Hey, I'm back after a short break. Had a little hiccup in my usual schedule due to some girly surgery junk I had done this past Monday. All is well and I'm recovering nicely here at home with a shiny clean uterus and one less ovary and set of fallopian tubes. (I know, TMI, right?) I've been "trying" to take it easy, but after reading so many creative blogs and watching lots of YouTube videos, I got so antsy I had to get up and do SOMETHING creative.
So I decided to start with a challenge. eclectic Paperie’s eTeam Picks Challenge. The eTeam Picks Challenge is held on the third Thursday of each month and each challenge is an opportunity for you to be inspired by one of our eTeam’s creations. This week it’s Julie who is challenging us to use Gel Medium in a project. Be sure to hop over there and check out her gel medium photo transfer technique on her art journal page. She's even got a video to show you how it's done.
You're invited to share your work too, and to be entered into our challenge prize drawing of $15 in the eP Store! Keep reading below for more details on that.
I also did an art journal page in my Dylusions journal. Here's a look...
I didn't want to push it, so I did a single page this time.
I remembered my first art journal page and how the multi-medium I used turned out a pretty nice resist effect, so I thought "why not use the medium on a stencil and see what happens?" So I grabbed my new Vintage Lace Mask by Christy Tomlinson and dabbed matte medium over it on several areas of my page.
Looks like a mess here, but I used another stencil and started layering paints mixed with the medium.
More layering with just the medium. Not sure where this was going. Just experimenting. That's what it's all about.
Then the fun part of spraying with Dylusions inks. I stuck with yellows, oranges and reds.
I wasn't happy with how muddy the painted areas looked in the upper right and lower left, but I really loved the rest of it. The medium created a nice resist, but not a complete one. Interesting...
I glued down some pieces of a large paper doily to hide those areas I didn't like.
Then I toned down the bright white doilies by stamping some script using Sepia Archival ink.
Then to tone it down a little more, I rubbed pink Gelato over the doilies and spread it with my finger. Much better.
Then I went a little stamp crazy. The large butterfly has some sheen to it...
because I stamped one buttefuly with Perfect Medium and then dusted it with Copper Perfect Pearls. (another technique from Ranger University) Then after misting with water and letting it dry, I stamped another butterfly offset slightly with a burgundy archival ink.
I added some rub-ons in blacks and whites as an added accent here and there.
I like how you can hardly tell there is a doily here. A messy, but interesting effect.
Lots of layered goodness here. Wendy Vecchi's and Tim Holtz's stamps always work so nicely together.
I was happy I got up for a little while and had some fun. Now it's your turn. Wanna play along?
Here are a few things to keep in mind for this challenge…
• You do not have to use products sold in the eP store…but we do love it when you do!
• Share a direct link to your creation, not just your blog, using the Linky Tools feature at the end of the eP post. If for any reason the Linky Tools doesn’t cooperate, please add a link in the Comments section of their blog.
• When uploading to any online galleries, please use any of the following keywords; eP, eclectic Paperie or eTeam Pick Challenge. Link your creations to the eP blog.
• If you’d like to be considered as one of our featured projects and be entered into our prize drawing, please be sure to add your link no later than 6pm EST on May 30th. They’ll announce the winner/featured project that evening. HAVE FUN!
Gorgeous journal page. I love all of the layers of colour and gel medium. Great tutorial to show how the page evolved step by step. Each technique or medium you added increased the depth, texture, and richness of the page. I want to try the butterfly double stamping...such a cool effect. Wonderful piece of art, Annette.
ReplyDeleteArgh....I got so excited by your art that I forgot to say that I hope you feel better soon:)
ReplyDeleteWow... I love your layers and layers of doilies - what a fabulous overall effect! Gorgeous warm colours, and I just love all the stamping - beautiful page!
ReplyDeleteDo hope you'll take it properly easy, and that your recuperation is swift and smooth.
Alison xx
Stunning, Annette! I'm in love with the colors and all that layering...great stuff! Hope you're feeling better each day!
ReplyDeletesuper cute! Just started art journaling about a week ago. So inspired by your page. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOOoooo! love this ! what a great way to use the gel medium fabulous layers. Sorry to hear about your surgery, but good to have a clean bill of health, take it easy
ReplyDeletelove Toni x
Beautiful! Love the colors and all the layers. So much inspiration out there it's very easy to get excited while surfing. Take it easy and speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteOh Annette, it's gorgeous. Love all the layers.
ReplyDeleteTake care and wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery! This page is fab, I struggle with these colors but it looks amazing! Take care hugs trace. X
ReplyDeleteAnnette this page is just gorgeous!! Love the colors and all the layers! That doily mask is one of my favs and I love how you used it in different ways and made a beautiful work of art!!! Rest up and feel better soon!! Xoxo!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful page. I wonder where you all get those gorgeous doilies. I just can't seem to find them here in the Netherlands...
ReplyDeleteYour stuff always impresses me!!
ReplyDeleteGreat layering of techniques...and awesome colors :-)
Fell better!!!
ok, that's it, I have so far resisted getting the Vintage Lace Mask but you have showcased it so beautifully I'm going to have to get it!
ReplyDeleteThe color palette of your page is just amazing and I love all of the stamping. Building and building 'till it's just perfect.
I'll bet creating this lovely page helped you to feel better and hope your recovery moves quickly along!
For someone new to journalling it seems you have caught on quite well!!! Gorgeous page full of layers and color. I can't wait to go try the two layer approach to stamping. It promotes the image so subtly. I might have to go make something for this challenge.
ReplyDeleteHope your continued recovery goes smoothly. Be kind to yourself.
What a gorgeous page! It tickles me to think of you cracking open that art journal... so glad you bit the bullet! Hope your mending continues and you are being treated like a Queen by all. xx
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning Annette - hope you are well recovered very soon. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteWow! I just adore all of the layering and the resulting piece of art!!
ReplyDeleteStunning as ever Annette..how pretty the doilies are and you do such beautiful layering..love it all!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling heaps better lovely lady.
Big hugs
Tracy
xoxo