Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Serendipitous Substrates

Wasn't that a mouthful!   I often peruse the aisles of the Dollar Store (yes, the Dollar Store) actually LOOKING for "fortunate discoveries".  The inventory ar the Dollar Store is constantly changing - so there is always something new for your consideration.  One thing that I keep my eye out for is "unlikely substrates" - items that can be used as substrates for my mixed media art creations.

Today I found shrink-wrapped pictures of flowers glued on 1/4 inch pressed board substrates.  Each picture measures 7 inches by 9 inches.  The back of each picture included the hardware to hang the picture.  The flowers were pretty, but not anything that I would display in my home (let's just leave it at that...smiles).  But the sturdy substrate that was used makes the pictures excellent (and economical) substrates for mixed media!  Added bonus - it's ready for hanging!  This what I did...
  1. Removed the shrinkwrap
  2. Sanded the picture surface to remove the glossy surface and prepare it to "grab" the media
  3. Glued miscellaneous papers from my paper stash onto the substrate using Golden Matte Gel
  4. Allowed papers to dry
  5. Added a wash of white Gesso
  6. Et voila!  A sturdy, economical background ready to hold my next mixed media creation
Look what a buck can get you!  I bet I know where you're going this weekend!  Have fun!

Stay Creative!

Lezlei

Thursday, February 17, 2011

OWOH Winner!!!

I finally got to talk to the my beautiful birthday boy today (isn't he handsome).  Clarence is 31 years old today...whew!...he's getting close to my age...smiles.  I asked him to give me a number between 1 and 274.  He picked "lucky number 13" (which happens to be his age transposed)!  So who is "lucky number 13"?

Drum Roll Please!!!!!

The winner of the Breath of Art  Studio One World One Heart Giveaway is...

T'rina of Art in My Bag

T'rina says she is "a 42 year old BBW (Big Beautiful Woman) from Boise Idaho.I am an artist, a writer, a crafter, a liberal, a giver, a decent person, I am an Eclectic, a mix of Goth, bohemian, geeky nerd artist."  Stop by Trina's blog at http://artinmybag.wordpress.com/ and congratulate her on her win.  I will be contacting Trina also via email to get her snail mail information so that  I can send "Sister" and the little toddler gift bag on their way!

Another big thank you to Lisa Swifka of http://www.awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/ for hosting this awesome event.  This event was a wonderful experience for me...I hope it was fun for you too!  Stay tuned...Lisa has big plans already started for next year...read about "Our World Our Art" here.

Don't be a stranger!  Come by and visit often!

Stay Creative!

 Lezlei