About Me

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I'm a retired primary school teacher, who started paper crafting in 2008, when I had a fancy to make my own Christmas cards. Since then, I have tried all sorts of techniques and styles - and I kind of like them all. I have been lucky enough to be on blog teams and large design teams and to do a bit of freelance demonstrating - and I love the challenge of working with different products. My crafting style is very varied - from junk journaling and art journaling, bookbinding and journal making, to quilting and patchwork - and of course I still make cards. This variety keeps me interested - and my crafty stash growing!! I'm always seeking inspiration for new projects.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

The Mirror Crack'd - #12 - Masks

Afternoon! It's time for a new challenge at The Mirror Crack'd - and this month Susanne would like to see you mixed media projects that use masks. If you pop over to the DT blog, you will see how diverse our interpretation of the theme has been. Some have created physical masks, others have used stamps and dies of masks, and some have used masks to create texture - or masked off areas of their project for different effects.  However you choose to interpret the theme, make sure that it is clear in your write up - and don't forget that this is a mixed media challenge.

So, I have done something a bit different for me!! I'm usually quite a literal person - so the things I create are what they are!! However, for this challenge I've created something a little more "deep" - that has a meaning beyond what you see. And to be honest, it wasn't what I set out to do - it just evolved!!
Anyway, I knew I had a few papier mache masks in my stash, and while rummaging for them, I found an old canvas, and some green and gold gilding flakes. 
I decided to paint both with black gesso.
And then had a rummage through my Eco Green paint box and gathered together all the greens and golds I could find - to match the gilding flakes!!
Using a cheap make up sponge, I began to apply the different green paints.
It was while I was doing this, that it occurred to me that I was creating a camouflage effect - and it struck me that we use masks to hide behind in a similar way to using camouflage to hide!!
And then I thought about how we use masks to create a different persona - and decided to cut out a glittery mask using my Tattered Lace Mask die to create a totally different look on the canvas!!
Firstly, I used some double sided paper cut into strips, and added Crafty Notions Variegated Green and Imitation Gold gilding flakes. I then created a matt for the die cut mask using gold mirror card and black glitter card!  I also used Lidl Gold texture paste through Crafter's Workshop Microbial stencil, along with Sage and Chiffon Frantage fragments.
To finish, I added buttons and pearls!! As I said - something quite different from me!! Don't forget to check out the rest of the inspiration on The Mirror Crack'd blog - then get busy on your projects!!

I would like to enter this into:
Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes 
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes
Sister's Of Craft - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - Anything Goes (Mixed Media)
Anything But Cute - Making Magic

Back soon!!
Cxxx

16 comments:

  1. Wow Carole this is completely stunning! You should come and enter this at Anything But Cute - completely fits with our challenge theme this month! xx

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    1. Thank you so much Georgie!! Not heard of your challenge before - but have been over and entered it now!! Thank you. Cxxx

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    2. Yay - Seen you've joined us over at Anything But Cute, :) thanks so much for entering, this piece is gorgeous! x

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  2. Hi Carole, love your interpretation of the theme this month. Thanks for sharing this with us at That Craft Place and good luck with the challenge.
    Happy crafting, Angela x

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  3. Absolutely stunning work Carole - the colours are amazing

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  4. Love it. very nice project. Thank you for joining us at Altered Eclectics this month. Hope to see you back here again soon. Judy DT

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  5. Oh wow Carole, this is just stunning! So many wonderful colours and textures, like a scene straight out of the magical forest!! Love your use of metallics, a real eye-catcher!

    Thank you so much for joining us at Anything But Cute for our "Making Magic" challenge! Pamellia DT :)

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  6. What a great project! Love the camouflage colours. Thank you for entering your project at Rhedd’s Creative Spirit. Sammy-x

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  7. Faulousness! I love masks being so near Mardi Gras cities! Thanks for sharing with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month! Nanette, DT

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  8. I really liked reading about your process and I do agree that we hide behind masks. Wonderful interpretation and meaning. Those flakes and that mask add such a contrast to the camp background/mask. Awesome sauce! So glad you found us.

    Thanks for joining in our Making Magic challenge at Anything But Cute. Hugz. ~Niki DT

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  9. What an amazing project!
    Thank you so very much for joining our challenge Making Magic at Anything But Cute!

    Samra DT
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  10. Fabulous project and the camo background is perfect for your meaning behind the masks. Love that you have added a his and hers mask. Thanks for joining us at Anything But Cute.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  11. WOW I just love your creativity with your piece of art - love it. Thank you for sharing with us over at Altered Eclectics this month and hope to see you again in future challenges.

    Handcrafted by Ellapu
    Mother Hen for Altered Eclectics
    Mother Hen for Eclectic Ellapu
    DT Rhedd's Creative Spirit
    DT The Mirror Crack'd
    DT Anything but a Card

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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!! I really appreciate it!! Cxx