Tuesday, Tea and a Tutorial

Good Morning Tuesday !

 On Tuesdays several bloggers link up with Elizabeth to share what ever is going on in their lives. The rules are simple ... and bendable ... . 

There is a link to her blog at the end of this post,

 so you can get more info if you would like to join us.

I have a few loyal followers on instagram

 and one of them has asked that I share the steps I used to make this.  

It's a 5x7 collage on Strathmore, 140 lb mixed media paper

As many of you know, I like to make copies of my art. 

Recently I made these four cards for a swap.

I made several copies.  I enlarged them in two sizes.

 I started with an old 5x7 piece that just 

wasn't working out the way I wanted

so I tore out parts of a copy

 .

 and using my favorite medium,  Water Soluble Varnish, 

I layered it in the center .

 Then I scraped a thin layer of gesso over it

 to add depth and soften the color

 next I added a heart that was cut from the copy

 then I added the word "grateful"

 The edges were a bit bland

 so I used Inktense Pencils to add color

 the pencils are loaded with pigment 

so it a little bit goes a long way

 next I used a small brush to add water to 

the pencil and puled the color toward the center

 I used red, bright blue, and violet in several areas around the edge

 The white squares were bothering me

 so I used the colored pencils again to add color

 I used bright blue inktense around the word. 

and added drips and dribbles

 Then I added some detail with a black  Micron 01 pen

I added more color to the heart

 I used a micron pen to outline the heart

 and a Sharpie to define the edge of the card

 I used bright blue to add "drips" from the top edge. 

I thought I might be done .

But the bottom right was bothering me

 So I used gesso on the edge of a folded scrap of junk mail 

 I usually use an old credit card

 but I had no idea where they were....

 hmmmm... need to straighten up a bit around here.

 I just added the gesso by gently tapping.

 Now it's finished.  

I think I'll make 3 more for Sandie's Happy Art Swap

So

What's in my mug?

Land o Lakes Raspberry Hot Cocoa !

Love it on a cold day like today.

  

Thank you to Carolyn for asking for the tutorial.  

Thank you to Elizabeth for providing the link up for us every Tuesday. 

Thank you to Leah for hosting Art Every Day Month.

And if you read this post to the end. . .

Thank you

I am truly grateful.

Marianne

Tuesday, Tea and a Tiny Bird

Good Morning Tuesday.

 I am enjoying these Tuesday gatherings with Elizabeth and friends. 

You don't need to drink tea to join in and you don't need to be crafty either.

 Just a weekly catch up with friends. 

 This week I would like to show you the

 techniques I used to make this 5x7 art card.

The reason for this tutorial is because a few
people have commented on the vellum.

I did not use vellum anywhere on the card.

I made 4 of these for a monthly Happy Art Swap
 that my friend Sandie hosts.

You can find out more on her blog.
there is a link in my sidebar.

 In this tutorial I am not making the same card. 

This time I am making an envelope.

A bit different, except for the stitching. . . the techniques are the same.

I made the envelope for a mail art group I am a member of on facebook.
I am leaving the photos small but you can click on them to get a closer look.

The Art

The first step is to cut your paper into strips of varied widths.
and weave them together and adhere them to a heavy paper.
I also added a few extra bits and pieces
for added texture and color.
I am using 90lb. Strathmore Mixed Media paper.
I use Delta Water Soluble Varnish as both a glue and a top coat.
I like it because it's inexpensive and it dries quickly and will not get sticky in high humidity. Great for mail art.




Let the varnish dry for a few hours
or overnight.

Use Gesso to block out an area for an address or if you are making a card block out an area for your sentiment or quote.
 I also used the gesso as a base layer for my bird and the dots along the sides.

I lightly drew the bird with pencil. The gesso will cover the pencil lines.

I used the end of a foam
brush to make the dots

The good thing about having so many dogs is I always have something to do while gesso dries.

In this next series of photos I am using watercolor pencils to
add color to the bird, the branch and the bubbles

Use a little water and a brush to blend the colors.

I started out lightly and added more layers of color as needed.
You can add color while it's wet, but use a light touch.

next I added the bunting at the top.This is a fabric type scrapbook paper.
Perhaps this is what looks like vellum. . . but it is a sheer fabric.

The outlines and details were done with a micron pen and an ultra fine sharpie.
I did not stamp black dots on the envelope like I did
on the card  because I like the light airy look.

finished size - 7"x11"

All it needs now is an address,
a letter and a gift card inside and
  I will stitch the top closed and send it on it's way.
I am pretty sure the person I am sending it to has a seam ripper to open it.


Sorry for all the photos. I think they are pretty self explanatory. 
If you have questions you can ask them in the comments
and I will answer here in the comment section.

The Tea 

The tea is my standby Lipton.
yes with one packet of Splenda and 1 oz. skim milk.





The Mug is from
 Meadowlark Gardens in Northern VA.
I haven't been there this year.
I used to go there every weekend.
I don't like to venture out as much as I used to.
I am very content staying home with my dogs.

Thank you so much if you read the whole way to the end.

Have a Happy Tuesday !

Marianne

T stands for Tuesday is a new weekly blog link up party 

hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth

       

Update on DutchBoy. He is still with us. But I think it's time. The lifeguard is holding on. I am torn. I feel as though we are torturing this poor dog by not letting him go. I wish they could speak.