PaperArtsy Grunge Paste Challenge (3) "Create"

I was so inspired by Seth Apter's PaperArtsy's Grunge Paste Challenge piece from March 29, I had to try it out.  I used my leftover texture paste mix from my birdhouse, both aqua and tan... glad I put them in tight fitting containers!

A 5x5" stretched canvas was the perfect size to use.  I spread my texture paste. tinted with aqua with mini beads mixed in, first and then added the tan tined paste.  I used white embossing powder while the paste was wet and then melted it with my heat gun. 

 

Next I rolled out small pieces of white clay and pressed them into a mold for the letters  All but the two E's turned out fine. I just couldn't get the E's to pop out so I etched a few lines in a couple squares of clay with a toothpick!  Looks good to me.

After the paste dried, I glued the baked, painted, varnished clay letters to my piece.  I set some eye screws on the top to use in hanging my piece and three more on the bottom to dangle my beads.

Wasn't sure what beads I wanted to use, but there sat my lonely paper beads I had made a few years ago and knew I could find some to go with my colors.....(I probably have at least a thousand left!).

I love it!  Thanks Seth for your inspiration and PaperArtsy for another great challenge!!

PaperArtsy Grunge Paste Challenge (2) Springy Birds

My second entry for PaperArtsy's  Grunge Paste Challenge is "Springy Birds".  Using my texture paste and Gelatos, I went at it with paste and color.

I wanted to use a stretched canvas to display my birds and flower and just happened to have one on hand.  I also was excited to pull out my Gelatos I received as a gift, and have some fun.

First I worked on the flower and some grass using texture paste.  After the paste dried, I played with my Gelatos using the green for grass and a mix of 4 colors for the flower.  I love the way just a bit of water spread the color around so nicely.  Then set aside to dry.

Next was drawing the bird shapes on the canvas along with their legs.  I let this dry a bit.  Then had fun with each of the 4 flower colors on 4 different birds and then mixed the colors on the tiny top bird.  Again I used some water to spread the colors out and past some of the outlined birds.

I cut wings for each bird from some canvas fabric.  I stitched around each wing to keep the fraying contained and then used the same color Gelato on the wing and again used some water to spread.  I attached the wings with 3 French knots to the bird.

I used a large bead for each bird eye and stitch onto the canvas.  Then I matched some of the colors used in the flower with beads and glued them around the flower.

The stem is a piece of cord that I glued down, then sketched some leaves that I colored with the green Gelato.

PaperArtsy Grunge Paste "Springtime Nesting"

These birdies are ready for spring and found a nice home to nest in.  I was able to try a couple new things with this challenge:  mixing beads in my texture paste and working with clay!

I started with a wooden birdhouse and used textured paste thru a new stencil.  Then I mixed some aqua paint with my textured paste and added some mini beads for added texture.  I spread this in spots on all four sides. 

Next I mixed a light brown with some texture pasts and spread in spots on the sides.  Into the brown paste I stuck a few bronze beads so they could give the house a little shine.

 

The roof got a bit of the brown texture paste with beads added. I mixed orange and white to soften some of the roof and highlighted with orange.  Orange highlights were used around parts of the house as well as some aqua paint.

I used white clay to make the birds.  After they baked, I painted each with the aqua and gave them some orange highlights.  A thin glaze added a nice finish.  Beads were used for their eyes.

 

To attach the bird to the roof, I put a hole in the bird and also on the roof top then stuck a piece of wire in and glued him down.  Mama bird was glued to the base.

MixedMediaMonthlyChallenge Birds of a Feather(2) "Springtime Nesting"

These birdies are ready for spring and found a nice home to nest in.  I was able to try a couple new things with this challenge:  mixing beads in my texture paste and working with clay!

I started with a wooden birdhouse and used textured paste thru a new stencil.  Then I mixed some aqua paint with my textured paste and added some mini beads for added texture.  I spread this in spots on all four sides. 

Next I mixed a light brown with some texture pasts and spread in spots on the sides.  Into the brown paste I stuck a few bronze beads so they could give the house a little shine.

 

The roof got a bit of the brown texture paste with beads added. I mixed orange and white to soften some of the roof and highlighted with orange.  Orange highlights were used around parts of the house as well as some aqua paint.

I used white clay to make the birds.  After they baked, I painted each with the aqua and gave them some orange highlights.  A thin glaze added a nice finish.  Beads were used for their eyes.

 

To attach the bird to the roof, I put a hole in the bird and also on the roof top then stuck a piece of wire in and glued him down.  Mama bird was glued to the base.

MIxedMediaMonthlyChallenge "Birds of a Feather"

My "birds of a feather"  was inspired by my new Gelatos set of yummy bright colors.  I used the wonderful selection of pink, red, and soft orange  to make my birds look like they were of the same species, tho I've never seen a pink bird!

I wanted to use a stretched canvas to display my "Springy Birds" and just happened to have one on hand.  I also was excited to pull out my Gelatos I received as a gift, and have some fun.

First I worked on the flower and some grass using texture paste.  After the paste dried, I played with my Gelatos using the green for grass and a mix of 4 colors for the flower.  I love the way just a bit of water spread the color around so nicely.  Then set aside to dry.

Next was drawing the bird shapes on the canvas along with their legs.  I let this dry a bit.  Then had fun with each of the 4 flower colors on 4 different birds and then mixed the colors on the tiny top bird.  Again I used some water to spread the colors out and past some of the outlined birds.

I Cut wings for each bird from some canvas fabric that came with my Gelato set perfect for a wing.  I stitched around each wing to keep the fraying contained and then used the same color Gelato on the wing and again used some water to spread.  I attached the wings with 3 French knots to the bird.

I used a large bead for each bird eye and stitch onto the canvas.  Then I matched some of the colors used in the flower with beads and glued them around the flower.

The stem is a piece of cord that I glued down, then sketched some leaves that I colored with the green Gelato.

Love my Gelatos and if I don't win some with this challenge....I'll definitely buy more yummy colors!

PaperArtsy Deconstruction2 Challenge: "Spring Vases"

My second entry into PaperArtsy's Deconstruction Challenge is "Spring Vases".  Using mini jars, I altered them with painting the insides.

My first attempt at painting the insides of my mini jars was a bit disappointing.  The paint didn't move as I expected it would, so I added a little water to thin it.  Still didn't move or cover the glass very well.  I tried some other acrylic paint and it moved much better!

I "picked" some silk flowers and a ribbon for the vase neck and also made a little pad for each vase to sit on using felt and embroidering around the edges. 

My vases are sitting out next to some family pics.

Mixed Media Card Challenge: Hints of Spring

For my first entry to the Mixed Media Card Challenge, I made "Feeling Springy", with fabric birds and a flower stitched onto a card.

My bird design was sketched out on paper then transferred to freezer paper then ironed onto some "Springy" fabric for the birds. I cut out a flower from some fabric; all the birds and  flower  were cut from the same charm pack so they would coordinate.

Using a dab of my glue stick on the back of each piece, I then positioned them on the card.  Next I machine stitched each to the card using the frayed edge technique.

Beads were added as an eye for each bird and 3 beads in the center of the flower, which were attached by hand.  The flower's stem, leaves, bird's legs and eyes were done with markers.