I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Thursday 3 January 2013

I believe in playing...

Hello all!  Welcome to Words and Pictures - I'm so pleased you stopped by, and I really hope I can tempt you in to playing along with the brand new challenge starting at eclectic Paperie today.



It's an Altered/Mixed Media challenge, and you can read all about it below... but I thought I'd offer up a picture of my offering before we go any further.  I knew Canvas was the starting point for the challenge, so I just got out some inks, paints and papers and started to play!


The eclectic Paperie Get Altered Challenge is held on the first Thursday of each month and each challenge is an opportunity for you to be inspired by one of our eTeam’s creations, to share your work, and to be entered into our challenge prize drawing!

This week our host is Kim, who owns and runs eP, and she decided the challenge should be based around Canvas as a material.  Some of the rest of the Design Team (including me!) are also offering up some inspiration - so do hop over and see the amazing work they've been doing.  




The Get Altered Challenge is about exploring your creative journey, about stepping outside of your comfort zone, experimenting with new products, and creating altered and mixed media art.  

Share a unique card, a scrapbook or journal page, a canvas, or any other project where you’ve used paint, ink, paper, and embellishments.  

We want to see your work and hear about your inspiration!  All of those who play along with our challenge will be entered into a prize drawing for a $15 gift certificate to the eclectic Paperie store.  So grab your supplies and play along!  


Here are a few things to keep in mind for this challenge:
-You do not have to use products sold in the eP store…but we do love it when you do!
-Share a direct link to your creation, not just your blog, using the Linky Tools feature at the end of this post.  If, for any reason, the Linky Tools doesn’t cooperate, please add a link in the Comments section of the blog.
-When uploading to any online galleries, please use any of the following keywords; eP, eclectic Paperie or Get Altered Challenge.  Link your creations to the eP blog.
-If you’d like to be considered as one of our featured projects and be entered into our prize drawing, please be sure to add your link no later than 6:00 pm EST on 16th January.

So let me take you through some of the fun I had building my multi-media canvas, and then I hope you'll be inspired to play along...


I started with a blank 5 x 7 canvas, and gave it a coat of gesso.  While that was still wet, I added some torn strips of Tim Holtz tissue wrap, some torn textured paper (sort of handmade paper style, with lovely fibres in it). In places where the gesso had already dried, I used Studio multi-medium to stick bits down.  

Once that was all dry, I added my first sweep of colour using my new Distress Stains - Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean, with some Broken China and Tumbled Glass thrown in for good measure.  

If you keep a piece of paper towel handy, you can always dab some of the stain away if you feel there's too much colour.  I'm still loving playing with my new colours - there's plenty more where this came from!





It's great how the stains give you a translucent colour wash over the canvas texture, and still leave the text completely visible on the papers.

I wanted a bit more text interest, so I added some torn strips of TH tissue tape too.







I love that the colours take very differently on the different surfaces; for instance, they sank in to the fibre paper more quickly, giving much stronger colours where they'd gone over that.

The next step was to add some stencilling using the Ledger template from Crafter's Workshop and Peacock Feathers DI.




I used another CW template, the Mini Flower Piecing, to add some texture paste with a palette knife.

As well as applying it through the stencil, I also smeared some directly onto the corners and the edges of the canvas for extra texture.












You can use a heat tool to help the paste dry - I did - but beware... it will blister and puff up slightly, which can be a really great effect, but just be aware it will happen.






Once it was dry, I used my Fresco paints by PaperArtsy to add layers of colour and highlighting.


You can use any acrylic paints, of course, including the fabulous Ranger dabbers.  But to get the paint down amongst the texture, you might want to apply it with a brush.  


Then I got busy with the Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint, brushing it on in various places.  


Love this stuff... it goes on all thick and glossy (you can see it in places on this large photo, pre-crackling), and then you leave it to do its thing. 












It is possible to use a heat tool, but only once the crackling process has started, and I usually find it works better if you can just leave it alone to get on with it... one time when patience really does pay.  

Start another project in the meantime if your fingers get too itchy - that's what I do!









I actually left it overnight, as I'd applied it quite thickly in places, and over a lot of different surfaces, so I really wanted to give it a chance to dry fully.





Then I used a blending tool to work some Faded Jeans DI down into the crackles.  Buffing with some paper towel gets rid of any excess ink on the surface, and leaves you with beautifully defined crackle texture.  




I used the Fresco paints again to alter one of the gorgeous Idea-ology bookplates, building up the layers of paint to give a shabby chic, almost verdigris look.  










And the Distress Stains came into play again to dye the crinkle ribbon to tie it on.  (Okay, it is also stuck down with Glossy Accents to make sure it stays in place!)

The central panel holds the word which I think is probably going to be central to my 2013... There is so much change afoot - some of it very scary - and so many new adventures - I need to keep hold of a thought that it is all happening for the best, that things will come together in the way they need to at the time they need to.  










The final step was to add a few Idea-ology ChitChat stickers, and I'll let them speak for themselves about my excitement at all the crafty adventures I have in store for 2013...  

You'll hear more about all of that very soon, as I'm practically bursting with news!!









So there's my mixed media canvas - lots of lovely inky, painty, textural fun.  We'd love to have you join in with the inaugural eclectic Paperie challenge - so get down and get messy, and share your journey with us...  




You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.
Plato

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it. 
Sai Baba

I'm entering this in the following:
Simon Says Stamp and Show who are playing a "totally mad, no rules, tea party" - so anything goes!
Try It On Tuesday would like to see our New Stash in action - Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean Distress Stains, Tissue Wrap, ChitChat Stickers
Simon Says Stamp are playing New Something - same list applies, along with my brand new favourite colour combination!
At Anything But A Card there's another variation: Anything Goes OR Your Favourite 2012 project - well, this is a brand new 2013 project, so it's Anything Goes for me

Click on any product to go straight to it:


61 comments:

Candy C said...

Alison, I totally love this piece! The hues of greens and teals to light blues are amazingly calming and beautiful! Love the raised flower images. All of the crackle is brilliant! So subtle yet adds so much! I also love the patina ornate plate with the colored ribbon running around the canvas. Beautiful touch! Your post before this one is equally as lovely. Love the browns against the teal background. The little white flowers are lovely, too. You are so in tune with what I love .... the design and the colors! :) <3 Candy

Dan said...

What a lovely piece! Those tones of blue, aqua and green really give it a "bottom of the sea" feel. Thanks so much for joining us for this week's Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge!

Bonnie Irvine said...

This piece is so rich in texture and depth of colour. Love all of the techniques and products you have combined. They let my eye travel happily all over the canvas. Great use of the patina'd bookplate to showcase your focal word. Lovely!

Bee and Dee said...

A wonderful project, the tutorial for making it was great too. Thank you for joining us on the TIOT challenge. Hugs Bee

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

The colors are exquisite - just a feast for the senses! Fabulous texture too - it makes me want to run my fingers over it. Thanks so much for sharing how you built up the layers. I really need to branch out and try something like this - thanks so much for the inspiration!

Hugs,
Linda

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous textural piece Alison, I love the colour on the bookplate and around the stencilled areas (what colour Fresco Finish Paint is that?). Love how you added extra interest with tissue paper and textural paper before painting. Love the crackle around the edges too. This looks so tactile. Thanks so much for joining in with the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x x

Lisa Minckler said...

This would look exquisite on my wall right above my desk! ;) I've enjoyed reading the journey you took from a blank canvas to the awe inspiring creation you've displayed here.
Beautiful work :)
Lisa x

Micki said...

Oh I love word/text strips. I've been using book pages and have been on the fence with the tissue tape but I'm definitely going to get me some now:-) I love this canvas..... love the color and the texture.

Francesca said...

You are definately grabbing the " get out of your comfort zone" by the horns. Love the colours you have choosen. love francesca

Kim said...

Oh my Alison, this is amazing! I love the texture from the paste and the blue hues on the canvas...just beautiful!

Lin said...

Beautifully done, love all the colors! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the Simon Says Stamp challenge this week!

Hettie said...

Great piece here Alison and I love the colours you have used. I do believe I have those coming in DI (kind of a DI gal me). I also love that you have shared what techniques you have used - thanks for that! I have a canvas begging to be recycled (bored with the piece I originally did) so I may just join you! Liking the fact that it is not a rush challenge too!

Hugs
xx

Nicecrane Designs said...

Sooooo Gorgeus,,,,,,,Alison,,,,,,,, you have a really very unique and personal style,,,,,,,,woww,wowww,,,,a big hug.......on this new year.

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous canvas Alison, the richness of the colours stand out for me and the amazing effects of all the layers and techniques.This has been designed and made with love and it shows how much enjoyment came from doing it.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Annie said...

A very Happy New Year Alison x I have been absent for a few weeks, though managed some crafting. Just had a quick browse at all your crafty makes and they are stunning x
I love the colours of your latest project, which is certainly inspiring. The torn papers give beautiful added texture as does the tissue tape. Will be posting this evening so may hear from you then. I am off to see my poor mum who came down with the flu on Christmas Eve.

Best Wishes

Annie x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What a great canvas Alison....love the cobination of whit, blue and greens...gorgeous mixed media, very vibrant in total!

Greetings, Alie :-)

Donna-Marie said...

You rocked those colors girl!!!

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, I just adore blues and so this canvas really sings to me! I love all the textures you have created with the paste, the tissue tape and paper, the crackling and the addition of the ornate plate. It is a wondeful, elegant piece of art. Hugs, Anne x

Caroline said...

Got to love this one... the textures and layers are beautiful! My favourite colours too :)

Sophie said...

Wow, Alison, was für eine herrliche Karte.
Ich schwelge regelrecht im Türkis...
Wunderschön.

Herzlichst Sophie

SandeeNC said...

Thanks Alison for the link to the challenge, I'll try and eneter something :) I love your canvas, I believe we are side by side n Anything but a Card. You have reminded me to get out my crackle for a piece I am currently working on! waving hi from the cloudy hills of North Carolina :)

froebelsternchen said...

AMAZING Alison! This totally sings to me!!!! WOW!

PERFECT!


xxx Susi

Marjie Kemper said...

Oh, Alison, this is drop dead gorgeous! I love everything about it... the colors, the amazing texture, the crackle... it's just 100% gorgeous.

Chrissy said...

I need to play with crackle paint.I love the effect, and this canvas has gorgeous colours..love all the textures...beautiful Alison.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Shoshi said...

Fabulous, Alison. Lovely cool colour scheme, and what amazing textures too. Lots of scope for experimenting with all the amazing modern materials we are blessed with today, isn't there.

Have a great year, with all your adventures, whatever they turn out to be!

Shoshi

Erin Smetak said...

WOW! This is stunning! It's a true work of art! I love all the layers and textures too! Just beautiful!!

Tracy said...

Alison..wowowowow..love all the texture and softness...beautiful!
XOXO

Dorthe said...

OH dear Alison,
it is so gorgeous, -all those tones of bluish and green, the crackle is fantastic, and your words of adventures ,you added, hold lots of exitement for this year, I am so exited following you on your road.
Hugs, Dorthe

sam21ski said...

Oooh more colour, you're doing very well - lol

Fantastic canvas and great colour combo, you can't go wrong with blues and greens!!

Sam xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Stunning canvas Alsion! Love all the different textures you have achieved and the colour is gorgeous, - I so love all your different blue tones! Great piece!!

Evil Edna said...

WOW! thank you for sharing with us at TIOT.EE

Jenny Marples said...

Love it, just love it. Well balanced, beautifully coloured and the perfect amount of texture. You are really rather good at canvases too Alison!! No surprise there then. Just marvelling at your ability to fit it all in! Looking forward to more. Hugs, Jenny xx

Janny Jager said...

Great canvas you made Alison.
Love the colors and the texture you used.

Greetings Janny

Meggymay said...

Wow, its an amazing canvas, great tutorial as well. Thank you for sharing it with us at TioT's this time.
Yvonne

toni said...

Hi Alison Gorgeous canvas love the layers of texture and colour and your usual great execution bringing everything together. I am going to try and submit something to the ep challenge must try and stretch myself in 2013 and get the creative juices flowing x

Kim Dellow said...

Stunning! All those gorgeous textures! Just beautiful. Kim

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! SO in love with the textures and colors!

Anonymous said...

I love texture and this is a wonderful example that excels at showing how it can be done. The colours are amazing too. A great piece of art.

Netty said...

Your canvas is like a beautifully wrapped package Alison, loving the colours and textures. x

catherine said...

So fantastic Alison and I love the colour and the textural look to it
x catherine

Paper Profusion said...

ADORE the colours Alison - so invigorating! A stunning canvas! Love all the textures, crackle and stencilling - fabulous tutorial. Can't wait to hear all your news!!! Nicola x

mark gould said...

wow, stunning colours and the texture makes me want to reach out and touch it. The book plate looks amazing,that beautiful matt verdigris look.
mark x

Shoshi said...

Thanks for the great comment, Alison - glad you like Y-Pod, both the name and the design lol! I've been working on some more new patterns tonight which I shall be uploading soon.

Shoshi

Nan G said...

Fabulous! So many things to take away from this piece and try out! Love the colors, some of my faves. I'll be joining in this challenge!

Unknown said...

What a fabulous piece of art, just love this gorgeous canvas. Amazing colors and textures..well done!! I will have to go check out this challenge!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Play away...this is AMAZING!!! The color, the texture, the raised images...WOW!!! Gorgeous to say the least!

chrissie said...

An amazing canvas with such wonderful colouring and elements. What an inspiration the words are-your choice of words is always fantastic.

Love Chrissie xx

Claudia N. said...

A stunning canvas, Alison!

Love your new colours and the stencils very much! Have been creeping around those chit-chat stickers too... but I have to admit: I prefer your selfmade stamped quotes, now that I have a comparison. But that's peanuts - your canvas is absolutely gorgeous!!! Reminds me, I should use some of mine too finally! ;)

Thank you for another awesome entry on our challenge at TioT!

Hugs,
Claudia xx

craftytrog said...

Simply fabulous!!! That's my kinda art! xx

Julia S-W said...

Just soooooo beautiful Alison! It reminds me of gorgeous tropical waters and you've achieved an almost glass like look (if you know what I mean!). So much texture made building up layers and using techniques that I love. Stunning.
Thanks for another entry at Anything But A Card!
Juliax

Mrs.B said...

Hi Alison, This is so gorgeous, love everything about it, and a fabulous tutorial on its making.
Avril xx

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

I want to jump up off this computer chair , grab a canvas and follow some of your wonderful ideas. If I ended up with something half as luscious as you have created I would be very happy, Alison.
Thank you for sharing your creative goodness with Anything But A Card Challenge and with something so luscious too!

Unknown said...

You've given us so much to enjoy with this canvas Alison. The colors are pretty and love the texture on this piece. It's wonderful!

Michelle Webb said...

Ooo Alison I really love this piece. Canvases are my favourite for sure. I love the way you've used the rock candy too. You've inspired me to get some on my next canvas. Love the colour too and the words. I think I just love everything! Hope you had a great Christmas and a happy New Year. Michelle xx

Christy said...

I loooove this. The bookplate is a great touch and that color....STUNNING! Thanks for joining us at Anything but a Card!!

Sandra said...

Ohh Alison, this is so pretty! Love the tones of blue and green! And the crackle on the edges of the canvas! Fabulous! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra

Broni said...

What a beautiful canvas! I love all the layering and this is definitely one of my favorite color combos!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Margaret said...

I always love coming to visit and seeing a new canvas piece from you! You have such a beautiful way of combining colors and texture. This piece has such a dreamy aura which goes perfectly with the framed 'believe'. Gorgeous!!

Kate Yetter said...

What a beautiful canvas full of texture! I love these colors!!!! Its taking me a while to catch up with all your posts. You must always be crafting.

Bärbel said...

Wow, Alison, so ein wunderbares Farbspiel zwischen den Blau- und Grüntönen bis Türkis, es ist atemberaubend und die Leinwand mit den verschiedenen Texturen wunderschön gestaltet.
Liebe Grüße.

Alexa said...

This canvas looks awesome and great tutorial! Spookily, I' had just posted a canvas before visiting your blog so I've joined in the eP challenge just before it closes!! Thank you for sharing all your creativity and for joining in the fun at TioT! x