Finished canvas!

Canvas Day 2: Well, I finished! After a few experiments with font size, paper type, placement of everything I finally made decisions and completed the canvas.

Yesterday, painting and glittering the canvas was a no-brainer. Other decisions were more challenging, so I set the canvas aside to "speak" to me. It not only spoke, it screamed "Color! Texture!! Bold!!!"

To answer the screams I must have changed the font size 4-5 times placing it on the canvas with the moth for scale and impact. Once the font was chosen a torn edge added to the free-flowing look I wanted to achieve. I used ESF Gel Medium to attach the paper to my canvas. A layer was brushed directly onto the canvas, the paper placed, and then another layer of Gel Medium brushed over the top to glue/attach it permanently.

To attach the moth (previously made from polymer clay) I brushed the back with liquid clay and pressed it into place. Please note: experiment with the placement BEFORE brushing the back with liquid clay! Once pressed into place I thought it needed a little something else, so the flower detail was added. The entire canvas was placed in the oven to firmly attach the polymer components. If you wish to skip this step a good tacky glue will also work in place of the liquid clay.

Now all that is needed is a hanger for the back...or a ribbon...or a hook. Is there no end to the decisions??!!

Thanks for stopping by. With ideas spinning in my head I need to go start another canvas! Gotta fly....

My creative spirit has returned!

After an absence from the crafting world following the death of my mother and biggest cheerleader I feel my creative spirit returning. What better way to take advantage of the energy than to begin creating mixed media canvases combining my love of polymer clay with paper and paint. Once complete this piece will be a ready-to-hang piece of art...just in time for a show at the end of April!

Let me begin by saying that I am NOT a painter by any stretch of the imagination! With that in mind, looking at my primitive sponge painting will be a little easier to take :-)

I used ESF acrylic paints in Night Sky Blue, Tiffany Blue, Key Lime, and Buttermilk. I usually start with the darkest and work my way up to the lightest, overlapping and mixing as I sponge the paint on. the first picture shows the painted canvas.

I love bling (what girl doesn't??) so next I will mix ultrafine glitter into ESF Gel Medium and smear (yes, smear) that over the canvas. Don't forget the sides as you are painting and glittering. The gel medium will also be used to attach the wording firmly to the canvas.

The moth shown is created from polymer clay and prebaked before attaching it to the canvas. Polymer clay can be glued using Aleene's Tacky glue or with liquid polymer clay. If using the liquid clay your canvas needs to be baked to secure clay pieces.

I still need to add something to the canvas, but can't figure it out right now. I guess I will set it aside and work on something new until the empty space "speaks" to me. I will be sure to update you on the piece when it is complete. Until then, happy crafting to one and all! So glad to be back in the swing :-)

I can hardly believe how long it has been since I last posted! I will try to be much better in the future.

Spring has sprung in Virginia. With it comes the pull to dress in flowers and bright colors...and new pieces :-) I love transforming old into new, as shown with this linen dress that I found at Goodwill. For $6.00 and a little paint I have a beuatiful new dress with which to meet the warm weather. Don't worry if you are not a "gifted" painter...I know I am definitely not! For the design around the neck of this dress I used sponge cutouts from the craft store. Apply Shimmer Opaque paints to the sponge and press. Once dry (and it dries quickly) crystals can be added if desired. Super simple wardrobe update!

I bet you are wondering about the jewelry. Of course I need matching pieces for the dress. These are just as easy to create. I rolled out Ultralight clay from Polyform Products to about 1/8". Flowers and leaves were cut out using small cutters and/or molds. Details were pressed in using a needle tool (think turkey lacer or knitting needle). Bake pieces at 275* for 30 minutes and let cool. Paint with Shimmer Opaque paints then string as desired. For this set I used silver chain and wire for the necklace, silver hoops and glass beads for the earrings. Not shown is a belt with large flowers (in the colors shown) strung on a beautiful green shimmery ribbon. Additional leaves and glass beads weigh down the ends of the ribbon.

I expect to see flowers popping up everywhere soon. Be sure to stand out in the crowd. Happy crafting!