Tuesday, March 4, 2014

"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

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 ~

16 comments:

  1. Wowwwwwwwwww! This is gorgeous!! LOVING the textures, the colors and loving that fence!!!!!!!!

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  2. Oh wow this is just so beautiful and I love the picket fence.
    Hugs
    Desíre
    {Doing Life – my personal blog}

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  3. Gorgeous! The colors, textures and design are stunning!

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  4. Dear Tracy, this page is really gorgeous! I love the background - Mixed Media in perfection, I guess. And I also love the picket fence.
    Blessings
    Evelyn

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  5. sooo pretty!!! you make all that texture look sooo easy!!!! you amaze me

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  6. OH is this ever Gorgeous Tracey!! I love all the texture and the way you did the fence! It all just looks so wonderful with the double photos :)

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  7. Hi Tracey! Thanks for stopping by my blog to leave a comment . . . it's always nice to hear from you! This layout is a work of art! Absolutely gorgeous! Full of beauty and texture! I absolutely love it! :)

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  8. Tracey, I'm not sure if you're hanging out on another forum, but I thought I would let you know that I'm having a lot of fun at My Scraps & More. If you haven't been there already, you should check it out. Lots of really wonderful ladies, and I know you'll see lots of familiar faces! :)

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  9. This is absolutely stunning, Tracey!! The texture is amazing!! I love the colors!! As always, the details are fabulous!! What a gorgeous layout!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  10. Gorgeous layout! Love all the texture and pretty color palette!
    http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/

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  11. wow such a gorgeous arty creation, loving all the colors and details, texture heaven, super duper awesome x

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  12. Stunning page Tracey! I LOVE the background texture and the colorful flowers. Thanks for sharing your tips!

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  13. This is just amazing, Tracey! One of those that I'd love to see in person! You just want to reach out and touch it! Also .. congrats on another pub! You are on a serious roll! Hugs!

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  14. My goodness, you do this mixed media thing to perfection Tracey, Fabulous colour and awesome texture once again!! Such a beautiful and soft page. Have to say I love Helmar 450 too. I use it on just about everything ... fabulous product!! Magical page!! ox

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  15. Tracey, this is stunning!! I love all the work you have done , the colours , the picture! This is a really beautiful piece of art!

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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a message! I treasure your comments.