See Beauty Everywhere

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a dt page for the March moodboard at Mixed Media Warriors.

I was inspired by the almost summery feel of the photos.

To make this page I took a piece of Blue Fern paper and glued it onto a piece of cardboard,so that it would be free standing when I took photos, and also to help prevent warping. I painted it with mat medium so the paper didn't soak up the paint. I applied a thick layer of texture paste using a TCW stencil, with a credit card. Starting from the top layer I have the photo, cardstock, foam core board, watercolor paper, and two more layers of foam board. 

I dyed a piece of gauze an inch bigger than the photo with Shimmerz paints and Distress ink. I cut a hole in the middle of the gauze and worked it around the photo.  

I painted the Dusty Attic and 2 Crafty chipboard with Steampunk Copper by Finnabair, then topped it with Rock Candy Crackle.

The background is painted with mostly Shimmerz paints, in greens and purples. The very pale pink on the watercolor paper behind the photo is called Dear John Letter. 

The flowers are Prima and 49 and Market. The metal leaf is Vintaj. The fussy cut pieces are Graphic 45. The little white butterflies at the top of the photo are from Pion.

I painted on colors, and when I was done, I sponged on gesso to create more negative space,because the page was looking too busy. I took a dry paint brush and put small amounts of gesso on and brushed it over different raised areas, to create more contrast and add some light.

The title sticker is from 7 Dots. I added broken jewelry, a charm, rhinestones, pearls,lace, and more.

The metal round piece at is from Tim Holtz.

The purple flatback crystals are Swarovski, the brad is Tim Holtz. There's some gold leaf, and small pieces of metallic Tresors de Luxe lace. The metal at the left hand corner of the photo is from Finnabair. I also added tulle, metal glitter, distress glitter, micro beads, seed beads, Tim Holtz gold rub ons, a 7 Dots title sticker, dried flowers, sequins, strings from the gauze, and tiny rhinestones. I used a Prima stamp and did a few random areas with black ink.

The very pale pink to the left of the photo is Dear John Letter Inklingz, a very smooth,creamy, shimmery watercolor paint. I love that color! The brown on the page is Winsor and Newton watercolor.

Thank you so much for looking, and have a great week! I hope you are inspired to make an entry to the March challenge!

Winter is Coming

Hi everyone! Melissa here with an inspiration page for Mixed Media Warriors. Everyone on the team does an extra page for the month, in addition to one for the mood board. We can do anything we want. I've had this photo for awhile, and I love the way it looks against the dark background of this paper, Frosty Morning, from the Until Dawn collection by 13 Arts. I bought a bunch of chipboard from Scrapbook Diaries at Christmas, I've used Dusty Attic, and also some from my stash. I like the idea of winter, and snow, but we have nice mild winters in Houston. When it gets below 40 degrees, that is already too cold for me. Don't visit in the summer, it stays a humid 95 degrees for about six months.

To make this page I applied the paper to cardboard using mod podge. I painted on matt medium. I  used double sided foam tape to put the photo onto a piece of cardstock, then watercolor paper,and finally, three layers of foam core board.  I had gauze I'd dyed with Lindy's from another project, took a piece bigger than the pic, and cut a cross shape in the middle. I fit it around the pic and glued it with glossy accents. 

I applied texture paste using a Daisy stencil from 13 Arts. You can't really see it, I painted the raised areas black on the black parts of the page.I didn't plan on applying a lot of stuff, because I thought even just the photo and the paper was enough. I wound up putting a lot on the background, but I tried to keep it wispy looking.

I treated the Finnabair metal butterfly and all the chipboard with Patina Effect Paste. I added clear rock candy crackle to the board,and brushed on a little Shimmerz, then Magic Pond Art Alchemy.

To add visual interest I glued on micro beads, seed beads, dried flowers from both my yard and dog park. Sequins, pearls, crystals, feathers the birds leave in our bird bath, lichen from my yard,mica flakes, tulle, cut up pieces of gold metallic tresors de Luxe lace, metal glitter, rhinestones, and big glass pebbles. You can't really see the pebbles, they're underneath chipboard and other things. 

There's a couple Tim Holtz snowflake rub ons, and I tried to put gold ones at the bottom but I guess because of the matt medium, it didn't work, I wound up with gold smudges.

The flowers at the left of the pic are from Prima.

The metal feathers are from Hobby Lobby, I used the Patina Effect on them too.

I used glossy accents to apply everything.

The elvish girl has a leaf as a headdress, and I wanted to carry out the in the woods theme. That's why I put all the dried flowers on I guess.

The metal snowflake at the top of the pic is from Finnabair.

I added the copper paint to the watercolor paper.

The little pendant is from Hobby Lobby.

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

Moon Beams and Heart Strings

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a page for the February Mood Board at Mixed Media Warriors.I was inspired by the heart shaped wreath of flowers, which can be a symbol for romance.  

To make this page I used Cold Day paper from the "Until Dawn" collection at 13 Arts. I applied gesso with a cosmetic sponge, then used the Dandelion stencil from 13 Arts and put on texture paste with a credit card. I painted over the raised area with a combination of Shimmerz Inklingz paints that matched the peach tones in the image: A Rose by Any Other Name, Dear John Letter, and Ginger Snapped. I painted the watercolor paper under the image with the same combination of colors, but later put more paint on.Underneath the paper and image are two layers of foam core board, to add dimension.  

The clockface chipboard is from my stash, and the leafy ones are Dusty Attic. I painted the leaves and branches with Greener Pastures Inklingz, then while still wet dropped in blobs of Shimmerz Celery with a paintbrush. I loved the way it looked, but I still wanted Clear Rock Candy Crackle paint on top. I added gold mica powder, Fairy Wings Sparks Art Alchemy paint, and Sparks Iris Potion. To add visual interest I added a number of things: microbeads, rhinestones, sequins, distress glitter, a few Swarovski crystals, Prima - Finnabair Mechanical Trinkets,metal glitter in purple,silver, and  steel blue, pearls, Frosted mica flakes from Finnabair, and gold ones from Stampendous. 

You can see some green gauze around the image I dyed with a distress ink stamper, and cherubs fussy cut from Graphic 45 paper. The butterflies are from Lemoncraft's Violet Silence collection. The flowers are Prima,Petaloo, the tiny pink ones by the cherubs are Jolees, and the two tiny roses are Kaisercraft.  

I glued on pieces of white silk ribbon from my LSS that I dyed with Tim Holtz distress ink and Shimmerz celery paint.  

The moth at the bottom of the image is cut from transparent foil, what to me is an acetate overlay, "A Letter to you", Until Dawn, by 13 Arts.  The moon beams and heart strings sticker is from 7 Dots Fortune Teller. The tiny twisted metal is from the top of a champagne bottle, the metal that you take off before you take the cork out.

The butterfly to the left of the image is also by 13 Arts, it's cut from A4 Stickers, Until Dawn. 

You an see I added dried flowers from my yard, feathers the birds leave in the bird bath, dried moss from Michael's, and lichen from my yard. 

I added distress glitter,purple metal glitter, micro beads, and Sparks paint in Iris and Fairy Wings to the paper under the image. The green paint is Fairy Wings at the left of the image.

I painted on some Sparks Magical Pond in the above picture kind of randomly.

I added tiny pieces of gold metallic lace, black tulle, seed beads, and fresh lavender. The big pink gem is from Jolees.The little metal heart I think is from 7 Gypsies.

Thank you so much for looking, and have a great week!I hope you find some time to enter this month's contest!

Mermaid Card

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a design team project for the Mixed Media Warriors Challenge Blog.

To make this 7 x 6 "card I took watercolor paper and glued on a piece of textured ribbon that looks a little like seaweed. I painted gesso over it, and put on the rest of the embellies. The flowers are from Prima. I gessoed and painted the chipboard with Tibetan Poppy Teal by Lindy's, and Tattered Angels Rich Mocha. I layered on a thick coat of Rock Candy Crackle, and let it dry overnight. I fussy cut the mermaid from paper by Kaisercraft.

To add visual interest I added a little texture paste, sequins, rhinestones, shells, metal,bling, metal glitter, micro beads,white embossing powder,wire, and ribbon.

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

Mixed Media in Purple

Hi everyone, Melissa here with a design team project for the Mixed Media Warriors Challenge Blog!

To make this page I coated a page in my watercolor paper art journal with gesso, applied chalk ink with a stencil, then Prima Clear Crackle paste, glued on the elements, and applied layers of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Purple Rain, Rich Mocha, and Blue Rasberry,  Prima Art Alchemy paint in Steampunk Copper, Prima Opal Magic waxes in Green Brocade. Blue Velvet,and Prima wax in  Antique gold, gold Momenta stencil paint, and black gesso. I also used Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils in yellow, bark,leaf green, indigo blue,and Winton and Lewis watercolors in a mix of sap green and burnt umber. I rubbed on gold mica powder.

The lace strip across the center is from Le Tresors de Luxe, the flowers on it are from Prima.There are pieces of lace around the page, it's bridal lace from Hobby Lobby(HL) The chipboard is from my stash. The oval medallions are pewter from Vintaj, the big heart at the bottom is by Tim Holtz.  There a couple metal flowers from HL.The little birds and butterflies are metal from Martha Stewart. The little girl is by Tim Holtz. The crystals are Swarovski, I got a great deal on them at my local scrapbooking store. The green crystals in settings are from Hobby Lobby. There are some glass pebbles and marbles. 

You can see lots of metal glitter, and Ranger Distress glitter. I also used metal chain, lots of thread, a heart sticker, small lace four leaf flower pieces cut from some Le Tresors lace,and some very tiny flowers from my LSS. The word stickers are 7 Dots.

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

Mixed Media Heart Shaped Boxes

Hi everyone ! Melissa here, with a design team project for August's Mixed Media Warrior Moodboard.  I was inspired by the vintage theme photos, and have been wanting to put light colors on black gesso. 

To make this project I painted two Martha Stewart paper mache boxes with black gesso. I glued the big items down with glossy accents, the lace, keys, and glasss pebbles, copper birds and dragonflies. I started with Prima waxes by Finnabair, but layered on several kinds of paint: silver and gold acrylic stencil paint by Momenta, Prima Opal Magic Paints, purple and turquoise enamel paints by Posh, Tattered Angels Mist in brown, Winsor and Newton Prussian Blue, Lindy's Magical in Yellow Rose of Texas, and blue chalk ink by Tsukineko.  I outlined some items with black gesso.  To add visual interest I glued on copper embossing powder, micro beads,seed beads,chain, a few rhinestones, and glass glitter.  

The word stickers are from Tim Holtz. The safety pins are from 7 Gypsies. The mini bottle caps are from Hobby Lobby, the little photos in them are from some Susan Lenart Kazmer papers.

Thanks for looking, and have a great week!

Art Journal Cover

Hi everyone, Melissa here with a design team project for Mixed Media Warriors! 

To make this I cut a piece of Blue Fern paper to match the size of the cover. I inked the edges, stenciled on some ink and texture paste.  I glued on Dusty Attic chipboard, Tresors de Luxe lace, Petaloo flowers, shells, stickers,glass beads,bling, and metal pieces. I covered everything with gesso, then applied paint. I sprayed on Tattered Angels in brown and turquoise. I also used Prima waxes, Art Alchemy paints, Lindy's Stamp Gang, Shimmers, Liquid Pearls, Jaaquard Mica Powders, and gold stencil paint by Momenta.

Inspired by a youtube by Gabrielle Pollacco.

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

Summer Chill

Hi everyone, Melissa here with a design team project for July's Mixed Media Warrior Moodboard! I was inspired by the summer colors, and peacefully chill theme of the photos.

This is an 8 x 10 canvas that I prepped with gesso, then added layers of gauze,and a collection of seed beads and other textural things that I'd collected from my desk over time. Whenever I'm done with a project and there's leftover metal glitter and beads, I sweep it into little bags. This is the first time I've used one.   I sprayed and painted on layers of the following: turquoise by Tattered Angels, and then Tibetan Poppy Teal by Lindy's Stamp Gang. I applied green, blue, and purple from Shimmers Water Colors, the little bottles come with brushes in the lids, and are ready for use, but there's no names for the colors.

I topped the paint with layers of Finnabair's Waxes,and gold acrylic paint by Firefly. I bought the butterfly chipboard from Michaels several years ago. I painted it with gesso, then Art Alchemy Opal Magic pink blue by Prima, followed by a layer of Ranger Clear Rock Candy.  I let it dry overnight and added Tibetan Poppy Teal by LSG, a little purple from Shimmers, and some gold acrylic paint. 

The mermaid is an image I cut from a piece of 7 Gypsies Paper Maritime Collection: Sirene. I outlined her with glossy accents and sprinkled on blue glass glitter seed beads, and threads of gauze.

Other items I've added to the canvas include, charms,microbeads,pearls, and seed beads.

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

Another Vintage Card

Hi everyone, Melissa here with another design team project for Mixed Media Warriors.

I wanted to do a card with layers of chipboard and die cuts.

To make this I took a half sheet of 12 x 12 paper from Mind's Eye, Lost and Found, "Buddies", and applied some gesso with a cosmetic sponge.  I glued on burlap ribbon, script printed ribbon, and small pieces of lace, all from Hobby Lobby. I topped them with silk ribbon from my LSS. A layer of circle frame chipboard has five different die cuts on top of it: O'Holy Night by Die'Sire, Cherry Blossom by Darice, Mirror Mirror by Spellbinders, and Medium Punch- Branch by Martha Stewart. Underneath the flower by 49 and Market is a Sizzix butterfly die cut colored with mica powder.

 The heart chipboard is from Tim Holtz. I prepped it with gesso, then painted with Finnabair's Art Alchemy Opal Magic in Aqua Rose Opal Magic,topped with a layer of Rock Candy Clear Crackle. The small piece of chipboard behind the heart is from Scrapiniec.

The metal ring fastener is from Tim Holtz, as are the tiny chipboard stars.  The pink paint is Rambling Rose by LSG. The blue green is a mix of Windsor and Newton watercolors: Prussian Blue and Sap Green. The gold is a thick acrylic by Firefly. I used a Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencil in Bark in different areas.  

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