Thursday 29 August 2013

Darcy Wilkinson {Special 10th Birthday Post} Feathers ....

Hi everyone, Leandra here

Well tonight we have a very special treat for you. Missy Darcy asked for feathers, and feathers she got! Now take a look at the crazy things she has been doing with them...shall we say...birds of a feather here at HQ are MR PA and I !! I leave you in her capable hands!

Oh and don't forget! To win a set of these 3 feathery minis, leave a comment on this blog post. We have 3 sets to give away on Sunday. Gotta be in to win folks! Here's Darcy...

"What an exciting month it has been, the blog has been so full of wonderful projects. It really has been a celebration of all things PaperArtsy. I am thrilled to be a part of the Birthday releases, and today I am showcasing 3 new mini stamps".

Today is all about feathers. Here are the 3 new stamps.


Experiments
Firstly I did some experiments and found that if you want a crisp, clean, black image on paper/card then the best ink pad to use with these stamps is a versafine ink pad. This really does pick out all the details beautifully, which is exactly what it is designed to do. Though the others all did OK too. It's always interesting to do an ink comparison, and it does make a difference how juicy your ink pad is too.


I felt these feathers would be best used as background stamps. I have actually been looking for feather stamps to use on background papers for a long time, and these do not disappoint. They really are perfect for the job. So I decided to show you a few ways to use them.

I took some Smoothy Heavy Weight Stamping Card and created these backgrounds. Note, smoothy is a super-smooth card, and so it allows the detail of these images to really be seen, the right ink and the right card are crucial to getting a good result with your stamps. I sorted out my ink pads into 3 groups of colours; pastels, brights and darks and created a tag background with each feather.


Then I dug out an old black distress ink pad, it is really worn out. I used this to make a faded black, almost grey scale background. Then I made another two using Aqua-markers and Metallic markers. I really love these backgrounds, how they all give different effects just by varying the intensity of colour.


Specimen Tag
Next I created a larger background on A4. I spritzed the smoothy card with water then blended on some Honeydew, Nougat and Ice Blue Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint.

I then sprayed with Adirondack lettuce and butterscotch. Next I stamped some of the Sara Naumann images from ESN06, and then knocked back the stamping with more Honeydew, Nougat and Ice Blue paint.

It looked very cold, so I added a super thin wash of Beach Hut Fresco Paint. Then I used my worn out distress black to stamp the feather all over. (I really like the faded look that comes from the dried out ink).


A close up of the details. I wanted a vintage Victorian feel, and this faded look achieves that.


I cut this background down to a tall tag, and attached it to grey board for stability.


I then cut 3 squares of smoothy card and spread on some grunge paste. I stamped into each with the leaf/text stamp from Urban Snapshot Nature 3 set



Once dry I added Treasure Gold. I painted some more Smoothy with French Roast Fresco, and matted the stamped squares onto the darker squares.


I painted some smoothy with translucent fresco, then stamped the eggs from US Nature 3. I cut them out and covered each with Glossy Accents. Once dry I glued them to the matted squares. I stamped the bird word from Urban Snapshots Nature 1, and matted that onto painted Smoothy Card


Finally I cut 3 tiny tags from smoothy, painted them with Nougat, and dirtied them up around the edges with French Roast. I added ABC to the tags to make them look like specimen labels.


I punched 2 holes in the top of the tag and added a wire hanger with a home-made clay bead.



Evening Bag
Next up I wanted to try the stamps onto fabric. I cut some calico and gave it 3 coats of gesso, I truly love this technique, it makes a really strong but pliable substrate. I gave it a base coat of Nougat and then stamped the feathers in Elephant, Blood Orange and Little Black Dress.

I cut the fabric out into a small bag/purse shape, and stitched the 2 pieces together.


I found some old purses in a charity shop, stripped away the old fabric and I was left with a few great handles. These are the type you glue to the fabric, I found out it was fiddly, but not impossible.

As I was gluing it together I decided the bag needed a small embellishment, so I stamped the bird from HP1104 onto a sample of leather.



 I punched a hole and added a cord. This was then trapped into the purse frame along with the fabric.


Here it is all done, ready for a night out..


Dream Catcher
I wanted to try the feathers on metal. Using Archival I stamped onto the inside of a drinks can. I went around the edge with a dressmaking wheel and cut out the feather. Then I created the feather markings on the back, using a paper stump and a small ball tool. Finally I added a little treasure gold to the front edges.


I wondered what I could use them on, and decided to create a mandala/dreamcatcher.

I took a large A3 size piece of Smoothy Heavy Weight Stamping Card. I stamped the feathers in Snowflake, and once dry I painted over them with Bora Bora. I immediately wiped this back with a baby wipe. The Snowflake acts as a resist, and you are left with the 2 colours.

Over this I created the outlines of the dreamcatcher, using a compass, a 3mm black pen and some of the images from JOFY09.





Close up of the design..


I painted the whole thing using Fresco Paints. Adding small highlights with a posca pen.


Close up of the colour stage ....


Lastly I put a small hole in the end of each feather, I added some linked chain, which in turn was attached to a brad . This was then pushed through the card so that the feathers hang down. To keep them in place I put a dab of silicone glue behind each feather.


The finished piece..


Birthday Love Birds
Next I thought I would try these feathers on canvas. I stamped them using snowflake onto a PaperArtsy canvas, then I dabbed on some masking fluid. Once fully dry I was able to paint over them using Ice Blue Sky, Baltic Blue, Pansy and Rose. After drying the paint I peeled off the masking fluid to reveal the white feathers, I then stamped over these with more baltic blue.

Stamping with paint gives a much softer blurry effect. Very different from the inked samples.


This canvas comes with a frame, I painted it with Chocolate Pudding, then Crackle Glaze, then Nougat. Once dry I stamped the feathers with a distress ink, and dabbed some watered down French Roast onto all the edges. At the same time I painted and crackled a piece of PaperArtsy Cruncy Wax Paper in the same colours.


My next job was to draw up a curly branch/vine and a sentiment scroll. The banner is painted with Nougat, Mocha Mousse and French Roast and the stems are coloured with Toad Hall, Guacamole, Hey Pesto and Honeydew. I took the piece of crackled wax paper, and painted the back with Chocolate Pudding, this was now a really strong substrate. I stamped the crackled side with the feather stamps using an opaque Fresco. Because the wax paper now had several layers on it, I found that I could curl the edges and it would keep its shape.


I needed models, or rather two people's heads for my love birds, after sending a weird request to PA HQ, I had photos that I printed out in black and white, then painted.



Next I painted some Smoothy White Stamping Card with Nougat, drew a simple bird shape, and stamped the body of the bird with the feathers and opaques. The card bodies will lie flat, and the wax paper feathers will curl slightly because of the flexibility of the paper, they will be partly glued down.


Do you recognize the love birds..



Here are the stems and scroll glued into place. I added some tiny leaves and flowers.



Once glued together, and with their crowns in place our King and Queen of PaperArtsy were
attached to the canvas.




Here it is finished..



Happy Birthday Mark and Leandra, well done on reaching this fabulous milestone. Here's to many more years of PaperArtsy.

Leandra Says: Hahahaha, very funny...do you secretly want me to die my hair pink then?? LOL Thanks for your clever tribute Darcy, its brilliant! ALL tonight's projects are amazing, who knew so many ideas could come out of a humble feather! Love what you have done Darcy, and I'm also very excited about your final post tomorrow night!

Gillian Says: Wow you have been busy, so many fantastic projects tonight. Loving the new Mini designs. Ha your anniversary canvas is too cool for words.Thanks for sharing in the birthday celebrations. x

If you are inspired by Darcy's post tonight, and want to jump in and have a go, then you should do just that, and blog, Pinterest, or Flickr link your web page showing what you made to our InLinkz tool at the foot of Sunday night's blog post here

You need to link by noon (London time) on Sunday Sept 1st. For the weekely challenge we will do 2 prize draws, one for every single entry (including multiple entries), and a second draw with just one entry per name. Successful winners will get to choose an A5 PaperArtsy stamp of their choice.


For tonight's post, just leave a comment, and you could go in a third draw to win a set of the 3 minis featured tonight! Good luck everyone! 

77 comments:

Michelle Webb said...

Brilliant designs Darcy, loving the dream catcher. I can't wait for tomorrow night either. I'm excited! Michelle xx

Jay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jay said...

I love how you trun a stamp into a 3d idea..bestest mouse ever

JoFY said...

love love love the projects!! Really gorgeous - especially the handbag - too clever by far Darcy! lol
x

Unknown said...

OMG!!!! You spoil us with all these so different projects. Really like the dreamcatcher. What a clever and challenging idea. Loved this week, you are so "out of the box" you're back in it lol

Helen said...

So many fabulous ideas here, Darcy!! I love the Paperartsy lovebirds...! Those feathere stamps look fantastic in all those different colours and on all those surfaces... I must try some of these!

sam21ski said...

Love the new feather stamps, so unusual.

Great transformation of the purse. They really do look good stamped on the fabric in the paints.

Sam xxx

margaret said...

Oh they are fab, and even more fab ideas from Darcy!!!! Need these

massofhair said...

Oh my Darcy you have outdone yourself. Every project is awesome and so full of inspiration. Your final canvas of the love birds is too cool for school!!!

Love love love every project and will try to do them over time :-)

Karen R said...

What lovely projects difficult to decide what I like best

Anonymous said...

Wonderful projects Darcy. I thought the dream catcher would be my favourite, but then I saw the PA anniversary canvas - that is stunning.

Anna Parry said...

My (ever lengthening) wish list, now has 3 mini feather stamps. Fantastic projects Darcy, can't wait to give them a try!

Janet said...

WOW !!! I love the dream catcher,
& stamping into grunge,got to try that, fab projects, thanks for so many new ideas Darcy
Janet

Carol Q said...

Fab stamps Darcy. My god you never cease to amaze me with your brilliant ideas. I have so enjoyed your projects.

Mariëtte said...

What a great treat on projects!
And thanks for the chance to win those 3 fab feather stamps. Love them!

craftimamma said...

Oh Wow Darcy! My mouth was open halfway through the hanging tag and by the dreamcatcher my chin was on the floor! Every single project is fabulous but my favourite has to be the brilliant Anniversary canvas.

Several projects I would love to have tried for the challenge this week Darcy but I've had visitors all week and now I'm away from tomorrow so no time to play ;-( this week.

Thank you for all the hard work you have put into each of your projects. They have all been super!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Julie Lee said...

You have really sold the feathers minis to me! They are definitely on my wish list now. I love feathers anyway, but the new and original ways in which you used them - wow!!! The evening bag is just the cutest thing and the dream catcher is stunning and the love-birds are wonderful!!! So much wit and invention! Thank you for sharing all these terrific projects: how do you do it?! Julie Ann xx

sally said...

Love those feathers AND the dream catcher AND the anniversary card and... WOW! what a brilliant post this is :-)

Sally

Rita said...

Absolutely adore those feather stamps!! A lot of great ideas in this post. :)

Jane Olley said...

Wow. Beautiful feather stamps turned into stunning projects, you really have made the feathers come alive. Inspirational, thank you for sharing & the chance to win these obviously invaluable stamps.

Gina said...

Well I have to say...I didn't know how you were going to top yesterdays post Darcy, but this Canvas is just awesome!!!! Congratulations to everyone :D XXX

joanne wardle said...

gorgeous. and I love the feather stamps, I think they are going on the wishlist!

Maz said...

Wow, the feather stamps look great and you've done so many clever and inspirational projects there Darcy. Love all of them! x

Unknown said...

Darcy never ceases to amaze me with her creativity and her originality. Fantastic projects, all of them!

And as someone who loves painting birds, I absolutely LOVE those feather stamps!

Kathi said...

When I saw that you had a new post up and read the title, I thought "Yay! A new Darcy piece." Little did I know that it was several!

Woo-hoo and thank you too! They're all fabulous and I learned something from each one of them!

The new feather stamps are gorgeous!

Alison said...

Fabulous projects! Love the lovebirds! x

Lucy Edmondson said...

Oh wow, I love all the feather projects but particularly that gorgeous bag with the bird!

Lucy x

Glennis F said...

I think I am speechless - these are so amazing!

Margie said...

Wow what an amazing array of projects using these lovely feather stamps - my favourite is the evening bag, just fab. Thanks for all the comparisons of different inks too - very interesting. Margie x

Evil Edna said...

wow these stamps are so amazingly detailed and so many inspiring projects. I am keeping fingers and toes crossed for this comment and also love that bag! EE

Linda Hart said...

Multiple pieces of gorgeousness! Your brain must be thinking these things up while you sleep! Brilliant, Darcy!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness...I'm in love with those feathers...thank you so much for the opportunity to win!

Grandma Shelley

Anonymous said...

Oh,Darcy -- love this blog post. The ideas in it are GREAT, and the final b'day piece of our two beloved P.A. sovereigns made me laugh out loud. Really fun! Thanks so much.
Sally in France xo

ionabunny said...

There aren't enough hours in my day to keep up with Darcy!! I just did this, and then I did this and look at this amazing dreamcatcher I doodled, just like that. Darcy, you are fab. Your projects are fab. These stamps are fab. Your tribute to Mr and Mrs PA, happy birthday to them, is such fun. And fab. Hope I get lucky cos I would love to add these feathers to my stash.

kjjc said...

wow. is there anything this girl does that isnt just fab? No, i didnt think so. Love all these projects.

Trish said...

Brilliant ideas! My fav is the dream catcher - what a novel way to use the JOFY stamps. Love that!
A great Anniversary canvas too - very clever.

Craftyfield said...

What a fantastic set of projects! And the feathers stamps are gorgeous...

Siobhan Brignull said...

that is the prettiest Dream Catcher I have ever seen :)

Unknown said...

Wow, such versatility from such simple stamps. Your projects are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring!

Emma x

Ali said...

So many gorgeous projects! I love these feather stamps and they are so versatile... I especially love the little bag. :)

Ali

Unknown said...

Oh wow!!
Can't say anything else... Speechless!!
Anita x

WendyK said...

Fantastic projects, love the dream catcher, actually love all of them. Some brilliant ideas.

Lin said...

Wow Darcy!! just sat down with a cuppa to read the post properly!! The feather stamps are great and what you have done with them is fantastic!!..so many ideas!! And the anniversary card is well what can you say brilliant with a capital B!!! and I think Leandra should die her hair pink..go on I dare you lol!!!

Angie said...

Wow I really enjoyed this post, I know I will be returning time and time again, so much info on fabulous techniques. I absolutely love the feathers in the background of the large tag, it really does look like a vintage paper. Will be visiting again very soon. x

Etsuko said...

Thank you Darcy. So many ideas share of us.It's wonderful creative life! I will send you Yale!!

Sobre el Arte y otras Aventuras said...

All the projects are amazing but the dreamcatcher is absolutely stunning. Very clever use of the stamp and gorgeous. Tfs, Vron

Yvonne Garner said...

What an outstanding post! Very inspiring and love the images!

Miss Iowa said...

Wow--lots of great projects. I don't have any feather stamps. Hope I can be entered (I'm in the U.S.)

Anonymous said...

Hello,

my name is Tanja. I love the feather stamps and what you have done with them - especially the dreamcatcher.

Since I am looking for feather stamps at the moment, I hope that I get a chance to win.

Greetings from Germany.
Yours, Tanja

Anonymous said...

I'm a sucker for 'true to life' nature etchings! The new fish skeleton stamps are amazing but these feathers... WOW... utterly beautiful. Thanks for the great inspiration and the chance to win this fabulous prize! Roz

Sid said...

What a lot of fab inspiration !!

Miriam said...

Stunning!! And don't those love birds look cute :)

Cardarian said...

I am just so amazed at all the wonderful ideas of what to do with Paperartsy products that Darcy has come up with! I haven't had much of a crafty spirit lately but all these lovely ideas have given me wings again! Thank you for all the brilliant ideas and happy anniversary! Keep up the lovely work!
Cardarian

yoursartfully said...

Loving the feather stamps Darcy. The dream catcher is a genius idea but the pictures of Mr & Mrs PA made me laugh out loud, I love it.

Lin

kaybee said...

Fabulous feathers ..... enough said!

becslb said...

Love the ideas, love the stamps and can't wait to see tomorrows post!

Jacqui Chimes said...

I love the tag - i have these stamps but have never used them quite like this - very inspiring - and the canvas is brilliant

Paula (PEP) said...

What a fantastically helpful & detailed post. I love the advice about ink comparisons & surfaces for stamping - I was so disheartened as a beginner when I couldn't get crisp images & this kind of info would have been vital. Love the use of the compass too & combining drawn artwork with these stamps. I always love using feathers for they can add such texture & these ideas have really fired my imagination.
Thank you
Paula (PEP)

zandra said...

Really, love the bag and the feather stamps are awesome. Thanks for a chance to win.

Kezzy said...

Wow these are truly stunning all your creations are so fun especially the final piece. I'm holiday and don't have no coverage where we are, being out today I am so thankful that I get to say thanks for all your inspiration over the last few months and I so wish I could have joined in on your last week. I can't even see all the projects so it will be lovely to see them all. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxxxxx

Linda Jones said...

How absolutely fabulous Darcey! Everything is wonderful & gives me such inspiration. Thank you so much!

Francesca said...

The stamps are great the feathers look so realistic. Great projects especially the bag. Francesca xxx

Gina said...

You came up with SO many ideas from one supply! Amazing :)

Julie S said...

Wow, where do you find the time?? These are all amazing, Darcy. I wish my brain worked this way.

Gill said...

Wow! what fabulous ideas!!
Thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

Félicitation pour ces oeuvres d'une pure beautés et bravo à toute l'équipe pour vôtre imagination

Anonymous said...

Darcy, you THE star. So many ideas, such beautiful projects.
Margriet

Steven said...

Another sekrit out! Brilliant as always! Your projects just leave us drooling!

Jackie Humphreys said...

Darcy, your creations are amazing, just like you. So much inspiration. Well done babes. x

Sue said...

These are all amazing pieces Darcy, I love the anniversary canvas lol xx

susiesu said...

WOW again! So many ideas and projects to try. Didn't know I NEEDED feather stamps till I saw these examples. Love them all but especially the anniversary canvas showing the two love birds - what a brill idea. Would love the chance to win a set of these feather stamps - I will, of course, then need all the fresco paints and every colour of Versafine ink pad!!!! lol Susiesu xxx

Annika said...

Those feathers are awesome! I love love love them, they're so very detailed. And all those amazing projects made with them... Looks absolutely gorgeous,Í'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one, lol.

Hugs Annika

The Hardy Stamper said...

What fabulous projects! The new feather minis are stunning and I would be over the moon if I won a set:)

Unknown said...

That's Fab hunni! Love it! x

Karin said...

This is brilliant, Darcy!

Suejimbel.wordpress.com said...

These projects are just amazing! I would never have thought to use my JOFY stamps like this and the feathers are sooo versatile. Love them! Sue in Worcester

Cazzy said...

Ooo feathers, I love them, and the projects are gorgeous! That bag is amazing.