It's The Journey Not The Destination

HI!

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Memorial day weekend. I was ready for a weekend at home since I had traveled all of last month.

I had such a wonderful time visiting the Pacific Northwest. I grew up and lived in Washington and Oregon for many years. This place I called home wasn't new, but this time something was different. I wasn't rushed so I explored. I didn't think about time all that much.  I looked at things with new eyes.  I healed though I didn't even know I needed it. It was about the journey not the destination. When I arrived back in Texas my soul was nourished and my heart at peace.

Catching up on emails and social media lead me to a call for  Faber-Castell's Design Memory Craft® core design team.

 I  use Gelatos®  on a number of my mixed media pieces. For the design team creation I created a  hanging wall piece using Design Memory Craft® Gelatos®, Gesso, and Pitt® pens on canvas fabric.

How perfect is this quote!

Let's create one!

Materials needed 
Canvas fabric
Stencils
Painters tape
Molding paste
Palette knife
Round dowel
Wood dowel caps
Fiber yarn
Wood Glue
Sewing machine
White thread
Paint brushes
Water

 Gelatos®
Green Tea
Boysenberry
Grape
Cotton Candy
Blueberry

Pitt ®Pens 
Big Brush Black 5.0mm
Small Brush Black 2.0mm
Big Brush White  4.8 mm


 Step 1
Wash, dry, and iron your canvas fabric. Note.. do not use fabric softener. Figure out the size you want your hanging to be and add 1" extra on the bottom and sides for the hem, and 2.5 " for the top pocket for your dowel to go into.  Cut and stitch.

Step 2
Color the fabric with all the colors. Blend the colors with water. To tone down the colors add watered down gesso. Note.. Let your canvas completely dry before continuing.

 Step 3
Attach your stencil to the canvas using painters tape. Apply the molding paste using a palette knife.
Slowly and carefully remove the tape and lift the stencil off the canvas.

Step 4 
Using a damp stiff brush, rub it against your Gelato® color and apply the color to your stencil image.
When done, outline the image with your Pitt pens.Use black Pitt® pens to color in the saying. Let dry completely.

 

Step 5

Finally, you can push the dowel through the pocket hole you made at the top of your canvas. Use wood glue to attach the caps to the dowel. Let dry. Attach your fiber yarn for hanging.

Thanks for joining me!

Happy creating,

Shari 

 

Crafty Creations Inspired by Alice in Wonderland

The new Alice movie is finally out and I can't wait to see it!!  I have always been in love with anything Alice. In honor of  Through the Looking Glass, I wanted to share a  few creations I did a while back. These pieces were inspired by the magical Wonderland. For the Teacup Pin Cushion, I included a link to the tutorial so you can make one too. 

Alice in wonderland inspired pin cushion

 

Just perfect for the Mad Hatter's love of sewing and tea parties.

 From display shelves to Alice inspired plant stand

 I picked up this old display shelf at Scrap Denton for less than 10 bucks! I could see plant stand written all over it. It was so whimsical looking I knew it would make a great Alice piece.

 

 

 Thanks for stopping by. I hope you were inspired to create an Alice project of your own!

Shari

Comparison: Distress Crayons vs. Gelatos

Hey y'all!

I've used Gelatos in my work for years and I love them. I just purchased the Ranger Distress Crayons. More choices when creating my mixed media art work!

Let's check out Craft Test Dummy's video to see the similarities and differences of these two products. 

Happy Creating!

 Shari

Resin Stamping Block Techniques That Work

 Hey...... good morning!

Ahhhh it's Friday! Still sleepy here but I have my coffee in hand and I am making my way around YouTube this morning. I found a video that helped me out so I decided I must share it with y'all.

I bought these resin stamps awhile ago. I was so disappointed because I haven't had much luck in getting a great print with these. You too?

 

I discovered a tip and technique video on Craft Test Dummies.Viola! Creative success with these pretty printing blocks. Now I am going to make a ton of tea towels.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuXW1_oM4Ds&feature=em-subs_digest

Happy creating!

Shari

A Craving to Create

Good Morning!

Were you wondering where I have been? Well, I was on an adventure in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My sister shattered her hip so I flew up to see her during her recovery. I  was also able to visit friends and family that I hadn't seen in years. My sister says it was a blessing in disguise. She was so right!

I went up there with NO ART SUPPLIES!!!  I told myself that I was not going to have anytime to even consider art.

One day I felt something was missing. I needed my studio. I must create something, anything!!

 I googled Art Supply Stores and found the most fantastic store right in the heart of where I was staying! Runaway Art and Craft Studio's owner and mixed media artist/ teacher Christy Wood and her staff were so helpful and friendly. This store had everything I needed and some new stuff I had not seen before in my area that I couldn't live without.(oh and no sales tax!)

Here are the altered books I created  with  supplies from Runaway. The "Grow" book started out as an altered flower book but soon grew into a journal of my trip. 

My 4 yr old grandson is now helping me create in my "inspire" book.

I am now home and so grateful to have been able to make the journey up to help my sister through her healing, and to see those I have missed so very much.  This trip was so amazing in so many ways!! I too found healing and also growth that was so unexpected.  :)


Shari