Mixed Media Monday - "Stars"

This piece for Mixed Media Monday was made only with materials, clips, and paints within reach on my worktable. It is completely different from what I usually do. By restricting myself to what just happened to be close by, I actually created a much more random piece. Try it! It's fun!

Edited to add: Little did I know when I did this piece I was Stepping Outside My Box by using desktop scraps. See what others did here.

Mixed Media Monday - "Nature"

Mixed Media Monday focuses on "Nature" this week. For my contribution I chose flowers to adorn this little cube. I enjoy making these cube collages, which start out flat, because the end result is always such a pleasant surprise. I love seeing how the collage changes when the sides and corners come together. The pictures below are all the same cube.

Mixed Media Monday - "Numbers"

Mixed Media Monday - Numbers

My goal for this piece was texture. Below are some close-up shots so you can be the judge.

I saw a tutorial this week on building a textured surface with tissue, as in Ch*rmin. I used sturdy watercolor paper for the 8x10 base, covered in with gel medium and smooshed in torn bits of tissue. Next I sprinkled in glitter here and there--not for sparkle, but for different texture. Finally, I made spirals from medium-soaked twine. When this was all dry, I started adding color--beginning with dark purple, blue, and green--working up to copper, gold, then lavender and light blue for highlights. Between layers of color I added some stamping, stenciling through sequin waste, and cutting in some turquoise with a credit card. The number inchies were first mounted on cardstock for stability and then on bits of foam to raise them off the surface.

Mixed Media Monday - "Fashion"

Mixed Media Monday features fashion this week. If these ladies aren't the epitome of fashion, then I don't know what is! Great theme, Debi!

Now, while you are here, I want to tell you about a little swap I am doing. Swaps are fun! If you've never done one--here is your chance. If you are a swapping pro--then don't skip mine!

There is plenty of time and it's easy-breezy.

Click on the image below to get the details and then get creative!

Thanks!

Mixed Media Monday - "Trinchies"

All of my three regular readers are probably asking themselves, "What, pray tell, is a trinchie?" Just for fun, I included a measuring device in the picture to help clue you in. A trinchie is a bit a of artwork that measures 3"x3". It is the challenge piece for this week's Mixed Media Monday.

I first wrapped my cardstock in a piece of Texas map and antiqued the edges. Then I added some symbols of Texas (note: other than the proverbial longhorn steer, cowboy boots and hat, puh-leese). If you look closely, there is a glistening seashell in the lower right corner, corresponding with the coast in the 'lower right' portion of Texas. Last, I added some ribbon and fringe, because I'm sassy like that. I just hope the yellow measuring tape doesn't detract from the *ahem* 'artistry' of the piece. Ha!

Mixed Media Monday - "Generations"

Generations of Love

The theme Fatma chose for Mixed Media Monday was "Generations". There were so many wonderful options for this one! I finally decided on couples. What a great theme.

I used a dusy pink acrylic paint for the first layer of background, then added single layers of a paper napkin, torn into pieces. The round silver and vellum tags are symbolic to wedding bands. The purple silk petals have their own romantic story.

A couple of years ago we were RVing at a favorite site. Just up the hill was a sweet little outdoor ampitheater/church. One morning we were out walking and wandered through the area. All down the aisle, about the stone pews, and on the altar were dozens of these purple petals, quite obviously strewn by a flower girl in recent days. We began to look closer for other clues and found bits of ribbons and balloons and evidence of tulle having been taped to the stone backdrop. It was so much fun imagining the wedding that had taken place in the lovely outdoor spot. I gathered a handful of the petals and tucked them into my art box. They seemed the perfect embellishment for today's piece.

Mixed Media Monday - "Rust"

This is my interpretation of "Rust", today's theme at Mixed Media Monday. I named this completed altered book Rust & Roses because it was such a mix of grunge and romance. I don't usually stay with one style or theme throughout an entire book--it's too constricting to be that consistent. I enjoy creating as my mood elicits.

Mixed Media Monday - "Monochromatic"

I got the idea for these cute little patchwork arches a while back from Jacqueline's old blog. This weekend I got carried away making thematic ones. They can be quite addictive! Since I was on a roll, I did this RED one for Mixed Media Monday.

I am also celebrating my one year 'blogoversary' , that may or may not have something to do with these arches. (**hint, hint**)

Mixed Media Monday - "Something New"

This week at Mixed Media Monday, Diane challenged us to try something new. That opened up so many possibilities for me. While I was still contemplating what my project would be, I made a discovery that I would like to share.

I have a bazillion old Rol-a-dex cards that I thought would be fun to alter. I began trying out my discovery in different colors and couldn't stop!

This is what I learned: stamping on chalk.

I love to work with artist's chalk, but for some reason have never stamped directly onto it. When I attempted it on chalked background on an altered book page, the stamped image was practically invisible. So I touched it--rubbed my finger across the still damp ink. The chalk was absorbed into the ink and the image popped out in the most brilliant color, a darker version of the chalked background! ( A light ink color allows the chalk color to be it brightest.) That is when I started making these little Rol-a-dex cards and could not stop. These are unfinished pieces really, but illustrate the technique.

This is definitely something new to me that I will be using again and again.

More 'new' things can be seen here.

Mixed Media Monday - "By the sea"

When I first read the theme for this week's Mixed Media Monday, *"Zuider Zee" popped into my head. And I Could. Not. Get. It. Out! The rhyme factor, I suppose. So, work with it, I say!

This is a very simple piece. I only used gel medium, stick-on letter tiles, real shells, and a sprinkling of irredescient glitter. It is quite peaceful to me.

*Zuider Zee - an arm of the North Sea extending into the Netherlands.

Mixed Media Monday - "Bingo"

Bingo? I don't have a lot of experience with bingo, but I really had fun with this AB layout. I started with the bingo card and the bingo number buttons, since that was the theme and all. I have been wanting to use the pouting girl; she came next. She looks rather bored so I offered her some options. How many choices can you find?

This is where I am playing along: Mixed Media Monday

Mixed Media Monday "Pens & Pencils"

What began as a practice page for transfers and watercolor turned into my contribution for Mixed Media Monday - "pens & pencils".

Some of the things I tried didn't work; some did. But there are no mistakes, just surprise outcomes! And I had fun playing at my art table.

Mixed Media Monday - "Maps"

"In thy face I see the map of honor, truth, and loyalty."

~William Shakespeare

Henry VI

Mixed Media Monday theme: "Maps"

Mixed Media Monday - "Playing Cards"

My contribution this week is a double page piece in an altered book. This queen looked so sad I felt like her heart had been broken. Although the palace neither confirms or denies, the Jack of Hearts would be my guess of the heart breaker.

More playing card art here: Mixed Media Monday

Mixed Media Monday - "Men"

Katrin is the guest host for Mixed Media Monday. Her theme for today is "Men". This is a subject I don't use too often or see very often in others' work. It was a great challenge and I especially like how my altered book spread came together. Thanks Karin for a great idea! There will be a lot of men featured today here.

Mixed Media Monday - "Purple & Gold"

Hidden Beauty

Gerda is the guest host at Mixed Media Monday. She chose purple & gold for the theme this week. I had fun finding people to fit the Mardi Gras masks in my image collection. My camera and Photoshop skills are limited and I could not get that feather to look purple in the photo! Trust me, it is! And there is lots of gold glitter sprinkled about--only some of it caught the light.

This was a fun layout for my altered book. Take a look at other beautiful creations here.

Mixed Media Monday - "Music"

"Music in a Circle"

It's Mixed Media Monday!

My piece is made with a 45 rpm record and a cd. To complete the theme of circles, I incorporated the Circle of Fifths into the piece. I was inspired by Step Outside Your Box to create this dimensional project which is something quite different for me. Just to be courteous, I will not tell you what song is on the 45 so that you will not be humming it all day!

Mixed Media Monday - "School"

This week's Mixed Media Monday theme is "School".

I did this layout in an altered book using acrylics, ink, and some bits of hardware. Since I don't have any school related stamps, I relied on magazine clips, dictionary pages and computer images.

Other participants can be found here.

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Mixed Media Monday - "Texture"

TEA PARTY

This is a great theme! I added lots of texture for the eye and to touch. Look closely to see the screen, the ribbon, the mulberry paper, and the dried leaves. And how can you miss the tea bag? This was a fun layout to do! And it was nice to be in an altered book again.
Follow this link to more Mixed Media Monday Texture pieces.

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Mixed Media Monday

Someday I will be back! I miss playing along!

My grandson just got out of the hospital today after a 4-day stay for mild rejection.

His mother (my daughter) just got out another hospital today after a 3-day stay for some abdominal pain issues.

It has not been a good weekend for crafting. But I will we back!

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