Have you seen what is NEXT with Rita Barakat?

Hello there!

Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I wanted to pop in and ask you if you know 

"What is NEXT in your creative line up?"

Need some inspiration and fresh ideas?

Why not head over to the NEW Rita Barakat Store

and check out her new and exclusive line of products, along with her other known and loved products?

The NEXT line features a great variety of ready to paint, alter, embellish and more canvas items, including fun to create journals & books!

Here are some of the products I had the pleasure of  creating using blank canvas designs, blank canvas embellishments, and stamps from Rita's product line!

SOOOOOO MUCH FUN TO CREATE WITH!!!

First is the 5x7 Canvas Journal.

Each blank journal is fitted with an elastic band to serve as a closure for your journal. For mine, I opted to remove the elastic, and add a seam binding ribbon instead, as the closure.

Also featured on the cover, are some of the blank canvas embellishments from the NEXT collection.

(Hearts, Dragonfly, Flower)

I chose a variety of stencils, stamps, sprays & paints to design the cover and color the elements.

Each journal is blank on the inside and features High Quality

paper that can be stamped, painted, drawn on, and even add various elements using your preferred glue and adhesive.

The following photos, show how I used even more of Rita's blank canvas embellishments, as in the pockets and tree & clouds, along with stamping, to add interest to this journal for recording thoughts & memories.

The NEXT line also features blank canvas banner flags, and canvas envelopes, that are absolutely perfect to add to your seasonal/holiday decor, or to give a gift card gift. 

Got a special gift to give, but need that perfect bag to put it in?

I used a variety of sprays, paint & glitter mediums along with my FAVORITE Rita Barakat Art Foamie Stamp to create this lovely!

And lastly, I created this beautiful & colorful wall organizer, with blank canvas pockets & embellishments from the NEXT line.

In Rita's store, you will find so much inspiration with the product lines she features including her whimsical and charming die cut collections, stamps, embossing products and more!

Visit today and find your NEXT crafty project!

https://nextbyritabarakat.com/

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope to see you again real soon!

Until then.......

Live Life Inspired!

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!

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!

A Beautiful Floral Fairy Encouragement Card

Hello Creative's!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

I wanted to share my latest DT project for Rita Barakat Designs with you today.
A beautiful card of encouragement.

I was looking to make an inspirational/encouragement card, and I wanted it to evoke peace and gentleness.

And what is more gentle than the thought of a fairies wings? And what joy a fairy can bring.

That is the inspiration behind today's project.

I chose one of my favorite fairies from Rita's "Veil of the Fairies" collection.

For the gentle coloring of the card base and layering element, I used a variety of blue/green shades from Faber-Castell Gelato's, as well as a mixed media card, and delicate floral rub-ons from a FC Mixed Media kit.

I first applied the gelato's using an ombre' effect, from light to dark.

I lightly spritzed with water, and blended using my finger.

And of course there is GLITTER! For a shimmering textural element, I also used Aladine Diamonds Glitter Paint along with the Geometric Stencil and I also used Aladine Pigment Ink.

As with the textural elements and the fairy, I wanted a simple yet kind sentiment, so I chose one of Tim Holtz Idea-ology Small Talk Stickers.

This was such an easy project to do, and I just love the delicate theme of it all.

For the Rita Barakat Die Cut collection used in this project, and many, many other great collections, visit her online store at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat

For more Rita Barakat inspiration visit her blog at:
https://ritabarakat.com/

Faber-Castell products can be found at many big box stores, as well as their online store.
https://www.fabercastell.com/

Visit Aladine at:
https://www.aladine.com/en


Thanks so much for visiting today!
I hope you will visit again soon!

Until next time.......

Live Inspired!