Mid-Month Inspiration for Mixed Media Monthly

Hello there! The March Challenge over at Mixed Media Monthly is going strong and it's not too late for you to join in! Share your project with us and you'll be in the running for our monthly prize.

Our sponsor this month is Marabu and they very generously sent the design team some of their products to play with. Here is what I received:

At the beginning of the month, I made a cheerful traveler's journal for the challenge. For some mid-month inspiration, I made a birthday card for a friend.

I used the Bird stencil and Art Spray to make a monoprint and then stenciled the flowers on with the Acryl Mousse.  The background is Distress Ink and I added details with my Inktense (water-soluble) pencils. The sentiment is stamped with foam stamps and paint and a traditional clear stamp. I used the Art Crayon to smudge a "frame" on the card base to make the front of the card stand out from the background.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the MMM challenge! We've had lots of entries already and we want to see yours too!

Marabu Products:
Acryl Mousse - Vanilla
Art Spray - Chilli
Art Crayon - Terra Cotta
Stencil - Bird w/ Flowers

Stamps:

Tim Holtz foam stamps - Cutout Script

Other:

black gel pen

paint

Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black

Ranger Distress Inks - Iced Spruce, Broken China

Derwent Inktense Ink Pencils

Sizzix & Simon Says Stamp links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)

Mixed Media Monthly March Madness!

I mean Challenge! ;-) I just couldn't resist the alliteration ha ha. Anyway, welcome to March and another fun challenge over at the Mixed Media Monthly blog.

This month we'd like to see you use a stencil and at least three different mediums in your project. Be sure to tell us which ones you use! Our sponsor this month is Marabu and they very generously sent the design team some of their products to play with. Here is what I received:

I created a journal using Eileen Hull's Sizzix Journal Die!

I love the bright colors!

I made a closure from sari silk ribbon.

I used the Marabu bird stencil again to decorate the cover to the first signature:

Now for a quick tutorial about how this all came together!

Step 1 - First I covered my die cut Journal covers with some Tim Holtz Tissue Wrap:

I also covered the insides of the covers with some pages I cut out of a bird identification book.

Step 2 - I covered the Tissue Wrap with a light coat of gesso. I then sprayed the stencil with the red Art Spray (permanent when dry) and used it to make a monoprint on the front. Once that was dry, I used the Vanilla Acryl Mousse paint (it's dimensional!!) and the stencil to add the details.

Step 3 - I continued to add layers of misting and monoprinting. I also swiped on some areas of Mousse paint and then sprinkled yellow embossing over the wet paint. When it was dry, I embossed it! It adds a nice accent of color. Stamping with archival ink added more visual texture as well. This picture doesn't show it yet, but the last step was using black and white gel pens and the Art Crayon to add detail.

I also used the Art Spray to dye some white linen scalloped trim I had in my stash as well as pulling out some vintage eyelet trim to add along the bottom.

Step 4 - After gluing the covers together along the spine, I was ready to add the elastic binding. Using elastic makes it super easy to add in your signatures. All you have to do is open up the signature and slide one half under the elastic so it's running down the center fold. Easy peasy! You can also make up this Journal die to hold three signatures – I only wanted room for two in this one.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to head on over to the Challenge post and check out what the design team has been up to! Join in the challenge and you'll be in the running to win a prize pack!

I am also adding this to the March challenge over at Mini Album Makers. Check out what their design team made for it! Gorgeous work. =)

Marabu Products:
Acryl Mousse - Vanilla
Art Spray - Chilli
Art Crayon - Terra Cotta
Stencil - Bird w/ Flowers

Dies:
Eileen Hull Sizzix - Journal Die (Sizzix / SSS )

Stamps:

Tim Holtz Mixed Media

Other:

mat board

trims

craft floss

Ranger Embossing Powder - Buttercup

white & black gel pens

Ranger Archival Ink - Dandelion, Leaf Green

Tim Holtz Quote Chips

Sizzix & Simon Says Stamp links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)