Friday 11 November 2016

Art Journal Page: Halloween Weirdness

This months art journal class with Mike Deakin was Halloween themed. He was kind enough to share some of the Halloween themed digital downloads.



I used a cob web tissue and acrylic paint for the back ground and added Tim Holtz die cut cogs and Halloween ephemera along with Mikes creepy cat s the focal image.


I hope you like!

Stay crafty,
Katie


Friday 21 October 2016

Mission Inspiration - October

I really enjoyed taking part in the July Mission Inspiration Art Journal prompts. Time has been short so I haven't managed to join in with the other months but here is a step by step of my October page!

1. Add black gesso with a baby wipe - I didn't have any black gesso so I used Docrafts Artiste acrylic paint in Noir. Black Gesso definitely needs to go on the shopping list!

2. Add torn magazine fragments.



3. Add texture paste through two different stencils - I used IndigoBlu Super Thick Slap it On through the Texture IndigoBlu stencil  and the graffti stencil from TimHoltz  (sorry I can't find a link for this one. I got it on EBay!!)

4. Add Paint or spritz with two different colours - I used Perfect Pearls Mists in Blue Raspberry and Pewter. These are now discontinued. I haven't really used them before and to be honest they are not my favourite product. They are very wishy washy.

5. Add marks with bubble wrap - I added dabs of Docrafts Artiste acrylic paint in Ice Blue. This has a lovely pearly sparkle to it.


6. Add a focal collage image - This is a picture of Dali from a leaflet I got when I visited the Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, FL. I love his art.

7. Glue small triangles of patterned paper randomly -This was just something I found in my stash so I am not sure where it came from!


8. Add a quote or phrase like a ransom note - A quote from Dali seemed very apt!

9. Add a border of your choice - A simple scribble border with a white broad Uni-ball Signo.

10. Finish with drips or splatter - Once again with the Docrafts Artiste acrylic paint in Ice Blue to tie everything together.


I love the texture page and I'm really pleased with how it turned out :) The photos do not do the sparkle of the Pearl paint justice.


If you would like to join in the the Mission Inspiration you can find the prompts on the Facebook page.

Thank you for dropping by. Please feel free to leave a comment!

Stay Crafty,
Katie

Monday 26 September 2016

Pattern testing - Spooky Spiders

I have a sewing machine. My mum gave it to me when she decided she didn't  use it enough. Years went by and I had a sewing machine I didn't use enough. Nothing deserves to be locked up in a carry case for that long. So I went on a mission.

In an attempt to get myself more acquainted with my machine I went on a quest for some fun but simple patterns and came across the spectacular Jessica at Sweetbriar Sisters. Have a mosey on over and you will see a magical button - pattern testers!

After a peak on that tab and seeing the words "very beginners" I signed up. Not long after I had an email asking to pattern test Fiona the Fairy Princess.She was more complicated than anything I had ever attempted before but Jessica's patterns are very well written and very easy to follow! Since then I have pattern tested a few of Jessica's patterns - the most recent being her Spooky Spiders that will be appearing on her website soon.

I decided to try a baby spider. In hindsight I should have gone for Mama Spider as I think her legs would have been less fiddly - something to remember in the future. Beginner = big things easier!!




I found the legs to be the most complicated thing - to sew and to join on to the body. And it being a spider there were 8 of them to contend with. But after watching hours of Debbie Shore on Hochanda I told myself to take it slow. It's not a race... But I'm still going to have to research how to sew in circles. Pointed toes for baby spider this time!



Spot the essential crafting accessory in the background...

And here is the adorable Baby Spider:



Of course I had to find a way of getting buttons on him and I didn't have any safety eyes.


I just love the way his little legs sit, they give him a definite cheeky character.



A big thank you to Jessica for letting newbie and less experienced sewers have a go at pattern testing. I love having a go and all of Jessica's patterns are fab. I can't wait to see what she has in store next time!

Stay crafty,
Katie






Saturday 3 September 2016

Art Journal Page: It's never too late

I'm not sure how this page sneaked through the net,but this was the creation from the Journal Class with Mike Deakin in June.



The background you can just see peeping through is a napkin. I found this page a challenge as usually I am all over the bright colours and this quite muted for me. Never would I have picked up a brown without the gentle coaxing of Mike!






 What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment below :)

Stay crafty,
Katie

Saturday 27 August 2016

Art Journal Page: Wherever you go

My first post about my Art Journalling Journey included a bright yellow page that I didn't really know what to do with....



Well.... I finished it!

I love taking photos. Chris is really patient with me as I stop every 3 feet when we are away for the day or on holiday as I take pictures. So this is a tribute to my camera.


The picture is from a calendar from last year. I added paint through a square stencil to tie in the colours from the focal image.


I love to travel and so the saying "wherever you go, go with your heart" has always meant something to me but as I said before this is an ode to my camera! 




I'm really please how it turned out :)

Stay crafty,

Katie

Sunday 21 August 2016

Bullet Journal: Journal with Purpose Six Week Challenge - Week 3

This weeks challenge with Helen over at Journal with Purpose made us think about where we would like to be in 5 years time to continue us on our journey to this things we thought about in week 1 of the challenge. And also where we would like to be in a year to keep us on track. 

I liked this challenge as I find it easy to dream of where I will be in a few years, and planning to aim for those dreams seems easier than looking at where I am now in my life.

Once again I have blanked a couple of entries out so I am honest with myself.



I am on vacation from Wednesday for three weeks - something I have been looking forward to since we booked it!! If I get a couple of minutes to do the last three challenges when I am away I will, otherwise I will have to play catch up when I get back :)

Stay crafty,
Katie

Friday 19 August 2016

Art Journal Page: Untitled

I had a fabulous Saturday morning at a Journal Class with Mike Deakin last weekend. I'm learning so much and really look forward to my monthly meetup with Mike and the Gals.

This month Mike got us to create texture using torn up paper and blowing paint with straws.




I'm still trying to think of a quote to go with this one... Any help would be appreciated, just comment below!!

Stay crafty,
Katie

Sunday 14 August 2016

Bullet Journal: Journal with Purpose Six Week Challenge - Week 2

So just as I was finishing Week 1 the lovely Helen was putting up Week 2 of her Journal with Purpose Six week challenge.

I found week 2 very difficult - describing where you are now. I decided I would be more honest with myself if I kept this one personal, so sorry for all the blanked out bits folks. 


The most challenging thing for me was actually writing where I am now rather than writing what I should be doing to improve things. I might actually come back to this at regular intervals (every two months?) and repeat the process. Sometimes it hard to measure where you are going when you don't note where you have been.

I'm looking forward to where we go this Friday. 

Stay Crafty,
Katie

Friday 12 August 2016

Bullet Journal: Journal with Purpose Six Week Challenge - Week 1

I think I used to be organised. I remember a time when I could have an active social life that fitted nicely around my work life. Recently I have found I have very little time in the evenings and weekends fly by without really achieving anything. Not necessarily big tasks like redecorating the house or solving the world financial crisis - just going to the cinema would have meant I have left the house and done something for me and also with Chris.

I used to keep a diary with daily tasks when I was a Post Doc in Glasgow but my job now doesn't really lend itself to this and I have tried to keep a diary for me and found I never have time (and sometimes the inclination) to do it. I have followed many 'Bullet Journallers' on Instagram and thought this was exactly what I needed!

I came across the lovely Helen Colebrook on Instagram, Helen then started a blog (Journal with Purpose) and a YouTube Channel - Well Helen, hello from your new stalker! Helen has also started a Six Week Challenge (How do you have time for all of this?! Oh wait... the Bullet Journal...) which I am going to try, So I hopped on to the internet, tracked down and purchased (not as easy as it sounds at the moment!) a Leuchtturm 1917 Bullet Journal.



I know I could have used and old note book but I thought I would try this first as it has all the features needed for a bullet journal including instructions and hints and tips.


The first week of the challenge is to think about what you would like to be remembered for at your funeral. Not in a morbid way but in a this is what I want my life to be kind of way. And to also think what you would liek to have achieved in life. So here are my pages:



I found some of this quite difficult as I don't yet have children and thinking of their children is quite surreal. I loved doing these pages though and I hope they will make me focus on what is important.

Now to think about my weekly layout to organise my life!

Thanks for stopping by.

Stay crafty,
Katie


Wednesday 10 August 2016

Circle Art Journal: Explore

I love flamingoes. I find them quite comical. My mum bought me flamingo napkins so of course they go straight on to a journal page!



A quick how-to
1) Napkin was glued on to page with Mod Podge and trimmed to shape.
2) A quick wash of green paint was used to dull down the colours
3) "Explore" quote was added by dabbing blue paint over a Leoni Pujol mask with a baby wipe and outlined in black pen.
4) Clarity Stamp flamingo was added and coloured in using Distress Markers
5) Boarder was added using the grass stamp from the same Clarity Stamp set as the flamingo

Ta da!

Stay crafty,
Katie x

Monday 1 August 2016

Canvas - Dream

I really enjoyed making my Paris Mini Canvas so I thought I would try another one and after playing with my Adirondack Alcohol Inks for my previous Art Journal page I thought I would use them too!

I put a layer of the Adirondack Alcohol Blending Solution on to the canvas and then dropped spots of ink and allowed them to merge. I used Wild Plum, Stream and Denim.


After the inks were dry I used the Clarity Stamps Dreamcatcher Stencil and texture paste to add the dreamcatcher image.


Once this had dried I highlighted the dreamcatcher with Green Gold Gilding wax before addingthe word "Dream" from the Clarity Stamps set  Word Chain 5 in gold Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink.



I decided the word Dream did not stand out enough so I went round the stamping with a white gel pen to help it pop.







I think this is possibly one of my most favourite things I have made!

Stay Crafty!
Katie x

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Circle Art Journal - Just Go

A quick Art Journal page inspired by my love of travelling. I would love to do more so this is some advice to myself!




Background: Glossy Accents and Ranger Adirondack Inks with heart and star doodles.
Main Image: Die cuts in Happy Mail from my kind friend Dawn - her art is amazing, check out her Instagram feed here.
Quote: Handwritten on a pretty pattern I found in the background of a calendar picture!

Stay crafty!

Katie x

Sunday 24 July 2016

Clarity Challenge - July

I love Clarity Stamps and I have a few that I have not yer used so thought I would make an effort to join in the the Clarity Stamp Challenge. Here is my entry, a small canvas, for the July Challenge with the theme of Days Out.





1) Stamped the Small Sketched Lady and Large Eiffel Tower images with Adirondack Archival ink in Jet Black 
2) Each image was masked with Pebeo Drawing Gum.
3) Using a torn piece of paper the sky was added using Clarity Stencil Brushes and Distress Ink in Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade and Festive Berries.
4) The land was coloured using the same stencil brush technique using Old Paper and Peeled Paint, ensuring darker patches were under the stamped images allowing them to be grounded.
5) The horizontal lines were highlighted by freehand doodle lines using a fine line pen.
6) The drawing gum was rubbed off and the images were coloured using distress inks (Festive Berries, Tattered Rose and Wild Honey).
7) "Summer in Paris" was stamped using the Letterbox stamps.
8) A boarder was added using Vintage Photo Distress ink and an ink applicator.

Ta Da!

Stay crafty,
Katie x



Circle Journal Workshop

Yet another fantastic afternoon was spent with Mike and the wonderfully fabulous ladies at Art Journal Class. We made Circle Journals from scratch and I am chuffed with mine!!

What do you think:


Front Cover

Back Cover

(Note to self - better photos required...)

I found it a lot of pressure decorating the covers as they are obviously the things you will see the most... But I'm very pleased with them. Now to fill it with pages just as beautiful!!

Stay crafty,

Katie x

Friday 22 July 2016

Mission Inspiration - July

I haven't been art journalling long. I discovered it through attending workshops at what was Kraftyhands (now ceased trading) with Ian and Mike.

Mike has a fantastic YouTube channel (If you haven't checked it out yet you should pop over.) and is the founder of the the Mission Inspiration Facebook page. Each month a set of instructions for creating an Art Journal page is given so I decided to try my hand at July's mission.

Step 1: Apply a base page colour with a baby wipe



I chose to use DoCrafts Artiste paints in Metallic Silver and Metallic Bronze. Most of my pages so far have been quite bright so I thought I would step out of my comfort zone by using something more neutral.

Step 2: Glue tissue or napkin fragments



I knew what quote and image I wanted to use so I went for screwed up white tissue paper to try and simulate clouds.

Step 3: Add a thin layer of white gesso or paint.



I used white gesso watered down just a little.

Step 4: Add texture pastethrough a stencil
Step 5: Addtwo contrasting colours



I used a Sheena Douglas stencil to add more clouds with the texture paste. And then I'm not sure what came over me but I was obviously feeling there was not enough colour so bam! Out come the Dylusions paints, in this case it was London Blue and Squeezed Orange put through the Stampin' Up! Hearts and Stars mask. At this pointI hadnoideawhat I was doing. My face looked something like this:



Why,oh why did I have to throw down those stars. I though about tearing it up and starting again... But I persevered.

Step 6: Adhere textbook fragments



As the them is a song lyric for the quote I went with music paper. Phew,some of the stars have gone! But I thought a layer of watered down white gesso would calm things down a bit more.



Much better!

Step 7: Stamp image or patterns
Step 8: Add focal image or shape



I have a lot of stamps that haven't even made it out of their packages yet so part of my reason for choosing this song lyric is I knew I had something to create a focal image. I'm not sure which set the swirls are from as the packaging wasn't with them (ebay purchase?!) but they went on with Versafine Onyx Black and Encore Metallic in Gold.

The focal images are from Gorjuss by Santoro London - The Owl and Flying Above it All (I think this one might be discontinued?) coloured using Inktense pencils.

Step 9: Add handwritten song lyric quote



I chose a line from Defying Gravity from Wicked. Love the musical and this song always gves me goosebumps!

Step 10: Add a border of your choice.

The swirly stamps already added a border to this page so I went with a dab of distress ink around the edge. Here is the final design!


I don't feel it's my best page by far but I am proud of it as it was the first page I did on my own without Mike and the fabulous ladies who attend the Art Journal Workshops.

I am looking forward to next month's Mission Inspiration prompt and who knows, I might step back in time and try some of the previous months!

I have entered this page in to the following challenges:
Creative Loops - Star and/or Stripes
Paradise of Stamps - Anything goes
The Sisters of Craft - Anything goes
Country View Challenges - Have fun with circles

Stay crafty,

Katie x