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.

Workshop weekend

Busy little weekend down in Polegate with Mandy and myself and a lovely bunch of crafty ladies.  Can I say a massive thank you to everyone who traveled to share the weekend with us.  We got ourselves in a painty mess, which is always a pretty good way to spend a day.

I wanted to share loads of pics, but as usual forgot to get my camera out for most of the day!  I did remember to take snaps of the finished art pieces though - which I'm so pleased about.  I loved how different they all look, but also how professional. 

I've another workshop this coming weekend, so I've had a day off today, but it's back to the crafty grind stone tomorrow....





























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Last weeks Stamperia show...

Evening crafty folk.  This post was written ages ago...however, my stupid phone blogging app thingy deleted it for me.  Handy that.  So, I'm writing it now, a little late, but here all the same!

So, last week we had the marvellous Stamperia papers.  As you know, I love this brand.  Their designs are stunning.  Paper makes me happy!  Who knew I was that easily pleased.

The box I made for the show was decorated with papers.  I ripped them and crumpled them to add texture, and then stamped using the Stamperia stamps.  The white embossing powder looks lovely and really makes the images pop on the paper.

Layering the papers looks effective, but to emphasis the layers I added paint under the ripped edges of the paper.  Fade the paint out, so it looks like a shadow.  It's really easy - I used a dark brown rather than black, as this isn't as harsh. 






I also added crackle paste.  This adds more texture, and interest to the box.  I coloured the white crackle with pink paint, which I mixed with the dark brown paint until I was happy with the tone.  This was a brilliant suggestion....thank you Francoise :)

To finish the box I mixed a little of the brown Distress Oxide ink with a clear glaze.  This made a lovely glaze wash - which produced a lovely antique finish.  I added this over the crackle glaze, which also helped emphasis the crackle effect.



I had some really pretty Christmas papers on the show as well.  I started decorating this little book, and was going to continue to decorate the box for it....but ran out of time unfortunately.  I hope you like the Stamperia products, and if you do fancy having a play with them, then I would love it if you could join me on my workshops - we have some running in October and November.  The products are stunning.

I'll repost my workshop details so everyone knows what, where and when.

Hey, 35 days left. Crafty Countdown....

And a good day to you.  How are you today?  It's rather chilly here in Peterborough.  I got up to walk the dogs this morning, and Teela (my little old girl), took herself back to bed.  She did get up for the walk - I think she rightly figured there was no point standing around whilst I faffed about getting ready.  She's pretty smart. I'm still hoping it snows - I have sledges waiting and ready :)

Now, back to the craft.  So yesterday I did my splatters.  I really liked the simplicity of that card.  Today I decided to faff a little bit more, and take the gauntlet thrown down by Sue Bowen (thank you, Sue), who said she would try my rather violent slamming technique, if I try the one she likes.....lets play

I started with a piece of white watercolour card stock, and two distress ink pads:

I created a soft blend with the colours using cut and dry

I then used a mask over the top and bleached out the ink just using water.  The top you will see has lost a lot of the definition from the mask - that's because I went in quite heavy with my sponge and to much water.  For the rest of it I just gently spritzed the mask with water.  Take the mask off and lay a piece of kitchen roll over the top.  This draws up the water and the ink.

Next I used the blue ink pad (salty ocean) to stamp a pretty border stamp onto my design

I then used some washi tape over the top of the stamp design - well over half of the design.  I don't use washi tape much - but I do really like it.  I like the translucent effect it has, the way it tears, the way you can overlap it for a more opaque finish (did you know opaque used to be spelt opake - why change something that really didn't need fixing!!).  I then stamped a Tim Holtz tree over the top of my tissue tape.  Initially I wasn't to sure if I liked this, but I've warmed to it now

I used acrylic paints, really watered down, to colour my tree.

And now, the paint and straw!!  Of course I love this technique - but I'd forgotten about it.  That's the beauty of craft isn't it - there's so many techniques for us to rediscover :)

I watered down my paint, and then used a dropper to drop blobs onto my card.  I then took a straw and blew the paint.  The finer lines, when blown, give even thinner and more detailed sprays of colour.  It's very addictive (again, thank you for reminding me Sue).

I did have fun with the dropper (pipette).  Sometimes it delivered paint bubbles.  I left these on the card to see what they would do when they popped.  To be honest, the effect wasn't amazing, but the bubbles looked cool.

When I was happy with my paint, I cut my card down, and then stamped my sentiment directly onto the card

I went round the edge of the card with a black ink pad, and then matted it onto a piece of white card.  I then matted this onto a black card, and added a little bit of the washi tape.  As I'm planning this to be more masculine, I figured the washi tape was a nice alternative to ribbon or gems. 

Viola.