Stamps, stencils, Brusho's and paper clay

Good Morning all,
Thanks so much for popping in this morning.
I'm so fortunate to have such wonderful support both here and on my Facebook page where I share my crafty journey along with 700 of you lovely crafters,
Wow! Sincere thanks from me to each of you.

I thought I'd get my jobs done early today as it's going to be another scorcher and I think my energy levels will be zapped pretty quickly!
First job on my list today, this blog update with some samples for my next Kent workshop in July.
For these I've used IndigoBlu stamps designed by Limor Webber, really loving these sets.
Also I've used various stencils, Brusho's and paper clay to make some added extra's.
Really had fun with these and they're so quick and easy.
Well I had better get on with my jobs for today.
Hope you can stay comfortable and take care in this heat.
Back soon
Love and Crafty Hugs xKx

Parchment Craft meets Mixed Media

Afternoon Everyone,

It's a glorious day here in Kent.

In between doing the washing this morning I had a little play with parchment.

It's one of those things many of us have had in our stash for years.

We've probably all got parchment paper, embossing tools and a mat and that's pretty much it.

I wanted to bring it bang up to date and introduce it into some mixed media work.

So here I've included this using one of my favourite stencils from TCW on a canvas.

This project is the beginning of a later workshop I'll be holding and a sample for makes I have going into the gift shop Sidcup & Co.

I'll share more about the technique once I've practised a bit more but it's so simple and enjoyable to do.

Hope you like this and as always thanks ever so much for visiting today.

Back soon.

Crafty Hugs xKx

Crazy Bird meets Gelli Plate and Crealies...

Afternoon everyone,
Nearly the weekend!
Hope your Friday is going well...
It turned out lovely in Kent today.
In between getting the washing done and a few chores I had a play with me Gelli Plate!
I wanted a card for FIL for Sunday and this is the result.
I'll be doing lots more with the Gelli Plate, I had such good fun making this.

Have a lovely evening,
Back soon xKx

A little bird told me...

Good Evening,

It's been a nice sunny day here in Kent.
I do hope the start of your week has been good.
I have a little canvas to share with you this evening....

Starting with a 10" x 8" stretched canvas which I primed with a couple of coats of Gesso and
roughly planning my layout using a couple of stamps from the
Dina Wakley Scribbly Birds cling stamp set.

These stamps have been hugely popular but, there were just a couple of sets left at the time of blogging this post.
A very simple way that I like to add texture is using scrunched up tissue paper, apply with matte Modge-Podge and dry with a heat tool.

Next I used a new favourite Midollino, bendable rattan sticks, these are so easy to shape and simply stick to your project with medium.

I decided to play with some Natural Sisal, just the smallest amount gave me the effect I was looking for.

Another favourite of mine is cheesecloth, I do have supplies of this if you're looking for any.
Simply rip into pieces, scrunch up and more super texture is created.

All these are secured with matte medium, heating to dry and fix in place.
Now I'm awaiting my supply of Dina Wakley heavy body acrylic paint so I ran with what I have.
I'm a firm believer in being resourceful and using what you already have! Lol
So I used a mixture of paints, chalky and acrylic, all from DecoArt, colours including, brown, beige, turquoise and lime to add colour to the canvas.

Nothing precise just dry brush strokes and dabbing,
drying inbetween and adding touches of white to highlight.

Next I used a bottle top to add white circle rings and dry brushed
black acrylic through yet another new favourite the cute Burlap Bits stencil from TCW.

 

The birdie and quote are stamped with black archival ink.
I used beige paint to colour a piece of card before stamping the quote and painted the birdie after stamping on white card.
I roughly painted my birdie with orange, yellow and pink adding shading with black and white highlights.

Now that's pretty much it, I could fuss around but, I'm happy with this result and I've learnt when to walk away...

Hope you feel inspired.
If there are any items linked that you can't find on my website please ask, I have some new supplies waiting to be uploaded.
Many thanks for visiting my blog today...back soon...
Crafty Hugs xKx

My passion for mixed media...

Afternoon folks,

Well today's weather has been very grey but still warm never the less.
Hope any rain hasn't hindered your plans this weekend...
My week's been pretty hectic with family things and errands I'd put off for too long.
All being well tomorrow I'm meeting up with a dear friend for lunch.

Anyhow earlier in the year I was very honoured to be invited by
Ali and Iain of Ali-Craft to run the Sunday workshop for their
 Daventry Retreat in September.
I've been planning and working on a new mixed media project and I'm now ready to reveal some sneaky peeks.
As my blog describes I have no boundaries when it comes to creating and I like to stay focussed on what I like and just play with anything and everything! Lol
That way I create things I like and can unleash my creativity which is what gives me most pleasure.

The Ali-Craft retreat is sure to be a fab weekend, super accommodation, great food and company and most of all good fun!
I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new one's and enjoying sharing a fun crafty day when we do this project.
So without further ado I'll leave you with sneaky peeks...
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thank you for visiting my blog today.
Crafty Hugs xKx

A messy painty workshop full of fun and such laughter! Think I'll rename this workshop Fifty Shades! Lol

Welcome to Monday and the start of a fresh week.
I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend, did you do anything nice?...

I started a new workshop yesterday and was so proud to introduce my lovely ladies to a super venue that fits the job just perfectly.
Despite horrendous journeys due to unforeseen traffic chaos caused by an accident and jams everyone arrived safely and definitely in need of a reviving cuppa before getting started.
It was super to welcome Laura and Anne to the group and see that they enjoyed themselves so much.

Part of the layering technique used torn book pages, well my goodness what a story unfolded there!
I had picked at random what looked like a nice romantic novel, ummmm lets just say that reading the snippets being glued on the work was hilarious!
They were supposed to be gluing randomly and not reading! Lol
These ladies made me blush like I haven't done in a long long while! Lol
It was hilarious.
We got more than we bargained for with this story, I might just as well of picked up a copy of Fifty Shades!
Haven't laughed so much in ages and that was before the "zip" jokes started...Jan! Lol

Anyhow we did get lots of work done and I was thrilled with the creativity and inspiration from everyone, all so talented.
We concentrated on painting and layering techniques using the lovely Candy Box Crafts Notelet Box.
Also using Decoart Americana Chalky paints, Pebeo Irridescent paints, Decoart modeling paste and doily stencil, Sizzix dies and all sorts of embellishments.
One project takes on a whole new look when everyone's creativity kicks in, it's wonderful to watch.

I'll leave you with pictures of the day and sneaky peeks of some of the projects.

Enjoy your craft and I hope you have a good week.

I'm taking the opportunity to catch up with friends.

Crafty Hugs xKx