March A Vintage Journey Challenge - Let's Celebrate Our Art

There's a brand new challenge over at A Vintage Journey today.  We are celebrating 6 years at AVJ this month and Brenda is our hostess.  This is the challenge in her words:

"Yes! let's celebrate our 6th Birthday.

Do you remember the words from the Kool and the Gang song?

There's a party goin' on right here

A celebration to last through the years

So bring your good times, and  your laughter too

We gonna celebrate your party with you.

So show us what you are celebrating in your art and craft work at the moment. Don't forget to link us into your blog post and if it's not really obvious share with us how your project relates to the challenge theme. Just remember to create your project in one of our preferred styles: vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journaling, industrial, timeworn or steampunk."

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I decided to make a mixed media canvas.  I have seen these made on so many blogs on canvas, on journal covers, on wall hangings, and I always wanted to try it.  I've purchased all the supplies over the past few years that I thought I'd need for it but still never sat down to work on one.
I think it's because I'm basically a clean and simple crafter (!) and this is anything but clean and simple!

So, today I'm celebrating that my art journey has gone into areas unknown - and I am happy to share my first effort with you!
First, several views of the finished product.  My canvas is a small 4"x4".

Close ups to show the crackle and all the dimensional bits.

And a few photos of how I created it!

I had a 4"x4" canvas that I had made years ago that I wasn't happy with but kept it to redo some day.  I ripped off the decorations I had on it, leaving the bit of lace along the bottom.  I got out a few things I thought I might use for my collage.
I made the face pieces from some molds and Model Magic from Crayola. The other pieces were in my stash.

I placed various pieces on the canvas and when I was happy with the design, I adhered them to the canvas with 3D Transparent Matte Gel.  I added some Carnelian Gem Stones, Copper Micro Beads and Art Stones and left it all to dry overnight.

 (I found out you need to have patience in making something like this as each layer has to dry, usually overnight!)

Then I brushed Black Gesso over the whole canvas being sure it got into all the little crevices. Another overnight drying session!

I forgot to take a photo of my next step, which was to rub Bronze Age Metallic Wax and Patina Effect Brass Paste over most of the canvas.  That really gave all the pieces a definition on the black canvas.  Then I covered it liberally with Clear Crackle Texture Paste and left it once again - overnight to dry,  hopefully to crackle!

(mind you, I really have no idea what I'm doing - but I'm sort of following steps I've seen other people do!!)  

With every layer I thought  "Gosh, I hope I'm not ruining this now!"

And once again - the final result!

 I also took a photo of it out in my yard in front of the base of our Japanese Maple where it practically blended right into nature!  

(spring has not yet arrived here in New England!)

So we are looking forward to you joining us this month in celebrating our 6th birthday at AVJ and to celebrate where you are in your art journey!

You'll find lots of inspiration from the Creative Guides over at the challenge here. 

I'm also linking my canvas to:

Country View Challenges

The Eyes Have It (my moon has big eyes!)

Accessories:  Sculpey Art Doll Faces Molds, White Model Magic -Crayola, lace, 4"x4" canvas, metal star, metal flower, plastic flower from stash, Typography Letters - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology, 3D Transparent Matte Gel, Texture Paste Clear Crackle, Art Stones, Copper Micro Beads - Finnebair/Prima, Metalique Wax Bronze Age, Patina Effect Paste Brass - Prima, Carnelian Quarry Gem Stones - Emerald Creek, Black Gesso - Dina Wakley/Ranger.