Mandala making hints & tips - FREE FULL WORKSHOP - using Shady Design stamps by Lou Sims

Recently I released a new set of clear stamps under the name "Shady Designs" via Dolly Dimples Crafts: Pattern Parade, Gather Together, Sur-round, Painted Mixings, Hangin' Around

I want to share lots of inspiration with everyone using my collection of stamps, stencils, dies & papers. This is my second project idea - using the smaller stamp elements to make a mandala. After we know how to create the pattern using the design, to create quick & effective handmade cards too.

I have created a FULL video workshop tutorial showing how I created the mandala & then created the card design too. Further details below.

My thoughts behind the stamp designs

When I created the stamps, I really wanted them to be used across a whole range of crafting styles from creating backgrounds, to art journal pages, card making, with inks & sprays, mixed media, mandala creations, doodle inside them and so much more. I am myself a crafter who adores crafting in lots of different ways & styles. It was important to me that crafters could also use the stamps in whatever was their chosen style or medium too.

The project today is using the smaller stamps to create a mandala design and for it not to be complicated either. It was also important that the designs be created quickly too. I also wanted the design to then be quickly adapted to handmade cards. I have stamped all my designs on to Ecoline water colour paper/card . I wanted to add colour using Ecoline water brush pens, hence paper/card choice.

YouTube Video

I have created a step by step FULL workshop style tutorial showing how to create the mandala, what stamp sets were used & full of hints & tips too.

Card making ideas

I appreciate that making a large mandala design may not be everyones "cup of tea" and wanted the designs to then be easily adapted for card making or even for smaller journal pages.

All that is now needed to be added to the DL sized card, is the sentiment of your choice. I have coloured everything using Ecoline water brush pens. I have also used Ecoline water colour paper/card to stamp my designs on.

Who is Shady Designs?

Shady Designs is me, Lou Sims. Why the name? It all came about for two reasons. First: I love listening to rap music so I quickly got the nick name of "Sims Shady" . Second: I was very happy to be a designer in the shade and didn't feel the need to have my name on the packaging as to me the designs should be the focal point. So I suppose I was hiding in the shade ..! It was then decided that the brand be called Shady Designs because of a combination of the two reasons.

Charmain Barrett from Dolly Dimples Crafts approached me nearly 18 months ago asking if I was interested in having some of my doodles turned in to stamps, stencils, dies and papers.

Inspiration ideas & videos for Shady Designs

This is the second video in my series of inspiration using all the stamps, stencils, papers & dies from my collection. The first video is a Facebook Live I did before the official launch on The Craft Store sharing my thoughts behind the collection -

• How I saw it working across a range of crafts
• How the stamp designs would help create backgrounds 
• How the stamp designs could help you build up your background stamping ideas
• Using the stamp designs to create mandala and art journal pages
• How the stencils could be used in doodling, mixed media projects & art journals

... and this was only some of my ideas & thoughts. I'm still creating and learning new ideas and techniques with my collection which I will be sharing with you all.

First Inspiration YouTube video

My first video show casing my collection was to show how you could use the stencils to create quick & easy art journal pages. These designs too could then be adapted to card making. 

Check out the blog post that co-ordinates with this video HERE.

Finally can I say a

💖  HUGE THANK YOU 💖

to everyone that bought the collection and I hope you have as much fun creating with it as I have. Please do share your ideas with me by tagging me on any of my social media pages (all links at top of my blog). Going to love seeing how you have created with it too.

Many, many thanks & will be back soon with another blog post & video showing another way to use my first collection.

Until then, take care & happy creating,

Lou

xxx

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