Memory Lane - Mixed Media Art Journal

Hello lovelies!

I have so many lovely old photo's of my family, it is so nice to be able to look at them and think about the history that goes with them. I decided to start an Art Journal to use these beautiful photo's. Of course the start of the Journal is the front cover. So, using mixed media techniques I have picked out a beautiful photo of my mum as a little girl. I have co-ordinated the colour scheme of my project to match the photo.

I subscribe to CRAFT BOX which is a monthly craft box subscription. All the lace, embellishment's, flower's and SNIP ART is from the February Box.

The other material's I have used are...

- Finnabair Clear Gesso

-Cosmic Shimmer Glue

- Cosmic Shimmer Matt Chalk Paint's in shades Pink Dusk, Citron, Warm White

- White Ecoline Paint

- Tim Holtz Bubble Stencil

- That Craft Place Heart Stencil

- Distress Ink Vintage Photo 

I really enjoyed creating this mixed media piece. It is so lovely to look back at these old photo's.

Thank you for stopping by to see my project.

Have fun and happy crafting,

lot's of love

Nicola

XXX

Bead Box Tutorial Over At That Craft Place

Hello lovelies!

It's my turn for a tutorial over at 

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

I've decorated a wooden box to create this lovely 

Bead Box

To see my tutorial for this box hop over to 

THAT CRAFT PLACE BLOG 

Happy Crafting,

Lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at the challenge blog

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

The theme is

'Anything Goes'.

I have chosen to do an MDF project this time. 

The lovely MDF heart wreath is of course from 

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

I have painted this using Crackle Paint's.

I have embellished with Petal Lu flower's and an ornate butterfly and a vintage brooch.

I haven't gone into too much detail about my product list and how I've decorated this lovely heart wreath, because if you pop over to THAT CRAFT PLACE BLOG on Wednesday 20th January I have done a tutorial with the product list and step by steps. I would love you to see how I decorated this so remember to hop over on that day!

Don't forget that on Facebook too you can join  

THAT CRAFT PLACE NATTER AND CHATTER GROUP 

THAT CRAFT PLACE GROUP 

Hop over to the challenge blog to see lot's more gorgeous design team inspiration.

I am entering my heart wreath into the challenge over at 

PETAL LU - ANYTHING GOES

Have fun and happy crafting,

lot's of love 

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

The theme this week is 

Mixed Media - Anything Goes

For my project this time I have used an MDF Christmas sign from

That Craft Place 

I love this sign, it makes a lovely Christmas decoration.

I painted the words using a red acrylic paint.

The stars are painted using Cosmic Shimmer Crackle Paint in Saffron.

The snowflakes I have used Cosmic Shimmer Sparkle Texture Paste Icicle Blue. 

I also used Distress Ink Fired Brick, to rub over some of the stars.

I embellished with berries, santa hats, twine and mini pegs.

My finished sign is now hanging in my Christmas window display at work.

We would love to see your mixed media creations for this challenge.

Hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

to see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration.

Have fun and happy crafting,

lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

The challenge this time is Mixed Media 

As it's nearly that 'spooky' time of year, I decided to decorate one of the fabulous MDF Haunted Houses from 

That Craft Place 

Now, Halloween isn't really my thing lol, but I tried my best! I even added the dreaded spider. For someone who has a spider phobia, this is a massive achievement lol. 

I hope it look's spooky enough!

The lovely crafty goodies I've used from

That Craft Place  

MDF House - Halloween Grab Bag - Witches Hat - Greyboard Skeletons - Graphic 45 Rare Oddities Paper Pad - Stencils - Cosmic Shimmer Gilding waxes - Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Inks - Acrylic Paints - Cosmic Shimmer Cosmic Twinkles - Cosmic Shimmer Texture Paste

I've used Skeleton leaves draping over one of the roof's and I've used Angelina Fibres to the grassy effect at the base and to drape over the house to give an eerie look to it.

I usually do pretty, not scary! LOL 

I hope this is scary enough for halloween...OOoooooooOOoooo SCREAM!

Don't forget to hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

and see the rest of the gorgeous design team inspiration.

Don't forget also That Craft Place have a group on Facebook where you can shop for your gorgeous crafty supplies...

That Craft Place Facebook Group 

There is also a group for you to share your creations using items from That Craft Place

That Craft Place Natter and Chatter 

You will also find lot's of new release digi stamps at 

That Craft Place - Etsy Shop 

Hope you have a happy and not too scary halloween!

Have fun,

lots of love

Nicola

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...Anything Goes

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at the

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

 Today is my birthday. So, with this in mind, my design team mixed media project is a little gift to myself for my craft room. My favourite colour is pink, so I have made a gift set using this as the dominant colour. 

Sssh...let's whisper quietly, I'm 44 today! It's just a number, who cares? LOL

Anyway, I have made this gift set, which would be ideal for any of your crafty friends to make for. You could just enjoy making it for yourself too, like I have done!

The lovely products I have used from 

That Craft Place 

are...

Cotton reel ~ Gesso ~ Texture Paste ~ Cosmic Shimmer Paints in shades Pink Plum & Gold Lime ~ Petal Lu Flowers..Pinks ~ Pink Stamens ~ Imagination quote from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection ~ Large Peg ~ MDF Butterfly ~ Cosmic Shimmer Sparkle Texture Paste ~ Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Blending Ink Decadent Grape ~ Tag from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection ~ MDF Ovals ~ MDF Heart ~ Letters from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection ~ 6x6 Stencil ~ Collall 3D glue ~ Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue

Other materials from my crafty stash...

Pink Straw ~ Pink Lace ~ Selection of pins ~ Pink Beads - Pink Satin Ribbon ~ 3 gems

How I made the...

Cotton Reel ~

I painted with white gesso. Then painted with the Cosmic Shimmer Paints. I cut the straw down and then poked it into the middle securing into place. Then wrapped lace around the reel, glued the pink stamens into place along with the beads and flowers. Finally tucking the pins into place and finishing off with the 'Imagination' quote.

MDF Ovals ~

Paint both ovals with gesso. The larger oval paint with the pink paint. Lay the stencil over the smaller oval and brush over Texture Paste. Lift the stencil off carefully and leave to dry. Once dry, use a small paint brush and paint over the raised pattern using the Gold Lime paint around the edges and the Pink Plum in the centre. Leave to dry.

Once dry, paint over the whole thing with the Sparkle Texture Paste. Leave to dry. Ink around the edges using the Colour Cloud Blending Ink. Glue the ovals together. Colour the MDF heart with the paints and ink. Glue to the centre. Glue the letters LOVE to the bottom of the small oval. Tie a ribbon and lace bow and glue to the top of the oval. To finish add a flower and secure some ribbon at the back to create a hanger.

Peg ~

Paint with gesso. Paint all over with the Pink Plum. Leave to dry. Paint on the Gold Lime paint using sweeping brush stroke motions to create a random contrasting look. 

When dry, paint over with the Sparkle Texture Paste. Leave to dry thoroughly. Glue pink lace and ribbon in place to create a cascading effect. Glue the pink stamens to the bottom and add a flower centre. Glue two flowers at the top. Paint the MDF butterfly with the paints, apply sparkle texture paste, then when dry ink with Colour Cloud ink. Add 3 gems to the middle. Glue onto the ribbon. Finally thread the small fairy tag with ribbon and glue into place.

I'm over the moon with this gift set!

It is now sitting pretty in my craft room!

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

Don't forget to hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge 

to see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration! We would love to see your entries for the Mixed Media Anything Goes Challenge.

That Craft Place 

also have a FaceBook group called

That Craft Place Natter and Chatter 

We would love you to join. Lot's of crafty inspiration in the group.

 Don't forget also you can buy from That Craft Place on Facebook too. Lot's of lovely product's to choose from.

Happy Crafting

lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge - Mixed Media...A Little Bit Of Love...

Hello lovelies and welcome to my blog, I hope you enjoy your visit today!

It's time for another great challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

The challenge theme is

'MIXED MEDIA - ANYTHING GOES'.

The perfect opportunity to get all inky and messy!

I have used an MDF heart for my project from 

That Craft Place 

I love using MDF pieces, the quality from That Craft Place is just amazing. I love also how you can take a plain shape and turn it into something beautiful!

So, here is a list of the fab goodies I used...

Available from That Craft Place 

MDF Heart, 3 small MDF hearts, MDF Love banner, MDF Love tag, Gesso, Texure Paste, Stencils, Cosmic Shimmer Crackle Paints in shades Jade Mint & Heather, Distress Inks in shades Cracked Pistachio & Shaded Lilac, Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder Ancient Copper, Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue

From my own crafty stash

Metallic Gilding Wax in shades Patina & Vintage Plum, Distress Embossing Ink, Mica Flakes, Various embellishment's..I've used a metal heart charm, Prima flowers, string, pearl string, and 3 purple flowers that I made for a previous project using UTEE and a mould, Sakura gelly roll pen, Pearl Ex Pigment Powders in shades Sparkling Copper, Antique Copper, Duo Green Yellow, Spring Green. 

Paint the MDF pieces with Gesso, leave to dry.

Use the texture paste with the stencils over the heart. Leave to dry.

Use the small diamonds stencil with the texure paste over the small hearts. Leave to dry.

Paint the larger heart and banner with Jade Mint, wipe excess paint off the word LOVE with a cotton bud. Paint the other pieces off MDF with Heather paint. Leave to dry thoroughly until the cracks appear.

Use a sponge to blend Cracked Pistachio onto the larger heart and banner. Use the same technique with the Shaded Lilac on the small hearts and tag. This will show off the cracks even more.

Randomly rub the gilding waxes over the heart and other pieces. Use kitchen roll to buff the waxes.

Dab the embossing ink over areas of the MDF pieces, sprinkle over the embossing powder and heat until melted.

Apply glue to areas of each of the MDF pieces, then sprinkle over the Mica Flakes. Press into the glue and leave to dry.

Thread the tag, banner and heart with string and pearl string. Glue the banner and tag into postition. Use the gelly roll pen and go over the LOVE word. Glue a Prima flower at the end of the banner and use an embellishment in the middle. Thread the heart charm with string and pearls and glue into place. Glue the UTEE flowers and hearts as shown.

Add the powders into 4 ink sprayers and carefully spray random areas of the heart to create a slight shimmer. Then use a small brush to pick up the Pigment powders and use at the bottom of the heart and around the top edges. Use a larger brush to lightly brush away excess powder.

Finally, here you have your finished result!

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial on how to create this beautiful mixed media altered heart.

Hop over to the challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

to see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration!

Have fun creating,

lots of love Nicola 

XXX