Mixed Media Project's

Hello mixed media lovers.  This is a long post, but bare with me.  I rarely share personal stuff, so I"m going to make up for some of that in this post, teehee.   My daughter, Nicole, visited us (she's away at college in FL) back in June and we had a wonderful time crafting together.  I treasure these times with her now that she is an adult and lives so far away.  They grow up so fast, don't they.  

 She is a sweet, loving, funny, crazy, quirky, energetic young women who is passionate about changing the world by becoming a teacher, teaching in inner-city schools, and reaching children who need to know how much God loves them.  And these qualities often shine through in her art as well.

I am so proud of  the young women she is becoming and how she celebrates life with all that she has!
YOU go girl!!

She is a full-time student and works part-time, so she doesn't get to create as much as she would like to.  She loves arts and crafts but has never taken any classes.  She loves to re-purpose things and we never knew what she would find at a second hand shop and bring home to turn into "art".  She just see's things that inspire her and goes for it.    Often she is inspired by a bible verse, song lyrics, meaningful quote, or something that is going on in her life.  She loved the piece I created as a result of taking Roben-Marie Smith's online class back in April and wanted to give it a try.  (You can check out my project HERE.)  She created a couple of projects and wow!  I was so proud.  She has never taken mixed media classes, so it really does show you how awesome Roben's class is.  I don't want to share all the step by step instructions, since Roben's class is still up for sale, but I will share a few photo's of Nicole as she was building her canvas.

  

Roben's class is "Art Journal Conversion" and you can read more about it HERE.

It involves lots of spray inks, stencils, gesso, modeling paste, doodling.  All the things you have probably used before as a mixed media artist.  What was different for me is the way Roben builds layer upon layer creating so much depth in the background.  I love here style and loved the class.  And it was a steal for $24.99.  The only thing I didn't own, and had to add to my supply's was oil pastels.  I got a set for about $10.  You can check out Roben's blog and projects on her blog HERE.

She used the same techniques to alter a journal cover

   

Add because this post is all about my daughter and her art, I am going to share a few more pieces she has created over the years.  Not always the best photo's (she took them herself) and often her idea of a good background was the grass in the backyard, teehee.  I hope you see something that inspires you!  

She likes to take models from magazines, adhere them in her art to use as a base, and then paint over them. This one makes me laugh, it says "How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being"

   

 This is one of her cats.

" He who accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it"  "I have a dream that for little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judges by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."  "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"  MLK, Jr.

"But hold on to what you believe ... in the light ... when the darkness has robbed you of all your sight"

"I know my call despite my faults and despite my growing fears"

  

"Tonight I'm going to bury that horse in the ground"

  

I thought this one was an octopus at first, teehee.  But it's a mouth with words coming out of it.

"There's nothing else we can do.  We have to speak about the things we've seen and heard"

  

  "For we can not but speak the things from which we have seen and heard"  Acts 4:20

This is a series of 3 long canvases.  Across the bottoms of the dresses "I'm tired of striving to be, who You already say that I am.  I am Yours"  "All I know is beautiful in me is You.  Every good thing, every true thing.  Beautiful in me is You".  It's so wonderful and encouraging  to know there are young adults out there who are not consumed with this world, and desire to serve God.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

If I do not love, I am nothing.  1Cor 13 1-3

Not just your art, but your life and who you are is an inspiration to me my sweet girl!

Live, laugh, love!  Mom

Artistic Outpost - "Bird's of a Feather"

Another quick shabby card.  I used Artistic Outpost for this one.  I realized I had a couple of their stamp sets, but not used them yet.  Shame on me!   This one is quick and easy to create because I  stamped in solid color, trimmed, and layered all the elements. The doily was cut from white tissue paper and sprayed with ink.  

Have a blessed day!

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Project Details

Stamps : Artistic Outpost  "Birds of a Feather"
Patterned Paper : My Mind's Eye 6 x 6 paper pad

Ink : Tusineko Pearlescent Brown

Ribbon : Offray

Cheery Lynn Designs French Pastry Doily

Tissue paper

Spray Ink : RIT Petal Pink

Deckled Scissors : Fiskars

Trim patterned paper 5" x 5".  Cut doily with die and tissue paper.  Spray doily with ink and after dry, adhere to patterned paper panel.  Wrap with pik ribbon and tie a bow.  Adhere to pink cardstock, and trim around edges with deckled scissors.  STamp images, trim and adhere to card front.

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Challenges

Artistic Outpost - anything goes using their images
Fashionables Stamping Challenge (sun) - summer icecream colors (vanilla and strawberry)
That Craft Place (sun) - vintage (vintage images)
The Crafty Pad (sun) - use a die (doily die)
Cheery Lynn Dies (mon) - doily
Tuseday Throwdown (tue) - square card
Creative Card Crew (tue) - music paper
Little Miss Muffet (thur) - pink

Gina K. Designs - "Stars" with gesso

For this ensemble, I decided to focus on CAS and gesso.  The stamp set is "Stars" by GinaK Designs.  Isn't that star border die so cute!!  It's by Sweet n' Sassy.  It comes as a combo with a heart one as well.  

The large star is from a stencil.

thanks for stopping by!
Melisa

You can check out all of my Gina K. Designs Projects HERE.

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Project Details

Card #1

Rock Star - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

All Stamps : Gina K. Designs "Stars"
Kraft Paper : Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper : Cosmo Cricket 6 x 6 paper pad
Ink : Tsukineko Brilliance Red Rocket
Gesso
Star Stencil : Art Minds by Michaels

Dry brush on gesso where you want to stamp sentiment.  Trace large star on patterned paper with a stencil, trim, and adhere to card front.   Stamp stars, trim, and adhere to card front.  Stamp sentiment.

Card #1

Card #2

God's Promises - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

All Stamps : Gina K. Designs "Stars"

Kraft Paper : Papertrey Ink

Ink : Tsukineko Brilliance Red Rocket

Gesso

Star / Scallop die : Sweet n' Sassy

Dry brush on gesso where you want to stamp sentiment.  Cut star / scallop borderwith die and adhere to card front.  Stamp stars, trim, and adhere to card front.  Stamp sentiment.


Card #3

Good Friends - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

All Stamps : Gina K. Designs "Stars"

Kraft Paper : Papertrey Ink

Ink : Tsukineko Brilliance Red Rocket

Gesso

Star die : Sweet n' Sassy

Dry brush on gesso where you want to stamp sentiment.  Cut star / scallop border with die and adhere to card front.  Stamp stars, trim, and adhere to card front.  Stamp sentiment.

Pink Persimmon Ensemble!

Good morning card makers.  Today I'm sharing a Pink Persimmon ensemble that is easy to create because it's mostly solid stamping!  So you can whip these out in no time at all.  The part that takes the longest is that little tissue paper ruffle I added, but so worth it if you like that vintage look.  LOVE this tissue paper by  Pink Paislee!!  If you don't want to take the time to create a ruffle (it is a little messy because you get glue all over your fingers), then use a border punch.

Also note that all of the image panels are ATC size!

On the first card, I'm featuring "Scottie Dog".  This set comes with different options for his coat and collar as well as 4 different scottie dog images.  You can check out another card I created using this little guy HERE.   At the bottom of this post HERE.  And 2 ATC's using this little guy HERE.



This card features "Flower Garden".  You can check out another card using "Flower Garden" HERE.  The sentiment is from "Vintage Greetings"




Remember the ATC I posted on Thur??  Well here is what it looks like on a card !  I LOVE this "Small Banner Set".  It has several pattern options that you can choose from for the fla0066gs, or you can just go with a solid color and add some letters.  

You can view another card using "Singing Birds"  HERE.  I also created a couple of ATC's last year using "Singing Birds" HERE.
You can view a layout using "Small Banner"  HERE.

I'm linking this one up to Word Art Wednesday this week, not because I used the word art (you do not have  to), but because my little birdies are singing, almost appearing as if they are shouting joyfully.   If you get a minute, hop over and read about "The Meaning of Joy".

Check out Pink Persimmon stamps HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Melisa

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Project Details 

Card #1

Happy Birthday - 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”

All Stamps : Pink Persimmon "Scottie Dog "  and the solid circle is from "Flower Garden"
Check out Pink Persimmon stamps HERE.

Patterned Paper : Basic Grey  6 x 6 “Basic’s White” paper pad

Tissue Paper : Pink Paislee

Ink :  Palette Orangerie, Chartreuse,  and Claret

Embossing Folder : Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots”

Emboss card front.  Trim cardstock 2 ½” x 3 ½”.  Trim patterned paper slightly smaller.  Stamp images.  Adhere panel to cardstock.  Ruffle tissue paper and adhere to back of panel with a line of Tacky White Glue (Aleene’s).  Adhere panel to card front with adhesive pop dots.

Card #2

Thank You - 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”

All Stamps : Pink Persimmon "Flower Garden"
Check out Pink Persimmon stamps HERE.

Patterned Paper : Basic Grey  6 x 6 “Basic’s White” paper pad

Tissue Paper : Pink Paislee

Copic Markers

Embossing Folder : Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots”

Emboss card front.  Trim cardstock 2 ½” x 3 ½”.  Trim patterned paper slightly smaller.  Stamp images.  Color images with markers.  Stamp sentiment.  Embellish with buttons.  Adhere panel to cardstock.  Ruffle tissue paper and adhere to back of panel with a line of Tacky White Glue (Aleene’s).  Adhere panel to card front with adhesive pop dots.

Card #3

Tweet Tweet - 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”

All Stamps : Pink Persimmon "Small Banner Set" and "Singing Birds"
Check out Pink Persimmon stamps HERE.

Patterned Paper : Basic Grey  6 x 6 “Basic’s White” paper pad

Tissue Paper : Pink Paislee

Ink :  Palette Orangerie, Chartreuse,  and Claret

Copic Markers

Embossing Folder : Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots”

Emboss card front.  Trim cardstock 2 ½” x 3 ½”.  Trim patterned paper slightly smaller.  Stamp banner images, trim, polk holes in corners, and string.  Layout banner and then stamp birds / sentiment.  Color birds and then adhere banner to panel.  Adhere panel to cardstock.  Ruffle tissue paper and adhere to back of panel with a line of Tacky White Glue (Aleene’s).  Adhere panel to card front with adhesive pop dots.

B-Line Designs - Gettin' Shabby!

I ADORE B-Line Designs stamps.  They are some of the most wonderful vintage stamps I have ever seen!  Unfortunately they do not have an online store, so you have to find somewhere that sells them online, or get your local store to order them.  I think she attends stamp shows as well.  The only online store I"m aware of that sells them is StampDiva.com.  If you know of somewhere, let me know.  My local store is 50 min. away so ordering more from them would be a little out of my way.  Luckily I have a stash of them.  A stamp store in Jacksonville, FL carries them so when we lived there I purchased a few.

The dog / sentiment above and bears / sentiment below are available on page 5 of their "Pick Me Up" catalog (just in case you want to get them ordered in)

You can view all of their catalogs at their web site HERE.  They are a little slow to download, but worth the wait.

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Challenges

CARD #1
Little Red Wagon (wed) - animals
Stampavie (wed) - button and bow
Stampin' for the Weekend  (fri) - monochromatic

Shabby Tearoom (mon) - photo inspiration




CARD #2
Mad for Markers (monthly) - anything goes
Charisma Cards (thur) - monochromatic
Sugar Creek Hollow (sat) - family (bear family)
A Gem of a Challenge (sat) - animals or teddy bears


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Project Details

Card #1
Stamps : B-Line Designs
"Bingo Card"  found in the "Tattered Damask" catalog page 6
"Rover" (dog) and "Rough Quartet" (sentiment) both are found in the "Pick Me Up" catalog page 5
1t includes 4 sentiments you can use with the "Rover" image 

Patterned Paper : My Mind's Eye 6 x 6 paper pad

Ink : Tusineko Pearlescent Brown

Ribbon : Offray

Cheery Lynn Designs French Pastry Doily

Tissue paper

Spray Ink : RIT Petal Pink

Deckled Scissors : Fiskars

Trim patterned paper 5" x 5".  Cut doily using die and tissue paper.  Spray doily with ink and after dry, adhere to patterned paper panel.  Adhere to pink cardstock and trim around edges with deckled scissors.  Stamp images and trim.  Wrap Bingo card with ribbon, tie bow, and adhere to card front.  Trim paper around sentiment creating a flag.  Adhere to card front and then attach button.  Adhere dog image.

Card #2
"Life is Bear-able" (sentiment stamp) : B-Line Designs
Teddy bear family digi image  :   McMahon Designs  B-Line Designs sells a stamp that is almost identical called "Bear Family"
Both are found in the "Pick Me Up" catalog page 5

Sweet n' Sassy's "Flowers in Bloom"

Good morning stampers!  Today I am sharing a card I created using the Sweet n' Sassy sketch challenge over at The Sweet Stop.  It was just posted saturday, so you have plenty of time to play along.  I used Sweet n' Sassy's "Flowers in Bloom" for this one.

I used "Flowers in Bloom", my Neocolor watercolor crayons, and my Niji Waterbrush (Joann's Crafts).

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

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Challenges

The Sweet Stop  (sat) - sketch plus a diecut or punch

Word Art Wednesday  (wed)  - "Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love"  Mother Teresa.   When I read this, I thought of friendship and the joy that it brings to our lives.  So this stamp set seemed perfect for this challenge.

Corrosive (sun) - cute image and a button

Crafty Creations (wed) - color challenge - yellow, blue, and green

Creative Belli (wed)- winged things - use something old and forgotten -  I used really old DP for the yellow patterned paper panel, an old button and lace from my stash.

Whoopsi Daisy (mon) - Include a sentiment

The Crazy Challenge (mon) - anything goes

Mixed Media : Creative Dreams Art Journal Cover

Hello mixed media lovers.  Today I'm sharing the cover of my "Creative Dreams" art journal.  I've shared some of the pages from inside it in the past.   I finally finished the cover.  I'm really into these colors right now.  These are the colors I"m using  to decorate my studio right now and this book is sitting up on one of the shelves.

You can view all my mixed media journal pages HERE.  I have more pages started, just need to finish them up and will share later.

I started by covering the outside of the book with gesso.  The background was created by adding paint (aqua and green) and gesso til I got a distressed look that I liked.  

I LOVE using tissue paper in my art work.  I used some green polka dot tissue paper by Pink Paislee across the bottom.  I used yellow and pink tissue paper but didn't have any orange, so I sprayed white tissue paper.    I cut strips of each color, then rolled them horizontally, and then twisted each strip.  Then I used white glue and wrapped the twisted strips into circles to create the flowers. 

The stems and leaves were hand cut from green patterned paper.    I used a Sketch and Wash pencil to distress / add shading around outside edges of leaves, stems and some of the flowers.   I used a oil pastel crayons by Crayola.  I use the really cheap ones,  from Hobby Lobby, and I have a 24 ct Portfolio set as well.  They run about $10 and I ordered mine online from Amazon.  I used them to add shading to the leaves and on the background around the flowers.  You have to do your doodling (Pilot G-2 07 - Walmart) before using the oil pastels.  

"Creative" - I used a stencil
"Dreams" - rub-ons
"Dream Big"  - hand written, inspired by a doodling online class I took from Stephanie Ackerman

Inside pages
I adhere 4 or more pages together with gesso.  Then gesso all the pages and inside cover front and back.
The gesso is wet so the pages warp a little, but it's an altered journal, and I thing that just gives it character.

Some of the pages peel apart a little using the gesso to adhere them together.  Again, I like that look, so I don't worry about it.  

I have also started another one by altering a calender book.  I will share that one in the future as well.





I want to tell you about a new (looks like it started up in April)  blogozine I found that has lots of Mixed Media / Altered type projects and posts with technique tutorials.  Looks like they are hosting 2 challenges a month.  You can find them by clicking on the RAQ 1 and RAQ 2 tabs along the top of the blog.  And if you like to right "articles", then it looks like they have calls as well.  You can find out more about becoming a contributor to their blogozine HERE.  I love monthly challenges because it gives me lots of time to plan.  I'm off to work on my scrapbook project for RAQ 2 !!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Melisa


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Fabulous Mixed Media Classes I have taken

Christy Tomlison - She Art 44.95
She Art 2  $44.99
Your Living Canvas $109  (purchased this one, but haven't had time to watch it yet)
Junelle Jacobson - The Art of Wild Abondonment  $44.99
Roben-Marie Smith - Art Journal Conversion $24.99
Stephanie Ackerman - Doodle, Too!  $35
Sue Pelletier - Burlap and Paper Clay $35

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Challenges

4 Crafty Chicks (thur) - circles

Paperplay (thur) - recycle (I used and old book to create my altered journal)

Wags and Whiskars (fri) - favorite color combo (this is my favorite color combo right now.  I'm actually creating an entire shelf of altered items for a shelf in my studio using these colors!)

2 Sisters (sat) -  In the Garden

Unruly Paper Arts (monthly) - Dear Diary (this is the cover of an Altered Joural)

Catered Crop (sun) - distressed ( I used ink, paint, and a Sketch and Wash pencil to achieve my distressed look on the cover of this altered journal / book)