Mixed Media - Awaken the Soul - Journal

Hi, Crafty Friends!! 

I'm back again with another Mixed Media Journal Project today. Since discovering that I can dramatically shorten the length of time I can put these bad boys together I have been even more addicted to making them!

I can't get enough of Eileen Hull's Journal Die! Journals are so on trend but tend to get very pricey when buying pre-made ones. But with Eileen's Heartfelt Journal die from Sizzix I can make as many as I want whenever I want and customize and personalize each one, making them as extravagant or as minimalistic as I want.

This and my last journal are quite detailed. But just because they're detailed doesn't necessarily mean difficult. Let me show you how I made this journal using unexpected materials.

Supplies Used

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Heartfelt Journal Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame (Sizzix)- COMING SOON

Mat Board (Sizzix)

Brick Wall Stencil (Little Birdie Crafts)

Chipboard

Natural Burlap Stack (DCWV)

Corrugated Cardstock (DCWV)

Cheesecloth/ Gauze

Creative Station (Xyron)

Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)

Black Chalkboard Paint (Prima Marketing)

Art Alchemy AcrylicPaint - Emerald Green (Prima Marketing)

Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint-Opal Magic Blue Pink (Prima Marketing)

Mechanicals Tin Hearts (Prima Marketing)

Art Ingredients Mélange Art Pebbles (Prima Marketing)

Gilded Life Large Heart Bezel (Spellbinders)

Pebeo Gilding Wax- Silver (Crafter's Companion)

Pebeo Gilding Wax- Empire Gold (Crafter's Companion)

Pebeo Gilding Wax- Renaissance Gold (Crafter's Companion)

Pegasus Pony (Dollar Store/ King Dollar)

Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)

I started by cutting my chipboard, burlap sheet, and corrugated cardstock into 6"x 9" pieces.

Then I ran the CHIPBOARD pieces through my Xyron Creative Station. Once I ran it through I flipped it over and ran it through one more time. This way I have adhesive on both sides. I repeated this for both pieces of chipboard.

Once both pieces of chipboard were covered in adhesive, I peeled back the protective film and attached a burlap sheet to one side and a corrugated sheet to the other. I repeated those steps for the second piece of chipboard as well. These will be my covers.

I ran my covered chipboard through my Sizzix Big Shot using my Eileen 

Hull Journal Die (Corrugated side FACE DOWN, against the blade).

Then added Mixed Media Glue to the spine and adhered them together, Lining them up using the pre-cut holes. Then clipped the ends together with a clip and set a heavy object on top till the glue set.

 While that was drying, I ran pieces of cheesecloth and burlap I randomly cut up through my Xyron Creative Station.

Then applied the burlap and cheesecloth onto the front of my cover.

I die cut a frame from Eileen's NEW Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame from white Mat Board. 

I used Little Birdie's Brick wall spackle with some Whipped Spackle to stencil on some texture.

 Once the paste was dry, I ran the frame through my Creative Station, Peeled off the protective film and applied it onto the front cover over the cheesecloth. 

Then added a little fleur de lis metal embellishment to the top of the frame.

Here's a little something unexpected... Just like my last journal, I used plastic toys to build my mixed media piece. I found the plastic pegasus pony at my local King Dollar Store. I love her hot pink color but she's not the prettiest looking pony... but upon further inspection, her wings are absolutely GORGEOUS!! So much detail and texture just in her wings... I just had to take her home and sacrifice her for a greater cause.

Yes, I killed a pony. I'm not a bad person (I promise) but I have to say... I most definitely would and WILL do it again. Sorry kids... Just look away!!

I yanked out her wings... which surprisingly were easy to dismember from her body. Then trimmed off the stumpy plugs off the ends.

WOOT WOOT!! A huge pair of pretty WINGS for a little over $1!! WIN!!

Then, I used mixed media glue to attach the wings to the center of my frame.

And glued a metal heart bezel over top using more mixed media glue. There was quite a bit of a gap so I used some craft foam to fill that uneven space under the bezel.

I used more foam under the tin metal heart and glued it onto the top of the bezel.

While the glue was setting I placed an ink pad between my cover flaps to keep it level so the embellishments don't slide before they set.

Then I added these clear art pebbles for added interest.

Once the glue set, I painted the entire cover and embellishments with black chalkboard paint.

I dry brushed on emerald green and opal magic blue pink acrylic paint over the wings, burlap, pebbles, and bezel.

I ended up repainting the center of the heart and the frame black. I didn't like the grout of my brick green and I wanted the gilding wax to stand out. It really stands out and does best over black.

Then I applied gilding wax over all the metal embellishments and random raised areas along the cover. Rubbers lightly over the grooves in the corrugate, mesh, and burlap... and also tips of the wings and over the brick of the frame.

 I brushed on black chalkboard paint over my Tim Holtz Word Band then rubbed off the excess. I just wanted the paint in the recessed areas in the words. then attached it to the front cover under the frame.

 Then I painted over the back flap and insides with more chalkboard paint and set it aside to dry.

After my journal was dried, I threaded elastic strands through the pre-cut holes and tied the ends into a knot. Then inserted black page inserts I had made earlier... to see how I made my journal inserts, please visit my previous journal making post.

I personally think plain white pages in dark journals look awkward but black pages look amazing!! 

But you can use whatever inserts you like.

And here is my finished journal...

Close Ups

I really enjoyed making this journal! I've been meaning to try more Mixed Media art and I'm so glad I have!! 

I hope you enjoyed to this project and it inspires you to give mixed media a try!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy

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PrettyNPink Mixed Media Canvas

Hi, Crafty Friends!!

I'm back again with Little Birdie Crafts to bring you another "Clean" Mixed Media Project.

I love mixed media but don't like getting too grungy and dirty. I like the textures and layering but am more drawn to more bright and fresh color palette. 

So, I create my mixed media with my personal style and likes in mind.. because ART is about personal expression and there's no wrong way to do art!

Little Birdie Crafts Supplies Used

Stencil Script Design

Chalk Paint French Rose

Chipboard Garden Butterflies

Chipboard Ornate Pendants 

Renae Blush (Flowers)

Kraft Leaves

Other Supplies Used

Tulle Ribbon

Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)

Pebeo Gilding Wax (Crafter's Companion)

8"x10" Pre-Primed Canvas

2.5"x2.5" Decorative Picture Frame (Michael's)

White Gesso (Liquitex)

Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)

Spatula

Paintbrush

Scissors

First, I started by applying whipped spackle onto my pre-primed canvas using a palette knife and Script stencil. As you can see in the pictures below, this is a pretty good sized stencil and it covers most of my 8"x10" canvas. I personally did not need to use painters tape or washi tape to hold the stencil in place. But if you could if you wanted it to be more secure.

I removed my stencil, set the canvas aside to dry, then immediately washed my stencil off. Removal of the spackle is a lot easier while it is still wet and it helps to prevent damage to the stencil.

After the spackle dried I painted the entire canvas(including the sides) with  Little Birdie Crafts' French Rose chalk paint.

Once the paint was dried, I applied Pebeo Gilding Wax onto the raised areas of the canvas and along the perimeter edges. This paste is so easy to use... just gently dip your finger directly into the wax and rub your fingertip across the surface. You don't need too much, a little goes a long way!

I removed the easel and backing off the small decorative frame then attached it to the canvas using mixed media glue.

I prepped my chipboard pieces. First snipping a couple of links off of one of my pendants. (I'll save it to add it to the top of my other later to elongate it). 

I prepared a texture paste by mixing 1 teaspoon white gesso with about 1/4 teaspoon - 1/2 teaspoon of texture powder.

I applied the mixture to all my chipboard pieces, making sure to get in between the small creases and along the sides.

Once the pieces were fully dried, I rubbed more gilding wax over the raised textured areas. The wax has a creamy consistency and is very easy to apply and very easy to wash off. Simply wash off with soap and warm water to remove.

I applied the Garden Butterflies Chipboard piece onto the front of the decorative frame with more mixed media glue.  

Then arranged the Renae Blush flowers and leaves and Kraft Leaves around the decorative frame in a cascading fashion, tucking the leaves behind the flowers. Once I achieved the look I wanted, I secured the pieces in place with mixed media glue.

I love how elegant the Renae Blush flowers are. The centers of the flowers are filled with pearl beaded stamens and rhinestones. 

And here is my finished canvas...

Look at all these amazing details!! Those flowers absolutely heavenly!!

And the tulle surrounding the canvas is so dreamy!!

I hope you enjoyed this mixed media tutorial! 

I absolutely adore this style I hope it inspires you to give it a try!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy