One Word - Change

Happy New Year! My word for 2016 is Change.  Looking for new changes in my health since the last year has been difficult and possible new job.  I can also say change in my art.  The background for this journal page was created with acrylic paint, sprays, modeling paste, stamps and lettering.

Challenge: Stencil It

Blossom Your Creativity

I have created a step-by-step mixed media journal page over on the Imagine Crafts blog.  This page used the 'Salted Background' technique. I loved how this page took shape.

Directions:
1. Start by drawing the flower and swirl layout on your journal page in pencil. Tip: print and trace a coloring page or clip art from the web.

2. On a Craft Mat, dilute StazOn Studio Glaze in the following colors; Cactus Green, Gothic Purple and Orange Zest with water. This creates a watercolor consistency with the StazOn Studio Glaze. Then apply the diluted StazOn Studio Glaze as indicated in the layout.
3. While the page is wet sprinkle the journal page with a small amount of table salt (coarse or kosher salt works best, but regular table salt will do just fine) then spritz again with water. The colors may blend some.
4. Allow the background to set, either by air drying or by using a heat tool. After the journal page dry, wipe off the remaining salt crystals. Notice how the salt creates an mottled background effect.
5. Use a palette knife and diamond shape stencil with Creative Medium Iridescent Blue in the upper left and lower right corners. Make sure to not cover your image.
6. Trace your swirls with Teal Zeal Pico Embellisher. Next fill in the flower with the Pico Embellisher in Morocco. Add a small dot of Teal Zeal at the flower points. Let dry.
7. Use Cactus Green StazOn Studio Glaze on the leaves creating a chevron effect. Let dry.
8. Next let’s add more details to the fern swirls by adding dots with Gothic Purple StazOn Studio Glaze. Then use Wedding Dress Pico Embellisher for the oblong dots and the center of the flower petals.
9. Trace the flower and fern swirls with a black Sharpie. Color the center of the flower with colored with Gothic Purple StazOn Studio Glaze.
10. Create an impressionist bee with Teal Zeal Pico Embellisher. Let dry. For the bee’s eyes use the Wedding Dress Pico Embellisher. Let dry.
11. I added yellow and blue acrylic paint to the bees wing. Stamp the center of the wing using a crackle stamp with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Add the sentiment with a black Sharpie.
12. Shade the journal edges with a Black Pitt pen. Shading the edge brings your focus back to the flower and ferns. Then add finishing touches by adding dots around the journal page with Wedding Dress Pico Embellisher

Live Life Everyday

Creating with paint, rub ons, ink and paper makes me happy! I created this journal page for the Mixed Media monthly challenge. The prompt this month is 'Time Flies.'

I started this background with acrylic paints in a rainbow of colors. I drew in some shapes to added intrest. Added rub on numbers to reflect the prompt of time. I stamped and embossed the stamp image with black embossing powder. 

Make Art Everyday

When it comes to art; what brings you motivation for 2016? For me it is creating more art in the new year. This journal page has several three dimensional elements created out of paper and ink. 

Check out the step-by-step tutorial over at the Imaginecrafts blog.

Challenges: Crafty Creations Challenge - Anything Goes (Wed)

 Crafty Gals Corner Challenges - Anything Goes (01/05)

Little Red Wagon - Happy New Year (Wed)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Party 

With Deepest Sympathy

This card was created using the color scheme  black, grey, white and silver. 

I used a Penny Black stamped for the background which was embossed with silver. The black banner sentiment was embossed and embellished with silver twine. I used the same silver twine on the center of the butterfly. 

Peace On Earth

Today's post is a mixed media journal page created with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge. This month's prompt is silver and gold. 

My masterpiece is below.

This page has so much glitz from the gold and silver embossing powder. The Christmas tree was cut from old dictionary paper then embossed in silver. I added another layer of ultra thick embossing powder. 

This background was created by adding Elmer's glue with a platte knife. Let dry. Then drag the journal page with Delicate Gold Glitz, let dry. Finish up with Delicate Silvery Shimmer pigment ink. These inks can be purchased at Imagine Crafts. Many step-by- step projects on their blog for inspiration. 

Next I emossed a tree stamp from Penny Black in silver. I love how this adds another layer.

To represent  Christmas decorations I added sequins in silver and gold to reflect the Christmas balls and gold twine for the garland. The title alphabets were embossed with gold embossing powder. 

Challenges: A Snowflakes Promise - Christmas/Winter ( Tues), Holly Jolly Christmas - (Dec), Through the Craftroom Door (Tues)

Nordic Noel Christmas Tags

Today I have some cute Christmas tags to share with you. These were made from my stash I had purchased after the holiday last year.

This tag was created with the silver theme in mind. The wreath was created out of silver tinsel. The tag base measures 2 1/2 × 3 1/4 inches. The decorative paper strips measure 3/4" wide. I used Stamping Up Nordic Noel DSP and cut out the flags and house. I love how the strip are cut to be beyond the base tag. Stamped and embossed the Merry Christmas tag in white embossing powder.

This tag has a gold theme with the gold wreath, glittery gingerbread and highlighted with gold Stickles.

Challenges: Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper (Dec), Cards Galore Challenges - Anything Goes (Dec), Crafting Musketeers - Use a Sentiment (Dec)

Fat & Jolly

Who would of thought, you could use inexpensive gloves to create cute hats for snowman treats. Stamp and emboss the sentiment with black embossing powder. The message is perfect for this treat gift. It says, "It's that time of year when it's good to be Fat and Jolly.' 

Cut off the fingers of the glove to make the snowman's hat. Stamp the snowman face onto plain white address labels. Wrap the label around the nugget. Embossed white cardstock with silver embossing powder and used a star punch. Attached the star with a glue gun. Make sure to attach the star to the hat and not the chocolate nugget

Challenges I participated in: A Gem of A Challenge - #159 Anything Christmas, Crafting with Dragonflies - Anything Christmas, Outlawz Challenges - Anything Goes, Sweet Stampin Challenge - Snow Time.