Out of my Comfort Zone…………..BIG TIME!

When I was lucky enough to win the fab blog candy that Trish had up for grabs recently I was really panicking about what I had gotten myself into.

Getting myself messy with paint seriously isn’t my thing and the nearest I’ve come to Acrylics was way back in 2008 when I had a go at a chipboard cover for some glass slides I had painted.


Still, I did win this fabulous prize and I was determined to give it a go, so yesterday afternoon I sat myself in front of my computer screen and watched the DVD from start to finish.




It has step by step instructions for three amazing projects as well as a glimpse of some for Trish’s favorite pieces that she’s made and it was very inspiring to say the least, so no sooner than it had finished, I was at my table with canvas, paints and stamps at the ready.


Who would have thought that ‘slapping’ some paint onto a canvas could be so scary, Lol!

But two hours (and very messy hands) later I had this little creation in front of me.

I can’t take credit for the design really because I was following Trish’s direction on the DVD but the stamp I’ve used is different and comes from The Artistic Stampers Twenties Plate, so it’s not a down and out copy of her work.

I might have overdone the amount of paint I’ve put on it, as it looks rather thick to me, so maybe I should have sponged it on rather than use my fingers first time round but I’m still quite happy with it I think.


You should really go have a look over at Ink, Paint, Beads and see Trish’s creations for yourself because they are all amazing.

Thanks again Trish for the fab prize and for adding another string to my crafting bow.

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday Year 3 (#105)

Well, what an exciting week it’s been.

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday has celebrated its 2nd birthday with a worldwide PIF (that’s a Pay it Forward of gifts for those not in the know) and it’s all thanks to Julia over at the Stamping Ground.  And because it was such a special week I even made a big effort and managed to get round to everyone for the first time, but I think it will be a one off because it took forever and a day. 
I admire you girls who manage it every week but I'm afraid I'll be going back to my random visits, by looking to see what number I am on the blog list and then visit everyone who's number ends in the same one as mine. That works well for me and it usually means that I visit different people each week.

Anyway, emails have been flying backwards and forwards us we've all been waiting with bated breath for Mr. (or Mrs.) Postie to deliver our awaited treasures.

I’m pleased to report that my wait ended yesterday when a little surprise dropped onto my doormat and inside was this lovely little card and pretty mini wooden tray/hanger from the very talented Ali.

Thank you so much Ali, it’s absolutely gorgeous!

I love that each of the little sections behind the flowers and the bird are covered in what must be hundreds of tiny little blue seed beads that make such a lush and sparkly backing and if you look closely at the picture of my desk this week you can see it hanging from the shelf where it will live until I find somewhere better (and safer) to hang it.

I think it’s also safe to show you gifts and cards I made to send to Teresa and Julia and it’s very strange because I used the exact same colours as Ali did for my gift.

I’ve made them both wall hangings that are the same, but different.

This one’s Teresa’s:

And this one’s Julia’s:

I can’t actually take full credit for the design because the idea came from a class I did at a local craft shop last year.
Mind you, I didn’t have all the materials we used in the class so I’ve had to improvise.
The first thing was the canvas for the base.
Julia’s one was fine but when I came to do Teresa's one do you think I could find a square canvas the size I wanted, not on your life. In the end I had the idea of covering a chipboard square with canvas photo paper and it worked perfectly. I also had to use the canvas paper again on one of the smaller squares and was worried that it wouldn’t emboss properly but that
worked out fine too.

They were great projects to work on and it was fun getting messy with alcohol and distress inks, as well as playing with metal and embossing folders. Throw into the mix some acrylic paint and beads and you can imagine what my desk was looking like on that day, suffice to say, you couldn’t see it Lol!

The cards I made to go with them were both the same.

I’m loving these easel fold cards at the moment, so thought I would have a go at a different shape. As you can see, I’ve based the design on the wall hangings.

So back to my desk this week and on it you can see the working of a card I’ve made for the Daring Cardmaker’s challenge this week. You can see the finished card Here.

The only other thing that might be of some interest is my big box of eye shadows. They were a bargain buy after Christmas a couple of years ago from Superdrug and I use them as chalks. The colours are great because they are real dusky shades and not colours that I’ve ever seen in chalks.

Well, that’s it from me and I’m sorry that this turned out to be a long and picture heave post but I had so much I wanted to share with you all.

Have a great day and…………
Happy Crafting!
Sue
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