here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

find delight...

in tim's Color Washes...

used with Claudine Hellmuth's Studio gesso...

as Ranger's senior educator, I get to participate in "top secret" projects...

I've been dying to tell you about this very fun technique since I created this piece...

here goes...

this is my rectangle art parts base, painted with an uneven coat of Claudine's gesso...

while it was still wet, I misted it with tim's Color Washes, to create a great textured background...

which now looks like this...


and here's the finished hanging...


take a closer look @ the flowers I cut, using tim's tattered florals alterations die...

what are they cut from???

check out Ranger's site for complete instructions...

you'll find the "secret ingredient" listed there...

here's how this "secret ingredient" happened...

I opened the junk drawer...
spotted the "secret" ingredient...
and wondered...will this work?...

it did!...

I loved the result & now I have another "material" to use with the Color Washes and small dies...



check out Ranger's BLOG...

leave a comment there & I'll choose a lucky someone @ 7AM on Friday...
and I'll send them a goodie package...

THEN...

come back here, leave a comment & I'll send another package to someone chosen from the comments here...

2 comments = 2 chances to win!
it's simple...

I hope you try tim's Color Washes when you...

make art!
wendy
ps...this is why I LOVE Ranger's products...
there are TONS of possibilities for mixing them, to create a totally different effect...

137 comments:

Tracy Evans said...

Wow what a fabulous piece Wendy, I love the texture created by the uneven Gesso and the color washes, looks fabulous. Off to find out what the secred ingredient is now. Have a fun filled day, Tracy Evans x

Lorraine said...

Wonderful piece of art! And I was wondering what that secret ingredient was, lol. Thank you for the continual inspiration!

Diana said...

I love it!!! i did kind of the similiar thing the other day with the gesso and mist... i thought oh no.. patience diana patience.. but it turned out beautiful!!! it was my SAME on my blog if you wanted to check it out!!!!i have learned so much from you !!!! the biggest thing is to have fun and just do it!!!!THANK YOU!!!

Scrapthat said...

Love the BG! I love it's unevenness, Great idea for the flowers! TFS...very pretty!

Primitive Seasons said...

Two posts in the same week--I'm in Wendy heaven! I love these color washes. My birthday's coming up and I've been hinting to family members. Got to get my hands on some. Great job on this piece Wendy!

Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

How awesome, and who would have thought that "secre" ingedient would have worked. I am definatley going to give this a try! Thanks for the inspiration.

Joanne said...

Your ideas and wonderful art simply amaze me.

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Gorgeous piece. I love all that texture. And what a great idea for the flowers. I have some of those! *grin*

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing you delightful ideas & projects! Your secret ingredient is ingenious :) I just picked up some Gesso last week & have started playing this week - FUN!!

Debbie C

Cim Allen said...

How cool !! I couldnt' even finish the whole blog I had to jumpr right over and see what it was .. you are brilliant!! I love it. I guess I'll have to get some Gesso at lunch. Thanks Wendy !!

Elaine A said...

Ok Wendy -

Only you could look at furniture pads and think "FLOWERS"! This just gives me a brief peek into how you view the world, I think I like your world - ROFL! What a beautiful piece of art and I really love the background technique.

Elaine Allen

Liz in MO said...

Isn't it just amazing what we can find in our drawers to play with (oh, that doesn't sound very nice, but you know what I mean ;>). Love it.

Karenliz Henderson said...

Felt furniture pads! I can't believe. I have a box full of them and now I know what to do with them! Thanks Wendy!

Nancy S said...

What a beautiful piece! I love the texture from the gesso and colors from the color wash. And furniture pads, who would have thought? I will never look at the contents of my junk drawer(s) the same way again.

Von said...

Love this! You're a creative genius! :)

Dorothy said...

Fabulous!! You are so clever!

Jenna said...

Furniture pads! Brilliant, and already sticky!

thanks for sharing!

georgina said...

I just adore this Wendy and what an ingenious idea for the secret ingredient,who'd have guessed???? luv Georginaxx

Laura C said...

Oh I love those felt flowers

Lillian Child said...

Just when I think there isn't any possible way for someone to come up with yet another FABULOUS medium, here come the color washes - oh how these just spark my creativity!

Tracy J said...

Who knew! This is so beautiful, like all your projects. I love your book, bty. I look through it all the time and feel inspired by it.

LoriCtoo said...

Oh boy something to add to the ever growing list of things I want to do! I just finished my Halloween project last week and I just might get my Christmas was done before Christmas! Thanks for the inspiration Wendy!

Babsarella said...

Love this beautiful techinque!! Also, love that you are always thinking "outside the box".

Kathi said...

What great inspiration! The things you can do with the stuff laying around. Lovely project.

Karen said...

Another genius project: Love the secret ingredient - brilliant idea. Fabulous background too.

etta thomas said...

I'm simply at a loss for words, anymore! EVERYTING YOU TOUCH, TURNS TO BEAUTY!!!

sue said...

Great idea for the flowers. I wan't to follow you around when you are shopping. You come up with the best ideas.

Nan G said...

Wonderful idea! Love those flowers. Furniture pads, really?! Hmm, may have to look into those Time H dies! :) You've inspired me to try 'gesso'. THANKS!

scrappyjacky said...

What a gorgeous piece of art....and can hardly believe the secret ingredient!!

Lillian M said...

Love your cool projects Wendy
thanks so much
Lillian
Lillian Mederak.
sugarbirds@eastlink.ca
http://www.canadianscraptramp.blogspot.com/

Nanette said...

A real artist can find art in most anything. The felt pads just prove you are a real artist. Not that we didn't know that before. Love your work, you are so talented.
Nanette

SusanK said...

Just lovely! I made hardware flowers using replacement screens and nuts & bolts. Now to see if I have anything else that can have another purpose other than the one for which it was intended.

Carol said...

I just got some of the original color washes and am making art journal pages with them. Can't wait to try them on canvas board!!!

borcherding said...

does your talent ever end? SERIOUSLY!!! love this! i wanted to email you and let you know i couldn't make st.louis. ;-( the funds were just so NOT there.

Unknown said...

Hardware Store find...Love it! Will have to try this out. How do you sleep your mind must be working at all times. Thanks for sharing!

Sue Bockrath

kjjc said...

How clever is that? Brill idea.

Debby said...

When I looked closer at the flowers I kind of knew what you had used. Will have to scope out the junk drawers here as I know we have some of the circles or pads here somewhere. Very clever idea. Have to play with the mists again and soon since it is nice out today!

Marijane said...

When Wendy and gesso meet....magic happens! Spraying it with color wash while still wet, adding a couple of felt flowers and an unconventional imagination....art happens! It's a beautiful thing.

Dawnll said...

Amazing as usual Wendy, love what you use to give us all inspiration.I need to go check out my supplies now.

Neil said...

Wow, I love the texture you have achieved. The finished piece looks like something you would buy from a high end store here in the UK. I have some gesso,but no colourwash! It's not fair; I want to try this!!!!!
But I'll pop over to Ranger to see what the secret is......

Olga-MIA said...

This is why I love Ranger Designer's ! YOU ROCK !!!!!!
I love this project and I cant wait to try this! Thanks for sharing ! Kind regards, Olga

Scrapacat said...

Awesome project and great use of those leftover bits around the house. I didn't see anywhere to leave a comment on the project page at Ranger's site, so I'm leaving it here. ~ky

Kathy said...

Are there any special tips on stamping on Claudine's gesso? I love the look and the whole project. I plan on using the gesso, stamps and embellishments to create some custom gift boxes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendy,
I learned so much from you at The Queen's Ink. But apparently there is more...you need to come stay with me for a week and teach me more, more, more! Thanks for the inspiration, and the little secrets! I must make art now!
Trish

Meme said...

Love this! I am still tuned in waiting for Q & A day. Need to find out why that gesso is better then my gesso?
I'm sure you have done this, but if not maybe someone on here would like to try....Cut felt out with tim's flower die then take it put it into one of his embossing folders and emboss it. This is just beautiful. Adds more texture to your project.

Larissa Heskett said...

WOWOWOWOWOW!! WENDY!! =)
I AM LOVING IT!! SO EXCITED TO SEE TWO POSTS THIS WEEK!!
(a pre-holiday present??lovin it)
Anyway, I love the felt and the way the stamping looks on top!! I hope you added perfect pearls mist to them?? Anyway, thanks for sharing and hope you have a GREAT DAY OF CREATING ART!! Can't wait to see what you will have on FRIDAY!! =) LOL!!!!

Shirley said...

Wendy,I LOVE this! You do such wonderful art. I haven't checked the secret product yet but I would guess felt. I will go there next. I love Claudine's Gesso, muliti medium and everything. I just finished using almost an entire jar on calendars. Need to order some more.

Rox said...

OK! Just too clever. Who would have thought!? We are on vacation now but going home Fri. I am anxious to go though our "junk" drawer and think outside the box! What a fabulous idea with such a darling outcome. Can't wait to get back to my craft room and MAKE ART! Yes I AM a stampin' addict. :)

Juliet A said...

Too cute! I love the look of those felt flowers!

Gretchen said...

Once again - amazed and in awe at what you find to work with! I'm showing my hubby so he knows why i keep all of those miscellaneous items in drawers all over the house! Now to find Tim's new Color Wash!!!

Joyce said...

Nothing is sacred anymore. My husband just shakes his head. Wait till he finds out the furniture pads can be used for art. He will by amazed. Thanks for the idea and the awesome project! You've done it again.

jackie said...

WOW THAT UNEVEN BACKGROUND IS FABULOUS.....i never stop learning from you...thanks so much

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Ahhhhhhhhh, Ohhhhhhh so sweet, luv it GF!

Helen said...

Just love this, the colour wash is fabulous and the "secret ingredient" is inspired. Love it.

Sharon said...

I love how soft it looks...it looks cozy which makes me think with some white dabber paint it would make great snow. I love hardware stores...so many possibilities! Love the Art!

Kate said...

Beautiful Wendy :0) The fowers look like felt...whatever they work perfectly with everything else.
Kate x
PS i bought 3 colour washes today cant wait to get them in the post.

funkycrafter said...

great idea for the flowers. and i like lumpy gesso too. had some old, sort of dry gesso that i used to use to make textured backgrounds. but didn't have the mists back then. this looks like fun. i love it when a plan comes together and this one sure worked out. you did it again. you sure do your part to help us all keep spending and helping the economy recover.

Lesabe said...

I love this project. My hubby is giving me a craft shopping spree this weekend for my bday so I will be keeping my eye out for awesome ranger products!

The Scrappy Tree said...

I NEED some colour washes!! LOVE this project, fantastic textures :)
Gayle xx

Anonymous said...

so very pretty Wendy...so glad u share with us...and I thanked Ranger for hiring you! your stuff always rocks for me...luv luv the washes..and thinkin I have some felt pads here...hmmm xo cher

hilly77 at comcast dot net

Tona said...

Yet another amazing project!I would like to see through your eyes for just one day...
I left a comment over on the ranger blog too ;)

Elaine said...

It's amazing what you find in drawers! Great idea - love the background and the colour scheme you've used.

Karen said...

Ok, now I have to go look in my junk draw and see what could be die cut...

Marilyn L. said...

Love, love, love the wall hanging. Can't wait to check out Tim's blog for the secret ingredient! Wonder what my junk drawer contains??? When are you coming back to Buffalo?

~* steph :) *~ said...

oh, i saw your fabulous creation on the ranger site! love the texture and the colors! beautiful! thanks for sharing and have a great day! *hugs* steph:)

Ellen said...

Ohh my god, I love this. I really need to give this a try.
Thanks for sharing.

Ellen

whyducks said...

Wow that looks wonderful, I love it!

mluxa said...

Wow!!! I have lots of this "secret ingredient" Darn you, Wendy, I thought I could actually start working on Christmas presents this weekend, but I see I'll have to play a little, first.

Ann said...

Just gorgeous!
Might have to pull out the gesso this weekend, thanks for the inspiration.

Leslie said...

Love this piece Wendy! You and a couple other bloggers have me looking at everything around me with new eyes!! Love it. Thanks so much

lesleyworth said...

the more projects i see the more i think those color washes are going to have to find their way to my house! beautiful project!

Bethan said...

so clever... furniture pads eh!!! love the wash over gesso technique.
All round lovely project...again!

slbt17 said...

wow! wonderful!
Thanks for sharing your excitement is contagious you know!
Sandra

Lisa said...

Need...gesso.....this is fabulous!

Amy said...

I like the soft, worn look. Keep the ideas flowing.

Karla Anderson said...

really love the look of this technique. I will be using it for sure.

sandi rusch said...

Off to buy Gesso!!!!! The rest I can find in my drawers... LOL Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Your creativity and openess to new things around you amaze me, love those great flowers. You teach us to be more open and I thank you for that. I adore my Queen's Ink classes that I took frm you, girl you rock.

Jayne said...

I love the subtlety of the writing on the gessoed piece. I also love the colors that you chose. Truly a lovely piece.

redmom said...

You are such an enabler!! LOL I can't wait to try your latest technique...now to hunt for some Color Wash!!

jacki said...

color wash? do the new products never end? it's kind of good news, bad news. just when i think i have everything, i don't. thanks for the chance to win!

Lynne said...

Gorgeous project!! Love the 'secret' ingredient!! Who knew?!!

Wendy Dicranian said...

Love the use of felt. I am in awe of your use of the unusual. Keep up the wonderful work. you are an inspiration to make art.
Wendy

Anonymous said...

love, love, love!

Lauraline said...

I can't wait to try those color washes! And I love what you did with the secret ingredient. Looks great!

Linda Kay said...

I love how you think outside the box! It takes a special type of person to look in the junk drawer and see art parts! Keep doing what you are doing Wendy...you're an inspiration!

Deb Smith said...

You keep telling us to look at the things around us and figure out how to use them in our art. Guess I need to be looking down and under things as well from now on. Thanks and love love love the project. Can't wait to start playing with color washes.

Juel said...

This is just a wonderful project!

Lori said...

That texture is just fabulouso! Love the colors on the gesso. And the furniture pad idea is brilliant! Pure genius! Top secret - hahaha, I feel like I'm spying....

ellen vargo designs said...

Girl... You are so stinkin' creative - LOVE the furniture felt! Will def. be checking that out! Glad you've had more time to *make art* - Love seeing more projects on line. Count-down to UK - 17 days!! Weeee!!!
~ Ellen xx

Anita said...

This is stunning! The Gesso and washes are definitely on my wish list. What a great item to use for the flowers.

Clean & Simple Crafts! said...

Love it! So nice! Thanks for the chance to win something fun.

RobinG said...

looks like the little flowers are made of felt.
RobinG

Linda R said...

I just love how you incorporate your stamps, and art parts while showing us how to use lots of other products we have in new and exciting ways. It's always fresh with excitement, wonder and a good laugh! This is just the idea I needed as I recently pulled out my gesso and played collage...and am wanting to EXPAND my color wash color collection - ta duh - a marriage made in heaven - LOVE this effect and of course I have a couple of junk drawers to explore. Thanks Wendy ;-)

Raine said...

LOVE this!!!! I gotta get me some of that furniture pad. I think the staff at Home Depot thinks I'm nuts. I'm always wandering around without any list of stuff to buy. When they ask if they can help me I tell them that I'm just lookin' around. Everything is a potential art supply!

Dawn said...

Love the pad flowers. I thought they were wool fabric, I have been making those! Great ideas!
Dawn in sc

Therese said...

Hey there,,,,,,,,,,well i did ordered the whole set of tim's color washes, so i should be able to get them next week.....i am out the door first thing in the morning to pick up some foil tape to do embossing on it after the alcohol ink dries up.....and the wonderful furniture pads.......cannot wait to try it out...........you must be dreaming all your ideas while you sleep and then play and make art when you are up and about.......well take care and have a great thanksgiving.....hugs, therese

octlove said...

love the texture & depth of the "secret ingredient"...just 1 more thing I need to start collecting:)

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us. I think this would make a great Christmas gift!

With Warm Regards,
Carol Broney
c_broney@yahoo.com

Anette said...

Great idea to use the felt. I'll try it on the birdcage. See how thats gonna work out.....Thanks a million.

Teri-Ann said...

You are such an inspiration to us!! I love Tim's and Ranger's products and you show us such fun and wonderful ways to use them. Thank You!! Teri-Ann

jan metcalf said...

Are you still coming to Madison's OOAK convention 11/20 and 11/21?
Furniture pads? I love that kind of creativity!! Just as I love the color washes, et el to make art!

Dianal said...

Wow Wendy .. who would have thought "furniture pads" for flowers ... now you have my mind racing as to what other household items I can use along with the Ranger products to make "ART". As always another stunning project ... thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Hi Wendy,
Loved this! I first thought the flowers were felted wool.....you know me and felted wool! How lovely and unique and once again you have inspired me!

ScrappyPam said...

I love that background! Fabulous!

Anonymous said...

I do love the colorwashes, but have been mainly using them with fabric projects. I will look to them more often now, I'm sure, after seeing the wonderful piece you did.
And furniture pads? Like I said the other day, in my world, that makes you a genius!
Eileen in NYC

Marissa said...

I love the colors you choose! They are always gorgeous. Thanks for inspiring.

Barbara said...

This is a great project. I have lots of color wash sprays but have mostly used them for fabric. Thanks for the inspiration.

At first, I thought you used wool felt for the flowers - great idea!

Kim said...

Wow!! Who would have thought felt furniture pads could be so pretty!!!! And I am absolutely going to have to check pug Gesso too!!! You are an inspiration each day with these incredible projects !!

Erika M. said...

Such fabulous inspiration - that's why I love to come and read your blog!

Aimee Noel said...

This is fabulous Wendy! Love the flowers!!

Jen said...

LOL!!!! Furniture pads!!!!! Oh.my.goodness!!! LOVE!!!!!!! YES, Ranger's products are so awesome - I am constantly amazed at all the random things they work on!!!! And I love finding random things to find new artsy uses for! BEAUTIFUL project!

Unknown said...

OOOO OOO OOO! looks so cool! need to try it for sure!

Lisa Phillippi llelsik@aol.com said...

So flippin Cool! I love it all!

mamakat said...

Those felty feet things you put on the bottom of the chair legs to protect the floors? Really? WOW! totally cool.

Carol (HB) said...

Seriously. We can spend bucu bucks on stuff and find the best things right at home (NOT that I'll ever stop buying stuff! LOL) This is one of my very very favorite creations!

Anonymous said...

WOW...that is too cool. Who knew...Wonderful texture and a beautiful piece.

Louise

Anonymous said...

Terrific idea, Wendy. I also love the configuration creation - very
creative as usual.

Cheryl S.
Cheri926@aol.com

BETTY said...

wow I love your work
it looks great.
I just buy the art parts love them
great to play with.

hugs betty

france papillon said...

this is way to yummi not to try it out one day! and if that day could be tomorrow it would be even better :) i know your blog will always help me on the way whenever i lack inspiration!

Art By Wanda said...

I LOVE the gesso with the color washes!!!!! And furniture pad.. amazing!!!! The whole piece is gorgeous!!!!

Art By Wanda said...

This is a second comment so don't count it :-)) The words stamped really well over the uneven gesso... that is amazing... you are very good!!!! What glue do you use to attach the ornate from to the back??

michelle said...

I am so loving those flowers and so loving that you have once again taught me something new!

pixiedust61 said...

I love the texture. Very cool art piece Wendy,as always. The fun you have shows in your art.
Carol

Debby L. said...

Thought it looked like felt, but wouldn't have guessed felt furniture pads! Another amazing project! Guess I'll have to add canvas, gesso, color washes and furniture felt pads to my wish list!

Kathryn said...

You've been creating such fabulous art with the new goodies! Thanks for making the time to share with all of us.

prutsels said...

More stuff to look for in the hardware store, thanks for the idea!

Julie said...

I heard that Claudine Hellmuth gesso is wonderful! Haven't tried it yet. What makes it different from other gessos out there? Love the added deminsion the gesso gives the project!

Tara C. said...

I love to use Claudine's gesso its amazing--along with all of Rangers other products. I sound like a commercial for them at all my month card meetings. I have been told I should get commission.--Free product would work. LOL

Erin said...

love the colors!

grandma m said...

Make art with the new gesso. Just gorgeous

Deborah "DeBB!e" Ann Emmons said...

Fantabulous project. Love it. Thanks Wendy for sharing. Cant wait to get some more colors of the color wash and try this myself with the furniture pads. :-)

Nancy said...

I so love your creativity! You see art everywhere - possibilities everywhere - awesome!!
As I said on Ranger's blog: gesso & colorwash, here I come!

steph martin said...

love this project :) I will definately go for the gesso and colourwash technique - great results

Allie Gower said...

Love the results. The secret ingredient - well that was clever - the pads now resemble hand felted wool - so pretty.

April Barfknecht said...

Fabulous Project!

Brigit said...

I think I am about to get very inky as I am feeling so inspired by this project.I think I have all the supplies except the furniture pads so a trip to the store is first on my to-do list. Thanks for the inspiration.