Mixed Media Minutes - Vintage Gift Bag - Live Show Tutorial

Hi my loves...
I know, I know... I promised to upload this video on my YT as soon as possible but this REALLY took far too long this time. I know I should blame my travels and new release coming (have you seen the sneak peek yet???) and some backstage works on the new product, but anyway - my apologies.
I honestly hope you will forgive me and this short break will just give you more energy and your creative juices will flow even faster!

Let's have a look at the project then.
It's a lovely mix of careless stamping, crazy layering - fabrics, papers and embellishments - and finally final touches including my favourite Art Ingredients - Mica Powders and Micro Beads. I wanted to achieve the careless, freestyle and vintage look - so perfection and precision in this kind of project were not really necessary. As you can see, I could not resist and I've used new collection from 7 Dots Studio - Air Mail. Muted tones and vintage postcards inspired paper collection was a perfect choice for my altered paper bag!

If you will get a closer look at the details you may notice I added some found objects into the composition as well - there are some rusty pieces of wire and old nails included. I love to add elements like this into my projects - it is a touch of authenticity, getting closer to the real story, which these photos and elements could tell us all. I am a huge fan of everything vintage and you can find really a lot of unusual objects in my collection... some of them are just for decoration, but most of them is waiting for their turn to be used in the project!

Can you see these beautiful colour accents? These are new Prima Washi Tapes from Prima Travellers Journal collection (yes, I had to get them all). For or the extra sparkle I've used Micro Beads glued to the surfaces with my old faithful Art Basics 3D Gloss Gel. Do you know it is a perfect adhesive for any kind collage? It dries clear and it is easy to apply - with a palette knife or fingers!

Let me show you the whole process step-by-step now.
Here is the recorded and edited version of my FB Live tutorial - I hope you will get inspired and create a lot of beautiful, vintage and freestyle projects!

For your convenience here you can find most of the products I've used during the creating process - all linked to Mixed Media Place Online Store. 

Before I go, there is one more exciting thing happening now... the new release is coming! Have you seen the sneak peeks already? I can't barely stop myself and show you all... but I'm told to wait until next week. Sigh.

What do you think...any favourites so far?
Sending lots of love

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Now Is The Time... To Color

Hi, everyone! Are you having a creative weekend?
Today I'd like to suggest a little bit of watercolor fun. :)
First, we have something really really simple so I hope you will try making one yourselves - an ordinary paper bag, ladies and gentlemen...

If you'd like to know more, go straight to this post on Prima blog where I share 2 tutorials and some tips & techniques having a blast with brand new Prima watercolor pencils and brushes.

There are really no super secret advanced techniques involved here - stamping and coloring - that's it! :)

My second project is about something really close to my heart - altering vintage cabinet cards...

You can also find a detailed tutorial how I created this canvas on Prima blog.

As you can see, I played with my new line of stamps - so excited to finally be playing with my new "art babies". :)

I also have 2 important reminders for you today.
The first one - an exciting event that is coming soon - the FIRST ever Mixed Media Education Day for European Retailers! More information HERE.

And secondly, we are getting so many amazing entries to our Sparkle & Shine challenge!

It's open 'till February 8th so if you feel like sharing your sparkly creations, don't hesitate and join us!

As you can see, there is a lot going on (me on the road again) and I hope I managed to get your creative juices flowing. ;)
Hugs,

Four colours of Christmas

Hello, friends!
Magical December is here and I'd like to show you some Holiday inspirations today.





Together with three other artists I was invited by Sizzix to create projects in 4 different colour schemes.

If you'd like to receive a free project sheet download, just leave your email address on this Sizzix page and enjoy our Holiday creations in detail.



For this Noel decor I used the Sizzix die to cut out the chipboard letters and simply glued them together to make them more sturdy so that the decoration could stand on its own.



I played with my Sunrise Sunset and Vintage Vanity paper collections and some Mechanicals to contrast the delicate papers. I also used crackle paint and subtle touches of colour achieved with Primary Elements pigments that I love so much..

The thing is we are not bound to traditional Christmassy colours.
Think outside the box, look around for inspirations and play a little, surprise your near and dear and perhaps surprise yourself. ;)
Stay warm!

Shortie: Winter Card with Mechanicals - tutorial:)

I was thinking about a project like this for a long time, but there was always something that was taking my attention, time or simply - energy (most of the times these were travels, classes or preparations for the classes, lol). After talking with students and shop owners I had the impression it will be good to show more ways of using my products - in particular "Mechanicals" by Prima Marketing. When I was coming with the idea of them I wanted to create something that will inspire people to play, construct, mix - not only with other Mechanicals but  with flea market stuff, findings and other embellishments to create unique looking pieces of altered art, mixed-media elements, jewelry. I'm not sure yet if I succeed, but the more I find projects with them in the web the more confident, happy and more inspired I am! But on the other hand - wouldn't it be cool to come up with some ideas to give a hint what's going on in my head when I use them? That is how the idea of "Shortie" - very short, simple tutorial come to life...
I'm really wondering what do you think about this idea - and do you like the form of it?
I really hope you will enjoy!

Shortie: "Winter Card" - simple, dimensional project with Mechanicals

Supplies: Prima Marketing: Vintage Vanity A4 Journaling Pad, Elementals - 12x12 Resist Canvas Sheet - Checked, Mechanicals (trinkets and small flowers), big paper flower, vintage pin. Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: 3D Foam Squares, E-Z Runner. Luminarte: Primary Elements mixed with water, Sizzix doily cut-outs, paper doilies, thread, crystal embellishment, crochet flower, pins, staples, craft glue, hot glue gun, white and cream cardstock (for cut-outs and card base).

And here is how it was all done...

The layers of distressed paper were glued together with E-Z Runner, then I constructed the part of the main embellishment: metal flowers layered with crochet flower and washer, fastened with a brad.

Next step was layering and more layering... 3D Foam Squares and hot glue gun may be very helpful!

More elements - sprayed pieces of canvas, thread, pins, staples... and a big crystal element as a cherry on the top!

What I love about Mechanicals is how they are versatile, easy to cut or re-shape. In this project I cut one of the trinkets into smaller pieces and used it as a decoration, inserted between the layers of doilies and Sizzix cut-outs. Voila! Done! :)

If you like the card above you may be interested in other, coresponding projects which were posted on Sizzix.uk blog in he past weeks - I've got one more card and a paper bag there for you! Now, looking at my "Shortie" I'm sure you know how they were made, right? :)

So - let me ask you again - what do you think about the project and this kind of tutorial idea? Would you like more of "Shorties?" If yes - what kind of small projects you'd like to see? I'd be happy to know your opinion!
Sending warm hugs

A walk in Susan's Garden

Once upon a time Sizzix decided to make pretty flowers...
They are really beautiful and perfectly imitate real life flowers but...you know me...not much of a flower girl. ;)
Give me flowers and I will surely give them some grungy edge!
So today I would like to present three pieces of mine created for Sizzix with Susan's Garden collection.
And the best thing is that you can go to this Sizzix's page and entering your e-mail download the detailed and free instructions of how to create such works yourself!

I mainly used my Sunrise Sunset collection, some Mechanicals and a little bit of Tim Holtz, also some really lovely papers designed by my friend Agnieszka Anna.

You can find a detailed list of supplies in the downloads.

I hope you like my very special grungy garden. ;)
Wishing you a great Sunday!

Sizzix Friday: Back to Brown Paper Bag project

Yes, that's right!
Inspired by my last post with altered Christmas bags cards and boxes I decided to go back to my old and a bit neglected Brown Paper Bag Project - the one with simple paper layouts and old family photos:)
So, I took some of the leftovers I had, some more Sizzix dies and grabbed "Hopefully" paper collection from 7 Dots Studio... and here it is, sweet winter paper bag layout!

All the information and some step-by-step photos are already waiting for you on Sizzix.uk blog - take peek!

In the meantime I work hard preparing details for Australian and NZ tour, CHA projects and classes in France and Sweden - it is all so close and I simply can't make a mistake on this stage! Keep fingers crossed for me:) I'm happy that my classes in January, on the Prima Art Venture event are in the last stage too... I can't wait to teach this super-grungy journal class! Here is the peek what we are going to do in the classroom... but I promise to share more in the coming days!

xoxoxo
Finn