Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Layering with Happy Colors

I started out making a card this morning, but just wasn't "feeling it".   So I gathered everything up and put it to the side and started with a different thought.  It was raining outside so I decided to grab some bright Distress Paint colors from the shelf to make something happy! 
I found a piece of chipboard on the shelf - yep, just plain 'ole chip.  Painted a coat of Gesso from Dina's new line and let it dry (which is VERY quick - I like that).
Once dry, I painted over the surface with Worn Lipstick (my favorite pink Distress Paint).  I spritzed it with a light mist of water to make the lines disappear once dry.
Tissue Wrap is next...just add pieces with Multi Medium.
Another favorite - Distress Damask stamp and Watering Can Archival Ink.
This whole project is really fast and random.  What you think may be really important - like where the stamp is placed - really isn't.  It's just about building the layers to create the texture.  You might notice I didn't even use a stamp block, I just rolled it on.
You will need to let the ink dry before the next step (or use a heat tool like me).
Two more colors of Distress Paint - Peacock Feathers and Crushed Olive.  Make a paint palette on your craft mat to work from.
Then use your best tools, your fingers, to add paint to the surface. 
Don't think too much.  In fact, if you can limit yourself to 2-3 minutes to add the paint, it will force you to make more intuitive choices.
 Next the Crushed Olive.
This is how I ended.
Knowing when to stop is part of the process!
Set aside to dry.
How about a little texture?
Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste/palette knife and the Bubble stencil.  This stuff is like butter!
Most important, CLEAN the stencil when the paste is still wet!!
Can you mix stain and paint?  I did.
Tumbled Glass Distress Stain and Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.
I pounced the Distress Stain over the dots until the stain was puddling, then pounced a bit of the Tarnished Brass over the top.  I dried the mix with the heat tool and then wiped up the remaining liquid with a paper towel.
So this is the part that might be a just a little scary for some, but stay with me here.
I put some Gesso onto a palette knife (yes, I know that usually goes underneath the paint) and ran it down the surface.
I just kept adding Gesso in the thin coat till I thought it looked balanced.
I know, really random, right?
I let the Gesso dry, then tinted it just a bit with Vintage Photo (gotta love that new Mini Blending Tool).
Now a quick easy layer of Worn Lipstick, just over the Gesso.  I added the paint with the dabber top and smoothed it out with a wet wipe.
 I had this piece of Frameworks sitting on my desk that I had previously painted with Iced Spruce.
 I punch out the centers and stamped them with text.
 Then added them to the canvas.
 I created a drop shadow using Distress Markers.
Next up...a Chitchat saying.
 And a little more marker work.
 Again, fingers are your your best tools for smudging.
The last step is to add some speckles with the new Spritzer Tool.  Insert the marker in the tool so the marker sits just past the tip where the air comes out.  Hold it up above your work, aim the Spritzer air hole straight down and squeeze.
 Super fun tool to work with and it adds a fine splatter effect that makes the perfect finishing touch.

 I added a metal piece from the Adornments - Nature pack (with a little Iced Spruce Distress Paint added) to a small clip board I had.
The just slipped the little painting under the clip.
Loving the final result.
Do you notice you can barely see the tissue and the stamping layer?  But what you can see is important in the layering process.

I know I used a lot of different products in this project.  But really, the idea is to use what appeals to you... colors you like, stencils you like...make it yours.  Just remember, layers are the key!

Hope you have a happy day!  Now go create some layers!
Carry on,
paula



45 comments:

  1. That is just TOO cool!! Love the clip board too. I wish you could come to my art class and demo. Love it!

    ~Linsey

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  2. This is awesome! Thank you for sharing all of the layers! I loved seeing how it all came together! Very fun! :)

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  3. beautiful Paula! And I love the adornment added to the clipboard piece - makes it look vintage and fancy all at the same time! Carry On!

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  4. You must have had a BLAST!
    Can you share the name of the text stamp you used? it's a great type font on it!!

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    1. that is a remnant rub - Words!

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    2. Just before that step Paula please, on the frameworks BG pieces.
      (sorry to be a pain! LOL)

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    3. it is a small text stamp found on the CMS189Merchantile stamp set (stamper anonymous).
      Not a pain at all my friend!
      p

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    4. Thank you so much! off to hunt it down! LOL

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    5. Absolutely awesome !! Gonna give it a try. Happy days ... 🌻

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  5. Stunning! I'm new to all this so your tutorial is great.

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  6. I love this post...absolutely inspiring!!!

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  7. PAula as always your works are masterpieces! This is a very great tutorial! I love especially background and new Tim's dies! Wonderful use of it! Inspirational, totally inspirational! BArbarayaya

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  8. Stunning mixed media piece Paula, great techniques, great tut and what was totally new to me, - mixing stains and paints, yay, I like it!! This looks fantastic!!

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  9. Gorgeous piece! Thank you for the sharing the details of creating it!

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  10. Stunning, Paula. I just got 4 of the new mini blending tools at the Doodle yesterday! Now I just need a few minutes to create something.

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    1. Sue, you are going to like the new tools. I just got mine also so we can learn together!

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  11. Awesome Paula! I can't wait to get me some of those new little Distress tools! (Oh, and more Iced Spruce paint too. Mine is about gone already.)

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  12. Thanks for the step-by-step. It is so helpful to see how others put down layers. Love all the different techniques you used in this amazing project. Can't wait to play in my craft room this evening!! -- Mary Elizabeth

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  13. Nice to see how you made this! It looks stunning!

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  14. I think it's safe to say that I love everything you create!

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  15. I love it! So much fun. It looks like you have spring on the brain with all the bright colors.
    Jess

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  16. awesome! so amazing how you get from a to z without a plan :-)

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  17. I love it! Makes me wish for spring weather here in the Northeast.

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  18. It is gorgeous Paula!! Love the colours, all the different textures and the products you used. The little frameworks pieces add such a nice touch, especially with that drop shadow. I need that gesso which dries fast, I often find myself impatiently waiting for gesso to dry.

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    1. thanks Anna-Karin - and I wasn't lying when I said it dries fast, it does! Way better than the gesso I was using before.

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  19. Wonderful! I really like all the layers of color and texture!

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  20. Hello Paula, from Johannesburg ;) this is freaking amazing. I have to tell you I think I have bought the WHOLE TH range of distress stuff now and I love using it and I am so going to try this... I managed to get some of Dinas cool stamps too... whoop whoop.. so when are you coming back again ;) xox

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    1. thanks Val! I can't asit to see what you do with all that good stuff!. I don't have any of Dina's new stamps but they are on my list.
      Wish I could say when I was coming back - but man did we have a good time when we were there. Love, love, love visiting SA!
      paula

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  21. A valuable tutorial for me, thanks, Paula. I need to just let go- stop staring at all the stuff I have and slap some down. BTW- you were absolutely right about that Sizzlits spring greenery strip- I have already used it twice, which for me is a lot. Thanks for (the right kind of) enabling.

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  22. This is a great way to start my day, A Paula Cheney Tutorial! Love all the layers and it has inspired me to complete my eclectic elements fabric quilt canvas that I need to finish. Thank you for all your wonderful ideas. They always leave me pumped and ready to play! Big Hugs, Laura

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  23. Great tutorial, Paula! Love the way you transformed plain chipboard into something so beautiful !

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  24. Great tutorial, Paula! Love the way you transformed plain chipboard into something so beautiful !

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  25. Just gorgeous - a wonderful inspiration

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  26. This is just yummy! I didn't want the tutorial to end...... another 'perfect Paula' creation.

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  27. I just LOVE this! Wonderful colors.

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  28. Love the results of your playtime - definitely enough to drive away today's grey rain clouds!
    Alison x

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  29. Paula...Oh my gosh!! I SO LOVE THIS! Your eye for color and composition is just amazing. I sound so technical and I've never had an art lesson...so what do I know about "proper terminology"? haha All I can say is, everything you do is so pleasing to my eye...the colors, the elements you use...it's all just BEAUTIFUL! <3 Candy

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  30. Cool creation! Love the details :)

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  31. Paula... I am a brand new follower and a big fan! I love your work!!! I look forward to seeing future posts. As a designer, this speaks to my soul!
    Thanks for sharing it with us!
    Janiece
    blog: www.dsgnmomonline.wordpress.com

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  32. Hi Paula, I just found this little bit of lovely on Pinterest. I'm just beginning to get into mixed media art. Would you mind if I used an image of your finished piece on my blog (blog: wwwsarahcelebrates.com)? Let me know. Thanks!

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  33. You’re so generous to share your lovely talents with us. Deep, sincere thanks. �� Diana from Las Cruces, NM

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