StencilGirl Guest Designer

Hello Beautiful People

I am so excited to finally be able to share with you, that I was asked to be a guest designer for StencilGirl Products. I have been using StencilGirl Products stencils for a long time, and to say that I am over the moon about being asked to be a Guest Designer, is an understatement.

I decided to do 2 projects because the possibilities with these Stencils are just endless...so I had to stop at 2 or I wouldn't have been able to submit my work for this blog post lol.

For my first project I did a journal page. I really love for my journal pages to be inspiring. I want someone else to be able to look at a journal page I have done and be moved by it, or take something from it and be able to relate to it. More than anything I want you to be confident in making journal pages of your own.

I used the Wall of Words Stencil for this piece, along with the Deconstructed Floral Bouquet Stencil and the Love Collage Stencil by Traci Bautista.

First I stenciled the flowers randomly on the page. Then I grabbed the Wall Of Words Stencil and used the entire stencil. 

I did some doodling at the upper left on along the side of the lower right. 

After that I used a black permanent gel pen and outlined some of my favorite words and quotes from the stencil. I really love how this turned out and I am seriously thinking of having it printed to Canvas.

Here are some other shots of the page. 

 Ok for my second project, I made a mini quotes album. I had this super cool little flip tag that came with a Harley Davidson Leather Jacket I purchased and it turned out to be the perfect vehicle for a mini album. I love recylcing things into my art.

I used all of the stencils again. The Wall of Words Stencil, the Deconstructed Floral Bouquet Stencil and the Love Collage Stencil by Traci Bautista.

Here is a shot of the completed album

The first thing I did was take the album out of the elastic piece that was holding it together. I gesso'd both sides of the pages. I really loved that I could still see some of the words through the gesso.

The next thing I did was create different backgrounds. I used as many different colors as I could grab.


I applied the paint with my fingers, moving it around and blending the paints together.

Next I grabbed the Deconstructed Floral Bouquet Stencil and the Love Collage Stencil by Traci Bautista and started adding the next layer.

 I used white paint for highlited areas.

Here I have started doodling. I used a white signo gel pen and also a black pen. I just traced the outlines of the stencils and added some different shapes and lines.

Here in this shot you can see gold...I just use a gold writer...shake it up and push the tip down on my craft mat until a puddle of the liquid gold comes out..then I fling it all over everything. 

So now I add my words from the Wall of Words Stencil. I put different words together to make different quotes and sayings and also used some of the ones that were already on the stencil.

Then its time to put the book together.

I hope you are inspired to go make some beautiful art using StencilGirl Stencils. Go make a journal page or a mini album or anything really. Just have fun.

Please be sure and visit the Stencil Girl Products Website here
StencilGirl Product Website

Below are links to the stencils I used to make both of these projects...
Wall Of Words Stencil
Love Collage Stencil by Traci Bautista
Deconstructed Floral Bouquet Stencil by Traci Bautista

Thanks so much for stopping by today.
x0x0x
Monica

A beautiful Spring Cuff Bracelet using Relics and Artifacts by Sandra Evertson and Prima

Hello Gorgeousess

Oh my goodness...I've been so busy lately...I've been terrible about keeping up with my blog.

I must do better.

Today I am sharing with you a cuff that I made today. I got my art table all cleaned up and just sat down and started playing.

Ended up with this beautiful cuff bracelet.

So I started with a fabric covered leather cuff. I picked up a bunch of them actually, at Tuesday Morning awhile back. Turns out these are actually a Prima brand product from 2011.

I layered a piece of lace over the gold fabric. Then I reached for my Relics and Artifacts by Sandra Evertson and Prima. I used one of the Cameo's from the Cameo Collection. You can pick up a set here Relics and Artifacts Archival Cast Cameo's. Now, while you are there at the shop be sure and check out all of the other beautiful craft blanks that can be altered in oh so many ways.

Ok so, I painted the Cameo using Finnabair's Art Ingredients Mica Powders in Black Cherry and Teal. When I painted on the Black Cherry Color, I grabbed a towel and wiped it off of just the face and neck areas, then went back in with another coat after that dried. You are going to want to seal this with a fixatiff or a matte spray sealer.

Now for the fun. I layered lace pieces, some beautiful rose trip, then topped it all off with some rhinestone bling. I glued them all together, then centered the piece on the cuff and glued it down.

I LOVE how it came out and cannot wait to wear it.

Here are some more pictures

Thanks so much for stopping by. Stay tuned because I've got some catching up to do on some other projects I haven't blogged about. And I am going to be back in the studio tomorrow with another project.

Have a Beautiful Easter.

See you soon
x0x0x
Monica

2016...my Art Journey

Hello Beautiful's...

This year...I have such great desires for this year...I truly believe it is going to be AMAZING...
I am going to be making and sharing so much art, and my journey with Sandra Evertson and her amazing Relics and Artifacts line of products.

I am also hoping to be able to do a bit of traveling and make some art with friends. This is something I have always wanted to do. I don't have any friends locally who want to play with me and get artsy so I really want to go and be with my people in other places, even if it's just for a weekend.

This year is going to be about trying new things, new techniques, new products. I really want to expand my art horizons and I believe it is going to happen.

A lot of people choose to make New Years Resolutions, which is fine, I'm just not a resolution kind of girl. I chose a word for the year, which I have done in the past, but this year I am going to be lead by this word, stay true to this word, and do just what it says and EMERGE.

Already a few amazing things have happened this year that will be revealed in due time and I can't wait to share them with you. I am also going to be working with my husband to create my own website so I can sell my art. I am not o.k with having to charge higher prices in order to accommodate a second party commission to sell my art, so, my own website it is!!! I also want to get published this year so I am going to be submitting like crazy to some of my favorite art magazines.

For today I am going to share some art that I have created so far this year.

I made this first piece using my word of the year for inspiration. I love to collage and mix mediums and making these MAD Artz Bloxz (as I call them) is so much fun and the possibilities are endless. I cut my own blocks. My husband bought me a scroll saw for Christmas 2 years ago and I love it. The bloxz are the same size as an ATC (Artist Trading Card), which is 2-1/2 x 3-1/2, but mine are 1-1/2 inches thick. I like them chunky and it gives me more space to cover with art, papers, embellishments etc. I have also been known to cut some other shapes and sizes and I will be incorporating those in some future Artz Bloxz. Really the sky is the limit with these babies, and I am definitely going to be making more of them.

I love using printables and I have TONS...I also love making background papers with my Gelli Plate and using them for collage and other art projects. I took an amazing class by Mary Jane Chadbourn summer of 2014 and it has been very inspiring for me.

I did this next piece using my Gelli Arts Gelli Plate and Stencil Girl Products Stencil Doodle It Geometric Landscape which you can find here http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-doodle-landscape-maria-mcguire-p/l337.htm . I used some of my favorite stamps, did some doodling, and then wrote out some of my favorite hashtags in the circles. I really love how bright it came out.

Super fun...super bright and desperately in need of a frame so I can hang it up!!!!
So that's what I have so far this first few days of the New Year. I plan on spending some more time in the studio tomorrow evening.

I have to get things tidied up because my Relics and Artifacts and Prima goodies should be arriving soon and I must make room for them.

Stay beautiful and be sure and find some time to make some art.
x0x0x
Monica

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.