Everyday Expressions

Hi Everyone! Today I’m sharing a mixed media page from my new Dyan Reaveley small journal. I like this size better than the bigger journal because it’s more managable for creative content. I created this for Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, Best Friends.

I’ve found two artists whom I’ve been watching a lot lately. They are very different in styles, but each offers a ton of inspiration for mixed media. Vicky Papaionoiu is a little more traditional in style (for me, as a card maker) and I love Marta Lapkowska’s artistic, modern flair. Check them out for ideas and creative juice shots!

Today I’m using several ideas from Vicky in my Best Friends with chocolate journal page. I began by tearing the outer edges from a journal spread, covering with torn Tim Holtz French Industrial paper, and then spraying with chipped sapphire, peacock feathers, and cracked pistachio Distress Spray Stains in an ombré effect. I dribbled water, and then used vintage photo and black soot to further distress the torn edges. Next I used black soot DI with a blender to color the spread behind the torn pages, and then used DR Dylusions’ Chequered Dots stencil and picket fence Distress Paint. Finally, I glued the torn pages to the back spread, and used Faber-Castell white and black PITT big brush pens to outline and dot the stenciled edge.

I used FC gelatos to add a purple ombré effect on the background. Can you see it? Then I used TH framelit dies to stencil Ranger Transparent Gloss Texture Paste in two corners and allowed to dry overnight. Next I used DR’s Staggered Brickwork and Chequered Dots with DI to stencil more interest on the background before splattering with pickett fence, broken china, and brushed pewter Distress Spray Stains.

After the paint dried, I added the sentiment using TH chitchat words with foam tape and outlined with vintage photo Distress Marker. Then I used Memento ink to stamp the word chocolate using DR Dylusions’ Clearly Alpha stamps. I tried to fill this in with brown Copic marker, but this didn’t give the chocolate effect I needed. So I used Ranger Dina Wakley paints to fill in the letters. Much better! Then I outlined with the black FC marker, and highlighted with white gel pen. Now here is the new trick I learned: The FC PITT big brush markers are an India ink that blends and smudges before it dries permanently. Game changer! New must have! Thank you to Vicky P. and my sister, Melissa, for bringing these wonderful markers to my attention. I used the black marker and a fantastix to add shadows to the sentiments (and the birds). Take a look at the before and after pictures. Awesome!

I colored the Tim Holtz Bird Crazy stamps with Copics and used the matching Sizzix dies to cut them out. I finished them by outlining the edges with black marker, and added the googly eyes. I adhered the birds with foam dots, and shaded with the FC marker. After stepping back from my spread, I decided it needed something else. So I added the white circles with pickett fence DP and I think that made a huge difference in the overall effect.

I think I will take this idea and make a card for one of my best friends, Kim. She lives in Florida, and I think she will get a kick out of this card. I will use the original stamp I used as the quote inspiration, “All you need in life is a friend who has chocolate.” By Sophie Diehl, age 11.

So what do you think? It makes me smile! Love and artsy hugs!

Erin