Almost Invisable

Morning Friends and Crafters, This will be my last blog post for a little while, I am having a little break and hope to join you again very soon. If I do have the opportunity to share any crafty news then of course I will. Today I am going to share a journal page I made for the launch of my Collection last month. It's a great page as it is but also gives you a wonderful opportunity to add to it later, with embellishments, journalling or decorating any way you choose.

You will Need:

Craftascope 'Trent' A5 Media Stencil

Craftascope 'Profile' A5 Media Stamp Set 1

Old Dictionary Pages

Creative Expressions Mat n Seal Decoupage Glue

Indigoblu Townhouse Teal Acrylic Paint

Indigoblu Bonfire Acrylic Paint

Clear Texture Paste

White Card for the Sentiment

Distress Ink Pad Black Soot

Pink Pig Journal 11 x 11 (White Paper)

Brayer

Step 1: Select some old dictionary pages, all the better is they have images on them as well as these add so much interest and depth to your page. Use the decoupage glue to secure them to your journal page. If they have aged and yellowing pages all the better and try to keep some of this.

Step 2:  Use a brush, a very small amount of white Gesso and a touch of water. You dont want to obliterate all of the colour and detail, just build layers.

Step 3: Use your Brayer to add the first light layer of Bonfire, it really doesn't take long to dry, then repeat with the Townhouse Teal, which really contrasts well. Build up a couple of layers like this, again dont be too heavy with it, You might want to add a little white if you do happen to add too much colour. Finish with a layer of the bonfire, but use very little paint. This all adds to the depth and texture of your project.

Step 4: With a palette knife to mix a little Townhouse Teal into your clear texture paste. You want the stenciled image to show but not jump off the page at you. Using the same colour in your paste blends it while adding more texture to your page.

Step 5: As the paste dries you will see the image shows much more.

Step 6: On some separate card add a little of the same colours, you can apply it with some scrunched copier paper or similar to give you some texture and tie it in with your page. When dry, stamp your sentiment in place with Versafine Black Ink, Then add a little Black Soot Distress Ink around the edges to make it stand off the page. Secure the sentiment to your page with some Tacky glue or for a little more dimension use the 3D glue gel.

Thank you ever so much for joining me today, and for following my recent Hochanda Journey, which I never thought would ever happen. It's been an amazing experience for me. I would like to thank each and every one of you, who bought the collection. I really hope you are having fun with them. I really would love to see your creations, so pleased o share them in the 'Craftascope Facebook group and pleased leave a review on Hochanda so others can see what you think.

If you would like to get your hands of the last few of my collection they are only available at Hochanda or via my Etsy site, a link is at the top of my blog (CRAFTSCOPE ETSY SHOP).

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

I hope you all have the most amazing Christmas with Family or Friends, however you will be spending it. Thats all from me now unless by some chance I do have the opportunity to share something with you. So for now Take care and Happy Crafting. Have fun!!!!

Double Mixed Media Journal page

Morning Friends and Crafters, the project I am sharing with you today is all about layering, it was really fun to do. Lots of stamping with all sorts of items, adding texture and lots of different layers to give the pages a real feel of dimension. The Funky Tree from Leonie makes another appearance as do some of the other stamps from her collections, as well as some statement stamps from AllandCreate. There's lots of colour used in this one from Indigoblu, Amsterdam Acrylics & Eco Green.

You will need: 

Craftascope 'Trent' A5 Media Stencil

Craftascope 'Profile' & 'Dolphin' A5 Media Stamp Collections 1 & 2

AALL&Create stamp selection

Leonie Pujol Stamps Selection, including Funky Tree.

Selection of Texture Stamps

Eco Green Acrylics

Amsterdam Acrylics

Indigoblu Acrylics

Gelly Roll Pens

Friendly Plastic

Pebeo Silver Gilding Wax

Selection of Rice Papers

Versafine Black Ink

Small, Medium and Large Bubble Wrap

Selection of lids (Different Sizes)

Brayer

White & Black Gesso

Round Epiphany Tool and Acrylic Cap or glossy accents

Step 1: HAVE FUN!!! Choose a selection of colours you like, here I've used Eco Acrylics in Blueberry, Mulberry, Light Blue and White. Add blobs across the pages and using an old store card or card, fingers or some sort of spreading tool, create swirls, spread out to make lovely patterns. On your glass mat, mix Blueberry with a little amount of black to deepen the colour. Dip your lids in this to create a series of circles around your pages in different sizes. Use a brush to give an edge to your page coming in from the edges in a sweeping motion to create some sort of frames project, (See Photo)

Step 2: Using the same colour as used for the background, now stamp with some texture stamps to add more depth. Take a contrasting colour and a brush to add a rough panel and some crosses or marks on your pages, this keeps the pages united. Deepen the colour a little either using some of the deeper Amsterdam Acrylic Green or a black and soften the lines a little. Don't worry if you go over some of the circles.

Step 3: Add some Indigoblu Townhouse Teal, which really contrasts with the lime green. Use this with the texture stamps as well, to really add to those layers.

Step 4: Take some medium Bubble wrap with the mulberry and blueberry, use a brayer to smooth colour onto the wrap and stamp on your pages one colour at a time. Use the 2nd generation of paint to to really let the underneath show through.

Step 5: Use the small bubble wrap now, in the same way as before but this time with the lighter blue.

Step 6: Take a stencil with even smaller circles and to add a touch of brightness and drama use the oranges from the Amsterdam Acrylics, they really let the background come through but give a lovely look too and give the pages a kick.

Step 7: Now for adding even more interest and layers to the page, this time with some rice paper, This still allows the background to show through slightly too which is great for more depth. Once dry use the bubble wrap and the same colors as before to soften and blend the edges.

Step 8: Next for some stamping, once the last layer is dry of course. Choose a selection that you like, here I have used allandcreate on both pages as a focal image and as a page edger along with some of Leonie's stamps, you really want to arrange your stamped images to draw the eye in and keep it on the page to see and take in all the details, rather than wonder off.

Step 9: Now fill most of the circles with white Gesso, this will make the colours in them pop more later and seem more vibrant. Leave a few that show off the wonderful background patterns made earlier. A little bit like windows.

Step 10: Try to use colours that you have used before to fill the circles, this keeps the page unified and stops it jarring. Once these are dry add some of the inspirational words and phrases, make up your own too by mixing the stamps, like I have here and shortening them for a totally different word. I've used Leonie's scribbled circles stamped on the page and coloured with gelly roll pens. I have stamped into friendly plastic with words and rubbed them over with silver gilding wax. Use a white gel pen to add detail around some of the circles. Finally when dry add 'Trent', position the stencil and ink through with Versafine Black ink.

Step 11: On a separate piece of card use your brayer and a couple of colours used in the pages to make a background.

Step 12: Stamp one of the small sentiments onto it and use the Epiphany tool and resin cap to make the cabochon. You could do this with a basic die and add glossy accents if you dont have the tool.

Step 13: Add this resin piece to one of the smaller circles on your page. In another stamp the profile stamp a couple of times. Use some inspiring words in some and some part stencils in some others, again to keep the pages unified and harmonious.

Step 14: To finish your piece add some highlights to your pages using a white gel pen.

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

My Collection is still available from Hochanda and they have kept the generous discounts and Flexi but I know there isn't a great deal left. I doubt I can restock due to minimums orders. 

It is also available on my Craftascope Etsy Shop, while there is stock available after my Hochanda Show.

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 
https://www.britishcraftawards.com/

I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial along with the finished pages I have shared with you today, Maybe you will have a go yourself, It would be great to see what you do with my collection. I hope you will pop by soon to see what I have to share with you. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Tough Tag

Morning Friends and Crafters. I had such a wonderful time at Hochanda. It was such a great show, Matt made me feel as relaxed as possible. The whole team at Hochanda made me feel right at home, very welcome and did everything they could to make it perfect. The set was staged to perfection, I met 'Magic Hands' in real life, I didn't even know they were attached to a person,lol Today, I thought I would share a tutorial for one of the show demos.

You will Need: 

Craftascope 'Trent' A5 Media Stencil

Craftascope 'Profile' A5 Media Stamp Collection 2

Eco Green Acrylic Paint Mulch and Clamshell or Similar  (Cream and Beige)

Brayer

Glass Mat or Gel Printing Plate 8 x 10''

8 x 4'' Tag

Crafters Companion Spray n Shine

Basic Rectangle Die (Approx 4 x 3'')

Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink

Versafine Black Ink

Black Fine Liner

White Gel or Posca Pen

Black Card

Step 1: Create the background. Use a Brayer to spread a little of one colour onto your matt or plate. Scrunch up some copier paper and remove some of the colour to create a pattern. The add your tag face down and smooth the back, peel away to lift the print. Do this with your second colour, you really dont need much paint for this at all, leave to dry. Cut your rectangle from copier paper, keep both parts. Spray with a little Stick n Spray and position onto your tag.

Step 2: Use a smoothie or similar to add the Distress Ink  all over the tag. The colour will highlight the texture from the acrylic resist. Rub over with a clean cloth or kitchen roll to remove any excess ink.

Step 3: Carefully position the outer rectangle and remove the inner. Next position the stencil and ink through with the black ink. Leave this to dry for 10 to 15 minutes to avoid any smudges.

Step 4: Remove the stencil to reveal.

Step 5: Remove the outer rectangle, make sure its dry, then remove any excess adhesive with a kitchen roll or similar.

Step 6: Use your black fine liner to add a deckled edge around the rectangle, highlighting the image.

Step 7: Mount your tag onto Black card, Stamp your words onto white card and cut them out individually. Rather than mount these, take your black and white pens and add some detail around them. The tag is now complete, it's great on it's own but would also look great added to a card or other project.

If you would like to get your hands of the last few of my collection they are only available at Hochanda or via my Etsy site, a link is at the top of my blog (CRAFTSCOPE ETSY SHOP).

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

Thank you ever so much for joining me today. I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial along with the finished project I have shared. I hope you will join me again very soon to see what else I have to share. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Rusty Journal Cover

Morning Friends and Crafters, A few days ago I shared a rusty project with you. Having experimented on the paper towel and creating a really nice piece I decided to take it a step further and make a cover for my Pink Pig journal. After discovering how well the rust works with stencils, it's opened up a whole new use for them. One tip for using them is to soak them overnight when using them in this way, just to make sure it all comes off.

You will Need:

Craftascope A5 Media Stencil 'Trent'

Craftascope A5 Media Stamp Set 1 'Dolphins'

Craftascope A5 Media Stamp Set 2 'Profile'

Clarity Mask 'Chain Link'

Black Texture Paste

Powertex Rusty Powder

Inventors Asylum Rust Spray** or 50/50 Vinegar and Water

Black Friendly Plastic

Boiling Water

Pebeo Silver Gilding Wax 

Scrap Denim (Old Jeans)

Black Gesso

White Gel Pen

**The Rust dye formula, will give you the choice of colour either bright or dark, bright giving the typical rusty look or dark giving a grayer shade. 

Step 1: The texture paste will need to dry so I recommend leaving this overnight, the details is excellent on the stencil and well worth the time. Spread the texture past through the stencil in various places, not to worry if you get smudges. Next add some Gesso here and there to creak a broken fame around the journal. The journal over has it's own texture as well so work keeping some of it clear.

Step 2: Once the cover is dry you can add some highlights with the gilding wax.

Step 3: Dip some friendly plastic in boiling water and stamp your words into it. Once cool highlight these with the silver wax also.

Step 4: Paint a selection of cogs with black Gesso, Then using the acrylics add a rusty look to them.

Step 5: Take your denim and spray with the vinegar mix or rust dye spray. Sprinkle the rust powder through the stencil. Repeat with sections of the chain link fence. Leave overnight, the denim holds the liquid well so you shouldn't need to re wet the fabric. Once dry brush off the excess, then use a needle to add the frayed details around the edges.

Step 6:Use Collall Tacky glue to secure the denim onto your journal.

Step 8: Use Glue Gel to arrange and secure your other elements to complete the project.

Thank you for joining me today, I really hope you have enjoyed the tutorial along with the finished piece. Please come by again to see what else there is to share with you. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Poppy Reflection and Remembrance

Morning Friends and Crafters, this year marks 100 Years since the guns fell silent in 1918, marking the end the 'The First World War'. Today I am sure we will all take the time to remember and reflect on all those who have fought and fallen in times of conflict. Hear is my card for today, as I also remember past members of the Family who never returned.

You Will Need:

Trent Media Stencil

Dolphin Stamp Set 1

Blazing Poppies fro Indigo Blu

Distress Oxide: Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Squeezed Lemonade

Amsterdam Acrylics Red & Green

Red Watercolours

Black Fine Liner

Ruler

Collall Tacky Glue

Archival Black Ink

Versafine Black Ink

Watercolour Card 6 x 9''

Step 1: Create your background using a large acrylic block or a quilting ruler, (something large). Add the Oxides in a diagonal fashion. Lightly spritz the card and the ink, then stamp and drag the block a little and lift. 

Step 2: Cut a rectangle from copier paper and place over your card. Place the stencil over the top and ink through with Versafine black ink.

Step 3: Draw a line around the face with a ruler and black fine liner.

Step 4: Use the ruler and fine liner again to draw a second frame around and colour in with a black marker.

Step 5:Use the inside of the rectangle you cut fro copier paper to mask off the face. Ink up the poppy stamp with Versafine ink, place and stamp as shown.

Step 6: Repeat below, keeping the diagonal composition as shown.

Step 7: Colour the poppies on the card and stamp using 'Reflection' & Memories' again with Versafine Ink.

Step 8: Stamp the poppies again, this time with Archival black ink, you need enough to decoupage your image. Colour these with the red watercolours.

Step 9: Slightly shape the poppies and use Collall 3D glue gel to secure giving them a little more dimension.

Step 10: Mount a black layer onto your base card.

Step 11: Mount your main piece onto your base to finish your card.

Here is the finished project:

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/


Until Tomorrow, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx