Our April Challenge at the Inspiration Emporium blog is Marvelous Masks and Spectacular Stencils and I had a BLAST with it, since gave me the chance to play with several of my favorite new products: Tim Holtz's Distress Paint, Wendy Vecchi's Embossing Paste, and Tim's Burlap Canvas. Good times! Unexpectedly good, actually, given my seemingly comatose creativity...
The thing is, I've been in what you could call a Severe Creative Funk for a couple of months now. I stare at my craft supplies, the stuff that usually inspires me... and there's no spark. Nothing, nada, zilch. Ugh. I know I'm not alone in suffering through periodic stretches of no-mojo-itis, so some of you can probably relate when I say that it's just freaking awful! Awful and scary.
So, when I say that this Inspiration Emporium Challenge made unexpectedly good things happen, I'm not kidding around. This is the first time is way too long that I've gotten into the flow and made something I felt good about and-- bonus!-- enjoyed the process immensely.
Hopefully, the creative juices will keep on flowing...
I learned a few things making this stenciled Burlap Canvas. First, Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 Embossing Paste is ridiculously cool! Have you tried it yet? It's so easy to work with, and you can get some crazy-wonderful texture going with it. I used it for the bricks, the flowers and the "concrete" on this piece.
Secondly, Burlap Canvas is my new favorite substrate. What a fun base for artwork! It takes paint beautifully and doesn't sag or warp when you pile on the Embossing Paste.
And, finally, if you want to make embossing paste look like concrete, all you need is Distress Paint. Antique Linen Distress Paint with just a bit of Black Soot gives you that industrial look.
The thing is, I've been in what you could call a Severe Creative Funk for a couple of months now. I stare at my craft supplies, the stuff that usually inspires me... and there's no spark. Nothing, nada, zilch. Ugh. I know I'm not alone in suffering through periodic stretches of no-mojo-itis, so some of you can probably relate when I say that it's just freaking awful! Awful and scary.
So, when I say that this Inspiration Emporium Challenge made unexpectedly good things happen, I'm not kidding around. This is the first time is way too long that I've gotten into the flow and made something I felt good about and-- bonus!-- enjoyed the process immensely.
Hopefully, the creative juices will keep on flowing...
I learned a few things making this stenciled Burlap Canvas. First, Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 Embossing Paste is ridiculously cool! Have you tried it yet? It's so easy to work with, and you can get some crazy-wonderful texture going with it. I used it for the bricks, the flowers and the "concrete" on this piece.
Secondly, Burlap Canvas is my new favorite substrate. What a fun base for artwork! It takes paint beautifully and doesn't sag or warp when you pile on the Embossing Paste.
And, finally, if you want to make embossing paste look like concrete, all you need is Distress Paint. Antique Linen Distress Paint with just a bit of Black Soot gives you that industrial look.
In retrospect, I think the theme of this canvas might be a metaphor for my creative slump.
April's nearly over, but hey, you've still got time to submit your own piece for a chance to win FIFTY Bucks in Emporium Dollars! All you need to do is submit your own work of art using masks or stencils and upload it at the Inspiration Emporium blog. We'd love to see your take on this challenge!
Thanks for stopping by-- I hope you guys all have a great weekend!
