mixed media – Page 3 – Craft With May

Dwell in (mixed media) Possibilities

I have a new online class launching (info coming next week- early reg page is here!) – it’s all about embellishments and I think you’ll really love it. I’ve been working on it a long time and can’t wait to share even more info. What inspires me to mention it? I just made a canvas that was inspired by class lessons that I’m going to share with you here today.

This is a SUPER easy 3-step canvas mixed media project.

Step 1: black embossing on a gesso coated canvas. Heat set, then color as desired!

Step 2: add stencil (with distress ink), gold flecks of mist.

Step 3: Add embellishments working big to small

Step 4: Don’t forget the buttons!

Was that the easiest, fewest words needed tutorial ever? Pretty much! Want to win some 28 Lilac Lane buttons and goodies? This project is featured at the Mixed Media challenge blog this month HERE – and I’ll be giving away a box ‘o goodies as well as a spot in the class I mentioned before.

Looking for the supplies I used? Here are a few affiliate links where you can find my button mixes and more-

Christina Adolph stamps at Blue Moon Scrapbooking

Fruity Fun embellishment bottle (28 Lilac Lane) at Ellen Hutson and also available at Simon Says Stamp

Tim Holtz chipboard words at Simon Says Stamp

I am so in love with these new stamps – you’ll be seeing them again from me! This is such a fun project to kick off March (national crafting month!) with – I hope you enjoy and stay tuned for loads more.

Now I’m off to seek some new creative possibilities…

spooky (distress crayon altered) frame

What happens when you find a sort of creepy frame and you want to kick it up a bunch into spooksville? Well if you’re me, you purchase it, and then use just three products: flat black paint, Distress Crayons, and crackle medium to transform it! Here is my YouTube video tutorial with the simple how-to.

I liked it ok before, but now it’s awesome!

As I mentioned before I used Distress Crayons (available in most shops that carry Tim Holtz products), Ranger crackle collage medium which worked great, and really inexpensive flat black acrylic paint. Halloween is sneaking up and I am happy to have something a bit spooky to add this year’s photo to, and to add to my décor!

Sugar Skull stencil with gel medium

Tis the season for pumpkins and spooky things… but also popping up more and more are sugar skulls! I picked up a new Crafty Chica stencil to play with – loving it!

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I created a YouTube video (link) to show how I love gel medium + color spray. Totally the perfect way to work with this stencil design!

Using gel medium with spray color? Totally a favorite technique! Oh yes, and don’t forget to use the excess to make tags!

Affiliate links used below – no obligation or cost to use them, but doing so does help support this site so thank you in advance!

This Crafty Chica stencil and more are at Scrapbook.com and Blue Moon Scrapbooking

Gel medium transfer: Game of Thrones inspired wood décor

I have a calendar featuring Game of Thrones, and I’ve been playing with some of the pages in my art journal. However, I wanted to do something special for my favorite character Brienne! So, First I tested (with a random corner of a page I wasn’t using) on a scrap of wood if this idea would work. I needed to make sure the ink would transfer. When it did? We were off!

If you aren’t familiar with the process, here is a link to the video tutorial explaining this gel medium transfer technique.

I wish you could see this in person because you can catch hints of woodgrain, and it’s really so cool! After I transferred this image I added some paste, paint, stencil, and texture around the edges. I also added some phrase stickers. I really can’t tell you how much I love how it turned out!

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As I said before it’s hard to photograph because there is so much texture and detail you really can’t get from a photo. This is a technique I learned many years ago and I truly love using it. All you need is a matte finish gel. It could be gel medium, or the Ranger matte clear texture paste, or something similar. Remember the hardest part is you must let it fully dry! Looking for a medium that will work? I’m listing some of my favorites below – note they are affiliate links.

Ranger clear matte texture paste (Ellen Hutson)

Prima matte soft gel medium (Scrapbook.com)

Dina Wakley soft gel (Simon Says Stamp)

Always take the scenic route canvas

Exciting news!! 28 Lilac Lane has been spotted (the ENTIRE line!) online at Ellen Hutson! If you’d like to see the full line (affiliate links used) click here.

adventure

We were in a shop that sells jewelry, little purses, and they also had some pre-printed canvases! When I found this one just a week before CHA I knew it would be perfect for a sample project! I used the Autumn Afternoon and Paws & Pets kits as well as the Toasted Graham bottle and a few winter blues buttons.

Oh yes, the kits & bottles in the 28 Lilac Lane line definitely play nicely together!

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I just love how the beads look and how this came together! The feather charm from the autumn kit looks so good here – it’s a favorite for sure. I’m so excited that my line is officially online and showing up in shops! If you spot it, be sure to let me know!