Mixed Media Art Journaling - Day 3 with Design tips

Why use watercolor pencils with a stencil vs. the usual ink / foam applicator??? Who uses watercolor pencils these days?? Not me. But I still had a couple so when Marta (Maremi Small Art) challenged us to use them I decided to give it a try. That's what challenges are all about, right? I was shocked at how much I loved using them on this project and it may make you want to dust yours off too!

Check out my process video with design tips here :

Thanks for tuning in again!
Melisa
*** Upcoming Projects ****
More of my spin on Marta's #meARTime video series. Process video's featuring my 3x5 art cards. Inspired by of Marta's #meARTime series. https://www.youtube.com/user/MaremiSmallArt Paper Embellishments : Faith Collection - The Reset Girl
Paint splash stamp : So Splattered - Red Rubber Designs - Etsy

MIXED MEDIA - Mini Art Journal #2

Hello mixed media fans.  Today I am sharing 2 more pages from my mini art journal.  Each page is 3 3/8" 5 1/4".  I love that it is small enough to feature some of my favorite stamp images.  Today's project features "Fly Fairy" by Red Rubber Designs.  I also used the script image from the upper right corner from "Vintage Background" and one of the phrases from "Be Happiness".

1.  Cover pages with Gesso.  I applied several coats.

2. Stamp image with water-proof ink (Palette Noir Black or Staz-On).  I used Momento Tuxedo Black and heat set it with my heat gun.  Fold the book covers / pages back allowing you to place the page you are stamp on over a hard surface.  I used my Speedball Linoleum Block from Michaels.  I know some people use a soft surface to stamp .... but I like to use a hard surface and it works especially well for stamping on the page of a book. 

3.  Use the end of the sprayer to sprinkle "Party Pink" Glimmer Mist Spray. 

4. Stamp script and distress dots (from Fly Fairy) images with Momento's Lilac Posies. 

If you don't like the results ... wanted more of a dreamy look, then you can pat on some gesso randomly.

5. Stamp corner images and some distress dots (from Fly Fairy) with black ink on the Speedball Linoleum block.

6. Watercolor image with Lyra or Neocolor Watercolor Crayons (I used #'s 010 028, 100, & 180).  I did use my Niji Watercolor brushes on this project because I wasn't trying to be so precise with shading on this project. (not sure how they compare ... but I noticed RRD has a sale on their watercolor brushes HERE)

7. Stamp sentiment on left lower page and "fly" randomly with black ink.

8.  Create a tag from watercolor paper, spritz lightly with water, then Glimmer Mist Turquoise Blue spray ink.  If you spray too much, blot off with a napkin to you get a mottled / distressed look.  While the tag is still wet, stamp with same script image used on background above, with black ink, so that the ink bleeds / fades a little.  Ink edges with black ink, doodle around edges. Tie ribbon at top of tag

9.  Create the sentiment flag from watercolor paper.  Apply yellow pigment using a watercolor crayon / Niji Brush keeping it a little darker around the edges.  After it is dry, stamp with black ink.  Ink edges with black ink and doodle around edges.  Adhere to tag.
10. Adhere tag to page.

Hope you are inspired to start an art journal of your own to create in.

In case you missed it last year ... here is a photo of the outside of my larger mixed media art journal.

You can check out all of my Mixed Media Tutorials HERE.

Have a fabulous week!
Melisa

MIXED MEDIA - Mini Art Journal #1

6.5" x 5.25"

Hello crafters.  I have a step by step mixed media tutorial for you today.  I have had this little book I created in a book binding class years ago.  1 page in this book measures 3.25" x 5.25".  So I decided to prep all the pages with gesso and use some of my favorite stamp images to create some mixed media pages.

I wanted to create a page using this gorgeous peony  from Red Rubber Designs "Lovely Peony" stamp set.  So I decided I wanted to work with yellow and purple.

1. Stamp image over gesso'd background.

If I had waited and stamped the Peony over the background then it would have shown through.  After stamping the peony over the gesso, I stamped it again on "Masking Tape" and trimmed it out.  I covered the image with the trimmed mask.

2.  Cover with a stencil and spray with ink.  Heat set.

The stencil I used reminds me of a lattice fence.   I picked this one up a few years back at a local craft store.  It's made by Plaid.  I didn't have a purple spray ink that I liked, mine were really dark.  So I decided to mix my own.  I used Tattered Angels and mixed "Tattered Rose" and "Fully Purple".  My stencil had some brown on it from the last time I used it so it smeared when I sprayed it.   

3. Use a sponge to pounce on some Gesso randomly.

When you do this it gives some of the area's a dreamy look.  It also allows the next layer of images to stand out more in some area's.   I ended up trying to cover the brown and used a little too much.  I wish the purple spray showed up more in the finished project.

  4.  Stamp more images in green. 

 I used the music score and hand writing in the upper right corner of the set "Vintage Background" by Red Rubber Designs. I used "Pear Pizzazz" ink from Stampin' Up.  Pounce on more gesso.

5. Remove mask.

6. Spray with yellow ink.

I wanted a bright yellow spray so I used "Yellow" by Dr. Martin's Bombay - Hobby Lobby.  I squirted some full strength from the Bombay jar in to a Stampin' Up mini sprayer.  I knew I was coloring the peony yellow so I wanted to balance that color our by spraying more on the left page.

7.  Spray both pages with a light coat of Krylon "Workable Fixative" if you are concerned with the inks on your background "running" when you apply water color over the.  That's what I did.  You can pick up Workable Fixative at local craft stores.

7. Color peony image.

I used water color crayons.  I LOVE my LYRA water color crayons and if I had known they were creamier ... I would have purchased more of them instead of trying the Caran D'Ache Neo-Color Crayons.  The Neo-Color crayons were attractive because they had so many different shades.  Now you can get the Lyra water color crayons in 12, 24, or 48 sets.  So if you are just getting started .... I would consider the Lyra crayons first.  You can actually purchase individual Neo-Color crayons to fill in what you are lacking in the Lyra set.  If you are not sure ... You can pick up a 12 count set of the Lyra crayons at a local craft store for 40% off and try them first.

I used Lyra yellow and light green from my 12 count set.  I used a couple of Neo-Color crayons to add depth - I used #59 brown to add dimension to the petals and #249 olive green to add dimension to my leaves.  I know a lot of people love the "Niji Waterbrush's", and they are really cool, I have them myself.  But I have a hard time controlling the amount of water with these.  So especially with a small image, I use regular brushes / water.  

8. Journal.

I hate my hand writing so I had this idea that I would print my journaling using a cool font, lightly transfer the journaling to the page using transfer paper (sorta like carbon paper), and then use those guidelines to write my journaling with a black pen.  In theory is was a fabulous idea.  But my journaling was way to small, and it was hard to transfer the journaling as well.  I'm wondering if carbon paper would be easier?

The next problem was finding a pen that would write on the pages.  The surface is irregular because of all the coats of gesso / inks.  So it was hard to write smoothly.  The best pen I found to write with on this type surface was the Prismacolor Premier pen.  I used an 01.  

Hope you are encouraged to give this technique a try!!

hugs, Melisa

You can check out more of my Mixed Media Background Tutorials HERE.

You can check out all my Red Rubber Designs Projects HERE.

Tutorial : Prismacolor Pencils / Odorless Mineral Spirits

Hello friends.  Today has been a fabulous day.  A friend of mine from Jacksonville, Karen Berry, was in Houston visiting family and I got to spend a couple of hours with her catching up.  What a blessing it was.  Karen is one of my dearest friends.  She is one of the sweetest and most joyful people I have ever met.  She truly shines bright like the sun and is treasured by so many.  And her happiness and joy is infectious.  I am so thankful for the little bit of time that I got to spend with her.   My heart was filled with so much joy!

and now on to today's project .... I've been going through project photos looking for projects I haven't posted on my blog or in galleries and trying to catch up.

I found this older card that I created back when I was a TAC demo.  It's designed using Prismacolor Pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits. I also found tutorial photo's.  I know most people are using Copic Markers these days .... but just in case there are some new stampers / card makers  ... I wanted to share this option.

The image is by Red Rubber Designs "Flowers and Holly"

If you are not familiar with basic supplies used to do this then check out THIS post with details and photo's as well as basic tips.   Today's tutorial just shows the colors added and blended for this image.  If you are new to using them you will definitely need to check out the other tutorial.   And I have another tutorial HERE.

For this particular image I used :

942 Yellow Ochre

1032 Pumpkin Orange

945 Sienna Brown

912 Apple Green

911 Olive Green

In the photo above I added Yellow Ochre to the petals and Sienna Brown in the middle.

In the photo above I added the Pumpkin Orange.  I usually apply an light and dark color or just one color lighter in some area's and darker in other, then use the Odorless Mineral Spirits and a blending stump to blend.

The photo above shows the colors blended on the flower and then the addition of the Apple Green on the leaves.

In this photo I added the Olive Green. and the final photo on the card shows them blended.

Hope you find it helpful!

Melisa

Red Rubber Designs "Paint Splatters"

Hello friends.  This morning I want to share a couple of cards designed using my Red Rubber Designs stamps.  LOVE this stamp company.  Especially the vintage images.  But before I loose you with this lengthy post I want you to notice those paint splatters!!  LOVE this set.  Now you can have that mixed media paint splattered look easily.  Check out this set HERE.

 The owner, Pam is so sweet and delivery is super fast.  She usually ships same or 1 day after I order.  

In the past the stamps were just rubber and you had to purchase Cling Mount and mount them yourself ... which is not problem for me.  I use an electric hot knife and it's easy peasy.  Not sure what I'm talking about??  Email me and I'll share more.

But now she also sells already cling mounted stamps!!!  She frequently has sales so sign up for a newsletter so you don't miss a thing.

My FAVORITE section of the store is the MIXED MEDIA and VINTAGE sections of stamps.  The stamps I used on these cards can be found in those sections.

On card #1 I used :

"Art Gave Her Wings"

and one of my favorites now ...

"Paint Splatters" (background)

LOVE this set!!

On card #2 I used :

"Fly Fairy" (girl)

"Background Soup" (polka dots)

"Be Fabulous" (the frame the fairy is in)

"Paint Splatters" (background)

Have a fabulous weekend friends!

hugs, Melisa

You can check out all my Red Rubber Designs Projects HERE.

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Project Details

Art Gave Her Wings – 4.25” x 5.5”

Stamps : Red Rubber Designs “ Art Gave Her Wings”  and “Splattered” stamp sets

Patterned Paper : My Mind’s Eye

Card stock : Stampin’ Up “Pear Pizzazz”

Ink : Stampin’ Up “Calypso Coral”, Tsukineko VersaMagic “Thatched Straw”

Dove Blender Pen      Dove Blender Pen Refill    
Embossing Folder : Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots”

Trim green cardstock 4.25” x 5.5”. Trim cream cardstock 3 3/8” x 5 1/8”

and emboss.  Trim cream card stock 3 3/8” x 4 ¼” and stamp splattered images / Art sentiment with Calypso Coral ink.  Trim patterned paper

strip.  Stamp sentiment on cream card stock and trim down to a banner.  Stamp girl on cream cardstock, color with ink / Dove Blender Pen and trim.  Layer / adhere all pieces to card front. Doodle around edges.

She Wanted to Go – 4.25” x 5.5”

Stamps : Red Rubber Designs “Fly Fairy”, “Splattered”, “Vintage Backgrounds”, “Be Fabulous” and “Background Soup” stamp sets

Card stock : Stampin’ Up “Pear Pizzazz”

Ink : Stampin’ Up “Calypso Coral” and “Pear Pizzazz”,

Tsukineko VersaMagic “Thatched Straw”

Dove Blender Pen

Trim green card stock 4.25’ x 5.5”.  Trim cream cardstock

 3 3/8” x 5 1/8” and stamp splattered images with Pear Pizzazz ink. 

Trim cream cardstock 1” x 5.5” and stamp polka dot image

(Background Soup” with Calypso Coral ink.  Stamp script image

(Vintage Backgrounds) on cream cardstock with Pear Pizzazz ink then stamp square outline (Be Fabulous) with black ink over it.  Trim. 

Stamp fairy on cream cardstock, color with ink / Dove Blender Pen,

and trim.  Stamp sentiment and trim to a banner shape.  Layer / adhere

all pieces to card front.  Doodle around edges.

Creating Clean and Simple cards using Eclipse Masking Tape

Hello card makers!  Today I'm sharing some clean and simple cards designed using "Just Bee-Cuz" and "Background Soup" by Red Rubber Designs.  I used my Eclipse masking tape (the rolls at this link are shorter than mine).  It may seem like a lot of work because you have to stamp the main image once on the card front and then again on the masking tape, then cut out your masking image.  But you can use the masking image multiple times.  After the ink for the main image is dry, cover it with the mask image.  Then stamp you background images.   I used torn pieces of masking tape to mask off area's that I didn't want the background image.  I hope that makes sense.  I'm realizing now that it would have been much easier to take step by step photo's.

Thanks for stopping by!
Melisa

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Challenges

Sentimental Sunday's - Black and white plus one other color
Charisma Cards - clean and simple
Simply Less is More - 1 layer / wings (card #1)
Paper Crafting Journey - add some bling
Do You Stack Up - vintage

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Project Details 

Stamps Red Rubber Designs 

Ink : Tsukineko VersaMagic Purple Hydrangea

Eclipse Masking Tape

Decorative tape : Heidi Swapp

Red Rubber Designs October New Release's

Hello friends.  I hope you had a fabulous week.  I'm so glad the weekend is here.  I'm still having back pain and if you could add me to your prayers I would really appreciate it.   I'm on steroids and have a few side effects, one of which is being very emotional and on the verge of tears.  This might be a great time to mention that my husband is so wonderful to put up with me!  I'm not sure how he puts up with me sometimes.  I am sooooo blessed.

I was just checking out the new releases for October over at Red Rubber Designs and remembered that I had one of the sets from my TAC days.  This is is an old photo.  Wish I could re-shoot it because you can't really see the black fun flock I used on the bee's body, or the transparency I used for the wings to make them 3-D.   

Red Rubber Designs is giving a away this set to one lucky commentor!  It's called Lovely Peony.  All you have to do is leave comments on the Red Rubber Designs blog HERE and 5 DT member blogs.      Contest ends on Sunday, Oct. 7 at midnight CDT.   And if you don't win, then you can order it for 40% with an order because it's the "spotlight stamp set" this month.  

There are a total of 11 new release sets this month and you can check them all out HERE.  I am always attracted to fall stamps for some reason.  I love fall images and decorations so as soon as I seen "Ever So Thankful" .... I was in love!  Which one is your favorite?

I'm hoping to get something crafty done this weekend in between loads of laundry!

Have a fabulous weekend!

hugs, Melisa

My Grandfather (Red Rubber Designs)

Today I want to share a layout I designed using a couple of my Red Rubber Designs stamp sets "Hope Perches" and "Background Soup".   I recently won the monthly Blog Hop prize with Red Rubber Designs.  Hop over to their blog and follow it so you can get a chance at winning as well!  

This is my grandfather in his younger days.  He loved to hunt, fish, and garden so I thought that a nature stamp set was just perfect to use on a layout for him.  

He was a wonderful Godly man who loved his family and who was very special to me.  We shared the same birthday.  I remember spending summers with my grandparents as a child.  I remember him singing to wake me up in the morning and that I loved his cologne and how he smelled.   I didn't know my father, so he was the man in my life I looked up to.  I wish he had lived closer to us and that I could have spent more time with him.  Special memories of a special man.

Thanks for letting me share!

Have a blessed weekend, Melisa

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Project Details

Stamps : Red Rubber Designs

Patterned Paper : My Mind's Eye (Hobby Lobby)

I used Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi to stamp the background images (polka dots and random letters).  I used VersaFine Vintage Sepia and Palette L'Amour Red to stamp the bird images and sentiment.  I created the tags from thin patterned paper, crumbled them up and then rubbed brown ink over the wrinkled area's and edges.

4 Ways to use masking with your stamps

Hello Stampers.  I haven't blogged in several month's and I'm trying to get back into the swing of it.  Today I'm sharing some cards I whipped up using some of my newest stamps.  I love the vintage / collage look of these images.  They are from Red Rubber Designs.  Red Rubber Designs is owned by a very sweet lady I met when I was a The Angel Company Demonstrator.  After I heard that The Angel Company had closed it's doors I was so excited to here that Pam had decided to continue sharing some of there wonderful images but in the retail market now.  You can read more about Pam HERE.  The stamps are sold as rubber sheets, so don't forget to purchase a sheet of cling mount with your order.

You can read more about mounting your rubber stamps using cling mount a hot knife / scissors at the bottom of the post.

I used 2 sets, "Just Bee-Cuz" and "Background Soup".  My favorite section is the "Vintage" sets.  LOVE the collage look and these images make it so easy to whip up a quick collage looking card.  The first card was designed using "masking".  You can read more about "masking" at the bottom of the post.

I used several very basic stamp techniques on the following.

On this one I stamped the image repeatedly to create a background.

On this one I stamped the image twice.  Once on the patterned paper (because I didn't want to try and trim all the little fuzzy details or antennas.  I stamped the image again on cream cardstock, trimmed and then adhered over the image stamped on the patterned paper.

On this one I stamped directly on the patterned paper.

You can view all my Red Rubber Designs projects HERE.

More about masking :
1.  The polka dot stamp image was a little longer than I needed, so I used a post-it note to mask off the left side of the card on this one and the lower part of the card on the 2nd one.  You can just use a regular piece of paper if you don't have a post-it.  The post-it works great because it has just enough adhesive to hold it in place.

2.  On card #1, I cut a window (2.5" x 3") out of a piece of light weight cardstock.   Regular paper works fine, but the light weight cardstock will hold up better and now I can use it repeatedly.  I placed the window over the front of the card.

3.  I stamped the baby carriage once in the center of the window and again on Eclipse Masking tape.  I cut the image from the masking paper and covered the image on the front of the card.

With the window mask still in place, I started stamping from right to left, the alphabet image, and then the polka dots x2.

4.  Masking Fluid -  Brush it over the area you want to mask.  After you are finished with your technique, peel the mask off by gently rubbing with your finger.

More about mounting your stamps :
I love to purchase my stamps as plain red rubber if they are not available already mounted on cling.  That's because store all my stamps in notebooks by either manufacturer or catagory.  So, if my stamps are own blocks, I have to remove the rubber, put them on cling mount and then cut them out with my hot knife / or rubber cutting scissors.  So I love buying just the red rubber, it saves me a step.  The hardest part of converting from wood to cling is sometimes getting them off the block.  If they are resistant, I put them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to soften the adhesive.  Most of them come off pretty easily after that, but then I sometimes have to rub my thumb back and forth over the back of them to remove some of the adhesive.  You can view a video on how to mount your rubber stamps using "Easy Mount and a Hot Knife"  HERE.  I purchased my hot knife years ago in the woodburning section at Joann's Crafts.  If you have a pair of the Tonic Scissors, then just lay the "full" sheet of rubber over a sheet of cling mount.  Then just cut through the rubber and cling all at once and your scissors stay pretty clean.  If the stamps do not have any rubber space around them or are already trimmed close to the image, then you place it on the cling mount and use a hot knife.  You do not want to use your scissors to trim in this instance because the adhesive is going to stick to the scissors as you cut through the cling mount.  In the video she demonstrates how to use the hot knife with a glass mat.  I have never done it this way.  The knife is really hot and cuts through the cling mount like butter.  I just hold the stamp / cling mount up in the air / off the table and glide the hot knife blade around the edge of the rubber.  I have never had any burning accidents doing it that way, but of course you should do whatever is safest for you.  This is the way I do it most of the time instead of the scissors.  Why?? I'm cheap and I don't want to waste any of the cling mount.  So I cut the images out first, as close to the image as I can, and the place it on the cling mount.  Then trim with the hot knife.

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Challenges


Woowhoooo!!!  I won $30 free Denami stamps for playing along with the SSIC challenge!!


Card #1
CPS - Sketch
SSIC - baby or pastels
The Crazy Challenge - Black and White plus one other color
The Ribbon Carousel - stitching
Crafty Catz - pink

Card #2
Creative Inspirations - anything goes
Simon Says - BINGO (ribbon, free, blooms(patterned paper)
Fussy and Fancy  - Vintage distressing (torn paper) and lace

Card #3
 CAS-ual Fridays - things you would see in the sky (bee)
Sweet Stampin' - book or book text

Card #4
Tuesday Throwdown - on the move
No Matter Which - anything goes

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Project Details

You're the best

Stamps : Red Rubber Designs "Just Bee-Cuz" and "Background Soup"

Patterned Paper : Colorbok (yellow), Jennie Bowlin (book paper)

Ink : Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black

Mask off left side of card and stamp polka dot strip twice.  Adhere torn book paper.  Adhere patterned paper strip.  Stamp sentiment and car.  Embellish with lace scrap.

Just Bee-cuz #1

Stamps : Red Rubber Designs "Just Bee-Cuz"

Patterned Paper and tag : Colorbok "Antique Paperie"

Ink : Tsukineko VersaFine Onyz Black

Stamp bee repeatedly on top 1/2 of cream card.  Cover lower 1/2 with patterned paper.  Adhere lace across seam.  Adhere paper tag, stamp sentiment and bee on tag.  Stamp bee again on cream cardstock, trim and adhere over bee on tag.  Embellish with ribbon / bow.

Just Bee-cuz #2

Stamps : Red Rubber Designs "Just Bee-Cuz" and "Background Soup"

Patterned Paper : Colorbok (yellow), Jennie Bowlin (book paper)

Ink : Tsukineko VersaFine Onyz Black

Mask off lower part of card and stamp polka dot strip twice.  Adhere torn book paper.  Adhere patterned paper strip.  Stamp bee and sentiment.  Stamp bee on cream cardstock, trim and adhere over bee on patterned paper.  Embellish with lace scrap.

Fall Centerpiece and Cards!

Hello papercrafters.  Today I am sharing some of my older projects that I have never shared on this blog before.  These were posted on my TAC blog at some point.  But the idea's are timeless.  So I hope you will be inspired to create your own Fall home decor and tableware this year!

This was created pre-copic markers.  I think at some point I want to redo the images with copic markers and update my centerpiece.  All of the stamps used were from The Angel Company.  These sets are discontinued.  But if you want to use these exact images to create your own centerpiece, let me know and I will drop you some in the mail.

Here are a couple of cards I created using a couple of the A2 Circle Window cards from Creative Cuts and More.  These were pretty easy to put together using some of the Jolee's fall stickers.

 Isn't the sign hanging in the window just perfect!
I'm linking this one to My Time to Craft Challenge Blog - Quick and Cute
PaperPlay Challenge Blog - Circles
Lots To Do Challenge Blog - Autumnal Colors

I added the a Scalloped Circle Frame, Filigree Rectangle Label, and a couple of leaves from the Leaves #03 Mini-set

The DP is TPC Studio from a local craft store.

I'm linking this one to:

Cupcake Craft Challenge Blog - Thank you in autumnal colors.

Tuesday Throwdown - Give Thanks

Our Creative Corner - an attitude of gratitude

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ONE MORE DAY til the Layers of Color Give-away / Blog Hop.

In addition to an opportunity of winning a Layers of Color stamp set over on the 2 Sketches 4 You blog, you will have an opportunity to win a art stamp set or art stencil on EACH of the DT blogs!!  So make sure you join us tomorrow!

Layers of Color is on Facebook now!  We would love to have you join us!

Layers of Color Facebook page

See you tomorrow!  I'm so excited because I love giving stuff away!