Last week I found this image I’d printed ages ago…I knew immediately that it would become a focal point in an upcoming journal page.
Since I’ve been using the term “mop up paper” quite often lately I thought I’d share a bit of a process post to give visuals to my words.
This is where my page started. A sheet of blue copy paper 8.5 x 11 inches. I used a glue stick to adhere it to some lightweight card stock.
After the glue was dry I cut it down to my desired size of 7 x 7 inches. Next I got out craft paints and used my favorite tool…my fingers…to spread several colors of paint over the page.
Some of the colors are more transparent than others allowing the original color and marks to show through.
Look at that yummy texture… I decided to let this air dry overnight instead of drying it with the heat gun.
Of course this is where my process failed…I totally forgot about the fact that I was taking photos step by step.
I used rubber stamps to create some background texture. The black ink harlequin was super subtle…I felt I needed a bit more color and shape. Since most of my stamp pads are pigment ink I used clear embossed powder to set the ink.
I also took the completed background to my sewing machine to stitch a funky border in black to contain everything.
Next I created some layers with paper and fabric to give an anchor to my image.
Last but not least was the words of wisdom to a little girl learning to tie shoes with her daddy’s shoes. I love that they are on the wrong feet too.
Not only am I linking up with Words to live by on Art Journal Journey guest hosted by yours truly….
but I am also linking up with Try it on Tuesday for Make a Mark.
I love your beautiful background and is that Mini-Me in the photo? or maybe even you as it looks like an older photo, but I don’t know if you modified it at all. It is a super page! Thanks for sharing it with us at Try It On Tuesday. It is lots of fun and perfect for this Make A Mark challenge. Hugs-Erika
It’s a photo of me. I loved putting on my dad’s shoes to clomp around the house.
Yummy textures, wonderful background. LOVE the hearts. Everything is subtle enough that it allows the focal image, stapled in place, to shine. This is a wonderful entry and the sewing is FABULOUS. Thanks for sharing this with us using your theme at Art Journal Journey. I love this mixed media beauty!!!
Beautiful mixed media artwork with wise words! Very interesting the steps how you created this page, and I like the stitched funky border in black!
Love the abstract marks and what a beautiful little photo. Great background. Thank you for sharing with Try it on Tuesday.
Cath x
What a fabulous page Halle! I love how you got that fabulous texture! Thank you so much for joining us at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx
I love the words you used, and that darling photo illustrates them well; but right now it’s backgrounds I notice most, and I enjoyed hearing how you did this. Backgrounds are such a challenge, and when I get something I’m pleased with I hate to cover it up lol
Simply GORGEOUS Halle !!! Super for seeing this linked to AJJ and TioT at once!!! Thank you and happy new week for you! Big hugs, Susi
I love the background and the photos of how you added colour and texture. The photo looks lovely as well.
Thank you so much for joining our Make a Mark theme over at Try it on Tuesdays.
Yvonne xx
I didn’t notice the shoes on the wrong feet until you pointed it out, Halle. That’s classic. Thank you for the close ups of your background process. Eileen xx
What a gorgeous page! The mop up background with the bright colours and EP dots looks amazing, and I love the photo you used too, super cute ?. They are such fabulous words to impart to those you love too ?. Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday! Jo x
This is lovely and those are great words.