Dig by Gill Humphrey

Being able to get out and share fresh air and nature is a really important part of being able to look after our mental health. For many this means trips to the park or to local beauty spots and for others it means stepping no further than our back door and so the idea for my make for this post was sparked. 

To make the background for this piece I took two pieces of Smoothy White Stamping Card and pulled some prints using the 10 x 8 Gel Press. I brayered over the gel press a layer of Ocean, Mustard Yellow Multi Surface Paints before laying two stencils from Daily Art Mandala Set B over the top and pulled a print with the stencil in place. I then lifted the stencil stamped the AALL and Create Mirrored Alpha Stamp with Ocean paint over the top and let this dry. To pull the print I lightly brayered Sandstone Multi Surface Paint over the surface of the Gel Press.

I cut my paper to fit the Curved MDF Upright Panel and then set about adding details to it. I started by adding some dark blue splots using AALL and Create Stamp Set 362. I used one of the trees from Language of Trees Stamp Set 2 to make a perch for my owl stamping with Vintage Photo Distress Archival Ink. I stamped the AALL and Create Owl 306 from onto the branch and also on to an extra piece of paint coloured card, The body of the owl on the extra card was fussy cut out and then adhered over the first image before glass cabochons were added for the eyes. The beak was enhanced with Mustard Yellow Paint and Glossy Accents.

At the bottom of the card I stamped the trowel and fork image from AALL and Create Set 326 and like wise stamped an extra set on to scrap painted card before fussy cutting the focal images out layering them in place and covering with Glossy Accents. I then placed my MDF panel on a paper covered base.

The word "dig" from the garden tools stamp set was stamped with archival black ink onto pieces of linen and then adhered in place before metal spiral embellishments from my stash were added. For extra interest I painted some small terracotta pots with ocean paint, followed by That's Crafty! Crackle Glaze and then Sandstone Paint and placed them as shown in the photograph. I added the word "garden tools"  to the base before adding stamped snails from the garden tools set of stamps.

I hope that as lockdown eases you are able to get out and enjoy the English countryside, your garden if you are lucky enough to have one and failing that you find some joy in making a garden themed crafty project.