Saturday 30 August 2014

and .....BREATHE!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Well, I can finally breathe as the cat is out of the bag, lol!  For almost a month I have had to not let slip the fact that PaperArtsy HQ had asked me if I would like to do a couple of projects for the launch of their new designer, Elizabeth Borer's pretty stamps.  What me???? Nah, course I wouldn't!!!  I did actually hesitate slightly but only because I would hate to let them down by not coming up to scratch with the projects...... and my makes were being shown alongside the talents of Elizabeth and Penny Nuttall ....Ooooer!  I hope I didn't let the side down and that you like what I created.  If you go HERE to the PaperArtsy Blog you will be able to see my projects but more importantly Elizabeth and Penny Nuttall's fabulous designs too.  Not only that but all this past week Leandra and the DT have been showcasing some fantastic new stamps from the wonderful designers on the PaperArtsy team so there is oodles of awesome inspiration to keep you going for an age.

These are the lovely stamps and although they are very different from the rest of the PaperArtsy ranges I think they fill an important niche.  Now this is going to be a long post so make yourself comfy, lol!

EDIT  Now the launch has gone live the stamps are on the website and if you click on the images you will be transported to the wonderful PaperArtsy shop.

Eclectica³ {Eizabeth Borer} 01



Eclectica³ {Eizabeth Borer} 02

My first project is an MDF heart (stamps from EEB01). 


Now silly me, I was so engrossed in the actual projects I completely forgot to take step by step photos so I hope you can understand my explanations from close up pics.  The first one, obviously taken in the garden wasn't very successful because the sun was so bright it drained some of the delicate colouring from the main image but she looked so nice against her ivy backdrop!


I started by painting the heart with Pea Coat Fresco Finish and on the left side I smeared some Grunge Paste which I then stamped into with the trailing ivy.  On the right side I applied PA Crackle Glaze.   When it was all completely dry I covered all of the surface with a blend of Sky, Antarctic and Snowflake Fresco.


I then used my lovely new Fibralo pens from PaperArtsy to colour in the ivy trails including those stamped in the GP and then highlighted those with Pewter Treasure Gold as well as right round the edge. 
 

Next I stamped the beautiful Ivy Fairy in her bower onto watercolour paper and, scribbling the Fibralo pens onto my craft mat, I watercoloured her.  I also painted areas of her wings and dress with PA Matte Glaze and sprinkled with Glamour Dust .... one of my rare concessions to glitter, lol! I included this photo because I think you can just catch the faint glitter sparkle, the hint of TG and also the sheen on the die cut flowers but after I took the photo above I decided there was not enough colour to her skin nor the 'sky' background so I added a little more which was a big improvement.


 The diecut flourishes were coloured with Fibralo pens and for the diecut flowers I made my own mica sprays with Fresco Finish paints, water and mica powder and sprayed onto Heavy Duty PaperArtsy Smoothy paper.  I was so chuffed with these sprays! I also used them to colour the chiffon ribbon.


So there you have my pretty Ivy Fairy who could be displayed anytime of year.


My second project is a small luminary (stamps from EEB01 and 02)


I was having a little tidy up and found this wooden luminary frame hidden behind other stuff.  I can't remember who the kit is made by but when I got it it was badly cut out on the corners so took me ages of carving bits out to make it fit properly.  Once I managed that I had painted it with Pea Coat Fresco Finish and then it got left. 


As soon as I found it I knew it was a perfect showcase for Elizabeth's new stamps and would make a lovely decoration for Christmas too!  I repainted it with a mix of Claret and Little Black Dress Frescos and then sanded it back to reveal some of the dark blue and bare wood. 


I then took the lovely trailing ivy and stamped with Versamark without a block so I could work it round the corners and then heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  I rubbed the metal corners and some wooden beads for feet with Classic Treasure Gold to tone them in but didn't attach them until after the panels were in place. 


I cut four heavy vellum panels to fit and then stamped them with various images from the two stamp sets. I coloured them on the reverse with watered down Fresco Finish paints and added subtle sparkle on the front surface (as on the circle frame and wings above) with a Sakura clear sparkle pen. I fixed the panels in place before attaching the feet and corners.


Here are the panels with a fake candle inside.  I wish I could capture the true effect as it really does look quite pretty.  Even my OH loves it!


 On the above two panels I did some masking to layer up those lovely baubles and then drew in the hanging twine with a fine black Pitt pen.  Again, after painting the images on the reverse I added Sakura sparkle to the baubles on the front.


(must have had the shakes when I took the above photo cos it's a bit blurred, lol! Must remember to take more water with it ;D)


This was my favourtie of the two projects but I had so much fun doing them both.


Thank you so much PaperArtsy for asking me to play with your new stamps and for Elizabeth Borer for her lovely designs.  I was very honoured to be asked and hope that my projects have given the stamps the showcasing they deserve.

Thanks for visiting me today and if you haven't already been over to the PaperArtsy Blog please give yourself a treat and visit.  There had been so much beautiful artwork all week and so much variety there's bound to be something to make you Oooh and Aaah!

See you again soon.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx



25 comments:

sam21ski said...

Of course you didn't let the side down Lesley, they are absolutely fantastic, love your heart and great crackle!!!

Well done for not letting the cat out the bag especially last weekend!!

Sam xxx

Helen said...

Stunning, Lesley - your work is fabulous, you take great care with it and it shows. Absolutely love the luminary, but your heart is beautiful too.

Val said...

Stunning work. Love both pieces of work, but I do love the luminary. The hearts will make fabulous Christmas decorations. Valxx

Michelle said...

Absolutely gorgeous Lesley and I think as good or even better than the other samples . I've always loved your work. Big hugs x

Hazel Agnew said...

Came over to look at the lit candle. Fantastic, well done mate! Xx

Darcy Marshall said...

Stunning Lesley, we knew you would do something wonderful. We had every faith in you. Adore the luminary!!!

Margaret Iddon said...

WOW. How fabulous. I love the Luminary Lesley. I have just bought the Night before Xmas stamps from Clarity and think they would make a good luminary, will have to get one from somewhere.

Love the heart too, it's a super shape and the decoration is superb.

Brilliant work as usual.

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two stunning projects Lesley, I love them both but the favorite has got to be the lantern. It looks wonderful with the warm glow of the tealight inside.

Sue xx

Unknown said...

Fab u lous! Nuff said! You did yersen proud chick

Anonymous said...

As if you could let anyone down!!! Both projects are so beautiful, but I'm no surprised the luminary is your favourite, it is exquisite & looks wonderful with the candle.

steffi said...

Wow! Congratulations Lesley - lovely projects - really like the heart :o)

Ruth said...

Stunning, fabulous projects Lesley, well done and congratulations! Ruth x

veronica said...

Lesley, you did a fantastic job with those stamps, they're both smashing projects. Love the colours of the fairy heart, but have to say the luminary is my favourite.

Lynne K said...

Wow! Congratulations, Lesley, and of course you shouldn't worry about letting the side down. Both of your projects are stunning, and PA are lucky to have your input. I love the luminary especially, it's simply beautiful.

Hugs, Lynne x

Suzi B said...

Wow, wow & thrice wow! These are fabulous there is no way you let the side down..
Suzi B xx

massofhair said...

Well done Lesley such beautiful projects & you know you would never let anyone down, you certainly didn't tonight:-) xxx

By the way hope you are breathing easier now...

Sally H said...

Wow, wow, wow, Lesley! What stunning projects! Huge congratulations to you (you will do them proud I am sure) and Congratulations to PA for snapping up a very talented lady xxx

Aquarius said...

Wow - these two projects are wonderful and very clearly explained. Congratulations on being 'chosen'. I'm off to check out the PA blog now.

Moira said...

Congratulations Lesley and your work is gorgeous

Lin said...

wow Lesley these are gorgeous!! your heart is so pretty..love the crackle :D and the luminary is just fabulous and even better with the candle..Well done you xxxx

snazzyoriginal said...

Your projects are always so beautifully finished and these are certainly no exception xx

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous! I so wanted those stamps and you have made such beautiful projects! Love them both! Glad to see you found a little creative time!

lisa said...

How fantastic, Lesley, Congratulations, although I'm not surprised, your artwork is always stunning. Both these projects are gorgeous. I love the colours on your heart and the Luminary is just beautiful, it looks wonderful lit up.
Hugs Lisax

Etsuko said...

Brilliant projects they are. You have made fantastic creations by Elizabeth Borer's stamps. I love them xx

Elaine said...

Two great projects showcasing Elizabeth's stamps Lesley. Your heart project is super, lovely delicate colouring just right for the fairy and your lovely flowers add a special touch. The luminary is a super idea and looks perfect lit up from within. Great ideas for these new stamps. Smashing work as always. Elaine xxx