Month: February 2018

Hello,

Here is a video demonstrating how to build layers with an Acrylic Resist technique that I picked up from an Andy Skinner video that I watched.  The video (“Mixed Media Background Techniques”)  was posted to YouTube back on 9/14/2014.

Love this technique!

Video:

Project photo:

Material list”

• DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint – Cotton Candy, Antique Rose, Bahama Blue, Bluegrass Green, Lamp (Ebony) Black
• DecoArt American Medius – DuraClear Gloss Varnish, Decou-page Matte
• DecoArt Americana Premium – Titanium White
• Found object used as stamps
• Lori’s Cards & Creations – “Mother’s Day Flower” stamp
• Club Scrap Inc. – work stamps from Oopsie Daisy set
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology – Small Talk Sticker
• American Crafts – Twine
• Watercolor cardstock
• Black Cardstockddd
• Got2B hair wax, Spike

Hope “Life is Good” with you and your upcoming week is a great one!

Happy day!

L

Hello all,

Sharing a new project with you all that I just completed tonight while watching the Olympics.  We enjoy watching all the Olympians compete and excel in their events.  It is one of those times when you, of course, root for your own country while still being pleased when someone from another country does well.  The talent of all these athletes are amazing.

A lot of texture on this page.  I started by adding texture powder and sand to texture paste, then I applied this mixture to the canvas with a palette knife.  Next I added book text and additional texture with smooth texture paste through a stencil.  The canvas was then covered with a layer of gesso.

I then painted the canvas with a base layer of acrylic paint.  Lots of steampunk elements (pre-prepped with gesso) were then adhered to the canvas until I liked the overall effect.  Metallic acrylic paints were then used to paint and highlight the keys, gears, arrows and other embellishments.  I then treated the entire canvas with a layer of satin varnish.

Materials used:

• DecoArt Acrylic Paint – Bittersweet, Fawn, Honey Brown
• DecoArt Dazzling Metallics – Royal Ruby, Venetian Gold, Rich Espresso, Peacock Pearl, Zinc
• DecoArt – Satin Varnish
• DecoArt – White Gesso
• DecoArt Stencil – Pixelated
• Brea Reese – Texture Powder & Sand
• Solid Oak, Inc. – Steampunk Gears
• Creative Embellishiments – Laser Cut Chipboard Gears
• Vintage finds
• Bead Landing – Found Objects
• Momenta – Metal Roses
• BoBunny – Laser Cut Chipboard clock

Hope you all are also enjoying the Olympics and rooting for your favorites!

Happy Day,

L

Hello all,

On Saturday, I spent some time looking for treasures at a local Vintage/2nd hand shop, Needful Things.

I loved the shop and the store owners were great to interact with. I also found several great finds; one of which was a little 4″ x 4″ chipboard album.  I have been wanting to put together a mini art journal book and, when I saw this item, I knew it would work perfectly!

Project steps:

1. I painted over the cover with white gesso and then applied texture paste over a stencil (front and back cover).
2. After dry, I stamps with a script stamp in archival black ink (front and back cover).
3. Next I applied color with acrylic paint sprays until I achieve the look I was happy with (front and back cover).
4. To protect my work, I then applied a coat of clear matte varnish (front and back cover).
5. Stamp bird stamp on to pattern paper, cut out with circle die and adhere to metal rimmed tag.
6. For embellishments, I used several pieces from my junk jewelry collection along with a metal rimmed tag, metal bow and ribbon (front cover only).

Materials used:

• Li’l Davis Designs 4″ x 4″ chipboard album (purchased 2nd hand)
• Fiskars Simple Stick Stamp set by Teresa Collins
• DecoArt Premium White Gesso
• Acrylic Paint sprays
• ArtMinds Matte Varnish
• Ranger Texture paste & Black Archival ink
• Plaid Folk Art Stencil, MS31047 – Cross Stitch
• Metal Rimmed Tag
• We R Memory Keepers Nesting Circle Dies
• Crate Paper Inc, Designer Pattern paper
• American Crafts Ribbon
• Other Ribbon
• Junk Jewerly

Re-purposing and finding items second-hand is a nice way to stretch your crafting dollars (album was only $1) as well as being kind to the environment.  It really is amazing what you can discover!  I also find that it inspires me; as I walk through the store looking at items my mind is active, thinking of the ways I can use each of them.  I often come away with a host of project ideas that I have to right down, so I won’t forget!

So, I would recommend that you take some time to explore your local Vintage, Antique, or Thrift shops to find some treasures for your next mixed media project!

Happy Day!

L

Hello all,

So, January was a busy, busy month for me.  Art Journal classes, Creativation, and other travels really kept me hopping!  Although, I really can’t complain, because I had so much fun and really enjoyed the adventure of it all.  Now it is time to get back to the things I have been putting off…like the bookkeeping and planning.

The project that I am sharing with you today is a Mixed Media piece done on a 8″ x 10″ flat panel canvas.  I actually completed the project about a week ago and posted it on Instragram however, I wanted to get it framed prior to posting it here on my blog.

Finished and framed:

Unframed:

I think the frame really finishes up this piece nicely.

The frame I used was a slightly banged up frame that I got on clearance for only $2.50.  I painted it with Gray spray paint (was dark brown) and then distressed it with some sand paper.  I then sealed up the frame with a two coats of satin varnish.  I am always checking out the discount bins at my local craft stores for items like this as they work great with distressed, steampunk, and even vintage projects.  The additional scrapes and dents only add to the overall effect!

Materials list:

• DecoArt Metallic Paint
• Acrylic Paint sprays
• Apple Barrell Paint
• DecoArt Stencil by Andy Skinner
• ArtMind Stencil
• M. Graham Co. Gloss Medium & Varnish
• Art Basic Soft Gloss Gel
• Cypress Home paper napkin
• Stampin’ up – designer paper
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology products
• Vintage finds
• Creative Embellishment gears
• Texture paste
• Other embellishments

I hope you enjoyed this project and tip about keeping your eye open for the great items you can find the discount bin at your local craft store.

Happy day!

L