Friday 1 August 2014

Summertime

Hi everyone!

       This month it is my turn to host the challenge at Our Creative Corner and I would like you to focus on....

Summertime!

Summer is in full swing - whatever the weather! Whether it is pouring with rain or intensely sunny wherever you are, Our Creative Corner want to see some 'Summer' inspired creations.  

What sparks your imagination when you think of the word 'Summertime'? Travel to far away exotic destinations, buckets and spades, sand dunes and sparkling sea? Does summer bring to mind delicate flowers in a hazy garden or bright vivid tones of a warm sunset? Perhaps just the use of vivid colours evokes a summery mood....or do pastel shades have more of a summer look for you? 


Whatever your interpretation of 'Summertime' is we would love to see your creations here at Our Creative Corner

 I love lots of things in Summer - I decided on this challenge months ago and when the time came to make something for it I was tempted by so many ideas...My work usually focuses on something that means something to me - that I have a strong visualisation of and that usually, for me, tells a story. In the end the main image that kept coming back to me again and again in my search for an idea, was sitting in my garden in early evening, how peaceful it is. It is just so nice to sit and watch the sunset surrounded by flowers.....



So I tried to capture those elements in a framed picture...the golden glow as the sun sets, the flowers and the weathered wood from the garden
 

I started by making the frame. I don't do anything fancy like mitered corners...I just cut two 2cm x 8in strips of balsa wood and two strips of 2cm x 6ins and stuck them into a square using strong wood glue.

Then I painted them with Chocolate Pudding Fresco paint followed by a coat of crackle glaze. This was followed by a coat of Decoart Americana Chalk paint in Lace. When crackled I sanded it down before very lightly dabbing it with some Vintage Photo DI to add a rusted tarnished look.






 The background was some TH resist papers. I chose a flourish pattern and covered it with Antique Linen DI and then dabbed around the edge with Frayed Burlap DI



For the flowers I used three ready made ivory roses that were dabbed with a tiny bit of Vintage Photo DI.


The pink flowers were made with Tattered Florals die cuts. Dabbed with Aged Mahogany DI and spritzed with water, I crumpled the flowers up and then opened them and left them to dry. The center of the flowers were the tiniest diecuts, inked with Scattered Straw DI and scrunched up.


The ivory flowers were made using the same die cuts this time using Antique Linen DI
and Gathered Twigs DI


I made the buds by scrunching up one flower after it had been coloured with ink. When dry I dabbed the daisy shaped flowers with Peeled Paint DI and stuck the bud into it so it looked like there were leaves surrounding it.


The sprigs of flowers were Memory Box die cuts. I inked and painted them using Peeled Paint DI, Hey Pesto Fresco Paint, Picket Fence DP, Aged Mahogany DI and Vanilla Fresco Paint.



















The leaves were dabbed with Peeled Paint DI and then edged with Aged Mahogany DI


Finally all of the flowers were then arranged onto the framed background.....





Why not come over to Our Creative Corner and share with us some 'Summertime' themed creations - You can enter up to three times and the winner will be invited to be our Top Talent and share with us something they have created and have a mini interview so we can be nosey find out more about them!

There will be our Top 3 and there will also be a Random.org selected Prize Winner who will win a lovely selection of summer themed goodies from our generous Sponsor this month - Crafty Individuals!

Remember, you've got to be in it to win it...can't wait to see your 'Summertime' themed creations!

Happy Crafting!

 photo temp3_zpsf37f8b2d.png
Follow on Bloglovin

9 comments:

  1. Laura ... this is fabulous!!! I adore the frame that you made. Incredible job with the crackle finish. I thought you bought and altered a premade frame. Awesome creation. Your ability to create such a stunning focal image with your blooms is amazing. I am terrible with flowers. This looks like something you would buy in vintage home shop. Love the touch of aged mahogany on the leaves! Perfectly sets them off. Gorgeous summer make. Going to pin it now :) -- Mary Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  2. So much beauty in this project.
    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous piece Laura, your flowers like always are outstanding and I just love the background and frame!! So very clever to make it from scratch!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A great make...love that grungy look on the frame and the soft colours in the middle.
    greetings, Alie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I didn't recognize the name with the work.. but I do now... your work is outstandingly beautiful... I love your flowers and the colors... the background is dreamy and the whole frame and picture... just wonderfully delightful Laura... I love it all... ELEGANT PIECE... Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, love this! Wonderful background and so lovely flowers and the frame is fabulous!
    Hugs Evelyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. Catching up! Your frame is absolutely stunning - the crackle is superb. Love the wonderful blooms too. I agree with you about the garden in the early evening (and first thing in the morning before everyone else is up), it's such a tranquil time.
    Hugs,
    Juliaxx

    ReplyDelete

It is always lovely to see people visiting so I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment for me - Thank you!