Going Up?

I found this Second Floor Challenge over at Balzer Designs. The challenge was designed by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and Nathalie Kalbach.  It sounded right up my alley because I want to try new things but never get around to it or I am just scared to try. I always see new online art classes that are available but I don't have the moolah to spend on them.

This is what Julie Fei-Fan Balzer says about the challenge:

• Every few weeks we will issue a challenge (just something to spark some creativity - sometimes starting without a prompt can be very intimidating).
• Your assignment is to take that challenge and make some art.

• Here's the most important part: at some point you need to "take it to the second floor."  What does that mean?  It means trying something vastly out of your comfort zone.  Doing something that might not work.  Experimenting with a crazy idea.  It's all about pushing yourself.  If it works, awesome.  If it doesn't work, awesome!

Did you catch that part about "If it doesn't work, awesome!" ?    Remember this as I go on.
The first challenge is to use gold acrylic paint. Sounds easy but seriously, the paint is ugly.
I decided to go to the books I already have to find a project. I opened up my Collage Discovery Workshop book by Claudine Hellmuth.  I found a cool project that uses Vaseline and paint.

 So I started with these old 70s plaques and put some paper on the back and a photo.

I don't have a pic with the images on them but next I coated the paper with some gel medium and let it dry.

Then I covered parts of the picture with vaseline. Then came the gold paint.

When the paint drys you wipe off the vaseline and the paint come off those spots.

No likee!!!!!!! I wish I didn't waste those two images. Then I tried to wash off the vaseline so I could try again and I totally destroyed that second image with the little girl.  I was done with that attempt. I'll try again someday without gold paint 

I remembered a transfer method I saw on Jewels' blog Just Tickety-Boo . She got the idea from a book called Image Transfer Workshop by Darlene Olivia McElroy.  I haven't read the book but Jewels painted an image and then painted a background and smooshed them together (giving the short version) and let them dry. Then she wet the image and rubbed it off. Cool! I'll do that with gold paint.

Not cool! I used an old pattern envelope and I can't get to the image without rubbing it completely off.  Too bad, that would have been neat.  Maybe I used the wrong kind of image. 

Maybe I should have bought the book and read how to do it properly.  Tee hee!

So to get this challenge finished I just decided to do a collage and used some gold paint as a stencil. 

Now I'm supposed to share the things I learned. 

1. I don't care for gold paint. Actually I knew that already.
2. I learned that trying new things is good and I shouldn't get upset when the new thing doesn't work. How else do you learn?
3. I need to enjoy the process even if the experimenting doesn't turn out pretty. The joy should be in the creating and not felt only when you love what you made.

Have a creative week and give the challenge a try!!!

Paper Doll

I saw this adorable paper doll on The Graphics Fairy and I had to make her.

I cut two of the center piece and covered one with green bias tape. Then I glued down some pink rick rack to look like boning on her corset.

I used a scrap of vintage tulle and some old sequins to make her a tutu.

I glittered up her hat and shoes and also the flowers on her top.

Then I glued the outfit on top of the doll I made with the movable joints. I kept the glue at the top and down the center so it would stay on without interfering with the joints.

Then I hung her on my bulletin board so I can enjoy her while I work. I can't show you that because it is too messy.  She was very fun to create so I hope you try one too! Here is the link again at The Graphics Fairy.

Have a creative week!!!!

March Collage Challenge

I'm so happy it's the 1st of the month so I can participate in Mary Green's collage challenge. I haven't had enough creative time lately so today I was excited to work on some collage. The challenge is to use at least part of each of the three lovely images that Mary provides.  I wanted to try something different this time because I usually think I am too literal with the pieces. Is that the word I want? Like I try to make a picture with the pieces and everything has to be used correctly? I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right but, whatever, I wanted to try something else. I was inspired by this project on Gingersnap Creations. Samantha Read used a background made with different rubber stamps and then cut the background into strips. That is what I did with the Three Little Kittens music page. I printed two of them and cut strips that were 1/2 inch wide. Then I glued a strip right side up and the next upside down creating a pattern that would frame the lady.

Then I used two of the third piece to create patterns that would ground her. I'm happy with the way it turned out. It may even be my favorite challenge entry that I've done.

Make sure you check out the other entries here. It is always so fun to see what everyone else creates with the same images.

Thanks Mary for having these challenges and thanks for being such a huge creative inspiration to me!

Junk Drunk

I heard the American Pickers use the term "Junk Drunk" recently and I loved it because that really fits me on Saturday mornings. Can't wait to go to the estate sales!  I went to four this morning and had to go back after 1:00 to one of them to get the half price stuff. I always drool over the treasures Laurie and Kathy find at the sales so I thought I would share some things I found this week.

I got this adorable crib blanket, sweet baby shoes and some really cute baby fabric. Actually the fabric looks like a duvet if there is such a thing for babies.

It is funny how we all have a different sense of what is valuable and what isn't. I thought this little date book was the best thing ever so was surprised to get it for $1. The owner, named Laura, wrote something on every single day of 1912. Towards the beginning she kept track of how many eggs her chickens were laying.

On Wed. of that week she noted that, "Mrs. Taylor came down on a sled."  I haven't read much of it yet but I looked at Christmas day and she noted that they went to church in a sleigh. I love that! So worth a dollar!!!

I got this next big sewing box for $2. The shoe pincushion wasn't in the box but I bought that too.

Lots of goodies on that top tray and there is lots of stuff under the tray too. I also bought another sewing box that wasn't as great as this one but I couldn't say no.

Next is this adorable old jewelry box that screamed at me to buy it.

 Oh my gosh, it was so funny. The box had a price tag on it that was way too high. After I saw what was in it, I put it back on the table and said under my breath, "So cute." A man near me said, "Did you just say I was cute?" I started laughing and then he said, "You're cute!" I was pretty red by then and just said, "You're funny!" Then I hid. See, I just roll out of bed on Saturdays and go to these things without makeup or showering. I think next week I'll get up earlier and put some makeup on. :)

Oh, right, you want to see what was in the box? I drove back at 1:00 to get it half price which was probably still too much but sometimes there is no listening to my own reason.

It was filled with these Angel baby paper dolls from 1942. There are also a couple pieces from the Betty Grabel paper doll but sadly no Betty Grabel.

Fun day!! Tomorrow morning I'm off to a rummage sale at a fire hall. Never know!  It could be good!

Downton Abbey Paper Dolls

I just found these in an Etsy link on Facebook. Downton Abbey Paper Dolls!

How cute are they??? They include Mary and Matthew.

Thomas and O'Brien-  Check out the evil facial hair.

Dowager Countess

Look how all her facial expressions are the same except for one.

There is also one for Sybil.

She is a bit too modern in that tee shirt and shorts.

 I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet but I'm sure they will make a great collage. Here is the link again for Vulture. You know you want these too!!

Block of the Month

My sister told me about a free class at Craftsy that teaches you how to make different quilt squares every month. The Craftsy Block of the Month started at the beginning of January and the teacher, Amy Gibson, taught us how to make these two squares.

You can use a bunch of fat quarters and you are supposed to have a large piece of background fabric that is used in each square. I had the fat quarters but I didn't have background fabric so I decided to make my background different for each square. I watched the videos when the class started but since I was undecided on which fabric to use I didn't get started until the February videos came out.  I  just finished my February blocks so decided to show you all four.

They are a bit loud since I didn't follow directions regarding the background fabric but I like them anyway. Two squares will be taught each month and at the end of the year they will all be put together into a quilt.  You have plenty of time to catch up because these were very easy to do. Just go to Craftsy's online classes and look through the quilting classes and you will find it.

I hope you are having a creative week!!

February Collage Challenge

Time for another collage challenge from Mary Green at Greenpaper. The challenge is to create something using at least a part of each beautiful image that she provides.

Maggie is more than a little disheartened after receiving another silly Valentine gift from William. She is having a talk with Cupid and she tells him to suggest a ring next year or else she is going to marry the weird, cross-eyed guy down the street who at least sends her flowers.

In case you can't find my third piece, it is the little word "love" in Cupid's upper hand.
Check out the other entries here. It is always fun to see what everyone else does with the same images.

Thanks, Mary, for the great images and another fun challenge!