Forced Break From Creating-To Breakthrough In 2020

Welcome to INSPIRE.

It has been a couple of months since I have posted here on my blog, on my YouTube Channel, or even been active in the crafting community, or on social media.

Life has a way of changing our best laid plans.

Slowly I have been back in the creative studio, actually returning to the one art medium that soothes my soul.

Canvas Art.

For some time now I have admired the art of Kelly Rae Roberts, Christine Bell Krainock & Hayley Bush, whose art stylings range in contemplative, peaceful, graceful & cheerful.

I have been inspired by these artist's.

And I am grateful for their inspiration.

So much so, I got out my brushes, paints, watercolors & more, and I have been spending time creating art.

And I am slowly finding my creative spirit that had seemed to disappear with the life changing events that I have encountered the last couple of months.

I am so happy to be sharing these with you!

Hope you enjoy!

God Bless!

A Bright and Colorful Art Journal Page That Inspires

 Hello there friends! Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I have a question for you.

Do you ever find yourself "un-inspired" 

to be creative?

Happens to me frequently. Whether it be a distraction of something going on in life, OR just feeling blah.

What to do, what to do.......

In those moments, I generally reach for an art journal.

I look at an art journal as kind of a personal "diary", recording in an artful format, what may be inspiring me at the moment, or to help me move into creativity.

Todays design team project share for Rita Barakat Designs, is created  and inspired by  

her Heart Wings & Dream Chaser Art Foamie Stamps.

To begin, I used a light coating of white gesso over the outdated calendar pages, that is now one of my art journals.

I covered it lightly as I wanted "peeks" of the calendar to come through the design. Once the gesso had dried, I added pieces of Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Paper, in random areas of the pages using Mod Podge Paper Medium to glue into place.

I then chose some of my favorite Distress Oxides, and used distress sponges to apply the colors, and lightly spritzing with water in between each color application, and allowing it to drip & dry.

I also used the Distress Oxides to apply color using stencils & punchinello.

I then

used a star designed rubber stamp from my stash, in a random pattern before adding the main  stamp designs, Rita's Art Foamie Stamps, using Staz-On Ink to apply them all.

For even more color detail, I used coordinating shades from Faber-Castell Gelatos.

I LOVE the results! I look at this art journal spread, and it brings my heart such joy!

And just like that, my creative juices are flowing again!

So if you have never tried art journaling, or find yourself feeling that creative block, grab your journal and create!

Check out Rita's Art Foamie Stamps at her Etsy store at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat

For even more inspiration, join Rita every Monday evening for Mixed Media Monday on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1/

There is more!

Join Rita & arsty friends in the 

"Rise and Shine With Rita Barakat"

Facebook book group for DAILY inspiration & fun!

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/201214940814883/

Thanks so much for visiting today.

I hope you will visit again soon, as I am getting ready to amp things up around here!

And check out my YouTube channel, where I am beginning to add to and grow!

Until next time......

Live Life Inspired!

The Simple Life Harvest Mixed Media Canvas

Hello Friends!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

Here in the Ohio valley we still have hints of summer lingering in the air, and the calendar officially states it is fall.

I am so ready for fall, and have started by adding hints of fall in my home decor. 

 I LOVE incorporating pumpkins into my fall decor scheme, real, fake and even painted. 

And where does it say that all pumpkins have to be spooky to decorate with?

I have learned to paint pumpkins on canvas, and there is no stopping me now!

These are the inspirations found in my 

Rita Barakat Design Team project this week.

And along with selections of Rita Barakat's Wild & Free and Be True Die Cut Collections,the perfect fall decor piece has come to to life.

I began my project with a 5x5 canvas board and 

PLAID FolkArt Paints.

Once I had figured out and sketched my design unto the canvas board, I began painting each element including the background.

From Rita's die cut collections, I chose the western pair of boots, and floral elements from one of the die cuts featured in the Be True Collection.

For this project, I did alter the die cut selections used as I wanted  fall inspired colors, and the floral of the die cuts were perfect, and I was going to be covering the pink rose on the boot die cuts anyways, so I clipped it off.

Once the paint had

completely dried,

 I glued the die cut elements to the canvas using Beacon Mixed Media Glue. 

I detailed my pumpkins and painted designs using watercolor pencils, and distressed the die cuts used a bit with my distressing tool.

I then glued the die cut elements to the canvas using Beacon Mixed Media Glue. 

Using archival ink and stamps from my stash,

I stamped the phrase

"Live A Simple Life" on to the canvas.

I also used Beacon 527 Glue to adhere the canvas unto a wood block measuring 6x6, to use to sit on a shelf.

Now I have the perfect tabletop or shelf decor to add to my fall decorating.

For the die cut collections used in this project, please visit 

Rita Barakat's Etsy store.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat

Join Rita and friends every Monday night on RitaBarakat1 on Facebook for Mixed Media Monday.

https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1/

For even more fun and inspiration, join the 

"Rise & Shine With Rita Barakat" Facebook group today!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/201214940814883/

And, follow Rita on her blog for special announcements, contests and more!

https://ritabarakat.com/index.php/blog/

Thanks so much for visiting!

Be sure to subscribe to this blog, and to my 

YouTube Channel INSPIRE at:

Until Next Time.....

Live Life Inspired!

Process Video Fall Canvas Painting

Hello Creative Friends!

Welcome to INSPIRE!

Safe to say by now, all of us are feeling the or at least anticipating the beautiful fall season.

I have been especially inspired by all the crops surrounding where I live, ESPECIALLY the pumpkin, corn and nearby sunflower fields.

These inspiring things is what has re-ignited my love for painting on canvas.

This is my latest rendering, using FABULOUS products from PLAID Crafts, including their FolkArt Acrylic Paints & Mod Podge Ultra Matte, used as a sealer for the completed canvas.

Featured below the video, is the direct link to my YouTube Channel.

I would LOVE for you to subscribe and stay up to date with new videos as I post them!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope to see you again soon!!!!!

Until next time......

Live Life INSPIRED!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd8rLmzQl7anLIOAbPxJ6Rg?view_as=subscriber

Fun & Fabulous Blog Hop & A Chance To Win!

 Hello Friends!

Welcome To The INSPIRE Blog.

Today I want to share with you something really fun. Today kicks off an exciting BLOG HOP, featuring a collaboration with the Rita Barakat Design Team 

& PLAID Crafts.

  And there is something extra exciting with this hop. 

Your chance to win a FABULOUS PRIZE PACK!

All you have to do is follow the links to each designers project (links listed below) AND leave a comment with each designers project post, and subscribe if you are not already a subscriber.

Now on to my project! 

Have you had a chance to see the craft supplies now being offered at stores like the Dollar Tree & Dollar General? I recently had such opportunity and OH MY!

I found these tin wall decor blanks, for less than $3, and immediately my project came into view. These metal blanks are absolutely PERFECT to use with the 

PLAID FolkArt Painted Finishes products.

First thing I did, was use a damp paper towel to wipe over the surface of the blank and dried. I also added a thin layer of clear gesso to the surface and allowed it to dry.

Once it had dried, I applied a thin layer of FolkArt Titanium White, and let dry. I then used PLAID Base Coating Brushes, to begin to apply the Rust & Moss Painted Finishes, by dry brushing the layers on. I used the non textured of each of these sets for coloring only.

I used a sentiment I found online, printed, and fussy cut the image, and applied it to the dried "rust" finish, using Mod Podge Matte.

 I also used light grit sandpaper & Distress Ink to the edge of the image to give a defined aged look.

The embellishments I chose for this project, was from my stash, and made of polymer clay, using a Mod Podge Melt Mold to form.

To give a completely rustic look to these embellishments I applied Painted Finishes layering each individual product in both parts to the surface, to color and texture.

I glued each embellishment into place using 

Beacon Adhesives 527 Glue.

For the final touch, I added the western style boots from Rita's Wild & Free Die Cut Collection, using Mod Podge Matte.

And as simple as that, I have an adorable piece of decor that can hang on a wall, or a door, or even used to sit on a shelf.

And no-one would guess that it all started with a dollar store item.

NOW here are the links to visit the ENTIRE design team presenting their incredible and creative projects for the Rita Barakat & PLAID Crafts Blog Hop.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT RITA'S BLOG FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE PRIZE!!!!

Rita Barakat - https://ritabarakat.com/?p=5789

Betz Golden - https://betzgolden.com/?p=4677

Yolie - http://www.justyolie.com/2019/10/rita-barakat-plaid-crafts-blog-hop.html

Martha Lucia - https://wp.me/p5TnaH-7bn

Hannah Rubenstahl - http://fancifulspaces.com/rita-barakat-and-plaid-blog-hop/

And here is the link to Rita's Etsy Store, so you can purchase the die cut collection used in this project and so much more for your mixed media crafting needs!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat

And be sure to to tune in every Monday evening on Facebook at RitaBarakat1 for Mixed Media Monday with Rita.

Join the fun conversation and learn something along the way too!

https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1/

And don't forget to join the 

RISE & SHINE WITH RITA BARAKAT Facebook Group

for daily inspiration!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/201214940814883/

Thanks so much for your visit today!

Hope to see you again soon!

Until Next Time.......

Live Creatively Inspired!

Vintage Inspired Gentleman's Journal, A Great Gift

Welcome to INSPIRE!

Hello there friends!

I hope that y'all are enjoying fall 

where ever you are!

I have been fall inspired for weeks, and 

have doing a lot a fall crafts & DIY's around the home.

Today however, I wanted to share with you the link to my YouTube Channel, 

and a video share that isn't exactly fall related.

My friend Kim Lippincott over at the 

Vintage Rose Creations Facebook store, recently sent me an AMAZING pack of products and items.

So, for my first designer project with these goodies, I created my very first Gentleman's Journal.

Definitely took me back to my youth, when my dad would smoke a cherry-vanilla cigar......yes we all know smoking is BAD, but there is honestly just something about the smell of a cigar or pipe, that takes me back to my childhood every time. 

AAAANY how.......

Here is the video and link to my YouTube channel, I certainly hope you will visit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3NZ4PPGHrk

And please subscribe, I am finally getting the hang of youtubing, and I would love to share it with y'all!

Please visit Vintage Rose Creations on Facebook, for unique vintage and vintage inspired fabric, ephemera, paper products, books and so much more!

https://www.facebook.com/Vintage-Rose-Creations-2229637857079679/

Join the fun at Kim's Vintage Rose & Crafty Friends on Facebook, where you can share with other your creative makes, and make friendships too!!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403440756344726/

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Until next time.....

Live Life Inspired!

A Beautifully Broken Life Inspired Art Canvas

Hello Creative Friends!

Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I want to share with you

my latest DT project for Rita Barakat Designs.

A colorful canvas, inspired by one of my favorite songs, by a favorite recording Plumb.

The song "Beautifully Broken" instills hope in knowing that 

no matter how beat up, broken we become in life, God see's as BEAUTIFUL.

Once I had used remnants of designed paper using 

Plaid Mod Podge Matte, I applied a thin layer of white gesso over the surface.

I wanted to be certain I got the exact lines of the stamp face, so I first stamped on white paper, cut out the design, and traced around it directly on the canvas.

Once I had traced the design, I used my finger to add 

flesh-tone acrylic paint to the face and neck.

I then used archival ink in black to stamp the face unto the painted face after it had dried.

To color the face, I used Faber-Castell PITT Brush Markers.

Rita's "Reflections" Technique Junkie Stamp was absolutely perfect to catch a likeness of the recording artist.

However, I decided to add a wild mane of hair, but I did keep to the original face design of the stamp.

I also used the same stamping ink, and a floral silhouette design stamp from my stash, across the bottom of edge, in keeping with the floral paper design in the background. 

Followed by adding "drips" of color using 

Aladine Izink inks, for pops of vivid color.

I used  butterfly and honeycomb stencils, 

using Aladine 3D Texture Paste in Pearl, applied with a spatula, to add a bit of texture throughout the design.

To finish, I stamped butterfly images, and stamped the title

"BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN" and added to the design using Beacon Mixed Media Glue.

And there you have it, a simply made canvas, as a gentle reminder that regardless of who we are, where we have been, and the scars we may bare, we are still beautiful.

For Rita Barakat Stamps, Die Cuts & more, 

visit her Etsy store at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat

Please join the Facebook Group 

"Rise & Shine with Rita Barakat"

to find daily inspiration, 

and share your makes too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/201214940814883/

And don't forget, to tune in Monday evenings, to join in the fun as Rita shares techniques and ideas in creativity, on Facebook LIVE, Rita Barakat1!

https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1/

Follow Rita's blog to stay up to date with product anouncements, giveaways & more!

https://ritabarakat.com/index.php/blog/

Thanks so much for visiting today!

I hope you will visit again soon!

Until next time.....

Live Life Inspired!