Vintage Button Bracelet

I have a "thing" for buttons.  Whenever I'm in an antique store or flea market I subconsciously look for them...here are just a few from my collection...

 so, putting them on a chain and wearing them made perfect sense to me:) 

YUM.

When I saw some of the cool images that came in our August Kit from ARTChix I was immediately drawn to the moon.  I'm kind of a night owl...mixed with "early riser" syndrome.  I guess I don't sleep  much, I never have.  It runs in my family.  Me and Mr. Moon hang out a lot. He was my INSPIRATION  for creating this vintage bracelet.

I cut him right out and decided to adhere his bright shiny face to a metal charm I had in my stash.

I wanted him to feel "at home" with my vintage buttons, so I added some Distress Ink from my Tim Holtz Walnut Ink Pad.

Below is the tag set I pulled the (Tim Holtz) charm from.  You can find it here. But, I actually think I bought mine at Hobby Lobby.  I used the one that says "ARTFUL."  

Next, I grabbed a chain from my jewelry stash similar to the one below. (also found at Hobby Lobby)

I cut the chain to fit my wrist using wire cutters.

Next, with a pair of needle nose pliers, I added each button (in shades of brown), attaching them with large jump rings. *You can find all of these simple jewelry making tools at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

I added a simple clasp similar to this one below, although the one I used is just a plain hook...but cost close to the same...about $1.

I adhered the inked up image to the Tim Holtz charm with my favorite matte medium that Tina included  in our July Kit.  

Then added Glossy Accents on top.

You can see in the picture above that I need to go back in and "fully" close the jump ring for Mr Moon.

I love to look at each button and imagine what it's original home was...housecoat, shift dress, school uniform, bell bottoms, Easter coat...

Hope this inspires you to create simple jewelry using the creative images found in our monthly Frog Dog Kits! They are kits that will last for many many different projects!  Such great value:)

I really love "hanging out" with you,

Creatively Yours,

sue

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Art Journal Page With Layers, Layers, More Layers and Hidden Journaling

Hello creative souls...Martha Richardson here and today I'm sharing my last project from the July Mixed Media Kit. I've had {I know I'm repeating myself} more fun and LOVE this kit! Today I'm going to share with you an art journal page and the various layers and hidden journaling. Here is the finished page so let's take a look at some of the techniques I used.

I love to use various types of papers to start off...old sheet music, book paper, tissue paper, paper napkins, maps, receipts, magazines. Over the years I've found that Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Multi Medium in Matte works the best for all the different weights of papers. In this case I'm using it as a glue. I little goes a long way!

What is a MOP towel...I always use paper towels to clean up my mess when working with any ink sprays. I can't stand to throw away all that goodness so after they have dried I put them in a basket for later use whether it's for art journalling, a layout or card. Because on this page it would be muted colors I knew that it would be covered with acrylic paint. If it had been bright I would have let MORE of the colors come through.

This is the fun part...adding lots of little surprises to your background. I always make sure to add some type of metallic to my pages, either in acrylic paint or pen. Don't be afraid to go overboard on a journal page because it's really all about you!

I love adding hidden journaling, most often it reveals a time or emotion that I had when I create the page. In this case it is about TIME and going through the transition from working to retirement...I think of the quote..."if not now, then when?"

Thanks for stopping by...make sure to check in daily to see what the other DT members have to share. I will see you in Aug. with some fun projects from another fabulous kit!

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From Maya Road Coasters to a Bird House

Hello...hello. Martha Richardson back with another project from the fabulous July Mixed Media Kit.  

For this project I used 6 of the 8 products offered...I love that these Frog Dog Studio kits work so well together!

The July Mixed Media Kit includes:

Maya Road 3" Vintage Memory Box with Coaster Album

 .5 oz Bottle of Crackle Accents

 Bottle of 'Peeled Paint' Distress Paint

Bottle of 'Antique Linen'  Distress Paint

4 oz Jar of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium

Roll of Prima Washi Tape (colors/design may vary)

Package Tim Holtz Hinges

'Pretty Bird Notes' Ephemera sheet from ARTChixStudio

MY BIRD HOUSE

For this mixed media project I used the coaster album that comes with the Maya Road Memory Box. When I create any project I literally lay out all the products I want to use and spend time, hours or days, walking by and looking at them while my idea comes clear in my mind's eye. I never have a plan until I can see it and how it will come together. Then I get to work...often my projects evolve through the process but they look pretty close to what I've intended them to be.

I love how I can match my metal hinges with my project using the DISTRESS Paint.

I'm thrilled with my Bird House...sometimes I need to encourage myself and this sits on my Art Journal desk as a reminder. I'll be back with a fun art journal page on Mon. 7/22...I hope you will check back to see what I've created. 

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Mixed media layers

Cool stuff!

Hey crafty people Rita Barakat here-lets take a look at this months kit!

I used a little bit of everything in this kit for this project!
If you have ever thought about trying a mixed media kit this is the one!

Ephemera sheets, paint, matte gel medium, crackle, washi tape and a project to alter?

Fabulous!

 I got so carried away I didn't even take pics while in progress!

But from the results you can see I had a lot of fun!

I used the matte medium to adhere the birds and seal the box.

(Under and on top of the ephemera.)

Then I added layers of colors, washi tape and rub ons (Rub ons not in the kit.)

When I started this box it seemed a  

little flat so I went back and added a little texture to this  

box with drywall tape and a little modeling paste.

I stamped some words here and there. 
Dont be afraid to keep adding layers of colors,

it creates depth.

You can see the washi tape on the corner- I did add a little matte medium

over it to blend better.

Here are two of the hinges in the kit.

Makes it look so polished don't you think?

There are so many possibilities for this kit!

Have you ordered yours yet?

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Create A Mixed Media WISH Box

Hello creative souls...Martha here with my 1st project from the incredible July kit! I had so much fun working with everything that is included. For this project I used 5 products from the kit.

The July Mixed Media Kit includes:

Maya Road 3" Vintage Memory Box with Coaster Album

 .5 oz Bottle of Crackle Accents

 Bottle of 'Peeled Paint' Distress Paint

Bottle of 'Antique Linen'  Distress Paint

4 oz Jar of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium

Roll of Prima Washi Tape (colors/design may vary)

Package Tim Holtz Hinges

'Pretty Bird Notes' Ephemera sheet from ARTChixStudio

Let's take a look at what I created:

Mixed Media WISH Box

{a place to store all my wishes and dreams}

FYI: I'm thrilled with the Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paints because of all the applications it can be used for, used on multiple surfaces and a color range that coordinates with the Distress palette. It has been developed to be reactive with water. Although it comes with the convenient dabber top I like applying it with a paint brush. It can also be treated as a color wash, almost watercolor like, when water is added to it. 

An artist can change her mind...right? I originally was going for the ivory distress paint but was not pleased with the finished look so I went for the Peeled Paint green. 

Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me. I hope I have inspired you to try some of these products & techniques. I'll be back with another project on Mon. July 15th. 

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