I love that you're so damn creepy!!!

Earlier this month a friend (aka Prudence Puddleduck) asked if I preferred Valentine's Day or Halloween...and the discussion ended with "Why can't we have both together?"

We decided to swap ATC's and this post shows the one I am sending to her, but today I was introduced to the "Vampire's Day Soiree" 

* I am so joining in with this mwahahahahaha*

So...back to the ATC...

I had just bought some mixed media atc cards from a clearance pile at Hobbycraft, and used one to paint some lush colour on with acrylic paints....

 I have an old rag doll stamp (can't remember company will try and find out later)...

 stamped with permanent ink onto a single layer of serviette...

 and bonded to card with matt medium.

The serviette disappears (ooooooooow....tis magic) while the inked image remains

 A little blood red heart  (Stickles) appeared in the jar....

still shiny and wet and....fresh!!!!

 And now our little Gothic pair just needed a bit of colour

....not too much though....

The blood red writing reads "with all my heart...."

Creepy enough for you Debi ?

No bad dreams now folks mwahahahahahahaha.....:D

Enjoy XXX

Despite blogger trying to confuse me...I managed a new post lol

So...remember the journal I made for the 4th Soul Food class?

I am using it to record each of the techniques/styles and projects I make during the course, so I thought you might like to see how I'm getting on :D

We are already up to lesson 07!!!! , and they have all been so different!

I have always worried about taking part in such courses as I get bored quite easily(used to do production line work), but I have to say I an sooo looking forward to each lesson (loves diversity).

I haven't used the pieces I make for the classes, just made a new piece incorporating the lessons learned.

So here we go....

Lesson 01 with Mystele Kirkneeng...

Lesson 02 with Gwenn Seemel...

Lesson 03 with Cathy Bluteau...

Lesson 04 (making the journal) with Gracie Howes...

Lesson 05 with Jeanette House...

Lesson 06 with Lisa Patencio...

Lesson 07 with Zorana....

(I cut phrases from an old random book page)

I am also knitting a dog for my niece....and trying to plan my time to get some scrapbooking done :/

So no worrying if I'm not around very often <3 p="">

Enjoy :D XXX

P.S. In real life...hubby finally got his permanent contract Yay!!!! 

I must need my head looking at :D

Ayala Arts runs regular collaboration challenges, and this year she asked if we would like to try a circle journal...as in we each make a blank journal and send it round the world for others to "do a page" in. Well you know me..any excuse to party :D

This is my journal(cover WIP) and I have asked the other participants to show me the view from their respective windows(real or fantasy). 

I received Ilona's journal this week to work in. She said "do what you want", but also gave 2 links to music she enjoys. I listened to a piece called "5th August" by Scott Spalding, and this is the piece it inspired.

I started by choosing stencils(all Martha Stewart) that reminded me of images from the video...

and then I just wanted to add a bluebird(home decor stencil)...

I knew I was going to paint one of my bubble people, and the positioning just worked for me.

Soft colours seemed more appropriate, as the music was very calm and peaceful.

and anyone who knows my art knows I can't resist veridian  green...

The music and video also evoked raindrops...so I had to add some, iridescent paint sealed in glossy accents

I haven't added words, but "mutual admiration" springs to mind :D

Hope she likes it when it returns home.

Enjoy :D XXX

Journal Junky

Today was lesson 04 in the Soul Food kitchen...making a journal with Grace Howes. Her idea was to make a journal to record her personal journey through the Soul Food art course.

I am happy to share a little of mine with you :D

I have made many journals before, so sharing more pics doesn't bother me this time.

I made 4 signatures, and pre cut a piece of watercolour paper to use as a cover(300gsm for the cover cos I like slapping on the paint) The pages are a mixture of surfaces and weights.

As I was just mashing paint, I used these small tubes of cheap acrylic(£2.99).

Personalising the cover by starting with a layer of things I want to gain from doing this course(and life generally)...

It may read a bit "dark", but it is about "firing up" my passion for life again.

 Next layer...stencils of course lol...and btw I won some more this week!!! Lovely new whimsy designs by Tam at Artistcellar. Will share when they arrive(figuratively speaking), but for now you can get a look at them here on Guada's blog

Random stencilling with sponges and paint...

then smashing that paint!!!!!

I know it looks a bit muddy here(colours are much more vibrant in real life), but I wanted to represent the "earthier" side of my nature.

I stitched the signatures in using different coloured threads, to add a bit of joy :D

and the inside covers are neutral but bright. The skulls represent mortality.

Now to add more personal stuff!!!

Rather than just a snapshot (smiley face etc) I chose to use some photos of my tattoos. Using "My Craft Studio" graphics programme, I altered the photos to look like stone carvings(tattoos are permanent after all so choose carefully)... 

I glued the images to the cover and "worked" round them with inktense pencils and ink pens.

I love the effect of this spiral hare on the back cover!!!

then it was just a matter of adding a piece of chenille ribbon to use as a closer.

Enjoy :D XXX 

Sketching Sade, and jelly pad trial.

Lesson 02 at Soul Food is by Gwenn Seemel. She showed us her technique for sketching with markers!!!

I'm sharing my second attempt lol, say hello to Sade, my mum's little Jack Russell :D

and these are all the tools needed...yep, a few coloured markers and a Uni ball eye pen :D

Back to the jelly pads I was making in my last post.

THEY WORKED!

Mine are a bit wrinkly and uneven, but then I tend to rush everything(impatient...me?)

If you take your time you will easily get a smoother/regular finish.

But would they work????

I just slapped some craft paint onto them...

the roundish one I just slammed onto the paper...all this patterning was from one paint application!

The rectangular one I added a second layer of paint...

and splattered onto the paper lol

I moved the pad around til all the paper was covered. The pads would have wiped clean, but I am a messy crafter, so I left the tiny bits of paint on to add interest with my next experimental layers.

Hope you give these a try. They are cheap and cheerful to play with...and if you find you NEED the professional version you will already know how you want to use them.

Enjoy :D XXX

HAPPY 2014!!!!!!!

Hope everyone is feeling frisky and full of fun for the start of 2014 :D

(I know I am)

I am already embarking on the adventure that is Soul Food, and this is the result of the first class with Mystele Kirkeeng

"LA LA LA......"

I won't be doing full technique reveals as it is a paid for course(so it wouldn't be fair), but I will share something I discovered.

Part of the process involved adding a layer using a Geli plate. I don't have one (yet). Other artists made suggestions of what you could use instead, but in a moment of inspiration I thought "hmmm....I wonder if a sheet from my wipe clean/disposable paper palette pad would work?"

IT DID!!!

I still want *neeeeeeeeeeeds* a gel plate though, and one artist kindly linked us to a blog that shared a well used recipe to make your own. 

The Glycerin took some finding, but I am know waiting for mine to set.

The recipe gives quantities for 9x12 or a smaller 16cmx16cm square(the sizes reflect the tins she had available).

I made up the larger mix and have opted for a 6x8, with the excess poured into a small round tin(one has to experiment you know)

If these work I am going to make a large one!!!

cost comparison (uk)......Geli plates start at around £19(£30 for 8x10).......home made cost of gelitane and glycerin  9x12 plate mix.....£10...got to be worth a try.

You can find the recipe HERE

Well off to roast a shoulder of pork for hot pork sandwiches....mmmmmm....with stuffing and apple sauce :D

Enjoy the year ahead...and try something new...every week if you can manage it :D XXX