Home is where the heart is...

Hi everyone, I haven't had a lot of time to play in recent months and apart from some delicious dabbling with the new infusions I haven't sat down and just done something for fun for what seems like ages...my last journal page was over 6 months ago! Time to rectify that, and I have been inspired by a lot of the work and the introduction post for the current Paperartsy challenge 'Doors, Windows and Architecture'  so here is my journal page with architectural elements.

If I get the chance I love looking at architecture, older buildings with ornate work, some decaying and crumbling...or modern with smooth, clean lines. I struggle to walk past anything made from hewn stone, be it house or wall without touching it, especially if covered in moss....and might even take photographs of it....

So this particular house of my imagination has elements of my dream holiday place or retreat. I've used a mixture of Paperartsy and Crafty Individual stamps.

Infusions in 'Blackcurrant' and 'In the Navy' were used on the background and then overlaid in gold paint with one of my go to stencils. 

Home has always been where my heart is, it is my sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle ...peace and quiet so I can think...and of course create...the heart key seemed apt.

All the stamping was done in watering can archival and a little clear embossing added some texture that shows through the knocking back or 'whitewashing'...

Still on the architectural theme, I shared a snippet of this on instagram but here it is in full. Sometimes the randomness of using products like infusions can throw up backgrounds that just speak to you and need little adding. This was another background from the infusion post here and I just thought it looked like a stormy night.

A little Lynne Perella and stitching.

The splash of red just highlights the man in the door.

A gold posca pen just dotted and splashed adds gold highlights.

As I was in a card making mood it has been turned into one, I felt this font fitted the style best but not sure about the best wishes for someone just yet as it is a rather dramatic card...but you never know and I'm sure it will fit an occasion at some stage in the future!

The first 6 months of this year are pretty busy non craft wise and for lovely reasons....I might not be posting for a while unless I can sneak another one in soon, but I will definitely be back mid May....in the mean time Happy crafting! Ruth xx

Framed Botanical Print for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone I have a post over on the PaperArtsy blog tonight using some favourite products of mine for the current challenge theme 'Paint and Infusions'. Here's a sneaky peek...

...hop across for all the details here.

EDITED - thought I'd just share a  few more  close up details of the steps.

The frame before it's coat of varnish and treasure gold

The flowers - infusions, pearl glaze and stamping.

The watercolour effect with additional stamping in paint and infusions....

...I'm really pleased with how this turned out. R x

Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep! - Put a Bird On It...at Stamps and Stencils

Hi everyone, it's time for the very talented Toni to set our challenge over at Stamps and Stencils this month. Without further ado here's what she has to say about it. 

'One of the joys, at this time of year, is to wake up to the glorious sound of birdsong. The challenge this month is in celebration of our fine, feathered, friends. We would love to see your mixed media projects, that include at least one bird. Whether it's a  journal spread, an assemblage or card, just make sure that a little dickie bird or birds, feature somewhere. Please don't forget to include stamping, or stenciling or even both! Can't wait to see your creations!'

When I was looking around for ideas and inspiration I came across the artwork of  Karyn Fendley please follow this link Inspiration from a Karyn Fendley print 'Song Bird 1', I loved the red and cream and the idea of cutting my own stencil/mask to try and recreate this seemed like a good challenge for me. This is my very amateur take on it. 

To start, I used a copyright free image to cut my stencil with the idea that I would mask areas off before I painted out areas. I glued some watercolour paper to an 8 x 8 plywood panel.

First coat of vanilla, yellow submarine and tangerine twist fresco paints roughly blended. I wanted to start light and build up lots of layers.

Stenciling and stamping in archival ink and paint, quite liked this stage but I couldn't be deviated from my original plan.

I know, even more layers...the idea being that whatever sections were visible there would be detail

Then to bring it all together, I used london bus over the whole area which is translucent. 

Some metallic red foil and gold embossing and I think it takes on an almost oriental look 

Next masking fluid using the stencil, once dry a slightly watered down coat of vanilla and chalk fresco paint, a couple of coats of this as I wanted to be able to see the underlying detail.

I used a maskaway eraser to reveal the quirky tree and bird. 

Not bad for a first attempt at several techniques?

Please hop across and see what my other teamies have created for you, they are all so talented!  I hope you'll be inspired to join in with this months challenge and thanks for stopping by.