Summertime Studio Fun with Mixed Media . . .

It is always fun when I have the opportunity to spend time with my grandchildren. In August, our 13-year-old granddaughter spent several days with us. When she visits, I try to find something fun to do together in my studio and do my best not to steer her in any particular direction or influence her. She has free reign to use whatever goodies she finds in my stash and want her to have fun. I don't want to be remembered as the grandmother who wouldn't let her use the "good" stuff! What could be better than having her just find what she likes and then create something on her own and of her own ideation?


Since I joined a group on Facebook this past winter that issues a weekly themed challenge to create a 6"x6" mixed media piece, I have become very interested in experimenting with various techniques and materials. Sometimes, it is quite a stretch for me and really pushes me and my comfort level. Something I really enjoy when watching my granddaughters work on projects is how they approach things with abandon and without any worry about technique or the "right" way to do something. I find this refreshing. I hope they don't lose that characteristic. :-)


After offering a few different ideas for what we might make, my granddaughter decided she would like to try making a 6"x6" mixed media piece, like some she had seen on display on our living room mantle. Her beautiful creative pieces are below with captions.

For a closer look at the photos, you can click on them to enlarge them.

"Women can do anything."

Without any help from me, my granddaughter scoured the specialty scrapbook papers, trims, embellishments, rubber stamps and floral sprays to gather what she wanted to include in her piece. She came up with the theme and decided what she would write for the sentiment. I love this piece and how she mixed the old-fashioned images, "Once upon a time," with the modern phrase she boldly wrote across it.



"Not All Who Wander Are Lost."

The next day, while I was doing other things around the house and in the garden, my granddaughter became rather quiet and when I looked for her, I found her hard at work at her little table in my studio. She felt the urge to make another 6"x6" piece and was deep in thought. I left her to her own devices, and checked in on her from time to time, She amazed me by the things she collected and used in this piece. In fact, she found a binoculars stamp I didn't even know I had. That is when you realize you have way too much stuff in your studio! Her use of the light bulb as a hot air balloon was so clever, as was her choice to cut some foam drawer liner for the basket. She braided little pieces of green wire that she cut from the stems of some flowers to attach the basket to the balloon! She found the perfect metal embellishment that has a definition of wanderlust on it and attached it with brads. "Wanderlust: (n) A strong desire for, or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world."  It made me so happy to know she felt comfortable enough to work independently and with confidence.

"Journey"

While my granddaughter worked on her first piece, I worked on this 6"x6" piece. I tried to use only one sheet of scrapbook paper and randomly tore it and inked the edges. I painted the watercolor paper with acrylic paint, added some torn corrugated paper, metal leaves and a compass. I cut the stems from the flowers, wound them around a pencil and glued them behind the paper roses. The little tag says "Let your heart be your compass."



Happy Birthday!

This is the front of a birthday card I made for my sister. I love any and all dress forms. I have used this die many times, and never tire of it. Hopefully, my sister doesn't either! I used chipboard for the dress form and wings. I dyed them with some old ink pads I saved that are getting dry. They work great for coloring things in when they aren't full of ink anymore! I used the same technique on the paper doily and the stenciled watercolor paper background. I added a little bling to the corners, but didn't add a sentiment to the front so it can be displayed any time of the year.

The weather has turned colder now and there is a sharp nip in the air. I love this time of the year. I will miss the garden, and will still spend as much time outside as I can until it is all buttoned up for the winter; but I also look forward to returning to my studio and making things. The leaves are falling from the trees and at times they look magical as they float down to the ground. However, I might not think quite so romantically about them after I have raked for a few days . . . or weeks! ;-)


Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my post. As always, your questions and comments are welcome. I do read them and will respond, either here on my blog, or on Facebook. I hope you and those you love are well and happy . . . and until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and hold you in the hollow of His hand.


Emmy