Art Journal ~ Leafy Sea-Dragon Mermaid

 

Det er ganske lenge siden jeg lagde en 'art journal page' i boka mi, og da jeg så denne nydelige havfruen tenkte jeg at det måtte bare bli et mixed media prosjekt heller enn et kort.. Ville jo beholde henne selv! ♥

Havfrue-siden er mitt er DT bidrag hos Creative Fingers #162., og motivet er fra vår nye flotte sponsor MeadowHaven. Som alltid har vi et 'Lag-hva-du-vil' tema, og velkommen skal du være :)

a double Art Journal Page spread
my work process explained further down :)
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Closeup of the Leafy Sea-Dragon Mermaid,
Oh my, that was a whole lot of details to watercolor!

It's been a while since I last made a page in my Art Journal book, so soon as I saw this beautiful leafy mermaid I knew I had to make one something mixed media with her.. and because I wanted to keep her for myself ♥ 

It's my DT creation for this fortnights challenge #162. at Creative Fingers, and the mermaid is a motif from our new & awesome sponsor MeadowHaven.
As always it is an 'Anything goes theme', and you are more than welcome to join with your creations :)

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~ MeadowHaven.net ~

~ DeviantArt ~ Instagram ~

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I enter my art journal page in theese fab Challenges: [Ends on]
● Bleeding Art ~ April: Add Stenciling! [May 15th.]
● Crafty Creations #388. ~ Anything goes [April 22nd.]
● We Love to Create #4. ~ AG Creative Mixed Media (entry#2.)[April 24th.]
● Crafting with an attitude #50. ~ Anything goes (entry#2.)[April 28th.] 
● Love to Craft LTCCB #33. ~ April: Anything Goes [April 30th.]
● The Creative Crafters #15. ~ Anything goes [May 8th.]
● Pile it on #153. ~ Lots of Layers! (entry#2.)[May 4th.]
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Scandinavian Challenges: [innen]
● Scrap from your Heart #32. ~ Bruk dies! [April 28th.]
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Now for the artsy ingredients!

 

I'm using an old second-hand illustrated fairytale book,
and I have saved some of the pages that has cool 
images for projects such as this one.
🐟 🧜‍♂️ 🐟 🧜‍♂️ 🐟
The story told here is an Arabian Nights ~ 1001 nights tale about a fisherman who befriends a mer-man. He is given a magical cream so he can breathe underwater, and he visits King Neptuns home and sees many marvellous things...
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After I added gesso to the bookpages, I dry with a heat tool and start to color in the places I want to hide. When it's completely dry I add my papers. To avoid too much airbubbles I use super tacky tape on the backs and add matte medium glue to the edges. I add texture with Inka Gold through stencils, and then go nuts with ink sprays and dabbers ~ inside a huge cardboard box ofcourse.  
Mixed Media is superfun to do ~ but very messy ;)
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The steampunk cogs have gotten several coats of Finnabairs Trio of Rust Texture pastes, and also touches of Inka Golds. And I used some black gesso to add shading around the elements on the pages. Here is a link to Finnabairs Art Files on the Rust Paste++, she explains it much better than I would do, theres videos too! :)
 

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Stamps/Images: MeadowHaven digistamp 'Leafy Sea-Dragon Mermaid'. Stampers Anonymous ~ Tim Holtz rubberstampsets 'Mariner Blueprints' & 'Bitty Grunge'. Visible Image CS 'Stay Strong'.
Papers: I prefer Canson Montvale aquarelle paper (200 g/m coldpressed) for my motifs. DCWV 'Once Upon a time' Designerpapers. Vivi Gade Creotime Gold Glitter/Metallic speciality paper.
Embellishments: Panduro Hobby Washi tape.

Tools: My distress tools from Ranger Ink is always in use ~ Tim Holtz® Mini Ink Round Blending Tool & the Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foams. Panduro Hobby scalpel and self healing mat.
Stencils/Embossingfolders: Maremis Small Art 'CELLS' mixed media art journaling stencil 6x6 ~ 13@rts.
Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Bigz Dies 'Gadget Gears' & 'Gadget Gears 2'. Marianne Design Craftables Punch Die 'Seashells & Starfish CR1363'.
Essentials/Adhesives: 3D foam/mosegummi. Sookwang High-Tack Double Sided tape from Sor-Pal. Aleenes clear tacky glue. Panduro Gold metallic marker. Permanent black marker. Liquitex Matte Gel Medium ~ glue. Finnabair Art Basics Mixed Media silicone brush.

Techniques/Mediums:  I used misc. Luminarte Twinkling H2o's Shimmering Watercolors, and Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads to watercolor and distress motifs. Amsterdam Royal Talens Black Gesso. White Gesso. Several brands of spray inks ~ Distress Spray Stains, Tattered Angels Sprays, Tsukineko Walnut Spray Stain inks, as well as some Distress Stain dabbers. Viva Decor Inka Gold wax ~ Copper & Gold. Finnabairs Prima ART EXTRAVAGANCE 'Rust Texture pastes'(Brown, Red & Gold) from Prima Marketing inc.

Love Bandit ~ Mixed Media Box

 

Har jeg nevnt før her på bloggen at jeg er veldig glad i steampunk, vintage, industrial, cogs n gears og alle ting distress, rust, mørke og varme høstlige farger? Tror nok det.. sånn ørtogførti ganger ;) 

En annen ting jeg er veldig glad i er å spare på produkter ~ hvorfor kjøpe en dyr gaveeske for gaven jeg skal gi til ei venninne når jeg kan pynte en helt gratis tom Q-tips eske? Blir jo like fin den! Og venninnen min kommer absolutt til å bli like glad for en håndlaget box som selve gaven ♥ Den er hemmelig.. sånn i tilfelle hun titter innom bloggen :)

Mixed Media Altered Q-tips Box

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤

First I covered the box with meshed tape from a typical 'guys' store, hardware store? The correct name for it is 'Drywall  Mesh Self-adhesive tape'. But this I had forgotten when I had to buy a new one because one of my brothers had snatched my old tape! 

The guy that worked there was struggling really hard to understand me when I said; 

"I want a tape thats full of small squares and has some glue on one side and I want to use it for canvases n craft items, but I know dudes uses it to put on walls.." 

He understood me in the end though ~ and now I have a huge tape that will last me forever.. unless my brother sees it ;) 

I used some extra strong red tape to help adhere it to the plastic Q-tips box and the lid. I also have a metal/aluminium tape bought at the same store, also adhesive on one side. Not sure what guys use this for though, but it is super sticky and such fun to use on tags ~ then put in embossing folders and get amazing results, but thats a project for another day.

Next I added a strip of tape around the lid of my box, put down a bunch of beads and bling. The middle piece is just cardboard wich I cut in a crown like shape. More Metal tape on top and then the tricky bit.. To very gently rub down and press around the shapes using a little tool like a q-tip, a paper stump, the rubber end of a pencil or an actual stylus tool for such things ~ u know the ones with a little metal ball tip. I used all of theese, but the metal ball thingy got a bit too scratchy so I used the paper stump mostly.

I used Matte Gel Medium to make everything stick together nicely, and painted everything with black acrylic paint (Can use Black gesso instead too), and baby wipes to clean my fingers as well as buff off excess paint. Twice.

I let it dry, wich does not take long at all, and then I applied Inka Gold metallic waxes to the raised surfaces. I used my finger to do that as the wax ain't toxic. But don't go putting the finger into the jars or u will get mould! I use the little plastic spoons to scoop up some wax onto my craft mat. Those spoons that comes with youghurt cups sometimes, and I have sometimes taken a couple extra plastic spoons when in a restaurant or fast-food places.. Perfect for mixed media uses :)

And finally the image on the inside of the lid is a supercute raccoon that apparantly stole someones heart.. ? The text translates to something like: "Good friends are worth both Gold & Silver"..

I didn't really think of what the box would look like when adding the sentiment to my image. My mum said when I showed her the 'finished' box, ~ "Oh it's gorgeous, BUT the box is silvery not gold?".. Argh! Had not thought about that at all.. So I added gold wax to the hearts and 'silver' to the text, and hope it's not that weird-looking ;)

I actually made a similar mixed media project to this a couple years ago, Steampunk Owl Box ~ wich is all in bronze rusty colors, and uses embossingfolders. It too has lots of photos of the process if u want to check it out! 

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤

Have I previously mentioned here on the blog that I am very fond of steampunk, vintage, industrial, cogs n gears and everything distressed, rusty, dark & warm fall themed colors? I think so, a multitude of times :)

Another thing I like to do is to save on products, especially in the craft-room. Why buy a new expensive gift box for the present I am going to give my friend, when I can instead decorate an empty Q-tips plastic box? It will look just as fancy when altered and my friend will treasure it just as much as the actual present ♥ What's that? That is a secret.. just in case she pops in on my blog :)

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I enter my box in theese fab Challenges: [Ends on]
● We Love to Create #4. ~ Anything Creative Mixed Media Goes [April 24th.]
● Creative Artiste #48. ~ Anything Mixed Media Goes [April 29th.]
● Dragonfly Dreams ~ Include an Animal [April 30th.]
● Frilly and Funkie ~ Re-Purpose, Re-Use, Recycle! [April 23rd.]  
● QKR Stampede #343. ~ Always AG! [April 18th.]
● A Vintage Journey ~ the Neutral Zone! [May 2nd.]
● Simon Says Wednesday ~ No Designer Paper! [April 17th.]
● Pile it on #153. ~ Lots of Layers! [May 4th.]
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❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤 

Stamps/Images: High Hopes 'Love Bandit' rubberstamp. Kort og Godt CS 'M-386'.
Papers: I prefer Canson Montvale aquarelle paper (200 g/m coldpressed) for my motifs. Plain white cardstock.
Embellishments: Panduro Hobby mixed beads. a Bracelet I cut up n repurposed. Bling ribbon and hearts unknown - from Europris or Nille maybe.
Tools: Stylus Detail Shaper Ball Tool. Q-tips, rubber tip tool,  paperstubs. Wet baby wipes.
Stencils/Embossingfolders: ...
Dies: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities 'Small Labels S4169'.
Essentials/Adhesives: Drywall Mesh Self-adhesive tape. Aluminium Metal Foil Self-adhesive tape. High-Tack Double Sided Red Tape (Red Liner/Stix2/Miracle tape). Liquitex Matte Gel Medium ~ glue.
Techniques/Mediums: See the blog text above about the process. 
Viva Decor Inka Gold waxes 'Old Silver' & 'Inka Gold'. I also used Rangers Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads to watercolor and distress image and splatter papers. Black acrylic paint.

Snarky Coffee Tag

 

Stella er en veldig kaffetørst dame man ikke bør terge.. hehe :) 
Tenkte hun ville passe perfekt på tag'en / bokmerket mitt ettersom Bugaboo Stamps er vår sponsor denne gang hos Creative Fingers #161.
Vi har alltid et 'Lag-hva-du-vil' tema på vår utfordringblogg og alle er velkommen til å delta :) 

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#LOVECOFFEE

Stella is such a fun and snarky character, and one not to mess with when she haven't had her coffee, that's for sure! I thought I'd use her on my DT creation as Bugaboo Stamps is our sponsor for Creative Fingers #161. As always it is an 'Anything goes theme', and you are more than welcome to join with your creations ♥  

I ended up making myself yet another bookmark tag instead of a card ~ got tons of them already as I love reading, more than I need really.. So I'm a bit undecided on wether I want to give it away, or keep it for the lols! She kinda reminds me of my older sister, but shhh! nobody tell her that... ;)

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I enter my card in theese fab Challenges: [Ends on]
● Crafting with an attitude #50. ~ Anything goes! [April 28th.]
● As you Like it ~ Favourite colouring medium & Why! [April 10th.]
Watercoloring ~ especially using any of Tim Holtz inks, I LOVE all the distress colors, markers, paints, crayons, inkpads & sprays, and the way they react to eachother ♥ 
● Crafting By Designs ~ April: Anything Goes! [April 25th.] 
● Fab 'n' Funky #434. ~ Just add ink! [April 10th.]
● Papercraft Challenges #34. ~ Polka Dots! [April 15th.]
● Crafts Galore Encore #62. ~ Always Anything Goes [April 29th.]
● Pile it On #152. ~ Your Favourite color = Brown! (entry#3.)[April 6th.]
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Scandinavian Challenges: [innen]
● Scrap from your heart #32. ~ Bruk Dies / Use Dies! [28. April.]
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back of the tag

Stamps/Images: Bugaboo digital stamp 'Stella peeker Darth Vader' image and sentiment. Papirdesign Clearstamps 'Kaffe'. Hunkydory For the Love of Stamps - 'Delightful Decorating'. Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Large Clingstampset 'Bitty Grunge' (the brick wall).
Papers: I prefer Canson Montvale aquarelle paper (200 g/m coldpressed) for my motifs/tags.
Embellishments: Ribbon unknown.
Tools: My distress tools from Ranger Ink is always in use ~ Tim Holtz® Mini Ink Round Blending Tool & the Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foams. ProvoCraft Silent Setter tool + eyelets.
Stencils/Embossingfolders: Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine - Issue #177. coffee break stencil.
Dies: QuicKutz (new branded as LifeStyle crafts/WRMK) 'QKDS-07 Flourish Dies-sett' and 'QK ks-0592 mug'. Sizzix 'Tim Holtz Bigz die - Tags And Bookplates'.
Essentials/Adhesives: High-Tack Double Sided Red Miracle tape. Aleene's clear gel Tacky glue. Prima Art Basics by Finnabair 'Mixed Media Silicone 1" Brush'. Glitz-it gold pearlescent glue. >

Techniques/Mediums:  
I used misc. Ranger Ink  Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads & markers to watercolor and distress image and papers. Hero Arts inkpad 'Cup O Joe'. Derwent Inktense black ink pencil to add shading around the text cut-outs. 
I have a splatterbox (just using a big cardboard box) in wich I sprayed the front of my tag with Distress Spray stains 'Vintage photo, 'Walnut stain' and 'Tea dye'. I mixed the remaining ink together with Prima Art Basic by Finnabair - Clear Gesso, and used some jar lids to stamp the coffee stain rings. The back of the tag has been inkblended, then sprayed with water n dabbed off. The coffee beans was stenciled on with Prima Art Extravagance Finnabair Texture paste - Rust Set 'Brown rust'.

When life gives you lemons...

  

Her oppi det kalde, våte og fremdeles snødekte nord, blåser det kraftig og det er ikke mye vårstemning å spore enda.. Her om dagen skinte sola inn gjennom vinduene og jeg trodde nesten at den var kommet.. men neida! Så jeg får heller lage kort med vårlige farger og et nydelig Elisabeth Bell motiv mens jeg venter på våren! :)

🍋 Life is sweet, if only you are weak-willed enough to enjoy it! 🍋

~ Socrates (loosely translated from the norwegian quote)
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Here up in the northern parts of Norway it's still wet and cold, snow is still covering the land and spring seems far far away yet... A few days ago the sun shone so warmly in through my windows, I almost thought spring was upon us! I'm not the biggest 'fan' of the sun, (in fact during summer I shy away from it) but after a long dark winter I really long for some light! But alas.. it was only very brief and we've had stormy weather since..
So what to do then when longing for springtime? Create something pretty in the colors of spring ofcourse :)

I love Elisabeth Bell's gorgeous images, and I have been collecting them first in rubber then in clearstamps for many years, long before they were also in digistamps! I have followed her through all the companies she's been with ~ Sugarnellie, Whiff of Joy, Belles n whistles, Whimsy Stamps, Stampavie and Ladybug and friends.. plus probably others I forgot about :) Her artwork is always so innocent and sweet, perfect for any occasions and recipient.

If you haven't already done so, you should really sign up for her newsletters, wich comes with freebie digistamps, often very old stamp motifs long discontinued, and brought back in digital lineart for us to color and enjoy ♥ ♥ ♥

 

I enter my card in theese fab Challenges: [Ends on]
● Color Crazy Craft Ch. wk#11. ~ Always AG w. Coloring! (entry#2/2.)[April 4th.]
● Simon Says Wednesday ~ Anything goes! [April 2nd.]
● Crafty Friends #106. ~ Use Spring colors! [April 5th.]
● the Corrosive ch. #3. ~ Anything goes [March 31st.]   
● Word Art Wednesdays #380-381. ~ Anything goes w. words! [April 9th.]
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Scandinavian Challenges: [innen]
● Scrap the Rainbow #10. ~ Vår med gul og grønn! [31. mars.]
● Nordsalten Hobbyklubb #169. ~ Vår [31. mars.]
● Scrappelyst ~ Mars: Vår! [31. mars.]
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inside detail

Stamps/Images: Belles n whistles 'Lemonade Anyone' by Elisabeth Bell. Kort & Godt 'M-260 Verdens beste'. Magnolia 'tygblommor/SO08 Fabric Blossoms' & 'BakgrundsSwirl bröllup'. Whipper Snapper 'Queen bee'.
Papers: I prefer Canson Montvale aquarelle paper (200 g/m coldpressed) for my motifs. Bazzill cardstock. Plain white cardstock. Panduro Hobby 12x12 paperpad 'Garden Party' Tilda Designerpaper.
Embellishments: Flower ribbon & blue lace - unknown.
Tools: I always use my Scor-Pal to score n fold my cards. My distress tools from Ranger Ink is always in use ~ Tim Holtz® Mini Ink Round Blending Tool & the Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foams. EK Success® Whale Of A Punch 'Large Circle 1.75'.
Stencils/Embossingfolders: Crafters Companion Die'sire 'Petite Dot' 6x6 Embossalicious.
Dies: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities 'Deckled Edge Classic Ovals Large' dies. Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Detailed Butterflies Mini' by Tim Holtz. Crafts Too Presscut 'Circle Nest Dies PCD46'.
Essentials/Adhesives: Bonefolder. Gluedots. Double sided tape. 3D foam/mosegummi. High-Tack Double Sided Red Tape (Red Liner/Stix2/Miracle tape). Rangers Glossy accents & Stickles 'Sprinkled Sugar'. Tonic Studios Nuvo glitterdrops 'Golden Sunset'.
Techniques/Mediums:  I used misc. Luminarte Twinkling H2o's Shimmering Watercolors, and Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads & markers to watercolor and distress image and papers. To heat emboss I used a Versamark inkpad, a heat gun tool &  Ranger ink clear embossingpowder. Doodling with a black Micro fineliner pen.

Mothers Day Rose card

 

Er litt seint ute idag med kortet mitt, hatt migrene i noen dager nå, og da går ting litt tregere enn normalt ~ eller ikke i det hele tatt :P

Her i Norge er morsdagen kommet og gått, i februar ~ men jeg liker å lage opp et lite lager av forskjellige tema-kort, og dette motivet passet så godt til et morsdags kort :) 

Lagde dette som mitt DT bidrag hos Creative Fingers #160., med det nydelige rose motivet som er fra vår sponsor Morgan's ArtWorld. Som alltid har vi et 'Lag-hva-du-vil' tema, og velkommen skal du være ♥

Sorry to be running a bit late in getting this posted, migraines again for days, things tends to go very slow then.. or not at all.. :P 

Here in Norway Mothers day has come and gone, in february, but I like keeping a box of ready made cards for every occasion. And I thought this rose would be lovely for a Mothers Day card.

This is my DT creation for this fortnights challenge #160. at Creative Fingers, and the beautiful rose motif is from our generous sponsor Morgan's ArtWorld. 
As always it is an 'Anything goes theme', and you are more than welcome to join with your creations ♥

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I enter my card in theese fab Challenges: [Ends on]
● CCC Digi Creations #101. ~ For the Girls (entry#2.)[March 31st.]
● Color Crazy Craft Ch. wk#11. ~ Always AG w. Coloring! [April 4th.]
● Creatalicious Ch. #159. ~ AG + opt. Monochrome [March 30th.]
● Love to Scrap #119. ~ Anything goes (entry#2.)[March 31st.] 
● Crafts Galore Encore #61. ~ Anything goes (entry#3.)[March 31st.]
● Crafting by Designs ~ Blooming Flowers! [March 26th.]
● Morgan's ArtWorld open chall. #03. ~ Anything goes! [March 27th.]
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inside detail

Stamps/Images: Morgan's ArtWorld 'My Rose' digital stamp.
Papers: I prefer Canson Montvale aquarelle paper (200 g/m coldpressed) for my motifs. Bazzill cardstock. Plain white cardstock. Designs by Kelly digital papers (inside). Panduro Hobby 'Garden Vintage' 12x12 designerpaper pad.
Embellishments: Paperclay butterfly ~ made using DAS paperclay & Nille Mimosa Home silicone mould.
Tools: I always use my Scor-Pal to score n fold my cards. My distress tools from Ranger Ink is always in use ~ Tim Holtz® Mini Ink Round Blending Tool & the Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foams. EK Success® Whale Of A Punch 'Large Circle 1.75'.
Stencils/Embossingfolders: ...
Dies: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities 'Grand Dies - Labels One'. Scrapmagasinet 'Morsdag' die.
Essentials/Adhesives: Bonefolder. Double sided tape. 3D foam/mosegummi. Hero Arts crystal clear lacquer glue pen. Tonic Studios Nuvo 'Midas touch' aqua shimmer brush pen.

I found this gorgeous photo of a pretty yellow, orange, pink & peachy rose! 

by cocoparisienne. And then picked my cards color palette from the flower.

Techniques/Mediums:  I used the above Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads & Oxide ink pads to watercolor and distress image and papers. Then added lots of Midas touch gold shimmer, and some 'waterdrops' with the clear lacquer glue. Some of the rose image and frame is popped up on 3d foam tape.