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

The Act of Tea Making …

This page is influenced by the Chinese gunpowder green tea that I drink everyday and also, by a quote from a Chinese Tea Master.

As I’m including a drink on this page I’m pleased to join the T Gang over at T Stands for Tuesday – Happy T Day! Including a quote means I can also join in the “Poetry in Motion” challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

I started by applying Desert, Boulder, Chestnut and Fawn Spectrum Aqua markers to an acrylic block, spritzing the block with water and pressing it onto the page. As you can see I didn’t cover the whole page in ink and left some white space on the left hand side of my page. Then I used a Craft Expressions honeycomb stencil to add Ground Espresso and Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and Potter’s Clay Memento Ink layering the different colours using a blending tool. I used the same Ground Espresso, Chipped Sapphire and Potter’s Clay inks to stamp layers of 4-point star images to the background and I also stamped a hexagon design stamp around the border of the page using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink. I cut some strips from a Chinese newspaper, which I got free from a Chinese grocery store that I visit, and then I drew a cup and saucer onto the same newspaper and cut them out. They are stuck to the page using a UHU stic and once the glue had dried I outlined them with black Uni Pin and Derwent Graphik markers. The grey and black Chinese writing and coloured circles are rub-on transfers by Kaisercraft and the little black dragonflies are brads, which I pushed through the page. I covered the back of each brad with masking tape to protect my next journal page. Next I stamped the quote onto a tag using black Archival Ink and outlined some of the letters using a white Uniball gel pen to add definition. To finish, I added a blue piece of twine to the tag and stuck it to the page using double-sided foam tape.

It’s our daily ritual to have a cup of green tea with a cake (usually homemade) for elevenses. I always make a big batch of cupcakes which we keep in the fridge; these ones are carrot cakes (grin!).

I really like this quote from a Chinese Tea Master “The act of tea making is a moment of calm meditation” as I always enjoy making the tea and find the process of making it quite therapeutic; we use loose Gunpowder green tea from China and I make it in a glass teapot that came all the way from Japan. It makes the perfect cup of tea for two people (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:

• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Desert, Chestnut, Boulder, Fawn)
• Tsukeniko Memento Ink (Potter’s Clay, Rich Cocoa,)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire, Ground Espresso)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Derwent Graphik Line Marker (Black 0.05mm)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.5mm)
• Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
• Art Impressions wood mounted rubber stamp (4-Point Star Background G2983)
• Dovecraft Essentials Alphabet Stamp Set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• Docrafts Papermania clear stamps (Capsule Geometric Mono)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
• Docrafts Papermania Gift Tags & Stamps Set (Capsule – Geometric Kraft PMA105307)
• Chinese Newspaper
• Kaiserccraft Rub-on Lush Collection (Colour RB868, Black & White RB867)
• Craft Sensations (Chipboard Embellishments 154887)
• Brads (Dragonflies – Black BRDRBL)
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

A cup of tea in a quiet place

I have lots to be thankful for and this quote is one of my favourite tea quotes and was my inspiration for both the “Poetry in Motion” theme that I’m hosting over at Art Journal Journey and also T Stands for Tuesday where I’m pleased to join in the fun with the T Gang!

I applied Apricot and Parchment Liquitex acrylic paints using a baby wipe to the page and then I used various stamps to create the patterned background. This included a doily image by Dovecraft using London Fog Memento Ink, the words “joy” from a background stamp by Great Impressions using Tea Dye Distress Ink and two heart stamps by Hallmark Cards using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink. I printed the teacup image, fussy cut it out, stuck it to the page using a UHU Stic and enhanced the colours and detail by using Sun Yellow, Tangerine, Violet, Mustard, Apple Green, Teal Green, and Leaf Green Derwent Inktense pencils. The grapes and leaves are rub-on transfers by Royal & Langnickel and were chosen to match the design on the lovely teacup image. Next I painted the centre of a tag with Parchment Liquitex acrylic paint and then I stuck a layer of white tissue paper over the top using a UHU Stic, giving it a fabric look. I stamped the wording onto the tissue paper using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink and then I glued another layer of tissue paper over the top. The wording could still be seen through the tissue paper and I went over each letter using a black Uni Pin marker to give a stitching effect. I also edged the tissue paper and outlined the tag with stitch marks using the black Uni Pin marker too. Then I used a Teal Derwent Inktense pencil and a white Uniball gel pen to add texture and colour to the tissue paper so it looked more like fabric. I added some of the rub-on transfers around the edge of the tag and then stuck it to the page using double-sided foam tape. To finish the page, I added two strips of lace.

The quote and teacup image is from this lovely little book, you may remember it from a previous post.

I’m also sharing my cup of green tea in order to join Bleubeard and Elizabeth over at T Stands for Tuesday. We are having it with a chocolate covered choux bun filled with fresh cream, which brings an even bigger smile to my face (grin!) – yum! Wishing you all a Happy T Day!

I hope you are able to join in the fun over at Art Journal Journey by creating a page inspired by a favourite quote, poem or saying; I look forward to seeing you there!

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 Colour Acrylic (Apricot, Parchment)
• Tsukeniko Memento Ink (London Fog, Rich Cocoa)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye)
• Derwent Inktense Ink Pencils (Sun Yellow 0200, Tangerine 0300, Violet 0800, Apple Green 1400, Teal Green 1300, Leaf Green 1600, Mustard 1700)
• Uni Pin Fine Point marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
• Dovecraft Curiosity Corner clear stamps (A5 Lace and Diole DCCS009)
• Great Impressions wood mounted stamp (Joy Background J87)
• Hallmark Cards clear stamp (Christmas)
• Dovecraft upper and lower case alphabet stamp set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• White tissue paper
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfer (REC1682)
• Poundworld (Adhesive Lace Strips U-80935)
• The Works (Hang Tags)
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Dancing is an art

I’m so excited and honoured to be hosting Art Journal Journey this August and for this month’s challenge you are invited to use your favourite quotes, sayings and poems to inspire your designs for the theme “Poetry in Motion”.

As some of you may know I really like to create pages with meaning and I’m often inspired by things I see and do, including quotes and my page today is inspired by these wonderful words:

I started by painting patches of white gesso over the page then I added Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks by applying the ink pad to an acrylic block, spritzing with water and then pressing the block onto the page. I also dragged the ink pads over the edge of the page to concentrate the colour. With the quote in mind, I stamped some filigree images by Hampton Art using London Fog Memento Ink. Next I sprinkled Ultramarine Colourcraft Brusho Crystal powder onto the page and spritzed them with water and just watched the magic as the colours burst into life. I then added pieces of washi tape, which I had torn so the edges didn’t have such straight lines and flowed with movement.  I stuck down some torn pieces of music paper using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium and also dragged some of the Brusho colour from the page over the edges of the music to blend them in.  I added plasterboard/drywall tape to add more texture and then I layered on torn pieces of a baby wipe which I had previously used to mop up some acrylic paint. Before applying the baby wipe I stretched it so it looked like fabric and used matte gel medium to stick it down so the wispy edges danced across the page. The beautiful dancer image is fussy cut from a leaflet and stuck down using a UHU Stic. I stamped the words onto some paper by Craft Sensations, fussy cut it out, edged the paper with a black Sharpie permanent marker and stuck it to the page using double-sided foam. To finish I added two cream Button Heart embellishments.

I love the way this page has turned out and I feel the words could be applied to my art journaling and to the creation of this page.

I do hope that you are inspired to get creative by the “Poetry in Motion” challenge over at Art Journal Journey too! I’m looking forward to visiting you to see all your wonderful creations.

As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m saying a big hello to the T Gang and wishing you all a Happy T Day! Today I’m enjoying a refreshing drink of apple juice with ginger beer, in my craft room while creating a new journal page (grin!). It’s served in one of my favourite glasses, which I bought during a tour of the Maine Mead Works in America whilst there on holiday.

Mead is an alcoholic drink made from honey, hence the bee which greeted us on their fabulous sign! If you look closely you can just make out this bee symbol on my glass too (grin!). The mead that they make is a modern style of mead which is similar to wine and is light and refreshing, whereas I think of mead as a winter drink served hot with spices. Both of which are delicious!

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

“Poetry in Motion”

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

• Pébéo White Gesso
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Peacock Feathers, Cracked Pistachio)
• Tsukeniko Memento Ink (London Fog)
• Colourcraft Brusho Crystals (Ultramarine)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Hampton Art 7 Gypsies cling mounted rubber stamps (Birdsong ICO151)
• Dovecraft upper and lower case alphabet stamp set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• Music Book (Bosworth Violin Studies)
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Endless Love CRO260/A)
• Used dry baby wipe
• Leaflet
• Crelando Decorative Tape
• Home Bargains Self-Adhesive Button Hearts (Sweet Hearts 22809)
• 151 Adhesives Plasterboard/Drywall Tape
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• UHU Stic
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Summer

There is so much to love about summer such as hot days spent relaxing and enjoying yourself, just like the two ladies on my page. Like me, they want to join in the fun over at Art Journal Journey with Bluebeard’s and Elizabeth’s “Summertime Love” theme.

I started this page by combining navy and white acrylic paints to create a bright blue colour, then I applied this paint thickly to the page with a paint brush so you could see the brush strokes. I fussy cut the two ladies from a magazine and stuck them down using a UHU Stic once the paint had dried. Then I stamped a black border by Hampton Art using black Archival Ink and used a black Uni Pin marker to colour and outline some of the squares. On the right hand side of the page I arranged different papers by Craft Sensations which are stuck down using a UHU Stic along with some spotted paper tape. Next I added the “Summer” title and I also applied the other summer sayings and words, which are rub-on transfer sentiments by Royal & Langnickel, to the papers which I stuck down earlier. I added paper flowers by Dovecraft and decorated their centres with white felt flowers, buttons and dome enamel dots; these are stuck into place using glossy accents.  The polka dot butterfly buttons, tag and pink flowers are wooden embellishments and are stuck to the page using glossy accents; I tied black paper twine to the centre of the butterfly buttons and to the top of the tag before I stuck them down. To finish, I added a polka dot strawberry and some blue dome enamel dots.

Pimm’s is a very popular summertime drink here in the UK and as T Stands for Tuesday it must be “Pimm’s o’clock” so I’m sharing a jug of Pimm’s and saying a big hello to the T Gang – Happy T Day!

For those of you who may not be familiar with this drink, Pimm’s No. 1 is a fragrant gin-based drink which is combined with distinctive botanicals and bitter herbs, caramelized orange and delicate spices. It is mixed with lemonade and served over ice with strawberries, cucumber and mint. You may have noticed I added the word “lemonade” and also a strawberry to my page (grin!).

If you’re interested, here are some more Pimm’s related facts:

1. Pimm’s No.1 was invented and originally served at an oyster bar in London in the 1800’s to aid digestion and was a homemade concoction mixed by a Mr. Pimm.
2. The Pimm’s recipe is top secret and there are 6 different types of Pimm’s which differ only in their base alcohol e.g. gin, vodka, scotch etc.
3. It is traditionally served with chopped strawberries, cucumber and mint which you can snack on at the end of the glass of Pimm’s, well that’s if you can wait that long (grin!). It’s a good way to get your daily dose of fruit and vegetables – or ‘one of your five a day’ as we say in the UK.
4. “It’s Pimm’s o’clock” was a phrase coined by some clever marketing people to show that it’s great for sharing. Here’s one of the adverts using this catch phrase.
5. Pimm’s is often seen at Wimbledon, polo matches and the Henley Regatta and is also served at Buckingham Palace by appointment to the Queen so we’re in good company sipping this drink in the sunshine!

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 (Navy)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (White)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.3mm)
• Hampton Art Doodlebug Design Inc. (Borders ICO160)
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Soft Sweetness 154897)
• The Works The Craft Place (Spotted Paper Tapes)
• Old Magazine
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Sentiments (Summer #ROY505, Thanksgiving #ROY-522)
• Dovecraft Collections Back to Basics III (Paper Blossoms DCBL005)
• Aldi (Easter Collection Bonnet Accessories)
• Buttons from B&M Craft Goody Bag (Turquoise)
• The Works (Pastel Enamel Dots)
• Docrafts Papermania Stickers (Enamel Shapes – Denim Blue Domes PMA3560011)
• Docrafts Papermania Wooden Tags (Ahoy There  PMA355104)
• The Works (Butterfly Wooden Buttons)
• The Works (Craft Flowers)
• Wilko (Paper Twine)
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• 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