Series: Artful Academy 2020 journal #3 The prompt for February was "music" and, for this one, the instructor used sprays to build up the background with some printed lyrics providing the focal point. This provided me with two challenges. I am not a huge fan of sprays. Most of the craft sprays are either not… Continue reading Artful Academy journal – February
In a way, I have coronavirus to thank for the existence of this piece. I've been wanting to make something like this for absolutely ages, but finding suitable bits of fabric and digging out my rarely used sewing machine from behind my drawers always seemed like a lot of effort when there were plenty of… Continue reading Fabric landscape
I have a few more cards to write up (I got so far behind with my blogging it's ridiculous), but this is the last of the Power Poppy designs for now. When this image and the one I used for the Mother's Day card were released as digi stamps in February, I just couldn't resist… Continue reading Butterflies and flowers
Series: Artful Academy 2020 journal #2 After creating the cover for my Artful Academy class journal, I was determined to do my best to keep up with the monthly challenge. Each month has a prompt word — January's was "list" — and a video of one of the tutors making their journal page as inspiration.… Continue reading Artful Academy journal – January
I love making ATC-sized bits of art — both Copic colouring and using mixed media techniques — but I have been struggling with storing them sensibly. Some were propped up on a shelf, others were just in a pile, and I was in danger of losing track of them. I do have a pack of… Continue reading Art card storage
Yes, I know, another Power Poppy image, but they are so good for Mother's Day cards; I used this one for my other half's mum this year, though I actually coloured the image a couple of years ago during a Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge — it's good to use the occasional coloured image… Continue reading Spring meadow bouquet
Series: Artful Academy 2020 journal #1 I keep looking at online courses and being really tempted by them, but then I remember that I still have half of the Wanderlust 2019 projects left to do, not to mention all the other card-making, Copic colouring, and mixed media classes I've signed up for over the years.… Continue reading Artful Academy journal cover
After proving to myself that I could get the hang of the basics of weaving, I decided to have another go, this time trying a few different techniques. Rather than just grabbing the first things that came to hand like last time, I hunted through my stash for a selection of neutral fibres of various… Continue reading Cream coloured weaving
Flowers for Mother's Day seems a bit predictable, but Power Poppy flowers are always beautiful and enjoyable to colour. And I always seem to leave starting work on cards until just before the deadline and rarely give myself time to come up with anything innovative, so I am super grateful to Marcella Hawley for sharing… Continue reading Hollyhocks and gem
How long do you keep working on a piece before admitting defeat? Before accepting that it's not going to work out how you want. Or do you never give up, do you think that's pretty much anything — as long as you haven't spilled a tin of paint over it — is redeemable? There are… Continue reading Hummingbird
It could go on a key ring, but really it's more of a fidget toy: I just like the sound the beads make when I play with them 🙂 It started off as a way to practise manipulating wire with jewellery pliers, putting beads on head pins and creating a loop to hang them from.… Continue reading Beaded key dangle
I love how this card turned out because, for once, it actually turned out just the way I wanted it to. The thing that took the longest was finding the right flower stamp to fit the design I had in mind and then flipping the design because my original sketch had the flower curving the… Continue reading Flowers in a crackle vase
A quick and easy art card to finish off the mini class. Wrap a piece of cardboard in aluminium foil, then draw lines and punch holes to create an effect like riveted metal panels. Add a coat of black acrylic paint, let it dry a little and then run most of it off, leaving shading… Continue reading Supply Savvy ATC day 5
Another technique that I've previously only tried with watercolour paints: using rock salt to add texture. And, like the cling film technique, it didn't turn out as well as it might have. At least this time I'm pretty sure I know what went wrong, I simply didn't use enough water, so the effect is more… Continue reading Supply Savvy ATC day 4
Another simple process that gives an interesting result. The background is essentially finger-painting: add blobs of paint to the card and smoosh it around until you are happy with how it looks. Add a few marks and splatters and, once it's dried, you're ready to add the background text. This is not a stamp, it… Continue reading Supply Savvy ATC day 3
Crafty Rat 