Mix-Ability Friday Challenges

I'm so excited to be a part of the Mix-Ability Friday challenges on Splitcoaststampers.com.  There's a new challenge posted each week and I've already worked on one.  If you want to join many others, click here...Not only can you communicate with other mixed media artists, but you can view (and add) projects for more inspiration.


I've decided to do these mix media challenges in my Art Journal, but I may use them for cards, scrapbook layouts or whatever...


Woo Hoo!

New Year...New Start

Happy New Year!  I finally got a chance to spend some time in the Command Center this morning (wait...I think it's afternoon now).  I helped my sister clear out her office and it got me thinking...I need to do some purging myself.  So last week, I went through boxes and stacks and started tossing.  I filled four garbage bags and had three medium size boxes of stuff to throw away or donate.  Believe me, to everyone else, the room looks the same, but I see the difference.  I decided to throw out many of the items I was going to upcycle.  I have way too many, "I can do something with this" items.  But I did keep some...I'm not crazy afterall.  I found this cardboard boxtop (for lack of a better word).  It's about 9x7.  So, that was what I used for the base of my first of the year mixed media project.  I always have to look at blogs, etc to get a little motivation and found some great tips on Pinterest.

First tip:  when using materials for your project, swipe the remaining product on a page on your art journal.  For instance, I stenciled an area on my main project and then turned the stencil around and swiped it on a journal page.  See photos:

Tip Two:  Use a cylinder item and spray glimmer mist, etc in the center for a solid circle.  See photo:

If you look above the cylinder to the right, you can see the solid green circle.

Ok...now to the details:
As anyone who has played with mixed media knows, it's about layers.  So, I started with adding random pieces of scrapbook paper I have in my scrap pile.  My pink scraps were getting pretty full so I decided to use pink.  There really is no other reason.

Then I put white paint over everything.  Once that dried, I started rubbing Walnut Ink over it, but then thought I didn't really like it so stopped.  If you  look really close, you can see that the while paint created a crackle finish which was very interesting!

I selected four colors from my stash of acrylic paints.  For no reason, I selected Lavender, Marine, King's Gold and Too Blue.  Then started using these four colors to add excitement to the base.

I used random materials that I store in a box marked "mixed media".  These items include some of the ones pictured above.  Like bubble wrap, stencils, cardboard, toilet tissue tube, sponges, sticks, old credit cards, stamps, thread, pens, negative alphabet sheets, and other found objects.    That's the fun part!  Plus if you don't like what you see, you just cover it and start over again.

The photo below shows the journal page I am making using the same products so not to waste materials and the  object on the right is the main project.

I bought a Prima doll stamp (I finally found one with curly hair!) over the holidays and dressed her up for this She Art.  Here's the final project.  I set out thinking I would make something for my daughter's friend who is leaving to go back to school but I always fall in love with my projects and of course want to keep it.  LOL

I love projects like this.  I do not spend any money and use items I already have.

You probably noticed I mentioned an Art Journal.  I'm been thinking about starting one for awhile, and so now I finally did.  The page is not complete since it needs some sort of focal point.  I may create the doll again or not.  I haven't decided yet.

So...there it is.  My first project for 2015!  How do you like it?

She Art Version II

Check out this canvas when I thought I was done with it back in April, 2014.  I entered this in the Art and Wine Galleria at that time.  Well I hung it up in our bedroom and kept thinking, I like it, but there just seems to be something missing.  So...I took it off the wall; brought it to the Command Center; and just had at it.

Here's the final take:

I plan on giving it to my friend, Nikyra for her birthday.  She's actually the person I was thinking of when I came up with the verse.  She is the most positive person I know.  Very inspiring!

The canvas is actually 16x20, but I had to take a picture of a picture since I deleted the photo of the actual canvas by mistake.  I love the updo...do you?

Merry Christmas and More

I just love Christmas especially when the decorations are up and the tiny sparkling lights are all lit up.  I usually like to add at least one handmade decoration each year.  Carly and I went to the thrift shop in town hunting for something cool to upcycle.  I found a tennis racket.  It was $1 so just the right price.  They also had lots of greenery and bits and pieces of glittered poinsettia, plastic snowflakes and bits and pieces of ribbons.  So..out comes the handy dandy glue gun and I just started layering things together.  I researched pinterest on how to tie a bow and I thought I had it right the first time, but it just did not turn out well.  So, I really read the instructions and then tried again.  Guess what?  It actually helps to read all the directions!  LOL

I'll post a photo soon.  I just keep forgetting until it's late and I know the photo will turn out best in light.

Tony has brought home lots of scrap pieces of wood from a long time ago and I'm eager to paint a sign with one of the longer pieces.  It's December 23rd, so part of me thinks, it's too late, but then another part of me says, "go for it"!

One more half day left...maybe!

Merry, merry Christmas to you and yours!

My Funny Instructions

I had to post this photo because I thought it was pretty hilarious!  So, I made these penguin candy wrappers and jotted down the instructions.  I received a special order to make more so I pulled out this sheet to make more.  When I looked at it for the second time, I thought to myself...how do I actually figure out how to make these again!  Look below and you'll see how hilarious this is...

LOL

Holiday Boutique Goodies

More photos from the Tracy High School Holiday Boutique

One woman who purchased a few of these cuties said she was mailing them to New Zealand to a friend.  How awesome is that?  My stuff out in New Zealand!

Hey, that's me!

Holiday Success!

I really should have my daughter take photos more often.  I know I'm a bad photographer, but does she have to be so good? 

Here are some photos of our last boutique.  When we know we only have one table, we try to get creative in our vertical displays.  And we only put out a small amount of stock of same items. 

This boutique was well attended and we had a steady flow of customers.  As always, we have tons of fun with each other and talking to others.  Although I was a little disappointed with the other vendors, I still managed to spend some money.  I bought myself a scarf and there was an incredible artist behind us who sketched her own images on cards.  I bought an elephant which I plan to frame and Carly bought a gnome holding a balloon.  Once I frame it, I'll post a photo.  I grabbed her business card but it's not with me right now.  I'll hook you up with her info later.  There was only one person at her table, but she's part of a mother-daughter team (she was mom).  I love that!  In fact, there was another mother-daughter team across from us.  They were Stampin' Up demonstrators and sold many, many cards.  Very nice!

The gal next to us made her own jewelry.  Very nice too!  If you're in the market, here's her info:
www.jealousyjewels.com or www.jealousyjewels.etsy.com.

Ok...now for those photos:

I'm having issues with the photos so there are only three for now.  For those who notice my vintage Christmas tablecloth, they came from a yard sale from my parents' neighbor.  When the wife passed away, husband had a big yard sale.  I really should have bought more she had lots of cool vintage Christmas items.  Sometimes you don't know what you need until it's too late.