Mixed Media Mania - Altered Egg Carton

Join me next Tuesday (April 8, 10 am-1pm or 6pm-9pm) at the LBH for our spring Mixed Media Mania class.  Mixed Media doesn't always have to be dark, grungy and "steampunky" - this month we will do it up in shabby chic just in time for spring and Easter.

We will alter a little egg carton with paints, inks, glitter, papers, lace etc for a sweet little addition to your Easter home decor.  There's even a bit of hand-sewing - I promise it's easy enough for anyone to do!

Drop by the LBH or call (817-431-7930) to reserve your seat. Hope to see you then!

My new stencil

Remember that huge flyswatter I posted about a few days ago?  I tested it today and look at how awesome it is - a fantastic 7" square grid!

This is the reverse print when you flip the wet stencil and print on paper. I can't decide which I like better.  A great two-way stencil for $1!

And, by the way, I gave one to Carl and he LOVED it! 

Art Journaling with Gelatos

The art journaling class a few weeks ago was "All About Gelatos."  This was the two-page spread I created (almost entirely with gelatos) as an example of what could be done with them.  Everyone enjoyed learning about these fun, highly pigmented color sticks.  In fact, we will be focusing on them once again in the April class, as the last class filled so quickly.  We will review all the details of the last class (especially for new students) and also introduce new techniques.  We will also be working with fabrics, learning ways to incorporate them into our artsy pages.

If you are new to art journaling or want to find out more, please join us in class. Call the LBH (817-431-7930) to reserve your seat for April 15, either morning (10am-1pm) or evening (6pm-9pm).

Current Class Projects

Here a few class projects that I designed for the LBH.

First, a birthday layout. (Now I have the perfect photos to include!)

This is a third version of Flower Power, a reference guide for making eight different flowers for cards, scrapbook layouts, mixed media canvases or whatever you want. The reference book is 4"x8" and flips at the top. On the back of each page are full instructions for making that particular flower. We've done others in the past and this one has eight flowers not in either of the other two books.

If you're interested in either a kit or taking a class, contact LBH at 817-431-7930 or on our website, www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com.

Happy Birthday!

My first-born grandson turns TWO today! Where did the time go? We spent the weekend in Austin with him to celebrate. He loved his party at a jumping place where they have five huge, different  jumping structures for kids under 10. The kids didn't tire, but the adults did!

New Tim Holtz Scissors

They've finally arrived! These new scissors are now available at the LBH and I got my pair on Monday.  They are just as fantastic as the old "snips" but much bigger!  I love that the cut path is so much longer.  I'm a happy camper to have a sharp new pair.  Hmm, now I think he needs to come out with a little baby pair to complete the family!

Got flies?

I love Dollar Tree! Look what I recently bought.  Yes, it's a gigantic fly swatter! I can't imagine using it for the real thing, though - those holes are way too big.  I originally bought it for my almost-two grandson as he loves playing with fly swatters (not sure how that got started, but it's one of his favorite "toys"). But when I got it home, I started thinking it would be an awesome stencil! Can't you just see spraying inks through this?

Here's a selfie with it.

And another to better show the size.

Can't wait to try this out. And I guess I need to make another trip to the store to get one for Carl!

"Spring is in the Air" Mixed Media Canvas Class

Here's the latest mixed media canvas in my "house series." It all started back in October with the Haunted House (see it here) and then came the Home for the Holidays house in December (see it here).  This is the spring version and I will complete the series this summer with a summertime version.  My favorite part of this is the cute little clothes on the line! (Who remembers hanging out the laundry?)

This class is now available for signups at The Little Blue House in Keller. Check out the blog here or stop by at 118W. Olive St. in Old Town Keller or call 431-7930 to reserve your spot in class. These are fun classes which will get you "out of the box" and creating spontaneously.

Wow - I'm "published"!

Remember this mixed media cigar box I created for the first LBH Mixed Media Mania class? (You can see the original link here.)

I just found out that Shirley Rudener, author of Polymer Clay Mixed Media Jewelry, mentioned it in her latest newsletter ("Spumoni Scoop", Vol. 2, Issue 5) complete with a photo and a link to my blog.  I'm in good company there as she also features Laurie Mika who does exceptional work with clay.

Shirley specializes in polymer clay and mixed media.  You can sign up (free) for the newsletter here: http://shirleyrufener.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8bfc977b90a770b27620517a2&id=caa7542d8a

and then the newsletter will be emailed.

I'm pretty excited - not sure how she ever found my little-ole blog but I'm glad she did!

Home from Mexico and More RCADs

We're back from Mexico and my extensive dental work is now finally completed! It was quite lovely there this time around and very relaxing. But I'm glad to be home and done with dentists for awhile!

I have more Rolodex art journal cards to share. I didn't manage to keep up with a card-a-day through February due to traveling and work, but I did get 14 completed.  These are really addictive and I hate to miss a day! The Rolodex file is filling up and looking really cute too.

playing with new TH stencil, wash tape and some scraps

washi tape, modeling paste, dimensional pen and fluid acrylic paint

embossed music paper with spray mists, cut into mosaics

paper scraps glued to hearts

modeling paste, spray ink, tag made from paper cleaning up paint palette

gelatos, stamping, dyed lace, embossed heart

gelato background, stamping, doodling

Gelli print scrap, stamping

homemade texture paste, gelato resist, scrap hearts

magazine scraps and new stamp

reduction stenciling with gelatos, doodling

inked background, CFA stamped butterfly

painted deli paper scrap, B&W washi tapes, packing tape transfer (eye)

homemade texture paste, gelatos

Hope you make time to create art everyday!