Spending Time in Nature

Hi everyone... well we've had some rain and now the sun is shining and all nature is in full bloom. One of my most favorite times of the year. This month at Anything But A Card, we are celebrating being "Out and About" using the outdoors for inspiration.

I decided to alter my T!m Holtz Clock with a darling picture of my furry family. They were playing in the garden that day and perfect photo opportunity.

I first took the clock apart to remove the glass (no need for it on this project). I wanted my clock to have lots of texture so here are a couple pics of the process... First I mixed white acrylic paint with Viva's Stone Effect Paste, but you can use seed beads, sand, really anything that provides texture.

Then using a foam brush I pounced the product all over the clock, inside and out. 

Allow to dry and then apply your inks, paints, micas, whatever you choose to color your clock with. I used a combination of Lindy's sprays, Dylussions sprays, and Vintaj Pantina in the color moss. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of this, but here is a photo once the project was completed. 

I also randomly swiped Versamark and then applied Ranger's Rust embossing powder and heat set. I was really wanting to go with that mossy, green look to the outside and I believe I achieved it. 

Then, using a glue gun, I added reindeer moss to the inside and applied my photo. 

The sunflowers were created using Sizzix Tattered floral die cut with yellow crepe paper. Four layers for each flower was used and I then crunched the petals and added yellow Stickles to the petals. Large brown velvet buttons were used for the centers. Rust embossing powder was used on the rake chipboard and also the edges of the birdhouse. Then everything else was glued in place. 

Hoping wherever you are that the weather is pleasant that you are able to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Stop by Anything But A Card to get some wonderful inspiration for your projects. xoxo Toni

This project is entered into the following challenges: 

Try It On Tuesday - Watches & Clocks

Country View Challenge- Shabby Chic

Simon Says  Monday Challenge - For the love of plants

That Craft Place - Anything Goes 

Sandee & Amelie's - Ravages of Time

The Mirror Crack'd - Shadow Box

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes

It's Art Journal Time

Art Journaling is something I have become so fond of. I find it really helps me to get out my journal, slap on some paint or molding paste and get messy. Well this month at Unruly Paper Arts we are doing just that. Unbelievable inspiration from the design team. I hope to take a moment and check out our blog, but I really hope you decide to get creative with your journal. And if by chance you don't have one... make one. I took a hardcover book I purchased from the dollar store, randomly rip out pages from the book, because it tends to get big and bulky from the mediums you use in your art. Then take 4-5 pages and glue them together so you make mini canvas throughout the book... and waa laa, you now have an art journal ready to create in.

I have 3 art journal pages to share with you all dedicated to things in my life that I ♥.... Gardening, Music & Art (of course).

First up is Gardening:

This page was created using distressed inks, stamping, modeling paste and glitters.

Next up is journal page dedicated to my love of art. I actually have a book that I play in with new techniques or materials and then I can jot down information regarding the process.. what worked, what didn't.

This was a peeled paint technique, lots of layers and lots of fun. The step x step process is listed for you over at Unruly's blog, so be sure to drop by for all the pics and process.

And my last journal page is dedicated to my love of  MUSIC: My inspiration came from the wonderfully magical musician "Carlos Santana".

Don't you just love this picture of him with all that beautiful paint on his hands... humm I think he was art journaling also.

I used the image transfer technique to achieve this look as well as layers of tissue paper, inks, & molding paste.

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you were inspired. Be sure to link up your project at Unruly for a chance to win. And check out my SNAPGUIDE tutorial below to view my process for this last project. Creatively yours, Toni

Check out How to Create Mixed Media Using Image Transfer by Toni Burks-Grijalva on Snapguide.

You've Been Steam Punk'd

Hi everyone... it was time to get messy and have fun with one of my most favorite themes... Steampumk... Created from inspiration provided by Flying Unicorn to create something using the backside of the canvas, I decided to create my steampunk gentleman.

Let's see... the canvas was prep'd by adding loads of textures from sand, texture paste, inks, paints & embossing powders. The gears at the top left were Blue Ferns chipboard and they were stamped with Andy Skinner's texture stamps then DecoArts paints in the following colors Quinacridone Gold, Transparent Red & Yellow Iron Oxide allowed me to achieve the rusty effect. 

The hat, glasses and mustache were all wooden pieces purchased from Michaels. The glasses were embossed with gold crackle, the hat was painted black and then molding paste was added for texture and then heat embossed with bronze patina powder. Finishing off the hat with feathers and cogs. 

For the mustache I used Paper Clay and molded it onto the wood piece. Then rolled long pieces to create the hair effect. Painted it black and dry brushed with white. The nose was created using a door knob screwed into the canvas. 

The inside of the canvas is hard to see, but I took metal tape and adhered it to cardstock, ran it through my Big Shot using cogs texture plate. Using the same Deco Arts paints listed above I random painted over the surface and once dried I randomly sanded areas away exposing the metal from beneath. I then added a bit of Ranger Vintaj Patina in Verdigris to provide that nice patina look. I hope you enjoyed and were inspired to bring out your inner steampunk. xoxo Toni

I am entering this piece in the following challenges: 

Sandee & Amelie's - Ravages of Time

The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge - A Year Of Choices ( chose spray inks & mists as well as stamps)

Altered Eclectics -June Anything Goes

Mixed Media World - Vintage

Eclectic Ellapu - Steampunk (Purple Team)