Unstampabelles #47 - Family History part I

My first project for the Unstampabelles May challenge is a scrapbook layout of my gorgeous Mum at 6 years old, working hard at school.  

The theme this month is FAMILY TREE with the twist to 'Make It Vintage .  Check out the blog for more details about the challenge and other inspiring entries.

I've used some vintage style papers from my scrapbooking stash and some old flowers.  I didn't have enough brads to match so I used Alcohol Inks to co-ordinate them.  I punched out a couple of butterflies from some scraps of paper and journaled about the photo.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do and for a change the LO came together really quickly.

TFL Lou x

Unstampabelles April #46 Oh! Baby - An Altered CD Door Hanger

My second project for the Unstampabelles April challenge is an altered CD door hanger.  Check out the blog for more details about the challenge.

"Shh Baby Sleeping"

Instructions

1. Take an old CD and draw around it on to some light blue card.  

2. Cut out the card and ink around the edges.

3. Cut a couple of strips of tissue paper 2" wide to make the ruffle.

4. Attach ruffle by glueing onto the card and then glue on CD. (the ruffle is sandwiched between the CD and the card)

5. Cut out 3 Teddy Bears using a Sizzix Die, and attach to the top 3rd of the circle.

6. Cut out "shh" and "BABY" with sizzix alphabet die, and attach.

7. "Sleeping" are stickers mounted individually onto dark blue card, cut out and glued in place.

8. Using a cropodile, make 2 holes at the top and attach ribbon for hanging.

9. Make another small hole at the bottom with the cropodile and attach dark blue ribbon threaded with buttons.

10. Scatter a few self adhesive gems around the design.

Hope you've enjoyed this baby project.  We love to see what you've made so please share over at Unstampabelles.

Lou x

Unstampabelles April #46 : Oh! Baby

I am delighted to announce that I am now a member of the Unstampabelles design team. I am really looking forward to creating some new projects and rising to the challenge of NOT using any kind of stamps.

Monthly challenges are set and you can create using any craft supplies etc  BUT stamps (rubber/digi etc).  How often do reach for your stamps to add words or just for that little finishing touch?  Well, with these challenges all stamps are banned, it can be quite a challenge.

This month the theme is 'Oh! Baby' and the twist is to make a non-traditional styled project for a baby. 

Baby Boats

Love these babies, had so much fun playing.

1. cut out some cardboard shapes and used a straw for the mast. 

2. Assemble and papier mache, I applied 3 layers.  Leave to dry.

3. Paint with gesso.

4. Paint with pink or blue acrylic paint.

5. Cut sails and wrap around the mast.

6. Using thin jewellery wire thread through the straw and passed through the side of the boat.  

7. Attach a bead through the wire at the top of the straw

8. Cut small diamond shapes and attach as bunting to the wire.

9. Using my sizzix alphabet cut out the names or initials.

I hope you will join us at Unstampabelles, we love to see everyones work.

TFL Lou x

UKS Twisted Sisters CJ

I'm taking part in the UKS Twisted Sisters CJ, its a while since I've done a cj and this one is very much right up my street, mixed media art journalling - time to get messy - Bliss.

 Using this gorgeous background by Stan as a starting point I created this page using this fabulous  digital clown stamp by Rick St Dennis.

I created this background in Stan's cj for Kitty to play with

Next up was Jibba Jabba's cj, I was a bit more organised with the recording of this journey.

My additions to Stans page, yes, its a twisted cj, so we need to 

1. add to the other pages and 

2. create a background for the next player to use.

Additions: Star Gazing Hares, wings and a bit of shading round some of the houses.

Using Stan's background I created this using my new Donna Downey stencils

Next step, create a background for Kitty to play with

1. Glue down some collage pages and using my current favourite Brocade stencil and blue paint

2.  Apply Gesso and lilac paints, then stamped with a 'scratched' stamp, hope you enjoy playing with it Kitty.

Looking forward to the next one........watch this space

TFL Lou x

Journaling by 5's - an art journalling challenge

Journaling by 5's, an art journalling idea by Shannon Green has gone viral.  There's a fb group, lots of youtube videos as peeps try to work on 20 art journalling pages in sets of 15 mins.

Step 1 : Paint/Ink up 20 pages in 15 mins
Step 2 : Add Collage/recycle papers  to the 20 pages in 15 mins
Step 3 : Stamp/Stencil on the 20 pages in yes you've guessed, 15 mins
Step 4 : Add focal point and/or words to the 20 pages in 15 mins
Step 5 : Doodle with pen/pencils on the 20 pages in 15 mins.

So, I've been feeling a bit lacking in the creative mojo department and thought this would be a fabulous way to loosen up.  My daughter popped over yesterday for Mothers Day and we both decided to have a play.  It was so much fun..........here's my step 1 thru 4, step 5 coming soon!

Step 1 Paint 20 pages in 15 mins 

Step 2 Add collage papers to 20 pages in 15 mins 

Step 3 Stamp/Stencil 20 pages in 15 mins 

I ran out of time with 3 still to go, so I played for another 2 mins to complete the 20 pages.

Step 4 Add Focal Point and/or Words

(I faffed around a bit here selecting images, preparation is definitely key to completing this step)

I've created a beautiful unique set of pages in a style that I would not normally consider. 

It was so much fun and very freeing.  Step 5 doodling still to do, watch this space.

TFL Lou x

Unstampabelles March challenge Take II

Here is my 2nd piece as guest designer over at Unstampabelles.  Pop over and have a look at all the other inspiring entries, you'll not be disappointed.

Mail Art 'Peace Graffiti'

Instructions

1. I spent ages getting the words to wrap around the PEACE symbol, once I was happy I traced the design onto the card and went over the lines with a permanent black marker.  This sounds like a simple step but I spent about 2 hours playing with the letters!  

2. Using Chalk Pastels colour in a rainbow over the Peace sign.

3. Make a mask for the rainbow design, I used a post-it.

4. Using a brick wall stencil and distress inks, build up the brick effect and then splatter on some brown ink.

Thanks for looking.  I hope I've inspired you to be creative.

Lou x

Unstampabelles March Challenge

Last month at Unstampabelles I was the DT Favourite with my Thank You card and I was asked if I'd like to be guest designer for March, oh yes please, I'd love to.  The theme for March is Harmony and/or Peace with the twist to incorporate flight into your creation.  The meditating Buddha is a frequent icon in my art work and decided to incorporate it into my art journal.

I'm not sure of you ever watch any of Carolyn Dubes videos but she refers to an OOPS as 

an Outstanding Opportunity has Presented its Self.

I had a few OOPS with this art journal page!

Art Journal Layers

1. White gesso tinted with a drop of yellow acrylic paint.

2. Using a handmade sun ray stencil, I dabbed on yellow acrylic paint.

3. Brush on a layer of clear irridescent paint, this creates a lovely shimmer.

4. Cut out the word PEACE wish my sizzix die, I used these letters as a stencil and deep purple paint.
    This was my first OOPS!  The letters where cut out of thick plastic and the paint seeped under the            letters, so had to use a craft knife to scratch away the excess paint, this distressed the letters and I liked the look. the words 'comes from within' are hand written.
5. OOPS 2 - I wanted to paint 3 circles in the bottom right hand side of the page, I was a bit heavy handed with the paint, so the circles looked like really messy splurges, so I decided to rub away the paint but it left a light pink residue, so now introducing a lovely pink border.
6.  The branches are sizzix dies cut from brown envelopes and coloured with brown ink.  The blossoms are off cuts from some of my handmade tissue paper fabric.
7. Buddha is another of my handmade stencils with dark brown acrylic paint and treasure gold.  A black permanent ink marker is used add depth to the Buddha.
8. The butterflies have been punched out of an old music sheet and coloured with blue intense pencils.

Looking forward to seeing what others come up with for this challenge. No stamping allowed!

Thanks for stopping by.  Lou x