Sunday 30 December 2012

Rachel Rosina Davison

Hi! I hope everyone had a joyful Christmas with family and friends.
 Today I'm showing a framed fusion collage done at "Creating Bliss" craft camp, (organised and run by Julie http://timetocreate-handmadetreasure.blogspot.com.au/  ) in May this year (and it was a blissful and creative camp with many new techniques learnt and passed on to others). This is also my entry for http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com.au challenge,  anything goes or favourite project of the year.


Framed portrait of Grandmother



Enlargement of section showing details of lace and fabric leaves

The photo is of my grandmother, Rachel Rosina Davison (nee Harvey). We believe that this was taken at her wedding in 1901. This is one of two wedding photos I have of her, and since it was taken from a copy of a copy of the original, some of the finer details of her dress have been lost in the reprinting processes.
Julie has called this a fusion technique, because much of the adhering of fabric and lace to papers, and papers to the backing card was done by ironing on Steam a Seam 2. Various vintage style papers were used to go with the photo and the era in which it was taken. These were distressed slightly by smooshing on stains and adding stamped images that seemed to fit. The mat under the photo was embossed to give the piece some additional texture. The fabric leaves were stained and misted with glimmer mist before applying the Steam a Seam 2, and then fussy cut before ironing on to the background. The lace which I had in my stash begged to be used for this as it reflected not only the fashion of the day, but also the lace on Grandma's dress. The only other embellishment was the stick-on pearls, again another fashion statement of the era.
I don't remember my grandmother very much, being only about 3 when she died. However, I think she would have liked the treatment of this portrait as she apparently loved sewing, particularly embroidery, as well as making clothes for her children. A photo of  all of the children showed her use of lace on the frocks of the girls in the family.
I loved this technique and will, hopefully, make a similar piece showing my mother at a similar age.
Thank you for stopping by and Happy New Year! Here's to more creative crafting in the coming year.
Cheers, Di

Saturday 22 December 2012

Really Mum!

Hi! Today I've had fun with a layout which I'm entering in the ARTastic Challenge using bold background paper or paint at http://artasticchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au . The background paper for this was covered in various textured squares and rectangles  in different hues of blue. To this I've daubed on thick white and dark grey acrylic paint, and added a notepad teddy paper which was given a wash of acrylic paint as well.


Angel's and Bella's thoughts about teddies!

The gorgeous bundles, Angel and Bella belong to friend and art guru, Julie, at http://timetocreate-handmadetreasure.blogspot.com.au/. They form a  fantastic welcome committee for all visitors. These bundles of joy are cute, cuddly, loving, inquisitive but can be a little wilful and obsessive at times. The day these photos were taken was during a workshop Julie held, using Docraft Wellington Bear stamps and to add to the 'beary' fine day, there were some teddy bear guests. Wellington would have wondered what all the commotion was about! The teddies became the focus of attention for the girls and they were determined to find out about these interlopers.... so it was up onto a chair and then the table for a closer inspection. Hence, the mournful and plaintive expressions on their faces. In the end, the bears were put away so the girls could regain their sensibilities and with much hilarity, our workshop could continue.
The layout has been completed with faux stitching on the thickers for the title, footprint brads and a stamped Wellington, coloured  with Lyra Aquarells.
I think puppy power made the day!
Thank you for visiting. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Cheers, Di

Thursday 20 December 2012

Tag It For Christmas

Hi! I'd like to share my entry into http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com.au/ Challenge: Celebrating the light, or seasonal holiday.
This tag has used the same style of magnetic folder as the one used for My Little Book of Doodles. These are by Petaloo and are very versatile, coming in a couple of different sizes and assorted colours.
Strips of background paper for the cover and inserts were stamped and smooshed with Distress Inks. These were also used for the embellishments throughout.

Outside cover of tag showing embossed embellishments, washi tape and tags made from Darkroom Door stamps.

Washi tapes were used and to make them adhere more permanently were placed on top of double-sided tape.
'Wellington' Bear stamps by Docraft and Darkroom Door Christmas stamps were used for the tag.


Inside cover showing Wellington bear and darkroom Door stamps.

These tags can be changed easily for recipients and if needed, additional pages or photos can be added.

 
Insert with back page and front page.

Inside page (centre)


The whole piece was secured with glittery wool. Some touches of Kindy Glitz completed the tag (just to give it some Christmassy sparkle).                                                                          
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by my blog and left comments. These are always greatly appreciated and I also love visiting your blogs which are very inspirational. I'll take this opportunity to wish all of my readers a fantastic Christmas filled with peace, happiness and love. Thanks again for stopping by.                                                                                                                                   
 Cheers, Di.










 






Wednesday 5 December 2012

Hi!
First, it was a HUGE surprise to see that I had been chosen as one of the Fabulous Four featured artists for my layout for challenge 6: a stitch in time at http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com.au/   So thank you to the team for this.
Today I'm showing an altered box which has a nautical theme, to be entered for challenge 7 at ABAC.
The box was a fairly plain one picked up at a local shop. Basically painted white and blue with a couple of beach stencils and wooden fish. Potential? Yes!


Side of box before alterations




The base was sprayed with Glimmer  mist (Sea Glass and Silver) and while wet, covered with cling wrap, scrunched and moved around and left to dry. The cling wrap was removed when dry. This left an interesting pattern. The base and interior of the box was stamped with coral and shells (Darkroom Door) with Stayzon Midnight Blue and Teal Blue.


Interior of box showing creased markings and stamping.
 
The exterior of the box was given a coat of Viva Croco Azure, left to dry overnight, before stamping with the Stayzon and Distress Stain Brushed Pewter.



A net was made from an onion bag and filled with shells and treasures from the deep. Dolphins were cut from packaging and given an Opals Enamelling Powder treatment (Zeehan) Starfish were made from wooden stars treated to an Opals finish. Liquid Pearls were added to these, fish and some of the shells decorating the box.


The box was completed with craft buttons, (pirate ship and fish, with the shanks cut off), shells and shell discs and small cane baskets (fish baskets).





I've popped in a piece of sea sponge and coral... so it could be a display box for those sea treasures or a storage box for art/ craft equipment, lotions and potions........ anything really.
It was fun to make over.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate comments that are left and enjoy reading them. Come again.
Cheers, Di