Hope is the thing …

I got creative to join in with a number of challenges today including the Texture challenge that I’m hosting this month over at Art Journal Journey. Thanks so much to all those who have joined in the fun so far with all your wonderful texture creations!

I’ve been meaning to use this Emily Dickinson quote on one of my pages for a while now and it seemed to match the feathers I used beautifully!

To start, I covered the page with Colbalt Blue Liquitex acrylic paint and added some Prussian Blue and white acrylic paints using a credit card to create some texture. When dry, I stamped a hexagon pattern stamp and my favourite Script stamp from Kaisercraft using black Archival Ink. Then I splattered the whole page using white acrylic paint and applied some Ranger Texture Paste around the edges of the page using a Carabelle Studio Stencil.

The feathers are stickers which I outlined using a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker and white Uniball gel pen. For the quote, I cut the letters from white cardstock using an X-Cut die set and then stuck them in place using Liquitex matte gel medium.

The colours of the feathers on this page remind me of some flowers that were kindly gifted to me this week when we had family visiting – the orange yellow autumnal colours look fabulous!

I hope that you are all staying safe and well!

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

Challenges

I’m joining in the Use Your Favourite Stamp challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge as I used my favourite Script stamp as part of my design.

I’m so happy to join the Birds challenge over at the The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog with the feathers and quote on this page.

I’m also joining the Complimentary Colours challenge over at Country View Challenges with the blue and orange complimentary colour combination on my art journal page.

I’m also pleased to join the #127 – Picture Inspiration challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with the blue pantone background.

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

• Liquitex Acrylic Color (Colbalt Blue)
• Liquitex Artist Color (Prussian Blue)
• Art Discount Acrylic (White)
• Kaisercraft Clear Stamp (Script CS752)
• Docrafts Capsule Collection Clear Stamps – free in magazine
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Carabelle Studios Art Template A6 (Weft Fabric & Numbers TE60034)
• Ranger Texture Paste
• Feather Stickers
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Artist Pitt Pen (Black 199)
• Uniball Signo Gel Pen (White)
• White Cardstock
• X-Cut Alphabet Die Set (Centurion D-XCU503083)
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium

Banana Cream Daisy

Today I’m sharing another page inspired by the flowers in my garden, this time a pretty daisy called Banana Cream – such fun (grin!).

I’m pleased to join the Texture challenge that I’m hosting this month over at Art Journal Journey with all the texture I added to this page using stamping, inks, paint splatters, stencilled texture paste, linen textured paper, rub-on transfers and gems. Thank you for your lovely comments and wonderful creations so far, I hope you are having as much fun creating texture on your pages as I am!

I started by covering the background using Leaf Green Wendy Vecchi Bendable Dye Ink, Peeled Paint and Forest Moss Distress Inks; stamping the ink pads onto a blending mat, spritzing with water and pressing the mat onto the page. Once dry, I stamped some foliage using a Leaf Prints Tim Holtz stamp set and Peeled Paint and Forest Moss Distress Inks. Next I applied some Scattered Straw Distress Ink using a blending tool and some Pébéo white gesso with my finger which added more texture and depth to the page, and then I splattered the page using black DecoArt acrylic paint and the white gesso.

The daisy flowers are rub-on transfers which I applied to some card and cut out; they are all edged with a Cool Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker and then stuck to the page using a glue stick with some cream linen textured card. The cream linen card was decorated with the rub-on transfers and edged with Scattered Straw Distress Ink and Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker to give it a worn look and add more texture. Then I stencilled some Ranger Texture Paste that I coloured with Cadmium Yellow and white gesso through a Reversed Honeycomb stencil. To finish, I added the “Daisy” wording using letter stickers from Kaisercraft and some orange gemstones to add some sparkle.

These are the Banana Cream daisies in my garden; they are a Shasta daisy and have a lovely creamy yellow colour.

Hoping that you’re all staying safe and well! x

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

Challenges

I’m joining in the Use Your Favourite Stamps challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge as the Tim Holtz foilage stamp set that I used is one of my favourites, especially the fern design.

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

• Ranger Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Ink (Leaf Green)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss)
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous (Leaf Prints CMS273)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• White cardstock
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (White Flowers #ROY-668)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Artist Pitt Pen (Cold Grey IV 233)
• Craft Sensations (Luxury Cardstock with Linen Texture)
• Pritt Stick
• That’s Crafty! Dinky Stencil (Reversed Honeycomb)
• Ranger Texture Paste
• Liquitex Basics Acrylic Color (Cadmium Yellow Light Hue)
• Kaisercraft Sticker Sheet (Mix & Match – Alpha SS252)

Grateful Heart

I had fun creating some texture on my art journal page using stamping, doodles, buttons, paints and decorative tape so I’m joining the Texture challenge that I’m guest hosting this month over at Art Journal Journey; it would be lovely to see you there!

I started by covering the page with Swedish Blue Liquitex and white acrylic paints using a baby wipe. When dry I stamped London Fog Memento Ink using a 4-point star background stamp and a Serpentine background stamp from Art Impressions. I also stamped black Archival Ink using a Script stamp from Kaisercraft and a homemade grid stamp which I created by sticking drywall/plasterboard tape onto a block of wood. I then stamped the edges of the page with circles using tubes/lids on my craft desk and some white acrylic paint. The two lovebirds on the branch are stamped using Onyx Black Versafine Ink.

I had fun doodling the lines cascading down the page and the large heart using a white Uniball gel pen and black Uni Pin marker and then used lots of recycled buttons to add further texture using Ranger Glossy Accents to stick them in place. The cream, blue and lilac hearts were cut from some adhesive-backed papers using a couple of paper punches; the hearts were stuck in place, outlined and I also doodled around them. I added some black Decorative Border Tape to the edges of the page and emphasised the pattern and texture by applying some Coconut Faber-Castell Gelato. Next I applied some Coconut, Fig and Metallic Blueberry Faber-Castell Gelatos to the background scribbling them vertically onto the page and then smudging the colours with my finger.

I stamped another layer of the white paint circles over the top and then I splattered the page with both black and white acrylic paint. To finish, I added three Tim Holtz stickers which read “follow your heart”, “be in love with your life” and “start each day with a grateful heart”.     

As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m sharing a cup on green tea in a pretty mug that matches my page with its blue colour, heart design and gingham texture (grin!). Wishing you all a very Happy T day!

I hope that you are staying safe and well!

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

Challenges

I’m joining in the Oodles Of Doodles challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge it was fun adding lots of doodles as part of my design.

I’m pleased to join the Stamp It! challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge with all the stamping on my page.

I’m so happy to join the Birds challenge over at the The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog with the pretty lovebirds on my page.

I’m also pleased to join the #127 – Picture Inspiration challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with the Classic Blue hearts and buttons on my page.

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

• Liquitex Acrylic Color (Swedish Blue)
• Art Discount Acrylic (White)
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (London Fog)
• Art Impressions (4-Point Star Background G2963, Serpentine Background T-2773)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Kaisercraft Clear Stamps (Script CS752)
• Homemade wood mounted drywall/plasterboard tape stamp
• Circular tube and lid
• Dovecraft Clear Stamp ( DCCS014 – Birds)
• Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
• Uniball Signo Gel Pen (White)
• Uni Pin Fine Line Marker (Black 0.1mm, 0.5mm)
• Tonic Studios Paper Punch Accent (Classic Heart 858E, Hearts Sider 830E)
• Adhesive-backed Paper (Cream, Blue, Lilac)
• Recycled assorted buttons
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Poundland (Decorative Border Tape – Black)
• Faber-Castell Gelato (Coconut, Fig, Metallic Blueberry)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Stickers (Small Talk #TH93193)

Just Perfect

I recently won one of the challenges over at Paperbabe Stamps so I was very excited to use the new stamp set that I chose as my prize – thanks so much!

The Paperbabes Stamp Set was “just perfect” for decorating the recycled tags on my page which I found when I was tidying my craft room; the tags were from clothing as well as towels and pottery.

I started by adding lots of the tags to the page using a glue stick and then covered them with several layers of Pébéo white gesso, letting each layer of gesso dry before adding the next.

Then I edged the tags with a Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker, smudging the ink with my finger. I added some washi tape to some of the tags and splattered the page then coloured the tags using Cerulean Blue Winsor & Newton watercolour paint. When the paint was dry I edged the tags and washi tape using a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker. Using black Archival Ink, I stamped the tags using a Spritz & Speckles stamp set, also from Paperbabe Stamps and then using a Gothic Book stamp from Finnabair. I stamped the tags using a Floral Icons stamp from Docrafts and Teal Zeal Memento Ink and then I splattered the page with black DecoArt acrylic paint. To finish, I added three copper butterflies and also a Kaisercraft sticker which reads “Just Perfect”.   

The washi tape and watercolours that I used for this page were part of the fabulous goodies that I received from CJ over at CJ & Ink – thanks very much!

Here’s the Spritz & Speckles stamp set that I won from Paperbabe Stamps too, I’m sure I’ll use this one a lot as it adds such lovely textures and grungy effects – thanks so much!

Hoping that you all stay safe and well! x

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

Challenges

I’m pleased to join the lovely Alison AKA Craftytrog over at Art Journal Journey and her Pockets and Tags challenge this month with all the tags on my page.

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their Grunge It Up challenge with my grungy art journal page.

I’m also happy to be able to join the #126 – Anything Goes challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with my page.

Don’t forget that you still have time to join our Tag You’re It challenge this month over at A Vintage Journey too, it would be lovely to see you there!

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

• Recycled tags from clothing, towels and pottery
• Pritt Stick
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Cold Grey IV 233, Black 199)
• Winsor & Newton Watercolour Paint Set (Cerulean Blue)
• Paperbabe Stamps Stamp Set (Spritz & Speckles)
• Prima Marketing Finnabair Clear Stamp (Gothic Book 966966)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• Docrafts Creativity Essentials A5 Clear Stamp Set (Floral Icons DCE907123)
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Team Zeal)
• The Range (Craft Butterflies Stickers CRO420)
• Kaisercraft Sticker Sheet (Pen & Ink SS360)

T Day Fiesta

I had a lovely surprise in the post, some happy mail from Bleubeard and Elizabeth celebrating T Stands for Tuesday’s 7^th Anniversary – thank you so much for the amazing ATC and fabulous goodies!

I created this page with some of the goodies that Bleubeard and Elizabeth sent me; creating a tag with the Fiesta napkin and reusing the envelope that everything came in to make a pocket. Those little donkey piñatas caught my eye so I used them as part of my fun design too (grin!).

I kept the background simple, using two stencils from Creative Expressions I added a floral design using Love Letter Memento Ink and a trellis design using Black Soot Distress Ink applying them with a blending tool.

For the pocket, I folded the envelope so the postage stamp and marks were showing. Then I cut it into a triangular shape and coloured it using a Lemon Faber-Castell Gelato. To hold the pocket together I used some red and white flowered washi tape and then attached it to my page using double-sided tape. At the moment it is holding all the goodies that Bleubeard and Elizabeth kindly sent to me and I’m sure it won’t stay so full for long as I’ll be using them over time as part of my page designs (grin!).

For the tag, I cut some white card stock using the largest Tag Collection Framelit by Tim Holtz and my Big Shot machine and then I covered the tag with the Fiesta napkin using a thin layer of Liquitex matte gel medium. When dry, I coloured the right-hand side using Lemon Faber-Castell Gelato and then covered it in washi tape to match the envelope pocket. Using the Tag Collection Framelit set I cut out the tag hole reinforcement from white card which was also coloured with the Lemon Faber-Castell Gelato and covered with the washi tape. With the reinforcement glued in place, I tied some pretty recycled ribbon to the tag. The Fiesta wording and donkey piñatas were mounted onto some white card stock using the gel medium and when they were dry, I fussy cut them out and edged them with a black marker. I layered them all together using double-sided tapes and then to finish I stamped the “thank you” wording using black Archival Ink.

As you may know Bleubeard and Elizabeth kindly sent this beautiful ATC and some goodies to those of us in the T Gang at T Stands for Tuesday, which is so kind and thoughtful – thanks so much!

Of course I just adore the ATC and it makes a lovely addition to my craft room having pride of place so I see it everyday whilst I’m crafting (grin!).

As T Stands for Tuesday and I’m celebrating with a T Day Fiesta, I thought a margarita would fit the bill – cheers and Happy T day!

Hoping that you’re all staying safe and well! x

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

Challenges

I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. So here are the challenges I’m joining today:

I’m pleased to join the lovely Alison AKA Craftytrog over at Art Journal Journey and her Pockets and Tags challenge this month pocket and tag I created for this page.

I’m joining the Stencilmania challenge fun over at the The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog with the two stencils that I used for the page background.

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their Summer Memories challenge with my T Day Fiesta art journal page.

I’m also happy to be able to join the #125 – Sketch challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps as the tag with images, Fiesta wording and little piñata donkey that I included on my page.

I’m also pleased to join in the fun over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Use Your Favourite Tool challenge too; many of you will know that I love nothing better than fussy cutting so with just my scissors I’m a happy bunny (grin!).

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

• Creative Expressions Mini Stencil (Daisy Wheels, Ornamental )
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Love Letter)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Black Soot)
• Gift from Bleubeard and Elizabeth – thanks so much!
• Recycled envelope and postage stamp
• Faber-Castell Gelatos (Lemon)
• Michael’s Washi Tape
• Recycled white card stock
• Tim Holtz Sizzix Framelits (Tag Collection 658784)
• Fiesta napkin
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• Recycled ribbon
• Stix2 double-sided tape
• X-Press It! double-sided foam tape
• Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Point (Black)
• Crafter’s Companion Signature Collection by Sara Davies (Butterfly Lullaby S-BL-ST-JUS)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)

I do like to be beside the seaside

I’m so pleased and honoured to be Guest Designer over at Country View Challenges for their I do like to be beside the seaside challenge this month.

This challenge is very fitting as I live by the sea so I decided to transport this adorable bear in his homemade Hawaiian shirt to a seaside scene inspired by where I live (grin!).

I started by covering the foreground with Ranger Texture paste to create a sandy texture. When dry I coloured it with Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed and Tea Dye Distress Inks. Then I coloured the sky using Salty Ocean Distress Ink by stamping the ink pad onto an acrylic block, spritzing with water and pressing the block onto the page. Whilst the ink was wet I also added some Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink onto an acrylic block and pressed the block lightly onto the sky background to create the cloud effect. The sun was created using Ranger Texture Paste by applying it through a Mosaic stencil from Tim Holtz. When the texture paste was dry, I coloured it with a Canary Winsor & Newton Promarker. For the sea, I drew a straight horizon using a ruler and then coloured the sea using the Salty Ocean Distress Ink; applying it like watercolour.

The sea foam was created by applying some Pébéo white gesso and then some Liquitex Glass Bead Texture Gel over the top. I used a Funky Floral Tim Holtz Thinlet set to create the grasses from some recycled note paper that I had coloured using Mowed Lawn and Pine Needles Distress Ink and a Soft Green Winsor & Newton Promarker.

I created the bear using the Theodore Thinlet set from Tim Holtz; he was cut out of some linen textured cardstock and coloured using Ground Espresso, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo and Hickory Smoke Distress Ink, a Black Faber-Castell Big Brush Marker for his nose, eyes and eyebrows and a Putty Winsor & Newton Promarker for his ears. I hand drew the shirt and then cut it out from some design paper, re-adjusting the arm so that he was holding the ice cream which is a sticker – such fun!

The wording is cut from black paper using an Alphanumeric Label Thinlet set from Tim Holtz and to finish, I added three seagulls which were die cut from white cardstock and coloured using Cold Grey and Black Faber-Castell markers.

For more inspiration please check out the amazing creations from the Design Team over at Country View Challenges – I hope that you are inspired by this month’s I do like to live beside the seaside challenge too and are able to join in the fun!

I feel very blessed to live by the sea, here is the view overlooking the sand dunes …

… and this is our beautiful beach with the pier in the background.

As my hubby will tell you it’s essential to have an ice cream whilst at the seaside and here are a couple of our favourite flavours – Double Chocolate and Sticky Toffee Pudding (grin!).

I have really enjoyed spending time with you today and I’d like to say a special thank you to Country View Challenges for giving me the opportunity to design for them!

Thanks so much! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Challenges

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their Art Journal challenge with my seaside art journal page.

I’m pleased to join the Summer challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with my summer seaside page.

I’m also joining the Anything Goes challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge too.

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

• Ranger Texture Paste
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Tea Dye, Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, Mowed Lawn, Pine Needles, Ground Espresso, Vintage Photo, Hickory Smoke)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Liquitex Glass Bead Texture Gel
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencil (Mosaic THS084)
• Winsor & Newton Promarker (Canary Y367, Soft Green  G817, Putty 0618)
• Recycled paper
• Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlets (Funky Florals #1 662700, Theodore 664410, Alphanumeric Label 664177)
• Pritt Stick
• Craft Sensations (Luxury Linen Textured Cardstock)
• Zig Memory System 2-Way Glue (Dual Action Glue Pen)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Marker (Black 199, Cold Grey IV 233
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Vintage Travels CR0378/18R)
• Home Bargains Puffy Sticker Sheets (Sweet like … 14227)
• Leon X-Large Coloured Paper Pad
• White card stock
• Seagull Die Cut

Fill the world with sunshine

I’ve always loved this quote “remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine” which happens to be from a song that was sung by Snow White in the original Disney animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.

As an experiment I sprinkled Yellow, Orange and Brilliant Red Brusho Powders on the page and spritzed them with White Linen Dylusions Ink Spray and a little water. I mopped up any excess colour from the edges of the page using a piece of kitchen towel and then left the page to dry; I love how the Brushos and spray blended together to give the soft summery sherbet background. Next I stamped the quote using a Concord & 9^th Sophisticated Script stamp set with black Archival Ink, I used this ink for all the stamping on this page. I added some highlights to the quote using a white Uniball gel pen and then stamped lots of tiny butterflies using a Butterfly Peiredae stamp set from Paperbabes Stamps. Next I stamped a circular filigree sun shape from Kaisercraft around the edges of the page. Then I used a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker to edge the page and splattered it with black and also white acrylic paint.

For the large butterflies, I used my stamping platform to stamp the butterfly wings using black Archival Ink to get a clean finish and deepen the colour; they are stamped onto the dried kitchen towel that I used to mop up the excess background colours. I cut them out and stuck them in place using double sided tape, and then I stamped the butterflies body and antennae which are from the same Paperbabes Stamps stamp set which finished the page.

If you’re interested you can find a full list of materials that I used to create this page at the end of this post.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1937 by Disney and here’s Snow White singing “A Smile and A Song” where the quote is taken from.

This quote made me think of the Snow White musical teapot which sits in our display cabinet; it’s one of my hubby’s keepsakes from 1960’s America where he lived when he was a young boy. I’m pleased to share this beautiful teapot, which plays “Hi Ho, Hi Ho…” when you pick it up, with the T Gang over at T Stands for Tuesday – Happy T Day everyone!

Hoping that you’re all staying safe and well! x

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

Challenges

I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. So here are the challenges I’m joining today:

I’m pleased to join the lovely Erika from her blog BioArtGal over at Art Journal Journey and her When It’s Hot challenge this month with the hot colours on my page.

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their Art Journal challenge with my art journal page.

I’m also happy to be able to join the Summer challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with the hot summer colours on this page.

Art journaling always makes me happy, so I’m entering the Do What Makes You Happy challenge over at Country View Challenges too.

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

• Colourcraft Brusho Colours (Yellow, Orange, Brilliant Red)
• Dylusions Ink Spray (White Linen)
• Concord & 9^th Stamp Set (Sophisticated Script 10056)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
• Dovecraft Essentials Alphabet Stamp Set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCV0050)
• Paperbabe Stamps Stamp Set (Butterfly Peiredae)
• Kaisercraft Cleat Stamps (Magnolia Grove CS822)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Marker (Black 199)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black, White)
• Ranger Stamping Platform
• X-Press It double-sided tape

Summer

Our new challenge for the next two weeks over at Try it on Tuesday is Summertime.

I had fun using the hot colours of summer to create my seascape page capturing a summertime sunset. I hope you’re inspired to join our Summertime challenge too, it would be lovely to see you there (grin!).

The background is layers of paint and stamping; I started by applying Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange and Ultramarine Blue Liquitex acrylic paints to the page using a brayer. Then I used a texture stamp from BoBunny to transfer some of the wet paint around the page cleaning it immediately so the paint didn’t ruin the stamp. When the page was dry, I stamped the same texture BoBunny stamp and also two other texture stamps from an Urban Tapestry Tim Holtz stamp set using black Archival Ink. Then I applied some Pébéo white gesso and the Cadmium Yellow and Cadmium Orange acrylic paints again over the top using the brayer.

I created the horizon using a black Uni Pin marker pen and a ruler, blending the marker pen along the bottom edge using a wet paintbrush. Then I doodled some waves using a black Uni Pin maker and white Uniball gel pen. The seagulls and boats are drawn and cut from a dictionary page which detailed the word “sail”. I stuck them in place using a glue stick, outlined them using a black Sharpie marker and shaded them using a Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker. To finish, I added the word “summer” which is a rub-on transfer and highlighted it using a white Uniball gel pen.

For more Summertime inspiration, there are some amazing creations from my Design Teamies over at Try it on Tuesday, so please pop over and take a look (grin!).

We are lucky enough to live right by the sea on the west coast and the sunsets are often spectacular, whether it’s simply yellow and orange …

… or maybe clouds of blues and pinks – so beautiful (grin!).

As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m sharing my cup of green tea with a custard tart. This is a pastry case filled with egg custard, sprinkled with nutmeg and baked – so very yummy (grin!). Wishing you all a Happy T Day!

I hope that you are all staying safe and well!

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

Challenges

I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs, like Try it on Tuesday, as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. So here are the challenges I’m joining today:

I’m pleased to join the lovely Erika from her blog BioArtGal over at Art Journal Journey and her When It’s Hot challenge this month with the hot pink that I added to hot sunset page.

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their A Day At The Beach challenge my seascape art journal page.

I’m also happy to be able to join the #123 – Photo Inspiration challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with the colours that I included on my page.

I’m entering the Do What Makes You Happy challenge over at Country View Challenges too as walking along the beach and seeing the sunset always makes me happy.

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

• Liquitex Basics Artist Color (Cadmium Yellow Light Hue Cadmium Orange Hue, Ultramarine Blue )
• Ranger Mini Brayer
• BoBunny Stamps (Rough It Up #1205155)
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous (Urban Tapestry CMS061)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Uni Pin Marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Oxford Pocket Dictionary
• Pritt Stick
• Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Point (Black)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt Artist Pen (Cold Grey IV 233)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (Summer Sentiments #ROY-505)
• Uniball Signo Gel Pen (White)

Always in my heart

Remembering my dear friend with much happiness, it’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since she passed away.

I started by stencilling the Shabby Harlequin patterns from Creative Expressions, first using Picked Raspberry Distress Ink and then using a mixture of Bright Aqua Blue and white acrylic paint. Then I painted the white areas around the stencilling using the aqua mixed paint too. When dry, I stamped the butterflies from Craft Sensations and outline circles from Paperbabe Stamps using Elderberry Memento Ink and the solid dots from the same Paperbabe Stamps stamp set and black Archival Ink. I added some Pébéo white gesso with my finger to push over the stamping to push the images back and add more depth to the page. Then to finish the background I splattered the page with black DecoArt acrylic paint.

I used a piece of design paper for the tags which I created using a Tag Collection Framelit from Tim Holtz. I edged them with a black Sharpie marker pen and then added some pink satin ribbon and an enamel dot to each tag, as well as a pretty purple flower and the wording “hello sweet friend” and “fly away” which are all stickers.

From the same piece of design paper, I cut out the rectangle detailing two birds and the words “you are” stamping some additional wording so it reads “you are always in my heart”; as you can see the “heart” is represented by a pink heart sticker from Kaisercraft. It is edged with a black Sharpie marker, stuck in place using a glue stick and decorated with a pretty purple flower from the sticker set. To finish, I added the “love” sticker from the same set and then I edged the page using the black Sharpie marker pen.

Happy times with dear friends; “Loss leaves a heartache no one can heal, loves leaves a memory no one can steal”.

Hoping that you are all staying safe and well! x

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

Challenges

I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. So here are the challenges I’m joining today:

I’m pleased to join the lovely Erika from her blog BioArtGal over at Art Journal Journey and her When It’s Hot challenge this month with the hot pink that I added to my page.

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their Early Birds challenge with the birds that I included on my art journal page.

I’m also happy to be able to join the #123 – Photo Inspiration challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with the colours that I included on my page.

I’m also pleased to join in the fun over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their For A Child challenge with the design and style of my page.

Remembering my dear friend makes me happy, so I’m entering the Do What Makes You Happy challenge over at Country View Challenges too.

Don’t forget that you still have until next Tuesday to join our Anything Mixed Media Goes over at Creative Artiste Challenge Blog too, it would be lovely to see you there!

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

• Creative Expressions Mini Stencil (Shabby Harlequin)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry)
• Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic (Bright Aqua Blue)
• Artist Discount Acrylic Paint (White)
• Docrafts Papermania Mini Clear Stamp (Everyday Assortment PMA907003 – Butterflies)
• Paperbabe Stamps Stamp Set (Birthday Wishes)
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Elderberry)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• Design Paper Paper Bundle from a local craft shop
• Tim Holtz Sizzix Framelits (Tag Collection 658784)
• Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Point (Black)
• Pink Satin Ribbon
• The Works (Pastel Enamel Dots)
• Poundland (Decorative Stickers)
• The Little Yellow Bicycle Cardstock Stickers (Fresh Verse PD-140)
• Dovecraft Essentials Alphabet Stamp Set (WDN ALPHA STMP DCVW0050)
• Kaisercraft Sticker Sheet (Say Aloha SS281)
• Pritt Stick

Flourish

I was so happy to have won some new products from one of the challenges over at Paperbabe Stamps I created this pretty page to remind me of some huge purple poppies that are in our garden – see what you think!

I started by painting some Leaf Green and Watering Can Wendy Vicchi Blendable Dye Inks onto the page by applying the ink to a blending mat, spritzing with water and using a paintbrush. Next I applied some of the Leaf Green ink through a Herringbone stencil from Paperbabe Stamps and splattered the page with both the Leaf Green and Watering Can inks. The flowers are an Inkylicious Oriental Poppy stamp and were stamped onto a piece of mixed media paper with black Archival Ink using a stamping platform to get a clear and crisp image.

I coloured the petals using Seedless Grape Distress Ink, shading the colours by painting the ink onto the flowers. As they looked a bit pink I also applied some Lulu Lavender Memento Ink over the petals. For the stamens, I added more detail using a black Uni Pin marker and a white Uniball gel pen, then I coloured them using Lime Green, Canary, Amethyst and Cool Grey Winsor & Newton Promarkers. I fussy cut the flowers out, which took quite a bit of time and stuck them onto the page using a glue stick. The stars are from the Flourish & Grow Paperbabe Stamps and are stamped using Seedless Grape Distress Ink. I used the same stamp set for the wording using black Archival Ink, the words read “Flourish”, “love” and “Dream”. To finish I splattered the page with black DecoArt acrylic paint.

Here are my new Paperbabe Stamps goodies, I’m looking forward to using the other items soon (grin!).

These are the poppies that inspired the flowers on my page, I think the birds must have brought them into the garden – yay!

Hoping that you are all staying safe and well! x

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

Challenges

I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. So here are the challenges I’m joining today:

I’m pleased to join the lovely Halle from Halle’s Hobbies over at Art Journal Journey and her A Stitch In Time challenge this month with the herringbone pattern on this page which is often associated with fabrics.

I’m joining in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and their Shoot For The Stars challenge with the stars that I added to my art journal page.

I’m also joining the Cattywampus challenge over at the The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog with my diagonal formed poppies and herringbone stenciling.

I’m also pleased to join in the fun over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Anything Goes challenge too.

Of course I’m joining Paperbabe Stamps and their Anything Goes challenge too – thanks so much for the goodies!

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

• Ranger Wendy Vicchi Blendable Dye Inks (Leaf Green, Watering Can)
• Paperbabe Stamps Mixed Media Stencil (Herringbone)
• Inkylicious Bigz Flowers Stamp (Oriental Poppy)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Seedless Grape)
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Lulu Lavender)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Winsor & Newton Promarkers (Lime Green G178, Canary Y367, Amethyst V626, Cool Grey 4 CG04)
• Pritt Stick
• Paperbabe Stamps Stamp Set (Flourish & Grow)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic Paint (Black)