Mixed Media Art with Antique Postcards

Want to learn how to do this?
Art Class Scheduled on: September 14th, 2013    2:00 - 4:00 pm
30.00 per person (materials included)
Choice of 6 different postcards to choose from.
Where:  Frou Frou Galore 26420 Preston Ave, Old Town Spring, TX
Call today to reserve your spot (limited space)  281-459-0711
Artist/Teacher: Tamyra Crossley

The Sweet Life

Pearls of my Heart

No. 6031 Lady

No. 27 Lady

Mermaid

Gypsy Queen

Gypsy Girl

Farm Girl

Evette

Bird Watcher

Ballet Toes

Enchanted Wood

My newest Mixed Media works start with a vintage postcard (some I own and digital downloads can be found in my etsy shop; Ivory Coast www.etsy.com/people/ivorycoast,  others I have digitally downloaded from favorite etsy shops; French Kissed; www.etsy.com/people/FrenchKissed  , MDR Grafix Postcards; www.etsy.com/shop/MDRGrafixPostcards , just to name a few.  I use canvas, scrapbook paper, paint, stamps, ephemera and pens.  I start with a blank canvas (handboard canvas is easier to work with but you then have to frame it or glue on a ribbon and backing piece).  I mix 2-3 coordinating colors together and paint (acrylic) the entire canvas.  While it's drying, I will take my vintage postcard and start collecting coordinating scrapbook papers, stamps, bits of paper ephemera, etc. to add to the canvas.  I used just plain old Elmer's glue, clear, but you can also use a Gel Medium to adhere each layer.  After I glue the back of the sheet I use a plastic putty knife to work out any air bubbles.  I like to start with the largest piece of paper first then slowly build layers.  The last layers are the small ephemera or stamps and then I will either use a stamp and ink pad or hand write areas with a sharpie.  A fun project and great way to preserve some vintage postcards.  Originals for sale at; Frou Frou Galore, in Old Town Spring, TX http://www.froufrougalore.com/
Prints can be purchased at; Etsy, Shop Studio Quest, www.etsy.com/people/studioquest , or Fine Art America, artist: Tamyra Crossley , www.fineartamerica.com , or tamyra-crossley.artistwebsites.com

Slowing the Days Down after Christmas

Peep

The month before Christmas seems to be a blurry of activity.  There is shopping to do, a tree to cut down, decorating the house and tree, mailing gifts, making all the special holiday foods and treats, and for those of you  out there that are just like me, making a gift or ten!  I always seem to bite off more than I can chew but the ideas just float around in my head waiting to be created!  I tried to slow down a bit this year and did pretty well, if I do say so myself (thank you very much).  Fortunately, my children are not demanding and do not expect extravagant gifts (which makes the crazy shopping trips fairly easy).  They will act like they are that interested in creating an art project but when I start pulling out the supplies they get into it a bit and start creating themselves.  My youngest, Blythe decided to make a cute little stuffed chick for her sister Lassyn's baby which is due this next year.  Once she completed one she decided to make another one to put on her own etsy site www.etsy.com/people/dacoma    He is a bit cockeyed and seems to have a character of his own.  His name is "peep".  I was really proud of her, she hand stitched the whole thing and I only had to help untangle twice.  We have already made another trip to Wal-mart to pick out new fabrics for her next creations.  In the meantime, I have decided that I need a new scarf and found this beautiful Martha Stewart yarn at Michaels Craft Store in Igloo (a very soft sea foam green-blue).  Sitting by the fire, crocheting is my idea of slowing down.  I don't think I could totally sit still if my life depended on it so this is as close to it as I get.   

Mermaid Felt Purse Project

Mermaid Purse Felt Project

Once again, I find myself drawn to the colors of the sea.  I have never really worked with felt before but it looked like fun so thought I would give it a go.  I found the change purse at Michael's Craft Store and they had all these packets of felt pieces you could buy in every color under the rainbow.  I decided that they reminded me of ocean waves, seaweed and mermaids.  I simply laid the pieces on the felt and used thread to hold it in place.  My stitching is a bit on the rough side but then again, this one is for me so that's ok.   Was a relaxing little project and makes me smile.