I'm back from my creative coma.....

Sometimes life just doesn't go as planned. Sometimes you can be surrounded by the nicest of stamps, crafty things and inks and just not feel the love or inspiration. And that's exactly how I've been feeling for the past 2 months. Creativity can't be forced so I didn't. Although it can be frustrating when you so desperately want to create and the energies don't flow that way! But I feel a little more creative again and although blog posts will still only be an odd occasion at the moment, I would like to share this canvas with you today.
It was inspired by some pieces Dina Wakley did in a recent Stampington publication, it's very messy and inky and painty, using photos of my family.

I'm also delighted to say that I'm Guest Designer on the Stampotique blog this month so watch this space for some lovely Stampotique creations and check out their blog!

2011 - 2012

So we say goodbye to another year that had been filled with crafty inkyness and hello to a new year which once my Mojo returns should hopefully be even more colourful.
Looking back at the year it has certainly been an interesting one. I managed to get my crafty creations published in both Craft Stamper and Stampers Sampler and started as a permanent team member for Just Stamps magazine.
I also went to my first ever workshops starting off with the Tim Holtz Artsy Crafts one in February, followed by another 2 Artsy Crafts where I met some lovely people and learned new techniques, esp off the lovely Lynne Perrella.
I took part in my first craft fair, a fun day and great confidence boost as people really enjoyed my makes.
I lost my mojo a bit in June which was scary but I soon turned it around by taking up art journaling or at least the techniques used in art journaling. I am not much of a journal writer but I gave it my own twist and created home decor objects in a painty, inky art journal style. Some of my favourite creations were my mirrors last year hence I am entering this one into The Stamp Man Awards for favourite project of 2011.

I also discovered my love for Stampotique stamp.


These are two of my favourite projects. The card I sent to my sister's boyfriend for his birthday, I think he wasn't too impressed with Uncle Buck on the front. Ah well, I think he's such an adorable character.

I also started painting canvases last year, mainly using collage sheet images as the main focus. I esp like working with the kids pics from Lisa's Altered Art, and also my own family photos.

These are just a few things I really enjoyed making last year, of course there were many cards and challenges I entered, let's hope 2012 will be just as fun filled. I have set myself a few goals for the year and once my mojo returns I will get making. I am currently updating and redesigning my whole website so I am concentrating on that for now. There will be some candy coming soon too. I had promised this a while ago but never got round to taking a picture of the goodies and writing the post so I will make that a priority!

Happy 2012 everyone!!!

What's the point - Mixed Media Canvas using Tattered Angels

This canvas was created a few weeks back when I was playing with my spray inks and I set myself the challenge to only use spray inks to create this. It's difficult layering spray inks when they are water soluble cause anything you spray on top will just "melt" the layer underneath but you can still create nice effects with stencils and by lightly varnishing one layer then spraying over the top.
I also used some Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze for the splatters, gives a nice shiny splatters effect, I'm not sure what else to use the stuff for to be honest. It's just one of those products I haven't found great use for yet.

Christmas Tags a la Lynne Perrella

You may remember me doin some crazy coloured things on tags a while ago, a technique I learned from Lynne Perrella using acrylic paints, stencils and oil pastels. Well, when I first saw her demo the technique at Artsy Crafts I fell in love with it and thought I'm gonna make all my Christmas tags like that this year. Instead of writing someone's name I just pop a picture tag of them on the pressie.

So I finally got around to doin some of those tags, here is the one for my dad (right) and my brother, here in a picture with me (I'm the little one).


The one on the left here is for my mum, I think she was 16 or so in that picture. And the other picture you probably have seen before, it's me and my sister. I was searching high and low for a suitable pic of my sis but I always come back to this one. But she's getting more than one pressie so I will have to find another picture to make another tag. Watch this space.

I have also been sewing wrapping paper from a printed out photo, I'll show that once the present is wrapped.

What are your ideas for wrapping pressies this year? Anything personalised at all? I'm always up for new ideas!

I am entering these tags into the Happy Daze "Explosion of Colour" Challenge. The blank Manila tags are available from their shop and so is the black Staz On ink I used for rubbing over the tags at the end.

More inspiration fom Lynne Perrella

If you have seen my recent tags in true Lynne Perrella style (one I showed was actually made by her) you will not be surprised to see this strangely colourful mirror.
I love working on these Ikea mirrors, cheap and cheerful and plenty of space to decorate on. I used a whole lot of old family photos here and went mad with paints, stencils and crayons. Loving the messy way of crafting at the moment and not caring and planning things too much, just grab some crayons and go.
Not a hundred percent on whether I like this particular piece but it's not always about the finished piece is it, it's about the fun you had creating it. And what you can learn from it.

Lynne Perrella inspired Tags

It's been a bit quiet on my blog for a few days but there is a reason, I spent a weekend in Warrington at Artsy Crafts. Having taken part in Lin and Leandras workshops before I just couldnt miss this one, it had a special guest - Lynne Perrella.
I must say I had not really been familar with her work before but liked what saw on her website and I like to learn new things and venture out into different angles of crafting and so I just booked myself 2 day workshops with her. As always it was well organized and I met a lot of lovely people. The projects we did with Lynne still need some finishing touches and I will share them with you when they are ready. In the meantime check out this You Tube video to see everyone's work.
But the main inspiration I took away from this weekend was Lynne's love for oil pastels. She gave us a quick demo on a tag how she layered pastels with paints and stencils and I am totally in love.
The tag on the left is one Lynne did or me using an old photo of me and my sister. The next one is one I made using the same technique. And then the other two are ones I did at home yesterday. I also created a whole mirror in that style - I'll share that some time this week.
So overall a fab weekend, the venue was nice, the people were even nicer and I have taken away loads of inspiration. Thanks Lin and Leandra and everyone involved and especially thanks to Lynne - you are amazing!

The Disco-Tag (get it?!?!) will be entered into the Tag Challenge at The Stampotique Designers Challenge.

The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge..... Week 5

And here we go again with another calendar. This week the theme at the Craft Barn Calendar Challenge is PINK AND BIRDS. So I got one of my favourite Alterations Dies out and some pink spray ink and voila another calendar.

The calendar itself is a day to day one, I'm not sure if these are available in the UK but my sister got me some in Germany. I remember when I was little we used to make my grandma a calendar every year for Christmas using one of those calendars. You tear off each day and on the back is either a saying, a recipe, a soduko etc.

I am also entering this into the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge - Things with wings.

Abstract Canvas inspired by Dyan Reaveley

Sometime this summer (if you can call it that) I was browsing some blogs and one post stood out. It was Dyan Reaveley's blog post about a canvas class she tought. Here is the original post.
It inspired me so much that I wanted to try out my own large canvas. I had until then only stuck to smaller canvases and used photos and collage sheets to fill it out and I was a little scared of tackling the big white canvas.
But with the help of the post and loads of peeking at the student's canvases I worked out this canvas here.




I liked that one very much but thought I could have done some things a little better so I made a second one. So this is the new and improved version.

I won't give you any instructions as Dyan is teaching these as classes and I don't want to give away her secrets. If you're clever work out your own or maybe take part in one of her classes. My time off if very limited and as I'm always working weekends I can't get to as many workshops as I'd like otherwise I would have loved to go to this one.

As these were painted in the summer holidays my boyfriend's daughter was here too and she joined in as well. She is 13 and this is her canvas.... this one is a bit work in progress and not entirely finished but almost there.

Thanks to Dyan for letting me post these and for the inspiration.

Dyan's Blog

A little late..... Alter it monthly - October theme - Boxes

This is a bit late, but better late than never. My DT piece for this month's Alter it Monthly theme "Boxes".
I have been away on holiday lazing about in the sunshine and on beaches so I hope you can forgive me.
I altered this plain wooden chest using various acrylic paints, spray inks, stencils etc. I stamped the Stampotique flowers all the way around the box and punched out some small paper flowers to stick on. All sounds very quick and easy but it took a while to get all the layers of paints on each side of the box, it's just one of those projects you start and keep coming back to.
The lettering is stamped on using my favourite Alphabitties by Stampotique, I'm in love with them!




Here is the back. I think you get the idea.

If you fancy altering a box of some kind come and join us at Alter it monthly. There is a prize up for grabs. And there is only 3 months left to enter the Alter it monthly challenges as sadly the decision has been made to close the blog down.

Mixed Media Canvas

I've not shown a canvas for a while so here goes.
This is actually one of my larger pieces. The background is a crazy mix of paints, spray inks and splatters. Some stamping for the numbers and writing and the dina wakley stamp has been stamped, scanned, colours inverted and printed out in A4.

I'm not very confident when it comes to messy crafting, I like to have a plan and know what goes where but with this one I just got in there and went a bit mad.
Turned out ok I think!

Try it on Tuesday - Alter it Week

Running a bit late this week with my Try it on Tuesday entry but I'll get it in just in time.
The theme is (or was) "Alter anything" so I got working on this wooden frame. Gesso, paint, splatters, bottle cap rings, spray inks, stamping and a gungeboard heart.
That's the ingredients for this frame. I think it would make a nice little frame for a kids picture, what do you reckon?

As always the Alter it week is sponsored by The Craft Barn.

Alter it monthly - September Theme - Trees & Twigs

It's Alter it monthly time again.
I had two months out from the DT as the themes were a lil bit not my cup of tea and so the amazing Kim Dellow took my place for two months. She did a much better job of the 2 themes than I ever could have so a huge thank you!

This month the theme is trees and twigs. Any kinda trees, parts of trees you get the idea.
As I have been making a lot of canvases recently it just had to be one for this theme, and here is my tree of thoughts.
I have recently done a photo tutorial on how I create my messy, painty backgrounds so scroll down for earlier posts if you fancy getting painty yourself.

I hope you do join us for this months challenge, there is of course a prize up for grabs from our lovely sponsor Calico Crafts. So I'll cu there!

Eye can see you.....

Here is something I prepared earlier.... well last week to be precise. It's a canvas (what else!).
I used an image that Kate Crane used in some of her journal pages, it's rubber glove moulds and I just love using any kinda hands so I had to have a play with these ones. Do check out her blog - The Kathryn Wheel - it's full of great colour and inspiration! And the original image too if you wanna create something with those hands yourself.

If you like my inky background I used once again on this, scroll down for a previous post on how I create my inky backgrounds. There is step by step instructions with photos.

PAINTY, INKY, MESSY MIRROR TUTORIAL

I have recently had a bit of interest in my painty, inky, splattery, messy, collagy mirrors and someone asked me if I'd do a tutorial. So as I was creating this mirror I thought I may as well take step by step pictures.

When I first started painting these and also my recent canvases I had to learn everything by trial and error, which is fine but hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and achieve similar results. It's definitely a fun project.

Step 1

I used a Malma mirror from Ikea, cheap and cheerful and a big wooden frame to decorate. But you could use a canvas. Whatever surface, simply paint on a layer of gesso and leave to dry, preferably overnight.

Step 2

Prime mirror using a base colour, I used buff titanium. This colour works well as a base for all my creations I find. When that is dry paint on some yellowy/browny acrylic paint, only a small amount and wipe it off using a baby wipe. I go back and forth from left to right, that achieves a streaky kinda look.

Step 3

Using a brown paint I go in again wiping it back and forth with a baby wipe. Leave to dry and repeat with a darker brown and black. This builds up nice streaky looking layers of paint. Leave to dry.

Step 4

Using old bottle caps I stamp a bunch of circles in black and white.

Step 5

Using a paint dabber I dab on some dots, little clusters of them. I used a gold dabber here. I find with some dabbers it dabs on little bubbles, which I like cause it adds to the texture. If you want a smoother look you could use a dot stamp or a stencil would work too. Try thinking outside the box, use everyday items (like the bottle caps) or anything that falls into your hand to try and stamp with it. Anything that creates patterns and adds to the texture is good.

Step 6

In this step I mix some white paint with a bit of water and splatter it over the surface. Different techniques create different looking splatters so just give it a go and have a play.

Repeat with black paint. Let dry.

Step 7

I added more splatters this time using the old toothbrush technique. Mix paint with water again and get your toothbrush in there, then "spray" across surface. This creates more of a fine splatter. Leave to dry.

Step 8

Using stencils I then sprayed on some ink spray. I personally love using the Dylusions sprays but colourwash would work or glimmer mists if you want a bit of a glimmery shimmer. Leave to dry.

Step 9

Spray on some more ink and tip the mirror to make it run. I used 2 different brown inks here, but depending on how colourful you made your piece you can use all sorts of colours. Or try using a perfect pearls spray, it won't show much but just add a bit of glimmer. Leave this to dry again.

Very important: Once it has dried give the whole thing a spray over with a matt artists varnish. I use one from the art shop, it just says varnish for acrylics and that. As we have been working with water soluble paints and inks we need to protect our background before we get glueing so varnish it and leave to dry for at least an hour or two.

Step 10

Now get all your pictures and words ready. Sometimes I know before I start what picture or stamped image and quote I am going to use, other times I just start painting a background and then see what picture may suit the mood and colours. With this one I painted first and then picked my picture. Here I am using a photo of my grandad which I turned sepia in photoshop and then printed it on a high setting. Print this on good quality card, give it a light spray with the varnish too as otherwise the ink may bleed later. Leave to dry then cut out.

The words I made with a labelmaker and I really like just having one or two words big and standing out so I used grungeboard letters and painted them black.

Step 11

To glue the image and words I use a matt medium. Brush it on the surface and the back of the things to stick and place them, you still have a bit of time to move them around. When you're happy with the placing brush over the top with more matt medium.

I've found that the printed pictures can bleed a little ink even though we varnished it earlier. But don't worry about it, it's suppoed to look grungy and a bit rough. It just adds to the feel.

In this case I stuck on my photo overhanging the edges and cut around the mirror with a scalpel later. That gives a nice neat edge.

I also added a not planned red heart here. Once all your things are on the background you'll see if it needs anything else, a few more chipboard shapes or an embellishment of some sort.

Step 12

When everything has dried I go in with some black and white paint again stamping some bottle cap rings and using a credit card to make a few lines and "scrapes". It helps blending the photo , heart and words in with the background. I also splattered some more paint on. If you get splatters on a part of the photo where you don't want them you can easily wipe it back with a babywipe as the picture is covered in matt medium and therefore easily wipeable.

Once all that is dry I use some charcoal to go around the edges of some of the words and the photo. You can make a chunky black outline or if you want a softer finish just work it in using a paper stump.

Now your mirror is ready to varnish, add some hooks and hang.

I hope you enjoyed this little step by step instruction.

If you want more inspiration and see some of my other inky and painty creations check out my website at http://www.anikraft.co.uk/ or my flickr gallery http://www.flickr.com/photos/anikraft/sets/.

I would love to see your creations following this tutorial and feel free to leave a link here or email me at anikraft@hotmail.co.uk.

Can you take any more canvases?!

up canvas1
Originally uploaded by Anikraft

Have you seen enough canvases yet?!
I hope not cause I am working on a few more and there is also a tutorial coming soon on how I create my messy, painty backgrounds.

I just wanted to share this one with you today. I discovered the hand image in one of Kate Crane's journal pages and fell in love with it. It's by Tumble Fish Studio and even though this particular image is not available anymore there are so many other great collage sheets to pick from. Check them out!

Go Wild Challenge.... an yet another canvas....

fairy canvas1
Originally uploaded by Anikraft

Yes it is indeed another canvas. I just can't stop making them. I am very quickly running out of space in my house now.

I made this one for the new Tando Creative Challenge where this month the theme is Go Wild. I know a butterfly is not really that wild but still an animal, also I went a bit wild on the colours with the pink and orange. Not normally a colour combo I'd go for.

Fashionable Stamping Challenges and yet another canvas....

As always I have been really busy and there just hasnt been enough time to craft and blog. But I got up really early on Monday to get working on some canvases and in true German fashion I have been very efficient and created 4 canvases at once. It's quite handy cause whilst one dries you can get working on another one and make the most of the time.

Oh, I also had to chase the postie halfway down the road in my slippers on Monday, lucky I did cause the parcel he had for me contained my new Dina Wakley stamp which I love and now I want all the others too. I used it straight away for this canvas. I am loving the beige/teal colour combination at the moment - I think they work so well together.

So I am entering this into the Fashionable Stamping Challenges where the theme is "Anything goes".

Also I have been asked on flickr whether I'd consider doing a tutorial for my painty backgrounds and how I created some of my mirrors recently so I have decided to do one and will get working on that next week. So watch this space!

Where would you fly?!

I've been playing with some canvases again and this is the result. I used an old photo of my dad, the photo just works so well with butterfly wings behind it.

I made this for the Artistic Stamper Challenge where the themeis Male/Men. And I am also entering this into the Sir Stampalot Challenge where Anything Goes.

Stampotique Challenge - Red, Yellow, Orange

Til a few months ago I never looked at Stampotique stamps twice, they just didn't suit my style and mood. But people change and moods change and styles too and since I started painting canvases in an art journally style i have found myself wanting more and more stampotique stamps.

For this canvas i had to re-size the little man a bit so I stamped him, scanned him and printed him in the size I needed, I hope this is acceptable for he challenge. The hearts hanging from the top are one of my favourite stamps at the mo, I just hang them from every page and card possible. Hehe.
The blablabla stamp from Stampotique is on my shopping list but I have not yet been able to afford it (have ordered many others though) so I had to make up my own BLAS!
I made this with the Red, Yellow and Orange Challenge in mind and this will be my first ever entry, sure it'll be one of many to come.

My first ever market.....an experience!!

So I have finally completed my first ever market. I have to say I was a bit scared but also excited beforehand. I just didn't know what to expect. Would my stall look ok, would everyone look more professional, would people be nice?

I have taken on a few tips from more experienced friends of mine and asked lots of questions and advice beforehand and it has paid off.

I got to the venue (Miller pub near London Bridge) at 10am and was shown my space straight away and started setting up. I did have some help from my boyfriend and his daughter and we all got to work straight away. pretty much did the table set up as I tried it at home on the dining table, a few things didnt want to stand up but everything found its place at the end and I was very pleased with it. My table looked colourful and busy with loads to discover.

I got chatting to some lovely people, picked up new ideas (and lots of business cards) and enjoyed a look around to see what everyone else had made, lots of amazing stalls!!

The loveliest suprise was my bloggy friend Kim Dellow of Crafty Makes popped by, we had not yet met in real life so it's was really lovely to meet her. She also took that picture of me.

As for sales, I did well. Much better than some of the stalls around me who had more larger items and didnt sell as much. I took on a tip from Zuzu who said to have smaller, cheaper items as people are more likely to pick up a little something for a £1 or £2. So I had bottle cap fridge magnets for sale. They are so much fun to make too.

I also sold this canvas I made last week for the Try it on Tuesday Challenge (sponsored by The Craft Barn).
Someone picked it up as a present for someone.

Overall it was a very positive experience and I would like to do it again but as these things always happen at weekends it makes it difficult for me cause I'm always working. But I hope to do more fairs like this, definitely.

For now I have to concentrate on my shop adventure. A local shop has offered to sell some things for me, which is amazing news, but I can see a lot of work coming my way. I better get making!!!