My Mind's Eye Blog

Wall Art Trio

Hi!  Tina here today with my final Design Team project for My Mind's Eye.  I have been so lucky to be able to share my passion for creating with y'all and being on the MME team was a dream come true.  I will still be around, so I will see you in cyber-land!

  Supplies:Jubilee-Tangerine:Adventure Flair, Awesome Mixed Bag, Fantastic 12x12 Chipboard Sheet;Other:Burlap Canvas, Michaels, Adhesive: Tombow (liquid), Scortape, Ink: Distress Ink

For my final project, I thought I share a super easy and super fun wall decor project.  It is no surprise that I LOVE MME flair and I wanted to create one more project using this fantastic product. 

 

This project was so easy to create, you could create multiples for a great gift idea.  Using small burlap canvases, I layered pieces of chipboard and mixed bag die cuts.  I topped each one off with a piece of flair. 

Note:  I removed the pin from the back of each flair so it would lay flat against my embellishments.  Using a simple wire cutter, it can be removed easily.

I adhered the 3 smaller canvases to a larger burlap canvas.  To finish the look, I added some Distress Ink to the edges of each canvas.  Voila!  Done!

Thank you for stopping by!  Big hugs to everyone!

Tina

Frightful Home Decor

Happy Monday everyone! Valerie here today.

I’m not much of a holiday decorator except for Christmas, but I wouldn’t mind doing a little more of it. I have absolutely zero halloween decorations and it’s not because we don’t celebrate Halloween. I guess I just haven’t really seen any decorations that I can't live without.

I enjoy making a fun costume for my son each year and visiting family and friends so he can tell everyone about his costume and collect a little candy.   I usually make one Halloween layout each year and call it good.

Holiday collections usually aren’t my style and not something I’m drawn too, but I’m so glad I gave Frightful a chance! I think it’s one of the best Halloween collections I’ve ever seen. I decided to use some of the chipboard elements for a home decor piece that I will proudly display in my home.

Supplies:Frightful chipboard elements and Necessities Black & Gray enamel dots. Other: plywood, black paint, and gold leaf kit.

I have a pile of half completed canvases and plywood that have gotten set aside because I’ve either (a) lost interest or (b) didn’t know how to finish them. So this 8 x 8 inch piece of plywood came from this pile of mine. It’s a failed project where I tried to gold leaf a design on plywood.


I messily added some black paint to the plywood and arranged the chipboard pieces on top. Hot glue is good for applying the chipboard pieces to the board. The pieces are self-adhesive, but to make it more permanent, something a little more heavy duty is required for a rough surface like plywood. And a project like this isn’t complete without a few enamel dots!



So easy, right?! I’ve picked out a couple of the 8 x 10 Frameables from Frightful too that I plan to hang too. I’m going to do some Halloween decorating this year!

Valerie's Take on Chipboard Week

Hello! Valerie here continuing on with chipboard week. What a great week of projects, right!? Today I’m sharing an 8 x 10 inch canvas that I embellished with My Mind’s Eye chipboard elements. I looked through my entire stash and mixed and matched from a variety of different collections (Jubilee, Market Street, Now & Then, and Chalk Studio).

Supplies: Jubilee: Mint Julep, Sherbet, and Wild Berry chipboard elements. Market Street: Ashbury Heights and Nob Hill chipboard elements.Now and Then: Mildred and Dorothy chipboard elements. Chalk Studio chipboard elements. Other: 8x10 canvas, mini clothespin, hot glue.

 

I love the challenge and the hunt of mixing and matching. It’s fun to sort through my stash and pull out pieces I think will coordinate well for the project I have in mind. I’ve been on a canvas “kick” lately. I could stand at my scrap desk all day and make projects like this on canvas. 

 

Last time I created a canvas project, I did a lot of work with spray inks for a more colorful, mixed media background. This time I kept it sweet and simple. Just arranging the elements until I found a grouping I liked and hot glued them down. I love the thickness of the chipboard and how it adds just the right amount of dimension. I really feel like it’s finished and complete and doesn’t need anything else. Not even a couple enamel dots, even though I did consider it.

 

 

So easy, right?! Don’t be intimidated by a blank canvas, and don’t be afraid to use only one type of embellishment to create something lovely. 

 

Mini Canvas Created with Jubilee Rub-ons

Hello! Valerie today with a fun mini-canvas project. I was so excited to see rub-ons included with the new My Mind’s Eye collections, so naturally they were the first thing I grabbed to play with after I unpacked the new collections. I love how you can layer them on top of just about anything. I’m using the white “Story” rub-ons from the Jubilee Tangerine color scheme for this project. The Jubilee collection also has black, gold, and silver rub-on options.

Supplies:Jubilee -Tangerine: “Story” rub ons,  “Adventure” flair pins, “Awesome” enamel dots “Adventure” enamel shapes. Other: Canvas, Liquitex Matte Gel Medium, Studio Calico Mister Huey.

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t take step by step photos, but I will walk you through my process.

 

It’s a very simple, repetitive process. I picked up this gallery wrapped canvas at a local craft store. It’s 5 x 5 inches and is 1 1/2 inches deep—much deeper than a basic back stapled canvas.

 

1. Choose 3-4 mist/ink colors that coordinate with the collection you are using. 

 

2. Spray your canvas with water. 

 

3. Splatter one ink color on one area of the canvas and spray with water again to make it spread.

 

4. Let dry or speed up the process with a heat tool.

 

5. Repeat steps 2-4 with each color you are using, and continue to repeat this process until you get the desired effect and intensity of colors (and don’t forget about the edges).

6. Once dry and you are satisfied with the finished ink effect, I recommended brushing on a thin layer of matte gel medium (or Mod Podge) to keep the color in place. The rub-ons also adhere to the canvas better after the gel medium is applied. Let the gel medium dry or use a heat tool to speed up the process.

 

7. Apply rub-ons with included popsicle stick. You may need to place something hard like a book under your canvas between the stretcher bars if you are using a larger canvas size.

 

8. Once all your rub-ons are applied, add another layer of gel medium over the entire canvas. 

 

9. Add a flair badge, enamel dots/shapes, or other embellishments. I used hot glue to adhere the flair.

 

10. Hang on wall and enjoy!

So there you have it, a really fun canvas in ten basic steps. Totally doable, right?! I can’t wait to see what everyone makes with the rub-ons from Jubilee! How will you be using them?

May Challenge

Hi everyone, Laurel here with your May Challenge.  I have loved the enamel dots ever since they first came out.  They are such an easy accent to use to add a bit of interest and texture to any project. So this month's challenge is....use enamel dots in a creative way!

Here is my interpretation of the challenge. I whipped up a few cards with the dots.

On this first set I used the beautiful Record It Pretty Things collection.

Sometimes I just like to scatter the dots here and there on a project just to give some movement and connect items.

 

 

On this second card I wanted to highlight the rays of the sun so I sprinkled some of the enamel dots throughout.

 

 

Finally ,using the Now & Then Mildred collection, I created another card.  This time I fussy cut a flower and leaves from some of the pattern paper, mounted with foam squares and accented with a few dots. 

 

 

How do you use enamel dots?  We would love to see! Here are the rules.

 

1. You can submit a layout,card,album,altered item,etc.

2. The project must consist of mainly MME. It must "look" like a MME project. :) It must fit the theme.

3. The project must be created new for this challenge. You may only submit one project.

4. Upload the project to the InLinkz link tool at the end of this post by the end of the day on Sunday, May 11.

5. A random winner will be chosen and announced with the May sketch challenge on Monday, May 12.

Good Luck!!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Mini Canvas by Valerie

Happy Tuesday! Valerie here today with a bright, colorful canvas to share with you using the Cut & Paste Collection. I really enjoy creating art for the walls in our home and being able to switch items out as the seasons change. It's kind of just a coincidence that this came together at the start of a new school year.

 

To begin, I started with an 8 x 8 inch canvas and searched through the embellishments and sticker sheets to find what I wanted to say. I picked up the Cut & Paste "Presh" Decorative Tape tube and pulled out three of the four rolls (the woodgrain was left out due to it's width being wider than the others). I then took a look at all the other tape and started picking out more rolls that I felt coordinated well with the color scheme that was forming. Matte gel medium is my preferred "glue" for projects like this on canvas. I applied a thin layer with a paintbrush (one row at a time), and row by row I alternated tape pattern and length. Once the whole canvas was covered, I added a layer of matte gel medium over the entire canvas to ensure the tape will stay in place.

As i'm working, and the canvas is evolving, I take into consideration the elements and principles of design. I was able to use repetition and a variation in size with some of the words for some added interest and emphasis. I adore those layered stickers from the collection that add some dimension to something that is otherwise rather flat.

I continued to use matte gel medium as my glue for this entire project—even under the stickers that already had adhesive. Last step was to add a few enamel dots. A project just doesn't feel complete without them these days.

And there you go—easy, right? If you have never created a canvas, I hope I inspired you to try one soon! 

The Beauty of Brads

Hello everyone.  Ronda here with you today to share with you the beauty of brads. I absolutely adore the brads that come with the My Mind’s Eye releases. You can use them in so many different ways and layers. Let’s take a look at a few examples I created.

Supplies:Collectable-Notable :'Love This’ Adore Paper,  chipboard;  ‘Wonder’ Lovely Paper,  Decorative Brads, Decorative Buttons;  Decorative Tape;  Misc: twine

On this Hello card using the Collectable Notable Collection, I layered some patterned paper on the background.  I trimmed a strip of patterned paper and decorated the edge with a border punch.  I added a strip of washi tape. 

I layered the chipboard flowers on the card and then using a sharp paper piercer poke a hole through the flowers.  I then inserted brads into the center of the chipboard flowers.  I also inserted brads into the chipboard saying as well. 

Supplies:Collectable-Memorable : ‘Journey’ decorative brads; My Girl: Decorative Brads, 6x6 Paper Pad, Layered Stickers, misc: gesso, tag, watercolor crayon

On this tag, I used some gesso & watercolor crayons on the background.  Next I drew a black frame around the edge of the tag.  I added the Collectable Memorable Decorative Brad to the top left and then added the My Girl decorative brad and layered flower sticker. 

The Hello sticker tag was perfect sentiment so I added it near the brads and flower sticker.  I then added some doodles and a brad to the center to the flower sticker. 

On the bottom of the tag I grouped together lots of brads to add a cool layered accent.  I love the way the brads are all jumbled together. 

Supplies:Collectable-memorable :'Perfect’ chipboard,  ‘Journey’  Decorative Brads Tape; 6x6 memorable  pad  Misc: gesso, watercolor crayons, black pen, old text paper

Lastly I am sharing with you a little 6x6 art piece I created all based around the “Enjoy the Journey” brad.  I started the background on watercolor paper with gesso, old text print, and watercolor crayons.  I added a punched heart to the upper left corner and colored it with watercolor crayons as well. 

I trimmed paper from the 6x6 memorable pad to create the “to go” cup.  I added some gesso and then decorate it with a black pen.  Lastly I added the brads and chipboard numbers to completely the piece.  I love having that pop of pink in the title brad in the upper left corner along with those tiny pops of colors in the brads at bottom right. 

Thanks for visiting the blog today.  I hope you found ways to add brads into all your projects for that perfect little touch. 

She Believed in Love at First Sight by Tina

Hi Tina here today!  Do you believe in first love?  I do!  And so does SHE!

So you think MME papers, embellishments, and stamps are just for layouts and cards?  No sir! They work beautifully for mixed media projects like canvas art.  Here's a pictorial look at how I created my LOVE girl!

Start with a blank canvas.  Since I am covering mine with paper, no need to prep the surface with gesso first.

Cut various sizes of patterned paper, vintage paper, and tissue paper and adhere to canvas with Mod Podge.

This is where the fun really starts!  Add color, texture, and dimension with paint, modeling paste and stencils.  I've even added some MME decorative tape! 



Add more color, texture, and dimension with stamps and spray mist. 

This is what an 'in process' canvas looks like.  I just LOVE all the color, design, and texture.
When you are happy with your background, create your girl.  MME 6x6 pads are great for creating your girl and accessories. 

Add more texture and dimension by outlining your girl with markers and pens.


Accessorize your canvas with enamel dots, decorative buttons, and add rub-ons where desired.

Don't forget the sides of your canvas.  I've colored mine with distress stains and MME stamps.

Mixed media is so much fun!  There is no such thing as being perfect, and it's a great way to experiment with color, techniques, and different products.

I hope you give it a try the next time you are looking for a way to use your MME product in a new way!


Supplies:Collectable-Memorable:6x6 pad,'Hello' stamps,'Journey' decorative buttons,decorative tape,'I'm With' enamel dots;Misc:Canvas:  9x12 Practica
Gesso:  Liquetex
Modeling Paste:  Liquetex
Spray Mist:  Adirondack Ranger
Paint:  Jenni Bowlin, Folk ARt
Mod Podge
Rub-Ons:  Stampin Up, 7gypsies, October Afternoon, Hambly, Jenni Bowlin
Stamps: Tim Holtz, Prima Marketing
Stencils:  Crafters Workshop, Pink Paislee
Markers/Pens:  Faber Castell, Pilot
Distress Stain:  Tim Holtz