Monday, July 31, 2017

Art Tools Restoration Project

Hello everyone,
Rashmi Tater here,

The most used of our tools are our brushes and we happen to replace them every now and then! None of us really wish to part with those creative tools which act like our magic fingers...Agree?

Most of you must have agreed. So, today I am  here at the ItsyBitsy blog as a GDT and I am  going to create a salvage project focusing on RESTORING  the much loved brushes.

The newly launched, paper crafting medley (Olivia ) and the Alcohol splashes have been my buddies for the project.
So without a further ado! lets checkout what I created...



Olivia and the gorgeous colours 




The Glorious Splash 


The Mosaic 



Love my Brushes!
Totally treasure these 


The completed projects

Tutorial:

I have a pictorial for you guys to enjoy and try and create something with all the left over or to salvage pieces in your stash!  "Go get creative"!!


Take a base : I have taken a flat frame 



 Using silicon glue, glue down the mosaic pieces (I have taken broken lamp glass pieces.) Then stick the brushes and any empty tube and allow to completely dry.



Gesso the entire layout (2 coats)



Now start layering the Olivia elements. I also sprinkled some sand to add texture. 


A zoomed click 



I added pearl lace to all the sides of the frame and few individual pearls too.


Gesso it all again and allow to dry !
Now play around  with your alcohol splash and enjoy!!





Supplies used:


Golden Citron









 Paper Crafting Medley - Olivia 24pcs


Embossing Heat Gun








Friday, July 28, 2017

Mixed Media with Texture Triangles

Hello Friends!
This is Tanvi with another brilliant product from Itsy Bitsy - the TEXTURE TRIANGLES

Texture triangle is an awesome tool to use for adding various texture effects to your mixed media projects. Creating horizontal, vertical, chequered, zigzag, fan, criss cross or other patterns of your choice is so easy with these texture triangles.

This is a three-sided tool & available in two variants. 
One triangle helps create fine lines & the other is useful for stripes & bands, each side of the triangle has different sized teeth, allowing you more variations when combing. These are surely a must have tool for mixed media artists. 



The possibilities of creating patterns with these are endless. For my experiments I mixed acrylic paint with impasto & played around with these triangles. Look at the array of pattern I created - 










I love textures & patterns and these tools are perfect for adding quick dimensions & interest to projects. I am no mixed media expert but after playing around with these tools I wanted to give it a try, sharing my attempt at this - 

This is a 4"x4" Mont Marte canvas panel. Using the texture triangle over modelling paste I created the desired base for the mixed media. I used an old brush as a flower vase, chipboard shapes, some flowers & twine to make a layout. After which the entire layout was gessoed. For the bright colors I chose Gold Alcohol Splash -  Wild Rose, Hot Pink & Marigold


To highlight the textures I lightly brushed gold at places & that popped the layout.


Just look at the awesome canvas loaded with textures!







Thank you so much for visiting & looking at my creation. I love to hear from you & truly appreciate your feedback. Have a crafty day!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Crafter in The Spotlight 60

Hello arty-crafty folks,

Thursday is here again and it’s time for me to introduce you to yet another talented crafter. This week the limelight is on Charu Jain, who is originally from Sewagram, Maharashtra, but now, is settled in Bangalore.

Charu is a self-taught traditional artist and holds a degree in Microbiology and a diploma in Interior Designing. She has always been interested in art and craft and thinks it runs in her genes.

How did Charu get into crafting, what inspires her, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers? Read answers to all these questions, discover more about her interesting journey and catch a glimpse of a step by step project by Charu in this interview. Don't forget to leave your comments for her.





Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?
Charu Jain: Hello friends! I am Charu Jain, an explorer and a creator from an early age! I was born in a big family in Sewagram, the land of Gandhi’s ashram where he taught precious lessons of peace and non-violence. I am now based in Bangalore with my family.
I have done my graduation in Microbiology and also have diploma in Interior Designing. I am a self-taught traditional artist and I am very passionate about art. I have always been encouraged and supported by my mom and family to be more creative. I regularly create a colour-inspired, whimsical world of my own for daily practice and also for commissioned work. My work has found home in many places in the world including Canada and America.
RC: How did you get into crafting?
CJ: Frankly speaking I am into crafting since my childhood.
I remember how I used to create handmade greeting cards, gifts, dolls, wall decor with help of my mom and aunt in my childhood! I was always encouraged to do craft by my mom and family, I think it's in my genes :)
RC:  What is your favourite type of craft?
CJ:  My favourite types of craft are Mixed media, art journaling, making greeting cards and making bookmarks /tags.
RC:  What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?
CJ: I just love all the products at Itsy Bitsy… it is difficult to choose just one! But I really love those yummy chalk colours, chipboards, alcohol splash and all the cute embellishments.
RC:  If you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?
CJ: If I had magical powers I would like to make all the crafting things and tutorials available at affordable price to all who want to learn, so that everyone can know the joy of crafting and how therapeutic it is!! Also I’ll change all the nuclear and destructible stuff into bombs of colourful graffiti!!
RC:  Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?
CJ: I just love the handmade flowers, stickers, stencils and chalk colours from Itsy Bitsy!
RC:   How would you describe your style of crafting?
CJ: I love to experiment every time I craft! As I am a watercolourist, I love to mix different techniques together.
RC:  How do you organize your time for crafting?
CJ:  I craft when my kids are not around, so generally on weekdays but if given a chance I would love to craft on almost any day but I have to balance my family and passion.
RC:  Tips for people who want to craft.
CJ: Keep experimenting, keep creating, enjoy the process,
watch YouTube tutorials, read blogs, don’t wait for the right time…. Just take out time for yourself and work hard on your dreams.
RC: Your all -time favourite quote?
CJ: Creativity is contagious. Keep Inspiring and sharing the joy of creativity! Pass it on!! - Albert Einstein

Here is a gorgeous project by Charu along with step by step procedure:




Products used: 
Mini canvas, Mini easel, 
Chalk paints : Charcoal, Snow and Frozen Ice 
Blue acrylic color

Step 1:  I have applied Charcoal or the black chalk paint on my mini 

canvas and let it dry. 


Step 2:When it dried completely I have applied Snow or the white chalk 

paint followed by Frozen Ice chalk paint.



Step 3: I also applied a circle of violet acrylic color around the chalk colors.


Step 4 :When it is still wet try to smudge the colors, but make sure you 

don't mix the colors into each other.



Step 5: I added a little darker tone of the colors into the moon to give it 

some dimensional effect, otherwise it looks too flat.

Step 6: For the final step, I drew some silhouettes on the moon when it 

was completely dry. It can be anything of your choice; an owl or a howling fox, love birds, cat.



TADA! Now the cute little painting with chalk paints is ready! Its an easy project and you can use it to decorate any corner of your house.
Hope you like my creativity!
Here are a couple of  Charu's other awesome creations:




Many congrats Charu for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – 
ITSY BITSY!!



You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!