PaperArtsy Blog Summary of Topics 20-22 {Curated by Leandra Franich)

Blog Summary: Grids, Alcohol Inks, Bleach, Mail Art. 

Well here we are, the final day of the year, and the final summary post what our bloggers did for us all in 2016 here on the PaperArtsy Blog.

One of the biggest blog challenges this year was to 'spot the word' within Gabby's creation above. See this blog post for more

2016 seems to have been a year of international tragedy, unrest, and confusion, we have experiened a year of unexpected turmoil and change. We also seem to have observed an  unprecedented level of celebrity deaths, many way too soon. In among the chaos that was 2016, I feel our little blog has hopefully offered a haven of positivity and encouragement.

The year ahead will no doubt hold as many surprises at that which has just passed. We may not be able to control the outside world, but we do have some significant choices we can make about our own lives, how we choose to use our time, who we choose to spend quality time with, and what we do for our own pleasure. Crafting is often a welcome escape from the realities of the rest of the world, but it is also a wonderful way to express deeply-felt emotions on any scale or topic.

I hereby challenge us all to make more art, find our happy place, take time for yourself, absorb, marinate and pickle yourself in the process of learning or doing something new. Somehow it always seems to give you some perspective, and joy.

Here's to the year ahead!
Happy New Year! 

So it's me again today (Leandra),  remembering with you the final days of our blogging year. And boy has it flown by! Today we look at the final topics of 2016, and the great ideas expressed within! Let's take a look!

Topic 20: Squares and Grids

One of the first stamping techniques I learned was the 'grid technique' ...using Post it notes to mask off a grid line, then apply colour direct to paper with Adirondack Inks by Ranger... and that whole method of working with structure has always continued to appeal to me. I like the structure a grid offers, and working with squares is such a great way to isolate focal points too.

My first pick is This flower 'grid' by Helen Chilton. Helen always seems to turn an idea on its head with ease! Her bright colurs and pops of white really make this grid so cheerful.

Jennie Atkinson seems to have morphed into an infusions guru this year. Her natural Vintage crafting style is perfectly suited to Infusions. I love how our first ever stamp collection released in 2004 (Ink and the Dog), works perfectly with our newest 2016 product release: Infusions!  (something old, something new). See here for more.

A typical Emma Godfrey masterboard turned from this...

...into this. Framed it looks amazing!  I love how Emma seems to strip back and make things look simple, when actually there is a lot more to it than meets the eye!

And finally, Ingrid stamped into texture to highlight patterns for this topic perfectly. Lovely rusty layers and textures within!

 

Topic 21 : Typography, Fonts, Quotes

I do find that words and numbers are such useful elements when building up backgrounds. For example, a script stamp is utterly indispensible, but so are number and alphabets stamps, no matter what font or size, they are very handy to have in your stash! In fact I'll let you into a little secret... one of our first releases of 2017 fits this category PERFECTLY... I wish I could share more!!! Guess what!? You will find out more tomorrow! I promise!

Claire Snowdon created this dreamy background using words and quotes with gesso to soften. The layers of paints and inks in pinks and blues is highlighted by infusions on top. I loved this, so simple and effective!

In a similar vein, Tricia started with Newsprint under her typographical imagery, and made her Tracy Scott stamps pop in the process!

Sanda showed us the entire process of her journal page with words and numbers in her background, it is always amazing to see other people's method of creating up close like this!

One to remember for next year! Keren's Christmas wreath made from a numbers mini stamp!

 

Topic 22: Alcohol Inks and Pens

I might be handy when it comes to gin recommendations, (here is my latest find, Nordes). I'm certainly not as competent when it come to alcohol INKS! Particularly pens. So I am fascinated by the posts for this topic! Very useful info! No I won't be tinting my gin!

My first pick is Kay Carley showing her wonderful skill with Alcohol ink markers. Just the daintiest touch of colour hits the spot!

Lauren shared the mind-blowing blending solution on a flannel for texture tip in this post! (I did not know that) She's another closet copic guru. See here for more... 

Jennie did a simple technique here, but oh my how cool does it look!!

Topic 23:  Bleach
 

The end results from some bleach techniques, can be very similar to alcohol inks (resists in particular), but as ever, the bloggers come out with a load more crazy-good ideas with a household available (craft) ingredient!!

For example, Corrie bleached out denim with a bold flower stamp so effectively! Details here.

Hazel had a blast using infusions with bleach! Oh and she got some numbers in there too!. bold stamps seem to be the stamps of choice here!

 

Nikki used bleach splats and more in this post. It's very elegant!

 Topic 24: Mail Art

Our final topic of the year, Mail Art, which was appropriate considering the postal service was somewhat overloaded at the time! Sadly we could only fit in 1 week of this topic, but we still saw a lot of loveliness! As Christmas was imminent I expect many of you missed out seeing these posts.

 

Roxanne (by Bun) enjoyed exploring her new love for Fresco Paints! Lots of awesome tips within her post too!

One of the HUGE reasons we put so much effort into our blog content year after year, is so that you are inspired to play along. Even though the mail art challenge came at the worst time of year as far as people's busy lives go, I was blown away with the challenge entries. This is what is is all about, sharing with us what you create in response to the blog. We LOVE to see that. Let me share a few with you...

For example in response to Mail Art, look at this from Pavla!!

 

Helen who is one of our most ardent blog followers, and she really should be called the most senior on high PAtwit (haha), killed 2 birds with one stone, and made some Christmas gift envelopes for her niece and nephew! I think she must have entered every challenge this year!

Claire used her EEA stamps for this gorgeous idea

 

Well there you have it people the final 4 topics of the year and only a smattering of the gorgeous posts highlighted. It's been an utter pleasure!

We hope you continue to follow us in 2017, and be aware, we have sneaky peeks starting TOMORROW of our imminent new releases.

Our sale ends today too, so be quick for that!

All the best for a safe and happy New year Celebrations

Leandra

2016 #20 Gothic Twinchies {by Tracy Scott}

2016 Topic 20 Square and Grids

Hi there everyone. Tracy here today with a post for this months theme of 'squares' and 'grids' on the PaperArtsy Blog.

Instantly my mind went to those fabulous miniature works of art that are 'twinchies' and 'Inchies'. I loves me a miniature work of art and the twinchies (2x2" square) are definitely a favourite of mine. 

Step 1: Choose a selection of paint colours. I chose Mermaid, Caribbean Sea, BoraBora and South Pacific, using a small brayer I mixed the colours all together on a sheet of glossy card.

Step 2: Whilst the paint is still wet and using the end of a paintbrush I scratched some swirl designs into the paint.

Step 3: I used an embossing ink pad and stamped various images from my Gothic Blooms ETS03 stamp set...

Eclectica³ Tracy Scott 03: ETS03

...and added gold embossing powder before heat setting into place.

Step 4: next I added stamping from ETS03 in Jet Black archival ink and added paint splatters using Little Black Dress, Snowflake, London Bus and Gold paints.

Step 5: Cut your master board into 2x2 inch squares ready for decorating

Step 6: Using a piece of Smoothy cardstock, I brayered the whole page in gold and then stamped images from ETS03 stamp set.

Step 7: Using the various images I stamps in gold and found book text I then decorated each of my 2x2" squares adding black and white pen work to finish off.

I decided for this project to use my new stamp set ETS03 to highlight some of the things you can do with it, these little magical works of art are just amazing for trying out new techniques or stamps that you might otherwise be intimidated to give a go.

I had an absolute blast creating these little gems and would just love to see what you can do too !!!!

You can check out more of my work at....

Www.facebook.com/myjournallingjourney

Www.instagram.com/tr4cy1973

Www.heartistry@studio7.co.uk

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you all again soon

Bright and painty hugs

Tracy

X

Wow, the colour scheme and imagery from your stamps really does feel very Regal with a Gothic vibe. So many elements on such a small surface, and they look gorgeous! I can imagine them arranged into a teeny tiny book too. Thanks Tracy, this is a lovely way to use your stamps! ~Leandra

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas,  particularly if you were inspired directly by their post, so if you can spare a moment to comment or make your own creative item, they love to see your feedback and what do do more than you realise!

We would love to see how you interpret this Squares and Grids topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #20: Squares and Grids, on this page HERE. The 'Squares and Grids' link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Oct 30th 2016. The winner will be announced 2  hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. 

2016 #20 Funky Squares {by Hazel Agnew}

 2016 Topic 120: Squares and Grids

Hi everyone Hazel, from Mellifluous Meanderings here.

Tonight I'd like to share with you this evening a post about creating shapes within squares that work in relationship to one another.

This is a way of playing with stamps where you look at them in a totally different light. Instead of using the whole stamp, it is interesting to explore smaller parts of them.

Step One: First of all I cut up lots of squares of coloured paper and stamped with clear embossing pad and sprinkled with Black Wow powder that had a hint of sparkle. I stamped far too many of them as I wanted to fiddle and play to get my best combination of patterns and colours. 

The stamp is from Eclectica³ Ellen Vargo 03 EEV03

Step Two: I decided to use a sparkly background, influenced by a piece of art by Damien Hirst where he placed coloured circles onto a black glittery background. I placed the shapes onto various background colours before I decided that chocolate brown worked the best.

Step Three: I mounted each little square onto black card to give it extra definition and then used foam pads to add extra dimensional interest to the piece.

Here is another version of this exercise, this time, instead of using one stamp in many ways, this one uses all the stamps from the set. As you can see, I have mounted these onto black glittery card.

Finally, here is my first piece, photographed, mounted onto a linen box frame, showing the 3D effect.

I can imagine that this technique would work well with Christmas stamps and then used to make Christmas cards. You can easily adapt the sizes of the squares or maybe use other shapes in relation to one another.

I hope that you have enjoyed this contribution, I have enjoyed creating it. 

I am Hazel, otherwise known as @craftroomgran on twitter and you can find my blog which is Mellifluous Meanderings.

I think we often forget how effective it can be to use small sections of stamps to create a completely different effect than using it as a whole! I am sure our stamp designers really love seeing such creative take on how stamps could be used. The embossing powder adds another texture to the process, and I love the pops of colour from the card. Nice one Hazel! ~Leandra

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas,  particularly if you were inspired directly by their post, so if you can spare a moment to comment or make your own creative item, they love to see your feedback and what do do more than you realise!

We would love to see how you interpret this Squares and Grids topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #20: Squares and Grids, on this page HERE. The 'Squares and Grids' link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Oct 30th 2016. The winner will be announced 2  hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. 

2016 #20 Patchwork Backgrounds {by Anneke de Clerck}

2016 Topic 20: Squares and Grids

Hi everyone Anneke here.

I'm happy to be back here tonight with a post about "Squares and Grids". For this topic I've created patchwork backgrounds made from inchies. If you follow my blog you'll know I did inchie backgrounds before. It's a really fun and easy way to add interest to a project. In the past I've punched inchies out of coffee filters, tissue paper, painted paper scraps...This time I've chosen to work with patterned paper. I've created a set of tags using JOFY stamps and the paper piecing technique.
Let's get started.

Step 1: I dug up my leftover scrapbook paper and punched out a bunch of inchies to start with.

Step 2: I worked on 3 Manilla Tags (size 9). I picked 6 or 7 colors for each tag and tried different color combinations until I was pleased with the result. I made a mix of patterned paper and plain paper. 

Step 3: To attach the inchies I've chosen double sided tape. A quick and easy method if there are lots of inchies to glue down.

Step 4: I worked from the bottom to the top and removed the 'backing' on the go. 

Step 5: To tone down the background before stamping I glued tissue paper to each tag using Golden Polymer Medium. On the left you see a background without tissue paper, on the right one with tissue paper on top.

Step 6: I stamped greenery on the tags using various stamps from stamp sets....

JOFY 09

and JOFY 42 

Step 7: I wanted to repeat the patterns from the background on the focal piece. So I've chosen the paper piecing technique to decorate the girl. I stamped the girl on pink paper using Archival Ink Jet Black, cut out and used this as a base to glue the dress, boots and hair on. Hair, dress and boots were cut out of paper that matched with each background.

Step 8: I colored the flowers, leaves and grass with Faber Castell PITT artist pens and acrylic markers.

Step 9: I drew on the tag with a white pen.

Step 10: I added shading to the girl using a black pencil.

Step 11: Each tag was decorated with a few matching pompoms. On the dresses I added enamel dots using Tim Holtz Enamel Accents.

I usually work with paints or inks to create backgrounds but from time to time I like to work with patterned paper as well. Making this set of tags was kind of time consuming but I'm pleased with the result so it was worth the effort.

I love the effect of the tissue paper on the patchwork backgrounds. I could have used a layer of gesso instead but this would have hidden the patchwork backgrounds too much in my opinion. If you fancy using this technique make sure to let the tissue paper air dry entirely before stamping and coloring on it. 

This technique is a perfect way to use up scraps by the way! I'm sure we all have lots of patterned paper scraps we never use anymore. But his technique would work well with scraps of painted paper or scraps of gelli plate prints as well. I hope I inspired you to grab your inchie punch :) 

I would love to see what you create, so join the challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Anneke

My blog

http://somefiddlingonthekitchentable.blogspot.be

Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/anneke1/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/somefiddlingonthekitchentable/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/anneke.declerck

I really love the idea of the tissue paper to soften the grid background! I imagine it must also give you a fairly smooth and even stamping surface too for the next layers! Your little dots of enamel accents, and the shading brings it all to life so beautifully, what a lovely way to spend an afternoon with some JoFy stamps! Thankyou! ~Leandra

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas,  particularly if you were inspired directly by their post, so if you can spare a moment to comment or make your own creative item, they love to see your feedback and what do do more than you realise!

We would love to see how you interpret this Squares and Grids topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #20: Squares and Grids, on this page HERE. The 'Squares and Grids' link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Oct 30th 2016. The winner will be announced 2  hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.