cardmaking · Mixed Media · papercrafting

Crazy Quilt Mixed Media Card

Colorful Crazy Quilt inspired background for my Mixed Media Paper Artsy Whimsical Tree card.

Just playing and experimenting today. I got the idea of making a bright colorful background inspired by crazy quilts.

My Process:

  • I started by painting a freehand grid using acrylic paints. No measuring, just eyeballing it. I was aiming to have each grid be about 1 1/4″ X 1 1/4″. Since I was playing, I custom mixed the colors.
  • Next, using Derwent Inktense pencils, I outlined each square in one or more colors. I also added some colored pencil squiggles, doodles and shapes.
  • A bit of stamping came next.
  • And I knew I wanted several colors of paint splatters.
  • Using Posca Pens, I added dots and other marks.
  • To finish the card, I stamped this whimsical tree from Paper Artsy on the background and then again on white cardstock. I fussy cut the trees and used foam squares to add dimesion to the project.
  • The sentiment is from Waffle Flowers: Rainbows Stamp Set.
Bright colorful whimsical painted grid mixed media card

This card was so fun to create! As always, thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Mixed Media · papercrafting

Altenew Inked Lotus + Custom Color Mixed Backgrounds

Altenew's Inked Lotus Stamp + Custom Mixing Acrylic Backgrounds

Hello, a little playtime in my art studio today. My friend Paul has been encouraging me to create some small art pieces in addition to the cards I typically make. He suggested that I give them as gifts to my girls, so here goes my first and second attempt!

Framed collage Mixed Media art project
Here I framed Project 1 and put it on display

Custom mixing acrylic ink swatches to use on Mixed Media Art Backgrounds.

I decided to custom mix acrylic paint for my backgrounds and found it very addicting! In fact, I made more panels than I originally intended. The swatches remind me of the colorful paint chips you find at the hardware store.

How To Custom Mix Acrylic Ink Swatches.

MY PROCESS:

  • I put acrylic paint dabs of each of the three primary colors + white on a paper plate. You can use any hue of red, yellow and blue.
  • I started with yellow and added a tiny bit of red and blended. When I liked the color, I painted a rectangle onto Mixed Media Paper. I used a silcone brush, which added a fun bit of extra texture.
  • Next, I added white to the first orangey color I mixed. I added a lot of white to many of the subsequent colors for a softer more muted color. Those muted shades were the colors I chose to use on today’s projects, but I have lots of color swatches left over for future projects. I kept mixing and painting until I’d filled up a page. I think I created 4 pages.
  • For Project #1, I tore two strips for the main background. For Project #2, I tore each color into an individual rectangle so there are a lot more white seams visible.
  • Next, I pieced together my background with other interesting scraps and fodder that I had in my studio. I love UHU glue sticks for mixed media gluing. For Project #2, I also added a strip of Altenew’s Painted Grid Washi Tape to ground the panel.
  • My focal element, Altenew’s Inked Lotus, was stamped onto pages torn from an old cookbook. I used Ranger Archival Ink.
  • Using Derwent Watercolor Pencils, I shaded the lotus and then blended the color with a wet brush. When the flower was dry, I glued the bloom to my background.
  • Last, I added a few marks with Posca pens and Micropens.
Laying out Mixed Media Fodder.
Selecting the fodder papers to complete the look
Custom mixing acrylic paint for Mixed Media Backgrounds.
The background panels and focal elements

I couldn’t stop without making a card too, so I created a campanion birthday card to go with panel #2.

Altenew Inked Lotus Stamp + Acrylic Paint Blending

Thank you for visiting! If you have a moment, let me know which project you like best. Let me know what you think…I always love getting feedback.

Thanks,

Karen