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Jun 12, 2013

Buried Treasure

Good morning!  I'm super excited to be participating in a blog hop put together by mixed media artist Seth Apter!  If you go to his blog today he'll have a list of all the bloggers/crafters that are participating and you will, I'm sure, find wonderful treasures and loads of inspiration!! I can't wait to hop around and get ideas!  A lot of the eclectic Paperie design team is participating and if you leave a comment any of the eTeam blogs that are participating (there will be a list on Kim's blog) you will be entered into a prize drawing for some mixed media goodies!!

Here is my repost, enjoy (this was one of my first real attempts at a mixed media canvas so be gentle - I've learned a few things since!) :)

Hello!  It's time for a very special treat - the eclectic Paperie Make Art Blog Hop with the amazing Wendy Vecchi!  It's going to be such a fun hop make sure that you visit everyone's blogs - you don't want to miss the amazing works of art the eTeam has created!  Please visit the eP blog, there you will find information about the hop  Now here's my story . . . it's worth the read (I hope!).


I have to say I was a bit scared of this "assignment".  Again, you know I'm not a technique-y or grunge-y person so I thought that I would just take my super cute Art Parts Bird and use it in my normal classic style.  I decided to make something for a friend of mine who is currently battling a deadly disease. She up in the same church as I did and even though she is several years younger than I am, I knew her family well and enjoyed their friendship. I moved, her family moved, she went to college, moved again and I haven't seen her for at least 10+ years but through the magic of Facebook (don't you love it for this!) we are connected and I can keep up with her life. A few months ago I was saddened to read that she was diagnosed with lymphoma!  Our family has been faithfully praying for her as she goes through a round of chemotherapy - which appears to be doing it's job, praise God!  (ETA:  She has just completed a bone marrow transplant and we are praying that this will be just what she needs to kick this disease!)  I hope that this project will remind her that we love her and are praying for her battle!

So, I thought some more . . .then I started looking and seeing that the wings were really pretty alone, wouldn't they make beautiful angel wings?!!  Now the idea was forming! I don't get out in "mixed media land" very often but I have seen these amazing "She Girls" a few times and have been fascinated and amazed!  Could I do that?  I did a few Google searches and came across a few videos by Christy Tomlinson - major talent!!  The videos were just enough to get me really excited to try my own.  This is my Hope Angel.



I started with an 8x8 canvas art board, covering it with different papers, book print and map pieces using Mod Podge (which is great because it dries quickly - especially when using a heat gun!).  I then started looking all over my studio for different ways to add paint and ink.  I used buttons, the bottom of a spool of thread a piece of burlap and even some bubble wrap as stamps, using mostly Ranger Distress Inks for color.  I used the Mini Flower stencil from Crafter's Workshop to add some pattern - first using a Ranger Paint Dabber and then using a Distress Stain - the looks were totally different!  I sponged and rubbed, used some Distress Stickles and paint.


The quote is from Christopher Reeve, it fit exactly what I was feeling.


I used a paper doily as a stencil on the wings and then covered them entirely with Picket Fence Distress Stickles, edged with Shabby Shutters.


I pulled out some vintage lace, old rub-ons, rhinestones and my faithful Sharpie pen to add some detail.


Well there she is!  For my first try I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Go forth and create! :)






7 comments:

  1. Oh yeah, that's the perfect project to share...I love it!!

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  2. Julie she is adoreable and her wings are gorrrgeous, love it!!
    Hugs
    Tracy
    xoxo

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  3. She is sooooo stinkin cute!!!
    Love the hair with the gems.
    You just want to hug her :-)

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  4. oh yes, she is one of my favorites too. Love her.

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  5. What a beautiful mixed media project Julie. Love the wings and the colors. The touch of lace and blings look great.

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  6. Julie, Just stopping by from Seth's Buried Treasure project and love your sweet angel. It is such a lovely piece with wonderful texture and a great positive message. I also had a peek at the rest of your blog and love all your work. Than you for sharing this lovely treasure and for the inspiration.
    :) Chris / CS Designs

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