Beach and Peaceful Mixed Media Canvas

Seaside Mixed Media Canvas 

I love the sea and all it's glorious critters. 

Since I have not dabbled with mixed media or used canvas in quite a while, I decided it was time. 

 I rattled my brain a bit to figure out how to incorporate my favorite little ocean creatures onto canvas.  Coming up empty with no products to accommodate my vision, I zipped to my dad's house and set the plans in motion.  

My dad was a professional woodworker before he retired.  He made his living in the trade and now dabbles in his workshop daily. Mom confessed to me that she highly encourages his daily workshop dabbling to get him out of the house  - need I say more?  haaaaa.  

But truth be told, it's my dad's haven just as a craft room is a peaceful haven for folks like us.  

Besides, my dad is thrilled to have his daughter come and 'craft' with him.  

Day Dream Mode :  I would be thrilled if my son called me one day and asked to scrap with me.  (wake up Jennifer, stop the daydreaming because that will NEVER happen.)

And....... back to reality. 

I drew several shapes, went to my dad's workshop, and pulled the wood I needed to cut the shapes. 

I grew up using the band saw and am proficient with power tools. 

I used the band saw as my saw of choice because I was cutting numerous shapes at one time - all taped together to save time and effort.  

Why am I cutting multiple shapes at one time?  Isn't one seahorse enough?  Well, heck no.  

I'm teaching a class in Buffalo and this is going to be the project.  

This is a sample of the choices available.  I made a few samples of each , using different colors. 

I am using a variety of mists and inks from Lindy's, Prima, Shimmerz and Tim Holtz.  I've pulled out fun embellishing beads and gems.  

And the best part for me?  My hand picked seashells and coral bits from the beaches of Naples, Florida. 

As you scroll down the rest of the page, I have included several variations and color options that the students can choose.  

Thanks for stopping and enjoy your day.  

Tim Holtz Distress Ink -
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI-Salty Ocean

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI - Vintage Photo
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Faded Jeans
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Ground Espresso
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Seedless Preserves
Heat It- Heat Gun Embossing Tool

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI-Salty Ocean
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI- Blueprint Sketch
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI - Weathered Wood
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI -Peacock Feathers
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks -Bundled Sage
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks Stormy Sky

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI - Broken China
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink -Walnut Stain
Ranger Tim Holtz - Mini Blending Tool (Round)
Prima -Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Micro Beads Copper 962579
Prima -Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Micro Beads Splash - 962630
Prima -Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Glass Beads Turquoise 962678
Prima -Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Glass Beads Peacock Green - 962692
Prima -Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Glass Glitter Gold Rush - 961657
Prima -Finnabair - Art Extravagance - Glitter Caribbean Seas 961565
Prima Finnabair - Art Extravagance - Glitter Set -Luminous - 961596
Prima Memory Hardware - Glass Pearls 990398
Lindy's Stamp Gang -  Cattail Copper Brown - Lin-ss-016
Lindy's Stamp Gang  - Starburst Spray -  French Lilac Violet - Lin-ss-022
Lindy's Stamp Gang -Van Dyke Sepia Walnut lim-msm-24
Lindy's Stamp Gang  Tainted Love Teal lin-ss-084
Lindy's Stamp Gang - Moon Shadow Buccaneer Bay Blue
Lindy's Stamp Gang - Caribbean Blue
Lindy's Stamp Gang Magnolia Magenta Gold
Lindy's  Stamp Gang - Edelweiss Moss Green
Lindy's  Stamp Gang Aloha Avacado Green
Lindy's Stamp Gang -Starburst  Delphinium Turquoise lin-ss-020
Lindy's Stamp Gang Bayou Boogie Gold lin-ss-007
Prima Color Bloom Spray - Iris 573744
Prima Color Bloom Spray Mist - Lime Wedge 573850
Prima Color Bloom Mist - Glistening Waves
Prima Color Bloom Spray - Deep Teal - 580322
Prima Color Bloom Spray Mist - Cobalt 573898
Prima Color Bloom 2 Spray Mist - Dragonfly Blue 588830
Prima Finnabair Soft Matte Gel Medium 961428
Prima Finnabair 3D Matte Gel 961398
Prima - Say It In Crystals - St Tropez 992811
Shimmerz Spritz - Sea Foam
Shimmerz  Spritz - Momma Sings the Blues
Shimmerz Jeni B Blue
Shimmerz Hot Fudge
6x8 canvas boards

Sunflower and Pumpkin Season -Cards with Spellbinders Dies

Time for a touch of Autumn. Summer is barely behind us but the gorgeous colors of the new season are too beautiful not to share.   

My card features two dies from Spellbinders   

   and paper from Graphic 45 French Country 12x12 paper collection. 


 I've been super busy using the gorgeous die,  Spellbinders Designer Series -Venise Lace Victoriana Crest by Becca Feeken recently and I can't seem to set it aside yet.  It's way too versatile and beautiful.  

I also used the brand new holiday release, Spellbinders Die D-Lites- Jack O Lantern Holiday 2017  - as an embellishment feature on one of the cards. This die doubles as the perfect pumpkin embellishment.  I just left the Jack-O-Lantern face off.  

As I mentioned, I've used this die recently on few different cards to showcase the versatility and the functionality of this particular die.  I have created a few DIY tutorials that can be found right here. 
DIY Tutorial Pumpkin Card, DIY Tutorial Elegant Blue Card

And here is one more close ups of today's fun card.   

I'm completely loving the Graphic 45 - French Country 12x12 collection. 

You can shop for all your Spellbinders dies here.   They have amazing sales and frequently have BOGO (buy one -get one)sales too!  

I  love being part of the Spellblogger Team.  

If you would like to be a Spellblogger, check out the details here: 

Products:

Spellbinders Designer Series -Venise Lace Victoriana Crest by Becca Feeken S6-125
Spellbinders Die D Lites Jack O Lantern Holiday 2017 Etched Dies  S1-018

Graphic 45 French Country 12x12 paper collection
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks- Vintage Photo
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks-Walnut Stain
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI - Spiced Marmalade 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks -Rusty Hinge

Cards With an Americana Twist

I'm here to share a few cards for the end of summer.  

It's  the unofficial end to Summer and back to school time for many - the transition to cooler weather.

In the United States, our summers end with one last festive holiday at the beginning of September - Labor Day.  Labor Day is a wonderful day to relax with the family, have a picnic, watch a parade, or just enjoy time off from work.  

I used the collection from  Maja Design called, Denim & Friends  paired with some dies from Spellbinders to celebrate Labor Day with some cards that resemble old fashioned  "flag buntings" in my opinion.  I love how a magnificent collection from Sweden and a little imagination with Spellbinders dies can help me celebrate Americana style.    

These
are the particular papers I selected for this card. 

I used the following: 

Stars & Stripes (A & B sides) - shown on the top row

 Stonewashed

 Paisley

The die I used as a bunting is Spellbinders Shapeabilities - Venise Lace - Bella Clair Border by Becca Feeken.  Look how beautiful it is as a flag bunting?

Here is the second card using the same papers.  I added a bit of red cardstock behind the Spellbinders die for a bold pop of color. and I added the Spellbinders Nestabilities Stars Five die.  It's a classic star shape which I consider a staple in my die collection. 

 You can shop for Maja Design products here. 

You can shop for all your Spellbinders dies here.   They have amazing sales and frequently have BOGO (buy one -get one)sales too!  

I  love being part of the Spellblogger Team.  

If you would like to be a Spellblogger, check out the details here: 

Maja Design Denim & Friends: shop here
Maja Design Denim & Friends Collection: Stars & Stripes (A & B sides), Stonewashed, Paisley
Spellbinders Shapeabilities - Venise Lace - Bella Clair Border by Becca Feeken S4-790
Spellbinders Nestabilities Stars Five - Etched Dies - S4-092
Petaloo by Floracraft flowers - Darjeeling collection - Teastained Dahlias in Cream 1467-105
Petaloo by Floracraft flowers - Darjeeling Collection - Dahlias in Blue
Cream Ribbon
Red floral berries
Red sequins

DIY Pumpkin Seasonal Card -Spellbinders

DIY - Cards with Seasonal Charm

It's just about pumpkin season where I live.   Warm orange and browns; bold yellows and golds.   The colors of autumn.  

I love making pumpkin shapes.  Such a simple shape and yet so captivating.   

I have a simple DIY tutorial sharing how I turned the fabulous Spellbinders Designer Series -Venise Lace Victoriana Crest by Becca Feeken into a gorgeous pumpkin.  Quite a versatile die in my opinion.  

I'm obsessed with this particular die.  I've used this die recently on a different card and just adore the die so I am using it some more since it puts a smile on my face.  

 And isn't that what crafting is all about?  

 My paper choice is Graphic 45 - French Country 12x12 collection.  Gosh - not sure I can truly convey just how rich and gorgeous this collection is.  (My words fail me - a very rare situation when my words aren't adequate.)

DIY Instructions

Step 1.  Cut 3 ovals, 1 decorative oval, and some medallions using  Spellbinders Designer Series -Venise Lace Victoriana Crest by Becca Feeken.

Ink the edges for shading if desired.  

Step 2.  Position two ovals onto the card on a bit of a tilt.  

Step 3.  Add foam dots or dimensional tape to the back of the third oval if you prefer - or keep it flat for easy mailing!  

Step 4.  Add the medallion dies to the pumpkin for leafy greens and a decorative stem.  

See how simple?  And yet you will make someone smile when they receive your heartwarming, thoughtful, HANDMADE card. 

You can shop for all your Spellbinders dies here.   They have amazing sales and frequently have BOGO (buy one -get one)sales too!  

I  love being part of the Spellblogger Team.  

If you would like to be a Spellblogger, check out the details here: 

Products:

Spellbinders Designer Series -Venise Lace Victoriana Crest by Becca Feeken S6-125
Graphic 45 French Country 12x12 paper collection
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks- Vintage Photo
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks-Walnut Stain
Prima - Providence Collection -clove #578268