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.

Instagram: @a2a.craft

Pinterest: nikacton

YouTube: @nikkiacton797

Shine your Light with ESA {by Nikki Acton}

If, like me, you loving using paint to create backgrounds (or you have loads waiting to be used), collaged journal pages (or cards) are a great way to utilise them. Let's take a closer look at how painterly papers work well with Seth Apter stamps to make some collaged cards.

I started by creating some simple backgrounds with Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics. I hadn't quite decided where this was going but wanted some complementary papers so reached for my favourite blues and greens.

Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics colours used from left to right (above) are Pine Grove (FF143), Inky Pool (FF46) and Glass Blue (FF102), Azure (FF187) and Snowflake (FF15).

I added water to my paper before adding some paint and either moving it around a little or adding more water and letting the paint move around. 

I also created two contrasting papers. The first uses the new Printed Tissue - Postcards. I adhered some tissue to some white card before adding a wash of Fresco Chalk Acrylic - Chalk (FF83). The second is card painted with Fresco Chalk Acrylic - Little Black Dress (FF19) before stamping with Chalk. I used one of the stamps from Seth Apter set 37 (ESA37). 

Once all my backgrounds were fully dry I started tearing them up a little to lose the straight edges.

 

The paint backgrounds use the wet on wet technique where wet paint is added to a surface that is already wet, allowing the paint to move around or colours to blend. For my green one I spritzed the surface with water. I placed a small amount of paint on my craft mat with a little more water and then added to the wet surface randomly. Where there is too much paint an extra spritz of water helps to move the paint around.

I like to leave them to dry naturally overnight rather than use a heat gun as it allows the paint to do its own thing before drying.

The blue one below uses two colours - the same process was used using the blue paint and water - but then some white was dropped into some wet areas and further spritzing used to help blend if required.

I built up my collage background using elements from each of the backgrounds. I also stamped further details from Seth Apter sets ESA37 and ESA41.

For stamping in white I used Fresco Finish Acrylic in Chalk. The black stamping uses archival ink. You may also spot some paint splatters - again using the Chalk paint.

Initially I stamped other elements onto the painted backgrounds and also onto Fresco Acrylic - Chalk painted card. I fussy cut these before working on my final layout.

I layered the butterfly for a bit of dimension - adding parts of the off white image onto the green one.

Combining different elements into groups helped with my composition, for example the word 'Today' with the swirly circles and vertical lines.

I also balanced my colours, making sure each colour was replicated somewhere else.

I have played around with both vertical and horizontal lines to help my composition. Do you think it works? The idea is to guide the eye's movement down and across the page to the focal point(s).

Instagram: @a2a.craft

Pinterest: nikacton

YouTube: @nikkiacton797