Upcycled Valentine's Day Heart Garland

One of my favorite ways to decorate for Valentine's Day is to hang tons of paper hearts from the ceiling and chandeliers.  It always makes me so happy to see them fluttering and twisting as I walk by.  These were made with upcycled newspaper, magazines, grocery bags and old book pages.  I won't feel terrible if I ruin a few and have to toss them after my V'day celebration.  Grab your Gel Press and go red & pink crazy!  Add a little blue just for kicks 

and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 Ready to hang!

Watch how to make them here!

Stuff a few in an envelope and send them to a friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Artist Trading Card Hands

It's time for my annual ATC SWAP!  This year we're doing something less traditional and creating mixed media hands instead of rectangular cards.  Why not try something different, right?!  I had such a blast making these and I can't wait to see what you come up with.  This is a wonderful way to share your work with other artists from around the world.

RULES for the swap are HERE

Below are some of the hands I made using DecoArt paints and a Gel Press and if you use either of those products to make your hands, let me know and you'll be entered to win a set of Americana Multi-Surface Satin paints and a Gel Press!  Go crazy with color, fabric, beads, paper, paint, glitter and whatever else you have in your crafty arsenal. No rules other than that they can't be more than 1/4" thick or longer than 7".  

I really hope you join our swap!

Gotta hand it to you!

I went wax seal crazy!

 Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

Gel Press and Impressables

Paper images

Card Stock

Stencils

Cosmetic Sponges

Book pages

White Glue

Sewing Machine

 HERE'S HOW

1st layer

1.  Dot rows of yellow and orange on your Gel Press

2.  Using a brayer, spread the paint in rows to create stripes

3.  Press the paper to reveal your perfectly blended stripes

2nd layer

4.  Spread a mint green on the Impressables Retro Leaves Plate

5.  Press the Retro leaves on the striped page

3rd layer

6.  Add blue and gold to the Gel Press

7. & 8.  Place a stencil on top of the Gel Press (I used stars) and transfer the stars to your page

4th layer

9. & 10. Stencil (I used leaves) over your page in hot pink and white

11.  Trace and cut a hand pattern from card stock

12.  Trace it on your newly pressed pages (and your stash of other papers) and cut them out

*I used old Gel Pressed pages, scrapbook paper, paper bags & whatever I can find!

5th layer

13.  Glue your favorite images to the hands

*I like faces, birds, butterflies and loteria cards

14.  Try adding a cityscape cut from book pages

6th layer

15.  Dab more color around the hand

7th layer

16.  Stencil another pattern in another color on top of everything

17.  Glue several hands together to create some thickness

18.  Optional:  Stitch around the hand on a sewing machine

19.  Glue on beads, buttons, keys or whatever you want

20. I added a wax seal with ribbons to finish mine off!

*Now it's time to add your information on the back and send them off!

Everyone can use a hand...Don't you think?