Wednesday 18 December 2013

Christmas {lurve} Hearts

Hi Everyone, Leandra here

As you know this time last year out kitchen was in a bit of a pickle as the builders were trying to finish it in time for Christmas. Well today, as we were putting the Xmas tree boxes back in the loft, I stumbled across the box of hearts that used to adorn a wall in the kitchen pre-makeover. They are all various shades of white, wood, neutral tones, so I instantly decided to reinstate the wall of lurve!!

No biggie, started arranging the hearts on the table, with a few new additions, and realised there was one that did not work with the rest. It was a creamy buttermilk shade, almost lemon, and it just did not look right with all the rest. So just as Emma was leaving work tonight at 5ish, I started the heart makeover (never thought I would blog this, so didn't get a 'before photo').... but here is the end result. It only took me about an hour to do. I started by digging out the bag of bits I took with me to the Finnabair class I went to a couple of weeks ago, and I think this piece is certainly Finn inspired.

I just plonked various bits directly onto the wood using a heavy body gel medium. The bits were things like mechanical flowers by Prima, a timmy knob, and some random poppers/snaps. Also a few leftover beads from the discontinued PaperArtsy Bijouterie collection, a resin bird, and so on. Zapped that with a heat gun till the gel was more or less set-ish.

Next I gave it probably 3-4 coats of snowflake fresco, stippling it on, drying, adding a bit more and so on until it all looked pretty even. 

I knew it needed to be distressed, so I put the smallest spot of Taupe Fresco onto the craft sheet, and made that into a liberal puddle with about a teaspoon of water, then dolloped that all over, and dabbed off excess with a paper kitchen towel.

As the wall or lurve is a pretty neutral arrangement, I decided Pewter Treasure Gold was probably the most suitable, but I do think that on the light tone frescos the paler shades of TG look better. I used the tiniest amount of Pewter (which has a light gold thread running through it) using one of the smallest scruffiest flat brushes possible to just highlight the texture of the embellishments.

So all that remains is to gather the courage to nail about 15 hearts onto the pristine wall!

But how cool would this be to do some tree embellishments! OMG, mind boggling with the possibilities!

25 comments:

massofhair said...

Quite wonderful Leandra! Hope we get to see the wall when it's completed:-)

Lin said...

well go to the top of the finnebair class!! this is gorgeous..cab't you get her to come down south!!!

Unknown said...

Love how this looks and the colours. Will have to have a go myself.

Deborah Wainwright said...

I love this heart it would go very nicely in my kitchen lol. Seriously it looks amazing x

Carol Q said...

beautiful Leandra.

ionabunny said...

Great project. Love the zip in there amongst the flowers and things.

Alison said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I 'lurve' it!
Alison xxx

Alison said...

Can we see a pic of your wall when the hearts are all up please? :o) x

Trish said...

Gorgeous Leandra! Yes please, a pic of the wall when done please!

Julie Lee said...

Oh this is gorgeous!It must be a great feeling to be reinstating the wall of lurve! Just go for it with attacking that pristine wall; it's going to look amazing! Yes, pictures please! Our kitchen will not be finished for Christmas, I'm afraid, but never mind. We can cook in it, which is the main thing.One day I will be able to display the bits and pieces I've made for it, if I live that long!Have a fab Christmas and a very happy and lurve-filled New Year. Thanks for all the inspiration in 2013! Julie Ann xx

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's gorgeous!!

Hazel Agnew said...

Isn't it the best feeling when something just happens. It is really fabulous. Need to look for stuff now. Thanks, you clever thing you. Xx

Kathi said...

It's fabulous. Such a great way to use odds and ends to change up a finished piece!

PetraB said...

Very 'Finnabairesk' .. would love to see the finished wall.

Helen said...

Oh, how cool is this! I'd love to see the reinstated wall of lurve too please, so hope you've plucked up the courage to knock the nails in....

Etsuko said...

Fabulous heart. I learned a lot from paperartsy this year, it is my fun. Thank you lot and I'll looking forward to paperArtsy 2014.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Etsuko xx

Teresa Abajo said...

Awesome work Leandra!

Sandy said...

Perfectly gorgeous!
Sandy

Cocofolies said...

Fabulous heart Leandra, I want the same Lol!!! Thanks for all the details! Hugs, Coco xx

Redanne said...

I can really see Finn's inspiration in this gorgeous heart Leandra. It was a pleasure to take the same class and also to meet you too. I love how the Fresco paints give a much more chalky appearance than the silks, I will definitely give this a try now too. Thanks so much for all your amazing inspiration during 2013 and hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Anne x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow absolutely stunning, I so love the heart I so wish I could have done one of her classes. I can't believe the year is nearly finished of paperartsy designers. I really wish that we could have a end of year paperartsy challenge after Christmas, to revisit the designers and choose to go back and be inspired again lol, they are a few I didn't get to play with. Merry Christmas :-) Kezzy xxx

Anonymous said...

Very, very beautiful, Madame Leandra! If I had the time I might try to do something like it, but am flapping even more than usual -- getting ready for Grenoble and then Miami. Would like some time crafting with you (and Lin!) and making wonderful things. Never mind -- sigh -- my time will come!
Love to all and Happy Holidays - Sally xoxoxo

Kate Yetter said...

Gorgeous! I love your own spin on Finn's style. It has an elegant and soft feel to it!

Kate Yetter said...

This is gorgeous! I love Finn's style but you still made this your own. I love it!!

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is so beautiful, Leandra, hope we get to see the completed wall,

Lucy x