Guest Creative Guide at A Vintage Journey

I was delighted to receive an email from Brenda asking if I would like to be a Guest Creative Guide at A Vintage Journey, The theme this time around is 'Celebrations' hosted by Sandy who describes the challenge as follows:-

Share your celebrations with us. It can be the end of the school year, a birthday, Father's Day, A Wedding or a special Anniversary. Use any of Tim's products or techniques.

I was inspired by Tim Holtz tag for June which you can find HERE. I use this technique with the stencil many times and I love the look and I particularly liked the green this month.

I decided to create a canvas this time around for a family birthday celebration, inspired by my garden along with Tim's June tag.

This is how the canvas looked without any decoration, I love the colours.The only difference from Tim's June tag is that I used Distress Spray Stain in Antique Linen in the backdrop as I just wanted a subtle touch of colour.

I love layers in my designs along with texture so I added a further layer to my background using the Dot Fade Layering Stencil along with Texture Paste.

I adore that subtle layer of texture to the design, so tactile!

To add definition to the edges I applied Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Once I was happy with the background I then set about creating the decorative elements, beginning with two feathers cut from white card using the Feather Duo Die, coloured with Peeled Paint and Walnut Stain Distress Inks, applied to a non-stick craft sheet, spritzed with water and then picking up the beads of ink with the feather die cuts. I then dried with a heat tool and then spritzed with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain.

I love this bird which I die cut from mountboard using Tim Holtz Bird Silhouette Bigz Die, also cutting the top layer from the Wildflower Paper Stash. I then added touches of red using Fired Brick Distress Ink through the Dot Fade Layering Stencil and stamped 'Special Delivery' using the Correspondence stamp set and Vermillion Archival Ink. I then applied Walnut Stain Distress Ink to the edges of the bird to hide all the white edges.

To embellish I added a Collage Key coloured with Alcohol Inks Rust and Ginger.

To add a few more touches of red, I applied Fired Brick Distress Paint to a non-stick craft sheet, dipped a wet paintbrush into the paint and flicked the paint onto the background.

The subtle splatters pop against the green backdrop. I also die cut three hearts from mountboard using the Heartfelt Bigz Die, coloured with Fired Brick Distress Ink.

From this picture you can see all the wonderful layers to my design.

I also included a couple of Remnant Rubs to add further interest.

I love how the subtle colour in the backdrop is still visible through the stencilling and splatters.

I addede the key to the bottom of my canvas along with some Burlap for a natural touch to the design and to add further texture.

I also included a ring of rusty wire, another element to add texture and dimension to my piece.

A Vintage Journey is a monthly challenge which is sponsored by Country View Crafts and there is a fabulous £20 gift voucher for one randomly drawn winner. Good Luck.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x x