Craft Barn Challenge Travel/Flowers

When I read this challenge the first thought that came into my head was:

 Sweet Dreams are made of these,

 Who am I to disagree,

 I travel the world and the seven seas,

 Everybody is looking for something. 

By Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart.

So my challenge was to come up with a page that reflects how bizarre that could be, and after a week of thinking and annoying two non crafty people at work I got it. I wanted a lady on a bed going around the world with seas at the bottom. Originally the was going to be a sun and moon but that did not fit in. I started with painting the page from light to dark blue in water colour. I added some dyllusions spray in blue and white while the was still wet. Next I added the world using Graphic 45 paper of a steam punk lady and waves made of tissue paper and wool. Then I sprayed with gold sparkle to give a starry night feel. I chose The Lady of Shalott and cut her out of her boat and put her on a rough suggestion of a metal bedstead. I flipped the image around so she is going the wrong way round the world. Some pastels to add finishing touches and I am pleased with the result. I am certain it is 'out there' enough.

Andy Skinner at Jendenink craft shop

Had some great news.... Andy Skinner is coming to my local craft shop on 26th July. Can't wait, went to two of his work shops last year and thoroughly enjoyed them.

http://www.jendenink.co.uk

Craft Barn challenge road or art

These are great words but which quote or lyric to choose? My entry this week is a scrap book page.

Last year I went to Leith Tower and the path back was lined with trees. Even in the some it had a cool gloomy feel. I edited my picture in photo shop and somehow (not sure how) managed to get everything black and white except some of the leaves which remained green. It reminded me of the road Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin were on when they first came across the Dark Rider and had an inkling their quest was quite serious and possibly dangerous.

My quote 'From inside the hood came a noise as of someone sniffing to catch an elusive scent; the head turned from side to side of the road' is from the Fellowship of the Ring by J R Tolkien. One of my favourite books.

I covered some paper in gesso and stamped leaves into and added text from the book printed on handmade paper. (Nigel would not let me tear the book up) and this was also lightly covered. Next I added some green paint splodged through textured ribbon, when it dried it was too bright so more gesso added. I then distressed the edges with forest moss. The middle had a pale grey added with kitchen roll so it did not go too thick. then more leaves added in the forest moss.

Finally it was time for the photo and embellishments. I am very pleased with this.

Day 7 the melt pot

Today I have had a fantastic time playing with a melt pot. I don't own one so this was an excellent opportunity to try. We covered a canvas board in music paper which was then lightly covered in gesso and then distressed and stamped.

We then melted wax on to it and guilded. The feather and girl are made from plaster of paris but everything else is melt pot. 

The flower and frame are moulds.

The leaves are covered metal leaves giving a stained glass look.

The face and bird are cookie cutters - the bird was put on top of a stamp first.

The plaques are a metal frame over a stamp and the frame is removed once set.

The bottle top has a paper disc and camera put in it and then filled.

Everything had guilding wax added to give it an antique look.

Thanks Jenny http://www.jendenink.co.uk for a lovely day.

Day 6 - Vicky's craft room episode 2

So it is Thursday and time to finish painting Vicky's room. Like your usual workman we started at 10 with a cup of tea and a chat, I also continued with my charm offensive on the cats. However against all odds walls are painted and the great sort out begins....

I subscribe to the you must have chaos before order school of thought. After a couple bottles of wine we are getting somewhere- honest I will let you know how this works out.

A day of cricut on day 5

Crafting is so much more fun than work!

Today I went to a cricut class with Heather http://jiminyjapes.blogspot.co.uk . Her cards and ideas are wonderful and I always come away with some excellent cards. What's better is that she lets us use her cartridges so we can do something different and decide which cartridges we need. I made four cards one of which I can show. This is for Becca's boyfriend Matt and uses Thanks a Latte cartridge.

Another great day spent with crafty friends.

Day 4 Tags for Cards

A busy morning. I paid bills, picked up dry cleaning, booked cats into cattery, de flea'd said cats (they wont talk to me now!), a trip to the chemist and eyebrows shaped all by 10am.

This was so I could relax and enjoy tags for cards at http://www.jendenink.co.uk. These were beautiful and involved embossing, metal work and distressing. My fingers were quite grubby by the end. However I can only show one as the other two are for up and coming birthdays. This tag card is embossed and sanded black metal and die cut cogs painted in silver distress paint. The card background is an Indigo Blue stamp. A heart and cog were added and ribbon as a finishing touch. 

I think my Dad will like this - although a silver surfer he does not read my blog so he will not see this. It was a great day.

Day 3 - Vicky's Craft Room

Today I have been helping paint Vicky's craft room. She has been threatening this for a while so I volunteered  to help as her husband Alex is away. She is painting it a creamy yellow which is an excellent choice for crafting. After clearing the room (well half clearing the the room) we decided to do one half and then move remaining stash across and do the other. This will be finished on Thursday.

 I am very much the action woman with the roller don't you think?

Day 2

Yesterday was Nigel's birthday and my girls were visiting with their boyfriends so not a lot of craft done. However a huge lamb dinner was eaten and champagne was drunk.

I thought I would show the card I made for Nigel. It is one I saw in Craft Stamper last year and have been itching to do.

I stamped a feather on water colour paper and embossed it. Next using water brushes I coloured in using Inktense water colour pencils. I took the colour from the nib of the pencil. I let it dry in between layers to create depth of colour. Then came the fun part which was getting the pencil very wet and flicking splashes over the card. Finally I added stamping and a curl of distressed paper with an ink pen nib tied around it. Oh.. and white gel pen to highlight.

He loved it.

A weeks holiday day 1

Hi, I have a week off work and have all sorts of crafty things planned. Yesterday was day 1 and I went to Farnborough craft show with a load of friends from http://www.jendenink.co.uk my local craft shop in Fareham. We had a whale of a time. So many stalls to cater for all of our interests and more. I succumbed to some sock wool and will let you know I get on. Also some lovely metal embellishments, yarn, mdf shapes and a beautiful hand made glass bead. I will show as projects are started and hopefully finished over the next few weeks/months.