Thursday 9 May 2013

Craft Barn Alpha Challenge - Letter A

At last, I have something to post - seems like ages since the last one (I always seem to be saying that these days!). We're really busy here preparing our house for sale so you can imagine that I don't get much time to sit and create. . . . .

My entry for the Craft Barn Alpha Challenge has been under construction for quite a few days. I knew what I wanted to do but as with the best laid plans, it took some time to get onto paper what I wanted to achieve from my head! (Hopefully that makes sense!).

For my letter A, I've chosen a very obvious word: Angel. I have a number of Crafty Individuals stamps which depict some very pretty little 'angelic' girls with wings and I wanted to use one of those.

I've toned my colour palette right down and I really like it but it was a devil to photograph. Trying to get the subtle details of the background in proved a nightmare! Anything with sheen or metallic shine gives problems but I almost gave up with this one; it seemed a shame to waste it after enjoying the make, so here it is:


I wanted to create a background that looked like old plaster with a worn and faded painted design. I used a combination of DecoArt acrylics, Fresco acrylics, archival ink, distress ink and metallic gel pens to achieve this. Excuse the black clip again - it's the only way I can keep the pages open.

The chosen word and definition as required by the challenge rules. Various colours of metallic gel pen were used to highlight areas; here you can see the silver one. The stamping in the background was all done with DecoArt acrylic paints and champagne gold from their metallics range. I hoped to create a very timeworn appearance.


Die cut letters were inked with archival, randomly stamped with versamark and taupe EP applied. The metallic look of this EP works well with the metallic acrylic which shows quite well here next to the die cut letter.

The main image was stamped with archival onto card coloured with Fresco paint. Pencil was used to shade around some edges of the image. 

I love this image and as the word 'Angel' is part of the stamp, it seemed perfect for this challenge.
An Andy Skinner stencil was used in two corners with archival ink and metallic gel pens.

I think the metallic acrylic works quite well with the normal acrylic paint.

Thank you so much for looking today. I really appreciate that so many of you stick with me during my absences! Hopefully, I'll be catching up with you all soon and fingers crossed for the house sale!





26 comments:

  1. A fabulous couple of pages Julia. I love the colour palette, that fabulous background and the wonderful CI stamp. Hope your house organisation is going well.
    Hugs {brenda} x0x

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  2. How beautifully done! I too love your color palette. Very angelic!!!!!!
    Sandy

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  3. Beautiful pages Julia, I love that CI image, one of my favourites! Wishing you all the best with your house sale! xx

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  4. Beautiful pages, angel is a good choice. Just got my pages done too! Valerie

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  5. Another beautiful make,boy that will truly be a book of treasures when you are done!!! Hugs trace. X

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  6. Your pages are beautiful Julia, I love the muted palette and it does have a look of old plaster. Love the angel image and your treatment of the lettering is beautiful. Hope you will get a bit more time to craft soon. Hugs, Anne x

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  7. What a beautiful, elegant page Julia, I love it. The mix of paints really works and the attention to detail is as 'bang on' as always to pull your amazing spread together.
    Huge huggles sweetie x x x x

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  8. Fabulous colours and stamps used, beautiful angel page.

    Sylv xx

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  9. Oww you're moving to another place? Busy and emotional times I guess?

    Your vintage pages are so elegant in soft tones Julia...

    kind regards, Alie :-)

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  10. Beautiful pages Julia, the metallic and soft colours are lovely. Good luck with the house sale, I don't envy you all that sorting out! Xx

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  11. Beautiful page! Such soft and pretty tones, really gorgeous!

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  12. Beautiful Julia :) you sure have achieved what you set out to do !
    Good luck with getting ready for the move :)
    Von ♥

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  13. Absolutely beautiful - like a medieval fresco mixed with an illuminated manuscript... what a joy of a page! About to face the whole house-moving thing - though we've persuaded the buyers to wait until October... I think it will take until then to get ready! I do wish you luck with it all.
    Alison x

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  14. Glorious pages, glorious image, glorious word, glorious vintage feel, and glorious gold! I love this!!!

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  15. Very beautiful pages. Love the soft tones and very beautiful image

    chrissie x

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  16. Gorgeous pages Julia, love the background and colour with the beautiful image.
    Fingers crossed for a quick house sale.
    Avril xx

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  17. It may have been a while but well worth the wait for us.I love the alphabet challenge, your 2 pages are gorgeous,all that work was worth it, thanks so much for sharing and hope you have a wonderful weekend..

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  18. This is a gorgeous page Julia

    Sam xx

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  19. I really like your pages Julia, especially the stencilling in the corner - and the angel stamp is just gorgeous. Love, Margie xx

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  20. Great take on the A, fabulous pages.

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  21. Another beautiful dictionary page, this is going to be one awesome book when finished. Great choice of word, althogh for Angel, you could have just included my pic ;) and yes still smiling and pinching myself.
    going to make the craft barn for Helens class this sat?

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  22. Wow Julia this is Angelic Artistry!
    Love this stamp and have her in my stash but have sadly never inked her up.
    I am inspired to have a go.
    I know what you mean about metallics and sheen in fact all the lush stuff our eye see but the camera doesn't. Don't stop showing for this reason we can use our imagination.
    Love this to bits. Best wishes with the house stuff and I appreciate very much your supportive comments!

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  23. I love your angel page- stunning!

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  24. So dreamy! Love the gold throughout and on the letters!

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  25. I am finding that as my book gets fuller its harder to get a decent photo as well! This is just beautiful Julia xxx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax