Spring has sprung!

Spring has definitely arrived here at Spring Grove with our first sighting of a snake yesterday and lots of baby birds emerging from nests and flowers in bloom. It is one of my favorite times of year, as it's a time of renewal and new beginnings and I always feel energized after my hibernating ways of winter come to an end.

I have been thinking a lot about my creative journey which has been all over the place this year.  With wanting to move towards mixed media and art journaling, at the beginning of the year I signed up for Life Book 2013 over at Willowing and I have been reading lots of books from various mixed media artists, such as Kelly Rae Roberts, and Dawn DeVries Sokol.  I am loving my transition into these forms of creative expression, even though I don't share much of it with you here on my blog as its more for my personal enjoyment than anything.  Like life my creative journey is truly a work in progress.

Anyhow I was re-reading some of Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts over the past few days, as I love her work and was inspired to take paint to hand and create this canvas in honor of spring.

Supplies used:  Acrylic Paint, Gelatos, Swirly Garden Stencil, Punchinella, 

Stampin' Up Baroque Motifs Stamp Set, Various Scrap Papers, Burlap Flower.

It's only my second time painting a face, and my first time with acrylics, I struggled with my facial features but I loved the process and am quite happy with it so far, paint splatters, smudges and all.

I've been back buying more burlap embellishments at the dollar store, this time some flowers.  I have used one on my canvas, for my girl's headband.

I am not sure if it is fully finished yet..........time will tell, I think some birds or butterflies may be in order.

This canvas is a reminder of how this time of year makes me happy, it's a time I cherish and when the world around us is kind to all, full of new life and beautiful color.  It's a time we often look upon things with eyes wide open and feel like anything is possible. It's a time to look forward and to dream.

Using Up Some Gelli Plate Backgrounds!

Hi Everyone!  And welcome to my new followers this week!  Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your kind comments, they really do brighten my day!

Well I promised I would be back with a few projects using some of the backgrounds I created playing with my Gelli Plate the other day, so here are a couple for you.   Since playing with it the other day, I have rearranged my craft room and swapped desks to give me more space to get messy and I now have a new excuse as to why not to do my housework! lol......I am having too much fun with my Gelli Plate!

   

The above Gelli Plate Print was done using Splash Inks Brayered Across the Plate. Cut into ATC Size Pieces, a Unity Background Stamp, Gold Foil, Faux Stitching and some Torn Paper were then added to set the scene for the cute Fairy Cat and Butterfly.

I am entering this ATC into the Artful Times Challenge #23 this week which is to use a Color Technique.

My Life Book Week 2 Exercise was to create a True Intentions Art Doll on an acrylic paint background so I couldn't resist doing this exercise again and use this Gelli Plate Print for it.    My art doll is made up of lots of Unity KOTM Stamps and some Hand Drawing.

And my last project today is a ATC using a Gelli Print background created using a Mini Harlequin and Mini Circle Explosion Stencil on the Gelli Plate all in pink.  I have simply added some contrast with some black faux stitching, and the water-colored Tulip is a Dark Room Door Stamp to which I have added some shine by adding Glossy Accents to the flower bud.

Can't wait to play some more!

I hope you find some time just to play today or at least do something you love!