Stamps Ahead

 Here is a layout I have created for the July challenge at White with 1 .  Here is the challenge mood board.  I was inspired by the lace and the tan colours in several of the photos and of course the grid itself.  They led themselves to a vintage layout. I recently participated in a free abstract art on-line course with Laly Mille and for this layout I have drawn on the skills I learned in that course.  I love the abstractness of the collage elements I have added The photograph is of my sister (sitting ) and I with our mother.  It would be around 1953 and probably taken in bushland near Berowra, New South Wales where our uncle lived at the time.  I seem to remember that rock! A couple of close up shots  Why not consider checking out what challenge they have for August...will be available on 1st August. Thank you for looking, a quote I found " The memories we make with our family is everything" Candace Cameron Bure Margaret 

Day 3 of free on-line Artist Soul Retreat with Laly Mille.  I must say I was gob-smacked that I created this canvas "I'M AN ARTIST"  I even went shopping this morning and bought 2 tubes of Liquitex Acrylic Paint and a set of Liquitex Acrylic Iridescents!!  Laly's video was a demonstration of her making her canvas - so many ideas,  I have used some of the bits and pieces on my mood board (however, not the original elements as I glued them down and they are not moving for anyone) and new bits and pieces.  I did use a bit of stamping this time.  My focal point is a small piece of jeans denim with texture paste dot stencil - I used this on my Day 2 pieces and I loved it. And if you look top left you will see the Fortune Cookie I got yesterday - looking now with the white Posca pen around it - it looks 3D! Thank you for looking, Margaret and here is the quote Laly shared today  “ There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You nev...

Day 2 - Let's get painting!  Abstract painting, having fun painting.   We were to use the mood board we created on Day 1 to start the abstract painting process. Here is what I came up with and it is another longish post A set of 4 5" x 5" art pieces using watercolour paper.   I cut my paper from a 12" x 12" sheet so I had 4 2" strips left over - okay, Margaret use them as well today and here they are:  And here are all 8 pieces close up  I will admit I started with the smaller pieces first I have used Tim Holtz Idea-ology Quote Chips for the words I have used - I selected ones that I thought matched my process on Day 2 My mood board was the starting point - the finished result was a learning opportunity and I did have fun!  Laly's video was full of ideas that helped me to make these pieces.  There not perfect but hey that was not what I set out to achieve - I love the finished results. Thank you for looking,  and here is a quote that Lal...

I was awake early this morning ready to start the free Artist Soul Retreat over the next 4 days. It is an on-line retreat. Laly Mille is a Mixed Media Artist & Creative Guide from France. Day 1 - is a quest for inspiration "Grow your wings". We were encouraged to create a 'mood board'. A long post today. Firstly, in her introduction Laly requested "Let me call you an artist" - thank you Laly I accept your invitation.  Her video takes you though how to create your mood board. I will share with you some of the process I went though in my selection of what to include I have always liked colour and even though I wear a lot of black I always ensure that colour is included - it could be a scarf, a top, a wrap. Yesterday, my sister and I went to Taking Shape clothing outlet near us and I purchased a cardigan - see top left on the right hand side.  I loved the pattern and the buttons.  I used this as the starting point for my choices. Before Kaszazz (an Australi...

It has been wet and cold where I live in New South Wales - time to stay inside and make a journal. It all started when I came across a Pinterest item referencing aging your paper.  So please sit back and look at what I came up with.  Paper aged with tea and small amount of coffee.  I did take an easy option and ironed the paper after the dye process (it was proving hard to dry naturally in the weather we have at present). I used 4 sheets of the paper, folded in half (about the size of regular card) for my journal.  Plenty to use later. Cardstock cut to make covers - embellished with a bookplate, tea dyed calico (that I put in the die bath after I removed papers). All pages, stamping and stencilling done with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. Page 1 - a cluster made with part of a doily, book page, tea dyed lace and flower.  Extra space for another tag behind the dark blue cardstock.  Page 2 - Pocket tags.    Page 2 - close up of the  tag.  All...