3 Things - A Lilac Christmas {by Liesbeth Fidder De Vos}

Hi everyone, it's Liesbeth with you today for a 'With 3 Things' challenge post. 

For this challenge, PaperArtsy sends the same three items to 3 people from our blogging team. It is really interesting to see how each maker comes up with different ideas and techniques with the same 3 things.  Typically we will receive a stamp, a stencil and a colour product. We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send, the whole idea is to do something crafty in our personal style restricted to these 3 items.

So let's take a look at what I received from PA HQ ...

When the PaperArtsy envelope with the materials arrived in my mailbox, I couldn’t help but laugh. Inside were some beautiful Christmas-themed stamps by Sara Naumann (ESN39), while here in the Netherlands it was over 30°C at the time! But honestly, I absolutely loved that… it felt like a real creative challenge.The Fresco Finish Paint I received was Wisteria, a beautiful greyish lilac that isn’t exactly the first colour you would associate with Christmas. Together with the circle stencil (PS203), it completed my  challenge. And believe me… I immediately had all sorts of ideas!

Lets take a closer look at what I made ....

My plan was to make a star-shaped booklet and a few cards. To do this, I first created a masterboard using two sheets of white A4 watercolour paper. I applied four shades of purple Distress Ink to my craft sheet and sprayed them with water. I then dragged the paper through the wet ink and left it to dry

Now it was time to start stamping! First, I experimented with bleaching using pure bleach. I put a thin layer of bleach on my craft sheet and used it as my “ink pad”. After stamping, I made sure to clean the stamps very thoroughly with water.

Later on, after cutting everything, I also used the stamps on top to create my focal points. I used Tsukineko-Versafine Clair: Fantasia and Twilight. The leaves were stamped onto dark blue cardstock with the paint, Fresco Finish Wisteria. I cut them out for using as decoration.

Using the Wisteria Fresco Paint again I stamped the tiny stars here and there, such a nice effect!

Here you can see the beautiful little stars in three different ways: stamped with bleach, with ink and with Fresco paint Wisteria.

The circles on the stencil remind me of Christmas baubles!

I used the stencil with the Wisteria Fresco paint and a small sponge. I added a bit of black and white paint as well..more about that later.

My Christmas baubles :-)

Here you can see the different layers, and how the stencilled paint works as a resist. Love it!

Some more explanation about how I used the paint.

I always like to start by experimenting with the paint, and what an interesting colour this Fresco Finish paint Wisteria is! I was so curious to see what would happen if I mixed in a little white or black. With just the tiniest drop of black (Little Black Dress) it immediately turned into a beautiful soft grey shade. Mixed with some white (Snowflake) it became a lovely pale lilac. The original Wisteria is in the middle, and I used all three shades for stencilling the circles.

The different shades of lilac. I created a kind of ,shadow' at one side of the baubles with watered down Wisteria paint.

When you use ink for stamping, you get beautiful, crisp and perfect impressions. Stamping with paint is completely different. I love that sense of imperfection, and also the contrast it creates with the perfectly precise inked impressions...

...as you can see here. I finished the pieces with white gel pen highlights and ...as always.. some glitter glue.

A star book (made from an old template I found in my stash), two Christmas cards and a bookmark.

Above, you can see the cards and the unfolded booklet a little better, in their entirety.

The (almost) closed booklet

This ‘With 3 Things’ was challenging, but so much fun to create! I discovered just how beautiful the stamps from stamp set ESN39 are, and that lilac is actually a wonderful Christmas colour! 💜🎄

I’m so curious to see what the other two makers will create with exactly the same materials. It’s always so much fun to see how differently we each interpret them! I hope we can inspire you, and I’d like to thank you for stopping by.I hope to see you again next time!

Lots of love,
Liesbeth XX

Blog: Liesbeth's Arts & Crafts

Facebook: Liesbeth Fidder-de Vos

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Pocket Shrine "Seth-style" with SA {by Ann Barnes}

Hello everyone, Ann here with you today sharing a folded "Seth-style" pocket shrine using the newest Seth Apter Stamp Release for PaperArtsy. 

I was thrilled to receive the three new Seth Apter stamps from PA HQ. Seth's designs never disappoint; and these newest stamps are some of my favorites! It's definitely worth checking out Seth's PaperArtsy Release Blog created for these new sets, it offers insight into the designs as well as inspiration from the designer himself!

Seth's stamp designs are so perfect for incorporating into backgrounds and creating mixed media abstract art. For this project I wanted to create something meaningful that allowed a few of the designs to become focal points. I decided to make a pocket shrine, combining my love for religious art with Seth's unique grungy, layered style. This is a special piece that can be used for prayer or contemplation. I drew color inspiration from the image of Mary, choosing PaperArtsy Fresco  Chalk Acrylic in Castleton (FF231), Admiral (FF233), Tomato (FF229), Buff (FF96), and Gold Rush (FF204).

Using images stamped onto PaperArtsy Printed Tissue - Blank (PT10), I was able to figure out the shrine sizing. I cut the shrine shape from a piece of primed canvas. Working on the outside surface, I began to add layers of paint first with a brayer, and then with a chip brush.

I started with a layer of Buff (FF96) then built up layers with the colors, each time brushing more Buff on top to create a muted and worn look. Partially stamping different images randomly onto the surface added texture. I stamped in Tomato (FF229) along the fold locations to create a binding appearance. I love how this looks when the shrine is folded.

The interplay of this lined image atop the canvas texture gives the surface a linen appearance. It's a good idea to put the stamps into water after using them with paint, they are much easier to clean.

As soon as I saw the frame image in Seth Apter Set 53 (SA053), I knew it would be amazing in 3D. Stamping into air dry clay allows you to create a relief of the image.

I rolled out the clay onto my craft surface. I kept the thickness to about 1/8". The thicker the slab you create, the longer it will take to dry. Also note that if it is very thin, it will be extremely fragile. Stamp directly into the clay with consistent pressure. (Note: spritz the stamp with water before stamping for easier release after impression.)

You can make various versions of the frame by cutting out different sections. The central opening can be removed or remain intact; while the outside can be decorative or square. There are many variations you can try. Adding color to the raised edges or within the recessed areas allows the design to stand out visually.

Once you select the frame style you desire, the rough edges are easily cleaned up with a small piece of extra fine sandpaper or by using a craft knife to scrape away any excess.

When the pocket shrine is unfolded, the beautiful interior is revealed. I chose the mandala style stamp image to balance the central framed piece. I stamped the image with Ranger Archival Ink in Watering Can onto separate papers and allowed it to dry. I colored the image using watercolor paints, then set it aside to dry.

 

I next worked on creating the main background for the interior of the shrine. I painted the entire surface of the canvas with Castleton (FF231). This color complements the watercolored images as well as the framed Madonna. Using a hardened paintbrush, I added streaks of Buff (FF96). This created a textured effect adding interest while also softening the appearance. The patterned areas were created using the repeating diamond shape stamp, and gold embossing powder. This surface makes me think of a wallpaper design.

With the main interior background complete I wanted to focus on the pocket. This is where the outside surface becomes an interior surface. To close the edges securely, I stamped some twill with the tread-like stamp. The twill ribbon was narrower than the stamp, which allowed me to create a unique pattern. I secured this around the right and left sides of the pocket with glue.

I wanted to add a special detail to the top edge of the pocket. This was created by stamping and embossing the DNA-like pattern onto a piece of paper then fussy cutting around the design to create a unique "Ric Rac" piece. This piece was trimmed to the correct length and attached to the pocket just below the red stamped edge.

I stamped out the bubble letter phrases onto paper with Ranger Archival Ink in Cobalt. Then using a small circle punch, I punched out the circled letters to form the word MARIA. These were glued in place along the base of the pocket.

When the two watercolor panels were dry, I added gold details with a metallic pen as well as some gemstones to embellish. I then attached them to each side panel with French knot stitches at all four corners.

I want to make the outside closure flap very special. To do this, I emboss the radial circular stamp in gold. Red stitches follow some of the rays upwards accentuating the design and mimicking the attached flaming heart Milagros.

On the inside of the flap, I added pieces of thread to balance the stitched threads and glued an accent piece at the center.

I love how the different patterns interact, can you spot at least 6 different stamps in the detail image above?

The frames I created are truly beautiful. I am looking forward to using the extras in different projects.

The connections between the "DNA strands" created the perfect spot to attach additional Milagros.

Here is a close up view of the stamped twill used to secure the pocket sides.

I made a few cards that can be tucked into the pocket, for a prayer or special intention. I love the way that the designs look embossed in gold and colored with watercolors.

I love the way this turned out. I have so many ideas for using these new stamp sets from PaperArtsy, and look forward to sharing more! I can imagine creating a pocket shrine to hold a treasured coin or good luck piece to carry with you. I think I might try my hand at making some of the "bits" Seth shares on the blog. There are so many possibilities! If you are interested in grabbing any of the newest stamp sets, there is a list of stockists on the PaperArtsy site where you can find one that's located in your area. Hopefully you are inspired to get creative.

I'm so happy you stopped by,  Ann xx

Blog: aksbarchitect CREATES

Facebook: Ann Sullivan Barnes

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