Birds for The Craft Barn

Happy New Year to you all. I do so hope 2016 brings you all you want it to. I know I'm looking forward. Have you any goals this year? I'm going to practise my drawing skills, I don't have many so it'll be a challenge, that's for sure.

So we have had a topic of Birds on The Craft Barn Blog.

My first post of the year is bright and cheerful. Using PaperArtsy Lin Brown stamps I've created a family of Birds, to depict my little family. I'll be sending this card to family we don't see often to say thank you from us to them. They are so kind remembering the children at every birthday and Christmas. And I thought it's a good way to express thanks with a handmade card.

I've used a mixture of acrylic paints, stamps, inks, my brand new Inktense Pencils, coffee stirrers and ribbon.

So do hop over to the blog. The full rundown of how I made it is there at The Craft Barn Blog . I sincerely enjoyed making this fun card and will definitely be using paints this way again as this was new to me.

I'm entering this into the following challenges

That's Crafty Challenges - anything goes
We Love 2 Create Challenge #27 anything goes
Crafty Calendar Challenge - something new
Fashionable Stamping Challenge #106 make your own background
Allsorts Challenge Blog. #344 What's new
Wednesday's Creative Inspirations challenge blog #341 anything goes
Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog - something new

Paperbabe Colour Challenge

Hello, warm greetings on this cold day. Well it is here in the UK. Today is the start of the new challenge on the PAPERBABE STAMPS BLOG 

For this challenge the theme is a picture inspiration. I loved this inspirational picture it made me think of warmer days. So I used the colours to inspire my project.

I've created an art journal page, with a collaged background. It's my first go at using acrylic paints to paint my girl. Then I've gone in with Pencils for her hair.
For this girl I've combined the Mini Mermaid, Mini Wavy Bunches and Mini Head and Torso Templates. I've stamped the face using Female Mini Face stamp set and A little decoration from Folk Fabrique stamp set. I've left a space at the top for some journal writing. 

You can find them all Here at PAPERBABE STAMPS SHOP.

******BLACK FRIDAY TO CYBER MONDAY SALE *****
***** Enter BLACKFRIDAY to receive 15% off when you spend £5 *****

So do come and join in. See you there.

Happy Crafting 

Luv Dawn 

Paperbabe Stamps New Release

A big warm hello to you,
I had some fabulous news recently, being successful at becoming a part of the PAPERBABE STAMPS DESIGN TEAM.

For my first post for them, I am showcasing a project made from some of the November New Release. There are new face builder sets and three new hairstyle templates being released this month. Today on the PAPERBABE STAMPS BLOG is introducing the Mini Female Face stamp set and Hair Templates. You can go shopping at the PAPERBABE STAMPS SHOP on Etsy.

To make my project in my 8x8 journal, I've used Mini Wavy Bunches template, Female Face Mini Stamp set and Mini Head and Torso Template. And Folk Fabrique Clear Stamp set to decorate.
Colour comes from papers, paints, pencils, inks and water soluble crayons.

This is my first time using these products. Impressive or what! Once you've done one it becomes easy, allowing you to concentrate on design and techniques. I also had a try with Pencils and gesso to colour the face, it didn't quite happen but still practise makes perfect as they say. I did love the result of the hair. There are fabulous tutorials and how to's on the PAPERBABE STAMPS BLOG and the rest of the design team are showcasing too.
Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Crafting
Luv Dawn

August Calendar Page

Here is the calendar page I made for August. It's one of my favourite pages. The prompts were Butterflies and Pink. I've used acrylic paints in the main with stamps from Tim Holtz and PaperArtsy. The butterflies are made using a large Kaisercraft Butterfly stencil and a concoction of paste, glue, paint and cornflour. I ended up with this crackle finish. I enhanced the butterflies with water soluble crayon. The words are from a new stencil from Tando and Andy Skinner and also Crafters Workshop words stencil. This really was playtime making this. Hope you like it and inquirers you to just have a paint.

Happy Crafting
Luv Dawn

I'm entering this into the following challenges
Countryview Challenges, #32 October add some texture
We Love 2 Create Challenge #22, anything goes/mixed media
Craft Stamper Take It Make It October Challenge
That Craft Place Anything goes mixed media challenge

September Calendar page

Hi guys, so long since I blogged but I will be getting back to it now, I've had oral surgery and regular dentist visits and it's floored me but I'm getting there. So a look at my September Calendar page for The Craft Barn Blog Monthly Calendar Challenge. There is still time to enter.

To make this page I've used Brushos for the tree top and used Brusho coloured card to die cut Sizzix leaves. I've used an emboss pen and my own mix of embossing powders on the leaves. The tree trunk and background was done using acrylic paints and then stamped over.

I'm entering this into the following challenges;
Mixed Media World #7 anything goes with Autumn colours
Tando Creative Challenge week 2 Get Painty
PaperArtsy blog Challenge #17 Pigment Powders
Lisa B Designs monthly challenge acrylic paint backgrounds
Our Creative Corner Shades of Autumn

Thanks for visiting,
Happy Crafting
Luv Dawn

Altered Book Journal

Hello Crafty friends, I'm sharing one of my recent makes that I feel proud of. It's an old hardback book altered to make an art journal. Inspired by Finnabair with a twist of Dawn and the bright colours of Summer. The golden shine from the sprays reminds me of the sun reflecting.

You can view the full step by step and tutorial HERE AT THE CRAFT BARN . I've used lots of different things to create it. The main image is a Crafty Individuals stamp called Frida. I've stamped her onto sticky back canvas and painted with acrylics. I have slightly altered the hair from the original image. The base starts with paper pieces, then builds up in layers or grunge paste through diamond stencil, lace, die cuts then embellishments from buttons, ear ring hooks to pieces made from silicone molds and hot glue or paper clay. The colours are mainly from Prima Color Bloom sprays. 

Inside I've made pages ready from multi layers of book pages and backgrounds already made. 

I'd love to know what you think, please feel free to share this. X

I'm entering this into the following five challenges.

Crafty Individuals July challenge Face Value
Paperbabe Stamps challenge #17 picture inspiration

Mixed Media World challenge #5 stencils

mixed-media-monthly-challenge #14-summer days
A Sprinkle Of Imagination monthly challenge (sticky back canvas, prima sprays )

I'm still looking to get to know crafters and your likes and wishes. So do share. 

Happy Crafting
Luv Dawn

TCB Tando Printers Tray Soft Summer Time

Hello, here's my latest project for The Craft Barn Blog. We've been showcasing the ever versatile Tando Creative Printers Trays. I've used the Tando Mini Square Printers Tray and I've gone with Summer in mind creating a soft Shabby Chic feel along with flowers and a sprinkling of Butterflies.

The tray has been painted and has a crackle paint effect, using PaperArtsy paints and crackle glaze. Some stamping with Lin Brown 15 stamps. The main focal elements are made using polymer clay, some molds and Tando chipboard pieces and Woodware punches. I've also used Wow Gold Rich Super Fine embossing powder and also Aged Gold Frantage embossing enamel. You can see the full step by step and details by clicking HERE.

I'm entering this into the following five challenges;

Craft Stamper Take It Make It June Challenge, Texture
Tando Creative Challenge week 2, heat it up
Wow Powders June Challenge, Summer
Stamping Sensations June Challenge, punches/die cuts
Country View Challenges June Challenge, shabby chic

TCB For The Man In My Life

Hello, I'm sharing a project made for The Craft Barn Blog . Our topic being For The Man In Your Life. 

I have altered one of the products from Tando Creative, an MDF Shelf Unit. This make is for my ever loving other half, my partner David. He truly is a brilliant man whom I love dearly. He cares for me with my disabilities and also looks after and takes good care of our four children, four cats and my mum. He never even complains about all the craft stash that arrives regularly, just gets on with things. So David, this is for you.

You can see all the details and steps to make this project by clicking HERE.

The basic rundown is once gesso'd, there's sponging with PaperArtsy Paints, stamping with PaperArtsy Lin Brown 15 and JOFY mini stamps, embossing paste through Tando Gears and TCW stencils and finishing off with Pebeo silver gilding wax.

I'd love to see your comments. And don't forget the weekly challenges at The Craft Barn Blog.

I'm entering this into the following five challenges;

Love 2 Create Challenge #12 anything mixed media

Craft Stamper Take It Make It June Challenge, texture

Mixed Media World #4 Masculine/Fathers day

Tando Creative June week 3 anything goes

The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #13, A year of Choices. MMC#3

Handmade Bliss Colour Challenge

Well hello Thanks for joining me on my second post of today. It's the start of the next new monthly challenge over on the Handmade Bliss Blog . This month we have a fun colour challenge for you, with lovely warm colours that remind me of Summer. Especially as its more like Autumn here in Lancashire. Anyhows. I'm waffling on. Onto my inspiration for this challenge.

I've used the ever so useful Altenew Hennah Elements stamp set.
Here's how I made it.

I've coloured a background piece with acrylic paints and a sponge in all the shades of turquoise from the colour palette and stamped the corners with Teal Stazon ink using a variety of the small stamps in the set.

Next I've used the Orange and yellow colours on a tag again with acrylic paints and a plastic spreader and I've added some yellow grunge paste through a spinning tops stencil and using another of the small stamps with orange Stazon ink.
I've layered these two pieces onto a matt of white card coloured with silver gilding wax. Just on the visible edges, it's cheaper than a whole piece of mirror card.
I've stamped the flowers in Grey Stazon and coloured with Distress Markers and pencils using grey and white for the petals cut them out and glued to the tag. Embellishments of lace, ribbon, and an altered children play button have been added along with my must have bling of some clear gems.
All is adhered it to a dark teal card base.

Do pop over to the Handmade Bliss BLOG to see the rest of the team's amazing samples and inspiration and also our weekly posts showing off the fabulous products available to buy from the Handmade Bliss Website Shop.

Before I go, I'd love your comments are they really to make me smile. Also keep an eye out for upcoming blog candy to celebrate my daughter Katie's 5th Birthday this month.

Happy Crafting
Luv Dawn

I'm entering this into the following challenges;
Stamping Sensations Flower Power May Challenge

Crafting When We Can Challenge 95 Bling It Up

We Love 2 Create Challenge #11
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #13 I've chosen MMMC #6