Enough!

Goodbye depression, I have had enough!  The title is also a significant reminder to me that I am enough.  Good enough, smart enough, young enough, talented enough... It is a hopeful project with an encouraging symbol of an empty cage, many free birds, and blossoming flowers.  I loved working with a limited color pallet of lilac & lavender.

This layout is submitted into the following challenges...

Creative Embellishment Challenge

Splashy Mix July Challenge

Bleeding Art Challenges

More Than Words July Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!

Jeweled Seahorse Card - The Robin's Nest DT

I really enjoyed using this canvas from The Robin's Nest as a project base instead of card stock. Because it has a plastic-like texture, moisture from mists/paints do not warp it. Before coloring the canvas, I added a texture to it by putting it in an embossing folder.  I find all underwater creatures magical because of how they move and glide effortlessly. I hope you enjoy my magical seahorse creation.  The step by step tutorial can be found HERE.

My card is submitted into the following challenges...

•  Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge (Bright & Cheerful)
• Your Scrapbook Place Challenge Blog (Anything Goes)
• The Paper Girls Challenge Blog (#180 Magical Monday)
• Try It Tuesday (Splatters and Splodges) 
• Prika July Challenge (Perfect Smoosh / Inks & Sprays)
  
• Time Out Challenges (Home Sweet Home)
  
• Creative Embellishments July Moodboard Challenge
  

 

Supplies:
Creative Dew Drop Canvas - Artsy Seahorse
Sea Glass Tear Drops
Water Dew Drops
Raindrops Dew Drops
spray mists (blue & green)
paint brush
Glossy Accents transparent medium
glitter glue

The Robin's Nest Shop

The Robin's Nest Blog

Galaxy Shaker Decoration

So, I tried something new.  This is the largest rubber stamping project I have ever done. The base is 14x20" and I must admit it was a little intimidating at first.  The complete step by step tutorial is available on the Blank Page Muse Blog. HERE

This project is entered into the following Challenges:

• Splashy Mix Challenge Blog (Anything Goes)
• Artistic Stamper Challenge (Anything Goes)
• Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #183 (Make It Sparkle)
• Just Add Ink Challenge #440 (Something New)
• We Love to Create (mixed media)
• Creative Embellishments January Challenge (Moodboard)
  

STAMPlorations January Mixed Media Challenge


BPM Stamps:  www.blankpagemuse.com
Hearty Doodles Art Rubber Stamp Set
Moon Small Round Line Art Face
Raindrops Waterdrops Rubber Stamp Sheet Set
Phoebe Art Doll Rubber Stamp Sheet designed by Jayne Alexander
Concentric Circles Line Art by Cathy Frailey


Other Supplies:    cardboard or canvas,foam brush and toothbrush, acrylic paint (black, blue, lilac, red, white), metallic paint (blue, purple, gold, silver), paper towels & kitchen sponge, clear mounting block,alphabet stickers, sequins, glitter, stars, & beads, liquid adhesive

Don't Wait - Lindy's Challenge

I love how this card came out.  The colors are beautiful and the sentiment heat embossed onto vellum adds a nice softness and contrast.

   

There will be 5 winners of $50 Gift Certificates!

You can find all the official rules to enter HERE. 
1. Share the Color Challenge graphic for this month’s challenge 
2. Link the color challenge graphic to our blog, (where all the information about the challenge is posted) 
3. Use a minimum of two (2) Lindy’s Stamp Gang products. 
(You may add neutrals, white, black, gray and brown) 
4. Link All Lindy's products to the online store.
           
Visit Lindy's blog HERE.  
These are the products I used for the challenge.

Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Stains 



• Ireland Green 
• Yellow Rose of Texas
• Scarlet Red 
• Bachelor Button Blue
• Embossing Powder - Midnight Bronze Obsidian

The Robin's Nest:
Dark Vanilla CanvasStock
Tear Drops

Just Mixed Media Magazine!

I've been holding this secret for months; well, just since September 2015.  Just Mixed Media is the newest magazine to hit the shelves and was released by Scott Publication earlier this month.  I am so honored  and thrilled to say I had 14 projects selected for their first issue. Below you will find a bit more info about what to expect in the magazine.

 "Just Mixed Media" is a treasure trove of inspiration filled with unique projects. Since mixed media is a very broad category, this must-have publication features seven categories of artwork: canvases & wall art, tags & ATCs, cards & scrapbook pages, home décor, journals & books and everything else! "Just Mixed Media" features unlimited techniques and styles, so whether you're into collage, painting, drawing, stamping or anything in between, we're sure you'll find inspiration and motivation to create your next gorgeous mixed media work of art!                                  Here are some sneak peeks inside the first issue!

 

                  Just Mixed Media (Issue 1) is available in stores until May                            
or you can order it online HERE

Dance in the Rain - Linnie Blooms

A small rainbow canvas to brighten your day!

Directions:
1. Apply blue gelato to the canvas background. Add a spritz of water to help blend the color with a paintbrush to create a splotchy background. Set aside to dry.

2. Use permanent black ink to stamp a quote onto clear shrink plastic. Punch a small hole at the top using a hole punch so that you can hang the charm. Use a heat gun to shrink the stamped quote.

3. Apply, white texture paste to the canvas and use texture card #5 to make horizontal striations to form the rain. Allow to dry. Next, add a cloud like mound of texture paste to the top of the canvas. After the paint has dried, apply Glass Bead Glitter Gel to add sparkle to the clouds.

4. Next, use gelatos to color the rain in a rainbow pattern. Dip the paintbrush in water to help spread the colors. Lastly, when the paint has dried, apply Glass Bead Glitter Gel selectively through a limited scattering of spots while holding the dot stencil securely.

5. Finally, embellish the rainbow with translucent buttons and hang the shrink plastic charm from clear thread.

Supplies: canvas mini album (Linnie Blooms), Gelatos - Watermelon, Guava, Peach, Butter Creme, Kiwi, Elderberry, Fig, Strawberry, Acqua Dolce (Faber-Castell), Glass Bead Glitter Gel (Faber-Castell), Texture Card #5 (Faber-Castell), Stencil 101 Collection dots (Faber-Castell), clear shrink plastic (Shrinky Dink), Stazon black ink (Tsukineko), Life clear stamp (Kaisercraft), heat gun, water, paintbrush, texture paste, clear thread, hole punch

A Closer Look:

 

Visit Linnie Blooms
to see their range of wonderful canvas based products to embellish.

Santa Card - New Kit Coming Soon!

All you need are 3 simple canvas shapes to make this adorable Santa face. With a fold and a few snips, a heart, sunflower, & bird was transformed into Santa. It could be used as a gift topper, Christmas ornament, or to embellish a card or scrapbook page.

Directions:
1. Fold the canvas sunflower in half but do not have it evenly lined up as this will be Santa's beard. Fold the canvas heart in half vertically. Use a pencil to draw a line along the curved edge to form the mustache. Cut the mustache from the folded heart canvas. Paint Santa's beard and mustache with white texture paste. When it is completely dry, lightly ink the frayed edges of Santa's beard with tan ink.

2. The leftover piece of the canvas heart will be Santa's face. Apply pink chalk to give Santa rosy cheeks. Sew or glue small black buttons for his eyes.

3. Next, take the canvas bird and turn it upside down. It will become the hat when you trim off part of the bird's head to make the hat brim straight. Use a sponge applicator to apply Distress ink to the canvas bird. Mist the canvas lightly with water to allow the ink to blend easier and continue sponging until you are happy with the intensity of the color. Apply brown ink along the edge of the hat and after it is dry, use a pigment ink pen to add faux stitching details around the hat.

4. Finally, it is time to assemble Santa's face by attaching the canvas face to a bit of card stock to add stability to the finished piece. Attach a brad through the mustache for his nose and then secure his beard, mustache, and hat in place with double sided tape. Finally, embellish the end of Santa's hat with a button, holly, and red pearl domes as berries.

 A Closer Look:

Linnie Blooms Supplies: canvas large heart, canvas bird, canvas sunflower
Other Supplies: Distress Inks - Barn Door, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen (Ranger), chalk (Inkadinkado), fabric scissors, buttons x2, brad, pom pom, Emerald ColorWays 12" paper -Leatherbound (Paper House), brown pigment ink pen - Chocolate (Zig Memory Systems), red pearl domes, texture paste, needle & thread

I hope you try combining some of the Linnie Blooms canvas die cut shapes and see what new designs you can create with just a little imagination.
                                      Linnie Blooms Shop - HERE

Altered Clothes Pins

I saw these cute little canvas leaves and was inspired to make some autumnal themed clothes pins.  I plan to use them to decorate my kitchen by clipping them on the lamp or curtains to add a hint of "fall".  I might even add a magnet to the back of one and use it on the refrigerator to hold notes.  Here's a step by step of how I did it.

                      

TIP: Since I have accumulated many sprays and mists, I make a sample card for each color by spraying a mini tag and attaching it to a jump ring. I write the brand & color on the back of the tag. Then I can quickly find the right colors when I am planning a project. (see photo below)

Directions:
1. Prepare to Paint: Protect your work surface & wear gloves.  Place the canvas leaves on your craft matte or newspaper. Mist the leaves with 3-4 autumnal colors. With your finger, blend the colors together so they absorb into the weave of the fabric. I worked with all paint colors simultaneously. Remember to color the back side of each leaf as well. Set leaves aside to dry.

2. Color Clothes Pins: Attach washi tape to both sides of each wooden clothes pin. Carefully trim away excess tape with scissors and firmly press all edges securely.

3. Assemble Bows: Cut a strip of fabric about 1.25in x 4inches in length. Find the center of the strip. Pinch and twist one side of the fabric to the back and use a piece of wire to cinch the center of the bow twisting the wire to secure it. Trim the ends of the fabric if needed. Tie a small bow using jute or baker's twine.

4. Detail the Leaves: When the leaves are thoroughly dry, take each leaf and fold it in half to the stem pressing firmly with your fingers.  The stiffened canvas will hold the gentle crease and the fold will appear to be the vein of the leaf giving it a more realistic appearance.

5. Embellish Clothes Pins: Use a hot glue gun to attach the fabric bow to the end of the wooden clothes pin.  Next, glue a leaf in the center of the fabric bow. Finally, glue a twine bow on the leaf and embellish it with a button.

Browse the Linnie Blooms Shop: HERE

Linnie Blooms Supplies: canvas leaves, wooden clothes pins
Other Supplies: Moon Glow Glimmer Spray, twine, buttons, washi tape, fabric, wire, glue gun

 A Closer Look:

    Visit Linnie Blooms to see more inspiring projects and follow us on Facebook.