Monday 1 May 2017

It's Flowers #1 at CVC

Ok so it's the first of May and we are moving rapidly through Spring and hopefully soon into Summer and to keep us all in the outdoor mood the lovely Monika has chosen 'Flower Power' as our challenge theme this month at Country View Challenges.
To begin with I thought about making my own flowers but do you know what? I suck at it so I thought I would go back to the beautiful distress oxides and make some journal panels to add to my eagerly awaited HeARTfelt journal die designed by the amazing Eileen Hull.


1. Cut 2 sets of panels from white card measuring 11 x 21.7 cms. Take the front covers for both journals and on the first apply worn lipstick and iced spruce through Tim's floral stencil. When finished spritz the inks on the stencil with water and apply to the second cover. Repeat this process to fill the spaces which will give you quite a random design. You'll notice that the design of the second cover is the reverse of the first one.


2. Take the stencil and apply the same two inks randomly to the underneath of it. spritz with water and apply to cover #1. Then wash the stencil lay it over #2 lining up the design, drop watery washes of the two oxides into it the stencil spaces, some of it will seep a little, dry it and then take a small detail paint brush and paint in some more wash detail to create a watercolouring look. I think you'll see the differences between the two in the photograph below.


3. Repeat the same steps with the back covers and you'll end up with two sets to make two journals - great as presents especially if you make simple notebook inserts rather than the fussy junk journal style ones.




So I'm waiting for my journal die to arrive and when it does I'll finish the two journals and hopefully at least one will be ready for my next Flower Power installment on the 11th May.

We hope we will see you playing along this month.

Don't forget -

Ne'er cast a clout till May be out.


The earliest written version is that of Dr Thomas Fuller in 1732. But the argument has never been settled. Does it refer to the month of May? Should we not leave off an item of winter clothing until June arrives, or does it refer to the 'may flower' on the hawthorn which blooms along the 200,000 miles of English hedgerow from late April?
English Stack Exchange

Well I 'cast a clout' a couple of weeks ago when we had a couple of days of glorious weather here in the UK but it didn't last for long especially as some areas had snow this week and we're due rain today for our Bank Holiday Monday, but hey ho it gives me more crafting time lol.

Enjoy Your day.

hugs Brenda xxx


31 comments:

Valerija said...

Very beautiful. Love the soft colours.
Valerija xx

Gina said...

Gorgeous floral panels Brenda!...and I'm with the "May Flower" version as it is probably to do with temperature change before the flowers open :D XXX

Monika Gulyas said...

What a true phrase! I still keep my warm coat around and I think today I will need it :-( Your journal covers are amazingly beautiful! I just love your colours! Big hugs

Jane said...

Good morning dear Brenda..happy May day! I have looked into the saying on my blog several times over the years and it is the Mae(or May flower as we now call it) that it's reffering to. Funnily enough the hawthorn is out in April so it is nothing at all to do with the month of May!!LOL. So you can cast a clout...but only one layer I think as it's chilly again. I LOVE your gorgeous panels...such pretty colours and effects. They will be perfect for your amazing garden journal. Keep those chillies warm and enjoy your bank holiday. Hugs xxx

Nikki Acton said...

Beautiful oxide and stencil work Brenda... So subtle, so elegant .... Gorgeous. See you soon xxx

Miriam said...

Love what you have done here Brenda. I can't wait to get my die too. You've certainly inspired me here!

Sue said...

This is beautiful Brenda, I have the Oxides now though I still need to play with them properly. Think I may need the stencil too though. Think I may need to go back to work lol. Have a lovely Bank Holiday xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful pages, Brenda! Love the colors. I always leave a couple of items of clothing out from the previous season because our weather patterns have changed so much.

Hazel Agnew said...

This is a great idea Brenda. So fresh as well....need to get my oxides out again now! Xx

eileen hull said...

That technique is SO COOL! Love that color palette and must "borrow" it :-)

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Gorgeous Brenda! now does that refer to Brenda or the art work Lol! You must decide for yourselves! It's very sunny here in Lincolnshire but the sky is warning me that there may still be rain and it's quite breezy too but what do we care.... back in the craft room Lol! Have a great week, Angela xXx

Mrs.B said...

Beautiful panels Brenda, love the soft colours against the watercolour background.
Avril xx

froebelsternchen said...

Such welegant oamels Brenda! Gorgeous!
Happy start of May to you!

J. Adair said...

This is so beautiful! I really like your technique. I am addicted to my journal dies and can't seem to stop making them.

Corrie Herriman said...

These are beautiful Brenda. Love the soft colours !
Corrie xxx

Jenny Marples said...

Loving this look Brenda! Waiting (not so patiently) for those dies to drop through our doors - it becomes and obsession! xx

Craftyfield said...

In the UK the warm days are few and far between before May so I don't move into lighter clothing and bedding until then!
Wonderful techniques on the covers and the result is reminiscent of Vintage wallpapers, with the soft colours and delicate designs. Can't wait to see the finished journals!

Lisa said...

Wow, these are so artistic and gorgeous, Brenda!! I love the colors and the techniques you used!! Wow!! So stunning!! I can't wait to see it finished!! We've had such crazy weather this spring and now it's been raining for days. I need to exchange my car for a canoe to get around ;) Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Unknown said...

Such a fresh and pretty effect you've achieved. It's hard waiting for the die isn't it?

rachel said...

so very fresh and pretty - I love these Brenda - absolutely gorgeous and so feminine. Hugs rachel x

Redanne said...

The panels are truly beautiful, I love the softness of the colours. I do so hope your die arrives, I can't wait to see the finished journal now...

My Grandma used to say that quote to us every year, we always ignored it, and always got horrible colds! Hugs, Anne xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Beautiful and wonderful watercolour effect flowers Brenda, I'd forgot I haven't got that stencil yet. Yes I say that about May too, with our weather it's very apt isn't it ;)
Hugs
Donna xx

Evelyn Walter said...

Brilliant techniques, Brenda! Love your backgrounds and I look forward to seeing the finished journals!
xx Evelyn

Lucy said...

Oh man, this is incredible. I will be sure to try this one out. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration.

sarascloset said...

These covers just took my breath away! Love the colors, watercolor look, and now I must add that stencil to the top of my wish list! Wonderful tutorial to try! Crazy weather you're having! I do remember it snowing the last day of May up north one year. My dad was horrified as he had just done the first cutting on the hay and it got ruined. Really a bad deal for a dairy farmer! Sending warmth and hugs your way!

Jackie PN said...

GORGEOUS Brenda! so enchanting are those flowers ans coloring- Looking forward to the completed journal!
Jackie xx

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely lovely - the pink florals suit you! Great to have two done in one go... I do love reverse printing my stencils! Looking forward to seeing the finished journals, though it sounds as though you may have to be patient a little longer.
Alison x

SewPaperPaint said...

Yes, flower making is a challenge. I end up throwing half of mine away. The twisting petals thing I showed on my blog has been the only process I end up being happy with repeatedly. But a floral background - now that I can do! And boy have YOU done it well here. The pink and grey combo is so so pretty and makes me smile. I love this and think it is great inspiration on the challenge - thank you! Hugs, Autumn

Pamellia said...

I think I would be very surprised that you couldn't make your own flowers, you excel at everything you try! That being said, your choice to the journal panels turned out brilliantly! These are just gorgeous. I love the colours, you really can't go wrong with pinks I say. So many layers of beautiful flowers and amazing techniques. Stunning, can't wait to see them once you put them inside the journal! hugs :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

So beautiful- love the reverse printing version too! Chrisx

A Pink said...

*Swoon* These oxide journal panels are absolutely beautiful, Brenda - some of the most beautiful oxide, stencil work I have seen. Exquisite .
hugs x