Weekend Workshops!

Still trying to catch up since returning from Decoart but it has been proving impossible, I returned on Thursday 2nd and this is my suitcase, still mostly unpacked!!

The first weekend back I was at the Craft Barn, here is one of the projects we were working on, these are book boxes.

While I remember I did promise a more detailed picture of the Canvas I painted while at Decoart so here goes, lots of Modelling Paste, Traditions, Americana, stencilling and a lush new Dazzling Metallic colour called Peacock pearl.

Not only have I been running more Decoart workshops but have been busy in the background and all I can say at the moment is that there is some very exciting news coming so keep tuned!!

Ok this weekend I was at The Craft Den on Friday holding a Gelli plate workshop and then on Saturday it was time for the Tando Clock, this is a new revised version using som new colours.... here are some of the brilliant finished clocks, a big hello to Lynne and everyone attending, I had a great time.

Finally on Sunday I was at The Stamp Pad, Thanks Gwen for your wonderful hospitality and again a big hello to everyone attending, you made some amazing boxes!

Thanks for reading,

Andy

Getting Excited!!

The Book of Secrets workshop starts this Friday with its very own dedicated website, all the hard work is now done and I am confident that this new format will be much more user friendly.
I am so excited to see what everyone participating creates with the techniques, for me this and the friendly banter on the workshop forums make it so much fun!

Here is a grunge book cover I posted on my Facebook page  earlier, it was an experiment stamping into Decoart Modeling paste on grunge board, because this stuff is flexible it worked very well…. Opps sorry about the steampunk glasses Gorjuss!!

Here is a link to how I do this technique.  Texture Stamping.

 

Andy

Coming Up For Air!

Hi all,
I have a day at home today at last to catch up on emails and finish a few outstanding design jobs,  so thought I would do a quick blog update before I start..
I had a busy week running at intensive pottery painting workshop which started last Tuesday and finished Friday, It was then straight to the car to travel down to Lingfield in preparation for the Craft Barn Minifest Yesterday.

Below is a clock which I made yesterday from one of the bisque clock blanks in stock at the Craft Barn.


I also covered a Bisque box with embossed cardstock using the Tim Holtz Texture Fades Embossing Folders: Merry Christmas, vintage holiday,  December calendar & holiday words....Spot the mistake? :)




I travelled back home last night hoping to get a few jobs done but made the deadly mistake of sitting down to watch a little TV first…..that unfortunately is where I remained for the rest of the night!
Ok must get back to it but before I do I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has liked my Facebook Page over the past couple of weeks, and also those of you who have subscribed to my YouTube Chanel, I have just checked the video stats and I am nearly up to 20,000 views which is fantastic!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone,

Andy

Texture stamping Part1

Here is a quick panelled tag I have made as an experiment using Personal impressions excellent 300 gsm card-stock.

I first cut the basic tag shape and then stuck 300 gsm cardstock panels on top, overlapping them slightly in places.
Rivet's were applied using  an Americana dimensional writer and the tag was decorated using Americana acrylic paint.
I have a little note book which goes with me everywhere in which I write down ideas that pop into my head.  I have decided to do a little demo with it using modeling paste or you could use gesso.

THIS IS PART ONE OF A TWO PART TUTORIAL







Step1
Spread the modeling paste evenly over the surface using an old credit card. once covered dip the card into some water and lightly smooth the surface.


Step2
Clean up edges with a pallet knife.



Step3
Dry the surface with a heat tool until it forms a skin, move the heat around rather than concentrating in one place to avoid cracking the paste.


Step4
Spray stamps and dowels etc..with water and stamp into the paste.



Step5
Once dry, paint the surface with one coat of Americana Buttermilk.


Step6
Once dry, paint a coat of Decoart Duraclear Gloss Varnish and allow to dry.

The second part, to be posted soon is a new way of using acrylic paint for me.

To be Continued…………..

You can find part 2 of the tutorial here

Andy

da Vinci returns

I had one last photocopy left of the study of a woman's head by da Vinci and decided to use it on an old box canvas that has been kicking around.
It was just a practice to see how Decoart’s modeling paste would react with distress ink’s and Decoart’s two part Perfect Crackle medium and it did not let me down!


Unlike Gesso this modeling paste absorbs the Distress inks in fact it loves them and stamping into it is a breeze!

The two part Perfect Crackle Medium worked brilliantly also.

There are a few different techniques used on this canvas including acrylic blistering and modeling paste application.
I may do a video on it if time allows!

Have a great weekend everyone,

Andy

Let There be Light! Altered Box 1.5

Just finished the Altered box and wanted to share a couple of pictures.

I decided to mount a battery operated LED light in the top of the box which really brings it to life, just need to find a wall to mount it on now.
I am entering this box into the Alter It Monthly Challenge so fingers crossed!

Click Images for a larger view.
 

Here is a picture of the inside as asked for,

Andy

Altered Box Part 1

Hello all,
I was given a Diesel perfume box a few weeks back shaped like a book and decided I wanted to make an altered box with it, I was asked lots at Stitches about the stamped Gesso technique but rather than use gesso for this I have decided to use a product from Decoart called Modeling Paste because its flexible when dry and more like fabric and would be perfect for this box.as it is flexible at the hinge.
Below is a picture of it applied to cardstock and it bends without cracking!


This tutorial is part one of two, and the technique is exactly the same if you were to use Gesso. In part two I am going to transform it into a shadow box. Here is a picture at the end of stage one..

Ok I understand if you are going to try this method you will be using a different type of box, if its wooden I recommend that you prime it first.

The box has a glossy paper finish so I first sanded it to give it some tooth for the modeling paste to adhere to and cut out the plastic window.


Apply the modeling paste approximately 2mm thick using a pallet knife, you don't have to worry about it being perfect as it is going to be stamped into.


Once the box is covered start to dry with a heat tool, this will dry the surface of the modeling paste but you still want it to be spongy. I recommend trying this on a practice piece before attempting it as it takes a little practice. Once the paste is ready spritz your stamp with a little water to prevent it from sticking.


Start stamping into the modeling paste using a variety of stamps, make sure you have a bowl of water to hand as there will be the odd stamp that sticks and you can clean the stamp immediately.


Continue to stamp into the modeling paste until completely covered. Allow to air dry or if impatient like me use a heat tool but be carful not to blister the paste.


The colour options for the base coat are up to you, I have used Red, Yellow and Blue with a different brush for each colour, blend them slightly but avoid muddying them.


Once dry I like to add a few metallic colours randomly onto the basecoat.


Next I have picked 4 shades of blue along with buttermilk, starting with your deepest shade load a flat brush but not to heavily and start brushing over the surface allowing some of the basecoat to show through. Allow to dry.


Repeat this process using less paint on the brush with each shade until you get to your lightest two colours. Now load the brush and wipe of onto a kitchen towel and dry brush the the stamped surface, finishing with your lightest colour.


Here are some close-up's after the final dry brushing, you can click any of the pictures to enlarge.


I then applied gold to the sides, once dry I applied one coat of Decoart Weathered wood and dried with a heat tool followed by a coat of buttermilk, almost immediately the cracks start to appear.


Finally I finish of with two coats of Americana Matte Sealer.