Winter Inspiration

It is cold here in Michigan right now, bitter bone chilling cold.  While it is difficult to embrace the frigid weather, it is something I can happily take inspiration from. 

For this project, I have some mixed media snowmen I made with my Altered Art group.  This idea was originaly featured in Cloth, Paper, Scissors a fantastic mixed media magazine.  These were made with vintage bottles stuffed with beads, broken jewelry and sea glass.  I think that tinsel would be a great option too.  I have seen some with small brush tress placed inside, let your imagination and junk drawer guide you!

The heads of the snow people were made with paperclay, a fun affordable air dry clay that I really enjoyed and found very easy to use.  The heads are topped off with glitter, embellishments and various found objects.  I loved using watch gears, pastry tips, thimbles, keys and what nots.  Pieces of marabou trim, yarn, tinsel and felt provide scarves for the snow people and add layers of texture to the overall project.  Fun!

Love Shrine

I created this little shrine for a swap and I think I love it too much to send it along!  I am certain I can create something else just as lovely for my partner and I am lucky that I have plenty of time and supplies.

I started this project by putting an old Altoid tin in my fireplace while enjoying a fire.  I really like the effect this had on the tin.  Old sheet music and scrapbook paper are the base for this mixed media collage.  The heart was purchased at a local craft store and the wings were actually scored in the bead area of that same store.  I simply cut the loop right off the wing.  I do this often in my altered projects as I have a lovely unique little bead shop in town too.  I used a small grungeboard crown and a few gears from a great clock that I tore apart.  Bits of filmstrip, tissue tape, stickels and Perfect Pearls were also used to embellish.

I had every intention of decorating the outside more.  Now that I plan on keeping it and displaying in a little nook, I am going to leave it just as it is!

Creative Blocks

I thought I would post a picture of my latest creation.  This project is a class Tim Holtz offers, however a creative group I gather with chose this as our latest altered art project. I was impressed at what we were able to produce in our afternoon together. 

The base for this collage is a large canvas with several small canvases added on the surface to create blocks and dimension.  A variety of techniques were used to create my piece.  General collage and distress concepts were employed along with image transfers processed with gel medium and stamp/tissue paper.  Found objects, game pieces, scrapbook elements, napkins, Ideaology findings, old clock parts, grungeboard, vintage used stamps, tissue tape and ephemera were utilized as well. 

I love the ecclectic look.  I know it is busy, but I do love the layers.