Tag: gesso

A little birdie told me

On By lindaIn Art Journal, Stamping, UncategorizedLeave a comment

My Art Journal sessions are broken up into four weeks. Each four-week session is themed. These cute little birds are from Art Journal-Fly Away where we worked with creatures that had wings.

These background pages started out with just a few stripes of acrylic paint colors and some water. Pretty darn boring! But we learned to work it into a beautiful background to display our winged birds on.

46837251_376650572878949_8810066711190437888_n
DecoArt acrylic paints spritzed with water.

Combining other mixed–media products with stamps, stencils and more, we were able to create the most beautiful backgrounds.

46674498_1408885969248475_4999577481435414528_n
Die-but bird added to background.

It’s just so much fun and very relaxing to just sit and play with no end-game in sight. Your page may never be done or it can feel complete in a quick 10 minutes.

46831078_514706902340165_3997412472834228224_n
Die-cut birds stacked atop each other create a colorful scene.

Art Journaling requires no art background, just a willingness to express yourself while playing with paper and paints.

Loving this art journal thing!

On By lindaIn Art Journal, Stamping, Uncategorized4 Comments

Teaching classes at the CoBACH center in Brighton came to an abrupt halt back in October when the center was closed for building maintenance. With no word on when it might reopen I decided to try the classes in my  home. I won’t lie, it’s been cozy but it’s also been fun and rewarding.

My most popular has been my Art Journal sessions. I never thought I could enjoy something as much as this form of free-form crafting. It’s a way to incorporate products you most likely already have and chances are haven’t used much.

46908439_500055770485192_7238801111186931712_n (1)
From Art Journal-Fly Away

My Art Journal classes are offered in four-week sessions. Each week I teach a different technique and the students play with that technique, experimenting to make it their own. They’re able to see how other products they may have at home or items found around the house can be worked into their art journal.

46749255_298615010758190_2666618900573061120_n (1)
It’s fun to watch the students grow each week and become a little more free in their interpretations of the projects.

We’ve had to limit class size for these but hopefully the CoBACH Center will reopen early next year and I’ll be able to accept additional students. The sessions have continually sold out.

46514346_2186175118080873_7437119220330004480_n (1)
Heat guns, acrylic paints, tissue papers, glazing mediums and more!

In the meantime we just keep plugging along having a grand ol’ time right here in my living room where I set up extra tables, push the furniture back, put out the chocolates, and we all get nice and cozy to play and socialize.

From box to gift

On By lindaIn Uncategorized, Xyron12 Comments

It all started when I received a Teresa Collins Adhesive Kit from Xyron. The box is wonderful. It  has a magnetic closure and it was perfect for being altered.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_10

It’s perfect for keeping my Teresa Collins supplies in but it’s also great for packing with some nice chocolates and small gifts to give away. I didn’t want to cover the entire box because I liked the pretty pink surface so opted just to alter the top. I started with a pulled-paper technique by running my inked background paper through my Xyron 9-inch Creative Station.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box

I peeled it from its backing and stuck it down to the box cover, rubbed it down really well then found a loose edge or two and ripped off quite a bit of the paper. This leaves a thin layer of the paper behind in some areas – really a cool look! This creates a nice base to build layers on and started by adding a length of pink krinkle ribbon with the Teresa Collins Tape Runner. This ribbon wraps around the lid and ties on the inside.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_6

After cutting, distressing and inking another pattern paper I coated it with a thin skim of white Gesso and let it dry.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_3

While the backing was drying I spread some Teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive randomly across a strip of corrugated cardboard using my finger and lightly sprinkled with some Sea Shell Art Glitter.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_5

I stapled this strip to the dry backing using the Teresa Collins Stapler. I love this stapler! It goes through really thick stuff! I was able to tuck a decorated tag into the strip and glued a title on that will go behind a Tim Holtz metal bookplate.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_7

I made several different sizes of paper flowers using a Spellbinder’s Donna Salazar die, glued them together with the Teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive, inked them then spread a thick glob of Tim Holtz Clear Crackle Paint on them and left them to dry.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_2

Let the assembly begin! I just played around with lots of stuff out of the table and continued to layer items till I got the look I really liked. The filmstrip is stapled through the tin heart with the Teresa Collins Stapler. Once the backing was completely assembled it’s glued on the cover with Teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive; the same adhesive is used to fill the bookplate. It dries clear and dimensional.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_9

I added a bit more detail to the cover with some tissue tape and tied a pretty ribbon through a key and attached it with jump rings. It’s now ready to be packed up presented as a very special gift.

Linda_Neff_Xyron_altered_box_4