A Birthday card

This card is for my dear friend, Marion.

We used to work together from 1995,

until 2008, so you could say,

we know each well!

I used a piece of mixed media paper to create my

background & started by partially stamping the

large script image from Tim Holtz Papillon.

Using acetate, I smooshed Wild Honey,

Distress Oxide onto the dry stamped image.

Dried the piece, & added Worn Lipstick,

then Shabby Shutters.

Drying between each colour prevents mud!

I die cut the Sizzix Meadow Butterfly 

& coloured using Inktense pencils. 

To highlight the die more,

I added paint as a shadow.

The final touch was flat backed gems,

in each flower centre.

 

Sending some Happy Mail.

To Jessica.

She had done something for me. I was so happy

& grateful to her, I sent her happy mail. 

As it turns out, she was poorly

so it was even better.

In the mail I added this card.

This was based on my recent art journal

mini junk journal entry, Doing what you love.

I used the same colours of PaperArtsy paint,

the same stencils, but added a few extra doodles,

a number stencil & instead of the Wendy Vecci

free stamp for a focal point, I used the Art Journey

stamp, Umbrella Girl. The words were by

Lisa's Altered Art.

My camera was playing up & I lost the photo,

so Jessica kindly took one for me.

Jessica is from Sweden. She makes

beautiful art journal videos on YouTube.

You can find her channel here.

 

Another mini journal entry.

Autumn.

I love all the colours.

I miss the warmth of summer, but love

the coziness autumn brings.

This began as kraft packaging from a die set.

I coloured it completely with Black Gesso.

First I added Post Box Red & Squeezed Orange

Dylusions paint & brayered it roughly.

I then added in Lemon Zest just to warm it

up a fraction.  I then dried this well.

I stenciled Dylusions Leaves using the same

three colours. Once dry, I outlined them
using Inktense pencils.
I added stamping using Archival ink
& free stamps with Creative Stamping issue 60.
I used the spider, berry sprig & acorn.
Plus part stamped the autumn phrase in the set.
I computer generated my own text & added
this to complete the page.

We dance amongst the stars.

A line from one of my favourite songs

by Cast.

I wasn't going to share this page as it

looks much better in real life.

But, as I'm a "wart's 'n all" kinda girl,

here it is.

I was making Christmas cards & ensured

I had enough for this page. I applied gesso over the

Daphne's Diary page before adding this texture

paste through Tim Holtz Stencil,

falling stars.

I used PaperArtsy fresco chalks paint to colour my page.

Starting with Sea Glass, Glacier Ice, 

Venice Blue & then adding in Steel Grey.

Once completely dry, I added depth with Distress paint

in Chipped Sapphire & a bit of black.

I then added Pewter paint to get the shine look.

It's not a great photo, you can barely read the words.

I computer generated them.

Not much to the page but the drips add drama.

 

 

 

21st Birthday

Today it is Oliver's 21st birthday.

He is my step sister's son.

As a keen Volkswagen fan, I had to include this

beetle image as a focal point.

The background was created with a grunge stamp

from a set by Viva Decor.

I added the red triangles & orange zigzags using

a TCW stencil.

21 is Tim Holtz Chip block die.

VW plus cars in background  - Papermania

 

Sing like a Bird

Mini junk journal page.

This began life as stamp packaging.

One end had the fancy tag top,

(bee pages), this end the deckled edge.

This is the other side of She sells Seashells.

I began working from the back as it was harder

to create on the pages. 

My next book has beensewn using Coptic binding, 

so every page will lay flat.

 I covered the page in gesso & it had some

random stencil marks from cleaning off from the

page next to it (Doing what you love)

It also had a scrapped line of taupe paint.

I used that as a ground point & stamped

a Bo Bunny texture stamp along it.

Then I stamped Tim Holtz nest.

I added colour with Inktense pencils.

The bird is a die, which was free with issue 171

of Papercraft Essentials. 

I added it to my nest once coloured with Inktense.

My words are by Lisa's Altered Art.

Doing what you love.

Another junk journal page. I think I love this one!

Again I was using my new favourite palette.

This time I combined all the colours with just two stencils.

This was a Daphne's Diary page which I stuck book text

onto before covering with white gesso.

I then gave it a base coat of PaperArtsy Fresco Seaglass,

before removing with a baby wipe through a free Ranger stencil.

(Simply Cards & Papercraft issue 186 - 4 stencil/stamp sets)

I added Stone, then Mushroom circle stenciled layers.

Then added three larger circles with Dusty Teal

(a soon to be discontinued colour, along with Mushroom)

After drying again, I went over with Taro Milk Tea

using the free Ranger stencil,  then sponged Snowflake. 

I made sure to dry between every layer (colour change). 

It is essential when doing this technique, to prevent mud!

This shows the paints. That Taro Milk Tea is Yummilicious!!

 But then, so is the whole palette.

Here is a close up of the finished page.

I stamped my focal image using my stamping platform

(free Wendy Vecci stamp from the set)

I added Posca paint pen in black & white

to highlight the image & brighten it.

Black - outline & dotted outline

White - petals plus background circle doodles.

 

 My words were free from My Dandelion Dreams.

Patricia M Permadi - patricialize.wordpress.com

I added it onto a piece of book text,

which I cut with deckle edge scissors & applied gesso lightly.

Circles stencil - TCW - Well Rounded.

Designed by an internet buddy of mine,

Ronda Palazzari

She Sells Seashells.

Another mini junk journal page to share today.

This is the other end of the Bo Bunny Stamp

packaging. It has a cool, deckled edge.

I wanted to use some of my new favourite colours

from my PaperArsty paint collection.

Stone, Mushroom, Seaglass & the brand new colour 

for 2019, Taro Milk Tea.

I had covered the packaging in some left over texture paste

from making 15 Christmas cards.

I had used soft paste with iridescent medium,

through Tim Holtz stencil to create shimmering 

falling stars around my main image.

This street sends everyone cards, I make them all

the same & always get them done early, out of the way

of my other card making.

I added the colours & some stamping, then topped with

one of my favourite images I obtained many

years ago from art-e-zine.

I used her for ATC's, 4x4 pieces & cards.

She went perfect with my colour theme.

Words were all purchased from Etsy,

Lisa's Altered Art.

 

A simple page, but I felt the texture & fancy edge

didn't need much covering.

I wanted those & the girl to be the main part of the tiny page.

2nd Wedding Anniversary card.

Kate & Paul were married two years ago, today.

Dad & I were their witnesses.

Here is the picture I put on Instagram/Facebook.

Kate took this in their hotel room in the Lakes. 

Here is the card I made. 

The photo was taken by Kate.

It shows their family hands (paw)

I know it has special significance for them so used the

jigsaw die free with Die Cutting Essentials issue 54.

I cut the middle puzzle piece from white card so that it would be raised

& covered it in Anita's clear gloss to highlight the piece.

This piece shows  both hands & wedding rings plus Skye's paw.

  

 I wanted the card simple so just added a die cut word love & a red heart.

Both pieces came with the puzzle die. 

The paper is a beautiful grey piece from a pad I picked up in

Bargain Madness known as B&M here in UK.

Fairy Tale Ending

This is the back page of my Mini Junk Journal.

I am having to work from the back now as it is

becoming increasingly bulky.

The image I used was left over from the

creation of the wedding card commission,

in my last post. It is I Do - ADFD

(A Day for Daisies is now closed. )

 This began as a Daphne's'diary page with clear gesso.

After adding the image, I blended white gesso around the edges.

I liked the rose at the foot of the page so left it.

I covered it with matt medium to prevent smearing.

I added PaperArtsy Eggshell & Vintage Lace

Fresco chalk paint to soften the page.

 I then used a crumpled kitchen  towel to sponge over,

Cherry Blossom. This lifted the flat colours.

I coloured the image with my favourite medium, Inktense Pencils.

I used Sepia, Saddle Brown, Willow, Carmine Pink,

Sun Yellow, Poppy Red & Spring Green. 

Kingfisher Blue was added in areas around the veil before

I added PaperArtsy snowflake.

Once dry, I added Spectrum shimmer pen.

I drew inside of a Hunkydory Arch window die

adding loose lines for a frestyle.

I then added more Eggshell & some Stone around the couple.

I added stenciling with PaperArtsy paints & outlined with Inktense.

The words are my own, which I computer generated.

"In all the story books, every little girl has a fairy tale ending."

Hope you like it. I will be back with more soon.

Commissioned Wedding Card

I was commissioned by a friend/neighbour - Deb.

to create a card for her God Daughter's wedding.

I have to say, the first photo did not turn out great.

No idea why.  I used the exact same camera

to take all the photos.

Image - I Do - a digital purchase from the, 

now closed store, A Day For Daisies.

To get the image onto the heart, I first

printed it onto plain copy paper.

I then placed the heart over the image

& ran back through.

 I used the paper copy in an art journal.

Front panel & all inside die cutting - Tonic Studios;

Square Vines Base Affections Die Set,

First Crush Affections Insert Die.

Embossed background using a folder which I think was free.

I just can't remember where from! 

Large Congratulations die was an Ebay purchase.

Wording was picked by Deb.

 Inside I added a die cut heart for decoration & a plain heart

tucked into a die cut pocket for their personal greeting.

Pocket was made from a free die with

Die Cutting Essentials 33 - Cherry Tree 

This image shows the full inside design.

Colour Love...

I am busy creating.

I will share soon.

What I can share is my newest favourite

colour palette.

PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paints in;

Taro Milk Tea (Brand new for 2019)

Mushroom (being discontinued)

Seaglass

Stone

Dusty Teal (being discontinued)

 Here is a photo of the palette

I only have 40 colours & most are neutrals.

  

Here is the palette on the mood board

Cork noticeboard covered with rose gold, geometric 

gift wrap from Primark

This is another of my boards.

 I have a third board covered with adhesive magnet.

It looks a mess at the moment!

AWOL

I have no more art to share right now!

I have to edit photos of a Wedding Card,

commissioned a few weeks ago.

I have a few bits started & I have made

the first 14 Christmas cards.

I have been busy in the garden.

I have been tending my plants, preparing the

raised bed for vegetables next year.

Spotting wild creatures & sat outside while new windows

were out in the bungalow.

Normal service will resume soon.

(or when I have created something!)

For now I leave you with some photos.

Raised bed with section of original bed shortened.

Covered with pebbles until slabs located.

Recycling the old fireplace again!

Sunken Stepping Stones in front of the bench.

 

This is a Privet Hawk Moth Caterpillar.

Nice bright dude! 

He moves quite quick.

He looks like a witches finger 😁

 

  

This is kind of cute!

This is an Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar.

Those spots look like big eyes. 

He (she) was just hanging out on my Fuchsia.

 

REAL,

NOT PERFECT.

That is the title for this next mini junk journal page.

The book is getting close to full & I am planning to

make another, but slightly larger. 

I actually began this page before "Dreamer"

but I loved how the Lindy's dried on the textured gesso

& so Dreamer was created first.

I smoothed out the gesso on this one before

letting it dry (after smooshing both pages together)

I stamped with a texture stamp set by Viva Decor,

before colouring the page with the 

Nantucket Pearls Lindy's.

I added some Dylusions White Linen Spray

around the edges to fade it out more.

For my focal point I used the free Altenew stamps

with issue 194 Simply Cards & Papercraft.

(The set includes a stencil also)

If you are not familiar with the site, you will find

free digi downloads for papers & stamps.

I chose Altenew crisp inks;

Heartbeat / Velvet / Moss & Jet Black

to stamp the images, but to be honest

they did not react well stamping on top of the Lindy's

I had to use my Posca black paint pen to go over

some of the stamped lines to make them clear.

It must be the shimmery surface (not visible in the pic)

I kept this page simple & just added the words by HGDesigns. 

I felt the grunge background stamping & the focal image

didn't need much of a supporting cast.

 

And Still...

I Rise.

Another mini junk journal page.

I had so much fun with this one.

I knew I wanted to play with my chosen,

 purchased image.  So, I worked around it,

 using magazine image collage & stamping.

It started out as something else completely,

but I decided I didn't like the way it was

going & so I tore off the texture.

Fatal mistake! It weakened the next page

which was my Mermaid dreamer! 😱

Still, I managed to save it with some good glue

& heavy body gesso 😇 

I added an image transfer using a magazine

image & the method LorriMarie taught.

Once fully dried & backing paper removed,

I added an image stamped on tissue.

This was the dressing table & mirror from

Creative Stamping issue 53.

 I added Distress paint Seedless Preserves, through the

Gothic Tim Holtz stencil. Allowed it to dry & then

sponged a light covering of the same colour over top.

Then I re-sized & printed my focal point.

This fun Raven Queen by Mike Deakin Art.

Mike creates some fabulous journal pages

& if you visit the store, he has great images,

stamps & stencils. Most, if not all, are his own designs. 

If you are not familiar with him, you can also find him on YouTube.

 

Next I added Colourcraft Gold Drawing Ink as

I linked in my Mermaid "Dreamer" page.

I drew around all my imagery with a black Posca paint pen.

Then added black ink to darken it all up.

Finally I added digital words by Helen Green - HGDesigns. 

 

In Time

Everything will work out

in time.

The next page in my colour exploration journal.

Carnival 2 stencil - Mike Deakin Art

with texture paste & emobssing powder.

I also added a clock stencil - Tando Creative

Distress Stains - Chipped Sapphire / Seedless Preserves

Dylusions Paint;

Lemon Zest / Bubblegum Pink /Fresh Lime / Crushed Grape

The stains alone was too flat, so I built up extra colour with the paint.

I added torn text & gesso to clock faces.

Stamped a clock face in both & then in the top one, I

added Tim Holtz word stickers  " you have to believe & trust" & 

added my masked, stamped focal point.

(Bird & Crown from Crafty Secrets Clear Arts) 

These are a "previously loved" set, so possibly no longer available.

But, I have linked an image so you can see them.

Main title also Tim Holtz.

Rainbow Child

This page came about in an unusual way.

I was sat in our local church on 22nd July,

attending a funeral service for our dear friend & neighbour, Fran.

She had written her wishes clearly & said under no circumstances

was there to be a eulogy. She was a member of the local choir & chose her own hymns. 

Therefore, after the first hymn, the Reverend Julie Donn first read a poem,

I wandered lonely as a Cloud.

She then spoke of how, as there was to be no eulogy, she felt she should read 

some scripture that seemed fitting for celebrating Fran's life.

I fail to remember the exact passage as I was still getting over the

singing as the choir members, stood in the congregation & sang with us. 

It was hauntingly beautiful & I still get goosebumps

thinking about it now as I type.

I do remember her saying,

that Fran meant something different to each one of us

& we would all remember her in our own unique way.

After the committal at our local cemetery, where the vast 

majority of my family are laid to rest, we went to the wake.

When we got home, I couldn't help thinking about the service.

I went outside to look at the plants I had inherited from Fran

& the song from Dan Reed Network came into my head.

I knew then I had to create a page.

You see, when I think of Fran, I think of an abundance of colour.

She loved every flower in every colour & shade.

So I created a rainbow coloured page with Dylusions paint & a stencil.

Then, because the song would not leave my head,

I wrote most of the lyrics across the whole page in black 

using a Posca Paint Pen.

At the end of the song, Dan Reed talks the final words,

Say hello, to the rainbow child.

She don't talk much, she don't have to..

So I computer generated them along with words

free spirit & gentle soul as these both describe 

who Fran was. I added the Santoro Willow 

girl, stamped & paper pieced.

At last....

another entry in my colour exploration journal.

"Be the Light"

First off I have to say, this is just one of those

pages that did NOT translate from brain to page,

exactly how I wanted it to!

In fact it took me 6 weeks to complete!

I have to say, it is not my favourite, but

I had to get the initial parts out.

The light rays, the dark clouds & the quote.

I used a light-bulb stamp from Viva Decor which I cut out,

added Nuvo clear accent & left it to dry while I

added the texture paste through the Tim Holtz stencil.

Coloured  using Prima Watercolours, Shimmering Lights.

I computer generated the quote.

I am not even sure if it is a quote.

I just remember seeing something tragic

on television & thinking how you should spend every day

being kind to all you meet. Be the light so it can shine.

Everyone is going through some kind of darkness.

 I added cloud stenciling with distress inks & then die cuts some

really dark clouds.

If I'm honest, I don't know how I could have done this any other way. 

Dreamer

This page was made literally two days ago.

I had three scheduled posts of older

art work, but I LOVE this so much.

I just had to sneak it into the line up! 😀💓

It's all because I saw to my dismay

that an online digital stamp shop,

A Day For Daisies, was closing it's doors! 😢

I only discovered them recently after obtaining

the free download from Simply Cards & Papercrafts

for the Mechanical Dolls (which I used on a recent art journal)

So, I purchased a few of my absolute favourites.

Here is the first.

My background was made up of textured gesso.

(Putting this & the next page together)

I then blotted some of the colour used from the next page

onto this one. It's Lindy's Gang Nantucket Pearls;

Clam Bake Beige & Cape Cod Coral.

Once dry I buily up layers using Totally 80's Magicals by Lindy's.

Cowabunger Copper, Bodacious Blush &

Midnight Rendezvous.

While these all dried nicely, I re-sized & printed

my digital Image - Striped Crown Mermaid (ADFD)

I used an inkjet printer (it's all I've got) & printed

onto tissue. I didn't glue it right on my page

it tore a little at the tail.

So I added texture paste through a Tim Holtz stencil.

The stencil is THMS068 from a mini set.

This disguised the error.

To highlight my image I used Colourcraft gold ink.

I should point out here that I refer to it as gold paint.

It isn't, it is Metallic Drawing Ink.

My bottle is at least 5 years old & just says Gold.

I purchased Bronze at the same time both 28ml.

The final touch was to add Wood Veneer Stars from

Studio Calico / American Crafts (part of a Daily Dec. kit)

My words were a free download from Patricia

My Dandelion dreams.

Focus...

on what's important!

This is the title of the next "steampunk" style

page in my junk journal mini.

The page began as three torn tags

covered in gesso.

I added brown paper & then began to build my

background layers of colour.

Using PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paint,

I made glazes with Koala, Mustard Pickle,

Peach Nectar, Toffee, Twilight & French Roast.

I added gold leaf in some areas & brayered on

Dylusions Black Marble.

I added tissue stamped imagery as well as images on book text.

My focal image was stamped on card. 

Stamp - Papermania

Words - Tim Holtz

Inktense pencils to colour focal image.