It’ A First lol : )

Morning peeps and hope you are all OK today xx

Oooh blimey, I hardly know where to begin with today's post.

But we’ll start at the very  beginning as Julie Andrews once said!!!

It’s time to head on over and catch up with what's been happening with the Papertake Weekly girls and as it’s the first one of the month (and can you believe we are now over half way through this year, it is sooo scary!!), we have our usual

Anything Goes

theme and here’s ….

… my card.
Except it isn't a card at all, it’s actually an 8x8 canvas.

Yes it’s my first proper attempt at mixed media – oooh please don’t laugh!!.
I’ve been fascinated lately with the work of lots of mixed media artists and I really do have craft envy when I see their work.

So I thought I’d have a go

Now, it isn't perfect, I know that.
But I’ve never been one of those crafters who have to make sure that everything is just right before it goes on public display.  
So  I made it for the challenge and on here it must go!!

I’ll try and explain what I did although to be honest, a lot of it was winging it and although I had a plan of sorts when I started out, this has deviated a bit from the original!!

I got the canvases from Wilkinsons - they are cheap as chips and just the job : )

The papers I used are Lili of The Valley – Antebellum.
I know I bang on about it on the telly but they really are fab for this sort of stuff.
They are quite hardy but they fold like a dream.

I inked and distressed the edges then I stamped a few bits on to the top layer using some butterflies and keys from LOTV Set 66 - Grunge Elements and also some script from Set 57 - Vintage Backs – Script.

Then I added some white dots using Gesso and the end of a paintbrush before adding water to the edges and curling the paper in ….

… as you can see here.

I also added a chipboard hinge which I painted with Gesso first.

 

LOTS going on here.

First layer down was some pretty lace from The Ribbon Girl – I used Flora – and also some Diamante Trim. Then I topped that with a die cut Sizzix Frameworks Die - Lattice by Tim Holtz which I sprayed with some Cosmic Shimmer spray. I still have the evidence on my nails – it will not come off so if you are using this, here’s a tip….. 

… wear rubber gloves!!!

Once that was dry, I rubbed the edges with some gold gilding wax before I stuck it down.

Then I die cut a couple of Tim Holtz Flourishes (jeez, Kath would be proud of me lol) and glued them together because I didn't have a chipboard one. Then I painted that with Gesso and inked and distressed the edges.

Down that went.

The I stamped the sentiment onto paper – I used Set 63 - Quotables - Go For It -  did the inking and distressing thing and stuck that down onto some contrasting paper.  Before I stuck them down properly, I tucked some Cheesecloth Fabric behind it which I’d sprayed lightly with some gold glitter spray. It’s very delicate and you can barely see it but it gives a soft glimmer to the fabric which I like.

The flowers started out as Floribunda White Roses which I sprayed with Cosmic Shimmer spray – this is the colour of one my nails btw.

I also sprayed some leaves which I found in my stash as well. It could have been worse - I could have had green nails then it would actually look like I had a fungal nail infection or something – ugh!!

I finished it off with a couple of bows made from Seam Binding, a key which I painted, distressed then rubbed with gilding wax, and tied on with some rusty red twine.

Phew -  I think that’s it.

A LOT of work and as I said before, the result isn’t perfect, but if / when I do more, I can hopefully see an improvement.

I’ve spent quite a few days just fiddling and generally ruining my nails with all sorts of inks, pastes and gilding waxes and the likes. I’ve really enjoyed it because it is sooo different for me and I think I learned a lot from the experience. You will see one or two other things as the weeks go on as a result of those fiddly days and I can see that I have gotten a bit better.

Right that’s me done for today.

I’m typing this on Sunday before the onslaught of my two little darlings coming to stay for a couple of days. There was no way on God’s green earth that I could have typed this with them here or just after they’ve gone. I thought a bit of forward planning was in order. I love them both dearly and with every fibre of my being, but I am always shattered when they've been to stay. There’s a reason that we don’t have babies at my age and I know exactly what that reason is as I’m waving the goodbye!!!!.

I hope you've enjoyed my little experiment today (!!!) and I’ll  see you on Thursday if not before.,

Enjoy your week and hugs to all xxx