Monday, December 8, 2014

heart

For this forthnight’s Q&L challenge (which apparently is the penultimate, I had to look that one up, thx I learned a new English word) I choose the word heart.
A couple of weeks ago I bought Julie Fei Balzer’s carve, stamp and play book because I admit I am a stampaddict and am intrigued by making my own.
She is also having a challenge called #carvedecember, you can find everything about this here.
The first project in the book is carving a heart.
As it goes with addictions I couldn’t stop at making just the one and I made 5, actually I only made 4 but the negative makes also a great stamp.


For my spread I started by free cutting heartshapes out of bookpages. 


I added some textures with texture paste through a dot stencil, there was a happy accident as I don’t clean of my stencils, the dots became blue. I then stamped the different heart stamps (I like the stitched one the most) across the middle of the page.


I wanted to keep it simple, because I was liking the left over white space (normally I fill everything up with color but not now), but it was missing something and that something was a ribbon.
I stamped my favorite heart stamp along the ribbon and created a focal collage underneath it with a doily, a vintage picture, some feathers and a heart gem.
The ribbon I didn’t glue but sew on ( can you believe I sew it, I am absolutely rubbish at sewing but I like the look and well I figured I can only get better if I practice, right?)


Here’s a close up of the collage


Last but not least I wrote the quote A heart that gives, gathers from Tao Te Ching on tissue paper. I used acrylic paints in handy bottles with a fine tip (from Ikea).
The paint did take forever to dry however(overnight).


I also will be linking to Inky Dinkly Doodles sunday sentiments.


31 comments:

  1. Fantastic project, Vicky! I loved your walkthrough and your handmade stamps are superb! That book of Julie's is on my wish list - sounds like it would be worth buying! Great idea to write your sentiments with acrylic paint! I've got some of those squeezy bottles too - I'm definitely going to try it! Your sentiment is very touching too! Thanks for linking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thx Ssan, the book is definitely worth buying, clear instructions and it builds up from easy to complicate

      Delete
  2. Love your stamps, Vicky...I'm heart-obsessed myself. You're an inspiration with your carving. I'm still thinking about my first one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vicky, these are gorgeous stamps, I just love them, and your spread is super, loved all the layers and the stamping!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thx Ruth, I think I can feel a new addiction coming on, carving stamps, I just have to watch out for my neck and back because sitting like that for long time is no good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fabulous hand carved stamps - love them. Something I've not tried myself - maybe I should! Great quote, and just love the whole composition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just a warning kaybee, ones you stat you might not want to stop lol

      Delete
  6. This is great. I just love how the page has come together and well done on making your own stamps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thx Fiona, I think I have a new addiction, euh passion, carving stamps

      Delete
  7. Love everything about this! I have not tried carving stamps...you've inspired me to give it a go! The quote is lovely too! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just go for it Beth, it's not hard at all, i can really recommend the book of Julie.

      Delete
  8. Lovely vintage feel to the page. Fab carved stamps. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thx, I love vintage but don't often succeed in the style, so glad I did here.

      Delete
  9. It's a gorgeous page but it's the stamp carving that has me intrigued... would love to be able to do that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure you are able to do that, it's no rocket science.

      Delete
  10. Great stamps you've carved. I love your quote - it's a new one for me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. FAB - U - LOUS!! Awesome carving; I love the stitched heart best :o))

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great carved stamps, and the collage finishes of the page beautifully - great quote too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thx Carol, I'm very pleased with how my collage turned out.

      Delete
  13. Your quote is simple and beautiful and i love that it has been written on something delicate too, reflects the words and how we should be gentle in our gathering.

    Congrats on the carved stamps they look amazing :-) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. So many beautiful hearts, that's a fabulous piece of art.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was not only impressed with your stamp carving abilities, but your truly stunning handwriting, which made the quote even more poignant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a confession, it is not my handwriting, I used a stencil, I wish I could write like that though.

      Delete
  16. Lovely entry with a lot of heart(s) :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. A super page and well done on carving your own stamps.

    ReplyDelete