Curly Tree!

Hello!  I am kick-starting another 'Anything Goes' week over at Tando Creative.  These week are where we have free rein to add all those projects that don't fit into any other category :p  Today I have a 6x6 canvas for you...
 

 
 
I have used one of the delightful * curly trees* that come in a pack of two along with the  *hearts background mask* .   I spread *crackle paste* through areas of the mask onto the blank canvas.  When it was dry I added some *DecoArt paint (Cobalt Teal Hue, Primary Magenta & Hansa Yellow Light)* using a sponge.  The tree was coloured with the Primary Magenta and then coated with *crackle glaze*.  I added some teensy heart buttons from my stash.  The sentiments have been stamped onto tissue paper and attached with *matt medium*. 
 
Thank you for taking a look today, Hugs xxx

Hope

Hello there!  I just love the mix in this months Tando Colour Theme, they are really sunny and pretty!  I decided to make something bright and sunny for you with them adding a quote that made me smile :-D  Ladies here in the U.K. will see why I tittered hahaha

I used a 7x5inch canvas as my base and covered it with pieces of old dictionary pages before painting it lightly in the yellow shade.  I love these wings from the WINGS SET and used the other colours from the palette on them.  The heart is from the HEARTS GRAB BAG and I chose to paint it green adding a teensy heart from the MINI RANGE.  I painted up some card to stamp my letters on and added a wire hanger.  Oh and the colours , nearly forgot to show you...

Here is the pack of really pretty wings...

Thank you for popping by, do come again, HUGS xxx

Home Sweet Home

Hello lovely people!!!!!!  I have made up a largish canvas for you this time using some Tando Mini Houses.  You get 6 in the pack with 3 different designs.  I have also used the words from the Home Sweet Home Plaque Set.  Oh and a Mini Owl...mustn't forget him!

Yes, its very bright!!!!  I just love the vibrancy of the DecoArt Fluid Acrylics , my new favourite paints.  Of course they can be muted down as much as you like with a little touch of white acrylic.

The background was created by gluing patterned papers down onto the canvas and then spraying paint over.  I really didn't like it so I brayered some Gesso over but I still didn't like it hahaha!!!!!  But I went with it to see what the painted houses would look like on it....not too bad!

The chipboard has been painted with acrylics, the roves run through an embossing folder and crackle accents all over them.

Hugs, Karen xxx

Commissioned Canvas :-D

WOW!!!  How excited was I to be asked to make up a large canvas for a studio!!!!?  The lovely Diane from Stitchscape has just set up an amazing place where you can go and knit, sew etc to your hearts content.  (Or to just sit on a very inviting sofa with a cuppa) The room looks beautiful...all bright & sunny and I can guarantee that you will leave there smiling!  So if you are anywhere near Warrington and fancy popping in do so, Diane is a lovely person!!!  Anyway Diane loved a quote I had used so we went with that, along with a tree & a house!  The colours match her logo.

I used a kit from Tando Creative (a wall art panel) .  The simple house was cut from one of the panels.  The fencing is also from Tando.  There are lots of layers on this canvas and, of course, I just had to add some fabric and sewing 'bits' onto it!!!  Here are a couple of close ups...

Please note : the letters are NOT from Tando Creative but a mix from my stash.

I really had a lot of fun with this and I hope that Diane likes it as much as I enjoyed making it for her!  Thank you for taking a look today, HUGS XXXXX

Flowers in her hair!

Hello there!  Just sometimes we all make something that we have really enjoyed doing and this is one for me :-D  I am here with a little 7x5inch canvas to show you today.  I have used a lovely mask/stencil by  the lovely *Giovanna Zara (Profile)* as my base.  Then I added lots of mini *flowers* and leaves (here and here) and a mini *butterfly*.  Along with a little help from this gorgeous *long flourish mask*.  All from *Tando Creative*
 

 
 
To start I drew through the profile mask with a pencil onto watercolour paper and painted it before cutting it out.
 

 
This was glued to my decorated canvas and some *DecoArt Texture Paste* added through the flourish mask to 'make' the hair.  I then placed the flowers & leaves over the top to see where I wanted them to go and took a photo to remind me later! (always a good idea) :-D 
 

 
You can see in the finished canvas that I went over the texture paste with some purple Sparkling Medium.  (there was nothing wrong with the DecoArt Paste but I just changed my mind & wanted a deep sparkly colour)  I painted the flowers, leaves & butterfly with *Decoart Fluid Acrylics*.  These have the most incredible pigment strength and you only need a teensy bit added to some white acrylic.  Some lace was added to the hair area before I attached the flowers, leaves & butterfly, using my photo as a guide.  Crackle Accents and flat backed pearls finish it all off.
 

 
If you fancy getting all painty-fied then why not join in with our challenge?  Info on the page at the top of the blog.
 
I hope that you like it.  Thank you so much for popping by, HUGS xxx

Stencil canvas

Hello, I am kicking off our Tando Creative Blog MASK/STENCIL week of fun!!!  Tando Masks, (or stencils if you prefer) are extremely sturdy yet still very flexible.  I have used mine with all sorts of mediums, from paint to very textured paste.  They clean up superbly, usually with some washing up liquid and a nailbrush but I am a bit lazy and tend to leave mine until the medium is truly dried on (so naughty) and if the nailbrush won't shift it, I spray on oven cleaner, leave for half an hour and then wash!!!!  You can also put them in the dishwasher hahaha!!!!!  We have a lot of different designs to suit all tastes and as well as our own designs we have well known designers who have designed some- Andy Skinner, Neil Walker and Giovanna Zara as well as our own lovely Kaz.

For my project I have used 3 different masks (I will list them later) and made up a large canvas.

Lots and lots of layers on this one if you look closely.  I added some stamped and watercoloured flowers (Chocolate Baroque) and a quote.  Some close ups...

I shall be writing a tutorial for this one soon which will be available of the Tando Website so do look out for it if you fancy making something similar!  These are the masks that I used:

Andy Skinners beautiful *Baroque*

 

 

 

Kaz Boughton's pretty *Dotted Star* 

 

 

Tando's lovely *Long Flourish* 

 

If you fancy having a play with some stencils/masks then please enter our monthly draw.  You can find the page to link your work to at the top of the *Tando Creative Blog*.  Lots of prizes to be won :-D

 

Thank you for popping by, Hugs xxx



Love gives me wings!

Hello!  I have used a mini canvas for my project with wings today along with the pretty set of  Tando WINGS & HEARTS.
 

 
I added layers of acrylic paint to the little canvas and a bit of stamping.  The chipboard pieces have been painted gold and then I ran my painty finger around them.  I love painty fingers hahaha!!!!!
The pieces have been attached with silicone glue so that they stand out.  Small stamped letters were added before I added the chain to hang the piece by.  I plan to hang this on a doorknob somewhere in my home ;-)  Here is the set, lots of lovely wings and hearts:
 

 
 
Don't forget to enter our challenge:  You can now play along with us and our themes every week and once a month we will draw a name out of a hat for a winner of some lovely goodies.  Look HERE to link up your work!
 
Thank you for looking today my lovelies, hugs xxx

JULY CHALLENGE at Tando Creative

Hellooooo!!!!  The challenge for July over at Tando is 'COME FLY WITH ME'.  Lots of choice here I think.  I was having yet another sort out of my craft room and 'found' some large round canvases that I bought a while back.  At 12inches across they are a lot bigger than what I am used to crafting with but I had a play non the less!  Everything on this canvas is meant to sort of soft focus and a little messy hahaha!

The picture really doesn't do it justice, sorry about that!  The birds on the branches are formed with texture paste and a Tando Mask and then I roughly spread the paste over the rest of the canvas to give lots of texture.  You can see better in this pic of before it was painted...not sure what the camera was seeing but I couldn't see that odd pattern underneath...

Everything was then covered in a mix of Fresco Finish paints.  The flying birds are also Tando and have been roughly painted in the same colours before attaching to the canvas.  So, this is a bit different for me, I hope you like it!  Here is what I used made by Tando Creative.

Bird & Branch Mask..

Grab Bag of Mini Birds...

Journaling Block - Long Large

Thank you for looking, HUGS xxx

JUNE CHALLENGE AT TANDO!

You all know that I love a good quote so I was very happy that this is the prompt for this months CHALLENGE over at *Tando Creative*.  We are asking that you use a particular quote...

'Life is too short to be anything but Happy!'

I have decorated a 4inch square canvas using the smaller FLOWER ROW, which is really pretty and versatile.

Everything has been painted with PaperArtsy Fresco paints.  I added a strip of patterned paper and some hearts as well as some bling!

This is a lovely challenge and I hope that you will join in.  You don't have to use Tando products but if you do you are entered in the prize draw twice!!!!  PLUS.....you get to choose your prizes...how cool is that???

Tando Creative now have a retail site so you can now buy direct so get yourself a cuppa and pop over *HERE* for a browse :-D

Tando Masks/Stencils are fabulous!!!!!

Hellooo!  I have tried lots of different makes of MASKS/STENCILS and I really have found that Tando Creative are the best ones.  They are very sturdy  (but not too thick that they are useless iyswim) and very strong.  They take anything that you can throw at them...a good scrub and they are as good as new! There is a huge variety to suit all tastes and we also make for Andy Skinner and Neil Walker.  Here I have used 2 on my 7x5 inch canvas along with a large bird from one of Tando's 1st kits.

For the background I used some Modelling Paste through the ANDY SKINNER SUNBURST MASK and when dry covered the whole canvas in DecoArt Turquoise acrylic, adding some Gothic Purple Stazon around the edges and a little over the ridges.  Then I added some Glossy Accents to some of the raised areas.  For the BIRD - I trimmed him off his base and dabbed different colour acrylics over him before adding some Sparkle Medium in Amethyst through the LONG FLOURISH MASK.  When that was dry and accented it with the Stazon again.  The LETTERS are also by Tando and have been painted and glossy accents applied.  I finished off with some Prima leaves and flowers.

The bird came from this kit... *WELCOME BIRD HANGING*

The masks that I used...these are 8x8 inch and 12x3 inch so a good size...

*ANDY SKINNERS SUNBURST*

LONG FLOURISH

and the letters...*ALPHA SHEET*

 

CLEANING YOUR MASKS -When I was at the NEC Trade How in February I got a fantastic tip from Leandra Franich on how to clean your masks if a simple scrub won't budge the gunk on them - spray with oven cleaner and leave for a short while and then wash off!  Works a treat :-D

 

Thank you for coming to see my canvas today, take care out there, HUGS xxx

 

Celebrating the Great Outdoors with Tando

Th sun is shining and its lovely and warm outside as I type this and I hope the same weather is still with us when this post goes live as its beautiful!!!!  It makes us all think about being outdoors and I am no exception.  A lovely walk on our nearby moors sounds wonderful :-D

This week I have an 8x8inch canvas to show you on the theme of 'THE GREAT OUTDOORS'

I quickly painted some fields and sky for my background and used Tando Gardening with watering can Mask for the clouds (it has lovely clouds in this design)  I spread some Sparkle Medium (Black Stars)  through the smaller of the Tando Footprints Mask twice, with one reversed.  The Tando Camera has been painted and doodled with some Sparkle Medium for the lens cap.  The strap is Cornish Tartan ribbon :-D  Some Viva Glass Effect dots and computer generated quote complete the project.

The Tando Creative goodies that I used..

Footprints mask

Garden with a watering can Mask...

The chipboard Camera froma Grab Bag...

Tando Black and Blue week!

haha that does not mean that the Design Team are being beaten into submission :-D  Working with BLACK and BLUE is our theme this week.  Tricky colours to work together but there are so many shades of each aren't there?  I have gone for darker versions to decorate a little 2inch square canvas...

I have used one of the little birds and branches from a grab bag.  I just love these birds, there is so much you can do with them and they are small enough to fit anywhere as an accent on your work.  ou get quite a few in a pack too so very cost effective.

I used distress inks throughout, the moon is by Stampotique, no idea who made the flower stamp below though, sorry.  Yes, I couldn't do a Night scene without doing a Day scene to match haha...

I have a photograph wall in my kitchen so these two will nestle into some gaps nicely!  Thank you for looking today, take care out there xxx

Tando Challenge - Bright and BOLD!

Helloooo!  I have my Tando hat on today haha!  For the Tando Challenge this month we are asked to be all Bright and BOLD...lovely!  That is Bright colours and BOLD pieces...

This little canvas is about 5inches square and the Steampunk Heart pieces are lovely chipboard by Tando.  I used Gelatos for the base and paint on the chippie with Crackle Accents over the top.  I HAD to add a word as it looked so bare hahaha!

You still have time to enter this challenge.  There are fabulous prizes which YOU get to choose!  Take a look *HERE*

Thank you for popping by my lovelies, Take care xxx

Hope Canvas

We ALL need some hope in our lives don't we but sometimes we just cannot see it.  I have made up a little 10x10cm canvas reminding us to always keep hoping.

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Canvas 10x10cm

Kaisercraft Texture Clear Stamp - Alphabet

Tando Creative Chipboard Alphabet

PaperArtsy Fresco Paints - London Bus, Beach Hut, Cheesecake and Ice Blue

Treasure Gold - Silver

 

A bit of Mr Skinner!

I always find it a little tricky following a sketch, no idea why as you all make it look so easy!  This week over at *The Craft Barn Blog* we are doing just that!!!  I have done a canvas...am I allowed to wave my flag and say that I am really pleased with it and love it? :D

The sketch....

Using Fresco Paint in Guacamole and Cheesecake I covered my rectangular canvas (roughly A4 ) and dried with a heat gun. (Always dry between layers to stop the paints 'muddying') Then, using my finger I smeared on Ice Blue and Claret. Using Andy Skinners Mask (Burning Rubber) and more Claret I stencilled along the bottom before adding Gesso with my brayer to 'dull' it all down a little. Going back to the mask I stencilled in Ice Blue down one side. I have used Tando Creative Heart Cogs and painted them up in the same colours, using a stipple brush around the edges. For the children I have stencilled through Andy Skinners Mask (6x6 Children) using a mix of Claret and Guacamole onto white card, then cut them out. I tore a dictionary definition of children out and coloured it before glueing in place behind the children. The quote is PC generated.

Thank you so very much for popping by!  Please take time to leave a comment so that I know you have been.  HUGS xxx

Canvas

Tando Creative Heart Cogs Mix Small

Andy Skinner Masks - Burning Rubber and 6x6 Children

PaperArtsy Fresco Paints - Claret, Guacamole, Cheesecake, Ice Bluex

Stencil Brushes

The Right Shoes...

Hello! ... 'Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she'll conquer the World'... well said Marilyn!  She knew  thing or two about shoes!  I love her idea of cutting some off one heel to give her that wiggle hahaha!  Anyway I really wanted to use that quote when I saw I was to use these new stamps by KatieSue.

I used a 4x4inch piece of mount board/chipboard and painted it with PaperArtsy Fresco Sherbert. One of the shoes from the stamp set was stamped with memento straight onto the background and again onto white card. I also stamped one of the flowers twice to place where I put the holes. Colour in the images on the card with Copics and cut out. Glue these over the stamped image on the background. Glue the separate flowers where you are going to make holes for the ribbon to thread through. Using memento again stamp the dots border round the edges.The quote is a lovely one by Marilyn Munroe!

 

 

So...do you have the right pair of shoes???????  Thank you for popping by, HUGS xxx

 

Katie Sue Designs - Fabulous Shoes Collection 1

PaperArtsy Fresco Paints - Sherbert

Memento inks - Tuxedo Black

Copic markers - RV34, YG00, B18

Kaisercraft Rhinestones

Ribbon

Home Sweet Home!

Hellooo!  If you are interested in house related projects then Tando Creative may be the place for you!  We have a big selection of house, some 3D, some flat along with churches, fences, trees, gates, lamposts...right on to mini telephone boxes and kits :D  We are playing with TOWN/COUNTRY pieces over at the *TANDO CREATIVE BLOG* this week and I decided to go with a Home Sweet Home set.  There are actually 2 different ones and I have mixed them up a bit....the base from one & the words from the other.

I have mounted the large house onto a painted canvas.  The roof & heart have been 'stippled' with dimensional paste and then dabbed with paint.  The flowers are stamped from JOFY 10 & 11 sets.  The words have been painted and crackle accents applied.  I added a mini butterfly to bring it all together.  Here are the products in all their nekkidness haha!

Thank you for popping by, warm HUGS xxx

Getting back to normal & exciting news!

Hello there!  Is there anyone out there? haha Have you all had a lovely holiday?  Mine was quietish with manic moments inbetween :D  Its great to be back at my craft desk though! 

The ~Craft Barn DT~ are all working with canvases this week.  The shop stocks some gorgeous small ones and I have used a 15x15cm and a 7x5cm for my project!  The teensy one comes in a pack of 2.  Its lovely to be working on 'normal' stuff again after all the festive makes hahaha.

 

Both canvases were 'splodged' with watered down acrylics and a kitchen roll rolled over till I was happy with them.  The scrolls have been silver embossed.  The stamped images are by Crafty Individuals and have been coloured then clear embossed before stuck to the canvas.  The cute teensy canvas has been edged with silver embossing and glued in place.  The pretty butterflies were cut out of some Crafty Individual paper and the quote is PC generated.

 

This was going to be a Christmas present for someone but I still have it hahahaha!!!!!  Now for the EXCITING NEWS.  For 2013 The Craft Barn Blog are setting a fortnighly challenge called

 

THE ALPHA CHALLENGE

 

The idea is to use the dictionary to inspire you and then alter the relevant page!  I have chosen a large 17x24cm dictionary to alter and will be playing right along side you all!  A fabulous challenge to take you through the whole year, especially if you like journalling and altering books :D  You can find more info ~here~.  Here is the logo for you to put on your blogs.  I do hope that you will join in!

 

 

 

Whatever your plans are I hope that you all have your dreams come true in 2013.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Thank you for visiting, HUGS xxx

GD for The Craft Barn!

Hi!  A bit excited here as I can, at last, begin to show you what I have been doing the last few weeks :-D  I was asked to be a guest designer for June for ~THE CRAFT BARN~  using TANDO CREATIVE PRODUCTS!!!!!  I also felt very humbled as they have some incredible artists on their team!  I shall be appearing once a week for this month only and my 1st post is today.  The prompt was to use masks so I used Tando's clock mask to make a.......clock hahahahaha!!!!!

I used a chunky canvas for my base and then lightly coated it with watered down Eco Green Acrylic paint in Periwinkle & Lake. A flourish was stamped randomly over the top before I coated it with multi-medium. Using some of the Lake colour I sponged through the Tando Creative Hearts Background mask in the centre of the canvas and drew around the hearts with a white pen. Using dimensional paste mixed with EcoGreen Grape and using an old credit card I stencilled the Tando Creative Clock in the centre. I also added some hearts to the corners.

I added elements from the Tando Creative 'Home Sweet Home Plaque trio' to decorate. The clock hands have been coloured using a Krylon silver pen and crackle accents added to the clock numerals, rooves and hearts.

 

If you haven't visited The Craft Barns blog do so as the inspiration and work is incredible!  Thak you for coming to visit, see you soon, hugs xxx