Believe

 Hi Everyone, 

Sadly, today sees me sharing some creativity over on That's Crafty's blog for the final time so I would like to start this post by saying an extra big thank you to Laura and Graham for the opportunity. It's been an honour and a pleasure to design for you and be part of the weekly blog team for the last 3 and1/2 years.  

Thanks too to the talented blog design team who I've worked alongside and to all you lovely people who have stopped by here and at That's Crafty!  to see and read about my creations and for all your kind comments and support. 

I'm still going to be around on the art and craft scene making, blogging, sharing doing what I love and whatever comes next so I would love for  us to stay connected so we can enjoy our creative journeys together. 

                            ***************************************************  

Now for my leaving project. 

I have created a mini 'Art Block' using one of That's Crafty's fabulous mdf surfaces - an ATC Chunkie, a That's Crafty heart and 13Arts papers designed by Olga Heldwein.  

Papers are used throughout the project, even the focal multi winged butterfly resting on the heart.

Thin strips of paper embellish the 'legs'.

 

Aswell as the feature on the top of the Art Block.

 I would love for you to join me over on That's Crafty's blog for one last time (just click HERE) 

 Hope to see you soon 

Amanda 

x 

A New Desk Tidy!

 Hi There Everyone 

As usual with it being Thursday I'm over on That's Crafty's blog.  

I have a 'useful' project to share with you today that I have created using some of That's Crafty's fabulous MDF surfaces and stamps. 

The project itself is a desk tidy that could be used to hold brushes crayons, pens or crafting tools to keep them close to hand while you are creating. 

Alternately, it could be used to keep any 'bits and bobs' nice and tidy in one place that maybe lying around the home. 

 

If you would like to find out how I created my desk tidy please come join me over on the blog. 

For a smooth and speedy redirection be sure to click HERE. 

Hope to see you soon 

Amanda 

x

Merry Christmas

 Hi Everyone and Welcome 

As usual with it being Thursday I'm over on That's Crafty's blog today sharing my latest DT project. This will be my last post before Christmas so decided to create something for you all - a mixed media wintry plaque wishing you all 

'A Merry Christmas'.

I'd love for you to join me over on the blog where theres ore to see and read.  

If you click HERE you will redirected swiftly and smoothly. 

Hope to see you soon 

Amanda 

x 

Tagged Hearts...

Hi Everyone

Another Thursday rolls around so that means I'm over on That's Crafty's blog with my usual weekly DT post.

This week I am sharing a grungy mixed media tag that I have created using some of That's Crafty's fabulous surfaces, both MDF and White Greyboard.

If you would like to find out more please feel free to stop by That's Crafty's blog. 

For the quickest route there just click HERE.

Hope to see you soon

Amanda

x

x

Have an Open Heart....

Hi Everyone

Thanks for stopping by today!

Thursday again and the last one of this month too!!! At the risk of repeating myself where is this year going??  

Time definitely stops for no-one.....and there was I blissfully hoping 😉

So, as is the norm on this day of the week I'm over at That's Crafty sharing some creativity which this week is an 'Art Panel' featuring a few That's Crafty Surfaces, some of their paints and a Carabelle Studio Stencil designed by Alexi.

Theres more to see and read over on That's Crafty's blog so if you fancy joining me then please feel free to click HERE and you will be whisked right on over....

Hope to see you soon

Amanda

x

X

Hi Everyone 

Its that time of the week again for me to be sharing my Guest Designer Weekly project over on That's Crafty's blog.

This time I've mixed up the colour with the grunge to create an art panel featuring my 'tie dye technique' which if you are a follower/subscriber you may recall seeing before here and here.

However here's a sneaky peek of how I have used it this time ...

For full details of  project 'X'  be sure to click here and you will be transported over to That's Crafty's blog where I will be waiting to greet you. 

  Hope to see you there soon ....

Amanda

x

Use a Quote! A Vintage Journey May 2017 Challenge

Hi Everyone and Welcome
 

Hope you are all ok and a good week has been had by all. Today we are all set to start a new Challenge over at A Vintage Journey and this time our lovely Jenny is the host of the challenge:
'Use a Quote!'
'Take a quote! Any quote! Whether it be on a stamp , a sticker, handwritten or sourced from the internet and make it the focal point of your vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journalling, industrial, timeworn or steampunk project. '

For this challenge I have created a piece of 'grungy' Art using a That's Crafty! 6x6 MDF Panel that allows my chosen 'Quote' to take centre stage. I'm a real lover and collector of quotes/sayings and meaningful words but I made no reference to the many I have gathered over the years as I knew which quote I wanted to use right from the get go and thanks to Seth Apters fabulous stencil,  'You got this', I was able to create my project. I have quoted these words to myself so often during the tougher, darker times of life!  The times when the self doubt, worries and concerns are heightened or the chronic pain is relentless (hence the colour palette used and the textures created) These three words act as a kind of 'note to self'!

The Quote panel
A Thats Crafty 6x6 MDF panel was primed with gesso before being painted with Deco Art Black Acrylic paint. The quote itself was then created by applying Deco Art Crackle Paste through Seth's 6x6 stencil, leaving the paste to dry and crack naturally. Once dry there were some areas where the cracks were hardly visible (the application of crackle paste had been too thin) so I risked applying more paste hoping it would give a better crack. It did even though the crackle was more closely knit.

Black acrylic paint and gilding wax helped enhance the cracks 



and a few red splatters finished off the quote panel.

The background panel.
This is an 8x8 mdf panel found in my stash and primed with gesso (similar panels can be purchased at That's Crafty.). The paints used were Tim Holtz distress paints-Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Picket Fence, Aged Mahogany. Application was with brush,dry brush, brayer and fingers and removed as and when with kitchen towel and damp wet wipes. I had no definite plan I just went with the flow, followed my muse and really enjoyed the process.

The detail comes in the way of some scratchy lines created using my fingernail (they aren't just for manicuring ),

some of Seth Apters fabulous stamps- Dot matrix, Morse Code, Tattered Screen (My new faves) with Archival ink (Jet Black, Watering Can, Red Geranium)

and following through from the quote panel some red flicks and splatters

The quote panel is mounted onto a piece of black card stock and adhered centrally onto the back ground panel

and that's my piece of meaningful grungy art complete.

I hope my Art has offered some inspiration and if you haven't already be sure to stop by A Vintage Journey where theres a gallery of fabulous inspirational projects created by my fellow Creative Guides.
We hope you will join us in out 'Use a Quote' challenge and as always at the end of this challenge there will be one lucky winner chosen by Random Org who will receive our Sponsors prize which this month is a £20 gift card kindly donated by That's Crafty.

The Creative Guides will also choose 3 Pinworthy winners who will not only win a Pinworthy badge to display on their blog but will also be invited to join us as a Guest Designer for a future challenge .

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
The Craft Stamper TIMI May Challenge - 'Anything Goes'
Creative Artiste Challenge #26- 'Anything MIxed Media Goes'
Altered Eclectics May Challenge
Mixed media Monthly Challenge #36 'Put a Stamp On It'
(stamps used on the background panel)

STAMPlorations- May Mixed Media Challenge

Thank you for stopping by today. Your visits, comments and follows are very much appreciated. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend
Take Care
Amanda
xxx