Monday 7 January 2013

I Challenge Thee... 2013 Version...

...cor blimey and thrice, it has been a yonk and a half since Ellen and I last had a chance to have a proper Skypey sesh and do an I Challenge Thee crafty... erm... challenge!   Yesterday afternoon saw that rare opportunity, when I wasn't working and Ellen was free too... so we put the time to goodly uses and set ourselves a challenge to use the following ingredients:
Rectangle Canvas
Stencils
Studio 490 Embossing Paste
Scraped Paint Technique
Stabilo ALL Pencil (aka, the magic pencil)
A Word but NOT stamped
Tissue Paper Stamping Collage
Ink Sprays
Two Tone Drawn Border
Embellies of Choice





Now, if you read my blog last week you might have seen me waxing lyrical about the word WISH and how it is going to be my word of 2013.  So, being as I am having that as my buzz word, I thought I would use it on this canvas.  I die cut letters using mountboard and the Word Play Alterations die and then used the 490 Embossing Paste mixed with a smidge of Ferro and applied it to the letters in a pouncy fashion so the paste was pointy in places.  I was ever so careful and even though I used my utmost concentration, I kept dropping the letters... and yep, they landed face down each time... just like toast, butter side down!  After much cursing and several minutes of faffing, I finally got the letters how I wanted them.  In order to allow them to dry without me putting my paws all over them, I set them aside on the other desk.  And then promptly leant over to show something to Ellen and put my hand right on top of them.  So, I had to start all over again!   Finally, after several more minutes had passed, I could start on the canvas.  I do love the Scraped Paint Technique and it is one I haven't done for a while so it was nice to revisit this.  If you haven't done it before it is a complete doddle.  Use a spatula/palette knife/Ranger scraper/old credit card (one that hasn't melted... hahahaaa) and scrape the paint onto the surface.  Really, that simple!  I then decided that being as my fave colours are browns and creams and blacks and being as I was making this to make me happy, those are the colours I would use (just getting that in there before Mrs Anonymous decides to say "oh Hels, can't you think of any other colour than brown?"  Yes, that has happened a couple of times!  If you don't like it, don't look at it! Simples!)  Sorry, I went off on a tangent there.  Anyways... the colours: Traditional Tan first to cover more or less the whole of the canvas.  Then scraping Sable Brown. Dry in between scrapings btw.  Then Stone colour. Another zap with heat tool.  Then a smidge more Trad Tan mixed with Sable Brown, scraped and then dried.  Then a very light scrape of Sand colour, dried again and then finally, a smidge of Black Gesso to break up the design slightly.



Once this was dry, I used my very fave Studio 490 Stencils For Art - the one I used in the Florals... I have actually been a bad girl and have cut out each flower individually because then I can layer them next to each other and not have to wait for the first flower to be dry (if that makes sense) I used a palette knife to mix a dollop of Ferro into the Black Embossing Paste, this gives it a lovely sparkle to the texture.  I then used the palette knife to spread the paste thru the stencil, making ridges in the paste so it is more textured.  I repeated this another two times so I had three nice flowers on the canvas.  While that was drying, I then used the Stencils For Art Stripes and applied more of the black Embossing Paste along the top of the canvas. 



Next came the tissue stamping collage bit. Except I have just had a mammoth tidy up in the Room of Stash haven't I?  Where I found a big wodge of tissue paper... which I thought "uh, I never use that... bye bye" and put it in the bin!   Isn't that always the case huh?  Anyways.. .not one to be thwarted, I got a cosmetic tissue (ie, Kleenex) and separated the ply's so I had a single ply.  Then I stamped the Studio 490 polka dot border in Jet Black Archival and gave it a zap to dry it.  I then tore bits of the tissue and applied them to the canvas using Matte Glue & Seal.  This stuff is brrrrilliant... you can't see where it is and nor can you see the edges of the tissue... cool.  Next came the hand drawn border.  I used a pencil to mark off the sections and then used Trad Tan and Black Gesso to paint around the edge and once that was dry, I used a Stabilo All pencil to add some black smudges.  The Stabilo All pencil then went around the flowers to make them shaded a bit.  Once that was all done and dried, I then decided to try something a little different.




In years of old, I used to use Terra and add Rock Candy Cracklepaint over the top... so I thought I would try it with the Embossing Paste... ohhhlalaaa, it looks good... the pics aren't showing up the crackles like they do look but you get an idea.  Once that had dried, I used Espresso Colorwash and the old Dylusions Worn Leather to add some ink sprays into the crackles and then dabbed off the excess with a paper towel.  The finishing touches were smudges of Treasure Gold wax, the addition of some Embellish Your Art buttons, a brass charm, the Idea-ology Clock Key, a corner and three little printed butterflies that I coloured with Vintage Photo DI and added mini bead chains for the bodies.  And that was it. Challenge completed!



Please do pop on over to see Ellen's masterpiece... it never ceases to amaze me that even though we are using the exact same list of ingredients, our creations are always so different. I love what Ellen made... it is totally her and totally unique... CLICK HERE to go and see her.  I shall away now, I am scheduling this post to publish at the same time as Ellen's... next week I won't have to do that cos...erm... I will be with her!!!  Oh yesh, 4 days to go!  Am I excited?  Ah.... a smidge (lol)  Thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

32 comments:

Kirsten said...

Morning Hels, that is one gorgeous canvas. I am in awe of your ability to blend all the layers seamlessly. Off now to see Elllen's canvas, have a splendid Monday.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Brilliant briiliant brilliant! I love it! Can't you use anything but brown? Just kidding...love your brown! Oh the sounded gross! I didn't know there were old Dylusions...leather...wow! I really love the Kleenex bit...totally brilliant! Most excellent work!

Inkypinkycraft said...

This is gorgeous..being a newbie with paint I will definitely try your technique ..and I am sure wonder why yours looks beautiful and I am in a mess!! This is stunning and all the layers and levels of detail and texture yummy! hugs trace x

Helen said...

Simply gorgeous, Hels! I love paint too, these colours are just fab. Have a good week.

Anonymous said...

Hi Hels. Fantastic. Love getting messy. Off to Ellens blog.

Val in Spain xxx

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, WOW, I love everything you have done with your canvas. I love all the textures and pastes and the colours are gorgeous.
Can I ask which paint you use ????
I wish I had your creative brain ha ha.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

voodoo vixen said...

Beautiful canvas, love the flowers, they really stand out (and why would anonymouse be so blinkin' rude about your art unless they were awfully jealous)??

Marleine said...


Morning Hels,
Your projects never seize to amaze me. This one is no exception. Absolutely gorgeous.
Popped over to Ellen's blog. Her work of art is brill'. I wish I could come up with such a colourful, bright work of art. X

EmmaT said...

Morning Hels, WOW this is amazing, love all the texture and colours, i used to paint over tissue years ago for a fab effect so might have to try it again. Emma

Joanne said...

This is right up my street. I love browns, blacks and metallics together. This embossing paste, is it ok to use Gesso mixed with say Terra 'cos that's all I got. Anyway, doing anything nice this week then??
xxx

snazzyoriginal said...

Oh my, love this piece. The texture on the letters and flowers is amazing xx

Nancy said...

LOvE this, Hels ... but, yeah, brown, again? Hahahaha!!! Seriously, love this! I've just smacked myself in a 'duh!' moment - cutting the flower stencil - brilliant, Hels! Yep, am going to do it, too.

Have a GREAT time at CHA!

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

Wow...lovely. I'm impressed that you used Kleenex in this beautiful piece! Love all the texture and shine...how fun!

ellen vargo designs said...

Brilliant! Had such a great time creating with you - can't believe how quiet we were! Your canvas is "totes amazeballs" - LOVE that embossing paste border and flowers! Yep! FOUR DAYS!!! Love ya... Els xxx

rachel said...

fabulous piece hels - love it all xx

Words and Pictures said...

Wow... what a stunning piece! So much texture and atmosphere... fabulous...
Alison x

betjunroe said...

Love the canvas Hels! I can't wait to get my hands on some of Wendy's paste. Have a wonderful time at CHA with Ellen! Bette

Carole Z said...

Afternoon Hels, a gorgeous piece of work - loving all the textures...fabulous! Carole Z X

Miriam said...

Hels - this is truly GORGEOUS!!! Love everything about it. Truly fabulous xxx

jane gray said...

Hi Hels - wow, omg it is fab. just wish i can create such wonderful masterpeices like you do.

take care, Janex

Redanne said...

It is a fabulous canvas Hels, love how you do your paint work, you make it look and sound easy - I am getting the hang of it though. The flowers are gorgeous and the borders are fab. Went over to look at Ellen's - it is so different but equally beautiful. What fun the two of you are going to have....... Hugs, Anne x

Kate Yetter said...

Love your canvas! Your flowers are stunning with all that texture. I want to try this technique now. Gorgeous!

nannapat said...

Fabulous canvas Hels - I love the tissue idea. Pat x

Annie said...

I love it Hels.......and I love the colours. THanks for sharing the 'how to' it is so kind. I shall certainly give the painting techniques and tissue a try.

One gorgeous make......of now to check out Ellen's. If I dont get back to visit have a fab time in USA at CHA....you lucky thing !!!

Hugs

Annie x

Unknown said...

Okay, one of my New Years resolutions is taking the time to leave more notes for my blogging friends! I always read posts in a reader and it makes it hard to leave a comment or two. But I do not miss a post! Love seeing the things you share and your lovely home. I wish I had more time to blog, but I work part time at our local library. I wanted to share with you my new blog, just opened this week.... http://www.brookekroeger.blogspot.com.... it will be for my vingage and digital work... including printables you might enjoy. I also have my home and garden site, http://www.creativecountrymom.blogspot.com. This week I am doing a look back to my spring garden.

Hope to be able to connect more in this new year. I am spending less time on Facebook and gave up twitter and everything else. A girl needs time to create, decorate and GARDEN ya know!

God bless....Brooke
creativecountrymom@gmail.com

Grim said...

;-)

Hels Sheridan said...

thanks for all your lovely messages x

Hels Sheridan said...

thanks for your lovely messages

Renee said...

Amazing to see how different both projects are even with the same recipe! Love the colors on this.

sara j said...

LOVE the striped sides of your canvas....what a grand idea....

Geraldine said...

such a gorgeous canvas, i love it, the colours, textures, best wishes.

Carol Q said...

OMG this is fab Hels. how did I miss it?!

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