Nature Challenges I Love Indigo Blu...

Hello lovelies

I hope you are managing to stay cool in this hot spell? It's quite unbearable (and I love the heat normally) so I've switched my fan on to hurricane strength and created a little Nature inspired panel - it hasn't been easy as everything blows away! I'm currently co-hosting the challenge over at I Love Indigo Blu Facebook Page. Why not pop over and see all the wonderful designs and inspiration from the members and the Design Team. If you'd like to enter you could win a fantastic surprise parcel from Kay and Alfie so why not get your Indigo Blu goodies put and join us. All the details are on the page.

Firstly I would like to say that this could easily be created on cardstock but I've opted for a  wooden panel. My supplies are shown below and can all be purchased direct from Indigo Blu here.

Using White Gee So Good  and Phatt Foam, give the panel a good coat. This can be dried with a heat tool but keep your distance so the gesso doesn't bubble.

Using the Indigo Blu Postmark Stencil, apply Texture Paste in three areas. It's worth thinking where you will be adding your Flower Image and Quote so the texture doesn't interfere with the stamping.

I wanted quite subtle colours to begin with so opted for Grandma's Teacup for the sky and blended this with Banana Custard to create a sage green colour for the grass. Add a little White Gesso through the middle to assist the blending of colours. I find it helps to give the panel a light spritz of water to help move the paint around.

Once dry, mix a little Mermaid's Tresses Luscious Powder with water and apply to the sky area with a baby wipe. Repeat the process for the grass with Mermaid's Tail Luscious Powder.  

I then added a little depth to the colour using Stormy Sky and Cut Grass Distress Ink. Use the Stormy Sky at the bottom of the panel as it will darken the grass area without being too heavy.

Create multiple layers to the panel by stamping a butterfly and texture in Black Archival Ink. It will take slightly longer for the ink to dry on the painted surface so after a couple of minutes blot the ink using kitchen towel to leave a faded image.

Apply another layer of texture stamped with Black Archival Ink but this time leave to dry completely. I used the Ink Pad to edge the plaque and catch a little of the raised Texture paste. I added a little oil pastel to the edges just to add a little more contrast.

Stamp the stem of the Poppy in the place where you wish the Flower Head to be. Turn the stamp around and stamp the opposite end of the stem, matching it up with the first stamped image, creating a full length stem. If you are in danger of the Poppy Head catching the panel, mask the area using a sticky note.

Stamp the Poppycock Flower Head on Watercolour Card by Indigo Blu.

Wet the area with water before applying Grandma's Teacup Acrylic Paint, following the lines of the stamped image. For added detail, use watercolour pencil to darken the middle of the flower. Use the same principle to colour the centre using Banana Custard and Burning Bonfire Acrylic Paint.

Cut out and stick the Flower Head in place using wet glue.

I chose to do the quote with clear embossing powder. Once heated and cooled, apply Black Soot Distress Ink over the entire area. After a couple of seconds rub with a soft cloth to remove the ink from the embossed words. I have experimented with many ways of doing this technique and find this works the best for me.

Cut up the quote and apply with wet glue to the bottom section of the panel.

Stamp the little Bumblebee from the Collectors Edition Number 9 Stamp Set next to the words and again as though it is flying off the edge of the panel. Tada... finished!

I hope this quick tutorial has given you some inspiration. Please leave a comment if so, it's lovely to hear from you.

Keep creating, Julie x