Stencil Sunday January Challenge

Good evening all.
Yesterday was spent scurrying around in a mad dervish all day trying to get the Christmas decorations put away...New Year's Day our holiday plans changed and we're now leaving on Saturday instead of Sunday and it was panic stations here trying to get everything done!  Then I realised about 2pm it was still only Saturday (not Sunday as my head was telling me!) so I've gained 24 hours again phew! I'm sure when we get to relaxing on the extra day in Auckland we'll think it was all worth while!

Time for our first Stencil Sunday challenge of 2016 at STAMPlorations. We loved seeing your projects last month and hope you'll join us again this month.

I managed to give Rudolph a makeover in time for the festive season. I first coated him with gesso then a coat of ash brown Pebeo. Once dry I covered him with festive tissue paper. I used embossing paste through the Holly Background stencil and once dry covered with more tissue then painted with Twinkling H2O's.  I used gilding wax around all the edges and added googly eyes and a ribbon and bell from my stash. His nose was made to shine with glossy accents. The sign was painted and a die cut sentiment from Tattered Lace added.

Here is how he looked last year:

I really wasn't happy with him as the crackle effect I'd created all ran when I gave him a top coat! I loved the little snow couple though and I can't find them anywhere...think they must have eloped last New Year!!

The theme is always anything mixed media goes except a card and you must use at least one stencil (any brand) in your project. Linky closes at the end of the month. I hope you can join us!

Prizes: $15 gift certificate OR choice of any 2 small or 1 large ARTplorations stencils to the winner

choice of 1 small ARTplorations stencil to the top picks

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the other girls mixed media designs, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - anything goes (Mixed Media/Altered Art)

Altered Eclectics - anything goes

We Love 2 Create - anything creative/MM goes

That Craft Place - anything goes

That's Crafty - anything goes

A Stitch in Time

Good morning all.

Off for a bit of pampering this morning before hubby and I disappear to Harrogate tomorrow.

Today I can share the result of my messy play at the weekend. I bought some blank canvases a few months ago and finally took the plunge and opened one up! Thanks to Cheryl for the tutorial which helped get me started. Sorry this is quite a long photo heavy post, best make yourself comfie with a cuppa before you start :)

I knew I wanted to do a sewing related one (not that I like sewing....it's something I don't do!). On a recent visit to the loft at Mum's house I came across a sewing box which belonged my Great Aunt (and probably my Great Granny before her) and decided to give it a new home. The box is currently waiting to be given a makeover but is still full of bits and pieces which have been gathered over the years and it is these pieces I wanted to use, to commemorate the special relationship I shared with my Great Aunt.

After painting the canvas with gesso I started adding buttons, scraps of fabric, lace and ribbon, press studs, hooks, pins, flowers, a zip and bobbins. Once everything was glued in place I added several more layers of gesso. This was then spray painted with Cosmic Shimmers in silver and gold (the only spray paint I own!). I then added some Distress paint and twinkling H2O's to highlight some of the items.

My dress form has been painted with acrylic and distressed with crackle glaze, before various lace was added and a gem which was rescued from a card. The bodkin needle in the corner is a very old find from the sewing box.

The charms (scissors, thimble and sewing machine) were magazine freebies which I was loathe to give away! The large flower was from Costco and is made from raffia. The butterfly is from Melissa Frances. Tape measure ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons.

A Stitch in Time was computer generated and printed onto tissue before being glued to the canvas. The tape measure was found in a sewing kit which was probably a magazine freebie many moons ago.

I added a chipboard "S" and some peel offs to some reel shaped die cuts to spell out sew happy. I then got glue happy and added lots of flowers, buttons, pearls, gems and a decorative pin to finish things off.

I'm really chuffed with how this has turned out and can't wait to start another one! I now have my eye on some new spray paint which Sheena Douglas's design team have been giving sneak peeks of this week!

Challenges entered:

The Mirror Crack'd - anything goes

Deep Ocean Challenge - at least one flower

Through the Craft Room Door - anything goes

All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card

Crafty Bowz - anything with a hand tied bow (on LHS)

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Not Just Cards - anything goes

The Crazy Challenge - special lady

Paper Creator's - add a charm

Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with buttons and ribbon

ABC Challenge - u for unique

Altered Eclectics - anything goes

Eclectic Ellapu - flowers

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - halloween or not