More Workshop Fun

Since Christmas I haven't been too productive on the paper and glitter side of things.  I couldn't really say why but I won't worry about it too much as I think this past weekend has got me motivated and inspired again.

I was lucky enough to attend a second workshop with Leonie Pujol (the first one was in June) - and I can't imagine anyone else who could make crafting such fun or more inspiring.  The workshop had 13 participants - a lovely group all ready to try new stuff and share their talents (and paper trimmers!) with each other.  Leonie was assisted by the very capable (and funny) Magic Hands Andrea.

In between chatting about just about anything you could imagine and eating we worked on 5 very different projects - all using different skills and tools. 

PROJECT 1

We started with this card - made largely from a single piece of double sided 12 x 12 paper.  On one side were the flowers on a brown background, and the reverse a lovely green pattern.  

We cut the flowers and layered them onto mats made from the front (brown) and back (green) of the paper. 

The yellow layer adds another splash of colour.  A sentiment printed on acetate, a bit of glitter, a few gems and a ribbon finish it off.  

I love these colours.

PROJECT 2

We moved onto a really sweet mini card featuring the cutest little bird stamps from a 'Leonie presents' line of stamps.  For this card we did a bit of water colour painting-- which caused me serious palpitations as I am not a water colourer.  Leonie's just have fun attitude got me through it and I'm sort of proud of the result.

Spellbinders (can't remember which one!) make the little 'stand' embellishments.

(The card is about 3 1/2 inches high.)

PROJECT 3

The third card was inspired by a journalling project that Leonie's started and surprised me by being my favourite of the day!  It is totally and completely different from anything I would have done on my own.  The real theme of this card was just to play -- just have fun with the ingredients and let them do the work.  We used artist spackle on a piece of board to create some texture and when that was dry used a sponge to apply some blue, pink and white paint (GORGEOUS acrylic paint that I now need to have) in random patterns.  

The torn strips of paper were for the journalling - in our own handwriting - and the ribbon was coloured with the acrylic paint, crumpled and dried.  I think most of us felt the same fear -- "but I have rubbish handwriting" - I know I did! 

We didn't have time to finish the card in the workshop so I finished it off last night by writing "A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails." on the journal strips and inking up the semi circle mat (another Spellbinders cut) before gluing all of the elements (and a Tim Holtz pen nib) to the card.

PROJECT 4

The fourth card is a nice variant of an easel card - and again features the cute bird stamps from Leonie's line of stamps. 

 For this one we had to use our craft knives (eeeek) to cut the aperture and then alcohol pens to colour the image (eeeek again).  More colouring!)  

I wasn't at all converted on my craft knife phobia but I did enjoy the colouring and may be tempted to give it a go again! 

I'm planning to recreate this card with gorgeous god daughter Genevieve on Thursday so I'll write up the 'how to' of the card mechanics then.

PROJECT 5

The final project was a really lovely frame and used lots of my favourite techniques (ultra thick embossing! stamping! gilding cream!) and the dreaded craft knife (a necessary evil).  Using the craft knife we cut an aperture in a small square piece of chipboard, and wrapped one corner with plain string.

The small frame and the background board were both painted with a combination of gold and copper acrylic paint (again - gorgeous stuff)(need to remember the brand!) before being covered with 3 layers of clear ultra thick embossing powder - with a bit of  colour being added to the final layer.  We stamped into the background while the embossing powder was still 'wet'  which gave the swirl patterns. 

We used gilding gleams to add even more colour and definition to the swirls.  Unfortunately we ran out of time at this point (oh for longer days when having fun!) so I did the final assembly at home last night.  

Leonie's version had a really cute owl image in the frame - but I decided to use a photo of my Ma and I at my high school graduation (ie a very very long time ago) instead.  

All in all - a fabulous day.  

I can't wait for the next one!