Monday, November 9, 2009

Bad Girls Project 52, Challenge #3 Reveal!

The "Me" Box - I had to keep this project simple because I was on vacation and didn't have a lot of time to complete it. I wanted a piece that had little elements about me inside so it's really like a treasure box. The theme I chose to do about me was my love for Fall, Fall elements and it all just came together with that in mind.

This is me circa 1975 or 1976. I was a Fall baby! To this day Fall is my favorite season, especially in the Northeast. Fast forward many many years and you see my little mini-me Lorelei enjoying the leaves like I did around the same age!

Just taken last week in our front yard! My muse, my life, my Lorelei!

My "Me" Box (book)

My Nana's old amber pendant (I chose elements with meaning)

I carried on the Fall theme with the copper skeleton leaves

I have boxes of found objects so it was hard to choose items to use
which is why I chose Fall-like elements.


My favorite part are the buttons!

I have some comedic elements as well like "I grew up with fake legs in my house", my dad was a prosthetist orthotist and made fake arms and legs! LOL No joke!

My keepsakes which I'm sure I'll add to over the years.

My jeweled box to keep my precious elements.

Something I strive for is to always learn, create & grow.

My process:

I started out by gessoing the paper mache blank inside and out and then rubbed on various colors of distress ink. I picked a photo of me and framed it in fall ribbon. I knew I wanted to do a Fall theme because I LOVE Fall and I was born in the fall. Once I had the theme it just pulled itself together. I cut off the back of a vintage book cover and glued it on the base. I also distressed and gessoed that a bit as well. I then glued on my photo, canvas stickers, leaves, door plate and buttons. Let the glue dry overnight to make sure everything is secure. I then traced the elements with my sketch and wash pencil to bring them out a bit more. Next I glued the smaller paper mache box inside in the center. I stamped a leaf stamp with Brown Staz On Ink. I cut out a place in the top of the box to embed the green leaf pendant and secured that with glue and gold paper on the back of that. I distressed the smaller box as well. Then found my elements that meant a lot to me, created tags and attached them with white string. I chose items that were all about me, part of me and that meant a lot to me. Last but not least I glued on the skeleton leaves around the edge, glued on the pearls, glued on the large ribbon and attached an old amber pendant that was my Nana's to the bottom of the ribbon with copper wire and voila that is my treasure box!

Supplies: Paper Mache Blank (I chose a book shaped box); smaller paper mache box for the inside; found items (door plate, vintage book cover, items for inside); string; paper; vintage buttons; e6000 glue; ribbon; Christmas Tree Ornament (copper leaves that I tore apart); Copper skeleton leaves; copper wire; pencil; old earring or pendant for ribbon ornament; Ranger Distress Ink in purple, green and brown; Gesso; Tacky glue; photo printout; Gold Pearl Ex; Pitt Pens various colors; Generals Sketch & Wash pencil; freshwater pearls; white string; little tags I hand punched; tag punch;
jewelry pendant for inside box; scrapbook paper; canvas stickers; Brown Staz On Ink; Leaf Stamp

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Are you bad--- enough? You'll be asked to reach out of your box once again, as well as look deep inside!!!! One lucky random drawing winner for Challenge #3 will receive a $20 Gift Card to shop like a Bad Girl in the cherished Bad Girls Boutique! (We have decided to rotate prizes.) Sound intriguing? We give you the rules below- just 6 steps!

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

*Challenge 3Paper Mache Blank (any shape or subject, usually craft store item)

  • Theme Self-Portrait (about you, present/past/future, serious or fun, etc…)
  • Required material Found Objects (junk drawer stuff related to theme/story)

SIX RULES TO FOLLOW
TO WIN $20 GIFT CARD TO BAD GIRLS BOUTIQUE:

1. You must leave a comment here on this blog post with one word that describes YOU

2. You must incorporate a paper mache (papier-mâché) form (any shape or subject) in your project that is pre-made or that you make (allow overnight dry time between layers)

3. You must use the theme Self-Portrait (about you, present/past/future, serious or fun, etc…)

4. You must use Found Objects/Junk Drawer Stuff related to theme/story(such as trinkets/baubles/pieces/charms/hardware you find/collect or purchase at scrap/stamp stores, flea markets, etsy, antique, etc.)

5. Upload Your One Photo, yes, ONE Photo, of Your Project to Our Project 52 Gallery by November 21, Midnight Pacific Time (time zone converter) If you have additional photos, link to them in the description from either your blog or from photobucket.com

6. FINAL RULE: You must post a link to your project in the gallery before November 21st Midnight to our Challenge #3 thread in the forum - don't forget to do this!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

New Traditions

Hello Blogland!

Sorry I've been MIA for the last few weeks. It's been a whirlwind! I had a friend visiting for a week at the beginning of the month then a few days after that we were in FL for 10 days!! I haven't really created much lately. I wanted you to know that I hope to get back into the swing of things soon! I did manage to create a little piece while down in Florida. Actually the highlight of my trip was creating art with my beautiful sisters-in-law Jenny & Jessica. We have started a new tradition! We raided the local Michael's and grabbed some paint, canvases and extra goodies and went to town!! I was so shocked and amazed at how fast their art came together. I brought a few of my mixed media tools with me and showed them some techniques and they were off and running with it!! Here are the pieces we created! It was so fun!!

Jenny is going to be doing a triptych this is the middle piece.

Jessica created this all with her fingers! She used a quote from
Sir Francis Bacon,

“It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.”


my little piece

I will be revealing my 3rd challenge piece for Project 52 in a few days!! Get ready for that!! :) Now off to do a bit of raking with my sweet little munchkin!!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

ATTN Bad Girls Fans! Challenge # 2 is posted!!

I'm a little behind on this post due to traveling but here you go! :)

Check out these great pieces from our design team!

Wendela's piece.
Jaz's piece
Katie's piece
Francesca's piece
Pam's piece
Anna's piece

FULL RULES

CHALLENGE #2
Old Text Book Cover (re-purposed, strong, older is better)
* Theme – School (education of any kind/lessons learned, etc…)
* Required material – Office Supply/s (any office supply store items are game)

It is your challenge to alter an old text book cover, use the theme school,/education and you must incorporate office supplie(s). The deadline is November 7, 2009 Midnight Pacific. Discuss in the Project 52 Forum.- Upload to the Bad Girls Project 52 Gallery.

WINNER WILL BE OUR NOVEMBER GUEST DESIGNER!!! ANNOUNCED Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Instructions:

1. Upload to Your Photoserver Like Photobucket Our Project 52 Blinkie, Then Add It to Your Blog Linking Back To This Blog

2. After Your Blinkie Is Up, Leave Us a Comment On This Blog Post With The Link Where We Can Find It

3. Create Challenge #2 & Upload It to the Project 52 Gallery before November 7th Midnight Pacific

4. Come to the Project 52 Forum and Link Us to Your Project in the Gallery

Come say Hi to the Design Team and View Bonus Tutorials in the Forum today!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Embrace your Inner Bad Girl! Follow me on a new adventure with Project 52!

Recently I was selected to a be Bad Girl for Project 52! I'm thrilled because not only will I be stretching my artistic abilities with a fabulous team but also will be encouraging others to embrace their artistic dreams!! This is a year long artistic journey that I have committed to and I hope you do as well! Every 2nd & 4th Monday during each month you will see a new challenge posted to do as well as the design teams (DT) interpretation of that challenge. Well today is the first challenge!

The first challenge is HERO. I had a lot of fun with this challenge! Being that it is the month of October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided to make my "Hero" a breast cancer survivor and superhero! For selling purposes she'll be called "Hope" for this challenge I shall call her the "Pink Avenger" - Saving the Tatas One At A Time! Thought the world could use a little humor! Not to make light of women battling cancer but to spread hope and joy even in the worst of times. I will have included a tutorial in the Project 52 blog on how I created this piece. I hope you like it! It's completely different from my normal art but I had fun creating it!

Here she is, "The Pink Avenger"! Sassy, isn't she?



Here are some helpful tips in getting started in mixed media:

  • Never throw anything out! Even bits of scraps can make or break a piece. Look at everyday objects in a new light. This will make you have lots of stuff lying around but you never know when you'll need or want to use it! I even keep my cup cozies from Starbucks, it makes for great texture in pieces!
  • Gel Medium is your best friend!! I use Golden Gel Mediums in all my art it has so many uses! Invest in a bigger jar you'll need it!

More to come later!!

Our Design Team Members have opened up their Studio Blogs featuring Tips for Beginning Mixed Media. You can have a chance at the Bad Girls scrumptious prize shown on the Project 52 by visiting each blog and ending up at our P52 Gallery and P52 Forums!

Remember: Have fun! Embrace your Inner Bad Girl Artist!!!

Now GO CREATE!!!

Aimée AKA Mazer

Friday, October 9, 2009

And the Winners Are....!!



Hi All!

I just wanted to say thank you for your participation in my birthday giveaway. As promised I picked the winners today with my little helper Lo. She is easily distracted and didn't last through the name picking! I used my wonderful vintage/shabby jar from my friend Lisa at Sparkklejar and picked names the old fashion way! I made a video but it was too jumpy because Lo kept dropping the paper so I only posted the photos. She didn't last long! Oh well, maybe next year. I really enjoyed reading what everyone's favorite gifts were! Thank you for sharing your fun memories. OK on with the part you really want to read! Here are the winners!!!! The names correspond with the order of the prizes as well. I realized I had 15 winners (but I miscounted) so to even things up I added as the last prize a print of choice from my shop.

Winners are:

Sherry Lee - Becky Hilgendorf Art Cards!
Serena - Frog ACEO from Amanda Makepeace
Cre8tiva - Mirror from Tim Sally's
Connie - EK Creations necklace
Melody - Print of your choice & journal from DazeyChic
Artbylmr - Sunflower Brooch by ZudaGay Pease
Ann - Handpainted card wallet or pair of earrings from Amy Smith
Barbara - $10 Gift Cert from Amy Smith Glass
Debbie - Happy Shack Designs Necklace
La Alicia - Persimmons Gal ACEO and Earrings
Rhonda - Julia Jewels Doll
Coralee - 3 Art Dolls Kit
Cream City Chick-A-Dee - 1 month free membership at EBSQ art.com
Rayann - Little Whimsie of choice from me!
Deanna - Print of choice from my shops!

I hope you all enjoy your prizes!!! Please contact me at aimee{at}mazerdesign.com with your email addresses so I can forward them on to the sponsors. Thank you!!!

Congrats to everyone! Sorry not doing links, my kid is acting up big time and this has taken me over an hour to type!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

2nd Annual - It's my birthday but you get the gifts giveaway!!


Hi all!


As some of you know next Friday is my 36th birthday and I'm not dreading it like I was last year! I'm looking forward to it for some strange reason and you all can look forward to some fabulous gifts from some wonderful sponsors! YES that's right GIFTS! I'm giving away things, some are mine to give, others are donated from some wonderful Etsy shops and artist friends. You can start entering by midnight tonight and I will stop the comments on the morning of the 9th. Here's the list of the generous sponsors:

Becky Hilgendorf - 5 Original Art Cards

Amanda Makepeace - Original Frog ACEO

Mindy Murphy Lacefield - Tim's Sally - Acorna Pocket Mirror with bag

Erin Keck - EK Creations - "Love Within Our Reach" mixed media necklace

Shelli Dorfe - DazeyChic - Print of your choice & a journal!

Zuda Gay Pease - Handmade Beads & Pendants - Original Polymer Sunflower Brooch

Amy Kane Smith - Amy Smith Mixed Media -

Handpainted & Stitched Card wallet (OR) a pair of earrings.

Amy Kane Smith Glass - $10 Gift Certificate

Kelly Nelson Warren - Happy Shack Designs - Glass Tile Necklace

Kim Geiser - Persimmons Gal - Original ACEO & A Pair of Earrings

Julia Jewels White - Jewels Dolls - Handmade Christmas Doll

Jodi Marie Foster - 3 Art Dolls Kit
(plastic carry case included, 3 fabric doll forms with materials for embellishing (feathers, beads, face cabs, fibers)

EBSQ - Self Representing Artists - One FREE month of membership!

& Me! - MazerDesign - Original Little Whimsie of your Choice (I have 3 originals left!)


Please be sure to visit these wonderful artist's websites and say hi!

I will announce the 15 winners on my birthday (Oct. 9th)!!

Here's the rules:

1. Add a comment on my blog (this post) to enter (that's not hard right?)

2. Tell me what the best birthday gift you ever received was!

3. If you want bonus points add a link on your blog (tell me about it) about this giveaway and you'll get your name entered 2 more times!

Good luck to all who enter and thanks for playing!! Feel free to pass this along to others as well! OK now go do something nice for someone! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME AND YOU! :)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Coming Soon!!!


Check back Oct. 1 and enter my birthday giveaway!! It will run until October 9th (my birthday) when I will pick the multiple winners!! We have some great sponsors this year who have generously donated some awesome goodies for you. I wish I could enter!!!! Just wanted to give you a sneak peek of what is to come! I hope you come and play!!!

MAZER!