MIXED MEDIA TUTORIAL - Mini Art Journal #3

Hello friends and Happy New Year!  It's been a year since I have posted.  I plan to get back to blogging this year and will be posting Mixed Media projects, Cards, and Scrapbook Layouts.  Hopefully I will have time to throw a few Altered Arts projects in there as well.  

So I thought I would kick off the year with a layout from my Mini Art Journal.  The pages in this little book measure 3 1/4" x 5 1/4".  I created the book years back in a book binding class.  The pages were thin so I glued some of them together to create a thicker pages /  sturdier surface to work on and then covered all the pages with gesso. 

I also like the size because they are perfect for some of my stamp images.

I like to "build" my backgrounds.  Often I don't know what the end result will be.  I just keep layering until I get a look I like.  And if you do something you don't like, just cover with gesso and start all over.  I started this back ground by stamping a music note background in brown ink, adhering book paper, and then creating that "dreamy" look by dabbing on gesso. 

With this particular background I ended almost completely covering the first couple of layers as I continued to add more layers.  But sometimes that is what gives it great depth.

Next I applies some blue spray ink with a brush and stamp polka dots (Rollograph Wheel with Simple Dots pattern) with green ink.  Anytime I use a product I think might smear with the next layer I either spray with Workable Fixative or add a coat of Mod Podge.

I added more book paper because you could not really see the original paper I added.

I sponged on some gesso to blend and soften the layers then dripped on green spray ink.

More gesso.

I stamped the left page with grid background stamp (Off the Grid - Stampin Up) and the tape measure image.  To get a random look with a background image I either apply all over and the blot some off with paper towel or randomly apply the ink heavily and then stamp it off on waste paper first and then on my project.

I stamped the right page with a bird collage image by Hero Arts ( Timely Bird ).  But I didn't like how faded the bird turned out ... so I stamped the image again on paper and colored just the bird and clocks and cut them out.

I used Lyra Water Color Crayons to color flower, leaves, and branch directly on the page.  Then adhered the trimmed bird and clocks.

Hero Arts Timely Bird (I think I got this one at Michaels)

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

You can check out more Mini Art Journal Projects HERE.

You can check out Mixed Media Background Tutorials HERE.

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.

Mixed Media Background Tutorial "Vasoline Resist"

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

Good morning friends.  Today I have some ATC background idea's for you and a tutorial to share with you, "Vasoline Resist".  I did the technique on an ATC, but it could be used on canvas or in an art journal as well.  First I'm going to share with you my other March ATC's.

All your backgrounds don't have to be technique oriented.  Below I have created a couple of backgrounds with pre-made digital ATC's.  And on the last one, I scanned a photo of my great grand mother and father.

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

For this ATC I was inspired by Stephanie  Ackerman's grungy HEart style and how she used numbers on one of hers ATC's. The initial background was from a while back. Sometimes I like to sit and play and just create backgrounds that I can use in the future. So I was having a hard time remembering the technique, but it looks like the same  vasoline resist technique I'm sharing with you today. 

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

This one was a lot easier that it looks.  Did you know there are digital ATC backgrounds?? This particular one is by Cemerony at Etsy.  I printed the background and simply stamped the bird, bird cage, and feather (Gina K. Designs - Vintage Chic) with my most favorite brown pigment ink I have ever used - Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate by Tsukineko.  The edges are inked as well.  I created a paper party streamer ruffle and adhered it under the edge of the background then wrapped with ribbon.

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

This is another printed ATC background.  Not sure where I got this one ... but here is another one I have orders from - Sabrina.   The pair was created by stamping on water color paper and stippline on ink to create the texture.  I also rubbed some brown ink around the edges to add some depth.  

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

On this ATC I started with a scanned photo of my great grand parents.  I was inspired by the use of an old black and white photo Stephanie used in her 52 Card Pick Up class.  I printed in black and white and then added chalk (Pebbles Inc) to certain area's.  

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VASOLINE RESIST TUTORIAL

I actually did this with 2 different cards so I will share the step by step with both.  Depending on how you apply the vasoline you can get a slightly different look every time.

BACKGROUND #1

I started with an ATC size piece of dictionary paper.  I did not have vasoline, so I decided to try another form of waxy medium.  I used Carmex on one set and Chapstick on the other.  Randomly apply your waxy medium which will work as a resist to the acrylic paint.  Coat card with blue acrylic paint and then wipe off with a paper towel.  

After the paint is completely dried repeat the process with green paint.

I decided I wanted more aqua so I repeated the process again with more blue.  All the layers make a great distressed looking background.

Here is the second set :

You can use some sand paper after it is completely dry if you want to distress it a little more.

After I got the distressed look I wanted I rolled on some pink ink using a script pattern with my Rollagraph (Clear Snap).   I used the Jumbo "Say What" Pattern.  I love how you can roll a tiny amount of the image by picking the wheel up quickly.  Creates a random pattern.

I don't use the ink that you can put in the wheel.  I just roll mine across one of my ink pads.  

Next I splattered on watered down pink acrylic paint.  The polka dot washi tape is form Michaels.

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial and are inspired to give it a try!  I would love to see what you come up with.  


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

You can check out more of my ATC's HERE.
You can check out all my Mixed Media Projects HERE.


Thanks for stopping by today!!
hugs, Melisa

Mixed Media Project - Roben- Marie Smith Class

6" x 9"

Hello Paper Crafters.  I recently finished a mixed media class by Roben-Marie Smith called "Art Journal Conversion" and wanted to share my first two projects with you.  This one just makes me smile.  I still need to add the journaling, but couldn't wait to share it.  I seriously can't believe I made this!!  I LOVE Roben's style and I'm so excited that she has classes to teach the rest of us how to get that wonderful layered look.  I really enjoyed the class.  It used a lot of products I already owned and honestly, the techniques were not new to me (spray inks, stencils, modeling paste, doodling).  What I gained from the class was the inspiration to add MANY layers of spray inks and gesso so that you create a depth.  So much is going on in the background, but it is so subtle that it doesn't overwhelm.  The medium I was introduced to was using oil pastels.  LOVE them.  It really allows you to add shading.  Be prepared to use your fingers,  A LOT, in this class.  If you don't like a mess, then this is not the class for you. 

The stencils I used were : Plaid (diamond pattern), Layers of Color (swirly), Crafter's Workshop (dots), and the daisy is from Hobby Lobby HERE, sorry I didn't save the package.  The larger circles are from a Drafting Stencils that has a lot of circles with different sizes, but they are graduated.  So it's a pain to use.  HERE.  I wish someone made one with lots of different circle, in differnet sizes, randomly. 

Here are a list of sites that I found that have really cool stencils though :

Crafter's Workshop

Martha Stewart at Michaels  - I LOVE this one, but haven't seen it at my local Micheals.  Will have to see if I can order it.

Plaid  check out the Folk art catagory.  Their store is a little weird to navigate.  Once you get to the Folk Art section, then you have to look to the right and you will see smaller photo's of options and can arrow over.  Then click on the stencil you want to see.  REALLY cool stencils.

I-Stencils - I linked you to the background stencils but check out the left column for other choices.  You can order from their online store, but I don't see any shipping details.

Stencil Ease

Wall to Wall Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Options for Spray Inks :

Adirondack

Dylusions

Glimmer Mist

Ranger Perfect Pearls

Mister Huey

Inkadinkado

And I'm liking the less expensive RIT liquid dye (liquid, already mixed).  I purchased an .99 cent spray bottle from the artist section at Hobby Lobby and just poured the color in.

Let me know if you think of any others I can add to the list

I started shopping around looking for other options for spray inks.  Glimmer Mist are so pretty, but mine often clog and for what I'm paying for them, I find that frustrating.  Roben used some SEI Tumbler Tie-dye inks, so I decided to check out the tie-dye section of Jo-ann's where I noticed the RIT dyes.  SOOOO much cheaper than Glimmer Mist ($7.50 for 2 oz).  I bought them pre-mixed in a bottle (8oz).  I think it was around $4.  Then I picked up some inexpensive spray bottles at Hobby Lobby and poured the color in those.  So I decided to give it a try.  The orange you see in this project is the RIT.  I will definitely try some of the other colors.

I didn't want to start out working in my art journal, because I figured my first project might not be so good.  So I did this piece on 6" x 9" 140# watercolor paper and decided to hang it on my 7 Gypsies Photo Display Stand.  I don't have any photo's on mine.  It's dedicated to mixed media projects.  Here is a picture I posted in the past :

I spray painted mine black.  I use extra large eyelets in the top.

2.5" x 3" Artist Trading Card

This one is a mini.  You can't really get the depth on such a small peice, but I like how it turned out.

If you are interested in taking mixed media classes, here's a list :

Christy Tomlison

Roben-Marie Smith

Donna Downey - tons of free video's on her blog HERE

and in her store HERE

Creative Workshops

Alisa Burke

Free video's at Cloth, Paper, Scissors HERE

Interweave

Traci Bautista

Julie Prichard

If you know of any that aren't on my list, please share!

You can view my other :

 Faith Art projects HERE.

Collage / Mixed Media projects HERE.

Artist Trading Cards HERE.

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Challenges

Project #1

Cupcake Craft (mon) - texture (flowers and circles are modeling paste)

Ribbon Carousel (tues) - lots of color

For Fun (wed) - anything goes

Let's Ink it Up (monthly) - distressing

Crafts 4 Eternity (fri) - try something new (new mixed media class - style)

Corrosive (sun) - from a bottle  (spray inks)

Project #2

Word Art Wed (wed) - Habakkuk 3:18

Fairy Fun Friday's - flower

OOzak's (monthly) - anything goes

Abby's Scripture Thur #25

Mixed Media Art Journal Project

I finished 2 more pages in my art journal today.  So much fun!  I started with color inspiration from the Color Throwdown challenge blog and added the scripture from this weeks Word Art Wednesday challenge.

1. I started with 2 gesso coated book pages.  I used a thin layer so that the words were visible.

2. Scribble some blue (#47 Lyra Aquacolor) over the background and then brush water on to spread the paint.

3. Lay stencil (I used a circular medallion from Layers of Color) and sponge on purple watered down acrylic paint over the openings on the inside of the medallion and very lightly around the edges. 

4.  Pounce on watered down yellow acrylic paint over sequin waste (punchanella). 

5. Smear on some green paint with finger.

6. Spray with Work Fixative and dry with heat gun.  May not have been necessary, but before I started layering more color, I wanted to set what I had already added.

7. Roll on brown ink (Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate by Tsukineko) using Jumbo Rollagraph Stamp Wheel with the Floral Flourish image around edges and in a few area's in center. I didn't want the full image, so I rolled lightly. You could use any type decorative stamp, but I like that the Rollagraph makes it easy for me to lightly roll and get a partial image. 

8. Wipe brown ink around edges. I used a little water on my fingers to smear it.

9.  Apply white acrylic paint with bubble wrap.

10.  Stamp Stampendous Music Score  on watercolor paper multiple times with water resistant ink (I used Palette Noir and then ran the heat gun over it a couple of times just to be safe).  Brush watered down white acrylic paint over some of the music score images (for picket fence and flower centers) and yellow watereed down paint over the rest (for sun). 

11. Hand cut fence and sun pieces.  Scribble around edges of all pieces with brown #59 Neocolor II crayon and smear with ZIG H20 Brush.  LOVE these brush's!  They come in different sizes and I just wipe them off on paper towels in between colors.

12.  Tear green patterned paper and adhere along the bottom of pages.  Only adhere along the bottom edge so you can slip the ends of fence and stems in later.  Use brown watercolor crayon around edges of grass.

13. Adhere fence and sun.

14. Cut flower #1 / heart flowers from purple patterned paper. Brush on yellow watered down yellow paint onto watercolor paper and cut flower #2.  Cut all flower centers from the white music score paper created earlier.  Cut leaves / stems from green patterned paper.  Add / smear brown watercolor crayon around edges of all pieces. 

15. Print scripture and cut into tag.  Tear one end.  Add / smear brown watercolor crayon around edges of tag.  Adhere tag to page and add bow.

16. Adhere stems, leaves, and flowers.  Before adhering leaves, crumble and crease.  Adhere ends of grass to page.  Embellish with buttons.  Doodle.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Melisa

See all my MIXED MEDIA TUTORIALS HERE

See all my MIXED MEDIA / COLLAGE PROJECTS HERE

See all my ART JOURNAL PROJECTS HERE

View all my Faith Art projects HERE.

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Linked to :

http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com

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Challenges

Color Throwdown

Word Art Wednesday (wed) - Psalm 28:7

For Fun (wed) - tags (handmade tag with scripture on it)

Little Red Wagon (wed) - spring

Crop Stop (thur) - buttons and bows

Lily Pad (fri) - flowers

Crafty Emma's (sat) - paper piece

Inspiration Emporium (montly) - watercolor

Sketchbook Challenge (monthly) - open

Word Art Wednesday Challenge

REALLY quick post tonight.  I really wanted to play along with the Word Art Wednesday Challenge.  Each week a scripture word art is provided for us to include in our projects.  The sponsor this week is Isabella's Sketchbook.  I LOVE their digital stamps.  So I decided to combine the 2.  I printed this one on water color paper, heat set the ink, and then water colored.  I didn't have time to worry about matching patterned paper of embellishments, gotta get to bed and be up at 4am.  So good night and sweet dreams to all of you!!

This one was featured at Word Art Wednesday and I won $15 free digital image from Isabella's Sketchbook!

You can view all my Faith Art projects HERE.

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Challenges:

Word Art Wednesday

Pals Paper Arts



Rejoice / Easter Banner

Last month I shared a valentine banner you could hang across a mantel.  But you can also create table top banners.  This one was created using a chipboard bi-fold album I had in my stash from years ago.  I'm not sure if anyone still makes these, but you could make your own. 

A lot of the supplies I used are old, so I'm not going to include a detailed list this time.  But I will tell you that the beautiful cross is made by Rubber Stampede and it's called Elegant Cross.  I'm pretty sure I bought it at Hobby Lobby last year, so it may still be available.  The butterfly is Layer's of Color. "Rejoice in the miracle of Easter" is a digital image from DeeDee's digi's.

The backgrounds are all patterned paper in pastel colors and then I distressed here an there using the same cream acrylic paint I used on the chipboard letters.

"For God so loved the world ..." is also a digital image.  Most of the time, when I purchase digital images, I make the name of the shop I bought it from part of the file name.  Unfortunately I didn't with this one : ( . 

Hope you are inspired to create your own Easter banner!  I'd love to see it.

And I want to share that I am thrilled to be the guest designer for Sweet N Sassy this month!  Their April new release blog hop is this Thursday and I hope you will join us!  There will also be a party over at SCS on this thread HERE.  You will be able to participate in challenges and possibly win some stamps!!  There are some real cutie patootie's being released this month and I can't wait to share what I have designed with 2 of the new release sets! 

 

 

 

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Challenges

 

Paper Sundaes (sun) - Easter

Stamptacular Sundays (Sun) - playing with pastels

Papertake Weekly (tues) - anything goes

Southern Girls (thur) - you got something to say??