Sunday 22 August 2010

Fabulous Friday Frames

Happy Sunday Evening Everyone,

I'm being a bit naughty at the moment because I really should be getting on with some Design Team projects.  However, although I'm itching to get cracking with the latest pack of Elusive Images stamps and papers I just couldn't settle until I'd finished the lovely project I started on Friday.  I went up to Graphicus for another brilliant workshop with Lynn Robinson-Hunter.  You already know that I always enjoy them but this one was tip-top!  We made a triple hanging piece of artwork, with the top and bottom ones being shallow 4" x 4" frames and the centre one a 4" x 4" piece of greyboard.  One of the beauties of this workshop was that Lynn gave us the basic materials and a few ready diecut embellishments, told us about the materials and mediums we could use with advice on the 'how to' and off we went.  Lynn gave us lots of tips and any assistance we needed throughout the day but we each put our own  ideas and designs into decorating the base pieces.  I shared the workshop with 7 lovely ladies most of whom I already knew from the Graphicus Guild and they were all fab company and we shared many laughs throughout the day.  As always on this type of workshop, it's quite surprising to see how 8 people given the same basic things to work with plus a selection of stamps, inks and paints can each come up with something totally different at the end.

As usual, I had nowhere near finished my project but knew exactly where I was going with it by the end of the workshop so last night I just had to finish it before I could concentrate on my Design Team projects.  Right, here we go with the photos (quite a few I'm afraid).
 

Because it's such a loooonnnngggg piece of artwork at over 16" it's difficult to photograph the details showing it all at once so here comes the breakdown.  First of all, I chose a Lumiere metallic paint to cover my frames and when this was dry, I covered it with Ranger Crackle Paint.


We were given the Sizzix die cut flower in Grungepaper to make our rose and I decided to use a Wendy Vecchi background stamp on mine.  I also used a WV leaf stamp and quote and an Elusive Images butterfly stamp.  I used Distress Inks to colour all my Grungepaper pieces.


The greyboard was used for the centre panel and we placed a die cut heart onto the panel and then covered it with a page from an old dictionery,  We used a Golden Matte Gel as adhesive and then to paint over the top of the newsprint, finally inking the piece with Distress Inks.  I used Elusive Images stamps again for the flower, inking both sides with contrasting DIs and added some blobs of Glossy Accents in the middle with micro beads sprinkled on.  I used Rub n Buff to colour the key.


The bottom frame was done in the same way as the top one using different embellishments.  I also used some Old Gold Rub n Buff over the Crackle Paint on both the frames but I'm afraid it doesn't show in the photos.


Finally the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Caged Bird - I love this die!!!   I painted my little bird with Lumiere paints and applied Viva Ferro to the cage.

I had so much fun making this and sharing the day with a lovely group.  I just have to find somewhere suitable to hang it now.

I hope you've all had a really good weekend and had the same gorgeous weather that we've had here in Nottinghamshire to set you up for the week ahead.

As always, thankyou for visiting my blog and leaving a comment if you have time.  I always appreciate and read every one as well as visiting you back.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

PS   Just a little note to let you know that I have posted my latest Craft Stamping Quartet project today over on my shared blog if you'd like to have a look.  Here's a taster



Xx













22 comments:

Suzi B said...

Sounds like you had a brilliant time... my kind of workshop would loved to have been there. The art work is GORGEOUS!.xx

Phree said...

Your frame project is gorgeous Lesley, forgive me if I am a little jelous - it looks like that workshop was fabulous - wish I could have been there!

Elaine said...

Fantastic hanging Lesley - what a stunner and so glad you finished this one off in record time. As always you have bought the different elements together so stylishly. I can tell you really enjoyed yourself.

Elaine xx

themessycraftroom said...

A beautiful wall hanging , I love the colours and all the elements. Sounds like you had a great time. Hugs x ChrisB

Sally H said...

Stunning hanging, Lesley! I love the flowers and the bird cage! Gorgeous!

Jules said...

Oh wow Lesley how gorgeous (great way to hide a heart LOL!!).

I'm not surprised you wanted to finish your project. It is too beautiful to be sat waiting.

Have fun with your DT projects.

We had beautiful weather today too .. .. it could have been summer.

Love Jules xx

Jo said...

I'm so glad you had such a great time with this project, Lesley. It is a surprise for you. Pink? Yellow? Not your usual colours. I think that fun bunch of people lured you out of your usual niche. Great little piece of art though. I really like the leaves and you are a real dab hand at those roses now. The yellow and blue ones look great too. If it's a problem to find somewhere to hang this little beauty I'm sure I can find a home for it!

Suzanne C said...

Ohh... Ahhh... The type of sounds you make during fireworks! So glad you shared the close up pictures of this. This is gorgeous! Love all the details, looked at each picture several times to appreciate all the fun techniques and beauty!

Debbie said...

Hi Lesley. Sounds like you had lots of crafting fun. I love the colours you have chosen. Your flowers are beautiful. If there are any to make at the retreat I'm sitting next to you. Thaks for posting your photos.
Debbie M

veronica said...

This is really beautiful Lesley, a great way to show off techniques! Am really green with envy, will have to save up and get to one of Lynn's workshops....glad you showed how you got the weathered look on the birdcage, it is very effective
xxx

Unknown said...

It was a FAB workshop wasn't it?

Your frame looks lovely now it's finished. Mine is still linked together as it was on Friday, but nowhere near finished yet. Not had the energy!

I'll post mine as soon as I've got it complete. I'm gonna steal your idea for the rub n buff. I've only got rubbing gilding, but that'll work over my golden painted key to take the pristine edge off it.

Love

Jill
x

Anonymous said...

what a stunner of a wall hanger!

Aquarius said...

I don't blame you for wanting to finish that wonderful frame project when you got home - love it. I do envy folks who can get to Graphicus workshops and open days and thanks so much for sharing with us.

Miranda said...

Hi Lesley, this is really a piece of art!! My compliments and have a creative day, Miranda

Isabelle Norris said...

Stunning!! Bet you had a blast creating this.
hugs,
isa xx

lisa said...

Hi Lesley. I've just been having a catch up with all the gorgeous works of art you've been creating while I've been on my hols, they are stunning, especially this hanging. It sounds like a brilliant workshop and I know what you mean about people creating such different things with the same instructions and equipment. It always amazes me too.
Your grand daughters are adorable, I'm glad you had a lovely stay with your family.
Hugs Lisax

Lynne K said...

This is just stunning, Lesley. I love the flowers and butterflies, of course, but the whole thing is wonderful. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow - any chance of bringing it to show us?? xx

chris said...

Hi Lesley just found you through lynne's blog I love this , its amazing, off to look at the rest of your blog now Happy crafting love chris xx

Debbie Dolphin said...

wow im having a real catch up here and youve done loads of fantastic work. so so stunning
love debbie xxx

Val said...

Just catching up.

Lesley - this is brilliant - so many different techniques employed here. I just love the crackle frame.

I bought some frames and stuff at LB when I was doing classes, including several frames of different sorts - thought they could be used for lots of things.

FYI: LB are releasing their next batch of classes on Sept 4.

Hugs
Valxx

Elaina said...

Wow, what lovely work you do. I really must find a way to get to one of the Graphicus work shops. I recently joined the guild and I love using Glendas stamps and papers so a workshop or maybe even a retreat is the next step.

Sheila said...

Ooooooh....that hanging is just gorgeous Lesley.
Hugs
Sheila-x-