Step 1- Making my background

So here is the start of my journal cover.  I have having a really fun time with this challenge.  I have adhered acrylic black felt to duck cloth for a really sturdy, stiff background.  Then I dug through my stash of monoprinted papers, decorative fabrics, monoprinted fabrics, dyed scrim and cheesecloth and layed it all down on my base.  I then layed a piece of gold tulle over the top and pinned it down and sewed the lines over the top using black thread.  Over the top of this I have used a washed down gesso and painted over the top. 

It is time for a Challenge!

So for a while now, mom and I have been talking about doing little challenges with each other. We thought that with all the books and magazines that we both have, it would be fun to pick a resource and make a project in it. It would be motivation to try new things and to see what directions we both seem to go.

We decided to choose this book about edges and finishes in machine embroidery. It is a really fantastic book with lots of eye candy. I am excited to get started. I am going to post pics of my progress and hope to finish within the two weeks that we have set as a deadline.

Mom is going to do the same so if you are interested in checking out her progress, you can visit her blog at Glenda Bailey's Blog

A horse

I have been able to play around with encaustics a little. I decided to take this vintage pic of a horse and overlay it using some darkroom techniques. I created the background, poured encaustic wax over that and then created the horse image on top. It makes for a soft vintage feeling on the background.

This is a little whimsical for me but I totally enjoyed working with the bird image, the stitching and the colors on fabric.

Image transfer on muslin

This is an inkjet photo image transfer onto mulsin. I then added a stamped image over the top and distressed the edges with ink. It was then wrapped in scrim and framed. I love image transfers.

Going abstract

I have been wanting to try my hand at abstract art for a while but have been extremely intimidated by it for some reason. So, I finally decided to try it out and found it to be extremely liberating. This is just my first. I know that I have a ton of improvement but that will come with time.

Well, the first couple of days of summer break have been a blast. I have made up a schedule for me and the kids and it is really working out well. They know exactly what we are doing for the day and around what time we will do it. I don't know why I did not do this years ago. I don't know how much creative time I will get for the next couple of months but, I know that lasting memories are on there way!

Just finished this canvas last week. I have been working on it for a while. The cross is made of clay and is similar to the technique that I did on HGTV. I am really pleased with the way it turned out. I am most definitely going to have to play around more with paper clay. I usually use the clay that you bake but, it is nice to use airdry clay since it is summer and my studio can get pretty warm. This is a 15" by 30" canvas.