altered book DIY

Since I have become so interested in altered books...playing and experimenting and learning...I wanted to share this project. I can't believe I haven't delved into this sooner...books + art = a few of my very fave things!!

Materials:

a vintage book

patterned paper, ephemera

heavy gel medium

gesso

acrylics, inks, markers

Shiva oilstiks

paintbrushes

pencil

embellishments

gloss varnish

*these are the materials I used but of course...anything goes!

*The first thing I do is pick out a (sturdy) vintage book; I bought a few at the local library sale for a steal. I then use gel medium to collage bits of patterned paper, a page from a dictionary...you can add photos, epherma, anything really.

*Then I add gesso just covering certain parts while allowing some of the papers to show through. The crinkles just add to the texture!

*next I add some Golden liquid acrylic paint...I use Paynes Gray on the edges to give it a vintage look and I use some Burnt Sienna as well. I use a bottle cap to make patterns in the gesso and allow to dry.

*I add some color inside the circles, a few stickers (these ones are by Tim Holtz) and sketch in a figure. I use some inks on the top and let them drip down to give the cover even more dimension and a very aged look.

*I use Shiva Oilstiks and lay in the face colors. Let dry for 24 hours.

*I glue about 6 pages together at a time and gesso them to give me a really sturdy surface to art journal in. It is tedious I know but...well worth it.

*complete the face and hair, add facial features with Pitt pen, lay in more color using acrylics and add that cute cute cute vintage doorknob (this one by Tim Holtz) with heavy gel medium. Allow to dry overnight.

*add a vintage key with hemp, some words and coat with gloss varnish. The possibilities are endless; you can turn this into an art journal, a photo album, a decorative piece. I just love this! Right now it sits on my dresser but soon, I am going to be art journaling in it! Love!!!

clipboard photo frame DIY project-easy, beautiful + practical!!!

I have been doing lots of little projects that I have had on my to-do list for the longest time. This clipboard photo frame DIY is soooo cute...and super easy to do! I had read about it ages ago and finally got around to doing it. All you need are these things right here:

Materials

*a clipboard...I buy mine from Michaels (2$!!) but any one will do
*patterned paper (you can also use paint or your art journal pages or...)
* decoupage glue (I use Modge Podge)
* scissors, paper cutter
* embellishments (flowers, ribbon, buttons, etc)
* letters (chipboard, stickers, rub-ons...)
* a photo (s)
This project is really so super easy and fun...I want to make like..20 of them and put them all over the house:)
1. The first thing I do is remove the clip off the board. Then I go about picking different papers and embellishments that appeal to me. I decide on a blue/green color scheme with bits of pink thrown in.
2. I then measure and cut the papers and lay them on the board. I move things around quite a bit to get a pleasing layout.

3. When I am satisfied with the way things look, I use my decoupage glue and apply the papers to the board. Let dry completely.
4. In the meanwhile, I apply paint to the clip and also let dry. If you use acrylic paint, apply sealer over top when paint dries. Or you can go for a scratched up, weathered  look like I did!!

5. Now I really go a little over the top ...why not!! I add this gorgeous flower and lots of ribbons!

 6. I add letters...and use the decoupage glue to adhere them to the paper. You can then use the glue to seal the entire thing...I chose not to because I like it looking a little unfinished.

7. Complete decorating the clip. You can use ribbons or rub-ons or leave it completely plain. It's totally up to you. When everything is dry, I screw it back onto the clipboard.
8. Add photo!!!

All done!!! Here it is hanging up on the wall. The best part is that you can change out the pics whenever you want.
Tara just loves looking at this ...loves loves loves!!! I really hope you will try out this project...
*you can also use this idea to make an inspiration board, a to-do list, a mini art journal page to hang up on your wall...the possibilities are endless! (Thanks SooZe for the tip and reminder!!)...and they make great gifts too!
Okay...Tim has Tara for a few hours so I am off to work on my studio...it's still not all put together!!

Simple DIY project and more!!

(inspiration tree)

Isn't this tree simply gorgeous?!! I picked it up at the craft store and am going to turn it into an inspiration tree for my studio! I love the curves and lines..it has grace, rhythm and magic. I am going to paint it (don't know what color yet) and then use those small wooden pegs (also found them at the craft store) to pin up pics, inspirational quotes, to do lists...I can't wait to show you when I am done!

*Tara is starting to feed herself...messy foods like cereal and yogurt. Never mind that so much of the food ends up everywhere...she is having a blast! I am so proud and happy but so sad!! I remember just a minute ago I was breastfeeding her...where did the time go?

(big girl Tara)

*Summer is almost over! I love all of the seasons (yes, even winter. I am Canadian after all!) but I am glad it is starting to cool down. It has been a long and sweltering season and, like the flowers in my garden, I am feeling a little droopy! I am looking forward to these months ahead.

(last days of summer)

*Last night we had a bit of a scare. Hurricane Earl, a category 4, was heading right this way (we only live 45 mins. away from the Atlantic!). Ever the Marine, Tim insisted that I pack up an emergency bag (food, water, diapers etc) and we planned an evacuation route. Thank goodness by this morning Earl turned north and lost quite a lot of his steam.

*Okay...so now I am going to tag...Meegan, Lis, Alison, Carola, Kerri, Eva, Orly and Patty...Here are the questions!
1. Are you a dog person or a cat person? Both? Neither?
2. If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be? What would you do?
3. What is your fave home cooked meal?
4. Your perfect evening is...
5. If you could be anyone in history for one day, who would you pick and why?
6. A quality you admire most in others...? Least...?
7. The scariest thing about ageing...
8. At the end of your life, what is the one thing you will regret never having tried? *Psst...maybe you can take a few tiny steps toward that dream today so there will be no regrets later:)  If anyone else would like to join in, you can answer in the comments section. I would love to hear from you! I am taking the weekend off from the computer!! Happy Weekend!