Mixed Media Techniques with TCW NEW Summer Releases!

 I just received the most generous package of stencils from TCW!  There are sooooo many new designs to choose from!  And seriously people…TCW stencils are the most affordable stencils out there, and with so many designs to choose from they are a must have!

AND…dd you know that TCW has super cool dies????

Please go check them out here!! Along with their NEW Summer Releases!!

Below are the TCW Stencils I used for this canvas project:

TCW 474 Hand Drawn Frames

TCW487 Alhambra

TCW488 Viva La Art

TCW494 Trapezoid Flower

TCW478 Beaded Curtain

and Dies

 TCW1034 today

TCW1024 Horizontal Love Bunting

And some GREAT products from The Canvas Corp…THANK YOU CANVAS CORP!

Teal Burlap

Natural Canvas

Burlap Sheet

&

Tattered Angles High Impact Metallic Paint (white)

7 Gypsies Crystals

Along with…

Rangers UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel)

Stampenous Embossing Ink

Lindy’s Stamp Gang Magicals (Industrial Chic Set)

AND…from Core’dinations THANK YOU CORE’DINATIONS!

110 lb. Basic Heavy Weight Smooth Card Stock

The project started with a random covering of my canvas using torn vintage book pages.

The vintage book pages are so thin that it makes it easy to wrap them around the sides and all of the edges of the canvas. I used matte medium to adhere them.

Once the canvas was covered, I used the Co’ordinations card stock, and stenciled (TCW488 Viva La Art) with Stampenous Embossing Ink.  

A few tips:

The heavy weight card stock is super smooth and can hold up to the embossing powder and heat.

 I did not always cover the card stock with gesso, which at times you would want to do in order to prevent the embossing ink from getting “soaked up” into the paper.

For some of the pieces you’ll see below, I did use gesso before I stenciled with the embossing ink. You will see the results give a more “filled in” finished look. Because the gesso provides a “barrier” to the porous paper underneath, more of the ink “pools” on top (instead of soaking into the paper) of the page allowing the UTEE to “stick” more fully.

For some of these background pages, I wanted the embossing powder to be more “spotty”, so I skipped the layer of gesso.  You can see above that the UTEE stuck a bit randomly…this is what I was going for:) Next, I mixed the Lindy’s Stamp Gang Magicals (Industrial Chic) with a little warm water, right in the lid.  I “washed” this over the stenciled image with a brush.

Again, I want to say that the Core’dinations 110 lb. Basic Heavy Weight Smooth Card Stock really holds up to mixed media products including watercolor and sprays! I did this same process with all of the stencils I listed at the top of the page, using both the Core’dinations 110 lb. Basic Heavy Weight Smooth Card Stock and some vintage book pages.

Remember when I mentioned using gesso on some of the card stock first?  The image top right and lower left are examples of this.  I especially love the stencil used for the lower left, TCW 474 Hand Drawn Frames …I have SO many ideas for this one!  

Wouldn’t it be fun to write or stamp sentiments in each frame?! Love it!

I wanted to have PLENTY of fun texture on this piece, so I decided to use some products from The Canvas Corp

I mixed Tattered Angles High Impact Metallic Paint (white) & Lindy’s Stamp Gang Magicals and painted a heart on the Canvas Corp burlap.  The High Impact paint gave the color the body to “stand up” to the burlap…kind of “sealing it” so that when I cut it out, it did not fray, and became heavier and slightly rigid. (although still bendable)

It also gave the color a bit more shimmer:) I added more texture by using the stencils with heavy gesso.

For the sentiment, I used two of my favorite Dies  from TCW and cut them out in The Canvas Corp fabrics.

I LOVE THAT YOU CAN USE THE DIES TO CUT FABRIC!  Above is a super cute embellishment from The Canvas Corp. (7 Gypsies Crystals)

Above, is my favorite definition of LOVE:)-(thank you Greg Boyd) 

I hope you will go check out all the great new products at THE CRAFTERS WORKSHOP!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

For my Italian friend:)

For our 30th wedding anniversary, my husband & I decided to travel back to Italy…

not only to see the Amalfi Coast but also to visit Carmen.

We brought along some of our close friends…it was a trip of a lifetime!

During our first stay at Oasi (almost 3 years ago), I fell in love all over again with Italy, and to my surprise, found a friend.

During the the past year, Carmen lost her Papa to cancer…He meant more to her than words can express.

My heart has ached for her, and the only thing I knew to do was to create a piece of art that expressed their love for each other…words seem to fall so short.

Below is what I made for her…in hopes that she would understand the depth of empathy I have for her and the great appreciation I feel for the beautiful relationship she has with her Father…something to cherish…forever.

I pray each day that God will heal and mend her broken heart.

(Egli guarisce il cuore rotto e fascia le loro ferite. Salmo 147:3)

These are photos taken from her first communion.  Their love is so sweet.

What a blessing to know the love of your earthly Father (so many never do)

…even more so to know the love of your Heavenly Father

Qui di seguito è la Sua lettera d’amore per noi

Below is His love letter to us

IN ITALIANO…

Mia cara bambina,
Non mi si può sapere, ma so tutto di te. (Sal 139:1) So quando ti siedi e quando ti alzerai. (Salmo 139:2) Sono familiarità con tutte le tue vie. (Salmo 139:3) Anche i capelli del vostro capo sono contati. (Matteo 10:29-30) Per voi sono stati fatti a mia immagine. (Genesi 1:27) In me si vive e ci muoviamo ed abbiamo il vostro essere. Perché tu sei la mia progenie. (Atti 17:28) Io ti conoscevo ancora prima che tu fossi concepito. (Geremia 1,4-5) Ti ho scelto quando ho programmato la creazione. (Efesini 1:11-12) Tu non eri un errore, per tutti i tuoi giorni sono scritti nel mio libro.
(Salmo 139:15-16)
Ho determinato il momento esatto della vostra nascita e dove si vuole vivere. (Atti 17:26) Hai fatto in modo stupendo. (Salmo 139:14) Mi hai intessuto nel grembo di tua madre. (Salmo 139,13) E ti ha portato avanti il giorno in cui sei nato. (Salmo 71:6) Sono stato travisato da quelli che non mi conoscono.
(Giovanni 8:41-44)
Io non sono lontano e arrabbiato, ma sono l’espressione completa dell’amore. (I Giovanni 4:16) ed è il mio desiderio di profondere il mio amore per te. (I Giovanni 3:1) Semplicemente perché sei mio figlio e io sono tuo padre. (I Giovanni 3:7) Ti offro più di tuo padre terreno potrebbe mai. (Matteo 07:11) Io sono il Padre perfetto. (Matteo 5:48) Ogni buon regalo ricevi viene dalla mia mano. (Giacomo 1:17) Io sono il tuo provider e incontro alle vostre esigenze. (Matteo 6:31-33) Il mio piano per il vostro futuro è sempre stato pieno di speranza.
(Geremia 29:11)
Perché ti amo di un amore eterno. (Geremia 31:3) I miei pensieri per te sono innumerevoli come la sabbia sulla riva del mare. (Salmo 139:17-18) e mi rallegro su di voi con il canto. (Sofonia 3,17) non potrò mai smettere di fare bene a voi. (Geremia 32:40) Per te sono il mio tesoro particolare. (Esodo 19:05) Ho il desiderio di stabilire con tutto il mio cuore e tutta la mia anima.
(Geremia 32:41)
E voglio mostrarvi cose grandi e meravigliose. (Geremia 33:3) Perché se mi cercherete con tutto il vostro cuore, troverete me.
(Deuteronomio 04:29)
Quindi, Delight in me e io vi darò i desideri del tuo cuore.
(Salmo 37:4)
Per sono io che ti ha dato quei desideri. (Filippesi 2:13) Sono in grado di fare di più per voi che si possa immaginare.
(Efesini 3:20)
Poiché io sono il tuo più grande istigatore. (2 Tessalonicesi 2:16-17) Sono anche il Padre che ti consola in tutti i vostri problemi.
(2 Corinzi 1:3-4)
Quando si è il cuore spezzato, io sono vicino a voi. (Salmo 34:18) Come un pastore porta un agnello, ho portato si chiude al mio cuore.
(Isaia 40:11)
Un giorno asciugherà ogni lacrima dai tuoi occhi. E io porto via tutto il dolore che hai sofferto su questa terra. (Apocalisse 21:3-4) Sono tuo Padre, e ti amo come io amo mio figlio Gesù.
(Giovanni 17:23)
Per in Gesù, il mio amore per te è rivelato. (Giovanni 17:26) E per dirvi che non sto contando i tuoi peccati. Gesù è morto in modo che io e te potrebbe essere riconciliati. (2 Corinzi 5, 18-19) La sua morte è stata la massima espressione del mio amore per te.
(I Giovanni 4:10)
Ho rinunciato a tutto quello che ho apprezzato il fatto che potrei guadagnare il tuo amore.
(Romani 8:31-32)
Se si riceve il dono di mio figlio Gesù, ricevi me. (I Giovanni 2:23) E nulla potrà mai separarci dal mio amore di nuovo.
(Romani 8:38-29)
Quando è il momento per voi di tornare a casa e mi butto il più grande paradiso partito ha mai visto. (Luca 15:07) Sono sempre stato il Padre vostro, e sarà sempre il Padre vostro.
(Efesini 3:14-15)
La mia domanda è …. Vuoi essere mio figlio? (Giovanni 1:12-13) sto aspettando. (Luca 15:11-32)

Con Amore, Tuo Padre,
DIO ONNIPOTENTE

IN ENGLISH…

My Dear Child, 
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Ps 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-30) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. 
(Psalm 139:15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me.
(John 8:41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (I John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (I John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (I John 3:7) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48) Every good gift you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.
(Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) For if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. 
(Deuteronomy 4:29)
So, Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. 
(Psalm 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. 
(Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. 
(Isaiah 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.(Revelation 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.
(John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5;18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.
(I John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. 
(Romans 8:31-32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (I John 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. 
(Romans 8:38-29)
When it’s time for you to Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7) I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. 
(Ephesians 3:14-15)
My question is….Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

With Love, Your Father,
ALMIGHTY GOD

If you are interested in the stencils I used to create this canvas they are listed below (from The Crafter’s Workshop)

along with a few photos from our time near the Amalfi Coast.

If you’d like to visit Carmen and attend her wonderful classes you can find her below.

http://www.oasiolimpiarelais.it/photo-gallery/