Windows are the perfect place to hang your Art!

To finish up the “Window Charmer” add some Rub n Buff or Inka Gold to the edges…

create a mini collage on the top layer

mix up a batch of resin or Utee

add some chain

and display on your window.

Materials needed for this Project

Embossing Powder

Clear Resin or can also use Clear Utee

Rub buff or can also use Inka Gold

Assorted Chain with pliers

and…

Here’s to making every minute count,

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For So Long I felt like Photoshop Elements was too Daunting a Task to Undertake.  But with a Little Bit of Play and a Thimble Full of Knowledge as my Good Friend Gale said to me, I have Discovered How  to do many of the Basic Skills needed to Create Digital Collage Work.  Here is my Tutorial of what I have Learned  Thus Far.  I Personally Learn Best Visually so that is how I formatted this tutorial. You will find Screen Images with Highlighted Direction for Each Step.  We will begin with the Basic Fundamentals and then Build from There to create the Collage above ~Noble Deeds~. My Hope is that My Tutorial will Give you the Confidence and the Knowledge to Create one of your Own Digital Collage Works of Art.

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::All the images I used in this tutorial can be found by clicking HERE::

Lets get Started by Clicking on the PDF File Below:

~Jill~

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Digital Collage Beginners Guide by Jill McCall©2013 W

(Please be patient, it Might take a Moment to Load)

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theresa mARTin EMERGE

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When I saw Gale’s new Santos Cage Doll I was excited. I saw many possibilities and directions for this doll and I decided on an aged look. Using rustic wire and mesh I built a cage for a metal horse that I had rusted up artificially. The cage is bursting open and the horse is emerging.  I used one of my favorite sheets, Number 78, for the face.

I love work that has a sense of hand. Hand sewing has a certain character and the same goes for stringing the wire by hand. There are many other moods and possibilities for this doll and I’m looking forward to seeing what other create with the Cage Doll form.

theresa mARTin EMERGE

theresa mARTin EMERGE

theresa mARTin EMERGE Detail

theresa mARTin EMERGE Detail

Method

• Put cage together with some tacky glue.
• Rust the cage and any elements you will add with Modern Masters Reactive Metallic Iron and Modern Masters Rust Activator.
• Either glue arms on, or drill holes and attach with wire (see process photo below)
• Paint and rust all the wooden pieces and the horse (which was an old found metal horse) Another object can be used for inside the cage. Perhaps a bird, or a doll.
• Add rusted heart, or other 3D object to the body to give depth to the piece.
• Place horse (or other object) inside cage.
• Wrap rusty wire loosely by hand to create a cage.
• Add rusty numbers to piece.
• Include old vintage coin purse with sheets cut from book pages under her arm.
• Pierce book page or printed ephemera with wire and include as an added collage element.

I drilled a hole in the arm and body and wired them together.

While building the piece I hold pieces together with clips.

Process photo showing the rusted surface

Process shot showing possible ideas for setting the chosen items in place.

Santos Cage Doll

Rustic Wire

Sheet 78

Assorted Charms

“It is never to late or to soon.  It is when it is supposed to be.”

Mitch Albom, The Time Keeper

One of the hardest things for me to do is…

be in the moment.

This year I promised myself that I would pull myself back in,from all the busy deadlines and to-do’s

and just enjoy

and appreciate

and listen

to

every minute.

My Time Keeper, is my reminder.

To help you make your own Time Keeper just click on the images below to take you to the products I used.

Fancy House 01 Med.

Sheet 284

Petite Winged Watches

Winged House Trio

Fancy Cogs 01

Here’s to making every minute count,

Time Flies

Time Flies Detail

Time Flies Profile

I am revisiting a Favorite way of Creative Play, Assemblage or Shadow Box.  They are just Simply Fun to make. I Love Using Watch Part Bits and Bobs. Tweezers are Required but it is fun piecing everything together like a Puzzle.

~Method~

(1)  Paint and Distress a ‘Fancy House’. I used Fancy House01 SM. Set aside and allow time to dry. Do the Same with the Wings  (Fancy Winged Trio 01)

(2) Next Paper your House using Matte Gel Medium. I used Ancien Papiers17 JPG

(3) Using E-6000, start adding your watch parts and metal findings to embellish your Piece. Also adhere you wings tot he back.  Allow plenty of time to Dry. Finish with you Word Art and Bird.

~*Happy Creating!*~

~Jill~

~*~

~Materials~

Detail Triptych

The delicate coloring and the expression on this young girls face makes Sheet Number 78 one of my favorite paperwhimsy images. I used her in a few recent pieces and a friend commented that she wondered what the girl was thinking. Another friend said she had frozen eyes and one regret. She certainly gives one a lot to think about when looking at her. I wonder about her life, and find joy in the new life Gale has given her photo.

METHOD

• Paint and Distress Baroque Triptych

The way I distressed the Triptych was trial and error. I began by spray painting the pieces gold. Next I painted sections with some transparent orange acrylic paint. I covered that with gold pigment mixed with varnish and threw some crackle medium over all of it. I scratched and sanded back parts of it until it had a distressed look and coloring that I liked. At the end, I used a wood burning tool to add details. Next time I’ll try burning into the wood first, although both ways have interesting results.

• Create a collage to fit the three panels.
•  Make a ‘sandwich’ of the collage, the triptych front and back and glue together.
• Embellish the triptych with wood burning tool, rhinestones or other jewels.

Distressing Process

Detail Triptych

Spring Triptych

 

Baroque Triptych

Digi Sheet 184

Digi Sheet 299

Wired Ribbon

Sheet 78

~Victorian Easter Cones & Egg~

With Easter and Spring just around the Corner I thought it would be Fun to come up with Something Bright and Cheerful! All Made Easy with the Elegant Floral Papers Gale has Created.  I really Love to Work with Vintage Materials when ever I can. Millinery Flowers,  Dresden Trims,  Glass Glitter & Crepe Paper. I just Love the Look they Give!

~Method~

(1)  Cover Paper Mache Cone with Back Ground Paper  then Layer with Banner/Bunting Shapes (Elegant Floral Suite 01 & 02) . I Layered 4 Pennant Shapes Lining up the Patterns Symmetrically to Cover a Small Cone (7 inch Cone).

(2)  Hand Ruffle Crepe Paper and Adhere to Top Edge of Cone. Add Tinsel Chenille Stems or Garland around Edge of Ruffle. Punch Holes in Cone and Create Hanger.  Continue to Embellish Cone with Ribbon, Dresden Trims, Crepe Paper Rosettes and Millinery Flowers. Add Butterfly and Word Art.

(3) Paint and Glitter a Paper Mache Egg and Adhere into your Cone!

(4) Create the Victorian Egg using the Same techniques

Please Do Share your Creations with Us!

~*Happy Creating!*~

~Jill~

~*~

~Materials~

Flora Dreaming

In Process

Paperwhimsy’s Fancy Shapes laser pieces are a wonderful jumping off place for mixed media work. I’m trying to work my way through using every one of Gale’s exciting Fancy Shapes. I don’t know if I’ll get there, but it sure is fun trying. This month I present two Banners.  They are great for piling on the layers, which is a favorite thing for me. I was able to combine collage, 3-D, some beads and rhinestones to make two keepsake pieces.

• Paint or spray paint Fancy Banner 02 with base color. Scratch some off with sandpaper for a grunge look.
• Choose a beautiful face and background.
• To make a textured piece to add to the background – spread paint on parchment paper. While paint is wet, spread on some UTEE and heat with a heat tool. When UTEE is melted, press in rubber stamp of your choice. Peel off when UTEE cools.
• Attach punched out flowers with brad to your collage.
• Use clamps while gluing on layers of collage to banner.
• Add a piece of lace to back of banner.
• Add rhinestones to collage and to top  of the banner.
• Carefully attach top to the bottom of the banner with wire and beads.

Detail Flora Dreaming by theresa mARTin

METHOD for Banner 01

• The method for Banner 01 is the same as Banner 02 above. The elements are different. A watch piece, a trail of rusty ivy and a crochet heart were used in this piece.
• This beautiful face and the antiquities background were used.

Time by theresa mARTin

Time in Process

Banners by theresa mARTin

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies

    One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

      
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

~ Lord Byron ~

~ Happy Valentines Day!~

This is one of My Favorite Poem and seemed

a Perfect Fit  for this Valentines Day.

   An Afternoon, Detail Scissors, Paper,  Adhesive and a Couple of Artist Canvases is all of the Materials  you will Need to Make One for Yourself.

Method:

(1)  Print a Background on Regular Copy Paper. (I used  2 full sheets for a 8×10 Canvas and 2 Full Sheets for the 11×14 Artist Board) I wanted to Create some Texture so I Crumbled my Paper into a Ball until I got the wrinkled look I wanted. Flip your 8 x 10 Canvas over so the Wood Framed Back is Up.Using Matte Gel Medium, Adhere your Background Paper making sure your sheet is Large Enough to Wrap around to the Back of the Canvas Encompassing all edges of the wood as well as the Inner Portion of the Canvas Back . I Then applied a Top Coat to Seal and give Brush Stroke Texture . Set aside to dry. Do  the Same for the 11×14 Artist Board and Set Aside to Dry.

(2)  Starting with the 8×10 canvas adhere the  Cabinet Card Frame. Set aside to Dry. Do the Same with the 11×14 Artist Board, adhering  the Book Cover Images and Paper Doily’s. Set Aside to Dry.

(3 )  Next, take the 8×10 Canvas and Using E 6000 Adhere your 8×10 Canvas to you 11×14 Artist Board.  Making sure Everything is Positioned the way you want it.  Weight the 2 Canvases Down with Books  to Ensure Adhesion during Drying Time. Set aside and Give Ample Time for Drying.

(4)  Start Layering the Genteel Lady Image and the Detail Cutout of the French Garden Image. Glue them in Place.  I added Cloth Covered Wire to Create my Vine. Then Start gluing in Place the Leaves and Flowers. You can Use a Leaf Shaped  Paper Punch or Cut them Free Handed. (I used a Glue Gun to add the Vine , Flowers and Leaves)

~Fini~

Helpful Hints:

~ I find that it really helps to lay everything out first, then glue. It gives you a chance to play and get the look you want.

~ You Can Use Any Size Combination of Canvases you Choose to Create the Border Width you Like.

~*Happy Creating!*~

~Jill~

~ Materials ~

     ]

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

I Love Holidays that allow you to spend time with the ones you Love. With Valentines Day  just Around the Corner,  I thought it would be Fun to make a Banner to Dress Up a Mantel or  Hutch with! Lets have some Fun!

Method:

(1) Print and Cut Out Banner Backgrounds.  Using Matte Gel Medium, adhere Backgrounds Front and Back to Pre-cut  Chipboard Banner Shapes.  Using Crepe Paper, Create Rosettes and Adhere to the Top  Border of Banner. I used two Rosettes to Make it Heart Shaped. Set Aside.

(2) Begin Layering  on Individual Bunting Shapes. I started with Crepe Paper Rosettes then Corresponding Digi Sheet Elements, Tinsel Stems,  Glitter Hearts and Chipboard Letters.

(3) Cut a Length of Ribbon and Thread through Bunting and you are Done!

Helpful Hints:  I find that it really helps to lay everything out first the glue. It gives you a chance to play and get the look you want.

~*Happy Creating!*~

~Jill~

Materials: