DOTD.. *Quintessential Soulmates*

Hello creative friends..

What a creative weekend I have had and to be honest I'm not sure how I have managed to create anything. Between finishing personal projects, DT work and starting the Christmas card making frenzy it has been utter chaos trying to find the space to dry things.

This is how I have been working this weekend, anything finished from main project to the tiniest element has been bagged up for fear of losing components amongst the mayhem.

I would have shown you a picture of the disorder around me but 

I lost my camera under it all..!!

Here's pictures and process of my DOTD Mrs & Mrs Paperbabe..

Two bags full of  Fibreboard substrates painted, coloured and glittered

using one Kit and the other from Paperbabe components put together to create another.

Here they are unearthed from their bag, ready to be assembled.

So let me introduce the Lady before Gentlemen:

Using Paperbabe stamps included in the DOTD kit I stamped her features and decorative details using Onyx Black Versafine ink and coloured with paint, pencil and posca pens.

Extending the stamped detail down her neck I just had to add a little spider friend.

Pushing embossing ink through the rose stencil I embossed the flowers with frantage.

The flourishes have been embossed with frantage embossing powder too.

Some of the fibreboard roses included in the kit can be built up to create a 3D bloom.

These have been painted and glittered and look so effective when mounted.

Dots of pen and dabs of glitter glue give definition to her Gesso painted hair.

I heat embossed the edges of the large ornate frame (also included in the Kit) 

using aged black frantage a perfect frame to showcase all those detailed elements 

once glued down upon it.

Mrs Paperbabe is now Complete and ready to mount onto the wall.

..and finally. Introducing Mr Paperbabe.

From the Mens Portrait set I painting his face and stamped using the Male Face  and sugar skull stamp set included in the Kit. I coloured, painted and clear embossed his features and adornment..

Extending the stamped detail again onto his neck I chose to mimic the spiders web just like Mrs Paperbabe. I sketched a suit onto the fibreboard clothing pieces and hand drew 

little skulls onto his bow tie with posca pens to match those two sweet skull 

embellishments that I'd heat embossed in white.

Another little spider friends adds to the detail..

Mounted onto an ornate frame heat embossed in the same way as Mrs Paperbabe

those completed elements are all glue together to set the scene.

Now Mr Paperbabe is complete..

Don't the make a handsome couple..???

*Quintessential Soulmates*

Thank you for sharing your time, I hope you like what you find.

Until next time

Stay safe everyone & Take care

Hugs & Wishes

Tracey xx

I'd like to enter this into the Paperbabe Stamps Challenge #59~Scare Me

October Tag: Carving Time.

 Halloween it's a small step away but i'm sure many of you who celebrate will have Fancy dress party's this weekend if not already attended. Judging by the amount of fireworks around here I think my neighbours are all partied out now.

On that note i'm sharing my October Tag: Carving Time using those same prompts that
i've been bringing to you each month with the courtesy of Chris.

Here is my October Tag: Carving Time 

Covering a Tando long tag in black gesso I painted over it with Burning Bonfire
IndigoBlu paint. When dry I dragged Yellow Meringue paint across the top.

Clear 3D gloss has been pushed through a tree stencil from imagination crafts.

Short threads from my scrap stash have been applied using matt medium.

A layer of Orange Shimmer paint was painted on top with Antique Gold 

Multi Surface paint flicked on to the dry surface. 

Using the same Tree stencil I applied Black Gesso through it and covered in a coating of clear Gesso. As you may be able to see because the Black Gesso was not quite dry and it smudged the tree's but I do think it adds a little atmosphere.

Birds from Rubber Dance were stamped with archival ink.

The sweet pumpkin image was sent to me by Pat (Thank You)

and perfect for this tag. Glued to the tag I added some doodles with a Posca pen 

and enhanced the darker areas of the pumpkins with a black Biro pushing a little 

harder than normal to created an impression. 

Distress glitter and gems help to enhance the pumpkins with the Tim Holtz words 

*Carving Time * adding a sinister twist to my finished Tag.

Colour coordinating Ribbon, cord and orange beads completes my October Tag..

Apologies for the last photograph as it doesn't do those wee pumpkins justice 

but I seem to have mislaid my camera under the frenzy of my Christmas card making.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

Warm Hugs & Creativity

Tracey xx

*Poppy Field* Floral Fancy Challenge..

It's time for another That's Crafty Challenge with this fortnights theme being
*Floral Fancy* a beautiful subject that inspires us all year round.

I do hope you can join in and share your creativity with us all,

there is a £20 voucher to spend in the That's Crafty online store for the chosen winner.
*Newcomers please read the challenge rules*

Poppies have always been very special to me,
When I was a child my Grandad with his love for his garden would always take time to explain the Botanic's within it and there was always a story to tell about each and every one.
The Poppy needs no introduction, it's symbol is thought-provoking
and one I hold dear in my heart for many reasons.

Here is my *Poppy Field* in words and pictures..

Using a large That's Crafty GiganTAG I cut off the tapered edges leaving a long panel. Covered in a lace panel I painted a scene over it using multi surface and shimmer paints.

The base colours of the greyboard Poppies were painted whilst still in the boards 

and easily pop out when dry. I used both large and small wildflower surfaces.

I painted one of the Poppies on to the reverse side, that's the beauty of these surfaces.

Dissecting them so I was able to use single elements within the arrangement.

I added the final detail with alcohol markers and gave the three open Poppies central definition by gluing on micro beads. Glued on to the scene with dimensional glue 

enabled me to layer the Poppies on top of each other.

Finally adding a hint of gold to the sun, hedgerow and Poppies gives light

to my completed Poppy Field Panel.

I had planned to frame this but when finished I found my measurements were slightly out so i'm now on the look out for a frame that will fit so I can display it on my wall.

Thank you for sharing your time today and I hope you like what you find.

Please remember to pop on over and check out the inspiration created by
the That's Crafty Design Team you will truly be inspired

with the That's Crafty Floral Fancy Challenge.

Take Care and have a wonderful weekend.

Creative Hugs

Tracey xx

Crafty Supplies:

That's Crafty: GiganTAG
That's Crafty: Multi Surface Paints
That's Crafty: Shimmer Paints
That's Crafty: Greyboard Wildflower Surfaces LARGE and SMALL
That's Crafty Multi Purpose Glue Pen 3D Glue
Micro Beads
*Lace Panel from my own Stash*

That's Crafty Sugar Skulls

Hello everyone
It's Thursday again which must mean it's my turn to share some
That's Crafty Creativity with you all over at That's Blogging Crafty!

Today it's all about *Dia de los Muertos* using some new That's Crafty products.
Here's a Sneaky Peek with those full *How to do's* over HERE

Hope to see you over THERE

Creative Hugs
Tracey xx

*Take Care and Stay Safe everyone*

Just a note.. Book

Hello everyone, it's Thursday again so that must mean it's my time to share some 

That's Crafty Creativity with you over at That's Blogging Crafty!.

Here's a sneak peek with those How to do's in words and pictures over HERE.

Hope to see you over THERE.

Hugs and Creative wishes

Tracey xx

Stay Safe everyone..

Paperbabe Sketch Challenge #58

Hello everyone, I hope you are all keeping well??

I've been busy with Christmas this week (YES....!! I know) but I have so many 

Christmas cards to make I have to say I am shamefully behind with my makes this year. 

Today I'm sharing a card created using Stamps from Paperbabe 

which I am entering in the Paperbabe Challenge #58 Sketch

Here is my *Christmas is the day..* card with quick and easy How to do's..

Using a left over piece of mop up paper from a canvas paper pad,

I stamped the snowflake star from the Frost Fairy stamp set with versamark 

all over the paper and gently dusted with the delicate oyster colour mica powder.

Distressed the edges using old scissors and added faux stitching with my tracing wheel.

                                   

Stamping the Frost Fairy in black onyx versafine I coloured the image in Caran D'Ache supracolor pencils, washing out some of the colour with a water brush.

I used a large circle die to cut out the image, added gemstones to highlight her snowflake stars and edged her wings with glitter glue to give her an extra sparkle of magic..

Using a verse stamp by Card-io I stamped directly onto the background surface 

and layered up all the elements required in the Paperbabe Sketch Challenge 

My *Christmas is the day...* card is complete.

I think the Frost Fairy has definitely cast her spell and my 

Christmas mojo seems to be returning..

Fingers crossed she stays right where she is as there's busy times ahead 

with no Santa's little helpers for me..!

Thank you for stopping by.

Take Care Everyone

Until next time.

Creativity & Warm Hugs

Tracey xx

That's Crafty blog Challenge.. Get your Spook on!

Happy Friday the 13th everyone..!!

Bwahahaaaaa..

Over on the That's Crafty Challenge Blog it's time for a new Challenge.. *Get your Spook On!* and the That's Crafty Team would like you to share your Scary or Halloween creations with us all over HERE.

There's a chance to win £20 to spend in the That's Crafty Online Store for those of you living in the UK. So if you have a make or would like to create a new one that meets the criteria please drop on by and share it with us all and why not check out those inspirational makes from the That's Crafty DT to maybe help you on your way.

Using a That's Crafty rounded top Upright  I first covered it in Textured Sand Paste and when dry added crackle paste in random areas. When dry a mix of White and Black Multi Surface Paints was painted onto the upright creating differing shades of grey.

I hand drew a pumpkin, coloured and cut him out.
This was to be wrapped around an LED Tealight
which would light up the pumpkin from behind

A wire wrapped web was spun, adding seed beads to break up the design.
They reminded me of water droplets resting precariously.

The Lego spider was found by my bare foot whilst treading on it
early one morning OUCH..!

Glued to the upright now replicating a headstone Tim Holtz Thinlit Dies from the Halloween Words Set have been die pressed into very thick 350gsm black card just enough so the wording stays in the card creating the impression of engraving. Painted with the left over mix of paint and the letters given a touch of green sparkle pen.

 

The web was attached to the head stone with silicone glue with the glue hidden by twine and holly leaves. I had planned to use ivy leaves but couldn't find the die when I needed it but the holly leaves did a good job hiding all the glue and I was able to add red berries. Not very spooky I hear you say but they could relate to the Trick or Treat theme that this project seemed to take on.

Finally..

The Pumpkin Tealight sits snug in front of the Head Stone.

Just don't turn out the lights..!!

Arggghhhhh....!!!

Thank you for sharing more of your time,
I hope you enjoy my take on *Get your Spook on*
and i'm really look forward to seeing your take on the theme too.

**May your Friday 13th be a LUCKY one..!!**

Crafty Hugs
Tracey xx

Stencil it..!!

Hello Creative friends,

I'm sharing a sneaky peek today as i'm over on the That's Blogging Crafty Blog site
with the full How to do's over HERE using some of the latest products from That's Crafty.

Until next Thursday

Take care & stay safe everyone.

Crafty Hugs

Tracey xx

Repairing and sharing a blast from the past ..

Hello everyone, I hope all is well?

There's not been many makes shared on my blog recently due to the lurgy knocking my Mojo for six but I thought I would share a canvas I made about 6 years ago which I had to repair when it fell off the wall and knocked the framework out.

As the subject matter was so heavy I was very worried about disturbing it by hammering in tacks whilst re-stretching the canvas back over the frame as the medium used to fix the twisted wire tree was homemade, using a mixture of clay and PVA, so I decided to use staples a less brutal way to fix it all back together.

The outer edge of the canvas was created using the clay and PVA mix and painted in Iron Swellegant and darkening Patina. Areas had chipped off when it took a tumble and I did question if putting something else on top of it would cause a reaction. It had been so long since I last used Swellegant I couldn't remember the rules or application just remembered there were times when I needed to wear rubber gloves!!

I decided it would be best to just repaint the edges but not sure if I had any Swellegant left, how wrong I was!! Boxed away in a trolley full of polymer clay I found this!
I'm not sure i've ever used any of this... Shhhhhh Don't tell my OH...

So I set about covering the damaged areas and touching up some of the 

flaking clay that held on the twisted wire trunk.

I Tightened up the wire work holding the red tigers eye chips and 

removed any sharp or broken chips damaged in the fall.

It's all looking a lot more tidier now with the Tigers eye polished and a secure 

saw tooth hanger to hopefully prevent it from falling off the wall.

This is one of my favourite pieces ever created as I love the ambience of it all,

so glad I was able to patch it up..

Hugs & warm wishes until next time.

Tracey xx

Acorns and Oak Leaves Acrylic ATC...

Hello everyone, i'm all of a muddle this week as i've been blessed with the lurgy again and my crafting mojo has taken a downward spiral as my brain has been a beehive of activity but my body not had the energy to put any of it down on to card or canvas.

Today i'm sharing a sneak peek of a That's Crafty make as I have moved into
Thursdays seat in which Nikki had kept so warm for a while.

For the full picture and how to do's please click the pink link HERE

Tomorrow ( Friday 6th October) That's Crafty are showcasing some fabulous
products on Hochanda don't forget to tune in or pop it on to record as Neil Burley
will be waving his creativity at you all at 8am and 11am (GMT).

You may spot some mini makes and a lot more inspirational from the That's Crafty DT.

Thank you for your company everyone
until next Thursday.

Take Care, Stay Safe and Stay Warm
Creative Hugs

Tracey xx