photo colour inspiration. I have gone for blue & cream and given it a vintage feel.

I have used Graphic 45 ~ Fashionista Collection papers.

I distressed a tag by misting with two colours of Tattered Angels ~ Glimmer Mist and then inking the edges with distress inks. Love the effect this gives.

I then inked up this beautiful Stamp Happen Inc ~ Paris Socialite stamp with denim blue ink and stamped it onto the tag.

I made a matching manila cardstock base for below the spotty paper by spraying and inking in the same way.

The wooden mannequin is by Kaisercraft. That got the same treatment as the tag and then I added some gems and a cork button.

The top of the tag has some silky navy blue ribbon and a Tim Holtz ~ Philosophy Tag. I smudged some gold paint into this to highlight the word and numbers.

I am going to enter this in at:

• Sir Stampalot: Whatever you fancy
• Vintage Udfordring: Vintage layout

Thank you for looking.


Keeley