The big clean out

The inspiration for today's project started last Wednesday night when I decided it was time to clean out the old to make way for the new...too much STUFF makes my mind cluttered.  Maybe that doesn't make sense to some, but I does to me.  If things are organized around me it gives me the freedom to think creatively instead of worrying about chores.  The next day I got the automatic feed from Story People that I have been getting for years with this Brian Andres quote, "just went ahead and made room for a lot of new experiences".   With all that has been going around here, I figure that is the perfect inspiration for this weeks project.

I started with an old wood board (about 7 x 12") I found in the garage and painted it with Gesso.

Once it was dry I painted about 1/2 of the board with Adirondack Dabber Paint - Juniper.

 Like this.

I found some other things to add as well.
Eco-Friendly acrylic Paint in Sunflower and Coral
Paper - idea-ology Paper Stash - Lost and Found
and maybe some text paper...we'll see as we go along, not sure yet, just know I like the color combination.

I painted the other 1/2 of the board in the sunflower color. 
Like the paint but I found it was VERY easy to squeeze too much out of the tube.  The nozzle is small so there is no putting it back in!

Okay, keep painting until it looks something like this -  no worries if some of the white is showing...I like it that way.

I let it dry just a bit then used the Juniper color again.
This time I opened the bottle and used my finger to mask some of the Sunflower color.  Just a different effect than the brush.

 Here is the result.

 

I used this stamp set from American Crafts to stamp out the quote.

No lines, I just eyeballed it.

Done.

I decided I want to use some chipboard stars (these are from Collections Elements).  I painted them silver with Adirondack paint dabber - silver.

 

I stamped them each with a number series stamp from the Stampers Anonymous set - School Desk

 

Added some texture with modeling paste and a stencil.

 

For more information about modeling paste, look back at this post.

 

the reveal.

Still need to add in some of that pink paint.  I used a baby wipe to just "wipe" some over the DRY modeling paste like this.

 

I tore off bits of the paper and use Multi-Medium to adhere to the wood panel in random places.

 

I used another of the stamps from School Desk and Archival Ink in Coffee to add random letters (this one is one of my favorites). 
Ink the stamp.
Then using NO acrylic block, press down in random places.  You might also stamp on a paper towel first, to get variation in the ink color.

 

It should look something like this.

 Now add the stars.  I just used Scotch Quick Dry Glue (my favorite quick dry glue!)

 Add a few words cut from an old book.

 And we're done. 

(click on image to enlarge)

Cheers for a great week (and a happy 4th of July if you're in the US!)
paula

Work In Progress

Is it just me or are the weeks are racing by?

Less than 4 weeks till school is out and Jay and I head to Australia to visit some good friends and meet a few new.  While Jay plays golf with our friend Andrew in Moss vale, I will be teaching at a couple stores that are listed on the sidebar.  Super excited to teach these new classes since it has a few months since I have taught in person.  If you are in the Sydney area, you are welcome to join us!

As for today's tutorial, I had so much on my check list that I didn't think I had the time, but then everything seemed to fall into place as I checked things off the list, which left me a couple hours to create something for today's blog post.  I seriously love this one so much I wish it was a class I was teaching!  Super fun, especially the pink frosting part which made me want to make some cupcakes.  No time for cupcakes today though!

I had two 8 x 10" canvas boards up on the shelf that I had never used.  I got these at Michaels, but they sell them at most hobby stores and art supply places.

I cut up a bunch of difference paper pieces including some vintage music (most came from my scrap bin) and layered them on the board using multi-medium matte finish.  I kept the papers in the pink and brown tones.  No reason, it was just what I was drawn to today.

Once the paper was dry I gave the entire surface a coat of the multi-medium and let it dry again.

Get out the Modeling Paste...I sure hope you are not tired of it, because I'm not.
I used a stencil from Crafters Workshop - Mini Peony and some Liquitex paint in Turner's Yellow and Light Portrait Pink.

On my craft sheet I added Blank Canvas (white) paint and a bit of pink...mixed it up... then added a bit of water to make a wash.  You don't need much of any of the three items to make a wash.

I used a foam brush to paint a light wash over random parts of the canvas.

 If you get too much in a certain place you can just wipe it away with a baby wipe.

 Let it dry.

 I mixed up the same concoction except replacing the pink paint for the mustard paint.  Again, you don't need to make too much.

To be quite honest this is a terrible picture...sorry about that...no do-overs on this one!
Anyway, I added just a bit of the mustard wash in a few places.  It really is very subtle.
I painted the wash over the rose, then wiped away the paint revealing just the flower. 

 If you compare the bare canvas below to the photo above, you can see the change.

Once dry, I used a chicken wire stamp using Archival Ink - Coffee.  It's important to use Archival ink since it is waterproof and you never know what is next (or at least I don't)...I would rather be safe than sorry.
Notice...no acrylic block, just fingers for a more random look. This is a long stamp and I only used small parts of it each time I stamped the image.

Next, place some modeling paste on the craft mat,

 Add just a bit of paint

And stir it up
I told you it looked like frosting!

 Grab your stencil

This time I used a pallet knife but you can use a scraper or an old credit card.

 Here is what it looked like when I was done "frosting" the stencil.

 and the reveal...

 There were a few "hanger-overs"... I just wiped them away with my finger.

Here is the final result.

 I used a smaller stencil to add a couple more designs to the board.

Next, I stamped the butterflies from the Attic Treasures stamp.  This time I used an acrylic block to get a good impression.

 Once dry, I took a water-soluble crayon, Bleu Turquoise and colored in the wings.

This looks very bold but as soon as you paint a little water over the crayon it becomes transparent just like watercolor.

 I wanted a very subtle blue tint to each butterfly.

Next let's use a China marker to add some detail.
1.  Follow the paper edge.

2.  Rub the line with your finger to smudge.

 3. Wipe away the excess with a baby wipe.

 4.  Move on to the next paper line.  You don't have to do them all, just the one's that make sense.

 5.  I also used the side of the China Marker along the edge of the board.

I used one more stamp (black Archival Ink) called Going Somewhere.  I just used this little typewriter Alpha stamp.  One of my favorites.
Again, no block, just fingers pressing the stamp on the board.

 You can see the China marker edging much better in this image (as well as the Alpha stamp).

Gotta have some words from a book.  What should I choose today?

Use Multi-medium to add the words.  Once dry, ink with a bit of Distress Ink, then seal with a bit Multi-medium.

I decided that I really like the direction the board is going but that big flower looks like it needs something in the center...so I am going to make this some kind of journal (I did not start out with this idea).  I used a Japanese Screw Punch to make a hole for a knob (that took some effort because this board is thick!)

I added a knob that I colored a long time ago with Alcohol Ink (probably Pool).

Then I punched 3 more holes on the left side for rings.
Love how it is turning out so far.

Now I know you are saying, where's the rest?  Well, you will have to come back next week to see the rest of the journal (or at least I think that is what it will be).  This is a work in progress and my time is up for today.

Tomorrow I am off to the Inspired Journey event in Manhattan Beach, Ca.  I am meeting up with Sande Krieger who is teaching at the event, along with Teresa Collins and Rebecca Cross from Pink Paislee.  I am going to be Sande's classroom helper as well as help with the 7g make and take on Friday night.  I recognized a few names on the list of event attendees so I am looking forward to seeing some old friends.

cheers for a great week!
paula