Simply Perfect Creative Canvas Layers with Rachel Whetzel

Hello, out there in Creativeland!! It's Rachel Whetzel, here. Once in a while, I feel like a project is so simple, it's probably TOO simple. Then I remember that simple can sometimes be totally AWESOME, and this is that kind of simple. My project today is part of a project I'm working for Gauche Alchemy, and it is the background canvas for a different piece of artwork. Today, I'll show you just how simple it is to use Creative Paperclay® as part of a mixed media canvas. This is the kind of project you can have your kids do. It's also great for beginners who want to amp up their art work, and make something they are pleased with. It's also perfect for projects with limited time. It's Simply Perfect. (see what I did there...?)

WHAT YOU'LL NEED to make your own canvas:

• A sturdy canvas. I have plywood cut at my local hardware store, then I cover it with dictionary paper
• Creative Paperclay®
• Paints. I use Folk Art acrylic craft paints.
• Stain. I used Valspar antiquing stain
• Paint brushes
• Embellishments. I used a butterfly wall cling I bought from the Dollar Tree years ago.
• Texture. For this piece, I used a doily I bought at a yard sale.

Get your canvas surface wet, and layer your clay onto it. In order to get the right shape for my doily, I traced it onto the canvas before I started putting on clay. 

 Next, I pressed my doily into my still moist clay.

 Then I carefully lifted it out of the clay. If you find that clay has stuck to your cloth, rinse well with water while the clay is still wet, and it will come out easily. Allow your clay to dry, and then get to work painting on some layers!

I painted my colors on, and then used stain to add dimension to the doily. Topped off with a butterfly and some dotted swirls, and my canvas is ready to go!! Be sure to check in at  Gauche Alchemy in August, to see the completed piece I am creating using this background! 

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to keep up with me, and see more of what I'm up to, I'd also love it if you'd visit MY BLOG and Subscribe! You can also find me on FACEBOOK!

Dyed Creative Paperclay® with Rachel Whetzel

Hello, Creatives!! Rachel Whetzel here! I played this month, with some of my Alumilite Dye, and used it with my Creative Paperclay®! Then, I gave my dyed piece to my art student, and she created this!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED to make your own Dyed Creative Paperclay®:

• Creative Paperclay®
• Dye. I use Alumilite 

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR MIXED MEDIA CANVAS:

• Paper Doily
• Paints. I use Folk Art acrylic craft paints.
• Paint brushes 
• Scissors
• Butterfly image
• Glitter 
• Tattered Angels pearl sprays
• Punchinella
• Patterned paper
• Glue. I use Crafter's Pick : The Ultimate and Elmer's
• Typewriter or computer connected to a printer
• Krylon's Matte Finishing spray

I wanted to experiment with using my Alumilite Dyes and Creative Paperclay. I also have a new frame I've been wanting to mold, so I started by creating a mold for a frame that Emmie could use on an art piece she and I started last month.

 I put some drops of  purple Alumilite Dye onto the clay and kneaded it into the clay. It was light to begin with, so I kept adding dye and kneading until it was as dark as I wanted it. THAT'S IT!! Using the dye was so simple, I couldn't believe it! The clay still dried and shaped as usual, and the dye didn't stain my fingers! I was really surprised.

Keep in mind, that your clay color when wet is a lot like paint. It's always a little different (usually a little darker) than it will be dry. Once it was mixed, I pressed the clay into my mold, and put it on low heat in the oven to speed up the dry time.

 Emmie wanted some butterflies on her piece, and the one she chose was one that I only had one image of, so I took a picture of the butterfly, and then printed out more in a word document, so that I could print them out in varying sizes for her piece.

 OTHER DETAILS:

• A glued a paper doily to the base canvas, painted over it, with the paint away to reveal the texture of the doily. 
• Crafter's Pick was used to glue a mirror down under the frame, and we sprayed matte sealant over the whole piece to seal it all, but also to frost the mirror. 
• Punchinella used as a stencil with yellow and white paints
• Elmer's glue drizzled down the page and then glitter sprinkled over the top
• More glitter in dots around the page
• Flower embelishments that Emmie brought with her
• The lyrics to You are My Sunshine printed on patterned paper and adhered to the piece