February Freeze Art Journal Spread

      Before the arrival of Spring, I wanted to play with some Winter stencils and stamps, as shown on this art journal spread. However, it is full of mistakes, and much darker and messier than I was intending, which could be a lesson in what NOT to do. Lol!

     I started by collaging torn pieces of stamped papers and tissue paper, along with some recycled mail using Prima Soft Matte Gel. To create a resist effect, I stamped and embossed the icicles on top with the Grunge Icicle Border Stamp from Creative Embellishments using Ranger (Rainbow Sparkle) Embossing Powder, which was also used with the Snowflake Stencil. Then I colored it with (Hickory Smoke and Black Soot)  Distress Spray Stains. 

     I'm very disappointed in my trees, but decided to keep them anyways. With the Tree's Stencil I painted an ombre effect with Art Alchemy Paints, starting with Raven Black on the bottom, and Pearl White on top. The middle is a mix of the two colors, which made silver. Then I tried to do a messy double outline with a Black Ultra Fine Sharpie, and literally went through 4 brand new pens, that just stopped working for me half way through. It could've been from all of the texture on my page, but wanting to move on, I decided on a thicker line, using a Fine Sharpie, which was my first mistake. Not liking the harsh outline, I used a brush to blend it with (Black Soot) Distress Spray Stain, which helped a little. The masked trees in the background were done with cutouts from the Tree's and 3 Tree Stencil spritzed with (Black Soot) Distress Oxide Spray. But I forgot to shake it first (another mistake), so I didn't get that oxide effect. For a snowy effect, I splattered (White Linen) Dylusions Paint over both pages. 

     To mimic cracked ice in a river, I applied my new Emerald Creek (Silver) Embossing Flakes, which took some patience, and had to be done one at a time. But the results are well worth it, even though I accidently embossed two flakes together, resulting with the largest one on this page.

     At this point there was no use hiding my Sharpie work, so I did my titlework with it, using the Tim Holtz (Cargo) Stencil, and painted it with (Brushed Pewter) Distress Spray Stain. Then I went over it and the icicles with Finnabair (Crushed Ice) Effect Paste. 

     Thanks for looking, and take care! 

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Challenges Entered:

Creative Embellishments ~ February Challenge

Art Journal Journey ~ Heavy Metal

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog ~ Mostly Neutral

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Anything Goes

The Creative Crafters ~ #37

Adore Apples Tag

      Hi everyone! I hope you're taking care and enjoying the rest of the weekend! I had fun making this mixed media tag with lots of stamping!

     

     A mix of Finnabair Stamps created the background starting with (Checkered Texts) used with Ranger Archival (Jet Black) Ink. Then I collaged some washi tape and torn pieces of white tissue paper, stamped with (Gothic Book) and an older Prima script stamp with Prima Soft Matte Gel. I went over it all with some white gesso and (White Linen) Dylusions Paint. Once it dried, I stamped the small butterflies with the Rust & Dust Stamp. 

     The heart was a leftover diecut that I had in my stash and got covered with Prima Heavy Black Gesso. Then I embossed it with Emerald Creek (Onyx Frost) Embossing Powder. 

     

     The chipboard Steampunk Key from Creative Embellishments was also covered with Prima Heavy Black Gesso, and rubbed with Finnabair Metallique Waxes (Brushed Iron and Old Silver). 

     The flowers, leaves, and "Apples" are part of the apple stamp, and were all embossed with Emerald Creek (Onyx Frost) Embossing Powder. Then I painted the apples with watercolors. 

     Finally, I used some alpha stickers from the Bo Bunny (Love & Lace) Collection to spell "Adore". 

     

     Thanks so much for your visit!

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Challenges Entered:

Art Daily Cafe ~ February Celebration of Contrasts

More Than Words ~ February Mini Challenge 

Creative Embellishments ~ February Challenge

Tag Tuesday ~ Black, White, and One Other Color

Crafty Creations ~ February Challenge #418 Anything Goes

My Time To Craft ~ #451 Tag It! 

Creative Artiste ~ #68

More Mixed Media Challenge ~ Anything Goes with Optional Red

Little Red Wagon ~ #589 Tag You're It

Blended Slimline Birthday Card

      I can't believe my only child turned 19 today! He LOVES every shade of blue, so I played with blending my Lindy's Gang Sprays on his birthday card, adding purple for his birthstone, amethyst. 

     Stamping was the first step using the Prima (Salvage District) Stamp with Ranger Archival (Jet Black) Ink onto heavy white cardstock. Then I used a flat brush to blend Lindy's Gang Sprays from the bottom with Ocean Breeze Blue, Delphinium Turquoise, Afternoon Delight Denim, and Urban Amethyst on top. The slimline  was perfect to showcase the Circuit Stencil from Creative Embellishments with Prima Heavy Black Gesso applied to it. Once dry, I lightly went over it with (Old Silver) Finnabair Metallique Wax.

     I also added the same wax to the numbers done with the Tim Holtz (Numbered) Stencil.

     The sentiment was stamped with the Savvy Sayings Unmounted Rubber Stamp from Red Rubber Designs, and embossed with Emerald Creek (Black Cherry) Aroma Embossing Powder. It's framed with black gesso added to a section of the (Rivet) Stencil from Creative Embellishments, and also finished with wax, with a strip of silver ribbon underneath. 

     Thanks for looking, and have a great week! 

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Challenges Entered:

Tuesday Morning Sketches ~ #592

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Make a Slimline Card

Allsorts Challenge ~ #611 Masculine

Just Add Ink ~ #541 Blended Background

Just Us Girls ~ #571 Trend Week

Through the Purple Haze ~ #177 1 Ribbon, 2 Word Sentiment, 3 Layers

Spring ATC's

      Hi everyone! Gloomy days call for happy, bright colors, as shown on my latest set of Artist Trading Cards. 

     My inspiration and colors came from the February Color Challenge at Lindy's Gang.

     I started by painting a strip of heavy watercolor paper with Lindy's Gang Magicals (Hi Maintenance Magenta, Yodeling Yellow, Lederhosen Laurel, and Guten Tag Teal) and Sprays (Urban Amethyst and Freaky Frankenlime). The green is a mix of Freaky Frankenlime Spray with Magical Shakers (Lederhosen Laurel and Yodeling Yellow). Then I cut four to measure 2 1/2" X 3 1/2". 

     All of the stenciling was done with Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black) applied to three different stencils. 

     The white flowers were stamped and embossed with Lindy's Gang (Purely White) Embossing Powder. Then I embossed the black ones onto white cardstock with LG (Midnight Pewter) Embossing Powder, painted them with the same colors in the background, curled up the petals, and added white puffy paint to the centers. 

     The clips were originally black, and got transformed with LG (Purely White) Embossing Powder, also used for the Spring words that were embossed onto strips of black cardstock. This one is my favorite! 

        Thanks so much for stopping by, and take care! 

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Challenges Entered:

Lindy's Gang ~ February Color Challenge

Lindy's Gang Products Used:

Sprays (Freaky Frankenlime and Urban Amethyst)

Magicals (Hi Maintenance Magenta, Yodeling Yellow, Lederhosen Laurel, and Guten Tag Teal)

Embossing Powders (Purely White and Midnight Pewter)

Country View Challenges ~ February First Signs of Spring

Crafty Creations ~ #418 Anything Goes

Art Sandbox ~ Neon Colors

Unicorn Challenge ~ #62 Use Flowers

The Crafter's Cafe ~ #259 Anything Goes