A mixed media canvas inspired by Iceland

I've always wanted to visit Iceland - to take a dip in the Blue Lagoon (Iceland's famous thermal pool) enjoy the water's stunning hues and its anti-aging properties (apparently, you leave the place looking younger! *winks*) and of course, catch the Northern Lights if I'm lucky. 

The lovely Tina Walker has organized a group of us to create art inspired by Iceland....and I created a mixed media canvas inspired by the colours of the Aurora Borealis. :) 

I started wrapping tissue and remnant lace + gesso on the base of my canvas. Next I used various shades of blue, green and purple mists. Once that was dry, I added liquid inks to intensify the colours before adding gesso to bring out the textures of the paper and lace.

I finished with some lace, beads and blooms in various textures to create depth and interest on my canvas.

Check out the amazing array of projects by the artists participating in this Inspired by Iceland Art Challenge.

An InLinkz Link-up

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A vintage-inspired mixed media canvas for the Maya Road Design Team Blog Hop...*winks*

Well hello there friends! Welcome to the last stop of the  Maya Road Design Team Blog Hop! :)

To be in the running for the yummy Maya Road Sweet Nothings Card Kit, you must leave a comment on all the blogs in the hop by Tuesday March 8th. The random winner will be announced on the Maya Road Design Team Blog on Thursday March 10th. 



Here is my project! A vintage-inspired mixed media canvas using a neutral palette. :)

The patterned paper background was distressed on the edges and painted with a coat of light wash gesso.

Then I went to town with Maya Road charms, wood embellishments and trim.

If you somehow got lost in the hop, please visit the Maya Road Design Team Blog for the full list of blogs to visit.

Thanks for stopping by today and good luck! :)

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Want to win a $25 gift certificate to the ColourArte store?

So friends, ONE of you will have the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the ColourArte store....

Because today is the day for the ColourArte Altered Shoe Blog Hop!:)

I started with this pair of comfy wedges (my mum's old shoes) which has seen better days.

I adhered old lace fabric to the shoe with matte medium.

Next, I painted it with a coat or 2 of gesso to prep the surface for painting.

Then I painted the whole shoe with ColourArte Radiant Gel in Spiced Pumpkin.

Once that was dry, I went in with Silks Acrylic Glaze in Solar Gold on the raised surfaces. This really showcased the lace design.

The last step is to embellish! I used gold buttons!

I didn't want to add too much bulk to the front so I used an old bottle cap and added Golden Gold Mica Flakes.

Before and After

To be in the running for the $25 gift certificate to the ColourArte store, leave a comment here and on the ColourArte blog by 5 August 2015 12am EST. I will announce the winner here on August 7.

To increase your chances of winning, you can leave a comment on each of the blogs participating in the blog hop.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Thanks Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine!

As you may have heard, Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine is shutting its doors. :( A group of published paper crafters and manufacturers are participating in an epic blog hop to say thanks and bid adieu to the magazine.

I still remember the excitement of receiving the acceptance email from the editor Susan R Opel about my card being published...because I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have made it on my first try.

Here is the card. Bet you can't tell I made this card right? Haha...I spent hours poring over a Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine to "determine" what kind of card I should make to increase my chances of being published. *winks*

That was 2011. And this is 2014. Totally different eh? *LOL*

If you want to be inspired by a huge group of paper crafters, please check out the following links for the cards made to thank the editorial group behind the magazine.

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An altered clock for Xyron, Core'dinations and Petaloo blog hop....a tutorial

At times it is a lot more economical to buy a finished product and then alter it to suit your taste. Like this clock I altered for the Xyron, Core'dinations and Petaloo blog hop.

It was a pretty clock to begin with but it needed some texture don't you think? *winks*

I cut some Core'dinations cardstock and then used the Core'dinations Sand It tool.

Then I added some pretty Petaloo Fancy Trim and adhered them with Xyron/Teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive.

For the pendulum, I adhered a piece of DCWV patterned paper with Xyron/teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive.

The edges were outlined with a black Sharpie and a white pen. Then I added Petaloo blooms from the Penny Lane Garden Collection.

Next I coloured some American Crafts thickers with a black Sharpie and outlined with a white pen. These were then glued to the clock using Xyron/Teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive.

There you have it...a really simple altered clock that anybody can try at home. What do you think?

Don't forget to comment on the Xyron, Core'dinations and Petaloo blogs for your chance to win some goodies! :)

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A card for Lynnda Hosni

A group of ladies from all over the world have gotten together to create a fun little blog hop for a bloggy pal, Lynnda Hosni, who's having a baby girl! Big thanks to Julie Tucker-Wolek....the "mastermind"! *winks*

I went with pink and silver glitter for Lynnda's card!

If you would like to see all the cards on the hop...here are the links:

Ros Crawford
Heather Jacob
Lizzy Hill
Kirsty Vittetoe
Alexandra Sirugue-Macleod
Sandi Taloumis
Amy Tsuruta
Chantal Vandenberg
Lisa Saunders
Julie Tucker-Wolek

Happy weekend friends!

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Thank you Cath!

 

 Hello there friends! Today I join loads of fabulous cardmakers from around the world to pay a thank you tribute to Cath Edvalson who recently wrote her last post for Moxie Fab World. :(

If you are following the order of the blog hop, you would have arrived from Laurie Schmidlin's blog. Your next stop is Tifany DeGough's. You can see the complete list of participants at the end of the post.

I've always enjoyed Cath's well-written blog posts and playing along with the Moxie Fab World challenges. Cath, I hope you find something new and exciting in the next phase of your life. :)

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An upcycled X'mas tea box with Xyron and Doodlebug Designs products!

Hello friends! This week Xyron is teaming up Doodlebug Designs for an inspirational week of projects and prizes! :)

I started with a tea box. [Seriously, I upcycle them as fast as I can but my parents seem to go through tea and coffee at an alarming rate...*winks*]

I measured the sides of the box, then cut the Doodlebug Designs Home for the Holidays patterned papers accordingly. Then I put them through the Xyron 5" Creative Station for an even distribution of permanent adhesive.

The papers are then adhered to the box. I alternated with strips of cardstock to break up the patterns.

I added some Doodlebug Designs washi tape and sticker to the lid. The banner is an SRM sticker.

I added some Doodlebug Designs stickers to a large Maya Road bottle cap.

Some tulle was wrapped around the box and then I hot-glued the bottle cap and tulle. I also added a paper bow.

There you have it, a fun little gift box to store your present!  What do you think?

Don't forget to check out the rest of the design team projects and leave a comment at Xyron to win some goodies!

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