Two Words

December's here, My Friends!

For many of us this is a month when a lot of creative things are going on - December Daily practice, crafty Advent calendars, cardmaking, list making, thinking about dreams, plans and resolutions for 2017.

All this is obviously very exciting but... let's not run around too much! ;) Shall we pause just for a moment?

Take a seat, take a breath and find a moment to appreciate this incredible art piece (or even 2!) that Gayle's sharing with us today...

Do you have any special words that resonate for you? Any wishes for the world and yourselves? We hope you feel inspired to express them creatively. We'd love to see them! Drop by our Open Studio facebook group and share your Art with us!

Hello lovely Finnabair friends.

The last month of the year and of course for some of us, the celebration of Christmas.

For my project this month I have been completely indulgent and worked with three of my favourite things - wooden blocks, image transfer and collage.

But it’s Finnabair’s Texture Paste in Gold Crackle that has created the richness in these simple wooden blocks. For any of your Christmas projects this year, Gold Crackle Texture paste is a must. The process to these blocks is simple, I have included a few steps, but they are processes that I know you are all familiar with by now.

For me, this project is about how just one medium, used very simply through a stencil, can add so much warmth, texture and a little bit of magic. :)

Here are two more views of my Words Block - front and right side & right and back side:

My blocks come from a friend who is a furniture maker. They are off cuts, all different shapes and sizes and often quite rough.

No.1 The blocks get a coat of Heavy White Gesso. For my image transfer, I have chosen two “angel” images from the internet and printed them out onto regular photocopy paper.

No.2 For the image transfer, give the wooden block a coat of Soft Gel (either Gloss or Matte) and the front of the image a coat of Gel as well.

Place the image, face down onto the wooden block and smooth out very carefully from the centre to the sides, pressing out any air bubbles. Let dry completely. Once dry, use a baby wipe to gently rub away the white surface paper and reveal the image underneath (it will be in reverse). I love the muted, imperfect softness that this process gives.

No.3 Once you have rubbed away all the surface paper to reveal your image, add some stamping. I have used the Vintage Vanity “Book” Clear Stamp on both blocks.

No.4 Collage on some music note paper using Soft Matte Gel.

No.5 Cover the sides and back of the blocks with patterned paper using Soft Matte Gel as the adhesive.

No.6 Add extra texture and colour to the surface papers with Art Alchemy Acrylic Paints - they're so thick and in beautiful rich colours.

No.7 Add more texture to the sides with Art Extravagance Texture Paste in White Crackle.

No.8 Using a stencil apply Texture Paste in Gold Crackle.

A muted, soft, imperfect detail of the transfered image.

I added some metal and wire with beads.
The beautiful stars come from Finnabair's Mechanicals Barn Stars set.

First I painted the “Barn Stars” with Art Alchemy Ancient Coin paint and then sprinkled with Art Ingredients Art Sugar in White for some extra shimmer.

All metal embellishments were attached using Heavy Body Gel.

I have also used an old (but one of my all time favourites) Finnabair “Doily” stencil with red ink to add some pattern detail down the side of the block.

Also some splashes of gold ink.

Another view of the "Joy" block -

a metal name plate, wire with beads and again -

- Art Extravagance Gold Crackle Texture Paste used through a stencil.

The back of the blocks.

Art Extravagance Gold Crackle Texture Paste applied through a stencil and also in combination with silver embossing enamel, using Finnabair Vintage Vanity “Frilly Lace” Clear Stamp.

My two words - “Peace” and “Joy” - have seemed very elusive and in short supply this year, in a world that at times seems to be out of control.

But I genuinely and sincerely extend them to you all now, and, in whatever way you may celebrate the end of this year and the beginning of the new, may it be filled with only Peace and Joy.

Gayle xx

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Jingle Bells!

Hello, Dear Ones!

'Jingle Bells' in September...? Really...?! First of all, when inspiration strucks, one better listens to it. ;) And secondly, I get a feeling that some of you might already be starting your preparations for the Season, am I right? :)

Our wonderful Denisa created this amazing project (with a step by step tutorial) that sparks some great ideas and will make you want to create some Xmas awesomeness too!

One may think I´m a bit crazy because today I´d like to share with you my tiny box make over. So far the idea may not seem shocking to you, I know, but as you´ll see later it´s all about upcoming Christmas. :)

You see, September means two things for me: dreamy holidays are over and sweet Xmas is just around the corner. No time for sleeping.
Especially when you´re a scrapbooker. Lots of cards, boxes, albums and gifts have to be designed and done before it all gets busy and hectic. So here I am with my Christmas cutie.

Actually, it´s a box I got from my friend Marysia and guess what… inside there were some little pressies and a stunning ATC. Now hurry up and let´s get started before Xmas is here! :)

First thing I did was covering the lid of the box with black and white fabric. I used 3D Matte Gel for glueing it down.

Then I applied a thin layer of Clear Gesso just on the top side. When dry, I added a bit of Heavy White Gesso here and there. I didn´t want to cover the entire surface because I really liked the pattern. Well, I wasn´t very careful and I almost did. Then I found a strip of another fabric so I glued it on the top. Again using 3D Matte Gel.

When dry I did some stamping with black Archival ink and used Lindy´s Magicals to add some more color. I applied a little bit of Art Alchemy Opal Magic Acrylics with the Silicone Brush. I let it all dry.

Then I painted some sisal with Heavy White Gesso and glued it down on the lid. I had some tiny cones and seedlings that I also glued on the lid and gessoed them as well.

Before drying, I sprinkled a bit of various sizes of Art Stones here and there to add more variety and texture.

Then again I went for magicals, sprinkled them on the cluster and sprayed with water.

Then it all got hectic just like before Christmas and I played with Art Ingredients adding some Silver Art Sugar, went for Gold Rush and Pitch Black Glass Glitter and did some painting using Ancient Coin Art Alchemy acrylic paint.

I also glued down some Mechanicals metal elements and added some pearls.

Finally, some black and white Ecoline splashes and the very first Xmas project is done! :)

Wishing you a perfect indian summer full of time for creating anything that your heart and soul desire.
Denisa

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