Two Heads Are Better Than One

A mixed media piece for you today.

I began by painting one of Tim Holtz Etcetera Tags with a coat of Gesso and then I applied an uneven coat of Texture Paint followed by a coat of Antique Linen Distress Paint and then dried this layer with a heat tool. I then applied a layer of Vintage Photo Distress Paint, dried lightly and then rubbed away some of the paint with a damp baby wipe. I love the texture from the uneven coat of Texture Paste.

I then added some vintage book pages which I randomly covered with Seth Apter's Baked Vintage Beeswax, to give the impression of an aged piece of paper.

I then added a rusty leaf to the centre of my piece adding two faces to the centre combined with cotton threads for added texture. One face has been created using Seth Apter's Patina Oxide Baked Texture and one face is a clay piece which I have aged with paint.

To add further layers in the background I added some stencilled texture along with some of Tim Holtz Tissue Tape. I printed the "Two Heads Are Better Than One" on my typewriter and again aged with Seth Apter's Vintage Beeswax.

I also included some of Tim Holtz Idea-ology Numeric pieces for added dimension.

I also added coils of rusty tin wire along with a circle of rusty wire to add a further element of interest.

I included a Quote Chip, added to the bottom of my tag and added a few delicate splatters of black paint.

I also added some scratchy lines using an old credit card and black paint. I also applied Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon around the edges of my tag.

I am really pleased with how this one turned out.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

With Brave Wings She Flies

Today I am absolutely thrilled to have created my first piece with my next new release from AALLandCreate. To view the whole collection and to see a list of our stockists please click HERE.

I wanted to try and showcase my stamps in a more mixed media stylie for my first piece. I opted to use two of Tim Holtz new size of Etcetera Tags.

1. Paint both tags with a coat of Gesso.
2. Using a palette knife, apply an uneven coat of Texture Paste across both tags.
3. Once the Paste is completely dry, paint with a layer of Antique Linen Distress Paint and then dry the paint layer with a heat tool.
4. Add a second light layer of Vintage Photo Distress Paint, dry this layer lightly and then remove the excess paint with a baby wipe.
5. Add light touches of Tumbled Glass Distress Paint.

I used my butterfly and dragonfly stamp set for this piece.

I added vintage French bookpages to my smaller tag and then stamped three butterflies down the centre.

I added three layers to the bottom butterfly and then applied VersaMark Ink to each layer and then applied Seth Apters Beeswax Baked Texture Powder. I love how the text is still visible below the vintage layer. My middle butterfly I stamped into a puddle of Beeswax, remembering to add VersaMark to my stamp so that the melted mixutre peels away from my stamp easily.

I also added some machine stitching down the centre of each butterfly to add further texture to my design. I am loving these tiny sentiments on my stamp set, perfect for adding that little extra detail to the wings. I also included a metal body to this butterfly from an old embellishment I had.

The melted Beeswax really does add wonderful texture to my middle butterfly. I highlighted the texture further with a touch of Prima White Gold Metallique Wax. I added the sentiment 'Trust Your Wings' just below the butterflies.

This butterfly has three layers and I have coloured with Finnabair's pastes, giving wonderful texture to the image. 

I stamped 'With brave wings she flies' to the bottom of my tag and added further highlights with Tumbled Glass Distress Paint. I also used a little wheel tool to add markings around the edges of my tag.

I used my background stamp to add detail to the background of my tags and then adhered both tags together.

I used the bottom image from my border stamps to add details in the background.

I added some gold beads and added delicate splatters of paint to finish.

Thanks so much for stopping by and a huge THANK YOU for all your kind comments and wishes regarding my new release, I appreciate them all.

Tracy

xx

Eileen Hull Heartfelt Collection

Hi and welcome to today's blog post. Today I am showcasing some of Eileen Hull's Heartfelt Collection - The Stitchy Flowers and Leaf Set Thinlits Die and the Scoreboards XL Journal Die.

My thoughts behind this piece were that you could store some of those special memories in this journal, either tickets, memorabilia, special pictures etc, maybe a special dream trip you are taking or even a gift for a friend.

I die cut the journal from mountboard and adhered both pieces at the spine and allowed to dry completely before moving onto decorating. Once the binding was completely dry I then machine stitched down the centre of the binding to secure further and to add a touch more interest and texture.

Whilst the spine was drying I created a piece using my handprint adding lots of texture, fibres and random machine stitching along with some book pages for added interest.

I die cut flowers from book pages using Eileen's Stitchy Flowers Die.

I scrunched the flowers to age a little more.

I then added a pearl and coloured the edges of the flowers with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

The journal itself was painted with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Raw Umber, dried with a heat tool and I then added DecoArt Media Crackle Paint over the top. Once this layer was dry I then sanded the edges and added a wash of Raw Umber Acrylic Paint over the top. I then adhered my hand onto the front of the journal.

The crackle adds so much texture, I love it. I also included a heart charm to the binding.

I left all the loose fibres as I thought they added to the overall textural feel of my design. I also included some Paper Dolls from Tim Holtz.

A few Adronments Stars for added interest along with a decorative pin from my vintage collection.

I added more of Eileen's flowers, which I love and I love the simplicity of them cut from book pages.

I added 'Hold onto your dreams' as my sentiment as I thought this worked perfectly with my idea and the hand print.

I added more torn book pages randomly to the background of my journal and added watercolour paper to the inside which could be used with any inks or watercolours etc whilst on your travels.

Hope you have enjoyed today's piece as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Enjoy your week.

Tracy
xxx

A Vintage Journey - April Destination Inspiration - Arriving at Terminal 1

I have a Destination Inspiration post for you over at A Vintage Journey, with detailed step by steps.

Here is a sneak peek to whet your appetite. I would love to know what you think of the finished piece. Please pop by the BLOG to see all the detail.

Tracy x x

Forget Me Not

I had a little creative time late last night and created a card for Valentines.

The background has been created with Picked Raspberry and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Paints, applied to a non-stick craft sheet, spritzed with water and then mopped up with my card. I tore a heart from scrap paper and then drew around the heart onto white card which I again coloured with Distress Paints. I then cut out the heart and distressed the edges with a pair of scissors.

I placed Tim Holtz number layering stencil onto a flat surface, inked the stencil with Black Soot Distress Ink, spritzed with water and then placed the stencil, inked side down onto the heart and dabbed with a piece of kitchen towel. I then dried the ink with my heat tool.

I added some Film Strip Ribbon for added interest and dimension and I also included a Hitch Fastener along with a Heart Idea-ology piece.

Tim's Alpha Cards have been coloured with Distress Paints and stapled into place. I added a few touches of ruler tape behind my heart for added interest.

I stamped Feb 14 a couple of times onto the background and added a touch of doodling around the outside edges.

Delicate splatters of white paint have been added to the background.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

One Of A Kind

I created this card just for fun.

I opted for Squeezed Lemonade and Weathered Wood Distress Paints for the background.

A touch of stencilling in the background using one of Tim Holtz mini layering stencils.

I added the sentiment 'one of a kind' again using a Tim Holtz stamp set. I love how all the layers are visible in the design.

A few delicate splatters of white paint to lift the design.

A few scratchy paint marks using an old credit/store card and a touch of Distress Crayon around the edges and the design is complete.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Going Round In Circles

Welcome to our first challenge of the year for A Vintage Journey, our theme for January is "Going Round In Circles".

Whether large or small, 2d or 3d, clock face embellishments, buttons, eyelets or created with paint pot lids, stamped, stencilled, doodled or finger painted let’s see what gets you going round in circles. This challenge theme particularly fits with the art journaling style we love to see but can also be incorporated into a vintage; shabby; mixed-media; industrial or steampunk project.

I opted to use Eileen Hull's Sizzix Passport Die for my creative piece. I die cut the pieces and then painted the front, back covers and pages with Raw Umber DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic, dried with a heat tool and then painted each with DecoArt Media Crackle Paint.

My focal piece is a Sandra Evertson Prima Relic Piece which again has Crackle Paint applied and aged with touches of more Raw Umber Fluid Acrylic applied with my finger. I also sanded a few of the edges and then added further layers of paint to darken and age further.

I used a pocket watch wooden piece to add depth to my design and to add the circular element needed for the challenge along with some circles of rusty tin wire, which I adore using.

I sanded the edges of the pocket watch and added further layers of Raw Umber paint. I also added a life pin to the bottom for further interest. The pages were bound together with natural twine.

The back cover of the book has a further Relic Piece which has again been aged with Raw Umber Paint which I applied as a wash. I also added book pages from an old Alice in Wonderland book and added some painty circles added with lids from paint pots.

I adore the text 'Be Brave' and how all the layers are visible. The numbers are Label Letters from Tim Holtz and I have also included some Remnant Rubs for further interest.

I added further layers of paint to the edges to add to the worn aged feel.

The crackle really makes this such a tactile piece.

Continuing with the circle theme inside my book.

I applied Raw Umber paint to the edges of a lid using my finger and then pressed the lid onto each of the pages and then dried with my  heat tool.

To add shading to each of the circles I applied DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Titan Buff to the inside of the circle, applying with my finger and whilst the paint was still wet I then added touches of Raw Umber, blending both paints with my finger.

To add further definition to the edges I also applied Walnut Stain Distress Crayon to the edges of each circle and then smudged with my finger.

Each of the circles had numbers added using one of the mini Layering Stencils from Tim Holtz, applying Raw Umber paint over the stencil with a piece of Cut 'n' Dry Foam. I also added delicate splatters of Titanium White Paint to each of the pages to add highlights.

Our sponsor this month is The Funkie Junkie Boutique who are offering $25 to our randomly drawn winner. Good Luck.

Thanks so much for stopping by and all the very best for 2017. Tracy x x