'Shut up and Color' by Elisa Ablett

Hi Scrap Matrix Fans,

Elisa here from the design team with my latest inspiration based on this month's challenge over in Scrap Matrix Shares.

 I created a bright and fun art journal page with a huge watercolour mandala for the background and added some gold zentangles or actually more like doodles to the mandala.

Here is the challenge graphic and link to the facebook group - Scrap Matrix Shares.

Make sure you put your entry in this month!

Here are a list of the products used and links to the store.

http://scrapmatrix.com/girl-boss-3-0/

http://scrapmatrix.com/shop-by-category/add-some-colour/paper-artsy-fresco-finish-paints/

http://scrapmatrix.com/shop-by-category/stamps/dylusions/

http://scrapmatrix.com/shop-by-category/stencils/

http://scrapmatrix.com/carabelle-studio/

http://scrapmatrix.com/prima-watercolour-confections-odysee/

http://scrapmatrix.com/distress-oxides/

Other items include - gold foil flakes, paint brush, 

gold irResistable pico embellisher, acetate butterfly.

Let's take a closer look!

To create my gorgeous fairy girl, I stamped and coloured her using Prima Watercolours and then made a couple of 'cuts' to her neck and legs so that I could position her head and leg at a slight angle. Just add your acetate butterfly underneath when you are ready to glue her down.

To create your unique mandala in the background, I painted directly onto the Carabelle Texture plate using Prima watercolours and then placed a piece of paper over the top of the plate and lifted it gently up to avoid smearing the watercolours. Let dry and then fussy cut out.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today, 

I hope I have inspired you to pop an entry into the challenge...

Hugs 

Elisa x

Tam returns with more Mandalas and Zentangles!

Hi there lovelies,

Tam back to share a few more creations with you inspired by the very cool 

'Mandalas and Zentangles' Challenge.

I can't seem to stop at just one now, so I go with it!

First up.....

a scrapbook layout

Yep, of course HEAPS of colour!

A giant mandala!

So to start this one I grabbed a few supplies.

I laid the Sweet Posy stencil over my cardstock and marked the edges with a pencil, so I knew where the paint approximately needed to end.

I then began painting in a fan style.

I used Dylusions paints in the following colours:

Fresh Lime

Cherry Pie,

After Midnight

Lemon Zest

Calypso Teal

Crushed Grape

Once dry, I laid down the Sweet Posy stencil, and using Black Paint by Dina Wakley, I rubbed over the stencil using a DRY baby wipe.

and this is what you are left with when you lift the stencil....

I wasn't happy with the way it wasn't centred properly, so I grabbed a Tracy Scott stamp, stamped a Mandala and then cut that out to cover it up.

I then layered around my photo.

I used a few Dies Cuts from Art by Marlene, some whimsy Stickers for the title, another Mandala stamp by Tracy Scott, a sticker from the Pinkfresh Embrace the Ordinary pack, and a MAMBI chip.

I feel that is all that is needed with such a bold background.

I then scribbled with my fudeball pen around the edge of the giant mandala.

Once I stood back and looked at the finished result, I felt that I should have added my paint in circular patterns rather than a fanned look.

It bugged me....

so I went with it and created a very quick art journal page

The whole thing took about 10-15minutes.

This time I used some Dina Paint in:

Lapis

Peacock

Lime 

Lemon

Love those colours together...

So yep this time I just painted circles.

I then grabbed a smaller mandala stencil, and again the Tracy Scott stamps.

To one of the circles, I used the technique above with the baby wipe and black paint.

To the others I stamped some of the mandala stamps, and then added lots of doodles and scribbles.

Finally I added a quote from the Tim Holtz Stickers.

So let's take a look at the challenge.....

I just couldn't go passed that image in the top left corner.....

I just had to have a go....

So let's take a look at this one....

I began again with the Tracy Scott stamps...

I wanted to add them into the hair (like the image)

so I stamped half a one onto my page

I then used a cut out stamp as a mask and stamped again.

I repeated this using some of the smaller stamps in the pack.

I then began to add in hair and the face.

Once sketched, I went in with my fudeball pen and began to doodle.

This part is so relaxing....don't overthink it, just do it.

Look at that glorious sun coming in my scrap room!!

Not great for the photos, but definitely lifts my mood.

Ok done!!

Time to add some colour.

I used the Bold and Bright watercolours by Art by Marlene.

I left a few black and white for contrast.

I then added a sticker from the 'Art by Marlene' Whimsy Sticker pack.

So after all that, that's it from me today!!

I can't wait to see what you clever people come up with for this challenge.

Just load your entry into the 'August' Album over on our Facebook Shares page.

See you next month

xxx

Scrap Matrix Products used:

Dylusions Paint

Dina Wakley Paint

12x12 stencil - TCW - Sweet Posy

6x6 stencil scalloped mandala

Art by Marlene Whimsy Stickers

Art by Marlene Die cuts Set 3

Art by Marlene Bold and Bright Watercolours

Tracy Scott Stamp Set ETS123

Mambi Chip

Pinkfresh Escape the Ordinary Stickers

Tim Holtz Stickers

Fudeball pen

Tam gets zentangling and mandaling!

Hi you lovely creative people!!

Tam here today to share a couple of projects for the very very awesome challenge!!

This one may be my favourite yet!! (I know, I know, I say that often lol).

SO MANY IDEAS popped into my brain the moment I saw the image. Let's take a look at a couple of them....

This one was created by tracing over a stencil, and then adding some doodles/zentangles into the spaces.

I was super pleased with how it came up!

Mind you, it took 3 nights to do the pen work, and then a couple of hours to colour it in.

My mindfulness activity for the week!!

To begin, I pulled out this stencil by The Crafter's Workshop - 12x12" Sun Valley. 

I also grabbed a pencil, and a sheet of paper from the Large Art by Marlene Journals.

I then simply place the stencil over the paper and began to trace!

This is what I was left with....I only pressed very lightly with the pencil. 

Next, I grabbed a Fudeball pen (these are water resistant, so they won't run when colour and water is added) and went over these lines, adding in doodles and zentangles as I went.

I tried not to overthink it, just enjoyed the process.

Once this part was complete, I nearly left it at that! 

I loved the black and white feel, but hey who am I kidding!!

We all know I'm ALL about colour, so time to grab out my watercolours.

I used the 'Bold and Bright' set by Art by Marlene and the 'Tropicals' Set by Prima.

I purposely left a few white spots, just to add a 'pop'.

Definitely worth all the time!

Ok, so on to my next project.

After that time consuming one I was keen to do something really quick.

I took inspiration from the Mandalas in the Challenge and also I really loved the colours in one of the pictures, so I went with those....

This page uses a technique that I've used a few times.

It's really quick and easy so thought I'd share with you all....

I began by gathering my supplies.

I chose the Tracy Scott Mandala Stencil, my handmade art journal (made by my fabulous and talented friend Michelle Bee), and some Paper Artsy Paints.

I used 'Beach Hut', 'Lavender', 'Cherry Red' and 'Cerise'.

I then applied a coat of gesso to the pages.

I then added some messy paint in 'Beach Hut' along the top of the page.

I spritzed with lots of water so it ran down the page.

I then dried it off with a heat gun.

I then did the same with the 'Lavender', until I was happy with the drips.

Once dry, I squeezed out some of each of the paints onto my craft mat and then using a dry baby wipe (I have so many dried out ones, but I still use them all the time)! I wiped some of the colours through the stencil.

I changed the colours every so often, and moved the stencil until I was happy with what I'd created.

Next, I went in with my Fudeball pen and very loosely drew around the shapes from the stencil.

I wanted this to look imperfect and messy, so the secret is to work quickly and repetitively.

Go over each bit a couple of times.

I then added some splatters of paint

To tie the black pen marks in, I added black paint around the edges, and a few flicks too.

I then simply added one of Marlene's stickers from her Whimsy Sticker pack.

I scribbled around the edges and added a hint of journaling. 

That is it!!

I really love the way rubbing paint through the stencil with a wipe gives a translucent feel to the image.

I'm loving those colours!!

So what are you going to create for this month's challenge??

Do you have lots of ideas like me?

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Here's a reminder of the challenge...

Just add your creation into the 'August - Mandalas and Zentangles' Album over on our Facebook Scrap Matrix Shares page, and let us know in the comments what products you used from the Scrap Matrix store!

Yep, that easy, no need to blog.

You could win a voucher to the store, or even a Guest Design Spot!

See you again soon with some more inspiration.

Until then, you can check out my BLOG if you'd like to see more from me....

Scrap Matrix Products used:

Art by Marlene Large Journal

Liquitex Gesso

Prima Watercolours - Tropical

Art by Marlene Watercolours - Bold and Bright

TCW 12x12 Stencil - Sun Valley

Paper Artsy Stencil - Tracy Scott PS124

Paper Artsy Paint - Beach Hut, Lavender, Cherry Pie, Cerise

Dina Wakley Black Paint

Art by Marlene Whimsy Stickers

Fudeball Pen