2019 #3 Mail Art: Authentic Mail with ESC {by Jennie Atkinson}

2019 Topic 3: Mail Art

We have an extremely elegant envelope tonight that involves a masterclass in masking! Jennie has created a beautiful vintage inspired piece of art with lots of super helpful tips on masking,this is a great way to create your own collage of images, and the scripts help it all hang together beautifully ~ Leandra.

Hi everyone, it's Jennie (Live The Dream) here sharing something quite new to me. I have always admired the Mail Art I have seen on Pinterest but never had a go myself. There are SO many individual PaperArtsy stamps that can be used for this topic and I had a job limiting myself to just a few to stamp alongside Raquel's wonderful Floral Stamps released recently.

I thought the best way of creating the Botanical style of Mail Art I wanted was to go down the route of single layer stamping. This is a technique I am turning to time and again for birthday cards to get a layered look but which can be posted at the normal postal rate! It takes time, but well worth the effort.

I couldn't just make the envelope ..... I had to make a card to go inside!

Initially I played around with some stamps to see how they would fit onto the envelope and to decide what I wanted in the foreground and what would sit behind.

I have used stamps from all of these wonderful sets:

ESC18

HP1005

Travel 4 (T4)

Words 4 (W4)

Letters 6 (L6)

Believe me I could have done a whole series of  envelopes from my PaperArtsy stamp collection!! 

I masked out an area for an address and then stamped my first two uppermost images with Potting Soil Archival Ink and then made a mask for them from A Post It Note. If you stamp your mask near the top of the pad you get a little sticky bit which helps to adhere it to your envelope.

A tip about envelopes: make sure you use one that doesn't bleed through the back (this was a linen type envelope left over from the days when I made wedding invitations) and it helps if you cut a piece of cardstock to fit inside the envelope while stamping.

As each layer was stamped there were more masks to make. The flower was too big for a Post It Note, but a thin piece of paper is all that is needed. If you make the mask from too thick paper or card it doesn't allow the next layer to be stamped close up to the image.

It is now getting even more complicated with the last of the stamping and wondering whether it will actually work!

And hey presto, it did!

I used the same stamps and technique on the back of the envelope and painted in the area of the flower with Fresco Finish Acrylic Paints: Magic Moss, Mulled Wine and Key Lime.

I wasn't very happy with the ragged edge on the Jubilee Rose stamp so tried a butterfly, but that didn't work either. So I had to resort to placing my wax seal over the space. Not quite where I intended it to go....

I did blend some brown ink around the edges to give a bit of definition.


Be warned ..... it is rather addictive!

This was a very enjoyable craft session! I think my two elderly Aunts will be delighted to get one of these envelopes through the post on their birthday - and the fact that there is a matching card inside will probably win me the brownie points for this year!  The single layer stamping using masks is so very effective and there are so many PaperArtsy stamp sets which include stamps, tickets, little postcards and handwriting that the possibilities are endless. And don't throw away the masks - you can use them over and over again.

As always, thank you for joining me!

Jennie x

Blog: Live The Dream

PA 2017: Blog Year in review: Topics 1-4

Hello and a very Merry Christmas from PaperArtsy HQ!

The next few days ahead are the time of year that we reminisce and look back on the topics this blog has explored during 2017. 

Did you learn something new this year? Did you achieve a personal goal, or tick something off the bucket-list? Were you challenged in ways you least expected? 

I think for all of us there have been numerous unexpected twists and turns in international terms for us to absorb throughout 2017, lets hope for calmer waters in the year ahead! I'd love for us all to move towards a more fulfilled and content future!

We've all been provided with the highest quality and widest variety of artistic styles on the PaperArtsy blog this year. We deliberately strive to bring you bloggers with different styles, strengths and experiences and this melting pot suits the equally broad array of products available from the PaperArtsy brand.

Tonight I'm sharing a few reminders from 2017 Topics 1-4. Read on to find out more. 

Leandra.

Topic 1: Pink and Orange

In 2017 we decided to add a subtle structure to our topics. Each round of 4 topics started with a colour theme, and the first of these colours was based on the True Colours Publication, curated by Lynne Perrella.

My favourite and a real turning point for me, was the chapter on Pink and Orange by Teesha Moore. And, so it naturally followed that this would be the first topic of 2017, a burst of enthusiasm and boldness!

Wendy Malls kicked off her year with this perfect representation of those zingylicious colours and made a Book of Pockets! 

We have come to rely on Keren pulling rabbits out of hats. On this occasion she was on a clever transparent kick, which was sublime ....

or is that subpink (and orange)!

Honestly, I could show you every post for this topic - they were all astonishing, which really is the story of the entire year on this blog! Here, Chris Dark lobbed Kay Carley's stamps out of the park...look at this in-progress shot!! Stunning!

OK Just one more...Jennie Atkinson interpreted the colour theme as led by Infusions. Her palette was soft and subdued, as is her style... I love that any colour combination can be re-worked to suit personal preference. So now you know,  Pink and Orange certainly doesn't have to be HOT! It can be dusky too!

Topic 2 : Masks

Do you know the difference between stencils and masks? Well, it is fascinating how the lines have blurred. But a mask hides things right !? So let me leave that with you and you figure it out!

Anneke is a masking guru. Layer upon layer of soft and delicate paints with a poweeee-pop of orange! I love how she uses colour in such an effortless way. And I love how this picture links the last topic to this topic!!!

OK, I'll admit it, sometimes you feel like you have to turn your brain inside out to understand how stancils and masks can be used. And our own, very lovely Missy Jo is very good at turning my head inside out on an annual basis! This post fascinated me, and the stencil she created to do this is ACE!!!

Another of our talented in house designers, in fact a newbie 2017 PaperArtsy designer, is Alison Bomber. I think we are all a bit scared of white, but look at how masks make this box pop!

Sue's canvas used masks in several ways...can you count the ways??? There's 3 very obvious techniques, on 3 separate layers....

Topic 3 : Paints and Infusions

We all know the basics of using infusions now ...well if you don't yet, just use the search bar on the sidebar of this blog and you'll be bombarded with posts from the past 2 years! Our Fresco paints are chalk, so this can inherently provide a really good tooth for infusions to grab onto, it can also offer up other creative options too, let me share a few with you now!

Take a deep breath those 'cleanies' out there...infusions WILL stain your fingers, but that's part of the fun right?!! Hey it scrubs off, so don't panic....Xmas parties are O-V-E-R you're allowed to get messy!! Helen used bleach! Not to clean up (sheesh! silly!!) noooo... to knock back her infusions in the most stunning way....Look!! You know you want to sprinkle just like her!!!

I think this is one of my fave's from Hazel. She got so excited when she was layering up this book of Seth's newest products: wood, paint, rusting powder, and of course infusions all feature within the covers. It's a bit like those interactive books you buy for kids to poke and prod...except it's for us grown ups!!

I adored how Clare Messenger made this piece ready for the wall, how cool would 4 of these look for a fabulous statement piece in your house!

Boy are we lucky that Kay Carley is getting out and about in 2018 teaching her skills to us all! Check this out!! An amazing amount of detail to bring this sample together, lucky for you she shares the steps in great detail too in her blog post! Go and check it out!

Ok, how about this! Ruth Mescall is also an infusions guru! I adore this post too...I love them all, how can you choose just a few to share !!??.... this is torture!...but look, it's so lovely!!! On the back of this I was demoing Lin's flora stamps with infusions all year at the shows we do! Love love, love. If you haven't yet tried infusions, take a minute to absorb the colours, the tones, and the depth. They make you feel awesome!

Topic 4 : Doors and Windows

I have a secret fascination with doors. Every time we head over to the fabulous continent of Europe, my first photo is ALWAYS a door, or wrought iron covering a window, or gates...all those elements always look more romantic on the continent than here, in the generally dull, grey-skied Britain! Who wants a shiny red or black or cream spick and span door, not me! Give me a rusty peeling hardy old well-loved door any day!!!

Julie Ann has been creating astonishing miniature hinged art blocks and they are a delight! My first pick to remember is this, she writes gorgeous back stories to them too!

I think this was the best thing from Emma Godfrey with her stamps! Not only has she created windows, she's also used infusions as 'pops' of colour - you know you want to sprinkle those things ... yes you doooo....(I digress - I'm under the spell of infusions). Where were we, oh yes, Emma's super-cool frame. Go take a look!

So this next sample not only do I love, but the colour follows on perfectly from Emma's sample above!! Yup, it's Seth with one of his original doorways...he makes a lot of interactive art! Love the pop of color inside the doors, and his masterful painty layering ideas.

It is so much fun to look back on what our genius bloggers have shared with us over the course of a year. This year seems to have zapped by in a blink, but at least the blog remains as the perfect reference tool Don't forget to save the posts that float your boat on pinterest. No excuse now, you'll hit the New Year with a dozen ideas to crack on with!

See you again tomorrow with more!

Leandra

NEW from PaperArtsy {Eclectica³ Emma Godfrey} February 2017

Eclectica³ Emma Godfrey

Continuing with her penchant for bold quotes, and simple elements, Emma has added another 3 sets to her collection, and as you can see, these have a lovely summer vibe.

Let's take a look at the stamps first, then we have another surprise!

EEG22

EEG23

EEG24

In addition to the stamps, for you this year, Emma has created some mini stencils. These diddly little darlings are totally adorable, and I can see I'll be using them all on a gelli print for easy contrast. Take a look for yourself, you can see they fit perfectly with past and current stamp sets too.

 

Here's a video with plenty of inspiration and explanation!

Emma's wingmen and Emma have all been super-busy during the design and create phase of these stamps, and boy have they done so well to share amazing samples with us.  

Congratulations to you all!

~ Leandra

Hi everyone, Emma Godfrey here to show you my newest stamps designed for PaperArtsy.

As Leandra pointed out above, these three sets continue with my current line of stamps. This time they are themed around a flower (which looks fab layered up), some black & white striped circles and dragonflies. Again, I've also chosen some of favourite words and sayings to use in art journaling. I love versatility, so I wanted you to be able to interchange them with my other sets, but they can also work really well with some of the PaperArtsy designers stamps. And I'm particulary excited about the mini masks!

Tonight I invited the super talented Claire Snowdon and Sue Carrington to help me make samples with these new stamps and masks. Please go and check out their blogs where you will find more detailed information about these stunning samples and the techniques they used to create them. They'll be well worth a visit!

Let's start with Claire Snowdon.  I love the projects that Claire makes - she has a great sense of colour and layout, and is always up for trying something new - perfect wingman qualities! She's made some fabulous pieces...

'Everything' using EEG22 by Claire Snowdon

I love how bold the flowers on this stamp set are, it makes them really versatile and so easy to create amazing layers and dimension with.

The quotes on this stamp plate are going to be perfect for both art journalling and making cards - I love the quote I've chosen to use on my tag.

'Why Not' using EEG23 by Claire Snowdon

I love all the wonderfully positive quotes on this stamp set along with the circle elements which are so useful both as background elements but also focal points.

'Beautiful' using EEG24 by Claire Snowdon

I genuinely couldn't get enough of this stamp set - I just love to add butterflies and dragonflies to my work.  They always add a bit of magic to a project in my mind especially when you throw in a little bit of glitter too ;) 

There are some beautiful smaller stamps in this set which were ideal for adding interest and depth to the background.

Next up we have Sue Carrington.  Sue creates beautiful art journal pages and projects with lots of texture.  I was intrigued to see what she would create with my stamps and masks ... and she did me proud with these stunning pieces...

'Beauty' using EEG22 by Sue Carrington

I had so much fun with this sample not only because the stamps are so full of possibilities but also the colour palette that was part of the brief. The large flowers are perfect for stamping onto brayered backgrounds, like I've done here, cutting out and layering and the journalling ideas are whizzing round my brain too.

I love the smaller stamps too which are ideal for adding that extra little touch to backgrounds, masterboards and journalling too. I love layering so couple these stamps and the mini stencils and I'm in heaven!

'Brave Wings' using EEG24 by Sue Carrington

Who doesn't love dragonflies and having 2 different sizes is just brilliant ! I love that these can be stamped and then painted and stamping onto book text or dictionary paper would be fabulous too.

The sentiments on all the sets are are going to pop up on lots of my journaling pages and as the words are beautifully spaced they're easy to cut out so they can be used separately.

So now it's time to show you what I've made with these new stamps and masks...

The first thing I want to tell you is that I cut up the circles on EEG23 separately so that I could use them individually. It was really easy to do (especially with my Tim Holtz scissors - just be careful you don't stab yourself with them!).  I just poked a hole in the spaces between the circles and started cutting - you don't need to trim them too closely - just enough so that they nest back inside each other when you put them back on the index sheet.

My first project is an art journal background...

'A Beautiful Thing...' using EEG22, EEG23 & EEG24 by Emma Godfrey

Step One: I created a scraped paint background on a piece of Heavy Smoothy using an old credit card/splodger. I mixed the Fresco Finish paints with some Metallic Glaze so that the background had a bit of sparkle. To add some more interest I stamped the circles and small butterfly randomly.

Step Two: On a separate piece of paper I sprinkled Infusions and spritzed them with water. I dabbed off a lot of the colour with kitchen towel whilst they were still wet, as I wanted soft colours. Once dry, the large flower was then stamped, and the flowers were cut out. I added a little bit of detail to the edges of the flowers with a white extra-fine Sharpie paint pen, and some glitter to the centres.

Step Three: I stamped the circles, small flowers and quote onto more Heavy Smoothy cardstock, and cut them out. The small flowers were then overstamped with MN23, and they too got a glittery centre.

Step Four:  I arranged everything on my background and glued it all down. To finish I outlined the quote with a black pen, and added some dots with the white pen over the background.

"Hanging Heart" using EEG22, EEG23 & EEG24 by Emma Godfrey

In this project I decorated a small wooden heart...

Step One: I painted the heart with a couple of colours of Fresco Finish. When it was dry, I stamped the tiny flower and splodgy stamp with Archival Jet Black ink, and the butterfly using Snowflake Fresco Finish. I coloured in the flower with Bubblegum Fresco Finish using a very fine paintbrush.

Step Two: I stamped the large dragonfly onto translucent Shrink Plastic and cut it out. I added some more stamping in a contrasting colour, some white dots and coloured in the body. I then shrunk it with a heat gun.

Step Three: Back to the heart, I stamped and embossed the circle stamp with gold embossing powder - it is a rough surface, so I wasn't worried about it being perfect. To add a bit more bling, I highlighted some areas with Brass Treasure Gold. The white dots with Ranger Enamel Accents help to lighten it up a bit. To finish it just needed the dragonfly glued on and some co-ordinating ribbon threaded through the hanging hole.

Cards & ATC's using the mini masks and

stamp sets EEG22, EEG23 & EEG24 by Emma Godfrey

I also created a number of cards and ATC's using my mini masks for the backgrounds and decorated using my new stamps.

These ATC's were all created on Heavy Smoothy card using Distress Inks and some infusions. Add a little bit of stamping, some doodling and a quote, and they become mini works of art.

The next few cards and mini pieces all started with some mono-printed backgrounds. The mini masks are perfect for using with your Gelli Plates - especially the smaller ones!

I created a couple of sheets with various prints, and then cut them up...

So there you go ... didn't my wingmen do a brilliant job? I hope that they, and I, have inspired you to try out these new masks and stamps. I for one, can't wait to see what you'll create ... and if you decide to post a project on social media, don't forget to tag me so that I can see it.

You can find me here...

Facebook (Emma Godfrey Art)

Twitter (@emmaimaginethat)

Instagram (imaginethatemma)

Pinterest (emmaimaginethat)

Blog

Emma has been flat out teaching in shops this year, and it's easy to see why! She uses her stamps with paints and other products to create such gorgeous vibrant samples. What's not to like about that! 

All tonight's wing-men have detailed step out's explaining how they made their samples on their own blogs tonight, so do drop by and take a look by following the links: Claire, Sue, Emma. Leave Emma some love below too please!

Congratulations Em, another beautiful release!

Mark & Leandra
 
Below is a list of the retailers who have already got these new releases in stock ready for you to buy NOW!

Canada

Scrapbook Centrale, Dollard Des Ormeaux, Quebec www.scrapbookcentrale.ca

(Zinski, JoFY, ESC, EKC, EKD, EEG, ETS, LPC, Infusions, Frescos)

Treasured Memories Scrapbooking, Duncan, BC www.treasuredmemoriesscrapbooking.ca

(Frescos, Infusions, EKC, EEG, ESC)

USA

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

(ETS, Infusions)

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

(Zinski, EKD, EKC, EEG, ELB, ETS, ESC, Ink and the Dog)

Clay with Me, Colorado www.facebook.com/Claywithmestudio

(ELB, LPC, ESA, JOFY, Infusions, Frescos, EKD, EKC, ESC, EEG)

Creek Bank Creations, Indiana www.creekbankcreations.com

(MN, Zinski, Jofy)

Ephemera Paducah, Paducah, Kentucky www.ephemerapaducah.com 

(Fresco Chalks, Lynne Perrella, Seth Apter)

Frantic Stamper, Oregon www.franticstamper.com 

(Zinski, LPC, JoFY, ELB, EEA, EEG, ESC, EKD, EKC, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

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

( Frescos, Infusions, LPC, ESA, EEA, Zinski, MN, ETS, HP, Treasure Gold)

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

(Zinski, JoFY, ETS, EEA, EEG, EKC, ELB, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Stamplistic, Cleveland, Ohio www.stamplistic.com(Hot Picks, LPC, JoFY, ELB, Squiggly Ink) 

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

(Infusions, ESA, LPC)

Seth Apter, New York www.sethapter.com

(ESA, Frescos)

Stamp Fever, Orange, California www.stpstamp.com

(Frescos, Jofy, Infusions)

UK

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

(Zinski, Jofy, EEA, EKD, EKC, EEG, ESA, Frescos)

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

(EEA, ETS, ESA,Infusions)

Birds in the Barn, Marks Tey, Essex www.birdsinthebarn.blogspot.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, EEG, EKC, EKD, ESC, ETS, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

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

(JoFY, LPC, Frescos)

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

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, EEA, EEG, EKC, EKD, ESC, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Craft World Scotland, Glasgow www.craftworldonline.co.uk

(EKD, EKC, JoFY, ETS, Zinski, ESA, ELB)

Crafty Snippets, Billingshurst West Sussex www.craftysnippets.co.uk

(EKC)

Craftylicious, Mildenhall, Suffolk www.craftylicious.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, EEG, ETS, ESA, ELB)

Dandie Crafts, Caerphilly,www.dandiecrafts.co.uk/

(Fresco Chalks, Kay Carley, Tracy Scott)

Everything Art, Powys, Wales www.artisttradingpost.com 

(EEA, Frescos, Infusions)

Keep on Crafting, Burt St Edmunds, Suffolk www.keeponcrafting.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, ESC, ELB, EKD, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

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

(Zinski, JoFY, ETS, ESA, ELB, Frescos)

LouLouPurple, Gwynedd, Wales www.louloupurple.co.uk

(ETS, JOFY)

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

(JoFY, EKC, ESA, ELB, Zinski, Infusions)

Paper Story, Norfolk www.paperstory.bigcartel.com

(Infusions, Treasure Gold)

Rowan Tree Crafts, Carnforth, Lancashire www.rowantreecrafts.co.uk

(Zinski, stencils, ETS)

ShabbyChic Stencils Ltd, Stourbridge, West Midlands www.shabbychicstencils.co.uk

(Jofy, EEA, Zinski, ELB, Frescos)

Simply Crafts, Cardiff, www.simplycraft.com

(EEG, ETS, ESA, JoFY, Frescos, Infusions)

Snazzy's, Swindon, Wiltshire. https://www.facebook.com/snazzystampingandscrapbooking/

(Zinski, EKD, EKC, JoFY)

Stampers Grove, Edinburgh, Scotland www.stampersgrove.co.uk 

(Zinski, JOFY, ELB, EEA, EEG, EKD, EKC, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Swanstitch, Deal, Kent www.facebook.com/swanstitch

(JoFY, EKC)

That's Crafty, Romford, essex www.thatscrafty.co.uk 

(Zinski, Jofy, LPC, EEG, EKD, EKC, ELB, EEA, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

The Artistic Stamper Craft Store, Faversham, Kent www.theartisticstamper.com 

(Zinski, EKD, EKC, ESC, ETS, Frescos, Infusions) 

The Craft Barn, Merstham, Surrey www.thecraftbarn.com 

(Zinski, Jofy, ETS, EKC, EKD, EEA, ESA, ELB, Fresco Chalks, Infusions)

The Craft Box, Barnsley, South Yorkshire www.thecraftbox.biz

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, ETS, ESA, Fresco Chalks)

The Craft Den, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire www.thecraftden.co.uk

(Zinski, EKC, EEG, EKD Jofy, ETS, Frescos)

The Forget me not Kraft Kabin www.facebook.com/TheForgetMeNotKraftKabin

(Zinski, JoFY, ELB, ETS, EEG, EKD, Fresco Chalks)

Whichcraft, Wallasey, Merseyside 

(Zinski, JoFY, Fresos, ELB)

Belgium

Expression Hobby, Marcinelle www.expressionhobby.be
(Frecos, Infusions, Zinskis, EDY, EEG, Jofy)

Denmark

Hobbyboden Scrapworld Samso www.hobbyboden.dk

(ESA, Fresco Chalks)

France

Kerudoc Creation, St Yvi www.kerudoccreation.com

(Zinski, JoFY, ELB, EEA, EEG, EKD, ETS, ESA)

Toutencolle, Dun sur Avon www.toutencolle.fr

(JoFY, Infusions)

Germany

Stempeloase Munich www.stempeloase.de 

(Zinski, JoFY, ELB, ETS, ESA, ESC, EKD, EKC, LPC Frescos)

Stempelfee Shop www.stempelfee-shop.de

(Zinski, EEA, EEG, EKC, EKD, ETS, ESA, Infusions, Frescos)

Netherlands

Creafine, Papendrecht www.creafine.nl 

(JoFY, ETS, Infusions)

Hobbycompleet de Duif, Leeuwarden www.hobbycompleet.nl 

(Zinski, EKD, EEG, EKC, JoFY, ELB, ETS, ESA, Infusions)

Papillon Hobby, Hendrik Ido Ambacht www.papillon-hobby.nl

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, EEA, ETS, Infusions)

Scrap & Co, Klarenbeek www.scrap-co.nl

(JoFY, EKC, ELB, EDY)

Stampingcorner, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel www.stampingcorner.nl 

(Zinski, Jofy, ETS, ESA, Lynne Perrella, Frescos)

The Stamping Cottage, Schaijk www.thestmpingcottage.nl

(Fresco Chalks, LPC, ESA,  Zinski, Hot Picks, ETS, JoFY, ELB, Infusions)

Australia

Art and Soul Studio, Burrum Heads, Queensland www.artandsoulstudio.com.au

(Zinski, Jofy, LPC, EKD, EEG,  ELB, EEA, ETS, ESA)

Crafters Cupboard, Berwick, Victoria www.crafterscupboard.com.au

(JoFY, ELB, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Time To Create, Modanville, NSW www.timetocreate.com.au

(Zinski, ESA, ETS, EKD, EEG, ELB, ESA, Infusions, Frescos)

Taiwan

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

(Zinski, JoFY, ETS, ESA, ELB, EEA, Frescos, Infusions)

Japan

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

(JoFY, Frescos, Infusion)