This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Friday 24 June 2016

Please welcome today's special guest ...

.... and we are so pleased that Katy Leitch has joined us with a beautifully bright summer inspired project for us and I really hope she has set the scene for the end of June and into July.


Well, I'm very very happy to be here today, with thanks to the lovely Brenda for inviting me to take part. I have been papercrafting for over ten years, with a special soft spot for stamping and mixed media. A lot of work takes inspiration from nature and this piece is no exception - the beach is a pet theme of mine!

Astrid's theme 'Texture and Embossing Paste' was practically made for me! I am a little tiny bit obsessed with texture pastes and stencils and I love to add texture to my work.


I'd describe today's make as kind of 'retro-vintage' as I think it has quite a '50s vibe to it. I used fresh colours which I hope give my canvas a happy feeling that celebrates the joy of summer (well summer in other countries anyway!!!).

There's a full step-by-step tutorial with lots of pictures and more detail over on my own blog today, if you want to know more about how I made it :).

I used several different mediums to create texture, which can be seen on the close-up below. The 'water' is given depth with Prima Heavy Matte Gel through a Tando stencil, dry-brushed with white gesso when dry. The sand is created with DecoArt Texture Sand Paste, sprinkled with Prima Art Stones and tinted with DecoArt Media Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide paint. Finally, my shell embellishment is created with embossing paste that's been tinted with paint before passing it through a TCW stencil.


If you like the stamp I used, it's from a set I designed my very self for Rubber Dance Art Stamps, called Take the Plunge. I love this retro lady!

Hope you've enjoyed my contribution as much as I've enjoyed being here today! Do pop over and catch me on my Facebook page if you'd like to :).

Good luck with the challenge!

Katy x


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Thanks so much Katy, the colours are beautiful and that stamp is gorgeous, I'm so glad you told us you are the designer, that's brilliant, I shall look out for it. It will be lovely to welcome summer with this warm, summer coloured canvas and those gorgeous rays of sunshine - long may it continue. I'm off now to take a look at all the details on your blog.

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Thanks to all of you out there who have stopped by today, I'm sure if you live in the southern hemisphere you are remembering those hazy days of summer and here in the UK we are hoping summer will arrive really soon after all the rain and thunder storms we have has this week.

See you Monday for the last Destination Inspiration post for the month and Friday we will be back with another new challenge. I hope you're one of the entries in the line up for the current texture / embossing paste challenge, they are all amazing, so thank you for sharing your talents with us.

Have a wonderful weekend.

hugs Brenda and the Creative Guides. xxx


12 comments:

  1. Wonderfully fun and bright and summery Katy. Your background texture is super but what I really love is the way you did the sun rays. Of course, I always love your work but this one made me smile! Xj.

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  2. Welcome Katy. Great to see yoou guesting here at AVJ. On this lovely hot sunny day here in the UK your retro vintage canvas with its summery feel is ideal. I'd love to be on that sandy beach right now dipping my toes in those lush blue waters . Thanks for sharing such a wonderful dose of happy this morning. Amanda x

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  3. No sunshine here in Scotland, but I certainly agree we can do with a dose of happy this morning and your lovely project certainly brings that. Wonderful and thanks so much for joining us here!!

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  4. What a wonderful summer canvas Katy! We are enjoying bright sunny summer days here on the Northeast coast of the USA - hoping it lasts as it can change daily here! What wonderful textures and colors - love the sunburst and your beautiful bathing beauty - the shells and sand - thank you so much for sharing your creative talents and your lovely stamp set! I'm off to check out the details on your blog post! Julia xx

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  5. Such a bright and cheery canvas Katy, the lady is lovely and I just love how you created the sand! Thanks so much for joining us here at A Vintage Journey too! Anne x

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  6. What a fabulous canvas Katy, love your retro lady stamp (I shall have to be on the lookout for her, she is brilliant!) and the textures you have created using all of those wonderful texture pastes and mediums is gorgeous. Thank you so much for being our guest creative guide here at A Vintage Journey and for sharing your lovely canvas, off to take a closer look on your blog! Deb xo

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  7. Hi Katy, love your use of the retro image against the hot sun rays and the blue backdrop, they all work so well together. So lovely to have you join us today. Tracy x

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  8. awesome work Katy - love this to bits! hugs rachel x

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  9. Great project Katy - thanks for sharing with us. Love all that texture and the layered rays. xx

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  10. Great job Katy! Beautiful project! Congrats on your feature!

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  11. Fabulous retro project Katy! So much fun and a real seaside vibe xx

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