Make a Wish

Morning, This is one of the projects I made for Bev's Bee Crafty launch show on Hochanda live from Alexandra Palace. I wanted to add a frame to this large MDF piece and to create and almost 3D look with real depth, like the layered glass images you sometimes see. I used the beautiful Dandelion set for this, it's such a wonderful set of stamps with such great detail.

To start with, I took a piece of cardboard and cut it to the same size as the MDF. Then using a square die I cut an aperture that would give a large enough window for the design while still keeping enough of the frame for the support needed.

Next I cut some thick wadding to the same size as the frame I had cut from the cardboard.

I coloured the back section of my MDF with Black Soot Distress Ink, the MDF has such a super smooth finish and takes inks extremely well, without any need for an undercoat. I wanted to keep the smooth surface for this piece.

On this back section I used Versamark to stamp the Sentiment, Dandelion and Seed Heads, then embossed with White detail embossing powder, making sure that the design fitted within the frame. To add the other layers I used squares of acetate large enough to fit behind the frame. Taking the first sheet I overlaid it onto the MDF stamped image to allow me to position the next layer of stamping, for these I used white Stayzon Ink. I repeated this for my next layer. When these were both dry, I secured them in turn using foam tape to give the distance between layers.

I took a square of cream calico  and stamped the dandelion seed heads around the area where the frame would be. I stamped them in both Black Versafine Ink and Versamark to act as a resist. Then I dyed the fabric using a blue denim fabric dye.

Once dry, I cut the centre so I could cover the frame.

I stretched and secured around the inner frame using Cosmic Shimmer glue. Because of the tab at the bottom I just folded this edge and secured above the tab. The other 3 sides were secured with Wonder Tape and Cosmic Shimmer glue.

I covered the base/stand with the same fabric I had used for the frame and cut out the slit.

To finish I secured the frame to my base with Cosmic Shimmer glue.

I hope you like this project and the step by step I have shared with you today, I thoroughly enjoyed making it and sad that I had to send it for the show. Hope to see you again tomorrow, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Dandelion Clock

This is a project I was really excited about so I am really pleased to be sharing it with you today. The base is made from the large 8' circle MDF that Bev from Bee Crafty launched at Alexandra Palace live on Hochanda. I used the dandelion set of stamps, it's a really wonderful set and I am sure I will be using them in a lot of different project, I am sure you will too.

To start with I took a sheet of tissue paper, slightly bigger than the MDF and stamped the dandelion seeds with Versamark to act as a resist. I wanted to get as many layers as possible to add interest to the finished piece.

Having spritzed the tissue thoroughly I sprinkled Brusho's over the surface, I used Emerald Green and Cobalt Blue.

I then saturated the tissue with water to blend and make pools of colour, then put it outside in the sun to dry.

I took my clock stencil and drew around it onto copier paper, cut out and set aside. I would use this later to protect the work, it makes it a lot easier.

Next I mixed some white Gesso with a coupe of teaspoons of plaster, I find this gives a much nicer surface for stamping onto than Gesso on it's own and the results are much nicer. I painted this onto the base and left to dry.

Using Black Versamark, I stamped some of the dandelions and seed heads from the collection onto the MDF base. 

I left this to dry before applying the tissue to the base using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Glue, Seal & Glaze from Creative Expressions. When this had dried overnight, I stamped more dandelions on top using Versamark and embossed with white fine detail powder to add another layer. Next I took some Decoart sand Texture Paste and coloured it using some black Brusho's

I placed my clock stencil in place and then added my copier paper to protect the other areas. Using a painting knife I spread the  Sand Texture Paste onto my project and removed the stencil and paper.

I added my sentiment using Black Versafine and added some Pebeo Gilding wax to the clock and edges.

To finish I added the clock hands and my project was finished.

Thank you for visiting today, I hope you have enjoyed this step by step and like the finished article. Hope to see you again soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx