Remember

I’ve been wanting to join a couple of blog challenges, so I created this art journal page which turned out to be quite cathartic in the end; with my friend passing, this journal pages serves to capture wording to prompt me to look at things differently – I hope you like it!

I also wanted to thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments regarding my dear friend, it is very much appreciated!

To start, I covered the page in Snow Cone, Lime and Boysenberry Faber-Castell Gelatos by scribbling the gelatos onto the page and smudging the colour with my finger which I wet with water. Once dry, I stencilled dots by removing the gelato colour through the stencil using a baby wipe and also added a flower design by applying white pigment ink through the stencil. Then I stamped some chevrons and arrows from a Kaisercraft stamp set using black Archival Ink. The feathers are wall stickers which I edged with black Faber-Castell marker and stuck to the page. I then splattered the whole page with black acrylic paint. Next I stuck a silver dreamcatcher and three silver arrows onto the page and embellished them with green gems. I added some Small Talk stickers from Tim Holtz which prompts me to “remember” the good times, to “just breathe”, to “be brave”, to “stay strong” and to “love you”; the top and bottom edge are outlined with a black marker pen. I also arranged some clear teardrop gemstones in lines down the page and to finish, I embellished the feathers with a silver disc from an old necklace.

I thought the T Gang over at T Stands for Tuesday, may like this cute otter that was etched onto a glass containing my pint of Otter Ale (grin) – cheers and Happy T Day!

Challenges

I’m happy to join in the Blue and Green challenge over at Country View Challenges with my page as they are my favourite colours.

I’m pleased to join the Anything Goes challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps too.

With the splatters of paint and splodges from the stencilling, my page also serves as a reminder that you still have another week to join our Splatters and Splodges challenge over at Try it on Tuesday, it would be lovely to see 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:

• Faber-Castell Gelato (Snow Cone, Lime, Boysenberry)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
• That’s Crafty! 8x8ins Stencil (Decorative Flower – TC8039)
• Docrafts Artiste Pigment Ink (White)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Mister Fox CS173)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Main Street Wall Creations Jumbo Stickers (Watercolor Feathers SKU261499)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Black 199)
• Docrafts Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• The Range (Dreamcatchers Stickers CR1237)
• B&M Craft Pack (Turquoise)
• Graham & Brown (Adhesive Jewels)
• Tim Holtz idea-ology (Small Talk #TH93193)
• Handwriting Pen (Black)
• Old necklace
• Ranger Glossy Accents

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Sun, Sand, Surf

We love living by the sea and feel very blessed that our house is only 2-3 minutes walk from the beach, so today’s page is inspired by the Sun, Sand and Surf (grin!).

I started by adding Pébéo modelling paste using a Fossil stencil and then to represent the colours of the sun, sand and sea, I applied Yellow, Fawn and Aquamarine Spectrum Aqua Markers by scribbling them onto an acrylic block, spritzing with water and pressing the block or dripping the ink onto the page. Then I fussy cut the compass, anchor and lighthouse from some design paper and glued them in place, like all of the paper elements, using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium. Once dry I outlined them using black Derwent Graphik markers to add more definition and make them stand out from the background more. Next I die cut the letters using a Docrafts die set and my Big Shot machine using design paper by American Crafts and I outlined them using the same Derwent Graphik markers again. I also used the American Crafts Design Paper to frame the postage stamp which I choose as it matched the page colours beautifully; it’s from my hubby’s childhood postage stamp collection that he kindly gifted to me for my art journaling (grin!). I stamped some little bubbles from a stamp set by Paperbabe Stamps using Teal Zeal Memento Ink. To finish, I added some compass stickers and two strips of blue ribbon to the top and bottom of the page.

We often walk or take a tandem ride along the beach front; even in the height of summer on our particular beach, as you can see in the background, there is plenty of space for everyone (the tide often goes out 3km / 1.8miles) …

… and even when the tide is in the views are still stunning, I always pinch myself as I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful place (grin!).

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 Chris from pearshapedcrafting and her We’re all/going challenge over at Art Journal Journey as we’re all going to the beach.

I’m joining the Summer Holidays challenge over at Moo Mania & More my beach art journal page.

I’m joining in the Life On The Ocean Waves challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge with my Sun, Sand, Surf page.

I’m pleased to be able to join Creative Artiste Challenge Blog for their #51 Anything Mixed Media Goes challenge with all the mixed media I used to create this art journal page.

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

• Pébéo Modeling Paste
• That’s Crafty! Dinky Stencil (Fossil)
• Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Yellow, Fawn, Aquamarine)
• Craft Sensations Design Pad (Vintage Travels CRO378/18R)
• Docrafts X-Cut A5 Die Set (Folk Alphabet XCU03286)
• American Crafts Papers (DIY Shop 366665)
• Derwent Graphik Line Marker (Black 0.05mm & 0.1mm)
• Postage Stamp (St. Vincent 1975) from Hubby’s childhood collection
• Paperbabe Stamps stamp set (Oriental Zen)
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Teal Zeal)
• Poundland Fun Stickers (Sailor SKU136785)
• Poundworld (Adhesive Ribbon U-80933)
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Man’s World

Time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and for the next two weeks our challenge is It’s a Man’s World. So be masculine, it could be something for Father’s Day or for a male birthday.

As I always find it hard to get started on masculine designs, I ended up getting all my appropriate crafting goodies out for inspiration and once I got started I really enjoyed creating this page; it all came together quickly and I love the grungy vintage look and I hope you do too!

I started by ripping some decoupage paper into large pieces and sticking it to the page using a glue stick. Then I stencilled the metal plate effect using Hickory Smoke Distress Ink and a Dinky Stencil from That’s Crafty! I splattered the page with water to smudge the Hickory Smoke ink using a piece of kitchen towel giving it a grungy look. Next I smooshed and splattered some Rusty Hinge Distress Ink over the page and I edged the pieces of decoupage paper using a Dark Sepia Faber-Castell Big Brush marker. To finish the background, I added three rub-on transfers from Royal & Langnickel which I outlined using a black Uni Pin marker so the edges looked worn and then I splattered the page using black DecoArt acrylic paint. Next I layered all the different paper elements together having edged them with Vintage Photo Distress Ink using a blending tool and also a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker before I stuck them onto the page. They included: letters creating the “mans world” wording, some numbered tiles and shields which are Crowded Attic Salvage Stickers by Tim Holtz; some pieces of a book page which I distressed with scissors along the edge; a vintage car stamp from Tim Holtz which I stamped onto some American Crafts paper and also some recycled Kraft paper using black Archival Ink and then fussy cut out; a clock which was stamped using a Kaisercraft stamp and black Archival Ink onto the same American Crafts paper then cut out; a clock which I fussy cut from an old magazine; two Victorian style brown tags; two wooden effect tags from Docrafts that read “Brilliant” and “The World’s Greatest”, and I emphasised their design using a black Uni Pin marker; a ruler which I cut into two pieces and finally two round discs, which read “in these moments time stood still” and “A lifetime of memories” all of which are fussy cut from a Kaisercraft paper sheet. To finish, I added some brown metal brads to all of the tags and splattered black DecoArt acrylic paint over everything.

For more inspiration please check out the fabulous creations from my Design Teamies over at Try it on Tuesday.

As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m sharing our pie and a pint that we enjoyed whilst sitting in the sunshine at a local pub. We only had one day of sunshine last week and I’m now wishing for more with all the grey cloudy and rainy days we have had of late, although I’m sure the flowers in my garden are grateful (grin!). If you are wondering, our pie is meat and potato which is much loved in the North of England, you probably won’t find this pie in the South of England. It’s served hot and goes very nicely with a pint of beer too – cheers and Happy T day!

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 Halle of Halle’s Hobbies  and her Words to live by challenge over at Art Journal Journey.

I’m joining Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Masculine challenge with my Man’s World page.

I’m pleased join in the fun over at Creative Artiste and their June #50 – Anything Mixed Media Goes challenge with my mixed media art journal page (which included decoupage paper, ink, markers, stickers, etc).

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

• Trimcraft Santora London (Decoupage Papers SBDEC043)
• That’s Crafty! Dinky Stencil (Metal Grid Background – TC041)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Hickory Smoke, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Dark Sepia 175 B, Black 199)
• Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Create-A-Collage (Men’s Accessories #ROY-853)
• Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.2mm)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Salvage Stickers (Crowded Attic #TH92898)
• Book page
• Tim Holtz {Components} Collection Stamper Anonymous (COM013 CAR)
• American Crafts Papers (DIY Store 366665)
• Recycled Kraft Notepaper
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Kaisercraft Clear Stamps (Vintage- Believe CS832)
• Old Magazine
• The Works (Victorian Style Embellishments)
• Docrafts A5 Die-Cut Toppers & Sentiments (Mr. Smith’s Workshop PMA157261)
• Kaisercraft Glossy Paper Story Book Collection (Trinkets PS445)
• Craft Sensations (Brads CRO550/A)
• Pritt Stick

Guest Designer at Creative Artiste

Hello everyone, I’m so excited to be Guest Designer at Creative Artiste for their June #50 Anything Mixed Media Goes challenge this month.

I am often inspired by things I see and do, so my art journal page today is inspired by the quote “never lose your sense of wonder”. I had so much fun using lots of Mixed Media to create my page, I hope you like it!

I started by cutting papers into squares and rectangles and collaging them onto the page to make a grid pattern. Then I used a ruler to outline them with a black Uni Pin marker. I used a dot and also a cross stencil to add some modelling paste and when dry, I covered it with some Pébéo white gesso.

Then I applied some black embossing powder using a Versamark watermark stamp pad over the modelling paste and heated it using my heat gun; I really like the grungy crackle effect that resulted. Next I coloured areas of the page with Acqua Dolce, Strawberry and Coconut Faber-Castell gelatos using my finger to smudge the colours and also some white acrylic paint. I stamped a Script stamp from Kaisercraft using black Archival Ink and also applied some Celebration Pink DecoArt Glamour Dust through a Flourish stencil from That’s Crafty. When dry, I stamped a scroll and also an ornate circle stamp from Kaisercraft using black Archival Ink and splattered the whole page with white and also black acrylic paint.

I added three pink roses which I edged with a Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker; they are stuck down using double-sided foam tape and then decorated with Icicle Stickles to add some sparkle. To finish, I added the words “never lose your sense of wonder” which is from a Kaisercraft sticker sheet and outlined with a black Uni Pin marker.

I’d like to thank Creative Artiste for having me as Guest Designer this month! I love everything mixed media so had fun creating this page, I hope that you will join in their Anything Mixed Media Goes challenge too – Happy Crafting!

This quote always makes me remember the amazing flowers that have appeared on the palm trees in our garden, aren’t they magical! My hubby says they look like Christmas trees and the bees love them, so much so that when you walk passed the whole flower is buzzing (grin!).

Challenges

I’m pleased to join the lovely Halle of Halle’s Hobbies  and her Words to live by challenge over at Art Journal Journey with the quote that I included on my page.

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 Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.8mm)
• Pébéo Modeling Paste
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Tsukineko Versamark (Watermark Stamp Pad)
• Papermania Embossing Powder (Black)
• Faber-Castell Gelato (Acqua Dolce, Strawberry, Coconut)
• Art Discount Arcylic (White)
• DecoArt Glamour Dust (Celebration Pink)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Cold Grey IV 233)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil 154892)
• That’s Crafty! 8x8ins Stencil (Flourish TC8024)
• Kaisercraft clear stamp (Script CS752, Magnolia Grove CS822)
• The Works Design Pad (Vintage Love CRO707/TW25)
• K & Company Die Cut Cardstock (Floral by Susan Winget)
• Kaisercraft Sticker Sheet (Secret Garden SS283)
• Ranger Stickles (Icicle)
• Ranger Heat Gun
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• The Range double-sided foam tape

Make a Mark

It’s time for new challenge at Try it on Tuesday so for the next two weeks we are asking you to Make a Mark.

This could be abstract patterns, grids, circles, squares, chevrons etc. If you pop over to our blog, you’ll find some wonderful inspiration from my Design Teamies too!

My art journal page today is covered with bright coloured lines, circles, hexagons, diamonds, crosses and squares – it was a fun and easy page to make (grin!).

I started by covering the page using different shaped stencils and Distress Inks, this included: a Circle Line stencil using Picked Raspberry ink; a Honeycomb stencil from using Peacock Feathers; a circle stencil using Spiced Marmalade; a Vintage Diamond stencil using Mustard Seed; a cross/kisses stencil using Mowed Lawn; and finally a Mini Squares stencil using Seedless Preserves ink. I outlined each of the individual stencilled shapes using a black Uni Pin marker, which took quite a while. Then I stencilled the “Make a Mark” wording using an old alphabet stencil from school and a black Sharpie marker, outlining them with a white Uni Posca paint pen and a black Uni Pin marker and colouring the letters quite a few times to intensify the black so they popped out from the page more. To finish, I doodled a few crosses/kisses around the edge of the page with the black Sharpie marker.

As T Stands for Tuesday I’m sharing this poster that we saw when we were out and about in Maine last year, I thought of it because of the abstract design which ties nicely with the Make a Mark theme (grin!). This cuppa could be any hot drink, maybe tea or coffee depending on your preference – Happy T Day everyone!

Challenges

I’m pleased to join in the fun over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Bright Colors Moodboard challenge with my colourful page.

I’m pleased to join the Anything Goes challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with my colourful art journal page.

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

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

• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Seedless Preserves)
• Uni Pin Fine Line Marker (Black 0.1mm)
• Uni Posca Paint Pen (White)
• Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker (Black)
• That’s Crafty! 8x8ins Stencil (Circle Line TC8036)
• Creative Expressions (That Special Touch of Mica Masks – Honeycomb, Mini Stencils – Vintage Diamonds, Mini Squares)
• Stencil (Circles)
• Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
• Alphabet Stencil

Time Flies

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

I hope you will join in the fun and for more inspiration please take a look at the amazing creations of my fabulous Design Team teamies over at our blog. A special welcome to Erika who has joined our Design Team too!

For this challenge I had fun creating a steampunk style page using some wonderful chipboard pieces from Boozybear – I hope you like it!

I started by adding Antique Linen, Ground Espresso and Rusty Hinge Distress Ink to the page by applying the ink pads to a blending mat, spritzing with water and then pressing the mat onto the page. To tie into the Time Flies theme, I selected some stamps with months, days and dates on them from a Documented stamp set by Tim Holtz and stamped them over the background using black Versafine Ink. Then I added some numbers and texture using a stencil by Carabelle Studios and Black Soot Distress Ink. To tone the background colours down a bit, I added some Neutral Grey Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic using a palette knife and also stencilled Pébéo white gesso over the page using a sponge through an Abstract Grid stencil by That’s Crafty.

For the winged clock, I used chipboard pieces which included a Wind Up Gear, some cogs and gears, and also two steampunk wings from Boozybear that I won over at Sandee & Ameile’s challenge – thank you! I stuck the wings in place behind the clock face of the Wind Up Gear piece and layered some cogs over the top using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium. When dry, I added some brads to the centre of a couple of the gears and then I painted the whole piece using Iridescent Bright Gold Liquitex Ink. Next I covered it with some VersaMark Watermark Ink and Aged Silver Embossing Enamel which I heated with my heat gun until it turned glossy and dimensional. I then added some Green Patina Perfect Pearls by Ranger, Rusty Hinge Distress Ink and black Versafine Ink to give it an aged look and heated it with my heat gun again so all the elements merged together.

I repeated the layers of the gold Liquitex Ink, Aged Silver Embossing Enamel, Green Patina Perfect Pearls, Rusty Hinge Distress Ink and black Versafine Ink until I achieved the finish that I was after.

I repeated the same process to create the numbers which are also chipboard pieces from Boozybear. Then I attached everything to the page using Ranger Glossy Accents. To finish, I used the glossy accents again to adhere some metal and glass beads so that they look like debris which has come away from the numbers as they fly out from the clock.

Last week after a walk along the green at Lytham with our friends, we stopped by a café called Chell’s of Lytham. As this cafe makes their own ice cream I couldn’t resist having a couple of scoops; the flavours I chose were Sticky Toffee Pudding and Double Chocolate – yummy!

As you can see there was iced water, as well as Earl Grey Tea and Hot Chocolate …

… and as T Stands for Tuesday, I also have a cappuccino to share with the coffee lovers amongst the T Gang – wishing you all a Happy T Day!

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 Alison/Craftytrog and her Geometric Shapes challenge over at Art Journal Journey with the Abstract Grid that I included on my page.

With the steampunk vibe created from the amazing Boozybear chipboard pieces, I am very pleased to be able to join Sandee & amilie’s Steampunk Challenge which is Anything Goes – Steampunk/Industrial – thanks so much for the wonderful Boozybear chippies!

I’m happy to join the Put Your Stamp On It challenge over at A Vintage Journey as I used a set of Tim Holtz stamps for my Steampunk Style inspired page.

Over at Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday the challenge is Try Something NEW! so I’m pleased to join this challenge too as I used two new stencils and the Carabelle Studio one was bought at Simon Says Stamp.

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

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

• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen, Ground Espresso, Rusty Hinge, Black Soot)
• Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
• Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic (Neutral Grey)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Tsukineko VersaMark (Watermark Stamp Pad)
• Liquitex Ink! (Iridescent Bright Gold)
• Stampendous! Frantage Embossing Enamel Kit (Aged Silver FREK02)
• Ranger Perfect Pearls (Green Patina)
• Tim Holtz Collection Stamper’s Anonymous (Documented CMS226)
• Carabelle Studio Art Template (Trame Tissus et Chiffres TE60034)
• That’s Crafty! 8x8ins Stencil (Abstract Grid – TC8023)
• Boozybear Chipboard Pieces (Wind Up Gear CP29, assorted gears and cogs, steampunk wings)
• Craft Sensations (Brads CRO550/A)
• The Brighton Bead Shop (Assorted Metal and Glass Beads)
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium

Happy New Year 2019

Wishing you a very Happy New Year; may your year be filled with peace, love, and happiness!

To start my sparkly New Year page, I painted some gold metallic acrylic paint around the edges of the page and blended it into the centre with some Pébéo white gesso. I then layered the background by stamping some snowflakes with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink using a Woodware Collection stamp and then stencilling Festive Berries Distress Ink with a blending tool. The stencil is a Decorative Flowers stencil which I won over at That’s Crafty Challenge Blog – thank you! I stamped more snowflakes from a BoBunny stamp set using a Dark Sepia Faber-Castell Big Brush marker which I also used to edge the page and then I added another layer of white gesso using a palette knife. I used the same Decorative flower stencil to add some Pébéo modelling paste and once dry I painted some Titanium White Liquitex Ink over the top. I stencilled more Festive Berries ink and stamped snowflakes again, this time using Potter’s Clay Memento Ink to get a clearer image which finished the background. Next I die cut the wording from grey design paper using a Docrafts die set and my Big Shot machine.

I used the same grey paper to back some bell and star-shaped outline stickers and cut them out; they are stuck to the page using Liquitex matte gel medium. I suspended some of them from silver strands which are outline border stickers and also a red ribbon and bow which are recycled from an old Christmas card. I decorated the page with silver glittery stars and more silver outline stickers including some scrollwork, small stars and holly. To finish, I added more sparkle to the wording using silver Stickles and to the holly berries making them red to match the ribbon and bow using Christmas Red Stickles.

As T Stands for Tuesday, maybe you would like to celebrate the New Year with us by trying some of our homebrewed pumpkin beer. As you can see we have plenty for everyone – Cheers and Happy T Day!

Wishing you all the very best for 2019!

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/Craftytrog and her Geometric Shapes challenge over at Art Journal Journey with all the star shapes that I included on my page.

I’m happy to join the Star Light Star Bright challenge over at A Vintage Journey as I had fun adding all the sparkly stars; I was inspired by the New Year to create this Art Journalling style page.

I’m joining in the Party Time! challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge as my page celebrates the New Year!

Over at That’s Crafty! Challenge Blog their theme is Anything Goes so I’m pleased to also join this challenge.

As I included stamping on this page, I’m also joining the Anything Goes challenge over at The Artistic Stamper – Happy New Year!

I’m also joining Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Anything Goes! challenge with my New Year’s page too.

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:

• Poundland Metallic Acrylic Paint (Gold)
• Pébéo White Gesso
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Festive Berries, Rusty Hinge)
• Pébéo Modeling Paste
• Tsukineko Memento Ink (Potter’s Clay)
• Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Dark Sepia 233 B)
• Liquitex Ink! (Titanium White)
• That’s Crafty! 8x8in Stencil (Decorative Flower – TC8039)
• Woodware Craft Collection Clear Magic Singles (Snowflakes FRS027)
• BoBunny Clear Stamps (Snow Day #13705563)
• Clear Impressions (Woodland Christmas) – free with magazine
• Docrafts X-Cut A5 Die Set (Folk Alphabet XCU503284)
• Poundland Design Pad (Purple Paradise CRO701/PL3)
• Crelando Relief Sticker Set (IAN289011)
• Silver Border Outline Stickers (© DD6572)
• The Works (Christmas Glitter Stickers)
• Ranger Stickles (Silver, Christmas Red)
• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
• Stix2 double-sided tape