Mixed Media Background Tutorial "Vasoline Resist"

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

Good morning friends.  Today I have some ATC background idea's for you and a tutorial to share with you, "Vasoline Resist".  I did the technique on an ATC, but it could be used on canvas or in an art journal as well.  First I'm going to share with you my other March ATC's.

All your backgrounds don't have to be technique oriented.  Below I have created a couple of backgrounds with pre-made digital ATC's.  And on the last one, I scanned a photo of my great grand mother and father.

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

For this ATC I was inspired by Stephanie  Ackerman's grungy HEart style and how she used numbers on one of hers ATC's. The initial background was from a while back. Sometimes I like to sit and play and just create backgrounds that I can use in the future. So I was having a hard time remembering the technique, but it looks like the same  vasoline resist technique I'm sharing with you today. 

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

This one was a lot easier that it looks.  Did you know there are digital ATC backgrounds?? This particular one is by Cemerony at Etsy.  I printed the background and simply stamped the bird, bird cage, and feather (Gina K. Designs - Vintage Chic) with my most favorite brown pigment ink I have ever used - Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate by Tsukineko.  The edges are inked as well.  I created a paper party streamer ruffle and adhered it under the edge of the background then wrapped with ribbon.

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

This is another printed ATC background.  Not sure where I got this one ... but here is another one I have orders from - Sabrina.   The pair was created by stamping on water color paper and stippline on ink to create the texture.  I also rubbed some brown ink around the edges to add some depth.  

2.5" x 3.5" Artist Trading Card

On this ATC I started with a scanned photo of my great grand parents.  I was inspired by the use of an old black and white photo Stephanie used in her 52 Card Pick Up class.  I printed in black and white and then added chalk (Pebbles Inc) to certain area's.  

******************************************************************************

VASOLINE RESIST TUTORIAL

I actually did this with 2 different cards so I will share the step by step with both.  Depending on how you apply the vasoline you can get a slightly different look every time.

BACKGROUND #1

I started with an ATC size piece of dictionary paper.  I did not have vasoline, so I decided to try another form of waxy medium.  I used Carmex on one set and Chapstick on the other.  Randomly apply your waxy medium which will work as a resist to the acrylic paint.  Coat card with blue acrylic paint and then wipe off with a paper towel.  

After the paint is completely dried repeat the process with green paint.

I decided I wanted more aqua so I repeated the process again with more blue.  All the layers make a great distressed looking background.

Here is the second set :

You can use some sand paper after it is completely dry if you want to distress it a little more.

After I got the distressed look I wanted I rolled on some pink ink using a script pattern with my Rollagraph (Clear Snap).   I used the Jumbo "Say What" Pattern.  I love how you can roll a tiny amount of the image by picking the wheel up quickly.  Creates a random pattern.

I don't use the ink that you can put in the wheel.  I just roll mine across one of my ink pads.  

Next I splattered on watered down pink acrylic paint.  The polka dot washi tape is form Michaels.

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial and are inspired to give it a try!  I would love to see what you come up with.  


You can check out more of my Mixed Media Background Tutorial HERE.

You can check out more of my ATC's HERE.
You can check out all my Mixed Media Projects HERE.


Thanks for stopping by today!!
hugs, Melisa

February Faith Art Artist Trading Cards

Hello friends.  Today I'm sharing the next 4 ATC's (Artist Trading Cards).  In case you are new to the term .... ATC's are little 2.5" x 3.5" works of art.  I created these along with the other ladies in the "52 Card Pickup" class / group.  If I keep moving at this pace I will have my revolving ATC holder filled up before I know it!

These days a lot of people spend a lot of time doing physical activities in order to "transform" their bodies into what they think it should be.  Exercise is certainly a great thing.  But I'm wondering how much time we spend transforming who we are "by the renewing of our mind".  When we spend more time focusing our minds on God and His word we see a different kind of transformation.  Often helping us to become someone we didn't even know we could be.  A transformation  that can allow you to forgive someone you never thought you could ...   that allows you to feel peace at times when in the past you would have felt stressed ...   that allows you to feel joy during difficult times in your life ... and more.  I LOVE this verse and all the power it packs!! 

I'm linking this one to the buttterfly challenge at "All Sorts".

Just a few words from a great song by King and Country.  I get up everyday and hope that something that I say or do can be proof for others that His love is real.  

Listen HERE.

Another one of my favorite songs because of the lyrics.  Even though we will never be worthy, and will always be sinful, He knows it and still loves us!!  

Listen HERE.

I'm linking this one to Word Art Wednesday's "love" challenge and the "tie one on" challenge at Unruly Paper Arts.

Trying to achieve perfection results in my defeat.  I have to remind myself often that what I'm doing will never be perfect and that's ok.  

Hope you all have a great week and find some time to get crafty!
hugs,
Melisa

************************************************

PROJECT DETAILS

ATC #1

Stamp image : "Tiny Butterfly" and "Faith Text Background" Stampabilities (Hobby Lobby)

The background for this card was created by rubbing on Tumbled Glass and Mustard Seed Distress Inks with one of the Ranger Inkssential blending tools.  Dye ink drys fast so I sprayed my paper first with matte acrylic sealer so that the ink would blend better vs. soaking into the paper. I think it helped and I like how the blue and yellow blended together.  I stamped the background with the "Faith Text Background" by Stampabilities (Hobby Lobby) with black pigment ink (Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black).  I stamped the butterflies on white cardstock with Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic Markers.  I used an oil pastel to grunge up the edges.

ATC #2

Stamps  : old Technique Tuesday (heart) and Inkadinkado (wings)

Rollagraph Tool with SU stamp wheel (music notes on background)

Butterfly punch : Martha Stewart

The background on this one was created with watercolor paper.  I spritzed the paper first with water, stamped with watered down blue acrylic paint and a chapstick lid.  If the paint does not run, then you can spray it again with more water.  

You can see more ways to use acrylic paint on your projects on this recent blog post HERE.

ATC #3

Stamps : Hero Arts "Classic Bloom"

The background on this one was created like the one above using pink acrylic paint, a chapstick lid and a small lid from a hand sanitizer bottle.  The flower petals colored with water color paint and the center with Copic Markers.

ATC #4

Stamps : Gina K. Designs "Springtime Silhouette

The background for this one was created a while back.  You can check out the tutorial HERE. 

The butterfly was stamped and embossed on yellow cardstock.

You can check out all my Faith Art HERE
You can check out all my ATC's HERE
You can check out more background inspiration HERE

January Faith Art - Artist Trading Cards

Hello friends!  A quick post today to share my January artist trading cards for the "52 Card Pick-up" group.  I didn't sign up for the class til late january so I'm playing catch up.  The class / group is taught by Stephanie Ackerman.  Stephanie had the idea to alter a deck of playing cards.  I've been working on trying to fill up my Revolving ATC holder for a while now, so all my cards will be for that.  If you check out Stephanie's blog you will see she loves faith art and the grunge look.  She is known for using hearts as her main element on projects.   If you need some inspiration to get you started on a project like this then please join the class.  Details HERE.  There are lots of creative ways you can use your cards beyond the standard ATC's.

Create them to add to the front of cards or scrapbook layouts.  Make a mini album out of them.  One member is doing a set for her grandson.  Use some of them as book marks.  The sky's the limit.

As a part of the class she creates an ATC each week, and share's some techniques or idea's that she uses to create hers.  But you can do what ever you like.  I have a lot of stamps .... so my first cards will focus on how I can use them to create faith art cards .... like the Hero Arts chair image above.  And I LOVE butterflies, so I will try to make them the thing that I try to work in as much as possible.

Normally ATC's are 2.5" x 3.5" and if I were doing a swap I would stick to that.  But since this is for my Revolving ATC holder, I'm making them a little wider to compensate for having to punch the notches to attach them.  So I am adding 3/8".  

The other fun thing about doing them for me is that I can hang things over the edges without the constraints of the standard 2.5" x 3.5" size, like the ruffle on card #1.

Tips of idea's for creating my cards :

Card #1

1.  Spray book paper and add random stamp patterns in black ink.

2.  Stamp heart on green tissue paper.  Use tissue paper to create a ruffle and then stamp polka dots over it.  

3. Use oil pastel to add that grunge look (Stephanie shares another product that she uses for this).

Stamp Image : SU

Card #2

I created this background a while back and shared the tutorial HERE.

Stamp Image : Hero Arts

Card #3

This one is just patterned paper with script stamp over it.  One of the things I like to use to add just a little random pattern to a background is the "Rollagraph" stamp wheel by Clear Snap.  I know that SU sells them as well.  It allows you to lightly apply the image / ink in small area's. So when I talk about randomly stamping the background with an image I've either used my Rollagraph wheel or added ink to a background stamp only in small area's.  Hopefully that makes sense.  

Stamps : Gina K. Designs

Card #4

Consider creating a background by typing the words over and over again and then printing them on your paper.  I used words from a new Christian song by Colton Dixon "You Are"

On the back of the card I'm either printing the full bible verse or some personal journaling about what the verse means to me.

Hope you have a blessed day!!

hugs, Melisa

You can check out all my Faith Art HERE
You can check out all my ATC's HERE
You can check out more background inspiration HERE

Mixed Media Project - Roben- Marie Smith Class

6" x 9"

Hello Paper Crafters.  I recently finished a mixed media class by Roben-Marie Smith called "Art Journal Conversion" and wanted to share my first two projects with you.  This one just makes me smile.  I still need to add the journaling, but couldn't wait to share it.  I seriously can't believe I made this!!  I LOVE Roben's style and I'm so excited that she has classes to teach the rest of us how to get that wonderful layered look.  I really enjoyed the class.  It used a lot of products I already owned and honestly, the techniques were not new to me (spray inks, stencils, modeling paste, doodling).  What I gained from the class was the inspiration to add MANY layers of spray inks and gesso so that you create a depth.  So much is going on in the background, but it is so subtle that it doesn't overwhelm.  The medium I was introduced to was using oil pastels.  LOVE them.  It really allows you to add shading.  Be prepared to use your fingers,  A LOT, in this class.  If you don't like a mess, then this is not the class for you. 

The stencils I used were : Plaid (diamond pattern), Layers of Color (swirly), Crafter's Workshop (dots), and the daisy is from Hobby Lobby HERE, sorry I didn't save the package.  The larger circles are from a Drafting Stencils that has a lot of circles with different sizes, but they are graduated.  So it's a pain to use.  HERE.  I wish someone made one with lots of different circle, in differnet sizes, randomly. 

Here are a list of sites that I found that have really cool stencils though :

Crafter's Workshop

Martha Stewart at Michaels  - I LOVE this one, but haven't seen it at my local Micheals.  Will have to see if I can order it.

Plaid  check out the Folk art catagory.  Their store is a little weird to navigate.  Once you get to the Folk Art section, then you have to look to the right and you will see smaller photo's of options and can arrow over.  Then click on the stencil you want to see.  REALLY cool stencils.

I-Stencils - I linked you to the background stencils but check out the left column for other choices.  You can order from their online store, but I don't see any shipping details.

Stencil Ease

Wall to Wall Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Options for Spray Inks :

Adirondack

Dylusions

Glimmer Mist

Ranger Perfect Pearls

Mister Huey

Inkadinkado

And I'm liking the less expensive RIT liquid dye (liquid, already mixed).  I purchased an .99 cent spray bottle from the artist section at Hobby Lobby and just poured the color in.

Let me know if you think of any others I can add to the list

I started shopping around looking for other options for spray inks.  Glimmer Mist are so pretty, but mine often clog and for what I'm paying for them, I find that frustrating.  Roben used some SEI Tumbler Tie-dye inks, so I decided to check out the tie-dye section of Jo-ann's where I noticed the RIT dyes.  SOOOO much cheaper than Glimmer Mist ($7.50 for 2 oz).  I bought them pre-mixed in a bottle (8oz).  I think it was around $4.  Then I picked up some inexpensive spray bottles at Hobby Lobby and poured the color in those.  So I decided to give it a try.  The orange you see in this project is the RIT.  I will definitely try some of the other colors.

I didn't want to start out working in my art journal, because I figured my first project might not be so good.  So I did this piece on 6" x 9" 140# watercolor paper and decided to hang it on my 7 Gypsies Photo Display Stand.  I don't have any photo's on mine.  It's dedicated to mixed media projects.  Here is a picture I posted in the past :

I spray painted mine black.  I use extra large eyelets in the top.

2.5" x 3" Artist Trading Card

This one is a mini.  You can't really get the depth on such a small peice, but I like how it turned out.

If you are interested in taking mixed media classes, here's a list :

Christy Tomlison

Roben-Marie Smith

Donna Downey - tons of free video's on her blog HERE

and in her store HERE

Creative Workshops

Alisa Burke

Free video's at Cloth, Paper, Scissors HERE

Interweave

Traci Bautista

Julie Prichard

If you know of any that aren't on my list, please share!

You can view my other :

 Faith Art projects HERE.

Collage / Mixed Media projects HERE.

Artist Trading Cards HERE.

***********************************************************

Challenges

Project #1

Cupcake Craft (mon) - texture (flowers and circles are modeling paste)

Ribbon Carousel (tues) - lots of color

For Fun (wed) - anything goes

Let's Ink it Up (monthly) - distressing

Crafts 4 Eternity (fri) - try something new (new mixed media class - style)

Corrosive (sun) - from a bottle  (spray inks)

Project #2

Word Art Wed (wed) - Habakkuk 3:18

Fairy Fun Friday's - flower

OOzak's (monthly) - anything goes

Abby's Scripture Thur #25

Artist Trading Card / Faith Art

Artist Trading Card 2.5" x 3.5"

Today I have an Artist Trading Card designed for this weeks Word Art Wednesday challenge.  Cass provides free word art each week for us to use in our projects.  Thanks Cass!!  I had fun getting my fingers messy with this one. 

hugs to you all!

Melisa

*****************************************************

Project Details

Trim watercolor paper to ATC size.  Mine is a longer than 3 1/2 because it's for my revolving ATC holder so I can extend things over the edges.  Stamp heart image (Hampton Arts) with VersaMark ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.  Brush on red watercolor paint (VanGough Permanent Red Deep) and blot some area's with paper towel so that it's not a solid color.  Let the first coat dry and then apply another coat.  Draw circles using a stencil (Crafter's Workshop).  Paint random dots black (Lyra Watercolor Crayon).  Paint around heart with black ink, smearing as you to.  Grunge up the heart a little by smearing on a very small amount of black here and there.  Create a mask (Eclipse Masking Tape) and carefully splatter on white watered down acrylic paint by loading a paint brush and flicking it over the ATC.  Ink edges with black ink and doodle.  Wrap with black twine and tie knot.  Adhere to revolving atc holder card.  Print word art, trim, ink edges, doodle and staple with Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.  Embellish with stick pin (Maya Road) and trim (Hobby Lobby).  Print "true love", trim, ink edges, trim along top with deckled scissors and staple with Tiny Attacher.

**************************************************

Challenges

Word Art Wednesday
Southern Girls - focus on sentiment

You can check out my huge list of daily challenges by clicking on the "Challenges" tab at the top of my blog.  Let me know if I have missed any!


You can view all of my ATC's HERE

You can view more of my Faith Art HERE.