July Mixed Media Challenge

Hi Dawna, here is the mould I was talking about, Anitra said she found it on Etsy...I love that it has chains and little gems. Can't wait to cast and make something with it. I'm also thinking about doing an MM embroidery hop soon for my sister who sews. I've seen some fabulous ones on Pinterest and YouTube.

Lisa what a great lo! Love that blue butterfly!

Love! I got some chains and chain links moulds from Katie Sue Designs.

I stenciled the bg for this LO. Trying to give it a camo look so mixed colors

This one I stenciled at the bottom and top right corner - hard to see. Was trying to make it look like the stones. Also did some stamping

Layers of stenciling, modeling paste, watercolor paints and a bit of stitching

Welcome Pam and Susan! Nice to have you join us again this month! Your lo's are wonderful!

ACU2H

If mean the soft, sort of flexible stuff, I like it more than the clay-like compound. It might just be inexperience though - the softer paste is more familiar like the pastes I use with stencils. It took practice though to make sure the shallow moulds were filled and enough goop was used to make a good backing so the shapes could be adhered (mine kept getting shallow/thin sections). I had a harder time with the clay, even after following a few basic videos. Mostly getting the details to show and not accidentally squishing them when removing from the mould. I also kept breaking them when trying to file or cut off the excess dried clay. (When I did it wet, I squished the fronts.) I still have the moulds - I should buy more of the compounds and try again now that I have learned a little more from seeing everyone's examples here/online.

@lisn2cats Thanks Lis. The compound I have is a bucket of powder that you mix with water. Is that the same that you're referring to? The last mould I bought was really shallow also. I suspect I'll have the same issues you did when I go to pour it

Ohhhh the ceramic powder! Definitely have not used that - it's hard enough figuring out the stuff that is ready to use LOL. I do remember, though, seeing the results. With the right finishing, you can make them look like shiny tiles or even give them a marbled look. I loved the results I saw online and came thissssss close to buying the powder and paints since I already had soap or candle molds. I can't wait to see what you make!!!

A lot of oxide inks, a bit of texture pastes, watercolor, alcohol inks and colored pencils

Dawna, I've never tried any of their mould compound just their Cream Paste. So far I've never used anything other than the Amazing resin for my moulds. When I first started using moulds I did try the clay but didn't like it at all, it was easy to work with but came out to dry for me and I didn't get the details of the design like I get using resin. Let me know how it works for you, as I'm always looking for new products to try.

Dawna, maybe playing around with the mould compound will help spark your mojo, can't wait to see what make.

Lis your mountain and ocean scene is so magnificent! I just love everything about it. Boy your sure getting skilled with your stencils! You go gf!

This is the video that almost had me buying the powder: https://youtu.be/lKvxU-vyj3c

Thanks Lis, I'll give it a watch.

Hi everyone, started working on my nephew's canvas last night, well I gessoed all the resin pieces at least...hoping to get it finished by this weekend to mail next week, his b-day is the 31st.

Hi Tena, not yet. I'm pretty busy trying to get everything orchestrated for our floor removal. The packers and movers will be here next week, then the abatement team starts work the week after. I finely found a nearby hotel, who takes pets, for us to stay at while all this work is being done. Phew! What a lot of calls, but I did find something nice, a bit pricy, but we'll be staying for 7 days, and there's no way I was staying at a Motel 6! lol One night? Maybe, in a pinch. Seven nights, no way! We only have the two places to chose from, and the Marriot won out. I'm probably not going to get to play with my moulds until this is all over. So, my grandsons gift, may have to be an IOU! He knows I'm good for it. lol

I bought DAS air dry clay but didn't read how big a brick I was getting. I just wanted to make a teeny tiny baby mushroom. A pound is a lot more than needed. Does anyone know if I can use this stuff in molds? Do I need to spray the mold first? If I want to use it on a canvas to create a textured base, do I smush it on the canvas and hope it doesn't fall off or do I make whatever and glue it on to the canvas? Sigh. A POUND of this stuff!

Lis, yes the brick is huge but if you wrap it up in something air tight (like plastic wrap and an ziplock bag) it will last longer without drying out.

Dawna, will your homeowners insurance reimburse you for the week stay while the work is being done? I hope so. And I'm sure your DGS will totally understand why.

WOAH That is absolutely AMAZING!!!! I can't even begin to compete with that! Is that watercolor paper??

I stepped out of my comfort zone a bit....I am not a big on busy papers which explains why I still have this older paper...LOL . I just find them difficult...but, I started it so I am finishing it! I used spray inks and grit paste, but I have found that on busy paper, things like that just don't show well. I also tossed on sequins and used a shimmer spray (in real life, it is very shimmery).....

Well the job involves removing my wooden floor that got water logged which the insurance is going to cover. Then there is the carpeted area in the front room that we'll also be removing on our dime. Since we're having to pull up the wood floor in the kitchen and dining room , I want to relay wood floors in the front room and get rid of the carpet completely. In total it's a 5 day tear out. So we've agreed that insurance will pay 3/5's and I'll pay 2/5's of the cost. So my insurance is picking up the majority of the cost, just not all of it. It made for a much bigger job, but I'll be thrilled to have hardwoods throughout the space. It will be nice when it's done.

Lis I agree with Tena, double wrap your clay and it will stay a long time. I don't think you'd be able to adhere raw clay to your canvas, but you certainly can make shapes like 3D flowers and leaves, and use them on your canvas. Once your clay pieces are dry, use matte gel to adhere them and they won't come off your canvas. With a pound of this stuff, maybe you can find a YT video on how to make clay pots. They are super simple to make, just roll out your "snakes", cut out a bottom and run your snakes around and up and next thing you know, you've got yourself a vase or pot! They are really fun to make.

Carri this looks so fun! It's bright and happy and just makes me smile!

Dawna, sounds like a big job but I'm sure you're love your new floors when they are done and glad to hear that insurance will cover some of the cost.

Oh wow Tena that sounds awesome, can't wait to see it!

This is beautiful @carrie640 !!! Going to the gallery so I can see it up close!

love love love it Fav

Hello everyone.
my projects are all done need to get some batteries for my camera hoping to upload them tomorrow
I don't know if I like them lol!

Aww thanks! @Tena E. I document my projects because sometimes I can't believe that I actually completed them and it's nice to look back on them when I need a boost of confidence.

Darlene, I'm sure they will be great...I had to step away from my canvas today and just give myself a break, it's not turning out how I hoped, seems like I'm missing something so today was a reading day. Finished one novel by Ruth Ware and started a 3 book series by B. B. Griffith. Will get back to work on my canvas tomorrow or Saturday and should be finished with it Sunday (like it or not LOL).

Lis when I was a teenager I used to play with the red earthen clay. My mom had a kiln so I could fire my pottery any time I'd needed to. I made everyone in the family a set of gorgeous wind chimes. It's so much fun working with clay!

Hi Darlene, I can't wait to see what you've created!

Tena good luck with your piece! I can't wait to see what you did!

Tena, I am sure your canvas will be Beautiful hope to get pictures of my projects tonight is too hot now like it or not lol!

Very cute love all the flowers and cute picture!

Cute layout love all the colors you use stenciling is nice too!

A nice layout would be a great place to visit love the
stenciling to!

They never turn out the way we envision . . . do they!?

I've been quietly around, just busy week at work this week.

Pull out another "busy" paper, and then practice toning it down with white gesso. It's amazing how that works.

My mixed media project this month is a great example of how not to do misting. I used a spray pen and re-inker, and since I'm not very good at it, I ended up with lots of blotches instead of a pretty mist. At least the layout included journaling about how messy it is to do art with preschoolers, so my mess seems to fit in! I might need to shop for a different tool to use, because I can never seem to control the spray with the pens I currently have.

Happy Saturday everyone,

No, they don't LOL.

JCI

Here is a submission from Darlene. Isn't it divine?