Jazz and Blues Festival

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Blackpool Jazz & Blues Festival, the musicians and singers were so amazing that I created this page to remember them!

I started by fussy cutting a trumpet from an old magazine and positioning it onto the page so I could draw wavy lines to create sections as if music was flowing out of the trumpet. I then removed the image and coloured the different sections with Kiwi, Butter Cream, Acqua Dolce, Watermelon, Guava and Peach Faber-Castell Gelatos; I did this by scribbling them onto the page and smudging the colour with my finger which I had dipped in water. I also blended the gelato colours across each section to soften the edges. Next I stamped butterflies by Crafter’s Companion and music notes by Docrafts using black Archival Ink so they looked like they were flowing out of the trumpet and over the page.  I chose butterflies because an amazing singer, Lauren Dalrymple, had butterflies on her top. Between the stamped images I added the names of some of our favourite singers and musicians from the festival. Next I fussy cut an image of a musician playing a saxophone from the festival programme, the name of the festival from a flyer and a treble clef (which incorporated a piano keyboard design) from a magazine. I added a piece of thin green washi tape to the left-hand side of the page and then the saxophone image which like the other images are stuck to the page with a UHU Stic. I then added a piece of piano keyboard washi tape and treble clef to represent the amazing pianists at the festival. The festival name is edged with a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker and stuck down using double-sided foam tape. I used black and white Uni Posca paint pens to add dots to emphasise the wavy lines, add definition to the names and also details to the butterfly images that I had stamped. I also outlined the saxophone image with the white Uni Posca paint pen so it stood out more. To finish, I added some pearl gemstones that matched the gelato colours to give more interest.

As we always look forward to the festivals that take place over the summer, I’m pleased to be able to join Bleubeard and Elizabeth from Altered Book Lover for the “Summertime Love” challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

Blackpool Jazz & Blues Festival is a non-profit event and all proceeds are donated to Trinity Hospice. Over the last 3 years this festival has raised over £11,000 for this charity and as we love live jazz and blues music we always go along to support this great cause. Musicians and singers from all over the country come and perform here on a completely voluntary basis.

Lauren Dalrymple is a very gutsy and soulful singer who simply wowed us with her amazing voice! She sang an incredible rendition of “Bye, Bye Blackbird” as well as her own composition Walking in Lille  – she is a truly astonishing singer songwriter!

This is CDF# , this group consists of the three members Christopher Hodder (Guitar), David Minshull (Drums / Percussion) and Frank Flynn (Piano / Keyboard).  They are very talented and have a wonderful respect for each other’s musical ability, and by far my favourite piece of music that they play is St. Thomas.

I have to say I have never heard such spectacular sounds resonate from a guitar before, these guys from a local band called Shotglass were fantastic!

As it’s T Stands for Tuesday‘s 4th Anniversary today, I’m so glad to be able to offer my heartfelt congratulations and join Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s T party with a pint of Amazon Amber beer by Bowness Bay Brewery in the Lake District. This is a lovely refreshing English Bitter 3.8% abv (alcohol by volume) which is light in colour and has a distinctive flavour with hints of oranges and spiced berries. I’m celebrating and saying a big cheers to the T Gang – wishing you all a very Happy T Day!

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 Gelatos (Kiwi, Butter Cream, Acqua Dolce, Watermelon, Guava, Peach)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Uni Posca Paint Pens (White, Black)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.3mm)
• Crafter’s Companion Signature Collection by Sara Davies Photopolymer Stamp Set – Just for you (Butterfly Lullaby S-BL-ST-JUS)
• Docrafts Creativity Essentials A5 Clear Stamp Set (Musicality DCE907112)
• Dovecraft Essentials wooden alphabet stamp set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• Festival programme and flyer
• Old magazines
• The Works (3 Washi Tapes, Washi Tape Set 7x3m)
• Trimcraft Simply Creative (Adhesive Pearls SCDOT056)
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Dream

I had so much fun creating this page for the “Letters or Numbers or Both” theme over at Try it on Tuesday and the “Circles” theme over at Art Journal Journey. I chose the word “dream”, the grunge design and some of the colours from a sign that adorns my craft room wall.

This grunge look took sometime to create and it started with a mop up background of Red Cherry and Passion Fruit gelatos which I covered in a thin layer of white gesso to tone down the colours a little. I stencilled the clock and some numbers using two stencils by Craft Sensations and black Versafine Ink with a blending tool; I wasn’t very careful in applying the ink and didn’t mind the splodges of ink that formed around the edge of the stencil as it added to the grunge look. 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 make sure I’ve removed any stray powder. 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 images, 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. Next I scribbled a Coconut Faber-Catell Gelato onto the page and I dipped my finger into some water and rubbed the gelato to smudge the colour. I removed the gelato that had gone over the embossed images straight away with a piece of kitchen towel returning them to a glossy finish. I added some small leftover pieces of torn black and white polka dot washi tape to the page and then I applied Pébéo modelling paste through a Shabby Harlequin stencil by Creative Expressions.

Once the paste had dried I used Dark Sepia, Sanguine and Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush markers to add more colour to the modelling paste and the background; I did this by scribbling each marker onto an acrylic block, spritzing the block with water and then pressing and dragging it across the page. I then painted some white gesso onto the page using my finger. I applied a Snow Cone blue gelato to the pieces of washi tape and to the top of the modelling paste which highlighted the texture and shape wonderfully. Then I used the Dark Sepia marker to outline the stencilled shapes.

I drew the larger circles and shaded them using the blue gelato and edged them with white and black Uni Posca paint pens. I used the blue gelato again to add the smaller circles using a Dutch Doobadoo mask and when it had dried I added some detail to the edges using the Uni Posca paint pens.  I used black Versafine ink to stencil cog shapes using a Viva Décor stencil and also stamp a circular postage mark using a stamp from The Works. Then I stamped a Kaisercraft Script stamp using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink. To add more depth of colour to the clock, cogs, circles and background around the modelling paste, I used Gold, Fawn, Desert and Chestnut Spectrum Aqua Markers by applying the ink to an acrylic block and using a wet paintbrush to pick up the ink and apply it to the page.

To finish, I added some circular and small cog shaped sequins using Glossy Accents, some 3D butterfly stickers from The Range and the letter buttons from Home Bargains to add the word “dream”.

Here’s the sign that is on the wall of my craft room, I love the sentiments it contains and to me it’s a wonderful reminder of how to live and enjoy life to the full! As you can see the design is a bit worn and grungy just like my page (grin!).

I often listen to music while I’m crafting and when I created this page a particular song by Elvis, called “If I Can Dream”, caught my imagination. Here’s a link to Elvis singing this song as part of his famous 1968 Black Leather Comeback Show – I love the lyrics:

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
• Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
• Memento Ink (Rich Cocoa)
• Faber-Castell Gelatos (Coconut, Snow Cone)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Dark Sepia 175 B, Sanguine 188 B, Cold Grey IV 233)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Gold, Fawn, Desert, Chestnut)
• Uni Posca Paint Pen (White, Black)
• Papermania Embossing Powder (Black PMA4021006)
• Pébéo Modeling Paste (High Density)
• Kaisercraft Clear Stamps (Script CS752)
• The Works (Clear Stamps CR0274/TW3)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
• Creative Expressions Mini Stencils (Shabby Harlequin CEMSHARL)
• Duth Doobadoo Mask Art A5 (Geometric Tiles)
• Viva Décor Universal Stencil (Past Times 900270300)
• Poundland (Washi Tape)
• The Range (Craft Stickers ST5256)
• Home bargains Love Letters (Self Adhesive Letters 22738)
• Poundland (Assorted Sequins)
• Ranger Glossy Accents

Thanks for being my friend

Spending time with good friends is always fun and this weekend was no exception when we went for a bike ride and enjoyed chatting over a cuppa at The Blackbird Café. When I found this sentiment, I thought it was perfect for my friend inspired page.

This page and sentiment applies to all the friendships I have made in blog-land too, for which I am very thankful, and as T Stands for Tuesday this includes the T Gang!

Firstly I painted the background using Topaz and Begonia Spectrum Aqua markers and then I applied a layer of white gesso to push the colours back. I ripped the edges of a napkin and stuck them to the page using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium. Once the gel medium had dried, I used a grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker and black Uni Pin marker to emphasis the edges of the torn napkin. Next I added the teapot and roses which are all rub-on transfers by Royal & Langnickel. For the quote, I used some grey paper from a Design Pad by Craft Sensations and stamped the wording using black Archival Ink. I then ripped the edges of the paper, added some little rosebuds from the same rub-on transfer set, outlined the edges of the paper using a black Uni Pin marker and attached it to the page using double-sided foam tape. I also used the black Uni Pin marker to add more definition to all of the rub-on transfers, which took quite a bit of time as I used the whole sheet of transfers on this piece. To finish, I added a butterfly tag using double-sided tape and also a couple of picture embellishments, one of which is a birdcage which reminded me of The Blackbird Café.

Here’s a close up of the lovely birds and birdcages that adorn the café.

You may remember the Blackbird Café from a previous post, this time we sat at the table in the window chatting with our friends.

 As T Stands for Tuesday I’m also sharing our drinks, my hubby had a hot chocolate and I had a white hot chocolate, as you can see they came in the most adorable mugs and with a little piece of chocolate each. I suppose this is quite an unusual drink for summer but despite the sunshine there was a cold wind which had chilled us to the bone as we were only wearing shorts and thin tops for our cycle ride and the hot chocolates warmed us up!

We also treated ourselves to a bacon butty to share; we ordered it on brown bread with no butter and the bacon extra crispy – just as we like it, yum!

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
• Spectrum Aqua Markers (Topaz, Begonia)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Uni Pin Fine Line Marker (Black 0.1mm & 0.2mm)
• Dovecraft upper and lower case alphabet stamp set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Authentic Vintage CRO730/R)
• Dunelm Napkins (Grace 30220549)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (Teapot #FIT-216)
• The Works M&C Boutique (Printed Embellishments)
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Past Times

Loving all things Victorian, I was delighted to hear a familiar sound whilst gardening; it was a steam engine coming down the road. Luckily they don’t go too fast so we had time to grab our cameras and take some photos while it was passing our house. This magnificent sight inspired my steampunk page.

I started by colouring the edges of the page with Tea Dye and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink using a blending tool, fading the colours as I reached the centre of the page. Then I stencilled cogs, keys and text by Viva Décor using the same inks and highlighted areas with Black Soot Distress Ink and a terracotta Spectrum Aqua marker. These colours and images remind me of the steam engine that we saw. I cut the world image and rulers from some vintage paper by Kaisercraft and I used some street map paper by American Crafts to illustrate where we had seen the steam engine. I aged all these papers with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and edged them with Black Soot Distress Ink using a blending tool and then I stuck them to the page using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium. Once the medium had dried I added colour and detail using a black Uni Pin marker and terracotta, tan and slate Spectrum Aqua markers. Next I stuck on the three Victorian tags, the very dapper looking gentleman, the top hat and the fountain pen/pocket watch, all of which I aged and edged in the same way as the world and map paper. I coloured three clocks which are outline stickers with a black Sharpie permanent marker and stuck them to the page. I added the keys which are rub-on transfers and then layered up lots of different items including: Salvage Stickers from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Crowded Attic collection, Bees that I had stamped using Archival Ink onto some of the Kaisercraft paper and rulers that I cut from the same sheet of paper. All these items are edged with a black Sharpie pen and once in place I added shadows using a Slate Spectrum Aqua marker by smudging the colour with my finger and a baby wipe to produce a grunge effect. I stencilled white cogs with modelling paste and when it had dried I outlined them with a black Uni Pin marker so they stood out more. I added star outline stickers that I had coloured with the black Sharpie marker and some assorted buttons using Glossy Accents. I coloured and underlined the “Past Times” text with a black Uni Pin marker and applied Glossy Accents on top of this wording, the black stars, the metal button in the centre and around the holes of the tags to give a 3D glossy look.

I’m so pleased to be able to join Erica who is the guest designer for the “Steampunk” theme over at Try it on Tuesday and also Rosie who is hosting the “Circles” challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

Here’s the wonderful old steam engine as it passed by our house! The sight, sounds and smells were wonderful, reminding us of times gone by. Steampunk captures this era very well as it incorporates technology and designs inspired by 19th century industrial steam-powered machinery and is referred to as Victorian futurism. If you are interested here is some more information about steampunk:

• Steampunk is a fictional style and is often set in an alternative history of the 19th century’s British Victorian era or American “Wild West”. Neither of these style cares too much about historical accuracy, the purpose is to have fun, be creative and use your imagination and not to accurately re-enact a period of real history.
• Technologies that were new or important to the Victorians, such as steam power, clockwork or electricity, are big themes in steampunk.
• The first science-fiction novels by authors H. G. Wells and Jules Verne strongly influence steampunk and as such fictional machines are popular. If either of these authors wrote a science-fiction novel today, it would be considered steampunk.
• The “punk” in steampunk comes from going against convention that sets something apart, which is borne from creativity, imagination and one’s individuality, be that style or gadgets.
• Steampunk is thought to have originated from well-known science-fiction authors William Gibson and Bruce Sterling and/or writer K.W. Jeter.
• Steampunk may also, though not necessarily, incorporate additional elements from other genres like fantasy, horror, goth, historical fiction, alternate history, or speculative fiction.

In the Victorian era, afternoon tea was also invented and became very popular; it is still popular nowadays although it is seen more as a special treat. So we decided to take advantage of the “Afternoon Tea – 2 for 1” offer whilst visiting a local Garden Centre which also has a wonderful craft shop (grin!). As T Stands for Tuesday I’m saying a big hello to the T Gang and sharing our afternoon tea, which includes our usual choice of green tea with a selection of sandwiches and cakes. There was so much food that we both only manage to eat the sandwiches and delicious scone with jam and cream.

We took all the other cakes home to enjoy another day; from the bottom left clockwise there is a Bakewell slice, Viennese Whirl, millionaire’s shortbread, Victoria sponge, tea loaf and in the middle is a chocolate brownie. As I don’t eat nuts I was served different cakes to my hubby and I have to say the millionaire’s shortbread tasted out of this world – yum!

In case you are interested, here’s the craft shop that we looked round after our afternoon tea. I did buy a few things, well, it would be rude not too with the sale items on offer and the 20% off voucher/coupon I had (double 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:

• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Terracotta, Tan, Slate)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Sharpie Permanent Fine Point marker (Black)
• Pébéo Modeling Paste (High Density)
• Hampton Art 7 Gypsies cling mounted rubber stamps (Birdsong ICO151)
• Viva Décor Universal Stencil (Past Times 900270300)
• American Crafts Paper Pad (DIY Shop 366665)
• Kaisercraft Timeless Collection (Postmarks P853)
• Outline Stickers (Timeless Silver 904935)
• The Works (Victorian Style Embellishments)
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology Salvage Stickers (Crowded Attic #TH92898)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Sentiments (Home Collage #ROY533 Rub-on)
• Assorted buttons
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium

Pretty mismatched china

With the glorious sunny weather last week we decided to go on one of our favourite circular walks from Scorton to Nicky Nook and back, with a visit to the Apple Store café. This page was inspired by our walk and the pretty mismatched china that we found at the café.

To start I sectioned the page in a starburst design to represent the sunny day and our circular walk, then I cut pieces of decoupage papers the same size as these sections and stuck them to the page using a UHU Stic. I used two different papers and alternated them, the pretty colourful butterflies represent the countryside and the lovely gardens we sat in at the café and the measurement paper depicts the miles we walked and the hills we climbed whilst on our walk. Next I drew black lines with a ruler and Sharpie Permanent Marker between each section and added some white gesso with my finger to soften some of the colours and designs. I stuck some black border stickers through each butterfly patterned section and some silver outline stickers along each black line outlining the shapes with a black Uni Pin marker. My mismatched tea spoons, teacups and saucers are rub-on transfers which I arranged around the page, I like the way some of the cups are hanging  from hooks along the black lines. To finish I added some shadows under the different images using a Slate Spectrum Aqua Marker and I stuck a pretty embellished teapot in the centre.

I’m pleased to be able to join Bleubeard and Elizabeth over at T Stands for Tuesday with my tea related page, as well as Gill from gibbyfrogettcraftations who is hosting the “Elegance & Grunge” challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

The walk was around 5.5 miles and this is the marker at the summit of Nicky Nook with the Red Rose of Lancashire painted on the side of it. In the distance you can just see where we had walked from, through woodlands and past a reservoir.

Nicky Nook is located in the Forest of Bowland and is 215m (705ft) above sea level. We live in an area that is known for being relatively flat and being by the sea we are just about at sea level,  so walking up this hill made a nice change and the views were breathtaking.

This is the view looking the other way, we were heading towards the lake on the left hand side which is where the café is located.

You may remember this walk and café from my post last year. The café is located in the Victorian glass houses of the grounds of Wyresdale Park.

This time we sat in the garden in the shade of the trees, because it was too hot to sit inside. I think everyone had the same idea as they were bringing the tables and chairs out from within.

This time we had a triple sausage sandwich, chips (fries) and a pot of green tea in the pretty mismatched china.

Here we are saying a big cheers to the T Gang and wishing you all a very Happy T Day!

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
• Memento Ink (London Fog)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Slate)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.3 mm)
• Anita’s Sugarloaf Inc. (Retro Starburst 7146)
• Viva Gade Decoupage Paper (Helsinki 25586)
• Poundworld (Patch Paper DS9454)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Sentiments (Romantic Tea #PAR-244 Rub-on)
• Sandylion Kelly Panacci Scrapbook Collection (Stitches & Borders KSC102)
• Docrafts Anita’s Outline Stickers (Fanciful Floral Corners Silver ANT8101411)
• Outline Stickers (Time – Silver 90493S)
• Poundland (Handmade Embellishments)
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Lilacs

With the lilacs in full bloom I’m reminded of friends, which makes me smile! They seem to be flowering earlier this year and many gardens around here have them. They remind me of one of my friends in particular who lives in Maine, America and just loves lilacs!

To start, around the edges of the page I applied Potter’s Clay Memento Ink by dabbing the ink pad directly onto my page. Then I used a small brayer by Ranger to apply Liquitex Parchment acrylic paint and then white DecoArt acrylic paint; I didn’t wait for the paint to dry between applications as I wanted to play around and create some texture. Once dry, I stamped a Script stamp by Kaisercraft using London Fog and Potter’s Clay Memento Ink. Then I stenciled a Shabby Harlequin pattern by Creative Expressions using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink. To create the lilacs, I stamped the images with a stamp designed by Tina Higgins using coloured Memento Inks then overlaid the image again with black Archival Ink. I added more colour to the petals, stem and leaves using Spectrum Aqua markers and a white Uniball gel pen. I found an old and crumpled airmail envelope in my hubby’s stamp collection that he had kindly given to me for my art journaling, which I tore, edged with Sanguine Faber-Castell Big Brush marker and stuck to the page using a UHU Stic. This reminded me of my friend in Maine because although we often Skype we like to send each other cards and notelets in the post throughout the year too.  To continue the postage theme, I stamped some postage marks and small script on the page using black Archival Ink and found a blank white postcard in my craft stash and added the sentiment which is a rub-on transfer by Royal & Langnickel. I thought this sentiment was so appropriate considering that the lilacs remind me of my friend. I tore the edges of the postcard, stained it with Distress Inks using a blending tool and edged it with the Sanguine marker. Then I added a United States postage stamp and stuck the postcard over the envelope using double-sided tape and a green paperclip; I like the grungy feel this created. I edged the page with the Sanguine marker using my finger to smudge the ink and to finish I added two butterfly stickers and the “lilac” wording.

I’m really pleased to be able to join Gill from gibbyfrogettcraftations again who is hosting the “Elegance & Grunge” challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

There are some wonderful displays of lilacs around our neighbourhood.

These are the deep purple lilacs that inspired my page, aren’t they just gorgeous and they have a lovely sweet fragrance too!

This lilac is so pretty with its paler delicate blossoms. If you are interested, here are some fun facts about lilacs:

• Lilacs belong to the olive family, Oleaceae.
• There are more than 1,000 varieties of lilac bushes and trees.
• Lilacs only flower for about three to six weeks in the spring.
• In the language of flowers, purple lilacs are the symbol of first love.
• Purple lilacs are most fragrant on a warm sunny day.
• The flowers are good for cutting and attractive to butterflies.
• Lilac blossoms are edible (I didn’t know this – did you?).

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:

• Liquitex Artist Color Acrylic (Parchment)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (White)
• Memento Ink (Potter’s Clay, London Fog, Lilac Posies, Grape Jelly, Pistachio, Rich Cocoa)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ground Espresso, Tea Dye)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Red Violet, Magenta, Purple, Wildflower, Moss, Bud Green, Chocolate)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Sanguine 188 B)
• Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
• Docrafts Papermanina Tina Higgins wooden stamp (Lilac PMA9061108)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Script CS752)
• Creative Expressions Mini Stencils (Shabby Harlequin CEMSHARL)
• The Works (Clear Stamps CR0274/TW3)
• Airmail envelope
• Lion Brand Postcard
• Postage Stamp (United States)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Sentiments (Spring #ROY506 Rub-on)
• Home Bargains (Beautiful Butterflies 22742)
• Green paperclip
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided tape

New Beginnings

Whilst walking to Cockerham Sands from Glasson Dock, I was excited to see my first butterflies of spring and also discover the ruins of Cockersand Abbey which dates back to 1100s. Both of which inspired my page “New Beginnings”.

This page started with a mop-up background created from leftover paint and gesso from other art journal pages; firstly a blue green acrylic paint was applied that had semi-dried to my acrylic block, I sprayed it with water and dragged the block horizontally and then vertically across the page from left to right, as you can see the colour is stronger on the left hand side as a result. Secondly some grey Winsor & Newton watercolour paint was applied using a babywipe, and then some blue watercolour paint which was already diluted on my acrylic block so I dripped it onto my page and then dragged the acrylic block over the top, and I added fine paint splatters too. Next came some left over white gesso which I applied to the page with a spatula. I thought the texture on this page would work well for my design, so I added a Rocks stamp by Kaisercraft using black Archival Ink and also secondary stamped the same stamp to add more depth and texture. This reminds me of the wall and stone ruins that we saw at the abbey. The black flowers and leaves are rub-on transfers by Kaisercraft which I clustered and layered together, I really like the worn look of these transfers. The butterflies and wording are also rub-on transfers by Royal & Langnickel and to finish I added the three rhinestone flowers.

As my page captures the abbey and the butterflies we discovered, I’m pleased to be able to join Hazel who is hosting the “Magical Mystery Tour” challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

Once at Cockerham Sands we decided to walk to Cockersand Abbey along the coastal path.  The abbey now lies in ruins with its walls and stones scattered across the site. We found out that originally a hospital was built here in 1180 for the sick and lepers and that this hospice was continued by the Premonstratensian White Canons who built their priory here in 1190. It was built on a clay “island” and its medieval name was “S. Maria de Marisco” or “Saint Mary of the Marsh”. As the priory thrived it gained the rank of abbey. Then came Henry VIII’s Reformation, and so in 1539 the abbey was dissolved and although it was sold to John Kitchen who then gave the land to his daughter when she married Robert Dalton, it has lied in ruins ever since.

The only building remaining is called Chapter House which for many years was used as a mausoleum for the Dalton family. We really enjoyed looking around the abbey ruins, it’s such a beautiful place with views out to sea.

These are the beautiful butterflies that we saw on our walk, the one sitting on a dandelion is a Small Tortoiseshell and the other basking in the sunshine is a Peacock butterfly. It seems that the seasons have changed and Spring is here!

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
• Liquitex Artist Color Acrylic (Christmas Green, Navy)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acylic (White)
• Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours (Ultramarine, Payne’s Gray)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Rocks CS875)
• Kaisercraft Rub-ons Lush Collection (Black & White RB867)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (LAN1236G) and Sentiments (Spring #ROY-506 RUB-ON)
• The Works Stickers (Rhinestone Flowers)