My first attempt at 'Twinches'

This is my first attempt at 'Twinches' and I thought I would try them out for a swap on Zuzu's forum.



Lots of texture are you can see - got to keep practising that!


At two inches by 2 inches they were rather fiddly to do! But I am pleased that I had a go.


As Zuzu reminded me - If I don't have a stamp to fit the subject/topic - I can collage - so I took her advice.


I bought a digital collage sheet (I know - but I took some of her advice and the sheet had lots of different portraits!)

I printed them out on best quality photo paper, then cut them out, backed them with card - and then just played around. Some I have used alcohol inks on the 'No Nails' paste, others I have used paints, and on all of them I used embossing powders.

Boy do you need to do this in a well ventilated room!

Circus

There is a new site called One Powerful Hour which challenges you to make a piece of art in an hour.

The title of this weeks challenge is Circus - and here is my entry




Zuzu and Ginger from Zuzu's forum I belong to - paid me an afternoon visit last week and showed my how to do textured work. (I haven't quite finished the Mermaid I did on that day - just need to get some beads to finish it off)

In the meantime I was raring to go to made the above circus arch.

I used a vintage circus poster from a CD collection of images I had, then with a pallet knife I spread on No Nails (an alternative to Texture Paste until I can get to the city to buy the real stuff)

I used alcohol inks and on top of the blender for the colouring and heat dried it until it bubbled. I then added lot so bright colours and glitter and sequins to get the feel of the circus.

I coloured the white clown and the lady acrobat with watercolour pencils, added clear embossing powder to highlight for example her legs and shoes (it looks white in the photo but isn't in natural light) more sequins, gold embossing, red liquid pearls to make the clown juggling balls, - and everything else I can think of!

It is hard to see in the photo - but with the naked eye it really glitters and shines which ever way you look at it.

Thank you my 'Mentors' giving me a wonderful afternoon - and kick starting me to try new techniques

Monthly tag swap July - Letter E

Blue tag - with a stamped image which has been embossed with distressed black embossing powder.

Outside the image the area has been aged with dark chalk and the edges have been embossed with distressed black embossing powder.

The letter E has been painted with gold.

Monthly tag swap this month is E

E is for Eyes.

Tag on dark green painted card - with lots of textured golds and greens bubbled up with a heat gun

Saki box

My children are really good at saving bits and pieces that they think might come in hand for my 'recycling' sort of life.

The above is made out of thick ribbed card - which came from a Japanese Saki box. They drank the contents - but I got the best bit I think as I don't drink!

The card started off cream with just the big black calligraphy printed on the bottom and the little red block with little calligraphy next to it.

I stained the board with coloured inks, stamped on the top half - the Geisha head and flowers and Japanese calligraphy, then 'tied' it all together by linking it all with gold embossing from top to bottom - giving the allusion of the 'head' now wearing a Kimono.

With the naked eye - you can see lots of gold embossing - on the hair pins, the calligraphy, the flowers, the edging, and between the colours - almost like a gold version of a stained glass window. It looks lovely and golden and bright and the ridges on the box make it look like slatted strips of wood.

Just a bit of fun and experimentation

Vintage bathing beauty gothic arch

I am struggling to make craft work - but I really wanted to join in some swaps this month.

This is my effort for Mandy's swap on Zuzu's forum

I painted some white card with wishy washy inks and gave it several coats - adding layers and shading as each coat dried.

I cut out the bathing beauties, and added more shading for the lady under the parasol

I stamped the seals, masking the ladies first - the seals make me laugh they look like they are smiling.

I stamped the life-saving ring for the lady to hold - that see looks a bit choppy so she might need it - and stamped the others last. Then to finish it off, I threaded a seashell onto some golden cord, to finish it all off

Mixed Media Monday

The challenge this week is to try something new - so I have.

A 'house' shape, painted with shades of yellow (I don't usually use yellow) and maroon shimmer spray.

Acetate printed image, over the background and torn dictionary page (inked) with wording relating to beauty. Painted and embossed gold swirl with a mirror image cut out. Gold Krylon edging and gold embossed through scrap plastic. It looks a whole lot better in real life.

My first Mixed Media entry - I am just getting back into crafting, so need the practice!