Living in the Layers

Well, this page certainly didn't turn out at all as I had even vaguely imagined when I started thinking about what to do for the latest PaperArtsy challenge "Shiny Stuff".  All of the samples from the team are luscious, and had my head spinning in many different directions.

My thoughts seem occupied by translucence, however, so I decided to start

with a

Quinacridone Gold wash on gessoed pages, to which I added crumpled tissue paper with Glue and Seal, and topped with a thin wash of Smalt Hue.

All of the lovely textures seemed made for sprays, which could wander down and among all of the rivulets.  I have quite of few Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays that have gold or other metallic effects, and some Prima sprays that are also quite shiny.

I was really starting to like this, but still had no "story" to tell..... oh, well - just  keep playing then!

Young Woman of Wonder

Here is a link to the poem from which the title derives - there is also a link at the end with a bit more description.

My imaginary Victorian Townhouse attic trunk has once again yielded a treasure......young Esmée on her sixteenth birthday. From the other items found with this, I surmise that she received a trip to Paris!  She appears to be in the family dining room, and I am certain there is a wonderful cake on the table awaiting her.

Fragile Paper Challenge from Paper Artsy

I love the challenge that Leandra at Paper Artsy has set using fragile papers.  I love old books, and now that I am getting into mixed media, I'm delighted to see I can incorporate them here.  I am also an incurable romantic of the Victorian and older history stripe....I love ruffles, lace, doilies, all things delicate, ruches, or both.  Though I imagine most people who actually know me would never guess that, lol!

For this challenge, I decided to Walk on the Frilly Side, and imagine that I have found an old framed photograph in an attic trunk in my wonderful  (imaginary) Victorian townhouse, wherever it might be....London, San Francisco, Paris, Prague.  That is the great thing about imaginary doings - I can magically transport it to wherever I want - even that beautiful winter palace in Dr. Zhivago (can you tell it is cold here at the moment?!)

Random Acts of Kindness Against Violence

Please see and share this awesome response to the terrible events in France recently..... Bravo, Manu!  And thank you for sharing your generous heart and spirit!

My first art journal page

Inspired by Astrid MacLean and France Papillion, and a very timely post from Brenda at Bumblebees and Butterflies.  Week Two can be found here.

The rest here is just for my records - feel free to skip.  But first, a thank you to Brenda!  Great exercise for this newbie!

Background of gesso-coated page created with Silk glaze in Apricot Nectar, Emperor's Gold, and Pink Anthurium with lots of water.

Texture paste applied through Prima stencil and then colored with watered down Silk glaze Wine and Roses, with lots of drips going every which way.  I did the layout on Bristol Vellum, and then put into my journal, an approach I saw on Jennie's blog.  Since I am doing this with a broken hand, thought it would be easier to manipulate the pages, and I think that was a good choice.... plus even with gesso my other sample journal (mixed media it claims) is horribly warped even when dry.  I think I should probably coat both sides, even though just working on one.

Stenciling added with Chalk Ink in Rusty Hinge dabbed on with makeup sponge, using a Donna Downey stencil.  Then toned down with diluted gesso.

Lynne Perella Geisha stamped with Black Archival on clear vellum, edged with fine detail gold embossing powder and attached with brads that are reminiscent of Japanese family crests.

Ginko leaf stamped with Versamark and embossed with Antique Gold powder - love the muscularity of using this thicker power for a delicate stamp.

Felt white spaces needed something, so applied more watered down Wine and Roses mixed with Pink Anthurium.

Not sure I am happy with that effect, but do think it is a marginal improvement.  Makes me wonder what the backstory is here.....broken heart?  Regicide or murder a la Kurasowa movie?  But love the inky effects.  Detailed shots below.

Ended by stamping sentiment and fun script stamp, with some spattered diluted gesso to try to tone down the dramatic purple.  Wrote "Saranoya" with a gold Sharpie.

Very fun!  Can't wait to keep playing along with this great activity offered by Brenda.

Great Article on the Inevitable Comparison of Self to Others

Very timely as I learn a whole new world of paper crafting...
.the danger of comparing oneself to others

Thank You Card

A belated thank you card for a wonderful Christmas present....

I was inspired by the colors used by Mona and Astrid for my background.  The design of the card from a size ten tag (Ive cut off the piece with the ringed hole) is from Linda.

I cut one end with the Distressed Doily, one of my favorite dies.  The stamped words are from Oxford Impressions, and are stamped on tissue with Cobalt Blue Archival ink.

I stenciled White Lumiere paint through a Memory Box stencil.  No magnet this time - just tied up with seam binding ribbon stained with Chipped Sapphire distress stain.

An InLinkz Link-up