The Painted Nest Challenge #23 - 'The First Time'

  Sissy Sparrows have just released their latest Painted Nest Challenge and as soon as I saw it I had to give it a go, even though I'm not a digi scrapper!                                           If you get stuck for inspiration, head over to Studio Girls Scrapbook Graphics, there are loads of beautiful layouts to keep you scrolling for hours!!!  

'Fall in Love' - Art Journal

Thank gawd for gesso! This page started out completely different, colours, stencil, direction, everything. And I was stuck but good. So after days of dilly dallying and not being happy with it, I thought; bugger this, just gesso over and start again and BAM! done.   Goes to show when you try to force it, it never works, as soon as you loosen up a little and let it flow - bingo!!    

'Love is Everywhere' 2014 Valentines Release

Inky Fingers is proud to be a sponsor of the     Page Drafts by the Nifty Pixel has launched a new challenge for the month of February with 5 brand new sketches to choose from.     So head on over, follow the challenge criteria and let the mojo roll!  

Mixed Media Tag - 'Frozen'

Last year I joined a tag swap with Art Queens of Australia. The brief was to decorate it any way I liked, just include texture. Considering that's my favourite thing, I was in my element!     I used a mix of products including watercolours, gesso, dylusions ink, serviette, gouache paints, washi tape and machine stitching.    

Art Journal - 'One Step'

This is my second hybrid layout that I've attempted and I'm still feeling my way, but I love being able to combine digital images with traditional hands-on, get messy gluing and spritzing.

 

There are so many beautiful digital kits on the market that had me drooling when finally the light bulb went on and I realised I can use these images in my art.

 

I purchased a kit called 'Acid Wash' from Sissy Sparrows, and by digitally altering and then printing them, some on paper and some on Grafix Rub-ons, I had these gorgeous elements ready to use.

 

  Step-by-step 

• Glue down a page from an old encyclopedia onto a base card.
• Gesso randomly over the top.
• Spritz with 'Patina' and 'Tarnished Silver' Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels. 
• I used a stencil I had hand cut out of acetate (a large 'X').
• Use an ink blender and 'Faded Jeans' distress ink pad, ink over the stencil.
• Run a line of 'Vibrant Turquoise' by Dylusions down the left hand side of the page, spritz with water and move the card so the ink runs in dribbles from left to right.
• Prick a pattern in the card and embroider, leaving some empty.
• Add images, words, rub-ons and crown.
• Flick black india ink over card.
• Ink blend over the embroidery thread and along the edges with 'Squeezed Lemonade' and 'Ripe Persimmon' distress ink pads to finish.

   

There are a lot of free images out there for personal use, so if you see a digital image or kit you like, don't be afraid to download and use it. The possibilities are endless!!!

 

Organisation Tip #1

An easy way to brighten up and personalise your storage boxes - break out your modge podge and dig into your stash of scrapbooking papers!    

 

 

Art Journal Page - "Watching"

  I started working on this page at a friends house - well, my anxiety levels shot through the roof!  Who woulda thunk? I didn't cope well without all my favourite inks, tools and stamps on hand. When I returned home this page came together smooth as silk! I didn't realise I'd become so dependent on my old faves. Learn something new every day!     I had a ball using inks, dimension paint, stencils, punchinella, doodling, stamps, rub-ons and scraps from my desk. Amazing what you can find just laying around. The head I cut from an old book as well as the word strips and the #10 tag is from an article of clothing. I even got out my Grafix Rub-onz and printed a page of images to use in this and upcoming projects!   and yes, it got messy!!!