Hello! I'm back this week with a little trio of underwater themed artist trading coins featuring some very cute sea creatures designed by Magda which I really love and which fit perfectly on these 2.5 inch circles which are the latest trading trend.

Step by Step

As the artist trading coin blanks are MDF, I gave them a coat of gesso first to give some tooth to the other layers I planned to add - not totally necessary but my preferred first layer.

I then used texture paste with some dinky stencils to add some under sea style detail to the background. I used the fossil one which I always think looks like shells, plus the top of the tree stencil which is like seaweed and the teardrop ovals which resembles sunlight dapples on water.


Once the texture paste was dry, I dabbed on several shades of blue and green multi surface paints, misted it with water and then allowed the colours to run. This gives a good watery effect.


The next step was to paint the raised areas to resemble seaweed and shells etc. I did this using several shades of multi surface paint - orange, light pink, apricot, chestnut brown, grey and mustard yellow. The shells were dotted with colour until covered as this looks quite like the real thing.


I then stamped the sea creatures on thick, smooth cartridge paper and coloured them with markers. I added a little doodling with black and white Posca pens then cut them out and glued them in place with 3D glue gel.





Supplies:

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set - Water World by Magda Polakow
That's Crafty Dinky Stencils - Fossil, Teardrop Ovals,  
That's Crafty! Mini Stencil - Tree
That's Crafty! Surfaces - MDF 2.5 inch Rounds
That's Crafty! White Gesso
That's Crafty! Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paints
Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink
Water Mister Bottle
Black and White Fine Posca Pens
Extras - White Smooth Cartridge Paper, Zig Clean Color Marker Pens

It's Wednesday again already so here I am sharing with you another MDF round project.

I used to be quite scared starting with a round substrate to work on now I just love the challenges they bring, if you've not already tried a circular base I urge you to give it a go!

What I did

After getting a design in mind and roughly choosing the areas that would be the sea background, I applied some Texture Sand Paste and using Texture Paste, (not texture sand paste), I made the fish shape, again with a stencil.

I die cut the lighthouse and painted as required. The texture sand paste was ideal for adding the rocky base for the lighthouse. 

I stamped the Captain and the big fish and coloured using watercolours. The little fishes are from the same stamp set as the Captain but are in the girl's hair. To finish I added some sparkle with diamond Stickles and sticky gems and added a wire and beads to hang.

What I used

That's Crafty! MDF Rounds
Magda Polakow Unmounted Stamp Set #6
That's Crafty! Texture Sand Paste
That's Crafty! Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Stencil - Fish by Magda Polakow
That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paints 
Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue - Diamond
Prima Watercolours - Tropicals

Thanks for looking, I do hope you like it!

Wishing you a lovely day, Sam xxx

Hello
This week sees me again playing with the Kraft cardstock from the Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit, with Flat Matte Sprays and Texture Paste, to alter the surface, with the focal image, a stunning stamp from Character Constructions which time and again I return to, perfectly suiting my Affirmation stamp "your brave wings will stop you from falling".

Supplies

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Lynne's Affirmations Set 3
That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Textures Collection Set 3
That's Crafty! Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Flat Matte Sprays: Aqua, Bluebell, Rose
That's Crafty! Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit (Kraft, Teabag Paper, Corrugated Cardboard)
That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Panel (cut to size - A5)
That's Crafty! Multi-Purpose Craft Adhesive
Character Constructions Clear Stamp Set Inner Child No. 4
Memento Ink Tuxedo  Black
Walnut Ink Crystals 
Palette Knife
Mister Bottle
Gesso
Extras: Sewing Machine, Vintage Button, Used Teabag, Crochet Lace

Instructions

Working with one of the Kraft pieces from the Mixed Media Paper/Card kit, I certainly put it through the paces, first with random application of Gesso and before this dried, a good soaking of walnut ink (dissolved walnut ink crystals - which will be coming soon to That's Crafty!). This was allowed to almost but not fully dry before bringing out the Sprays, the Flat Matte Sprays, randomly misting with Aqua, Bluebell and Rose. As I sprayed away, I also brayered some more Gesso. In other words - I had some play time, not knowing what the outcome would be.

I allowed this to dry (I am not really one who uses a heat tool often, much preferring to allow it all to dry in the time it wants) before applying, with palette knife, more Gesso. To this I then sprayed some more of the Sprays, lifting some of the colour with rice paper and pieces of crochet lace and corrugated cardboard (from the kit) which had previously had some Gesso wiped onto it. When using sprays I don't want to waste any of the spray and not only that, all those pieces can then become part of the collage and if I stain too many pieces, at least I have them to hand for future projects.

The focal is the beautiful stamp from Character Constructions, on the plate there are two sizes to choose from. I stamped the image onto a used teabag. It was a Summer Fruits teabag which I used to stain various items, allowing the teabag to dry completely before taking care to cut into the bag, creating a flat, allowing the contents to be removed.

This photo shows that I stamped the image twice, onto the teabag which was machine stitched onto the kraft panel, only stitching along the upper edge. This creates not only a layer, therefore a sense of dimension but in the passing breeze, that upper layer will move, fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.

More machine stitching, attaching pieces of the rice paper, etc and also a scrap of stamped script, stamped onto an envelope which had been stained with the Rose spray.  Another piece of used teabag found its way onto this panel and by chance, a vintage button in my stash had some delicate pink thread attached, signaling to me that it had to be included in this project.

The Affirmation, stamped onto an envelope which had been used as under paper, catching Rose spray, walnut ink and some Gesso.

The Character Constructions stamp sets available at That's Crafty! can be seen HERE but if you have a set on your Wish List and it doesn't appear on the website, they can be special ordered.

Until next week,

Wishes
Lynne

1. Pick your greyboard tag and cut out a replica in white card, then stamp all over with one of the flowers, fitting together as close as you can. Paint all over in red - you could use the Tomato Flat Matte spray.
2. Pick your greyboard flower and stamp and cut out one in white card.  Colour with the Saffron and Orange sprays.
3. When background and flower are dry, add details with a white pen.
4. Add text from Lynne's stamps and embellishments.

Hello! I've noticed that animals, flowers, trees and celestial bodies feature quite heavily in my art work, these are the things I've loved since a child and things that inspire me so much now and I'm certain they always will. This moon/planet was great fun to make and the shimmer from the interference paints are perfect for space makes but as with all things shiny, such as glitter it's very hard to capture in a photo, I'm hoping the second photo shows the shimmer and texture in more detail for you.

The rocket stamp was a lovely surprise gift from team mate Donna, (how lucky am I?), perhaps if lots of you like it she'll design a space set of stamps ;)


What I did:

I began with a 6 inch MDF Round and using a plastic bag like an icing bag applied some texture paste over the top of pre drawn circles and using my fingers I applied paste in the spaces between the craters. It was then simply a case of painting until I achieved the look I wanted.

To finish I stamped and added detail to the rocket using black and white posca pens and glossy accents.

What I used:

That's Crafty! MDF Surfaces Rounds
That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste
That's Crafty! White Gesso
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Interference Blue
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Ivory
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Metallic Black
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Metallic Silver
Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Posca Pens

I do hope you like it, thanks for looking.

Wishing you a lovely day,

Sam xxx

Hello

I often chat about how I prepare "more" of elements, whether staining, eco dying, rusting, you name it and preparing more than I will ever need for one project.
Last year I was seen to dip into a Rust Effect Kit many times over and as mentioned above, prepared more items.  Then I got into actually rusting items and took a step back from using the Rust Effect Kit but recently I unearthed a few of this previously prepared items, including two large greyboard wings.
Those wings became the springboard for making the project I am sharing today.

Supplies

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Lynne's Affirmations Set 1
That's Crafty! Surfaces Bits and Pieces Greyboard Sheet Wings Large
That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Round 2.5"
That's Crafty! Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit (Calico)
That's Crafty! Multi-Surface Paint Metallic Antique Gold
That's Crafty! Lustre Spray Gold
That's Crafty! Multi-Purpose Craft Adhesive
Plaid Folkart Painted Finishes Rust Kit
Memento Ink Tuxedo Black
We R Memory Makers Crop-a-Dile
Extras: Twig, Handmade Paper (Coffee Stained), Small Tag (Coffee Stained), Coconut Button, Yarn, Eco dyed Muslin
Used Round Teabag or work with Teabag Paper and if you have a die-cutting machine, die cut the That's Crafty! Surfaces Teabag Paper into a circle.

Instructions

There's preparation involved in this for the staining. The small tag, muslin and calico had all been prepared previously but I will give a brief run through of what I did.

Small Tag, Calico & Handmade Paper - dipped into a coffee bath - using a suitable flat container, I like to use old oven trays, fill with hot water, sprinkle in instant coffee granules.  Allow to cool slightly before adding the tag and torn length of calico. Leave until desired strength of staining has been achieved, remove, lying flat to dry. For extra effect on the tag, it can then be sprayed with walnut ink from walnut ink crystals dissolved in hot water, allowing to cool before decanting into spray bottle.

Muslin - eco dye this by adding to old cooking pot with other items, tea bags and vinegar. Remove from the liquid and wrap around rusted items, etc, placing outdoors.

Prepare the greyboard wings by applying the Rust Finish, following manufacturer's instructions. I like to apply with an old, bristly brush as it gives extra texture. While working on the wings, bend slightly to create gently curves. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying Antique Gold paint, applying with fingertips, allowing it to enhance the texture of the Rust Finish. Punch one hole towards the tip of each wing. At this point you can thread yarn through each hole, wrapping around a twig, apply adhesive to the twig to ensure the yarn won't budge.

Allow a used teabag to dry thoroughly before taking care to make a small incision, allowing the contents to be shaken out of the bag. Next, repeatedly stamp the Affirmation from Set 1 "Don't doubt the strength of my delicate wings" with Tuxedo Black ink before adhering to the MDF Round, the 2.5" was a perfect size for the teabag. If working with Teabag Paper, simply dip it into tea, allowing to dry thoroughly before die cutting a circle.

Gather the lengths of calico and muslin, I machine stitched them together, allowing the ends to remain free from stitches but they could be slow stitched. Adhere the Round to the top of the gathering of textiles.

Ink up the Affirmation again, this time only using the words "strength of my wings", which were stamped onto the coffee stained handmade paper, cutting the words before adhering to the stained tag. The string from the tag was threaded through a coconut button, adhering the button to the centre of the teabag, allowing the tag to suspend.

Mist the hanging with Lustre Spray Gold. I declare, I instantly fell in love with the Lustre Sprays, getting my hands on Gold, Aubergine and Silver. It brought a depth to the already "Rusted" finish with a gorgeous gold shimmer catching the light.

To finish, a rusted washer layered over the button and a scrap of calico attached with rusted safety pin to bottom of tag.

Click HERE to see the full range of That's Crafty! Lustre Sprays.

Until next week,
Wishes
Lynne

Hi everyone,

It's Donna here today with one of the cute little Rubber Moon characters who is wishing upon a star :)


What I did:

I had this size 8 manila tag in my stash from a Gelli print session, it was used just to wipe some paint off the brayer. I took a green Distress Oxide and used it on a Crafters Workshop stencil to add a little bit of detailing to the background.

I stamped the figure directly onto the tag and started to colour her with a mixture of Distress Markers, which I left undiluted as they're more intense that way.

So of course she needed some stars to wish upon so I used some from the Set 1 Christmas Collection which has the hanging stars plus singular ones too. These were also stamped directly onto the tag and coloured in with silver and gold Posca pens.

All that was left was to doodle around the edges of the tag with a black and white Posca pens and of course give the little character something to stand on!

A Tim Holtz sentiment and a piece of sari ribbon were added as a finishing touch, I wonder what she is wishing for?

Supplies Used:

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set - Christmas Collection - Set 1
Rubber Moon stamp - Lucy
Crafters Workshop Stencil - Botanical Dream
Posca pens
Size 8 Manila Tags
Distress Oxides
Distress Markers
Black Archival Ink
Tim Holtz Metallic Stickers
Sari Ribbon

Hope you like it
Donna xx

Hello! I have another mixed media upright to share this week which uses up most of the scraps of my spray overflow paper from last week and I couldn't resist inking up Donna's cute Bentley to go with my flowers as it's quite a while since he made an appearance. The colours are a little more dusk than midnight but Bentley does look rather sleepy!

Step By Step

I used light texture paste first to make a pattern on the top section using the abstract grid stencil as it gives a sort of crazy brickwork look. Once it was dry, I painted over it with lavender multi surface paint.

I then misted on rose and bluebell flat matte sprays but sadly when dry they could hardly be seen so instead I dabbed on several toning shades of Distress Oxide inks. I next used Cactus Flower Arcival ink and Ranger Caribbean Coast Dye ink with a texture stamp around the edges. I painted the base lavender and misted with the same sprays, again stamping with the sequin waste texture stamp.

I stamped several flowers and centre flowers on the spray overflow paper together with Bentley, stamping his head again for added dimension, using black ink and cut all the images out. I added a little detail with markers and then assembled the embellishments with 3D glue.




I glued the assembled flowers and Bentley onto the textured back panel with glue gel and then glued the top to the base with multi purpose craft adhesive.


To finish off, I stamped my chosen affirmation on more of the spray overflow paper, cutting it into tiles and running a black inkpad round the edges for definition. I then glued these to the upright near the top.








Supplies:

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set - Fanciful Flowers Set 1
That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set - The Serenity Collection - Bentley
That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set - Textures Collection Set 4
That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set - Lynne's Wildflowers Set 2
That's Crafty! Surfaces - MDF Upright Torn Note Page
That's Crafty! 8 x 8 Stencil - Abstract Grid
That's Crafty! Mediums - Light Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Flat Matte Sprays - Bluebell, Rose
That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paint - Lavender
Ranger Archival Ink - Cactus Flower
Ranger Dye Ink - Caribbean Coast
VersaFine Ink - Onyx Black
Distress Oxide Inks - Faded Jeans, Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet
That's Crafty! Multi Purpose Craft Adhesive
Extras - Marker Pens, 3D Gel Glue, Spray Overflow Scraps