Kiss Kiss Mixed Media Canvas

I am always saving photos on Pinterest and in my photos on my phone. This time my inspiration came from the Stampington newsletter. I’d link to it but the newsletter wouldn’t allow me to save a URL to either it or the photo. Boo!!

I started by adding some music paper from an old songbook from my church using soft gel medium. The titles were all love related although 2 got covered up entirely or too much to read; the other two peek out just a bit but I know they are there. The top of the paper got a coating too. Then I added gesso; I usually mix in some water but I didn’t this time, now I wish I had since the music paper texture is a bit too covered up after adding the acrylic paint layer on top. Before the acrylic paint tho, I added the sticky backed canvas with folds for more texture.

Next I added the paint. Unbleached titanium white in the middle and a blend of white, blue and teal for the outside with burnt umber along the canvas edge. Then I painted on the flowers, to say that was a trial is not fully expressing the frustration I felt. I was struggling to mimic the loose almost watercolour-ish nature of the original canvas. Because I was working on a very porous surface, the paints just wouldn’t blend like I wanted. On the original canvas, I suspect they used gel medium to seal the surface before painting the flowers or maybe the acrylic paint was smooth enough, not sure. I finally got them to a point where they were good enough to leave alone, 6 layers or more later!

Last but not least, the finishing touches: script writing stamped in brown (stamped off) around the edges and in turquoise in the center, a few clear sequins, the frame, a Crate Paper rub-on sentiment and a big recycled sari silk bow. Nuts, I just realized that I meant to add some gold rub on paste also known as gilder’s paste to the edges. Oh well, I am not going to retake the photos after I do and swap them out because this is already the third time I took photos then changed it! First retake I had added the stamping, second time I added the bow! Just use your imagination!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Ha Ha! Another Summer Card!!

But once you see the inspiration photo, can you blame me? These are not winter colours!!

The inspiration photo is not my style of art at all. But I liked the surf board shapes and the fun summery colours so I started looking through all of my beachy products: stamps, dies and papers. Turns out the best match was the fabulous summer kit from August by Simon Says Stamp.

Then I saw the flip flop die by PTI and this great frame die by SSS. They go together so well right? All of the cardstock except the shimmer teal and light orange (flip flop straps) are PTI, the patterned paper inside the frame is by Simple Stories as is the ‘washi’ tape. It’s not real washi just thin paper printed like the patterned paper but I still like it. I just wish it came on a roll and not in really small sheets. The sequins are a mix of Lucy’s Little Things, Teresa Collins and some misc.

The sunshine was removed from the frame and airbrushed with R02 and 05 (it’s brighter IRL). Since the die cut is so small, I used my finger as a ‘mask’; it was perfect because a finger doesn’t leave a hard line like any other mask would. Then I flipped the die cut over and airbrushed the rest of the word with the other colour. I also shaded the flip flops with Copic markers, YR61 and R32. They were stamped with PTIs Bitty Backgrounds in berry sorbet ink and the sentiment was stamped using SSSs Flip Flop Season using PTI kraft ink.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Entered In: Retro Sketches 199, PTI blog hop

Summertime in January???

I have a good sense of humour eh? It’s so dreary and cold outside that I just had to post a few summery projects! I make them year ‘round!

First up, a retirement card I made for my hubby. He always seems to need one for work so I made this for his stash. The papers are Kaisercraft, stamps by Waltzing Mouse and the shell is one I made in a polymer clay mold using paper clay then enhanced it with gilder’s paste. I LOVE that stuff!

Next is a card I made using one of the summer SSS card kits. I added some silver Wink of Stella to the sun rays but where they met was blobby looking so I added the heart sticker to the middle. The Hello was watercoloured I think (I made this a while ago) and the sunshine die cut was sponged.

Last but not least was a matchbox I made literally years ago. It was hiding in an ‘unpublished’ file on my computer. I would have jazzed it up a bit more if I was making it now. But I still like it.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Shabby Love Pop Up Card

Welcome to another edition of Crazy 4 Challenges! This week we were asked to be inspired by the word POP! I decided to make a pop up card!

So the front is pretty cute right? in my signature simple shabby style. Which includes the aqua paint splat I accidentally but happily spilled on it while I made a mixed media canvas (you’ll see that in the next few days) but inside…

… is a fun pop up! This one is very easy to do. All you need are two symmetrical die cut shapes with a bit extra hanging off the bottom edge. I partially die cut mine but I suppose you could also glue on a tab. Glue each tab a bit away from the fold line of your card and glue the tops together. That’s it!

This photo shows the alignment a bit better. I added jump rings, chain and some chipboard hearts covered in liquid pearls. I added some detail to the frame with liquid pearls too. If you make one of these, be sure to use sturdy cardstock. I thought lightweight would be better because this is an intricate die and then it wouldn’t fall over under it’s own weight. Well… I hadn’t thought to add all the dangly stuff then! It looks a bit drunken when you first open it but it eventually sways into place once the card is fully open. Then the hearts swing back and forth for a bit. It’s quite interactive!

I hope you will play with us at Crazy 4 Challenge this week. It’s a great time to check out all those fun pop up card tutorials you know you’ve been saving on Pinterest! Right??!!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Entered in: Fusion, Inspiration Challenge, Colour Throwdown, Really Reasonable Ribbon #133 Pink ribbon

Love Mini Shaker Card

Can’t seem to get enough shakers can I?? This time I went for a little bitty one!

I used a slide frame by Marianne Designs. Inside the shaker are a mason jar heart paper clip along with clear heart confetti and red sequins. Sorry the sentiment is hard to read, it is a rub on and I didn’t even notice the glare on it until I edited the photo. It says “True Love”.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Entered In: Paper Players, Retro Sketches