Dance like nobody's watching with Tonic studios

Good Morning crafty friends, today I am sharing a mixed media card I created using lots of Tonic and Nuvo goodies.

I was totally inspired by the awesome Jen Kray's post on the Tonic Global Blog and couldn't wait to get messy and make some art.

So how did I create this little beauty I hear you cry, let me walk you through the steps below.

I started with a piece of watercolour card measuring 4.52 by 6.5" and added some Clear water Aquaflow and spritzed with water. I then sprinkled some rock salt on top and gave a spritzed of the Pecan Peach mica mist and set it aside to dry.

I cut the butterfly and body from the Wings and things die set (listed below), these were coloured with Nuvo embellishment mousses in Aquamarine, Chai Latte and Coral Calypso.

I cut the word Dance from some greyboard using the Eat,Sleep, Repeat media die set and coloured with the mousses mentioned above.

Once the background was dry, I brushed off the salt (which I will keep for future use), I then rubbed some of the Coral Calypso and Aquamarine mousse around the edges to frame the background panel.

I adhered the butterfly and sentiment to the card using some wet glue. I printed the second part of my sentiment using a Dymo Label maker.

To finish the card off I added some Nuvo drops in Saddle bag (vintage) and Caribbean blue (gloss) 

Products used

Aqua flow - Clear Water

Embellishment Mousse - Aquamarine, Chai Latte and Coral Calypso

Nuvo Drops- Saddle bag (vintage drops) and Caribbean Blue

Dies - Wings and Things; Monarch and Princess wings, Butterfly and Dragonfly die, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Media dies

Mica Mist - Pecan Peach

All the products used can be purchased from Tonic's website https://tonic-studios.co.uk/ 

Paperbabe Challenge #62 - DT Inspiration

It's time for a new challenge at Paperbabe Stamps

this time round it's a picture inspiration

You can use the picture any way you like, pick the colours, texture or the tree to inspire you, it's your choice, just let your imagination and creativity run free.

I have put together a project to help spark your creativity and have been so eager to share it with you

I'm calling it "The first flurry"

I love winter time as it is such a magical time of year, I crave snow and frost as it looks so pretty, which is why I had to add snowflakes to my project.

I used a crackle medium on the large frame background to represent the bark int he picture. I chose to use my Gelli plate for colouring the MDF pieces as it adds texture and interest and to be honest I'm not that good at creating realistic portrait pieces.

I am so happy with how this project turned out, it's been sat on my mantel piece for 3 months waiting for the right time to share it.

Here's a list of items from the Paperbabe store that I used to create my project.

Long loose waves mdf kit

Female face stamps

Large ornate frame

Herringbone stencil

Peaceful-flurries stamps

Mixed-media blank accessories

You can join in with the challenge by popping over to the paperbabe stamps blog and linking your project, Kim will pick a winner and they will receive a prize.

Paperbabe Stamps Male mdf substrates.

Thanks for joining me today, it's a really exciting day for Paperbabe stamps as Kim has added "lots" of new products to the store and we have pictures and samples to share with you.

Kim - Miss Paperbabe herself, designs and produces stamps, stencils and MDF substrates, you are probably familiar with the female faces but have you seen the male version?

Lets take a look at the new products and then I'll share my projects.

There are 3 mdf substrates that can be used along with the male face stamps to create stunning piece of art.

The side fringe is a nice casual look, the hair comes in 2 sections so you can add shading for a realistic look.

The side swept bangs, in my opinion, creates a younger look. Each kit comes with 2 jumper styles and collar options.

Pompadour is a really trendy style, modern and hip. You can choose to style your piece however you wish, in the picture above Kim has teamed the mdf with the Sugar skull stamp set, perfect for Halloween.

Now for some additional extras that really allow you to personalise your project:

If bald is more your style then Kim has catered for you too with the bald head substrate, it can be used with any of the above kits instead of the hair included. Of course you could use this along with the stamp set on a canvas or home decor project.

How do you feel about facial hair? Are you a lover of the modern hipster beard that seems very trendy at the moment?  There are 3 beards and 2 moustaches per pack.

Of course every cool dude needs glasses or shades in his life! There are four styles, these can be painted any colour, leave the lens out for glasses or add them in for shades. You can also use these with the female mdf kits too.

Is formal more your thing? If so, maybe you'll want to add a tie or bow tie to your creation, you could really have fun with these.

Here's a little peek at what you could do with the mdf kits and stamps. I love how your options are endless, so many combinations and looks can be achieved.

All of the items are now in the Paperbabe Stamps Store, along with lots of other temping goodies.

Now onto my projects 

I used the Pompadour mdf kit and male face stamp set to create my project. I chose acrylic paint and pencils to add colour and shading. You can keep it as simple as you like or go to town on it and add lots of detail, this was my first project so I kept it simple.

My second project

This time I decided to go for a different look, an older guy with facial hair and shades. I used acrylic paint and a Gelli plate to colour the mdf as shown by Kim in one of her Hochanda shows. I love this way of colouring the mdf as it's so quick and you gets so much detail as shown in the beard below.

As you can see these kits are so much fun, I do hope you'll try one out and share your results with us on the Paperbabe Stamps Fan Group

Terri x

Mixed Media Fantasy Feather.

Morning crafty friends today I have a post on the Colourcraft blog showing how I created this Fantasy Feather, to see all the details visit the link below

https://colourcraftblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/fantasy-feather-by-terri-koszler.html

World Craft Week Day 3..........perfectly flawed

Well today is day 3 of world craft week and I thought it would be a good idea to talk about mistakes and how everything can be rescued somehow.

At the weekend I sat down to create a piece of art and was really looking forward to seeing the vision in my head come to life on paper.  I decided I wanted to use some of my visible Image stamps along with my Faber Castell Gelatos to create and face surrounded by flowers.

I grabbed the following stamps

Face-shape-mask-stencil

Face-it-stamps

Create-it-stamps

Own-it-stamps

and started to create my masterpiece...........

It quickly became apparent that I wasn't achieving what I had planned and I needed to save it somehow (I hate to throw anything away or give up on a project)

This is what I created

I cut the face away from the centre of my page to create a floral frame and then tore the eyes from the face (these were the best  2 piece)  I decided to go with the Perfectly flawed sentiment as it seemed to fit my happy little accident.

I am actually happier with my finished piece than I think I would have been with my original idea.

Visible Image Angel - Mono printing

Today I am sharing a print I created using the Gelli Plate from Gelli Arts which I then added a stamped image to using Visible Image Angels stamp set.

I used Pebeo acrylic high viscosity paint which I added to the Gelli Plate using a brayer,  I used shades 55 and 352, I then layerd some smooth uncoated card on top to pull the print.

Once dry I used versafine onyx black pigment ink to stamp the large Angel image, you will notice that the image isn't as dark and crisp as it normally is with Versafine, this is because one of the paints I used was metallic, I like the look it gives, it's almost ghostly.

Next I added some black paint through a stencil to encase the image, I also added some Nuvo Jewel drops from Tonic studios. All that was left to do was add the image to some brushed gold cardstock.

I really like how this project turned out and plan on using the image in a box frame as a piece of home decor.

I'll be back tomorrow with another project.

Mono printing and heat embossing, just another day of carfty fun.

Today I am sharing a card I made using my Gelli Plate, Acrylic paint and Visible Image stamps.

I love to create Mono prints to use as backgrounds, there is an element of surprise with every print you lift, it's like unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning.

For this card I use 2 shades of pink and 1 blue paint, I added 3 small pea sized blobs of each to the Gelli plate randomly and then used a brayer to spread them. I then placed some white card on top and rubbed it over and peeled it back to reveal this stunning print.

Once dry I trimmed the card down to my desired size and used the spare to stamp out my sentiment which I heat embossed in black and then cut out. I like to use the same background paper as it adds a common theme/feel to the card.  I mounted the words onto foam pads to add dimension.

Next I stamped this image onto the right hand side of my card and heat embossed it in black, I love the stark black against the very bright and girly pink.

Using a black fine liner pen I added a hand drawn border around the main card, This frames the image and stops it from looking as though it was just dropped onto a white background.

If you've not tried mono printing before I'd definitely recommend having a go, it gives you another way to experiment with your creativity and create beautiful pieces of art.

I'll be back with more crafty makes soon

Terri x 

Wax crayons and blowing bubbles, I'm a big kid at heart.

Good morning crafty friends, today I am sharing something a little different with you.....

I recently won a gift voucher to spend at Visible Image Stamps, yay I love their stamps. I decided that I would get myself the Sparkle in the rain stamp set and one of their sentiment sets. Today I wanted to show you how I created 2 projects using one stamp set.

For my first project I used a canvas board and a wax melting technique.  I started by stamping the Lady in Versamark Ink and heat embossing her. I then cut and folded a temporary canopy to go over the umbrella as I didn't want the wax to go over the stamping.

I then used cheap, really cheap wax crayons and melted each colour a little letting it run down the Canvas board. I love the effect it creates.

For my second project I have made a card, I created the background by blowing bubbles, yes you heard me right blowing bubbles......   I mixed some acrylic paint, washing up liquid and water and blew into it with a straw. As the bubbles reached the top of my container I placed some card on top, I repeated this twice more as I wanted 3 colours in the background.

Once dry I stamped my main image in black and then added the rain details in Versamark Ink and heat embossed with clear sparkle embossing powder.

I love thinking of different ways to use my craft products along with other things I already own at home. I home I've sparked your imagination.

Just be happy - Gelli plate print

I'm sorry I've not posted sooner but I been busy with a million and one things (Dr's, School, Children and DIY to name a few)  I did however manage to grab a few moments to make a little card.

I used some Pebeo high viscosity acrylic paints to take a print from the Gelli Plate, I choose a vivid green and pink, both of which are iridescent. Once dry I stamped my sentiment and image (Visible Image stamps) in  Versamark ink and applied black embossing powder which I then heat set.

I opted for a simple black and white matting and layering combo to set off the imagery.

I hope you like it as much as I do, I thinking I might just pop this into a little frame and keep it close for all those times where life can get to busy and overwhelming and I need a reminder to "Just be happy"

I'll be back Wednesday with a sneak peak at a new design team project

Terri x 

Even in our darkest moments - Gelli Plate and Visible Image card

Hi Guys, today I am sharing a card made with copper embossing powder. So this year Copper is going to be BIG in craft so I am told, I thought it would be good to use the copper as my glimmer of light in this card.

I created my background using the Gelli Plate and Pebeo paints. I then added my images and sentiments using the Glimmer of light stamp set from Visible Image. I used a Versafine pen to add detailing along the top and bottom of my card. I aslo glazed the light bulbs with Glossy Accents to add a glass effect.

I hope you've enjoyed today's post, take care.

Terri x

A head full of worries - Gelli Plate and Visible Image card

Today I am sharing a card I created with the Gelli Plate from Gelli Arts and Stamps from Visible Image. I wanted to create a card with a soft dreamy background to reflect the sentiment.

I created the background with Pebeo Acrylic paints and a flower stencil on the Gelli Plate.

Once dry I stamped the sentiment from the No space for dreams in Versamark ink and added black embossing powder and heat set. I stamped the head image in a water based purple ink and then added some sequins and Jewel drop from Tonic studios Nuvo range.

I love the distressed feel of the background, I achieved this by taking 2 mono prints from the Gelli Plate, this was the second, therefor there wasn't so much paint left to lift from the surface, it's definitely a technique I will be using again.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, 

I will have another Gelli Plate and Visible Image card to share with you tomorrow;

Here's a little sneak 

I hope you'll join me for the full reveal.

Terri x

The writing is on the wall; Gelli Plate background

Today I am sharing a card I created using my Gelli Plate and some Visible Image stamps. I wanted to make this card to both show that grunge stamps can create a feminine effect and to convey a poignant message. 

There have been so many high profile deaths in the media in the last 12 months and several of us have also lost loved ones, at times like this I think we all need to be reminded to make the most of our lives and "Live like tomorrow doesn't exist".

To create my background I used my Gelli Plate, a brayer  and some Pebeo paints

I have used 2 colours of Pebeo high viscosity studio acrylics, Buff Titanium and Iridescent blue green. I love these paints as they are thick and creamy which is perfect for mono printing.

To create the brick wall  I used a stencil and some scrunched up baking paper. I started by coating the Gelli plate with a layer of the Iridescent blue green using the brayer, then I placed my stencil on top. Using the baking paper I dabbed into the gaps to lift some of the paint away, I then removed the stencil and allowed this layer to dry.

Once it was dry enough I added a layer of the Buff Titanium, I then quickly put a piece of smooth white card on to the Gelli plate and rubbed over the surface to make sure I got a clean lift when I remove the card.

Next it was time to add some stamped images and text, for this I used  Visible Images Tomorrow doesn't exist and Ink splats stamps.

I stamped the text on to the off cuts from my background and cut them out and mounted the words on to some foam pads. I like to have a little dimension in my cards.

I added some clear embossing powder over the Ink splats to give shine and reflection. I then distressed the edges of the main brick panel and mounted it on to some vellum and attached it using mini brads. This was then placed on to a white 6x6" card blank.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and visit my blog, I'll be back soon with another crafty post.

Terri x