'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday 7 December 2011

I was thrilled to be invited to be ‘Visiting Artist’ over at Gingersnaps for December – a great honour – thank you for asking me.
December isn’t my most creative month, I have to admit – I tend to concentrate on simple Christmas cards, with the odd gift thrown in for good measure, but I tried to fit this in with this month’s challenges.
For the month of December, the theme is Holiday lights and the first ‘theme’ challenge is ‘Starry Nights’.  I love starry skies and so decided to make a calendar for this one.

<KENOX S1050  / Samsung S1050>
The ‘mountboard’ was made by stamping silver stars on a mid blue tissue paper, using acrylic silver paint and an old freeby foam stamp I had knocking around, then crinkling when dry, to create a bit of texture.  Using gel medium, I attached this to a larger piece of very heavy, slightly corrugated mid blue card, edging with more roughly applied silver acrylic paint and finishing with a glitter glaze, which gives a bit of a sparkle but not too much. It’s hard to photograph glitter and especially when the weather’s grey.
<KENOX S1050  / Samsung S1050>
The image (Bella Rosa) was stamped on glossy card, using Stazon Azure ink. I cut around the image, then punched the odd star out of the sky and attached to a slightly larger piece of silver mirror card, tying a piece of sliver ribbon around one edge, threading through a silver diamante star button.
<KENOX S1050  / Samsung S1050>
This was attached to a glossy resist background, which was first stamped with Versamark ink, using various star images, then sponged with a few different shades of blue dye ink.  I overstamped a few more stars in Silver Stazon ink, before attaching to more mirror card and then to the mount. The words were computer generated, cut out and attached to mirror card, then randomly placed on the background.
I edged another piece of heavy blue card with acrylic paint, attaching a calendar then put two star eyelets in the top, matching up to another two at the base of the mount.   This is attached with narrow silver ribbon.
<KENOX S1050  / Samsung S1050>
To finish off, I attached a few punched stars, randomly around the edge of the board, then attached a hanger.
<KENOX S1050  / Samsung S1050> 
I enjoyed making this!

24 very kind comments from lovely people:

Helen said...

This is great - love the texture you have.

Sandy said...

OMG what a fabulous calendar Cath.
Wonderful design. Love them.

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

This is great. Beautiful texture and layout.
Lovely greet
Marja

Larisa said...

Very beautiful blue colours you used here! It looks so bright and elegant!

Willy said...

Wonderful creation, Cath!

Ann B said...

Stunning Cath. I love the colour, stamp, composition - all perfect.
Ann B
x

Von said...

Well I never love the idea of the tussue paper on the corrugated makes for a great back drop :)
Von xxx

Zoechaos said...

Congratulations on your guest spot. Love your calendar very very charming this will not date over 12 months! XOXO Zoe

Jeany said...

Hi Cath, I love gingersnap, my friend Penny is also an artist there. I think they can be lucky to have you as an srtist. This board looks so great, I love the blue, a very beautifull art piece. have a nice day. janine

Paul B said...

Wonderful calendar - but then again, I lurrrrrve blue & silver, especially in the festive season. Px

sam21ski said...

YAY Nice one, well done

Love the calendar and of course my favourite material, corrugated, it's luch and it's cheap and you've made it look fabulous.

Sam xxxx

Lynne Moncrieff said...

CONGRATULATIONS Cath!!!
A stunning calendar you have created and that is a gorgeous stamp.
Beautiful.
Wishes
Lynne

cockney blonde said...

Congratulations on your guest appearance Cath. I love what you've done with the calendar, x

Netty said...

Beautiful calendar Cath and am so pleased to see you at Gingersnaps. x

Petra Tillmann said...

Love your calendar, Cath! Great blue colours!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, your calendar looks really wonderful, love the colors and the angel.

Tessa said...

Oh wow, that calander sure look pretty! Very creative!

xx Tessa

Isabelle Norris said...

Félicitations pour l'invitation sur Gingersnap.
Et ton calendrier est superbe !!
isa

2amscrapper said...

everything about this is lovely

Anonymous said...

Such a gorgeous calender!

trisha too said...

Beautiful calendar, Cath--perfect for the challenge, and great Starry Night inspiration!

:)

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous calendar. No wonder you are a Visiting Artist. xx

Anonymous said...

Charming calendar! I love all your great details! Beautifully done!

Anke said...

Beautiful calendar Cath, so lovely.

Hugs
Anke