10 days to go everyone. 10 days.

Hi folks.  First, I need to apologise.  I'm not going to be able to do the challenge today - rubbish arn't I.  I've a good excuse, I have a deadline tomorrow, and still working on it this evening.  I'll catch up with the challenge, so your wonderful suggestions haven't been made in vain.

Instead, quite a few people have said about the mixed media projects being tricky where to start, and how to start, so I thought I'd do a quick post regarding that.

First, mixed media looks daunting, but it certainly doesn't have to be.  And don't worry about over planning.  Collect some goodies together, and get gluing.  I wanted texture, a variation in layers, and a focal point.

Texture.  I love embossing folders, and this is a great way of using all your scraps, and any embossing folders

Scrap paper.  I tore it so I had texture

Card, I scratched the edge to add texture 

I used a die cut, for detail

This die cut is lovely, and just gives us a different shape

Next I added a lovely metal frame

Changed my mind, and popped a tag made from mount board

Then I added my focal point, this is a padded heart

To add to my focal point, I've added a pretty acrylic rose

For further texture, I have added Tonic Nuvo drops, these will dry raised.  you can use regular glue, cosmic shimmer PVA - just experiment.  I've literally just added it on in lines.

Rather than wait for it to dry, I decided to blast it with the heat gun.  This is really cool as it bubbles and looks even better!

Next, cover with gesso.  I've put a big blog on the piece

And just spread it round!  I've worked it into all the gaps, and covered everything.  However, you don't need to put it on too thick, if there's something you want to see a highlight of.  It already looks different doesn't it! 

Obviously, you can use anything.  Next I decided to use paintbrushes, this time I've got a plan!!

I've progressed in the same way however, texture

Texture, with string

And hessian

And then the paintbrushes

And then, gesso.  

Gesso, not only whitens everything for us, and gives us a great base to add our paint and colour, but it can add texture.  If you apply it in different directions, you will see the brush marks.  I've also scratched into the card

I'm going to leave everything to dry properly, and then tomorrow I can colour and also hit the challenge :)