Monday, May 06, 2013

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!

13 comments:

tonyamaries said...

I think both of these turned out fabulous! I like all of your stitching but the stitching on the foil is really awesome!

Joyce said...

Very cool. It does not look like you had any trouble at all.

Kara said...

turned out great!! love the tin strip with the hexagons!

Sonia said...

Fantastic job, Leigh! Both projects look amazing :)

Scrappin4kim(Jennifer) said...

Looks great Leigh and the foil held up well!

Nancy Penir said...

Great hexagons, Leigh. You did good! Love those feathers.

Kathryn A said...

Love the hint of aluminum on your scrapbook page, and the painted DP! Wonderful :)

Miriam Prantner said...

Love how the paint softens the paper, I'm going to have to try that!

StephH said...

Great layout and hexagon cover plate in the foil is perfect for your castle layout. I am surprised you were able to emboss aluminum and stitch it successfully - you are a brave and successful crafter!

carol (krillsister) said...

Awesome layout. Love the pictures of the castle. The tin foil embossed withthe hexagons looks great.

Cindy Lee said...

Great take on the challenge, Leigh! Love the use of foil on your layout! How smart! And I love your card a lot!

Susan said...

Love the foil on your layout Leigh! I never thought about using a coverplate to impress. And your card with the feathers made me go to the Silhouette store and purchase some too!

Carolanne said...

Love that dragon's castle. The hexagon was the perfect plate to use. The way you embossed it was a great idea!