Simply Enjoy

This is another canvas that I had started with a tissue paper background and painted. I added peeling paper to the bottom third and painted it. The image is from Art Chix and the saying is from Lisa's Altered Art. I need to add something else. I just haven't found the right thing yet. Any suggestions?

(Thanks Aimeslee for fixing my bad picture.)

2x2 Canvas

These are a couple of 2x2 canvases I did for a "Square" Swap. The backgrounds are done with layers of glazes. I thought they were sweet and fun to do.

The Big 7-0!!!

At my weigh in this week I hit 70 pounds lost! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I'm actually looking forward to Spring and Summer this year. I get a whole new wardrobe.





Mouse was pretty excited about it too!

New Years Resolution Swap

We did a swap on one of my groups that required using one of our resolutions. I chose my resolution to finish some of the projects I'd started. I've been working on background papers since taking some workshops last year at Valley Ridge Art Studio. One was with Traci Bautista (Collage Unleashed: Butterfly Flower Graffiti Journal) and another was with Robin Atkins (Acrylic Painting ~ Deluxe Decorative Papers!). The background I used for these ATCs was done for a chunky book swap. I made extra to use in other projects. I pulled it out and cut it up. A portion of the background is shown below the ATCs. I really liked how this turned out and didn't want to cover it up too much.

Images are pieced together from collage sheets I got from Teesha Moore and Lisa's Altered Arts.

Coffee Tags Step 2 - Add color DYE INK

The color was added to these with dye inks. I used Distress Inks.

Coffee Tags Step 2 - Add color MARBELING

We used the shaving cream marbeling technique for these. I really like how they turned out.

Coffee Tags Step 2 - Add color ACRYLIC WASH

These tags were done with a wash of watered down acrylic paint.

Coffee Tags Step 2 - Add color WATERCOLOR

We used four different methods to add color to our tags. The first was watercolor. I had some liquid watercolors in spray bottles so I used them for these tags.





Note: Tag on top Left - I added some stamping over the top of the coffee and color.

Coffee Tags Step 1

These were done for an on-line workshop by one of the Yahoo Groups I belong to. The first step was to use coffee to stain the tags. I used cups or bottles to make the circles. The spots are done by putting instant coffee grounds on the tags and dropping water on the grounds. I also tried painting the coffee on, sponging a little and even brushing it on.

Meet the Art Fairy

I finished one of my unfinished canvases. Images are pieced together from collage sheets I got from Teesha Moore and Lisa's Altered Arts.

Paint Scraping Background

Another technique from Trish. See her blog for instructions and a lot of other great ideas.


I used three colors of acrylic paint on cardstock.

I took it a little further and used a number stencil to add some interest.

Then I glazed over the top with a magenta glaze.

Glue Backgrounds

Trish has been posting background techniques for us to try. These are my Glue Backgrounds.

Glue painted on cardstock with a credit card, textured then left to dry. I used chalk inks to add color.

I used sequins waste (punchinella) as a stencil to put the glue on these sheets. Then let dry and added color with chalk inks. Have I told you I'm addicted to sequins waste?

I used a piece of a non-skid mat (the kind that you put under rugs) to make the pattern on these . The glue was a little runny so I didn't get good texture. Again I used chalk inks to add color.

I drew lines and wrote words on these (in case it isn't obvious) and after they were dry added color with chalk inks.

Plastic Wrap Crinkle

Another technique from Collage Discovery Workshop-Expect the Unexptected by Claudine Hellmuth. This one is the Plastic Wrap Crinkle technique. Done on canvas pad with acrylic paints. I used Golden's paints for these samples but you can use what you have handy.

I used two colors of watered down paint (consistency of watercolor) in puddles, mixing the two colors in spots. Then put a piece of plastic wrap over the paint and smooshed it around with my fingers. This one has to be set aside to dry. If you use the heat gun you'll melt the plastic wrap. When dry remove the plastic.

Elmers Glue Crackle Backgrounds

I pulled out Collage Discovery Workshop-Expect the Unexptected by Claudine Hellmuth and decided to work through the techniques. These are the results from the first texture technique called Elmers Glue Crackle. They are done on 1/4 sheets of canvas pad. I used Golden's acrylic paint for these. Try it with what background and paints you have handy.


Sample 1 - Small Crackle (using heavy body acrylics)
For the top one I started with a base color of magenta, the bottom one did not have a base color. I spread glue over the entire sheet using my fingers. I had a fairly thin coat of glue on these. With the glue still wet I put use another color of paint that had been slightly watered down. Brush in differnt directions for more interest. Dry with heat gun or leave it to dry.

Sample 2 - Big Crackle (used fluid acrylic paint)

These did not have a base color. For interest on the bottom one I put down a dictionary page with gel medium and then a layer of gel medium over the page and let it dry. I put a thick layer of glue over the whole sheet. Then I put drops of fluid acrylic over the wet glue and brushed it out. Dry with a heat gun or air dry.

Sample 3 - Big Crackle (fluid acrylic paints)

These two are the same steps as Sample 2 but I started with a base color.

Art Quest Challenge #1

Trish started an altered book challenge she's calling the Art-Quest Challenge. This is the background for the Three Steps Texture Challenge. I used tissue paper for texture, matte medium for adhesive and two different colors of acrylic paint mixed with glaze medium. I've been playing with the glazes a little and really like the way they look. I used Golden's Cobalt Teal and Quinacridone Magenta for this and Satin Acrylic Glazing Liquid. Now to decide how to finish the spread.