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

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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

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

Carnival

Every summer we attend our local carnival weekend and we always have so much fun watching the parade that it inspired this page! I’m pleased to be able to join Bluebeard and Elizabeth at Altered Book Lover again for the “Summertime Love” theme over at Art Journal Journey.

I started by cutting different decoupage and design pad papers into squares and rectangles to create the background. The papers I choose have seaside theme images and colourful patterns to represent our town, the carnival atmosphere and the fun we had. They are stuck to the page using a UHU Stic and I incorporated some pretty patterned fabric tape into the background design as well. Then I added vertical black lines along the edge of some of the papers using a Uni Posca paint pen. Next I added all the embellishments with the aim of layering them and to only use one of each item or design on my page so that I created an eclectic feel to represent the parade and give the page contrasting pops of colour. This was also a good way to use up bits and pieces I had leftover in my craft stash. This included some cardboard bunting with buttons on from Poundland and glittery bunting from Poundworld, which represent the bunting we saw along the parade route. As there were lots of bands taking part and music played throughout the parade I also added some music note washi tape, along with some camera film washi tape as we and many others were taking photos. There were vintage vehicles in the parade so I added an image of an old vintage car which is a Victorian tag embellishment. I added some pink circle stickers with palm trees and flamingos by The Range and lots of different flowers to represent some of the floats we saw during the parade; the flowers included a lovely sunflower border by Docrafts, a mini white flower, a red rose (for one of the bands) by The Range, a 3D sticker, a blue organza flower recycled from a gift bag and some glittery blue flower rub-on transfers. I also used some foam craft stickers from Wilko; a flower shape, a star, a balloon and lollipop which some floats were giving out to children, a crown to represent the carnival queens in the parade, a lion to represent the jungle theme of one of the school floats and an ice cream as there were bicycle ice cream carts. I especially liked the lorry carrying children from a local football club who had water guns. Needless to say they were having great fun covering everyone in water, so I added a foam football to the page with a half circle of tear shaped gem stones to depict the water droplets from their water guns (grin!). There were actually many children taking part in the parade from schools, clubs and community groups, they are represented by “A,B,C” and “1,2,3” mini gel stickers that I added to my page. As well as the “Sand; Sea; Sun” wording on one of the decoupage papers, I added more words that I associated with the carnival using stickers from Craft Planet, rub-on transfers and a “Hidden Joy” fabric sticker by Little Yellow Bicycle. The garland flag and ticket represent the fun rides and stalls that were in the park as part of the carnival. To finish, I added a glittery heart, some buttons, a couple of ribbons that I had tied into bows and lots of gemstones to add sparkle and interest.

Thought you might want to join in the carnival fun so here’s our Town Crier opening the parade, as you can see we had beautiful sunny weather.

There was lots of music throughout the parade and my favourite was this New Orleans style brass band; they are called Red Rose and played great music, I also enjoyed watching the gentleman with his umbrella, he looked so happy dancing in front of his band!

If you prefer there was also a traditional UK brass band.

Or even bagpipes for those of you who prefer more of a Scottish vibe which was loud and fabulous too.

This is one of the many vintage cars that took part in the parade.

There were quite a few horses in the parade this year and the carnival queen was travelling in style in a Cinderella coach.

Here’s the children from the Football Club, don’t they look pleased with themselves squirting the spectators with their water guns.

There was also a troop of local gymnasts performing in the parade and if you look at the photo closely you can see one of them in mid-air.

I was in awe of the work that must have gone into all the wonderful knitted car – isn’t it amazing!

As we were walking by Anton’s café, we saw some friends sitting at one of the tables outside and they kindly asked if we would like to join them.

Of course we were delighted to and had a great time chatting and enjoying the sunshine. So as T Stands for Tuesday I’m saying a big hello to the T Gang and wishing you all a very Happy T Day! Our drinks were a pot of green tea for me and a hot chocolate for my hubby, you can also see our friend’s cappuccino in the background which I’m sure will please any coffee lovers in the T Gang, namely Valerie and Elizabeth (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:

• Uni Posca Paint Pens (White, Black)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Trimcraft Deco Mache Decoupage Papers (Tiled Seaside FEDEC102)
• VivaGade Decoupage Paper (Helsinki)
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Soft Sweetness 154897)
• The Works (Fabric Tape)
• Poundland (Handmade Embellishments 138127)
• Poundworld (Paper Lace U-83197)
• The Works (3 Washi Tapes)
• The Works (Victorian Style Embellishments PO/19702)
• Docrafts Papermania Signature 3D Floral Borders (Sunflower Stickers PMA801100)
• The Range (Craft Stickers CR1243)
• Home Bargains Special Occasion (Mini Decorative Stickers 22740)
• The Range (Rose Garland CR0951)
• Free & Easy (3D Stickers 002157)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Sentiments (SYN14709, Summer #ROY-505 Rub-on)
• Blue organza flower (recycled from gift bag)
• Wilko Little Steps (Safari Foam Stickers)
• Graham & Brown The Wall (Adhesive Jewels)
• Home Bargains (Mini Gel Stickers 30287)
• Craft Planet Metallic Waterfall Stickers (Beach PO#9622)
• Little Yellow Bicycle Stickers (Fabric Favourites PD-220)
• Trimcraft Garland Flags (Fun Fair HCGF001)
• Ticket
• The Works (Glitter Heart Stickers)
• Buttons
• Ribbon
• The Range (Adhesive Craft Gems)
• Poundland Self-adhesive gems (504 Gems 128133)
• Hobbycraft Gem Sticker Strip (Assorted Pink Squares 5971461001)
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

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

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

Robin

Whilst walking along the Lancashire Coastal Way at Cockerham Sands we were lucky enough to see robins along the hedgerows. As my friends and family will tell you, I love robins and so seeing them gave me a great excuse to create this page.

The background is covered with a script decoupage paper and is stuck down using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium. Next I ripped pieces of a blue decoupage paper and stuck them to the page, and then I layered another piece of the same blue paper on the top to give more depth and dimension. Next I added ripped pieces of a music note design paper by Craft Sensations and edged them with a grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker, sticking them down with a UHU Stic. The music washi tape reminds me of the robin’s song that we heard on our walk and also matches the quote I used for my page. Next I used a stencil to create the leaves; I did this by using the same music note design paper, stamping a circular geometric shape using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink through the stencil onto it and outlining the edge of the leaf design with a Chocolate Spectrum Aqua marker. Then I removed the stencil, fussy cut the leaves and stuck them to the page using a UHU Stic. Once the glue had dried, I outlined them with a black Uni Pin marker and a white Uniball gel pen. The beautiful quote is a rub-on transfer by Royal & Langnickel. To finish the background I added splatters of black acrylic paint. The spade handle is fussy cut from a calendar and I coloured it with Spectrum Aqua markers and added more detail with the black Uni Pin marker. The stem of flowers is a chipboard embellishment which I stuck to the page using a UHU Stic.

To make the robin, I cut a robin shape from a piece of card and collaged leftover pieces of paper over the top to create the feather design, keeping the paper pieces in place using matte gel medium. I stuck the papers so they overhung the edges of the card and when the glue had dried I cut around the bird shape to give a clean finish. I used Spectrum Aqua Markers to add detail to the feathers and colour the robin’s legs. I then edged the robin with the grey Big Brush marker and coloured the eye using a black 3D Pearl Effect by Dovecraft and then Glossy Accents by Ranger. I also added a white dot to the top of the eye with the white gel pen. I love the way this robin turned out and this is a great way to use up all those little bits of papers you have leftover. Although it’s a bit fiddly arranging the papers, I think the result is beautiful.

I’m also pleased to join Gill who is hosting the “Elegance and Grunge” theme over at Art Journal Journey.

We walked along part of the Lancashire Coastal Way towards Cockerham Sands, which is close to Cockersand Abbey.

We saw this robin on our walk, he was sitting on a post and looking at us over his shoulder.

He lives in a beautiful spot at Cockerham Sands overlooking the estuary of the River Lune leading to Glasson Dock.

On the beach front there are quite a few farms and we saw this anchor sitting in one of their gardens.

Doesn’t this rusty buoy look fabulous looking out at that wonderful view!

Here’s a close up especially for Elizabeth as I know she loves all things rusty.

Talking of Elizabeth, as T Stands for Tuesday I’m sharing the green tea we had after our walk and saying a big hello to the T Gang!

We went to the Lantern O’er Lune café again and if you’re good you can have something from the Naughty Board (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:

• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Crimson, Burgundy, Spice, Fawn, Chocolate, Charcoal, Slate)
• Memento Ink (Rich Cocoa)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Cold Grey IV 233)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm & 0.5mm)
• Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
• Docrafts Papermania Mini Cards & Stamp Set (Capsule Geometric Krafts PMA105308)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
• Design papers – leftovers
• White card
• Trimcraft (Decoupage papers SCDEC064)
• Poundworld (Patch Paper DS9454)
• RSPB Calender – old
• Hobbycraft Decorative Tape (Assorted Black & White 5971471007)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Sentiments (Spring #ROY506 Rub-on)
• Craft Sensations (Chipboard Embellishments 154887)
• Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects (Brights – Black)
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• UHU Stic