Butterfly Canvas Process Video

Here is my newest YouTube video showing the process of me creating a canvas as well as my own handmade embellishments. There are many techniques shown. I hope you can get something out of it to help you with your own creations!

Golden Gesso Compared to Golden Absorbent Ground

Many people use gesso in their art journals and on canvas to prepare the substrates for paint and ink. However, many people are not aware of the effect of absorbent ground. This product does the opposite of gesso-whatever you put on top absorbs into your substrate. You may not want this effect with your paint but you may want it with your ink sprays which tend to lose their vibrancy over gesso. Here is my tutorial comparing the two products.

More Ways to Jump Start Creativity

Here is my latest video that shows how I get a jump start on my projects. It also includes how I work with Gelatos by Faber-Castell, my new favorite mixed-media supply near the end. Enjoy!

How Do I Get Out of a Creative Rut? (With Photos)

There are times when it is difficult to get the creative juices flowing especially as I approach most projects with little or no ideas and work as I go. I sometimes look to the Internet but that does not always help because I may not have the materials for a particular project I found there. 

Here are some things I do to get moving so I can enjoy my time in my studio:

1. Look at paper! I have a huge stash and sometimes I forget it's there. Look to it for inspiration, color combos, etc.

2. Make embellishments. Sometimes just making embellishments can spark an idea. I have photos that follow of what I created tonight. During this process I also prepped some paper for die-cutting by using a great product by Lifestyle Crafts (Quickutz) called Double-Sided Adhesive Backed Chipboard. I went through my paper stash and got some ready for future projects.

3. Look around you! I look at patterns on people's clothes, fabric, furniture you name it.

4. Ask for project ideas. If you can't think of a project or an idea for a project, ask a friend. 

Hope these tips help. Now go out and create! :-)

                                      

These are from my new dies by Heartfelt Creations-LOVE this company. I'm in the process of creating a mixed-media project with my flowers and leaves. I also tried die-cutting with grunge paper by Ranger (top middle and  right). It worked great!

These are embellishments made using Mod Melts with the Mod Molds by Plaid. I am working with these for the first time and so far I enjoy them. They make for quick embellishments and come in a variety of molds.

Here are the papers I prepared for die-cutting using the Lifestyle Crafts Quickutz Double-Sided Adhesive Backed Chipboard. Love these!

Enjoy!

More Gelli Plate Madness!

I get so many questions about what to do with a Gelli Plate print once you create it. The answer is it is up to your imagination! I have created cards, art journal pages, artist trading cards, used them on canvas just to name a few examples. I decided to make a video showing what I created with a print I made from a previous video. I hope you enjoy it!

Tim Holtz at Mega Meet Distress Paint Demo Part 2

And here is part 2!

Tim Holtz at the Novi, Michigan Mega Meet! Distress Paint Demo Part 1

Hello, all! I am excited to bring you footage from the Mega Meet scrapbook convention that was held Mother's Day weekend in Novi, Michigan. We were lucky enough to have the one and only Tim Holtz demonstrating his wonderful line of products through Ranger Ink, Sizzix, Stamper's Anonymous, and others. I could have sat and watched him for hours (I stayed 2 1/2 hours)! He is talented, knowledgeable, as well as gracious. Here's the first of two clips showing off my newest and I think most favorite of all products-Distress Paint! Enjoy! 

Musician's Birthday Card

Here is a special birthday card I made for a musician using a great die I purchased at the Mega Meet scrapbook conference in May at the Tessler Stamp/Stencil Co. the great lady there demonstrated how to cut a soda pop can to use the aluminum-another great way to recycle for art! Now I am saving some cans instead of taking them to the store for the deposit return. Copic markers work well on the aluminum for coloring! I may add that I went crazy with die purchases as well as stamps and dies from Heartfelt Creations which had a great deal going on at their booth. The people there were great! I met Emma Lou Beechy who is a real sweetheart. I also finally got to meet my Mixed Media Hero, Tim Holtz! How cool is that?! I will be uploading videos of some of his demonstrations soon.
Drum die from Tessler Stamps/Stencil Co., music background stamp by Impression Obsession, front cover sentiment stamps by Hero Arts, inside sentiment stamps by Close to My Heart. Drum die-cut made out of aluminum and colored with Copic Markers with Stickles used as an accent. Paper by DCWV