Explore

Hi everyone! Melissa here with my entry for the More Than Words July 2017 Main Challenge, EXPLORE & ARROWS. 

I want to EXPLORE different techniques in order to better my craft. I have used five chipboard ARROWS to show that I am looking all over for inspiration. 

To make this art journal page I cut a piece of canvas to fit on the watercolor paper of the art journal.

1. Paint page with white gesso

2. Use a stencil and apply Prima Clear Crackle

3. Glue main elements on with Glossy Accents,put a coat of white gesso over everything.

4.Spray with Tattered Angels, Rich Cocoa

5. Spray with Dylusion mists in Turquoise and Purple

6.. Layer on Blue Tattered Angels mist, then layers of Prima waxes. I used mainly Mystic Turquoise. Also included are layers of Prima Alchemy paint in Steampunk Copper. gold mica powder, watered down black gesso, Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils,and turquoise liquid pearls. 

7. Add more texture with Distress Glitter and micro beads.

The chipboard arrows are Tim Holtz, the swirly ones were in my stash. The butterflies and birds are metal, from Martha Stewart. The little paintbrush and pen nib are Ken Oliver. The lace is by Tresors de Luxe. The flowers are from Recollections. The hummingbird on top of the flowers is by Paper House. The metal wings are mini Christmas decor from Hobby Lobby. The gears are Tim Holtz. I also have used shells and glass pebbles. I put the ballerina to symbolize how free doing this project made me feel, and how much fun I had!

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

Mixed Media in Green

1. Hi everyone! This is my entry for the June 7 Dots Challenge about daily routines. One of mine is cleaning and filling the birdbath in my backyard. It's really hot here in Houston in the summer, and sometimes I have to fill it twice a day. Watching the birds splash around like crazy is very heartwarming.  Two of my neighbors have fig trees, and the birds love the fruit. There's been nests and lots of babies, and beautiful songs from the mockingbirds.I also see cardinals, blue jays, and finches.  The squirrels and lizards drink from it too. Sometimes the birds leave a tiny feather or two floating on the surface of the water. I look at them as a prize, and save them all. 

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I have used 7 Dots Paper from the Writer's Block Collection.

This is an 8 x 10 canvas with paper cut to size to fit. I applied gesso to the center area of the paper, so the paint I put didn't soak in.  Using a Prima stencil, I applied chalk ink by Tsukineko, then Prima Clear Crackle Texture Paste.

I glued on the elements,painted them all with gesso, and sprayed on Tattered Angels in Brown. I painted on Shimmers Watercolors in green.  I applied gold paint by Momenta, Steampunk Copper by Finnabair, and the turquoise is Liquid Pearls.  The brown you see around the bird and in other areas is loose embossing powder I poured on top of some smeared on Glossy Accents.

To create more visual interest I glued on lots of things including: metal wings by Tim Holtz,white bridal lace from Hobby Lobby, flowers from 49 and Market, turquoise metal glitter, green microbeads, and chain.  The little metal butterflies and bird are from Martha Stewart. The chipboard bird is from my stash. You can barely see them but I made a circle of  four leaf die cuts.  I added a lot of Distress ink in Walnut Stain by Tim Holtz to add definition to the details. 

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!

Girl on a Flower

Hi everyone Melissa here with my entry for the June Color Challenge at Lindy's Stamp Gang. I used Tibetan Poppy Teal from Autumn Leaves,  and Opal Sea Oats from Mermaid Seashells.

This is a card I made from watercolor paper and die cuts.

Thanks for looking, and have a great week!

Dreamer and Doer

Hi everyone, Melissa here with my entry for the 7 Dots Studio May Challenge: Dreams

I feel as if I'm living a dream to have the time I need to work on my pages and cards. I love to create things, and for me it can be a long process.  Here you see a photo of Evelyn Nesbit, a stage actress  from the early 1900's.  

I've used 7 Dots papers,tags, and stickers mostly from Writer's Block, and some from Fortune Teller. The flowers are Prima, the butterflies are Sizzix that I colored with mica powders.

I used Lindy's and Prima Alchemy for paint. I glued some gauze down on top of the lace for extra texture.

The lace is from Tresors de Luxe. The tiny metal paintbrushes and pen nibs are from Ken Oliver.+

Thank you so much for looking!

Entered in the following contest:

7 Dots Studio May Challenge: Dreams

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: