February - Calendar Challenge

I'm a little late on this - where has this month gone??  February's page is a bit of a mish-mash, in that I thought - ooh February, spring, green shoots etc.  But actually, it's not, it's dark, and grey and wet.  But there has been the Olympics to provide a bit of colour...  So thanks, Kate Crane for challenging me to get on and do this!

I cut all my discs out of some Edwardian Country Diary paper I have had hanging around for way too long.  They have been sat on my workbench for a few weeks... ho hum... They are all a bit bright, but I will fix that over the month...

In my lovely book (Paperchase, 10" square), I reused Kate's gesso method for painting, using black paint with a fair amount of gesso.  Whilst it was still damp, I used some tiny amounts of red - thinking of Valentine's day, I suppose, subconsciously (I'd never think of it CONSCIOUSLY!), dragging through it with the end of a paintbrush, and also with an old bottle lid to make the Olympic rings.

I used one of Andy Skinner's stencils and my beloved Stewart Gill glittery paint, to provide some interest, and a little tippex and a big fat gold marker.

I started a little zentangling, which I will probably finish by the end of the month...maybe...

Hope you like!

Resources

Substrate: Paperchase book
Edwardian Country Diary 6x6 pad

Paint and ink
Pebeo: White Gesso
Liquitex Basics: Titanium White, Mars Black, Naphthol Crimson
Stewart Gill: Galactica Flamenco, Alchemy White hot
Edding calligraphy paint marker: Gold

Bling and other stuff
Sakura pens, various colours
Tipp-ex
Andy Skinner Mask - Sunburst

X is for...Craft Barn Challenge

X.  X!  X? Well we all knew it had to happen.  X.  Who knew there would be so few usable words in my dictionary!!  I very nearly went for Xenon (colourless, odourless gas), but a bit difficult to depict.  Opted finally for xanthochroism - a condition in certain animals (esp goldfish) in which all skin pigments other than yellow and orange disappear.  Recently treated myself to a whole bunch of Pebeo fantasy paints, and thought of a carp, a koi carp.

It may not be normal to immediately think of fish, but I have had a strange life...

Anyway.  I cut my Centura pearl to the standard size, with a slight overhang.  I masked off the edges of the shiny side, and stamped bubbles.  Bravely, I drew freehand the koi, using transparent glitter relief paste.  Gotta have glitter, right!?  This is meant to retain the paint, but note to self, build the retaining walls higher next time.

I stirred the paints (all the magic gunky stuff settles at the bottom), and dripped in orange and yellow.  I also outlined a couple of the bubbles in paste, and dripped in silver paints, and set it aside to dry (and flow slightly over one edge...).

When I removed the masking tape, I drew a freehand deckle edge with a lovely glittery sakura pen.

As the paste dried, I noticed that it drew up some of the Distress Ink into itself, which I guess, being water based, is to be expected. 

I have taken a couple of close ups of the bubbles, to try and show the glorious effect you get with these paints.  Think Cloisonné, but without the wires.  Just amazing!












Hope you like!

Resources

Paint and Ink
Pebeo Fantasy:  Prisme - Ash Blue, Buttercup, Tangerine  Moon - Veil of Smoke, Apricot
Pebeo Cerne Relief: Imitation Lead
Marabu Relief Paste: Transparent silver glitter

Stamps
Darkroom Door: Circles DDBS036
Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers

Bling and Stuff
Sakura Gelly Roll pen: Indigo sparkle