Monday, April 5, 2021

T Stands For Dream Big

 

I started this late at night.  I used my OTT full spectrum light to see and photograph it clearly.

I first created a grid using my black water soluble crayon.  I then wrote the words in graffiti style on the side using a fine tip Sharpie.
 
Next I got out my watercolors (yes, I've made a mess of them over time), and added water to the small round containers.

It didn't take long to create this background using light brown watercolor. Then I got busy creating and layering and forgot to take further step out photos.

Now I'm serving this Dream Big journal page at my dining room table.

As I got a bit closer, I noticed the lighting wasn't as good.

Perhaps if I get a bit closer it will help.

One thing is quite obvious.  Even with all these layers in place, everything here all embellishments are recycled.

Yes, everything.

That includes even the embellishments at the bottom.

Can you see the tea bag?

Let's start at the top and work our way down.  The first layer is a crossword puzzle I gave up on when I couldn't answer even the first words.  I dipped the page in spent tea to get the color I was going for.  The second layer is from a dressmaker's pattern.
 
On the left is corrugated cardboard that originally protected the old incandescent light bulbs from breaking.  I miss that packaging.  It was SO useful.  On top of the cardboard I placed part of a tea bag and a piece of the crossword puzzle I didn't dip in the tea bath.

Part of a tea bag sits on top of the circle

which is a piece of used sandpaper I ran through my circle punch to sharpen it.

Now we've identified what is in the top grid,

let's return to the bottom grid. Here you find a partial sheet of sheet music, over which I layered a used tea bag and three buttons left over from various clothing I once owned.  The flower was from a handbag that had seen better days.

As you can see, other than the 110 lb cardstock, the water soluble crayon, the watercolors, and the Sharpie ink pen, every embellishment started its life in a very different use. I hope you like how I recycled these pieces and I hope it may have sparked your interest in using what some people would consider junk in your art.  
 
This is Day 6 of 22, where I repurposed several recyclables and junk into art.  I'm also joining Art Journal Journey because I was Inspired By recyclables.

As an update, the tea bags are finally dry from last week.  It has taken that long for them to dry in my cold house. 

I needed to turn the green tea bags over though because they weren't quite dry yet.  The cardstock they are laying on looks promising.

Now it's your turn to share your drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and most assuredly not just this year.   





22 thoughtful remarks:

Elephant's Child said...

Yay you. I firmly believe that we all NEED to dream - and I love that you are making a point of recycling and sustainable art.

Mae Travels said...

I can’t imagine how many of those old lightbulb packages I’ve thrown away in my life! I think we still have some of the old-style lightbulbs for fixtures that won’t work with the newer types, but I guess I will not think of a use tor them.

be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

DVArtist said...

Wow! This turned out amazingly. I love love love it. Have a great day.

My name is Erika. said...

This came out beautiful. I love the vintage look and those tea bags. The music paper, crossword puzzle as well as the sewing pattern really add some wonderful details. And nice you showed it along with your tea mug too. This is a wonderful piece. HAve a fabulous T day Elizabeth! Hugs-Erika

Linda Kunsman said...

Oh my, I LOVE this mixed media art Elizabeth!!! It is SO you with all the recycled papers and bits, and the layers and patterns that peek through everywhere are fab. Your creative recycling into art is always inspiring. Happy T day!

Kate Yetter said...

What a great mixed media piece. I love how you used all dyed and recycled materials.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Halle said...

I love this piece of art. The subtle colors and layers are amazing! Makes me thing of your rust pages.
Happy T day!

Sharon Madson said...

I love the art you created with your recyclables. It takes a long time for tea bags to dry in my house, and I don't think it is a cold house. Happy T Day, Elizabeth.

aussie aNNie said...

Love your art today with recycled goodies, you are so clever. xx

Rita said...

Dream big--yes! Love the earthy colors.
Have a great week, Elizabeth. :)

Olde Dame Holly said...

That came out beautifully. I just love the creamy tones on that pretty paper flower!

Iris Flavia said...

This is clever - and beautiful! I had a dream tonight, funny coincidence!

Cloudia said...

Aloha

Lisca said...

What a beautiful journal page. The colors are beautiful and natural and 'rusty'.
Yes, I remember the corrugated cardboard that went round the old light bulbs. But it is still used in packing, so I have some in my box. I have a box in my craft room where I keep cardboard to use in crafting. But most of it goes in the recycling bin.
I see now why you kept your tea bags. I have a friend who tips the contents (the used tea leaves)onto her plants as a sort of compost.
Wishing you a happy T-Day,
Lisca

Valerie-Jael said...

You made a great page there, Elizabeth, very interesting and so much to see. I don't know who linked me, but thanks anyway! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

J said...

Morning Elizabeth,
You've certainly made good use of all the recycled bits and pieces and Teabags, I love the vintage colours and look of your artwork. The teabags wouldn't take long to dry here!!!
They used to say put tea leaves on I think it was Roses but they always went in our compost bin,
Happy T Day
Jan S

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what an amazing panel page! I love your design and the layers of recycled items look so beautiful 😀. The teabags look fabulous and those recycled buttons and pretty flower finish the design so beautifully too! Sending you Happy T Tuesday wishes! Hugs, Jo x

CJ Kennedy said...

Such a pretty page and the color variations make neutrals exciting. I especially love the buttons. Happy T Day

Divers and Sundry said...

I like your colors -natural for a natural month- and design and layering and your Dream Big encouragement. Happy T Tuesday!

Cindy McMath said...

This is a lovely layered piece Elizabeth - sorry I’ve been MIA lately. I am still up to my eyeballs in work. Just had a quick look back at some of your other recent posts and I love your K-cup recycling and got a kick out of seeing them displayed with my art in the background. :) Also you Paris page is lovely - somewhere I’d go back to in a heartbeat! Well time for work now - take care.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow, this page is absolutely wonderful and great to see all those elements close up! I am always surprised how long T bags take to dry out fully! Happy T day, Chrisx

Jeanie said...

This is really handsome and very impressive, Elizabeth. If I had done that, I would find a wonderful wall for it and hang it. It really is splendid.