Mixed Media : Creative Dreams Art Journal Cover

Hello mixed media lovers.  Today I'm sharing the cover of my "Creative Dreams" art journal.  I've shared some of the pages from inside it in the past.   I finally finished the cover.  I'm really into these colors right now.  These are the colors I"m using  to decorate my studio right now and this book is sitting up on one of the shelves.

You can view all my mixed media journal pages HERE.  I have more pages started, just need to finish them up and will share later.

I started by covering the outside of the book with gesso.  The background was created by adding paint (aqua and green) and gesso til I got a distressed look that I liked.  

I LOVE using tissue paper in my art work.  I used some green polka dot tissue paper by Pink Paislee across the bottom.  I used yellow and pink tissue paper but didn't have any orange, so I sprayed white tissue paper.    I cut strips of each color, then rolled them horizontally, and then twisted each strip.  Then I used white glue and wrapped the twisted strips into circles to create the flowers. 

The stems and leaves were hand cut from green patterned paper.    I used a Sketch and Wash pencil to distress / add shading around outside edges of leaves, stems and some of the flowers.   I used a oil pastel crayons by Crayola.  I use the really cheap ones,  from Hobby Lobby, and I have a 24 ct Portfolio set as well.  They run about $10 and I ordered mine online from Amazon.  I used them to add shading to the leaves and on the background around the flowers.  You have to do your doodling (Pilot G-2 07 - Walmart) before using the oil pastels.  

"Creative" - I used a stencil
"Dreams" - rub-ons
"Dream Big"  - hand written, inspired by a doodling online class I took from Stephanie Ackerman

Inside pages
I adhere 4 or more pages together with gesso.  Then gesso all the pages and inside cover front and back.
The gesso is wet so the pages warp a little, but it's an altered journal, and I thing that just gives it character.

Some of the pages peel apart a little using the gesso to adhere them together.  Again, I like that look, so I don't worry about it.  

I have also started another one by altering a calender book.  I will share that one in the future as well.





I want to tell you about a new (looks like it started up in April)  blogozine I found that has lots of Mixed Media / Altered type projects and posts with technique tutorials.  Looks like they are hosting 2 challenges a month.  You can find them by clicking on the RAQ 1 and RAQ 2 tabs along the top of the blog.  And if you like to right "articles", then it looks like they have calls as well.  You can find out more about becoming a contributor to their blogozine HERE.  I love monthly challenges because it gives me lots of time to plan.  I'm off to work on my scrapbook project for RAQ 2 !!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Melisa


******************************************

Fabulous Mixed Media Classes I have taken

Christy Tomlison - She Art 44.95
She Art 2  $44.99
Your Living Canvas $109  (purchased this one, but haven't had time to watch it yet)
Junelle Jacobson - The Art of Wild Abondonment  $44.99
Roben-Marie Smith - Art Journal Conversion $24.99
Stephanie Ackerman - Doodle, Too!  $35
Sue Pelletier - Burlap and Paper Clay $35

******************************************

Challenges

4 Crafty Chicks (thur) - circles

Paperplay (thur) - recycle (I used and old book to create my altered journal)

Wags and Whiskars (fri) - favorite color combo (this is my favorite color combo right now.  I'm actually creating an entire shelf of altered items for a shelf in my studio using these colors!)

2 Sisters (sat) -  In the Garden

Unruly Paper Arts (monthly) - Dear Diary (this is the cover of an Altered Joural)

Catered Crop (sun) - distressed ( I used ink, paint, and a Sketch and Wash pencil to achieve my distressed look on the cover of this altered journal / book)

Mixed Media Project - Roben- Marie Smith Class

6" x 9"

Hello Paper Crafters.  I recently finished a mixed media class by Roben-Marie Smith called "Art Journal Conversion" and wanted to share my first two projects with you.  This one just makes me smile.  I still need to add the journaling, but couldn't wait to share it.  I seriously can't believe I made this!!  I LOVE Roben's style and I'm so excited that she has classes to teach the rest of us how to get that wonderful layered look.  I really enjoyed the class.  It used a lot of products I already owned and honestly, the techniques were not new to me (spray inks, stencils, modeling paste, doodling).  What I gained from the class was the inspiration to add MANY layers of spray inks and gesso so that you create a depth.  So much is going on in the background, but it is so subtle that it doesn't overwhelm.  The medium I was introduced to was using oil pastels.  LOVE them.  It really allows you to add shading.  Be prepared to use your fingers,  A LOT, in this class.  If you don't like a mess, then this is not the class for you. 

The stencils I used were : Plaid (diamond pattern), Layers of Color (swirly), Crafter's Workshop (dots), and the daisy is from Hobby Lobby HERE, sorry I didn't save the package.  The larger circles are from a Drafting Stencils that has a lot of circles with different sizes, but they are graduated.  So it's a pain to use.  HERE.  I wish someone made one with lots of different circle, in differnet sizes, randomly. 

Here are a list of sites that I found that have really cool stencils though :

Crafter's Workshop

Martha Stewart at Michaels  - I LOVE this one, but haven't seen it at my local Micheals.  Will have to see if I can order it.

Plaid  check out the Folk art catagory.  Their store is a little weird to navigate.  Once you get to the Folk Art section, then you have to look to the right and you will see smaller photo's of options and can arrow over.  Then click on the stencil you want to see.  REALLY cool stencils.

I-Stencils - I linked you to the background stencils but check out the left column for other choices.  You can order from their online store, but I don't see any shipping details.

Stencil Ease

Wall to Wall Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Options for Spray Inks :

Adirondack

Dylusions

Glimmer Mist

Ranger Perfect Pearls

Mister Huey

Inkadinkado

And I'm liking the less expensive RIT liquid dye (liquid, already mixed).  I purchased an .99 cent spray bottle from the artist section at Hobby Lobby and just poured the color in.

Let me know if you think of any others I can add to the list

I started shopping around looking for other options for spray inks.  Glimmer Mist are so pretty, but mine often clog and for what I'm paying for them, I find that frustrating.  Roben used some SEI Tumbler Tie-dye inks, so I decided to check out the tie-dye section of Jo-ann's where I noticed the RIT dyes.  SOOOO much cheaper than Glimmer Mist ($7.50 for 2 oz).  I bought them pre-mixed in a bottle (8oz).  I think it was around $4.  Then I picked up some inexpensive spray bottles at Hobby Lobby and poured the color in those.  So I decided to give it a try.  The orange you see in this project is the RIT.  I will definitely try some of the other colors.

I didn't want to start out working in my art journal, because I figured my first project might not be so good.  So I did this piece on 6" x 9" 140# watercolor paper and decided to hang it on my 7 Gypsies Photo Display Stand.  I don't have any photo's on mine.  It's dedicated to mixed media projects.  Here is a picture I posted in the past :

I spray painted mine black.  I use extra large eyelets in the top.

2.5" x 3" Artist Trading Card

This one is a mini.  You can't really get the depth on such a small peice, but I like how it turned out.

If you are interested in taking mixed media classes, here's a list :

Christy Tomlison

Roben-Marie Smith

Donna Downey - tons of free video's on her blog HERE

and in her store HERE

Creative Workshops

Alisa Burke

Free video's at Cloth, Paper, Scissors HERE

Interweave

Traci Bautista

Julie Prichard

If you know of any that aren't on my list, please share!

You can view my other :

 Faith Art projects HERE.

Collage / Mixed Media projects HERE.

Artist Trading Cards HERE.

***********************************************************

Challenges

Project #1

Cupcake Craft (mon) - texture (flowers and circles are modeling paste)

Ribbon Carousel (tues) - lots of color

For Fun (wed) - anything goes

Let's Ink it Up (monthly) - distressing

Crafts 4 Eternity (fri) - try something new (new mixed media class - style)

Corrosive (sun) - from a bottle  (spray inks)

Project #2

Word Art Wed (wed) - Habakkuk 3:18

Fairy Fun Friday's - flower

OOzak's (monthly) - anything goes

Abby's Scripture Thur #25

Mixed Media Art Journal Project

I finished 2 more pages in my art journal today.  So much fun!  I started with color inspiration from the Color Throwdown challenge blog and added the scripture from this weeks Word Art Wednesday challenge.

1. I started with 2 gesso coated book pages.  I used a thin layer so that the words were visible.

2. Scribble some blue (#47 Lyra Aquacolor) over the background and then brush water on to spread the paint.

3. Lay stencil (I used a circular medallion from Layers of Color) and sponge on purple watered down acrylic paint over the openings on the inside of the medallion and very lightly around the edges. 

4.  Pounce on watered down yellow acrylic paint over sequin waste (punchanella). 

5. Smear on some green paint with finger.

6. Spray with Work Fixative and dry with heat gun.  May not have been necessary, but before I started layering more color, I wanted to set what I had already added.

7. Roll on brown ink (Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate by Tsukineko) using Jumbo Rollagraph Stamp Wheel with the Floral Flourish image around edges and in a few area's in center. I didn't want the full image, so I rolled lightly. You could use any type decorative stamp, but I like that the Rollagraph makes it easy for me to lightly roll and get a partial image. 

8. Wipe brown ink around edges. I used a little water on my fingers to smear it.

9.  Apply white acrylic paint with bubble wrap.

10.  Stamp Stampendous Music Score  on watercolor paper multiple times with water resistant ink (I used Palette Noir and then ran the heat gun over it a couple of times just to be safe).  Brush watered down white acrylic paint over some of the music score images (for picket fence and flower centers) and yellow watereed down paint over the rest (for sun). 

11. Hand cut fence and sun pieces.  Scribble around edges of all pieces with brown #59 Neocolor II crayon and smear with ZIG H20 Brush.  LOVE these brush's!  They come in different sizes and I just wipe them off on paper towels in between colors.

12.  Tear green patterned paper and adhere along the bottom of pages.  Only adhere along the bottom edge so you can slip the ends of fence and stems in later.  Use brown watercolor crayon around edges of grass.

13. Adhere fence and sun.

14. Cut flower #1 / heart flowers from purple patterned paper. Brush on yellow watered down yellow paint onto watercolor paper and cut flower #2.  Cut all flower centers from the white music score paper created earlier.  Cut leaves / stems from green patterned paper.  Add / smear brown watercolor crayon around edges of all pieces. 

15. Print scripture and cut into tag.  Tear one end.  Add / smear brown watercolor crayon around edges of tag.  Adhere tag to page and add bow.

16. Adhere stems, leaves, and flowers.  Before adhering leaves, crumble and crease.  Adhere ends of grass to page.  Embellish with buttons.  Doodle.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Melisa

See all my MIXED MEDIA TUTORIALS HERE

See all my MIXED MEDIA / COLLAGE PROJECTS HERE

See all my ART JOURNAL PROJECTS HERE

View all my Faith Art projects HERE.

*****************************************************

Linked to :

http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com

****************************************************

Challenges

Color Throwdown

Word Art Wednesday (wed) - Psalm 28:7

For Fun (wed) - tags (handmade tag with scripture on it)

Little Red Wagon (wed) - spring

Crop Stop (thur) - buttons and bows

Lily Pad (fri) - flowers

Crafty Emma's (sat) - paper piece

Inspiration Emporium (montly) - watercolor

Sketchbook Challenge (monthly) - open

Layers of Color NEW RELEASE Blog Hop!

Welcome to a very special Layers of Color New Release Blog Hop!

Today is so exciting because we are introducing

Layers of Color Designer Collection

showcasing Nina Brackett's new signature stamp line,

Nina B Designs!  If you have arrived from Linda's blog ...  then you are in the right place.  If not, then you will want to start on the Layers of Color blog to read all the details on how to win prizes!! 

I have been having so much fun designing with these images.  Most of these sets are bigger (6x8") than the usual Layers of Color sets.   My first card uses images from the set "Beautiful Lace".  The tag below was created using images from the "Dotted Dahlia".

Layers of Color is also introducing some fun new embellishments you can use on your projects ...

Angel's Twine and Feather Twine!

LOC has also set up an easier way to view projects for specific stamp sets.  You will find lots of inspiration for all of your LOC clear stamps in the clear stamp art galleries!

And have you heard??  Laura and Nina have also designed some new dies with Spellbinders!

Introducing Dress Forms!  Get more info at THIS POST!

and Nested Tea Cups!  Get more info about this set on THIS POST!

Aren't these fun??  You will be seeing more inspiration using these dies in the upcoming months from each of the Layers of Color DT members.  These dies are only available through Crafter’s Home participating stores at this time.  They will be available in other stores, including Layers of Color after CHA.

To celebrate the new release of the Spellbinders dies, Layers of Color is sponsoring another blog hop on Nov 21st.  I hope you will join us for FREE templates and lots of inspiration!

thanks for joining us!

Melisa

Your next stop in the blog hop is the wonderfully talented

  NINA

**************************************************

Project Details

Card - I started by stamping the doily images on white cardstock and embossing.  Then I rubbed on pink distress ink (ranger) with one of the Tim Holtz applicators.  I guess I thought if I did it like this, there would be some variation in the shading, but in the end, it came out all the same shade.  So save yourself some time and just stamp and emboss on pink cardstock, teehee!  I stamped the dress form once on the white cardstock panel and then again on polka dot paper.  Then paper pieced as shown.  I colored the pink area's on the dress with Copics.

Tag / Bookmark -  You know I like it when I have time to get messy!  And it had been a while since I had created a mixed media type background.   So this tag was so much fun for me.  I started with a manilla tag from a local office supply store and covered it with white cardstock.  Then I layered on some old music paper.  My intent was for it to show more, but I messed it up when I kept adding color.   I started with an Aquamarine Glaze by Golden.  You can also use aqua acrylic paint, watered down.  With a glaze the goal is to add color but still be able to see what's underneath (music paper in this case).  Then I sprayed with a blue Glimmer Mist.  Then I thought a tiny spritz of brown would add some dimension, yuck!  Didn't turn out so great.  I should have stopped with blue.  So to lighten it a little I lightly rubbed on some white.  You can see that most near the middle of the tag, coming from behind the flowers.  When I'm trying to add just a little color in a random fashion, I use a fan brush and lightly apply the paint.  Next came yellow.  I put a polka dot stencil over the left upper corner and pounced on some yellow paint, with a really cool tool ... my finger, teehee.  Then I used my finger to add more yellow paint around the edges.   And finally I adhered my Copic colored images and doodled around the edges. 

Don't go breakin' my heart ....

Wanna know how to break my little artsy heart???  Issue a "cardboard" challenge for the summer issue, and then don't publish my little Under The Sea art piece.  :  (     I don't usually whine or complain on my blog, I save that for DH, ha!  But Stampers Sampler has broken my heart.  It's a day like this that makes you want to throw in the towel and stop submitting.  What I am more upset about is that I sent them $10 to mail this and 3 other cards back and they haven't!  I worked hard on this, and I hope it didn't end up in a trash can somewhere.

But I want give up!  I love their challenges and template challenges and they really spark my creativity so I will push on!  And I have to say that the June / July issue is OUTSTANDING!  Even if you don't want to buy it.  Stop by a nearby Michaels or Barnes and Noble and check it out.  The hot air balloon template projects are AMAZING!  What creativity!   And of course I love all the cardboard art.  I saw 1 name I recognized.  This chick is an outstanding mixed media artist.  I wanna be just like her when I grow up!

Lynn Stevens.

If this issue inspires you to create something using cardboard then I would love to have you add it to my Flickr group HERE.

Need more inspiration ??? 

You can check out more of my cardboard art HERE.

****************************************

Project Details

Stamps : Under the Sea art stamp set by Layers of Color. Sentiment - Unity.

Ink - VersaFine Onyx Black, Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate both by Tsukineko.

Spellbinders - Labels Eight  and Grand Calibur

Corrugated Cardboard.

Pumus - Golden.

Crackle Paint - Ranger

Acrylic Paint - Making Memories.

Tuelle - Bazzill.

Raffia, hemp and shell fiber - local craft store

Clear pebble embellishment - Making Memories

Cut corrugated cardboard to size and tear away some area’s to expose the ripples.

I started out applying some vintage music paper but it was eventually layered over

and now you can only see hints of it (The Etude at the top).  Apply acrylic paint (mine

is watered down so that it is a little transparent). Apply pumus (it’s this wonderful sand

like product you can find I the artist section of local craft store) with a palette knife.

Pumus is grey in color, but you can mix it with paint. I used a beige color. After dry,

apply crackle paint. Add brown ink. Stamp images and trim. Stamp sentiment and

trim with Spellbinders die, then ink edges. Cover back of project with white paper.

Wrap with fibers and adhere clear pebble to center of knot. Adhere sentiment

and images. Add a cardboard frame stand to the back so you can display it

on a table top.

Have a blessed weekend!!
Melisa

MIXED MEDIA / ART JOURNAL PROJECT

Hello Papercrafters!  I am very excited this week, because I started a 3 week Mixed Media Class taught by Christy Tomlinson and it is based on her "SHE Art" series.  While the inspiration is Christy's "she art", the fundamentals/techniques being taught on how to build a mixed media background with lots of layers and texture are the real lesson here.  And I think my first project based on this weeks video lessons is different from anything I have ever created.  Christy will be offering this class again in the future :  http://www.christytomlinson.typepad.com/

I decided to practice these techniques on canvas paper, before trying to create an acutal canvas for the wall.  I'm not new to using textured mediums like pumus, tissue paper, modeling paste, crackle paste, etc or paint, ink and stamps. But I have never brought them together in this way, with so many layers!  I did hold my breathe a couple of times when adding more stamped images. After I got to a certain point and had invested so much into it, I was afraid I was going to mess it up.  Our "SHE Art" Flickr group HERE.

And I chose a verse that I was reminded of over on the LOC blog for Faith Art Friday.  When I was reading it, I immediately remembered a song that used to me a favorite of mine years ago, by Steven Curtis Chapman called Free.  Please stop by and check out a new Faith Art Friday project each week HERE.
FREE by Steven Curtis Chapman

I get so caught up in my daily life, that is so easy to forget those years so long ago when I was not free.  My life in comparison is so different now and I am so thankful for my Saviour who set me free.  If you have never experienced the freedom that comes through salvation, then this may be a foreign concept to you and may not make sense at all.  But believe me, once you have experienced it, you know how real it is.  As always I welcome your emails if you have questions regarding this spiritual topic!

I hope you weekend is a beautiful one!
hugs,
Melisa

****************************************

You can view my other Faith Art projects HERE.

See all my MIXED MEDIA TUTORIALS HERE

See all my MIXED MEDIA / COLLAGE PROJECTS HERE

See all my ART JOURNAL PROJECTS HERE

Faith Art Friday

Hello Papercrafters.  Today I am sharing my Faith Art Friday project created for the Layers of Color blog.  I decided to turn tags into bookmarks and share a poem.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Our God does not faint

Nor grows weary each day

There's no searching His understanding

Or knowing His infinite ways

He gives power to the faint

Increasing their strength and might

For even the young lie exhausted

And grow weary in their lives

But those that wait upon the Lord

He shall strengthen and renew

They shall mount up close to God

And soar as eagles do

They shall run and not be weary

They shall walk and not grow weak

They shall be changed and renewed

As their God they humbly seek

© By M.S.Lowndes

http://www.heavensinspirations.com/scripture-poetry.html

I don't know what some of you may be going through today.  I hope that if you are struggling, you will be encouraged by God's word and know that no matter what you are going through, He is there for you and will sustain His children.

And I can not leave you without sharing the inspiration for these book marks.  I follow a mixed media blog called "Paper and Gluestix" by Amy Nieman.  And each time I open her post in my email, I can't help but smile.  I especially love here "pet" ATC's that she creates with her own little pup.  I recently got the opportunity to swap with her, and the ATC's below are what I recieved!  They were the inspiration for my bookmarks.  Amy also has a Flickr gallery as well HERE.  

I'm am off to try and pick out more paint and move some things to the new house!  I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

hug,

Melisa

********************************************

You can view my other Faith Art projects HERE.

You can view more of my Collage / Mixed Media projects HERE.

MIXED MEDIA / ART JOURNAL PROJECT

Look what I whipped up last night!  I have to tell you that I am having the best time playing with canvas and background techniques!! I have been watching some of the background techniques that Donna Downey teaches over on her blog. She does weekly video's in her Inspiration Art Journal. I had been looking for some raw canvas to work on, but I'm wasn't sure where to find it. I just happened to be looking around in the artist section of Michaels and found this "Medium Texture Real Artist Canvas" by Fredrix in a pad format and decided to give it a try. I knew I needed something that would hold up against lost of wetness, me spraying it with water. AND IT WORKED!! I'm so excited.  I will say that I have also created a panel with a heavy watercolor paper and it works as well.  You can check out Donna's art journal pages HERE.  And her "Inspiration Wednesday" video's HERE.  Now some weeks may not be your style or you may not like them at all, but take away the technique and create your own version.  That's what I did with this one.  This doesn't look anything like what Donna would create!

Donna used a "journal" to explore techniques. But I don't have one. So I decided to finally use that 7 Gypsies Photo Stand I've had forever. I'm going to hang each panel on it, so I can flip through my pages. I trimmed the sheets down to 6 x 8".

 LOVE mixed media, but really don't have any skills in that area. So this will truely be an artistic journey for me. You should have seen me staring at the blank canvas when I first started this one.  It took me forever to get me background done.  If you are interested in this kind of art / growing as an artist, then I encourage you to check out Donna's Blog! I also found some downloadable Mixed Media Video's over at Cloth Paper Scissors. Here is a link to some FREEBIES.  And here is a link to some you can purchase for 14.95 (scroll down the page to see them) : HERE.

I got a chance to ask Donna about here journal in a video chat the other night.  They are handmade using a very heavy cardstock.  You can check them out HERE.  Or be a rebel and do your own thing, like me! 

Since it's Fall it just seemed like the logical direction to go in for this panel.  And when I think of fall, I think of rich colors and texture.  I started with some acrylic paints then started layering old book paper and some tissue paper, then more paint and Glimmer Mist - Harvest Orange.  The 2 large dies are from Creative Cuts and More - HERE.   Mine started out a bright orange.  I ran it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and layered on some acrylic paint and Glimmer Mist - Harvest Orange.  I used some really old "Provo Craft" dies to create the smaller leaves.  Again adding acrylic paint.  Adhered to front of panel and traced around the edges of the leaves and edges of panel using a charcoal pencil (you can get these in the artist section at local craft store).

Next I opened up my Fall embellishment drawer and found these old rub-ons.  I did a google search and found this great quote.  I typed it up (leaving lots of space between the sections of words and printed.  But I didn't want the background to be white, so I cut some thin cardstock chalked up the paper, lightly adhered it over the words on the computer paper and then ran that same sheet through the printer again.  Now the words printed on my chalked paper.  I sprayed the paper with "Fixative" spray, tore close to the words around each one, and inked up the edges.
BTW the creamy chalks are the best.  I used my Craft T Products set for this project.

The other chalks I like to use are the Pearlescent ones from Pebbles Inc.  I think you can get them at Hobby Lobby.

Thanks for letting me ramble along again!  Hope you were inspired to create something fun and make sure and email me if you have any questions!

See all my MIXED MEDIA TUTORIALS HERE

See all my MIXED MEDIA / COLLAGE PROJECTS HERE

See all my ART JOURNAL PROJECTS HERE

I'm linking this one to the following inspiration challenge blogs!
The Shabby Tea Room posted a gorgeous fall colored cake to inspire us.
and The Pink Elephant challenged us to use orange and brown!

Don't forget to hop over and join us for the Creative Cuts and More blog hop tomorrow.  Lots of holiday idea's!!