26 August, 2020

Beach fantasy

I don't seem to be doing much right now, but I managed to make quite a progress in the past months: I'm far from where I've been in March and amazed at what I can accomplish already thanks to medicine (the evidence-based one!) and a number of wonderful healthcare staff. While some let me down in a way I never thought was possible, others have gone far beyond their time and obligation to guide and guard me. And during an absolutely fantastic rehabilitation stay, which turned out to be the best thing that happened in this crazy year, I used the crafting hours to create this beach scene. Because it seems that all the sea I'll get this year fits on a 20x20 cm canvas. 
I cut the golden shells from a napkin and originally planned a circular arrangement of shellfish in the middle of the picture, but as soon as I started crafting my fantasy took over and decided to create something completely different. 
Before I glued the napkins onto the base however, I gave it a white undercoat with acrylic paint. Then, I sealed the entire surface with napkin varnish as I figured out it would be much easier to protect the canvas this way rather than navigating around all the additions that will come afterwards.
After that, I dedicated my attention to the remaining emptiness: after much consideration, I came up with a swirly paper cord and a blue wooden anchor that got entangled in shells and seaweed. Looking back, I could have turned the smaller shell just a tiny bit to make sure both shells don't face in the same directon, but then again it's a beach and the shells align as they please ;) 
To balance out the prominent napkin border on the one side, I placed a bit of dry grass on the other side of the beach scene. To finish off the scenery, I added a few pieces of gravel here and there.
Gluing everything on the canvas turned out to be quite a challenge. While the clear varnish worked fine for the napkins, I just couldn't find a proper crafting glue for everything else. I tried mosaic glue, but everything came off once it dried, and no other adhesive was in sight. 
In the end, I used a hot glue gun and even that only worked after many attempts. Who knew you have to handle it so fast in order to make it stick properly, and then re-glue things all over as they fall off again and again? And then hold everything for ages hoping it will stick this time? 
Finally, I think I can still be pleased with the result, especially given it was my first try with the hot glue gun and the pieces are still on after a month :) 
Since everything still looked a bit empty, I decided to splatter a bit of diluted golden acrylic paint all over my project with an old toothbrush. 
To sum it up, I don't think any of this (canvas, materials, techniques) would be my first choice if I was in my own crafting corner, but on the other hand, I'm quite used to a change of plans when it comes to crafting. Also, in a foreign space with limited materials, you just take what is there and make the best of it. 
And maybe, now that I'm back home and literally back on my feet again (I hope!), maybe I'll be able to get back to my old crafting self?

challenges: 
613 avenue create: ATG
a bit more time to craft: ATG
allsorts challengeblog: summer fun
crafty gals corner: summer fun
crafty sentiments: ATG
creative inspirations: summer fun
creative moments: ATG
everybody art: ATG
kreativtanten: ATG
love to craft: ATG 
morgans artworld: ATG
path of positivity: explore the fantastical (Not quite a fantasy per se, but I guess I'll be dreaming about the sea for some time instead of actually going. I might be fit enough to try and go see the Big Blue, but I find it challenging enough to 
avoid a potential infection while navigating through everyday life i.e. shopping and city walks, and I cannot imagine taking any more risks than that as most people just don't seem to care about simple measures like keeping a distance or wearing masks properly. I know it can be tiring, but we're 6 months into the pandemic and these things should go without saying by now, no excuses. Also, as beautiful as they can be, I cannot consider holidays an essential thing while there's a deadly virus around the corner. My sea therefore is my fantasy for the moment, a mix of memories and plans I'll carry out once the time comes.)
scrapping4fun: ATG
through the craftroom door: ATG
tuesday throwdown: ink splatters (not sure if it counts as the splatters are diluted acrylic paint, feel free to remove me if it doesn't follow the theme)
use your stuff: mood board (beach, sandy/beige colours)
vesela hiska: holidays
wortartwednesday: ATG
worldwide open design team challenge: ATG

26 comments:

  1. Čudovito sliko v mešani tehniki si ustvarila. Hvala, ker si se nam pridružila v Veseli hiški. Sonja, DT

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your canvas creation is so beautiful. Love the design and your shells and other ephemera you have used. Thanks for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry. Barbara DT member for { World Wide Open Design Team Challenge}

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is absolutely gorgeous. Nice work. Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Artworld. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Annette DT

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is gorgeous. Nice work.
    Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

    Annette DT / Admin / Registered Owner for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a beautiful piece of art! Beautiful use of the napkins and embellishments. Love your positive attitude as you make your way back. I totally get what you are saying about this being your fantastical place. I have an autoimmune issue that keeps me somewhat confined during this pandemic. I hope this time passes quickly and you are walking on the beach again. Until then, we can keep crafting and create our fantasy places! Thanks for sharing with us at Path of Positivity. ~Katrina

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful canvas. I like the little rocks in the rope area. Great design and so glad you shared over at Crafty Sentiments (and Crafty Gals Corner)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous creation! Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's ArtWorld. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Sherry DT/Admin/Coordinator xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely beach scene. Very creative. Thank you for joining us at Crafty Gals Corner this month. Judy DT

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely textures your pretty Ocean inspired creation, many thanks for joining in with our 'Summer Fun' theme at Allsorts challenge.

    B x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Clean and very classy artwork!
    So glad you have shared this with us at 613 Avenue Create.
    Please come back again!
    The best of luck with your entry.
    Jackie, DT member at 613 xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Really lovely! Thank you for joining us at Allsorts for our summer fun challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for joining Allsorts challenge with this entry, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beautiful canvas. Love all the organic matter (the rocks, shells, etc) that you included. Thank you for playing along at USE YOUR STUFF - Gail #staysafe #stayhealthy

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kako lepo si povezala vse izbrane detajle in morsko idilo podoživela vsaj z ustvarjanjem, če v živo ne gre. Naj ti bo tvoj čudoviti izdelek v uteho in naj ti da moči za nadaljnje okrevanje.
    Hvala, ker si polepšala tudi našo Veselo hiško.
    Vse dobro ti želim, Majda DT

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gorgeous scene you have created with all the different elements and techniques.
    Thank you for joining Creative Moments!
    Hugs from Africa!
    OlgaB

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love this card.
    Thanks for joining us at the Creative Aunt Challenge.
    Hugs Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful creation! Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Artworld. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Gale DT

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Creative Inspirations. Good luck,
    Rene

    ReplyDelete
  19. A lovely beachy canvas. Love that splatter of gold and I'm glad you kept at it with the glue gun. I do not know the details, but I hope your health continues to improve! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Love to Craft Challenge #49! XXO, Aimeslee DT

    ReplyDelete
  20. S preprostimi materiali si izdelala čudovito sliko. Tudi sama sem se poškodovala in nič morja zame letos. Me je pa razveselil pogled na školjke in sidro ter lepo postavljene kamenčke na tvoji kreaciji. Vse dobro in hvala ker sodeluješ v izzivu pri Creative Moments.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Čudovito ustvarjanje v poletnih motivih ! Prav navdušila si me z designom in preprostim motivom, kot bi bila resnično na obali v objemu narave in morja. Hvala za obisk v Veseli hiški in lepo se imej. Objem, Veana R. DT

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kako čudovito. Tako preprosta, ampak na njej točno to kar mora biti. Zelo mi je všeč tvoja kreacija z vsemi detajli. Hvala. ker ustvarjaš z nami v Veseli hiški. Janja DT

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is so wonderful! Pretty cool!
    Thanks for joining us at Kreativtanten Challenge!

    Hugs,
    Conny

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nice creation - summer, sun and ocean. I like it. Thanks for joining us at EAC.
    Hugs
    Andrea-Emmi41

    ReplyDelete
  25. Beautiful canvas! Thanks so much for sharing with us at 613 Avenue Create!
    Hugz,
    Chana Malkah, Owner

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hallo Cheiro urgia,

    die Karte ist wunderschön geworden, sie ist so schön zart.

    Liebe Grüße sendet Dir BAstelfeti

    ReplyDelete