Pixels and Paper Challenge Blog - Colourful August!

"MORE"

It's hard to believe we're into August already - just where has 2016 disappeared to, I'd like to know?!!  Perhaps it is sunning itself somewhere with my crafty mojo...  I've turned to one of the Wanderlust 2016 classes for my inspiration for this month's piece for the Pixels and Paper Challenge Blog, and it may just have unearthed that missing mojo...  Our inspiration for this month is a very colourful image of decorated cupcakes...

The criteria for this one is the use of tiny embellishments...  Hmmm...  How am I going to meet this?

So I turned to Week 20 of the Wanderlust 2016 course I'm taking.  The Week 20 class was entitled "More is More", and was presented by the very talented Finnabair.  This is the first time I've been exposed to Finnabair's work, and I have to say, it is absolutely amazing, regardless of if it's your chosen style or not.  It has actually brought about some enjoyment in me for the past few days (are you hearing this, mojo?!!) as I've constructed my piece for this month...

I began by creating my mini-canvas panel in the middle, following the basic steps outlined by Finnabair in the class.  These sorts of projects are all about texture, and the concept of More is More.  There are micro beads set into stencilled 3D gel; mini glass beads set into hot glue, pieces of chipboard that have also been decorated with splonges of hot glue; in the background there are pieces of ribbon, lace and assorted mesh and trim; I've also set some eyelets and stuck them onto the panel.  The 'centrepiece' of my panel was created using a cameo-shaped pendant, and sticking a plastic fairy on top.

I created my own versions of coloured acrylic metallic paints by mixing a few Dylusions colours with an IndigoBlu acrylic paint called 'Snow White'.  This was how I was able to incorporate the vibrant colours of the inspiration piece into my panel.  I've also used DecoArt Metallic Lustre in 'Black Shimmer' around the edges of the panel and across some of the texture to give it a highlight.

When I was happy with my panel, I needed to decide how best to show it off - and so I came up with the idea of creating a background 12x12 page using predominantly the same background techniques as I used on the panel to replicate the texture.  I've machine-stitched a diamond in the middle of the page to use as a sort of frame, as well as machine-stitching around the border of the 12x12 as well.  I've replicated the torn paper strips and the 3d gel stencilling, as well as the micro-beads.  I've also replicated the ribbon, lace, mesh and trim into the backround surface.  This has all then been covered with black gesso and has DecoArt Metallic Lustre in 'Black Shimmer' rubbed all over the surface and around the edges.

I've set some eyelets outside the frame and tied some black metallic thread between them, and I've put some brads on the top and bottom edges, diagonally from each other, in keeping with the criteria of small embellies.

I've used a Sharpie paint pen in White for my journalling, as well as reinforcing the machine stitching with some doodling on the frame and around the edge.  I've diecut the word "MORE" from white card stock, stuck it down and put Dimensional Magic over it to give it some oomph.

I'm rapt with how the panel worked out, and I'm relatively pleased with the background 12x12 as well.  I might have to have another go at a canvas panel to practice more of the 'Finnabair-inspired' works - I quite enjoyed it!

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you get your entries in for this month's challenge over at the wonderful Pixels and Paper!

Deb.xx