Mixed media attempts

When I was checking out  Studio Calico's NSD challenges, I noticed that the first one posted was "mixed media." This has never been something that I've been particularly drawn to, but I decided to play along with the challenge, if for nothing else than to get me out of my box a little.

Well, let me tell you, I found it quite challenging.

I tried to think of a technique that I could use with paint and remembered seeing a few designers paint their patterned paper with white paint to lighten it. So I found a sheet of Studio Calico patterned paper and went to find some white paint.... of which I had none. No worries, I thought, I'll use cream. Yeah, it didn't really have the effect I wanted and when I put it with my photos, it didn't go well at all. So I added some light grey paint, which helped a little.

Since I was struggling with my layout so much, I decided to use one of the Studio Calico NSD sketches, Sketch #3, by Susan Weinroth.

For my layout, I also used American Crafts cardstock & thickers, a Mama Elephant stamp (from Smitten), a Flair button and a Freckled Fawn wooden word (that I coloured red with pure poppy ink.)

I also played along with this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Beyond paper with impression plates. I took some aluminum foil and ran it through my Big Shot with my PTI Hexagon Cover Plate.

For my card, I used the same mixed media technique and painted another piece of Studio Calico patterned paper with cream paint. I trimmed it and adhered it to a PTI vintage cream background and added some stitching. I diecut some yellow Studio Calico patterned paper with my PTI Happy Day die, on which I stamped a sentiment from Stylish Sentiments: Birthdays.

I also stamped two feathers (from Mama Elephant's Smitten stamp set) and cut them out by hand. To finish it off, I added some Ellen Hutson sequins.

Thanks for looking!