"In the Garden" Mixed Media Layout featuring Helmar and Leaky Shed Studio

I mentioned in yesterday's post that March has arrived, but winter is still here in full force with temperatures last night going below 0 F. Brrrr!! So to warm you up, I have a lovely summer layout. I gave a sneak peek yesterday and am back today with all the details.

Mixed media is a hot trend right now, and I believe it will be sticking around for a long while to come. At least I hope it does!! One of the biggest challenges I had when starting to use different art mediums on my layouts was getting my embellishments and photos to stick to the more slick and textured background. A while back I entered a Helmar/May Arts contest and was sent a small bottle of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. Let's just say an addiction was born as I used that glue on my page. I was totally a tape runner girl, but was converted in short order as I saw how well everything stayed in place. No more elements falling off my page and it didn't warp my paper like some other liquid adhesives do. 

When I saw the DT call for Helmar designers last fall, I couldn't resist, since I was so hooked. All of their products have been amazing to work with. I have to give a little plug here. Helmar is having another DT call right now, so if you would like to work with their amazing adhesive products check out the details here. The call closes March 21.

OK, back to my layout. This is my sweet niece digging in her grandpa's garden. I picked up on the purples and blues from her clothing to use for the page background and embellishments. 

"In the Garden"

Tips and Techniques

My embellishments and flowers are adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

To achieve the grungy color on my flowers, they were dry brushed with gesso, then dabs of mist were brushed across them randomly, then I spritzed them with water to lighten and spread the mist. 

These stems are a great bargain embellishment. They started out bright glitter blue from a "pine" sprig I got clearanced after Christmas. I painted them with spray gesso and then brushed with mist to color. 

While most of my elements are adhered with 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, some of the flowers like this one on the left were adhered with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to raise up and position.

Another view of the flowers. To tuck items in under the photos, I've raised them by adhering with Helmar Zapdots. 

The Leaky Shed Studio chipboard Harja Flourish Zwei was cut into two pieces with parts being used above and below the photo. I often cut my chipboard pieces to suit the needs of the layout I'm working one. I have dry brushed watered down gesso across the flourish, leaving some of the natural chipboard color showing through. I then used up mist overspray from my craft mat by watering it down and brushing it across the flourish pieces to give just a hint of color. 

This chipboard fence is by Leaky Shed Studio, I used just a portion of it. I have layered gesso and mist to get the look of weathered wood like the fence in the photo background and wrapped a berry vine around it which was also gessoed and colored with mist. You can tell from this photo, that it does not lay flat with the wrapped vine and textured background, but the 450 is quite strong enough to hold it in place by adhering where it does contact the background. 

Notice the small "In the garden" title sticker? It would not adhere to this textured surface, but a dab of 450 holds it securely in place. 

Finally, a view of the mixed media texture. I've stenciled with light molding paste, then brushed over with gel medium sprinkled with punch waste bits, micro beads and mini marbles. This was misted, gessoed, and splattered, and then dry brushed again with gesso. You can see why normal adhesives would have a challenge adhering to this surface.

Helmar Products

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Liquid Scrap Dots

Zapdots ~ White Square 1/2"

Leaky Shed Studio Products

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Picket Fence Chipboard

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Harja Flourish Zwei Chipboard (Upcoming Release)

Other Products

13Arts ~ Timeless - Long Time Ago

Heidi Grace Epoxy Stickers - Daisy Dear

Prima ~ Perle Bebe - EnFrancais; Tea Roses - Latte; Parisa Mayfair Mix

Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Mulberry Flowers - Daisy Stem Flowers - Purple

Maya Road Vintage Trinkets - Vintage Pearl Roses

Petaloo ~ Color Me Crazy - Mixed Floral; Mulberry Street Wild Roses - White

Prima Vintage Metal Trinkets - Marion Smith

Darice ~ Berry Vine; Glittered Pine Sprig

Beadies ~ Micro beads; Mini Marbles

13Arts ~ Ayeeda Mist - Chalk Ultramarine

Clearsnap ~ Smooch Spritz - Frosted Grape, Log Cabin

Golden ~ Light Molding Paste; Soft Gel (Matte)

Liquitex ~ Gesso

Punch Waste

Americana Classic Stencil ~ Jacobean Floral

Prima ~ Doily 1 Stencil - 6" x 6"

DCWV ~ 12" x 12" Template EM-033-000023

Darice ~ Heat Tool

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~