Sunday 7 February 2016

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 :)

18 comments:

Jackie S * said...

Great step by step Leonie x Jackie - Highlands

sheila joss said...

ooo oooo working on a deadline...that sounds exciting! I like using ghesso but had never thought of putting it over a bumpy background. Can’t wait to see the next stage.

Jaccards said...

Great stuff, might have to give it a go as have loads hanging around............once I've finished the cards I just have to make (eek!)

Only 10 days to go, can't wait to see what you have in store for us..and as much as I love our friends wish they weren't coming to stay from midweek next week ;) will have to remember to set the recorder...can you give us a heads up on which shows you will be doing?? Not much space on recorder now after recording all Ce and Barbara's shows, ha ha xxx

carol edwards said...

Hi Leoni great ideas and techniques and it's really useful showing these mixed media designs. Thank you and good luck with what you are doingx

Carol S. said...

Love the way you just lay bits and pieces on top of each other and then slap gesso on it. Great effect. Looking forward to more. Hugs, Carol S.xx

Margaret A said...

Ah..white..white..white. Back to my idea..and isn't it stunning. Off to catch up on the last couple of blogs..not been well..so looking forward to catching up x

Margaret A said...

Ah..white..white..white. Back to my idea..and isn't it stunning. Off to catch up on the last couple of blogs..not been well..so looking forward to catching up x

hollyberry said...

Thank you for taking us through mixed media in a bit more depth Leonie. Will be waiting to see how these progress.
Hope that you get everything sorted for the deadline,I'm quite sure everything will be amazing even if you do have to burn the midnight oil to get it all finished.

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Hi Leonie.
Thank you, take care Kitty.
Watch the wind doesn't blow you away.

Unknown said...

Well that's really inspiring, thank you
Jenny

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Leonie, We are now on the last week !!!!!!!!!
I wasn't too sure with the layering and textures, then I was amazed with the PVA 'lines' (what a great idea), then when you added the Gesso, Wow !!!! what a difference. This would be gorgeous mounted into a shadow box, I would love to 'investigate' your mind hahaha, I would never in a million years have thought to do this, but hey now I might !!
To be honest I am 'wondering' about the second project with the paintbrushes ???? No doubt we will all be amazed tomorrow, when we see the 'reveal'.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Heather Treble said...

Hi Leonie,
Fabulous projects, I may give this a try.

Thanks for sharing,
Heather

Sarah (Debbie) said...

Abdolutely brilliant. Think my fear of using gesso is over. Amazing projects xxxx

Linda Simpson said...

These look fabulous and I do love Gesso! Can't wait to see what you create next!
Hugs
Linda xxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Leonie you say you are not going to do a project and then proceed with a full tutorial! ! But thank you for all the details you have provided. Best wishes Jackie x

Chris Kelly said...

Hi Leonie
You have the most fabulous ideas and are so creative. I have followed you since the early days of QVC and am dying to find out what you are up to next!
Hugs from Chris

Unknown said...

Fabulous can't wait to see the next stage.I said it before you are such a good teacher. Don't mean to "worry" you but the days are speeding past!! Deep breaths.

Tracy Welham said...

Great start. I just started trying to craft mixed media, I'm not used to not having a plan. Creative Blessings, Tracy x