Make a Little Birdhouse in Your Soul

Something spring-like today... a little birdhouse.

After the dreary, grey skies and freezing, snowy white-out that we've endured over the past week here in Blighty, it's nice to use some cheery, fresh colours.

And spring is just around the corner... warmer days, blue skies, bird song and a floral frenzy will soon greet us each morning.

Embrace it and....

... make a little birdhouse in your soul.

Don't Forget To Fly - Mixed Media

Oh boy! Did I step outta my comfort zone big time on this!?

It all started with a storm a few weeks back and part of next door's tree falling apart.

A 3ft piece of bark was stripped away from the trunk in the high winds and, being the collector / hoarder of all things random that I have become, I rescued it and bought it inside to dry out. 

I covered a 8" × 12" blank canvas with Gesso, added a central area of white crackle paste and stencilled a flowery background with Light Paste. I used Dark Chocolate Impasto paint to highlight the crackle paste cracks and then began adding my embellishments, starting with bits of that gorgeous bark.

I think I added everything plus the kitchen sink on this!

Art stones, glass stones, wooden embellies, glass glitter, sisal, Nuvo Crystal Drops and  Embellishment Mousse, flowers from 49 & Market, Christmas Cracker remnants (yes, I'm a hoarder) and waxes. 

I found a stamp set called 'Don't Forget to Fly' by Prima / Finnabair and almost cried.

Think I was having a 'hormonal moment' when I saw it and the sentiments just set me off....I know...daft bugger!

As well as the sentiments, the set also includes this beautiful, large, central image and some dainty butterflies. I stamped a whole heap of those with white embossing powder onto Vellum and then fussy cut them.

So there you have it.

This mixed media lark is such fun, if a little emotional...lol.

The sentiment says it all.

Alcohol Inks - No 12

Introducing the nattily named 'Alcohol Ink No - 12', another piece inspired by my love of all things 'gardeningny'.

As with all of my alcohol ink pieces, this was made during the fairer weather months, when I could have windows and doors open and a fan on full-blast to blow away the fumes.

As always, I'd be interested to know what you see in this painting, hence my reason for numbering rather than naming them.

I used a tonne of earthy colours and a generous dose of gold for rich highlights.

Now you're probably gonna ask... 'Hey Janey, you weird, crazy woman! What colours did you use?' Well I'm darned if I can remember and do yer think I can find my notes? Er....no.

But don't let that put you off giving the ol' inks a go. 

Just go with the flow, let the inks do their 'thang', play, experiment and enjoy!

Mixed Media Letters

These are a couple more of the personalised gifts that I made last Christmas.

For both projects I started by Gesso-ing the letters before applying a thick coat of white, crackle paste. I then added Light Paste through a flowery stencil for more texture.

Decorations to follow... flowers, art stones, wooden embellishments, clear glass stones and ooooodles of glitter.

The extra personal touch on these projects were the wooden trowels, flower pots and watering cans .... both recipients were keen gardeners.

A VERY cold week ahead for us 'ere in ol' Blighty, so wrap up and stay warm n' safe.