Christmas Ribbon Challenge with May Arts!! December 2013

After submitting a tentative plan for creating a project using ribbon... I got an opportunity to be selected for the 2013 MayArts Christmas Ribbon Challenge!  There were 20  folks selected and we were all sent four types of ribbon.. two yards each.  With this ribbon we were to design our projects.  Of course I had to make this difficult for myself.  My initial two ideas.. turned into 32 ideas, lol.  I also an my worse critic.. and I was working myself big time.  I had chosen to NOT do what i submitted and to submit something else.. then I told myself.. NO you cannot do that.. Maybe you were chosen because of what you chose to do as a project and to change it.. could duplicate what someone else is doing... We Won't Have That!!  LOL

Anyway I stuck with my initial plan.  Which was to create an ornament and a mini canvas ornament. I used layers of acryllics, bookpages bits, decoupage, gesso, drawing, outline stickers, beeswax and stamping on my mini canvases.  They were fun to create!  The clear circular ornament gave me a chance to use my ribbon and step outside the box and NOT use it as ribbon!  I used the ribbon as a flower.  I stitched the individual petals together adhere it to the plastic craft globe with Helmar's 450 glue (which dries very QUICK and CLEAR) and then attached a brad to its center.  After attaching about four of these flowers to my ornament, I doodled all over it with my favorite white paint pen by DecoArt.. I also added a TP (toilet paper flower ornament).. I used Helmar 450 to adhere the chevron ribbon to the outside of the cut TP roll and I painted the inside with DecoArt.  Added a little glitter to the edges (which I would reconsider now, if done again)  Anyway, this was the final project.. :)

November's Creative Dare- GRATITUDE

This month we were told, by Tracy Weinzapfel...  to select a color palette of our choosing.. I chose from my favorite Americana Neons from DecoArt and stenciled with The Crafters' Workshop Stencils and modelinging paste (for texture). 

  this is the blue., this is the green,

   

this is pink,   this is yellow...  

This we were to also add a quote or write about gratitude.  I am not a writer by any means.. lol So I went on my favorite site.. Pinterest and searched for gratitude quotes and found one that spoke most to me.

as as always.. just a reminder where you can stay in contact with us.. :-)

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DecoArt Altered Frame/Chalk Board

When I first saw this paint, I was very intrigued on if it would work, how well would it work.. lol  I had just decided that I would use these altered frames I just got from Michael's and a simple piece of cardboard or chipboard.  The directions told me that I needed to place my first coat of black chalkboard paint  in vertical direction.  Let it dry for an hour.  Then my second coat in a horizontal direction and let it dry.  The whole thing, should then dry for 24hours before you use chalk to condition the surface, then you can use a slightly damp cloth  to clean the board and use it as normal.

In my collaged picture above I followed the steps to create the the chalkboard on a piece of cardboard.  I also painted the wooden frame I got from Michael's with Gloss Enamel and made a thin border that I framed off with some halloween washi tape.  :-)  Because I was exactly sure how I would like my project I only used red double sided tacky tape to adhere the cardboard to the back of the wooden frame.  I placed the tape on the frame and the board!  Believe it or not, it is pretty sturdy!  I may add a little texture at a later date, but for now I am pleased.. I am sure I will make a smaller one for my daughter to keep near the pc with small reminders.  Things she won't want to hear me say.. lol.. but if she reads them.. It will stick!! lol

Anyway, I hope this is something you will try.. I know I have a plethora of ideas for this chalkboard paint!
Enjoy Thursday!! And from my family to yours Happy Thanksgiving!!

I {heart} Ornament Painting with DecoArts!

This is my first post as a DecoArts blogger!  I was so excited to get my package in the mail and to get the chance to check out these paints!!  I had decided I would make ornaments and take the opportunity to check out the Crystal Gloss Enamel Glitter Acrylic, Frost Gloss Enamel Acrylic and Plain Gloss Acryllic.  (All pictured below)

   

     

I chose to make a ornament because I wanted to see how well the DecoArt paints would coat the glass ornament. I then took one of the ornaments in my hand and held it securely, so that I could remove the silver top/lid.  The lids slide off easily.. without any real pressure. :-)  Save them!!  They go right back on once everything is all over!! 

  One you get all the tips off.. take the paints you want to add.. and add them to your ornaments at the opening and let them drizzle down the side.  No need to coat every part.  and for a marble-look  add various colors to the same globe.  :-) No two ornaments will turn out the same!  Sort of like snowflakes.. :-) 

One you have added your paints to your ornaments place your finger/thumb over the opening and shake, shake, shake! :-)  Lookie.. Lookie!!  The things I said to myself.. while shaking these small glass globes.. *I got your head!!*  *SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE!*  Yeah.. I am way weird.. lol!!  As you make them.. Either have a paper cup available or the original tray available to turn the globe upside down.. as to drain the excess paints.. (FYI- I used my paint to make a few journal pages Eeee!! (happy sound)) This process could take 2-3 days unfortunately.. but I would recommend checking on them throughout that period.. just in case you can clear away any of that extra paint early that may be filling up the neck of the globe.. (if that makes any sense..)

DecoArt Crystal Glossy Enamel Glitter Acrylics.. added just enough extra glitta and sparkle of what I need to these tiny little lovelies!  I love each one!!  

     

The last part I had to do.. was tint my caps.. I did that with some Adirondack alcohol ink and a nice fancy make up applicator that looks like a cotton swab.. but isn't.. lol  Just brushed a very little ink on the caps and threaded them with some Wraphia from ULINE.  Then I placed the caps back on the ornaments.. :-)

Then this was my finished ornament.. :-)  Very pleased with it!  Not colors I generally gravitate towards, but very beautiful and every bit!  It goes well with out champagne coloured pencil tree.  The ornaments give it the pops of colour my mom loves.. and they are her favourites (earth tones) .. sounds like a #winwin to me.. :-)

Supplies for this project would include:

• Americana Crystal Gloss Enamels Glitter Transparent paint in Brown, Yellow, Orange, White, 
• Americana Frost Gloss Enamel paint in Gold and Yellow 
• Americana Gloss Enamel  paint in Light Buttermilk, honey Brown and Dark Chocolate
• Adirondack Alcohol ink in Butterscotch
• Wraphia/Twine/Ribbon to thread ornaments
• Craft Glass Ornaments (available in various shapes and sizes)
• of course towel, alcohol wipes, small paint brush (for clean up) and scissors (to cut wrafia)

I hope you had as much fun following along with me as I did creating this for you!  Until next time #decoartrocks #paintsrule :-) #createdaily !! 

October's Creative Daré....

This month for Tracy's monthly challenge in Mixed Media Mondays.. The theme is to Let Go... That is hard for me.. while I try to consciously to consider others feelings.. in conversation.. or advice.. or critique.. So many others care less about extending the same courtesy.  Art is art.. to me... It should be appreciated for what it is.. regardless of content.  People constantly put their creativity on the line.. People are cruel, sometimes.

For a long time I use to worry about it.  Worrying held back my creativity and williness to share.  Feels good to be surrounded by people who appreciate the efforts, first and foremost.. and creativity.. and feels good to know that in our small circle at Mixed Media Mondays with Tracy Weinzapfel.. the experience ranges beginners to teachers that are accomplished and commisioned artist. When we need help or assistance it's there.. and given so freely. The attitudes are positive.. The laughter is abundant!  I hope you guys get a chance to come and join us..

Today's page was an example of me letting go.. I love it.. and plan to do more...

Anyway, thanks for looking..