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The Dusty Attic October Moodboard Challenge



Hi everyone, today I would like to share with you my inspiration for The Dusty Attic October Moodboard Challenge. I was inspired by the colours of course but also by the text written with the challenge mentioning “peaceful” and “serene”.


This is what this months mood board looks like.



Step 1:

As my top focal point I picked a stamp by Penny Black called “Melody Makers”, which I stamped onto alcohol marker friendly paper using Memento “Tuxedo Black” ink. Next I’m colouring the image using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, which is a combination of original TriBlend markers (containing three colours in one barrel) and the Illustrator markers.

For the flowers and leaves I mainly used my TriBlend markers in Aqua Blue Blend, the darkest colour in the Jade Green Shades and the Dull Green Blend. Around the entire image I used the lightest colour in the Aqua Blue Blend marker.

And for colouring the birds I used my Illustrator markers in: TB1, TB4, TB5, TB8, CT4, DG1, BG1, BG9, GB5, GB7, EB5, MB2 and GG1. When the colouring was done I added in some highlights using a white gel pen. Now I can fussy cut the image leaving a small border.



Step 2:

Today I’m working in my A4 sized art journal by Studio Light (from one of the first lines by Art by Marlene). I picked my quote and after writing it first in graphite pencil, using a light hand, I then went over the lines using a black Faber Castell PITT Artist pen (S).

My focal points will go in the middle and to create a nice background design I next applied some The Crafter’s Workshop “Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste” over a stencil (Hero Arts “Abstract Waves”) using a palette knife and set this aside to dry.

When dry I can add colour to this background: for this I applied some Lindy’s Stamp Gang Magical in “C’est la vie Cerise” to the background, bit by bit, using a fan brush. I work in small area’s at one time and after applying the powder I spray with water, which makes the colour run, and dry with my heat tool when I like what I have, this way I work across the entire panel, adding more layers wherever I feel this is needed.

To break the background a bit and make it more interestering for the eye to look at I sprinkle some Lindy’s Stamp Gang embossing powder in “Carefree Verdigris” over the panel, using my thumb and index finger (like you would add salt to your food). I work in small area’s at one time and heat the embossing powder form the back keeping the panel horizontal. This way the powder can melt without being blown away.

I wanted the colour of the brown bird to come back in the rest of the project to create a more harmonieus piece: for this I first splattered with a “Bronze” Pearl Color by Coliro GmbH and then edged my page using a foam applicator tool and Archival Ink in the colour “Sepia”.



Step 3:

Between the birds and my background I’m going to add a gorgeous The Dusty Attic chipboard, this particular one is “Doily #10”. For today’s technique I don’t need to add gesso first, I can go straight to the colouring part.


I make the chipboard sticky by applying VersaMark onto the chipboard (or rather: I press the chipboard into the VersaMark pad, which works much easier and more mess free). Now I apply Lindy’s Stamp Gang embossing powder in “Lapis Lazuli Blue Gold” and melt it with my heat tool. This I do until the entire chipboard is covered and than repeat for a second time to create a nice even and smooth look.

To make the chipboard more interesting to look at I next sprinkle some of the Lindy’s Stamp Gang embossing powder in “C’est la vie Cerise” on some area’s and not in others, again picking some of the powder between thumb and index finger. This is easiest if you add some VersaMark to the chipboard first, to give the embossing powder a place to stick to. Melt it like you would normally do and create this fabulous look!


Step 4:

Time to put my art journal page together: I first adhered my chipboard to the already created background using Ranger “Multi Medium Matte” in the small bottle. Behind the coloured image I adhered some left over pieces of chipboard to create the same height as the chipboard, using the same matte medium as my adhesive. Now I can adhere the coloured image over the chipboard and let this dry.

And to finish my project I adhered some Pretty Pink Posh “Sparkling Clear Sequins” in different sizes, also using the same matte medium.

Detail picture:


I totally love how my project turned out! I wish you a creative day!

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