Collections at Paperific

It was the end of August and time to head to the Melbourne Showgrounds for Paperific – celebrating their 10th birthday this year!  The main reason I head out to the showgrounds each year is to see Julie Van Oosten and her Collections; to see what new offerings she has created. Jenny Crossley was also on-hand to help out!

And this year we were not disappointed – Julie has some very cute kits, with angel wings and butterflies. There was also a new range of papers that included some sky blue and turquoise green.

Julie is always so happy to share her techniques with everyone that visits and generously allows people to take photos, to jog the memory once they return home with their goodies. There were people who had come from New Zealand, rural Victoria and even Perth (Her home town), as well as across Melbourne, just to see the Collections collection.

I also had the chance to help Julie and Jenny out on the stand;

Taken in a hurry, this self portrait shows a grin of pure delight. Thanks Julie and Jenny! Now it’s time to go and cut and stick something…

Mixed Media Monday – Romance

Romance is the theme over at Mixed Media Monday in the lead up to Valentines Day.

The background for this spread was created back in 2008 as part of the GPP Street Team Crusade (which you can find here). It was done using the Gesso Resistance Technique. Staz On Stone Gray ink was used with Collections stamps (Flourishes Sheet #1) to add the hearts and swirls. The image is from Somerset Studio CD 2006. Purple and pink buttons from Fiskars embellishment collection. Music sheet and gold thread from my vast collection of stuff.

I don’t do a lot of stitching in my mixed media work (well, at all, for that matter) but I wanted to balance the gold thread in the buttons, so I added the stitching to the right side of the image. I’ve also just noticed that I didn’t layer the image to give it a border of black before adhering it to the page… slightly unusual for me, but this way it sits into the page, rather than standing out. The overlaying stamping is also used to tie the pieces together.

I’ve had fun creating this piece this morning – with my youngest son starting school just last week, I’m hoping to have more creative time during the day (and the housework and garden be damned!)

Please add your comments below. I’m off to see what you’ve been up to!

x Michelle

Sunday Postcard Art – Windows

Our theme is “Windows” for Sunday Postcard Art this week. Here is my postcard with “Our House”, filled with memories at each window.

The background grass and clouds are done with sponged chalk inks, over grass and cloud templates, on semi-gloss ivory card. Window frame, background papers and embellishments nearly all from Collections (I do have such a collection of Collections!) Key from 7 gypsies.

Thanks for popping over and having a look! You are most welcome to leave a comment. Then I can come and visit you too!

Michelle

(in Melbourne Australia, for those who were wondering!)

Gothic Arches – Birthstones

Gothic Arches has started 2010 with a theme of Birthstones. With my birthday in August, my birthstone is Peridot; not up there with the diamonds, emeralds or sapphires in the precious stones world, but still a striking green. And one of my favourite colours.

Stamps by Collections (alphabet set and checkers), See-Ds Boutique Grunge (swirl and crown) and Studios Astarte (post marks and “Air Mail”). Stamped in Graphite Black Staz On. A little Gesso for fun, applied with a dry brush, over the black stamped images. Image from Go Make Something. Also Making Memories Rub on alphabet set in white. And some of my collection of green beads.

Thanks for visiting – you are most welcome to leave a comment!

Michelle

Sunday Postcard Art – Top Hat and Tails

This weeks theme is Top Hat and Tails for our Sunday Postcard Art.

Background created by sponging Adirondack Pesto and Currant onto semi-gloss card and spraying lightly with water. Invitation and people image from Somerset Studios Image CD. Border and text stamps by Collections, stamped in Staz-On Saddle Brown. Text written in Word and printed on my new coloured laser printer.

Michelle

Mixed Media Monday – Leftovers

This week over at Mixed Media Monday we’ve been challenged to use our “leftovers” – those bits and pieces left lying around after other projects are finished. Here is what I had lying around my desk:

A small 4″ x 4″ canvas, that had fallen down from somewhere, bits of text and music paper, a dragonfly stamped onto tissue paper, painted background paper with paisley stamping, a piece of cream cord, a circle punch and a few pieces of black card with some cutouts from the Pazzle cutter.

And here is the end result:

MMM Leftovers 4" x 4" canvas

Dragonfly and text stamp by Collections. Paisley stamps by See D’s.

I have added the details about how I made it over at Mixed Media Art.

*smiles*

Michelle

Gothic Arches – Tags

The Gothic Arches challenge this week is Tags! I have a grand collection of Tags that I don’t often use, so this was the chance to get them all out. Having said that, I only ended up using one tag… all the rest are waiting to be put away.

Gothic Arch - Tags

The background is blue card with Blockheads text and Collections swirl in Brilliance silver ink. Tag is a blue shipping tag. Da Vinci faux postage stamp by Ten Two Studios. Imagine faux postage stamp by Collections. Plus a few rub-ons and fibres.

Happy creating,

Michelle

Make a Moo or Two – Vintage Love

I’ve ventured over to Make a Moo or Two this week for their Vintage Love challenge.

Vintage Love Moos

Background is a wash of walnut ink. Postcard images from Summerset Studios image CD. Collections border stamped in Brilliance Galaxy gold. L O V & E stamped in sepia ink, by Basic Grey. Various heart punches (who would have thought I had so many!?!). Found text. Cards edged in Adirondack Espresso.

These are the first Moos I’ve made this year – I had forgotten how fun they can be. I find the best approach is to use the length, as there isn’t much width!

Keep crafting,

Michelle

Mixed Media Monday – Primary Colours

My first Mixed Media Monday foray for the year is into Primary and Secondary Colours. I decided to stick to the primary ones.

I’m not really confident with colour mixing – I can tell when it’s not right, but I can’t always pull it together. I’m hoping, with practice and experience, it’s something that can be learnt. I am always in awe of those who can throw colour together, seemingly without effort, just as a good cook knows just what is needed to made a dish sing, or a wonderful singer who can throw in a harmony that is so beuatiful, it almost makes you weep. My intuition lies elsewhere; with numbers, reading and interpreting information, with an in-built sense of direction and exceptional time-keeping. So, I will continue to play with colours, learning as I go.

Here is my trio of primary coloured ATCs.

Primary Colours

Border stamp by Collections. Images by Rachel Greig (I think).

Smiles,
Michelle

Gothic Arches – Grunge

The year has started grunge, with Gothic Arches. My research for this topic took me to Wiki, where I was informed that Grunge music includes the likes of Pearl Jam and Nirvana (cool).  The look includes torn jeans and more of an attitude than look. And you can only be grunge by not being grunge – or something like that! So here is my (non) grunge piece:

Gothic_Arch_Grunge

Background painted with walnut ink, flourish stamps from Boutique Grunge set by See D’s (stamped in Adirondak Espresso), lettering and clock face by Collections. Wings from Grungeboard. French script stamp by Stamp Oasis, with Sepis ink. A little gold paint also added.

I had lots of fun making this. The arch size is a great format and my ideas seem to flow really well around the space.

Happy creating,

Michelle