Listen to Your Heart

The Très Jolie Mediums Kit for November is packed with a variety of mediums, a wooden heart, a package of flowers, and – best of all – an 8” x 10” metal piece, perfect for an incredible piece of home decor.

Here’s what I came up with…

A few close-ups…

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And here’s how it all came together…

I decided to use a canvas from my stash for a background full of Heavenly stars.

First, I mixed a small amount of the DecoArt Media Crackle Paint with a healthy serving of Distress Stickles Dry Glitter.

I applied my mixture through a Creative Embellishments stencil onto the canvas. The paint is thinner than actual paste, but leaving it out for a few minutes thickened it enough to work.

Once the stenciled image was completely dry, I sprayed it with a mist made with the Prima Mica Powder and water.  

After removing the twine on top, I covered the wood heart with a thick coating of crackle paint to ensure a lot of texture.

Once the paint was set, I applied Inka Gold Paint (this is more like a wax) over the surface, using a stipple brush. (I like to pass the loaded brush over a paper towel before applying it to the surface to prevent clumping.)

After allowing this to set for a while, I sprayed the surface with my DIY mica mist.

I attached my wings to the canvas using a nut and bolt through back mount along with E6000 glue.

I cut and layered 3 pieces of packaging and attached the pile to the center of the wings.

I waited for the glue to set, and then attached the heart.

I selected a few of the Prima flowers and treated them with Metallique Wax to match the metal wings.

I applied the same treatment to a sweet fairy that I had molded some time back.

I highlighted the flowers and fairy with Inka Gold Paint.

I arranged the flowers around the heart, using Beacon 3-in-1 glue.

Next, I glued the fairy down, allowing her to appear to dangle from the twine.

I applied a very thick coating of the Crackle Paint to a couple of Creative Embellishments chipboard vines that had come in an earlier kit.

I allowed the paint to set; then I coated the vines with Metallique Wax…

… and highlighted them with the Inka Gold Paint.

Using Beacon 3-in-1, I tucked the stems under the flowers.

I selected a few Tim Holtz quotes and backed them with thin strips of packaging, then ran the edges through the wax that was left on the paper towel to create outlines.

I glued them to the heart and called my project “done”.

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*****Supplies*****

***Très Jolie November Mediums Kit***

BCI Crafts – Salvaged – Metal Craft –Metal Angel Wings – 8 x 10 – Copper Patina #METANG

Viva Décor – Inka Gold Paint – Turquoise #VD1204-92236

P. Graham Dunn – Craft Décor – 3.5 x 3.25 Craft Ornament – Heart #CRA0069

DecoArt Media – Crackle Paint – White #DMM15

Prima – Paper Flowers – 16 Pcs #599454

Ranger Ink – Tim Holtz – Distress Stickles Dry Glitter – Clear Rock Candy #TDR35879

Prima – Finnabair – Art Ingredients – Mica Powder – Silver #962517

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******Other******

AC Moore – 8” x 10” Canvas

***Embellishments***

Creative Embellishments – Laser Cut Chipboard – Flourish 30

Advantus – Tim Holtz – Idea-ology Collection – Metallic Stickers – Quotations #TH93559

***Mediums***

Prima – Finnabair – Art Alchemy – Metallique Wax – Bronze Age #964023

***Tools***

Creative Embellishments – Stencil – Falling Stars

Art Prosvet – Mold – Three Fairies #ARTMA0012

Prima – Finnabair – Art Basics – Small Stencil Brush Set #965228

***Other***

E6000 – Permanent Craft Adhesive

Beacon – 3-In-1 – Advanced Craft Glue

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As always, I want to thank you for peeking into my blog; your visits mean a lot to me.

Golden Girl

The May Mixed Media package from the Tres Jolie Kit Club, containing an artist’s palette and plenty of embellishments and mediums (including three jars of Lumiere Halo paint) gave me the perfect opportunity to create a project featuring this photo of my granddaughter, taken by my daughter-in-law.

I started by covering the entire palette with black gesso from Liquitex, taking care to brush side to side. (Because this is much thinner than most brands, I prefer to use it as a primer.) Once it was completely dry, I sprayed the front of the palette with Nuvo mist from Tres Jolie’s April kit.

After determining my final photo placement, I used the texture paste and stencil that were included in the kit to create a brocade-like flourish that would show above and below the image. This dried to an almost transparent surface, so I applied chalk ink (again from the April kit) with a thin paint brush to make it stand out a bit more.

The corrugate squares are backed with a very thin wooden layer, so I used my heavy duty scissors to cut and tear them into pieces to go along the sides of my photo. I covered large sections of each piece with black gesso, and then painted them here and there with Nuvo mist.

I selected several of the plaster flowers and coated them with the same black gesso. Next, I took out the Halo paints and started to paint the surfaces, using all three of the colors, and then lightly misting them with water. I used my heat tool to dry the surfaces before applying more layers of color, repeating these steps until I got the results I wanted.

Meanwhile, I created my title with my Cameo, using the Cotton Candy font. Because the machine requires very thin chipboard, I duplicated the design so I could cut two layers. Using a blending tool, I covered the surfaces with Archival ink and then glued the layers together. I gave the surfaces a heavy coating of matte medium, and then poured on the glitter.

Time to assemble: I glued down both sides of the corrugate in layers, and then attached the photo that I had backed with several layers of packaging to ensure that it would lay flat. I cut several of the straws into smaller lengths before gluing them down, leaving a few pieces for my corner cluster.

Once I had determined the final placement of my flowers, I adhered them, along with the metal keyholes, using Art Glitter glue. (The plaster flowers are very heavy and I needed an adhesive with strong bonding properties.)

I added some texture with cheesecloth and Art Stones from my stash.

The title was placed to the side of my photo.

I poured out a small amount of each of the Halo paints and diluted them with water to color my embellishments in layers, again using my heat tool between applications.

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*****Supplies*****

***Tres Jolie Mixed Media Kit***

Darice – Studio 71 – Wooden Palette Set #30061945

Prima Marketing – Stencil – 6” x 6” – Flourish #564278

Prima – Sunrise Sunset Collection – Paper Roses – Gold #565169

American Crafts – Metallic Straws – Stripe – Gold – 5 Pcs #373832

American Crafts – Metallic Straws – Dot – Gold – 5 Pcs #368997

Darice – Glitter Tube – Gold – .75 oz #1146-36WAL

Prima – Finnabair – Art Extravagance – Texture Paste – White Sand #963002

Darice – Corrugate Cut-Outs – Square – 3 Pcs #30011909

Graphic 45 – Staples Collection – Ornate Metal Key Holes – 2 Pcs #4500546

Prima – Archival Cast Collection – Relics and Artifacts – Plaster Embellishments – Flora #942663

Jacquard – Lumiere Light Body Metallic Acrylic Paint – Halo – Pink Gold #555

Jacquard – Lumiere Light Body Metallic Acrylic Paint – Halo – Blue Gold #556

Jacquard – Lumiere Light Body Metallic Acrylic Paint – Halo – Violet Gold #557

***Embellishments***

Cheesecloth

***Mediums***

Liquitex – Professional – Black Colored Gesso

Liquitex – Professional – Matte Medium

Liquitex – Professional – Matte Gel Medium

Ranger Ink – Archival Ink Pad – Jet Black #31468

Prima – Ingvild Bolme – Chalk Fluid Edger – Tin Can #891152

Nuvo – Mica Mist – Antique Gold #571N

Prima – Finnabair – Art Ingredients – Art Stones #963705

***Tools***

Prima – Stencil – 6 x 6 – Flourish #564278

Ranger Ink – Tim Holtz – Mini Ink Blending Tool #40965

Silhouette America – Cameo – Electronic Cutting System

***Other***

Art Glitter – Dries Clear Designer Adhesive

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As always, I want to thank you for peeking into my blog; your visits mean a lot to me.

September "Autumn Bloom" Kit from Swirlydoos

I'm so excited to share some of the projects that I've made with the September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit and Add-Ons.

This kit, featuring the Cottage Life collection from 49 & Market is so versatile - perfect for all of your elegant and vintage images, but the rustic feel makes it perfect for all of your "boy" photos, too. And there is  the highlight of the Main Kit: an original sketch created by Swirlydoos Design Team Coordinator Kim Heard.

Here is this month's sketch.

And my layout, featuring this sweet, sweet photo of my Granddaughter, taken by my Daughter-In-Law last summer.

I started by coating both sides of the paper with clear gesso to cut down on the "warpage"; when that was dry, I used a stencil and crackle paste to create bricks. These were heat dried until they bubbled to give them some texture, then colored with Distress Oxide ink. Meanwhile, I die cut several doilies from the gorgeous cardstock that came in the Add-On. And now it was time to assemble my page with matting created from several of the pretty patterns on the "B" sides of the paper and a lot of packaging between the layers to give it all some dimension. I added a frame from one of the flower packages after giving it a coat of gesso. My flower clusters from the Main Kit and the Flower Add-On, along with one of the pretty clips from the Embellishment Add-On. A bit of a cut-out, lace from the flower package and a sprinkling of gems and I was almost finished. The last step: the title cut from those awesome vellum sheets that Krissy packed in the kit!

Here are a few closeups...

Why not visit the Swirlydoos forums to see how YOU can enter our Sketch Challenge? http://www.swirlydoos.com/forums/topic/september-autumn-bloom-sketch-challenge/

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Provence

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Bicycle Ally

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cottage Cut Outs

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Cottage Blooms - Cotton #CB-86097

Core'dinations - Quotes & Titles - 3.37" x 3.37" Vellum Sheets - Inspirational

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Cardstock Add-On*

Darice - Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Vintage Cardstock - Bloom

Darice - Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Vintage Cardstock - Serene

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Cottage Blooms - Bluebell #CB-86110

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

Darice - Self-Stick Gems - Glitter Royal Blue - 40 Pcs #1216-914

Prima - My Prima Planner Collection - Clips - Sweet Toffee #593773

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Mediums Add-On*

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Faded Jeans

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology Collection - Paper Flowers - Assorted Sizes - Ocean Breeze #FM-85762

*Swirlydoos August 2017 Project Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology - Champagne #FM-85694

Other Supplies

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo

Cheery Lynn Dies - English Tea Party #DL101

Cheery Lynn Dies - French Pastry #DL102

Prima - Stencil - Fence 2 #550011

Gesso

Clear Gesso

Crackle Paste

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I mentioned that this kit was perfect for "boy" pages, and here's proof: my twin Grandsons' school photo and a design that captures their personalities.

I started by tearing some of my papers, along with a piece of deeply ribbed packaging. After adhering the first sheet, I created a border by stamping a few barbed wire stamps. Next, I attached the packaging and another torn piece that I stamped to create a bit more interest. I used the same paper to create a photo mat from the corner and added a bit of burlap on the bottom. I kept the actual embellishments simple: a bit of the chippie that came in the Embellishment Add-On, some pine cones from my stash, and a cart and a few lady bugs that were fussy cut from the pattern paper.

And a couple of close-ups...

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cottage Cut Outs

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Fresh Delivery

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Garden Seeds

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Rooster Row

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Embellishment Add-On*

SA Crafters - Laser Cut Chipboard - C-Vive Circles

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Mediums Add-On*

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Abandoned Coral

Other Supplies

The Scrapbook Diaries - Gabrielle Pollacco - Gabi's Textures

The Scrapbook Diaries - Gabrielle Pollacco - Gabi's Crackle

Ranger - Archival Ink - Jet Black

Burlap

Pine Cones

Packaging

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My two older sons took a road trip to Buffalo, NY a few weeks ago and stopped in LeRoy (look it up!) to visit with my sister and her family. My oldest managed to get this incredible shot near the Oatka Creek, featuring a refurbished Statue of Liberty/

I deliberately put aside a sheet of the Rooster Row paper for this page, knowing that the color and the pattern would make a good background. After coating both sides with clear gesso, I used Scor Tape to adhere it to some USPS packaging (I'll explain "why" later) and applied a thin coat of crackle paste through a favorite stencil and allowed it to dry naturally. Meanwhile, I took some scraps and a lot of fussy-cut images (this collection is a fussy cutter's paradise!) and played around until I was satisfied. I stapled the layers together, then adhered it to the page. I attached my photo, then added a few more bits and pieces, including the tag that holds the hand-written title. My flower cluster is made with one of the packages from the Flower Add-On, along with some blooms from the July and August kits. I finished my layout by hammering a few of the nail heads from the kit (and that's why I used the USPS packaging).

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Enjoy the Sweet Life

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Garland

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Rooster Row

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 4 Double Sided Paper - Bonus Cut Outs

Darice - Jewelry Designer Collection - Round Nailheads - Nickel - 40 Pcs #1892-39

Swirlydoos - Jute - 2-ply - 2 Yd

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Blossom Blends - Poppy #BB-86172

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology Collection - Paper Flowers - Assorted Sizes - Ocean Breeze #FM-85762

*Swirlydoos August 2017 Project Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology - Champagne #FM-85694

Other Supplies

Prima - Royal Menagerie Collection - 6 x 6 Stencil - Decor 1 #582975

Prima - Art Extravagance - Texture Paste - White Crackle #961503

Clear Gesso

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This layout was created as my example for the November All That Flutters Challenge that I'm hosting for Swirlydoos. (Details here http://www.swirlydoos.com/forums/topic/november-2017-all-that-flutters-challenge-all-about-family/) As the theme says, it's all about family; the lady second to the left is my Great-Grandmother McCormick, the bewhiskered gentleman in the center is my Great-Grandfather McCormick and the smiling lady holding the baby is my Grandma Darby with my Uncle Jack back in 1917.

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I dug out a stamp from a long-ago Swirlydoos kit to create a border and a birdcage dangling from a cluster of flowers. The matting was kept simple with a died cut from one of the papers. Next, I framed the photo with one of the pieces of the Dusty Attic shapes from the Embellishment Add-On. There's actually a lot going on with the cluster: blooms from the Main Kit and Flower Add-On, resin feathers and a lot of fussy cut images (I think I already mentioned that this collection is a fussy cutter's dream). I finished by adding a Dusty Attic butterfly (altered with Distress Oxide ink) and, from the same package, my title.

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Garland

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Bicycle Ally

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cottage Cut Outs

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Cottage Blooms - Cotton #CB-86097

Prima - Resin Collection - Resin Embellishments - Feather #573355

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Seaside Blooms - Natural Blush #SB86059

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

Dusty Attic - 49 and Market - Laser Cut Shapes - Archival Board - Happy Moments - White

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Mediums Add-On*

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Faded Jeans

*Swirlydoos August 2017 Project Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology - Champagne #FM-85694

*Swirlydoos July 2011 Embellishment Add-On*

Pink Paislee - Butterfly Garden Collection - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Impressions #00445

Other Supplies

Spellbinders - Nestabilities - Card Creators - Elegant Labels 4 #S6005

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Check out this month's Project Kit - a Stickles Storage Carousel from SA Crafters that will hold 48 individual bottles of Stickles, Liquid Pearls and similar sized items! (I'm also using it for Alcohol Inks, as you can see.)

I've made mine Shabby Chic, covering it with gesso, then painting it with the Martha Stewart Glitter Paint that came in the kit. I've added some lace to the sides, then flowers from my stash, all topped with a ginormous metal butterfly.

Supplies

 

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Stickles Bottle Holder Project Kit*

SA Crafters - MDF Wood - Stickles Carousel Storage

Ranger Ink - Liquid Pearls - Dimensional Paint - Rose Gold

Ranger Ink - Stickles Glitter Glue - Sprinkled Sugar

Martha Stewart Crafts - Multi-Surface Glitter Acrylic Paint - Sugar Cube #32185

Other Supplies

Gesso

Lace Trim

Flowers

Metal Butterfly

Paint Brush

Matte Medium

Aleene's Tacky Glue

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If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!