Dream Come True Give-Away!

My dear Friends!

I'm coming to you today with a very happy announcement! :)

As you know, I strongly believe in the power of dreams, wishes and positive thinking. I try to listen to my heart and follow it as much as I can, with all my determination and energy.

I don't know if you remember me mentioning one of the big dreams that I can tick off my bucket list?

I'm a lucky girl as lately some really special wishes are becoming a reality in my life but this one is especially close to my art heart...

I still can't quite believe it -

- I have my Artist Profile in the March-April issue of Somerset Studio!

I'm in heaven, this is all I can say... Thank you again guys for making that possible. It is all thanks to you. Always...

So it's more than appropriate to celebrate, don't you think? ;)
Thanks to Prima we have a super special giveaway so that you too can join in the joy!

The prize - as seen above - includes an Art Basics mixed-media essentials pack, three new Art Alchemy Acrylic Paints, plus a brand-new copy of Somerset Studio with Finnabair on the cover!
To be a lucky winner, you need to go right ahead to my facebook fan page and follow the instructions there.

And you have five ways to win!

1. Leave a comment here on the Prima blog.
2. Find the give-away on Prima's Facebook page
3. Find the give-away on Prima's Instagram page
4. Find the give-away on Prima's Pinterest account.
5. Find the give-away on Finnabair Facebook fan page.

Each page will have instructions on how you can enter! If you do not see their post yet, please be patient! They will be up sometime today! BONUS: Stampington is also giving away multiple sets. Be sure and click here to see how you can win with them!

Good luck everyone! 
xxx

Dreams do come true!

Hi again my dear friends!
Dreams do come true, it is a fact. You need to believe, wait, and work hard to make them happen, but in the end the reward is sweet.
I was a dreamer all my life - following our dream about quiet life in the beautiful place we've moved to Ireland, following a dream to see the big world I started teaching international classes and finally, following the dream to inspire people and have a chance to make a difference - I decided to be full time artist, teacher and product designer... it all happened because I decided to let go, be brave and work as much as I could to pursue my goal.

I was lucky to be surrounded by supportive, loving people - which helped a lot. I wouldn't make it without my Andrew, my friends, my family. They were having my back when I was unsure, tired or simple exhausted. They were ready to give me a hand or push me, if I really needed that.
... but if someone will tell you that living your dream is easy - don't trust in these words.There's always a price to pay. The question is - if you are ready to pay it?

Some of you already know that some of my big dreams came true already: I've got my own  product line which makes it easier for me to help people create, and inspire them to play. In December we could tick off one more thing off the list: we've moved to an old country house with a garden and enough space for me, my passion and my friends too :)

Here is a small peek at it - in a way I'm thrilled to have a house with a name (Innisfail - which may be translated as "Island of Destiny" - if this is wrong then I hope someone will correct me) and live in a very quiet neighbourhood, away from crowds and big cities.
If you'd like to see a bit more - we've decided to set up an Instagram account which will be much more private, home, family and countryside focused - you can find it here @innisfail_house. Enjoy!

One of my biggest dreams was to have a space I could call a Studio - real one, made to my taste, filled with my projects and inspiring supplies. With plenty of space to sit together with friends, chat, relax and create. This dream is also getting real now - some of you know that we've moved to the new house in mid-December and now, the moment I'm writing these words 3 guys are working on the conversion of our garage into Finn Studio - and I hope the final result will be exactly as I pictured it!

So far, we've got THAT far - keep your fingers crossed!

And talking about dreams... there is one more big dream I can tick off the list - a few months ago one of my projects was published on the cover of beautiful magazine - Somerset Studio. I was so happy and shocked in one that I couldn't believe my eyes... and now the story happened again, but this time it is not only the cover - check it out!

I have my Artist Profile coming in the March-April issue of Somerset Studio. I'm in heaven, this is all I can say... Thank you again guys for making that possible. It is all thanks to you. Always.

Sending warmest hugs to you all and see you soon!

5-12 - Shadows of the Past - scrapbook page for HDP

Hi there my loves, how was your week?
Mine was as always busy - I had a great long weekend in Oslo, Norway where I was teaching in one of the biggest European shops, Bikuben. It's a truly magical place, make sure you will visit if you will be around!
I figured there wasn't any scrapbooking page posted by me in a long time. Maybe it's because I moved more towards collage and journaling in the recent year? I still enjoy 12x12'' format, but it I have a choice I'd prefer to work in a book or on canvas now... but I'm not saying goodbye to the paper, oh no!

I've looked through my archives and I found something suitable for today - nice, light page in colder colours with really nice layers and set of elements. I'm really tempted to come back to fabric again now... these loose threads seem to call my name!

This page was originally made for French scrapbooking magazine - Histoires de Pages where I had the pleasure to be featured as a guest artist. Enjoy!

Dimension, texture, layers and a lot of metal – this would be the best description of this project. Even though I've designed the paper myself (it's 7 Dots Studio - 9th Wave Collection) I was tempted to change it using inks and stencil.

I used very limited, muted color palette corresponding with the colors of the background paper – it is my favorite solution when I plan to add a lot of heavy texture and details. I played using paper scraps, doilies, thread, lace – I went a bit crazy with strips of Resist Canvas in checked and damask pattern.

I finally added my signature elements – Mechanicals - carefully chosen to match the color palette of teal, brown, dirty pinks and gray. Chaos? Maybe, but surely – organized!

Here is the list of the supplies you can use to create similar project - all from our Mixed Media Place Store!

I hope you liked this "shadow from the past" - I have to add it was always one of my favorite layouts, maybe because of  a bit challenging colour palette?
I'm sending you the warmest possible hugs - I'll be back soon with more inspiration for you. Stay tuned!

Art Recipe: Art Secrets - scrapbook page for HDP

Hi again crafty people!
Today I've got a scrapbook page for you - simple and fun to do, perfect for someone who would like just add "a touch" of mixed-media feeling to the project!
This page was originally made for French scrapbooking magazine - Histoires de Pages where I had the pleasure to be featured as a guest artist. Enjoy!

As I said many times before - I can't help it – I'll put my finger on everything possible! I'll color not only the background and papers but I find deepest pleasure in altering the embellishments: I cut them, layer them, paint them – anything that will change their usual look into something more challenging, more matching the project and something closer to the image I have in my head.

Here my first touches were done to the background papers - using Art Basics Heavy White Gesso and a stencil I was able to add interesting yet simple to do texture which corresponded beautifully with the mixed-media style of the paper. Extra stamping with similar motive only made the effect stronger!

Looking at my embellishments you will see I'm not very “girly” in my choices: I won't use many flowers or butterflies - I'll mix them with heavy, dark elements instead. I adore everything found, old, repurposed: metal, plastic, wood are all inspiring for me! Even my own line of embellishments – Mechanicals – was inspired by flea market findings and my love to mix, match and alter!

Here thy were grouped in nice, balanced composition and coloured using shimmering sprays - Primary Elements Pigments mixed with water and a bit of Black Ecoline. I love working this way - you can use ANY element you have and make it "yours"!

Ok, are you ready? it's Art Recipe Time!

Here is a simple step-by-step tutorial for you - enjoy!

1. I started my project with creating nice white texture on my background – I used one of my stencils and Art Basics White Heavy Gesso - which works quite nicely with stencils too! I applied it through a stencil and dried with heating tool.

2. When the White Heavy Gesso was dry I started layering my doilies and papers – I used some 3D Foam Squares for extra dimension. I used plenty of paper scraps, some cut-outs and other leftovers in neutral colours which I could find on my table.

3. I continued with more papers craps, pieces of lace and photo, building dimension layer by layer – great technique when you want to get rid of the paper pieces from your desk! Some 3D foams were adding extra dimension too!

4. I attached the biggest elements of composition: paper vine which was cut in half. This is the beginning of the clusters.

5. I added some stamping on the top of my white texture – to focus the attention in the middle of the project. (I used permanent ink for that - always better choice with art mediums!) I continued embellishing adding metal and plastic embellishments: grouping and layering one on another. This time I used my Art Basics 3D Matte Gel instead of glue – it grabs faster and holds stronger.

6. Using shimmering spray paints I repainted my embellishments, layers of paper and lace and a bit of background. To create the sprays I simply mixed a bit of Primary Elements Pigments with water in the spray bottles. For black colour I used similar solution: I mixed a bit of Ecoline - liquid Watercolour with water and sprayed on my embellishments.  I tried to create nice, muted color palette with darker accents. After drying my project was ready!

So here it is - I hope you like the idea and you will try similar solutions in your projects too!

Here are the links to products used for this project - all from our Mixed Media Place Shop:

Before I'll say goodbye - there is one more super important news to share - this week Prima is releasing my new set of STAMPS!!! Have you seen them already?

To celebrate this big occasion I will be doing some Giveaways in my main social media in the coming days - Instagram, FB Page, Blog and in our new place - Finnabair & Friends - Open Studio Group - stay tuned to win some stamps!
Woo hoo!
Sending best wishes