Wednesday 6 July 2016

Dare to Create

Just popping in to share one of the projects I made last weekend at the Dare to Crate retreat in Coventry with the amazing Andy Skinner and Tracy Weinzapfel. These two are just so funny together and kept us entertained all weekend with their banter and jokes and kept us occupied with their fabulous projects.


This is one of those book boxes where the spine pulls out as a tray to hold bits and pieces. You can imagine Andy's background was much darker and grungier but I seem to be in summer colour mode and kept mine lighter and love the mixes and blends I got.


Hephaestus is the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes and of course this is Andy's interpretation of him.


Here is a side view and you can see I carried the tones of the colours onto the spine which is actually finely crackled but the photo doesn't pick it up.


The back is painted, stamped and stencilled .......



... and here you can see some of the fabulous texture we created.


Huge thanks to Andy for a fabulous weekend and teaching us the techniques he used to create this box. I love my version of it.


Just before I go I thought I would share the mug I won as a giveaway ..........


Hope you are having a happy and creative week.

hugs Brenda xxx

17 comments:

Monika Gulyas said...

This book box is awesome! Not just the front part but the back as well! It's kind of a book from the library of the Hogwarts, like the shrieking book :-) Terrific!

Gina said...

Now you know that that book cover is total perfection to me !!! Love it to pieces :D XXX

Annie said...

Lots of yummy colours and textures Brenda x a great keepsake box too x sounds like lots of fun with Andy and Co x maybe they will come North some time xx

Take care
Annie x

hazel said...

Your box is amazing Brenda, it sounds like you had a fabulous time.
xxx Hazel.

Juliz Design Post said...

Your book box is fabulous Brenda, loving the textures.
Julie x

A Pink said...

This is utterly fabulous! Brenda As you I love the lighter colour mixes and blends you achieved and that you chose to work with more of a summer palette - thats what makes it your own .
So glad you had a fantastic time this week .
hugs x

Pamellia said...

Wow Brenda, this is just incredible. Only you could combine a pastel background with a rusted skull and make it look completely natural and beautiful! Love your textures!! What a great mug, looks like you are having loads of fun! hugs :)

Patty O'Malley said...

Wonderful box, Brenda! Love the light background.

Redanne said...

Your book box is fantastic Brenda, I love your softer tones and all the wonderful texture you created. Great mug too! Hugs, Anne xx

froebelsternchen said...

An AMAZING project - great and sounds just fab with the two artists!
oxo Susi

Paper Profusion said...

Stunning, plus a little bit scary! So glad that Hephaestus is in touch with his feminine side in your make Brenda - I imagine Andy and others went dark and forboding. Terrific techniques at play. Nicola x

Meggymay said...

Its an awesome book box and a great keepsake from your weekend. Fantastic textures and techniques.
Yvonne xx

rachel said...

this is wonderful Brenda - I love it to pieces - so glad you had a great time and can't wait for November!!! So exciting! Big hugs rachel x

Gio said...

I love your summerish version, more my style, also! I am happy you had a great time, those teachers are pretty amazing :-)

Candy C said...

Brenda...this box is soooo cool and definitely has Andy's style. I love it! You've rockin' the DecoArt products! Aren't they fantastic? I bet you had a fabulous time with Andy and Tracy. I just love how they interact with each other. I wish I could have been there to see them together in action!
I also wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment! It's always so nice to hear from you and I apologize that I'm such a slacker when it comes to commenting.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

So glad to hear you had a fabulous time at the weekend and your projects are gorgeous. Love all the layers and stencilling but still with a touch of your style and use of colour. Tracy x

sarascloset said...

Brenda, Wow! I saw this briefly when you first posted, but I knew I didn't have time then to drink in the details, so I'm finally getting back and having a lovely morning with my coffee visiting your blog. This is a project filled with so many gorgeous techniques and details that I adore. The texture is fantastic and your colors, although not dark, work so very well together--save dark for the fall, right? I love the contrast of of lighter background tones to the dark focal point. And how great you can USE this, too!

Wish I could have been on that retreat; I bet it was a blast, and you got to try so many wonderful techniques. Congrats on winning the mug! Big hugs!