Man in the Moon!

Hello and Welcome Everyone .

Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday?

So what brings me here today?  Well  a few weeks ago now, maybe even a month ago  I made a project that I  didn't get round to blogging.  As I think its suitable for a couple of current Challenge blog themes I am here today  share it with you.  I must confess that step by step photos are minimal as I got so engrossed in the creativity that I forgot to capture the moments - sorry!  I can and will though take you on a tour around the canvas accompanied with a few words so you can see all the texture and detail and get a general idea of how it developed.  Its an altered canvas, that I'm calling

 'Man in the Moon'.

 The inspiration for this piece began initially with Seth Apter's Spellbinder die 'Drip Drop'. Seth has  released some fantastic dies, this is just one of them. It was a real 'must have' as soon as I saw it. ( of course the others are 'must haves' too)  as it kinda reminded me of my much loved 'dream catcher'!

 As you can see there are two parts to the die but I only used the outer part for my project, die cutting it 3 times using greyboard, adhering the die cuts together to give depth and thickness. I repeated the process to create a 2nd. I then gessoed and painted both- first a couple of coats of of Brushed Pewter distress paint then a couple of coats of Black Soot distress paint. Once dry I scratched the surface with my finger nail (I got long nails!) to peel back some of the black to reveal the silver. Crackle glaze (Deco Art) provided the cracks. The 2  dies were adhered together, one on top of the other. 

  The canvas was altered using moulding plaster cloth, Distress paint (Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Picket Fence), crackle paste(Deco Art) and  crackle glaze  Deco Art) to create a crater like surface that resembled something similar to that of the moon as I imagine it.  As you can see I masked off a rough circle in the centre of the canvas for the face and die frame to fit into and built the texture up around the circle 

the 'Man in the Moon' face is stamped in black Archival ink with glossy accents dropped over the eyes (the lens has just about picked  the gloss up)

Both the face and the die cut frame were adhered in place and a fine spritz of 

Mica distress spray (brushed Pewter) finished off the canvas.

Now if your ready I'll take you on a tour around the canvas

Notice the crackle and the texture! 

 Holding the heat gun close to the drying paint created some bubble spots too.

The thickness and depth created by adhering several die cuts together can also be seen. 

This helps give the impression that the face is embedded within the moons surface . 

 So that's my 'Man in the Moon' canvas that I really enjoyed creating .

Time now to head over and link this up to the following  Challenges before time runs out

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge-Add some texture 

Country View Crafts July Challenge -Have fun with Circles

(the circle of the numerous die cuts and the face) 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. 

I hope you feel your visit has been worthwhile and that you have enjoyed your time with me and 'The Man'

Your visits, your comments and follows are greatly appreciated!

For now  though I will love you and leave you 

and 

look forward to seeing you again soon 

Take care 

Amanda 

xxx

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2016- July

Hi Everyone and Welcome .

Some of you maybe meeting me here from seeing one of the tags I created and blogged already for

 Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2016- July  and for some of you it maybe the first stop by my blog today and you won't have seen that tag yet. So for those who haven't hopped over here with me here's the link you will need to see the  post and tag  I am referring to.

Time now for the other one of the two tags I have created for this months 12 tags of 2016. Again as before and as mention in my earlier post I followed Tim's tutorial and techniques (which can be found here) but changed it up a little due to my craft stash lacking in some of the supplies. Forget the summer holidays/vacation season,here at Ink-A-Pink its all about the winter holiday season.

    I used Tim's Stampers Anonymous Christmas Blueprint 2 stamp set - love the skate blueprint stamp (brings back happy memories of my teenage weekends spent at the local rink speed skating- still have my 'Bauers' up in the attic somewhere) and Broken China, Stormy Sky, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot and Picket Fence Distress markers and Inks to watercolour and distress, not forgetting the resist with the Distress Micro Glaze. Such a fab product that I really must use more often. All thanks goes to Tim for reminding me of this .

The words are created using Tim's Sissix Handwritten Holidays thinlit dies and Holiday Words Thinlit dies. I also used a  silver pen this time to add highlights to the word 'peace'. Love how this makes it 'pop'. You'll notice too that I have chosen to use a deep blue tag this time , die cut using Tim's Bigz L Tags and Bookplates die.

I finished off the hole on my tag with an eyelet- in this case aged silver. The hanging snowflake was silver/pewter but  it was too shiny (imho) so I toned down the shine using silver Alcohol ink and Hickory Smoke distress crayon and added an brad to the centre. Of course there had to be some paint splatters (you know I love my splatter brush) to give the impression of falling snow and  the white ice dust that blades on ice create. Tim's new Distress Mica sprays give the image a delicate shimmer - you're gonna have to trust me on this one as the lens has failed me yet again

This tag has five aged silver star fasteners in line with all the other metal embellishments and silver highlights and shimmer and a micron Archival ink pen created the faux stitching( yes, my sewing machine is still sat on the naughty step after refusing to play fair)

and here again is the other of the two tags I have created for Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2016

I really have enjoyed creating both tags (the other can been seen here) just as I always do. Tim's monthly tag is something I always look forward to seeing and creating. So thanks once again Tim for providing the continual creativity and inspiration that you do. 

Don't forget I'd love to know which of the two tags you prefer. Despite my earlier indecision I think its this one that has my heart - probably because of those happy ice skating memories and smiles it brought to life whilst I was creating it. 

A huge thanks goes out to you all for the time you have spent with me today. I really do appreciate it but its time now to love you and leave you 

and 

look forward to seeing you all again soon . 

Take care 

and 

keep on the happy side 

Amanda 

xxx

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2016- July

Hi Everyone and Welcome

Apologies again - I really must kick this lack of blog posts into touch ....I can't say lack of creativity as there has been lots of that going on but its all in prep for you to see in future posts. I have to confess though as the Mercury soared here in the UK during the last couple of weeks I did indulge in some 'rays', much needed Vitamin D and happy 'vibes' the Sun was so generously offering.

Today though here at Ink-A- Pink  its time to forget the summer holiday/ vacation season and think more about the winter holiday season as I am sharing my take on Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2016 - July. I have followed Tim's tutorial and techniques (which can be found here) but changed it up a little due to my craft stash lacking in some of the supplies Tim used on his.

I also have an added extra for you too as I made 2 tags - kind of a 'buy one get one free' hahaha.  Actually I made 3 but the third has yet to be finished! After much thought I have decided to blog them as two separate posts (making up for the recent lack of posts) so here's the link for one of them and here's the one I am sharing on this post

I used Tim's Stampers Anonymous Christmas Blueprint 2 stamp set and Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Scattered Straw, Walnut Stain and Ground Espresso Distress markers and inks to watercolour paint and distress, creating a resist with the Distress Micro Glaze. Thanks Tim for the reminder that I NEED to use this product more often.

The words are created using Tim's Sissix Handwritten Holidays thinlit dies and Holiday Words Thinlit dies. I also used a gold pen to add highlights to the word 'Christmas'. Love how this makes it 'pop'

I like to seal and finish off the hole on my tags with an eyelet- in this case gold. The hanging snowflake was originally silver/pewter but gold alcohol ink soon changed the 'Ag' to 'Au'! Notice the liquid pearl drops on the neck of the bauble and of course the paint splatters. Oh I do love my splatter brush! Tim's new Distress Mica sprays give the image a delicate shimmer - you're gonna have to trust me on this one as the lens has failed me..... again!

Three of the five star fasteners were altered with gold alcohol ink to compliment the gold snowflake and a micron Archival ink pen provided the faux stitching. (my sewing machine decided to throw a 'wobbler'- its now sat on the naughty step)  

And here is one of the two tags I have created for Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2016- July. 

As always I loved creating this months tag, so much so I made and finished two - be sure to check out my other one here! Maybe you could let me know which one you prefer as I couldn't decide but no surprises there really as I am the 'Queen of Indecision'! 

Thanks Tim, yet again, for another month of creative inspiration. Life sure got a whole lot happier with a monthly Tim tag to make.

Time now to go link this up and then head on over to hopefully meet you on the flip side to share details of my other Tim tag for July 2016. 

Thanks as always for your visits, comments and follows. I really do appreciate them and each and everyone of you. 

See you real soon 

Take care 

Amanda 

xxx

Monochromatic- A Vintage Journey- July 2016

Hello Everyone and  Welcome

Hope you are all doing ok  and are all set for the start of a new challenge over at A Vintage Journey. Yes, believe it or not, another month has passed ( the clock just seems to be ticking so quickly this year) and its time to launch July's theme 'Monochromatic' hosted by Tracy. Heres what Tracy has to say

'I love Monochromatic themes in my artwork. I love the balance dlook it gives to a design. If you ever struggle with knowing what colours to usethis should be right up your street, one colour alone or hues of one colour(plus black and /or white- simple! Please just check that your entry is vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journalling, industrial, or steampunk to be in with a chance  of being a winner or a pinworthy mention .'

For my Monochromatic project I have drawn initial inspiration from a painting by Belgian Surrealist Artist Rene Magritte, The son of man and created a piece of wall art using some of Tim Holtz 2016 CHA new release products.

I have remained true to my love of the classic monochrome palette of black, white and grey/ silver. Admittedly my finished piece is more 'real' than 'surreal but that's where my creative muse led me- this time... 

Unfortunately I forgot to take a comprehensive set of step by step photos but I can provide you with the details of techniques/products used. 
So lets begin

I created a mask for the moon using a circle die. This was positioned and adhered to a pre-cut white card panel and remained in place until the background was complete, after which it was removed to reveal the moon.  

 Tim Holtz Wrinkle free Distress technique using Distress inks provided an initial layer of colour. More colour was then added using the distress inks with a blending tool.

Now to add some detail

That included some background stamping and whilst the jet black Archival ink was to hand the Evolution Man(as I am calling him) was stamped onto a separate piece of white card stock and cut out ready to position in place later

and some distress ink stencilling aswell as gesso stencilling for some added texture.

With the products and techniques covered time for some photos of the background panel

The gesso stencilling was enhanced with touches of silver gilding wax.

Some picket fence distress paint splatters made an appearance too. You know I love my splatters!

Moving onto the wood panel ....

This was cut to size by my new 'mate' at the local building merchants. I had a few panels cut at the same time, various sizes and they were unbelievably inexpensive costing little more than a standard chocolate bar here in the UK .So its worth checking out if you have any similar merchants in your area as those pennies saved on pricier shop bought mdf panels goes towards more craft supplies, right?

After sanding back the edges the panel was primed with gesso and then finger painted with Distress paints and Gesso. The corners and along the sides of the panel were crazed with Distress crayons blended into the crazing.

A couple of ideology arrows were added to the finished panel. 

Why arrows? Well lets see if I can share my thoughts : The arrow is a symbol of direction/movement/progress. Man is at the point of the arrow- the pinnacle of Evolution but in this ever increasing digital age will man be pierced by the arrow as it progresses further into the future?

Only time will tell I guess!

I hope my piece of wall art along with the fabulous projects offered by my fellow Creative Guides(which can be seen here at A Vintage Journey) will inspire you to go create and join in this months 'Monochromatic' fun.
I would like to enter this  into the following challenges 
Country View Crafts-July Challenge- Have fun with Circles  
Thats Crafty- Masculine Challenge 
The Craft Stamper- Take it Make it Challenge- July  - Take a Stamp: Anything Goes
That just leaves me to Thank you all for stopping by today.
 As always your follows, visits and comments are much appreciated and extremely valued. 
Hope you all have a lovely weekend 
Take care  
Amanda 
xxx