Ooh La La!

I have so much fun playing in my studio with new techniques - and today I have a canvas to share with you as the fruits of my labor.

The Art Anthology paints that I used created the perfect background for this bright and whimsical piece.

 

So let's talk about how my background was created.  The Art Anthology paints are vibrant - so I always start off intense and tone the colors down as I work with gesso.  I worked on a 12 x12 cradled wood board, and primed it first with the Art Anthology gesso. The background was sprayed with Patience and Glorious and after that was dry, Raider was sprayed through a doily stencil.

 

Patterned paper was torn, the edges were dipped in the Waimea Bay Blue and then adhered to the canvas (to start the sky area)

I "white washed" the canvas with gesso to tone it down and blend the colors.

I stamped lace trim images and heat embossed with black powder.

I spritzed more and sprinkled the canvas with sea salt.  The salt sucks up the color - leaving awesome designs and texture.  When it's all dry, sweep off the salt, and you are left with the paint effect.

This next technique was subtle, but oh so cool!  Tape a stencil onto the project, and stamp over it using StazOn Ink in random areas.

Without moving the stencil, use a palette knife to spread AA Velvet paints through the stencil.  Since the paints are semi-transparent,  you will still be able to see parts of the stamped design.

 (I used Aloha, Fiesta and Lagoon)

I used stencils and modeling paste to add more relief to the piece, and used my finger to rub the Velvets around the raised areas.

The final thing I did for the background treatment, was I drew vein lines over some areas using the Dimensional Crystal (ok - this stuff is awesome!)  I used the Peony and Mermaid.

So this canvas was ready to be finished.  I just added the focal elements to the lovely painted background and completed it with a few embellishments.

If you have any questions about these techniques, just let me know! I'd be glad to answer them.

May Arts Week with Avery Elle and UmWow Studios!

Cinco de Mayo may be over, but it certainly inspired my card for today.  I used Avery Elle's Papel Picado Banners stamp set and UmWow Studio's Star Confetti and Star Confetti Mask so that it looked like a fun fiesta night.  Adding ribbon stamped banners completed the look.


To make the ribbon banners I used the Faux Canvas in 44-58-28 orange and 44-58-22 fuchsia and stamped the sentiment on them. I trimmed out the card with 424-18-28 1/8" Diagonal stripe ribbon.


Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created!

Monday

• Virginia Fynes
• Valerie Gee
• Shellye McDaniel

Tuesday

• Rhea Weigand
• Latrice Murphy
• Lalo IK

Wednesday

• Karen Baker
• Jennifer Davey
• Jenifer Cowles

Thursday

• Jen Shears
• Gini Williams Cagle
• Emily Lanham

Friday

• DeeDee Catron
• Courtney Lee
• Charlene Driggs

The Art Anthology Effect - Check it Out!

Do you love color? Then be sure to check out the Art Anthology Effect!

And here is one of my very favorite Art Anthology projects.  If you would like to see how I made this, then be sure to see my video tutorial.

Hearfelt Creations New Release - Sweet Lullaby

Everybody loves a baby, that’s why we’re inviting you to fall in love with the Sweet Lullaby Collection from Heartfelt Creations.  Preserve special moments spent with your little angel in this endearing baby and toddler themed assortment of papers, stamps and dies.   Shades of sunshine yellow, rose- petal pink and baby blue are the perfect complement for delightful hand drawn images of napping infants and frolicking toddlers enjoying their favorite toys and activities.  Six detailed stamp sets are ideal for creating cards, shower invitations, mini albums, scrapbook embellishments and more.  Delicate dies allow you to create lacy baby booties, flowers and a stylish baby carriage. Everything about Sweet Lullaby is precious and adorable…just like your cherished little darlings!


Leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog by May 20th and you will be entered to win the entire collection valued at $150.00.

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC 
HCDP1 243 Sweet Lullaby Paper Collection
HCD 746 Sweet Lullaby Die Set
HCD 744 Once Upon a Time Die Set
HCD 740 Sweet Juliet Die Set
HCPC 3602  Sweet Little One PreCut Set
HCPC 3605 Sweet Lullaby Sentiments PreCut Set
HCPC 3606 Sweet Lullaby Background PreCut Set
1259723 Art Institute Glue (Dries Clear)
Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
Paper Blossoms Tool Kit 

Other Products Used 

May Arts Ribbon 3/8" Lace 390-38-09; 1 1/2" White Lace with Satin Center 442-15-34
CTMH Ink: Sky, Buttercup, Sweet Leaf
Versamark Watermark Ink
Embossing Powder
Xyron Mega Runner, Teresa Collins Foam Adhesives
Copic Markers - RV95, W5
WorldWin Cardstock
Pearls

Cut  printed panel from the paper collection.  Stamp the blocks from the background stamp set using watermark ink.  Heat emboss with pale yellow powder.  Fussy cut the images.  Glue the "Y" block directly to the panel.  Use foam adhesives to raise the other blocks off the card base.  Stamp the rattle with watermark ink and heat emboss with baby blue powder. Fussy cut the rattle.  Stamp the Sentiments with watermark ink and heat emboss with baby blue powder and cut with the corresponding Once Upon a Time Die set.  Glue the Little Angel Sentiment over the rattle and apply to card.  Die cut the flowers from the Sweet Lullaby set, and ink the edges using the Buttercup ink.  Shape with the Molding Mat and tools.  Apply to the card and add pearl centers.  Cut the leaves from the Sweet Juliet Die Set.  Ink with Sweet Leaf and add to card.  Add lace to the sides and mount on a 5 x 7" Card base.

Xyron and Out on a Limb Blog Hop

This week the Xyron Team is creating fun projects using the scrapbook kits from Out on  a Limb.  I used the Life's a Beach kit, but decided to make an easel card  to celebrate the upcoming season!  It was a snap to put together using my Xyron Mega Runner and my Xyron Creative Station.