Happy Monday, dear Friends!

Capturing memories is so often the essence of so many of our artistic endevours, don't you think?

Today Monika does it in her own unforgettable style. Soak in the inspiration!

I started with a thin layer of White Gesso and then used one of the amazing stamps from the Dirty Walls set.

Then I reached for the 'Cut & Paste' stencil with this great scissors pattern + some Modeling Paste for extra texture in my background.

Last Friday in our Spread Your Wings Academy we presented some ideas on how to create layers. I couldn't resist to keep creating as layering is one of my favorite techniques. I just love mixing different kinds of materials and textures.

This time I used scraps of Vintage Vanity papers, some pieces of Newspaper resist canvas, lace, cardboard and long forgotten cut outs from my drawer. :)

I covered all my elements with Gesso, I dried it all and stamped Messy stamp with black Archival Ink.

Then it was time for this special touch i.e. all the embellishments: some Mechanicals, Junkyard Findings and a resin frame.

I finished my collage adding some color - Teal Mica Powder, Mustard Color Bloom spray and... coffee staining. :)

Happy Friday, dear Readers!

I just love how my Creative Team girls find their inspirations literally everywhere.
Today we meet with Monika who decided to celebrate the season in the most creative way. Just see for yourselves and feel invited to create with us!

I love summer. Always have. As a child, I loved the warmth, the freedom and the fireflies. As a teenager, I loved the freedom from school and long, lazy days spent by the pool. In my youth, summer always symbolized freedom.

And even now, as I look longingly out the window at the beautiful July day, summer is freedom. Summer is freeing. There is more time (longer days!) and more happiness (how hard it is for me to be sad when the sun is shining!). There is tanned skin and sun-kissed hair. There is warmth and joy and a slowness that calms everyone just a little bit.

Here you are… my summertime inspired canvas!

First I applied White Texture Paste on my wooden frame. I let it dry overnight and I got a beautiful antique-looking, crackle effect!

In the meantime I started work with my base. I used a piece of paper from Vintage Vanity collection and I used Modeling Paste with Grungy Grid stencil.  It took me just a short moment to dry the texture with my heating gun.

Then I used Newspaper Black Resist Canvas. I cut it into small pieces that I stapled together. I added some pieces of paper and lace.

I decided to decorate with Micro Beads and Glass Beads.

I also couldn't do without a small accent with the wording. I used Messy stamp and stamped it here and there with back Archival Ink.

I used some Mechanicals elements to create my little watch. A small metal brad was just perfect to put everything together. I glued my watch to the canvas using Soft Gloss Gel - a medium that will surely keep it in place.

Finally, I reached for Color Bloom mists but instead of spraying them, I used a paintbrush and very gently applied the colors - a mix of turquoise and mustard with a hint of black pepper (splashes with black Ecoline watercolor). ;)