2020 Baker's Dozen

 Hello Creative Friends, 

The last day of the year has arrived which means 

I get to repost a handful of my favourite makes of 2020. 

As many of my personal favourites I've not shared this year I'm 

breaking tradition by starting with my favourite unshared piece 

which is also my last page as Guest Host @ Art Journal Journey 

The meaning of .. words. 

This journal page bares my outstretched hand resting on a painted 

foliage paper. Every day since creating this page I have placed a 

new word or affirmation in the hand to start my day.. words help. 

Today I'm placing Thank YOU a little word with a huge heart. 

Shared with gratitude to all those that have been supportive, 

shown kindness, strength and consideration. Been an ear or 

virtual shoulder to cry on or just believed in me... 

I thank YOU all.

 

Now time to share and revisit a tiny piece of my 2020

PBS #114

Green Peace

Good Friday wishes

From Spring through to Summer

This little stamperia bird has been on quite 

a journey with me this year... 

Discover Flowers

Lavender Pebbles

I became very addicted to making these in 2020

From this day forward

Creative Artiste #66

Paperbabe Stamps Jointed Art Doll Die

The meaning of ... Curiosity 

The meaning of... Art

My Quote Right Now

Dr Maya Angelou

Thank you all so much for sharing your time with me

Let's hold on to hope that 2021 will 

keep all that is precious to us safe 

and a much happier one..

Creative wishes 

Tracey xx

Bringing in the New Year with: 

Paint Party Friday ~ Wk44 Yr10

WoywW 604

Hello everyone 

 

over @ Julia's Stamping Ground it's 

the last desk sharing Wednesday of 2020 

i'm happy to share that some things over the past year 

have stayed pretty much the same.. Happy little safe space...

WoywW #604

Creative New Year wishes 

Tracey xx

Art Journal Journey ~ The meaning of.. Curiosity

 Hello Creative Friends

Did you take time out for you this Christmas?? 

This is my penultimate page as Guest Host @ 

Art Journal Journey with my *The meaning of* .. theme

I'm sure you've all guessed by now why my website is called 

Hotchpotch Creations, I find it hard to sit still with one 

medium, there's so much to learn, explore and mix together.

As a mixed media artist the importance of experimenting 

with things is vital, it explains what mediums can do with 

surprising results at times and helps me work out how to 

bring the vision I see in my head onto my page. 

Curiosity gives me confidence to create in my own eyes..

 

Starting with a stampendous owl's face he peeps through a torn page 

stained tea water & layers of modeling paste sprinkled with loose tea. 

Smudges of expanding foam heated and scraped using a fork, 

I revisited this page many times before I was happy with it's 

bark like effect. Painted with distress paint and a coating of 

clear gesso a stamperia bark stamp fills in any gaps. 

Making an impression in a piece of wet clay 

using a Tim Holtz red rubber stamp it reads.. 

*Replace Fear of the Unknown with Curiosity* 

Painted and attached to the tree bark page 

I used my finger like a paintbrush smudging green paint 

down the page, replicating tree moss and lichen.

Thank you all so much for joining me and sharing 

your wonderful creative talents @ Art Journal Journey.. 

Stay safe & ever creative 

Hugs 

Tracey xx

Sharing with: 

LTCCB ~ #53 December Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations ~ Anything with Wings

We Love Chocolate Baroque ~ December Challenge Anything Goes

Art Journal Journey ~ The meaning of.. Christmas

Hello Creative Friends. 

I know Christmas starts on the eve for many of you 

so let me begin by wishing you Greetings of the Season... 

As Guest Host @ Art Journal Journey here's a journal page 

to share the love I have for those rich colours of the season. 

Upon a collage page there's a hand drawn and painted poinsettia, 

surrounded by die cut sprigs, with it's holly leaves and berries 

I finished with dots, dabs and snow white gesso splashes... 

*The meaning of..* Christmas: my gift to you

Christmas has a different meaning for us all, with gift giving and 

symbol of faith. The coming together of friends and family or just 

a time to wind down during the holiday before a new year begins. 

A time for reflection and to remember past loved ones,

it's certainly a different Christmas for us all this year.

Wishing everyone a safe 

and happy holiday. 

Creative wishes 

Tracey xx 

Sharing with: 

Paint Party Friday ~ Wk43 Yr10

Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle and Shine

Country View Challenges - December Anything Christmas

Season's WoywW Greetings ~ 603

Hello everyone 

Gifts all wrapped and delivered knock door run style 😁 

at last I can see some space on my work desk for creative 

to do's come boxing day, I will have earnt the rest as 

I'm on Christmas Dinner delivery duties Christmas Day... 

WoywW #603

Received this fabulous card from our Hostess Julia on Monday, 

this photo does not do it the justice it deserves it's a 

mighty pretty piece of festive mixed media. 

Thank YOU Julia 😘

and on the same day I received this, made me giggle!!

Hope it makes you all laugh too.. 

How ever you spend your day stay safe.. 

Happy WoywW Christmas 

Creative HUgs 

Tracey xx

AJJ ~ The meaning of.. Winter

 Hello creative friends, 

So Winter begins.. frosty days and nights .. 

As a child every Christmas Eve i'd be taken to see 

the Christmas lights in the City and choose one present. 

Always a book or a set of felt tip pens.. 

 I used this napkin last December and remembered how taken 

Elizabeth was thinking I had drawn it, so thought i'd use it again. 

Can you see where the napkin finishes and where I begin..?? 

painting in a little toy shop there was always one on the high street full 

of dolls houses, the biggest of teddy bears and toys of children's dreams

Mesmerized by the twinkling lights, BIG show stopper star on the tree 

and the sweet cinnamon smells from the bakery filling the night air..

Wrapped up in my Winter coat, woolen mittens, scarf and hat 

I always hoped for a sprinkling of snow but it never came.. 

Warm winter wishes 

Tracey xx

Sharing todays creativity with: 

AJJ ~ My Theme .. *The meaning of.. * Winter

Try it on Tuesday ~ Christmas Sparkle

Country View Challenges ~ Anything Christmas

A little Tree Dressing...

 Hello everyone, 

How you all keeping ?? 

My Christmas Tree is taking a break this year, 

I just couldn't face decorating it alone, always 

something we do as a family but like most families 

they are all staying safe in their own homes in 2020.

A small potted Christmas Tree takes it's place with 

hope it will survive the move outdoors in the new year.

In need of a little decoration I thought i'd paint these 

stamperia paper clay baubles to brighten things up a little.

Dressed with Tim Holtz pine twine, wired beads, tinsel and berry bells..

they remind me so much of the mercury glass baubles 

from my childhood and bring some indoor vintage cheer.

Wishing you all a super, safe Sunday. 

Creative wishes 

Tracey xx 

Sharing with: 

Morgans ArtWorld Challenge #12

Try it on Tuesday ~ Christmas Sparkle

TFJB Challenge Blog ~ Deck the Halls

LTCCB ~ #53 December Anything Goes

Country View Challenges ~ Anything Christmas

AJJ ~ The meaning of .. creative confidence

 Hello creative friends 

don't be startled it's only me with my brave face on.. 

I really didn't intend sharing this today, the image came months 

before it's title. Never afraid to play and experiment with art 

prepared to make mistakes and be able to adapt along the way, 

I understand fully that it's how we artists learn and grow... 

BUT when it comes to self portraiture it's so much 

easier for me to share any face but my own..

Unfinished ready and waiting to be redesigned into a much 

bigger art journal vision here I am with the greatest things I've 

ever created my three children as silhouettes in the background. 

*I'll run and hide now 😊*

Brave creative Hugs 

Tracey xx

Sharing with 

Art Journal Journey ~ My Guest Host theme *The meaning of* 

and happy to be able to link up with 

Rain for TAD ~ A Portrait

WoywW 602

 Is it Wednesday again already..? 

WoywW time 

No desk shot sharing from me today mines doubled up as 

a gift wrapping station this week, so here's a handful of 

Christmas cards, a small selection of 2020 makes..

Lot's of happy mail opened this week.. thought i'd share 

some extra special ones from my blogging buddies..

Beautiful glittery bauble creations from 

Jo (Lets Art Journal) and Angela (aka Felix the Cat)

Anne know's I have a soft spot for these Skates 

she brings them out every year and works her 

creative magic with them every time sigh 😊

and last but not least just look at this 

vintage wrapped beauty from dearest Dorthe

and the inside full of winter wishes, what a work of art.. 

how truly blessed am I... 

ALL take pride of place on the fireside mantel. 

Thank YOU lovely blog buddies xx 

Happy WoywW 602 

Stay safe & creative 

Hugs Tracey xx

AJJ ~ The meaning of ... Music

 

Hello everyone, 

a new week begins as I share another page for my 

Guest Host Art Journal Journey theme *The meaning of..* 

Music has a magical way of evoking emotion and at times 

saying those things we find hard to convey with words.

underneath this display is a multitude of musicians, genres, 

bands and solo artists that have influenced me over the years. 

Sheet music, stencils, paint and stamps fill the background

The acoustic guitar is hand drawn with bakers twine 

strings holding a mother of pearl paper plectrum.

I'm sure we can all identify a song or soundtrack 

that triggers a memory or moment from our past.. 

Music Speaks..!! 

Wishing you all a super safe week 

Creative wishes

Tracey xx

Paperbabe Stamps Challenge #134 ~ Anything Goes

 Hello Creative Friends, 

Time for the last Paperbabe Challenge of 2020 

the theme is anything goes.. come join us HERE

You caught me with my feet up again 😊 

sharing another collage journal page  

using the Jointed Paperbabe Art Doll with 

3/4 head and face stamps and Kaylessa style hair. 

Fashioned in plush velvet pj's and cute pom pom slippers, 

she's seated in a comfy chair all cosy by the fireside. 

 

The homely collage scene is a magazine page painted and remodelled 

along with the little dog a replica of my own, I guarantee when I 

sit down in the evening it's not long before she joins me. 

There's really no place like home at the end of a busy day..

feeling safe and secure with the warmth of familiarity around me. 

Look forward to seeing your Paperbabe Stamps 

#134 Anything Goes creations over HERE

Creative wishes

Tracey xx 

Sharing today's creativity with: 

Art Journal Journey ~  My Guest Host Theme .. 

*The meaning of* HOME

WoywW 601

Hello everyone, 

it's desk sharing day at the stamping ground where every 

Wednesday crafty peeps show what's on their work desks.

Just a big old mess on my desk today, a dumping ground for 

odds and ends found last weekend whilst cleaning out old 

storage cabinet's now replaced with more practical ones. 

I'm sure you WoywWers had much more fun 

than me with your 600 celebratory zooming 😁

Those signs of Christmas are things that escaped post 

Christmas clean ups from years gone by, always wondered 

where that festive scrabble bag and pictionary timer went.. 

WoywW #601

*Note to SELF* 

.. remember to take that lantern hanging on the 

pens to MIL tomorrow.. it's her Christmas card. 

It's HERE is you want to take a closer look..

Catch up with you all asap, 

Happy WoywW everyone 

Creative wishes 

Tracey xx

AJJ ~ The meaning of... bird song

 Hello everyone, 

I hope you have all had a good weekend? 

Today I have another page for my 

Guest Host theme @ Art Journal Journey.. 

The meaning of ~ Bird song ~ natures alarm clock

Bird song takes me back to childhood sleepovers 

at my Grandparents. The excitement of that first 

morning tweet, no matter the weather I couldn't 

wait to get out into their garden to explore... 

The Robin was an all year round feathered friend..

Created using Tim Holtz and Stamperia stencils the little bird 

has been transformed into a Robin especially for the Season with 

die cut Holiday green ferns and snow white gesso splatters.. 

Really enjoying seeing your 

The meaning of creations 

Stay safe & creative 

Hugs Tracey xx

Sharing todays creativity with: 

Try it on Tuesday ~ Winter Wonderland 

SSS Wednesday Challenge ~ Fun with Dies

Country View Challenges ~ Anything Christmas 

Stamping Sensations ~ December Anything with Wings

Creative Artiste Challenge #67 ~ Anything Mixed Media Goes

 Hello Creative Friends 

It's challenge #67 @ Creative Artiste

our theme is always *Anything Mixed Media Goes* 

For my December DT creation i'm sharing a mixed media card.

 

Here's how it all came to be.. 

Using the Rustic Lantern Bigz die from Tim Holtz 

I cut out the image from calico covered mount board.

Liner pen and a tickle of texture paste adds 

depth and dimension to the rustic lantern's frame. 

Painted with silver and black ink the inner globe is 

blended with vintage distress ink heat embossed using 

clear embossing powder to simulate it's shielding glass. 

A fashioned wire handle is attached to the frame

Bigz Tattered Poinsettia's are die cut and painted, teasing the leaves 

before gluing together adding those final dimensional central flowers.

A mini replica of an original once belonging to my late 

Father in Law, it helped guide his way down the mines as a boy. 

Created for my Mother in Law as a Christmas card 

I hope it shines a brighter light as 2021 approaches..

I look forward to seeing your 

Anything Goes Mixed Media Creations 

@ Creative Artiste #67 Challenge.

Stay safe everyone 

Creative wishes 

Tracey xx

Sharing today's creativity with: 

Morgans ArtWorld Challenge #12

LTCCB#53 ~ December Anything Goes

Country View Challenges ~ Anything Christmas

SanDee & amelie's Steampunk Winter Special 2020

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge ~ Fun with Dies