PRETTY POCKET WATCH

Several months ago, the super sweet Terri Sproul sent me a chipboard pocket watch that she designed.  I finally put it together and decorated it.

It came un-assembled, in this flat package with Terri's picture in the top corner.  So cute!

SUPPLIES:

• The Robin's Nest Papers  Black on White Damask and Black and White Holly
• The Robin's Nest Dew Drops Spring Blooms and Lily Pad
• Terri Sproul Designed Steampunk Watch
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Glitter Markers

 I gathered my papers, watch and Dew Drops and decided which papers I was use.

I picked the damask for the background of the watch, and the holly for the outside of the watch.  I liked how the black was almost like a very dark grey.  It helps go with the vintage feel I wanted.   When the paper was attached to the watch, I sanded it for more distressing.   I also fussy cut some of the actual holly to put on the outside of the watch.

I used glitter markers on the numbers, gears, hands and winding key.

 I attached the layers of the watch with glossy accents.  I added a brad to attach the hands of the watch.  The gears, holly and dew drops were all attached with glossy accents too.  I found a chain piece and thought it was the perfect finishing touch!

I LOVE how it came out!!  

Be sure to visit The Robin's Nest to find most of the products I used, and visit Terri's blog too!  She's always doing something awesome!!

xxDaniella

http://www.shop.robinsnest-scrap.net/

ENCAUSTIC COLLAGE

I have been curious about encaustic art for some time.  Working with wax seemed like something I would like, but I needed more information.  So I got a DVD and learned all about it.  This is what I made.

Not bad for the first time, I think!

I learned that you have to combine bee's wax with damar resin for this medium.  The resin helps the wax to stick and not flake off.  You need a heat source, like a hot plate, and something to melt your wax in, like a metal pan.  It should heat to 220 degrees.  It takes about an hour to melt.

While you wait, start your canvas.  You need to use a porous surface, like wood, fiber board or clay board.   This is a great way to use up some of your scraps.  I went to my scrap basket and picked out some pieces.  Apply them with a regular craft glue or gel medium. Don't get any on the outside of the paper.  Glues and mediums contain water, and wax and water don't mix.  Let your papers dry fully.  Be sure to remove any air bubbles. 

Let your papers hang over your surface.  When it is dry, flip it over and remove the excess.  I also added ink around the edge of the board.   Now you are ready to apply wax.

I was surprised to find out you can't just apply layers of wax on top of each other.  You have to fuse each layer.  Fusing is done with a heat tool.  After you apply a layer of wax, you use a heat tool to melt it a little bit, so it is fully adhered   You want the wax to be a little shiny for a second.  If you go too far you can burn the wax.  When applying the wax, use large strokes and get across the whole canvas.  You don't want to miss areas or leave too many heavy areas.  You will have brush marks too, and the fusing helps smooth your wax out.  I started with 2 layers of wax.

After the 2 layers were fused, I outlined my bird and added highlights.  Since wax is always tacky, I was able to add the burlap strings in a flourish kind of way. I used a little wax to apply the buttons and went around them with more wax on a small brush.  I went over the whole piece 2 more times, fusing between layers.  When it was dry I incised a few areas and added oil pastel to the cut out areas.  After using oil pastels, remove excess with vegetable oil.

And that is how I used encaustic medium to make a collage.  I am very proud of my first attempt.  I can see this medium being addictive.  There are far more elaborate things you can do with wax, but this simple tutorial is a wonderful beginning, with a very easy learning curve.  

Have fun!!

AMAZING NEWS!!

They say when 1 door closes, another door opens.  My door was wide open for this!  I have been invited to join 2 SUPER AMAZING AWESOME DESIGN TEAMS!  I can't believe it!  I feel so blessed!

SUSAN K. WECKESSER

Moxxie

This is what I love about this art journey, you never know where it will take you!  

This is going to be so much fun!  I can't wait to jump in!

MINERAL PAPER IS AMAZING!!!

I got a package the other day from Yasutomo & Co.  I love designing for them, they have the most awesome art supplies!  In the package was the new Mineral Paper.  This paper is like nothing I've ever seen!  It is normal looking paper but it is super smooth.  It almost has a wet/clay feel to it but folds and creases beautifully.  Writing on it is awesome!  I did some doodling and the smoothness makes your pen gracefully slide across the paper!  It is available now and will be on the website *above* next week!

It says "Easy to Fold and Water Resistant" on the package.  I tried the folding and doodling.  So now I decided to use the water on it.

I started with my Niji Splash Ink.  I only used yellow and blue.

I put the paper in my cardboard box  fancy spray box.

I filled a mister with water and sprayed the whole piece of paper.  I used A LOT of water.

I left it for about an hour, and sprayed the heck out of it again.

One more spray.  I really wanted to know how water resistant it was.

Clearly, it is water resistant!  Normally when you wet paper this much the fibers break down and cause the paper to warp.  This paper stayed perfectly flat.

But what about heat?  I dried the ink with a heat tool.  Not only did it not damage the paper but look at the beautiful way the inks dried on it!

I had a project planned and almost finished when I got this paper.  But this paper is so amazing I decided it deserved it's own post!

*sorry for the flash.  no sun here for days!*

It was just too pretty to do anything else to it!  Just Splash Ink, water and Mineral paper.  This is absolutely AMAZING!!!!  

I bet you can't wait to try it!!

POOLS OF COLOR

I wrote this article for the Spring 2014 Issue of  Altered Arts Magazine.  It is a really fun technique that I call "Pools of Color".  It all begins with an image that you make with colored pencils and cover with white school glue.

It can be as fancy or as simple as you like.  I made a very simple flower and scrolls.  Cover with glue and let dry completely.

Get your paper wet and "drop" very wet watercolors on to the paper.  The paints will mix and do wonderful things.   And, it will not disturb the drawn image because it is protected by the white glue.  Let it dry over night.  I know it looks like a big mess, but it's the details that make this technique beautiful.

Look at your dry paper and find beautiful designs in it to trace.  So many beautiful patterns can be found.  I start with the white space, and then look in the colors.

I hope you have fun with this technique.  It is so relaxing to look for the patterns.

APRIL CREATE TO LIVE CHALLENGE

I have been Facebook Friends with Susan K Weekesser for some time, but only recently became acquainted with her AWESOME blog, {My Sweet Earth}.  She holds a challenge there called the Create To Live Challenge.  She wants us to create a project from an image she provides.

Susan says "This challenge is for you to use the color and message themes in the picture above.  Take some creative liberty here to create based on how this picture makes you feel.  What does it inspire in you?  What creative ideas jump out at you first? 

 When I saw this image, my eye was immediately drawn to the tile-like background on the left.  I made 1" squares from scrap papers that were in my scrap paper bin, made a grid in my Art Journal, and glued them down in an interesting way using the colors in the picture.  I went over the grid and inchies with some inks and a stencil.  Next, I used a floral stencil and traced around it.  I colored the leaves, flowers and butterflies with some ultra fine Bic Mark It markers.  I hand drew a vase, cut flowers from the reverse side of the colored paper and glued them to the left.  I wrote "Celebrate" on the vase and used my label maker to print out the words of inspiration.

I had so much fun making this layout!  I wish I had a better picture to show, but there is nothing but rain and grey skies here.  No sun tomorrow either! But the sun will be here this weekend, and I intend to do some "Sun Worshiping" then!

Please visit Susan K. Weckesser's blog no matter what!  The amazing artists she has make beautiful things!  BUT, if you do decide to join the challenge, there is an awesome prize!!

MIXED MEDIA LAYOUT "BEAUTY"

So, my AWESOME layout I showed on Wednesday is properly photographed and ready to show!

I distressed my 12" x 12" background paper first.  Then I used stencils, bubble wrap and inks for interest.  I cut a 10" x 10" piece of cardboard and covered it with sewing pattern tissue paper.  I stitched the background papers together.  Next, I added more stencils and inks to the center of the background.  Then,  I stamped my Prima Doll Stamp on ivory cardstock and colored her in.  I fussy cut her out and attached her to the center with foam dots.  I stamped the sentiment and the border around it, fussy cut it out and attached it with gel medium.

 Now for the FUN part!  Decorating your piece!  I love adding the details!  Here is a close up of the lower left corner.  I sprayed the wood embellishments with white spray ink, made some rolled paper roses, and added a yellow flower.  Do you see the hints of spray ink droplets?  Or the bits of the stenciling?  I LOVE that!!

The upper left corner was much whiter so the cranberry ink I used to stencil with really shows!  I sprayed the wood butterfly embellishments white and added some crystal swirls.  I think there should always be swirls of some kind with butterflies!  The wood leaf finished this area up nicely.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have an awesome day!!

xxDaniella