More Summer Fun for Scrap Matrix

Hello there!!

Well I'm feeling all summery as I am currently spending some time with the family at the beach.

Yay!!

Today I'm sharing some more summer goodness for Scrap Matrix.

Such a Summer Scene....

For this one, it was just after Christmas and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race was on and I got thinking about summer and it's colours.

That made me think of Ken Done - who I adored as a teenager, I mean his colour choices are fantastic, and immediately I had the idea of recreating a Sydney Harbour Scene.

So let's see how it happened....

Firstly, gesso the page all over.

Now time to get out my stencils and bits and pieces from Scrap Matrix and look at them a little differently....

See that stencil '12x12 Sun Valley' by Art by Marlene for The Crafter's Workshop - that sunrise/sunset shape will make a perfect Sydney Harbor Bridge!

I taped off the bottom with some washi tape and then applied some paint through the stencil.

I used Bubblegum Pink by Dina Wakley paint as it just reminds me of those summer colours that Ken Done would use.

See... Instant Bridge!!

I grabbed out my Art by Marlene Die-Cuts #3and again looked at them a little differently.

This one was instant Ken Done sun.....just add some Lemon Dina Wakley Paint.

Next step, I grabbed a stencil '6x6" Floating City' by Art by Marlene for The Crafter's Workshop, and added some paint through it to create some city buildings around the edges of the harbor.

Now time to add in sky!!

I used Sky Paint by Dina Wakley.

Also time to add the blue sea water.

For this, I needed a deeper strong blue.

'London Blue' by Dylusions was perfect.

At this point, the sky and sea seemed a little flat, so I grabbed a couple of stencils - 

'6x6" Texture Love' by The Crafter's Workshop, and again '12x12 Sun Valley' by The Crafter's Workshop.

I rubbed through the paint with a wet baby wipe to take off some of the colour.

Much better, it helped bring the sky and ocean to life.

Ok, so whilst I'm looking at things a little differently, I grabbed some more Die-Cuts.

Some see leaves, I see the shape of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Ok, so now I just need some boats in the Harbor, again leaves will be perfect, and these cute little bunting is just the piece.

I then added detail with my black and white gel pen....

The final step was to add a fun painty border....

Ta da!! Time to look at your supplies in a different way....

What do you SEE??

I've got another share again today...

This one came to be as I found in my stash some napkins that were just screaming Summer.....

I began with white gesso, and then some big swipes of  'Sky' by Dina Wakley and 'Banana' by Paper Artsy. 

I love how they merged together and made lime. Yep I didn't wait for them to dry, I just went for it.

I then used '6x6 Floral Statement' Stencil by The Crafter's Workshop, and again rubbed off some of that paint through the stencil.

Ok, time to add that napkin.

I used different pieces of it and adhered it with Matte Gel.

Just don't forget to peel off that back layer of napkin first!

Now I need to blend it into the background, at the moment it looks like it's sitting on top.

To do this I grabbed one of my favourite flower stamps by Aall & Create and black ink and stamped it around the edge.

I added a bit of doodling and a perfect little saying from the Art by Marlene Stickers.

There you have it!!

Time for me to go and chase the sun and the waves.

I hope I've inspired you today to try something different, to look at your supplies in a different way.

Luv Tam

xxx

Art Journaling for Scrap Matrix

Happy New Year Creative Souls!

I'm here today to share 2 of my Summer inspired Art Journal creations for Scrap Matrix

To me, this just screams Summer.

All about colour and waves and sunsets.

So let's take a look at how this came together.

I had been hoarding this 'Art by Marlene Ocean Window 12x12 Stencil' .....the shape of those flowers look like waves, and that inner circle just reminds me of the sun.

I chose some of my fave PaperArtsy Paints that are full of summery vibes.

I used 'Slimed', 'Carribean Sea', 'Zesty Zing', 'Peach Nectar' and 'Cerise'.

I also used my larger Dina Wakley Journal.

I began by adding 'Zesty Zing' PaperArtsy paint with a sponge, focusing on the circular area

 (the sun).

I then added some of the 'Cerise' paint and blended it a little.

Keeping the stencil in place, I began adding other paints with a sponge.

I then decided to take the 'Zesty Zing' to the edge of the page.

It seemed a little harsh, so I grabbed the stencil, some 'Snowflake' PaperArtsy Paint and sponged over the top a bit randomly.

Adding that white back in pulled it altogether.

I then grabbed my fudeball pen and swirled it around the circle, adding a few scribbles.

I also went in with the stencil and paint and a sponge and added extra bits to the inner edge of the circle.

I then grabbed some of the Alpha foam stamps by Tim Holtz. 

I added the word sunshine, with black archival ink making sure it was to one side.

I didn't centre it, I rarely do.....it just means it doesn't then have to be perfect, whereas if it's centred I feel the pressure to get it exactly right.

I also like things a bit off centred, a bit unbalanced. A bit like me really.

I then added in my own writing to complete the quote.

I also went over the stamped letters with a white pen, and also added it into the circle too.

That's it!! 

A fun summery creation.

What colours say summer to you?

If you need some inspiration, check out our Summer Moodboard...

How can you not be inpsired by this?????

I have created another Art Journal Page (inspired by the fabulous Lisa Oxley)

I adore her colourful work.

I actually forgot to take photos as I went for this one. Whoops!

I'll leave a list after the last photo.

But basically I decided to select a colour from each of the colour pallettes above - yep mix it up completely!!

Just too cute....

 I used:

Tracy Scott stamps - ETS124 

Carabelle Studio Stencil

Carabelle Stamp - Roadside Weeds

AALL & CREATE stamp - #44

Dina Wakley paint - Lapis, Ocean, Lime, Peacock

Paper Artsy Paint - Snowflake, Electric Violet

Art by Marlene Die Cut #4

Art by Marlene Collage paper

Alpha Foam Stamps 

What does summer mean to you?

Add your creation to the Facebook Shares Group - just pop it in the 'January Challenge Folder', and let us know what Scrap Matrix Products you used.

I look forward to seeing your colourful creations.

I'll be back again soon.

Tam

xx

One Little Word for 2020

Happy New Year everyone!!

I've popped in to share my word for this year.

For those of you who have followed me for a while, you'll know that I gave up on resolutions a long time ago. I just find them all a bit negative and a bit 'should, could, would'. So often they aren't achieved, or are broken early and this creates a cycle of disappointment and further negativity.

I prefer a more positive outlook, and so each year I select a word.  A word to use as a guide, to help me focus on the good, to carry as a tool throughout the year. Some of my words have been instrumental in helping me move forward, in supporting my mental health and in sparking growth.
Many of these words are still a part of my daily life.

Words I have connected with in previous years include:
Peace
Balance
Forward
Connect
Create
Play
Brave 
Adventure
Light
Choose
Magic

Now this has not been my idea - the fabulously inspiring human called Ali Edwards is where it all began. You'll find more info HERE

This year I have selected a word that I've nearly used for the last couple of years, it's often in the back of my mind ruminating away. I have a number of ideas about how this word will work for me......

Welcome SEE....

I want to really notice my life, really see it all - the good, the bad, the everyday. I want to celebrate it.

I'll leave the rest to Ernest Hemingway.....he says it better than me....

 I want to live a simpler life, of gratitude and really connect....

I want to use see as a starting point, a jumping off into my creativity, both through my art and also in capturing our stories and lives through Project Life. I have ideas brewing.....

As I said, this word has been popping up in my thoughts over the past couple of years, it began as a whisper, but has become louder.
This time of year always inspires me to press the reset button. I always feel excited about what the coming year will hold, and as I thought about 2020 - it hit me......that little play on words....20/20 relates to seeing and BOOM I knew this was my word and my year to have it in focus (lol, see what I did there?)

So here's to 2020........I am keen to SEE where it takes me.