Chattering Robin's: Meet our New Design Team

 A new year and a new creative opportunity! Excited to be representing The Robin's Nest products. :)

Chattering Robin's: Meet our New Design Team: Now here is our amazing team:  Each name is a Link to their personal blogs, stop by there too and congratulate them Terri S...

My Last Article for 2014

I have really enjoyed my time as an article writer for Mixedmediaart.net this last year. When I was asked if I would like to continue in 2015 I immediatly said YES! Here is my last article for 2014.

Making a Hand Painted Bubbly Gift Bag

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight

What a wonderful year its been! 

Looking forward to the exciting year to come.

My favorite up-cycle project from 2014

It's almost time to say good bye to 2014 and hello to 2015. Today I wanted to share one of my all time favorite up-cycle projects I did earlier in the year.

One day flipping through you tube, I came upon a chair on Mark Montano's station "Make your Mark". The chair he was reworking reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. Finally! The inspiration I needed to up-cycle a plant stand that had been sitting around just waiting for me to give it life.

I have always loved the story of Alice in Wonderland. Here is what happened when I went down the rabbit hole.

Shari

 

 

Note: This stand was given it's new life using DecoArt paint products.

Spotlight on "Multi-Creative" Artist Kirstan Graham

                                                                                                          

 Friday Already ??!! 

Today I am so excited to be sharing a project by another artist that I admire, Kirstan Graham.  Kirstan and I attended college together learning what it took to be a professional graphic designer in Portland Oregon. I feel the broad range of art classes that was required to receive our degree helped shape the artists we are today. We have a lot in common in our goals to fulfill our love for all things creative. 

 When I saw this creative reuse project she put together to fulfill her daughter's wish for Santa to bring her from the North Pole, I was instantly in love. I know you will be too.

Thank you Kirstan for allowing me to share this special personal gift to your daughter.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

The yeti was so fun - K drew a picture of what she wanted Santa to bring her from the North Pole, then I went about sketching a template and digging up fabrics...

         

I don't know how she is going to keep this one hidden away till Christmas!

Happy Holidays,

Shari

Artist Bio:
Kirstan Graham is a self proclaimed "Multi-Creative" with a professional background in graphic design. She has used those skills for over thirteen years designing corrugated packaging, e-books, shirts, websites and more. When not behind a computer screen, Kirstan enjoys dabbling in fused art glass, sewing, knitting, and making anything that strikes her (or her daughter's) fancy. Visit her at www.DKGraham.com 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/dkgraham

TGIF...I Think

Happy Friday!

I do most of my toy shopping online and I try and get it done early. CHECK! I do try and buy local small shops as well. ahhhh :)

The thing is, there is always one or two gifts that I need to go out into the chaos for. This is when the bah humbug starts up in me. The parking, the lines, the tension in the air is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The closer we get to Christmas day, the crazy, nasty, meanies come out in people.

So with 2 cups of coffee under my belt and my game plan in place, I am going to venture out.  I am hoping to keep under the radar and grab what I need and get the heck out of dodge.

 Wish me luck my tribe!

Shari

Something for the Jolly Old Elf

   Happy Holidays!

We are approaching that time of the season when our waists get a little larger. That's right, the baking and consuming of all things ooey, gooey, scrumptious, delectable, sugar-coated wonderment. In the midst of this tradition lets not forget the cookies for the jolly old elf, Santa Claus.

 Before the baking begins, I wanted to make a special plate for my grandson to put his cookies on for Santa.

I started with a clear plate from the dollar store. I cleaned the plate with alcohol and set it aside to dry. I began drawing my idea on paper that I wanted to put on the plate.  

TIP:If your drawing skills are not what you would like them to be, or to save time, you can use coloring book pages. These are great for simple outline drawings.

The next step is transferring the image onto the plate. The way that I like to do this is to put the plate, top side up on top of the image. Then I use a dry erase marker and outline the image. If you like what you see then go on to the next step, if not you can now easily change it. Dry erase wipes off very easy. I decided to change the buttons, leave out the wording and added more snow flakes.

Before my changes

The next step is important. You need to decide what needs to be painted next. If you are doing Santa's face, for example, you will want to add his rosy cheeks first and then the face color. If you add the face color first when you turn the plate over the cheeks will not show because it will be under the face color. Continue adding layers of paint till your piece is finished.

For this project I used Americana Satin muti-surface acrylic paint.You do not need a sealer. These paints have superior adhesion on all surfaces, including glass, which is bakeable for a dishwasher safe finish. Here are the colors I used. 

Black Tie
Red Barn
Buff Beige
Green Beret
Pink Cadillac
Cotton Ball

TIP: You can carefully pick up your piece and look under to see that everything is how you want it. If not, NOW is the time to wipe or scrap off something that you are not happy with. Repaint the areas you changed and leave to dry completely. You now can bake if you choose. Instructions are at the DecoArt website.

Bottom of plate

 I chose to give a little sparkle look to my finished piece. To achieve that look I used Mod Podge Sparkle on the bottom of the plate. It will look cloudy when wet but will dry clear.When applying use a large soft brush.

Bottom of plate dried

Top of plate dried

I can't wait to see the excitement of my grandson as he puts his treats on Santa's very special plate.

Enjoy!

Shari

 

 

Have Yourself a Very Merry Mixed Media Christmas Party

 Good Morning!

Recovering from the flu has allowed me to catch up on old classic movies, sleep, browse the internet, and think about having a Christmas PARTY! whoo hoo!

 Isn't  planning the party the most difficult and stressful part of a get together? It is for me.This mixed media party has everything already planned out for me.The party printables, ( including the invitations) recipes, projects and decoration suggestions are right there on the link. DecoArt has even included project and video tutorials for making this creative party a success.This is a party like none other and your friends will be looking forward to for years to come. #decoart #mixedmediaparty #christmasideas #nostressparty

Shari

DecoArt Mixed Media Christmas Party

Ombre Ornaments using Americana Gloss Enamels

Good Morning!
Today I am working with Americana Frost Glass Enamels and Americana Crystal Gloss Enamels Glitter. I am going to show you how to make an ombre effect on clear glass ornaments.



SUPPLIES
clear glass ornaments
styrofoam
close pins, dowels (see prep)
make-up sponges
alcohol
cotton pads

PAINTS
Americana frost gloss enamels
*white
*green
*turquoise
*blue
*purple

Americana crystal gloss enamels glitter
*white
*green
*turquoise
*blue
*purple

PREP
Remove the metal top from your ornament.
Put a clothespin in the end. You can also use a dowel etc. (You just need something to hold your ornament while you paint and stand upright in the styrofoam while it drys.)
Clean off the ornament with alcohol using a cotton pad.

You will be adding several layers of paint. Add the first (thin) layer of paint using a makeup sponge, letting each layer dry before adding the next. Add more layers of paint at the top and fade as you go down.

                                        

Continue adding more layers until you receive the desired effect.

                   

You will want your ornaments to cure for 3 to 4 days before adding them to your tree. 

#Ornaments #Americanapaints #Diy #ombreornaments

Green, and Purple Crystal Glitter

Purple and Green Crystal Glitter

Blue, Purple and Teal Crystal Glitter

Purple and Green Frost

Green, Blue, Teal and Purple frost

Blue, Teal and White frost

One Altered Domino, Many Holiday Uses

Good morning!
My new article on mixed media art has just posted.

 One Altered Domino, Many Holiday Uses

Today in my Studio....... A Recycle Project with Mark Montano and DecoArt

 Good Morning!

Ready for an easy DIY recycle project? Follow the link and check out Mark Montano's video!

Cardboard Christmas Tree

Bring a Little Sunshine to a Cloudy Fall Day

Good Morning,

We had a few rainy, cloudy fall days recently in north Texas. (Yes it does occasionally rain in Texas) These were perfect days for playing with Creative Paperclay. Instead of my first thought of  holiday themed creations, in the end I chose to bring back the sunshine.This was created on a 8x8 canvas using creative paperclay for the flowers and background, DecoArt texture glass for the clouds, Decoart media paints, and pigment powders on the flower petals and leaves. #creativepaperclay#canvas#decoart

Helping My Creative Community

 Hello !
  I wanted to ask a favor of my friends. My son is at a start up weekend competing for prizes to help his start up Play without boundaries. Could you take a short 8 question survey on this link to help him? Sharing with friends would be helpful too. Thank you sooo much !!!!!!! #playwithoutboundaries
 
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playli.co%2F&h=PAQG5Y9vq

Holiday Platter with Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint

Ahhh, the weekend is finally here

 Today I wanted to share a holiday platter I just finished using Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint.
The manager at my local Home Depot went above and beyond and cut a square piece of wood into a circle for me, he even drilled the holes for the handles too!

 Americana Decor Supplies 

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Colors
* Rouge
* New Life
* Lace
* Serene
* Relic

Americana Decor Crème Waxes
*Clear
*Deep Brown
*Ultra Matte Varnish

Other
*Cafe Paris Stencil by DecoArt
* Black Permanent Marker

I painted three circles, each a different color. The color inspiration came from the sheet of vintage card stock behind the paint.       Hint: Wait at least 10 minutes between coats of paint.

I secured the stencil with painters tape then used a small stencil brush to apply the paint.

I wanted to add a simple scallop around the circles. I made a half circle template by using a wooden candlestick. I made a mark on both sides at the halfway mark. I lined up the marks on each side of the candlestick and traced it with a white charcoal pencil.     Hint: I used a charcoal pencil because you can paint over it and it wont show through, easily remove if you make a mistake, and easier to see over dark colors.

 I added a few more details using a black permanent marker. I let the piece sit overnight.  In the morning I applied a clear and dark wax.

  When dry, I set it with an ultra matte varnish to keep that matte chalk finish look. 

I let it set overnight and the next day I attached the handles.

*** I have attached a helpful video on how to apply the waxes.

There are a number of great videos DecoArt produces to help inspire you, apply their product lines, and to give some wonderful tips. Check them out on youtube. #chalkyfinishpaint  #christmas #christmas platter #decoart #americanadecor #stenciling #vintagelook

Shari

Friday Afternoon in the Studio

I've been so busy in my studio, I just realized I haven't posted here all week! In the next few weeks I will be sharing some of what I have been working on.

This morning I worked on holiday gift tags.Here is a small sampling of what I did. The images were purchased from Retro Cafe Art .

Can you believe how close Christmas is!

Creatively Bringing the Family Together

Happy Sunday!

I am all about supporting and showcasing my creative community. Today I am excited and proud to be sharing my son Jim's start-up company, Play without Boundaries. If Skype and on-line gaming had a baby this would be it. Wondering what it's all about? www.playwithoutboundaries.com or view a video at https:vimeo.com/106148331

Play without Boundaries was recently at Atomic Candy in Denton, Texas where children and parents were helping out with some market research.