Just wanted to say ... thanks for taking the time to stop by, hope you enjoyed your visit.x

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Remember the now - Artist trading block and book for Country View Crafts Stencil it challenge

Well it is the first of the month and that means time for a new challenge over at Country View Crafts challenge blog where the theme this months is stencil it ! So without further ado here is my DT piece for the challenge and be sure you pop across here and see all the other DT makes, there's some great inspiration.
So I decided to have a play and make an Artist trading Block and also a small quotes book to fit inside :
and here is the top view of the box itself ..plenty more pictures to come ..
So now for the how to... I started by cutting my Artist trading block from 300gsm white card, as this thickness cuts beautifully and also allows for the crease lines to be added so it folds neatly. Then I applied some yummy distress paint in antique linen through one of Tim's layering stencils.. I used lattice work, then I let the paint dry and when dry I applied distress ink in frayed burlap over the top.

This is all about building up layers of paint and ink using the stencils which creates a great background for embellishing.. after letting paint dry I applied antique linen and frayed burlap distress ink. ( the paint when dry stays permanent and acts as a great resist for the inks and also allows water to be flicked on without affecting paint)
When all inked up I then set too adding more stencilled layers using mini ink blending tool which is perfect for stencilling and leaves no harsh lines..using schoolhouse, speckles and cargo stencils and distress inks.
When all layered up with inkiness I then spritzed some water in the palm of my hand and flicked over surface..left for a few seconds and heat dried (large drops can be blotted off ). 

Rather than leave the surface inside plain as as stencils are the name of the game I used some distress ink and this great layering stencil ( a real favourite ) to add some detail inside ...forgot step by step picture but you can see the stencilled details here :


The box is now ready to be glued and embellishing fun can begin!

Now for the book, I cut the smaller ATB die out of thinner card and then trimmed so I had some nice squares that I knew would fit inside. I used more distress ink and layering stencils to add detail and then used tissue tape to attach all the pages together in accordion fold style.



To add a bit more detail to the pages I added some script stamp , using stamp un mounted to get random parts of text.

To complete the book I added lots of stamped arrows from here and there Tim Holtz set along with my much loved pointy finger stamp and lots of great quotes. finally adding a pen nib and a little bottle.
For the top of the box, I added a new favourite , this cool man stamp from mercantile set, some curled distressed paper, little bottles made to look like spilt ink and a pen nib.

I embellished the inside of the lid with a piece of framework trellis die and also stamped on a piece that fits inside with text from stamp set. I added some more stamps and another little bottle....and you can see the book nestled inside.

For all the sides I embellished with stamping, trellis framework die and idea-ology. I added little bottles turned upside down for feet for the box to carry on the inky / writing them.



Well thanks if you made it to the end of the post...my typing fingers are rusty but it is great too be back and getting inky! I will be catching up with your blogs soon. make sure you pop across here to see all my team mates makes and hopefully you will be inspired to join in the fun....you could be the lucky winner of a £20 voucher for CountryViewCrafts or a winner of a guest design spot.

See you soon, keep those fingers inky and those hearts full x

34 comments :

  1. Absolutely stunning work! I love it! barbarayaya

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  2. Absolutely stunning work! I love it! barbarayaya

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  3. Welcome back Trace! What a sensational comeback, stunning project . Nikk xx

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  4. Love, love , love this Trace. So much gorgeous detail, wonderful designing and your own inimitable creative style. So good to have you back creating and making again xx

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  5. Love, love , love this Trace. So much gorgeous detail, wonderful designing and your own inimitable creative style. So good to have you back creating and making again xx

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  6. Love, love , love this Trace. So much gorgeous detail, wonderful designing and your own inimitable creative style. So good to have you back creating and making again xx

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  7. Looks great! Can see that you still like the vintage-style in your own way. Hugs, Gerrina

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  8. This is absolutely gorgeous Trace,love what you have done.xxx

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  9. Oh Trace this is absolutely brilliant!! Each and every little corner of your block looks stunning, as does the lid and the inside! And I LOVE the little book inside! You certainly came back with a bang, it's wonderful to see you create again!!!

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  10. Sooo good to have you back Trace and with such style too! Love the layers you've built up on both the inside and the out. So many gorgeous little details too - you have spoilt us with this wonderful return piece! Keep smiling and know you were missed. xx

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  11. WOW....Love your creations Trace, The stencils & designs are amazing... the detail to all is outstanding..What a comeback...Fabulous... Hugs May x x

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  12. Great to see you back and great to see you using an ATB! It is fabulous, love the stencilling and the fabulous little bottle on the top. Hugs, Anne xx

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  13. great stencilling Trace and a fab ATB! Will enjoy joining in this challenge xx

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  14. Wow beautiful projects.

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  15. just fantastic! WOW! what a come back design! AMAZING!

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  16. Brilliant, Trace - a fabulous ATB and booklet - amazing stencilling throughout and absolutely you! I love it!
    Alison xx

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  17. Wonderful to see you back. You've created a wonderful piece of art, fantastic texture and details.

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  18. Fabulous ATB and I love the little mini book to go inside . Great details and stamping and I love the frameworks touches. Tracy x

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  19. wow it looks fantastic, what a gorgeous design!
    Groetjes Karin

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  20. Totally fabulous projects Trace :-)
    Your ATB is wonderful and the album brimming with amazing details

    TFS and best wishes
    Annie x

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  21. Fabulous project Trace, lovely to see you back blogging again.
    Yvonne

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  22. Awesome stuff - love love love

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  23. Hello Trace,
    Well you have not lost the touch with being off the grid have you???
    This box is wonderful, with the little bottles an amazing element to add, gives the creation some character I think. Talent at work and giving such inspiration.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  24. Glad to have you back! LOVE your ATB!!! The top is fabulous and love the theme! The hidden little booklet inside is a bonus! Awesome!

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  25. Great to have you back Tracy, your ATB and little book are wonderful.
    xxx Hazel.

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  26. Brilliant Trace - great to have you back!! :o)

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  27. Well Trace, what can I say that hasn't been said already? You certainly have not lost your creative and artistic flair, these makes are gorgeous! The composition on all parts of these is fabulous and shown off to great effect with the addition of the 3D ephemera. Beautifully done! Chris xxx

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  28. Welcome back Trace. Stunning crafting as always. Nicola x

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  29. So if this is you 'just getting back in the saddle' glory only knows how fabulous your projects will be when your back to racing at full pace! LOVE the way you've altered this ATB with super stencilling and stamping, and of course all those wonderfully altered embellishments. Great idea to add a mini book inside too. Glad to see you back. Jenny x

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  30. This is fabulous - I love how you built up the stencilled layers. Thanks for the tip about spritzing water onto your hand and flicking onto the project; I like the effect it gave and I would like to try that :)

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  31. I love this BOX and little book... so charming and vintage in all ways... love it. Great creative work/play... Love, Light and Peace... Bonnie

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  32. I adore your stencilling!! Just perfect for this box. It's the top that just keeps me captivated. Love the spilled ink bottles. What a genius idea Trace!! -- Mary Elizabeth

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Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave me a comment..it means a lot..hope you like what you see. Trace x