Chell’s

This journal page is inspired by a new café we discovered over the summer which we now visit regularly, it’s called Chell’s of Lytham. This café is an easy tandem bike ride from our house and sells the most amazing homemade ice-cream and food – yum! It is such an elegant place so I used the gold colour of the signage and also blue which features on their loyalty card, interior and pretty flowers that adorn the tables.

For the background I started with a base coat of grey Windsor & Newton watercolour paint which I applied with a baby wipe. Then I layered some apricot Liquitex Acrylic paint creating horizontal lines of colour. As I found the apricot was a little too bold against the grey, I applied a thin layer of gesso over it using a baby wipe which toned it down nicely, so it just added some warmth to the background. Next I applied a thin wash of Navy Spectrum Aqua marker by scribbling the pen onto an acrylic block, spritzing the block with water and picking up the now diluted ink with a paintbrush. I stamped a Script stamp by Kaisercraft over the background using the same Navy Aqua marker and then I applied some gold shimmer and shine across the horizontal lines of apricot paint and around the edge of the page using a Sunshine lustre rub from Craf-T Products, which I applied with my finger. Next I stamped some tile images from Papermania onto some white tissue paper using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink, cut them out and stuck them to the page using a UHU Stic. I also applied some white gesso over them using my finger, so they blended into the background more and then I stamped some scroll images from Royal & Langnickel onto the page using the same Distress Ink.

The gold and blue flower images are fussy cut from an old birthday card, edged with a Navy Spectrum Aqua marker and stuck to the page using double-sided foam tape. The pretty gold panels are outline stickers and, along with the stamped tile and scroll images, remind me of Victorian architecture, tiling and wrought ironwork that can be found at the café. To finish, I edged the page with the same Navy Spectrum Aqua marker and added some square gold gemstones and the name of the café using alphabet outline stickers which matched the font on the café signage perfectly (grin!).

This café is situated in Lytham and has a pretty facade overlooking the street. It has an Victorian look to it with the outside seating being covered by a canopy which leads up to the big window shop front with the tiled floor entrance and wrought ironwork.

The interior is lovely too, here’s the counter where you order your food, drink and ice-cream.

They make their own ice-cream here in many different flavours, which are often sold out at the end of the day because it’s so delicious! Our favourite flavour combination is Sticky Toffee Pudding, Cherry and Double Chocolate – yum!

We were introduced to this café by our friends after we had all cycled along the front to Lytham and stopped for refreshments – such fun! On that occasion we had a Chocolate Dream Sundae – double yum! Can you see a face in this photo? (grin!)

The drinks and cakes are delicious too, here are the cappuccino, pot of Earl Grey tea and custard tart that our friends ordered. As you can see the water is served in very pretty glasses too (grin!). As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m saying a big hello to the T Gang and wishing you all a very Happy T Day!

As you know I love to join in with the challenges as they help to inspire my design and get creative. So today I’m pleased to join the lovely Yvonne from Meggy’s Way who is hosting the “Colour in my World” challenge over at Art Journal Journey with the blue and gold colours in my page.

I love the gold metallic outline stickers and flowers I used on this page, they add so much shimmer and shine so I’m also pleased to join both the “Metal” Challenge over at Country View Challenge  and  the “Shimmer and Shine” theme over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge again.

Using the double-sided foam tape gives a 3D look to my page so I’m also joining in the fun over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for their “Pop It Up” challenge.

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours (Payne’s Gray)
• Liquitex Artist Color Acrylic (Apricot)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Navy)
• Craf-T Products Luster Rub-ons (Sunshine ASTM D-4236)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Script CS752)
• Papermania Design Objectives wood mounted rubber stamp (PMA10108)
• Royal & Langnickel Clear Choice Stamps (Ornate Scrollwork MIN-CCS123)
• White tissue paper
• Old birthday card
• Elizabeth Craft Designs outline stickers (Gold 0318)
• Docrafts Anita’s Outline Stickers (Modern Alphabet Gold ANT8101000)
• Hobbycraft Self-Adhesive Gems (Assorted Squares 5666141000)
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Advertisements

Friends

I enjoyed creating this page and would like to dedicate it to three of my best friends who are going through hard times at the moment.

Having only the quote in mind, I sought inspiration for my page from some great blog challenges that I wanted to join. I always find that these challenges really capture my imagination and I have such a fun time incorporating them all into my design, and this page was no exception (grin!).

I started by colouring the background with Faber-Castell Gelatos; I did this by scribbling Bubble Gum, Orange Soda and Lemon gelatos onto my page and then smudging them with my finger. These bright colours make me happy as they remind me of some flowers that were bought for me recently so they are perfect for Yvonne‘s theme of “Colour in my World” over at Art Journal Journey. I kept the gelatos thick for the next technique, where I used a baby wipe through two different stencils to remove some of the gelato colour.

I like the way the bubbles and crosses are twinkling over the page and to enhance this look I added some Wink of Stella clear glitter to each bubble, which was inspired by Monday’s “Shimmer and Shine” challenge over at Simon Says Stamp. Next I stamped the heart and circle design by Sugarloaf Inc. using black Archival Ink, I love this stamp it’s one of my favourites. Then I added more shiny elements in the form of Designer Vinyls by Craftime which have a black high gloss finish and detail intricate designs of friends at play. These images were inspired by the “My Friend” theme over at Try it on Tuesday and works perfectly with the quote. I printed the word “Friends” from my computer, fussy cut the letters out, coloured them black with a Faber-Castell Big Brush marker and stuck them to the page using a UHU Stic. They are outlined with Dovecraft black Pearl Effects and more shimmer was added to the centre of each letter using the Wink of Stella glitter brush. Then I used an alphabet stamp set from Docrafts with black Archival Ink, to stamp the rest of the quote, which reads:

“Friends fill your life with joy, your soul with sunshine and your heart with love”.

I added more shimmer and shine using some pretty glitter butterflies from Poundland and also some glossy hearts and flowers from the same Designer Vinyl set. Then I stamped a border by Hampton Art around the edge of the page using the black Archival Ink and added the neon orange border over the top which is from a pack of 3D Border Glitterations by Docrafts Papermania; I really like the glitter effect and their transparency as you can still see the stamped border beneath them. To finish, I added a black Glitterations border on the inner edge of the orange border to frame the page with a sparkly black line too.

Here are the beautiful flowers that coloured my world, they were a gift from a family member who stayed with us recently, I chose similar colours for my page as they make me so happy when I see them – aren’t they stunning!

I love creating my art journal pages using mixed media so I’m also pleased to join the “Anything Mixed Media Goes” challenge over at Mixed Media World.

I also really enjoyed incorporating some of my favourite stamps for the background, border and quote on my page, and taking inspiration from Majo who used quotes on her artwork over at Craft Stamper, I thought it would be fun to join their “Anything Goes” Stamping Challenge!

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Faber-Castell Gelato (Bubble Gum, Orange Soda, Lemon)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Zig Memory System Wink of Stella Brush (GL Clear 999)
• Dovecraft Pearl Effects (Brights – Black DCBS92PD)
• Uni Posca Paint Pen (Black)
• Uni Pin Fine Point Marker (Black 0.3mm)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
• Anita’s Sugarloaf Inc. wood mounted rubber stamp (26645)
• Docrafts Creativity Essentials A5 clear stamp set (Alpha Folk DCE907115)
• Hampton Art Doodlebug Inc. cling mounted rubber stamps (Borders ICO160)
• “Friends” computer printout
• Craftime Designer Vinyls (B/W Boy & Girl PBDV02)
• Poundland (Mini Glitter Embellishments 59409)
• Docrafts Papermania Glitterations 3D Borders (Neon Orange PMA818103)
• Docrafts Papermania Glitterations (Black Borders ANT8181015)
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• UHU Stic
• UHU Glue Pen

Love Vintage

I love all things vintage and wanted to try out some new techniques that I’ve discovered from visiting other people’s blogs. For me this page is a lovely reminder of friends because not only is it inspired by their techniques and the blog challenges they are currently hosting, but the vintage style of the page is also inspired by a recent visit with our dear friends to Lytham Hall.

The first technique involves using a heat gun with gesso and came from my good friend Astrid who loves all things vintage too. Then I added lots of splatters and a teabag which reminds me of the lovely Alison as she often incorporates both these techniques into her artwork.

I started the page by adding modelling paste through a stencil from DecoArt and using a Kaisercraft Keys stamp with Grape Jelly Memento Ink. Next I painted white gesso onto the whole page, leaving it thick in some places and dried it with a heat gun so it blistered and created some lovely texture. I added Tea Dye and Hickory Smoke Distress Inks to the background by applying the pad directly to the page and used a wet paintbrush to blend the ink. Then I applied black 3D Pearl Effects paint in diagonal bands across the page with my finger, I also added Peach, Earl Grey, Fig and Caramel Faber-Castell Gelatos, which I scribbled onto the page and smudged with my finger. Next I applied a very thin layer of gesso over the whole page with a paintbrush and while it was still wet I wiped most of it off with a baby wipe and a piece of kitchen towel; this created a translucent grungy look.

Next I added Amber and Midnight Sparkle metallic lustre to emphasise the gesso and modelling paste textures. I coloured the edges of the page using a Desert Spectrum Aqua Marker, smudging the ink with my finger. The numbers are rub-on transfers by Kaisercraft and Letraset which I had leftover, and to add the splatters I used black and white acrylic paint. I then tore a vintage design paper by Craft Sensations into three pieces, edged them with the Desert Aqua marker and stuck them to the page using a UHU Stic. When the glue had dried, I doodled along the edge with a black Uni Pin marker to add more definition. The black filigree shapes are pieces of decorative tape by Poundland which I cut and stuck onto the page. I also used some domino stickers from the Idea-ology Crowded Attic Collection by Tim Holtz which I edged using a black Faber-Castell marker. I added more splatters of black acrylic paint and also Tea Dye Distress Ink to the paper and stickers so that they looked more in keeping with the grunge background.

I created a collection of items as a focal point which included: a used dried teabag stamped with the Kaisercraft key images using black Archival Ink and stuck down using a UHU Stic; a piece of black decorative tape; a leaf from The Handmade Paper Company which I covered in Emboss ink and then I held the leaf with tweezers covered it with black Papermania embossing powder, shook off any excess powder and used a heat gun to melt the powder until it changed to a glossy finish; a black feather; the word ‘Love’, which I thought tied into the friendship theme, is made of wood from The Works and is stained with Tea Dye Distress Ink and covered with Glossy Accents; a red silk flower and pearl that I added to its centre; and finally a Pearl Charm brad which I covered on the back with masking tape to prevent damage to the next journal page. To finish, I outlined the word “vintage” with a black Uni Pin marker and covered the letters in Glossy Accents so they stood out more.

 As T Stands for Tuesday I’m sharing a pot of tea, scone with clotted cream and jam and a lemon meringue pie with my friends at the T Gang! This was taken when we visited Lytham Hall recently with our friends, don’t you just love the pretty vintage china – Happy T day!

Lytham Hall is beautiful and it’s a place we visit often; you may remember it from my snowdrop post earlier this year. It seems our recent visit may have inspired my colour palette for this page (grin!) and as you can see they have lots of china on display, beautiful glass jar lights and right at the bottom of the counter a little door (which is part of a ‘Secret Door Trail’ popular with children, you’ll find similar doors around the Hall grounds).

I love vintage and I know that my friend Yvonne from Meggy’s Way does too, so I thought I’d join her “Colour in my World” challenge over at Art Journal Journey – I hope you like this vintage colour palette with the vibrant pop of red!

As my page is inspired by friends, I’m also pleased to join the talented design team over at Try it on Tuesday for their “My Friend” challenge.

As I made this page with Astrid in mind and she is part of the design team over at The Mixed Media Challenge, I’m pleased to be able to join their “Vintage” theme too.

With my love of using mixed media to create my art journal pages, I’m also joining in the fun over at Mixed Media World for their “Anything Mixed Media Goes” challenge.

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Pébéo Modelling Paste
• Pébéo White Gesso
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (White, Black)
• Tsukeniko Memento Ink (Grape Jelly)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye, Hickory Smoke)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Dovecraft Essentials 3D Pearl Effects (Brights – Black DCB592PD)
• Faber-Castell Gelato (Peach, Earl Grey, Fig, Caramel)
• Craft-T Products Luster Rub-ons (Amber, Midnight Sparkle)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Desert)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Tsukineko Emboss embossing stamp pad (Clear)
• Papermania Embossing Powder (Black PMA4021006)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Keys CS801)
• DecoArt Amdy Skinner Mixed Media Stencils (Shedded ANDY08)
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Vintage Romance 154897)
• Used dried teabag
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology Crowded Attic (Salvage Stickers #TH92898)
• Poundland Decorative Border Tape (Black)
• The Handmade Paper Company (Nature’s Touch of Art)
• The Works The Craft Place (Wooden Decorations)
• The Works (Craft Flowers)
• Trimcraft (Pearl Charms LCTOP003)
• Black feather
• Pearl
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• UHU Stic & Glue Pen

Aspire

Today I’m sharing another page inspired by my trip to Blackpool Central Library, and this time I have taken another one of the fabulous stained glass windows that depicts the word “Aspire” as my inspiration. My design includes the arrows and words that can be found etched into the window design, as well as the meaning of the word “aspire” which was cleverly defined through the images that can be seen on the window.

I started by stamping a cog image from a Steampunk stamp set by Docrafts using black Archival Ink to create clusters of cogs. I then used the same ink to stamp a series of arrow stamps by Hampton Art; this replicates the arrows pointing upwards that were etched on the window panes. I also added diagonal stripes to the largest arrows that I had stamped using a black Uni Pin marker to further match the etched glass design. Next I painted diluted Fawn and Topaz Spectrum Aqua markers onto the page, by scribbling the ink onto an acrylic block, spritzing it liberally with water and then applying it to the page with a paint brush. I gradually built up the colour so that it was more concentrated around the edges of the page. I like the way the clean finish of the background mimics the transparency of the glass window.

To give a metal look to the cogs that I had stamped, I coloured them with Fawn, Topaz, Desert and Chestnut Spectrum Aqua Markers. Then I added Ranger Glossy Accents to the cog and arrow images that I had stamped to give them some dimension so that they appear like glass shining from the page. Whilst the Glossy Accents was drying I created this card to depict the word Aspire and the meaning of it that can be derived from the window itself. I used a card by Docrafts Papermania which I cut to size and coloured the dark blue elements of the pattern black using black Sharpie and Uni Pin markers. I took an old dictionary and cut the page containing the word ‘aspire’ and glued it to the front of the card and also to the inside using a UHU Stic. Then I covered both pieces of dictionary text with a thin layer of gesso, aged it with Tea Dye Distress Ink using a blending tool and distressed the edges using the Fawn and Chestnut Spectrum Aqua Markers smudging the ink with my finger to give a vintage look. I stamped the word “ASPIRE” onto the front using a Docrafts alphabet stamp set and black Archival Ink.

Then I also added the definition from the Collins dictionary onto the inside of the card using an alphabet stamp set by Dovecraft and the same black ink. To finish the card I added some pretty coloured rub-on transfers by Kaisercraft to the front and inside of the card which reminded me of stained glass window designs, and then I stuck it to the page using double-sided tape. I also added the hot air balloons which are also rub-on transfers and the saying “Up, up and away” to symbolise the word “Up” that was etched on the glass and also the space rocket lifting off on the window design. To compliment the images I had stamped and to accentuate the illusion of upwards movement, I added black lines of Glitterations stickers and copper gemstone borders to draw the eye upwards. To finish, I embellished some of the stamped cogs with bronze gemstones to add more sparkle and edged the page with a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker.

As you may have discovered in my two previous posts, which you can find here and here, this library dates back to 1911. In 2011 to mark the centenary the interior was refurbished and eight new stained glass windows were installed. Here is the beautiful “Aspire” window which inspired my latest page.

Having used these beautiful natural colours as well as different mixed media on my page, I’m pleased to be able to join Yvonne from Meggy’s Way for her “Colour in my World” challenge over at Art Journal Journey and the “Anything Mixed Media Goes” challenge over at Mixed Media World.

With the metal cogs and copper gems, I’m also pleased to join the “Metal” theme over at Country View Challenge.

I’m pleased that the clean finish and simplicity of my design also fits the “Clean and Simple” challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

I really like the steampunk feel that I created too, so I’m joining in the fun over at SanDee and amelie’s Steampunk Challenges with their “Anything Goes – Steampunk/Industrial” theme.

I enjoyed using all the different stamps to create this page, so I’m also pleased to be able to join the September Challenge of “Anything Goes: (must include stamping)” over at Craft Stamper.

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Fawn, Topaz, Desert, Chestnut)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker (Black)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.5mm)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye)
• Hampton Art Bella Blvd cling mounted rubber stamps (Sand & Surf ICO226)
• Docrafts Creativity Essentials A5 clear stamp set (Steampunk DCE907125, Alpha Trad DCE907116)
• Dovecraft Essentials Alphabet Stamp Set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• Docrafts Papermania Mini Cards & Stamp Set (Capsule Geometric Krafts PMA105308)
• The Oxford Pocket Dictionary
• Docrafts Glitterations (Black Borders ANT8181015)
• Kaisercraft Rub-ons (Up, Up & Away collection RB870, Lush Collection RB868)
• Docrafts Forever Friends Opulent (Adhesive Dome Borders FFS351111)
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• UHU Stic
• X-Press It double-sided tape

Coffee and Cake

As some of you may know from my last post, we recently went to the Blackpool Central Library and I was so inspired by the wonderful architecture and the fabulous interior that I have a few pages that I want to create.

You can find my first page here, which was inspired by one of the beautiful windows. The library also has a lovely café area for the community to use, which is a sanctuary for people from all walks of life that are looking for somewhere to make friends and find purpose. So my second page is inspired by a couple of fun romantic sayings that adorned the walls in this area.

As the library dates back to 1911 and is built in the Edwardian Baroque style, I wanted to create a vintage and ornate page to showcase the sayings from the signage we saw. I also choose the green and pink colour scheme to represent the masculine and feminine colours of the signage too. So I started by adding Picked Raspberry and Cracked Pistachio Distress Ink to the page using a blending tool and then I covered the page with a thin layer of white gesso to tone down the colours. I stencilled letters and numbers from a Past Times stencil by Viva Decor using Black Soot Distress Ink and a blending tool. Then I used some of the same stamps that I used on my first page, these being a Vintage-Cherish butterfly image and also a doily stamp, both by Kaisercraft, which I stamped onto the page using black Versafine Ink. Next I ripped pieces of two different decoupage papers from Poundworld that matched the Distress Ink colours and stuck them to the page using a UHU Stic. Before I stuck down the large pieces of decoupage paper I painted white gesso underneath so that there was a clean finish with no stamps showing through in readiness for the sayings. Once the glue had dried I doodled along the edges of the papers using a black Derwent Graphix marker. Next I stamped the two sayings, which were on the library wall, onto the decoupage paper using an alphabet stamp set by Hampton Art and black Versafine Ink. I added a coffee bean and cupcake alongside the sayings, as well as the coffee pots and cake stands which are all outline stickers, then I outlined them with a black Uni Pin marker. I used Glitterations border stickers to add the black lines and I also added some vintage flower 3D stickers. I fussy cut the heart and cupid image from a card making kit, edged it with a black Sharpie marker and stuck it to the page using double-sided foam tape. To finish, I painted glitter glue onto the 3D flowers and cupid wings to add some extra sparkle.

With the bright colours that I chose for my page, I’m pleased to be able to join the “Colour in my World” theme hosted by Yvonne from Meggy’s Way over at Art Journal Journey.

These are the two sayings that inspired my page and as T Stands for Tuesday I’m saying a big hello to the T Gang and wishing you all a Happy T Day!

The library café has a pretty seating area and there are several signs on the walls to choose from, I’d be interested to know which saying/s you like the most? They are:

“You’re the cream in my coffee”
“You’re the icing on the cake”
“Have you’re cake and eat it”
“Tea for two…and…two for tea”
“Check for dormice”
“I never laugh until I’ve had my coffee”

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Pébéo White Gesso
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry, Crushed Pistachio, Black Soot)
• Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker (Black)
• Derwent Graphik Line Marker (Black 0.05mm)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Vintage-Cherish CS831, Doily CS297)
• Hampton Art Mini Wood Peg Rubber Stamps (Alphabet Set #1037)
• Viva Décor Universal Stencil (Past Times 900270300)
• Poundworld (Patch Paper DS9454)
• Docrafts Papermania Decoupage Card Kit (Victorian Valentine PMA169102)
• Free & Easy Stickers (3D Stickers 1150ENF)
• Anita’s Outline Stickers (Alice in Wonderland ANT810116)
• Docrafts Glitterations (Black Borders ANT8181015)
• The Range (3D Glitter Glue Pen GLT4321000)
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Freedom

Last week we went to the Blackpool Central Library which dates back to 1911 and was built in the Edwardian Baroque style. I was so inspired by the wonderful architecture and the fabulous interior that I have a few pages that I want to create. This is my first page and is inspired by one of the stunning stained glass window designs that can be found in the library.

Inspired by the window colours and design, I added Gold, Kingfisher and Aquamarine Spectrum Aqua Markers to the page by applying them onto an acrylic block, spritzing with water and then pressing the block onto the page. I also dripped the ink from the acrylic block onto the page too. I love the intensity of the colours and how they have layered and merged together. Next I added splatters of black acrylic paint using a paintbrush. Then using black Versafine Ink and an alphabet stamp set by Papermania I stamped the word “Freedom”, which is detailed on the window and is stamped in the same shape as the window design. I applied black Papermania embossing powder over the top of the ink and then shook the excess powder onto a piece of scrap paper tapping the page against the table to remove any stray powder; I didn’t take too much care in removing the embossing powder as it adds to the grunge look. Once the excess powder was safely returned to its container, I used a heat gun to melt the embossing powder. I swept the gun over the letters, taking care not to direct the heat in one area for too long until the embossing powder changed to a glossy finish becoming smooth and dimensional. I like the way the letters stand out from the background as it looks a bit like the lead of the stained glass. To replicate some of the detail found at the top of the window, I used the same alphabet stamp set to add random black embossed letters to the top and bottom edges of the page using the same technique.  I also secondary stamped some of these letters using the black Versafine ink and then stamped them again using the Spectrum Aqua markers to create a layered look. As a butterfly was part of the window design, I stamped a Vintage-Cherish butterfly image and also a doily stamp, both by Kaisercraft, using the black Versafine Ink. Then I used Glitterations outline stickers to add the black lines and blue gems to add some sparkle which reminds me of the light shining through the glass. For the butterfly, I fussy cut the image from a doodle book, changing the shape slightly. Then I coloured in the zentangle patterns using yellow, light blue, black and white Uni Posca paint pens and stuck it to the page using double-sided tape in the centre and double-sided foam tape to raise the wings and create a 3D effect.

The beautiful colours on my page link to Yvonne from Meggy’s Way‘s theme of “Colour in my World” over at Art Journal Journey.

And the vintage look links to the “Vintage” theme over at The Mixed Media Challenge.

My page also matches the combination of colourful yellow and peacock feather images from the moodboard over at Mixed Media World so I’m joining in their “Anything Mixed Media Goes with Moodboard ” challenge.

As I created this page using lots of stamp images, I’m also linking to the “Stamp It” theme over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

The Central Library in Blackpool is quite an imposing building being constructed of Accrington red brick with stone dressings and beautiful columns on each side of the doorway. You can see the words “Central Public Library” carved above the doorway and at the very top there is an octagonal leaded dome.

The interior was renovated in 2011 marking the centenary of the building and this included installing some beautiful stained glass windows. This is window that inspired the ink splatters, “freedom”, letters and butterflies on my page design.

It was such a beautiful place that provided me with so much inspiration that I plan to create a few more journal pages which I’ll be sharing with you along with some photos of the interior next week so watch this space.

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Gold, Kinngfisher, Aquamarine)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
• Papermania Embossing Powder (Black PMA4021006)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Vintage-Cherish CS831, Doily CS297)
• Papermania Alphamania A-Z Clear Stamps (Leftovers Alphabet PMA9071102)
• North Parade Publishing Ltd (Suduko & Doodles Animal Kingdom)
• Docrafts Glitterations (Black Borders ANT8181015)
• Home Bargains (Gem Jewels 63283)
• X-Press It double-sided tape
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Music makes my heart sing

I love listening to music when I’m crafting and have quite an eclectic taste, for when I feel like classical music, then Johann Strauss II is by far my favourite with his joyful polkas and waltzes, his music seems so happy to me (grin!)). What could be better than listening to “An der schönen blauen Donau” (The Blue Danube), which inspired my colourful musical vintage page today.

I started by experimenting with a new technique of adding Liquitex Matte Gel Medium to the whole page as a base for Faber-Castell Gelatos. Once the gel medium was dry I scribbled Snow Cone, Lime, Boysenberry, Margarita Mix gelatos over the top and used a wet finger to blend the colours. This was really easy to do and the gel medium created a slippery surface for the gelatos to glide over and is definitely a technique I would try again. Next I used various stamps to create the patterned background using Memento Inks. This included a Diamond Background stamp by Art Impressions using an aptly named Blue Danube ink, a circle and heart stamp by Sugar loaf Inc. using Bahama Blue, a Flower Tile stamp by Rubber Soul using Grape Jelly, a Serpentine Background stamp by Art Impressions using Summer Sky and a 4-Point Star Background stamp by Art Impressions using Lilac Posies. Then I rubbed some of these stamped images with a baby wipe to remove some of the ink and gelato which created a beautiful translucent effect. To finish the background, I added the roses, moulding, ballerina, music sheet and script images from a stamp set called Musicality by Docrafts using black Archival Ink. I really like the layers of stamping and the translucency of the colours and I enjoyed experimenting with all the techniques I used to produce them. Next I covered the page with a thin layer of gel medium to seal the colour and to allow the rub-on transfers to adhere easier to the page as the gelato has a tendency to coat the back of the transfer stopping it transferring to the page. I used an alphabet letter set of rub-on transfers to create the wording and went over the letters with a white Uni Posca paint pen so they stood out more. The hearts are wedding place cards from Dunelm which I stuck to the page using a UHU Stic. I used a paper punch to create the flowers using some sheet music, coloured the edges of the petals using Kingfisher and Peacock Blue Spectrum Aqua Markers and stuck a pearl Gel Stone Sticker in the centre.

I arranged the flowers on the hearts with some lace flowers, silver metallic ribbon and a blue enamel Vintage flower from Poundworld using Glossy Accents. Then I added some pieces of wire pearl decorative chain which I also used to swirl across the page using Glossy Accents to stick it into place, this finished the page.

It’s a new month and I’m pleased to join the lovely Yvonne from Meggy’s way over at Art Journal Journey for her theme “Colour in my World” with my colourful page and I think music colours my world too – Happy September!

As I used metal decorative wire and metallic ribbon on my page, I’m joining in the fun over at Country View Challenge where the theme is “Metal”.

With the vintage look and feel I created on my page, I’m also joining the lovely Astrid who is part of the Design Team over at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge for their “Vintage” theme.

A few weeks ago I was talking to Susi about the Vienna Opera House in Austria and my love for Strauss, which inspired this page. Does anyone else watch the Vienna Philharmonic’s famous New Year’s Day Concerts?  It’s televised here in the UK and I always watch it – I love it! Of course Austrian composer Strauss always features at the concert and you can watch the “An der schönen blauen Donau” (The Blue Danube) being beautifully played by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2011 New Year’s Concert on the YouTube link above.

If you are interested here are some facts about the music:

• “The Blue Danube” is the common English title of “An der schönen blauen Donau”, which is German for “By the Beautiful Blue Danube”.
• Johann Strauss II (1825 – 1899) is part of a famous musical dynasty being the son of Johann Strauss I. He wrote more than 400 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, operettas, a ballet and other dance tunes. He is also known as “The Waltz King” and he composed this particular waltz in 1866.
• Strauss adapted it into an orchestral version for the Paris World’s Fair in 1867 and it became a great success.
• Words have been written to accompany the music but the instrumental version is by far the most commonly performed today.
• When Strauss’s stepdaughter, asked the composer Johannes Brahms for his autograph, he wrote down the first bars of The Blue Danube and “Leider nicht von Johannes Brahms” which means “Alas! not by Johannes Brahms”.

As T Stands for Tuesday I’m sharing a drink with the T Gang and wishing you a Happy T Day!

We currently have family staying with us for the week, so I’m sorry that I haven’t had any time to blog and visit everyone recently. We had a fun weekend and I thought this photo matched the look and feel of my page, so here’s my Green tea and for those of you who are coffee lovers a cappuccino (just in shot on the left-hand side) at a local café we visited (grin!).

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:

• Faber-Castell Gelato (Snow Cone, Lime, Boysenberry, Margarita Mix)
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Danube Blue, Bahama Blue, Grape Jelly, Lilac Posies, Summer Sky)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Kingfisher, Peacock Blue)
• Uni Posca Paint Pens (White)
• Art Impressions wood mounted rubber stamp (Diamond Background T-3335)
• Sugarloaf Inc. Anita’s wood mounted rubber stamp (26645)
• Rubber Soul Sylvia Yu 2006 wood mounted rubber stamp (Flower Tile 1539-K)
• Art Impressions wood mounted rubber stamp (Serpentine Background T-2773)
• Art Impressions wood mounted rubber stamp (4-Point Star Background G2983)
• Docrafts Creativity Essentials A5 clear stamp set (Musicality DCE 907112)
• Dunelm Wedding Collection (Place Cards)
• Bosworth Violin Studies
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (Old English White #ROY-864 Rub-on)
• Poundworld (Vintage Stickers 54748)
• Home Bargains Special Occasion (Decorative Chain 26253)
• Home Bargains Sticker Mania (Gel Store Stickers 74749)
• Lace border
• Metallic Silver Ribbon
• Floral Paper Punch
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• UHU Stic