Reminder To Self - Be Bold, Be Brave! by Lynne Moncrieff

Recently, That’s Crafty! had two shows on HOCHANDA where they announced new Upright designs in acrylic and MDF, alongside other new items. I had the chance to play with the fabulous Torn Notebook MDF Upright – oh the possibilities are endless with this design!

An insight into what might appear as a “right ole jumble” (!) – the inspiration was the actual Torn Notebook Upright where I thought about writing notes and reminders to do this and this. This a reminder, a note, for an artist to be bold and be brave with the Relic and Artifacts eye representing the eye of an artist. Tying thread onto the torn notebook element is a representation of when people tie a piece of thread/string to their finger as a memory aid. The pearl beads symbolize the sentiments that appear on the Upright, pearls of wisdom.  The movement of the threads, the pearl beads spilling onto the base, this represents the mind of the artist, over-flowing with ideas.

If you have not created on any of the MDF Uprights then it is worth pointing out that they are such great quality, you can freely add layers and layers and even more layers – just as I did for this project!

Supplies

That’s Crafty! Surfaces MDF Upright Notebook

PaperArtsy Stamp Set Everything Art EEA02

Dina Wakley Media Stamp Set Scribbled Text Elements

Prima Finnabair Cling Stamps Don’t Forget To Fly

That's Crafty! Dinky Stencils:- Numbers TC060, Arrows Background TC006, Triangle Ovals TC014

Distress Stain Spray Picket Fence

Distress Ink Black Soot

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish:- Antarctic, Stone, Nougat, Slate, Little Black Dress, Lake Wanaka

Relics and Artifacts Flaming Hearts Ex Votos I

Gel Medium

Gesso

Paintbrush

Foam Brush

E6000

Extras:- Old book pages, black thread, calico scraps, mop up paper, button, pearl beads, resin paper scraps, baby wipes, old credit card

Instructions

Apply Gesso to upright then adhere a full book page to the upright. With old credit card apply paints. Begin to stamp with paint the Scribbled Text and Everything Art elements then apply paint through stencil with fingers. Before the paint dries, smudge the paint here and there to create texture. 

Apply paints onto another book page. Stamp hand. Adhere to upright, curling up the edges. Watch out for bubbles forming beneath the book page, smooth any out with credit card or brayer. Continue to add more stamping, paint or stencilling. You’ll know where your eye wants you to add any extras onto the substrate!

Onto a piece of under/mop up paper, stamp the moth, adhering to upright but only partially, you do not want it to lie smooth onto the Upright.

Apply paints (I used leftover paint on the baby wipe) to the eye, adhering with strong adhesive. 

Onto calico, stamp sentiment and onto a smaller scrap, apply paints and once dry stamp a second sentiment. Adhere to upright. Embellish upright with a button stitched to scrap of calico, allowing threads to hang loose. Adhere more threads to pane, tying around the notebook edge. Adhere resin paper scraps (I had those to hand, leftovers from other projects)and a scattering of pearl beads. 

Along the way I would now and then, spray Picket Fence and would also add more stenciling. 

Base

Apply paints then stamp with paint and add stencilling with Distress Ink Black Soot.

Adhere pearls, as though they are rolling off the base.

The Upright is now complete.

Until next time,

Wishes

Lynne