Sunday 22 August 2010

Colours of Autumn? (posted by Lesley)

Hi Everyone,

Well, to say I got such an early start on this project and had it 95% finished before we even announced Jo's choice, it's taken me an age to put the finishing touches to it because other things got in the way.  I have to say though that for me personally this has been a most enjoyable project to do.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I put into it so thankyou Jo for choosing it and Linda Elbourne for giving us the inspiration in the July issue of Craft Stamper Magazine.  I love Linda's style both in her artwork and also her 'turn of phrase' on her wonderful blog.  She always makes me chuckle!

                                      

Anyway, onto the details of my offering.  I only had an A4 sized canvas board so decided to make my own square one by using a sheet of double sided adhesive applied to canvas cut from a roll and then mounted onto greyboard.  I was really pleased at how neat I managed to get this.  I then used acrylic paints to mix my own shade of green and covered the whole canvas with it.  When it was dry I used Walnut Stain DI to darken round the edges of the canvas.  I coloured my Grungepaper squares with Peeled Paint DI and then embossed them with a script Cuttlebug folder before darkening the edges with Walnut Stain again.
 

I didn't have a tag big enough so I had to use two which I inked with a mixture of Distress Inks but as it's over a month since I did them I can't remember what colours I used now (and, of course, I didn't write them down, Doh!).  I did use a Tim Holtz mask though and one of his quote stamps.  I also used Clarity stamps for the birds, a couple of Elusive Images stamps for the extra words and a pretty little butterfly stamp that my lovely and very talented blogging buddy Suzz sent to me a while ago.  I also used two very pretty butterflies that I showed on my sneak peek that Suzz sent me so thankyou Suzz, they were perfect for this project.  I won't list everything I used on here except to say there are Wendy Vecchi stamps, Tim Holtz.Sizzix dies and quite a lot of TH Ideology bits and pieces.  A few bits I found in my 'junk' box were the little leather flowers which I recued from a favourite pair of sandals after my dog decided to chew them to bits and the UTEE oval  (with the eye) which I made in a workshop ages ago.


I didn't have any of the Memory Capsules so to get a little 'movement' into my project I used a teeny bottle and put some of the beads I've used on other areas plus some bits of watch works.  I then inked up a piece of Grungepaper and rolled it into a stopper for the bottle.



As I have the same initial as Linda, I didn't want to use the letter L in the typewriter key thing so I decided to use three with the initials of our blog in them.

There is one bit I did wrong because I was so eager to get on with it I missed reading the part about stippling the Gold dabber onto the chipboard pieces and then sprinkling with gold EP.  I am annoyed with myself about that because I think it's a lovely textured effect on Linda's project but to give mine a little more interest than the plain flat gold, I added some beads and sticky backed gems.

I hope you like my attempt at this lovely project as it was a real pleasure to create.  Unfortunately, you may have to wait a little while for the others to post their projects as many things are conspiring to delay 'production', Lol.  I know Judith just managed to finish hers but didn't have time to take the pics and post before other things have taken precedence again for a week or so.  Elaine has been really busy with extra household jobs and Jo has been gadding about Europe twice (jammy girl) so far this month and she's away again next week.

As always we look forward to and really appreciate any comments you have time to leave and if there's anything on my project that you would like to have more details on please ask.  Have a lovely week all!

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

18 comments:

Suzi B said...

This is gorgeous Lesley.. love the CSQ embellie! x

Sally H said...

Lesley it is totally stunning! Gorgeous colours and so much detail!

Suzanne C said...

Fabulous! Love this! Each piece is a miniature artwork! Glad you were able to use the butterflies. :) (LOL as we both have a little fondness for them!)

Elaine said...

Fabby project Lesley. I am sure Linda will feel you have done her proud. I love your colouring - olivey green is always a big hit with me and bringing in the warm honey tone sets it off a treat. I love the way all your elements work wonderfully together, the gorgeous butterflies as you know one of my favourite motifs, but I also adore those swallows and the rescued show flowers made me smile - naughty Snoopy! What a lovely touch to add the CSQ charms too.

I need a couple of hours to get my canvas finished, maybe Jo can prod me in the flesh next week!

Elaine xx

Jo said...

I've been honoured to see this in the flesh now and it's just stunning. Lesley, I love your choice of embellishments too. I remember you making the UTEE oval and it's great that you have found a home for it. As expected, a hard act to follow!

veronica said...

Lovely canvas Lesley - adore those colours, and what would you have done if Snoopy hadn't freed those flowers?

Carol Q said...

this is fabulous Lesley. I've been sitting for ages looking at all the wonderful detail. beautifully put together.

Gina said...

Really effective project Leslie, its so well co-ordinated. Lovely colours and embellishments - like the typewriter keys a lot.

Love Gina R x

Paper Paradise said...

Love how these mini works of art all fit together so well to make a brilliant show piece of wall art. x

Christine B. said...

Wow another stunning piece of art. Love all the elements and love how its all come together so beautifully. Hugs x ChrisB

Marita Soutar said...

I absolutely love it! And I think that this idea for a blog with the four of you is inspired! I am really enjoying your work, wish I had thought of it.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, as always lesley!!

Love

Jill
x

Anonymous said...

beautifully put together

Unknown said...

Done me proud???? OMG YES YES YES! I totally love this ... the colours ... the tag ... all the little elements ... It is completely gorgeous and I am soooooo chuffed that you decided to do one of my pieces from CS ... Now ... I have searched high and low and I cannot find the small print ... it does say somewhere that you have to send this to me for safe keeping ... does n't it????

Aquarius said...

This is marvellous and such a lot of interest to keep the eyes moving around. Well done and thanks for sharing

Isabelle Norris said...

This is beautiful !! stunning colours too
isa xx

judith@poppy cottage said...

I love this Lesley, I'm so behind commenting, but I'm trying to play catch up as you know. I love the honey tones, and the oval piece is fab. The CSQ letters are inspired, ans serve as a lovely reminder as to what it is all about.
I love the butterflies, they are beautiful. The flowers are really pretty, Snoopy should be hired as a Crafter's sourcer or something Lol! Even if his methods are a bit suspect.
I love the balance in your project, I felt that I struggled with mine a bit, and the colour tones on yours are just lovely.
Three more days and we'll be meeting up again, see you soon, crafting buddy, Judith xx

Anonymous said...

wonderfully put together