Heart Mixed Media Canvas

I finally completed my heart mixed media canvas I started several weeks ago.  I covered the canvas with various collaged papers.  I then covered the entire surface with gesso.  I randomly stenciled hearts using modeling paste over the entire canvas. I then covered the entire canvas and modeling paste hearts again with gesso.  I love Liquitex Acrylic Ink.  The vibrant colors are amazing.  It's permanent and doesn't smear.  I love rainbow colors.  I sprayed water over the entire canvas and added the acrylic ink.  I love the way the colors mixed with one another.  Once it was dry I used my pilot pen and outlined each heart.  I added pops of color using Portfolio Oil Pastels and highlighted each heart using gesso.

Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge-Recycle/Upcycle

It's Friday!  That must mean it's time for Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge.  This week we were challenged to Recycle/Upcycle.  Recently, I order some art supplies, and they came in this padded mailer envelope.  It was sitting on my desk, so I decided to turn it into a mini journal.   

I love taking something that most people would consider junk, and turn it into something fabulous.  I have been asked recently to make some journals for a couple charity benefit auctions.  I will probably use this as one of the items.  I love to use what I have at hand to create something.   I am really happy with the way it turned out.

I first began by covering both sides with gesso.  I then used various SEI TumbleDye Inks and Adirondack Spray inks in yellow, sunburst orange, terra cotta, lettuce, and bottle.  I stenciled various circles using the inks.  I also added hints of acrylic paint randomly in Golden Cobalt Teal and Golden Green Gold on both sides.  I softened the inks and paint with gesso.  I then stitched "messily" around both ends, and added detail on the top and bottom of the journal.  This gives it texture and softens the edges of the journal.  I stitched lace across the length of the journal.

Because the envelope is padded, it gave it a quilted appearance.  Which is kinda cool!  I then created my focal point.  I stitched a piece of inked muslin across the lace.  I then added a piece of cheescloth and black scrap fabric.

Several weeks ago, I had made several scrappy cards.  I made this flower out of lace scraps and the center is a rolled up old zipper.  I stitched that to the front.  I then cut out two leaves from my inked muslin, and stitched it to the front.

The inside pages of the journal are made of Canson Watercolor Paper and my inked up under paper.  Using an awl I poked three holes across the center of the journal.  I then used a bookbinding needle, black wax thread and stitched in the pages.

I added a tie closure using some scrap ribbon, stitching it to the front and back with my sewing machine.

I hope this inspires you to create your own recycle/upcycle project.  Go check out your junk mail, there are lots of treasures awaiting you!  Don't foget to link up your own project at Frosted Designs!

Blessings,
Michelle

On My Desk Today....



Currently working on some art journals covers.

Hope to get them bound this week.

Create something today!

Blessings,

Michelle

Things with Wings Fabulous Friday Challenge

Hello all!  Hope you have had a great week!  It feels like summer in March here in Illinois.  Strange weather!  It was the perfect weather to inspire this weeks Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge.  We were challenged to create a card, layout, or project using "Things With Wings". I chose to make a mini art journal.

I am currently taking Roben-Marie's Art Journal Conversion Workshop.  I love making small journals as gifts for people, and this workshop is perfect for that!  I have taken her other class, Mixed Media Mayhem.  She is always inspiring.  I decided to add a bird on my journal cover to incorporate this weeks "Things With Wings" challenge.  

Journal Cover

Journal text reads:  "Look at the birds of the air.  They don't plant or harvest or store away in barns for your heavenly Father feeds them.  And aren't you more valuable than they are."

The cover is made using Strathmore Visual Journal 9 x 12 paper. The inside papers are Strathmore Bristol Paper. I used the inked up under paper for the bird and one inside journal page. The journal measures 9 x 6 closed. 

Back Cover

Journal text on back reads:  "Don't worry about tomorrow, because today has enough worry of it's own."

I hope you will join us and create your own "Things With Wings"!

Blessings,

Michelle

Work in progress....

I'm working on creating some backgrounds to make some journals.  I love the inky painty mess!  Hope you have a great day!

Frosted Designs Kraft Paper Challenge

Happy Friday everyone!  This weeks challenge at Frosted Designs was so inspiring.  I have serious spring fever, so I decided to make a kite.  This past week my daughter had solo and ensemble contest.  She plays the cello, and has for seven years now.  She really is becoming quite the musician, and we are so proud of her.  She was my inspiration for this kite. 

Supplies:
wooden dowels
kraft paper roll
string
masking tape
gesso
Collage Pauge
Adirondack Spray Ink
Acrylic paint
Vintage sheet music
Black ink
Various paint brushes
Scrap Fabric for kite tail
Inkadinkado Blending Chalks
Caran 'd Ache Watercolor Crayons
Permaball Permanent Ink Pen
Portfolio Watersoluble Crayons
pencil

The word "Soar" immediately popped into my head when I was brainstorming my kite. 

First, I had my husband cut my wooden dowels, because his chop saw freaks me out!  I used this simple YouTube video to make my kite. Kite Instructions

Once I had the kite structure created the fun began.  I began by covering the entire front of the kite with gesso.  I then dry brushed teal blue, lime green, and hot pink acrylic paint.  I used a stencil and a Mini Mister with black permanent ink to spray random music notes over the entire kite.  I cut a dress out of vintage sheet music and used Collage Pauge to glue it onto the kite.  I added the face, arms and legs.  I mixed glazing medium with acrylic paint and painted the dress with lime green paint and allowed it to dry completely.  I then added another layer with glazing medium mixed with teal blue acrylic paint.  The glazing medium allows you to be able to see the notes on the sheet music.  Once it was dry, I painted the cello and added the details.  I used my watercolor crayons to add more color and depth to the cello and my girl.   I added makeup using Inkadinkado Blending chalks to my girl.  I used the Permaball Pen to outline some of the music notes, and added black watercolor crayon to make a few of the notes pop visually.  Using the side of the credit card I added random bits of teal blue paint over the entire kite. 



I hope that you will join us over at Frosted Designs for this weeks challenge! Kraft paper is so durable and very versatile. The possibilities are endless!

The Lord has blessed you with the gift of music, Maisie! Play on!  Soar!

Blessings,

Michelle

Frosted Designs Numbers Challenge

It's Friday!  You know what that means.... It's time for another Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs!  This weeks challenge was:  NUMBERS.  I decided to make some bookmarks for some special people. I was inspired by Jen Cushman's Article, A Chic Read, in November/December 2011 Studio Somerset.

I have had some Sari fabric lying around that I have been dying to use for something.  I knew it would be great.  I love Sari fabric.  I like the way it frays when you cut it.  It's just so pretty...frays and all!  I also used some scrap muslin. 

Supplies:

• Sari and Muslin Fabric strips
• Pliers
• Misc. wire
• Charms by Susan Lenart Kazmer-Industrial Chic
• Jump rings from an old necklace in my costume jewlery stash
• Old Keys
• Vintage Metal Numbers
• Crop-A-Dile (for punching holes in metal)

I took various strips and tied them together in a knot in a couple places.  I then added various keys and charms to the ends.  I took wire and wrapped it around the strips at the various links along the length of each bookmark. 

I hope this inspires you to use up some of your misc. items lying around your studio.  You can make some cool bookmarks to give away, or sell them pretty quickly!  

I hope you will play along with us at Frosted Designs!

Blessings,

Michelle