Mixed Up Challenge - Cork

Hello! If you've found your way here from the Mixed Up mag blog - welcome to our first challenge! If you didn't, then check out the challenge here - there's a great prize of a big bundle of chipboard from I Kropka to be won.

The theme is 'Cork', so for my contribution I thought I'd have a go at creating some DIY stamps from wine corks. I may have a few lying around.....

Cork is a bit flaky (like me!), so you can't be too precise with it. It has a tendency to do what it likes, to split and fracture - so go with it. Abstract is the way forward!

I used a lino cutting tool to create these two 'stamps' - on one I gouged out some channels and on the other kind of 'scooped' out little areas by twisting the tool in a circular motion. You can also use a craft knife, which will give you neater results. Two lovely mark making tools - for FREE! Can't be bad!

I used both stamps on my ATC, which is just a bit of scrap from a Gelli print, finished with a Stampotique image and a phrase from one of my printables (coming to the Mixed Up mag website soon).

Can't wait to see what you make for the challenge!

Katy x

ATC Triptych for DecoArt Media

I've got a video to share today using DecoArt product which shows you a couple of different ways you can make use of your stencils. This is a variation on a make-&-take project I originally created for the Ministry of Mixology retreat last year. It uses chipboard ATCs from Tando as they are nice and sturdy and don't mind the layers of wet media.

Products used:
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Cobalt Teal Hue, Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Pyrrole Red, Metallic Silver
DecoArt Media Gesso - White
DecoArt Media Tinting Base
DecoArt Americana Decou-page - Matte
DecoArt Andy Skinner Stencils: Halftone, Timewarp
Stampendous Andy Skinner stamps: Curiosity, Handle with Care
Stampendous Frantage: Pearlised Mica Flake
Tando Creative: ATCs
Chipboard heart, metal embellishment and washi tape

Thanks for stopping by!
Katy x

Get Cracking Challenge for That's Crafty!

Liking this That's Crafty challenge muchly as I do like my crackle! I've used a couple of crackle mediums on this little ATC plus an Andy Skinner crackly stamp, for good measure! I used a chipboard ATC as it can take all the wet mediums without complaining!

Sorry I didn't get step pics (too dark at 3am!!!) but here's how I created it.

1) Prime the ATC with gesso then paint in Cobalt Teal Hue - this is the colour that will show through the cracks.

2) For the crackle on the background I used Andy Skinner's Mega Crackle technique for which you can find a video here. Apply Weathered Wood and let dry completely, Mix Crackle Paint with a small amount of Metallic Gold paint and paint over the dry Weathered Wood, leave to crack.

3) Add some stencilling using Cobalt Teal Hue mixed with Tinting Base to make it more opaque. Add stamping in Coffee and black inks.

4) Paint a piece of card with Crackle Paint and when dry paint in Pyrrole Red. Stamp with the heart (Darcy). Add a wash of Metallic Gold over the top and cut out.

5) Add the heart and embellishments to the ATC.

If you haven't used them I'd really encourage you to play and experiment with them, as they are great fun to use and you can create quite a variety of effects. 

PS: If you've enjoyed this you might like this video which also uses DecoArt crackle products :). And hearts for that matter!

Katy x

Products used - available from That's Crafty:

That's Crafty chipboard ATC

DecoArt Media: Crackle Paint, Gesso White, Tinting Base

DecoArt Weathered Wood
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Cobalt Teal Hue, Metallic Gold, Raw Umber, Pyrrole Red

Archival Inks: Jet Black, Coffee

PaperArtsy Eclectica Darcy stamps: EDY01

Stampendous Andy Skinner stamps: Industrial, Shabby Chic, Steampunk

That's Crafty Dinky Stencil: 003 Circles

Disobeying the Rules!

Andy Skinner might have words with me about this post - I've been using (and abusing!) his fabulous DecoArt Media products in ways that they should not be again! Today, I present to you what not to do with Crackle Paste! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the effect (sorry Andy!).

So the premise behind this project is that you're not really supposed to heat set Crackle Paste, so Mr Skinner says. So the small rebellious child in me wants to know WHY!? Here's why - it bubbles and blisters and pops and makes a stunningly grungy mess! Oh yes!

I originally pulled out the Crackle Paste for the latest Country View Crafts challenge - and I have used it, if not in the conventional way, so I am still entering!

Here's how I created my ATC:

1) Apply Crackle Paste through a stencil onto an ATC. You want a THIN layer - thick paste gives you big bubbles - to get the 'volcanic' texture you want lots of small to medium bubbles.

TIP: I used a chipboard ATC from Tando Creative - this background gets HOT and the chipboard base is much sturdier and able to take the abuse than paper or card. My stencil is from TCW.

2) Heat that sucker up - working while it's still wet. Hold the heat gun close to get lots of heat in there but move it around a bit so you don't scorch any areas. Continue heating until it stops making popping and cracking noises! (You have no idea how fun this is!!!!)

3) Paint with Cobalt Teal Hue, Blue Green Light and Green Gold paints, mixing a little. Work the paint into the texture. I also added some Metallic Lustre over the texture.

4) When dry, start to add interest to the background to highlight the texture. Use an Andy Skinner stamp with black permanent ink to stamp over the background. Add touches of orange paint in some of the cracks with a small brush. Dry brush the texture with black and then white gesso. Edge the ATC with black gesso,

5) I further added to the background with more touches of orange and some extra stamping in both black and white. I painted a piece of card in yellow mixed with a touch of orange and stamped the star (Dina Wakley) onto it. I then roughly sponged on some 'neat' orange paint to add texture. I finished the ATC with the stamped word. You'll need to adhere the star with hot glue or gel glue as the background is very lumpy and bumpy.

PS - I also tried this technique with gesso and it does work - but you don't get as dramatic an effect and you don't get the bubbles 'exploding' to make craters as the texture is more elastic/less brittle than working with the Crackle Paste.

I hope you've enjoyed my - ahem - experiments today! Thanks for stopping by.

Katy x

Products used:

DecoArt Media - Gesso White, Gesso Black, Crackle Paste

DecoArt Meda Fluid Acrylics - Cobalt Teal Hue, Green Gold, Cadmium Orange Hue, Hansa Yellow Light, Blue Green Light

DecoArt Metallic Lustre - Brilliant Turquoise
Stampendous Andy Skinner Stamp Set - Toxic
Dina Wakley Stamps (I don't know the name as I chucked the packet! But it's the star and word)
Black and white inkpads

Fear........

Something a little dark today.... Without getting overly personal, I've come to realise over time that I have an almost paralysing fear of the unknown. Even to the point I like to know exactly what time a visitor will arrive..... Anyway.... enough of the workings of my dysfunctional brain! Onto the art!

I got this stamp with my winning voucher from a recent Stampotique challenge (thank you Stampotique!). It's called 'A Single Tear' and I really love it! The background is created with two of my fave DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic colours - Cobolt Teal Hue and Green Gold. Yum! I layered die cuts and added some light stamping before adding the focal image with foam pads.

A simple make but am pleased with how striking she is; mostly due to that gorgeous stamp!

Katy x

Lovely Leftovers

Recently I've been making an effort to use the scraps on my desk when I finish a project and today's make is one of those creations.

This ATC was made from the bits and bobs left over from this project.

In planning for my card I stamped a whole load of images to use for the collaged elements on the cover. So I used those images to create the ATC above. The background is stamped with a postcard image and then simply layered with a variety of stamped images from Rubber Dance. Simple but I think quite effective.

I'll be sharing another leftovers make later this week :).

Thanks for visiting,

Katy x

I used these awesome Rubber Dance stamps:

Envelope Stamps

Vintage Postcard

Travel

Collage Elements 1