TIM HOLTZ Paper Doll Art Journal Layout with Video Tutorial for beginners

 Hello art friends!  Today I have sharing another Tim Holtz Paper Doll art journal layout.  I used ephemera, stencils and stamps by Tim Holtz as well.  

If you’ve watched my other paper doll video’s, you know I love what I call “the sitter’s” and finding things for them to sit on.  I paired this sitter with a bird image from one of my favorite stamp companies, RedLead Paperworks.  

And I actually have several Paper dolls already paired up with some of their stamp images sitting on my desk waiting for me to write their story.  

So this layout started with the little girl on the back of the bird.  This little girl is so cute and I imagined her peacefully laying in a field of flowers, listening to the birds sing, & day dreaming.   Her imagination takes her on adventures on the back of a bird. So like my last paper doll video, I decided to write a poem to tell her story.   If you like the poem and font I can send you a copy in a Microsoft Word Document.  Just like the video and leave me a comment and I will share my email.

Check out the video below to see how I used collage, stamped and stenciled tissue paper, gesso and supper heavy gesso to create this dreamy looking background.

Watch MORE PROJECTS using Tim Holtz paper dolls on this playlist HERE

Watch MORE PROJECTS using Shawn Petite products on this playlist HERE

Hope you are inspired!

Melisa

Supplies :

Ephemera : Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper dolls, Field Notes, Botanical, Collector, Keepsakes, Salvaged Tags   Small Talk phrase stickers

Stamps :  "She is Wating to Fly" RedLead Paperworks     "Fragments"  & "Game Pieces" Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous

Stencils : "Flourish" "Gothic" - Tim Holtz

Mediums : Matte Medium, Gesso, Super Heavy Gesso, Liquitex Prussian Blue Hue

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 Art Journaling - meARTime Day 2

Hello friends! I hope you are all doing well. I'm back today with another art journal layout inspired by the talented Marta's (Maremi Small Art) Day 2 challenge from her #meARTime series.

In her second video Marta challenges us to use an image from a magazine as the focal point.

This was soooo much fun! I have a process video for you if you are interested in how I completed the project. You can check it out HERE :

I'm working again in my new 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 Arteza art journal. LOVE and will definitely by checking out larger sizes. I love that it's bound, however I do not see my self using every page as it will become very bulky.

In this video I will be using a Tombow marker as a watercolor, spray inks, watercolor crayon, gesso, stencil, Sketch and Wash pencil to add some shadowing. I love how I created the background of this one!

Hope you take a minute to tune in. Production skills a little better this video. I learned to add music and slide word titles. Still need better lighting but it will come.

Thanks for stopping by,

Melisa

Mixed Media Art Journaling : #meARTime - Day 1

Hello friends.  I have had a long break and now I'm back with some art journaling inspiration for you.  So where have I been?  Working full-time, taking care of elderly mom, cycling, and the best all, I'm a grandma now!!  Oh how your priorities change when you look at those sweet little faces.  Unfortunately they live in Dallas and I'm in Houston.  But we get together as much as we can.  You can call me GiGi, if you like 😂

I am video taping my creative process.  I started a new YouTube Channel also called Paperlicious Designs.  What got me started again? .... I've been doing different art projects along the way.  But my daughters both enjoy crafting and both live out of town, so I decided I would start purging art supplies and send them kits, with challenges to create 3x5 art cards we could swap!

My family encouraged me to start sharing agian, so here I am.  

Today's project was inspired by a mixed media artist over on YouTube .... Marta @ Maremi Small Art.  Her website is HERE. She is posting video's for a new series ... #meARTime.  She started this to encourage and inspire those of us who are homebound due to the current health crisis.  Today's project and process video are inspired by Marta's first video-  Day 1 in the #meARTime Series.

I'm new at video taping my process and the editing process in not easy for me, but I'm learning.

The first video is about 30 min long. I would love to here what you think.

Thanks for the inspiration Marta!

#meARTime

Supplies :

Tissue Paper - green polka dots / pink stripe - unknown, collage style - Tim Holtz

Book paper

Digital image : music - unknown

Doily's

Washi tape -  unknown

Circle template

Oil Pastels - Crayola

Butterfly stamps - Hero Arts

Butterfly sentiment - The Angel Company

Matte Medium

Gesso

Blog Challenges : 

Crafty Creations (monthly) - Anything Goes

Moving Along with the Times (monthly) - Anything but a card

Creative Inspirations  (montly) - Pretty Pastels

Inspired By (thursday) - Hello Spring

Allsorts (Saturday) - Animals (butterflies ok)

ends friday 2pm

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 #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.

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.

********************************************

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.

Mixed Media Background Tutorial ! 4x4 Mini Canvas

 4" x 4" Canvas

Hello friends.  Today I want to share a 4 x 4" canvas with you and a tutorial on how you can create the background and these little tissue paper flowers.  

Don't have time to make one yourself??  I have some of these 4" x 4" canvas' with easel for sale if anyone is interested.  You have a couple of choices for phrases.  1.  Be You,  2. Enjoy LIfe,  3. Live Life with Purpose. 

I was going to open and etsy store, but things have been a little stressful since my mother moved in.  Maybe after we get her settled I can get back to that.  If you are interested in purchasing one, they are $20 plus shipping. You can email me at luv_2_stamp@yahoo.com.  

To create the background I used 4 different color acrylic paints and an old credit / gift card.  Basically you squirt a little paint across (horizontally) the canvas then use the card to pull the paint up and down vertically until you get the look you want.  Then turn the canvas and do it the other way if needed.  It just takes practice until you get the look you want.

I started by applying a full coat of the lighter - Tropic Bay Blue with a foam brush.  After that dried I used the technique described above with the darker - Bahama Blue.  Since I only wanted a small amount of the green, I didn't apply as much of that.  

Next I did white and didn't like that look - too much white.

So I added more blue.  Remember you want small amounts of the under coats to show through so that the canvas looks distressed.  So keep layering until you get a look you like.  If you are having a hard time getting that distressed look just by dragging the paint around .... then use a little sand paper (after it is completely dried) to rub off a little of the top layers and reveal some of the layers underneath.

Once you are happy with your background ... distress the edges of the canvas with white paint.

Adhere patterned paper or tissue paper (Pink Paislee - Daily Junque) across the bottom of the canvas as grass.

Distress the background more with a script stamp image.  You can do this by randomly inking a script stamp or use a Rollagraph.  I love the Rollagraph because I have control of rolling just a little of the image and lifting quickly.  If you need a stamp option - then Pink Persimmon sales a great small (ATC size) script image HERE.

Larger images are great for bigger projects, but because this is a 4 x 4" canvas, smaller script will work best because you want that barely there look.  Less is more in this case.  And always practice first on scrap paper.  If your ink is really bold, you may want to stamp a little off and then stamp on the canvas.  If you accidentally apply too much, heat set it and try applying more paint to cover up your script.

I have to tell you creating these little tissue paper flowers took a long time, but I do love them.  I purchased colored tissue paper, but you could always use white and paint them after you have created the flower.  

Depending on how large you want your flowers, and how tightly you twist the tissue paper, the size of the strips you cut may vary.  Any where from 1/2" - 1 1/4" will be good.  After you have cut a strip, twist it vertically so you have a long piece of twisted tissue paper.  Then you want to wrap the strips around in a spiral to create the flowers.  As I'm wrapping, I'm twisting the strip as well.  Not all of mine looked good enough to use and I got faster and better at it the more I made.  I use Aleene's Tachy Glue because it so inexpensive.  I'm sure there are easier ways to do it.  I've seen others use "Glubbers" by Cosmo Cricket and I think you can buy them at Joann's.  But they are probably for larger flowers.

After the glue was dry I sprayed them with spray ink.  I was trying to get some shadowing.  I used spray ink on the yellow and orange because the tissue paper was washed out and I wanted a brighter color.

Next I created teeny-tiny leaves and stems from pattern paper.  I doodled them on and then cut them out.  

Next I figured out placement for each of the flowers and stems.  BEFORE I glued the flowers on, I used a pencil to lightly dash around each flower so I would know where they went and then lifted them off.  Doodle with a black pen using the pencil guidelines.  Now is a good time to go ahead and doodle around the edges of the canvas and along the top of the grass if you want doodle lines.

This is a major tip you have to remember : You have to do any doodling you want to do before you put the oil pastels on.  Pens will not work over the oil pastels.  It could run your pen.

Next I rubbed on oil pastel colors using my finger over the dashed area's.  If you try to do this after you glue the flowers on ... you will have a hard time getting the color right up against the flower.  You want it to look like a halo or shadow coming from behind the flower.

Glue the flowers and just the top of the stem (under the flower) down.  So you leave the stem hanging freely. You want to be able to adhere part of the leaves from behind the stems.  Rub some green oil pastel over the tissue paper grass to add some shadowing.  

Decided where you want your leaves and adhere them.  Adhere stems.  If you want to add green shadow with oil pastel along the stem, it might be easier to add a little before adhering the leaves / stems.  I did rub a little of my green oil pastel on the leaves as well to add some shadow.  Use a black "sketch and wash" pencil to add more shadowing.  These are pencils that apply color and then you can brush a little water over them to smear them around a little.

  Hope you were inspired to give this technique a try!
Have a fabulous week,
Melisa