Its a Gelli print...

.... but not as we know it... well it is... sort of - these are pages in my journal that I've covered in the underpapers that are on my desk when Gelli printing.. rolling my brayers on it to remove paint, or make a gelli print to clean the plate... sometimes they're just too nice/interesting to throw away..

These first two are my 'favourites', I really like the print of the mask (stencilgirlproducts.com) I was using...

I haven't put them in a journal - I can't decide what to do with them... I don't want to 'spoil' them - which is ridiculous because they are junk papers! Meant to be spoiled!

These next two are the result of rolling my brayer on the underpaper to clean it...

I am kicking myself that I didn't take a photo of the underpapers glued onto the pages below before I stenciled the numbers on!  The background is lots of ghost/clean-up gelli prints.  I really like how the big numbers look so prominent against the background.... and everything looks more interesting with paint splats!

(The number stencil is Donna Downey, doily stencils is The Crafters Workshop, spots are bubble wrap)

Using the underpapers is a great way to add immediate interest to a journal spread.. and if its too bold, pale, or the wrong colour simply add another layer of interest - with stencils or stamping or a colour wash.

x

ALBOTAT: Life is good, Live it

.. is the mantra on this recent art journal spread

Starting on an existing spread of pale blue I clouded over it with a slightly darker blue before using: Stencils:  Stencil Girl's Marrakech stencil (L177), The Crafters Workshop Mini Circle Grid (TCw203S), Stamps:  JM54 (alphabet block), JM 49 (mini flowers), big flower, text and mini circle clusters are JOFY45.
The grey letters are foam, American Crafts - I really like the dimension of these letters but they made working in the rest of the journal a bit of a challenge! - The journal's pages aren't flat anymore!  But the letters are worth it!

Weekend in Warwickshire....

... teaching workshops at Pink Tulip Creations ... such a fun weekend with lively groups of 16/17 inky painty peeps - they might not have been inky painty when they arrived, but they were by the time they left!

Learning about Fresco Finish paints, including the yummy new colours! and creating a canvas (full photo is here)...
It was a great weekend - the shop was full of lovely stock, nice airy classroom area... and lovely people - thank you Sheila and the team!  Look forward to seeing you all again in October!
Brace yourselves- I'm bringing Christmas!!!

On the way to dinner I saw some 'proper' gypsies camped at the side of the road - Romany Gypsies with round topped wood caravans - and countless ponies (all in v good condition) - that was a treat for me to see but apparently quite common in and around Warwickshire ... its times like that I realise what a townie I am!  Our 'gypsies/travellers' in Essex come with 4x4s and permanent caravans! Not quite the same thing!

I have also rethought my relationship with the satnav - we were getting on well... until on the way home it took me OVER the M40 (the motorway I arrived in Warks on) and across the country to the M1!! and its queues of traffic!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY! WHY WHY WHY!!  stupid machine! lol  but I was home in time for Downton Abbey so that's OK! lol  (so, Downton Abbey - anyone else spend most of the episode trying to remember what had happened to everyone at the end of the last series? lol no, just me and mrjofy then! lol)

Taking the time...

... to play helps to learn/discover new things- and any mistakes along the way help to learn even more (that's what I think anyway- and that you learn something new every day- whether its big or small)

This little panel is something I made from bits I found on the desk when I was clearing up (there is always something (or rather lots of things) left on the desk...

I've been trying to only use one stamp set each time I create a sample (these stamps are from JOFY11, and, oops, the words are from JOFY09) (it's a hard plan to stick to- I want to use all the stamps! lol)
I liked making little signs out of the phrase- another way to add the phrase to a piece.
The base is die cut from the mover&shaper cabinet die (again - I told you yesterday that I like it! lol)  painted with Fresco Finish Crackle Glaze, Paints, stenciling (Crafters Workshop), and JOFY stamps (well it'd be rude not to! lol)  The piece is quite small (I like to make dinky little things) the card is 10x7.5cm - the signs give it extra height.
BTW other projects using the stamps go take a look the PA blog - Leandra and the Guest Contributors have been creating some great projects... go here

I'm off to make demo samples ready for Sunday at The Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show at AllyPally - I'll be on the PaperArtsy stand - hope to see you there...

Could it be any more shabby chic...

.... possibly not...  I'm talking about this tag that I made to get an idea out of my head before I started something with a deadline..don't get me wrong - I don't mind a bit shabby chic, not at all

Love this birdcage stencil and have wanted to use it with my stamps for ages - I wasn't going to use it like this but I was also impatient to use the new (rather fab) PaperArtsy Grunge paste:... oh and some treasure gold.....

... and look - I stamped in a colour other than black!  drum roll please!  I like the 'no black stamping' - its definitely softened the look of the piece...

OK, back to creating 'stuff'....

Oh, and by the way Mad Men is back on our screens (here in the UK) tomorrow!! Soooooo looking forward to it - can.not.wait!!

ACP Week 6, part 2: Ssshhh, don't show my Valentine...

This post was supposed to load up yesterday - last day of red & cream.. but hey ho - it didn't, so today's the day:

A card for my beloved (my 'good catch' - his words not mine, tho I obviously agree  lol) for Valentines day - but ssshhh lets keep it just between you and me that I've put a picture of his card on here before I give it to him (lol) but I think I'm safe to do so as he's really busy at work at the moment (too busy to be on the www looking at stuff...)(hopefully! lol)

I created a heart stencil using a nestabilities die and layered it up with some tiny sequin waste - or maybe its punchinella - not sure as it was given to me - I like it a lot though. 

I like creating my own stencils - cutting them from a drawing or using dies.

I hope you're all getting along ok in the snow - its certainly hanging around isn't it!

Take care