WOYWW 274 (long-ish, best with a cuppa)

This might be a bit wordy but it is just information and I am not asking you to read it all.  It's just there in case someone wants a bit of information about the product I am going on about because it really blew us all away at weekend.  I am not selling either, just want to show you Brusho Paints and share the magic.

All in the name of "good fun' and boy did I have some FUN.  Have you tried Brusho's yet?  Why not? They are appearing in blogs everywhere, in fact I mentioned this a few weeks ago before I knew that Oyster Stamps was selling them.  Well, this weekend I was at the Leigh Show and for two days I was using this amazing product.

These were made using Memory Box stencils - unfortunately I have not a clue as to which colours I used on each of the three pieces.  It was fast and furious demonstrating I can tell you.  The card samples just kept mounting up on the floor by my side.  Don't know who had the most fun, Tracey or me.

Centre one below is where I just flipped the stencil off the paper and onto another sheet.  ie mopped up the colour from the stencil.  BTW these were done with the wetting of card and then sprinkling (or the other way around) see below*

this was leaf green which I used with a resist technique

these are ones where I just used the colour to paint with

this, again, is a stencil but with wax candle around the edges to soften them before colour was added.

So what is this Brusho?  It's paint, but a different paint.  It comes in little pots of crystals and I like to pierce a hole in the top of the pot (stops you spilling a lot if it gets knocked over and is easy to sprinkle a little out when using) and put the colour on with a marker pen. Available in a box of 24 plus one of 8 which gives you the whole range; a box of 12 and a box of five with a pack of thickener in.  Also available as single pots

This shows the colours in each pack, Oyster Stamps prices
(list I typed out for weekend)

You sprinkle a little into a palette, add water and you have your watercolour paint - vary the strength with the amount of water you use.  It can be mixed to different shades, ideal for watercolour work, add cellulose paste granules and it will adhere to glossy surfaces and it is safe for children to use like this.

Use with wax candles/crayons, add lustre powders for sparkle - bleach areas out, use with meths on wood (two latter techniques not suitable for children).  Paint on Pelmet Vilene and stitch into it, use on canvas for book covers etc but remember it will wash out so keep to items not requiring washing.

*BUT ... my favourite thing is to either

a) wet the paper and sprinkle the crystals on (it's magic, honestly - this is what blew people away), or

b) sprinkle the crystals on the paper and then spritz with water

the bottom one below with all the blue in it is BLACK!!

Both give slightly different effects.  You will never get two exactly the same.  Each time it is !Magic! right before your eyes.  Anyone can do it.  The colours that go to make up any one colour are included in each little pot.  When it is sprinkled on the paper and then 'wetted' these colours are all evident - try using different amounts, and intensities of sprays, of water and see the differences.  The crystals, when wet, 'wick' out and make gorgeous patterns, no two are the same.

Can you see a face in this one?
Is it a calf, what do you see?

Remember that red, blue and yellow are the primary colours and cannot be mixed.  These form the basis of most colours.  Red and Blue make Purple; Red and Yellow make Orange; Blue and Yellow make Green - these are your secondary colours.  Mix the Primary colours and you get mud.  So be careful when mixing colours but you hardly need mix these when sprinkling on paper as they 'burst' into their own spectacular colours.  I will be making a set of tags showing each of the 32 colours before my next show (Harrogate folks - 4th/5th October) and when I have them finished I will put them on here in stages.

And I am going to try all kinds of things, using just the tiniest amount of crystals because of their intensity - mixing with acrylic paint, using with various spray inks, using with Mica powders, using with glue - and, of course, finding all the uses for the Thickener which is sold along with the 5 colour sets.

This was my desk yesterday and later today I am going to use the various pieces to use dies on them so I will have lots of diecut flowers etc with those wonderful colours in them.

Sorry I have gone on Julia, I hold my hand out for a smack, but I just wanted to enable people so they can try these wonderful paints out. (I left some pictures out, honestly).  Now pop over to Julia and see other desks that don't woffle on like I have done.

Brusho's, Heartfelt Creations Dies and stencils from Oyster Stamps

Clear stamps for images from Inkylicious

Cardstock from Anne Marie

Look up Joanne Boon Thomas on You Tube and watch her work with these paints

Artful Times Challenge

This week we have a House challenge over on Artful Times.  We are asking you to make something in the shape of a house.  We have a lovely surprise too - Sam is back as our first Guest Designer.  Some of you may remember that this blog was started by Sam, Von and myself and now there is only me left.  Sam is always happy to come back and help out and you may remember she did this last year when Von took some time off.

It was obviously the right choice that we made Sam our first Guest Designer and we are so pleased that she accepted and is showcasing some of her lovely work for us.

For me, well, I had not a clue what to do but remembered that Chezzy at Victoria Stampers had made a pop up box card with some fencing on it so the idea came from there although it is nothing at all like what Chezzy made.

Here it is

As you can see I used brown card for the main construction and then used some cream to lighten it for the flaps.  The flaps were cut using Spellbinders dies "Curved Borders Two", the fencing was a Memory Box die and the flowers were Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch.  The trees - as if you haven't guessed were done freehand.

The windows were cut with a tiny square hand held punch - I know they are not perfect but I was chuffed I managed to get them as good as they are.

Pop over to Artful Times and then visit the others with their wonderful artwork on their own blogs.

WOYWW 273

I am going to have to get my finger out and start producing.  I am way behind with my DT stuff for The Artful Times Challenges, I have lots of friends with birthdays at the beginning of September and there is another baby ready to "pop out" any time.

One card has been started but it is stood with its back to you as my lovely friend in America does read my blog and she cannot see her birthday card - yet!  Must get on with the others.

Instead I have been playing about and yesterday I did a couple of experiments with Tyvek.  Cannot get it to behave like it used to and I wanted to make something special.  Ah well, back to the drawing board with that one.

Then at weekend I will be dem'ing for Oyster Stamps at the Leigh Show.  Anyone reading this coming?  Do stop by and say 'hello' I would love to see you.  Apparently I have to take an apron as I am doing something "messy" - right up my street then.

Sorry, but all I have to show you is my tag made for the gift for my niece who has just had a little boy. Good job the gift had not gone yet.  Got her a lovely little outfit (trousers, t-shirt and hooded top) and some matching boots and some bibs that are like triangular 'neckers'.  I hope she likes them, I think it is a cute outfit.

Right here is the tag and following is the desk (neglected).

See you all over at Julia's in a bit.

272 nd WOYWW today

This late Tuesday evening (almost early Wednesday morning) has come around so quickly.  Mind you I was away a few days last week thoroughly enjoying myself staying in a lovely home with a friend of mine.  Who is a crafter!!!  Say no more.  Guess that is why time has gone so quickly.

Anyway, came home to find my niece has had a little baby and so a card is needed to send to her so here it is

It's a big A5 card and it has a skeleton leaf on it (never use them so that is good) and one of those glass pebbles (again never use them so it's good also).  Am pleased the photoart type stamp came out so well. I thought I could include it with the baby clothes I get for her so it didn't matter about the bulk.

My desk, well it is the usual view so I thought I would show you directly underneath it.  You see peeks of it anyway but instead of the usual mess and muddle of boxes look at this

It has smiley faces on the two ends and I thought it would be easier to wheel out rather than scrabbling on hands and knees, banging my head on the worktop, in my search in the concertina file which is now inside here, until I get around to tidying it up.  Now I think it would make a great container for my fabric pieces.  Maybe it will change direction later when the file is tidied up.

Hope all you members of the WOYWW Clan are happy and looking forward to your Wednesday snoop journey around the desks of the world.  See you over at Julia's when I get back from my *posh (advertised as "swanky") lunch in Manchester.  See you there!

*posh/swanky lunch was a voucher I got for Chas as part of his birthday present.  We are redeeming it today as my mobile has, I think, a swollen battery (Don't ask) and I have to go to Manchester to get it seen to.  

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine - Challenge

This is my piece for the Artful Times Challenge which is "Sewing". Now if that Challenge title does not give you lots of scope I don't know what will.  You can papercraft something, journal it, use fabric, do some embroidery - anything your little heart desires to do.

I originally decided I would actually make something with fabric and then time ran out.  So here I am with a journal page.  I have had this dressmaker's dummy with the utee (plus some mica powder to give it colour) ready for something for simply ages.  What an opportunity this challenge gave me to make something.  Paper tickets, paper packets, paper lace and a paper tape measure - a bit of Honey and Rusty Hinge Distress Ink and there we are.

Hoping you join in with us, pop along to either Wendy's blog for her lovely book page or to Artful Times to see her page and then join in. We would love to see your entries.  Remember to abide by the rules and guidelines above to be in with a chance to win in our monthly prize giving of a £10 voucher for Oyster Stamps.

WOYWW 271

I am not here again - but this time, hopefully, I can link up myself.

This is my desk as I left it on Monday when I went to stay with a friend and have a bit of crafting time and 'nattering' together.

I had been given some of those plastic pieces you can see on the left and had not done anything with them so I decided to use them to decorate a photo frame.  I need a new frame for the latest one of Chloe's school photographs.  (My friend's little girl who I love to bits and vice versa)

Here's the frame

I just painted the frame with Sailboat Blue and then went over it to give it a distressed look with Lake Mist and a dry brush.  I am not sure whether to stick these down or not.  Guess I could stamp something on top of each acrylic piece - I remember using these with Tim Holtz a few years ago at CHA on my Palooza.  So I just put them on Designer Paper like I did back then.   I have even tried putting some jigsaw pieces on top.

I cannot decide what to do - any ideas?

Well, that is it for this week.  I am hoping to show you some of the things I will do whilst away but don't bank on it - we both have the "gift of the gab" and we have a lot of catching up to do with one another.

Hopefully there will be lots of WOYWW'ers tuning in today to Julia's blog.  If any who pass by here don't know - the lovely Lynn had her little dog savaged a few days ago.  I am sure you will join with me in letting Lynn know that she and her family are in our prayers and in our hearts.

WOYWW 270

May I first of all thank Helen and Anne for linking me last week whilst I was away and for Julia and Annie for trying/intending.  (and anyone else who thought of doing it for me)  It is appreciated, so much - I just didn't want to miss a single WOYWW after doing it for so long.  I am sure there is no-one here who does not know what WOYWW is but just in case follow this link and you will soon find out.

Before I show you my desk I will finish off showing my Heartfelt Creations Cards made with the delightful Emma Lou at the Oyster Stamps Retreat.  Just three left to show - if any of you want to buy the dies for these flowers, lace pieces etc they and the papers are available from Oyster Stamps.

Now what you really came here for was to see my desk in all its glory.  Well, there is nothing much to show as we have been away for a few days and since coming back Chas has had a cold (last one was in the Millenium ie 2000) and been in bed for the past few days as it went on his chest.  He is up and about now but I still have to be nursemaid.  Men and colds!

Just managed to play a bit with some Brusho yesterday and I think I know what I am going to do with these backgrounds.  Brusho seems to be enjoying a revival at the moment as I see it appearing in blogs and on various websites.  The last time I used it was for a book cover painted on Vilene but on my desk it is done on watercolour paper and cardstock.

TTFN