2021: PaperArtsy - A Year in Review {Topics 1 to 3}

 

Hello from PaperArtsy HQ,

At this time of the year, we take a look back at some highlights of the 2021, and the amazing projects our bloggers have shared with you. 

I guess we could all agree that 2021 has be a year of living life a lot more 'virtually' than we normally do. Systems are more automated, education and online classes have become more accessible to us all. Did you learn something new this year? Did you achieve a personal goal, or tick something off the bucket list? 

 

It has been a tricky year for many of us. Less travel, less contact with loved ones, and a lot less hugging and physical contact! Were you challenged in ways you least expected? I guess all these things help us appreciate what we do have, as well as those we have lost, or things we can no longer do so easily. no one thought it would all go on this long, yet here we are. It is amazing how resilient we can be when we have no choice.

I suggest you grab a mug of something hot, some leftover food from yesterday, no doubt we all have some of that, and settle in for the first of a few days of review posts.

Today we are sharing my picks from Topics 1: Stamp Mash-Up {France Paipllon, Courtney Franich, Seth Apter and Ink & the Dog},  Topic 2: A Pocketful of... and Topic 3: The Creative Laboratory.

 

A big thanks to Dounia for curating these posts.

~ Leandra 

Topic 1: Mash Up {FP, ECF, ESA and I&D}

We started the new year with a new concept: stamp mash-ups... Lots of us often mix designers when creating, but this time, we are doing it on purpose! We tried to select distinct and different styles that we could see working together, from France Papillon's clean details, Courtney Franich's collaged textures, Ink & the Dog's vintage layers and Seth Apter's grungy abstracts. This topic is all about looking at those stamps (and stencils) to find out how they might interact differently, and maybe stepping a little outside of the comfort zone of your usual style to have some experimental fun!

My first pick is this amazing project by Nikki Acton which I feel really represents the mash-up concept on one small tag. Each collection is recognizable and has a place to shine, while still creating a cohesive whole. Playing on geometry, Seth's circles work really well with the I&D clock, despite being pretty much opposite styles. Nikki's explanation of her process is also an enlightening read, give it a go (link to original blog post)!

And I hope you didn't miss Corrie Herriman's very mad project (her words...). A true undertaking! On striking, striped backgrounds, the stamps coordinate beautifully, helped by the consistent use of the same background stamps and the careful choice of focal images. The recurring pointy hats really emphasize the fun vintage circus vibe. Corrie's attention to detail is amazing, so check the original blog post to see all sides of this gravity-defying project.

Now for something truly out of the box ... Keren Baker decided to paint a violin (and not for the first time either)! This is truly a study in layers, from the subtly crackled 'sky', to the transparent leaves and the number-stenciling across the focal images. The limited colour palette really makes the stamped images stand out and the pink really 'pops'. Be sure to go to the original blog post for more detail pictures of this project, as it is difficult to do the post justice with just one image.

Topic 2: A Pocketful of...

This topic was originally inspired by pocket journaling. It is quite a long-serving trend and several of our designers enjoy bullet journalling, or mini journals and have created stamps perfect for this theme. However we purposefully left the topic vague enough that other interpretations could be explored, from actual fabric pockets to a 'pocket of time'. Our idea was mainly to explore the relationship between the outside and the inside, the exposed and the secret. Our bloggers were sometime a bit mystified by this title but rallied quickly with wonderful ideas on how to squirrel secrets into pockets of all sizes.

Carol Fox obviously got the pocket journal inspiration for gorgeous tag book in sunset colours. Sara Naumann is a fan of journaling and pockets herself, making her stamps perfect for this type of project. Carol's balancing of warm and cool colours is masterful. Her careful layering of stencils and stamps results in backgrounds soft enough for her to record her vacation, yet striking enough to add and complement her photographs too. (original blog post)

Now, pockets do not have to hold cards or pictures, for Leandra Franich they can also hold... paper artdolls. Frankly I suspect Leandra really wanted to make the dolls and then made her pocket dollhouse to fit the topic. Art dolls and Lynne Perrella stamps is a concept that goes hand-in-hand from years ago, in fact most of what Lynne designs are a form of Art doll, but earlier this year it became a bit of an Instagram craze thanks to Meghan Whisner-Quinlan. With Leandra's make, we can still appreciate how transparent layers create both softness and complexity, while the recurring use of script in different forms allow the girls to link to each other while each has her own personality. Check the original blog post to meet them!

And now for a pocket party! Helen Chilton took Zinski Art's new Alpacas & Llamas collection and ran away with it. These stamp are made for bold and bright colours and this bunch seems to be having all the fun! The black and white phrases contrast beautifully with the pocket designs for maximum impact. This is actually an altered book and Helen describes the technique in detail in her original blog post.

 

Topic 3 : The Creative Laboratory

Another one of those open-to-interpretation topics... Aren't we creative each time we craft? So, let's bring some science in our creativity! This was an invitation to play around with scientific imagery but also to experiment. Maybe it is the occasion to try a new product or to attempt a unusual technique, to compare brands or contrast processes to get just the result you want, and maybe discover other things you like along the way. Of course, like our precise bloggers, you need to write your experiments down, that's what makes it science! 

First up, Jenny Marples played with clean colours and the science-inspired 2021 Hot Picks release for this striking pocket book. It is a gorgeous example of layering and balance of colour, as well as a great use of white as a contrast. This booklet is also filled with everything a little chemist might need, so do not hesitate to check Jenny's original blog post for more pictures.

Autumn Clark went with the 'experiment-and-discover' interpretation of the topic. You might call it a happy accident process! Following the scientific method, she theorised that the resist effect of Vaseline against paint could be applied to Infusions, then proceeded to very thoroughly prove her hypothesis with extensive experimentation, with amazing results! Truly a must try on your next 'lab' day, so go over to her original blog post to learn all the details.

I loved how Miriam Grazier reflected on the topic and built this 3D piece referencing school experiments. It melds science and craft beautifully, with the France Papillon DNA image and the magnifying glass along side the detailed shrunk animals and layered background. Miriam, like a scientist, also thinks beyond the obvious and employs ingenious upcycling. Her original blog post is an insight into her creative process, with its twists and turns and flashes of inspiration.

It is 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 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!

Leandra 

2021 Topic 5 Find Your Vibe with ESN {by Miriam Grazier}

 2021 Topic 5: Find Your Vibe

Creating can soothe the soul and provide some real relaxation too. Miriam attests to the positive power of making whilst completing this lovely project, using her own created elements to amplify the collaged style of Sara Naumann's new stamps.

~ Keren

Hi everyone, it's Miriam  with you today, and I'd like to share with you a project where I was truly able to relax and 'find my vibe'.  The results of which were a card and matching gift bag.

This topic came at just the right time as I have a lot going on at the moment and have had very little time to craft.  I had been longing for some time to relax and craft.  I needed to relax and so chose some of my favourite products.

There is nothing more satisfying that pulling together your favourite products and creating art without thinking. This was the perfect way to relax me.

 

I started by creating a background in my go-to way by brayering paint onto card, the next step is to add stamped images and texture. This was the colour pallet I chose, its nice to have a mix of dark and light as brayering will always create a range of colours in between too depending on how you layer and blend the paints.

 

You can see the texture that Sara's chevron stencil permits in the close up above, the structure of  this geometric shape is really useful. It only takes a few drops of paint to tint your Grunge Paste to a new colour.

 

I tinted the Grunge Paste with Koala Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint and used it with the chevron stencil.  It was only afterwards I realised I probably had the stencil upside down - but I was fine with that, does it even matter for a background??

 

I also added splodges of silver foil for a touch of bling. It's nice the way the light catches that metallic 'pop'.

 

These are the stamps I used by Sara Naumann. For my cards I used the bird from ESN51, and the lovely ruler element from ESN52 was a great structural element to use too.

 

They are pretty new (April) and you can buy them from stockists listed at the bottom of this recent new product announcement here.

 

Here's my first card, you can see the layers more clearly. I find outlining the elements like the bird allows them to stand out a bit, you can use a watercolour pencil or stabilo all, and add water to soften and blend it out a bit if you wish.

I've always loved Sara's releases as I adore the collaged elements she creates.  I was also inspired by some of Sara's latest techniques.  Whilst I didn't have any resin, after stamping, I then coated the birds in UTEE to give them a glossy sheen.

 

The second card is all on one layer using more of the background, but on this one the charm adds some interest and balance.

I've been inspired by Lucy Edmondson who often will use shrink plastic to create charms.  So I made a hanging charm with the birds and some Tim Holtz jewellery elements.  I loved how this turned out. It's always a surprise when you shrink things the size they end up compared to the stamp itself.

 

So the final stage is deciding how to layer and arrange all the items. A navy border suited this project well. You don't need to search for the perfect car, just paint some and it will coordinate perfectly!

Adding ink to shadow the edges of layers also is a good tip to allow each layer to pop. Did you know that regular distress ink will grab to the tooth of Fresco paints because they have that chalky matte feel - its really nice when you can easily use ink over your painted layers.

Sara's stamps always have some wonderful smaller images that can be used as 'fillers'.  I always love these as much as the main images.

I had so much fun creating these projects.  In fact, it completely relaxed me.  By creating the background this way, it means I also have plenty left overs for future projects.

I really encourage you to put aside some time to find your own vibe.  Use your favourite products and create without thinking.  I really can't tell you how relaxing this was for me.  

Thank you for joining me this evening.  You could also 'step up' this project by collaging and adding dimension to more of the stamped images.

Happy crafting!

Miriam

Blog: Miriam's Creative Dreams

2021 Topic 4 Free to Fly with Scrapcosy {by Miriam Grazier}

 2021 Topic 4: Free to Fly

Miriam's little robin looks perfectly nested in his mossy green home and there's so much texture to love in this piece. With techniques you perhaps haven't tried yet, there's plenty to delve into with this lovely piece.

~ Keren

Hi everyone, it's Miriam with you today, and I'd like to share with you an art panel that I created using Scrapcosy stamps.

I wanted to create a textued panel that looked rustic but with loads of detail.  I really wanted the simplicity and beauty of the bird to be centre stage.

I loved adding so much texture to my panel.  And Infusions look so effective over Grunge Paste.

I used Fresco Finish Matte Glaze to mix Infusions to use as a paint - this is a technique that Raquel has shown in her YouTube videos.

I love the bird image.  I decided I wanted the bird to be a robin, so I stamped and coloured him with Polychromo pencils.

I used the 'filler' stamps in the stamp set ESC19 to stamp randomly over the panel and around the edge.  I used Fresco Acrylic chalk paints to do this as they stamp so well.

I stenciled the wording onto tissue with PS191 using Fresco Acrylic paint and then added it to the panel using matte medium.

 

I love using this technique.  Due to the texture and depth that I created, the tissue completely melted into the background as though I had stamped directly onto the panel.

I thought this robin looked majestic and free and so suited the topic so well.

I had so much fun creating this project - it was messy but I, myself, felt free in creating, which gave another dimension to the topic of 'free to fly'.  It was uplifting for me to lose myself in creating lots of texture with Grunge Paste, Infusions and stamps.  It really is my favourite way to relax.

I really hope that I have encouraged you to get your supplies out to create freely.  It is so relaxing and uplifting.

I think, in hindsight, I would have liked to have stamped into the Grunge Paste to add even more texture and dimension to my project.  It gives me another opportunity to create again!

Thank you for joining me this evening.

Happy crafting.

Miriam

Blog:  Miriam's Creative Dreams