Last Days of Summer

Probably not the most suitable time of the year to display beach related art but I look at it this way, somewhere in the world it has to be summer lol
You may  recognise that this image is from ARTchix Seaside Cuties (received as part of August DT package from The Altered Element) . Although I used some of the images in previous posts, Life’s A Beach and A Day At The Seaside I still had several remaining.
 Once the blush pink acrylic paint had dried I added Picket Fence Crackle paint then sponged Tea Dye ink into the cracks. Stamped 2 tickets and the Hotel advertisement and ripped a piece of striped fabric, layering all onto the canvas. The Basic Grey die cut, although supposed to be a branch with leaves, to my eyes, also had a look of seaweed. Cut out the Seaside Cutie, matting to card for stability and tucked it into the “seaweed”, finally adding shells, some of which I broke and layered onto the “shingle” on the image.

Dripping With Jewels

Well a girl can dream LOL.
September’s DT package was my final package for my term with The Altered Element although I am delighted to be staying on in a different capacity as an Honorary DT member.
When I received a papier-mache torso in my September DT package I knew that I would make a jewellery stand. Although I have made a practical item the torso lends itself to any type of art, you could have a dressmaker theme, fashion, futuristic, Steampunk, the ideas are endless.
Materials
Torso
Black organza ribbon
Mod Podge
Staz-on Timber Brown
Scroll stamp
Beaded fringe
recycled items – children’s building block, piece of wooden rod, gold tissue paper, top from a perfume bottle.

Instructions I started by drilling a hole into the building block and inserting a piece of wooden rod. Under the base of the torso I created a “shoulder” from a piece of wood, drilling a hole into the middle and then inserting the other end of the rod. I used Hard As Nails glue on both ends. After preparing the torso with Gesso I stamped gold tissue with a scroll stamp and Staz-on in Timber Brown.
Using Mod Podge I adhered the tissue paper. Alternatives to gold tissue would be serviettes (napkins), white tissue stamped, newspaper or simply painting. For the rod and block I applied Gesso then mixed Old Gold and Copper acrylics. To add texture I used a heat gun to create “bubbles”  then stamped the same scroll design. 

To the top of the torso I added the top from my Lulu Guinness perfume bottle!! Silicone glue is strong enough to adhere this. Once everything was dry I glued a length of beaded fringe to the torso and the final touch, black organza ribbon tied at the waist.

A little note about the beautiful cream pearl bead and organza ribbon necklace. My friend Jack made that with her own fair hands and it was a birthday present. Recognise the name? This is the same Jack who made the ever so naughty and equally funny book about me, entitled “The Secret Life of LM”.

Hidden Jewels

A few months ago I received ARTchix “Exotic Jewels” as part of my DT package from The Altered Element. Previously I made a Gothic Arches book, “Free Spirits” but as I had so many images leftover I wanted to make something else. This idea came about through trying to recycle packaging and making use of scraps.  When I received ribbons from The Altered Element, packaged inside a wax paper envelope, I carefully laid it aside as I knew it would serve a purpose at a later date. So the idea that popped into my head was to make some mini cards and tuck them inside the envelope as a little gift idea.
The size of the cards are  approx a standard card cut into half  but I used scrap card.
Packaging - Slightly scrunched the bag before applying copper acrylic paint. Layered an image to black glitter card. To seal, add a dab of glue and then add any form of embellishment as a form of decoration.
 Stamped directly onto the mini cards (cardstock I used has a lovely texture to it), layered all images onto black glitter card, added scraps of flocked papers, gold organza ribbon and black lace (lace and ribbon available from The Altered Element).

It’s probably fair to say that not everyone would appreciate mini cards with Exotic women but any image could be used.

Note – although I did not make individual envelopes for the cards, it would be easy enough to do so, or they  would be handy to use as an alternative to a gift tag or to pop inside a favourite book that you are passing onto a friend.

Memories

Some years ago I started my first Memory Box , an idea given to me by my Mum. As I rooted around for an Upcycle project to make for The Altered Element, a wooden box was what I laid my hands on. This particular box contained a gift set of perfume, body lotion, etc, a perfect size for a Memory Box. What I really wanted to do with this project was to use Decoupaint Patina. Although I have used this several times before, I’d never tried it out on wood and I also wanted to use it in conjunction with a Tim Holtz mask.
Finished Box As I wanted an overall aged look I built up various layers of acrylic paint but first of all several layers of Gesso as this box was a deep blue which I obviously did not want, then antique brown, copper and cream paints. It’s really a personal choice but for me, I like to sponge on the paint and then rub away some colour with baby wipes.
This shows the lid with antique brown, copper and cream paint.
Now copper paint and some Old White Patina sponged on.
This photo shows the box lid with partial masking. Once dry I added Distress Crackle Paint in Tarnished Brass to edges of the box.
To embellish I printed out an image of the Eiffel Tower and used cold contact Image Transfer (my preference is for Golden Soft Gel Matt Medium ) and adhered image to French text (painted with copper acrylic). Laid a chipboard frame over the image and embellished with a Prima flower with a brown, fabric brad and cut a piece of stamped twill to add to the frame.

The Altered Element has a wide range of  acrylic paints available.

Thanks for visiting. Lynne x

Button Up

It’s probably not even 24hrs since I posted the Daisy Gothic Arch yet here is another new post LOL. My final item for The Altered Element (August’s DT package) was due which is why I am back here today. In last month’s post ”Everything Stops for Tea” I used the Character Construction stamp set to create a whimsical tearoom. As Lynne from The Altered Element also included beautiful “Blushing Mushroom” buttons and May Arts ribbons I wanted, for this project, to include some of those along with the largest stamp in the set, the mannequin. It was also the perfect opportunity to use one of the tiny wooden spools I had in my stash.

I stamped the mannequin onto watercolour paper and also onto co-ordinating dp, cutting off the tea cup handle. Leave one “spoke” as this is inserted into the wooden spool. Paint the wooden spool and wrap some May Arts ribbon before attaching a button.
As you can see the dp has a design of buttons and stitches. So I stitched 3 buttons onto the paper and overstitched using embroidery thread. Lynne sells metallic threads if you wanted added sparkle.
I threaded some of the May Arts ribbon through a buckle (which was included in the bag of buttons). Silicone glue is the secret to this piece as it created amazing dimension. As the wooden spool is so light the card is able to stand-up without any problems.

Everything Stops For Tea

Unwrapping August’s DT package from The Altered Element I was delighted to see Character Construction’s Mannequin Cafe No 5, a bundle of May Arts ribbons and buttons with the utterly irresistible name of “Blushing Mushrooms”.
Lynne does the most amazing job at tailor making the packages for the DT members. I’m sure you agree that the above goodies are very “me”!
With the Character Construction stamp sets it really is a time to let the imagination go a bit wild, if you choose to do so.

I prefer to stamp onto watercolour paper and when using Character Construction, I get the best results when using Verasfine inks. Instructions - paint a 4 section tray with acrylic paint. To stamp the tea cups directly onto the tray I ink up the stamps on an acrylic block then carefully peel from the block making sure not to smudge the ink, place the stamp onto finger (so my finger becomes a substitute stamping block) and stamp directly onto the tray. Cut wooden trim to required size and paint.  Cut lace style trim to form curtains. Gather at the top and glue to top edge of tray. Add painted trim. Ink the upside down teacup (part of mannequin) and also the torso (this will become a tab). Fussy cut, paint, fold torso to form a tab. Gently bend the cup to add some shape. Glue to top of tray. Cut thin strips of lace to create tie-backs. Stamp one arm, paint and cut a piece of crochet trim (from a crochet coaster) as a cuff. Stamp teapot and attach to her hand. It will slip onto the fingers. Use silicone glue to attach arm to tray.

Notes from a Traveller

In the post “Back To School” I altered a notebook/journal using an image from ARTchix’s Trip To France sheet (included in July’s DT package from The Altered Element). For this altered sketchbook I selected the Eiffel Tower image.  For me, the whole idea of the Grand Tour where the travellers’ kept a diary and sketchbook of their journey, is so appealing. This type of journal could be made as a gift for a friend who is lucky enough to take time out to travel or even a record of your own travel memories.
Supplies - ARTchix Trip To France, sketchbook/notebook, Gesso, acrylic paints:- cream, grey and copper, Decoupaint Patina Old White, Archival Ink in Sepia, transparency,  Tim Holtz tags, button, lace, ribbon and “Paris” stamp.

You could make your own book from scratch using a B.I.A. The sketchbook had a black cover so Gesso is essential. Then sponged (mixing the colours on the same bit of sponge), grey, cream and copper acrylic. To lighten add more cream, then the Old White Patina. Stamp “Paris” and heat set. Adhere cut out image of the Eiffel Tower, layer transparency and lace. Finally adding button and Tim Holtz tag.
and finally
A card to hand over with the gift of the sketchbook.


Layer image onto thin card to strengthen. Add gingham paper and then image, button (threaded with gingham ribbon) and scrap of text paper. “Petite” was cut from some ribbon (inside a garment!). The reason for “petite” …. it’s her nickname of course!!
I still have plenty of images left to play with from this ARTchix sheet and who knows, they may turn up at a later date but for now, that’s all folks!

(Links to The Altered Element for the products used and you will also find such a variety of ribbons there also.)

Back To School

ARTchix Trip To Paris was one of the sheets I received in The Altered Element’s July DT package, along with some buttons. This sheet is packed with collage style images of females, images of Paris, buttons, etc. What struck me is that the young women look as though they could be young schoolgirls or even secretaries. So the idea came to me to alter a journal. In my stash I had a journal, the type purchased for altering but The Altered Element sells a lovely journal with a lock. I also altered a pencil case (also in my stash), after all you need somewhere to house the pencils which you will use to write and draw in your journal.
Supplies - ARTchix Trip to Paris, papier mache pencil case and journal (ready to alter), Mod Podge, white tissue paper, Staz-on Timber Brown,  Decoupaint Old White, copper acrylic paint, French text stamp, buttons, lace.

Journal & Pencil Case

Note - for both the journal and pencil case, prepare tissue paper by stamping French text onto the tissue with Timber Brown Staz-on ink.

1. Sponge cream acrylic paint onto cover. 2. Tear pieces of prepared tissue paper and adhere to cover with Mod Podge. Dab down with a foam brush, taking care not to tear the tissue. Layer some pieces for added texture. Leave to dry overnight. 3. Cut out image from Trip To France. Layer onto card. Cut out again. Add charcoal to edge of image for definition. 4. Tear a piece of text scrapbook paper. Sponge Distress Ink in Tea Dye and some charcoal onto edges. 5. Layer girl, strip of text paper, lace, button to journal. 6. Sponge some Decoupaint Patina in Old White onto a vintage pen nib. Use silicone glue to adhere to journal
Pencil Case

1. Gesso and then cream acrylic paint  2. Adhere stamped tissue paper as for journal 3. Sponge copper acrylic paint randomly followed with Old White Patina (follow those steps for inside also) . It was my first time working with the Patina paint and I was impressed with the ease of use.

4. Add scrap of text paper, ink a found work and stitch 2 buttons – add to lid 5. Add 2 pieces of dyed lace (as per Tutorial Part II) to opposite corners

I have created direct links for products which can be purchased from The Altered Element. 

Life’s A Beach

ARTchix Seaside Cuties sheet of images along with some Mica Flakes were included in The Altered Element DT package this month. Now I could wax lyrical and tell you how I was inspired by the Scottish summer to work on this altered canvas but the day I made this the weather was more suited for ducks lol. 
On this particular sheet the images come in two sizes. For this canvas I used one of the larger images, cutting around the female as I did not want the background.
Supplies - ARTchix Seaside Cuties, Mica Flakes in Mother of Pearl, square canvas, paints (cream and copper), Distress Ink in Bundled Sage, dyed gauze (see Tutorial Part II), 3 flat back glass pebbles (or similar @ The Altered Element), found word,  sequin waste and  charcoal. Stamps – shells

Instructions – Paint canvas with cream acrylic, dry sponge copper acrylic. Use sequin waste and sponge copper acrylic through the waste, sponge some Bundled Sage ink onto the canvas . Stamp shells with copper paint . Drape dyed gauze across the canvas . Cut out image, edge with charcoal and adhere with silicone glue (use plenty of the silicone for dimension)

 . Add generous amount of mica flakes adhering with a clear drying glue . Add 3 glass pebbles, underneath one  of the pebbles add the word “beach” which was inked with Bundled Sage.
The combination of the copper paint, mica flakes and the glass pebbles results in the light catching this canvas beautifully. So that’s my little piece of summer on a canvas!

Challenge @ Crazy Amigo “Summer Holiday” - the beach would not be my ideal summer holiday destination, would rather a trip to Paris, but the canvas fits the theme at Crazy Amigo so have decided to participate in their “Summer Holiday” theme.

Free Spirits

I was delighted to receive some ARTchix sheets from The Altered Element (DT package). For “Free Spirits” I used some images from “Exotic Jewels“. After reading Nancy Maxwell James’ “Gothic Arch e-book”, (available to download at Sugar Lump Studios, a book brimming with incredible artwork, I was completely inspired and knew I wanted to make arches as the base for the artwork.  There are 18 images in total so plenty to play with. Alongside the ARTchix sheet the other supplies are as follows:- strong cardstock, Paris Trunk Inks in Tiara Gold & Green Sash, cream acrylic paint, scraps of gold organza, sequins, black marabou feather, German Scrap, embellishments, Gold marker pen and damask/filigree stamps.

The preparation for this project is quite involved but you could use short-cuts by using pattern paper as a substitute to painting and stamping each arch. To create strength I glued two arches together, therefore requiring to hand-cut 12 arches.  Then painted each arch with cream acrylic before stamping damask/filigree designs. Create holes with a crop-a-dile at this stage, 2 holes on each side of the page, apart from the front cover and rear which only has one side of the page punched.

 

Above shows book closed and photo below shows book when standing open.

I left the rear undecorated, only painting and stamping.

A great project to use up any scraps of decorative ribbon, organza, the odd sequin, etc.

 Edge each panel with either metallic paint or a Gold marker style pen. Paint embellishments to match the project – use acrylic paint or metal paint, or permanent markers.

I liked the idea of selecting words that related to the women in the images!

I alternated the pages so that for one I stamped with Tiara Gold and the next Green Sash.

My choice of colour scheme was soft green, golds, cream and a touch of black.

This project, apart from the initial preparation (!) was such fun to create. Working with arches was long overdue so I have to say thank you to Nancy for the inspirational e-book and the amazing artwork . I hope you will take the time out to download the e-book and be inspired to create some arched artwork.

Note - I have created direct links to The Altered Element for supplies used. More ARTchix projects are to follow very soon!

P.S. – The reason for the edit to this post is thanks to Lynn Stevens  (thanks for the push!) I decided to participate in the “Open Theme” at Gothic Arch Challenges.