The way the blog hop works is the blogs are arranged in a circle. Just keep reading until you have read everyone's fantastic work.
If you've come here from Kerry's blog, Kerry's Creative Collection you are on the right path. If you get lost, head on over to Alison's blog Scissors, Paper, Heart which has a list for you to follow. Simple.
As April is a special month for me, it's the month I have my birthday, so I decided to make myself a present.
How else would I do this, but have a play in my craft room!!! (Of course) I had heaps of fun making this lovely canvas.I hope you like it, and you get some inspiration from what Ive created to get your hands dirty too.
When I'm feeling creative and just want to 'make', I look around my craft room and see what I have. I am a huge believer in using what you have, use it up, then you can buy more. In the past, Ive saved paper Ive particularly loved, because I loved it so much, I didn't want to 'use it up.'
Now, I use it, because that frees me up to buy more beautiful paper, and to move onwards.
I also buy stamps that I fall in love with, but I have to say I use them all. I love using all my craft supplies in conjunction with each other. Can I suggest you do the same. There is something very satisfying about using some Waterclour Paints, a bit a stamping, some wet embossing, all in one project. Next time you want to have a play, look around and see what supplies you have on hand. Use your stash.
But I digress.... back to my canvas. I treated a small canvas I had on hand, with a few layers of Guesso. Guesso is just a primer, so the paint doesn't soak through the raw canvas. Im sure you could try any primer you had on hand, if you've recently painted. Im just guessing here, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.
After letting a few layers dry, I started to layer up Close To My Hearts water colour paints. I used the brown, orange and then a touch of grey to cover the canvas. I couldn't wait for it to dry, so I used my heat gun to dry the layers.
I just have to say something about Close To My Hearts Watercolour Paints. They are just fantastic to use. They are something I wasn't sure about buying, but thought I'd give them a go. I love them so much Im buying a second set in anticipation of using them up, and not wanting to buy another brand! The lesson here is, when crafting, give things a go, even if you're not sure, the new tool may become a favorite.
Now back on track. I then created the top layer, of artwork. I painted a very light brown wash, again using my Watercolour Paints. The next layer was stamping the blots in the top right corner, using the wonderful new to me stamp set: 'Ink Blot'. You can still buy this one, I'm glad I did, having used it once, I know I will get heaps of use out of it.
Then on the bottom of that paper I put the sentiment from another current stamp set: 'Always Grateful'. This stamp set Close To My Heart have carried over a few years, and I know why. Its so very versatile and I have used every stamp on this set, more than once. I also embossed this with clear embossing power, over 'Outdoor denim' ink. Close To My Heart stocks a range of embossing powders, which add a great 'pop' to cards, scrapbook layouts, or artwork.
Having completed the top and bottom of the canvas, all I had to do was complete it. I matted the top Watercolour paper with a retired paper, one which has been my favorite, but one which Im using up, so I can buy more beautiful paper. Its called Timberline and looks just great.
I matted that paper with the brilliant blue of 'Outdoor Denim', which is also retired, but which Ive now used up... so I can buy more of the current brilliant blue of 'Peacock' or 'Sapphire' papers. Its all about using stuff up....
I fussy cut a butterfly from the stamp set 'Your own Kind of Wonderful' which is still current and again Ive used heaps, on Cranberry paper. Finished.
I am really happy with the result and have put this new artwork in my bedroom. I spent nearly a whole day just playing with what I had on hand, using the best quality Close To My Heart products.
Happiness.
I know this is a long post, but please hop on over to Cindy's blog, Cindy Scraps and see what she has created to celebrate 'Mothers Day.' We really do have a very talented bunch of people on this blog hop, and its great to see what everyone has done.
Thank-you so much for stopping by, I really do love sharing my crafting adventures with you.
