Altered Hearts

These are a couple of altered heart projects I have been working on this week. They were great fun to make and I did them over a few days to allow everything to dry fully and naturally between stages.

The smaller heart was wooden, and the larger cut from grey board. Both were given a layer of gesso (on both sides) to prime them. Then I painted the reverse sides with acrylic paint. Next I used white modelling paste through a brick stencil and I left that over night to dry

Then I gathered my flowers, chipboard and stones and played around with the positioning until I had a pretty good idea of the layout I wanted, then  I adhered them to the heart with gel medium and left them to dry. It really doesn't matter what colour the flowers and bits and bobs are because the next step (once everything was dry) is to add another coat of white gesso over everything, making sure to get in all the petals and nooks and crannies.

Again I left that  all to dry overnight and the following day was colour day. I used acrylic paint (I used primary magenta  for  DecoArt media line) and a water spritzer, adding colour to all the flowers etc first and then using watered down acrylic and the water spray to add and build up colour to the rest of the project.
Once I was happy I set it aside to dry naturally.

The final step was to add gilding wax to highlight the details and I did that using my fingers and a dry baby wipe (really dry; one that had been taken out and left in the air) to add and wipe back until I was happy with the result.

Until next time
Cxx

Shine Bright - buddy card

This card is one I made for my monthly swap buddy Suzanne. I used a stamp set that came with a magazine, distress oxides for the blended background and a border embossing folder for the background panel. I added the random border with a fine liner pen  and added glossy accents to the heart in the centre of the small bulb just to finish it off. I hope Suzanne will like it.
Until next time
Cxx

Friend Birthday

This was made to order for a friend. I used textured linen card as base and fussy cut and layered up the flowers by hand. I was very pleased how this pretty card turned out. Pastel and pretty but still very simple. I hope that  the recipient is going to like it as much as I do.
Until next time
C xx

MoM Day two.... Desk Organiser

This was the practical project we made in the workshop with Andy Skinner. Not a skull in sight but lots of rust and industrial grunge to make this desk organiser. There were a lot of processes to take this from pieces of wood to the finished product and it was a lot of fun.
The light is not good here at the moment but hopefully you can get a decent idea  of the finishes from the detail pics.

The finished piece has a working clock mechanism  and since I don't have a clock in my craftroom at the moment that is an added bonus....although the loud ticking might drive me crazy over time.

Although sitting on my desk it is unlikely to be seen much, I also decorated the back of my project...because I could and because I will know it is done.

I really enjoyed making this and I love a practical project....There is something particularly satisfying about making something with a purpose that I can put to use every day ....and especially something as cool as this piece.

Until next time,
Cxx 

Back from our travels

Had a great time in the USA as always and got home with just a few days to spare before the wonderful Ministry of Mixology weekend retreat...this time in Milton Keynes.

It was so good to get back to creative pursuits after a couple of weeks of sightseeing, meeting up with friends, eating, lazing by the pool in the sunshine - yep its  hard life going on holiday- and what better than the immersive MoM experience.

This was my day one project...made in a lively workshop with Maria Kantzali - a clay artist from Greece. I absolutely loved this project and definitely intend to incorporate more clay into my mixed media art in the future. I am currently trying to figure out the best place to display it at home because this one is most definitely staying with us.

Day two was spent with Andy Skinner and I still have a couple of things I want to add to that one before calling it done...but once it is (done) I will post pics here. It is a practical items and  as much I love making art for the sake of it , I also love making art and coming away with something useful at the end of the day. I don't part with my practical makes either ;)

Until next time
Cxx