DIY Nail Polish Remover Image Transfer

Hello.

So I've been experimenting with image transfers lately as you saw here. It's a really cool way to add detail to paintings, journals and more. I think they also add cool texture and finishes to pieces :)

Plus, they are so simple to do. There are several different ways to do image transfers, but I like ones that are easy with supplies I already have on hand ;) And I present, nail polish remover transfers!

Here is what you'll need:

ink jet, black and white copy image

acetone nail polish remover

cotton balls

paper

burnishing tool (I used a capped pen)

Let's talk copy image for a sec ;)

You must you an ink jet copy image, NOT a laser print image. I chose this sweet, beach-y image :)

As for the polish remover, it must contain acetone for this project to work. Check the ingredients label on the back if unsure about your own polish remover. I picked up this at the Dollar Tree.

Now let's talk paper, I tried this on several papers and it really doesn't matter. As long as you are not soaking the transfer with the polish remover, you'll be fine. Too much remover and you'll risk tearing your piece.

First, lay your image face down onto your paper of choice.

With a dampened cotton ball, rub the remover evenly across the back of the image.Hold tight to make sure your image doesn't move around on ya ;)

See I used a little too much on this one :(

Burnish the back to really adhere the ink to the surface of your final paper.

Gently peel the image off. You can see here where I burnished too much in the middle and not enough around the edges.

I just rubbed the stuck image paper off with my finger.

And here is the final product.

Not bad for a practice piece. It has a cool look to it. Like an old worn out photograph.

Here are some additional ones I made. I tested the process out of different papers colors and weights.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking to these awesome parties!

Embroidery Cord Binded Art Journals

Hello.

So I thing my few readers out there know I love to create art journals :) And do you know what? It's a great creative booster for artists and they are fun to fill up with doodles and scribbles ;)

So I made yet another quick journal and bound this one with red embroidery cord :) I'm really pleased with the way it turned out :)

Here's what you'll need for your journal:

a few pieces of paper

acrylic paint

embroidery cord

embroidery needle

scissors

pencil (optional)

ruler (optional)

Let's talk paper for a sec ;) I prefer a good mixed media paper. 

For this project, I chose acid free, 98 lb paper as it would hold up to paints but is also thin enough to punch the embroidery needle through the paper. I picked up this paper at Walmart, but it's available at Hobby Lobby as well as Amazon. However, you could use a heavy weight water color paper or even regular office paper with yarn if this is a project with the kiddo's.

First, I cut two sheets of the media paper into three equal pieces, short ways. Use a ruler and/or pencil if needed.

Although yellow paint is pictured above, I wanted to start with some "palette smashes" for inner content of my journal. I then took left over paint from a palette (which is a magazine page)...

And I "smashed" the journal pages into the paint and let dry :)

You get some beautiful mixtures of colors, shapes, movement..even texture with ripples of paint.

Here is where the yellow came in :)

I then stacked them and folded in half longways. This creates the "book" shape. 

Like so...

Once all put together, grab the embroidery needle and tread.

Sew your journal pages together and the middle seem and secure with simple knots.

I used a simple slip stitch to bind the journal. But you could try and get more creative ;)

Then close off with knots ;)

And you've completed your journal ;) 

And something fun to the front cover!

Looks so cute and ready for art entries!!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I ill be linking to these awesome parties!

Packing Tape Image Transfers

Hello.

So I recently cane across an online class that taught several different modes of image transfer!

I used to think that image transfer was a lengthy and pricey process, requiring several ingredients that I did not already have on hand.

However, that is not the case! I was very exited to learn I can make some gorgeous and very detailed image transfers using only clear packing tape!!!

Now this works best with laser print printers and magazine cut outs. Ink jet printers may present a problem ;)

So I stuck with the two recommended types. And I will tell you.... this process captures color BEAUTIFULLY!  And it is so easy :) you'll be dying to try this DIY project!

Here is what you need to get started:

I started with a palette smash little canvass but paper works well too ;)

clear packing tape

an image (magazine or ink jet printer)

bone folder or spoon or anything really to brazen the image (not pictured)

scissors (not pictured)

bowl of warm water (not pictured)

glue stick

This process is so incredibly fun and easy, you'll be adding to all your journaling and collage projects!

First, select an image. I chose to print a black and white image from the web. Again, magazines work really well for this project.

Place and adhere a strip of clear packing tape over the image.

Burnish well with a spoon or bone folder. In this case, I used a sharpie cap. Worked just fine ;)

This will really work the ink into the tape and ensure a solid image transfer.

I couldn't get pictures of this next step, but place the tape-covered image in the bowl of warm water and gently rub the paper away with you thumbs. It sluffs off easily and you should have no trouble in this step. What you'll have left is the piece pf tape with the image - clear as day :)

Once dry, the tape will still be somewhat sticky, but adhering with the glue stick (or adding a layer on Modge Podge) will keep your transfer in place :)

This process works very well with black and white images as well as color! I had no trouble filling this small practice canvass :) You'll see I made an additional transfer of a magazine page with a water pattern on it :)

I added a sweet little "XOXO" ink stamp and called it done ;)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking to these awesome parties!!

Mixed Media Painting with Bold Colors

Hello.

Yes I'm sure some of my few readers might have noticed my absence this past week. Well I'll tell ya, it has one heck of a week to say the least!

In addition to my Dallas art show, I also had a company retreat to The Hamptons in New York, wisdom teeth removal surgery, and then off to Los Angeles to assist with another show :)

Aside from the surgery, which totally and completely sucked, I got in some cool traveling, which I'll tell you all about in future posts...so stay tuned!

Today, I wanted to share a new painting that I think I have finally finished. Like pretty much every mixed media painting I do, I complete it in stages. This pretty thing has been sitting in the studio for about 3 months.

I decided to use some very stark, bold colors in this painting, like black, red and teal. I then brought in softer colors, even pastels, to calm the boldness a little without losing that "demanding" look I wanted.

I also played a little more with mixed media in this piece. In addition to marker, ink pen, pencil and oil pastel, I brought in slivers of reflective duct tape as seen here.

Also, I am in love with the effect of white ink pen on black paint, so I was excited to use that technique here.

I love using various organic shapes within my pieces; scallop or "U" shapes, continuing circles, as well as shapes that resemble a cell or something one might see under a microscope.

I've also started experimenting with pin wheel shapes and continuing triangles.

It's really satisfying to see how one mark, shape, line or color can interpret the direction of a painting. I hope you enjoy making art yourselves! And perhaps comment with a picture of your own!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking to these awesome parties!

Dollar Tree Haul!

Hello.

Well, we all know I am a big fan of the Dollar Tree...well maybe if I have one or two readers out there LOL. Are you out there??

Joking aside, I love the Dollar Tree because it provides economical ways for me to explore my mixed media tendencies and come up with more fun ways to create entries in my creative journals.

Let take a look at what I scored:

The first thing I was excited to see in the Crafts section was some decorative/craft papers pads. I tend to do a lot of collage work in my journals, so I picked up several of these.

Lovely patterns :)

I also was happy to see some stamping sets! Even an acrylic block!

I def can't wait to try these out ;)

I also found some new washi tape that you can color in yourself! It's a cool wave pattern; it will look great in my journals and perhaps new mixed media art work pieces :)

And since I am so big on creative journaling at the moment, I was excited to find these Coloring Journals. Beautiful designs and pages to write poems, thoughts, etc.

I snagged some rad neon colored gel pens too to start out some great journaling pages!

Lastly I snagged some fun patterned binder clips for my journals :)

Strips are always in style in my book ;)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger