metallic embossing paste + lots of distress =

a very fun art journal page...

while you're reading...

keep in mind...

this can also be used as a card too...

I cut 2 pieces of Ranger's Specialty Stamping Paper to

 4 1/2 x 6 1/2...

these fit my art parts pages...

that I use as covers for another art journal...

I misted one of the pages with water, 

then added some scattered straw distress stain & 

some broken china stain...

then pressed the 2 pages together to make 2 backgrounds...

make sure to dry...

here's the 2 backgrounds...

the one on the left already has my white embossing paste applied thru the 3 fresh flowers stencil...

that's a story for another day...

the page on the right is today's tutorial...

I wanted to mix the new distress paints with the distress stains, markers & inks...

you'll see that they work together like magic...

lay the layered flower stencil in place, 

then use Cut N Dry foam to pounce broken china distress paint thru the stencil...

***you can start with either of the flowers stencils***

I chose the stencil with the open center to use first...

remove the stencil & dry...

here's the result...

now place the other portion of the layered flower stencil over the painted stenciled flower...

you'll see they are a perfect fit...

this stencil will cover up the painted areas & protect them...

spread the metallic gold paste over the stencil to fill it in...

I use a palette knife...

remove the stencil & allow the paste to dry...

***clean the stencil & your palette knife***

***you'll see that the gold metallic paste looks like "butterscotch" right from the jar...

but let it dry & it magically turns into a beautiful metallic gold***...

here's the dry paste...

use the honeycomb background with pale ochre archival to stamp over several areas of the background & dry...

I made sure to leave some areas unstamped...

here's a better shot ...

see how cool the raised metallic paste 

looks paired with the opaque distress paint? 

to create a stem, 

I used a stem from the 3 fresh flowers stencil...

***these stencils mix & match very well***

peeled paint distress paint 

was pounced over the stencil with Cut N Dry foam...

***see the stencil tape? it protects the close open areas where I don't want to add any paint***...

***post-its work just fine too...***

remove the stencil...

dry the paint...

stamp "begin" with jet black archival...

it's from the art journal basics set...

***archivals are AWESOME!***

next I added some bricks to the background

 with the brick stencil & broken china distress ink 

on the blending tool...

on a side note...

Rick asked where I saw blue bricks...

I had to tell him that...

THERE ARE NO RULES

 when you...

MAKE ART!

to add the tiny dots...

I dispensed some brushed corduroy stain onto the craft sheet...

picked that up with the detailer water brush & tapped it on my finger over the page...

I LOVE the tiny dots...

I added some light shading to the page edges 

with rusty hinge on the blending tool...

I used black soot on the blending tool to add the numbers in 3 areas with the classic words stencil...

see that cute flower center?

replace the stencil...

use the one that has the open center...

block off the areas outside the circle with stencil tape or post-its...

then ink this unmounted mini collage stamp with jet black archival & press the stamp over the flower center...

***it's easier to use the stamp UN-mounted***

totally flippin...cool &

 the mini collage stamp set is on SALE!

make sure to dry the archival!

tim's new  remnant rub pointing finger was a perfect fit...

I also added some doodle lines around the edge to create a frame effect...

and stamped my new small bee with jet black archival...

to color the bee body,

 I used the rusty hinge marker & 

the scattered straw marker on the wings...

hmmm...

this idea just popped...

maybe I'll add Glossy Accents to the wings?

and here's a side shot to show the texture created by the paste...

the flower & background, 

done the same way would be a GREAT card...

just add whatever sentiment the occasion needs...

the embossing pastes adds great texture, 

but no weight, 

so the pastes work very well for cards you want to mail...

now it's time for me to start getting demo supplies packed...

and find something to wear...

this weekend is the

ADVENTURES IN STAMPING

 convention in Akron, Ohio...

if you're in the area...I hope you'll come & see us!

we'll be stocked with all the coolest supplies & we always have LOTS of samples to inspire...

let me know that you're a blog friend & 

I'll have a little gift for you!

and just a little request...

if you live in Ohio...

TURN THE HEAT on PLEASE!

wearing a winter coat in April sucks...

get out your stamps, stencils, inks, paints, markers & stains so YOU can...

make art!

wendy

ps...oops...

almost forgot...

for those friends who are not on Facebook & asked that I post here...

this is version 2 of the card I shared in the previous post...

the heart is this large heart stencil...

instead of a stamped flower like on the original card,

 I used the wildflowers stencil...

a polka dot border...

& changed the sentiment to WISH...

same basic design...

but I did use BROWN!

see the tiny harlequin leaves?

same mini collage stamp as above...

my plan is to see you here next week 

with some gift ideas

 for Mother's Day & grads!