Monday, December 29, 2014

OUTLAWZ GREETINGS CHALLENGE - HAPPY NEW YEAR! - USE SOMETHING NEW!

Hello, Crafty Peeples!
OUTLAWZ MONDAY GREETINGS CHALLENGE
THEME:  HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Outlawz is a NING site, so you will be required to join!  It is a fun group with 7 weekly challenges, plus a cool Progressive Challenge.   We would love to have you!
Since I do not celebrate New Year ( I celebrate Rosh HaShanah),  I decided to approach this challenge from the USE SOMETHING NEW point of view.

My current notebook is full, so my inspiration project is a new mixed media cover.   
Considering the amazing haul of supplies I received for my birthday back in November, added to
 "INDECENT" amount of money I "SAVED by taking advantage of the "December Deals," this should have been an easy challenge. The sheer volume of items proved to be a bit overwhelming.
I settled on a new 6" x 9" Spiral Notebook.
Other new items include 3D paint (used on the rose die cut) new inks and sprays.
MIXED MEDIA NOTEBOOK COVER
THIS IS MORE "Chana's Creative Process" THAN A TUTORIAL
Click on Images to enlarge
 De-construct a Plain Notebook
Schematic Design
Not a patient crafter, when working with plastic covers, do not deconstruct, 
because you cannot use a heat tool and must wait for paints, etc., to air dry.
Instead,  cut a lightweight piece of chipboard to size.
 (do not include punched border in your measurements.)

Design Development
Final design rarely ends the way it starts.  These pictures keep me from straying too far 
from my initial Concept, in this case Chevrons, Birds, and Roses.
Initial Composition

APPLY GESSO/PAINT/TEXTURES/PAPERS
(I use a homemade texture paste.)  Recipe : This is a YouTube video by Luvleescrappin
This is just one layer of Gesso.  I applied three.  Black Gesso would have required fewer coats.

APPLY BASE COLORS/PAPERS
I used four cut out from Graphic 45's Botanical Tea Collection.  I wanted to decoupage the entire front, but I would have lost most of my textured cheverons.  
DD is the place to make these decisions.
Play around wtih your elements before you lay anything down permanently.
Don't worry about colors.  One fun part of Mixed Media is that you can paint over any and every thing with Gesso or Spray with inks and achieve some pretty fabulous results.

Construction/Composition
COMPOSITION
This is where I make all my final decisions.  I take time to try several configurations before finally placing and adhering my elements.   I also add color during this phase.  Follow your creative eye!
You can see how the composition has changed from Schematic Design.
CONSTRUCTION
The Final Frontier
(I'm a trekkie, what can I say!)
This is the best part for me.  It is when the design really begins to take form and that restless feeling tha comes over me, when the design is in my mind and not on paper, begins to abate.  I think this is when creativity is at its highest.  Just go with what you feel, I say!

The Final Placement
I became so involved in the project I forgot to take photos as elements were placed in their final postions.  I alway add a coat or two of Mod Podge to each layer of elements.

THE 3D ROSE
To make the rose, I used Cheery Lynn Designs "Lace Rose and Flourishes" die cut. I separated the rose from the flourishes ( I used the flourishes on the front edge of the cover,) decoupaged the rose with Mod Podge (2-3 coats) and then filled in the petals and leaves with Crystal Color Lacquer.  After the lacquer dries, apply 1-2 coats of Mod Podge.
 
The project needed to be darker, so I inked the edges with Vintage Photo and Black Soot DI. 
 I sprayed the cover with Dylusions Melted Chocolate and blotted immediately with soft cloth. 
(be careful when spraying an almost completed project.)
 Blue acrylic paint was mixed with a small portion of my homemade texture paste and smoothed over the Weathered Clock Die Cut.  Play with your colors.  Avoid allowing your colors to get muddy.

OFF TO PHOTOGRAHY
Always present the best possible image!
Simple adjustments to Contrast and Brightness can make a huge difference in the appearance of your project.  Never post "blurry" or "dark" pictures.  
It is not necessary to "Stage" your projects.  
When done properly, clear, sharp photo are just as impactful. 
No matter how much hard work you put into a project, it will be meaningless if you project is poorly photographed.  As a Design Team Member, I have seen so many "fabulous" projects that were so poorly photographed they could not be considered for prizes.


Hope this hasn't been too much of a picture overload!  Thanks for stopping by!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah

Challenges Entered:



23 comments:

  1. wow fabulous love the colour the texture it is amazing
    hugs Kate xx

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  2. Another beautiful creation - you did a great job!!!

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  3. Oh Chana, I just love your mixed media cover, all the different textures and colours too. It is as if I can look really deep into it and see yet more if I climbed in lol. Thank you for sharing with us at Dragonfly Dreams, hope we see you again soon...
    Love and Hugs ~ Lady Anne xx
    Dragonfly Dreams
    Anne's Paper Dream's Blog

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  4. Hi, Lady Anne,
    Thank you so much for such kind words! Thanks for such fun challenges, too!
    Hugz,
    Chana

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  5. Gorgeous notebook Chana. Wow for the techniques too. Fabulous. There is so much detail. Thanks for joining in with the opus Gluie gals this week!

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  6. Thanks, Deena! I just found your challenge and I hope to be able to play often!
    Hugz,
    Chana

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  7. I love your notebook cover! And your explanation of how you made it and all the steps is fantabulous! Thank you for joining in with our Challenge at Opus Gluei!

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  8. WOW Chana...loved to see how you made the stunning creation!! I shy away from inks and mixed media!! Your project is so inspiring. How did you make the beautiful red rose?
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia
    Cards Crafts Kids Projects

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dr. Sonia! I am a big fan of your work and have been inspired by you on many occasions. To make the rose, I used Cheery Lynn Designs "Lace Rose and Flourishes" die cut. I separated the rose from the flourishes ( I used the flourishes on the front edge of the cover.) I decoupaged the rose with Mod Podge (2-3 coats) and then filled in the petals and leaves with Crystal Color Lacquer.

      Thanks again for taking the time to comment on my project.
      Hugz,
      Chana Malkah

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  9. This is very stunning. You put alot of work into this and it's show's. Thank You so much for sharing with us over at The Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog.

    Michelle (DT)

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  10. Hi Chana! I followed you back to your site after you left such a nice comment on mine. I just love your work, especially this journal cover. We all appreciate you taking the time to document your process. I love to learn from others. Nice that we are fellow Outlawz too! I also found your challenge blog and may start entering there since, as a design team member, I can't win anything over at The Outlaws, but can at your challenge. I NEED more digital images LOL!

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  11. Hi, Jean,
    I was a little chagrined when I realized that you are on the DT at The Outlawz! I have been ill for quite a while and am only now trying to get back to full speed. I will look for your work in upcoming challenges at 613. I try to comment on every entry. We are having our Block Party on January 11th and there will be opportunities to win images and some other nice prizes.

    Thanks for coming over! I'll see you around the ranch!
    Hugz,
    Chana

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  12. What an awesome project! Thanks for sharing it with us at Through the Craft Room Door. Hope to see you again soon and good luck in the prize draw!

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  13. Wow Chana what an amazing project! I love all the details you've added but then you always do!
    Good to see you creating again Sistah!

    Thanks for joining us at Dragonfly Dreams and I hope you will continue to play with us next year!
    I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Very Happy New Year!

    Hugz

    Laurian
    Dragonfly Dreams Owner

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Laurian,
      Thanks, My Sistah, for the wonderful comment! It feels good to be back on my board. I look forward to more fun Dragonfly Dream Challenges in 2015.
      Hugz

      Chana

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  14. A fabulously decorated notebook, I love the textures and elements you've used.
    Thank you for joining in with the Scribble & Scrap challenge and good luck x

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  15. This is absolutely amazing! Love all the layers and texture. Beautiful craftmanship. Thank you for joining us over at the Scribble and Scrap Challenge. Good luck. Happy New Year.
    xx

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  16. Wonderful! The textures, the layers, the colors.....they all sing together in perfect harmony! Wise words of advice here, too! TFS!

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  17. Beautiful creation. Thanks for joining us at Card Mania Challenges. Good luck and hope you'll join us again.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog. I appreciate it! I try to reciprocate and visit your blogs. If I don't get to you right away, please know that I am on my way there to thank you for your visit.
Happy Crafting!
Hugz,
Chana