Altered Art Journal Cover

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a new challenge project for Bad Girls Couture. The challenge is to use Wendy La Croix gesso and Prima -Finnabair -Art Alchemy - Metallic Wax - Old Silver. The gesso goes on really smooth, and covers well. I bought this little book about ten years ago at a garage sale, and thought, oh how cool, my metallic ink pens will show up so well on this colored paper. It turned out they didn't look " all that," but the book was too cute to throw out. How terrific that it finally has found it's purpose. The size was just right for the wonderful Prima Shabby Chic Treasures Baroque Frame.

To alter this I sponged gesso on the cover, used a piece of 7 Gypsies Paper I'd cut to fit,and glued it on the frame. I put a piece of cheesecloth under the frame for more texture. I applied lace, Prima Bohemian Crystal Chain Pack pieces, a Prima flower, and pearls. 

I used Prima Metallique Wax, and also some blue and gold metallic paint to cover the frame and cover.

To make the details on the cover stand out, I mixed black acrylic paint and water, applied it on the frame with a brush in small areas, dabbed it off with a paper towel, and applied more silver wax and metallic paint. What wasn't dabbed off stayed in the crevices. I took a black water color pencil and drew around the image.

I glued on micro beads and metal glitter too.

Thanks for looking, and have a great week!

Father and Son

Hi everyone! Melissa here with my entry page for the More Than Words June Main Challenge,FATHER & STEAMPUNK.  My husband is an amazing father to our son, and that is how this months word inspired me. For the steampunk challenge, I used clocks, gears, and wings.

To make this page I painted chipboard with gesso, then Finnabair Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint Metallique Steampunk Copper. 

I added a variety of things for more visual interest, Ranger Embossing Antiquities Verdigris,microbeads, dark gold metal glitter, Finnabairs Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint Metallique Light Patina, Vintaj Paint in verdigris, seed beads, gilding flakes, Tattered Angels Rich in Mocha Glimmer mist, and Firefly gold acrylic stencil paint.

I cropped the photo and put some black ribbon on the top and bottom to make it fit. I glued everything onto 7 Gypsies Paper Maritime Collection: Sirene, and outlined it with a black Faber Castell gelato mixed with water. I painted with DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Brilliant Turquoise, glued on dry gold embossing powder, seed beads, and mica flakes.

The metal heart is from 7 Gypsies.

Thank you so much for looking,and have a great week!

Entered into the following contest:

A Vintage Card

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a design team project for June's Mixed Media Warrior moodboard. I was inspired by the soft pastel colors. I really like vintage photos, so I included one.  

To make this card I used watercolor paper and added layers of items. The bottom is ribbon type mesh material, I painted it white with gesso, because it was yellow. The lace with the black printing on it is from Hobby Lobby. I applied some gauze for extra texture. I have a die cut doily on the bottom, followed by a piece of chipboard from Blue Fern, and the pointy ones at the top and bottom are Dusty Attic. The little pieces right under the lace are Scrapiniec.  The pink ones under the butterfly wings are Tim Holtz that I painted with gesso, Finnabairs Art Alchemy Opal Magic in Aqua Rose, then Ranger clear crackle. The blue green butterfly wings are Tim Holtz die cuts that I made 24 of last year with mica powder and things. The other die cuts are from Spellbinder's, Gold Corbels and Accents.  I put on a thin layer of LSS Rambling Rose on the card, and a little green that is a mix of LSS Bells of Ireland Green, and Mission Bells Brown. 

The white lace with sequins is from Hobby Lobby. The tiny sequins are from some Easter decor I have, little eggs that were covered in them.   The safety pin is from 7 Gypsies, the ribbon through it is silk from my LSS. The flowers are from 49 and Market. The tag and sticker are from 7 Dots.

Thank you so much for looking, and have a great week!