A neutral sort of day

I have always admired those who can create beautifully neutral pieces which are alive with depth and texture but have never really tried to work with them myself. So, at yesterday's AJ Sunday session, instead of my planned May calendar pages I found myself attempting a page with neutrals!

I used an old plastic key card to scape two layers of gesso onto my page, the first really thin, and when that was dry a thicker layer, leaving some texture. Using the same technique I added thin layers of Distress Paints in Picket Fence, Weathered Wood and a smidge here and there of Frayed Burlap. I had no idea what I was aiming for but just kept adding thin layers of colour until I had a base I liked, sometimes drying the layers in between but mostly not!

I added some stamping with my favourite Kaisercraft texture stamps with Distress Inks in Weathered Wood and Frayed Burlap. Then, having tried to add a pop of white with some splatters of Dylusions White Linen which just didn't pop enough, I used Tim Holtz Speckles Layering stencil with some homemade white texture paste at the top and bottom of the page for a bit more dimension which popped really well but didn't take over the page.

Now I had a background I liked I stamped a couple of Chocolate Baroque butterflies from The Tangled Garden set onto a couple of book pages but, because I wanted them to have a faded look I scraped a couple of thin coats of gesso over them before adding some colour with the same Distress Inks as before. I cut them out and added some Walnut Stain Distress Ink to the edges to make them stand out once I added them to my page.

I stamped the butterflies again directly on to the page and glued my coloured versions over the top. To finish I added some Distress Crackle Paint in Rock Candy to highlight the bodied of the butterflies, and some white pen outline on their wings. Not sure about that, and not absolutely sure the page is finished, but I am sure I have finally had a go at a piece with neutrals and Whilst I think I may need to have a few more attempts with different colour mixes before I feel confident with neutrals, I did enjoy myself.....

....and I am pretty pleased with the 'finished' page, but I'd love to know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by x

 

 

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April Workshops@Snazzys

At last the days feel a little longer and brighter so after the long Easter weekend it's back to normal with some lovely Spring projects.

We have lots of different ideas to share from clean & simple cards with Hero Arts versatile new Stamp & Cut sets, to a 'beautiful' hanging using the fab lotus flower and word stamps from Donna Downey. There is also a great mini book using the new On Stage collection from Kaisercraft, with cards made with stamps from both Darkroom Door and Chapel Road Artstamps and a lovely warm layout using the tranquil photo above which was actually taken right in the Basepoint car park, there is something for everyone.

Wednesday 1 April 11am to 3pm

Stop By and Stamp £5

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, make cards, scrapbook layouts, art journal pages or create Mixed Media pieces, stamps are a great addition. In these sessions we make all our workshop tools, stamps and consumables available to you so you can have fun experimenting and creating without having to buy all the bits and pieces. Why not drop by, enjoy a cuppa and have a go.

Wednesday 8 April 11am to 3pm

Stop By and Stamp £5

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, make cards, scrapbook layouts, art journal pages or create Mixed Media pieces, stamps are a great addition. In these sessions we make all our workshop tools, stamps and consumables available to you so you can have fun experimenting and creating without having to buy all the bits and pieces. Why not drop by, enjoy a cuppa and have a go.

Saturday 11 April 10am to 1pm

Clean and Simple Cards £15/1 SWV

Using the new Stamp & Cut sets from Hero Arts with frosted Brilliance inks we will make five bright and zingy cards for Spring.

Saturday 11 April 2pm to 5pm

Cards for Men £15/1SWV

Using these beautifully detailed stamps from Darkroom Door, Hero Arts and new releases from Kaisercraft we will make five lovely cards using different techniques.

Tuesday 14 April - sorry no workshop.

Wednesday 15 April 11am to 3pm

Stop By and Stamp £5

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, make cards, scrapbook layouts, art journal pages or create Mixed Media pieces, stamps are a great addition. In these sessions we make all our workshop tools, stamps and consumables available to you so you can have fun experimenting and creating without having to buy all the bits and pieces. Why not drop by, enjoy a cuppa and have a go.

Saturday 18 April 10am to 1pm

Take One Stamp We'll gather lilacs... £15/1SWV

Using these pretty stamps from Chapel Road Artstamps we will create five different cards using a host of techniques and products.

Saturday 18 April 2pm to 5pm

'Beautiful' hanging £15/1SWV

We will be creating this hanging with paints, inks, embossing powders and these 'beautiful' words and lotus flower stamps from Donna Downey.

Wednesday 22 April 11am to 3pm

Stop By and Stamp £5

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, make cards, scrapbook layouts, art journal pages or create Mixed Media pieces, stamps are a great addition. In these sessions we make all our workshop tools, stamps and consumables available to you so you can have fun experimenting and creating without having to buy all the bits and pieces. Why not drop by, enjoy a cuppa and have a go.

Thursday 23 April 2pm to 5pm

Lots of Borders £15/1SWV

Fresh, clean & simple cards are the order of the day here with five cards using stamps, inks, glitter, embossing powders and foils to create cards with a modern twist suitable for all occasions.

Saturday 25 April 11am to 4pm

On Stage Minibook £30/2SWV

I love these papers with a retro feel from Kaisercraft and we will be making a super mini book with them ideal for a music/dance/theatre lover or someone who just loves the era. Lots of flaps, pockets and tags to hold all your photos and journaling.

Sunday 26 April 11am to 3pm

Art Journal Sunday £5

Drop by the studio between 11am and 3pm and join in the fun with inks, stamps, stencils, masks, paints and other media all provided. Just bring your journal, pour yourself a cuppa and get started.

Tuesday 28 April 10am to 1pm

April Layout Workshop £15/1SWV

This workshop is all about using different materials and techniques to add a little texture to your page, great fun! I have used one 6"x4" photo but the layout can be adapted to a different size or multiple photos so the choice is yours.

Wednesday 29 April 11am to 3pm

Stop By and Stamp £5

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, make cards, scrapbook layouts, art journal pages or create Mixed Media pieces, stamps are a great addition. In these sessions we make all our workshop tools, stamps and consumables available to you so you can have fun experimenting and creating without having to buy all the bits and pieces. Why not drop by, enjoy a cuppa and have a go.

Remember, to save 20% on your workshops in our studio all you need to do is buy a Snazzy Workshop Voucher in advance of the day you are coming to class, easy!

In all our workshops and drop in sessions we provide everything you need to complete the project including tools and basic consumables such as adhesive. If you would prefer to work with your own tools, you are very welcome to bring them along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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