Wednesday 13 July 2016

Summer Nights

While wandering round my local DIY store recently I discovered some new style paint sample cards, and they looked perfect for little pieces of arty crafty stuff!   Laid out in colour sequence they were totally irresistible to me!  


Working on my theme of the summer garden at night, I thermofax printed on them, used Infusion powders on clear texture paste and stitched velvet flower buds on top.  I wanted the effect of twilight sweeping over the garden, so I smudged the Infusions with a baby wipe, which I then didn't like as it just looked a mess, so that's why the other two look 'cleaner'!



 I forgot to initially coat them with clear gesso, so some of the texture paste flaked off - I quite like the effect though!




And here are the cards on my work desk!  I chose some lovely rich shades of red for Christmas, the blues for the summer night garden, yellows for spring, and a few pales that were actually to help choose paint for our dining room walls!

I'm linking up with Jan this week (who is doing a superb job of being Julia) for WOYWW.




28 comments:

  1. The thought of you standing in the DIY store getting all excited over paint cards made me smile...only because I'd have been doing the same!! What IS it about paint charts, I love the patterns and colour gradations. You've done a beautiful job of transforming them 😃💖
    I'm looking forward to seeing you too!!
    Hugs, LLJ xxx

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  2. I have even used paint chips to cut out flowers and leaves for my cards. I also love the way the color gradiates through the different shades. Glenda #27

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  3. Just like how you have transformed the sample card from the diy store. Happy woyww jill #7

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  4. I'll have to keep my eyes open for those colour samples! Who doesn't like a free treat! I'll look into the thermofax technique - that's something that has escaped me so far, as well as the clear texture paste (I tend to just use gel medium for that purpose). Loving the velvet flower buds! So delicate and fluffy! Awesome textures in these! Best wishes for the week! zsuzsa #30

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  5. Hi Diana, I shall be looking out for some of those samples. They are a brilliant find. Love what you have done with them. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #6 xx

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  6. Great idea for using those samples! Your work is beautiful and really inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing with us week by week.

    Sharon K #34

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  7. fantastic transformation. Happy WOYWW Vicky #17

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  8. Diana, what a GREAT find! I love "freebies" especially when they come with a "light bulb" moment and it ends up with the creativity that you have posted today! I LOVE all your "happy accidents" too, by the way! My "happy accidents" are far and few in between! Mostly they just look like a hot mess! LOLOL Yours are fabulous! Have a great rest of the week! Blessings, Felicia #41

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  9. I much prefer looking at paint charts and cards than doing the painting.. except in my journal that is! Love your thermofaxed prints Diana. Helen #4

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  10. Brilliant! Love all the mixed media and gorgeous textures. I too cannot resist picking up paint cards and always have some in my stash. Happy Wednesday! Sandy Leigh #44

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  11. I keep looking at the sample cards and books meaning to do something with them, these look great. Happy crafty woyww, Angela x 23

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  12. Oh wow, how gorgeous are these?! The velvet buds are exquisite, love everything about these. Ruth x

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  13. WOWzers!! These are gorgeous! I can't wait to see the Christmas ones with the red. Dorlene #40

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  14. Ingenious! Also very beautiful. I've seen you use thermofax before something I've never done. It seems to involve costly equipment. I do love visiting you as there is always something exciting!

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  15. What a superb idea to use those paint sample cards, - they are just the perfect shape and I love the effects you have achieved on them! Absolutely love those velvet flowers and the stitching looks great to frame them and add lots of onterest to the flowers and background! Can't wait to see what you will do with the other samples...

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  16. Wow, these are fabulous, Diana. What paint manufacturer are the samples from? I love what you've done with the blue ones! Isn't it great when a mistake (omitting the clear gesso) gives rise to an unexpected benefit? I love the grungey look.

    What is thermofax printing?

    Sorry not to be involved in WOYWW again this week, but I've had a busy week and no time for art... My desk looks exactly the same as it did last week!

    Have a great week,
    Shoshi

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  17. Thank you for all the info, Diana - I shall have to look out for those paint samples next time I'm in B&Q! I've never done any sort of screen printing. I love the effect you've got.

    Now that my post-cancer course has finished, I'm hoping to be able to spend some time in the studio this week. I don't know where the time goes...

    Shoshi

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  18. Diana, I so love your artwork especially the stitching in these. I have to say I am jolly fortunate to have been your anniversary ATC partner. In fact your ATC inspired me to have a go, in Timmy Tag style (use what I have to recreate your ATC), so today I sat at my desk and created. Thank you for the inspiration, and visiting my desk BJ#39

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  19. PS - I guess you can see why I chose the leafy dies now, must have been as one is similar to what you used on my ATC. Will blog it soon.......

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  20. Here it is http://bjcraftcorner.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/flower-study.html and linked back here too. BJ

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  21. What divine little treasures you have created from simple beginnings in the DIY store. Xx

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  22. I like the 3rd looks just as good as the other ones! donna #16

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  23. Love your cards.
    Have a great day.
    Diane - WOYWW #18

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  24. Hopelessly late at desk hopping this week - it will be Wednesday again if I don't get a move on!! Oh such lovely work - the layered effect you create is so clever.

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  25. I too find paint sample cards very tempting, especially when they're in such gorgeous colors - I love that blue! These are just fantastic - those fuzzy flower buds are amazing, I wouldn't have known how you did it if you hadn't mentioned it. And the flaky texture paste - wonderful, I love happy accidents!

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  26. I was always fascinated by paint cards and by displays of sewing thread, long before I was doing any kind of visual creating. Dragged out on shopping expeditions I'd make my way to one or the other and just stand and look.

    I love how you've worked these cards into your night garden. The fluffy seed heads and the stitching again lift these into a real delight.
    Alison x

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  27. These have to be one of my favourites... I love the fuzzy flowers.... I would just have to rub them if I saw them in 'real life!

    Great use for the paint samples :)

    Karen x

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  28. So beautiful! Gotta love paint samples :)

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