Circle cluster plaque for SamanthaKGifts

Here's a quick step by step for the circle cluster plaque made for SamanthaKGifts, Hochanda debut shows.
Using the medium long plaque and one of the circle clusters, both of which I quickly primed with gesso.

Then using a favourite technique I added some distressing, simply using the scourer part of a washing up sponge, far better than the use they are intended for!
The scourer is used to "dry brush" a couple of colours of DecoArt chalky finish paint, firstly in Yesteryear  and then Relic, drying in between colours.

I use and teach this technique frequently and find it produces great results for distressing effects.
The circle cluster and plaque edges were then coloured with a gold gilding wax before gluing the circle cluster on to the plaque.

These clusters just shouted out to be filled with various beads, gems, glitters and embellishments.
It was a fun project to create and makes a lovely decorative piece that would look great in any colour choices.

I finished with some twisted soft wire and threads to hang the plaque.

Sam will be back very soon with more amazing goodies and I will be blogging the rest of the pieces I made for the shows.
Do take a look at her website and blog for amazing MDF pieces and inspiration from the rest of the team.
xKx

700+ Likes Giveaway

Welcome to Sunday Evening,

How's you're weekend been...
I'm missing my Wimbledon tennis fix today but not long until the excitement and anticipation builds again tomorrow!
I've had plenty to keep me occupied never the less.
Mind you with the showery weather this morning I guess it was good the players had their day off today.
Anyhow I promised a ***GIVEAWAY*** when my Facebook Page reached 700 Likes, so here we are.
All you need to do to be in a chance of winning is to comment on this blog post, leave a comment on my Facebook Page, like my Facebook page and share the post, simples!
The winner will be chosen at random and will receive a
BoBunny stamp set and a selection of Mixed Media items from my Website, this may include Rustic ribbons, Rose Petals, Mount board die cuts etc...
I would like to share with you some eye candy and something I've made which will be on sale at a local gift shop.
This is from a selection of gift and home decor items that I will have on display and for sale.
I've used an Oval MDF Plaque with the Large Ornate Lamppost along with some Vintage Collage Ribbon, white Webbing and Rose Petals.
The Vintage ribbon has a wired edge which can be easily removed as I've done for this project.
I painted the plaque with Americana Chalky finish paints and used one of my all time old favourite stamps from Art Journey called Dance.
I've also used various scrapbook papers and embellishments along with a harlequin stencil and texture paste.
Rustic string and lace finish off for hanging the plaque.
The GIVEAWAY will be open until 8pm tomorrow eve (Monday 6th) and I will announce the winner on Wed 7th.
A million thanks for all your wonderful support, comments and feedback, I can't tell you how much it means to me to have such a lovely craft support network.
Enjoy your evening and thank you for popping by.
Love n 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