Thursday 23 April 2015

Spring into Stencils

Hello and welcome! I'm so pleased to have a special post today as I am the lucky Guest Designer over at the wonderful Frilly and Funkie challenge blog (on foot of my win for my creation here).

When I was invited to be Guest Designer I was delighted to learn that the theme to work to was 'Stencil Mania'. I find it difficult to make anything now without using stencils so this is right up my alley. Using several stencils I've made a card showing a little Springtime scene...


All the papers are by Maja Design. The window, window box and iron fence are all diecut using Sizzix / Tim Holtz dies. The diecut bird is from a Memory Box die. Foliage is done using Tim Holtz and Marianne dies.

There seems to be quite a blitz in blogland at the mo for DecoArt products so I'm joining in by painting the diecut chipboard window with DecoArt paint in 'Light Buttermilk'. Once dry, I applied DecoArt 'One Step Crackle' (best crackle medium there is imho) to the window and the window box. In no time at all the lovely crackles appeared and I then rubbed some distress inks into the cracks using a babywipe.

For the window 'pane' I applied texture paste through a Wendy Vecchi 'vintage quilt' stencil onto heat resistant acetate. Using the technique outlined by Tim Holtz in his March tag I magically turned the paste silver for a faux 'leaded window' effect. (The trick is to sprinkle embossing powder onto the texture paste before it dries. Then once the paste is fully dry heat it with your heat gun and the embossing powder will transform into your colour of choice). Simples! If you havn't heat embossed acetate before take care with static and handling. Use a narrow brush to disperse any stray flecks of embossing powder before you start to heat.

As further window decoration I made a faux window blind that I've stencilled with Tim Holt's 'gothic' stencil by just blending distress ink through the stencil.

On the background I've again applied texture paste through Tim's 'latticework' stencil and a Memory box 'tessatina' stencil to add extra interest. Lightly dabbed a variety of distress inks over the raised paste to add colour and then went and covered most of it up with window and fence diecuts!

The window box was also given some crackle treatment and attached using double layers of tape. I've placed some dried moss and little resin roses into the window box to make it pretty. Crackle medium was also coated onto both birds.

The iron fence was painted and then aged using 'Brushed Pewter' stain and lightly dabbed with silver gilding wax. I also painted some honeycomb chipboard shapes in a pink shade and placed in corners. These helped to further raise the fence in the bottom corners. Finally, I fussy cut florals and butterflies from Maja Design papers and dotted around the little scene.

Thank-you so much to all the talented ladies at Frilly & Funkie for allowing me feature today as Guest Designer. It’s always a privilege to be associated with their challenge and one of my very favourite design teams. To have a chance to be 'Guest Designer' or to win a generous voucher for Linda's beautifully stocked Funkie Junkie Boutique why don't you grab some stencils and enter your creation here!

Enjoy the rest of your week and thank-you so very much for your visit,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
A Vintage Journey - Through the Looking Glass
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Due Date (my Guest Design slot had due date 21.4.15)
Inspiration Journal - Everything Goes
Craft for the Craic - Die-ing for Spring
Crafts for Eternity - Spring
Stamps and Stencils - Anything Goes
Creative Moments - Anything Goes - twist of Spring
Simply Create Too - No digis or stamped images
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Springtime Flowers

Monday 6 April 2015

Blues in Bloom

Greetings to you and thank-you for visiting. It's a beautiful sunny day here in Dublin - hope it is lovely where you are too.

Some of you will have seen before my take on altering a Tim Holtz configuration box. To see my earlier boxes take a peek here and here for more details on how I altered and decorated each box.

First of all, here is a shot of the box lid from my latest alteration:


All papers used are by Maja Design. The paper on top outer lid was embossed with a flourish texture fade to match the flourish pattern on the 4 metal idea-ology corners. The chipboard (by Wycinanka), just like the corners, has been painted white, and also has some blue frantage added. I stamped and gold embossed the sentiment and tucked it around the gate. The little messenger bird has been diecut from chipboard using Sizzix 'caged bird' die - he looks much better set free! Added floral elements - some from stash and some diecut. The cream embellishments are by Prima and the gold ones are by Nunn Design. Edges are inked with distress inks.

Here's another, fuller shot of the box.



Next snap shows the box front. I've used idea-ology feet that are also painted white. I adhered lace around the top rim. Also, stencilled some texture paste right around the box using Crafty Individuals 'leafy border' stencil. Sprinkled on distress glitter in clear rock candy while texture paste was still wet to add a little sparkle. Ran a loopy grosgrain ribbon around it too - the tiers remind me of a wedding cake. Diecut the chipboard 'lock' from Sizzix 'hardware findings' and added key by Maja Design. Affixed a little bow for extra prettiness.



Here it is from a side angle:



Now, let's look inside to see the scene on the inner lid. There's a little diecut bird (Memory Box) with a painted watering can. Again some Wycinanka chipboard that I've painted white with a dusting of blue frantage on the blossom. Also added some 'florals' both diecut and from stash, and little metal embellishments.


Now a twirl to view the right side of 'garden'.


Finally, a view of entire inside. All the compartments are painted white on the outside with the insides then lined with a selection of beautiful Maja Design papers.



As always, your visit and any comments you may leave are hugely appreciated. Enjoy the remainder of your Easter weekend.

Nicola x

I wish to enter box to the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday - A is for 'Altered' configuration box
Frilly and Funkie - Put a Ribbon on it!
Stamps and Stencils - Anything Goes
Live and Love Crafts - Signs of Spring
Crafty Cardmakers and More - Wings
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - April
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Things With Wings
Mixed Media World - Anything Goes