Guest Designer - Sandra Botham

Introducing Our Dylusions Guest Designer - Sandra Botham

As you may have seen & heard Dyan talk lots about the lovely Dylusions samples that Sandra Botham does, We wanted to take time to do a blog post purely showcasing some of her wonderful New samples made with the New Dylusions Products. Aswell as her gorgeous samples We wanted to let you know a little more about Sandra and how she got into crafting and now teaching!

"My name is Sandra Botham and I am from Yorkshire, England, where I live with my husband and 2 children. I am a coffee addicted, book loving art journaler. 

My art journal journey started by chance, in 2012, when I came across a blog by Kaz Hall. After seeing some of her journal pages I deceived I wanted to have a try. After reading several of her posts I found Dyan Reaveley and her studio/shop Art from the Heart. They were having a preview day a week or so later and I decided to head over. Although the taster sessions were all full there was so much inspiration and education to be had from looking around the shop and watching Dyan demonstrating. Also I got to look through her vintage ledger ❤❤❤ I left AFTH with 2 Dylusions stamp sets, 3 Dylusions ink sprays and a journal, oh and a overflowing crafty brain. I stared straight away and I have never looked back. From the very beginning art journaling just felt right to me, whether or not I am happy or sad is irrelevant it just feels right. 

I became a regular at Dyan's art journal classes and have learnt so much from her. I guess the best part is that you are constantly learning. Along the way I have made some amazing new friends who have in turn all helped to shape my journey. 

In 2014 I was so honoured to be asked to be a tutor at AFTH where I regularly teach workshops. 

Whilst I love all aspects of art journaling especially collage work, I love to use the Dylusions range of products. The dylusions paints, ink sprays and stencils makes creating striking backgrounds so very easy. There is just something about all the quirky stamps that appeals to me and I find them so versatile and easy to use.  So much so that I set up a Facebook Challenge group, a monthly challenge for those who love working with the Dylusions range as much as I do. - Sandra Botham

Above Left hand Side Page - Sandra has decorated a Small Journal Page using Dylusions Paints London Blue and Postbox Red.  The Stencil is - Dylusions Stars 

I love the patriotic theme! Fit for the Queen, hey?!

The Top Right Hand Side Page - Here Sandra has decorated a sheet of Dylusions - Mixed Media Card Stock. The background has been decorated using Dylusions Ink Sprays Bubblegum Pink and Pomegranate Seed. The Black waves have been created using the Dylusions Journal Block Technique and then doodled using the Dylusions Paint Pens White Linen & Black Marble.

  

Here Sandra has decorated a Dylusions #12 Journal Tag which is on its side rather than upright. To create the black border/frame she has used the Journal Block technique and added doodle stitching on the inside with the Dylusions Paint Pen - Black Marble.

Above Sandra has used the Dylusions Square Journal pages. The Top Left Hand Side Page -  I love how she has stamped the New Foliage Stamp and coloured in using Delusions Ink Sprays, it looks really striking with the little doggy party!! The dogs & cat have been coloured in using the Dylusions Ink Sprays.

The Top Right Hand Side Page - I love the tones and colours of this page, The umbrella hats are ace!! Again Sandra has made the black border using the Dylusions Journal Block Technique and the doodled stitching using the Dylusions Paint Pen - White Linen.

Here Sandra has used the large and small figure & chicken stamps, What a brilliant idea.. Don't they look cute together?

The large Figure Body Stamp is from - I Can See Clearly Stamp Set
The Large Figure Head Stamp is from - Oh Deer Stamp Set
The small figure stamp is from the New Dylusions - Mini Me Stamp Set

Here Sandra has used the journal tags and attached them together, I love the little doodled paw prints at the bottom of the page! Again Sandra has used a mixture of the Large & Small Cat Stamps.

The Original Large Cat Stamps are from - Puddy Cat
The New Small Cat Stamps are from - Cat Amongst The Pigeons  

 Here Sandra has taken the Journal Tags - Mixed Media and attached them together, The background has been decorated using Dylusions Ink Sprays - Fresh Lime and Cut Grass. 

The Foliage stamp has been stamped using Archival Ink Pad - Jet Black and coloured in using Dylusions Ink Spray Dirty Martini. Again I love how Sandra has used a mixture of the large and small stamps.
'I'm sick of people, they're everywhere!' - Stamp is from the New Dylusions Word Stamp Set - Shut Up & Colour

Don't they look delicious?... I love the bunting across the page here! From Dylusions Stamp Set - Bags of Bunting

 

 Sandra does a lot of ATC cards (Artist Trading Cards), I love the simplicity of these with the New stamps on each card. Can you see the middle card with the Mini Figure on, I think the doodled swing she is sat on is a brilliant idea!

New Dylusions Creative Dyary

 Now We are onto some of Sandras New Dylusions Creative Dyary Samples, 

unfortunately the were too many to show you them all so We have selected a few favourites to show you,

I'm sure you will agree with us, aren't they stunning? I like the little caterpillar stamp Sandra has used from Dylusions Stamp Set - Bits of This

I bet you can't wait to get your hands on the New Creative Dyary & start planning your days in style!! Please remember most stores are only offering pre-orders of the New Dylusions Products, however they should hopefully start arriving in your local stores Mid-Late February 2017.

 I just wanted to sneak these samples on aswell to show you all, this is a recent workshop Sandra taught at Art From The Heart - Harrogate. She has made a lovely multi layered book with lots of pockets and flaps then decorated using the New Dylusions Stamps. 

Here are a few pictures of her book prepped ready with all the backgrounds decorated and stamps added. Sandra has stamped the stamps onto Dylusions Mixed Media Card Stock using a Archival Ink Pad - Jet Black and cut them out before sticking onto the book.

Isn't it just fabulous? I love all the colours

If you have been inspired by Sandra's samples here are links where you can find more of her wonderful work;

Sandra's Blog - Red Kitty B Creates 

Sandra's Facebook Page - Red Kitty B Creates

Dylusions Facebook Challenge Page - Dylusions Facebook Challenge

You can find a list of the upcoming classes with a host of talented tutors at Art From The Heart - Harrogate - HERE

Love, Dyan & Jay x