Looking Glass For Stampendous And DecoArt

Morning everyone. Today is the final day of our amazing blog hop across the world. There has been some wonderful inspiration from hugely talented artists and I feel very proud to be amongst them. Here are the final words from Stampendous our blog hop hosts:

The excitement continues as conclude our grand tour of amazing artists playing with Stampendous, DecoArt, and Princeton Artist Brushes via inspired by Willow Wolfe products! The inspiration has been amazing, and today you'll be even more astonished!

If you missed the beginning of our journey, be sure to go back and check it out! MONDAY - TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY - THURSDAY

This week we've shown you how to use Stampendous Rubber Stamps to transfer a terrific pattern for painting. Did you know you can sell your projects made with our images? As long as you hand stamp each one, you can sell as many as you like of any kind of project anywhere you want. You can find our detailed Angel Policy on our website.

What's in it for you: 

• Stampendous will choose three blog posts from all the designer posts this week and then choose a winner from each to receive a prize package - Princeton Artist Brushes, through Willow Wolfe, is sending a Select 3750 Brush Set and a Catalyst Wedge, and we'll be adding a Stampendous Creative Palette so you can use all the new techniques you'll learn here this week.  (America and Canada only)
• Bonus goodies are on offer for some lucky people who SHARE our Facebook posts and Pinterest Pins.
• For International commenters: DecoArt has agreed to mail out three fab Media Paint sample packages to international bloggers as well. YAY! 
• Don't forget you also have the chance to own this amazing piece of art produced by Andy Skinner - you can only do that if you leave a comment on EACH blog post though!

Stunning isn't it? It could be yours. . . . . . 

To take part all you have to do is:

• Visit each blog and leave a comment
• Like Stampendous, DecoArt, Princeton Artist Brushes, and inspired by Willow Wolfe on Facebook!
• Repin our projects onto your Pinterest boards and tag us when you do (#Stampendous, #DecoArt, #PrincetonArtistBrushes, #byWillowWolfe) we'll be tracking!
• We've also got a Pinterest Board started!
• You have until the end of Sunday, June 29 PDT to comment on all the blog posts.

The Official Rules -  Please read!

Here's my final piece using Stampendous and DecoArt products. Again, I hope you like it!

I had great difficulty photographing this piece. Trying to avoid getting myself in the picture was the first thing and trying to get the light correct was another! I took it in the garden where there was at least a reasonably attractive reflection in the mirror - my garden!

I got a plain white mirror from Ikea and removed the mirror part whilst I worked on the frame. It was sanded, given two layers of DecoArt gesso and sanded again. Some textured grunge board was die cut and placed in position. Another coat of gesso followed to seal the grunge board.

One of the Stampendous stencils was used to apply DecoArt Media modelling paste in several areas on the frame. This was left to air dry.

Two colours of DecoArt Media acrylic are applied to give a base coat.

Some washi tape was added followed by fairly random application of the colours shown.

Some areas were brushed with a dark colour to give them depth.

A wash was applied to the textured areas and left to dry. 

Layers of colour were then gradually built up - too many to show or mention.
Once I was happy with the layers, some DecoArt Interference paint was used to highlight the same areas. this is not the finished look shown!
The Stampendous Music Terms stamp was used to randomly add stamped paint to the frame.

Another two Stampendous stamps were combined on an acrylic block and stamped in paint onto the frame. This was treated with DecoArt crackle glaze, antiquing cream and then buffed with a cloth. You can see the stamped script here and the washi tape.

The die cut grunge board was painted with two colours of DecoArt Media Interference paint which gives a rich almost pearlised look without being overpowering. You can see here how the wash applied to the stencilled paste gives a great range and depth of tones. This section was also crackled.

The small green circles were stamped with a paintbrush protector and the same colour acrylic as the stamping. More crackle glaze applied followed by antiquing cream.

Well that's my last post for Stampendous and DecoArt and I like to say a very big thank you to all those who made this blog hop possible and to all  the other wonderful artists who took part - particularly my DecoArt International Design team friends!

Your turn now - lets get hopping and enjoy the work of these wonderful artists!

Louise Crosbie (Scotland, UK)

Lea Kimmel (North Carolina, USA)

Claudia Neubacher (Vienna, Austria)

Asia King (Oxford, UK)

Iliane de Fockert (Elly) (Niedersachsen, Germany)

Suzanne Czosek (Illinois, USA)

Julia Stratford-Wright (Suffolk, UK)

Kristine Reynolds (California, USA)

Angelica Stark (Hudiksvall, Sweden)

Mark Gould (West Sussex, UK)

Debbie Cole (California, USA)

Jamie Martin (Oklahoma, USA)

Tobi Crawford (BC, Canada)

Wendy Price (New Jersey, USA)

Jessa Plant (Arizona, USA)

A few of the bloggers this week are new to hopping, so if you have an issue with any of the links, here's a little tip! If you get a page that says "Sorry that Page is not here" or something similar, try clicking on the header of the blog, or look for something that says Home. The hop page should be near the top of the day's posts. We will fix broken links as the day goes on, as well, so check back here if you are really lost.

The Official Rules.

Music Is My First Love For Stampendous And DecoArt

 Hi everyone. Day 4 at the blog hop which has been going on since Monday. Not visited yet? Check out these links for the full story: MONDAY - TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY

Here's what Stampendous have to say today:
The excitement continues as we lead you on a world tour of amazing artists playing with Stampendous, DecoArt, and Princeton Artist Brushes via inspired by Willow Wolfe products together! You'll be amazed at what they've created!

To take part all you have to do is:

• Visit each blog and leave a comment
• Like Stampendous, DecoArt, Princeton Artist Brushes, and inspired by Willow Wolfe on Facebook!
• Repin our projects onto your Pinterest boards and tag us when you do (#Stampendous, #DecoArt, #PrincetonArtistBrushes, #byWillowWolfe) we'll be tracking!

What's in it for you: 

• Stampendous will choose three blog posts from all the designer posts this week and then choose a winner from each to receive a prize package - Princeton Artist Brushes, through Willow Wolfe, is sending a Select 3750 Brush Set and a Catalyst Wedge, and we'll be adding a Stampendous Creative Palette so you can use all the new techniques you'll learn here this week.  (America and Canada only)
• Bonus goodies are on offer for some lucky people who SHARE our Facebook posts and Pinterest Pins.
• For International commenters: DecoArt has agreed to mail out three fab Media Paint sample packages to international bloggers as well. YAY! 

The Official Rules -  Please read!

Here's what I've made for today's hop - hope you like it!

Partly in shadow I'm afraid as I took the photos on a very sunny day.

I used all the DecoArt products here and something from each of the Stampendous stamp packs and the Creative Palette of course - couldn't get a clearer photo to show the paint shades, sorry.

Paint was applied to the Creative Palette with a brayer and the stamp shown was applied all over the palette. Paper was placed over the palette and carefully smoothed. When removed, the paper had the imprint of the stamp in the colour. The dry paper was glued to card then die cut into a tag shape.

Lightly coat the tag surface with a transparent shade of DecoArt Media acrylic. Don't worry about the little bubbles. I just dry these with a heat gun and they stay flat/attached.

Use the free stencil from the Stampendous stamp pack and apply DecoArt Translucent white acrylic (I LOVE this stuff because it's hugely versatile). I use the lightweight masking tape to hold my stencil down because otherwise, I make a mess!

Apply in a few areas on your tag. Note that you can still see the background through the paint.

Brush a very thin layer of your chosen colour of DecoArt Media acrylic onto a craftsheet. Gently tap chosen Stampendous stamp into the paint and apply to the tag as required. Wash the stamp straight away! Paint can be scraped off stencils but stamps are not so forgiving!

Use another of the free Stampendous stencils to apply a large treble clef using the DecoArt Media paints shown. Dry with a heat gun. I then use a black watercolour pencil to add shadow - I don't add water to it! Note how you can still see images through the paint because I sponged them on gently and not too thick.

Using Stazon ink, stamp some script onto a piece of acetate. Allow to dry naturally. Cut acetate so the script is at an angle. Apply to tag with double sided tape but just use tiny pieces.

Antique some mini clips with sandpaper, DecoArt carbon black acrylic and crackle glaze. Place on the tag to cover the small pieces of double sided tape.

Make some plastic labels (or any other type!) and apply to tag. (I've used the lyrics from a John Miles track but I've changed the original from 'was' to 'is' because I always sing it incorrectly anyway!)
Use a pencil to add shadow as before.

Finish the tag with some hand coloured ribbon twisted with some rusty wire. Want to know how I used DecoArt Media acrylics to colour the ribbon? Keep reading!

Put a small amount of your chosen paint/s onto a craft mat and dilute with water.

Drag some ribbon through the colours until you are happy with the result. Scrunch up the ribbon into a ball and dry carefully with a heat gun. Soooo simple isn't it?

 This project was great fun to make and although I've done it tag size, you could adapt the method to make larger backgrounds which could be cut into ATC's, matting layers, letters, shapes - the list is endless!

Just have fun with these wonderful products!

 Finally:

 Would you like the chance to win an original piece of work from the one and only Andy Skinner? Yes please I hear you say! Here's what's on offer:

 

All you need to do is comment on every post and the winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Friday.

What are you waiting for? LET'S GET HOPPING!! 

Louise Crosbie (Scotland, UK)

Debbie Cole (California, USA)

Iliane de Fockert (Elly) (Niedersachsen, Germany)

Julia Stratford-Wright (Suffolk, UK)

Suzanne Czosek (Illinois, USA)

Kathi Rerek (New Jersey, USA)

Wendy Price (New Jersey, USA)

Tobi Crawford (BC, Canada)

Follow these links above. If any don't work, try clicking on the blog header at your destination. These will be corrected throughout the day.

Keepsake Box For Stampendous And DecoArt

Today is Day Three for the Stampendous, DecoArt and Princeton Brush Co. Blog Hop. (If you've missed the first two days click HERE for Monday and HERE for Tuesday.)

Here's what Stampendous have to say:

WELCOME - to our weeklong blog collaboration with DecoArt Paints, Princeton Artist Brushes, and inspired by Willow Wolfe. If you missed Monday's excitement, here's the LINK.

DecoArt creates so many fantastic paint products, our team was excited to try so many! We know you'll be stunned when you see what these great products add to your stamping! When you combine them with Princeton Artist Brushes and Catalyst Wedges used on the Stampendous Creative Palette, well WOW!


To take part all you have to do is:

• Visit each blog and leave a comment
• Like Stampendous, DecoArt, Princeton Artist Brushes and inspired by Willow Wolfe on Facebook!
• Repin our projects onto your Pinterest boards and tag us when you do (#Stampendous, #DecoArt, #PrincetonArtistBrushes, #byWillowWolfe) we'll be tracking!

What's in it for you: 

• Stampendous will choose three blog posts from all the designer posts this week and then choose a winner from each to receive a prize package - Princeton Artist Brushes, through Willow Wolfe, is sending a Select 3750 Brush Set and a Catalyst Wedge, and we'll be adding a Stampendous Creative Palette so you can use all the new techniques you'll learn here this week.  (America and Canada only)
• Bonus goodies are on offer for some lucky people who SHARE our Facebook posts and Pinterest Pins.
• For International commenters: DecoArt has agreed to mail out three fab Media Paint sample packages to international bloggers as well. YAY! 

And if that's not enough:

Would you like to own this little beauty designed and made by the amazingly talented Andy Skinner using DecoArt Media fluid acrylic paints and mediums?

Just leave a comment on each blog in the hop and the winner will be announced on Friday. 

And finally, here's what I made for today's hop, hope you like it!

A tiny little matchbox sized keepsake box. I found this really challenging because the piece is so small and I wanted to pack it full of techniques - well, some techniques at least!

These are the products I used from Stampendous and DecoArt to create my little box - for some reason, I forgot to take photos as I went along this time!
I used the bottom two stamps from the pack for my box - that means I have one more to play with! If you look carefully, you can also see the free stencil in the pack - still with dried paint on I'm afraid!

The box is diecut using a piece of card which has a monoprint added from the Stampendous plate. The monoprint was made using DecoArt Media range acrylics (as previously shown).
Top and back view shown.

This side view shows the box closure mechanism made from thick jute string with rusty wire I wrapped around it. You simply pull out the lid flap to open the box.
The white lines on the design are where the stamp was applied to the Creative Palette - so clever!

The opened box reveals the inside which has the same altered monoprint on the base. Sorry about the fingers on view - it wouldn't stay open for the camera!
The monoprint was made by adding colour to the plate with a brayer then stamping my chosen stamps into the surface. The paper is then laid on top, smoothed out and hey presto - you have a monoprint ready for to be altered.

The mono print can clearly be seen here in the background. The circles were altered using either a black pencil or some DecoArt Media range Quinacridone Gold paint. Machine stitching was added around the larger circles. Finally a coat of DecoArt Crackle Glaze to finish.
The tiny flowers are punched from scraps of the print, crackle glazed then rubbed with carbon black paint. Tiny black gems complete the flowers.

The free stencil was again put to good use for applying the embossing powder. Versamark ink was applied through the stencil followed by the embossing powder. Gently heated from below then a final coat of crackle glaze was applied as before.

The jute string was tied in a knot at the front of the box. The rusty wire extends from the ends of the sting and some curl was added to them to complete the look.

 What would you keep in your little keepsake box? 

Now it's your turn to hop around part of the world and look at the fabulous inspiration on display. Here's your list, let's get started:

DecoArt Blog

Stampendous Blog

Claudia Neubacher (Vienna, Austria)

Kristine Reynolds (California, USA)

Iliane de Fockert (Elly) (Niedersachsen, Germany)

Julia Stratford-Wright (near London, UK)

Julie Robertson (UK)

Jamie Martin (Oklahoma, USA)

Debbie Cole (California, USA)

Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei (Canada)

Tamiko McCurry (Illinois, USA)

The Official Rules are here. Please take a moment to read them. Broken links will be corrected during the day so do call back. If a link doesn't show the post, try clicking on the blog heading.

Thanks again for your visit and your comment. It's always good to know someone is having a look!

Fashion With Stampendous And DecoArt. . . . . .

Hello everyone. Day two of the blog hop with Stampendous, DecoArt and the Princeton Brush Co.

Stampendous continue their weeklong blog collaboration with DecoArt Paints, Princeton Artist Brushes, and inspired by Willow Wolfe. If you missed Monday's excitement, here's the LINK.

DecoArt creates so many fantastic paint products, our team was excited to try so many! We know you'll be stunned when you see what these great products add to your stamping! When you combine them with Princeton Artist Brushes and Catalyst Wedges used on the Stampendous Creative Palette, well WOW!

To take part all you have to do is:

• Visit each blog and leave a comment
• Like Stampendous, DecoArt, Princeton Artist Brushes and inspired by Willow Wolfe on Facebook!
• Repin our projects onto your Pinterest boards and tag us when you do (#Stampendous, #DecoArt, #PrincetonArtistBrushes, #byWillowWolfe) we'll be tracking!

What's in it for you: 

• Stampendous will choose three blog posts from all the designer posts this week and then choose a winner from each to receive a prize package - Princeton Artist Brushes, through Willow Wolfe, is sending a Select 3750 Brush Set and a Catalyst Wedge, and we'll be adding a Stampendous Creative Palette so you can use all the new techniques you'll learn here this week.  (America and Canada only)
• Bonus goodies are on offer for some lucky people who SHARE our Facebook posts and Pinterest Pins.
• For International commenters: DecoArt has agreed to mail out three fab Media Paint sample packages to international bloggers as well. YAY! 

                     Ready for your trip around the world??? Let's get Hoppin!

Here's the artists who are taking part today:

Louise Crosbie (Scotland, UK)

Iliane de Fockert (Elly) (Niedersachsen, Germany)

Julia Stratford-Wright (Suffolk, UK)

Julie Robertson (UK)

Leadonna Kimmel (North Carolina, USA)

Angelica Stark (Hudiksvall, Sweden)

Debbie Cole (California, USA)

If you find one of the links doesn't work, simply click on the blog header or look for 'Home'. Broken links will be mended as soon as possible throughout the day.

The Official Rules are here.

For my second project, I've used this Frantage encrusted Jewel Kit in Teal along with the stamp and stencil set shown here - both are by Stampendous:

I know I made a tag yesterday, but I couldn't resist making another with that lovely dress form stamp! I was listening to some old music whilst creating and a few David Bowie tracks came on - you'll see how one of these inspired me when you scroll down:

Tag and lower section given two coats of DecoArt gesso (old style!)

Stencil some numbers randomly on the tag using DecoArt Media Modelling Paste (not shown). Leave to dry. Colour the tag using the shades shown in a random but blended fashion.

Die cut the edge of the lower tag piece. Add pieces of Washi tape randomly to the project.

Using the stencil supplied free in the Stampendous set, add DecoArt titanium white fluid acrylic with a stippling action. Keep the stencil in place and stamp one of the fabric texture images over the white area using chosen shades of DecoArt fluid acrylic paints. Scroll down for method:

Add stamped texture to lower edge.

I used the DecoArt Tinting Base with my chosen colours to ensure that the custom colour I created was permanent. Always use a brush to create a thin layer of paint on your craft mat. Tap the stamp lightly onto the paint a few times then apply to your project. Clean stamp immediately to avoid dry paint clogging the stamp.

Colour the naked edges of the die cut edge with chosen colour.

Die cut a label plate and create desired finish using the products shown.

Prepare a painted scrap of card for the label plate and add label made using label maker - I've done mine on clear tape so the background shows through.Add painted brads before attaching the label plate to the tag extension. Apply some mica flakes from the Stampendous set.

Loving those mica flakes from Stampendous!
The tag extension is held in place with some pieces of cotton tape which have been coloured with the DecoArt Media fluid acrylic colours.

DecoArt Media Interference paint has been added here and there to add a wonderfully subtle sheen - I LOVE this range of interference colours! Anybody recognised the Bowie track from my little labels yet??

Detailed image showing use of Stampendous Frantage encrusted jewel kit products. DecoArt Media Interference paint has been used on some of the embossed areas to subtly change their look. A stencil from another Stampendous stamp set was used to create the embossed circles.

Stamping detail showing paint effects underneath. The blue / green background was given a light coat of DecoArt Media Quinacridone Gold fluid acrylic - this changes the appearance of the colours in such a fab way!

The edges of the tag were sponged with some Prussian Blue fluid acrylic to frame the piece. Don't you just love how that Stampendous Frantage powder works? Another product I LOVE!

Some curled rusty wire and more coloured cotton tape finish the top of the tag.

Want to know which David Bowie track inspired me? Click HERE to have a listen!

Don't forget that Andy Skinner is also giving this gorgeous piece of work to one lucky blogger who comments on our blogs this week:

Could you find a home for this little beauty? If you want it, you'll have to visit everyone in the hop and leave a comment!

Thanks so much to everyone who left such wonderful comments for my project yesterday - it's much appreciated!