Geode Experiment : Our Mixed Media Moods

Our Mixed Media Moods is a monthly collaboration between myself & Mixed Media Jenn where we pump up our youtube channels with high quality mixed media videos. Then.. we invite YOU to join us by joining our Facebook Group where you can post your projects inspired by ours.

My YouTube Channel | Jenn's YouTube Channel

Occasionally we'll have some giveaways, prizes and guest artists joining us.. so please join our facebook group to see all the happenings! AND sign up for our newsletter for emails delivered directly to your inbox!

This month's mood board:

I experimented recreating a geode!

I don't love it >>> but I don't hate it. It was a practice & I learned a bit about my supplies :)

Video followed by closeups & supply list : 

A general supply shop full of my favorites : https://www.amazon.com/shop/deedeecatron Subscribe to me : https://tinyurl.com/deedeecatronsub 
Look for this UPCOMING WORKSHP with Tina Walker in Pennsylvania! : https://tinyurl.com/madclass : look for the Mad Madder

——— S U P P L I E S ———

Liquitex Clear Gesso : https://amzn.to/2Ek4Hjr

Water & Brushes : https://amzn.to/2t53zKr 

Heat Gun : https://amzn.to/2WzcHUW 

White Sharpie Paint Pen : https://amzn.to/2GesYtL

Amsterdam Acrylic Gray : https://amzn.to/2Xel34U

Fluid Matte Medium : https://amzn.to/2XaQmgZ

Vintage Pattern Paper

Heat Gun : https://amzn.to/2VayC3q

DecoArt Fluid Acrylic GOLD : https://amzn.to/2TVQXAN

Golden Fluid Acrylic Quin Nickel Azo Gold : https://amzn.to/2ElGzNt

Finnabair / Prima marketing inc Gold Rush Glitter : https://amzn.to/2V9Zv7k

Mona Lisa Gold Leaf : https://amzn.to/2txB7km

Amazing Casting Products Clear : https://amzn.to/2U0INHo 

Washington Classes - Mummy's Baby

I'll also have this Double Page Layout class in Washington.. this class is INCLUDED IN the price of the scrapbook retreat -- $250 for the weekend. Also includes food, other classes, crop space and place to sleep!

This page uses Prima's Epiphany collection with Finn's Art Basics Black Gesso. There's also acrylic paints, paint markers, VLVS! stamps, fine liner, fiber tape and washi tape, office supplies, May Arts Ribbon, UmWowStudio mask and chipboard, and more. This class is being held Friday evening at 7 pm. 

Contact jenn@nanikeolascrapbooking.com to reserve your seat! 

Currently {Art Journal Swap | SOD}

The project I'm sharing today is a compilation of things...

1) It's another SoD project utilizing the July Kit : Believe.
2) It's a double page art journal spread in Jen Matott's journal from our swap.
3) It shows some cool new products from some of my favorite companies!

Let's start off with the spread in its entirety:

I started with a couple pages of watercolor paper, gave them a super squirt down and got them very wet, then applied some bright cheerful watercolor paints to the page. Before the paint dried completely I sprinkled some salt around to get a bit of texture. I glued down two giant gorgeous paper doilies and layered my watercolor paper on top.

I finished the right page first, which was a little odd, but really turned out well. The stamp is one of the newer designs @ Viva Las VegaStamps!; the Weathered Tree. I also grabbed the VLVS! Blowing Dandelion and used the extra seed to ad some whimsy. In the top left I stamped the new Happy Moon. On the right is a new SNEAK PEEK item from UmWowStudio -- some SEA BIRDS in a mask ;) -- I've used it with a thick layer of gesso.

In this photo you can really see the base of the tree well. I've adhered a Prima Keyhole that comes in the Scraps of Darkness main kit. Because this IS a journal swap, some journaling was required, and Jen's prompt is "5 things you are currently doing." Currently I am...
1) Laying to rest some demons
2) Soaring with some angels
3) Finding my inner child
4) Satisfying my soul
5) Building an empire

The left page has some of those blowing dandelion seeds, some of the Tim Holtz Rubons from the SoD kit, and an UmWowStudio Vintage Rounded Window that has been altered with thick gesso.

The girl is from Plate 1449 from VLVS!, and the moss comes from the SoD kit.  I may or may not be implying that somewhere inside this body is a sweet little girl just wanting to play in the sun all day. :D I'm really loving having all of these little ... woodsy ethereal embellishments and papers from the SoD Believe kit!

Be True To Yourself {Altered 6x12}

Hi folks! I've got a July Scraps Of Darkness piece to share with you today :) Have you stopped by to see the July Kit?

It's called BELIEVE and full of fun whimsical wooded type stuffs like moss, flowers, nests, nature rubons and more!

The first project I'm sharing is a 6x12 altered piece o' plywood.

I mentioned that the base is plywood, I picked it up from ma friend Tami! She already had it covered in gesso, so I was totally set. 

I picked up the pink/red sheet from the main kit and trimmed it down a bit. Using Gel Medium I adhered it down. Then I scraped some of my Blick Gesso over the sort of... top middle right side? You can see it in the photo :)

The resin frame comes from Prima and can be found in the Embellishment Add On Kit for Believe. I used the Shimmerz Inklingz I'm Not Limon to splatter around the gesso and dunk into the crevices on the frame. Before I put away my geso and Inklingz I also altered a couple of the floral chipboard pieces in the kit, and a couple from UmWowStudio. You can see them layered to the top right corner.

Then came what I like to refer to as "Flower Throw Up" --- but if it's used in moderation it can have a really great effect, AND I don't do it that often, so it was fun! lol. I started with the gorgeous green moss from the kit, and covered a large portion of the resin frame. Then I piled up some of the Petaloo Flowers, some Prima flowers from my stash, a handmade flower from 7 Dots Studio Nature Walk, and a Prima Nest from the kit. whew. a lot of piling! I also stuck in a Tim Holtz Ideology Pin with a 7DS Nature Walk diecut heart. 

There's one more piece of altered chipboard that trails down the board here. This one from UmWowStudio. I also added a hefty dose of glitz and glam with some clear sequins and eBeads. The sentiment is from 7DS Nature Walk's word stickers. And -- that's it! The kits are so great because they give a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and it makes it easy to add in some of my own (or YOUR) favorite little bits :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

2 Cards - Gallory Idol BUST

Paper Crafts recently opened auditions for Gallery Idol -- the theme was "washi tape" in creative ways. There were some AMAZING entries. I did not make top 20 -- so am here to share them today.

The first is this card made from 6x6 Nature Walk, Gauche Alchemy washi tape, May Arts Ribbons, Prima star and brad, thread, and UmWowStudio Chipboard Star Confetti.

The 2nd is this, another tall skinny also from the 6x6 Nature Walk pad, but using a Doily, May Arts Ribbon, Gauche Alchemy washi tape, Prima Flower, UmWowStudio Layered Stars and Star Confetti, Gesso, and Viva Las VegaStamps! { w i t h   l o v e } stamp.

I really adore both of these cards, and even though I didn't make it into Gallery Idol, they are SO ME and I'm SO super proud of them. Can't wait to send them out to a couple o' perfect friends♥

May Arts | UmWowStudio | Avery Elle

Today we are hopping with May Arts, Avery Elle and UmWowStudio!

I've put together a tag utilizing the Air Mail Set from Avery Elle, some 7 Dots studio paper, Prima flowers and more.

Here you can see the Damask Mask from UmWowStudio.

Lots of gorgeous May Arts ribbon adorns this tag, including twine, cord and more.

The tag was outlined with a piece of regular cardstock and the two pieces of paper were sewn together.

This is the circle confetti from UmWowStudio which fit the "Just a note" Stamp from Avery Elle PERFECT!

Lots of goodness all week happening on tons of blogs! Be sure to see them all :)

UmWowStudio | May Arts | Avery Elle

Grow like a weed {A Tag}

Meet me over on the May Arts blog today for a how to on creating these awesome full stamened flowers!

• Helmar Adhesive – Fabric Glue
• 7 Dots Studio – Nature Walk Collection
• Magnolia – Summer Foliage Die
• Prima Marketing – Engraver Brad, Petals Layer
• Sakura of America – Micron
• May Arts – Ribbon

Be The Author

Today I'm sharing a layout over on the Berry 71 Blue blog as a Special Guest Designer. Stop by and check out what's happening >>> you've been challenged to handmake a flower! I was given one of Marivic's beautiful handmade tags and wanted to utilize it, so I grabbed a chic selfie of my little sister and got to work. 

My sister Ashley takes the cutest selfies ever! I grabbed my favorite piece of Nature Walk : Musical Blooms and a piece of Limba Wood embossed paper I picked up @ Paper Issues, trimmed and adhered the two together.

Here you can see the AMAZINGLY beautiful handmade tag that Marivic (Owner @ Berry 71 Bleu) sent me. It's so wonderful. I used it as an embellishment cluster, but all the coordinating and beauty was done for me. If you're interested in getting one of these tags, Marivic says you can send her an email, she makes them by request! I added only 1/3rd of a Chipboard Doily and a Chipboard Six Inch Ruler by UmWowStudio.

And now.. my handmade flower! I've diecut some Sizzix Tattered Floral cuts of the leftover piece of Musical Blooms. They've been layered together and adorned with a bauble from Prima. I layered the flower on top of the other 2/3rds Chipboard Doily and some Washi Tape from Gauche Alchemy.

The alphas are from a 7 Dots collection and my Dymo Label maker. There's a splattering of Tattered Angels glimmer mist, and a My Mind's Eye epoxy brad. There's also a line of May Arts Eyelet Lace between the Limba and Musical Blooms papers.

And that's all folks! Be sure to handmake some flowers and enter over @ Berry 71 Bleu!

Pretty Pink Posh | May Arts

There's going to be a giant hop o' goodness happening with the following companies:

and I am squeezing my card in over on the May Arts blog where we're using beautiful Ribbons & Pretty Pink Posh Sequins!

The base is plain black cardstock with a layer of Nature Walk by 7 Dots Studio ripped, torn and distress with a Prima distress tool. The background has been stamped with the Coffee Ring stamp and the French Writing Background stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps!. There's also a little splash o' Charcoal glimmer mist.

The cluster on the bottom right is made of a Prima flower and bark star, some thread, Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and a gorgeous section of 3/4 inch Turquoise Chevron May Arts ribbon. The HELLO Alphas are from the brand new Alpha ONE set by UmWowStudio.

In this cluster you can more of the Chevron ribbon, this time walking stitched into a ruffle, layered with a sequin, some thread, an engraver brad and some Nature Walk diecut elements. Can't wait to pop this baby in the mail!!

New Beginnings Are Often ...

Dreamz Come True ♥

Here's a 12x12 layout with a photo of the uber talented Finnabair and myself @ Winter CHA 2014. I remember when I first met her. Fell in love with her style, her sense of purpose. I got to know her and ended up falling in love with 7 Dots Studio.... then I met Tusia ... and it blossomed into me designing my own paper line. Hence the title of my page :) 

The base for my layout is the gorgeous (If I dare say so myself ;) ) Chevron side of Songbird from Nature Walk by 7 Dots Studio. When I designed this piece, I wanted the iconic chevron pattern, with some natural grunge and deterioration. There's a big open spot on the bottom right corner perfect for embellishing and layering.

Most of the embellishing and layering has been kept to previously mentioned opening including 2 pieces of beautiful May Arts Ribbon (Burlap Twine and Striped Grosgrain), 2 pieces of UmWowStudio chipboard from the Floral Collection that coordinates with Nature Walk, gesso, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, my Dymo Label Maker, and an UmWowStudio Mask.

To balance the page I stamped a Viva Las VegaStamps! stamp (Washi Grid) in the top left corner and layered it with thread, another piece of the Floral Collection chipboard (this time covered in gesso and Charcoal glimmer mist), a date stamp and a Flair piece from Moon Shine by UmWowStudio.

Just to the left of the main embellishing is some splattering of Glimmer Mist and a Bark Star and Engraver brad by Prima Marketing. 

And this is definitely my favorite piece using Nature Walk so far. I've still got loads to use and tons of ideas to use it on, so stay tuned.

May Arts & Autism Awareness Hop

Welcome to the May Arts Ribbonistas Hop today.

The hop list looks like this today:

• Charlene Driggs
• Courtney Lee
• DeeDee Catron
• Emily Lanham
• Gini Williams Cagle
• Jen Shears
• Jenifer Cowles
• Latrice Murphy
• Rhea Weigand
• Shellye McDaniel
• Valerie Gee
• Virginia Fynes

I'm so excited to be part of this hop. Autism Awareness holds a special place in our hearts, and at the very base level.. EVERYONE deserves some sunshine. With that being said, here is my card:

And don't for get... to help spread awareness The Ribbon Lady is giving away a prize!! 3 spools from the "blue" ribbons - winner's choice.  To win: post a comment along the way.

Supplies for my card : May Arts Burlap Twine, Turquoise Chevron, White Leaves, Prima Flower and Engraver Brad, UmWowStudio puzzle piece and light bulb mask, 7 Dots Studio Nature Walk collection, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, black cardstock, Sakura of America micron, white thread, adhesive.

You are heading over to one miss Emily Lanham next!

Bloom Where You Are Planted {A tag}

I love the saying "Bloom Where You Are Planted" ... not because I think you should stay where you're born, or not travel, or anything like that. But I feel like we all have a certain calling, and it's our duty to the world to make our time on this planet a better time by answering it. Unless you're an ax murderer. Anyways... BLOOM in whatever speaks to your soul. In my case it's designing, arting, crafting, paper, paints, ink, stamps, chipboard... just to name a few things. 

I definitely included "Bloom Where You Are Planted" on the words sticker sheet in my recent Nature Walk collection from 7 Dots Studio. 

I also DEFINITELY used it last night. 

I created Nature Walk as a super vintage neutral collection ready for ink and color application of any kind to match whatever you're working on. I've seen a ton of great uses for Nature Walk and seriously drool over each and every one, but a lot of them have tended to the neutral side. SO I created a tag with vision :

The tag base is Cloudy from Nature Walk cut with the Tim Holtz Sizzix Tag Die, back and front, I just trimmed the edges of the cream side 1/8 of an inch all the way around. It's been distressed with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and splattered with Teel High heel Tattered Angels mist and some watered down gesso.

The giant turquoise flower is from Prima Marketing, and the leaves underneath are cut from Songbird using a brand new (to me) Magnolia Die: Summer Foliage. I've been looking for this die for quite some time!! The resin pieces are just something I had in my stash, not sure by whom. And that gorgeous twirly ribbon at the top is some Paper Cording from May Arts Ribbons.

Believe it or not, there is no UmWowStudio on this tag... but I did sneak in a Viva Las VegaStamps! favorite of mine : Sunflowers. It's been stamped using an Archival pad by Ranger Ink in black. And as a final bit o' goodness I doodled a thin line around the tag using a Sakura of America Micron 005. 

So get out your color and splash some on Nature Walk!