Pastel Heart - Mixed Media

Today I have another little mixed media heart to share with you.

I love making these as gifts. They're perfect for all sorts of occasions or just simply to inspire or encourage someone with a heartfelt sentiment.

I made this one for a special aunt.

I started by applying a base coat of white gesso and then different depth layers of white crackle paste. By applying different thicknesses of crackle paste you get different sized cracks.

I used a Crafters Workshop stencil called 'Cell Theory', with light paste, to add some extra texture and pattern. The little frame was also gesso'd n' crackled and added to the heart with a photo of my aunt and uncle. I stuck it on in such a way that the recipient can change the photo should they wish. 

The decorations are a mixture of wedding and Christmas embellishments, glass stones, sisal and gorgeous flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

No glitter this time, no coloured paint effects, no razzamatazz.

Just a soft, feminine, decorative gift for a special person.

Alcohol Inks - No 13

Another alcohol inking from last summer to share with you today.

I love how the inks on this one created a marbled affect in the lighter areas.

I just sat back on my deckchair and let the inks do their 'thang'....lol.

This is a 9" × 11" on Yupo.

Here are a few close-ups...

....looks like a bloodbath.

Many of the inks have secondary colours to them when they bloom and flow, which is a bonus.

As always, let me know what you see (except the bloodbath).

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.