Friday 1 August 2014

Summer Time!

Hello everyone and thank you for dropping in today!! It's been rather quiet here for the last few weeks, I have been to Australia to visit my grand children. Wonderful, but busy days, and I have fallen badly behind with visiting your lovely blogs. However, I will try to catch up with you all in the days to come.

It being the first of the month today, it's time for a new challenge at Our Creative Corner, and the lovely Laura has chosen the theme of Summer Time!


I love to make projects that can turn into useful gifts, that's why I decided to make a little folder out of two hand made envelopes. You can tuck a gift card or tag inside or it could even hold photos or whatever you like. If you want to know how to make the folder, you can find a tutorial on a previous post HERE
For this particular project I made two 5 x 7" envelopes out of Cored'nations Kraft core. Next I made the front and back covers. I cut two pieces of card to slightly smaller than my envelopes, painted them with various colours of acrylic paints in red and browns and ran them through an embossing folder, this one is by Darice.
Next I high lighted the raised bits by dry brushing with Gesso.
I love how this brings out the pattern of the embossing and tones down the colours.
I then created a collage on the front with various ephemera pieces from my box of scraps
Below you can see a bit better how I layered them. Some bits are from various Graphics 45 papers and some Tim Holtz ephemera pieces.
The sentiment was stamped with alphabet stamps from the Madame Perauds collection on one of the Tim Holtz tattered banners.
I also added a pen nib and a strip from an Tim Holtz Industrious sticker.
Below you can see the back, another collage put together from scraps from my scrap box.
 The key etc is a stamp from a  Heartfelt Creations floral key collection, coloured with Distress Markers and a water brush.,
I lined the inside of the folder with papers from the Graphics 45 French Country collection
Well, there you have it, hope you like it, - I have tried to represent the summer theme mainly through the colours and sort of summery elements I have used.
Thank you so much for visiting today, make sure to check out the amazing projects my teamies have created, I promise you will not be disappointed, and of course we all hope you will join in our challenge!

See you next time and have a creative month of August!!


46 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

This is gorgeous, I will try that tutorial as soon as I have time! Hugs, Valerie

massofhair said...

Very warm, luscious colours Astrid, the embossing & gesso is a fabulous technique. Beautiful folder and very useful, great project.

Wouldn't worry about catching up with commenting, it is stressful to go back over so many blogs when you have been on holiday. Great to have you back, i do hope your visit was full of love and wonderful memories:-) xxx

Ink Art Designs said...

This is so beautiful Astrid! I love how well the gesso goes over these gorgeous colours. I am glad that you had such a wonderful holiday, it is always so precious to catch up with family...especially the grandies while they are still little.
Dot x

Maryann Laursen said...

Sooo great to see you back here, and to hear you had such a wonderful time with your family Down Under. Can´t imagine how hard it must be to leave them again.
But another outstanding project here today again. I absolutely love what you´ve done,especially the gessopart on the embossed ppiece really looks amazing, and it´s definitely a thing, I´m going to try out very soon. I really love, how it looks, and I love, how you made the collageparts, they both looks awesome hun.
I´ll also say forget about even trying to catch up on all these blogs, cause it´s impossible, just go there as you would anyway in the future, else you´ll get stressed, I´m sure, and we don´t want that to happen ha ha ha.
Have a wonderful week-end everyone.

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

Wow! So good to have you back I hope you enjoyed seeing your family. This is amazing I really like the affect of the gesso over painting. Dee x

chrissie said...

This is stunning Astrid and such a wonderful idea. You are always so generous to share your ideas and shows us how to make them.

Never worry about commenting it is such a pleasure to see what YOU make

Love Chrissie x

Anneke said...

Astrid this is a wonderful gift.
Love the styl you have used.
It all. Fits so well together.
Lovely color and embossingpast with geassocieerd.
Thanks for you explanation ? Wish
You a sunny day Anneke.

Rita said...

Good Morning Astrid. Nice to have you back. Love this fabulous card/folder. It really looks stunning. Maybe I'll find some time to make one too. Hugs Rita xxx

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

AWESOME work!!!!!

Joan said...

Welcome home Astrid, I'm sure you had a fabulous visit with family. This folder is beautiful, I love the rich embossed background and I am always amazed at how you layer up all your pieces , wonderful!

Maryanne said...

I love your envelope folders, Astrid! This one is beautiful. The colors are fantastic and I love the collaged elements. Scraps are great, aren't they?!
Beautiful project.

rachel said...

gorgeous make Astrid - love the texture in this piece - and all the fabulous details! Hugs rachel x

Redanne said...

Absolutely gorgeous Astrid and I love that technique with the gesso, will definitely give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration! Hugs, Anne xx

Anonymous said...

Divine!
It reminds me of vintage wallpaper, a faded elegance to it - it is stunning, I really do want to reach out and run my fingers over the texture.
A beautifully elegant way to present a gift card/gift/money.
Astrid, it is lovely you managed to spend time with your family, you must be missing them dreadfully.
Very overcast here at the moment.
Wishes
Lynne

Gaby Bee said...

Gorgeous,Astrid! You always come up with the most creative ideas.

Hope you are have a great summer!
Gaby <3

Mary Elizabeth said...

Gorgeous Astrid!! Love the colors and that dry brushed gesso is awesome! Thanks for reposting the folder link made from envelopes. How did I miss this? Pinning that wonderful idea! Your piece makes feel the sun of a warm summer's day. Love it! Hope you are enjoying your holiday with your family. -- Mary Elizabeth

Theresa said...

Cool way to make the folder. Gorgeous colors. Love how you married all the different elements. thanks as always for sharing.

Dagmar said...

It´s a fantastic Project - the background is great! Hugs, Dagmar

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid,
Oh I do love the design and palette of this project, great Bg to get you started, then all those wonderful elements for the eyes to feast upon.
It is fabulous.
Smiles:)
Sue

Meggymay said...

A fabulous project and such a good idea to use envelopes as gift pockets.
Yvonne

Juliz Design Post said...

Fantastic textures and your choice of colours is beautiful. Welcome home to Scotland. Hope you had a fabulous time in Australia visiting your family.
Julie x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great masterpiece, Astid,great design, beautiful structure and colours great whole artwork, I love it!!

Greetings
Maria

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great masterpiece, Astid,great design, beautiful structure and colours great whole artwork, I love it!!

Greetings
Maria

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great masterpiece, Astid,great design, beautiful structure and colours great whole artwork, I love it!!

Greetings
Maria

May said...

Gorgeous... I adore the fact this can also become a wonderful gift... I'm off to look at that tutorial...the colours, texture, images...I adore it...I hope you had a fantastic time in Australia with your lovely family... Hugs May x x

Inkypinkycraft said...

a gorgeous creation, love how you create such interest in your makes x :)

Anonymous said...

Stunning project & a great idea for all those envelopes I have lying around, thanks Astrid!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Stunning creation Astrid,you do create the vintage look so perfectly :)

Lovely weekend

Hugs
Donna xx

Ros Crawford said...

Welcome home!! Beautiful work as always Astrid ... lovely colours!

Jackie PN said...

Astrid, You absolutely captured the summer with your colors AND elements! I love that you like to create "useful" art too! What a treasured card someone will receive! xo
Welcome home- time to relax! ")

Terry said...

Wonderful Summer piece, Astrid! What you did with the embossing folder is gorgeous and I think I have that EF! Both the front and back are layered beautifully. So glad you had a wonderful visit with your grandchildren and they are adorable! Enjoy the weekend!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Love how you've build this up Astrid...a great make!
Have a nice weekend, Alie

Paper Profusion said...

Welcome home Astrid - though I'm sure you are missing the bonnie little twosome. (I'm back from a break in Kerry). Love the pink hues here that give lovely prettiness. Gorgeously textured. I''ve not seen the fab key stamp before and then the inside looks terrific too. You're so talented. Nicola x

Mrs.B said...

A wonderful make Astrid, love the colour and texture on the covers,
Gorgeous selection of elements too.
Glad you had a great time with the family.
Avril x

Candy C said...

Astrid... your summertime card is beautiful! I love your embossed background. The colors are gorgeous and then the white washing really sets off the embossed images. Your G45 postcard, butterfly, "enjoy" banner and the sweet roses make lovely embellishments. Where do you get the Madame Perauds collection of alphabet stamps? I love those! Your second piece that you have collaged together is also so pretty! The inside lining of the folder is also just gorgeous. Love those papers! <3 Candy

Heather Jacob said...

wow wow wow , love love love , you are so inspiring Astrid ... and your warmth and open heart shines through in your work ... oh how wonderful it was to meet you .. I absolutely love my gift from you ... thanks sooooooooooooooo much x

Carol McCready said...

Beautiful gift packaging.

artwolf2009 said...

I just can´t get enough of your beautiful Collage work. So many Little Details and the idea with the envelopes - fantatstic. I hope you don´t mind borrowing it.

Margaret Mifsud said...

What can I say??? Love the colour, love the embossing and love that you're back home safely!! This is stunning Astrid, what a lovely gift idea and it is decorated so beautifully with your fabulous collages!! Stunning!!

froebelsternchen said...

fantastic and a great tutorial too!

mamablitger said...

Oh gosh... LOVE your envelope folder !! What a clever idea !! And just adore the way you created that stunning look. You are right : the effect on top of dry embossed papers are amazing. Thanks for reminding us.
Thank you for sharing your art and for a great tutorial !!!!
Nice to have you back. And nice to hear you had a great time Down Under...
Sending hugs from SPAIN

Unknown said...

Breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL and ELEGANTLY created in all ways.. I love the color, the layout, the thought of it being a useful thoughtful gift... what more can I say... I LOVE it... and thanks again for my win today... I am totally besides myself in so many ways..... thanks again for being YOU... Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

Words and Pictures said...

What a beautiful summery creation - the silvery gleam on the textured background is wonderful, and I love the vintage elements layered onto the cover. A great gift wallet.
Alison xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, such a wonderful piece of art, a great project.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

So glad you had a wonderful visit! Times to treasure I am sure! LOVE your summer feel here! The inside and out are gorgeous!

Sandy said...

"Summertime and the living is easy. Fish are jumping and the cotton is high....'
Your make is so very gorgeous Astrid - out of this world beautiful! I will have to study it more, a lot more!
Sandy xx

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