An altered tea tin, "Don't doubt the strength of her delicate wings"

I just finished another tea bird and this one has flown the coop to Hawaii.  The title is:  "Don't doubt the strength of her delicate wings".  I used That's Crafty, Lynne's Affirmations stamp with that phrase on her back and a few other spots.  Her hat is an antique crystal pull knob with a tiny crown.

This is a great way to recycle not only the tea tin but a multitude of other small interesting objects.

Thanks for stopping by! - hugs, Renee

Mixed Media play on canvases

I've been making small canvases (4" by 4") using mixed media techniques.  Here are my five pink ladies.

I used products made by a few of my favorite artists:  Lynne Moncrieff, Seth Apter and Kristin Peterson.  A tiny splash of Finnabair's Glass Glitter, paints by Jane Davenport and additional inks by Tim Holtz.  It doesn't get any more fun than playing with all of this from my stash.  Oh, I brought out my embroidery threads and needles, back in the 1970's I used to do all sorts of needlework.  It's like riding a bike you never forget how to do it even after a few decades.  I need to do more of that!

Thanks for stopping by ~ hugs ~ Renee

Color Challenge: Aubergine

On the Imagine blog today I'm sharing an Aubergine (eggplant) colored tag.  This is a mixed media piece that includes gesso, stenciling, rubber stamping, heat embossing and a little washi tape.

For the instructions and a supply list just check out the Imagine blog.  Thanks so much for stopping by today~  Hugs ~ Renee

Take It Make It Challenge: November

Here's a pretty mixed media card made with one of Finnabair's stamps:  Don't Forget to Fly, manufactured by Prima.  I've included instructions in the event that you'd like to give it a try.  I made this for the Take It Make It Challenge for November over at the Craft Stamper blog,  The theme is "anything goes", I've included the link for you.

Supplies:

• Ink:  StazOn Jet Black; Brilliance Mediterranean Blue, Victorian Violet, Delicata Golden Glitz
• Stamps:  Finnabair, Stampers Anonymous script
• Other accents:  Ranger Distress Crayons:  Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge, Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves, Chipped Sapphire
• Gelatos:  Grape, Metallic Melon, Mint, Blueberry,
• Stencils:  Unfinished by Seth Apter, Alphabet stencil by Andy Skinner
• White gesso, water color paper, irRESISTible clear glaze, baby wipes, Stabilo All pencil

Instructions:

Apply gesso to watercolor paper panel, allow to dry.  Stamp image in the center, color in with Crayons.  Mask off the image and apply Distress Crayons to the background, use a baby wipe or apply water on your finger if you need to blend the colors.  Place "Unfinished" stencil on top of panel and remove some of the color in background with a baby wipe.  Stamp script, the stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  Outline the wings with the Stabilo pencil and use a water brush to soften the look of the pencil.  Remove mask, apply clear glaze to circles and on the wings.  Use Alpha stencil with white gesso randomly on panel.  Distress the edges of the card with Victorian Violet and the Mediterranean Blue inks.  Adhere to a black mat, glue matted panel to the blank card.  Ink the edge of the white card with the Violet and Mediterranean Blue inks; then apply highlights with Gold ink.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll check out the TIMI link and enter something.  Hugs ~ Renee

Inspired by Karen O'Brien

I'm still plugging away, working my way through Karen O'Brien's inspirational book Imaginary Characters.  Here is my latest technique driven character.

I might add some other touches to her later.  I hope you get a chance to check out Karen's book, it is really fun to challenge yourself with new techniques.  All of my work is done in a small 5.5" by 8.5" Mixed Media notebook so each drawing is not overwhelming not to mention the notebook is portable, it fits right in my purse.
I hope you're having a colorful day!  Thanks so much for stopping by, leave a comment if you can.  It's always fun to hear what you think and what YOU are working on at the moment.  Hugs ~ Renee

Supplies used:  Gesso, Peerless Water Colors, Artistcellar Sea Foam stencil, Stabilo Pencil, StazOn Jet Black ink & Stampers Anonymous stamp, water brush, Strathmore Mixed Media notebook

A Master Board using DecoArt products

Since my return to South Carolina I've been playing with my DecoArt paints, etc.  We happened to have house guests this past week, our friends Beth and Kevin from Massachusetts.  Myrtle Beach is one of those locations that people seem to pass through often on their way to Florida so we'll be seeing a lot more of our old friends from Mass.  Kevin loves to tinker around the house so he and my husband adjust a lot of things around here when they pop in.  That gave Beth and me time together in the studio.  This was Beth's first foray into the world of mixed media.  Fun times.

To begin we chose to create master boards using DecoArt Americana Paints in Peacock Teal, True Red, Saffron Yellow, Payne's Grey and Cool White.  We applied a thin coating of Gesso to a large piece of 140# watercolor paper, allowed it to dry and then applied our paints.  We squirted the paint onto a Gelli Plate, brayered the paints together and pressed the watercolor paper onto the plate.  When this was dry we used Andy Skinner's stencils with some white gesso and then a touch of the Saffron Yellow paint.  Here's one of our master boards when completed.

The interesting part begins when the master board is cut into different sizes to be used for projects.  Beth began by making her first mixed media card ever.  She looks pretty pleased with her creation.

Beth created Card #2 with a Donna Downey stencil and some black gesso

We made our boards at the same time with the identical colors so we each had one to cut up.  I used mine to make postcards and a portrait using a Prima stencil and some black gesso.

By making a 11" by 15" master board you can create a series of pieces with the same background colors.  It is also a fun project to do with friends who often wonder what you actually do when you're creating art.  All who pass through this studio space are instantly hooked on mixed media when they release their own inner artist.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I certainly appreciate your visits and welcome comments, please leave one whenever you have time.  Hugs~ Renee

Baby it's cold outside! A multi layered card

If you have a moment today you might want to check out my many layered mixed media card on the IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko blog.  This cute panel can be used on a card or mounted onto a small box.  Today's offering is a card but I'll sharing the little boxes at a later date.  Here is a sneak peek, the directions can be found on the link.

I hope you have entered your name in the drawing for the new Coloring Book from Stampington.  If not, you have until Friday to do so.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope this finds you all well and happy!  Hugs ~ Renee

Mini Wood Pallet Art from Art-C

Every time I see a wood pallet on the side of the road I'm strongly tempted to stop and put it in the back of my truck so I can create some artwork on it.  My husband keeps saying that it wouldn't be a good idea....blah, blah, blah.  So you can imagine my excitement when Momenta/Art-C, you know the ones who created The Groove Tool, asked me if I'd like to create a project for Art-C using their Mini Wood Pallets and Art-C paints.  They very kindly sent me this box full of goodness:

I've been playing around mixing the paints, watering them down, sponging them through stencils, all the usual techniques and must admit I am a fan.  A little bit of the paint goes a long way and it blends beautifully.  The pallets are all different sizes as you can see in the photo.  I chose one that measures 6" by 6" for my first project and used the mini stencils, collage kits and clips to decorate with.  Here's what I created as my first small wall hanging.

Supply List

Art-C Products

• 6" by 6" Art-C wood Pallet
• Art-C paints:  Gel Stain: Blue, Chestnut;  Metallic Paint:  Gold;  Ultra Chalk:  White
• Art-C Adhesive Stencils:  Chevron & Lattice
• Art-C Clips
• Art-C Collage Kits:  Word Play, Ephemera, Botanical
• The Groove Tool

Other supplies used:

Thread, ribbon, adhesive, bottle cap for circles, old credit card for lines, paintbrushes, spray water bottle, craft mat, paper cutter, scissors, Baby Wipes, permanent black ink

Directions:

1.  Mix paints either on a craft mat or directly on the wooden pallet, blend together with a baby wipe until you have the desired color.  When the paint is dry apply some of the White Ultra Chalk paint and blend it with the baby wipe.  Allow to dry naturally or with a heat gun.  Use the Groove Tool with the Coarse Sanding tip to rough up the surface a tad, just to distress it a bit.

2.  Place the adhesive stencil on the painted pallet, using a sponge and Gold Metallic Paint, sponge the paint onto the board, move the stencil and apply as much as desired.

3.  Rinse off the first stencil, adhere the Chevron stencil and apply White Ultra Chalk Paint with a sponge.

4.  Use a bottle cap and the white paint to make circles on the board, apply some of the Chestnut Gel Stain to a craft mat, mix it with water, load a paint brush and flick droplets onto the board for added interest.  Allow to dry.  The edges were distressed with the Gold Metallic paint and followed up with black ink to tone it down a little.  Just use a blending tool to apply a small amount of black ink to the edges.  Lines were made with an old credit card and the black ink pad.

5.  Choose the ephemera to decorate the prepared surface.  The lace trim was colored using the Blue, Chestnut and Gold paints.  Roll the lace or ribbon in the paints, spray with water until you have the desired color and dry.  Ink the edges of the other items with ink pads or sponge with the paints.  The wooden word "love" was colored with the Gold and Chestnut paints.  When everything is dry just start making the desired arrangement.

6.  Here is my lovely little piece of Wood Art Pallet art!  You could add personal photos, etc. to the mix.  Whatever your heart desires.  These Wood Pallets could also be arranged to make a Pallet Collage, the possibilities are running through my mind even as we speak. 

My thanks to Catherine Scanlon at Momenta/Art-C products for thinking I might like to give this a try.  I will share with you the other projects I create along the way using the Wood Art Pallets.  So nice not to have to pick up giant pallets on the side of the road, these are just my size.  

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your visits and hope you have time to leave a comment.  Hugs ~ Renee

A Mixed Media Bridal Shower Card

This month I created a mixed media card for a bride who prefers things a little out of the ordinary.  If you'd like to see the step by step instructions you can check it out on the IMAGINE Crafts Blog, here's the link.

There are several projects created by different Artists in Residence on the IC/T blog for you to enjoy.  I hope you're having a great weekend!  Take care, Renee xxx

Fashion Faux Gelli Plate card

Check out my short tutorial found on the Imagine Crafts blog today.  This card was made from my faux gelli plate masterboard, the directions are posted on the IC blog.  Enjoy!

I hope you are all well and happy, take care!  Hugs ~ Renee

Artistcellar Stencils on Canvas

It is Tuesday so I will be sharing some work done with Artistcellar Stencils. I am also joining in at Eclectric Paperie today with their "Stencils" challenge.  If you get a chance pop over there and take a look at some of the entries, they're very inspiring.

I am using two different stencils on this mixed media canvas, one is taken from Jill K. Berry's Map Art Series.  I am using the small rose from the Global Compass Rose stencil.  The other stencil I'm using is from TCW, it is called Raindrops (TCW 400).  I have several canvases that I was not happy with the original work I did on them, so I just painted over that and started again.  I bought some of Dina Wakley's new Heavy Body Acrylic Paint last week and I've been anxious to try it out.  The color I painted on the discarded canvas is her Blackberry Violet color and I must say it is gorgeous, it has a really nice texture to it.  Here is the finished canvas and then I have a short tutorial showing how I did this in the event that you're interested.

First I painted my canvas with Dina's Blackberry Violet acrylic paint.  You can still see the outline of the feathers stencil underneath the paint from the original work.

Then I used a stencil called Raindrops with white gesso, I applied the gesso with a paint brush.

.  I lifted the stencil straight up to keep the design clean.  When I finished I made sure to wash the gesso off of the stencil and also out of the paintbrush right away.

I used the Rose stencil from Jill's new series and stenciled just the small rose with Modeling Paste.

This canvas became a little surreal when I turned it upright and then attached the digital art from Hidden Vintage Studios at DeviantScrap.com.

I sponged a small amount of black acrylic paint over the roses and around the edges of the canvas.  I attached a piece of black twine to the balloon and it is finished.  The entire canvas measures 7 1/2" by 9 1/2".

Thanks so much for stopping by, if you have a chance please leave a comment.  I love reading your comments.  Take care, I'll talk to you soon.  ~ Hugs, Renee

The Craft Stamper "Take It, Make It Challenge"

Just a quick reminder that you still have time to enter a piece of your art over at the Craft Stamper "Take It, Make It Challenge"!  The theme for this challenge is mono printing using an acrylic block.  Personally I can't stop making sheets of art using this technique, then I cut them up and use the sheets for projects, cards, etc.  Here is a small wall hanging I made today using one of my mono printed sheets.

 

I used the mono printed paper as the background.  I cut a piece that measures 6" by 6" and used that as a background for the stenciled houses.  The house stencil is from artistcellar.com and is called "Whimsy Town".  I stenciled it on the paper using a black micron pen.  Then I added a little bit of Scattered Straw Distress Stickles in the windows to mimic light. The dauber top on Ranger's Distress Paint made perfect Wild Honey colored circles.  The stamping is done with StazOn Jet Black ink using a Dyan Reaveley circle text stamp.  A touch of shiny red paint on the doors and hearts is the only thing needed to complete the scene.  I had some black canvases in my stash measuring 6" by 6" so I glued the paper onto that and put an antique crystal knob on the top with ribbons to finish it off.  This could hang on the wall or sit on a stack of books.  It makes a cute house warming gift!

So please take advantage of the time left to participate in the challenge.  Thanks so much for stopping by today, leave a comment if you have time, you know I love to hear from you.  Take care ~ Renee