WHIMSICAL BUNNY FUN

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to share with you a whimsical Spring canvas I created for DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog using a Wrendale bunny napkin and some wonderful new and old products from the people at DecoArt!

Here is a sneak peek at this adorable little guy!

Layers and layers of mixed media fun work together to create this 5 x 7 canvas that will make you smile when you see it. 

For all of the pictorial details, I encourage you to "hop" on over to 
DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog 
and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by!

YOU MAKE MY HEART SING VINTAGE MIXED MEDIA ENVELOPE

Hello all and welcome back to my blog in this new year!

The sloppy rain and wintry conditions are a PERFECT time to stay indoor and have some art fun! 

I am fast developing a new addiction; ,mixed media envelopes!  They are not time consuming, have a real "WOW" factor when they are finished, they are fantastic little gifts for enclosing gift cards, little notes or attaching on the lush pages of homemade books or junk journals (another passion of mine). 

Here is a sneak peek at my sweet vintage envelope being featured on DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog.  Adding mixed media to your paper crafting can open up a whole new world for your art! It provides more dimension, character and depth to a piece. Mixed media elements, paper and little vintage embellishing really do compliment each other so much! 

Join me over at DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog by clicking HERE for all of the pictorial tutorial details!  

Happy Crafting and thanks for stopping by!

FACE YOUR FEARS ART MINI BOOK FOR ANDY SKINNER

Good morning everyone!  It's almost officially summer! How quickly the year is passing!

Today I am excited to tell you about my latest creation for Andy Skinner's Creative Design Team that is now being featured on his blog.  

This is a mini journal made from things you probably have sitting around your craft rooms!  It's inexpensive to make and a lot of fun!  If you have chipboard, a scrap of fabric, some scrap cardstock, blank paper, some buttons or other items to embellish the spine, some waxed thread or strong string or thread, you're in business!

I used DecoArt Media products on the covers.  Andy's stamps and stencils provide all of the fun details of faces and lettering.  

You can click HERE to be taken to Andy's blog for all of the details on how to create your own mini journal.

Thanks for stopping by!

GELLI PRINT CANVAS FEATURED ON DECOART'S MIXED MEDIA BLOG

Happy Weekend everyone! I hope your weather is FINALLY as beautiful as ours is today!

Recently, the people at GelliArts were so sweet as to gift all of the Mixed Media Design Team members with some of their fabulous products for us to try and give our honest opinions. 

Well...after playing with a brayer, a GelliArt's 8"x10" plate and some NEW Printing Plates, I can say I had a complete BLAST and I LOVE the new products!

I wanted to do something a little different with my gelli prints so I created a dimensional canvas using all of the elements and then transforming them into flowers and other dimensional objects to be displayed on the gelli print background.

You can check out all of the wonderful details: step by step instructions and also pictures at DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by and if you'd like to leave a comment here and/or at DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog, I'd LOVE to hear from you!

STEAMPUNK CLOCK TRINKET BOX

Hello everyone!  

I'm so excited to be a part of Andy Skinner's Creative Team again this year!

I'm sharing my first project for the new year on his blog right now.  Here is a sneak peek at my "Steampunk Clock" made with Tando Creative's beautiful Steampunk Clock Kit designed by Andy Skinner.

There is lots of layering of stencils and mediums to give this clock a unique and unusual look.  Check it out HERE on Andy's Blog.

If you'd like to leave a comment here or there or both, I love hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic week!

CHRISTMAS REMAKE OF OLD DOLL HIGH CHAIR

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I recently visited a flea market and found an adorable little 18" wooden doll high chair for $5. It was in remarkably good shape. When I saw it hanging on a peg, I immediately saw it as a little sparkly Christmas high chair. So, I scooped up my treasure and brought it home with me.  

Yesterday was the day I finally got to spend the time it deserved to bring this little forgotten high chair back to life!

Typically I absolutely LOVE the traditional Christmas colors of red and green. But this little guy was screaming "Retro TEAL!" So I spray painted the chair with a teal paint and let it dry.

(This photo shows the napkin the I used on the chair:  snowflakes and snowman on the chair and peppermint stripes to wrap the little rods on the chair).

I added one of my favorite DecoArt Media products: Vintage Effects in white. There are all sorts of ways you can apply it but I chose to lightly dampen a cloth and wipe it on, adding more as I went until I reached the white wash effect that I wanted.  

I found an adorable Christmas napkin that I wanted to use. I removed the back two layers of white tissue from the napkin; leaving only the top layer. I tore around the snowman image. You tear the napkin edges because they blend into the base much better when not given a nice cut edge. I brushed DecoArt Media Matte Medium (a clear glue and sealer) onto the area of the seat that I was adding the snowman. 

I laid the napkin image in place being sure there were no wrinkles and then brushed the Matte Medium over the image to seal it. I then added more random snowflakes around the snowman using the same method: tearing around them and then applying them with the Matte Medium. I also added snowflakes on a bar across the top of the chair and also on the front of the lifting tray of the chair using the same method. You can gently heat set these to speed up the process. Once dry, I added a bit more of the Vintage Effects over the seat and the other areas to better blend everything together.  

Then I added the stripes to the little rods by painting the bars with Matte Medium, adding the stripes and then painting over them with Matte Medium to seal them in place. You can gently heat set to dry them or let the dry naturally. I did not add more Vintage Effects white wash over them.

Next, I added Holly Green, Light Green and Candy Cane Red Stickles over the snowflakes and the snowman to give this little chair some real Christmas sparkle. Let the Stickles air dry completely. 

Once that was finished, I used a bit of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Cadmium Red Hue and my finger to highlight the edges of the chair.  I think it really adds a lot and pulls everything together.

The little tray lifts and it also needed some Christmas cheer! Using a couple of Tim Holtz stamp sets, I stamped "Merry Christmas" onto a plain piece of white tissue paper using Wendy Vecchi's Carnation Red Archival  permanent Ink.  I stamped the holly onto the plain white tissue paper using Wendy Vecchi's Leaf Green Archival permanent ink. Heat set the ink and then tear around the words and holly.  Glue them in place using the Matte Medium and then brush over them to seal them. Again, you can gently heat set this. I added the Stickles to these images as well and let them air dry. Once dry, I added the red paint along the edges with my finger.

Here are a couple of pictures of the finished chair.  This will be so adorable sitting next to my vintage Christmas tree in my entry way this Christmas. I'll probably have a little vintage Santa doll standing in it.

Thanks for stopping by! Be on the look out at flea markets and garage sales for little vintage things like this that you can completely redo and use as Christmas decorations and so forth. Just looking at this makes me happy and brings back lots of childhood memories of my own Christmases when I was a little girl.

Hello everyone!

I hope that this hot summer is winding down and cooler temperatures will be coming soon!  While the weather thermometers are being so ridiculously high, it's a wonderful time to be indoors in the craft room and doing some creating!

I am proud to have a new piece on Andy Skinner's Creative Team Blog for you to enjoy.  

I call it the "Industrial Wings Compartment Book".  Andy's line of DecoArt Media products are first and foremost on this piece.  There are lots and lots of wonderful Andy Skinner Tando Creative greyboard elements included on the cover.  Andy's very versative Halftone stencil really compliments the industrial bolts and grunge of his Industrial Wings Kit.  

Click HERE to be taken to his blog to see the complete story on how this was created.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hello everyone!  

We're already almost half way through 2018!  Can you believe that?

Today I am sharing a DecoArt Paint Pour Project that is being showcased on DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog.  There are actually TWO projects using the Paint Pouring Mediums in a couple of different ways.

Here is a sneak peek:

For all of the lovely details, click HERE to be transported to DecoArt's fabulous Mixed Media Blog.  

Thanks for stopping by!

HIDDEN HEART CANVAS

Hello again all of my artsy friends!

I am thrilled to be featured on Andy Skinner's blog today with my latest creation for him.

Here is a sneak peek at a small portion of the project.  You'll have to head over to Andy's blog to see the entire piece plus all of the details on the "how's" and "what's" of its creation.

Hope you enjoy it!  Thanks for stopping by and if you're so inclined, I'd love for you to leave a comment here and/or on Andy's blog!  

Have a great week!

CHATEAU De SKINNER NOW ON ANDY SKINNER'S BLOG

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited to be sharing my latest project on Andy Skinner's blog!

I love birds and I love Spring!  So I combined these two passions into one really fun home decor piece.

Here is a sneak peek!  You can see a pictorial tutorial on Andy's Blog now!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy seeing this project!

Happy Spring!

MAKE IT YOURSELF SPRINGTIME TRAVEL JOURNAL FROM DECOART

Is it Spring yet??  We've had THE WORST beginning of Spring.  It's been cold, windy and rainy ... even SNOW in early April!  

I have bird feeders out for my "little winged friends" and I am sure that they are as confused as I am as to which season it is.

I'm sure I'm not the only one yearning for warmer temperatures, the aroma of beautiful spring and summer flowers as bees flit from bloom to bloom. 

So I was inspired by my new Stampendous 6" x 6" Sunny Sketch stamp to create an easy and fun little travel journal.  These are so handy and they can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose to make them.

Check out the entire pictorial tutorial now at DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog. You'll want to make several of them for you and your friends!  

Thanks for stopping by and if you'd like to leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Spring!!

FUN WITH FROG AND FISH

Hello everyone!  Welcome back my crafty friends!

For this month on Andy Skinner's Blog, I have created this really fun tag.  It's a combination of Andy's ALL NEW TAGTASTIC 1 greyboard set from Tando Creations and his new FOSSIL stamp set from Stampendous.

There are all sorts of new kits coming from Tando Creative.  You are going to LOVE them all!  So stay tuned for that!

You can click on THIS LINK to be taken over to Andy's blog for all of the details of this larger tag with another little tag attached.  On the smaller tag, is a "fossil" of Fish's little cold blooded friend, "Frog".  Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous and creative week!

THE GOTHIC GRAVEYARD

I am so excited about Andy Skinner's new releases!

The Tando Creative Tagtastic set that Andy has created is so much fun to play with! The greyboard is so sturdy and the pieces are really fun to mix and match. This set will be coming very soon so be watching for it through Tando Creative!

This tag is also featuring Andy Skinner's new GOTHIC set from his newly formed venture with France Papillon called "Illusionary Artists".  This set is called "GOTHIC" but between them, they have NINE brand new stamps.  You can check them all out HERE.

This is the "Gothic Graveyard" tag featuring two more of Andy's stamps from the new "Gothic" set; the old toppling crosses and the beautifully detailed gothic window. 

The tag is from Tando Creative; part of Andy's new "Tagtastic" set. There are several new sets that will be released very soon.  Be sure to keep watching for those.  You won't want to miss them!

I started this tag with a coat of DecoArt Media White Gesso.  Then I covered it with DecoArt's Media Modeling Paste that was scraped through a brick stencil.  Once that was heat set, I placed the stencil on top of the modeling paste bricks and scraped another layer of DecoArt's Media Crackle Paste over the top.  I let that completely air dry.  

I absolutely LOVE the texture and dimension of the background.  Once dry, I added layers of DecoArt's Media Fluid Acrylics paints to create a weathered old brick look.  I began with Titan Buff followed by some Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide and a little Quinacridone Gold for that reddish accent.  I added a touch of Raw Sienna here and there for deepen the goldish tones.  Finally, I added some Translucent White over the area where I knew the crosses would be placed so that they would really pop and not blend into the background colors.

The crosses were stamped using Embossing Ink and sprinkled with a combination of Black and Silver embossing powders.  Then I colorized inside of them with touches of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics watered down (for a more transparent look) of Medium Grey Value 6 and a touch of Metallic Silver.  I really like how they look like old concrete or stone crosses. I cut them out and glued them in place using adhesive pop dots to add a bit of dimension.

The gothic window is amazing! I also heat embossed this onto a piece of cream cardstock.  I used the mix of black and silver embossing powders here as well.  Then I mixed DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Cerulean Blue with Translucent White to create the light bluish panes in the window.  

Next I restamped the window using the same technique but on a piece of transparency film.  It's a bit tricky to heat set the embossing powder on transparency film but I took my time, cooling down the film between heat tool blasts.  Then I cut out the window and laid it on top of the cardstock window.  I glued several layers of chipboard behind the window and concealed those layers with more DecoArt Crackle Paste.  Once dry, I colorized the perimeter of the window with the colors used on the tag background.  

I created a shadow effect under the window using Medium Grey Value 6 then I glued the window in place.

Here is another angle of the window against the background to show the dimension of this tag.  The stamping of text is from one of Andy's new Stampendous Stamp sets; Textures".   This is a great set with some very cool stamps.  

I also used this set on a new project being shown now over at DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog.  You can check it out HERE.  The tag on the new Valentine's Day Gift Bag are two of the stamps from this new set. 

Be sure to check back next Tuesday, the 6th for the reveal of the third tag I've created for Andy using his new Stampendous Fossil Stamp Set and more of the Tando Creative Tagtastics tag set.

Thanks for stopping by!  

RETRO VALENTINES DAY GIFT BAG HOME DECOR OR GIFT

Hello my friends!

I am so excited to be back on the Mixed Media Design Team with one of my favorite companies on the planet!  I truly love DecoArt's products and their family of employees.  Super Products ... Super People!

It is getting close to Valentine's Day .... 

that time of year when we celebrate that very special someone in our lives. 

To commemorate this occasion, I have created a cute little retro Valentine Gift Bag that can be used as a home decor piece or as an actual gift to give to your "sweetie" full of special little "I love you" reminders or gifts.

You can view the entire piece plus the complete pictorial tutorial over at
DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog. 

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

HAUNTED HEART TAG

Greeting Andy Skinner Lovers!

Are you ready for Andy's NEW releases to hit the stores?  Me, too!

I have had such fun with a few of his newest things that I have been fortunate enough to have received already!  I wanted to share some fun tags with you!

This first tag is titled "Haunted". 

I LOVE LOVE all of the texture and depth of this tag.  

This is one of the new sets from Tando Creative that will be released SOON!  It's called "Tagtastic".  It includes the gear, heart, book plate and mixed sized tags.  All pieces are grey board; sturdy and a great base for all mixed media products. 

I got so excited to make this tag that I did not do step by step photos of the process but I will briefly share what I did.

I started by covering the larger tag with DecoArt Media White Gesso.  Next I stamped the building arch image from Andy's Newest Stamp Set called "GOTHIC" from his new line of Illusionary Artists Sets. This was done with Permament Black Ink.  

Next I randomly placed Andy's Skinner's Timewarp stencil from DecoArt and scraped DecoArt Media Modeling Paste over the stencil.  You can clearly see the time piece faces on the tag.  Heat set between each placement of the stencil.  Next I laid down Andy's Made To Measure stencil from DecoArt and scraped the Modeling Paste through the circle succession of numbers on the left side of the tag.  Heat set.  Once dry, I added black in the numbers using a small brush and DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Carbon Black and a small brush.

After colorizing the tag background with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Titan Buff, Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide, touches of Cobalt Teal Hue and Blue Green Light, I painted the greyboard heart with DecoArt Crackle Paste and let it completely air dry.  Once dry, I painted over it with DecoArt Premium Americana Cadmium Red Acrylic Paint.  I then covered the heart with DecoArt Raw Umber Antiquing Cream and wiped away the excess.  This Antiquing Cream really gets down into the cracks and creates that wonderful crackled, aged effect.  I then edged the heart using my finger and DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Carbon Black paint.  Then I ran a small wire onto the chain, wrapped the heart and glued it into place on the back side of the heart.  I added the little lock and glued the heart into place on the tag using raised adhesive pop dots.

Here is a closer look at Andy's new Gothic archway building in the background of this tag surrounded by all of the texture and other embellishments.  It fills the space perfectly and creates a fabulous background image. 

You will also see Tando Creative's Tagtastic book plate and gear that I have transformed from greyboard to aged patina "metal" using DecoArt's Media Fluid Acrylics Carbon Black, Metallic Silver and Gold, Quinacridone Gold, Titan Buff, Cobalt Teal Hue and Blue Green Light.   I added "Haunted" and glued the book plate in place.  

I added more chain to the tag through a little gargoyle type hanger that is a part of my "stash".  I wound the chain through the aged "metal" gear and attached a little key at the end of the chain.  That was then all glued in place.

Once again, here is a view of the entire tag.  So fun to make!

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to check out Andy's new stamps!  Tando Creative will be releasing several new greyboard sets SOON! You will LOVE them!

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS FRAME AND BOOK

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I'm pleased to announce that I have created a lovely vintage Christmas home decor piece that is being featured on DecoArt's Media Blog right now!

This Christmas piece is created from a plain paper mache book that is turned into a glitzy, shimmering vintage book/picture frame combination.  Using DecoArt's many wonderful Media Line products makes crafting to easy and the results are always guaranteed to be show stoppers! 

On the left of my book is a lovely vintage Santa combined with wonderful laser cut pieces from Southern Trading Company. On the right is a Shiny Brite picture frame that can flip out for easy picture replacements.  There is also a neat little hidden compartment behind the picture frame to store older photographs or other little momentos.

To see the complete pictorial tutorial, click HERE to be transported to DecoArt's Media Blog!

Here's wishing you and yours the most wonderful and blessed family Christmas ever!

Merry Christmas to all!!

HO HO HO ... SANTA IS ALMOST HERE!

Are you ready for Christmas?  Trees decorated and ready to wrap your gifts?

Well then this pictorial tutorial is for YOU over on Andy Skinner's blog!  

It is a pictorial tutorial on creating your own vintage style Santa Christmas tree ornaments or special gift tags for those important presents!

Here is a sneak peek at what you will find on Andy's Blog!  Click HERE to be taken to his blog and check it out!  Thanks so much for stopping by and ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!  

As Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us, everyone."

VISIT THE PUPPET MASTER AT DECOART

Hello everyone!  It's almost the weekend!  Halloween is coming and it's a GREAT time to do some holiday crafting!

Hop on over to Decoart's Mixed Media Blog and check out my 5 x 7 canvas titled

"THE PUPPET MASTER".  Created using the fabulous DecoArt Media products and Andy Skinner's new Birds and Bones Stamp set, this canvas will be part of my Halloween decor this season.

There is a complete pictorial tutorial over there so hurry up and check it out!

ALTERED CHILDREN'S BOOK PAGE INTO A MIXED MEDIA JOURNAL PAGE

Greetings Everyone!  As the day hot days of summer linger on, I've been trying to find more time to play in my air conditioned craft studio.

I've been doing some really fun projects for Andy Skinner's Creative Team, DecoArt's International Design Team and Mixed Up Media Magazine.

Here is a peek at my latest art journal page created for DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog.  

I began with a childrens' paper book.  I am transforming it from a childrens' book into an art journal. A great way to explore your creativity and breathe new life into an old, tired children's book that otherwise might find the trash. 

Here is what I started with.  You can go to DecoArt's Mixed Media Blog HERE to see my new and improved art journal creation.  Done with DecoArt's Media products, a magazine girl, some Andy Skinner stencils and other basic tools, this page came together like magic!

Enjoy your summer and take time to explore your creativity!  Have some fun experimenting on new techniques or trying to use the products you already have in interesting new ways!

Thanks for stopping by and if you care to leave a comment here or at DecoArt, I thank you in advance! I always love reading your thoughts.

A VINTAGE POSTCARD CANVAS FOR DECOART MEDIA BLOG

Summer is almost here!  
This time of year always takes me back to my childhood.  My mom would take my brother and I to the park where we would play and swing in the warm sunshine. I remember running in my backyard; pretending I could fly like the butterflies.  My mom had a lovely rose garden in the center of the back yard and beautiful peony bushes lining the back fence.  I loved to walk among all of that fragrant floral display of color.

Ahhh.....summertime and childhood memories!

I guess that is what inspired the sweet little vintage canvas I am sharing on DecoArt's Media Blog right now.  I'd love for you to hop on over and take a look.  I have a complete pictorial tutorial to show you some new techniques and possibly answer some questions you might have about a DecoArt Media product and how it can be used.

Enjoy the sunshine and take some time to PLAY with your creativity!