House Shrine

So yesterday one of my art pals, Andy, posted a "permission slip" to go to your studio to make art on Facebook. This is the result of my play time yesterday and I am so pleased with the outcome.

The base was from the wood section of a big box craft store.  I had primed it with black gesso long ago, and today was the day that leg work paid off.  The jumping point on my basic technique was when I started to edge the house with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) in bronze.  I realized that I could make the look of patina by adding in a little turquoise Iced enamels while the UTEE was still hot.

In this image you can see how I made my Tim Holtz hardware match the project with the use of Vintaj patina.  I also love the little heart embellishments.  They are made of wood and I used more Iced Enamels, this time in ivory to create some contrast.  A vellum heart cut out by Heidi Swap was layered on each heart for extra detail.

This bee bezel I made a few weekends ago found it's home along with some other metal bits and pieces from B'sue Boutiques.  Again, the use of the patina helps to bring everything together and create a cohesive look even with different metals.

As you can see I got really crazy with the UTEE.  I ended up doing the whole outside of the house with the stuff.  To add some texture I used a script stamp while the UTEE was still hot.  To blend it a bit, I used the heat gun over the stamped words to erase and blend some of the texture back. More patina was added and wiped off to make the letters pop.

My intent was to create lots of depth by having different layers of embellishments.  I mounted the focal butterfly on a box lid so it would stand out from the back.  The heart banner was made from a scrap of cardboard that was embossed and distressed.  It was a challenge to solve the bottom of my shrine, I got stuck a few times on my composition, but in the end I worked it all out!

Here you can see the inside edges just a bit.  Layers of tissue tape and stickles make for lots of texture.  Also you can see a tiny glimpse of the embossed metal that I used in the very back.

This was such a fun piece to create and share.  I hope you found some inspiration along the way!

Cheers,

Rhea

Mixed Media Butterfly Box

I had so much fun really altering this box from Graphic 45.  

P.S. sorry about the moody morning light, I was under a deadline and had to work with what I had! 

I even made a tutorial on Snapguide so you can see how I achieved this lovely metal texture on plain old kraftboard!  

Check out How to Alter a Graphic 45 Mixed Media Box by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

The addition of all the microbeads at the end really adds to the texture I created on this project. I admit it was a little scary to slather my project in glue at the end, but it was worth it.

I am running low on those amazing butterflies from Graphic 45.  This is a great way to pay homage to a retired supply!

Here is a photo of the back of the project so you can get an idea of what my base looked like.  I even managed to stamp a little in this project, which rarely happens because I am a sloppy stamper.  I used the purposefully messy "technique."

While there is not a ton of paper in this project, I do love the snips of Artisan Style that I used in this project.  What a lovely paper line!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you found a little bit of inspiration to take into your next crafting session.

Cheers, 

Rhea

Spring Shadowbox

So recently Graphic 45 featured the nicest spotlight on me!  Not only did we have to answer a few questions, but we had to make a tutorial in our favorite crafting avenue.  I chose to make a small shadowbox with Raining Cats and Dogs and the snapguide is below.

Check out How to Make a Small Shadow Box by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

The color palate in this line is great.  There is so much contrast.  It makes for a busy project, but I usually like lots of layers!

The metal flower above was faux enameled.  This gives it so much texture and age. The same technique was used on the filigree below.

I found yet another place to sneak in those cute red mushrooms.  I just adore those things!

The resin butterfly below has some patina colored gilders paste added to highlight the edges.  It also helps to bring it more into the intended color palate.  

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Happy Spring to you! (at least there is sunshine in Michigan...but it is still way too cold.)

Cheers, 

Rhea

Butterfly Tag

This is yet another project inspired by Miss Linda Ledbetter and her Creative Crew.  This week's technique for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge was a remnant rub resist.  I love the detail it gave this fun tag.

I went back to my usual brown color palate, but added a small pop of blue to try and spice things up a bit.  One trick I used in this project was to make a "ribbon" for the tag with tissue tape.  Thank you Dyan Reavely for that one!

You can also see the layers of ink, stenciling and distress.  Notice also that I edged the tag with silver gilders paste, the perfect metallic finish.  Lots of metal elements always make a tag feel substantial.  

Again I used lot of vellum elements from Tim.  I just adore these! 

This week's challenge is being sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique, check them out along with all the inspiration from Linda's team.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Tangled Journal Page

This project was completed for Canvas Corp and their recent Tangled challenge.

My focal here is from the Journey Tangled Pack and it was really easy to create.  I layered on lots of products, including some Tattered Angels S.W.A.K. mist, to give it a mixed media feel.  I was sure to add some of my own doodles and marks to make my page unique to me. 

The sentiment was taken from the new Gypsy Moments paper.  I love how the ink bled through the words making them blend into the background a little bit.

I also challenged myself to use some craft supplies that had been neglected.  It is my goal in 2015 to use up the good stuff!  To that end I used some butterfly rub ons as well as the paper flower borders which had been lying around forever.

I hope this post inspires you to use some of those old supplies as well.

Cheers,

Rhea

Mixed Media Fly Canvas

This project actually started out as an attempt to make a card for one of my Graphic 45 projects.  As you can see it did not turn into a card.  I immediately felt better once I decided to turn this into a mixed media canvas project. My inspiration colors were: Tuscan Sunset, Bon Voyage, Heritage Kraft 

I used Steampunk Spells and a few precious butterflies from a coveted sheet of Olde Curiosity Shoppe. Here are the rest of my supplies.

Steampunk Spells 8x8

Steampunk Spells 6x6 Pattern and Solids

Steampunk Spells Flowers

Steampunk Spells Chipboard 2

Staples: Ornate Keyholes and Keys

Olde Curiosity Shoppe 12x12

Buttons

Craft wire

Burlap Canvas

Matte Medium

Tissue Tape

Ideaology Newsprint Letters

Ideaology Tissue Wrap

Gilders paste, copper

E6000 adhesive

Lots of layers, matting, gilders paste and embellishments give this canvas piece a lot to look at.

I even made a snaguide for how to make the flowers!

Hope you enjoy!

Rhea




Check out How to Make Mixed Media Flowers by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

Botanical Tea Box

This project has been waiting in the wings for ages!  I made it some time ago for Graphic 45 and I am excited to finally show it off.  They also posted it in their introduction of me they posted last week.  I was so humbled and touched by what the Graphic 45ers had to say about my work. Too all of you who took the time to comment, thank you!!!

Supply List:

Botanical Tea 12x12

Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keyholes

May Arts Ribbon

Tim Holtz Foundation Feet and Curio Knob

Vintaj Patinas

Silver and Patina Gilders Paste

Sandpaper

Kraft Recipe Box

White Gesso

Xyron Glue Stick for Corners

I have had the box on hand and primed from a previous creative funk.   Sometimes I find it helpful to prime or prep pieces to work on later when I am in a creative lull (like I am right now....)

I love all the texture and movement that the ribbons provide.

In this image above you can see how lovely a little bit of patina gilders paste looks on the new Shabby Chic Keyholes.  I adore this finish!

The colors in this line are perfect for spring and summer projects.  They also have lots of classic prints such as polka dots.

On the feet I used Vintaj patinas to change the color to go with my palate.  Altering metal is so much fun and so super easy!

I hope you enjoyed today's post!  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Xyron and Paper House Blog Hop

I just love how designing for teams challenges me to use different products and styles of materials.  This project is a result of a Co-Hop with both Xyron and Paper House.  There are a ton more great projects to be seen over at Ain't She Crafty  as well as Paper House.  For my inspiration I was supplied with the Generations Paper Pad.  A few sheets of this lovely paper and my Xyron Mega Runner and I made this cute display in just over an hour!

I swear that using Xyron products makes my crafting so much quicker and efficient.

The texture on the Graphic 45 Staples Box was achieved simply with Distress Stain. I spritzed and flicked lots of water to get the stains to react.

When embellishing this box I decided to add the Tim Holtz curio knob.  I thought it made it look like a cabinet instead of a box.

To frame it out, more Tim Holtz materials I had on hand.  Also notice that I popped out each frame to add some interest.

I hope you enjoyed today's project.  Be sure to hop around for tons more inspiration from around the world. 

Cheers, 

Rhea

Winged Heart Shrine

I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to play with the new Gilded Life charms and bezels for Alpha Stamps.  There is a list of supplies from Alpha Stamps here.

The hutch is covered with Tim Holtz tissue tape and then a layer of silver gilders paste.  I liked the way I could easily manipulate and apply the tape to the different surfaces.  It made for a quick covering of the base.

It is hard to see, but the inside of the shrine is layered with blue mica flakes.  I popped the focal heart out with a few scrabble tiles so it has the illusion that it is floating in the box. 

I used images from Alpha Stamps Butterfly Collage Sheet along with lots of metal staples from Graphic 45.

To alter this focal I started off with Tim Holtz Tissue Wrap and added my images.  I also altered the metal with Vintaj Patinas and then some stickles too.  You can also see how I added silver gilders paste to the different metal pieces to help them to look cohesive. 

I just adore how this turned out.  One of my favorite pieces in a long time.  I hope you enjoyed as well!

Cheers,

Rhea

Graphic 45 2014 Final Audition

Once again I am absolutely thrilled to have made it to the finals for the Graphic 45 2014 Design Team!  In the video below I have chosen to take you on a tour of three projects that I think represent me as a designer including assemblage, mixed media and book making.

Since the Botanical Tea Printer Tray is new, I thought I should also post a few pictures of that.  I made this project just for this audition, so I would have a little something fresh and new.

The spring theme is perfect as the weather finally slowly turns.  It has been nice to get outside and catch a few rays of sunshine. There are additional bits of embellishments within the peice that have special personal meaning to me.  I love this aspect of assemblage and collage.  

I even saw a few real spring blooms on my walk today, a sure sign it is really on the way!

I just adore all the details inside of each cubby.  I was sure to even cover the tops and sides of each box to ensure that the patter repeated itself consistently.

I could not resist adding a few eggs to the mix, as they were perfect for this theme.

Thank you as always for stopping by!  No matter what the outcome of this audition, I have to say it has been a great year Graphic 45, and I have immensely enjoyed the journey.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Botanical Tea Frame

What a perfect day to reveal this little spring project I created with the delightful Botanical Tea paper from Graphic 45!  I just love the vibrant green tones in the Walnut Hallow frame and how the color plays off the pretty papers.  

Supplies:

 Botanical Tea 12x12

Botanical Tea 8x8

Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keys

Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keyholes

Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads

Shabby Chic Drawer Pull

Paper Flowers

Botanical Tea Banners

Botanical Tea Flowers

Botanical Tea Stickers

Walnut Hallow Frame

Perfect Pearl Mist: Pearl

Note:  To color the Walnut Hallow frame I used a combination of Distress Stain in Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters, Green Gelato and silver gilders paste.  

A layer of paper flowers was added behind the flowers on the face of the frame.  This added a great layer of dimension.

I love the banners that you can make as well.  Here I simply glued them to a ribbon to make a festive embellishment.

I adore the new shabby chic staples too.  The finish goes quite well with what I have going on here.

A final look at the layers I achieved.  Since this frame had a full back, I popped out the central image a bit in order to create more depth.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,

Rhea