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I apologize that the photo isn't very good on this one.  This started out as a jar of lemon curd (which made a very tasty birthday cake for my husband), and a piece of Imagine Crafts Sheet Metal (ATC size).
Jar: 
1.  Apply StazOn Cotton White (pad to clean jar) and set it aside to dry. 
2.  When dry, apply a very thin coat of GlazOn with an Ink Blusher and allow to dry. 
3.  Ink the birds nest stamp with StazOn Opaque Roasted Coffee; gently but firmly apply the jar to the    stamp (left face-up).  Repeat on each side of the jar.
4.  When stamped images are dry; apply another thin coat of GlazOn.
5.  Add colors, if desired, when dry (StazOn Saddle Brown, Mustard and Baby Blue/Cotton White).
6.  Add final layer of GlazOn after adding colors.  Allow a bit longer to dry with each application.

Sheet Metal:
1.  Tape the Sheet Metal to a sheet of scrap paper - covering the outer 4 edges (equal coverage if possible; this becomes the silver frame when finished).
2.  Apply StazOn Cotton White, pad to metal, to create the white background.
3.  When dry, apply a thin layer of GlazOn.  Allow to dry.
4.  Ink the Sparrow stamp with StazOn Opaque Roasted Coffee and stamp as desired on white background.  Allow to dry.
5.  Apply a thin layer of GlazOn and allow to dry.
6.  Color the bird using Brushstix and StazOn Mustard.  Apply StazOn Saddle Brown to the outer edges of the bird (it will blend a little - since GlazOn is not used between the two colors) and over the wings.
7.  When dry, apply a final coat of GlazOn.
8.  Punch small holes with Cropodile to make holes to slide the wire through.
9.  Apply beads to wire as desired for decoration and mold the wire around the jar; attach to other side of Sheet Metal.
10.  Add your favorite wildflowers and enjoy!

 Mixed Media.... the two words alone can conjure up many mental pictures for me. But I'll start my parade of mixed media with the image above. It's a wooden box that I received as a challenge. It came with 2 metal pieces; a long embossed strip and a 3 dimensional flower with a screw post attached. Both metal pieces were shabby silver in color.


I enjoyed the process of adding color and trying to give it a little personality. I'll be working on the tutorial for the box and will try to finish it soon (inbetween working to launch our new website - and preparing for the Summer CHA show)... I'd love to hear if you've been working with wooden boxes - and how you might have transformed or embellished them!

Simply and sincerly,

Susan

The colors this year were phenomenal in our area! Above is a card that I made to pay tribute to the beauty that fluttered from the trees into piles on the ground that are now turning brown.

The background was stamped with VersaFine Vintage Sepia and used a River City Rubber leaf collage. Colors from Memento (Rhubarb Stalk, Terra Cotta, and Bamboo Leaves) were added with an Ink Sweeper. The focal point leaf is a stamp by JudiKins, and I usedMemento Terra Cotta with Rhubarb Stalk Dew Drops to add the color. After stamping, I cut out the leaf. Next I used Pssst! Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Gold) to add a hint of gold to the back ground, the torn green piece of cardstock and the stamped leaf. Using a bullet point Fantastix, I scuffed on some additional Memento Rhubarb Stalk around the outside edges of the leaf to hide the scissor cut-marks. To finish, I stamped "Ahh..Autumn" (by Simply Stamped), tied on a few pieces of hemp twine and mounted it with foam mounting squares. Done!

PS - if you'd like to see the shimmer results a little better, zoom in or enlarge the card. Thanks for looking!

Well, okay...I couldn't stand not sharing the "Sparkle Shimmer" with you too. What an easy way to add a touch of elegance at the push of a finger!

I'm eager to do a preview of our Pssst! Sheer Shimmer Spritz tomorrow at Impress Rubber Stamps in Tukwila. Just in time for the finishing touch on your holiday card... This Hero Arts card above shows the Gold Shimmer, and although it's hard to see, if you enlarge the image you should be able to get a sneak peek.

Please stop by if you get a chance... I'll also have the "Sparkle Shimmer" and the "Frost Shimmer" to show. They're sooooo easy, and so beautifully sheer!

POSTED BY SUSAN HOLTON AT 5:45 AM NO COMMENTS:  

Here's a lovely and super simple Holiday card stamped only with a Hero Arts flourish - using VersaMark Dazzle Champagne and then spritzed with Pssst!

....super-size the photo to see the Pssst! More to come on Pssst later....

Just had to show that ... 'cause I'm off to Vancouver, WA (by Portland, Oregon) to a Hero Arts Class. Can you believe I'm heading out the door before 5:45 am?

(Coffee maker is all that's holding me up - and it's almost ready!)