The sets are Indian Textiles, that I used for my canvas above:
and Indian Elephant which is equally inspiring.
Both are on special offer here and work brilliantly with one of my all time favourite Chocolate Baroque sets Paisley Elephant.
For my canvas which is 8 x 20 inches, I was inspired when I saw the Indian Textiles plate to think of Tibetan Prayer flags - a prayer flag is a colourful panel of rectangular material often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas, they are believed to bless the surrounding countryside. Traditionally they are printed with texts and images. You can read about them here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_flag I love the way the weather makes them faded and tattered, I once saw some hanging outside a tiny wooden chalet in the Alps in Switzerland, sadly I didn't take a picture. I have some to hang outside my shed sometime. I also saw a similarly art inspired set of flags last year on Terri's Artful Affirmations blog (see my side bar) which was part of a swap she was doing with other artists. I loved the idea and as always Terri's work was full of lovely vintage elements. I can't seem to find the link, but if I track it down I will add it! EDIT - I e mailed Terri to ask for the link and here it is! It is lovely to see her flags again.
I painted my canvas in different blues acrylics and then made my flags from rainbow dyed mulberry tissue in different colours. I started by stamping the text stamp from the Paisley Elephant plate in paler colours, which doesn't show at all in this pic which was so hard to take due to the size of the canvas! I stamped the textile stamps in black Stazon before adding words from the Artistic Expressions plate. I tore out the flags to get the tattered effect the prayer flags often have in the open air. I added some touches of white tissue to give a cloudy affect between the flags, sticking everything down with matt Mod Podge. I finished off with loads of butterflies which are mostly DoCrafts Flutterdies and some others and the little birds which are cut from serviettes. I wanted the feeling of flight and open air. This is not really my usual style of work, but I did enjoy myself!
Hope your Easter is going well. I am in the throes of a massive spring clean in the shed, brought on by the purchase of a brilliant new drawer unit with 33 drawers, as you might imagine I am in heaven filling those up. It should reduce me need to hunt for stuff significantly!
Have a great day, the sun is peeping through here and it promises to be another good day!
Elaine x
