Sizzix Thinlets - Tim Holtz Abstract Faces

Of all the items I was asked to work with, the Sizzix Thinlets Tim Holtz Abstract Faces set was intially one of the most challenging.

It really took a while to think about what to do. Please have a look at my other post using this set - it uses the set in the sort of way I think it was intended.

That said, as I mentioned in the other post, it is a fabulous set for mixed media to add texture. For this canvas I used Distress Oxide Inks in Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss and Black Soot, and Distress Oxide Sprays in Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint.

Click on the image to see the video demo, and please feel free to follow me here on my blog, or on FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Happy crafting, 

Cxxxx

It's Not Who You Are That Holds You Back .....

Had a play in my art journal yesterday. And also had a play at creating a video/reel of it. I don't think I did too badly for a first attempt.

I have four different journals - some have more in than others. This one is one I tend to do double page spreads with a quote and an image. It's just something I like to do - and the quote is usually relevant to how I am feeling at the time. And I think this is where I am at the moment. Having recently retired from a long teaching career - a job which is all consuming but gives you a purpose and identity - I am currently struggling to know exactly what I am. Looking for what I want to do now seems to throw up an endless list of what I am not. 

This is the finished project - not entirely the way I initially envisaged it - but I always enjoy the process. And this is one journal where I want to like the end product. I have another where I have experimented or followed prompts, and in that one there is a lot that I don't like - but that helps me to sometimes just let go of the end product and focus on the process. 

Here is the speeded up and edited video, having removed all the faffing and prevaricating.

Products used:

Arteza 14cm x 14cm Sketchbook

Distress Oxides: Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon, Fossilized Amber

Distress Mica Stains: Winterberry, Flickering Candle, Jack O' Lantern

Distress Archival: Vintage Photo

Stamps: Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Just Thoughts (very old set); AALL & Create #662 One Of A Kind; Imagination Crafts Texture Stamps (from two different sets - both old)

Stencils: AALL & Create #147 Coffee Stain; #38 Cracked Walls 2

Tim Holtz Stamping Platform

Tim Holtz Stamping Blocks

Blending Brushes - cheap ones from Amazon

Cream card from stash

Thank you for popping by. 

Please feel free to follow me here on my blog, on Twitter, FaceBook,  Instagram or Pinterest.

Happy crafting, 

Cxxxx

Abstract Faces!

I recently had the chance to play with Tim Holtz Abstract Faces die set from Sizzix. To be honest, at first I was totally bemused, and initially made a mixed media canvas that I will share later. But then I decided to take the bull by the horns and see what I could do using them as they were designed - for abstract faces. A little search on Google revealed an artist to me that I had never heard of before - Thomas Fedro - whose work with abstract "pop art" style faces, combined with bright colours and black borders, really appealed to me and provided the inspiration for this piece. 

There are two projects shown here. One is the original I created, and the other is the piece I created during the video demonstration. I love both of them! 

Click on either picture to have a look at the video demonstration. These really were a lot of fun to make!! 

Thanks for popping by, and I hope I have given you a little inspiration. Feel free to follow me here on my blog, or on FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. For lots more video demonstrations, pop over to the Hixxy Studio YouTube channel to subscribe. The main items I use can be found on the Hixxy Crafts website - have a look under the Hixxy Studio tab.

Happy crafting,

Cxx