Super Excited

Hello Gorgousess

I am so super excited that today is here...and I can share some amazing news with you...

Starting next month, I will be designing for Sandra Evertson and her amazing Relics and Artifacts line of products.

This has been so hard to keep a secret because I have been so excited...Now the real fun starts and I get to show you these amazing products and share with you some really awesome projects you can do.

Stay tuned for lots of projects with step out blog posts, videos (YES...I will be making video's) and even Live with Prima...

I will also be sharing the  beautiful awesome art done by my fellow Ambassadors...

Get ready for a fun, exciting, beautiful, edgy, think outside of the box 2016.

Check out the link below for more about me...also be sure and spend some time on the blog getting to know my fellow Ambassador's and check out some of their art.

Follow Relics and Artifacts on Facebook...Come join our tribe and share with us what you create.

If you are going to CHA be sure and check out the Relics and Artifacts booth because you do not want to miss the new releases. Trust me...you are going to be A M A Z E D!!!!!

Here is the link to my Ambassador Snapshot and also everything Relics and Artifacts can be found at this link as well

Monica Downing Ambassador Snapshot

Click the link below to join the Relics and Artifacts Tribe on Facebook

Facebook Relics and Artifacts Tribe

Also be sure and follow Live with Prima on Facebook.

Facebook Live with Prima

You can also follow me on Instagram @madzieme

Also Relics and Artifacts on Instagram

Follow me on Pinterest

Monica Downing on Pinterest

See you all soon

Thanks so much
x0x0x
Monica

My Altered Prima Frame

Hello Beautifuls...

So...I've had this Prima Frame for quite awhile and I've been waiting for the time to use it.

Art Anthology and Heartfelt Creations did a blog swap this week and I used their Butterfly Medley and Stamp Set...

Here are pictures of my completed project.

I created a snapguide with step by step directions and my supply list if you'd like to check it out here.

Altered Primna Frame

Early Monday I will have a new post showcasing my project for the new Creative Team I am on and I can't wait to show you.

Have a beautiful day.

x0x0x

Monica

Exciting News

I am super excited to share the news that I was chosen to be on the Creative Team for Crowabout StudioB @ Mischief Circus.

Nancy Baumiller is an amazing artist and I have been using her printables kits for a very long time. I am super excited to be on her Creative Team and share my projects from her kits.

If you haven't checked out her amazing kits you really are missing out...find them here...
Crowabout StudioB

Stay tuned for my creations from her amazing kits.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

x0x0x
Monica

Springtime in the Ozarks

Hello everyone...

Today I am sharing with you a project that I was inspired to make by my surroundings.

I live in the Northwestern most part of the state of Arkansas...literally 3 miles below the Missouri border.

My home is surrounded by dense forest and just so much beauty.
This time of year is my absolute favorite. Everything is so green and lush, with dark brown tree bark to offset the bright green.
Flowers are blooming everywhere and it is just beautiful.

I did this piece on a 7x15 canvas.

I used Art Anthology Colorations Mist in:
Studio Blue
Peacock Feathers
Juicy
Gorious
Plush
Hottie
Guacamole

I used Art Anthology Dimensional Crystals in:
Sunbeam
Guava
Peony

I used Art Anthology Dimensional Gems in:
Rhodolite

Other supplies:

Spray Bottle
May Arts open weave ribbon
Moss
Prima Frame
White flowers
Silk branch with leaves

Here is a picture of the completed canvas.

First you want to mist your canvas with water. This will help the colorations move around. Once you have misted your canvas with water, mist with Studio Blue Colorations.

The water on the canvas causes the mist to pool and then you can move your canvas around to achieve a dripped look.

Dry with heat gun.
Now add some peacock feathers and guacamole. Just mist randomly. I used Colorations Mist in Glorious to add some splashes of yellow. I did this by opening the sprayer and just flinging it on using the end of the sprayer.


The next thing I did was cut my May Arts ribbon and glued it down to the right side of the canvas. You don't see in the picture but I also glued some scraps along the top as well. After the glue was dried, I used Lemon Tart and Sunbeam to add color to the open weave ribbon. I wanted it to look like the sun beaming down.

Now it's time to play with my embellishments. I pulled the leave stems off of the silk bunch I had gotten and placed it on my canvas to see where I wanted it. I bent the branches and also used the end of a small paintbrush to curl off some of the ends.

I hadn't painted the yellow on in this picture. I forgot to take pics of the piece with the yellow before I glued everything down...sorry.

Another part of this process I neglected to take pictures of is the flowers. This was a very simple step. I just picked the flowers I wanted, misted 2 of the larger ones with Hottie and Plush, then I highlited them with the Rhodolite. I also added some orange to them using the Dimensional Crystals in Peony.
For the purple flower I used Plush and Hottie.
The smaller flowers I painted with the Dimensionsl Crystals in Guava.

While the flowers were drying I glued down the brown tree stems from the silk bunch...then glued in some of the leafy stems I had previously separated off.
Once my flowers dried I glued them in place using a hot glue gun.

I picked out which moss I wanted to use and glued it down along the bottom of the canvas and up each side a bit. Here you can see the frame but it's not glued down. I was deciding which way I wanted to use it.

In the final piece you can see I decided to use the frame on its side, I glued a bit of moss in the bottom and a bird cut out.
I love how this piece came out and it looks great displayed in my home. It will be nice to have this to remind me of our beautiful spring surroundings here when the winter months come back.

I hope you are having a beautiful spring where you live.
Why not try creating a lasting image of it on a canvas?

Have a great day.

New Art Blocks

Hi Everyone...

I've been working on both of these Art Blocks in my free time and finally got the finishing touches on both...

The first one is Marie Antoinette...Let Them Eat Cake...this is a regular 2 1/2 x 3-1/2 block. With the beads and the base she stands 6 3/4 inches tall

The Marie image is from Cemerony. I love how she turned out...

The second block I got finished is a big block. From beads to bobbins she stand 8-1/2 inches tall...the block is 1-1/2 inches thick.
The steampunk girl image is from Cemerony. Backgrounds are gelli prints and all stamping is embossed. I made the butterflies on the sides using cardstock that I misted and used mica powders on, then stamped and embossed the butterflies.
Here she is...FLY

Hope you find some time to get crafty this weekend...My weekend starts Monday and I will definitely be in my studio.

x0x0x
Monica

ME...Princeton Artist Brush Company, and Art Anthology

Hi Everyone

I'm so excited to finally be able to share this with you.

I've been keeping a big secret...
I was asked to create a project using Princeton Art Brushes and tools, and Art Anthology Inc. products...

Below is a picture of the tote I made and I've provided a link to a pdf with instructions on how to make your own.

Here's the link to a 4 page PDF...

FREE BUTTERFLY TOTE PROJECT PDF

Hope I've inspired you to try something new and also be sure and get yourself some of these amazing products from both companies...

Thanks so much
x0x0x
Monica

Art Anthology and Viva Las Vegas Stamps pair up

Hi Everyone

Monica Downing here...

Thanks so much for joining us this week...Art Anthology and Viva Las Vegas Stamps partnered up for a week of awesomeness...

Be sure and check out the Art Anthology Blog daily to see what my other Design Team members have created...

Also check the Viva Las Vegas Stamps Blog

I have a really fun project to share with you...

I make Artist Trading Blocks and decided to do my Art Anthology/Vivia Las Vegas Stamp project on one.

The blocks are the same size as an ATC (Artist Trading Card) 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 but this block is almost 1-1/2 inches thick...all the more room to create on my dears.

I cut them myself.
Here is a picture of the completed block front and back.

So the first thing I did was use the Art Anthology Gesso to prime the wood block. Then I picked the colors I wanted to use and I used the awesome new gemstone colors in .......... and ..........
I also created 2 Gelli prints on my Gelli Plate to use as a background on the back side, and also for some added color on the sides of the block.

While that was drying I got busy with my stamp

The Viva Las Vegas Stamp I used was a 3x5 Day of The Dead- Dia de los Muertos stamp
I painted a piece of cardstock with the Art Anthology sorbet in Tuxedo.

Next I used a white craft ink pad by Stampin Up and ink'd up my stamp really well. I stamped the image onto the cardstock I had painted black. I then used white embossing powder and my heat gun to emboss the entire image.

I then chose and cut out the parts of the stamp that I wanted to use on my Artist Trading Block.
I used pink orange green and blue to color in areas of the large skill in the middle of the stamp that would be going on the front of the block. I added color to the other images I cut out as well.

I used Art Anthology Dimensional Crystals in the green and orange and pink to add some more color and dimension to the front of the block that I had previously painted blue. Once this dried, I applied the stamped and cut out images to the front of the block using pop dots.

Using the dimensional crystals, I added some texture and designs to the gelli print then cut a piece to fit to the back of the block and glued it on. I applied the stamped images to the back with pop dots as well. I cut strips from the gelli print and glued them along the sides and the top of the block. I then cut a piece of cardstock in an arch (2) and used letter stickers to spell out Dia De Los Muertos which I put on the top of the block on the front, and Day Of The Dead on the arch on the top of the back side. I then strung some beads on jewelry wire and drilled holes at the top and glued that in between the arches. I used the Art Anthology Dimensional Crystals all over this project, including inside the skills eyes, to give it more color and dimenstion.

For the skulls on the bottom I used clay and formed it in the shape of a skull and baked it in the oven per the package directions. I then colored in the eyes and did some doodling then glued them to the bottom of the block. The little wood discs under the skulls are wooden wheels I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

I love how this project turned out and I hope you are inspired to try something different with your stamps.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by my blog to check out my project.

x0x0x

Monica

SHAKE IT OFF

Hellooo Gorgeousess...

Woohoo...thanks for stopping by today...

I'm excited to share with you my first post as a Certifiable Gauche Alchemist...

Wow...did you check out the April mood board over on the Gauceh Alchemy Blog???? If you didn't...you really need to because it's AWESOME...I freakin love it because I am all about color and I love neon and just...WOW...this hit home for me...

click this linky link and go have a look see...
Gauche Alchemy April Mood Board

Ok...so my take on the mood board...Bright, colorful...POPPIN...

I did my project on a 12x12 chunky canvas.

First thing I did was slather it with black chalkboard paint, 2 coats letting it dry in between coats.

I knew I wanted to incorporate a lot of colors so I got out my Gelli plate...I use this tool all the time and I love it. I love the mixture of colors and patterns and that you never pull the same print twice.

I laid down a few different color palettes and ended up using a couple of them.

The stencil I used (The Crafters Workshop) was given to me a couple of years ago by a friend, and I've never used it before but I knew it would be perfect for this project.

I outlined the shape from the stencil onto my favorite gelli print of the day, then cut it out. I then decided to use the negative as a second element on my project.

Next I cut some of the other gelli prints up into 1 inch strips, folded them in half, and glued them down to the edges of the canvas.

I grabbed my white signo pen, and wrote the lyrics to Taylor Swift's song Shake It Off...

I used pop dots to adhere the girls to the canvas and give some dimension to the piece.

I have had to shake off some bad **it over the past few months, Liars, Haters, Fakers...and how it negatively impacted my life, so this song and this layout were perfect for me to convey a message.

I know how it feels to have people drag you down and suck the life out of you. Try to shake it off...cuz you are so much better than that...

This canvas makes me happy and will be a reminder to SHAKE IF OFF anytime I need to.

This canvas makes me happy and will be a reminder to SHAKE IF OFF anytime I need to.

Now...go put on your tutu and your crazy leggings and dance around the house, cuz I know you've got that song stuck in your head now...HEHE!!!

x0x0x

Monica

Mermaid Altered Bottle

Hi Everyone...

I'm so glad you are here today I have something really cool to share with you.

I have had this bottle for quite some time. I have been envying the altered bottles that I see on Pinterest and have so wanted to do one. To be totally honest I have been intimidated by them. I finally decided to just go for it and it was so much easier than I thought it was going to be...

So let me share my process with you so you can go make your own altered bottle. I mean seriously the possibilities are endless and it can be done in any theme...I personally love mermaid's and I just had this vision in my head...so here we go.

I used a Absolute Vanilla Vodka bottle but you can use any bottle that you have or like.

Art Anthology Products

Art Anthology Gesso
Art Anthology Paints in
Veridian (Sorbet)
Fiji (Velvet)
Tango (Velvet)
Chocolate (Velvet)
Blue Topaz (Gem Stone)

Art Anthology Colorations
Fern Leaf
Cinnamon Toast
Studio Blue
Peacock Feathers
Lark
Grass
Guacamole
Fern Leaf
Juicy

Other supplies.

Gauze
Crochet Doily
Moss (got mine at Walmart)
Miscellaneous Shells (I got mine at Walmart)
Various bits and bobbles, gems, and metal embellishments.
Hot glue gun
3-in-1 Glue

Here are some pictures of the extra little supplies I gather up and used on my bottle.

Ok...so let's get started...you want to layer a heavy coat of gesso on the entire bottle.
While the gesso is still wet start layering on your gauze...pull it apart and place it on the bottle overlapping in some areas. Apply more gesso to the top of this. The gesso is your glue at this point and also your base coat of course.

 In this next photo you will see the gauze applied to the bottle and I've left a "window" uncovered by the gauze because this is where I am going to glue my image. I knew the basic shape I was going for and I didn't want it to be perfect.

Next I cut up a vintage crochet doily I've had. I invisioned it looking like netting and it totally worked. Still using the gesso as a glue I applied it around the top and bottom of the opening I had left and the gesso also covered up the colors on the doily.

I let this sit overnight to dry because I used a lot of gesso and I wanted it thoroughly dried.

Now...let's add some gorgeous Art Anthology Color to this...
I started with the greens. Misting Guacamole, Grass, and Fern Leaf randomly around the bottle, but really concentrating it around the opening I have left..

Next I grabbed Peacock Feathers and Lark. Misting all around the bottle.
I used Blue Topaz and Veridian on the neck of the bottle and in random areas on top of the misting to add depth and dimension.

There's no right or wrong way to do this. It's a matter of layering the colors to YOUR liking.

The sand color you see is Cinnamon Toast. With the Gesso down it went on pretty light. After that dried, I grabbed my Chocolate and painted the netting. This took roughly 3 coats.

I did the chocolate heavier in some spots to give some variation in color.
Once you are happy with the color on your bottle, grab your printable or whatever you want to use as a image decoration on your bottle. I rolled the gauze and doily back a bit and cut my image to fit, then used 3 in 1 glue to glue it down. I then rolled the gauze back over the edges of the image.

My next step was to prepare some of my embellishments. I pulled apart some of the moss pictured above so that it looked like coral.
I painted this in Tango.
I had also picked up a small package of buttons that had seashells and some star fish and sand dollars. I used wire cutters to snap off the button loops from the back and I painted the starfish Tango, and I painted the shells and sand dollars with gesso.
I wanted to prep all of my embellishments so once I started adding them I didn't have to stop and do it.

Using my hot glue gun, I started gluing on the embellishments. I started with the coral pieces, then added the shells and the glass rounds. I just kept layering them on until I was happy with the placement.

Again, there is no right or wrong way to do this...it is a matter of layering your embellishments to your liking.
Here are some photo's of how I laid mine out.

These leaf beads are super cool and they came in the large package of beads I picked up at Walmart. They really worked nicely as a frame around the image.

This next picture is the neck and top of the bottle. I used a wine bottle cork since the bottle was originally a twist off...
I got the blue open thread material on clearance at Walmart and also wrapped it with the green hemp cord. I sprayed that with some cinnamon toast before wrapping the neck of the bottle to tone down the brightness of the green.
The round beads around the rim are also from that package of beads and I brushed them with Chocolate after glueing them on to dull down the shine.

For the back of the bottle I found this cool Mermaid Water Spell and printed it out and glued it to the back. I inked it up a bit to make it look worn

Here are some completed images of the bottle

I know this was a long post and I sure hope you are inspired to go make a beautiful altered bottle.
Thanks so much for stopping by today and checking out my project.

Have a wonderful Day

x0x0x
Monica