2022 Topic 12 : Minimalism {by Nikki Acton} with Sara Naumann stamps

Hi everyone, it's Nikki with you today, and I'm here to share my interpretation of our Minimalism theme with a simple wall tryptic.

From an art history definition of Minimalism I have included elements that were part of the art movement: the use of repeating geometric shapes and minimal use of colour. However I like my art to be expressive and subjective which is the opposite of the Minimalists. But we can interpret the theme as we wish and for me all this white space is definitely minimal!

I began by deciding on my supplies - keeping it simple - blue tones with PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk Acrylics (Cloudy, Venice Blue, Blue Oyster and Chalk) along with Sara Naumann Stamp Set ESN41. It did get a little more detailed as my idea developed.

I started in my sketchbook drawing some simple designs with circles - focusing on the composition, making the three squares work together. I then cut some paper to the size of the white board squares (4 inches square) I was working on and roughly cut the leaves from the stamp set and started moving them around until I was happy with the composition.

 

 

It was at this point I realised I needed some additional elements for the design - so I used some Seth Apter stamps - more details later. 

 

A key element to my scribbled designs was the size and position of my circles. While it was a repeated theme on each square I wanted them a little different. I decided to create some gel prints on vellum.

I made sure I used different size circles (cut with metal dies) for each square and their positions varied so that each worked individually and as a whole (originally in a horizontal configuration, but as I took photos I think the vertical works almost as well).

 

I used three PaperArtsy Stencils by Sara Naumann - PS102, PS092 and PS324.

Looking back to my scribbled drawings - I had imagined a border of some sort so added my circles to some card slightly smaller than the 4x4inch squares. I didn't want a solid border so reached for a Seth Apter stamp.

The border is created using the bottom stamp from PaperArtsy stamp set ESA18. I also added the extra element using one of Seth Apter's mini stamps - EM71.

 

I added words from Seth Apter Mini Stamp set EM66 to feature alongside the wonderful leaves / branches from Sara Naumann.

 

Going minimal is quite hard for me - I feel it puts added emphasis on the composition. But I am happy with how these turned out (although my fussy cutting could do with some improvement). But for our blog theme 'minimal' it can be interpreted however you choose - so give it a go!

Nikki

Blog: Addicted to Art

Instagram: @a2a.craft

Pinterest: nikacton

YouTube: Nikki Acton

2020 #14 Mandala's and Fish with Gwen Lafleur stamps {by Nikki Acton}

 2020 Topic 14: Fused

Ohhhh, check out this cool underwater fusing from Nikki, she's successfully fused fabric with embossing powder! Wonderful colour and those stamps by Gwen are an absolute delight in how versatile they are to work with!
~ Leandra

Hi, Nikki here today, from Addicted to Art, with my 'Fused' project - I have used embossing powder to fuse together layers and also embed some fabric.

I have a couple of Gwen Lafleur's stamp sets and couldn't decide which to use so I went with both - Mandala's (EGL01) and Fish (EGL04) - not an obvious combination!

 

 

I started by stamping some mandalas and colouring them in - I used Polychromos Coloured Pencils for  this. On the smaller two I repeated the middle section to build the layers and also added a little rhinestone before adding versamark and heat embossing with clear powder. I repeated this a couple of times to build it up. You can see some of the embossed surface has cracked here - but I went with it. (The downside of doing it on flexible card - the hardened embossed surface cam crack if you are not careful.)

Having coloured the larger mandala I heat embossed before adhering some material and the fish - then added more layers of embossing.

My background is a wooden panel. 

I layered PaperArtsy Fresco Acrylics with my brayer before adding some additional stamping - the fish from EGL04 and the sea plants from ESC10.

I added my fused mandala's over some twine using foam pads to elevate them slightly. I love the glossy effect over the very matt background - bringing the mandalas and fish more to the forefront.

Nikki x

Blog: Addicted to Art

Instagram: @Nikki_Act

Pinterest: nikacton

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PaperArtsy Relocation News

We are in the throes of relocating our business from England to France. Please be aware from August 10 through October 1st, both the PaperArtsy retail and wholesale websites are in hibernation mode while we pack, move and unpack. This means you can view our websites, but you cannot proceed through checkout.

 

As always, we ask that you support our stockists (listed below) if you need to get your hands on supplies. They are well stocked and prepared for this period. If you are not sure where to start, join our facebook Group, PaperArtsy People where a stockist will link you to their store for any given product.

 

PaperArtsy Retailers - I recently created a private Facebook group just for you so we can communicate to you with ease until we have email, internet etc up and running in France, so make sure to PM me for an invite.

Australia

Bella Paperie, Brendale, Queensland, www.bellapaperie.net.au

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Scrapbook Superstore & More South Penrith, NSW https://www.scrapbooksuperstore.com.au/

The Scrapbooker's Confetti Box, Swansea,NSW https://thescrapbookersconfettibox.com/
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The Scrapbook Store, North Perth,WA http://thescrapbookstore.com.au/ 
Time To Create, Modanville, NSW www.timetocreate.com.au

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Cart N Scrap Art, Antwerp, cartnscrap@gmail.com

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Scrap and Bean, Edmonton, Alberta http://scrapandbean.com/ 

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The Paper & ink Boutique, Calgary, Alberta https://www.paperandinkboutique.com/
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Denmark

Hobbyboden Scrapworld Samso www.hobbyboden.dk

France

Eirl Bancon Cartoscrap, Midi Pyrenees, https://www.cartoscrap.com/blog/

Horizon Creatif, Ste Jalle h.creatif@gmail.com

Katzelkraft, Ingwiller http://www.katzelkraft.fr/en/

Kerglaz, Basse Goulaine, https://www.kerglaz.com/  

Kerudoc Creation, St Yvi www.kerudoccreation.com

Quartier Serre Teston, Ste Jalle, hcreatif@gmail.com

Scrap by Nini,  Uzerche, Limousin https://scrapbynini.fr/ 

Scrapo'naturel, Tourville La Riviere, www.scraponaturel.fr/livraison 

Toutencolle, Dun sur Avon www.toutencolle.fr

Germany

Paperbasics, Hessen, www.paperbasics.de

Stempelbar, Berlin, www.stempelbar.de

Stempeloase Munich, Munich www.stempeloase.de

Stempelfee Shop, Hilden www.stempelfee-shop.de

Stempellaedle, Stuttgart, www.stempellaedle.de/shop

Greece

Scraps N Pieces, Kallithea www.scrapsnpieces.gr

Italy

Immagine SAS di Rapaccini, Rome, www.immaginelab.com

Il Negozio Della Mamma Di Cle, Torino, clelia27@liberio.it

L'artistica Glo, Cinisello B (Mi), www.artisticaglo.it

Marte Savona, Savona, www.martesavona.it

Pezze E Colori, Lissone, http://www.pezzeecolori.it/ 
Piccole Passioni, Siena, www.piccolepassioni.it

Scrap it Easy, Rome, https://www.scrapiteasy.com/it/

Japan

Tiny Dots, Funabashi-shi, Chiba www.facebook.com/TinyDots

Netherlands

Doe@ding,Spijkenisse https://doeading.nl/

Hobbycompleet de Duif, Leeuwarden www.hobbycompleet.nl

Stampingcorner, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel www.stampingcorner.nl

Norway

Hobbygarasjen, Kopervik, www.Hobbygarasjen.no

Hobbykunst, Rasta, www.hobbykunst-norge.no

Scrapbookengros AS, Kleppe www.hobbylageret.no

Spain

Arts & Crafts, Barcelona, pebdesign@hotmail.es

Cien por Cien Manualidades, S.L., Bizkaia, Catalunya,  www.100x100manualidades.es

Endulze & Crista S.L, Pampalona, Navarra,  www.endulze.com

Ideas 10 Manualidades Y Scrapbook, Bilbao https://ideas10manualidades.com/

Marakiscrap, Tarragona, www.marakiscrap.com

MundoMint, Sabadell, Barcelona, www.mundomint.es

Scrap & Papers Experiences, Barcelona, Info@casonadequintana.com

Scraphouse S.L. Barcelona www.scraphouseshop.es

The Paradise Corner, Barcelona, www.facebook.com/theparadisecorner 

South Africa

Kcraft Imports Ltd, Centurion, www.kcraft.co.za

Stencil Art, Gauteng, www.stencil-art.co.za 

Sweden

Butik Elva, Staffanstorp, https://www.butikelva.se/

HC Design, Svedala, www.hcdesign.nu

Taiwan

Mandy's Cards, Taipei www.facebook.com/mandy.card

United Kingdom

A Trip Down Memory Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, http://www.atripdownmemorylane.co.uk

Aldridge Crafts, Attleborough, Norfolk www.aldridgecrafts.co.uk

Amelia's Creative Crafts, Studley, Warwickshire  www.ameliascreativecrafts.co.uk

Art from the Heart, Harrogate, Yorkshire www.afth.co.uk

Blade Rubber Stamps, London www.bladerubberstamps.co.uk

Countryview Crafts, Potton, Bedfordshire www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk

Crafts at The Malthouse, Herstmonceux,  East Sussex, http://www.themalthouse.co.uk/

Craftrange, Burnley, Lancs, https://www.craftrange.com/

Fave Rave, Stourbridge, West Midlands www.shabbychicstencils.co.uk
Handmade at Helen's, Dumfries, Scotland, https://www.handmadeathelens.co.uk/

Hixxysoft, Frome, Somerset, https://www.hixxysoft.com/

Loobi Crafts, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, www.loobicrafts.co.uk

Papermaze, Ipswich, Suffolk www.papermaze.co.uk

Stampers Grove, Springbank, Lilliesleaf, Melrose,Scotland www.stampersgrove.co.uk
That's Crafty, Romford, essex www.thatscrafty.co.uk

The Artistic Stamper Craft Store, Faversham, Kent www.theartisticstamper.com
The Crafty Cafe, Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffs, http://www.thecraftycafe.co.uk/
The Craft Room, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffs https://www.garnersgardencentre.co.uk/crafts/

The Craft Studio, St Austell, Cornwall https://www.facebook.com/thecraftstudio/

The Forget me not Kraft Kabin www.TheForgetMeNotKraftKabin.co.uk

USA

Annie G Studio, Chula Vista, CA https://www.anniegstudio.com/
Art Anthology, Huntington Beach, CA http://artanthologyinc.com/
Artistic Artifacts, Alexandria, VA https://www.artisticartifacts.com/

Artistic Studio Creations, Fayetteville, Georgia www.facebook.com/ASCbyCrystal

Artistree Workshops, Fulton, New York, www.facebook.com/artistreeworkshops

Big Mouth Scrappers, Forney, Texas, https://www.bigmouthscrapperstx.com/ 

Craftiness, Chatsworth, CA, https://www.craftinessonline.com/

Creative Inkling, Hatnboro, PA https://www.creativeinkling.com/

Ephemera Paducah, Paducah, Kentucky www.ephemerapaducah.com

Everything Scrapbook & Stamps, Lake Worth, Florida www.everythingscrapbook.com

Frantic Stamper, Oregon www.franticstamper.com

Free Heart LLC, Denver, Colarado, http://www.freeheartllc.com/

Golden Hills PaperCrafts, Fairfax Station, Virginia, https://www.goldenshillpapercrafts.com/

Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps, Santa Fe, New Mexico www.santafe.com

Joggles, West Warwick, Rhode Island, www.joggles.com

PaperCraft Clubhouse, Westbrook, Connecticut, http://papercraftclubhouse.com/

Paper Parachute Art Design Co., Beaverton, Oregon www.paperparachute.com

Runaway, Art & Craft Studio, NE Salem, Oregon http://www.runawayart.com/

Scrapbook N Memories, Harrisonville, Missouri, https://www.scrapbooknmemories.net/

Simon Says Stamp, Columbus, Ohio www. simonsaysstamp.com

The Artistic Palette Studio, Eugene, OR, http://www.artistspalette.com/studio/

The Crafty Scrapper, Waxahachie, TX http://www.thecraftyscrapper.com/

The Doodlebug Inc, Jasper, IN, https://www.thedoodlebuginc.com/

The Ink Pad, New York, www.theinkpadnyc.com

The Queen's Ink Savage, Maryland www.queensink.com

Topflight Stamps, Irmo, South Carolina https://topflightstamps.com/

Stamp Fever, Orange, California www.stpstamp.com
Valley Stamp & Scrap LLC, Neenah, Wisconsin, https://www.valleystampandscrap.com/

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2020 #5 Mark Making: Subtle or Bold with ECF {by Nikki Acton}

2020 Topic 5: Mark Making

Nikki's wonderful cards are testament to the fact that with small changes in technique and a completely different palette, you can end up with strikingly different pieces. Her mark making doesn't detract from the layers underneath, they just augment the texture.

Hi everyone, Nikki from Addicted to Art with you today sharing 2 ideas using these fabulous stamps from Courtney Franich.  I just couldn't decide between subtle tones and bold colours - so went with both.

I knew straight away these stamps would be great on a gel-plate and for making masterboards - so this is where I started, with my subtle theme....

I made these 2 little A7 cards with some of my masterboards - which use the mark making stamps from stamp set ECF11. I used Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics in Blue Oyster, Chalk, Guacamole, Elephant and Koala.

I added a couple of colours to my gel-plate and used the large text stamp from the set randomly to remove colour before taking a print. I repeated this with different colours building up colour, sometimes over the top of another one.

You have to look closely to see the wonderful effects this gives - lots of depth with hints of text and blocks. 

The band down the middle is a print on some screwed up tissue paper, adding an extra layer of depth and texture. You might recognise the wonderful leaves from ECF06 which I embossed onto vellum.

For my bold masterboards I took a couple of different approaches, firstly using a credit card to scrape colours into my card before stamping with paints over the top. I then returned to my gel-plate, again I added colours and stamped off the plate with the large script stamp but then stamped onto the plate with the other stamps in different colours. I allowed this to semi dry on the plate and then added some Chalk paint, brayered over it then finally took my print.

Again I turned these into little cards - mixing the colours to create some bold, patterned cards! A few die cut letters and a little flower finished these off nicely.

From my experiments these stamps are a winner! Great for gelli plate work and creating masterboards. I can also imagine using the smaller stamps for adding detail to the edges of projects (think Seth Apter style) or for creating wonderful texture stamped into grunge paste.

Enjoy!

Thanks for joining me today, I hope you have a creative week.

Nikki x

Blog: Addicted to Art

Instagram: @Nikki_Act

Pinterest: nikacton

YouTube