Patchwork Pumpkin Tutorial

Hey everyone--just in time for Fall  and  Halloween--a  pumpkin--in  my  style.  You  can check  out  my  step-by-step  tutorial  over at  the  DecoArt  Mixed  Media  blog  HERE

A New Tutorial For You--Using Your Paper Scraps

If  you  like  to  collage,  then  you  probably  have  bits  and  pieces  of  paper  that  you  can't  throw  out--any  kind--scrapbook,  book  pages,  hand  painted,  gelli  printed--ANY  kind.  In  my  case,  it's  most  likely  the  painted  kind.   When  I  get  a  build  up  like  this,  I'll  get  out  my  surface--whatever  is  on hand  and  my  gel  medium,  and  start  gluing  those  papers  down--cutting  and  gluing....

 ........first  layer.....

......and  the  finishing  touches......

More  cutting  and  gluing--

(and  adding  one  of my favorite  sun faces)

I  could  do this over  and  over--yes,  I  have  that  many  papers....

So  if  you're  wondering  about  the  tutorial--it's  for  this  piece--

 You  can  find  it  over  at  the  DecoArt  Mixed  Media  Blog.   All  3  of  these  were  made  on  8x8  wood  cradle  boards.   The  last  one  I  turned  over  and  made  it  into  a  shadowbox--so  if  you  want   more  info  on it  remember  to  visit  DecoArt  HERE!

A New Tutorial For You

Hey  everyone--I'm  the  guest  designer over at  the   DecoArt  Mixed Media  Blog   today  and  here's  the  piece  with the  tutorial  that  I  made  that  you  can  find  there--

....a  fun  project  to  make--make  sure  to  visit  the  blog  HERE!

Guest Designer Over At Stencil Girl Products

Yes, I  have  another  tutorial  to  show  you,  but  you'll  have  to  head  on  over  to  Stencil  Girl  Products  where  I'm  the  guest  designer  today--is  that  not  great  or  what?!   You  can  see  how  I  made  this  box  from  start  to  finish--

This  was  a  fun  one  to  make, and  you  can  see  how  the  stencils  that  I  used  helped  bring  this  design  together.  Remember  to  check  it  out  HERE!

My Project With AMACO--It's All About the Metal

So  let  me  tell you  about  my  project!  About  a  few  weeks  ago,  Becky  from  AMACO  emailed  me  telling  me that  she  saw  on  my  blog  that  I  like  to  work  with  metal  and  asked  me  if  I  would  like  try  their  line  of  metals  called  ArtEmboss.  Well,  that  was  an  obvious  answer--of  course  I  would!!   So  she  sent  me  4  different  kinds.

Each  handy  tube  comes  with  its  own  embossing  tool  and pattern  sheet (I'll  tell you  about  those later)  and  the  sheets  are  9 1/4" x 12".  This  was  great  for  me,  because  the  only  metal  I've  worked  with  is  aluminum.  I  got  to  work  with  brass,  copper, pewter,  and aluminum.  My  overall  favorite  was  the  copper.  It's  easy  to  work  with,  very  durable (no  tearing  with  the  stylus),  and  when  you  put  black  paint  on  it  and wipe  it  back  off,  it  ends  up  with  a  wonderful  result.  But  the  pewter  was  my  favorite  to  work with  by  far.  It's  very  soft  for  a  metal  and  flexible  which  makes  it  very  easy  to do  whatever  you  want  to  it,  and  even  though  it's  soft, it's  very  durable.  My  least  favorite  was  the  brass.  It  seems  stiffer, and it  was  harder  to  adhere   to  my  surface.  I always  use  heavy  gel  medium  for  my  glue  for  metal,  but  I had  to  get  out  my  other  all  time  favorite  glue  for  the  brass.  The  name  of  this  glue  is  called  The  Ultimate  Glue (LOVE  it).  And   another  thing  that  has  me  very  excited    about  ArtEmboss  metal  is  that  there  are  also  7  other  different  colors  available,  and  I  most  definitely  see  these  in  my  future.  Make  sure  you  check  out  the  AMACO  website  for  more  info.

Becky sent   me a  very  ample  supply  of  metal,  so  I  decided  to make  2  pieces  of  art  from  it.  This  gave  me  an  opportunity  to  try  different  techniques  that  I've  never  tried  before,  so  this  was  a  great  learning  experience  for  me  also.    So  here's  basically  everything  that  I  used  for  my  metal  projects:

Starting  from  the  left--this  is  the  pattern  sheet  and  embossing  tool  that  comes  with  each  tube  of  metal.  The  tool  is  wooden  and  pointed  on one  side and  flat  for  smoothing out  the metal  on  the  other  side.  And  this  is  now  my  favorite  embossing  tool  to  use--it's  not  as  sharp  as  a  stylus  so  it's  easier  on  the metal.  Also  in  the  photo  are  stamps,  Staz on  ink  pad (that's  the  only  kind  that  will work),  punches (the  metal  punches just  like  any  paper--awesome!),  hard  plastic  embossing  plates,  plastic  stencils,  rub  ons,  acrylic  paints,  and  assorted  embossing  tools (love  that  hammer). Also,   below  the  pattern  sheet  you'll  see  that   white  square--that's  EcoArtBoard .  I  love  this  stuff--I  think  it  might be  made  from MDF (just  like  wood).    This  one  was   2" x 2"  but  they  come  in  assorted  small sizes  and  even  a  convenient  ATC  size.  You  can  find  it  here.  I  used   these  to  adhere  my  metal  pieces  to  and  I'll show  you  what  I  mean.

So  for  the  first  piece,  I  decided  to  make  a  sampler  using  the  2 x 2  pieces (EcoArtBoard).  A  great  way  to  start  out   if  you've   never  worked   with   metal   before.  And  remember,  you  can  use  regular  scissors  to  cut  it  with.  I  also  wanted  to  mention  that  when  you  emboss  metal,  it  works best  with  padding  underneath.  I  use  an old  mouse  pad--works  great.

I  used  my  stamps  with  Staz on  ink  for  both  of  these.  The  one  on  the  left  is  aluminum  with  copper  corners,  and  the  one  on  the  right  is  the  brass,  and  I  used  the  pattern  sheet  for  the  border.  All  you  have  to  do is  tape  down  the metal  (with  painters  tape),  and also  the  pattern sheet  on  top  of  it.  And  then  just  trace  the  pattern with  your  embossing  tool  onto  the  metal.  It  will  leave  an  imprint.  Then  just  take  your  embossing  tool  and  go  over  the  imprinted  metal  on  both  sides  to make  the  pattern  deeper.

On these two I used my heart punches. I've never used punches on metal before, and what was I waiting for?! I'm telling you, if you know how to use a paper punch, then you can do this. On the top one, which was copper, I collaged the lady on the Eco board (Old postage stamp--actually) and glued the metal over the image, and I also rubbed a little aqua/blue paint over the copper  (I  was  going  for  the  patina  look  on  this  one). I used the pattern sheet from AMACO again. And on the bottom one, I did the same thing with scrapbook paper, and put pewter over it and this was embossed with the embossing plate mold. And I want to mention again that I adhered all of the pieces (with a little help from my friend  The  Ultimate  Glue  for  the  brass)  with  heavy  gel  medium.

 

These  two  were  made  with  the  rub  on  butterflies--the  top  one  is  brass  and  the half- flower  was  made  from  the  embossing  mold.  And  the  bottom  one  is  pewter  and  the  heart  on  top  is  copper.  I added  some  metallic  bronze  paint  around  the  sides  of  this  one.  And  remember,   after  I  emboss the metal,  I   always  dry   brush  black  acrylic  paint  over  top  and  then  immediately  wipe  it  off,  so the  black  just  stays  in  the imprinted  part.

This  one  was  soooo  simple.  I  made  a  packing  tape  transfer   of  this  image  and  decopauged  it on  pewter  this  time  with  Mod  Podge,  and  then just  doodled  in  the  border.  If  you don't  know  how  to  do  a  packing  tape  transfer,  let  me  know--it's  so  fun--it's  addictive.

On  this  brass  piece,  I  used  my  stencil--very  easy, and  then  just  doodled  again  around  the  border.

And  finally,  on  these  2  copper  ones,  I just  basically  doodled  again,  except  for  the  bird .  I  found  a  sketched  image  of  a bird  that was  the  perfect  size,  so  I  traced  over  it.  When  I  finished  them  all,  I  sprayed  a  workable  fixative  over  them  and put  a  gloss  varnish  over  that.  The  varnish  will  tend  to  wash  away  the  black  paint,  so  the fixative  takes  care  of  that  problem.

Okay,  so  now  comes  the  embellishing.  You  didnt  think  I  would  finish  these  without  embellishing  them,  did  you?!

And here's the finished piece--

 I  put  all  of  the pieces on  a  6 x 12 gallery  wrapped  canvas,  collaged  with  a  very  cool  glittery  scrapbook  paper.    I  have  to  say--I'm  very  proud  of  this  piece!

   

So  for  my  next  piece,  I  wanted  to  do  another  fun  technique  with  the  metal.  I  wanted  to  make  a  picture with  it.  I'll  show  you  what  I  mean.  I  started  out  with  a  6 x 12  gallery  canvas  again  and  made  my  background  on  it--

And  I  decided  to  put  a  vase  of  flowers  on  it.  I  used  my  flower paper  punch  to  make  the  flowers.

These  two  were  made  from copper  and  pewter,   and  in  the  center  of  them,  I  used  my  buttonhole  paper  punch  so  I  could  attach  them  together  with  buttons.  I  also  put  a  little  yellow  ochre  wash  on  the  pewter  flower.  You  could  also  keep  adding  more  layers  of  flowers  if  you  want  to.

 And  then  I  made  a  copper  vase (I  used  a  stencil  and  a  little  doodling  for  the  design) with  a little  of  the  aqua  paint  again  for  a  patina  effect.

I  adhered  this  to  a piece  of  fun  foam  for  dimension--you  just  trace  the  vase  form  around  the  foam.  Another  thing   that  I  wanted  to  tell you  is  that  some  artists  will  reinforce  the  back  of  the  embossed  metal  with  plaster  or  wax  to  make  the  embossing more  stable.  I've  never  done  this,  but  it's  worth  a  try  if  you  want  to  take  the  time.  So  here's  the  final  result--

Another  piece  that  makes  me  smile!   So  in  the  end--it's  up  to  you  to  try  different  techniques--these  aren't  the  rules  of  embossing  metal--anything  goes.  And  the  only  learning  curve  that  you'll  have,  is  how  much  pressure  to  apply  to  the  metal  with  your  tool  which  is  pretty  simple.  In  the  end,  it's  just  another  collage  element  to  fool  around  with  and  add  to  your  mixed  media  pieces  or  jewelry  or  whatever!

 I'm  so  glad  that  Becky  from  AMACO  asked  me  to  try  out  these  metals.  I've  learned  so  much  more  of  what  I  can  do  with  metal,  and  because  of  that,  I  achieved  this--

Thanks  again  Becky!!

A Metal Embossing Tutorial--My Way

I don't know if there is a right way to emboss metal, but this is the way that I emboss metal.  And let me tell you, it's SOOO easy, and you probably have most  everything you need for it already, including the metal. The picture inside of the frame is all embossed metal--

I've shown metal embossing before, but it's been a while, so I decided to show you with a little more detail on how I go about doing it.  I use the aluminum  metal foil (36 gauge) that I get at Dick Blick, but  you can also use the aluminun pie tins or any aluminum tray that you can get at the grocery store.  You can  just wash the ones that you bought  that had food in them--they're just as good.  And I've purchased a few embossing tools, but the one I always go back to is either the other end of a paint brush or a dull sharpened pencil.  The metal usually rips for me when I use a stylus.  The foil is pretty durable, but you do have to be careful, and it can be cut with regular household scissors.  After I sketch my design lightly with a pencil, I start embossing (you can emboss on either side)--

I knew that I wanted a rooster, heart, and sun on this, so I sketched it on. After that I just doodled with my paint brush tip or whatever my choice of embossing tool that I'm using at the time.  You don't even have to sketch anything on--you can make a zentangle--or just emboss whatever comes to mind.

After that, I always put some alcohol inks on it first and when the inks are dry, I apply a black craft acrylic paint quickly, and then wipe if back off again.  Just don't wipe too hard, because you'll get right back down to the metal.

Then when that's all dry, I just paint in my design with acrylics, but I recommend the artist's acrylics, because they're much more vibrant.  The craft paints are too thin and it's hard to cover the metal.  So when all of the paint is dry, I always spray a couple of coats of a workable fixative on it--the paint will come off if you don't.  And then when the fixative is dry, I put a gloss varnish on it, so it has a nice shiny look to it.

It's very hard to get a good photo of the finished piece--it's much better in real life.  So the frame--well a couple of  months ago, I went to the wholesale show in Columbus, Ohio, and I showed everyone these barnwood frames that I purchased there--

These frames had glass inserts in them.  So I kept the glass in it, and just adhered the metal piece with extra heavy gel medium right on the glass--it always works!  And I hadn't cut the metal just right to fit inside the frame, so I camouflaged the side with textured wallpaper--

I hope I covered everything, but if you have any questions--just ask.  So next time you bring one of those trays home from the grocery store, don't throw it out--try this--it's fun.

And here's some  more rooster love--

FUN!

I also wanted to show you what I treated myself too.  When I saw these earrings on Sharon's blog

Livewire Jewelry

I knew that I had to have them--these are me, and I just got them yesterday (very quick service!) I love them Sharon--these particular earrings were published in the magazine Bead Trends, but this isn't the first time that she's been published.  Go check out her blog--she's also a very talented mixed media artist.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday weekend here in the U.S.--I know I will--the weather is looking beautiful!!!

A Mini Tutorial

Okay, I made another collage--

And a couple of you commented on my last post that you wanted to see a tutorial on how I paint my papers.  I wasn't quite sure on how I was going to do this, because when I paint these papers, it's very organic.  I think that's why I enjoy it, because I don't think about it--I just do it, which is very unlike me-- I always tend to overthink everything.  Probably the reason why I don't worry about the outcome is because it is just paper and it is for the most part, just experimenting.  So I decided to  to do a couple of papers , and all of us will see how they turn out together.

I usually just paint the papers on this heavy cardstock that I picked up at Office Max.  It's a buff color, but you can do it on any durable paper.  I like this paper, because it doesn't really absorb the color and I can use alot of water on it without weakening it.  It will curl, but if you're using it for collage, it doesn't matter. Here's one finished paper--

But I'll back up from the beginning--there's basically 5 layers on this one.  First I stamped images on the paper.  I used a Staz On ink  pad, because it's water resistant,  and then I applied an acrylic wash over it--

I just used a craft paint for this layer, but for the next step, I used Golden fluid acrylics---I've just discovered recently that this makes a BIG difference when I wanted vibrant collage papers

I put down three different colors and then used a wide palette knife (or you could use a credit card) to spread the paint around, but try not to blend it together too much. In this case, I used  gold, titan buff, and sap green, but it can be as many colors as you want.  When it was almost dry, I put on a little purple on in spots and dragged my palette knife through it.  And then after that I just splattered some paint on it.

The only thing about this paper, is that it took a little bit of time, but I have another paper also that I did and this took all of about a minute--

Don't you love this one--I just spread the same 4 colors around with a pallette knife.  This is why I like this paper-- because the paint will just sit on top of the paper and you can move it around.

And another thing I wanted to show you--

I'm sure alot of you know about textured, paintable wall paper.  I love it--it always comes in a cream color and you can get it where ever they sell wallpaper.  You can't mess up on it.  You apply your paint (usually watered down), and then wipe it off and the color  will seep down into the texture, and you can keep adding colors to it, until you like the result--

I used it here under the cup to give the appearance of a table--

I hope this little tutuorial helped some of you, and if you have any questions, let me know.  Whenever I find new techniques or fun ones, I'll always post them!