Saturday 20 July 2013

It's a Magical World...

Good morning and thank you so much for dropping by here. Welcome to friends old and new alike!
I am still very fortunate to have the time and piece to play in my nature journal. Today I am sharing a little painting of a foxglove (Digitalis), poisonous as you may know.

The following was copied from a site about this special plant:
Foxglove was used for working magic, for protection, and communicating with fairies, elves, and woodland spirits. It had many names; lion's mouth, fairy caps, folk's glove, and witches thimbles. In France, it is known as gant de notre dame, or our lady's glove.
I thought it interesting that while Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is very poisonous to humans if misused, it is been used as a heart medicine and also for cleansing the kidneys.
The countryside here in our little place in Burgundy is filled with foxgloves, my drawing sadly is rather a poor specimen compared to the beauty of the real thing...
I mounted it on a bit of paper created with the help of kitchen salt. I was recently inspired by the beautiful papers created by Maria from Maria's Knutselplezier and before  left hope I made some papers to take along as I wanted to use some for this journal.

Anyway, the rest of te page was created with the help of Distress inks texture aste through a mask, and various background stamps. The dragon fly, another magical creature was of course a Tim Holtz stamp, stamped on water colour paper that was coloured with inks and moon shadow mists.
Though I took a ton of craft supplies with me, I completely forgot about embossing powders otherwise I would have embossed my sentiment in white. As an alternative I stamped with white paint but it was not very successful as you can see, I find clear stamps don't stamp very well with paint... I went over it in a white pen to make it a bit better.
Here is a close up still and some pictures of my salt papers



These are so much fun to do! Just splash away some wet media, inks, sprays or paints, sprinkle over some rock salt and leave to dry to let the magic happen all by itself!
Well that's it from me for today...
Rather a long post, so thank you for sticking with me and have a creative day!!


37 comments:

Ink Art Designs said...

Speechless! This is so breathtaking Astrid.
Dot x

chrissie said...

Stunning page and a wonderful drawing of the beautiful foxglove. We have lots on our garden and some are taller than I am.

Love Chrissie x

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Such gorgeous vintage work, Astrid. You are just blowing me away with your wonderful journal pages! I'm loving the way you are building up your layers of color, stamping, hand drawings and all. Just beautiful!

Hugs,
Linda

Rita said...

Breathtaking is the only word for it Astrid. I really cannot stop looking at it.The foxgloves look so beautifully painted. I too have had a go with the rock salt technique and it is magical. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Hugs Rita xxxxx

Claire said...

Wow Astrid, those foxgloves look amazing and I love the depth of background you've created. Hope you're enjoying the sunshine
Claire xx

Unknown said...

Hi Astrid

Another stunning page for your journal the foxglove is beautiful and the rest of the picture.

The writing is fine you could not take all your crafting things even if you had remembered. The car probably would not move. LOL!

I used to use the salt technique in some of my watercolour pictures (not your standard you understand I just dabble). I marvel at the myriad of techniques out there for us crafters and I am sorry I know I will not have enough time to try them or even remember them all! LOL.

Enjoy your time out there it looks and feels as though it is standing still for you; a special time!

Crafty Hugs
Heather xx

Maryann Laursen said...

WAUW this sure is breathtaking, that´s for sure, I almost can´t find any more words to describe it better. Soooooooo gorgeous work Astrid. Boy I wish I could get the chance to just sit and watch you work some day. That would be such an amazing expierience I´m sure.
Have a wonderfu time away hun and just enjoy every mibnute of it.

Stamps and Paper said...

Astrid this is just so beautiful just love the foxgloves . Your colours are amazing. I would love to have a class with you.

Anne

Paula Whittaker said...

another super looking page.

Heather Jacob said...

rich in color and design, super duper gorgeous x

Brenda Brown said...

Another beautifully artistic page Astrid, you will have a gorgeous keepsake when you return.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Aquarius said...

Thanks for sharing more of your beautiful journal. Love the effect of salt on various wet media, so unpredictale and always interesting and usable.

Marianne said...

It is indeed a magical world, the way you make these art journal pages. They look stunning and makes me want to take up my old hobby (painting) again when I see these beautiful created backgrounds and flowers. Thanks for sharing this piece of inspiring art. Hugs,
Marianne

Sophie said...

Traumhaft schön, liebe Astrid.
Mein Garten war in diesem Jahr voll von herrlichen Fingerhüten.
Sogar seltene weiße und gelbe waren dabei, die unter Naturschutz stehen.
Nun sind sie leider alle verblüht und auf dem Komposthaufen.
Im nächsten Jahr werden neue Pflanzen erblühen.

Ein schönes Wochenende
Umarmung von Sophie xx

Margaret Mifsud said...

I so love your art journal pages Astrid, they are so beautiful. Love the techniques you used and I must check out that salt paper. It looks fabulous. Love your drawing of the foxglove, it is sooo pretty, love the composition of the page too. Totally stunning work!! ox

Annie said...

What a fabulous stunning page Astrid. The foxgloves are gorgeous and the background so wonderful. You will have to share some of these techniques when we meet.

Crafty hugs Annie x

Maryanne said...

This is incredibly beautiful! I love your drawing of the foxglove. I've done the salt trick with silk fabric but never thought of doing it on paper. I have to try that! Your journal is going to be so beautiful!

Marisa Job said...

Another gorgeous project!! I am going to have to try the rock salt technique. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Redanne said...

Another gorgeous page Astrid, I think your drawing is beautiful! Hugs, Anne x

Jenny Marples said...

Loving the salt papers and that beautiful foxglove Astrid. Hugs, Jenny x

Ellie Knol said...

Back from holiday, and I get a treat for the eyes again!

Netty said...

Beautiful page, I love these nature pictures, hugs Annette x

Meggymay said...

A stunning page, the flowers look beautiful and the backgrounds with salt I must try some time.
Yvonne x

Adriana B said...

so awesome, love the effect with rocksalt, amazing :)

Sandie said...

Exquisite and dreamy .... so much glorious and amazing texture, colour ... and nope, I had no idea Foxgloves were poisonous, what a beautiful flower though!

May said...

What a Beautiful work of art Astrid, Stunning colours & texture...Love the foxgloves.. Hugs May x x x

Jacqui Chimes said...

Your posts are never too long - your work is beautiful

Rossella said...

These pages are becoming even more beautiful
Rosie x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This Nature Journal is my favorite! Your pages are exceptional!

Words and Pictures said...

Breathtaking, Astrid. Your foxglove is beautiful, and I love your mystical, subtle salty papers. Gorgeous page... this journal is going to be quite something!
Alison x

Martina said...

A fantastically beautiful work, dear Astrid! You are so creative and your ideas are always so great. 51 comments confirm my opinion.
I wish you a nice Sunday and a beautiful next week. Hugs MARTINA

Terry said...

So beautiful as always! Astrid, I am in love with this page and that background is just amazing! Love it! You gave me an idea as I don't journal and it confuses me. Maybe I will do one that is more in the line of technques and see where it takes me! Have a lovely Sunday!

Ephemera said...

A beautiful and very skilled drawing of the foxglove, a really fabulous journalled piece. xx

Bärbel said...

Wieder eine atemberaubende Seite, liebe Astrid. Der Fingerhut ist ein Traum!
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

Dorthe said...

OHHHH, your salt paper is amazing, and looks so very fantastic dear Astrid!
I love it as background for your Focgloves, which I think you painted beautifully!! The T.H. dragonfly, I have long admired it looks wonderful also here! You created a magical page my friend!!
Hugs and love, Dorthe

Susie Bentz: My Time to Play said...

Oooh! Will definitely be trying the salt technique - beautiful effect!

Dianne said...

This is so beautiful and your flowers are just beautiful,the background is gorgeous, I'm loving all these salt, makes, I will have to try it, thanks for sharing..

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