Thursday 18 August 2016

Z is for...

The letter for the dictionary challenge over at the Craft Barn this fortnight is Z..with a twist..a pearl! Also over at PaperArtsy the challenge is pattern and I decided to also have a play with making a pattern for my background...even though I covered most of it up. There are also some other fun challenges running so I thought I would keep these in mind too.

I had company in the garden whilst I worked in my studio over the weekend from my furry grandson, Bear, my son's dog. He is such a good boy and great company.


I decided that I would choose Z for zip and make a vintage sewing themed page in my Art Journal. I thought initially that I would try to create a zip but this proved tricky so I changed my mind and decided to use a real zip. I saw an brilliant art journal piece earlier this year by Vicky P of Clips n cuts and loved the way she inserted an opened zip so I used this great concept in my piece.

For the background I used an ancient piece of buttons paper my stash. After cutting it to size I started to made my pattern. I used  large Wendy Vecchi stamp, a Rubber Dance burlap texture stamp and also a stamp from a PaperArtsy stamp. I wanted the background to look like quilting.



 I also added this PaperArtsy stamp to the pattern but forgot to take a photo...you can see it in my final piece.


I gathered together all my sewing themed ephemera and a pearl, a snippet from a Tim Holtz pad and also some papers from my stash.





I have had these X cut sewing dies and thought they would be fun to use. I stitched round the edge and added cotton to the spools.

Then it was time to put on my creative hat and this is what I came up with.
Here is my definition from my dictionary..you can also.see the Paperartsy stamp here. I really like my inserted  zip. I added some faux stitching too. 
I added some fun ribbon a dear friend sent me....Keep calm and craft on...it made me smile and that gave the idea for the sentiment I added to my tag
It was "sew"so  much fun to create.



I would like to enter my art journal page into the following challenges;

The Craft Barn Dictionary challenge Z with a pearl..which is on my tag.
Paperartsy patterns my buttons background was created using different stamps to create a quilting pattern.
Sparkles Monthly 1/3 lots of layers
We love to create 2/2 anything creative/mixed media
Happy Little Stampers anything goes with dies
Addicted to stamps and More 1/3  make your mark I have used archival inks for my stamping, Distress Ink around my dies and on the end of my pins and silver marker pen to create the pins themselves.
Mod Squad the die's the thing
Crafty Hazelnut patterned paper challenge
Mod Squad the die's the thing
Simon says stamps Wednesday make for the border I have used a wide piece of lace to make a bold border across my art journal piece.


When I finished I showed it to Bear..............do you think this is a smile ;0)

We certainly had great fun with him... and I rewarded him with a new piece of antler which he chose in our local pet shop.


Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x






31 comments:

  1. Oh wow I love it Jane, you are clever, such a well thought out piece!! I especially love the open zip, the quilting and thread on the spools!! You really had better win some of the challenges with this one..or I'll be calling for a judges enquiry!!
    happy Thursday my friend and a big hug for Bear,
    V x

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  2. Beautiful page Jane! Love the bit of real pattern and the lace is a lovely touch too! Bear looks like he really enjoys your little oasis behind the studio, very peaceful I would imagine. If he's anything like my little ones, he's probably very interested in what you're doing every minute! lol. He is such a darling!! have a great day Jane :)

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  3. Gosh this is utterly fabulous Jane - so cleverly thought out and made too. I agree with others it's a winner!

    And Bear is gorgeous! It's a smile - for sure!!

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  4. This is a lovely page Jane...so well thought out...love the zip...you clever thing!

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  5. WOW what a beautiful work of art Jane! LOVE all the beautiful details ... 'sew' creative! (sorry lol) How beautiful is Bear! I'm not a dog lover but if I were to have another dog, I would prefer an amazing looking animal like Bear!! I can see how much he enjoys coming to visit you!!
    Thanks so much for playing in our ‘Doily and/or Lace’ challenge at Dies R Us! Please come back again soon!

    Darlene (DRU Blog Leader)
    DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG
    DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit.

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  6. Did wonder where you were going with this to start with but the result was worth waiting for . A great concept and live the sentiment. Hugs Mrs A.

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  7. wow - your patterns look amazing - really wonderful Jane - and bear is so very handsome - gorgeous photos! hugs rachel x

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  8. What a wonderfully creative creation!! I love all your elements here, very nice. Great take on the challenge, thanks so much for playing along with us this week over at the Mod Squad! Oh, and Bear is a very handsome boy, you are in good company!!
    Judy - Challenge Host

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  9. Your page is really original and so much work involved. I love the whole layout even if I don't know how to sew:) As for the doggie...he is sooooo cute. He needs lots of hugs and he looks so happy.

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  10. This is an amazing piece of work. The detail and thinking behind it all is awesome. Every time I look I see something new.

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  11. Fabulous collage, and it has come together perfectly!

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  12. Bear is gorgeous - absolutely gorgeous. He looks so well behaved and sweet!
    You knocked my socks off with this one Jane -- You are talented - so creative and quite clever. Here I am struggling along with my art journal not know what in the heck I am doing and not liking most of it and you create the masterpiece. I love the needles going through the thread! Unbelievable - looks like a real sweater in the background. I really enjoyed today's post!!
    Sandy xx

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  13. This is amazing!!! Love all the detail you've put into it, and I'm NEEDING some of those stamps. I keep scrolling up to take another look, and each time, I see something new and wonderful :) Thanks you so much for Making Your Mark at ATSM this week!
    Susan - DT

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  14. Hello Jane- What a great interpretation of the letter "Z," with a real zipper incorporated into your design. It's really beautifully assembled and "sew much fun" with all the vintage touches! Sending hugs to you and a pat on the head for handsome Bear, who dutifully kept a calm watch over the project! :o)

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  15. Gorgeous background and the many sewing embellishments are superb Jane.

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  16. I've been on the edge of my seat wondering what you would come up with for the letter Z! Great journal page, and adding the zipper is creative genius! Bear is so regal looking, and his coat is beautiful! Hugs!

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  17. Dear Jane,

    Love love love this piece, and not only the creation but your creativity! Zipper? Thread spools? Simply genious! I am with Vivienne on this: If there are no wins for you this time, we'll go asking!

    Have a lovely weekend and kisses to that handsome Bear!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  18. All I can say is, you put my zipper to shame! This is incredible.

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  19. Hello dear Jane,

    It is always a pleasure seeing this magnificent Bear!
    He has the best posture too!

    Love your work, you have inserted so many interesting and clever details!
    Very inspiring and the result is fantastic!

    Bravo
    xx

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  20. Wow this is stunning Jane, so much texture you're very clever! Thanks for joining in with us over at WeLove2Create challenge this week xx http://welove2create.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/challenge-17-anything-creativemixed.html

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  21. Wow so much detail in your page. It all ties together really well xx

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  22. Oh wow so much detail! It is a fabulous piece and love the way you have done the zip.

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  23. Gorgeous journal page...love your mix media,stitching and faux zip is my favorite...thank you for joining us at ATSM...Željka

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  24. A fabulous page with so much detail and texture.

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  25. Fabulous page, I used zip as well. Bear looks lovely, my daughter has a German shepherd called shadow and she is absolutely mad.

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  26. Hello Jane & Bear, I love this.... one of my fave. creations you've shared this summer.Wonderful detail.
    Happy Friday (soon).
    Anne and family xx

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  27. This is stunning Jane, love it Thank you for joining us at the We Love To Create Challenge BLog Hugs Terry xxx

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  28. Great project - love your design.

    Thanks for joining us at Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

    Helen x
    (DT)

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  29. Your journal page is such fun! all the details in here are awesome, thanks for joining us at HLS.

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  30. Love your creation!
    Thank you for sharing with Happy Little Stampers!
    Susan
    Calling All Crafters! – My personal Blog!

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  31. What a greatproject & the details you have put in to.


    Thanks for joining us at sparkles monthly challenge lots of layers

    Tracey dt

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Jane x