Friday 1 April 2016

Spring at Country View Crafts #1

Yay Spring has sprung and this is the second of my posts with that theme today and this one is for the Country View Challenge called Spring. If you missed the earlier one which is my sample for A Vintage Journey, then scroll back one when you've finished here or click the link
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This time I have a canvas board for you made with DecoArt products.


Using one of my 5 x 7 canvas boards I created texture using decoart white modeling paste and a Tim's bricked stencil and left it to dry.
Whist it was doing so I began thinking about the colours I would use.
I love collecting images on Pinterest and have a colour palette board so I looked for colours to use and these looked perfect especially as though they have a slight vintage hue to them.

http://www.hillcitybride.com/2012/04/the-perfect-palatte/

I die-cut the window and window box from mount board and set about creating crackle using the decoart white crackle paste. I began by giving the surface a coat of matte medium and a thin coat of the crackle paste hoping for a fine crackle to appear. You can see I did get some in places but maybe I should have painted it a little thicker to get more. I rubbed in sap green and titanium white paint and rubbed it away with a babywipe, then I sanded it and blended in ground espresso DI.


Next I painted a piece of card using media acrylic paints ....



... and stamped three butterflies using vermillion archival ink and cut them out. You will see though that I only used one in the end.


Then I continued with the background and used a collection of media paints to daub, spritz with water and drip until I was happy with the result.


 I even used a fine brush and added some vintage photo along the gaps in the bricks.


To finish it off I wiped on some transparent crackle glaze and left it to dry. At this point as it was such a beautiful Easter Friday we went for a long walk with the family on Ash Ranges.



When I got back the crackle glaze had dried so I rubbed in English Red Oxide antiquing cream, let it dry a bit and rubbed over with a damp babywipe to leave the cracks showing through.


I must have either not laid enough down in some places or overworked it as some of the areas didn't crackle at all. The result is a shiny surface where the glaze is so I gave the whole surface a coat of matte varnish.


 Now to collect and alter the embellishments - the single butterfly


A word band painted and most of it rubbed away to leave coloured lettering and some die-cut birds.


Some spring greenery and chloe stem ....


.... and an old prima flower that got a few spritzes of misters.


You can just make out the checked pattern paper that the flower was made out of.


 And everything collected together that I thought I would use. Can you see a snippet of wallflower stash paper behind the windows?


This is what it looked like.


The flower centre was originally a pear gem, it still is but I used the paints to colour it up.


The butterfly perched on the window - is he waiting to fly after the birds?


I hope you like my ode to Spring, I for one are certainly looking forward to the warmer weather.


Have a good April, time to get those gardens cleared and ready for the summer bedding. In the times you are unable to get out why not get creating and join us for the Spring challenge? You never know you might be the next winner of a £20 voucher from Country View Crafts or one of our top 3, but please pop over to the challenge blog to see our new teamies and all the inspiration we have for you.

Take care and listen to your heART.

hugs Brenda xxxxx




DecoArt products and other supplies I have used are available at Country View Crafts


40 comments:

Monika Gulyas said...

Oh my god! This canvas is breathtakingly beautiful! This will be one of my absolute favourite! The aged window element is fantastic and of course, your colours! I enjoyed reading your detailed tutorial with the family program in between! Nice family!

Doreen said...

Love your canvas Brenda,fab texture and love what you have done for the window.xxx

Sophie said...

WOW WOW WOW !
Das nächste Meisterwerk von meiner lieben Brenda.
Wunder-wunderschön, mir fehlen die Worte.
Das Fenster mittendrin - ein Traum.

Liebe Grüße
Sophie x

Paula Cheney said...

This is beautiful Brenda! Love the colors and the texture you created. I bet it darling in person given the small size and cute window. xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Totally stunning Brenda, what a fantastic collage! Love those gorgeous warm colours, super use of those Decoart products, they work so well with the other elements!

Cec said...

Fantastic. I love everything about this. I just wish I had access to the DecoArt Media line here. Love how the window turned out and all the die cuts make for a gorgeous vignette. I might just have to create something for this challenge if only to try to kick-start spring. They are calling for 3" of snow this weekend - grrrrrrr.
Hugs!
Cec

Evelyn Walter said...

Wonderful canvas, Brenda! Love all those warm colours and the fab window!
Great to be in the team with you <3
xx Evelyn

Patty O'Malley said...

I love this canvas featuring the aged window! You've certainly created a beautiful scene.

Candy C said...

Beautiful piece, Brenda. Love your design with the little birds and butterflies. The brick background is really eye catching and I love how you did Tim's window die cut.

SewPaperPaint said...

What a fabulous post, Brenda! This project really sings to my soul! I am loving your grungy yet bright colors of late. This window itself is a work of art, love love your treatment! Every detail works so perfectly together. This is truly splendid! Hugs, Autumn

Hazel Agnew said...

Breathtakingly beautiful Brenda! My fave part is the little touch of vintage wallpaper behind the window. Great colour palette! Very inspiring! Xx

hazel said...

Wow! This is so beautiful and inspirational, fabulous colours and textures.
xxx Hazel.

rachel said...

Stunning piece brenda .. you have been a busy lady today xxx hugs rachelx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Totally stunning Brenda, from the background to the window to the embellishments. Gorgeous colours and textures - it just sings! Glad you had a lovely day as well! Have a great weekend. Jennie x

Craftyfield said...

Beautiful canvas, textures, colours, die-cuts... I am especially taken by the distressed window which looks so authentic.

Jane said...

Hi dear Brenda, I have seen this in person so I know just how beautiful it is. Stunning work, such bright vibrant colours. I love it.Thanks for all your birthday wishes to me and for the warm welcome to CVC.I'm delighted to be a part of it. Have a lovely weekend, we're looking forward to more celebrations on Sunday. Hugs xx

Sue said...

Wow Brenda this is a real stunner! the colours are so pretty. Have a fun weekend, Sue xx

Words and Pictures said...

Another absolute beauty - loving these sunshine colours! The weathered finish on the window is superb, and the gorgeous colours and textures throughout just make me happy.
Alison x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

I love this especially the aging effect on the window,absolutely stunning make
Hugs
Donna xxx

Unknown said...

Silly but my favorite picture was the one with all of your completed elements together - ready to make beauty!!! And this IS a FABULOUS SPRING BOUNTY OF BEAUTY Brenda. Your window really looks old!! And your background was almost just to pretty to cover up at all!! All your colors are just my favorites so this creation is COMPLETELY SPLENDID to me!!! And it was soooo fun to see your family out for their walk too! XXj.

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous canvas, love the bright spring colours and the amazing details.
Yvonne xx

Susanne said...

What a nice canvas you have made! Love the colours! And texture.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Brenda, I love how,you added the fine crackle to,the window and aged the edges here and there. The gorgeous mix of co,ours really blend well and are so uplifting. Cannot wait to get in the spring garden. Happy weekend. Tracy x

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is so, so beautiful in its composition and colours, Brenda, I love it! The texture of the canvas is amazing. Congratulations on your deco art appointment; they are lucky to have you. Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. I believe the decoart fabric hardener product is also very good.

Lucy x

Annie said...

A fabulous canvas Brenda...love the background and all of the added layers.
Stunning xx

Have a lovely weekend
Annie xx

Pamellia said...

Wow, just stunning Brenda!! Wonderful work with the Media paints, such lovely results in colours and design! Kind of wish that colour board was a challenge, it's such a pretty combo! lol. happy weekend. hugs :)

Dortesjs said...

Looks lovely, your most creative, i will link to your blog

Corrie Herriman said...

Fantastic Brenda ! Love it !
Corrie x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Brenda, I just adore this canvas and all the gorgeous colours you've used. Happy crafty weekend, Angela xXx

Gina said...

What a gloriously happy canvas! Matches the smiles on your family :D XXX

2amscrapper said...

a beautiful canvas! I love that window and flowers

Karin said...

Beautiful canvas, love the colors!
Groetjes Karin

Nikki Acton said...

Gorgeous Brenda - so much colour and wonderful tones. Lovely to see the family too! x

Almo said...

Hi Brenda this is stunningly gorgeous and has all my favourite elements in it, flowers, birds, butterflies, layers textures... yummy yummy! and a fabulous tutorial too. Love how you chose your colour pallette, must try this. Mo x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Beautiful scene and coloration!!!

Paper Profusion said...

Really love all the hues you have going on here! Very beautiful indeed. You have a lovely family Brenda. Nicola x

experiments in paper said...

Oh my, Brenda - that window frame is absolutely incredible!! As is this entire piece - I love the colors and the patterns everywhere..... gorgeous!! Thanks so much for your visit - it is good to get back in the swing of things (at least that is the plan!) xxx Lynn

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful crackled and aged window frame Brenda - love the colors you used - the lovely brick and beautiful foliage! Julia xx

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Brenda ,
What wonderful Inspiration this month from all the team at CVC.
I especially loved this creation of yours; the colors and texture and the design all fit wonderfully to create that Spring feel.
Smiles:)
Sue

Deb said...

Just gorgeous Brenda, what a fabulous textured and coloured background and all of your embellishments compliment it perfectly. What a wonderful canvas to celebrate Spring, thank you so much for sharing it! Deb xo