I'm Starting to get the Hang of This!

It was a quiet winter in my Etsy Shop so to stir up sales I decided to try my hand at making mixed media canvases. I thought it would make a nice change from the scrapbook albums and altered items. After much research I loaded up with ideas, mixed media products and canvases.  Then just when I get started BAM - the albums started selling again. Murphy's Law! So, after finishing another canvas it is time to restock my shop and get started on a custom scrapbook order. Before that though, I want to share my canvas with you. I'm getting a bit braver - this one is 12x12 in size.

I used Prima Colour Bloom sprays in Tangerine, Peony, Guilded and Gold Foil to create the background. It looks a brighter orange in the photo but is more of a salmon colour. While the sprays were out (if you do not have Color Blooms RUN do not walk to your nearest scrapbook store to get them!)  I gathered some flowers and covered them with gesso. The colour does not matter as they will be painted so pick ones that you are likely not to use (a good way to use up stash). Once the gesso dries spray some of each  colour on a plate or whatever and paint flowers - or spray! I also covered felt leaves and small rosebuds with gesso and painted in blues and greens.  While these were drying I used texture paste to make a brick background. Once dry (I'm impatient so I used a heatgun) I dabbed the bricks with 2 shades of Ingveld Bolme chalk edgers. After adding gesso and ink to a chipboard fence I  attached this over some stenciled cobblestone and Graphic 45 Secret Garden paper then adhered the flowers. A girl  fussy cut from the paper overlooks the garden.

At the top I stencilled a tree branch and birdcage using a Crafters Workshop stencil. I added  a 3D Copper colour dimension paint to the birdcage as well as a bit of green Stickles to the leaves to give them  a bit of shimmer.

Handmade butterflies from Angellica Fransens Etsy Shop (see blog on right hand margin)

flutter about with a rhinestone trail (Zva Designs).

I hung a metal key on a blue ribbon to replicate the one in the picture.

I wanted to give the option of adding your own (6x6) photo or using the 'Secret Garden' picture. So a photo can easily be slipped onto the pic using it as a mat. Underneath it simply says 'love' in painted wood.

And speaking of love, I really loved doing this. It presented me with new challenges and techniques - some that I just may need to use in creating new albums!

Have a great week!

Canvas Art

Finally it's time to clean off the patio furniture and put away the winter coats. We've been really lucky on the westcoast compared to those back east and also to many of the States down south. Minimum snow and and no boots required but umbrellas were in abundance. It's nice to have a sunny, dry day! To help pass those rainy days I thought I'd try something different and try my hand at making a canvas. I kept my first one small (6x6) in order to get the hang of it.

After applying 2 coats of Gesso I sprayed the canvas with 3 different shades of Tattered Angels mist. After stamping with Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamps I gathered my metal gears, chipboard and (Prima) flowers and sprayed them with the same TA mists to give it a monochramatic look. I then added a TH key and chain and called it a day. It's a lot different from my normal style but was so much fun to do.

My daughter-in-law helped in my decision as to what my second canvas would be. She wanted one for her bathroom with a beachy feel to it - not nautical and preferably tropical. But after they took a recent trip to Pender Harbour in BC I knew exactly what was needed. My grandchildren became seashell seekers and came back with lots of shells, stones, starfish and oysters.  

So with my canvas all gessoed up off I went to spray it with shades of blue and golds. I have to confess that I treated myself to a set of the new Prima Colour Blooms. These things are awesome! They have a trigger sprayer rather than the usual pump sprays and I experienced no clogging, dripping or pumping. They sprayed on smooth and blended beautifully. After spraying I dabbed the whole canvas with a wet one before it dried.

I tore a sheet of scrapbook paper in beige tones and inked the edges. I then sprayed it to give it more texture and a sandy look. I adhered it along the bottom to represent sand. (I recommend Gel Medium rather than Mod Podge - even though MP will work just fine!)

I used chipboard 'Thickers' to add a bathroom quote then lightly inked them in a  golden sand colour.

After spraying and wiping away all the shells with different shades of blue I moved and played until I was happy with the look.

I added burlap, moss, chipboard a bumble bee and butterflies. Then of course what oyster would be complete without a pearl.

This is a nice change from mini albums and layouts so maybe I'll try making a layout on canvas next. The possibilities are endless.

 Now that the (worst of the) rain is gone I'll ponder my next project while soaking up some long awaited sun.

Have a great week!