Celebration at ABAC. . . . . .

The very first challenge blog which gave me a DT position was the hugely creative Anything But A Card and I still have a very soft spot for them. When Susan asked me if I would contribute to their final challenge post, there was no way I could let her down! Most good things come to an end at some time or another and that's where ABAC now find themselves. I'm sure all the wonderfully talented DT will move onto pastures new. 

The theme for their final challenge is Celebration. I went for a favourite thing I like to make - a tag! I always enjoyed the freedom ABAC allows its' designers for their projects so decided to edge slightly towards the darker side with a skull even though it's not Halloween! I cut the tag from an existing Gelli Plate print and here's how it ended up:

A Gelli plate print is altered with DecoArt media fluid acrylic, Inktense pencils and a little machine stitching. Here's how the print looked originally: 

Several stencils were used to create the image along with DecoArt Fluid Acrylic in Cerulean Blue. 

The whole tag was given a coat of Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide (DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic). You can see in this image how it changes the blue gelli print. 

Sections of the print are embellished with a black Inktense pencil. Shading and line extension can also be seen. 

A teal green Inktense pencil is added to various sections of the print to alter the original blue print. 

On the left, a stencil and pencil is used to create square shapes. Black machine stitching can be seen on top of the pencil - just!! 

Black rub-on letters are used for the wording. Love how the stencils create shapes within shapes. 

I hope you like my rather quirky Celebration tag! Make sure you pop over to Anything But A Card to see the wonderful creations from members of the DT. Susan: thanks for asking me and for running such a fab challenge blog! 

Time Flies. . . . . .

Good morning everyone. It's time for a new challenge at Stamps & Stencils today. Our host is the lovely Yvonne and here's what she has to say:

'Time Flies................ is our new challenge theme. For this challenge we would like to see clocks/ watches/ or any time related element as a focus on your project. Remember we are a mixed media challenge blog and we would like you to include some stamps and stencilling'.

I wanted to use another of my gelli print backgrounds so first I selected one that had a vague link to clocks - well, it has a number of circles on it so I figured that would work for me! Here's the gelli plate print I cut into a tag shape:

I felt the colours needed something else and I wanted to get rid of the white areas so out came the trusty Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide by DecoArt (Media fluid acrylic range) and a layer was added but wiped away in some areas:

I love the way the colours warm up and the white areas change completely.

Next, some stamping to bring the areas of the gelli design together into a more cohesive unit:

I find Archival ink works really well on acrylic paint but it does need a little blast from a heat gun.

Detail shot to show how the stamping just ties things together.

For the time element, a weathered clock and hands is die cut from foam board. A coat of gesso is added followed by a layer of Texture Sand Paste which is roughly applied with a brush.

When dry, the clock is painted with a mixture of Silver and Dark Grey Value 3 Media Fluid Acrylics. I forgot to take a picture of this and the next step sorry! A coat of Quinacridone Gold mixed with a little Carbon Black is then added.

This image shows how the clock and hands look after the coat of quinacridone gold and carbon black. The blue shading in the background has been applied to the gelli print using a pencil to add extra definition.

The hands are layered and 'held' with a tiny black gem.

To continue the 'Time' theme, a well known phrase is added using rub on letters. I really like how these work and I'm looking forward to playing with some printable transfer paper which acts like a rub on.

A faux screw brad is aged with a little colour and applied over the tag hole.

The gelli print was created with DecoArt acrylics and stamps by Stampendous.

The edges of the tag are sponged with a little Carbon Black Media acrylic to frame the piece.

I hope you like my slightly quirky 'Time' based piece! Please do go over and see the wonderful work by the other ladies on the DT.  You'll find them at Stamps & Stencils - you won't be disappointed I promise!

 It's your turn now. Please do try to join in won't you? We have worked hard to develop this blog (after an abrupt ending for us elsewhere!) and we'd love to see you playing along with us from time to time.

Thanks for your visit. x