Back to the grindstone...

I make it sound like hard work don’t I, going back to work. It isn’t. It’s good. Good people and lovely stuff to craft with. Sure, I’ve done a lot of crying into my paint pot, but we’ve also had a laugh as well - which sometimes feels like an emotion you will never be able to retrieve doesn’t it - happiness. 

So, my grindstone has ground away a little sadness. And brought in some light. And I managed to create things I was happy with - AALL and Create though. Easily done.

I’ll share a few of my makes for you.

This weekend I’m back in Brighton, doing workshops all weekend. I was supposed to be with the fantastic Clarity team today, but knew that may be a little to much for me. Sadly. I was really looking forward to seeing everyone.

Tomorrow we are trotting off to Portsmouth. We have a joint workshop, which I’m really looking forward to. I know there’s places left if anyone wants to join us...but you’d have to book ASAP otherwise we won’t be able to pack your goody bag in time.

On Sunday we visit tonbridge wells. First time we’ve done this venue as well, so looking forward to it. I do like going to new venues, it’s a little adventure.

I hope you can join us, but if not, I’ll be back on the box next Tuesday, so will give you a wave.

Let Leonie Loose

I’ve taken so many photos from previous shows and been really bad when it’s come to sharing! I always set off with such good intentions, but then something will happen and send me wandering off in a different direction!


I thought I’d share some of these with you, and attempt to remember what I used! This could be a challenge..but hey, it’s a trip down my creative memory lane, so it’ll be lovely whether I remember correctly - or have to make it up.
Okay, the first photos I’ve found in my phone are easy. One of my favourite (favourite) companies, Stamperia. In fact, I’ve got some lovely papers etc for sale, which I will share with you on here, whilst we are setting up our web site. I decided to use my papers, stamps and stencils in my art journals.
For this page I used metallic paint, then stencilled over the top with acrylic paint, which really stands out on top of the sheen created by the shiny paint.

This is such an easy page. It’s literally one of the pages from the pad. The owl is a stamp which I’ve stamped onto acetate and painted with acrylics



I love this page. I’ve trickled paint down the page, and then used stencils and stamps to fill the background, and then distress inks. The elements are from the paper pad. This one is featured in the Cardmaking and Papercrafts magazine

This was a combo of stencil paste, and then the lovely metallic paint over the top. The little owls are from the paper pad


Another one using those stencils and stamps.



Same technique but a different colour palette really makes a difference to the final result



I adore this stamp. Stamped on acetate and then the wonderful rice paper is behind, along with acrylic paint.

Easy backgrounds - Indigo Blu

What else did I get up to for my last show....wellllll....Lets get out the gilding flakes!

I "inked" my stamp up using the flitter glue, which I immediately cleaned off my stamp.  The glue stays sticky, so there's no panic about getting the flakes on in a rush.  I actually dusted a little pink mica over the stamped image first - not much, just enough to give the variation between the mica, and the flakes.  So, after dusting the mica, take the flakes and rub them into the glue, removing the excess with the texture sponge.

I used distress ink to add more colour, and texture, to my paper, overlaying the images so they blend together.

On the same decorative paper, I stamped my sentiment, which I simply cut out

I then inked round the edge of my paper, and the wording, and glued my sentiment in place.  I also mat and layered my paper in place.  

I added some of the thick slap it on over the sentiment - this will dry clear, so will look like a textured glaze

55 days - crafty countdown - the last Chritmas Card

Yesterday I said my mum had 3 dogs - my ability to count has really gone down hill!! They have 2 dogs - which to be honest, is still a house full. And I'm afraid yesterdays pressie won't be up for grabs, as Doc chewed it up!  Sorry.

This will be my last little Christmas card in this countdown - and again I had a rummage and came up with pretty papers, and one of my favourite products, Cosmic Shimmer PVA.  I brought with me some of the Tim Holtz Distress Stains, I love the Picket Fence.  It's white, but not as heavy as an acrylic paint.  You can see here, it lightens the paper slightly for me:

I created a circle, as my plan is to create a mistletoe wreath.  I saw such a pretty one whilst I was out shopping, so got my inspiration from that

I didn't bring paint with me, but my mums cosmic shimmer is already coloured, and dries with a raised finish.  Start with a blob, and pull the PVA down so it trails off, and forms a point.  I covered the white circle with the little leaves, making sure they point in different directions

As you can see above

I needed to dry the speeding process up (it's Christmas eve, and I've prosecco chilling) so I used my heat gun.  The colour really comes out, and the shine of the pearlescent PVA shows really well on this picture

To create more depth, I used a watercolour pencil in some of the gaps

And then I used a waterbrush to move the pencil crayon and give a really nice soft finish

I made sure I didn't cover the white completely so I will have shading

Now I need the mistletoe berries, for this I used the Cosmic Shimmer again, but the white pearl.  Again I dried it with my heat gun

To emphasis the wreath I applied Distress Ink around the edge of the card up to the wreath.  I left the centre, again to create depth

I love this picture, as it looks rubbish!!  Sometimes (often!!) when I'm doing something I look at it and think - that's awful.  And then it's a challenge to try and make it look half decent.  Don't give up.....well, not until you've spent over 3 hours on it :)

I like trying different layers as well, they really do make a difference to the finish of the card, as you will see from these 3 photo's

I cut the card down, as you can see.  And then inked around the edge, to make the distressing more even

Gently remove the ink which has covered the white of the mistletoe berries with a sponge.

I then added a sentiment, a lovely red ribbon, and finially I used glitter glue to add just a few white sequins

I'm really chuft with this one - I'll make sure Doc doesn't get to eat it.

Okay, Prosecco time.  Have a wonderful Christmas Eve everyone, I will join you again tomorrow xxx