Sunday 5 April 2015

HAPPY EASTER (With apologies to Beatrix Potter)

Hello everyone and a very happy Easter to you all! And for those of you who don't celebrate it, happy spring time!

I really wanted to wish all of my amazing followers and friends a happy time today, and as I have no other project that I can share right now, I'll show something that I would not normally blog about....

It's one of my grand daughter's first birthday soon and I thought it might be a good idea to make something for her big sister (who is 2.5) also, just so she can share in the festivities....
My daughter in law requested a set of coasters and place mats so they can play (and learn) at setting the table.
Well, I could not refuse that, so here you are, a set of coasters with (more or less) matching place mats, using some of the wonderful Nicecrane images I still had in my collection from the time I was on his design team.
The illustrations are of course by Beatrix Potter, but Nicecrane has a number of collections using these images.
The coasters are all altered beer mats, using his ATC collections.
I printed them on mat photo paper in their original size, glued them onto the beer mats and then used gesso, paints, stamps and stencils to blend them onto the beer mats. This was actually quite tricky as the beer mats are of course a different size.
I am quite happy with how the original photo paper has all but disappeared into the background, just by adding some colour and extending some of the images, like this tree branch.
I also added some shadows around the images to make them stand out a bit against their backgrounds.

I added card to the back of them and then sealed both sides with American Triple Gloss Glaze.

For the place mats, (which are just slightly smaller that A4) I used a different technique. The images are pngs also from Nicecrane and I created them with digital backgrounds and them simply printed them on mat photo paper, backed them with card and then laminated them.
The backgrounds were created with a mix of elements from my digital collection and some photoshop brushes etc. I don't create digitally very often, but when I do, I actually quite enjoy it.
For this background I used elements from Nicecrane's Edwardian Ladies collection. When gluing it onto it's backing card I made a mess, so I had to add some paint also to sort it out a bit....
And here is the last one, Benjamin Bunny going for a stroll in another Edwardian Ladies background....

I feel a bit bad tampering with Beatrix Potter's beautiful paintings like this, but as they were from Nicecrane originally and he must have done his copyright work, I presumed it would be alright.

Well, I hope you will have a wonderful Sunday, however you spend it. Thanks so much for all your support and I'll see you somewhere in blogland soon no doubt.

44 comments:

maria's knutselplezier said...

I olso wish you a very nice Easter time, dear Astrid, and thanks for these stunning, sweet Easter feeling samples, I love of them they really are so cute!!!

Greetings
Maria

froebelsternchen said...

Oh -- Beatrix Potter... fantastic! Love the beer-mats and place mats - very interesting how you made this all! They look gorgeous! Happy Easter dear Astrid!
xxx
Susi

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful work, I am a great fan of Beatrix Potter! Valerie

Ruth said...

I think you 'tampered' beautifully and in keeping with her designs. Love them and such a wonderful idea, can just see them playing with these and having tea parties! Happy Easter Astrid, thanks for all your wonderful inspiration. Hugs Ruth x

chrissie said...

Happy Easter to you as well Astrid.

The images look amazing on the coasters and mats and would grace any table setting for sure. Good idea that they will used so that the children can learn from them.

Love Chrissie xx

Stamps and Paper said...

I Just love Beatrix Potter and love what you have done with the designs...great mats

Anne

georgina said...

Wonderful Astrid, love them. can you please tell me did you get each picture individually or was it a set from Nicecrane,would love to have a play,hugs Georgina x

Meggymay said...

I can image the children using and playing with this stunning set of beauties.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Yvonne xx

Rita said...

Good Morning Astrid. How absolutely beautiful. I love Beatrix Potter, when the children were young we visited her house a few times. Your Grand-daughter's will love these. Your great talent shows in all that you create. Have a lovely day. Hugs Rita xxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Amazing coasters and place mats Astrid - I love Beatrix Potter and you really have done them justice. What a fabulous present for your grand-daughter, a gift to be treasured. Happy Easter Day x

Berdien Weideveld said...

Hi Astrid !! Hele fijne paasdagen toegewenst vanuit Nederland !! Hier schijnt een heerlijk zonnetje en het waait nauwelijks, kortom een heerlijk paaszondag !
Groetjes Berdien

Sophie said...

Zuckersüß, Astrid... :-)

Ich wünsche dir schöne Ostertage mit ganz viel Sonnenschein.

Herzlichst Sophie

Deborah Wainwright said...

Fantastic set Astrid which I'm sure will be well played with. Happy Easter to you xx

Ros Crawford said...

They're gorgeous!! Oh your granddaughter will be so thrilled!! Terrific work! Happy Easter!!

Pamellia said...

Wow Astrid, what a wonderful idea and a fabulous treat for the kids! Your Eater table is going to be such a wonderful garden of springtime!! I wish you and your family all the best for Easter! hugs :)

Dorthe said...

I love how you made Beatrix Potters beautiful drawings, get new lives and new surroundings, Astrid, and your granddaughters, will just love doing the table with these wonderful placemats and coasters.
A happy easter to you my friend.
Dorthe, xo

Maryann Laursen said...

Happy Easter to you too Astrid, and what an awesome set of coasters and placemats you have made here for the girls. They are sooo beautiful, and I am very sure, that Beatrice would be soo proud, if she saw these, as you have really brought her gorgeous images to new justice here. They are soooo beautiful hun. Hope uou Re all having a wonderful time there at home in Europe and the weather is a bit less exstreme than here these days, where we have met tornados, thunderstorms and now also something they called a ornadofire, which is a fire on the ground that behaved a bit like a tornado too, and besides this we have passed by a snowstorm and also been in the hottest summer weather too, soin a relative small area, we have almost seen it all, but thanks god been lucky and just got around it all so far, but the dont promisse too good though for the next few days, so we better vet out of here soon now, I guess ha ha ha.
Have a wonderful time at home everyone and lots of crafty fun too.

Terry said...

Happy Easter to you, Astrid! Happy soon to be Birthday to your granddaughter! Lovely and stunning little gift collection. Hugs!

rachel said...

These are wonderful Astrid - so much fun and will be adored I'm sure. Happy Easter to you! Big hugs rachel x

Kathy Bradley said...

Oh, Astrid, the Beatrix Potter pieces are so gorgeous - and I bet your granddaughters will love their beautiful gifts! Again, I always love visiting your blog and seeing your most wonderful projects. Happy Easter and Happy Spring.

Julia Aston said...

How sweet are these Astrid! They will make a lovely table when set - and what a great way for children to learn! Lovely job on these! Wishing you a Blessed Easter!

Juliz Design Post said...

These are adorable Astrid.
Happy Easter, Julie xx

Mrs.B said...

A wonderful set of coasters and placemats, I'm sure the children will love these.
Have a happy Easter.
Avril x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What a lovely gesture to your granddaughter....real treasures for a child (and the parents)...Wonderful results, the coasters and placemats look so nice Astrid!
Alie :-)

experiments in paper said...

What a wonderful gift..... I love how you've used these sweet images, which are some of my favorites! I admire your digital work....haven't figured out that bit myself yet, lol! Hope you had a Happy Easter - xx Lynn

Redanne said...

You really have created wonderful backgrounds for Beatrix Potter's images, I think the lady herself would have approved! Such a lovely gift too. Happy Easter to you too, hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Hugs, Anne xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

No need to feel bad! They look wonderful! I love the coasters, and what a great idea too! Happy Easter!

Deb said...

Those are so wonderful Astrid, I think Beatrix would love them! What fun for your granddaughter's, they will love them I am sure. Happy Easter to you and yours, Deb xo

massofhair said...

AMAZING coasters Astrid, your Grandchildren will adore them and what a wonderful way to learn to set a table. Didn't know you enjoyed a little digital crafting, it is one of the things i love to do and i find it really relaxing, i don't know how to use PS so i use Craft Artist Professional.

Thank you for sharing something so wonderful :-) xxx

Patty O'Malley said...

This set is beautiful, Astrid! I'm sure your daughter-in-law will treasure it.

Maggie said...

Happy Easter Astrid, these are the most Devine coasters and place mats I absolutly adore Beatrix Potter your Grandaughters are very lucky to have you as their Nanna they will love them.
MaggieH

Jackie PN said...

Astrid!! These are absolutely amazing makes for your grandchildren!! How fortunate they are to have such a clever and artful Grandma!! Just gorgeous- and I believe Beatrix would approve!! xo

Paper Profusion said...

Totally delightful crafting Astrid - they are absolutely wonderful and I love how they are going to be used. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Nicola x

Nicecrane Designs said...

Wowwww Astrid,,,,sooo amazing and unique coastes,,,,,love the way you used my Beatrix Potter pictures,,,,,,woww,wowww,,,you are rock, and fell free to get back on the team as you wish my friend

Silvia(Barnie) said...

These are breathtaking pieces :)

Unknown said...

Happy Easter, Astrid!
How wonderful are these coasters and mats! Love the idea! X

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oohhh!! These mats and coasters are simply delightful Astrid!! Your grandies are going to adore playing with them!! I love Beatrix Potter images and you have coloured them so beautifully and I think the lady herself would have been thrilled with your interpretations!! Stunning work!! xx

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Super cute coasters Astrid!

Unknown said...

I bet Beatrix Potter would smile big to see these works of art - so wonderful Astrid. And, of course, there is no doubt your family will be in LOVE with these as you will get big hugs for making them! j.

Unknown said...

I bet Beatrix Potter would smile big to see these works of art - so wonderful Astrid. And, of course, there is no doubt your family will be in LOVE with these as you will get big hugs for making them! j.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous idea! I recently said to Mr. Cobs (when talking about our much loved Grandson) that there should be some clever chap or chapess somewhere who should make really lovely placemats designed and made just for children, as I hadn't seen anything which was worthy. Now though ... I have!

I love them Astrid and I've no doubt that the family will adore them too. ~ Cobs. x

Anonymous said...

Wow Astrid you have done a beautiful job on these placemats and coasters. I love Peter Rabbit and these are just stunning! Karen.x

Words and Pictures said...

I grew up on Beatrix Potter so I love these... I really don't think she'd mind you altering the images when the results are so gorgeous! What a lovely and practical gift for your grandchildren.
Alison xx

Sandy said...

I'm late - I'm late - for a very important date!!!! Oh Astrid, we recently moved and I am still in a muttle but I wanted you to know what a delightful idea your DIL had for her daughters. And your makes are wonderful. I do love Beatrix Potter. No one else like her that's for sure.
Sandy xx

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