Rhythm of Circles with EPA {by Nikki Acton}

Hi everyone, Nikki here with you today sharing a journal page (or maybe wall art) using the new mini stamps from the Eclectica³ PaperArtsy stamp collection (EPA). These mini stamps are designed to be ideal under-layers complimenting other designer lines, but I decided to make them the focal point too.

 

There are eight new mini stamps - Eclectica PaperArtsy EM153 - EM160. (Available from PaperArtsy Stockists). I used seven of them today.

I needed two contrasting colourways for my project so selected Fresco Chalk Acrylics in Cerise (FF136), Sunshine (FF223), Persimmon (FF209) and Electric Violet (FF201) for my warmer colours and Aquamarine (FF153) and Sargasso (FF135) for the cooler ones. It's rare I don't include some black and white in my projects, my go to colours being Little Black Dress (FF19) and Chalk (FF83).

To build up my background I also used one stencil - PaperArtsy stencil PS329 - by JOFY.

To begin I took three of the red / warm colours and loosely added to my page. No need for precision or blending here - lots more layers to go!

Next I used the stencil to add some Chalk acrylic randomly over my page followed by some stamping of the bubble wrap stamp (EM156) with Electric Violet paint.

More stamping - this time with Ranger Archival inks. I used Plum, Watering Can, Orange Blossom and Jet Black. When adding to a background like this I do not use a block but just hold the stamp into the ink and transfer to the page. I am happy if I only get half the image!

I created two of these backgrounds - and as with any process like this they are slightly different. I used black ink on one for the branches but the more subtle Orange Blossom ink on the other. On one I added some additional stencilling using Sunshine.

For my blue/green background I used my gel plate. This technique gives you the mirror image of the stamp you are using. First I add some paint to my gel plate.

Next I begin stamping off the gel plate - i.e. using the paint on the gel plate to stamp onto another piece of paper. You need to work relatively quickly (to prevent paint drying on the plate).

Once complete I use what is left on the gel plate to create the print. You can see below the gel print alongside where I have 'stamped off' the gel plate onto card.

I also used this technique for some of my focal imagery. While the gel print version doesn't give the perfect image that you get stamping with ink and PaperArtsy stamps, it does give you a wonderful, grungy version!

The blue flecks of paints on the black print were leftovers from the previous print - cool effect!

To build my focus I stamped and punched or fussy cut different images. I mainly used the half circle from EM153 and the full circle from EM157. I stamped on both the warm (reds) and cooler (blue/greens) backgrounds and also used the gel print black circles.

I cut other parts of the background to form the layers. As I was using square backgrounds but circles as the focus I made sure I softened the edges with a corner punch. 

 

Each layer was mounted onto black card (or card painted black). 

I created a little cluster of stamped elements and added one of the word stamps.

I love how the stamped semi circles look over the busy multicoloured background.

I hope you like my journal page. I look forward to seeing what you do with this fabulous collection of Mini's.

Happy crafting, Nikki.

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Secret Garden Spool with HP {by Jenny Marples}

Hello everyone, Jenny Marples here with you today to show how I transformed a long strip of paper into a mixed media adventure through a secret garden, all securely attached to a spool for easy storage. I'll be sharing how I build the collage 'vignettes' along the way, a process that can be applied to journal pages, tags, books, boxes and more.

We are delving into the vaults of PaperArtsy's Hot Picks range to play with stamp sets HP1005 and HP1006, combining them with a more recent stencil PS021, Fresco Chalk Acrylics, Grunge Paste and Printed Tissue.

Start by gluing torn pieces of book page/manuscript, brown wrapping paper, gel printing cast offs and stained paper onto your strip of backing paper. If you need to recreate these, apply Fresco Chalk Acrylic Sorbet (FF169) and Koala (FF141) to plain (or even better tea stained) paper and add a thin layer of Mattint Ladybug (MT12) to graph paper or similar.

These scraps need blending together with the background - I find scraping a fine layer of  Grunge Paste over the edges and toning down the colours/text with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Chalk (FF83) works well for this.

Finish your base layer by lightly tea staining it all, adding extra depth in areas if needed with dry used teabag papers and highlights with more Chalk paint.

Now to start adding the details.

 

I adore the process of combining translucent layers, stamping and stencilling to create collages but it can feel overwhelming when looking at the finished pieces. Start with thinking about where you want your stamped image to go a try applying a layer of sewing pattern tissue below it. This helps to draw the eye to the image. Make use of any text on the pattern piece to help you line up your stamp. You can even use a fine permanent pen to extend the manuscript lines.

Try re-stamping some of the images within the larger stamp to make those details pop. Then extend the design further by using the text stamp either side of the main image. And to finish for now help to blend the edges between your stamping and the background by adding Grunge Paste through the stencil.

Let's repeat this process in another section, beginning again by deciding where your stamping should go. There's a straight edge to this border so I added some Printed Tissue Postcards (PT13) on one side, adding the stamped butterfly to enhance the design.

Repeat stamping a border can be very effective when you are looking to fill an area. Try adding another of those translucent layers below the stamping (in this case some 'mop up' paper towel covered unevenly with Infusions Golden Sands (CS05). If you don't want extra stamping like the swirls to compete with the border design try using a coloured permanent ink, and then add more stencilling to blend it all together. You'll spot that I added an extra butterfly and used some paper coloured with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Pumpkin Soup (FF33) to make them more impactful.

Here's one final example of this process in action, starting with the Printed Tissue and stamping with different coloured inks.

More layers are added by stamping the images onto card which can then be cut out and place where you need them to be. The repeat stencilling and some tea stained lace help to create a natural flow along the whole design. The scrap of woven fabric beneath the lace was coloured with Fresco Chalk Acrylic London Bus (FF37) which I then rinsed and dried for a more faded appearance.

Just a few more elements to go now.

Work along your paper adding more stamping to extend your designs further. Don't be afraid to leave some areas blank - this provides a visual break and makes those focal points stand out even more. I love to add stitching using different threads. Follow the lines of your stamped images to give them more textural impact.

Cut out stamped images to add over previous stamping and stencilling to help finish your panel.

 

I often strengthen the back of my panels/pages by adhering a layer of calico but in this case that went 'wrong' as the paper buckled when the fabric dried out. The only way to make the paper lay flat was to cut into the fabric.

Rather than give up I remembered how Shelley Rhodes deliberately adds flaws to her paper and fabric. And so I visibly stitched through the two layers to secure the fabric and create 'rivers' of thread throughout the paper.

All that remains is to attach your paper to a spool or similar so that it can be rolled up for storage purposes.

Here's the end of finished spool...

... and here's the beginning, inviting you into the Secret Garden Spool.

Let's take a walk through the whole of the design.

All of this has been created using just two stamp sets and a stencil - so the question is which of your stamp sets would you use to create a spool of your own?

Thank you for joining me today.

Jenny

Blog: https://pushingtherightbuttons.blogspot.com/

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