Sing From The Soul

Time for my weekly post for Artistic Outpost (stamps available from Our Daily Bread Designs). This week I am showcasing the Birds of a Feather stamp set.

The background is a mop up from a previous project. Picked Raspberry and Twisted Citron along with a touch of Spiced Marmalade Distress Paint were added to a non-stick craft sheet, spritzed with water and I then mopped up the beads of paint with the card.

I stamped the bird with black Archival Ink and then added a circle of paint around the focal image to act as a spotlight.

Distress Crayons have been applied over stencils to add layers of further interest to the design.

The sentiment is from the Songbirds stamp set.

Splatters of white and Twisted Citron paint have been added for further interest.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

SOAR

Today I am showcasing the Birds of a Feather stamp set from Artistic Outpost, available from Our Daily Bread Designs.

I began by applying an old book page to a piece of white card using Gel Medium. I then placed three die cut circles onto the text background and then brayered paint over the top using South Pacific and Hey Pesto Fresco Finish Paints and I then removed the die cut circles to reveal the text apertures.

I stamped each of the circles with an image from the Birds of a Feather stamp set using Black Archival Ink and then added a touch of shading with coloured pencils, using only a light touch.

I added the "SOAR" sentiment from the Quote and Quotables stamp set, using only part of the sentiment, stamping with Forget-me-not Archival Ink.

I used a Stabilo All black pencil to add shading and to highlight each of the circles.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Christmas Robins

Morning and welcome, today I have my weekly post for Artistic Outpost, showcasing the fabulous Birds of A Feather stamp set.

I created a masterboard/mixed media background to showcase the fabulous Robins from the Birds of A Feather stamp set. I began by spritzing white card with water and then brayering the card lightly with Broken China Distress Paint. I then applied touches of Salty Ocean followed by Dusty Concord Distress Paint and then dried with a heat tool.

I added a few scratchy paint lines with an old credit card and then stamped the Robin onto the background. I created a mask of the Robin and then stamped him a second time. I stamped the Robins onto separate pieces of white card and then adhered to the base imagery to add dimension.

I die cut the Christmas Sentiment from card coloured with Dusty Concord Distress Ink and added 'Robin' from the Birds of A Feather stamp set, stamped onto a piece of the mixed media background I created. I also added die cut snowflakes for added interest and dimension, adding a metal pewter snowflake to the top.

Stencilled stars have been added to the background along with some delicate splatters of Picket Fence Distress Paint.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Christmas Robin

I have a Christmas card this week for my weekly post for Artistic Outpost.

I created a mixed media backdrop for the Robin from the Birds of a Feather stamp set.

I brayered a piece of white card with Broken China, Salty Ocean and Dusty Concord Distress Paints, applying the colour very lightly with the brayer so that some of the white areas are still visible.

I added some delicate stencilling using a layering stencil and Dusty Concord Distress Ink along with random circles of paint using lids from my products.

 I added a tree die cut from white card and added dimension to the Robin, stamping him twice with Black Archival Ink, cutting him out and adhering with hot glue.

I also added scratchy paint lines with an old credit card and Dusty Concord Distress Paint along with some delicate splatters of Picket Fence Distress Paint. I love how all the layers of paint are visible.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Christmas Robin

Time for my weekly post for Artistic Outpost.

I have another Christmas card for you this week, I hope working ahead will make it a little less of a rush nearer to the Christmas season! I applied Drawing Gum randomly to my background and allowed to dry. I then applied water to the card with a paintbrush and then dipped my paintbrush into Brushos and dipped into the wet areas on my card, I then moved the card around to allow the ink to run and then dried with my heat tool. I then rubbed away the Drawing Gum; any ink resists the Gum.

I then stamped the Robin from the Birds of a Feather stamp set onto the background using Potting Soil Archival Ink. To add further interest I added stencilled stars randomly to the background using Fired Brick Distress Ink and the Stars Layering Stencil.

I added touches of background stamping using the background stamp from the Ephemera Backgrounds stamp set. I then stamped the sentiment 'Happy Christmas' from the Snowy Woods stamp set. To add a further layer of interest I added delicate splatters of Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Birds of a Feather

I have my weekly post for Artistic Outpost today and I am showcasing the fabulous Birds of a Feather stamp set.

I began by colouring the background with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Cobalt Teal Hue and Yellow Green Light, blending with a babywipe.

I then added three circles using the top from one of my DecoArt Media products, applying Carbon Black Fluid Acrylic to the edges of the lid and then pressing the lid onto my background. Once the black paint was dry I then painted each of the circles with Titanium White Fluid Acrylic, this makes the colours applied on top really pop.

I then coloured each of the circles with Gelatos, adding black Gelato around the edges of the circles for definition. I then stamped the focal image from the Birds of a Feather stamp set along with the sentiment from the same set, stamping both with Black Archival Ink.

Touches of stencilling have been added using DecoArt Modelling Paste and the Tim Holtz Dot Fade Layering Stencil. I love the black of the focal image against the vibrant colour palette.

I would also like to enter this into the Emerald Creek Dares Challenge which  is their first ever challenge and they are having an 80's theme; I thought my neon colours were perfect. I wish you all the very best in your future Emerald Creek!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x x

Birds of a Feather

Today I am showcasing the fabulous BIRDS OF A FEATHER stamp set from Artistic Outpost.

The background has been created with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paints. I applied Mocha Mousse as my base coat, dried with a heat tool, applied the Crackle Glaze again dried with my heat tool (to a matt finish) and then applied the top coat of Mermaid and the paint crackles almost immediately. Before the paint was completely dry I sanded some areas to add to the aged feel.

I painted a piece of white card with Mermaid Fresco Finish Paint, dried with a heat too and then stamped the wonderful focal image with Potting Soil Archival Ink. I also added a touch of text background stamping using the background stamp from the Birds of a Feather stamp set.  I added a good coat of Clear Rock Candy on the top to add cracks of differing sizes and then rubbed over the cracks with DecoArt Raw Umber Antiquing Cream, wiping away the excess with a damp piece of kitchen towel.

I applied the Clear Rock Candy in different thicknesses to add differing sized crackles to the stamped area.

I cut two banners from white card, painted them with Mermaid paint, coloured the edges of each banner with Potting Soil Archival Ink and then stamped the text 'Birds' and 'feather' using the sentiment stamp from the stamp set.

I added touches of metal elements, including corners coloured with Rust Alcohol Ink, a brass birdhouse charm and jump rings added randomly to the background.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Artistic Outpost Blog Hop

Time for our monthly blog hop with Artistic Outpost and this month the theme is "Designers Choice".

I am showcasing one of my all time favourite stamp sets, Birds of a Feather which I have set against an inky background. I applied Distress Inks Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, and Pine Needles to a heart stencil and then spritzed with water and pressed the stencil onto the white card and dabbed with a piece of kitchen towel which I then dried with a heat tool. I repeated the same process to one of the hearts.

I die cut two hearts from white card and stamped the bird image from the Artistic Outpost Birds of a Feather stamp set onto the heart with Potting Soil Archival Ink to give a vintage feel to the piece. I also added a touch of background stamping using the background stamp from Ephemera Background stamp set, stamped with Mowed Lawn Distress Ink to give a tone on tone effect. I also added some natural twine, token and a small rose for added interest and dimension.

I stamped the birds head only onto the second heart and once again added touches of background stamping but this time with Potting Soil Archival Ink. I also added 'feather' part of the sentiment from the same set.

I added a touch of shading with Distress Inks around each heart and added Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edges for definition. I also included the sentiment from the Birds of a Feather stamp set.

My fellow team members have also created artwork to inspire you further along the blog hop.

Terry

Shari

Kate

Lisa

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Product Focus - Artistic Outpost

Morning and welcome to our monthly Product Focus with Artistic Outpost. This month we are focusing on stamps in the NATURE and OUTDOORS category.

I made a selection of projects this time around using one of my favourite stamp sets BIRDS OF A FEATHER. I have had a dabble at doing a video for you, simply showing the projects in more detail and highlighting how I use the Drawing Gum (the video is at the bottom of this post). I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Pamellia for all her help and ecouragement in creating my first little video.

I have used two sets of products to colour all my backgrounds, Color Bursts and DecoArt Media Shimmer Misters. The video highlights the Color Bursts.

On each of my pieces I have added a layer of Clear Rock Candy Crackle, applying in thick and thinner layers randomly around my pieces and then highlighting all the cracks with DecoArt Raw Umber Antiquing Cream. Before applying the Clear Rock Candy, I applied a coat of DecoArt Matte Medium to seal the layers below; this also allows me to draw around the imagery with a Pitt Pen and smudge with my finger to create a shadow.

This piece showcases perfectly the finer and larger cracks the Clear Rock Candy gives and the added texture to the design.

I created an accordion card to fit in my matchbox, tiny gift cards, coordinated card and my matchbox with mini easel sitting on the top.

All stamps in the NATURE AND OUTDOORS category are ON SALE for 20% off through to Saturday, 11th July 2015!  No code is needed to shop in this sale, the sale price will be reflected in the shopping cart. (Retail Customers only).

My fellow Design Team members have more projects to inspire you along your journey. 

Terry

Shari

Tracy (me)
Kate
Lisa

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x 

Artistic Outpost Spring Blog Hop

Time for our Spring Blog Hop with Artistic Outpost.

For this months blog hop I am showcasing my favourite, the BIRDS OF A FEATHER stamp set, adding the focal image to a heart easel. The background of my card has been coloured with Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean Distress Inks and I have included two further die cut hearts to the background.

The gorgeous bird image has been stamped with Potting Soil Archival Ink and I have added a monocle for added interest, along with remnant rubs.

I also added die cut pieces of chicken wire using Tim Holtz Mixed Media thinlits die along with die cut hearts covered with embossing powders and a touch of rusty wire for added texture and interest. I also added Chitchat stickers coloured with Distress Ink.

FLY has been die cut from mountboard using the Wordplay die and again covered with Wendy Vecchi embossing powders. I also added random stamping to the background using the background stamp from the Birds Of A Feather stamp set.

I actually feel like Spring is around the corner here in the UK and I am really looking forward to spending time in the garden along with all the wildlife it attracts.

My fellow team members have created artwork to inspire you further along the hop.

Terry

Shari

Kate

Tracy

Lisa

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x x 

Birds Of A Feather

I am already thinking about Spring and its only January! I long for those light filled Spring days filled with blossom and fresh green foliage.

Thinking of Spring inspired my piece today for Artistic Outpost using the fabulous Birds Of A Feather stamp set. I began with three die cuts, cut from white card using Our Daily Bread Designs Elegant Oval Dies. Keeping the dies in place I applied Broken China Distress Ink over the card, adding touches of Gathered Twigs ink to the edges and I then flicked the background with water to add blotches. The bird image was then stamped onto two of the die cuts using Potting Soil Archival Ink. Once I was happy with my stamping and colouring I then removed the die to leave a white border around the edge. The central die cut has been stamped with the background stamp from the same stamp set.

I love adding layers to my designs and being able to see each layer within the design. I added subtle touches of Remnant Rubs to the die cut pieces and added the sentiment 'Birds of a feather' to the top of my design.

I applied Crackled Texture Paste, coloured with Potting Soil Reinker to a layering stencil to add further interest to the background. I love the touch of crackle to the stencilled areas. Subtle background stamping has also been included. Die cut feathers coloured with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink have been added for further dimension and interest.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I always appreciate your kind comments. Tracy x x