Poppies

I decided to try my hand at another water color.  I have learned to use more color, to brush on some water so that the paint spread, and to press the paper between books once dry so that it will stay flat. And the most important thing I learned is that I can add dimension, focus and structure with pen and ink.

While the paint was still drying, I already saw the poppies on the page. It took me almost two weeks to gether my courage to draw on my painting, but once started, I used the black and white ink pens to define each poppy.  Then I added some Copic coloring to add depth.

I am still learning how the water colors swirls, blots, drip and pool on my paper, but I think I am making headway.  At least enough to buy some heavyweight watercolor paper and to use bigger brushes! Art, after all, is a  journey of self-discovery. I am but a hiker on a colorful new path.

Where is your art taking you?

Altered Board Book Becomes a Birthday Album

Today I found inspiration on Pinterest and set out recycling a leftover board book neglected by my now 6 year old granddaughter.
I gathered my supplies: 1 Sesame Street board book, a large sheet of butcher paper, a foam brush, and Gesso

I brushed two coats of Gesso onto each page, drying in between coats. I also brushed Gesso onto the covers.  Two coats didn't completely cover all the brightly colored pictures from the original book, but it was enough for my purposes. I plan on covering each page with patterned papers to make a birthday album for said granddaughter.
Once all my pages were dry, I started with the front cover.

I like the way it turned out! I used Bo Bunny patterned papers, tearing out the parts I wanted to showcase (the cake, cupcakes, pennants and title). I added some blue acrylic paint to my Gesso and colored around the pictures (I used Mod Podge to adhere them). Then I outlined the words and pictures with Copic markers to make them pop. I finished off the cover by inking the edges with a darker blue ink and covered the page with first Mod Podge and then Tattered Angels glimmer mist for a subtle shimmer.
And that's all I can show you so far, as it is a work in progress.  Luckily, I have until October before I give it to my "I'm-too-old-for-board-books" granddaughter. LOL

Here's something else I found on Pinterest--a recipe to make your own Mod Podge, which I used in the project above!!
Mod Podge:
1 large Mason jar (or any clean glass jar)
3 cups White Glue
1 cup water
Stir well and keep sealed until ready to use.  YUP, that's all it is!!

Do you surf Pinterest? If so, there's a new challenge blog called Your Scrapbook Place and their first challenge is to create a project using Pinterest as your inspiration point. The sponsor for this challenge is Squigglefly, so participants get a chance to win free digis from them!! Hurry, the challenge ends April 13!

Coloring My World One Art Journal Page at a Time

Time to show off another water colored background page from my art journal.  I use just the kids' watercolor paint sets from Crayola for my pages, but I am painting more and more and can definitely see an investment into those expensive little tubes of watercolors coming to a future near me soon! LOL

Here, I wet a page from a vintage women's magazine and loaded my brush full of color, sometimes letting it drip down (or up) the page. When it dried, I added flowers and leaves to the corner.  I wanted another nice sentiment or quote, so I rummaged through my rubber stamps and found this one about friendship. After stamping it with CTMH ink, I punched two sides of it and popped it onto cardstock before adding it to my water color background.  I added the line of jewels 'cause I like some sparkle.

I also made a watercolor background using a paper doily.  While visiting Seattle this week (and the University with my daughter),

I got to play in my Zentangling notebook. So I tangled a flower and cut it out to place on my paper doily. I had very little choice of colors with which to play with my tangle, but I still like the idea of my water colored paper doily being the background for my blossom.

Whatever craft you create, whatever medium you use, always remember to have fun!!  My motto is "Love what you do; Do what you love."

Happy House Mouse Holidays!

I belong to a group on .Ning that posted a challenge to use a House Mouse image on a commercial Christmas card.  We could use any HM image and embellishments of our choice.  Here is the card I made.  I used a card I received this year (thanks, cousin Art) and an image called "Silent Night."

After coloring my image with Copics, I cut out two of the four mice on the stamp, singing in front of one of the snowmen.  I placed them where I think the snowman on my commercial card is looking.  These merry mice are singing sweet carols to their snowy friend, and he seems very happy with their songs.

I kept the embellishments simple--some jewels and a holly leaf on the snowman's hat, a few jeweled notes to carry their tune, and a sentiment sticker.

Hmm, I wonder if I can get away with sending it back to cousin Art next year with my artistic changes.  Do you think they'll remember that they sent it to me this year???  Maybe I better send it out to somebody else.

Do you re-gift your cards and/or presents?  I do.  I cherish the people who send me cards, but some of them are too cute to just throw away at the end of the season.  I like to re-fashion these cards for others, like the one I did today.  This one might just go out in the mail today!!

Holly Jolly House Mouse Triptych

I love trying new techniques and using new products.  Sometimes I love one so much it becomes a passion for me.  While I enjoyed making this triptych ornament, I don't think I'd do a lot more.  It was fun, but I would need more practice, especially when it comes time to hang things from inside the ornament, like my snowflakes here.  How to tie the strings together, and then where to hang the ribbon holding the snowflakes-ugh!  Too much thinking! LOL 

But it seems to have worked out okay.  I stamped and colored 3 stamped images of "Silent Night" House Mouse, Stickling here and there for some shine.  I cut them to ATC size and used a Martha Stewart punch to decorate the edges before adhering them together to form a 3D triangle.  I tied the hanger with baker's twine, and attached a snowflake to each end of organza ribbon and hung this from the inside of my ornament.  A little Stickle on the frames of each "panel" gave it a little more shine.  I want those Christmas lights to reflect off the ornaments when it is hung on the tree.  Can you see the miniature pine cone attached to the baker's twine just below the knot?

Hope you like my project. I made it for a swap in my House Mouse group on Paper Craft Planet, as well as for the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode, where this week's challenge is to make a project using Stars and/or Snowflakes (mine are hanging from the ornament).

My Heart is in My Art

Ink colors my fingers,

And glitter coats my hair.

My craft room’s like a crime scene

With Copics everywhere.

I seem to’ve lost my scissors

I should clean, but where to start?

It really doesn’t bother me

‘cause my heart is in my art.

House Mouse Goes to School

With all the cool school supplies on sale this month, it's easy to snag some great deals on items to be altered, like this mini composition book.  It measures 4.5x3.5 inches and is perfect to showcase a House Mouse image like this one.

I belong to a crafting group on PaperCraftPlanet called House Mouse & Friends, and there is a swap going on for group members.  I finished mine and wanted to post it here.  I think the image is called "Morning Song" but I could be wrong.

I colored it with Copics and fussy-cut it so that it would fit on this small canvas.  I covered the notebook with some fun music sheet patterned paper and added some upholstery ribbon to the spine.
I distressed my page with distress ink and acrylic paint.

I added some leaves so that my tree stump would be anchored to the scene.  A couple musical acrylic stickers added to the song theme I had chosen, and then i stamped the sentiment "Just a Note."

A couple pebble stickers completes my altered mini composition notebook.  I had fun with this, and if I can get to Staples, will purchase more to alter!  This one is a little bigger than theirs, but it cost a dollar for just one, and Staples offers a pack for a dollar--nuff said! LOL

Whatever you do, whether scrapbook, make cards, sew, paint or make altered art, do it with a song in your heart!!