GARDEN INTRIQUE: Totally Tracy Weinzapfel Stamps

HOWDY from Joi@RR!

Welcome to...Garden Intrigue!

This project was done in honor of the Dare2BArtsy Blog Hog that highlighted the fabulous new Totally Tracy Stamps Sets by Tracy Weinzapfel.  You might want to check it out because they are giving away prizes too!

Blog Hop HERE:

This project was done on an 11x14" canvas board. 

My idea was to have some of the stamps showing in the background as well as the focal point. So I began stamping all over the canvas with the stamps backwards.  That was so none of the dimension lines would show. 

I just kept stamping until I had this montage of fun!! 

Next step was to use a white Gesso wash over the entire canvas while at the same time adding some shimmer with the LUSCIOUS DecoArt Metallic Lustres. 

This was the result... a muted showing of the stamp set. 

Next, building up color with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics and DecoArt Media Tinting Base. It's so much fun using the Tinting Base because it helps one color turn into many yummy shades.

Using my Misti Stamper I began stamping onto Mulberry Papers and White Tissue Paper.  

Lots of stamping in various colors of ink and papers.  

I began by applying the leaves first using DecoArt Media Matt Medium.  I loved the leaves on the mulberry paper. Continuing... little by little...applying all the other pieces I had stamped onto paper.  They were all either cut out or torn around by hand.

The largest flowers were done with my Dynasty Line Brush and painted with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics. 

Here are some close-ups of the finished project.  

Some of the products used:

NOW... the decision that has to be made...

does it look best right side up or upside down - eheheheh!!!????

Thanks bunches and bunches for stopping by. 

If you have time... leave me a comment - it means alot to me! 

Hugs. j. 

Here is the link to the Totally Tracy Power of Flowers stamp set I used for my project. 

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Valentine Roses by Candlelight Mixed Media Canvas

Howdy and Guess What? 

I'm going to tell you a secret.  I am not a romantic.

Don't fret - neither is hubby - so all is well :)

But I do admire the 'spirit of love' from the heart. 

Wishing each of you a HAPPY VALENTINE'S month! 

I made a little Valentine for you...

The goal was to make something for Valentine's Day, of course. So I just began playing with DecoArt Media Modeling Paste, Misters and Fluid Acrylics. I first started with a smaller heart but it just grew as I played with it.  Sooooo much fun!!!  

Honestly - part of me wishes I would have just called it done and left it like this... I just love the abstract, grungy, glamour of these bright, bold colors and streaks. But alas... it's gone.

 Something inside me was pulling me towards the gentle side of Valentine's Day.  Dear me... pink? What? I am so not a pink lady. How about variegated pink???  Here we go!!!

I made a wash from DecoArt Media white gesso and just spread it all over the 10x12" canvas. 

After drying it looked like this.

Out came the DecoArt Americana Decoupage Paper: Victorian Romance. I adore this set of papers. This set has music, script and rustic florals - just beautiful. 

I used a script page and applied with DecoArt Media Matte Medium and ugh...my jar is empty. I was literally scraping the sides with my fingers to get the last drops. Remind me to order more please.  That's one thing that's very hard to be without!

After the paper was dry I added DecoArt Metallic Lustre: Fab Fuchsia. This was the first time I have used this color and I promise you... it is exquisite. 

It was then time to start painting the roses. I can't believe it...but I do not have one single photo of the rose painting in progress.  I am usually so good about taking pictures.  Really bummed about that but...it's also nice to realize I was "in my zone" as they say and enjoying the process.  My roses are not perfect by any means... but I like them.  After I finished them, I saw some roses that Ursula Wollenberg did on Youtube - click here - and I used one of her "tips" to enhance my finished flowers.  Ursula is one of my favorite canvas artists. Thank you Ursula!

The roses were complete, I couldn't wait to apply the DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze (one of my favorite products) to my background. I didn't do it earlier because I wasn't sure where the rose petals and greenery would end. 

After it was dry, the DecoArt Media Carbon Black Antiquing Cream was PERFECT for enhancing the crackle. 

On to the finishing touches!

How about a bit of romance?  Whoa!!! 

I was thrilled to win this gorgeous Holiday Sketches: Christmas Candles stamp from Stamplorations.  It seemed like the perfect addition to the inside of my Valentine heart.

For me... shimmer and shine is a must on my project (if I can get by with it).  Out comes the glamour dust and the liquid glass.  Imagine my YUMMY DELIGHT when DecoArt made Tiger ORANGE Glamour Dust - OH YEAH (orange is my fav color don't you know??)!!  The DecoArt Media Liquid Glass was used on the candles to make them look 'waxy'.

My overall favorite DecoArt Glamour Dust color - Ice Crystal - went abundantly all over the heart.

Many products were used along with Dynasty paint brushes. Hey... I love the challenge of using mixed media to the MAX!

Are here are some close-ups of the finished piece!

Thanks bunches for taking the time to share thoughts and art!

Wish you a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY with all my heart. Xj.

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Published? Me? YES!!! Mixed Up Magazine

HOWDY ! It's a lovely 78 degrees in Texas. Feels like spring outside and in my heart too. Why? 

My artwork has captured for publication. Gracious Goodness!

It's Mixed Up Magazine.

'Eclectic Crafts with a Mixed Media Twist'

Just the thought that something I created could inspire others to try art or do a similar project... wow... that just makes this a fabulous Valentine's month for me.  I have had lots of my writing published - poetry, essays, articles, short stories etc. But this is the first time my "artwork" has been published.  It's a very special feeling. 

Of course, I can't show you the actual project but here is a sneak peak.  Head on over to Mixed Up Magazine and enjoy.  You will love the way the magazine is so easy to view on your screen.  I subscribe to other online magazines that are super but for sure.... they not so easy to view as Mixed Up Magazine.

Thanks for sharing my joy! Xj.

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