Hastypearl Mixed Media Angel

Hastypearl

Mixed Media Angel

Well, this posting is Both a Happy :) and Sad :( tale.

Ill get the Sad part over first.

I lost the photos that I took to make a step out tutorial, for this piece.

OK. So, not sooo sad, but I was certainly disappointed. 

Not only those images were lost, but also, 

the ones that I took of a family luncheon that I hosted.

You know how it goes.

I am constantly trying to learn more about photography.

Wow, what a steep learning curve it is.

So, I followed some steps for changing 

my camera from the settings that it came with.

I turned left when I should have turned right 

on one of the steps, and I don't know how to 

retrieve the missing photos.

At least I figured out WHY it happened 

and corrected it so that it doesn't continue.

I've learned along Life's way, to try to not have regrets.

There will always be another time, for more photos.

So, the Happy part of the tale, is that I had 

a Wonderful time creating this piece.

It just came together with ease!

I love it when that happens.

Basically, it is comprised of layers and layers.

Starting with a Very Old Lace tablecloth, 

I built up, I think it was 10 layers.

The wood piece in the middle is a paper thin 

piece of wood, that came out of a beautiful wood cigar box.

I thought it gave the piece a little more structure...stability.

I ultimately used grommets in the front and back, 

so that the rusty wire that I strung through them, 

would feel a little more finished.

There is a layer behind the angel wings of some of my 

hand painted watercolor paper, some tulle, 

some stenciling...I used Roxanne Evans Stouts Stencil Girl stencils...

they are beautiful, 

and of course, I used a Ton of ephemera.  

I ran a border of checked ribbon that I saved 

from a purchase, from Trudi Sissons.

If you've never bought anything from her...you should!

The explosion of wrapping fun starts on the OUTside 

of the envelope and the surprises go on and on!

Both artists are as Great as it Gets for Mixed Media Art 

and they constantly provide me with Inspiration! 

So, the recipient of this gift, 

is our newest baby family member.

Girls have been little hard to come by in our family, 

however, it seems to be finally turning 

a bit with this new generation!

There's NO real protection from this angel...

That will come from God, 

but it will be colorful and fun for her little 

busy eyes to enjoy as shes growing.

Her name is Blakely, so that's why you see 

the Vintage Letterpress Letter B.

I hope you enjoyed the "Very Short" Step Out instructions :)

I guess in the end, a tutorial just wasn't meant to be.

Maybe this Mixed Media Piece, 

was just meant to be Viewed and Enjoyed! 

Lesson Learned?

Yep! 

We just need to roll with the punches and enjoy the ride!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you would like to get email alerts when I post, 

just sign up in the space provided in the right side column.

I promise I wont overdo it:)

And as always, I hope that you will pop over to 

my hastypearl Etsy shop periodically, 

to see what's going on. 

I hope that you will keep me in mind for your 

2015 gifting purchases.

Etsy has made it Very simple to shop.

All you need is a credit card and the rest is Easy.

Handmade is Best and even Better, it gets Delivered right to your mailbox!!!

xo...as always ...Laura    

Journal Fun! Hastypearl

Journal Fun!

Hastypearl  

I thought I would show you some 

Journals that I've recently made!

Journal making for me, comes in spurts.

I guess it depends on what materials I'm going to use.

If I use my drawings or paintings, or maybe even bleached papers, 

it will take a little longer.

But sometimes, it just takes me digging around in my paper stash, 

and boom...the next thing that you know, I'm tearing and gluing!

Making them, is really simple and fun!

Now, I didn't say, FAST, because for me, they aren't.

First, its important to keep some extra 

composition notebooks around. 

Thankfully, they are easily found.

I actually pick them up at the grocery store, 

so I'm talking, THAT kind of easy.

For these three Journals, I took my extra papers drawer 

downstairs and plopped down in front of a movie 

and started digging.

I'm kind of in a making Multiples mood, lately.

If I'm making say an angel, to sell on Hastypearl, 

I'll usually make Multiples, at a time.

While they are always one of a kind, 

somehow, Henry Fords' idea of making more than one at a time

 is finally rubbing off on me:)

So, I start stacking my scraps by colors, or themes and keep going 

until I think that I have enough paper to cover 

the fronts and backs of each notebook.

I've learned, that there are People that like to 

cut and make things very neat with straight lines, 

and there are people...uh, like me, 

that are more likely to tear and go random :)

Where do I get my papers you ask?

Everywhere!

I buy some of them, in the form of books of papers in the 

scrap booking department of art stores, 

but MOSTLY, I make them or I find them from magazines, 

catalogs or newspaper flyers.

Take care with copyrighted images.

We don't want to steal someones hard made art or photography.

These aren't going to be sold, so I'm ok.

One of my favorite places to find copyright safe images, 

is from, The Graphics Fairy.

Why someone like Karen, would spend her life 

sharing her fantastic free images, I don't know, 

but I am soooo glad for her Generous Heart!

After I have my pieces torn, cut, and roughly placed...

I start gluing.

I'm addicted to Weldbond glue.

I buy it online in giant bottles.

I think they could fix the Leaning Tower of Pisa,

 if they just knew about Weldbond.

Maybe I'll place a call to Italy, right now ;)

So, just get after it with the glue.

You can use a brush or your finger.

Just use a lot!

Dont be surprised, if some of your papers bubble.

Lightweight papers, like newpaper 

and slick magazine papers,

 ARE going to bubble.

Just Breathe 

and accept that this isnt about something 

being perfect.

If that's just too frustrating for you, 

then stick with thicker images or copy your favorites 

on thicker card stock, 

that you can buy next to regular copy paper.

Glue sticks don't effect papers the same as paste glue, 

so you might would rather use it. 

If you want, you can use a brayer or an old credit card, 

and roll out the glue.

Again, Im not terribly precious about things.

Just have FUN!

Most everyone loves to have a pen or pencil handy, 

so I use the inside front, 

to make a little pocket for them. 

Its a great time, to use a piece of scrap fabric.

I love to find upholstery fabrics, 

that have a little sturdiness to them. 

I actually just glued these pockets.

Just push the glued fabric sides in a bit 

and make some little pleats on the bottom, 

and that will allow for the pencils to slip right in. 

If the pocket is flat, its not as usable!

Doodling or Zentangle is allowed.

Even Encouraged :)

Some of my last sets, have had favorite yarns, ribbons, 

fibers, laces, buttons, 

findings or beads attached.

I use an awl, to punch holes through the 

finished covers and lace my fibers through. 

There really is NO end to what you can do to these.

That's the FUN of it !   

Sometimes, I use my sewing machine and sew right through the 

finished journal covers around the edges.

This time, Im just leaving them as is.

I do like to "paint" over the whole thing with Weldbond,

 to seal all of the pieces down.

With lots of use, its not impossible 

that there wont be some lifting of the papers, 

but again, I think a journal should feel like 

your favorite pair of leather shoes.

All. Worn. In.!

If you are a sketcher/painter, maybe you would want to paint 

over the pages with some gesso.

That, would give the page some texture and a little more weight.

If You are a writer/poet...You're ready to go.

Maybe You would use this for your endless lists...

Yep, we all have them.

At least, Your lists will be housed in a happy place!

So, yes, I have some People in mind for these books.

These Journals, will find their new owners, very soon. :)

I'm  writing this posting 4 days before Christmas.

Yes, there are the typical books, sweaters or shirts, 

under our tree, but if you're asking me, 

People enjoy receiving something that you made with Your hands...or Your Heart.

You see that with a VERY SMALL monetary investment, 

three people, are going to get something from me, 

that will probably mean a lot more to them than a sweater. 

Maybe you will give this a try.

Its just a Starter idea.

I'm hoping, that you will change it up 

to suit who YOU are!

Make a stack of them at a time, 

and when that birthday need sneaks up on you...

you'll be all ready for the moment!

Thanks for stopping by. 

I love that you do...

Blessings to those of you observing the Beautiful time of Hanukkah,

 And to those who are preparing for Christmas.

What a Happy Time it is for us All!

 xoLaura  

Red Oak Book Arts Workshop with Leslie Marsh and Roxanne Evans Stout Hastypearl

Red Oak Book Arts Workshop

with 

 Leslie Marsh and Roxanne Evans Stout

Hastypearl

NASA called, and said that they use fewer steps to launch a rocket, 

than we did in the three day workshop that Leslie Marsh and Roxanne Evans Stout

 taught us last week! :)

Some background first.

I have Never held an art workshop. Ever.

I had Never met either teacher. Ever.

In fact, Leslie realized, that the two of us, 

had never even talked on the phone about any details. Ever.

Maybe I should have instead titled this posting...Ever, 

because it was often the theme of the workshop!

None of the students had Ever met each other or either of the teachers.

Yet...in three short days, an overwhelming bond 

occurred between ALL of us, 

so much so, that you would have thought 

that it was our Tenth reunion!

Leslie and Roxanne arrived to our home in Texas LATE, 

the night before the class began.

They hit the ground running setting things up 

the first morning and they never stopped smiling...Ever!

Leslie started the first day, by leading us outside to gather 

leaves and flowers for the eco dyeing 

portion of the workshop. 

We got the large Tamale pot boiling with 

my alkaline Texas water, 

a rusty piece of iron, some black walnuts 

and a cup of vinegar.

That recipe only changed each of the three days 

by the addition of water and vinegar.

The beautiful thing to witness was, 

how Each Days pieces changed so dramatically.

Once the papers and fabrics (three kinds) were in the dye pot, 

she started us working on the book covers.

No, these weren't Just book covers, 

these were Leslie's beautiful soldered covers.

And no, we didn't just make ONE book, 

we made TWO!

In Three days...What??

Day Two began with Roxanne asking how we felt about 

the previous day and if we would share.

It was amazing and touching, to hear how deeply, 

we had each already been effected and in so many  Different ways.

It is said, that you get out of something what you put into it.

Every woman that attended, had already put themselves ALL IN, 

and that was before we even got our hands stained :)

She then had the idea of taking us to my back garden 

to get our collage juices going. 

We gathered bits of nature and made Mandalas, 

and placed them on the shredded bark in the shade.

I'll stop and say, that I sent exterior pictures for our promotion 

from this EXACT same time of year last year, 

and the Fall Colors in the Texas Hill Country were ablaze!

This year...nothing! 

Ladies left their colorful and cool October homes, 

to arrive to 88 degrees and green!

Completely ironic to the name of the workshop, 

but as we know, we cant do ANYTHING to effect Nature!

It is on its OWN time clock!

Back into the house we went to some beautiful 

collage tutorials done like only Roxanne can do them.

Every supply was provided.

And provided.

And provided!

What an amazing opportunity it was for us to be 

so Richly Filled by Two Such Talented Women.

They went Above and Beyond anything 

that could have been Dreamed! 

   

Please notice how neat the tables are at this point!

YOU know what I mean.

Its just a matter of time, before everything got Wild!

...except for Elissa (in the lime green top)

Her space was ALWAYS neat as a pin...

yeah, you know, there is Always one of THOSE 

in every workshop ;)

From there, it went back and forth from the dye pot, 

to more soldering, to more collaging and 

finally to a beautiful binding of our books.

I think that I speak for most of us, that had never done one or 

more of every category, 

and yet, somehow, we got ALL of our projects completed!

(pecan leaves)

Every time something came out of the pot, we were Delighted!

It was like a Gift being opened.

I am now sooo addicted!

Now, I see why all of the dyers out there, 

are buried with scraps of fabrics and paper fresh from their dye pots :)

We set up on my kitchen island for demos.

This is Roxanne showing us idea number one, thirty, 

four hundred.

Roxanne and Leslie, were so compatible.

I don't know if I have ever been around two 

More pleasant people.

The three of us went at it HARD, for 5 days, 

and it was seriously, Pure Joy the whole time:)

Night number two, the three of us, the moon and the stars ate 

leftovers on our upstairs deck and talked. 

Then on night three, we did leftovers AGAIN 

but this time...I think that we were so tired and relaxed, 

that we laughed our heads off until wayyyy Late!

Yes, Leslie and Roxanne knew each other, but it felt like we had become fast sisters...

we were...Kindred Sisters!   

Finally, we finished and it was time for Show Time!

We took our Two Books and Fabrics into the Dining Room 

and had our own little Art Show.

I was so proud of what we had accomplished.

Noses to the ground, we surprised ourselves.  

*

*

*

Neither Leslie or Roxanne are New at this.

Many of you have taken their classes and already KNOW 

what I am talking about, so you are going down memory lane.

If you haven't taken their classes, 

and you see their names come up as instructors at an Art Event...

TAKE THEIR CLASSES.

If they collaborate again...and I hope that they will....

TAKE THAT CLASS.

Its not just the skill set or the style that they bring...its the Heart.

Beautiful Hearts.

Generous Hearts.

Honest Hearts.

And to the Ladies that came from all corners of the United States, 

You were Exactly the women that were SUPPOSED to be here.

The event wouldnt have been the Same with even One of you missing.

I love how that happens.

If you haven't already been drenched in our 

Workshop Honeymoon Honey 

on each of our Facebook walls yet, 

you will!

Like I said, I've never seen anything like this before...

and I'm SO HAPPY THAT I WAS BLESSED TO BE A PART of it!!!

Roxanne, it wasn't an accident that we were on FB 

at the exact time that this workshop was 

conceived and contacting Leslie, was Brilliant!

*

Elissa, Carol, Kip, Laura, Roxanne, Leslie and Melody

And to You, my Dear Readers, I'm so glad that you stopped by to read my blog.

I'm Always glad!

Out of all of the blogs out there for you to read, 

it means So Much to me that you join me.

I hope that you will again...soon.

Feel free to post a comment...I always love to hear from you :) 

...Laura

It's Spring! Mixed Media Assemblage Hastypearl

It's Spring!

 Mixed Media Assemblage

Hastypearl

Spring is certainly in the air, in South Central Texas.

We say that we have a few days of Spring, Fall and Winter...and the rest, is Summer!

I recently came across and purchased Two Neat Things, and when combined, 

they express the feeling of Spring, for me.

The first is a book, co-written by artists Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard, titled, 

Acrylic Solutions

Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer.

I've never met either Chris or Julie, but I feel like I know them, from following them on the different social medias.

I know that for me, acrylics, were my first art medium.

I've used them for everything, including faux painting entire restaurant interiors!

I don't recommend doing that :)

New products have continued to come out, that when mixed with acrylics, can create amazing effects.

I was very excited to devour this book!

The devouring comes easy....

the Retaining and Implementing, can Happily take a Lifetime. 

I really appreciate that these ladies went step by step, to show how they have achieved their special pieces.

 I bought the book through Amazon.
Every page has different ideas for using acrylics.
I want to try them ALL :)

So, if you know me at all, you know that I love to engineer, build and assemble.

I started this piece, with a nice vintage found box. I love its brass hinges and corners.

I took it apart and only used one half for this project.

It was lined with a great mid century wall paper, but I removed it.

That worked to my advantage, because it left behind, a rough surface, that when painted over, 

made for a terrific textured base, to build my background on!

Yes, that was cheating, Chris and Julie, but hey, you have to go with it when it is given to you :) 

So, I always dig out every supply and found object that I love, even though, 

I know that I am only filling a very small space.

That way, I can think through the basics of my layout.

Keeping some of the techniques from the book in mind, I painted out my background with my acrylics.

I LOVE how the raised portions caught my paint, as I drug a plastic knife with paint on it, 

over the underside of the box lid.

I added red and blue and orange over my white background.

I hope that you can see that some of it even crackled over what I think was probably old glue, 

from under the wallpaper.  

I ran horizontal rows of wood appliques and game pieces, on the top and bottom.

The appliques came from ElizabethRosenArt.

I cut out flowers and birds and butterflies from Carrie Avery's, Paper Wings Productions, clip art collection.

And the Main reason for the Spring theme...was this Beautiful Girl, below.

I've had her for a while now, just waiting to see where she could be best used.

She is Occupied Japan, and I love her.

Shes holding a bouquet of Spring flowers!

Perfect :)

I could tell that there needed to be some interior structure, so I used some painted balsa wood strips, 

that I keep on hand.

You can buy lots of shapes and sizes in the model building section, in craft stores.

I felt like it needed a little shine, so I added some gold leaf on the background, 

and gold thread along the blue strips.

For the final layer, I dipped some red Christmas cactus florets in bees wax, 

and placed them in the garden at the girls feet.  

I really love how it all turned out and it was lots of fun to create!

My appetite is whet by this book, and I am certain to do some more Exploring.

I saw lots of things that I want to incorporate into my future projects!

Maybe you will, too!

I'll be sure to show you what I come up with...Next!

I'll eventually list this piece on my hastypearl Etsy shop.

I hope you will stop in to see what New things have been added!

I hope that you are Enjoying these Beautiful Days of Spring...

wherever You are... 

and Thanks as always, for stopping by to read this blog!

xoxo Laura