NEW from PaperArtsy {Infusions} February 2017

PaperArtsy Infusions

Infusions are a 2 part dye stain. The mix of walnut crystals and dye colour are variable sized particles that dissolve at different rates. The colour particles are so fine and powdery that as soon as water touches them you instantly see bright colour. The walnut takes longer to absorb the water as it is more like a caster-sugar granule.

There are many ways to use these features for different effects, but the most obvious is to vary the amount of water you use, and how soon you dry your surface.

A light mist, and quick dry gives you lots of tint interesting color-dominant spots. For a lighter effect, blot with a paper towel instead of drying naturally or with a heat tool. 
(refer colour samples on the left below)

With a more generous spritzing of water and after 10-20 seconds you will see the walnut crystals also intensively kick in and dissolve before your eyes. The longer you leave this process to occur, the more brown the final colour will become. Try blotting instead of drying with a heat tool for a softer version of your wet puddle.

2016 Infusions Colours

2017 Infusions Colours

CS13 Sleight Blue

 CS14 Slime

CS15 In The Navy

CS16 Olive Tree

CS17 Rusty Car

CS18 Green Man

You also will enjoy varied and interesting results if you try the ideas mentioned above onto a chalk-painted surface, a chalk-paint-stenciled surface, or a surface that has Grunge Paste applied to it. 

Varying the porosity and texture of the receiving surface with Fresco Chalk Paints or Grunge Paste will certainly affect the drying time, how the infusions puddle up, and intensity of colour.

samples by Lynne Moncrieff

As you can see from these samples, Infusions have been used to stain the dark background which is crackle paste applied to a canvas on the right, but also they are successfully used to stain textile scraps and old paper.

The Leaf stamp is from ELB29 (Eclectica³ Lin Brown Set 29) RRP (UK) £20.50

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

Tonight we have invited a range of our bloggers to show you their ideas with Infusions. Everyone only had a few colours to work with, and often they blended what they had with existing colours too!

'Flower Tag' using Hot Pick 1306 by Helen Chilton

I've used Violetta, Sleight Blue, In the Navy and a touch of Golden Sands. I just love experimenting with the Infusions, creating different effects and watching the colours flow together. Every time I have a play I discover something different - a new colour combination, a new technique, something else you can colour with them - all very exciting.

'Find what you seek' using LPC036 by Alison Bomber

I love how the Infusions look over textured gesso, and the Sleight Blue and In the Navy together gave me the just the right sombre and thoughtful look to go with the fabulous Gothic Arch stencil.  And the woman from the new Lynne Perrella releases provides the calm, serene heart of the panel.  (I used the Infusions along with Fresco paint to tint the image too.)  This one is best viewed with medieval plainchant - that's what I was listening to when I made it!

'I believe in beauty' using (EEA03 and EEA05) by Alison Hall

The colour wheels from EEA03 are a great way to showcase the new Infusion colours. I mixed them with water to make a watercolour paint. I used Sleight Blue, Slime, In The Navy, Olive Tree, and Golden Sands. I also love to sprinkle Infusions onto a background, then stencil 3D gel over the top to activate the colour. I just adore these wonderful little pots of pigment, they have so many different uses!

'I believe in a New Day' using ELB33 by Wanda Hentges

I had soooosss much fun playing with the new Infusion colors I received!!! I already had the original 12 and had used them but timing was good with this and I could really spend some time trying a few things and getting completely, totally hooked on using Infusions!!!  LOVE!!! All my samples use the Infusions along with some of Lin's new stamps... a perfect match!!!  I did not want to stop making samples but other deadlines were looming.

This first card uses Terracotta and Magenta Infusions in the background and Fresco Finish Paint (Chalk) sprinkled with Magenta Infusions for the leaf. Not only do I love watching the Infusions move and spread by themselves but they work fabulously stamped with the Fresco Finish Paint (Chalk).  

'Inspire' using ELB32 by Wanda Hentges

Here we have Violetta and Raspberry Infusions.  I love the look of texture you can get when you are careful with the amount of water but it's also fabulous when you can use lots of water and get a much softer look (the piece with the leaf).  

'Every Day' using ELB32 and ELB33 by Wanda Hentges

This uses Terracotta and Rocky Road Infusions.  Af first I wasn't sure I like this one but as I continued to add layers of stamping I was very glad I hadn't just set it aside. 

'Inspire Love' using ELB32 and ELB33 by Wanda Hentges  

Raspberry and Magenta Infusions in the background.  The piece beneath the leaf is stamping with Raspberry Infusion.  Another thing I've fallen in love with.. stamping with Infusions including how the look changes with each spray of water and then stamping.  You can get many prints from one application of Infusion.  (I'll show you on my blog)  The leaf is stamped with Fresco Finish Zucchini sprinkled with Magenta Infusion.  I love how that leaf turned out!!!

'Dream, Love, Inspire' using ELB30, ELB32, ELB33 by Wanda Hentges

More stamping with a combination of Fresco Finish Paint (Chalk) and Violetta Infusions!! Fabulous over a painted background or on Kraft Card or on Smoothy Card!!!  

'I believe' using ELB32 and ELB33 by Wanda Hentges

Infusions on this piece are Violetta and Rocky Road.  Both are in the background.  The "hanging" weeds are stamped with Rocky Road and the large, main leaf is stamped with Violetta.  

'Love' using ELB30 and ELB33 by Wanda Hentges

In the background is Magenta and Violetta Infusions.  The leaf is stamped with Rocky Road Infusions.  It is so much fun to see all the different colors used to create a certain color and I especially like how the crystals "burst" and "hold" with just the right amount of water.  

'I believe in Miracles' using ELB32 and ELB33 by Wanda Hentges

Raspberry and Terracotta Infusions were used on this piece. These colors blended so beautifully in the background spreading around the leaves stamped with Pearl Glaze!!  Then there is more stamping with Fresco Finish Paint sprinkled with Infusions (stamped circles)... totally love doing that now!!!

Wow, these additions really round out the range of infusions colours. Did you see how crazy Rocky Road is? All kinds of colour blends are in that mix, but it becomes a chocolate brown overall when thoroughly mixed! I love so many of them, and I'm super-excited to be demoing with them at shows this year!

~ 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)

2015 Round Up: Circles, Pigments, Wearable Art {curated by Penny Nuttall}

Happy New Year!

So, how's the head after last night ?? New Year's is a bit like Christmas all over again, but a bit louder and maybe a bit more fun too! It's Leandra back here again, and a big welcome to 2016!

There's a phrase that motivational speakers often use to get people fired up and thinking about their future..."What would you do if you KNEW you couldn't fail?". If nothing was a barrier or excuse, what would you do? 

Can you think of lots of little things, or maybe one big thing. Make it personal, this is about you, not your partner, your family, just about you and your deepest wish. Maybe you could write it down to think about it, could you make it happen someday? 

Often our first response (even more so as we get older and grumpier) is 'No' or 'I can't' or 'I don't have time' or perhaps the needs of other people around you might be your imaginary handbrake. But what if those words were 'Yes', 'I can' or 'I'll make time' ??? And what if those closest to you said 'go for it' ....then how would you feel?

How important is it to you, because if you really want to make it happen, I think you can.

You may need to do some research, ask questions, search online, look for help, start a savings plan, perhaps there actually are other options out there for you that might get just a little bit closer to that dream?

I would like nothing more than for you to achieve those things.

Enjoy tonight's post, it's a bit of a mixed bag of topics for Penny to pull together, but she is very resourceful and I'm looking forward to seeing what posts she has selected to highlight tonight!

No snoozing...grab a cuppa and  a slice of Christmas cake (have you got any left?), and let's take a look together shall we!?

Enjoy

Leandra

Hello Bloggers, Penny here, joining you this evening with a special PaperArtsy post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

I hope you are all feasted, rested and recovered and ready for a gentle stroll through some of the creative treasures of this, or rather last! PaperArtsy Blog year.

I don't know about you, but I certainly have times when the muse disappears and a creative desert seems to stretch before me, leaving frustration and annoyance. Usually its not lack of ideas, but some sort of blockage between mind and hands. I always seem to do better when I am given a project brief and, more importantly, a deadline to meet. That's where the PA blog comes in. It's never an easy process; words, paint and projects fly across the room like something out of a Harry Potter film. I don't always like the end result. But its SO good when something works!

I have really enjoyed seeing the things other people make in both the blog posts and the challenges, and watching their creative process (and the struggles of those who were brave enough to admit them). So let's take a look at just a few........

Topic 16: Circles

Have you ever noticed how nature and circles are connected in a huge number of ways....the circle of life, the geometry of flowers, the architecture of animal homes and many others.

I look to nature all the time for inspiration, and many people in this two-week topic did too.

Here's a work of art by Trish Latimer that has everything for me: it's 3-D, mixed media, naturalistic, wonderfully composed and beautifully made. See how Trish combined artwork, wire and Glossy Accents to create these HERE.

I can see these as lovely pieces of jewellery ....please?

Ruth Mescall took a more direct approach to the natural circles theme with this subtle coloured almost under-the-microscope picture.

Ruth is a master with the Grunge Paste! (I never get it to work this well). It is stencilled and stamped, with just a touch of rubbed on gold to bring out the texture. Lessons please? Check out all her details HERE.

Jo Firth Young is an expert at the "clean and simple". It's not easy. Balance and composition have to be exactly right. I can't do it.  (Note the CAS style commentary here!)

This is my favourite and shows exactly what I mean: the circle and stem balancing, just a little bit of pink at the bottom (!). Love it. Come and refresh your memory as to how Jo was able to work her magic HERE.

I chose this last project because I love it's subtle interpretation of the theme: well that and because it is just really pretty and beautifully presented. I wouldn't have thought of this colour scheme....but I have now....Julie Ann Lee shows how to create this HERE.

There was a huge number of imaginative challenge entries for this topic, but for me this one stood out for all the above reasons. Thank you Ana. K.

Topic 17: Pigment Powders

Pigment powders...hmmm.... Speaking as someone who, you may remember, can't be trusted with a bucket of sand and a hairdryer, anything powdery fills me with dread.

For this topic I decided to look at tips for this technique in an effort to get over the fear.

The most important of these came from Sam Butler: "Don't take the lid off" ! I feel that advice was just for me.  I love this powder cog stencilling and the tinted texture paste. Check out all Sam's tips HERE.

To get this suitably creepy watercolour effect, Helen Chilton rubbed Brusho crystals directly onto the stamp before spritzing with water; clever. See just how she did this and other techniques HERE

Kay Carley stamped and embossed the image in this technique, this  kept the colour a bit more contained: control, I like that. Love the colour choices. See how this transformed into a beautiful card HERE.

In total contrast Catherine Johnson likes the unpredictable, very brave. See how this leap of faith turned out HERE

And Kay Ballard is truly experimental, so much inspiration in this post, so many techniques to try, see them all HERE.

And only Darcy could come up with damp baby wipes and a heat gun! These are brilliant to stitch into. Check out how they transformed into a moorland scene HERE.

The challenge entries didn't fail to inspire either.

                               

I chose this one, for the colour (love that bit of green), balance, texture and the poignant words. In this post Pavla Hozikova also shows how to make your own powders.

Topic 18: Wearable Art

Are you still with me or are you catching up on your festive sleeps?

Wearable art is what I do, and I love it. You can see my process for creating this fabulous corset HERE.

Lynne Moncrieff's delicate heart in a box tells of history, riches and love (oh dear getting all poetic now). The faded lavender colour and the distressed crackle paint and tissue stamped

heart tell the story and the box with tags present it beautifully. See how she uses neutral shades so effectively HERE.

I wanted to pick out this detail on Nicole Maki's happy and very skilfully stamped apron. Stamping on fabric comes with it's own specific difficulties but no problem here. I love this layered flower and the detail of the stitching in the centre. Wearable art can be more art than wearable but I would happily wear this. Check out the finished apron HERE.

SO pretty Diana Taylor! A combination of Ellen's tribal style stamps with Tim Holtz dies, Glossy Accents and black glitter on black. Look for versatility in your stash and make unusual combinations. Think outside the box! These wearable pieces are just stunning, see them HERE.

Wanda Hentges has painted and stamped on stretchy t-shirt material with such skill.I love the design of this, so balanced and well thought out and worn with pride. it looks so professional, see how she explains her process HERE.

My last challenge choice: Lucy Edmondson's floral espadrilles. Dreams of colour, sunshine and dry weather! Lovely.

And finally from me....

I know I said I like a challenge but come on Leandra, there are limits to what this tiny brain can process! Basically, you want a mash-up of the three themes put together? so I put my thinking hat on..........and then PaperArtsied it.

I took something circley from JOFY, with circle wires and round button centres, coloured with powder pigment into wet (had no powders so scraped Inktense sticks with a craft knife) and some gold leaf here and there, and topped my hat!

And there it is. For more photographs and detailed step by steps take a look at my blog page

I would also like to thank all the other blog and challenge contributors for their inspirational work. I have only scratched the surface of this year's talent, so take a bit of your recovery/ sorry! holiday time to look back for yourself .

Best Wishes to All,  

Penny.

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