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Monday 26 January 2015

Altered calendar challenge

When I saw Darcy's invitation on her blog Art and Sole to join her in altering a calendar page a month(add crackle and book page for January) I set off in search of a calendar - it took me until the middle of the month to find one I liked and that was the right price! Fortunately, I was also looking for an organiser for my son too - a trip to 'The big stationers' in the UK that we know and love came up with nothing except overpriced calendars that apparently stay at full price all year!!I found an organiser in Boots sale - 70%off, but nothing for me until I ventured into a card shop - can't remember the last time I went into one, but Clintons had a sale and with fingers crossed I found what I was looking for(sort of!)
I started by adding PA Fresco paint in 'Sky' - it was then I realised I hadn't photographed the page so what you see is a partly completed page
and then a painted page
and then the photographs stop - I added some script stamping using a PA mini stamp and some crackle paint and then went away for a long weekend!
While away I just wanted to get back to it so what you see here is the completed page with ink added over the crackle,some sakura pen dotted around then outlining the butterflies and then 'pulled out' with a water pen and some book paper butterflies cut out with a punch and smooshed through some distress inks. The book I used was an old gardening book so I cut out the word butterfly to translate the word 'papillon' at the top of the page.
There's only one problem - the paper didn't like crackle paint being added to it and its gone a little wrinkly - bit like my face now - ha! ha!
Thanks for looking, and for all the encouraging comments you have been leaving for me, Chris 

13 comments:

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous makeover you gave this calendar Chris! I just love the butterflies, and the crackle looks amazing - even if the paper disagreed with you! HAHA! I just ordered that stencil, now I can't wait to get my hands on it! hugs :)

abby j said...

Nice to meet you, Chris. I'm happy to meet another Darcy fan. I LOVE the texture in your calendar page...so well done. Glad you checked out my blog because it led me to YOURS!! :)

Artyjen said...

Don't you just hate crackles!!! lol
Lovely transformation
xoxo Sioux

APG Jamie said...

what a wonderful butterfly collection and wonky paper has more character

thanks for coming by my place

Unknown said...

Love your January calendar page, what a great idea to paint around those butterflies, the crackle is a lovely mixed media touch to the page, remember wrinkles are cool!! xx

Helen said...

This is a beautiful transformation, love the butterflies! Can't wait to see the February challenge.

massofhair said...

Fabulous page Chris, i like the wrinkly look adds to the textures lol :-) xxx

Darcy Marshall said...

ohh nice, love those butterflies. I love a bit of crackle, it is always a bit of a surprise as to how it will work out, so I never have to high expectations, just go with it lol

Re; the crinkling, try a coat of clear gesso, or matte medium on your page before you start.

Julie Lee said...

Great page, Chris. I love the composition and I'm a huge fan of butterflies. Heaven for me would probably be a huge bright studio full of Lynne Perrella stamps and butterflies! I really wanted to join in with this but I seem to have met with obstacles along the way! Like you, I could find no nice calenders cheap enough to alter and - yes - they don't seem to reduce them as we get further into the year, do they? Then there wasn't any time left to do a page and I still haven't found a calender! I'm still hoping I'll find something and I can join in a little later along the way. Now your lovely work has inspired me afresh! Well done! Great tip there from Darcy. xx

Nicole Maki said...

Lovely calendar page. I especially like how the white crackle stenciled part turned out.
Very pretty!

Anonymous said...

Love this transformation. Love the fact you had a translation for your page from the book used. Very cool!
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing your February page too!
Happy crafting!
Catherine (aka Catiecuddles)

Ruth said...

Wonderful January transformation...I thought this was a great idea of Darcy's but I still haven't found a calendar. Maybe I can join in later...I'm so impressed with everyone's entries, but this is beautiful. Ruth x

Words and Pictures said...

Lovely sky blue around your lovely butterflies, and I think the wrinkles add to the story (whether on pages or on faces)...
Alison xx