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
It's a beautiful piece in spite of it all, I think we are our own worst critics! Thanks so much for joining my heavy metal challenge at AJJ, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cool page Drea. Wow. It feels very February freeze! And looks great also. And it works for Valerie's heavy metal challenge at Art Journal Journey. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful special piece, how you created it I think it's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHave a good day, hug Elke
Very cool, Drea. I think it came out well and has a fab icy feel to it.
ReplyDeleteWell, for all the 'mistakes' you made on this page, it turned out FABULOUS! I certainly get an icy feel from it and I'm tickled pink to learn how it came together. This frosty AJP is just perfect for our Mostly Neutrals challenge and I'm delighted you shared it us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique challenge blog!
ReplyDeleteWow! The texture on these pages is super cool! Thanks for joining us at Creative Embellishments!
ReplyDeleteI think it turned out great Drea! Thanks for joining the Creative Embellishments challenge.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Embrace those ‘mistakes’, girl, cause it all looks FABULOUS to ME!!! I think you actually caught the true feeling of winter in these. While you may think of this as “too dark”, it’s actually what the feeling of being frozen inside at home feels like in the winter of Indiana. And it’s exactly why we’ve escaped south!
ReplyDeleteYour works of art are the most truly’neutral’ I’ve seen!!
Mistakes, what mistakes? Things that don't turn out the way you expect just adds character. I love this page. It definitely makes me think winter and the trees give so much depth to the page. Thanks for joining us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Cec