Inspiration Wednesday - Week 25

I can't believe this is the last Inspiration Wednesday for 2015. It seems like we were just starting our journals, and I had no clue what most of the materials we would be using were let alone how to use them.

Never having taken a formal art class this year has been quite an adventure for me.  When the year started I always cleaned my brushes, stencils, and stamps immediately after using them.  Half way through the year my tools looked like new.  Not so much now, but they work and that's what counts.

Before my pages were even started I used to stress out thinking about how they would look. I learned to just go for it and perfection  is not necessary.

But most of all I learned that if my pages make me happy when I look at them my work is successful.

Thank you Donna for a fabulous year. I can't wait for 2016 to start.

This is my completed journal.  Lots of mixed media goodness in there.

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - December

WOO HOO! I completed  all 12 of Tim's Challenges this year!

I was a little worried this one wasn't going to get finished in time because of the Holiday and the never ending list of to dos that goes with it, but I was able to complete it this morning.  I'm very pleased with how this tag turned out. Even though I didn't have any of the materials Tim used with some digging through my stash I was able to easily substitute the items.

Thank you for a fun year Tim. I looking forward to the challenges of 2016!

A Little Late...

...but worth the wait.

I finally completed my first assemblage clock.  Of course it's a Halloween theme since it's my favorite holiday.

To achieve the rust on the clock I used Verday Reactive Metal Paint. This paint is amazing as it reacts after painting and spraying the object with the patina solution.  It comes in four metal colors, and I love it.

Thank you Tim Holtz for this clock. I had so much fun making this clock I can't wait to start my next one.

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 24

For this weeks project I needed lots of texture in my background.  I started by using Donna's Poppy Stems stencil and modeling paste. After it dried I still felt like it needed more. As luck would have it my hubby was thinking of me while shopping in Home Depot. I'm not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I had a brand new role of drywall tape and I knew how to use it. I wanted my colors to reflect the sky, and finished it off with a quote from Walt Disney.

I love the way these pages turned out.

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - November

I love the background technique Tim used for this month's tag.  I'll be using this again in the future. It was so easy and something  that can be used on so many other projects.

Since I didn't have a pumpkin stamp I used Tim's hot air balloon from Stampers Anonymous. I stamped the background with White Picket Fence Distress Paint, then sprayed the tag with Blueprint Sketch and Mermaid Lagoon. I edged the tag with Mustard Seed Distress Ink. The balloon was embossed using the same technique Tim used for his pumpkin, and I attached it to the tag using foam tape. The embossing looks much better in person. A photographer I am not, but I'm glad I made the time to do this month's tag.

Inspiration Wednesday Week 23

The countdown is on. Only 2 weeks left for Inspiration Wednesday 2015, but the good news is that registration is open for 2016. Yes, I'm looking forward to another year with Donna.

This week we created another collage using wash tape, book pages, stamps, stencils and paint.  My circles were drawn freehand and came much rounder than I expected.  I guess I'm finally not thinking too much and just doing it. I had fun with one because the paint was applied using fingers rather than a brush.  It's always fun to finger paint!

Inspiration Wednesday Week 22

Donna had us drawing again this week except it wasn't with a brush.  Using heavy body paint we had to draw the flowers using a palette knife.  When I watched the video I thought "Where does she come up with this stuff." After watching 3 times I was ready to give it a try. Here is the result.

My flowers came a little rounder than I would have liked, but I am pleased.  I had bigger issues with writing my quote. I started out using my extra fine line paint marker. Because the paint wasn't quite dry it got clogged and stopped writing. I tried to clean it off, and instead ended up pulling the entire writing implement out of the pen.  What a mess that made. After I cleaned up my mess I finished the quote with my fine line marker.  I thought about going over the first part of the quote, but figured I'd better leave well enough alone.  I'm happy with the way this turned out, can't for next week.

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - October

This months tag is not one of my favorites. I was just not inspired by any of the Halloween dies and stamps in my stash. 

Taking Tim's advice I did make the time to be creative and that was my challenge this week.  I also did some online shopping for new Halloween stamps and dies, and that made me happy.

Here's hoping I'm more inspired in November. 

Inspiration Wednesday Week 21

WOW! Week 21 only four more Inspiration Wednesdays to go for 2015.  This has been an extraordinary experience for me.  Many of the projects pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a new one.  I learned that you will love some pages and only like others, but they will all make you happy.

This weeks project makes me happy.  I'm now able to cover up one layer with another without thinking it's going to be ruined.  There is no such thing. Just add another layer and move on!

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 20

I'm a little behind this month, but am hoping to get caught up by the end of the week.  I hate being behind with Donna's projects, because I feel rushed and that's when the ideas just don't come to me.

I had fun with this week's project. I tried using two different colors instead of two shades of the same color.  I'm happy, and that's what counts.  I hope you like it too.

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 19

Donna went easy on us this week.  Except Donna's background was made using the craft paper she covers her table with. I trash mine at the end of each project so had to make the background.

I used spray inks in bright colors then sprayed the page with water to make the colors run.  Once they were dry I used Gel Medium to stick them to the pages, and added my stamps. Done!

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - September

This month really was a challenge for me.  Tim created the tag background with alcohol inks.

Since I don't use alcohol ink I decided to use distress inks.  For whatever reason I could not get a look I was satisfied with. After 3 attempts I decided to use my Sparkling H2O's. I've never used them before and they have been sitting on a shelf in my craft room for longer than I want to admit. Finally, a background I liked!

This was also the first time I used Tim's Frosted sheets. I love this product, and will be using it a lot more from now on.

Once it was done I must say I like the way it turned.  Thank you Tim! Bring on October!

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 18

This was my biggest challenge so far.  I do not consider myself a painter, so when I watched this weeks video I was not a happy camper. However, I am determined to try everything Donna Downey inspires the class with.  Looking forward to Week 19...

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 17

This week Donna had us using stencils and modeling past.

Since I didn't have a stencil with circles I decided to make my own. I used the circle shape cutter I purchased years ago from Creative Memories, and some circle punches I had. It took longer than I thought it would but was well worth it.

I love the way the layers turned out each one shows just enough to be noticed.

Thank you Donna Downey for the inspiration. I am so going to use this technique on a large canvas.

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 16

I wasn't quite sure about this weeks technique. It's been a very busy week, but I didn't want to fall behind.

Donna used fabric for her pages, but the fabric I had just wasn't cutting it for  me. I did find some wrapping paper that I had in my stash. So I got the first layer down, but was not impressed.

Next I had to find a silhouette since I did not have any in my stencil collection. I went to the internet looking for something I could make. I chose Tinkerbelle. Probably because it's 60 days until my next trip to Disney World. At this time of the year I always have Disney on my mind.  It's what keeps me sane.  For one week the world consists of a place where nothing goes sideways.  Anyway, I was happy with Tink.

I added paint Donna's stamps and flowers made using a stencil and modeling paste.  When they were dry I added clear stickles, because if have Tink you have to have bling, and guess what?

It made me happy!

Thank you Donna for another Inspiration Wednesday!

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - August

This months tag was all about the background. I don't have the word dies that Tim used, but I do have his Sizzix Mixed Media die set. This is the first time I've used them, but it will not be the last. These dies are fabulous.

I followed Tim's technique for creating the background, but I did leave more color on the tag than he did. What can I say I love color! I love the way it turned out, and will definitely be using this technique again. Hmm maybe a canvas....

Here's a close up.

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 15

As this weeks project was coming together I was not at all impressed with it, but as I added each layer it got better.  It's amazing what a layer of modeling paste and some glazing can do! I must say that I am happy with the final result.

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - July

This month's Tim tag had a patriotic theme.  Well, not much of that in my stash so I used the Crazy Birds stamps, because I just love these guys.  I don't know why, but every time I see them I think of the Abbott & Costello doing "Who's On First".

After stamping and coloring the birds with Distress Markers I applied Distress Micro-Glaze over the birds and painted the whole tag using Hickory Smoke.  It's the first time I used these new products. The micro-glaze made the birds resist the ink, and I love the new ink color.   I can see these new products getting often.

Thanks Tim for another fun tag!

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 14

This is going to be a quick post since I was on vacation and am now playing catch-up on my blog posts.

This week's project used multiple layers starting with tissue paper and a double layer of stenciling with modeling paste. Donna's added challenge was that it had to include something that makes me laugh.

My choice was King Julian from the movie Madagascar. That movie made me laugh out loud. Especially King Julian doing his version of "I Like to Move It" To this day whenever I see him or hear the song it still makes me laugh.

Enjoy!

Inspiration Wednesday Week 13

WOW! I can't believe we're halfway through our Inspiration Wednesdays! I know this because we had to join our first and second signatures together.

The good news is my collage skills are getting better. I no longer get freaked out over putting the next layer on and having to cover up what I just did. Good thing because joining the signatures gave me two inclusions to work into the project. Maybe that's why the layers didn't freak me out. I was thinking, "OMG, what am I going to do with two inclusions." Once again Donna got me out of my comfort zone, and the new techniques are always a welcomed challenge.

Another week completed and I'm happy!  Hope you enjoy!

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 12

This was the week we were all waiting for.  Our special order paint, from Donna had arrived weeks ago, and I couldn't wait to use it.

The paint is VerDay Paint & Patina by Ten Second Studio and the best part is, it's so easy to use. The hardest part, as always, was waiting for the layers to dry. I loved this technique and can't wait to use it on my assemblage clock.

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - June

I must admit when I saw this months tag I was not immediately inspired. I didn't have the die or stencil Tim used, and I'm not the person who will make custom ink pads. Taking Tim's advice to just take the time to create I sat down at my craft table and just let it happen one layer at a time. I started by pulling out Distress Inks, Markers, and Spray Stain in the colors I wanted to use.

Since I really loved Tim's background I used the burlap layering stencil to get my plaid effect. At this point, with my hands covered in various ink colors, I had to admit that having an ink pad with multiple colors would have been much neater. Note to self: There's a reason for what Tim does.

I decided to use my Butterfly Duo and Honeycomb dies. I colored the butterflies with Distress Markers then sprayed them with water to blend the colors. The honeycomb is painted with Picket Fence. Now it was time to start layering.

I started with a piece of burlap I found in my stash and built from there.  The final piece I added was the key. I needed something for the space, but didn't know what I wanted to put there, so off to embellishment box I went. I have no clue where this key came from, but there it was just sitting on top of the box. I knew I had to use it.

Perfect! I just love the way this tag turned out.  It's probably my favorite tag creation since starting this challenge.

You can see more about the techniques Tim used for this months tag on his blog. Maybe you'll decide to join in the fun.

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 11

I love the final results from this weeks project, and it was so easy.

I finally got to use the Gelatos that have been in my stash for months. They are great to work with.  After blending them with white paint I added more color and used my finger to blend the extra color into the existing colors.

The disadvantage of being able to get done in one afternoon is that it's going to be long 2 weeks until the next Inspiration Wednesday

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 10

I must admit I was not looking forward to this project.  It was collaging, and I am not a collage kind of person.  I admire them, but when it comes to making one I'm never happy with the results.

This time I did like the results.  I think it's because it reminded me of the chaotic week I had just been through. Hence the words, "My art reflects my journey."

Tim Holtz Tags of 2015 - May

In my spare time I am a volunteer with the Arc Circle of Family and Friends.  Our group provides activities for special needs adults. Some of the activities we provide throughout the year are bowling and softball leagues, monthly  dances, and various day trips.  One of the adults I have come to know is Penny.

Penny lives independently in an apartment, has had a part time job at the local Shop Rite for the past 20 years, and has a social live most of us would envy. She sees everyday as an adventure and lives her life to the fullest. We could all learn from her.

When Tim used his photo booth pictures for this months tag I chose to use a  picture of Penny.  I used the word brave because Penny is one of the bravest people I know.

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 9

This week was my first attempt at using watercolors. Since it was the first layer of the project anything I wasn't happy with could be covered up, so that took the pressure off.  Surprise! I was actually happy with how it turned out. Good thing because this weeks layers allowed the background to show through.

Here's to another brown hole page. Can't wait till week 10!

Inspiration Wednesday - Week 8

Layer, dry, layer, dry layer, dry.  This is the love hate relationship I have with mixed media art. Watching paint dry while waiting to add the next layer is NOT something I good at. So when I needed a word for this week's Inspiration Wednesday that word had to be patience.

Twice the Fun

April first was a good day. Not only was it Tim Holtz tag day, but it was also Inspiration Wednesday with Donna Downey. After watching Donna's video and reading Tim's tutorial I was inspired to combine the two into one journal layout.

This journal page had modeling paste, gesso, glazing,  stamping, and distress markers. Lots of drying time in between layers, but so worth it.

Thank you Tim and Donna for making this a double challenge.