Dylusional Pan Pastels

I have no willpower whatsoever when it comes to "new" things to try...and buy! But I often, like many other crafters, don't get around to using all my new stash.  So, this year, my crafting resolution is to actually use the stash I have.

I got several of the gorgeous pan pastel colours last year and had only played a little with them. So, I got out one of my trusty art journals and decided to make some backgrounds using these gorgeous pots of colour...

The first one is a pan pastel background with darker coordinating colours added through a stencil.  I also used a couple of Paperartsy mini's to stamp the numbers and big splats" The mushrooms are of course Stampotique...I just adore these!  I painted them with DS blobbed on my craft sheet and picked up with a fine detail paintbrush - So versatile.

The second page spread used pan pastels green palette for the background and stencilling through punchinella. I added some gesso for texture, as before. I used the "nudge" technique to get a 3D effect on the swirl stencil.  Then I sprayed with (red pepper) ink and added water, allowing the ink to run before I blotted it with kitchen towel.

I'm still practicing with different media for my backgrounds but I am in love with all the new Dylusions stencils and can't wait to get my inky paws on the new Dylusions spray inks, as the colours are stunning!

Speaking of Dylusions.  The amazing gorgeously talented and simply wonderful Dyan Reaveley "Lady-Dy" is one of my favourite people and a true inspiration on all things crafty.  I recently got a photo of The Lady herself, with the Master of crafting - Tim Holtz, so I simply could not resist recording the image for posterity on a scrapbook page...

I used Ranger archival to stamp the hearts (Dylusions Inbetweenies) and inked through one of Dy's new large stencils for a border effect.  I cut a couple of strips from Tim's vintage lace alterations die on kraft resist paper and inked over it for contrast.  

The face and "hair" are from Dyan's new stamp plates: Bits of This and Doodle Parts, coloured with Copic pens and some Stickles to highlight the eyelashes. I had great fun creating this page...Hope you like it.