House of Grace with Kristen Robinson

I finally had a moment to post the last of my classes with Kristen Robinson.  Her inspiration will stay with me a long time though.

In this class we played with mold making, something I have never done before.  It really was quite simple to make them, and I can see it opening a whole new realm of possibility in terms of using those things I really treasure in a new way.

Kristen brought a paperclay heart already dry for us to work with.  Since I decided to do a series of three hearts, I made a few more hearts from her molds in class.

I decided I wanted to add some metal elements, so I rooted through my junk and found lots of fun objects: wings, keys, a pen nib and eclectic scraps.

On this last heart I actually stamped right into the clay when it was wet.  This was a fun technique that evolved as we played in  class. 

I would highly recommend any class that Kristen ever offers in your area.  She was a very kind and generous teacher.

Cheers, 

Rhea

A Retro Halloween

It was almost exactly one year ago that I discovered the joy of Retro Cafe Art and their amazing Coffee Break Designs. I had gone to an art retreat in Chicago and they had a booth there.  I went nuts on all their Masonite goodies and developed quite a stash.  Recently when I saw on their Facebook page that they were having a Halloween art contest, I knew I would celebrate by using some of my coveted supplies.

The first entry features two images from RCA's current free collage sheet.  I made the moon peek over the side of the house and I love the altered cabinet card witch.  

I used mica and glitter to line the inside of a smaller cigar box.  The sandy paste I have used in other projects. In fact, this was left over from this post.  You can hop on over there if you would like the details on how to make the paste. 

Other items used on this project from Retro Cafe Art are: picket fence cut outs (these are so handy people), guilders paste and the wonderful star washi tape.  I am a sucker for designer tapes!  The lace was actually cut from a doily and the house base was found at a rummage sale.  A fun project indeed.  

The second little assemblage I put together is also filled with RCA supplies.  I started with a three hole cubby.  This was altered with guilders paste and decorative tape.  You can also see the use of those fences again.  All of the Masonite products accept the guilders paste very well.  

I used their tiny heart shrine, two sizes of red cotton spun mushrooms as well as a Halloween paper cut out.  I was a little surprised at my Retro craft stash!  

I guess this is the official start of the holiday season in my crafty world!  Here we go!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Embracing the change

For me the transition from fall to winter is typically a sad one because I simply adore the autumn season.  This year I am doing my best to embrace it.  I helped my transition this year by hosting a small ornament workshop yesterday for the Michigan Altered Books and Art Group (MIABA) on Yahoo.  I posted samples of the ornaments we made here.  We met up at a local treasure called The Stamp Shoppe and had a fun creative day of show and tell, chit chat, resource sharing, great food, shopping and we even managed to make a few ornaments too. 

I brought a project to do that I did not even get the chance to touch.  The thought came to me earlier in the week to alter a project I had already completed, you can read more about that here.  The trigger was this week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show, which was to show something with a house.  I already completed one project earlier this week, but I really love this theme. 



I had an idea to I alter the back side of this piece with yet another lovely paper by Graphic 45, Christmas Emporium.  I picked up this 8x8 paper stack at a gem of a store in Jackson, Michigan.  It is called Altered Art Addicts and it is filled with lots of unique things you typically can only get online.  You can Like them on Facebook to get insider sales and up to the minute news on what has arrived.  They had all of Tim Holtz's new District Market stuff, yum!  We hope to have our next MIABA meeting here too.



I did not do quite as much fussy cutting with this one.  I really wish I had some tiny vintage tinsel, I may have to seek out some trim just yet.  You can never have too much sparkle. 

One of my favorite things about Graphic 45, is that they always incorporate a postal theme in their papers.



I kept the embellishments simple, sticking to some rusty primitive elements and just a touch of stickels.  Can't you just see some tinsel along the roof line?  I think it could suit the fairy side as well.  Now if I can just find the perfect trim.

I almost feel like I am cheating when I use these papers.  They seriously make creating something lovely quite simple and quick to do. 



As I embrace the season change, I am reminded of gratitude.  It is with much gratitude, that I share a chance to win a couple of really cool crafty books through Laura Anderson's blog, Pretty Things.  Stop on by and check it out if you choose.  Her blog is refreshing and inspirational for sure!

I wish you the best of luck in embracing the change.

Cheers,

Rhea

A house of junque

I am very happy that Simon Says Stamp and Show managed to help me get my mojo back.  This week their challenge was to create something with a house, and I took the bait.  I was surprised to find that I had several house items I could alter.  I started all three, but two proved to be problematic.  At least I finished up this little guy. 



I found this small house at a garage sale or flea market somewhere along the way, I think I paid a dollar for it. The first layer was two types of  tissue tape and some torn scraps of paper.  I then followed up with spray inks in several colors. 



The found objects, which I lovingly call junque, were added with coarse modeling paste in some places and glue in others.  More ink was added to color the paste and then wiped off of a few of the objects. 



Then for the fun part.  I flooded each little area with resin.  I have to say I just love how this adds another glossy layer to the piece and keeps your junque sealed in.  The pictures I have are not that great so it may be difficult to see.  Winter blogging is going to be tricky, it gets dark so early and I really don't like how a flash shows online.  My editing skills in picnik have some room to grow, I know these last two shots need some help.



I just love doing assemblage work.  I am always on the hunt for little things to alter, you will be surprised what you can find once you start looking.  I am hopeful I can resurrect or fix the two other house projects I managed to destroy while finding my mojo.  Stay tuned to find out!

Cheers,

Rhea

Home Sweet Home

This little piece was quite the adventure.  You would not believe how many layers of ink, paint and glimmer mists are under that paper background.  I learned a lot failing quite a few times before getting something I was happy with. 

I made this with the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge in mind.  This week Wendy Vecchi was the inspiration. Now, I did not know a ton about this artist and this style, so it was super fun to do some research.  I decided to try to incorporate some elements I thought fit her style: a house, polka dots, flowers and lots of texture. 

As I said, I messed with the background for a long time before resorting to simple torn paper.  The house was cut from a manila folder and embossed with a garage sale find, a polka dot embossing folder by Cuttlebug.  Distress inks were used to color the house.  I added a ticket, vintage watch face and a spinner as the focal point.  A tissue tape ruffle was added after it was misted with Glimmer Mists.  Trim and chain were attached to define the roof.  I love using metal elements, thus the gear flowers, a frame, letters and as well as a corner frame at the roof top.

Tim Holtz tissue tape finishes the edges.  I also added a touch of acrylic paint, which I wiped off to define the words on the metal tiles.  I actually added the paint and another layer of trim after taking the first set of pictures I intended to post here on my blog.  In taking the photos I was able to see that there were a few details that still needed to be added to really finish the piece.  I think I will send this away as a random act of kindness to a really wonderful gal.  I hope she enjoys!

Lover's Lane

Here is yet another simple Chunky House.  The theme of this swap is Lover's Lane.  I set out to create a vintage look and I am happy with my result. 

This was made from cardboard from food packaging.  I layered scrapbook paper for the background.  The paper flowers I made at a make and take at a local scrapbook store.  I jazzed them up at home with gears and metal brads.  The vintage image is from 1934, the lovers are blushing with adore.  I framed out the image with really cool acetate die cuts from Tattered Angels.  The brass heart was part of a barette that I scored at a local thrift shop.  A bit of ephemera, a small key and wax drippings add a few more details to my chunky little house.  At the last minute I framed out the roof with scraps of scrapbook paper, the music pattern was on the back of the paper I used as my base layer. 

Winter Inspiration II

Here is another little item I created inspired by winter.  This was done for a swap on swapbot.com and it has already been sent off to a partner far, far away.  I really enjoy that this site pushes me to try new things artistically.  I have grown as an artist by leaps and bounds since joining less than a year ago.

The swap was for a "Chunky Row House" with a Winter Wonderland theme.  I used a piece of cardboard from a cereal box as my base.  I good solid layer of gesso started the base of my paint job.  I used a blue acrylic which was followed by a crackle coat.  I used ink to bring out the crackle once the layers of paint were dry.

The eaves were made with sandpaper.  I liked that it added texture to my project.  Diamond Dust also was a great element to add on this piece.  The window is actually a part of a torn apart old belt buckle.  I was looking and looking for something and I think this was a good choice.  The tree was actually a charm that I nipped the loop off of. I added the little crochet trim, German scrap birds and a little banner to finish everything off. 

I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with the outcome of my very first chunky row house.  My partner was happy with my work.   I treasure the feedback just as much as much as the art and the process.