A challenge from the scrapbook garden

The peeps at The Scrapbook Garden have issued their first sketchy challenge. I do like this particular garden more than my own, due to the absence of dandelions probably, so I thought I'd share it with you.

The sketch is originally from the Carta Bella blog, which I haven't looked at much but is on my list to have a proper look around. 

The sketch challenge has a few rules, including the topic of a male relative (well it is Father's Day) and a closing date of Saturday 28 June 2014, but check the blog for all the details. Hopefully I'll find the time to not only have a go but share my efforts too.

Happy crafting!

Happy Fathers Day

Wow! What happened to May and a rapidly disappearing June.

I had so many good intentions of adding a post every week, entering all sorts of challenges and I find myself cooking, gleaning, washing, ironing and looking longingly at my scrapbook supplies. Its all very rock and roll.

Well as its father's day I thought I'd share the card I made for my very understanding Dad.

I came across this amazing "Happy Fathers day" die from Joanna Sheen, I got it a couple of months ago as I anticipated come father's day it would be gone. If you haven't tried her own range of dies give them a go, I have a few and they are brilliant!

I raided my "had for an age" stash which in this case is the sets of DCVW drawers that I got from QVCUK many, many years ago.

Quite pleased with the end result as it's bright and slightly retro, I also used a few spellbinders to make the plaque and create the mats. I added a slightly offset yellow set of the words, which in the picture, may make you think your eyes have gone a little odd.

Happy Fathers Day!

Time to craft

I've had the MDF click blank in the back of the crafty cupboard for a while so I though it was time to have a play. It's one of Indigo Blu's so comes with the clockworkings. 

I decided I wanted it in creams and browns and I wanted to 'play' a little, that was about it decision wise before I started. I under coated in gesso then a coat of bark coloured paint. I gave it time to dry then over coated the dark brown with a mixture of cream paint and Kroma crackle. Once I was happy with the crackle effect I painted some 'slap it on' on. This seals the paint and stops it cracking any further. I didn't want to leave the edges raw so I painted them with a bronze colour.

Then it was stencil time....

I have, let's just say a few stencils, many of which are from The Crafters Workshop and stamps away. I like Imagination crafts, Splodge Away and some of the new Clarity additions are pretty nice too. Anyway I used a mix of bronze, gold and a couple of brown paints (the metallics and cream colours were from Reeves and the browns were from Ecogreen crafts). I added a little black to change the colour a little and tried a little modelling paste to try to add dimension, not sure it did much.

I added numbers cut from dark brown card stock using Memory Box Parker alphabet cutting dies. The clock hands were black but I didn't like the way they looked so used Tim Holtz tarnished brass paint dauber to change the colour, took a couple of coats but looks ok.

Looking forward to setting the time and getting it on the wall. 

Thanks for reading.