the art of moodling: Susan Pickering-Rothamel

Showing posts with label Susan Pickering-Rothamel. Show all posts

Monday, 2 August 2010

USAQ DT project #4 - playing with Mica flakes

This idea has been hanging around in my head for some time, and the magnificent tin of mica flakes that I received from Susan Pickering-Rothamel and USArtQuest was the catalyst to getting it made.

The Mica Flakes kit contains: "16 Colours of Mica Flake in 3 gram jars. Colours include: Gold Flake Medium & Large, Silver Medium & Large, Mother of Pearl, Essence of Pearl, Copper, Graphite, Antique Bronze, Sparkling Champagne, Amethyst, Cinnabar, Lapis, Turquoise, Gold Dust, and Apricot. Plus, 1 - 1oz Perfect Paper Adhesive - Gloss, 2 Little Dippers, 1 Detail Paint Brush, Complete Directions and a cool reusable tin."

I started with a mica tile and cut it to fit inside my

pocket watch casing. When you have little snippets of

mica tile left, you can crumble it to make additional flakes :)

I put the mica tile through the cuttlebug using the new

cogs folder.

Despite the photograph, this was a black StazOn pad

that I rubbed over the top of the mica tile.

Using some of the images I cut out on the train :) [see

my WOWW post here], I created a collage on the mica

tile, attaching the images with PPAGloss.

I then added some tiny watch parts and graphite mica

flakes around the edge of the mica tile.

I placed the tile inside the pocket watch, turned it over,

and after adding some more collage, and watch bits, filled

it with very thick clear embossing powder.

Then added some larger mica flakes around the outer edge.

Don't forget to head on over to the rest of the DT members' blogs, and the USAQ blog to see what other yumminess has been produced with this Mica Flakes kit :)

USArtQuest products are distributed in the UK by Woodware and can quickly be ordered via your local craft store; or ask Jill at The StampMan, Paddy at Paddy's Stamping Place, Wendy at The Stamp Attic, Glenda at Graphicus or Carol at The Cubby Hole to get hold of some for you :)

Monday, 19 July 2010

USAQ DT project #3 playing with Mica Tiles

The Design Team at USArtQuest post fortnightly with a new kit that Mrs USArtQuest sends us (aka Susan Pickering-Rothamel). I'm not sure where the last two weeks went, but it's time to post a new project, and this time we had Mica tiles to play with.

I have wanted to play with these forever, but never seemed to get round to it so I was very excited when I received them through the post :) I peeled them apart, had a bit of a play with my cuttlebug, embossing and cutting the tiles; I added gold leafing and Stazon ink, but it wasn't really 'happening' for me. All I could think was "I could do this with acetate or a piece of card, what's so special about mica tiles?"

Sometimes it helps to talk to a friend when you get stuck, and Wendy kindly reminded me that they are heat resistant, so it's great to trap embossing powder between the tiles.

Well! I happen to LoVe the translucency of old paper when layered using clear embossing powder.

Can you see how you can see the text from both sides of this page from an old hymn book?

And you can 'distress' the tile with the edge of your fingernail, or by ripping bits off round the edge (but be sure to keep these tiny bits, they add sparkle to any project!)

I've had to drag myself away from the craft table to come and post this, I'll certainly be back playing with my mica tiles, and finishing some projects.

If you're in the UK, your local stamping shop can get mica tiles for you as Woodware is a UK stockist for USArtQuest. Glenda at Graphicus has them in stock here.

Now for the 'how to':

Trim your mica tile to size and shape.

Using your fingernail, split the mica apart (it's made up of compressed layers of rock!). Use two pieces for this project.

Lay your tile over a piece of text and tear to fit.

Attach the paper to the tile with PPA Gloss, or clear embossing powder.

Add more torn paper, and gold leafing flakes to your collage.

Note how opaque the pieces are here as I've used PPA Gloss to attach the papers.

Cover the whole piece with clear embossing powder and lay a matching (shape, not collaged)

piece of mica tile on top. Just look at that shine! And can you see how the text paper

is now translucent?

I'm going to mount up this little house and give it away to someone. I think I'll steal Suzi Blu's idea and include a piece of Mica tile for you to play with too! Leave an 'arty pondering' by midnight GMT Sunday 25th July to be in with a chance. I'll use a random generator to pick a name on Monday 26th July.

Don't forget to head on over to the rest of the DT members' blogs, and the USAQ blog to see what other yumminess has been produced with these mica tiles :) Suzi's got a giveaway too!

EDIT: I've just discovered that The StampMan's new challenge blog has the theme 'Anything Goes' this fortnight, as Vix wants to see what we can all do! So I'm heading over to enter this, and I KNoW Jill can get these mica tiles for you if you want any :)

Monday, 5 July 2010

USAQ DT project kit #2: the wonders of PPA

I just love cutting and sticking, I find it so relaxing. Of course, it's called 'collage' when you're a grown up but still... :) Kit #2 from the wonderful people at USArtQuest contained their European napkin collection, PPA (matte), blank ATCs and some Crystal Effectz. PPA is a wonderful adhesive that is perfect for collage as it is UV resistant and acid-free. Susan Pickering-Rothamel had it formulated that way as a collage artist herself.

I bought myself a blank birdhouse (I love birdhouses!), ripped up one of the napkins, and layered the pieces on the front of the birdhouse using PPA and a damp brush. I love how napkins, like tissue paper, become 'see-through' when you layer them over each other. This means the text overlaps and looks yummy!

The butterflies are taken from a napkin too. I used some paper I'd sprayed with ink and cut out some flowers on my cuttlebug, adhering them to the front of the birdhouse with PPA, added some metal trim to the edge of the roof, and layered tissue paper and paper napkin butterflies to the roof itself.

The PPA means this piece is fine hanging on my conservatory wall. I think it needs a bird or two now though, or maybe a fairy! The Crystal Effectz are like a very fine glitter, but much more iridescent, and would add just the right dazzle to a pair of fairy wings ;) And PPA does so much more than adhere, so watch this space for more projects!

The other USAQ DT members all have projects on their blogs so hop on over for a feast to the eyes :)