tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14371458957325149792024-03-05T04:53:37.391-04:00The Mind at Play.A CREATIVE bent to the everyday...
By Tracy Moreau Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-61263739569399221772015-03-24T16:15:00.000-03:002015-03-24T16:15:43.368-03:00Change and The Painted Door....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXwJqSH-Ts_9eOt3hUEmfXi9ABuGXXXSVcQHSOtoK8zb4snZQE9HCIkwJzNaqWs-5wUoevstXLCXuxbF8OGFTiniseqlG06bYhBwus8YOT0ZUJYAyF3zdvYNGXz6nxyPIKdYdNFBgGWvv/s1600/2bb9ba1a83fb2be352331a2a692dcafd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXwJqSH-Ts_9eOt3hUEmfXi9ABuGXXXSVcQHSOtoK8zb4snZQE9HCIkwJzNaqWs-5wUoevstXLCXuxbF8OGFTiniseqlG06bYhBwus8YOT0ZUJYAyF3zdvYNGXz6nxyPIKdYdNFBgGWvv/s1600/2bb9ba1a83fb2be352331a2a692dcafd.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit www.theberry.com </td></tr>
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'When one Door Closes...Another opens" as tired a phrase as it may be , it is apt. There are a great many opportunities in change, and refusing to adapt to it, quite often, just leaves you on the wrong side of the door. <br />
I like to look at Change as a catalyst to creativity, How do I adapt what I do to suit these changes , or if they cannot be adapted, how do I change what or how I do things? It's not as scary as you think it is... it can be a lot of fun. Sometimes you just have to scrap it all and start from scratch, but that can be fun too! Being intimidated by change is normal, we are always frightened by what we don't know or understand, but the best way to deal with the unknown, is to get to know it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4iYbYUMXdyk8OboifKgGsK8wHx9it8Q3sE2ZQbV-ceVWbCXgVZOoUM_DMbjqUzWVzPPfTQgJvGun85IN3QY-GfLFkadjU-lsh83h1AOb51Ht1mlrRuYh1z1ZrqlAm3rPotQJI40cIPqO/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4iYbYUMXdyk8OboifKgGsK8wHx9it8Q3sE2ZQbV-ceVWbCXgVZOoUM_DMbjqUzWVzPPfTQgJvGun85IN3QY-GfLFkadjU-lsh83h1AOb51Ht1mlrRuYh1z1ZrqlAm3rPotQJI40cIPqO/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"NEW" DecoArt Media</td></tr>
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New Art and Craft Products are a perfect example, as products in this industry change constantly!<br />
Knowing what you are working with and what it's limitations are, is the first step. Dig in , read everything the manufacturer has to say about it's product and how to use it. Look for project sheets, product information, and Tutorials. Ask other designers, and artists what they do with it, what they use it for, what they recommend.<br />
Then it's time to get dirty, start playing with it, see how it responds to the brush , to the cloth,to the knife. Manipulate it, colour it, wash over it, push it through stencils , stamp with it, stamp on it, freeze it, thaw it, spray it, TRY anything with it! Do a hundred sample boards with it, see what makes it work and what makes it fail. When you do these things you will clearly see the potential in a product as it applies to your work. Not only that, you will have a clear understanding of what the product is capable of.<br />
All too often artists won't attempt things with a new product because " I don't want to waste it"........ it IS wasted if all it does is sit on the paint rack. If you learn something from it while playing and experimenting , it has NOT gone to waste. Even if what you learned , is that it isn't for you.<br />
Trying out new Products in your design work can have a positive and rejuvenating effect, on both your work and on your attitude. We can often get a little bogged down and uninspired , adding a twist to what you already do, can often be just what the DR Ordered to put the spring back in your brushes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NakCAsP4w_aSGnuTz6xJDT2XFZQLOy5h0sF6vE1F8onBvRHZY67Nncgo-g7i8q0Qgd0acjBCbqsNUK-pzMRGw2deiWUZp4AOHYkfJld4g5bc-WT1RFz5UePFLoSqq4_A7uY4a5_bRtgN/s1600/Believe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NakCAsP4w_aSGnuTz6xJDT2XFZQLOy5h0sF6vE1F8onBvRHZY67Nncgo-g7i8q0Qgd0acjBCbqsNUK-pzMRGw2deiWUZp4AOHYkfJld4g5bc-WT1RFz5UePFLoSqq4_A7uY4a5_bRtgN/s1600/Believe2.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit Tracy Weinzapfel Studios </td></tr>
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You want a twist?? You have to Check out <a href="http://tracyweinzapfelstudios.com/artcraftingscrapbooking/mixed-media-monday-3915-can-anything-believe/" target="_blank">Tracy Weinzapfel Studios</a>....Here is an artist that just runs with it!!<br />
She is utterly fearless when it comes to playing with product. She has tremendous creativity and a go for it attitude when it comes to change. She has a very positive approach with a colourful personality and exudes confidence ! All of those attributes are reflected in her work! It's colourful, vibrant and dynamic and above all it's FUN!<br />
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Utilizing and capitalizing on the change within the industry and with product, is essential to a fresh take on your artwork. We creative types get bored easily...as is evidenced by the STASH of STUFF that we have collected. I for one will have to live to 125 to paint and paint with everything I have accumulated , and thats assuming I Don't accumulate more in the mean time.<br />
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Change to this industry with Shop Closures, and The minimization of the Big Boxes in the last decade has brought us to Web Ordering for supplies, to Video Tutorials right at home via You Tube and Streaming Sites. It has brought us to E Patterns and E Zines. Blogs and Online courses , things that didn't exist just 10 yrs ago. It has opened up the WORLD to us as designers and painters. Change... Is a good thing , if we embrace it's potential.<br />
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When One door Closes....<span style="text-align: center;">it gives you the opportunity to paint the other side of the door .</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1437145895732514979%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-fRsh_bR8uhc%252FVQWoxcmt9xI%252FAAAAAAAAAj0%252FIh7kLGod3wE%252Fs1600%252F2bb9ba1a83fb2be352331a2a692dcafd.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 24px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1437145895732514979%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-fRsh_bR8uhc%252FVQWoxcmt9xI%252FAAAAAAAAAj0%252FIh7kLGod3wE%252Fs1600%252F2bb9ba1a83fb2be352331a2a692dcafd.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 24px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1437145895732514979%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6126373956939922177%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D1%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-GFt8yEDJaHM%252FVQc7vqisLiI%252FAAAAAAAAAk8%252FGpR-oyca3aI%252Fs1600%252FBelieve2.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 32px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 816px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1437145895732514979%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6126373956939922177%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D1%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-GFt8yEDJaHM%252FVQc7vqisLiI%252FAAAAAAAAAk8%252FGpR-oyca3aI%252Fs1600%252FBelieve2.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 32px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 816px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-66899642226518466462015-03-16T18:10:00.000-03:002015-03-16T18:10:22.966-03:00You are NOT a great painter.... You are NOT a great painter......<br />
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An Artist I admired greatly once told me that.... and at the time he was right, a little insensitive to the feelings of a 12 year old girl, but right none the less. It was not followed up with a BUT or any positive comment to take the sting out of it either. As devastating as it was to hear it, he was right.. I wasn't a great painter....I'm still not a great painter....YET.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk4GReXtr5Ddkl5zkIj3hDJmUtpgdqiFCyuKVziq08Wev_zZV5Z2umGIHcSTsROAEXnRzg3DeoDDs3TlXC5QZuweFglaWapBXBQTf2hyimUsh8n6avdFbfZGHg7Q5dJG05-mDs5bGVoMI/s1600/photo+1+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk4GReXtr5Ddkl5zkIj3hDJmUtpgdqiFCyuKVziq08Wev_zZV5Z2umGIHcSTsROAEXnRzg3DeoDDs3TlXC5QZuweFglaWapBXBQTf2hyimUsh8n6avdFbfZGHg7Q5dJG05-mDs5bGVoMI/s1600/photo+1+(4).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I hear students say things like " Oh I can't paint like you." .. or.." I can't do that". How about we begin ending that statement with "YET". It would be closer to the truth and far more beneficial to you. I can't paint like you... YET! or I can't do that... YET! Did you believe that you could ever paint the way you do now?? Probably Not , but here you are.<br />
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Artists are our own worst critics, we see every flaw in our work, because we are trained to see it, and it drives us batty! I know for myself I see every crooked line, every wonky float, and imperfect stroke. I know that the shadow on the right should be one value darker I know that the highlight on a few of those grapes is not quite right, and it stands out to me, like a bear on a bicycle! it might as well be waving a flag and singing the Star Spangled Banner. Oddly... none else seems to see it. but it is these imperfections ( real or imagined) that drive us to perfect our skills.<br />
The confidence we gain as we improve, is at times, imperceptible, but it grows... slowly, but it grows.<br />
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Growth to an artist is vital, without stretching ourselves, we stagnate. The work becomes nothing more that a rehash of our previous efforts, and we become lethargic and careless. So to alleviate this we try a new colour, a new surface, a new design, a new brush or technique. We advance our skills, we take up coloured pencils, watercolour, oils, mixed media, we try stencils or stamps, or texture mediums, and we venture away from where we started. sometimes wi come full circle, other time we don't, and go wandering down another path to see whats there! After all It is not the arrival that is the important part of this journey.. it is all of the stops along the way that make the trip worth while. Take the classes , try new things, Go to conventions, indulge in the joy of being with others that have the same passion for Art as you do, Practice the one thing that eludes you, buy new brushes, pencils, canvas and ink because you need to try it, because you are Not a Great Painter......Yet.Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-15100822934299129932015-03-14T16:14:00.000-03:002015-03-14T16:14:57.590-03:00Faux Cloisonne.....Mixed Media goes Old School. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN5-SqXMMfZPayDyzMf8hMASntvGHoSPcAi2Lag4h1tzlGQ958row9FI1WlEoryAwSu9K6CgOqkglX3RErYOo4JjQwuvjQMRZObOkJcIq3cl3AtSQEbYK7B0qdmri-B0W8GfNc5oDfJcw/s1600/10600561_10152437806461638_1753153048513632862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN5-SqXMMfZPayDyzMf8hMASntvGHoSPcAi2Lag4h1tzlGQ958row9FI1WlEoryAwSu9K6CgOqkglX3RErYOo4JjQwuvjQMRZObOkJcIq3cl3AtSQEbYK7B0qdmri-B0W8GfNc5oDfJcw/s1600/10600561_10152437806461638_1753153048513632862_n.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parfumerie Paris ( Faux Cloisonne Pitcher)</td></tr>
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Faux Cloisonne.....Mixed Media Goes Old School!<br />
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I use a Faux version of the Original Cloisonné , to create a dramatic contrast in Sheen levels , to highlight distinct elements of an overall design. it's fun, it's easy and it works to great effect!<br />
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The real deal however is far more involved. There is a more detailed description of the process towards the end of this post.<br />
for now , I will walk you through the Faux Version technique ... It's Easy Peasy!<br />
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With the Advent of all these Mixed media Products, it it so very easy to create some really awesome effects with very little effort!<br />
You need a dimensional Paint like <a href="http://decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Paper_Effects" target="_blank">Paper Effects</a> , <a href="http://decoart.com/mixedmedia/liquid-glass" target="_blank">Liquid Glass</a>, Paper or paint of choice or both.. I opt for both. You can also embed things into this, like seeds, beads, dried flowers etc.. so go wild..lol<br />
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The first thing you have to do is paint the picture, it doesn't have to be overly detailed , just get the shading and highlighting in, nothing too over the top though. But if you are a slave to details , go ahead , put em in, you'll still see them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9yaYM0XZAszgpA_jUN3DDmfetHLKRWmpVdmlGkLMmyl9OFcI7ohgdwE4VGNv7WZTlZYOpX4cB_WSzDyjbMKY1jxVLlb1q_rOrVgBMJHn3GRhs6GI7DezNehg2qgV1PIOXp9_Oxoy8QGM/s1600/IMG_0001_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9yaYM0XZAszgpA_jUN3DDmfetHLKRWmpVdmlGkLMmyl9OFcI7ohgdwE4VGNv7WZTlZYOpX4cB_WSzDyjbMKY1jxVLlb1q_rOrVgBMJHn3GRhs6GI7DezNehg2qgV1PIOXp9_Oxoy8QGM/s1600/IMG_0001_2.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux Cloisonne Detail</td></tr>
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Once everything is painted, Glued Down ( Whatever your doing) use a fine point on the <a href="http://decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Paper_Effects" target="_blank">Paper Effects</a> and outline each segment of the design you want to highlight. ( as in the piece in the Photo... The Floral element has every petal and segment of the floral outlined.) This just creates a barrier of sorts to prevent the <a href="http://decoart.com/mixedmedia/liquid-glass" target="_blank">Liquid Glass</a> from running everywhere.<br />
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Once the <a href="http://decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Paper_Effects" target="_blank">Paper Effects</a> is dry, the spaces are then flooded with<a href="http://decoart.com/mixedmedia/liquid-glass" target="_blank"> Liquid Glass</a>. It will look a little milky at first but it will dry crystal clear and glossy . You can embellish it while wet, by adding beads, Glitter or Seeds for additional Dimension. ( You can put charms , gears, just stuff... under this medium.. ( Looks kind of like an resin finish.)<br />
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When completely Dry the effect is quite stunning. The Contrast between the Matt background and the High Gloss elements is striking! The<a href="http://decoart.com/mixedmedia/liquid-glass" target="_blank"> Liquid Glass</a> also enhances the colours underneath , giving them a little extra Vibrancy.<br />
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So Imagine: Use Scrapbook paper or Gift Wrap or Family photos, to create the various parts of the design , then Use this technique to enhance them and make them the Primary focus of the overall design. Use stamps to create pattern, Stencils to create texture.. yes I said texture... it looks AMAZING under the <a href="http://decoart.com/mixedmedia/liquid-glass" target="_blank">Liquid Glass</a>!! You can do almost anything and it looks Great!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhYUJYnZD1NOyCTAjb4Kg5BZUuxZjawK_NQ8ws8er8kRXUwDub8brmfPg-4Am64Z6Jo8o4Ug0uyTNEaf5zt2TmEuu0lxM43Bw3gqbK7IkBnFzww_W6Wpqy973sn1DDf2V85jxnS8BLm8P/s1600/Cloisonne+Rose+handbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhYUJYnZD1NOyCTAjb4Kg5BZUuxZjawK_NQ8ws8er8kRXUwDub8brmfPg-4Am64Z6Jo8o4Ug0uyTNEaf5zt2TmEuu0lxM43Bw3gqbK7IkBnFzww_W6Wpqy973sn1DDf2V85jxnS8BLm8P/s1600/Cloisonne+Rose+handbag.jpg" height="195" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux Cloisonne Rose Handbag</td></tr>
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Oh My Oh My The MIND BOGGLES!!<br />
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Give it a shot, break out some sample boards and go to it.... TRY IT!! You never know how things will look until you try it!<br />
I probably do 5 to 10 sample boards when every time I try out a new technique.. just to see what I can do with it! If I fail, So what.. try again using a different colour, background, or paper, add stamps , or stencils, or dried flowers.. You just never know what you will come up with, and THAT is when it is the most fun to play in my sandbox!!<br />
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So now comes the educational part... below I have soured some information about the Real Cloisonné.. just FYI.<br />
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If you are looking for patterns or designs using this technique,Visit my website at <a href="http://www.tracymoreau.ne/">www.tracymoreau.ne</a>t.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIidlqIPRTazDpZOnqfJNvvgcTRZNLk2XktH8Ur2EazguRuP75JFPA5NlMLo9PMQJ4JkDF0NnDsunM9RzPQqZPVvyknWJI7GH8QVBj85w0bkfT5Xocr3u42el7TnqeSgt3WYerSMVrJeif/s1600/Cornucopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIidlqIPRTazDpZOnqfJNvvgcTRZNLk2XktH8Ur2EazguRuP75JFPA5NlMLo9PMQJ4JkDF0NnDsunM9RzPQqZPVvyknWJI7GH8QVBj85w0bkfT5Xocr3u42el7TnqeSgt3WYerSMVrJeif/s1600/Cornucopia.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple Faux Cloisonne Detail</td></tr>
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The Cloisonné Process:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cloisonné was first developed in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_East"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">Near East</span></a>. It spread to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">Byzantine Empire</span></a> and from there along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">Silk Road</span></a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">China</span></a>. Chinese cloisonné is arguably the most well known of all the varieties of cloisonne and enamel making. Russian cloisonné from the Tsarist era is also highly prized by collectors. Chinese cloisonné is sometimes confused with Canton enamel, a similar type of enamel work that is painted on freehand and does not utilize partitions to hold the colors separate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Process</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The artist forms <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">metal</span></a> (such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">copper</span></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">bronze</span></a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">silver</span></a>) into the shape of the finished object. The material usually used for making the body is copper, since it is easily hammered and stretched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filigree">Filigree</a></span>-soldering. which is pure silver wire usually about .010 x .040 inches in cross section, is bent into shapes that define the colored areas. The bends are all done at right angles, so that wire does not curve up. This is done with small pliers, tweezers, and custom-made jigs. The cloisonné wire pattern may consist of several intricately constructed wire patterns that fit together into a larger design. Solder can be used to join the wires, but it causes the enamel to discolor and form bubbles later on. Instead, the base metal is fired with a thin layer of clear enamel. The cloisonné wire is glued to the enamel surface with gum <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragacanth"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">Tragacanth</span></a>. When the gum Tragacanth has dried, the piece is fired again to fuse the cloisonné wire to the clear enamel. The gum Tragacanth burns off, leaving no residue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Enamel-filling. The basic elements of enamel are boric acid, saltpetre and alkaline. Due to the difference in the minerals added, the colour differs accordingly. Usually one with much iron will turn grey, with uranium, yellow, with chromium, green, with zinc, white, with bronze, blue, with gold or iodine, red. In time of filling, all the colours, ground beforehand into minute powder and contained in plates, are placed in front of the workers and are then applied to the little compartments separated by filigree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Enamel-firing. This is done by putting the article, with its enamel fillings, to the crucible. The enamel in the little compartment will sink down a bit after firing. That will require a refilling. This process will go on repeatedly until the little compartments are finally filled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Polishing. Some pieces of hard carbon are used for polishing to produce some lustre on the surface of the article.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Gilding. The article is placed in fluid of gold or silver. The exposed parts of the filigree and the metal fringes of the article will be smoothly and evenly gilded. Alternatively, the exposed metal is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplating"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255); color: #0433ff;">electroplated</span></a> with a thin film of gold to prevent corrosion and to give a pleasing appearance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The above information was sourced from Wikipedia, it has not been edited in any way, and is believed to be accurate in content.</span></div>
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<br />Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-21245589446467409572015-03-09T00:59:00.000-03:002015-03-09T00:59:06.147-03:00I am Stuck on Decoupage!<br />
This is a very old art / craft form. There are examples dating back prior to the Victorian era, and further. Those days they used Hide glues and lacquers, or Shellac. but today we have some wonderful product for this Fun technique.<br />
for Years Mod Podge was the Industry standard but Now DECOART has raised the bar and produced an exceptional line of <a href="http://decoart.com/decoupage/">Decoupage</a> products for nearly every imaginable surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcYwaPwIEnGaaBPn-B4wtDzKLipuXpGUWwc5WfHgHXUnBEZbI5c_tn67aYLMlqWmlBQ19VJzeeMzr9aUuecuV3IqF8EfE_RktIdiPMIyLSEUmbWrG3u7l4ui3Q1fJN_1xxsWhENhum2nl/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcYwaPwIEnGaaBPn-B4wtDzKLipuXpGUWwc5WfHgHXUnBEZbI5c_tn67aYLMlqWmlBQ19VJzeeMzr9aUuecuV3IqF8EfE_RktIdiPMIyLSEUmbWrG3u7l4ui3Q1fJN_1xxsWhENhum2nl/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DecoArt Decoupage </td></tr>
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Traditional Decoupage mediums often dried a bit tacky, but the DecoArt Products dry to a smooth non sticky finish that allows you to use it Not just an adhesive but also as a sealer and finish. With three sheen levels available , Matt, Satin and Gloss. You have a sealer and finish for every application.<br />
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There is also a Glitter version for special projects that need Sparkle, An Indoor outdoor version for All weather applications, an antique version with a slight tint to create age when needed, One for Napkins and thin papers, one for paper to paper application and one for fabric and wearables. The Versatility of this product line is further advanced with the Addition of A dishwasher safe version.<br />
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Decoupage is an art from in and of itself, and though the idea of cutting out pretty elements and gluing them onto a surface, seems pretty simple , there are a few tips to doing it well.<br />
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You Need:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYtVcYWRjOfDJYuegY2rza_YjjArR6budgWnbJpxFAsz_r2YXLwsgRADWC_RKOTI0bLz7H4WdcDoi9Fyre4SfcZfv77PQXoKidPIFZy1GWH_kSnsC4kOzBsFLA66VxyBFVp7qN_2cSjFs/s1600/t390_d67a554c0d2ba8e82503d747980f849d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYtVcYWRjOfDJYuegY2rza_YjjArR6budgWnbJpxFAsz_r2YXLwsgRADWC_RKOTI0bLz7H4WdcDoi9Fyre4SfcZfv77PQXoKidPIFZy1GWH_kSnsC4kOzBsFLA66VxyBFVp7qN_2cSjFs/s1600/t390_d67a554c0d2ba8e82503d747980f849d.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a>Scissors:<br />
With a fine point and very sharp. There is such a thing as Decoupage Scissors, but a pair of embroidery scissors will do too. For a great pair ...visit <a href="http://www.westcottbrand.com/">Westcott</a> They have a great selection.. My favourite is the Titanium Bonded 4" Pointed scissors. ( I have several pairs of Westcott scissors in Various sizes)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZefRNRT5BrBJqt-rYdg32xF35xMqBdZf1lAVsQagSnEZEZh8Rg-Zq2eillq2_A0LLeJ6fN0i0DgbZLY622x-NNNDalHnI92kEElwmu1XHFozGF_qPE8tfDl7ou8u46JWxlTFduTnxSS/s1600/category_thumb_classic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZefRNRT5BrBJqt-rYdg32xF35xMqBdZf1lAVsQagSnEZEZh8Rg-Zq2eillq2_A0LLeJ6fN0i0DgbZLY622x-NNNDalHnI92kEElwmu1XHFozGF_qPE8tfDl7ou8u46JWxlTFduTnxSS/s1600/category_thumb_classic.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Your Choice of Decoupage:<br />
My favourite General Purpose one is the <a href="http://decoart.com/decoupage/classic">Decoupage Matt</a>, but I have them ALL.. cuz ya just never know when you'll need it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ffTQOGRYk8q0B5ao3OsDZfzxG5ZO2zmhg7ciQp3D1UeEd8bco_JIeik2IqG7OUwS_8mkI4Z15t4cwtkzx5354zcvlw0MEDbNERx_SrWcZ4ObN0Kyatj3-l6oh7T8EJkn2DemecAp6Er2/s1600/category_thumb_papers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ffTQOGRYk8q0B5ao3OsDZfzxG5ZO2zmhg7ciQp3D1UeEd8bco_JIeik2IqG7OUwS_8mkI4Z15t4cwtkzx5354zcvlw0MEDbNERx_SrWcZ4ObN0Kyatj3-l6oh7T8EJkn2DemecAp6Er2/s1600/category_thumb_papers.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Paper:<br />
DecoArt has made a wonderful Line of <a href="http://decoart.com/decoupage/papers">Decoupage Papers</a> to add style and panache to your projects, but you can use napkins , news print, Tissue paper.... whatever. It'll stick and make it pretty. Also great for Mixed Media and other artwork. They also have some with a Metallic foil. for a little glam!<br />
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Ya Need A Great Brush:<br />
Something soft enough to create a smooth finish , but stiff enough to move the medium around. I use A Dynasty Faux Squirrel 3/4 Flat or a Dynasty Faux Kolinsky 3/4 flat wash. both will work beautifully. <a href="http://www.thebrushguys.com/cgi-bin/sc-v4/proddisp.pl?client=firesaleguys&catid=&PRID=2517" target="_blank">" THE BRUSH GUYS" Have My favourite Brushes</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdgiQhOhMwMhxLQvehmRLezhHnYaHdb_YCsbIzPok0sBcPbQbw5lAZEe2B3emFWLqu-tNnHXa6SJzTuYJ_rLMDp-Hejtxz8_aoJvBnMdFpO0UN2GnHXMQkLTY-alTggtXNDZELWmiQAqj/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdgiQhOhMwMhxLQvehmRLezhHnYaHdb_YCsbIzPok0sBcPbQbw5lAZEe2B3emFWLqu-tNnHXa6SJzTuYJ_rLMDp-Hejtxz8_aoJvBnMdFpO0UN2GnHXMQkLTY-alTggtXNDZELWmiQAqj/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" height="200" width="166" /></a></div>
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Step1: Trim the paper to fit the size of the piece you are working on, unless it is only an element of design then trim tightly to the edge of the design .<br />
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Step2: Apply a generous but even coat of the Decoupage to the surface, only in the area that you are applying the paper to. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha7ynpIK-ZU3u82fTClNIr2HO2PiHSQv13GIQMYhyphenhyphen0MyG9-G5LIKzxp-XoLD4ogI35_YJXG3kTBU8hFQw3Xr7t81b4507oXrs-zPNQUqp9DpkIqdmCkwlCKooenE4kN2MXtIOa_JIiTbO/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha7ynpIK-ZU3u82fTClNIr2HO2PiHSQv13GIQMYhyphenhyphen0MyG9-G5LIKzxp-XoLD4ogI35_YJXG3kTBU8hFQw3Xr7t81b4507oXrs-zPNQUqp9DpkIqdmCkwlCKooenE4kN2MXtIOa_JIiTbO/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" height="173" width="200" /></a><br />
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Step3: Use a brayer or the decoupage bottle to firmly seat the paper into the medium. Rolling it will also remove any excess medium and any bubbles that may be under the paper.<br />
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Step 4: Allow it to dry before covering the paper with a thin coat of the decoupage medium. Let it dry and you are ready to add your own embellishments to finish your creations.<br />
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Step 5: If you have paper exceeding the edge of the surface you are working on, Sand the edges with a singing sponge. Down and away.. Press down with the sponge on the top edge and sand down. and away for the surface . the aper will wear along the edge of the surface , giving you a nice clean and perfect finished edge.<br />
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There is nothing to stop you adding paper in layers.. add different colours, textures and designs for variations and fun detail.<br />
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Dig out your stamps , stencils and other fun things to add dimension and interest to your piece.. HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT!!<br />
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Don't forget to think outside the box, you can use decoupage medium to do Image transfers, add dried flowers to cards, adhere embellishments or to seal and protect your work.<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/z0U6H4Cx-cY" target="_blank">Image Transfer Technique using Decoupage!</a><br />
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Have you got a great Use for decoupage or a fun project I deal?? Lets Hear it!!<br />
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My kitchen has a fresh and bright feel with a little touch of elegance that I felt it needed. Although as usual, when remodeling we discovered a few new problems.... My Dishwasher and my Fridge... no longer work. The dishwasher still does dishes and the fridge still refrigerates.. but they both clash with the new decor...SIGH! Oh Well I will have to keep my eyes peeled for a sale on a stainless dishwasher and a matching fridge.( hmmmm.. I wonder if I can Paint my fridge Stainless S
teel......) <br />
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Before!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgGvQntZQulRvRZrvVWp9z2o9ucLHf3hoPn7QoE7DO1zrhnvBmDMT9edvu2BcqaPO7_xa_ZZwe0ipJoqn-7noKX3aBXj7HoQfQc8ZvalRrFvdYt3jdHteNPyzKpNAzfAbA8Leq_lKKA5p/s1600/kitchen+redo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgGvQntZQulRvRZrvVWp9z2o9ucLHf3hoPn7QoE7DO1zrhnvBmDMT9edvu2BcqaPO7_xa_ZZwe0ipJoqn-7noKX3aBXj7HoQfQc8ZvalRrFvdYt3jdHteNPyzKpNAzfAbA8Leq_lKKA5p/s320/kitchen+redo+2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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After!!<BR><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sN_xr4OokQ3Fpi6oRSoWqUpRHB4u6vwWsYTH_eVQkK2PBV_l1mfx6vt9dCdP-mhvSK2938c1GmNn_84dY7MY3oYhdbYGkwSDWkczXY23JxmLkYaDMOCtp_pFw_LdctU1M4UA3AiadNW0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sN_xr4OokQ3Fpi6oRSoWqUpRHB4u6vwWsYTH_eVQkK2PBV_l1mfx6vt9dCdP-mhvSK2938c1GmNn_84dY7MY3oYhdbYGkwSDWkczXY23JxmLkYaDMOCtp_pFw_LdctU1M4UA3AiadNW0/s320/004.JPG" /></a></div><BR> I took this shot at an angle so you can the the relief clearly. I just love the results! <BR> We have since added a hanging Pot Rack , and laid a new floor as well. Add to that the wonderful Butcher block board I received at Christmas and I have all I need for my Little kitchen! <br>
All thanks to a Wonderful DYI kinda Guy for a Hubby!!
Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-66795751684933833572012-06-05T18:47:00.000-03:002015-03-06T17:43:24.131-04:00Painted Herb Pots and PokesI had a dear friend visit with me for the day.. we had a blast Painting My Herb Pots and making Plant Pokes... We did a lot of giggling.
K Found humor in a number of things about this project.. not the least of them being my doing anything to do with Plants. K was born with two green thumbs while I am sporting two brown ones. No one with any sense would ever accuse me of being botanically inclined, believe me. I give the word Herbicide a whole new meaning.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeUu6zGKI7wTzKGg8-VpiNb6qDNCjP0BIcRd846gZsS-zv2oJpvK-adMdTOieQYxjWzsMb6AsmSBK0eMVTXqJX3IJuKQgBnpueWYShvrg_qL07rnxwQZP8R1mTcWrCPqwScGUuL3IMeF9/s1600/Painted+Pots...Voila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeUu6zGKI7wTzKGg8-VpiNb6qDNCjP0BIcRd846gZsS-zv2oJpvK-adMdTOieQYxjWzsMb6AsmSBK0eMVTXqJX3IJuKQgBnpueWYShvrg_qL07rnxwQZP8R1mTcWrCPqwScGUuL3IMeF9/s320/Painted+Pots...Voila.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a><br />
I am botanically challenged **Admitting you have a problem is the first step** but lets put that aside for a bit and get on with the project at hand.. These lovely Herb Pots and pokes. <br />
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You will Need:<br />
1:From the Garden Center:
You will require three Terra Cotta Rose Pots, I used the medium sized variety... Don't ask me what size they are... Oh wait!... the size is on the tag that was stuck to the bottom... they are 6 inch pots and 4 inch saucers.<br />
Three Herbs.... of your choice.. I Have not selected my victims, I mean plants as yet. <br />
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2: From "<a href="http://www.decoart.com/">www.decoart.com</a>":<br />
Deco Art All purpose Primer sealer,Warm White Paint,DecoArt Decoupage Medium (Matt), Asphaltum paint, Duraclear Satin or Matt Varnish ( as per your preference)Deco Art Chalk Board paint.<br />
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3: From "<a href="http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.ca/">www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.ca</a>"<br />
Three vintage graphics, Reversed (Only if Text or numerals are involved) <br />
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4: From "<a href="http://www.stockade.ca/">www.Stockade.ca</a>" you will need:<br />
3x 2inch square scroll tags<br />
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5:Dynasty Faux Squirrel Brushes:<br />
3/4 flat, #2 Round, #2 Rigger<br />
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6: Misc: <br />
Shop Towel, Water, White Graphite paper, Printed lettering ( Thyme, Basil, Parsley etc), L'Acrobate Glaze.( www.tracymoreau.com)<br />
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To Start: Mix Warm White paint 1:1 with some All Purpose Primer sealer. Mix well. Begin by applying a generous coat to the INSIDE of each pot. If you want the paint on the outside to remain in good shape over time, you have to seal the ENTIRE Pot inside and out, to prevent moisture from getting behind the paint. Set them aside to dry. Terra Cotta is VERY porous, so it will dry pretty quick. Then apply a coat to the outside of each pot. The sealer makes the paint a bit transparent, so three coats will likely be required to get good coverage.We are looking for a nice opaque coat. Let dry thoroughly ( I put mine under the fans for about 1/2 an hour.. that seemed to do the trick.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVd-swePeElPQLEZaAeiOjSZ3lQHYlaNIzf6Vkv7dBfSM-SLqbju-Q34SM6_TvfNA-ob4Pnv1x9fgSIok8tg3fIS1I1h2mFNuC4wH-p96h6MuUnwU2dBZYDar7gtbj4tBcO8KUxv7U9f7/s1600/Painted+Pots+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVd-swePeElPQLEZaAeiOjSZ3lQHYlaNIzf6Vkv7dBfSM-SLqbju-Q34SM6_TvfNA-ob4Pnv1x9fgSIok8tg3fIS1I1h2mFNuC4wH-p96h6MuUnwU2dBZYDar7gtbj4tBcO8KUxv7U9f7/s320/Painted+Pots+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
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Once the pots were dry I Cut out the reversed Image as close to the edge of the image as i could get and adhered ( Face Down) them to each pot with a generous coat of Decoupage Medium. I did NOT apply any OVER the the image, I just used it to stick the paper to the pot!I put them back under the fans for a bit to dry the decoupage medium well before the next step.<br />
I then used a terry cloth face cloth to gently scrub the paper off the pots, leaving the Transferred image on the pot. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNReIfNif0ofY6nhOboB1avjl6E6pcS69GL4TuvVRSw7LtuOGWKkk-gAQL9eoP9TDi4R6CR8iaSvuPfh9JtQk0mNiSn9hfUQGFIbrtFb7sHJvOrScxVCovr4VsTCkok5dTkZBcZuY443dm/s1600/Painted+Pots+3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNReIfNif0ofY6nhOboB1avjl6E6pcS69GL4TuvVRSw7LtuOGWKkk-gAQL9eoP9TDi4R6CR8iaSvuPfh9JtQk0mNiSn9hfUQGFIbrtFb7sHJvOrScxVCovr4VsTCkok5dTkZBcZuY443dm/s320/Painted+Pots+3a.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a><br />
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Once all the Paper has been scrubbed off, let the pots dry for a few minutes before applying a coat of the decoupage medium over the entire pot, just to seal the image on.Let it dry Thoroughly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u8wprvilA-looZNXGfUngj-0V7P2jRMVuvcP3aymc-7MTKV_jV0eejZMk9J-xuvQm4_D_2hy_VyPJI-z2z8XflFErJHT9FjspGE_afveyL_VRkxhc9wiH3qMQMWsot7yhd2NtPnPjTi4/s1600/Painted+Pots+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u8wprvilA-looZNXGfUngj-0V7P2jRMVuvcP3aymc-7MTKV_jV0eejZMk9J-xuvQm4_D_2hy_VyPJI-z2z8XflFErJHT9FjspGE_afveyL_VRkxhc9wiH3qMQMWsot7yhd2NtPnPjTi4/s320/Painted+Pots+5.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a><br />
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Use a Little Asphaltum Paint thinned with L'Acrobate to apply a weak layer of antiquing over the White paint. Let them dry thoroughly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAhXvNHJgL7hCzjm5VJDGoKI6j9tmwbkfALeMvvygST-ItshdPVGE-kkSbsBlyKDzgRfk5s_VcQQtf0izGibUoxQfHTL3T83ri9c507aqbu5BVUQhHc8X_KIHOwYz3Ix8gtjD1IbJRBUb/s1600/Painted+Pot+Pokes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAhXvNHJgL7hCzjm5VJDGoKI6j9tmwbkfALeMvvygST-ItshdPVGE-kkSbsBlyKDzgRfk5s_VcQQtf0izGibUoxQfHTL3T83ri9c507aqbu5BVUQhHc8X_KIHOwYz3Ix8gtjD1IbJRBUb/s320/Painted+Pot+Pokes+2.jpg" height="320" width="306" /></a>
I Used some Deco Art Chalk Board Paint to base the Small tags and the Skewers,I traced the lettering onto the tags and then used the #2 Rigger to paint the lettering with Warm White then I glued the skewer to the back of the tag with a glue gun! You Can just leave them Blank and use chalk to write in whatever you like!!<br />
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I grabbed a handful of foliage out of the Silk Arrangement(and Yes I know it's NOT Basil) on my China Cabinet to add a little colour ( I Told you I haven't selected my victims yet) and stuck in the Plant poke... And Voila!! Perfectly Pretty Herb Pots and Pokes!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-J1W_a_T8E_Hu3DH76KZK-4P2wVQSvapJSV0AoByINsYC5UmAwTk2PU_pdIsiIeQdyg34moQkN7AkpGQT11cbXnmg5YRXZ0ZLxgJgPKV4ddPbVC8ZhdWwC9_32qU-K1CctfCauyywBPOD/s1600/Painted+Pots...Voila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-J1W_a_T8E_Hu3DH76KZK-4P2wVQSvapJSV0AoByINsYC5UmAwTk2PU_pdIsiIeQdyg34moQkN7AkpGQT11cbXnmg5YRXZ0ZLxgJgPKV4ddPbVC8ZhdWwC9_32qU-K1CctfCauyywBPOD/s320/Painted+Pots...Voila.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a><br />
If you want to see a step by step demo of this image transfer technique.. here it is: <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z0U6H4Cx-cY" width="425"></iframe><br />Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-2863772657311209672012-04-03T11:53:00.000-03:002016-04-24T14:42:46.327-03:00Relief Stencilling Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors.If you ever wondered how to update your cabinetry , within a budget and end up with something that you can live with for a long time to come.... I have the answer.it takes a few steps , but in the end it will have been worth it. This is the beginning of our Kitchen makeover, we'll post more as we go...for now this is just the first step.
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step 1: Convincing your husband that Painting those tired 80's oak cabinets is the best idea to refresh your Kitchens appearance .... it's easy to accomplish, call in three of the most expensive cabinet makers in town to quote you on your "Refreshment Project"... Hubby's reluctance to "Paint Good Wood" will rapidly disappear.<br />
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Step 2: DO NOT allow hubby to select the paint colour, but you must drag him to Home Depot, and ask for his opinion and reject each one until he reaches the colour you prefer.<br />
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Step 3:Once you have hubby select the sample that you have clearly indicated as your choice. Come to a mutual understanding that your choice is quite obviously the best one, and congratulate him on his excellent taste.<br />
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Step4:Pack Suitcase.<br />
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Step:5 Before leaving for your SPA weekend with the girls,:make a list to remind hubby to remove all the hardware, clean, sand and prime the doors and boxes of all the cabinetry, and apply three coats of your colour choice to the lower cabinets, while you are away.<br />
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Step 6: Enjoy facial, Massage, manicure and pedicure, then dinner with the girls. Drink wine. Email hubby for update on his progress.Ask for pictures.<br />
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Step 7: Show pictures to the girls, Respond to email with compliments from Girlfriends, thank girlfriends with more wine.<br />
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Step 8: Enjoy final day at the Spa and celebrate the progress in your kitchen with
more wine with Girlfriends. Return home.<br />
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Step 9: Now That the hard work is done ...it is time to do the pretty stuff.We have chosen to do a stencil relief on the center panels of the Upper cabinets.So we tested the Finish on an old door, but a piece of MDF will work too. <br />
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Pictured above are the materials that I used for our Kitchen cabinet redo.... A little texture Stucco.... my favorite stencil... and "Hubby" Primed Cabinet doors. I used one of my favorite palette knives but , if your more comfortable with a taping knife than by all means use it!<br />
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Step 10:Start by taping your stencil in place on the primed surface,( a small piece just to hold it steady) then using the knife, apply a thin coat of the Stucco over the image of the stencil. Carefully remove the stencil and let the stucco dry before repositioning the stencil. Repeat this for each door and allow it to dry well.<br />
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Step 11:Lightly Sand the stencil relief to remove any sharp or loose bits, and to smooth out any rough edges. The Stucco is very hard when dry so you can be fairly aggressive with the sanding.<br />
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Step 12:Have Hubby Apply two to three coats of Your colour of choice over the relief letting ech coat dry thoroughly before applying the next. <br />
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Step 13: Have hubby Spray the existing hardware with a metal paint, the colour of your choice. Encourage hubby by reminding him that this team effort will be worth it!!
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Fortunately for me , My husband has a sense of humour and enjoys DIY as much as I do...We'll post more as the cabinets are completed but thought you might enjoy this quick tutorial.<br />
Thanks for playin in our sandbox!!<br />
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Tracy and ChuckTracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-37936156551635114052012-03-26T20:46:00.000-03:002012-03-26T20:46:17.120-03:00Spring is sprung
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Da grass is riz
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I wonder where dem boidies iz
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Da little boids is on da wing
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Ain't dat absoid
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Da little wings is on da boid<br />
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Ogden Nash but most Likely Anonymous ( there seems to be some confusion as to the author)<br />
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Spring and fall are my favorite seasons... Fall with it's rich colours and crisp air,while But Spring...Now spring is full of promise and renewal.<br />
Both seasons heavily influence my artwork. I was feeling springy today, even though it feels like January with the cold wind and the flurries today. I wanted colour, and fun and these fun tags just did the trick!
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After so much traveling the past few weeks it was a pleasure to just sit and paint something fun and easy! <br />
These will be on my site as well as available from Viking Woodcrafts, ( http://www.vikingwoodcrafts.com )and Dynasty Brush. ( http://www.dynastybrush.com ) Enjoy!<br />
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<br /> <BR><embed src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/Spring%20Daisy.pdf" width="250" height="300"><BR><BR><embed src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/Spring%20Hydrangea.pdf" width="250" height="300"><BR><embed src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/Spring%20Lilac.pdf" width="250" height="300">
Thanks for playin in my sandbox!
TracyTracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-22672367539390607802012-02-26T12:29:00.000-04:002012-02-26T12:29:55.069-04:00Well , In a couple of Days I am off to Las Vegas, So if you are on the Trade floor PLEASE come by and see me!! You can find me in the DecoArt Booth, Playing with NEW Products and doing technique Demos and answering questions so if you have any feel free to ask!!I am looking forward to seeing you there. <br />
<br /> For those that aren't going to be there... Here's a little something.
While I am away.. Try your hand at one of these little projects.<br />
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<embed height="300" src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/Strawberries%20and%20Chocolat.pdf" width="250"></embed><br />
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<embed height="300" src="%20http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/Sweet%20Little%20Shoes.pdf" width="250"></embed><br />
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<embed height="300" src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/The%20Palmer%20Plums.pdf" width="250"></embed>
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<embed height="300" src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/The%20Palmer%20Citrons.pdf" width="250"></embed>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-71713810587489761242012-02-19T15:14:00.000-04:002012-02-19T15:14:18.222-04:00One of my Favorite parts of my Work is having the Opportunity to try out NEW PRODUCTS!! Of course BRUSHES are an artists bread and butter so it stands to reason that trying out the Newest and Coolest brushes available is the best part!! ( I LOVE MY WORK!!)<br />
So this week I had the Pleasure of Working with "The Dynasty Palmer"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnIGV716iNaNsjPz13K11xjhICLK8CN5Iyu2cqBAdEGkd7tcySPrICgOLlnhAO60expzUsxZywRF9njz_rbKPiS_5PhKfogWtjw5dO0u0ju6tY5QnVl4HTDDZa17iJDz9zuPOiV9ragCL/s1600/palmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnIGV716iNaNsjPz13K11xjhICLK8CN5Iyu2cqBAdEGkd7tcySPrICgOLlnhAO60expzUsxZywRF9njz_rbKPiS_5PhKfogWtjw5dO0u0ju6tY5QnVl4HTDDZa17iJDz9zuPOiV9ragCL/s200/palmer.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Bristle Palmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>They are available is a variety of Sizes,Bristle types and Styles and are easy to work with, when used with a variety of Media! Below are a couple of FREE patterns for you to Download, that use the PALMER. Though they are in NOW WAY limited to just what I have done Here. They ROCK Faux Finishes like Stria, and Wood Graining.. and the WAVE Versions are Awesome for Marbles and other stone finishes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVDGh2kJvXwgCdalFjRFBXVbReFGI2pJJcrOF82kdQ-jMvKLhKnii0zV6R1nwUrGDkPpXH9MbylorEI189QxQtbSF67L3nZU6AUSZpzLsUG_70IfYjfUkff50T3NPYF5fDPLsWH_dZnYa/s1600/woodgrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVDGh2kJvXwgCdalFjRFBXVbReFGI2pJJcrOF82kdQ-jMvKLhKnii0zV6R1nwUrGDkPpXH9MbylorEI189QxQtbSF67L3nZU6AUSZpzLsUG_70IfYjfUkff50T3NPYF5fDPLsWH_dZnYa/s320/woodgrain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wave Palmer Wood Grain</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrEXgAmnM3HNcYr9hMxyJgQtFcG7K6mqT8dUOi7K81BM9dz_Yy7hBwfJN2jbXWDdvho-hJ5OEd5MDpZ2gib84_EK8Ln9YTN1KYcJ4MOFNeR_c5tKbWPJ1QipyzI4qGunjG7k6YG-wMpXX/s1600/stone+tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrEXgAmnM3HNcYr9hMxyJgQtFcG7K6mqT8dUOi7K81BM9dz_Yy7hBwfJN2jbXWDdvho-hJ5OEd5MDpZ2gib84_EK8Ln9YTN1KYcJ4MOFNeR_c5tKbWPJ1QipyzI4qGunjG7k6YG-wMpXX/s1600/stone+tile.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wave Palmer Marbles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><left>I had too Much fun with these Palmer Brushes.. You have to try em out!! So DOWNLOAD the Patterns Below, and Go Check out <a href="http://www.dynasty-brush.com/%20%20" target="_blank">DYNASTY BRUSH</a> for more ideas , How to Videos and a whole lot of GREAT Brushes and Inspiration!! <br />
<right><embed height="300" src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53238968/The%20Palmer%20Plums.pdf" width="250"></embed></right></left>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-38080338914792056732012-02-07T16:15:00.000-04:002012-02-07T16:15:36.611-04:00A Quick Tutorial On doing Image Transfer with DecoArt Decou-Page!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXVjicCCkgAGKR9uSqpMMR5Q0Y0A5YXA2ArxReDekqOfMvlyOUniBdpNxX-byS9-5kpD-ZddGOdbKifuLWlp7zX9EwzqZ3-n6wBVi2OC76Y2Q9onIOOc8-BcLJvPkCnez9piE1lfgEiWk/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXVjicCCkgAGKR9uSqpMMR5Q0Y0A5YXA2ArxReDekqOfMvlyOUniBdpNxX-byS9-5kpD-ZddGOdbKifuLWlp7zX9EwzqZ3-n6wBVi2OC76Y2Q9onIOOc8-BcLJvPkCnez9piE1lfgEiWk/s400/003.JPG" width="300" /></a>The FREE E Pattern I posted seems to have generated a LARGE volume of questions this week... So I thought I would post a video Tutorial for this Image transfer technique! Have fun with it!!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z0U6H4Cx-cY" width="420"></iframe><br />
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If you're looking for the Free E Pattern you'll find it on my website http://www.tracymoreau.com<br />
under FREE E Patterns!! <br />
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Have a great week All !!Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-89219364589616375992012-02-04T14:12:00.000-04:002012-02-04T14:12:32.423-04:00Still Stuck.. in a good way!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzfBL84wYaiZ4Js_RVbCEnjYEi8dwNCA0vlXwxr-6aECtlVBDf6tObF9YNHiSCo4styjl7N3QX4FPTS71N89ynWrZhyphenhyphenA6siuU5ShO4NoF1zKUFITQHwy7G8GwOowoSvv8FfslNSuEBgtK/s1600/BlogPansytray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzfBL84wYaiZ4Js_RVbCEnjYEi8dwNCA0vlXwxr-6aECtlVBDf6tObF9YNHiSCo4styjl7N3QX4FPTS71N89ynWrZhyphenhyphenA6siuU5ShO4NoF1zKUFITQHwy7G8GwOowoSvv8FfslNSuEBgtK/s400/BlogPansytray.jpg" width="300" /></a>Ok so it has been a busy week, but I am back in the studio and thought after reading a Stack of messages about the last post, that you would like a quick pattern for the Image transfer technique!! So try your hand at this pretty baguette tray. It's really easy to do and quite effective!!<br />
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It is available on my Website, under FREE E PATTERNS. <a href="http://www.tracymoreau.com/" target="_blank">TRACYMOREAU.COM</a> So get yourself a bottle of <a href="http://www.tracymoreau.com/store/WsQcat.asp?Cat=DecoArtProducts&Sub=&isThumbs=&curpage=4&Thumbs=" target="_blank">DECOUPAGE</a> From DecoArt and go down load the pattern!!<br />
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The Tray is available at <a href="http://www.vikingwoodcrafts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=VWC&Product_Code=155-0020&Category_Code=GJ" target="_blank">VIKING WOODCRAFTS</a> !<br />
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HAVE FUN!!Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-36229408781293631492012-01-26T20:23:00.000-04:002012-01-26T20:23:48.441-04:00Stuck .. in a good way!Every Once in awhile a New product comes along that just grabs you... it gets you playing. You find yourself thinking Ohh I can this.. Or this.. Oooh OR THAT! and one idea after another comes to mind. I found that with the textures from DecoArt.. and they STILL do that.. but recently I realized that I am STUCK on "Decoupage". I LOVE this medium.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXxHhVmP10adyEzvDZ0oY0REFpaFrfvsh2VuLzJvIQ4Thsboj5TJzDbnQmUzN18AcWzAjBgr0j8Vx7xW_0aCnUx4KYo2obJUr-SyBJInSWh1TMBClYTIqaC_I05uG1LYZMUSQzl7Sbv5G/s1600/De-cou-page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXxHhVmP10adyEzvDZ0oY0REFpaFrfvsh2VuLzJvIQ4Thsboj5TJzDbnQmUzN18AcWzAjBgr0j8Vx7xW_0aCnUx4KYo2obJUr-SyBJInSWh1TMBClYTIqaC_I05uG1LYZMUSQzl7Sbv5G/s320/De-cou-page+1.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>I have used just about every Decoupage medium/modpodge/Glue I can think of and NONE have been as easy to use,or as versatile as the "De-cou-Page" from Deco Art. It has little to no odour, it washes up with soap and water, it's tintable, is available in TWO sheen levels ( Gloss and Matt) and it has a tremendous spread rate. I haven't figured out exactly HOW many feet to a bottle... mainly because I haven't hit the bottom of the bottle yet. <br />
I keep finding fun and interesting things to do with this medium and today I learned a new one! and I am THRILLED.. IMAGE TRANSFER!! <br />
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Most of us have worked with Transfer gels and mediums, Some have a bigger learning curve than others, some are smelly and messy, and some are just a nightmare to work with but in the end they all work. I discovered the other day that the De-cou-page will image transfer and soooo easily. I was giddy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z6mQC7kVA_WDrVW-T-Zooxogw4v5O8Lfk9sw7nK4XiFdfyouUKymisUF_fh0IgY31omV2SzQMDY11y-vFcHsNciU5xNU-aVh1AFXUG25NF-0y2CjDhvkcOeSknjmbGIbC7siqojMnVbN/s1600/Step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z6mQC7kVA_WDrVW-T-Zooxogw4v5O8Lfk9sw7nK4XiFdfyouUKymisUF_fh0IgY31omV2SzQMDY11y-vFcHsNciU5xNU-aVh1AFXUG25NF-0y2CjDhvkcOeSknjmbGIbC7siqojMnVbN/s200/Step+1.jpg" width="171" /></a><b>Step one:</b>If your working on an art piece .. paint the area to the final step ( no shading you'll do that after) This will work on almost any base coated surface!)<br />
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<b>Step two:</b> Use a laser copy of the image you want to transfer( Reverse the image, particularly if it has Text or Numerals)<br />
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<b>Step Three: </b>Trim the image you want to transfer to fit the shape of the area you want to transfer to.( If you make it smaller, you may end up with edges that show) Or tear the paper to the smaller shape so that you don't have any straight edges.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPB1DFgXuvyN9QMkKDzJTwkCo9ZGkBj70fHwnWhPwzWdnnqXoI5X5_-fHpkkpgZwtSTHqXaxuKDgZkGnr59aGyrByo515HrufZylQ8_X6AkSNpo7eQ9G6OVLqb8xVh1EioRuCPrKSry4G/s1600/Step4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPB1DFgXuvyN9QMkKDzJTwkCo9ZGkBj70fHwnWhPwzWdnnqXoI5X5_-fHpkkpgZwtSTHqXaxuKDgZkGnr59aGyrByo515HrufZylQ8_X6AkSNpo7eQ9G6OVLqb8xVh1EioRuCPrKSry4G/s200/Step4.jpg" width="172" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkPHuXa_WIL1RTz2X43G6UuyoTz0n2FsaLFylBO7-ZGpJTtVmyLUMh0vxMeDuxlEOhoNXPkQY84usC60dySFDV1QBRfFD03vcSmTiU3yNjBe3SHn6sH0VxkIcFTGqb6Bx9FnNZcVZy4rU/s1600/Step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkPHuXa_WIL1RTz2X43G6UuyoTz0n2FsaLFylBO7-ZGpJTtVmyLUMh0vxMeDuxlEOhoNXPkQY84usC60dySFDV1QBRfFD03vcSmTiU3yNjBe3SHn6sH0VxkIcFTGqb6Bx9FnNZcVZy4rU/s200/Step+2.jpg" width="193" /></a><b> </b><br />
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<b>Step four:</b> Apply a Generous coat of the De-cou-Page to the surface. Lay the paper FACE DOWN into the wet medium. Roll it with a Brayer to smooth it out and remove bubbles and excess medium.( Wipe the excess away with a damp cloth.)Let it dry Thoroughly! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiLnIOdAer-La2gzt6-K7AVsumt23MVNXfcRTtLdomFSFGvjF5iTf18B2FUyP-lLrQ2EEgfB-FtERuQ-g-BRDvYkrAPJXrP7duKyZYqttvHIjYp9zh5XlH3or02v_AWL0iRAGnWh8i5J/s1600/Step7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiLnIOdAer-La2gzt6-K7AVsumt23MVNXfcRTtLdomFSFGvjF5iTf18B2FUyP-lLrQ2EEgfB-FtERuQ-g-BRDvYkrAPJXrP7duKyZYqttvHIjYp9zh5XlH3or02v_AWL0iRAGnWh8i5J/s200/Step7.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><b> </b><br />
<b>Step Five:</b> With a very moist terry cloth face cloth, gently moisten the paper and then gently scrub it away until you can clearly see the image. Let it dry.<b> </b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP18V8LwVzaPSubPtb5i98GmqHAaZGY0XtRt_zfc6NwHEpE_3eLuV_gS87Vop5KOic9-RAK14aw5TlixX91TfRiUZX6uvmvX2DCGw28EECwn58kXHuzxEN-thCz_LbZOwEEn5uqRcKyoA/s1600/Step9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP18V8LwVzaPSubPtb5i98GmqHAaZGY0XtRt_zfc6NwHEpE_3eLuV_gS87Vop5KOic9-RAK14aw5TlixX91TfRiUZX6uvmvX2DCGw28EECwn58kXHuzxEN-thCz_LbZOwEEn5uqRcKyoA/s200/Step9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Step Six:</b>Apply another coat of the De-cou-page to the surface and let dry. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZXoq__1TbjI7wjBBFaFJ7TU48FZ7lYiukHWpa53Ye5jRIapy8yqTp_-KfR8sNvODjjo4Drxe1GcahhX5Zm2bCpVxzP8BK_B1JGfQFIY1RFgdTOIFdryasUHhfdWvx1oPYugEFfwI9nza/s1600/Step10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZXoq__1TbjI7wjBBFaFJ7TU48FZ7lYiukHWpa53Ye5jRIapy8yqTp_-KfR8sNvODjjo4Drxe1GcahhX5Zm2bCpVxzP8BK_B1JGfQFIY1RFgdTOIFdryasUHhfdWvx1oPYugEFfwI9nza/s320/Step10.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Step Seven:</b> Go Ahead and add all your shadows and Highlights to your piece!! VOILA!! Easy Image Transfer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Get yourself a bottle in your choice of sheen and try this technique!! it can be done on all kinds of painted surfaces!! ( And TEXTURES too!!) </div>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-80662599170364820512012-01-03T20:21:00.000-04:002012-01-03T20:21:24.831-04:00Creative Adrenaline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2wiopUo2JlRptX5wWGZIgUpYzVcgPsvA932oH1qYu6yKMItUB1zVeMljuRIJR6pbKy3CvCX153x-F5GD0cz9Ls1hG32RwY1UtIvW84wks2h_Lq8grp2AqrFwJ4kRfZqwzQMjZ50_ZbgV/s1600/oliva+tray+palmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2wiopUo2JlRptX5wWGZIgUpYzVcgPsvA932oH1qYu6yKMItUB1zVeMljuRIJR6pbKy3CvCX153x-F5GD0cz9Ls1hG32RwY1UtIvW84wks2h_Lq8grp2AqrFwJ4kRfZqwzQMjZ50_ZbgV/s320/oliva+tray+palmer.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>Alrighty then... we are three days into the New Year and I haven't painted a thing. In fact aside from a few cute little Christmassy things I haven't painted in over a month!!! I was creativly drained... I had nuthin', Nada, Zip, bupkiss. No Umph at all!<br />
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Then On New Years Day.. I was sitting at my computer, obsessively perusing Pinterest as I am wont to do, When I felt that familiar Niggle, that tickle, that little oh oh oh oh!!<br />
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And now I have a stack of drawings on my table, and no idea what to do first!! I have chosen my palettes, I have chosen surfaces, and decided on scale.... Now all I have to do is decide where to start!!! sigh.<br />
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I love that rush of Ideas, That burst of creative adrenaline that seems to be the norm for me. It always works that way. I could be thumbing through a book, or a magazine,even those that are not art or painting related and a light comes on... then another and another... and then I work until, one at a time, the lights go out. Then the process begins again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_JT1O_UuGYfN0M5hOqd9Jw2ZwlEDDQuY8M-9sCGlAGQgS0iiUS1cqIHspV3gTNmxV6eQYoT6N0yHX76gXVKfY5ct0AiEAv14DBQeEsxRGrmtuLTLIk80i6lRj4bB9F3ZdeoQBEugGymw/s1600/Fleurs+de+Paris+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_JT1O_UuGYfN0M5hOqd9Jw2ZwlEDDQuY8M-9sCGlAGQgS0iiUS1cqIHspV3gTNmxV6eQYoT6N0yHX76gXVKfY5ct0AiEAv14DBQeEsxRGrmtuLTLIk80i6lRj4bB9F3ZdeoQBEugGymw/s400/Fleurs+de+Paris+1.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>I am determined this year to spend more time perusing and searching for Inspiration, it's out there... just waiting for us to find it!! I have always been a collector... I keep books, magazines, greeting cards, napkins, post cards, catalogs, photos, bit's of fabric, stone , glass, wood, paper. I tuck them into folders and binders and once in awhile I flip through them...then I feel the niggle.. that little tickle that tells me I am on to something.. and away I go again.<br />
With the advent of Social Networking and sites like Pinterest Now I can collect digitally too!!! <br />
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From time to time it is not something tangible like a shape or a theme that sets the ball rolling, it is a colour itself that does it... for me the Colour "Tuscan Red" was the jumping off point for the piece to the right.. it just evolved from there. <br />
Of course I am particularly fond of the European theme so my work tends to reflect that. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11D52i0O7em3hhLWvwlcHQl-gMqtKTMsaVWzgYR7j-7CRfDlNU878XOAM75dVPYzvEuoacviGq7hpe2TLCjKT-y-DRNxcMFgteM00vNdLMdpJZ2e-XRtV8lwq70fQ7-5ybqbq9vWsJv9O/s1600/narcissus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11D52i0O7em3hhLWvwlcHQl-gMqtKTMsaVWzgYR7j-7CRfDlNU878XOAM75dVPYzvEuoacviGq7hpe2TLCjKT-y-DRNxcMFgteM00vNdLMdpJZ2e-XRtV8lwq70fQ7-5ybqbq9vWsJv9O/s400/narcissus.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>So this year I am resolved....to take advantage of the creative opportunities that abound, to paint, create , design and share everyone of them! I intend to stretch... to push myself to the next level and I intend to have a great time doing it too!! I invite you to <b>Share</b> your creative journey with the rest of us!! Send pics... send your thoughts, your comments!! Participate!! Share with your craft and painting friends!! <br />
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So my question for you, <span style="color: red;">What </span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: red;">is your creative process? What stirs your juices?, What gives you that Burst of Creative Adrenaline?</span> </span>Let us Know... it's always nice to know your not alone, on any journey...especially a creative one!! <br />
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Happy New Year!!Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-26548555405533663552011-12-18T20:55:00.000-04:002011-12-18T20:55:04.886-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0bC5mimU7ftsK8NZ6-s8vNygYK-dpw6KLKfy-XULdU7fRo57M_XptRWDdu0huZB_VCpOzdp1u7dsQzC5EcwFsMTpq4s0Enjd5fcEZjGRr0biNUOKKAvYyHVV8LYLiA1jw-bEzEF9pxZg/s1600/christmas-decorating%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0bC5mimU7ftsK8NZ6-s8vNygYK-dpw6KLKfy-XULdU7fRo57M_XptRWDdu0huZB_VCpOzdp1u7dsQzC5EcwFsMTpq4s0Enjd5fcEZjGRr0biNUOKKAvYyHVV8LYLiA1jw-bEzEF9pxZg/s320/christmas-decorating%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I Love decorating for the holidays...every year I drag out bin after bin of garland,wreaths, lights and Trees. Yes I said Trees...plural, as in more than one.<br />
I LOVE trees, and I Love themes on my trees..and most of all I love adding to each theme... More ornaments each year until I have enough... to .. You guessed it... add another tree. At last Count I have eight. Now they range in Size I have 1 7ft, 2 5 fts 3 3fts and two 2 fts.<br />
Excessive??? No... Obsessive...Perhaps... Prety?? OH YEAH!!Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-25726530940777971682011-08-10T22:17:00.000-03:002011-08-10T22:17:18.053-03:00Stenciling with Texture.....Oh what relief it is!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO32dL_PH7q6lzMJhbUYVCsi30pcrfjyXn1ajaxXp9_dUBB9-w__l6FysQ46E46coGKxQGLQ_JjsCIw-epHHte7cnPUdRsLp8Cv_tgf1NVmdGxM_XTGA3dA86ktMnRNlfrBwgOXiKPJup/s1600/Herbes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO32dL_PH7q6lzMJhbUYVCsi30pcrfjyXn1ajaxXp9_dUBB9-w__l6FysQ46E46coGKxQGLQ_JjsCIw-epHHte7cnPUdRsLp8Cv_tgf1NVmdGxM_XTGA3dA86ktMnRNlfrBwgOXiKPJup/s320/Herbes.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>Ok So it's a corny opening line.. but it is true. It's a relief .. no really it is, that's what it called! Relief Stenciling.<br />
More often than not you'll see it in the form of borders or ceiling details, and it can be stunning, I have gone so far as to use the technique on faux tiles and complete walls and it is a very exciting dimension to add to a living space. It's also an exciting extra touch to paintings and craft projects and it is is soooo easy to do!!<br />
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This technique can be used for a wide variety of effects. When done using a texture medium like Deco Arts Texture Crackle, You can create all kinds of old world like effects with minimal effort and best of all minimal product.<br />
The Steps are really simple, Apply a base of texture.. keep it thin. Let it dry then position the stencil, Apply a thin layer of the texture medium over the motif and then remove the stencils.. Simple right? Right! But there are some great little tips to get a really great result and How you can get some really cool looks from this one simple technique.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8gWmhED5bC0PkoUP4D9UGHVWDZRcswvAdRKwNbJwnplrLN_ykaCe6e6oWz7rJjs06EKwIbms44KUGpTDdF2zWMfsXLQxshN4LyegRLoSMPnsd5rgj6r24gRQeMSewyQ0jejAmzQDH20Y/s1600/Vintage+Wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8gWmhED5bC0PkoUP4D9UGHVWDZRcswvAdRKwNbJwnplrLN_ykaCe6e6oWz7rJjs06EKwIbms44KUGpTDdF2zWMfsXLQxshN4LyegRLoSMPnsd5rgj6r24gRQeMSewyQ0jejAmzQDH20Y/s320/Vintage+Wine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relief Stencil With Texture Glass</td></tr>
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The image to the right shows a stenciled relief done using DecoArts Texture Glass and gold leaf. The step by step video for this piece is found on my website.<a href="http://www.tracymoreau.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=56">Video Demonstration Page</a> .<br />
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Relief Stenciling, is a great addition when you want to create texture and pattern, ideal for developing realism in a painting. Adding this element will add visual weight to a painting, and wow factor to an otherwise simple piece. You can using it within specific elements of the painting or you can use it to create depth, texture, and interest for your backgrounds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4FtyCti2_EDkCfVjlGfOhVWG3ppofUKQb2Tt5O213monbV4XrVaJ8DLnMHiiFs6w0RdMhdJoVH1jIWBs5I-8xn-0ffsZOmPbqs2f28DOxckiKwmHKxQCckTj685YY5Xm3KjSYT8j6x4I/s1600/ir-resistable+tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4FtyCti2_EDkCfVjlGfOhVWG3ppofUKQb2Tt5O213monbV4XrVaJ8DLnMHiiFs6w0RdMhdJoVH1jIWBs5I-8xn-0ffsZOmPbqs2f28DOxckiKwmHKxQCckTj685YY5Xm3KjSYT8j6x4I/s400/ir-resistable+tulips.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resist Stencil relief </td></tr>
</tbody></table> In the image to the left, A stencil and a clear texture medium (Decoarts Texture Glass)was used to create the background. In this case the relief was used as a resist. The medium added was clear, once dry the entire surface was colour washed using a variety of Greens, then the surface was wiped to remove the excess colour. The Colour wash does not adhere to the Clear medium so the original base colour shows through, Exposing the design of the stencil, creating an elegant wallpaper effect.<br />
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This a lovely effect and can be enhanced by tinting the Texture Glass with DecoArt Glamour Dust paint, or any other Americana colour ( it remains transparent). Metallic s produce a Satiny effect, while Standard Americanas are great for tone on tone effects!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcyPMjtQQJGfDvCzqFw8mCGwxjp2GBnOpaxzljlQuWdlmM19NWI6lnEokftcjmaC7NvXev9sJR20y2kK4g5AHkqZ7W-Ucrsj3u3KlqL_psLZtWP0zfoivef9YxbQt3NW6UieNNPeMXriT/s1600/Karens+Orchids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcyPMjtQQJGfDvCzqFw8mCGwxjp2GBnOpaxzljlQuWdlmM19NWI6lnEokftcjmaC7NvXev9sJR20y2kK4g5AHkqZ7W-Ucrsj3u3KlqL_psLZtWP0zfoivef9YxbQt3NW6UieNNPeMXriT/s320/Karens+Orchids.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen's Orchids ( Stencil Relief)</td></tr>
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In the Image to the right ( Karen's Orchids) A stencil was used in two ways. One using Metallic for the detail on the vertical band, and again, using a relief technique on the belly of the vase.<br />
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We often carry colours around a painting to unify it, but the same premise works with adding design elements like the pattern in the Stencil. By changing the method by which it is applied it keeps the piece from looking too matchy matchy , but adds interest and dimension. The instruction for this piece can be found in my book <a href="http://www.tracymoreau.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=BOOKS">"TRENDY TEXTURES"</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-_mZpmlv_5G8Td1wfDBZ7cEKoNJIBKk84bsBrvcLACTKvYhyphenhyphen2aA_ge7ZqjQbcdIwOoSGUYwtP21FVqg3j4vfnQJyPnSmYPvy_HahdCD5QOyPxh5Oe4X9jbtEgJzxJEabZ29PtL6rdkBP/s1600/stencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-_mZpmlv_5G8Td1wfDBZ7cEKoNJIBKk84bsBrvcLACTKvYhyphenhyphen2aA_ge7ZqjQbcdIwOoSGUYwtP21FVqg3j4vfnQJyPnSmYPvy_HahdCD5QOyPxh5Oe4X9jbtEgJzxJEabZ29PtL6rdkBP/s320/stencils.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW DecoArt Stencils</td></tr>
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DecoArt and I have created some great stencils, and DecoArt has Expanded the line to include "Great New Designs" as well. So Check em out!! <a href="http://www.tracymoreau.com/store/WsQcat.asp?Cat=STENCILS&Sub=&isThumbs=&Thumbs=">Tracy Moreau Texture Stencils</a> and <a href="http://www.decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Americana_Stencils">DecoArt Americana Stencils</a><br />
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this stenciling technique works really well to accent Furniture piece, Matts for framing and a wide variety of other applications. It's a great method of adding interest, structure, and depth to any project.<br />
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So give relief stenciling a try, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is, and I know you will be thrilled with the results. I have added a short "how to" video below to get you started. <br />
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Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-37392059647142492222011-07-31T22:28:00.001-03:002011-07-31T22:28:39.739-03:00"Fredric Whitaker" .. A smidgen of Art History..... I met Kristine at a bus stop, we were both seeing our young children off to school. After a few weeks of our daily meetings and chats, she one day offered me coffee at her home. We had discovered during our daily meetings that we had much in common,and similar tastes, so I was not surprised to discover that her home was decorated very much like mine. Antiques, Vintage fabrics, and lots of artwork. <br />
While she made coffee I browsed the artwork in her sitting room... I was stunned to see four beautiful original water colours on the wall, all signed by Frederick Whitaker. They took my breath away. When I asked her, if she understood the value of the paintings , she calmly said "Oh yes.. they are lovely aren't they." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_CpWSM_XfTnEtGgMaNRnaNw44YR1tKjqR7Q-P5-VqJC_0jw1ZrDTzfQfuUGUAs6ckv5xlTvYZqmu4EaG_RTVfED1-jKStu7nNTZNuFyVHeiMG97Huhqj1xOS0OdRtMLwSfrCRwJ7sNwq/s1600/Whitaker+The+Village+1927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_CpWSM_XfTnEtGgMaNRnaNw44YR1tKjqR7Q-P5-VqJC_0jw1ZrDTzfQfuUGUAs6ckv5xlTvYZqmu4EaG_RTVfED1-jKStu7nNTZNuFyVHeiMG97Huhqj1xOS0OdRtMLwSfrCRwJ7sNwq/s320/Whitaker+The+Village+1927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitaker Watercolor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I told her is one rushed breath everything I knew about Frederick Whitaker.<br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frederic Whitaker, N.A. (1891-1980) Born: Providence, RI </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frederic Whitaker grew up on the East Coast. In the 1920s and 1930s,He left school at 14 and by the time he was 16, became an apprentice to the Designer at W.J.Feely Co, a manufacturer of Metal ecclesiastical metal ware. By age 23 he had become the head designer. He went on to become a successful silversmith having worked for several well-known companies including Tiffany. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">In the 1940s, he began exhibiting watercolors. By the late 1950s, he was a nationally recognized watercolorist and a member of over thirty art organizations. He served as president of the American Watercolor Society, vice president of the National Academy of Design, and was "Mr. Watercolor". Whitaker wrote two books on watercolor painting, wrote eighty-five articles on art for magazines, and also contributed sections on watercolor painting to nine publications. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Fredric Whitaker was best know for his </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Architectural</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> renderings,though he included a full range of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">representational</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> themes from human figures to Whimsical Dolls and imaginary beings in his work.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">On valentines Day ,1943 He met Eileen Monaghan, at a one man exhibit of his work, at Ferargil Galleries in New York City. She would become Eileen Monaghan Whitaker, and remain so until Fredrics death in 1980. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ66HHl-_YaO7pB06Gtfs51TgWkWXeEW5OuYiqdIQEutq_9tlr6gFFR60F48Z2BZMxU3tailo_GRgytplT4PbzUg7kawAOji53lGOe2z6WEIVbuBNaxzRvSbUzBZxemvcNrXDbPRrBnEtk/s1600/Whitaker+Watercolour+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ66HHl-_YaO7pB06Gtfs51TgWkWXeEW5OuYiqdIQEutq_9tlr6gFFR60F48Z2BZMxU3tailo_GRgytplT4PbzUg7kawAOji53lGOe2z6WEIVbuBNaxzRvSbUzBZxemvcNrXDbPRrBnEtk/s320/Whitaker+Watercolour+1.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitaker Watercolor </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">in 1949 Fredric retired from business to devote himself to painting writing, and in a variety of leadership roles within the Art Organizations he was involved with. He and Eileen moved to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">California</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> in 1969, and continued to develop and create.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">His vision of Art was poetic and romantic, to realize his vision, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">particularly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> in a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">temperamental</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> medium like water color, Whitaker had to be absolutely clear as to his objectives, and in total control every step of the way, until completion. That he </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">succeeded, is evident in the hundreds of beautiful paintings he produced in his </span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">career. Every piece of work leaving his studio would be Structurally sound, and technically accomplished, His very clear assertion of how seriously the medium deserved to be taken.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">He was firmly </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">insistent</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> that Art should not depend on gimmickry or "fashion" That Moderism, with all it's Ism's did nothing to impress him, especially when you had to "explain it"... Hence his quote....." Art that Cannot explain itself.... is best left undone.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Frederic Whitaker continued to paint until his death in 1980, he left behind a large extended family and an incredible contribution to Art.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyDWBhAkGzNBjebZARMtFKjeCv-UpP1R4p3nAFb_7chqUb2Qgalz-gOD2IwkclbeLleLSWMX39xZD-pP41tHcJ0fYK_2l_AWR7u0OvYheqezTfdnt2sMJ4AQ6B76rC9rIMn2pYBIHDh-w/s1600/Whitaker+Water+Colour+Sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyDWBhAkGzNBjebZARMtFKjeCv-UpP1R4p3nAFb_7chqUb2Qgalz-gOD2IwkclbeLleLSWMX39xZD-pP41tHcJ0fYK_2l_AWR7u0OvYheqezTfdnt2sMJ4AQ6B76rC9rIMn2pYBIHDh-w/s320/Whitaker+Water+Colour+Sketch.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water color Sketch </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">As it turns out Fredric Whitaker was Kristine's Grandfather, and the four originals had been left to her at his passing. Kris and I have been friends from that first meeting at the bus stop, and though we live in different parts of the world, we see each other ever few years. Several years ago she gave me a gift, A simple water color sketch. something she found among some family things and thought only I would appreciate. I cherish it.</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">because she understands what it means to me, and I understand what it means to her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">For much more on the life and art of Frederic Whitaker , please visit the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.whitakerwatercolors.org/frederic-whitaker.html">Whitaker Foundation</a> </span><br />
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</span>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-12122774660894073642011-07-24T13:26:00.000-03:002011-07-24T13:26:36.833-03:00Maude Lewis... More Info<a href="http://www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca/en/landing/default.aspx">The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia ( I mistakenly called it the Halifax Museum of Art)</a><br />
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You will find more on the Maude Lewis Collection , Other Artists and works and other gallery information.Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-35669809188016378392011-07-24T11:31:00.001-03:002011-07-24T13:50:28.624-03:00A Smidgen Of Art History.... The Primitive Art Of Maude LewisWhen we use the term "Art History" our thoughts turn to names like Renoir, Picasso, Micheal Angelo. Names that have shaped the future of fine art..so it is unlikely that you have heard the name Maude Lewis in the same conversation as the aforementioned. Maude Lewis did not lead a revolution in the Art world, she didn't belong to a group that became representative of a Movement. She was not a darling of society nor a was she a formally trained or technically adept artist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx2FDth4HJClfnTVFtvx7nq3OeuFHP4M2Erwo6kgGofU6rO37ScsrrQiw59i-ksOuw1_fkCVhL3QY6w0uH5FSbudu_4hKEF2WM8h4zipBwKkO6c6G8IaQ0OINQnvbzcuKbZQhDgW0IAvN/s1600/maude+lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx2FDth4HJClfnTVFtvx7nq3OeuFHP4M2Erwo6kgGofU6rO37ScsrrQiw59i-ksOuw1_fkCVhL3QY6w0uH5FSbudu_4hKEF2WM8h4zipBwKkO6c6G8IaQ0OINQnvbzcuKbZQhDgW0IAvN/s320/maude+lewis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maude Lewis 1903-1970</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Maude Lewis was born in 1903 in Yarmouth Nova Scotia. She was effected by birth defects, that gave her an Elf like appearance. She was very small in stature, with hands and arms crippled by defects and exacerbated by arthritis, as a result she was unable to work for most of her adult life.<br />
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Maude was born into an affluent family, but her appearance and disabilities prevented her from garnering any significant education and was removed from school at the age of 14, with no more than a grade 4 education. She had little chance of a good marriage because of her disabilities and at the death of her parents, Her father in 1935 and her Mother in 1937, Her brother saw to it that she was sent to live with an aunt in Digby.As was common at the time , Maude's brother inherited the family business and money... Maude was left with nothing. Destitute and reliant on the reluctant kindness of her aunt, she found employment as a house keeper for a local Fishmonger, named Everett Lewis. She and Everett were married shortly after. Everett had a reputation as a miserly and cantankerous fellow, life was not to be easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzDnN6tvXb1Cg3LOh-Exfmjch7Ibw2tkX4x9oyU6d89Vced8uNMf0hTXZzaGNSVbV4psyMzy3kA5gE1CTTK6uP5OWeUqqjZIeDWDkSW91hgU-di8yeeSIrAdCofuO6J0riVa7JZAxALvw/s1600/Maud-Lewis-House-Original-e1269615845365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzDnN6tvXb1Cg3LOh-Exfmjch7Ibw2tkX4x9oyU6d89Vced8uNMf0hTXZzaGNSVbV4psyMzy3kA5gE1CTTK6uP5OWeUqqjZIeDWDkSW91hgU-di8yeeSIrAdCofuO6J0riVa7JZAxALvw/s320/Maud-Lewis-House-Original-e1269615845365.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lewis Home </td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Lewis Home, much like it's mistress, was very small. The 10 x 12 cottage, housed her and Everett in a single room, shared by a large wood stove that warmed them through the winters, and a tiny sleeping loft at the top of the stairs. There was no running water, indoor plumbing or electricity.<br />
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As time passed and her arthritis advanced, her mobility and strength decreased, and she could no longer work around the house, Maude began to paint. She began with cards, and notes as she was taught by her mother as a child. Everett sold them to his customers as he made deliveries to supplement their meager income. She then began to paint on found objects, items that others had disposed of. Then on to any inexpensive surface. She used Oil paint, boat paint, and inexpensive hobby paint, whatever was at hand. and when there was nothing to paint on.. She painted her home,decorating it with bright flowers , and butterflies.<br />
Maude and her husband sold her paintings to tourists and locals as a means of survival, often they would sell for as little as $2.00 and larger pieces for $5. This was to become their sole means of income as time passed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQyzw4zbJWimWU2ybVoqbmVokaH5RHrLavgRjMflz5NpZdETa0p6ybq_0KwsZGwqjUOIQw9GR5DzU2L47EpSbpCnEdN7G1qqRh2g7bnIuKZe1hR2JP62LLkPOlq0S43qnjDaa-NVkKIGn/s1600/Maud-Lewis-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQyzw4zbJWimWU2ybVoqbmVokaH5RHrLavgRjMflz5NpZdETa0p6ybq_0KwsZGwqjUOIQw9GR5DzU2L47EpSbpCnEdN7G1qqRh2g7bnIuKZe1hR2JP62LLkPOlq0S43qnjDaa-NVkKIGn/s320/Maud-Lewis-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Though her life was less than idyllic, Maude's view of the world was bright, colorful and optimistic and it is delightfully expressed in her artwork. With No formal training, rudimentary supplies and crippled hands , Maude expresses wonder and joy in every piece of work she created.<br />
Painting from daily life and the surrounding country side, she worked right from the jar, tube, or bottle, and never mixed colors. She used whatever brushes she could scrounge or buy cheaply,(hairs from them are often found in her paintings.) <br />
Her work exhibits an innate understanding of proportion, perspective, and composition., and while simplistic and primitive in style, there is an underlying sophistication in her paintings. A beauty that is undeniable and inescapable... the spirit of the artist shines through.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pmfOFlsFnig3S9zXqzYgryQiv_r5rqhvKBVFNFufjVwA60bWsLDbspdmAmM4iStIDYowZLCL3C23d786hnD7VV5JE6hsGYNR-WjT3NYSTTdtD4_hf0Hk3qDq3eI7R1cHKVxLKLD5mQlX/s1600/Maud-Lewis-spring-oxen-e1269613294860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pmfOFlsFnig3S9zXqzYgryQiv_r5rqhvKBVFNFufjVwA60bWsLDbspdmAmM4iStIDYowZLCL3C23d786hnD7VV5JE6hsGYNR-WjT3NYSTTdtD4_hf0Hk3qDq3eI7R1cHKVxLKLD5mQlX/s320/Maud-Lewis-spring-oxen-e1269613294860.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>She was a renowned folk artist by the mid sixties and was subject of a documentary and books, There is a story about her told by the Aide of then President Nixon, Maude had been commissioned by the White house to complete two paintings... she either did not understand or did not care who she was doing them for .... She agreed ... but only if she was paid in advance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhGycgIjrEvdkj-gRyXgEfOXBKQXkq6jrWHCGHmWXuZsHbeNGrJ51DwqhyMHyh37mNzxMqpJTM97RZNrXkmfCkTlhPucRkDek3y34uZ5AHRZ44oQMPPKq31_BNJnbOk1p9Pg4QHek8qdH/s1600/maude+lewis+cats.asp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhGycgIjrEvdkj-gRyXgEfOXBKQXkq6jrWHCGHmWXuZsHbeNGrJ51DwqhyMHyh37mNzxMqpJTM97RZNrXkmfCkTlhPucRkDek3y34uZ5AHRZ44oQMPPKq31_BNJnbOk1p9Pg4QHek8qdH/s320/maude+lewis+cats.asp" width="320" /></a></div>She was never a wealthy woman,they barely survived, but she seemed content with her place in life. Her art never took on a somber tone, never reflected any unhappiness or self pity. She painted what she saw and how she saw it. There is an exuberance for life evident in every painting, a sheer joy of living!<br />
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Her health and strength continued to deteriorate, and Maude succumbed to pneumonia in 1970. She painted until the day she died. Her husband Everett was murdered 9 yrs later by an intruder looking for the fortune that was said to have been hidden in and around the little Lewis home.<br />
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The Lewis Home has been restored and rebuilt and is on permanent display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. In Halifax Nova Scotia. Along with a collection of her works. Original Maud Lewis paintings that she sold for 2 dollars now sell today for thousands.<br />
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Just a smidgen of Art History.Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-8984414993318050232011-07-22T21:40:00.000-03:002011-07-22T21:40:46.490-03:00Poppa, flour bins and Wasabi green... Colour and Memory.I Don't do pink...... I do , do green. I Love green! I am particularly partial to earthy greens, Like Plantation Pine and Antique green... those deep slightly dirty greens.. Love em! This year Deco Art introduced ( as they usually do) a host of New colours,one in particular struck a cord... Wasabi Green.<br />
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It has taken me quite awhile to figure out what it was about it that appealed to me so much, It's soft and somber, a little gray.. not my usual deep and rustic choice, but recently it hit me.... Nanas Kitchen. The old house had an old country kitchen, in fact it it still had a pump in the kitchen sink. I remember it so clearly. There was a Large tin panel behind the Big old woodstove,( It had hooks to dry our mitts and hats in the Winter) the remaining walls were covered in a tile like wall paper sporting little nosegays of Pale Yellow flowers in the center of each tile. The cabinets were Green.....like Wasabi green. <br />
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Now how can a person remember the colour of Cabinets that were replaced some 40+ years ago.. well I have some very strong and very happy memories that revolve around those old cabinets. Like Pink , Nana and Mr Bubble... Wasabi Green reminds me very strongly of my Poppa and Hide n Seek.. <br />
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Gumpy... as we called him when we were small , was a large man by any standard, but to my small 6yr old frame he was a giant. He had a booming laugh that rumbled to halt instead of stopping abruptly. He laughed with his whole body! Now, Gumpy would spend hours entertaining us kids and of course a favorite game of ours was Hide n Seek. The old house was a rabbit warren of nooks and closets, knee walls and attics, coal bins in the cellar and my favorite.. The Flour Bins in the Kitchen.<br />
The Old house had been built prior to the Great Depression and still sported many unique features of the period. The Flour bins were cabinets that canted down, tin lined and deep and wide enough to hold over 100lbs of flour each, and there was at least One full at any given time, and a scant amount in the bottom of the other( a perfect hiding place). Gumpy knew very well that we loved this spot, and even though he would take the brunt of Nana's ire over the Mess we made getting in and out of the bins, not to mention the flour we tracked around the house. He would still rumble with laughter over the squeals of his two grand daughters as we ran for HOME Free!! Funny now that I think about it...... he could NEVER find us when we hid there.<br />
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Years later Nana had the Kitchen remodeled and updated, and the old cabinets were moved down to the cellar, along with the Hand pump and the woodstove. The Stove never burned wood again, the Pump ended up in Nanas flowerbeds and the flour bins.....never saw another game of hide and seek, But the last time I saw them.... they were still Wasabi Green.Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-59621076182508337202011-07-22T10:49:00.000-03:002011-07-22T10:49:29.395-03:00The Mind at Play.... what the Heck does that mean??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLYO5Svj3a_YuxY_Lcihm-jH4TV9QCLOxKbtYqXxEq2NAEMZogkid71i2zmA8YNvbQBtiB6jQqJ2-Beuf6BU0x4Gg396tstvuDAXs__hbuOopQEc9-jFGaKVLAaTxEyG_51P4Vw9DzbRc/s1600/marche+aux+Fleurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLYO5Svj3a_YuxY_Lcihm-jH4TV9QCLOxKbtYqXxEq2NAEMZogkid71i2zmA8YNvbQBtiB6jQqJ2-Beuf6BU0x4Gg396tstvuDAXs__hbuOopQEc9-jFGaKVLAaTxEyG_51P4Vw9DzbRc/s200/marche+aux+Fleurs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I have been pondering creativity....People talk about it like it's some mystical thing. As if only a select few are Gifted with it. As if a large portion of the population is somehow missing a gene. I believe that we ALL have a creative bent, we couldn't advance without it!!<br />
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I think of creativity as problem solving. There is no book with the solution to every possible problem we may be faced with , we must utilize our creativity and our knowledge to solve them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqx9H33mhHThSKkio4_y7cPXd1tVMJCzsXNAunJPF-7A88Vj84KTImY3J0CD2f_Ha43V-SYNGwR2yF09fr-cPlZf0_ZmFmUBtfujFi2xL6O5T9jBNZF5zStOKUjfAZeqWH_s0-y1i2pKs/s1600/DSCF1287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqx9H33mhHThSKkio4_y7cPXd1tVMJCzsXNAunJPF-7A88Vj84KTImY3J0CD2f_Ha43V-SYNGwR2yF09fr-cPlZf0_ZmFmUBtfujFi2xL6O5T9jBNZF5zStOKUjfAZeqWH_s0-y1i2pKs/s200/DSCF1287.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>When artists use their creativity to stretch them selves,and the mediums they use or introduce another medium in a unique way, people are often awed by it. But broken down into the basics.. it is simply the artist using their technical knowledge and understanding how the mediums work, by themselves and in conjunction with others to arrive at a solution to their problem.. "how do I visually represent my idea". Lawyers use their understanding of the law, Accountants use their understanding of mathematics, and Doctors use their understanding of the Human Body to find a solution to any given problem. CREATIVITY!<br />
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"Creative People" Allow their minds to play.. to think outside the lines, to look for and find the potential in things. We are All creative, whether it is necessity that inspires us, or a whim. Can you imagine a world without creativity?? Imagine if Bill Gates didn't approach computer software with a creative thought, or if Accountants didn't use a creative approach to their work.. we would still be using typewriters and paying even more tax. We would never cure anything,We would only have one flavor of Hamburger Helper, One kind of Coke and one style of painting... Life would be boring!!<br />
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So the next time you hear someone claim that they have NO Creativity.....Ask them if they ever substituted Tuna for the hamburger, or added apples to the salad? Changed a recipe to suit them or made curtains from bed sheets.<br />
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Creativity is the Mind at play..... So PLAY!!Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-77652977274177029122011-07-19T13:23:00.001-03:002011-07-19T13:23:34.764-03:00Faux Cloisonne ......Easy, safe and fun to do for any skill level!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiA5kwKVZUzGq7LTsP4KTj8EMH1mjjCuE38c3mrbylMdkByue65SczDC3KPbC2hllGFhgbS8gjn1Q0JicjcfGD1z19ONFN_JNG9xAzivhabop5Zkf-xo002QujCEaQlZ-wL10r1StiLr/s320/Cloissonne+Pears+PW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="291" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PaintWorks Magazine 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM4vlM2JHyIw90cz_2w1efJb1eXwMZOeu7OM3ObCUJCLlGRScImF5DSl3sHfXk0EhpbCCYuvjfoEEW-23eqbW556cgLykRav06zXw1DwmMFuwYRbp7gelOJcYw_DC2zabYSXwHzN_q9eh/s1600/cloissone+handbag+PW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM4vlM2JHyIw90cz_2w1efJb1eXwMZOeu7OM3ObCUJCLlGRScImF5DSl3sHfXk0EhpbCCYuvjfoEEW-23eqbW556cgLykRav06zXw1DwmMFuwYRbp7gelOJcYw_DC2zabYSXwHzN_q9eh/s320/cloissone+handbag+PW.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint Works Magazine 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cloisonné was believed to be first developed in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_East" title="Near East">Near East</a>. It spread to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire" title="Byzantine Empire">Byzantine Empire</a> and from there along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road" title="Silk Road">Silk Road</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China" title="China">China</a>. Chinese cloisonné is arguably the most well known of all the varieties of cloisonne and enamel making. Russian cloisonné from the Tsarist era is also highly prized by collectors. Chinese cloisonné is sometimes confused with Canton enamel, a similar type of enamel work that is painted on freehand and does not utilize partitions to hold the colors separate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRKR-INVN6kr8kU_8TIgvV3KZfxbKZC1UdFnArfKHQLDcGR3CRF_tUqbicHHps2hMKLpFp2oEUcP4T6Y3pmnW6QXTm9IOAA3N8pChU0rTHeVRtOEAWCgdgM-hY-lhr-4yO6ZOo8VgQpXN/s1600/Cloisonne+Rose+handbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRKR-INVN6kr8kU_8TIgvV3KZfxbKZC1UdFnArfKHQLDcGR3CRF_tUqbicHHps2hMKLpFp2oEUcP4T6Y3pmnW6QXTm9IOAA3N8pChU0rTHeVRtOEAWCgdgM-hY-lhr-4yO6ZOo8VgQpXN/s320/Cloisonne+Rose+handbag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux Cloisonne Rose Clutch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In The Faux Cloisonne Version as is demonstrated in the Short videos below, Acrylic paint, and a variety of other water based products are used to create a rather pleasing variation. The Contrast between the HIGH GLOSS of the Cloisonne and the MATT background gives this finish Plenty of Impact!!</span></span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DBQUYvqmxl4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/60oBZ6F8YCU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course this is much easier than the following ( Just a tid bit of info for you!) </span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The True Cloisonne Process<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The artist forms <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal" title="Metal">metal</a> (such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper" title="Copper">copper</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze" title="Bronze">bronze</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver" title="Silver">silver</a>) into the shape of the finished object. The material usually used for making the body is copper, since it is easily hammered and stretched.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filigree" title="Filigree">Filigree</a>-soldering. which is pure silver wire usually about .010 x .040 inches in cross section, is bent into shapes that define the colored areas. The bends are all done at right angles, so that wire does not curve up. This is done with small pliers, tweezers, and custom-made jigs. The cloisonné wire pattern may consist of several intricately constructed wire patterns that fit together into a larger design. Solder can be used to join the wires, but it causes the enamel to discolor and form bubbles later on. Instead, the base metal is fired with a thin layer of clear enamel. The cloisonné wire is glued to the enamel surface with gum <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragacanth" title="Tragacanth">Tragacanth</a>. When the gum Tragacanth has dried, the piece is fired again to fuse the cloisonné wire to the clear enamel. The gum Tragacanth burns off, leaving no residue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enamel-filling. The basic elements of enamel are boric acid, saltpetre and alkaline. Due to the difference in the minerals added, the colour differs accordingly. Usually one with much iron will turn grey, with uranium, yellow, with chromium, green, with zinc, white, with bronze, blue, with gold or iodine, red. In time of filling, all the colours, ground beforehand into minute powder and contained in plates, are placed in front of the workers and are then applied to the little compartments separated by filigree.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enamel-firing. This is done by putting the article, with its enamel fillings, to the crucible. The enamel in the little compartment will sink down a bit after firing. That will require a refilling. This process will go on repeatedly until the little compartments are finally filled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polishing. Some pieces of hard carbon are used for polishing to produce some lustre on the surface of the article.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gilding. The article is placed in fluid of gold or silver. The exposed parts of the filigree and the metal fringes of the article will be smoothly and evenly gilded. Alternatively, the exposed metal is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplating" title="Electroplating">electroplated</a> with a thin film of gold to prevent corrosion and to give a pleasing appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Above information was sourced from Wikkipedia and is consider to be accurate.</span></span></div>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-70190249436115619362011-07-18T15:27:00.000-03:002011-07-18T15:27:36.191-03:00Latest Toys and a fun Project for ya!!Ok so it's not paint... but there is SOME paint and some ink and some paper and some stencils and some other goodies!!<br />
Several weeks ago I was asked to participate in a Creative Challenge... I agreed and within days I began receiving goody boxes... treasure boxes... TOYS for my Sandbox!! This and a can of red Bull and I was set for a month!!<br />
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Of Course DecoArt provided me with goodies... and fun stuff to!! all the Newest Products to play with.New Colours!! New Mediums!!<br />
And Harmonie.. Amazing Scrapbook Supply company in Canada .... Ooooh the COOL paper and great do dads!!! And Canvas Corp... I died and went to heaven!! SOOO Outside the Box!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR9sLpgOXU33WsmaCJKAz7kEiHAk2avx7Ists-QQ6THNa-hJFwvC-KgB9pXz0q7jqbS-aoqj-LODsbUf5rhWt7SACR6Apqv5EtgteP4GNMU75VteC8IWW45VqX9adWrRrQ5Ivh5CB9S6k/s1600/Live+Love+laugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR9sLpgOXU33WsmaCJKAz7kEiHAk2avx7Ists-QQ6THNa-hJFwvC-KgB9pXz0q7jqbS-aoqj-LODsbUf5rhWt7SACR6Apqv5EtgteP4GNMU75VteC8IWW45VqX9adWrRrQ5Ivh5CB9S6k/s400/Live+Love+laugh.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>And Tsukineko Inks....This was a new one to me.. and Oh My!!! Amazing Colours....effects.....applications....oh I could go on for days!!<br />
So just so you can try your hand at using ALL of these great products from ALL of the GREAT Companies... Heres a fun Multimedia Project for you!!So get Started!!<br />
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You need!<br />
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Shopping List:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #b34d8a; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Tsukineko,Inc<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Versa magic Ink pad : Turquoise Gem<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VG-15<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Brilliance Ink Pad: Crimson Copper BR-97<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Brilliance Ink Pad: Sunflower Yellow BR-11<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">FireWorks ! : Green and Brown <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Goosebumps! Texture Spray<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #b34d8a; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">DecoArt: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Americana Wasabi Green DA296<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Americana Mulberry DA294<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Paper Effects<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden pearl PE04C<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #b34d8a; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Harmonie:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Scrapbook Paper: Kimono PA085<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Chipboard Precuts: Bird CHO15 , Floral Vine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #b34d8a; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Canvas Corp:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Scrapbook paper:Black and Craft live love laugh CCP2354<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Medium Texture Cotton Duck natural 12 x 12 CVS1210<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Paper and Mounting Glue GLU2023<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Burlap Scrap , Ivory Trading Card CDS1049<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi"; font-size: 9.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">To Begin : </span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I used one of my own Templates, and placed it over the unsealed canvas, then liberally sprayed the canvas with the Fireworks Green, I added a few spritzs of The brown just to keep it from becoming too solid, I liked the variation that this gave me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let it dry then removed the template. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Trace and transfer the design element<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>onto the canvas using graphite paper..Position it just to the right of the center. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Base coat the Petals of the flower with Mulberry, The Leaves and stem with Wasabi Green. When dry outline the entire <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">element<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with the Paper Effects Golden Pearl. Let it dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flood the area inside the paper effects with Goosebumps.. Just pour it in in small amounts and move it around with a brush or a toothpick until it fills the entire element.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">it dry. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Cut the Kimono paper into<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>strips 11 inches long and 2 inches wide using edging scissors. Then cut the Live Love Laugh paper into<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 inch strips 1 inch wide keeping straight edges. Cut<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one each of the strips with an angle at the top using the edging scissors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Cut the burlap 3 inches wide and 12 inches long, Fray it by pulling a few strands out from each side all the way around, leaving a fray of 1/2inch all the way around. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Distress one of the trading cards by first trimming it with the edging Scissors then Rubbing the Copper ink Pad along the edges of the paper. </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrMEZy5zQVMkTmz27VBUxrdF9_yLWhho8wKEkWr5lVDQKtuksTowqm1xABDUPqIGmES4KRtyVJnE_i4_AxBO44gZtP6QLXcms4I4Qz-y-J7G_TYXRsMMiLY2nJOLxo436s5LbiJZLoMkZ/s1600/Step1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrMEZy5zQVMkTmz27VBUxrdF9_yLWhho8wKEkWr5lVDQKtuksTowqm1xABDUPqIGmES4KRtyVJnE_i4_AxBO44gZtP6QLXcms4I4Qz-y-J7G_TYXRsMMiLY2nJOLxo436s5LbiJZLoMkZ/s200/Step1.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span>Step 1:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">With the Copper ink Pad dab colour all over the Chipboard Vine and the Bird. It should be nearly opaque. Let dry well.</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">With the Turquoise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ink Pad dab colour<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a few selected areas of the Chipboard Vine and the Bird. It should be sparse in some areas and heavy in others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let dry well.</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the Sunflower Yellow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ink Pad dab colour<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a few selected areas of the Chipboard Vine and the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bird. It should be sparse in some areas and heavy in others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let dry well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Once completely dry spray with a liberal amount of Goosebumps! ( I love the texture and it makes the Colour POP!)</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRSKRMiBAfppZr5Z3UnJuevhd6Hz1SFj9ZNEyJtc4JMfa4Bkl01vFig_cwqe5oHZeSCuBaQ64EScXjEiuhnbAIWwMpRqy5exV5DTQAN5ag-d-iIQHeLxJ73KRm30j2MWVcBupfYEej16H/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRSKRMiBAfppZr5Z3UnJuevhd6Hz1SFj9ZNEyJtc4JMfa4Bkl01vFig_cwqe5oHZeSCuBaQ64EScXjEiuhnbAIWwMpRqy5exV5DTQAN5ag-d-iIQHeLxJ73KRm30j2MWVcBupfYEej16H/s200/1.jpg" width="119" /></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Use the Glue to adhere the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Burlap to the left side of the canvas , about 1/2 inch in from the edge. Glue the angled strip of the Kimono paper to the center of the Burlap. Then glue the Angled craft paper strip to the Kimono paper, ( Blank side up )leaving a 1/2 border of the kimono paper showing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Let dry.<span></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xMzhNOuMBT07olmhKxxAhLtyC8u649n3ORv6JjUcyrQjjglqWSw7hg64TUUtmUU7FwYwccsqKBc7KADORo9zsswHE-Lkv1xFZBwrQ11eIU3nHqlfuMnaaEP9-MpZu4BCN3iuijulCbsw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xMzhNOuMBT07olmhKxxAhLtyC8u649n3ORv6JjUcyrQjjglqWSw7hg64TUUtmUU7FwYwccsqKBc7KADORo9zsswHE-Lkv1xFZBwrQ11eIU3nHqlfuMnaaEP9-MpZu4BCN3iuijulCbsw/s200/2.jpg" width="101" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Glue the Textured and Patina Vine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the lower end of the Burlap and paper strips. The Glue the Remaining strip of the Kimono paper across the bottom of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>canvas about 1/2 inch up from the edge. Glue the remaining Craft paper strip, ( Lettering side up)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the Kimono paper , leaving a 1/2 border of the Kimono Paper showing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXuSM9_dhiRlbVrOwLhq8VCr8gpOxjfq3AO36tXOM7B7JS7QzXD2uhH6fyAoP2Qq6yFr7QzypYB58_DDhBzpYVUP0XxuNwy22NO9Aa9TdZCdUBBymfcx8PBCgg0CHR0yrq8__rMh6PlMR/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXuSM9_dhiRlbVrOwLhq8VCr8gpOxjfq3AO36tXOM7B7JS7QzXD2uhH6fyAoP2Qq6yFr7QzypYB58_DDhBzpYVUP0XxuNwy22NO9Aa9TdZCdUBBymfcx8PBCgg0CHR0yrq8__rMh6PlMR/s200/3.jpg" width="110" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Glue a small piece of Cork, or foam core to the back of the Trading card and glue it over the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>intersecting papers. The glue the textured and patina Bird to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>center of the Card. Let Dry Well. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-yoj5y6ODeLd2jt-vDvB-u18dSOAgAxSnuOg36PAyqY5_NyGO-t3z0tM65_dDjzjamd_Eo9mMmJgaZLX6wyE4u8V33gdvA5drW4gsGzd3cmsGIR5MdtTYirU94tIXV6uuGHBCUQA0qUr/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-yoj5y6ODeLd2jt-vDvB-u18dSOAgAxSnuOg36PAyqY5_NyGO-t3z0tM65_dDjzjamd_Eo9mMmJgaZLX6wyE4u8V33gdvA5drW4gsGzd3cmsGIR5MdtTYirU94tIXV6uuGHBCUQA0qUr/s200/4.jpg" width="110" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Give the entire piece a light spritz with the Goosebumps( I LOVE this stuff) just to add a little<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>surface texture and a slight sheen. Let dry , hang and enjoy! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Hope you have fun with this textural piece,.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Thanks for Playin in My sandbox!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Tracy <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> My Advice ... Check them All out and try something New!!.. It was just what I needed to Add a kick to my designing!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tsukineko.com/">http://www.tsukineko.com/</a> <a href="http://www.decoart.com/">www.decoart.com</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.loisirsharmonie.ca/">http://www.loisirsharmonie.ca/</a> <a href="http://www.canvascorp.com/home/">http://www.canvascorp.com/home/</a><br />
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</div>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-23523089403742311012011-07-01T13:00:00.000-03:002011-07-01T13:00:09.440-03:00Crafty NestI have surfed around this site for over an hour.. and am Loving everything I see!! <br />
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This is a great resource if your looking for ideas to repurpose , refinish or reuse some old piece or a new Find!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNL4zVxzi0KPiO0bsyWQt905ZzQ7keeCJqxOkO0CaJ0x8XhyphenhyphenykmUjRB5uhf_c8laau4LmiVm-HdG0oH5HZf6LqG_2N8vGkfXdiOKFo7IK8KiuhynJHR02XzOZpyzp1RZNMkaThtfQy2hG/s1600/dscf4194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNL4zVxzi0KPiO0bsyWQt905ZzQ7keeCJqxOkO0CaJ0x8XhyphenhyphenykmUjRB5uhf_c8laau4LmiVm-HdG0oH5HZf6LqG_2N8vGkfXdiOKFo7IK8KiuhynJHR02XzOZpyzp1RZNMkaThtfQy2hG/s320/dscf4194.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437145895732514979.post-62407830079536170202011-07-01T10:42:00.000-03:002011-07-01T10:42:42.207-03:00Crafty Nest......<a href="http://www.craftynest.com/">Crafty Nest</a><div><br /></div><div>I was hunting for Ideas for a piece of furniture, ( I have a nifty little table to paint:)) While I was frittering about the internet, I fount "The Crafty Nest" and I had one of those OMG moments! What a great Site, Stuff to do, decorating Ideas, painting Ideas, Whole makeover Ideas!! But what grabbed my attention was a wine bottle.... I know what you thinking... BIG SURPRISE! but seriously. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remember a professor giving us a similar assignment... to paint a replica of a famous painting, done by the artist of our choice.. I did one by Monet.. it was terrible .. just so ya know. I had forgotten about it until I came across this site and saw the very cool wine bottle that the sites owner had done. </div><div><br /></div><div>ooohh what fun it would be to do!! She has complete Preparation instructions on the site and great pictures! </div><div><br /></div><div>You have GOT to check this out!! </div>Tracy Moreauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13449986252785536364noreply@blogger.com0