Choose to Shine

Hi, how was your week?
I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed with your loving response to my latest paper layout... and words of support and understanding coming my way. I would never expect that, I feel so humbled and so blessed at the same time, thank you!

I take the full advantage of the fact I'm staying home in the last weeks - not only I'm able to do some more "normal everyday" stuff but I'm able to fit some pleasures between the responsibilities too! For the first time in months I was able to watch a movie in the evening for few days in a row... and go through the supplies which were waiting on my desk for far too long.
I know that I will only use the elements I can see on my table, so I get it cluttered completely in a very short time. Quite often I use the same supplies over and over again until I will clean up and "redecorate" my desk. I haven't decided yet is it a bad thing or a good thing. But it is a THING for sure!
What may be a surprise - this project has started as a very different paper layout. During the process though many things transformed, change their places - even the photo changed to the one you can see now! I think the reason is I was trying to follow an "old" idea when, in fact, the new one came and took over! I decided not to fight too much and here is the result...

I remember I've always loved this photo of my Mum.
I think it was taken in the mid-seventies, somewhere in Warsaw I guess. It's one of many she had taken in that time, but this one is a bit cheeky, it has the playful attitude I like (and let's not forget: it jumped on me when I was working on this project!). I followed the light, careless mood of it and played a lot with layers, embellishments and colours - and the effect is really soft, feminine, dynamic and a bit edgy at the same time.

I think you can see everything I had on my table that evening: there is lace, masking tape, chipboards,  metal embellishments, paper flowers, pebbles, some cut-outs... My table is one huge mess so my choice was quite wide! It was the first time I was working on the layout with "Dreamscapes" collection from 7 Dots Studio and choosing my paints and mediums I was trying to follow the beautiful colours of the background paper.

I've used the stencil and my brand new Art Extravagance Paper Texture Paste on the top of layers of tape and paints. I know I shouldn't be using yet (still a secret!) but I couldn't resist - it is so beautiful, with the delicate texture of handmade paper after drying... Anyway - I worked on my colour palette using Art Alchemy Impasto Paints, some Lindy's Sprays and finally - Sparks Paint (amazing, shiny pink tone - Butterfly Spells). To spice it up - I splattered a bit of the Red Rust Paste and sprinkled Silver Microbeads.

Transformation of the elements used on this layout was pretty spectacular - I love how random, not matching elements fit perfectly into composition if you will use a few art mediums and paint on the top of them! What is more - the whole project meant to be something very different... I decided not to stress about it at all, enjoy the ride and see where it is going to take me! I don't regret at all...
I hope you like it too!

Here is the list of the supplies I was using - linked to our Mixed Media Place Store:

One more thing - have your eyes wide open on the 19th and 22nd January - the BIG DAY of the full product reveal at Prima is coming! I can't wait!
Sending love and hugs