Saturday, April 7, 2012

Making a background for my monthly calendar and answers to a few questions

Some of you might have seen a similar photo like this on Wednesday. Shown are the materials I will use to make these two pages a bit more "artsy." I have several Color Mists (by Ranger) and a 7 Gypsies color wash, along with a few stamps and stencils. I started with an art catalog I got in the mail a few years ago. I began using it as a way to collect old paint, color mists, and the leftovers of when I clean the Staz-on from my stamps. This is how I found these two pages and wanted to jazz them up a bit for my May calendar pages.


I started by using Butterscotch and Lettuce Color Washes along with a few stencils. I then used the iridescent Shimmering Mist with the circle stencil, but all it did was seep through to the previous side (April).


After waiting several hours for the paper to dry on the reverse side, I placed a few drops of 7-Gypsies ink on the right side and drizzled it down the page.


I covered the previous stenciled mess with Cranberry Color Mist.


Next, I pulled out my Tattered Angels Mist and went to town. Sadly it was nearly the same color as the Cranberry (by Ranger).


Then it was time to paint some circles on the page using fluid acrylics (purple and gold).


I got a little carried away, but couldn't get a good photo, SO


I took it outside in the late afternoon sun to get a better photo.


I started to stamp the word "May" on the page, then realized I should probably put the little squares on before I did any stamping. I'm quite new to this way of calender decorating, so it's a bit trial and error (mostly error at this point). Looks like you get to wait till May 1 to see the completed pages.

Now I want to change subjects and show this lovely bit created by Sharon at Plumrose Lane. I have it in a prominent spot on my right sidebar. I've been told the right side is the first side people look at, but I somehow doubt it, because this is prominently displayed on my blog. Not trying to make anything out of this, but I just wanted to show it in case I get tagged yet AGAIN. See, I've been tagged THREE times in the past week or so, and, since I've already told two of the taggers I would answer their questions, I have to do it. However, I will NOT accept any more TAGS or BLOG AWARDS unless they come from Somerset's Artful Bloggers, or some other reputable magazine (I can dream, can't I?)!

So here we go. The rules are as follows:

...you must post the rules
...answer 11 questions the tagger posted for you
...create 11 questions to ask the people you tag
...tag 11 people
...let them know you've tagged them


Sorry, but I won't be following the final three rules. After all, I am quite the rule breaker!

I was first tagged by Terrie at Creative Explorer.

Here are her questions and my answers:

1. Favorite season - why? Spring and Autumn. I hate heat and am not fond of shoveling snow.
2. What do you 'need' to have on before venturing out in public? Clothes. That sounds silly, but in the summer, I don't wear clothes in the house. I have to put something on just to answer my front door or go out to get my mail. YES, that is PUBLIC!
3. What do you collect? ROCKING HORSES!!
4. Favorite style of art? Mixed media with fabric thrown in the mix.
5. Symmetrical or asymmetrical? HMM. If you saw my office, you would know it's very symmetrical. But I like asymmetrical art.
6. What do you find difficult to learn or work with in your chosen medium? I haven't found anything yet, since I don't doodle or zentangle.
7. Vacation in cold & snow or hot & sunshine? NEITHER (refer to Question 1 above)
8. How do you relax? I make art.
9. What's one of your guilty pleasures? Good food, vegetarian of course.
10. What wakes up your muse? (or, where do you find your creative inspiration?) Mostly from my art friends' blogs.
11. What food do you crave most often? Anything sweet, salty, or fattening!


I was also tagged by Jenn at Just Add Water, Silly.

Same rules, different questions:

Coffee, tea or me - What's your FAVORITE drink?? French roast coffee turned white with half and half. I drink it 24/7, except for tea one hour each Tuesday.
Where does your inspiration come from? Mostly blogs and challenges.
Where is your favorite place to be? Where I am at the moment. I love life wherever I am.
Did you have a stuffed animal when you were little that you loved to death? I had a train set as a child. After all, my Grandfather (Grandparents raised me) wanted a boy!
What's your weirdest trait? Knowing animals do NOT hold human traits. After all, I am NOT Bleubeard's "mother." His mother lived in a barn in southeast Kansas and was not neutered.
Tell me something no one else knows about you but you wish they did! Honestly, my life is an open book, so there is probably NOTHING people don't already know that they would need (or want) to know.
If you could buy a new pet right now, what would it be and what would you name it? A Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I had one years ago and he was stolen from me. I still miss him. His name was Bear.
Are you vain about something? Nope!
Have you found your niche, in other words, would people be able to recognize your artwork without your signature? How did you find that comfortable place? I doubt anyone would recognize my art, since it is all over the map. I don't and refuse to do CUTESY, though.
What style of art do you WISH you could do but don't or can't right now? I would love to be more involved in metal, stained glass, and plaster, but lack the required supplies.
Favorite kind/brand of art supply? Anything I can find in the dumpster. Or maybe the thrift store!

I realize these aren't the cute quips most people shared. But for some reason, you caught me on a day when seriousness was playing in my head. Thanks go to Jenn and Terrie for thinking of me. And of course, thanks for sticking around and reading this. Aren't you glad I was brief on Wednesday?

Happy Easter to all my dear blogging friends, far and near. May you find sunshine and joy tomorrow.

_________________________

26 thoughtful remarks:

donnalouiserodgers said...

Oh Gracious to Betsy,

I thought you WERE bleubeard's mother,
hee tee hee

you say it is a weird trait to recognise only humans are human??? hmmm I'm in your subset...

HA ha hahhhaa haaaa haaa

Now THAT is weird?!!!

I've 'done Frida' 'tis on ma blog,

also beware teasers posing as somerset house types taggin' you (you have been warned)

Annie Get Your Gun

Dxxxx

Unknown said...

OK, before I comment on your glorious beginning to your "May" entry, I'd like to remind you that I didn't tag you even tho I was very tempted! I don't usually do those games but was caught in a moment of weakness. And I personally enjoyed your answers- though are you SURE Bleubeard doesn't have any human traits? I was certain he'd been blogging along with you all these years (grin ;))
Anyway; as for your calendar, this is so far my favorite you've done. I love all the layers of color, pattern and texture and can't WAIT to see it completed!
Hugs,
Stephanie

Halle said...

I don't know why I always forget that I have stencils to use with the colormists. DUH! Thanks for the reminder.
I have been seeing the questions around blogland as well. I think they are kind of fun...at least for the reader. :)

elle said...

Luved seeing the background come into being. great!

Monica said...

Just completed a class with Tim Holtz and finally know how to use some of his products, what was interesting is how he dries every layer and uses a "heat tool", hairdryer. it makes it so easy to finish a page.

SandeeNC said...

Oh my, you must hate my stuff since I do cutsey, and are you a nudist? lol...sorry...As for awards, I feel the same, I stick them in a tab at the top of my blog so they don't clutter up my blog page. They are kinda like chain letters and I don't do those either! BTW, there are studies that show that Americans do usually go to the right first and Eurpoeans to the left....stores are actually set up for this too. Happy Easter, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina and trying not to look too cute while doing it, lol :)

Brian Kasstle said...

Love to read your answers. Can't wait to see more of your calendar before you do your entries(done with the squares!)

voodoo vixen said...

Right? I'm supposed to be looking right first? Why? I always look to your left side strip first!! But... I have perused your blog from all sides and already knew how you felt about tags and awards... cos I am just plain nosey!! (I dinna like them either... not because I am a snob or anything (though there are those who would disagree with this)... just when plonked on the spot to answer such questions my brain cell (aptly named lonely) goes for a pint down the pub or something and I can think of nothing witty to say!!
OK... the no clothes was too much info... bet you have people knocking on your door all summer in the hope of catching you out... and crafting nooked is not advisable... too many pointy objects about!
I love those drips... why have I never thought to add drips??? I will be adding drips to everything now and I have some of those plastic things with holes... and never used them... I will correct this oversight when I finally get the courage to go ruin a couple more pages in my AB...
Oh and I am Pandy's Mum...and Chris is Tom-Tom's Dad... and I have conversations with them where I speak both parts... now you are worried, aren't you? LOL

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I enjoyed seeing how you did the background for your calendar page. I need to start thinking "layers" for my AB as well as other art.

NANCY LEFKO said...

beautiful pages....thanks for visiting my blog!

~*~Patty S said...

I see one problem with your May calendar pages E...they are WAY too nice to cover up!!! Great layering and use of so many great ingredients too!

I sure do agree about tagging...that said it is fun to read people's answers...you were nice to share :)

Happy Easter
Happy Spring
Happy Happy Everything
oxo

HeARTworks said...

A blessed Easter to you Elizabeth! Glad I popped back here to see those answers! No clothes in the summer!? Luxury! In answer to your question, I love gel medium and would use it always if it wasn't so expensive! Like you, I'm thrifty! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Jennifer McLean said...

hi Elizabeth,
you're very sweet to have answered my questions and I applaud you for NOT tagging anyone else! I'm not a tagging kinda person, sowwies, I should have gone with my first thought, thanks but no thanks, but sometimes guilt overtakes me!
Thanks for your lovely comment and for visiting, I look forward to seeing your submission this week if you have time to participate in APR!
Best,
Jenn

Gaby Bee said...

Beautiful pages, Elizabeth!

I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday!

Hugs and Love,
Gaby

Terrie said...

Thanks for answering my questions even though it's not your favorite thing to do. I don't know why I felt obligated to play along, but likely won't in the future....I've read your blog inside out, but somehow when I was 'tagging' people, I totally forgot about the 'no tagging' preference. Oops. And from the comments here and on others I tagged, by far the majority of commenters said they also don't like tagging/chain lettering, and yet they like to read the answers...go figure. Anyway, thanks for indulging us and taking the time!

Tell Bleubeard I'm busily working on my AB and feel much more inspired and excited after changing my theme - I don't feel like I'm forcing or fighting to come up with ideas.....each page is pretty much doing itself. I can tell this is something I'll be doing again and again!

fairy thoughts said...

Hi Elizabeth
Great pages, lovely to see it progressing, the piece of plastic canvas is an innovative idea, might try that.
The tagging sounds like a pain, but I love your answers, maybe the no clothes was an answer too far.
I must get on with my AB pages I am really behind.
janet

Laura S Reading said...

Just checking in as life sidetracked me

I have much to catch up on.

I don't do tags & awards but I enjoyed your redponses. I used to be a summer girl but with age comes... Less temperature extreme tolerance?
I also prefer art materials found and repurposed or from nature.

Happy spring!

Laura S Reading said...

Just checking in as life sidetracked me

I have much to catch up on.

I don't do tags & awards but I enjoyed your redponses. I used to be a summer girl but with age comes... Less temperature extreme tolerance?
I also prefer art materials found and repurposed or from nature.

Happy spring!

Laura S Reading said...

Just checking in as life sidetracked me

I have much to catch up on.

I don't do tags & awards but I enjoyed your redponses. I used to be a summer girl but with age comes... Less temperature extreme tolerance?
I also prefer art materials found and repurposed or from nature.

Happy spring!

Brian Kasstle said...

Here is a question regarding your calendar. How do you figure out how big to make your squares for the dates?

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