Monday, December 11, 2017

20 Days in December Celebration!

December marks the start of my 20th year in business.  In celebration of this I am starting my Year End / Inventory sale early this year!

For the last 20 days of December, 
the entire site will be on sale! 

Here are the details:

Spend more - SAVE more!

Save 20% off minimum order of 35.00 (before discount, shipping or tax) 

- Use coupon code 20FOR20 -

Save 30% off your order of 50.00 (before discount,shipping or tax)

- Use coupon code 20FOR30

Save 40% off minimum order of 75.00 (before discount, shipping or tax)

- Use coupon code 20FOR40 -

I am also creating 2 coupon codes for 50% off....YES, 50% OFF! There will only be two available, once they get used, they are gone! It will be first come first get!  

Save 50% off minimum order of 100.00 
(before discount, shipping & tax).

Coupon Codes - INV501 or INV502

Great time to stock up and/or pick up some amazing deals, don't forget the sale or clearance sections. There are already some sweet deals there, an additional discount will make it unbelievable!

Free shipping applies as per website - see here.  My cart is very simple, providing you input the discount code (don't forget to hit recalculate) and select your shipping location, everything is calculated for you.  
I have some personal stuff going on for the next little bit so will ship as fast as I can.  There will be NO shipping on Monday December 18 or as of Friday December 22 (noon mst) through to December 27.

* Discount does not apply to special orders or previous holds. *

Sale ends Midnight (MST) December 31, 2017

Link to STORE

Friday, November 24, 2017

Cyber Weekend!



I've been busy moving loads of product over to the Clearance section! Clearance items are listed by company and are  25% to 75% off.  For this weekend only using the coupon code BCW17 you will get an additional 17% off the entire site...yes, even the sale/clearance items!

I have way too much stock and it is time to start thinning it out! Don't forget to watch for items that offer even more of a discount when purchased in multiples!

  • INCLUDES all items on site, YES - even already marked down items 
  • Does NOT included PRE-ORDERS or previous items put on hold
  • Discount will only be applied to minimum purchases (before shipping & tax) of $50.00
  • Free Shipping will only apply if you spend a minimum of $135.00 (after discount but before shipping & tax).
  • You MUST input the discount coupon code "BCW17" (don't forget to hit the recalculate button when you input). 

The shopping cart will do it all for you providing you correctly use your discount code and select the shipping option for your address.

⇨  DON'T FORGET: Discount Coupon Code - BCW17  ⇦

Perfect weekend to grab some goodies at some amazing prices! 

Shop local, shop Canadian - Canadian prices...you can't go wrong!

Sale ends 11:59pm Monday November 27 2017





Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Just add Color!

In today's post I'll share a few of my pages I have been working on while partaking in Kiala Givehand's "Hacking the Color Wheel."

If you have followed me for a while, you would have heard me talk about Kiala before (remember the Inspiration Decks?).  Anyhoo... I decided to take part in this class as we all know I have an affliction for color. If there is something out there to learn about it, I want to learn it!  So far I haven't had the chance to do all the lessons, but I have singled out a few that I really enjoyed.

As this is a paid for class, I can't share too much, but I will share the instructor's website link and my thoughts on the actual lesson that I have done (or still working on).

Here are a some peeks at them...

Emily Mitchell's Color Weaving


Colors used: Golden Heavy Body Ultramarine Blue, Golden Fluid Acrylic Burnt Sienna, Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White; Golden Glazing Liquid Satin Finish.

The basic idea of this piece was to work with color to push and pull your colors on your substrate.  By this, she means the use of color AND mediums.  By pushing in and pulling back your colors, she achieves what she calls 'color weaving'.  Understanding your mediums, helps with this process.  If you go to the manufacturer's sites, they are loaded with information to help you figure it all out.  If there is something you still don't understand, fire them an email - they are always so helpful.

Emily's medium of choice is Liquitex Glazing Liquid.  She blends this with her paints when she wants to get the transparency of colors that will then allow for the reveal of the under painting.  It creates depth and yet luminosity to your piece. 

Tipster: it (glazing liquid) does tend to speed up the drying time, so if you are wanting to extend this, you will have to add another medium - Liquitex Slo-Dri or Golden's Open Medium.

Here's how I got started:



This image shows the difference between paint mixed with glazing liquid (L) and straight up paint (R). It is very obvious the difference and you can see how it will produce depth in your art. 


I didn't take a lot of pictures along the way, I started applying with my brush but quickly wnet to my fingers.  Blending with the Glazing Liquid is awesome!



You can see marks within the image shown; these were done with bubble wrap, dowel and my paint brush or finger.






Here is how it stands now.  There is still so much to do on this one - I have some great ideas on taking to the next level, having said that, I do quite enjoy where it is right now, and may very well leave it there and start this format on a larger substrate (wood or canvas)! 


One important note I did take from this lesson was the comment of  "intentional art verse intuitive art."  This is something we all should think (or not think) of while we are painting....in other words....JUST PAINT!

Mary Nasser's Mixed-Media Stenciling Techniques & Color Schemes


Paints used: Dina Wakley Media Lapis, Sky, Ocean,; Golden Heavy Body Ultramarine Blue, Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White, Decoart Media Tinting Base, White Gesso, Ken Oliver Color Burst, Ranger Alcohol Ink, FW Acrylic Indigo Ink, Dylusions Ink Spray.

This one was a fun one, Mary's style is very similar to mine - where as she is not afraid to try different colors and mediums on the same piece.  She also uses a ton of stencils (she designs for StencilGirl Products).  I didn't take very many photos along the way as I was really on a roll and having a blast!

As you can see from my color listing below the image above, I used a lot of variety.  I simply just started pulling anything that was liquid and was blue!  Having thought back I could have used some more paints (Tim Holtz, Decoart Media, Prima, etc) and also use some more liquids (distress stains/sprays, Lindy's, Prima, Studio Calico), you get it - just start pulling out of your stash!

I simply started creating layers with the stencils, doing my usual flip, flop, turn, move and manipulate the stencils all over the page.  I tried to keep with a 'square' them on the page and used the following stencils from StencilGirl Products - S505, S414, S374, S375.

TIPSTER: When layering your stencils, be sure to not only change the colors (light to dark), but when moving, flipping, flopping them around, there is actually a method to my madness! Always look for white space (not necessarily literal) to add the next layer of color.

As you peruse the images below, you can see how I accomplished this.  You will also not that I tend to add white to my pages along the way to either brighten or tone down an area.  I used Decoart Media Tinting Base a lot on this page.  I really like using it as it tints the color without actually loosing the pigment of the color and depending on how much you use, can make your color opaque.






It was a fun lesson that allowed you to PLAY!  She encouraged you to just try.  That is something I encourage all the time - what is the worst that can happen?  You start another page/canvas/board.  It is JUST PAINT...so JUST PAINT!


Kiala Givehand

This next one was a live session with Kiala where we talked about color and how they made you feel.  I am not really a color feel like of person to that depth (ie meaning behind the colors you choose), I am the person that just grabs a color and paints. There probably is a meaning behind it, but I just want to paint.

She started us off using watercolors on our page... (sorry no pictures).  I was not overly impressed with the base, so I decided to paint over it.  I pulled out my Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White Paint as I find it gets some of the best coverage.  Having said that, the lesson from Emily popped into my head and so I decided to bring in the Glazing Liquid into play here!

The different shades of color you are seeing are actually the mix of the glazing liquid with the white so you are able to see the under painting.  I wiped and added, wiped and added again; pulled out a couple stencils S375 & S505 - wiped an added yet again.  Then I wanted to add some black, so I used Charcoal Vines (dipped in water) to get mark making effect I was after.







These last two photos I decided to edit on my phone to show you how a simple click of a button you can change the perspective and perception of an image.

These are the same photo, I just edited them both with filters.  One was enhanced using  the Instagram filter  Lo-Fi; the next is zoomed. cropped and filtered to black & white on the iPhone Photos editing tool - Noir.




The pop of color and and the depth that one gets from these is very interesting to me. Perspective and perception are interchangeable, especially in art. Using 'words' in art is an interesting concept. 

Ones perspective can change ones perception and perception can change ones perspective.  Just a little thing to think about next time you look at your own work or even someone else's.


Don't forget to keep an eye on my Instagram and Facebook accounts (and I'd love it if you would follow along) as I tend to post there more often (just not as much detail)!

Most products are linked to my online store W2 Scrapbooking & Mixed Media Art Studio and if I don't carry it, I will often link to where you can find it.

....until next time.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Just a Little bit more...

Here are a few images of the final few pages and pieces I did on my creative weekend away:

This one is in my Scribblepedia journal, just a light application of Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions paints in both Rose Quartz & Peony Blush.  I then added some more marks using Art Foamies (Shapes Small). I tend to use Ranger's Archival Jet Black ink pad for my stamping, but not you can also use your paints and/or ink (sprays and such) as well.
Tipster:  I like to use the permanent inks as my stamps are usually just a layer, therefore I can put another medium over top of the ink without having to worry about it bleeding.It also never hurts for you to apply a quick blast with your heat tool to 'set' the ink(s).


I have added a thick coat of Heavy Body White Paint (or might have been gesso, hard to tell with me sometimes).  And while it was still wet, I added some marks!  I used the Dina Wakley Media Tools to create these marks.


I also decided to add a bit of scribbles, but this time in form of one of the most popular Art Foamies stamps - Julie Fei-Fen Balzer's Writer's Block.  I know it is hard to see here, but I only wanted partial images of the stamp, nothing too clear.  So I simply used the stamp after I stamped it on some cast off papers before I applying the final stamp onto the page here.



This next is not done, but  just wanted to 'play' with this color series I have been using a lot lately.  Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Black & White.  I began it all with some simple finger painting in opposite corners of the the book pages and started layering stencils and colors in my usual format. 


Stencils - StencilGirl Products M108, M103, M109, & M106.


Here is how it looks now - thinking some interesting collage papers might be a nice addition - you do you think? Maybe some scribbles? More paint?


The final one for the weekend was a pretty simple one - thought it was time I pulled out some of my Crafter's Workshop stencils for a change - it has been a while, but once I get going on these I quickly remember why I like them so much for journaling!

Why you ask? Don't get me wrong, I love the StencilGirl ones too (obviously)...but for different reasons.  If I want more of a 'visual' texture, I gravitate to the StencilGirl ones, when I want actual 'feel me' texture, Crafter's Workshop are the best!  They are a thicker Mylar (plastic) and I find are able to hold up to the manipulation of products such as gel mediums, heavier gessos as well as modeling pastes - any weight you want to put through them.  You are able to achieve the noticeable clean 3D effect with these stencils easily due to their thickness and flexibility.  

I am back in my upcycled journal again - using Dina Wakley Media Heavy Body Paints in Lemon, Tangerine, Cheddar, Umber and White.  The base paints are all applied using my fingers.  


Crafter's Workshop Stencils used:  TCW593s, TCW447s, TCW547s


Then I did a free hand scribble of the onion skin using my Liquitex Paint Markers in Black & White and then a little extra scribble/sketch using my Sakura Gelly Roll in White.

The lighter ''brown' you see in these last photos are the Umber mixed with White - it really takes on a grey/brown and is starting to be a new fave of mine!  If you do not or have not dabbled in mixing your paints - you really should!  The colors that come through (most often) are fabulous!!


The black sketchy circles you see are done using my Lyra Water Soluble Graphite Sticks.


Thanks for sticking through!  I know it was a tad long!  I have some more to share with you later this week on some pieces I have been working on that I am sure you will enjoy as well!

Don't forget to keep an eye on my Instagram and Facebook accounts (and I'd love it if you would follow along) as I tend to post there more often (just not as much detail)!

Most products are linked to my online store W2 Scrapbooking & Mixed Media Art Studio and if I don't carry it, I will often link to where you can find it.

until next time...

Friday, November 10, 2017

{More} Weekend of Inspiration & Creativity

Thanks for coming back to see what else I did on my weekend away!

I continued to play in my journals over the weekend - flipping back and forth between the Scribblepedia ones and my Sunrise Sunset Upcycled one.

Working in my Upcycled, this is the other half of the last page post in previous post.  This one is all Dina Wakley Media paints (Lemon, Ocean, Turquoise, Blackberry, Magenta & Lime). I applied using the dry brush technique with Dina Wakley Media Brush (1" flat).  When the base was done, I started with the stencils - only three this time (weird, i know)!

StencilGirl Products S339 and S196


Now it was time for some simple black doodles using Lyra Water Soluble Graphite Sticks.  
Tip Time: when I use my graphite sticks (or any color stick for that mater, I dip them into water first.  I really like the intensity of color you get this way.

So thinking that two stencils just doesn't cut it for me, I decided to add a third! Hard to see is the first image, you can see it much better in the second image (it is the yellow)


StencilGirl Products S131

This next one was quick one, I used the same Dina Wakley paint colors, the only difference is I did add some white to a few of the colors to change them up a bit.  I five different stencils here, never using them in their entirety.


StencilGirl Products S330, M071, S291, S296, S300.


This next one is the other half and backside of the previous. 
Don't forget that when I made this journal, my pages are in varying sizes, some fold in and out, others are like inserts in the open pages.  Fun, but can be challenging at times.  But in all seriousness, sometimes that is what I need to get me going!

This is all Dina Wakley Media paints - colors are all the same as previous page(s), but this time I have added black and white to them as well as mixed the colors with themselves at times.  I do this using inexpensive makeup wedges.  

Once again I have used StencilGirl Products stencils, bare with me as I go through them all...

Pretty sure I got them all (I hope), I as usual, used stencils multiple times (turning, flipping, moving them around) with a variety of colors along the way.



The addition of white doodles and marks are created using Liquitex White Paint Pen and Sakura Gelly Roll White Pens





Time to get back to some Dylusions! This time I am using the Winter 2016 color release which was very different from Dyan's usual colors.  This series included Dirty Martini, Tangerine Dream, After Midnight, Calypso Teal, Pomegranate Seed and Cherry Pie. I seperated them into warm and cool colors and then went to town! I tried to stay on a circular pattern, really moving, flipping and turning them just as much and often as I changed the colors!

StencilGirl Products S075

The next few are hard to see, but if you are familiar with the stencil(s), you will see them.  I added the rest of the colors over top, really working them in, again keeping with the make up sponges and using minimal paint on them.  It was getting a bit dark, so I did add a layer of white hoping to soften it up.

StencilGirl Products S293, S354, S243



Here is the insert/fold out between the above shown pages; keeping with the same colors.

Used a good variety of stencils n this one, sadly one that is no longer (Christy Tomlinson SHE ART for Pink Paislee - Vintage Doily Mask Stencil), Crafter's Workshop Radar and StencilGirl Products S275






Time to get back to my Scribblepedia journal.  This time around I was adding additional colors on top of colors using Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks. Again, I dipped them into water before making my marks on the page.  


For this next one, I doodled and made marks using the newest Sakura pens to my shop - Glaze 3D Raised Ink Pens. They come in both White & Clear.  For this application, I did it in clear BEFORE I added the colors so they would act as a resist. Cool isn't it!


Then I simply started added loose vintage papers from my shop to 'mop' up the colors all over my mat! Of course I added more along the way...papers and colors!  


I then took a break from the inks and decided to use some of my growing stash of Art Foamies!  Like I don't have enough stamps...but I didn't have these, nor had I hardly used them!!  So I decided to create some patterns using one stamp on this page.





Think that is enough for today!  Thanks for sticking around!  I will be back with one more final post of the weekends work soon!

Don't forget to keep an eye on my Instagram and Facebook accounts (and I'd love it if you would follow along) as I tend to post there more often (just not as much detail)!

Most products are linked to my online store W2 Scrapbooking & Mixed Media Art Studio and if I don't carry it, I will often link to where you can find it.

until next time...

That Other Neutral Triptych

  That Other Neutral Triptych wrapped canvases 10x10x1.5" (x3) professional grade artist materials I worked on this smaller series at ...