Far, Far Away: An Enchanting Autumn Gnome Cottage by Priss BlaFu

Hello Crafty friends!!!

I’m Priss BlaFu (@artful.layers) and today I bring you an inverted canvas to recreate a small Gnome Cottage wrapped in the warm atmosphere of autumn. Ah, autumn! It’s that magical time of year when the world transforms into a canvas painted with warm shades of red, orange and gold. To me, fall and spring are like the dynamic duo of the seasons, with their vibrant colors stealing the show. I am a big fan of both, but if you ask me to choose, autumn is without a doubt my favorite season, it is warm, intense and very colorful. Just love it!!!

In this creative journey, I decided to take a different spin (quite literally!) on mixed media art. Instead of the usual canvas orientation, I turned it upside down and transformed it into a 3D diorama-style piece. The goal? To bring to life an enchanting scene titled “Far, Far Away.” I’m inspired by the thought of living in a place like this during this time of year. And you?

Bringing Autumn to Life:

To paint the background and the frame of the canvas, I used the ´’Autumn Leaves’ set from Lindy’s. Its rich, warm and earthy tones perfectly captured the essence of the season. But the magic didn’t stop there, I also incorporated a vibrant autumn napkin within the canvas frame, adding depth and texture.

To begin, I first adhered a napkin featuring a large pumpkin onto the center of my canvas. After that, I used stencils, texture pastes, and crackled paste to create a textured effect all over the frame, as well as in some parts of the canvas center. Finally, I used Lindy’s to add color to my work and let the colors flow magically while I had fun applying them.

The Tools of Magic:

I delved into my workshop and found a fall napkin, scrapbook paper cutouts, wonderful leaf die cuts, and lots of chipboards of pine trees, logs, and leaves. I carefully painted the elements using Lindy’s Magicals specifically the spectacular autumn colors from the ‘Autumn Leaves’ set (totally in love). The Enchanted Forest embossing powders added that extra touch of charm to the wood elements and the title.

Paying attention to the small details:

Every gnome cottage needs its own character, right? I used texture pastes and crackle mediums with stone-patterned stencils to simulate the quaint cobblestone walls of the cottage. It’s all about those tiny details that make the scene come alive.

When painting the background, I made sure to highlight my large pumpkin by using the shade ‘Red Hot Poker Orange’, so that the fantastic pumpkin on the napkin doesn’t go unnoticed. To achieve this, you just need to paint with your magicals as if it were watercolor, following the established drawing. Mix the pigments with a little water and a few drops of gel medium to ensure that it doesn’t mix with the explosion of color that we are creating in the background with the sprinkling technique. Don’t forget to create some shadows to make it look more realistic. In short, it’s all about paying attention to the little details.

Creating the Enchanted Cottage:

It’s time to work our magic with all these wonderful pieces we’ve carefully selected and crafted. This is the most enjoyable part of the entire process because it’s when you get to weave the story you want to tell. As you piece together the puzzle, let yourself be carried away by the narrative unfolding in your mind.

In mine, there’s a charming cottage nestled deep within the forest, where marvelous beings tend to the earth, extracting its most precious treasures. The result of their hard work promises sustenance and nourishment for countless families. But it’s not all about labor; the scarecrow takes care of the remaining tasks. As the evening sets in and the harvest is complete, it’s the perfect time to savor a well-deserved break, perhaps engaging in lively conversations with friends beneath the shelter and warmth of the gazebo.

Now, let’s talk about autumn itself. To me, it’s a season of transformation, a time when nature sheds its summer attire to don the magnificent colors of fall. It’s a reminder that change can be breathtakingly beautiful. The crisp air, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, and the promise of cozy evenings – they all hold a special place in my heart.

And then there’s the vibrant interplay of colors. The fiery reds, the gentle oranges, and the deep golds – they evoke a sense of warmth and comfort that’s hard to resist. It’s as if nature herself is putting on a grand show, inviting us to revel in her artistic brilliance.

And that’s a wrap for our journey into the enchanted gnome cottage! We’re thrilled to have you along for the ride, and we’d love nothing more than to have you join us every day. Whether you’re here with us on the blog or out there in your own creative space, let’s keep exploring the world of Lindy’s together. Remember, it’s all about sharing our passions and ideas. So, stay tuned for more fun stories and artistic adventures from all my teamies.

Lindy’s Products used:

• Moon Shadow Mist: Tawny Turquoise
• Magicals: Golden Apfel Struddel, Pumpking Seed Parfait, Autumn Leaves Set
• EP: Sparkling Sunset, Toadstool Taupe

Until next time, happy creating time!

Hugs, Priss