Using Martha Stewart's Stucco Paint

It's always a lot of fun trying out new artsy or crafty products isn't it? There's always a bit of mystery involved. It might be homemade, bought, or given. No matter the case - a lot of creative fun is sure to be had. A couple places that often have crafty goods for lower cost are stores like Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Many times I have gone in search of something as innocent as socks and end up coming out with 6x6 paper pads, notebooks, stickers, Thickers, and other random goodies. Ha! At least they are a good price, right!? :)

A couple of weeks ago, while on the hunt for new shoes for my daughter, I found some Martha Stewart Stucco Paint at TJ Maxx. I had never used it before and thought it was probably something like modeling paste. Now, you know I adore modeling paste (especially Liquitex) so at $1.99 for the jar - I couldn't resist. It is no where near the size of the Liquitex tub, but I just wanted to give it a try. Plus, it's Martha! How could I go wrong?

I 

When I was ready to play a bit with it, I opened it up and found it to be exactly what I thought -  thick consistency, perfect to be applied with a palette knife or popsicle stick. It is a lot like modeling paste, but definitively not the same "creamy" texture. Liquitex modeling paste looks a lot like butter cream frosting to me. It actually has a really pretty texture that can be pulled up into peeks, much like cupcake frosting. If I didn't know any better I would smear in on top of my dessert :) The Martha Stewart has a must grainier texture to it.

I tried my best in the collage above to show the difference in texture. The Liquitex is on the left in all three pictures. Can you see the creaminess? But, the point is to use it on canvas for texture and not eat it! Sooo, let's see how it works on a tag using a stencil shall we?

 

1) Martha

2) Liquitex (swoon)

3) Both tags side by side

4) Mixing in a little Martha Stewart craft paint (which I adore)

I can see the gritty texture of the MS brand in all of these pictures and after working with it, prefer my good ol' Liquitex. But, the stucco paint would definitely do the job of adding texture to any mixed media project. Some people may even prefer the grittier version. Either way texture is created! I am glad I picked it up. (They totally stick all these random goodies in the purchase line. It literally called my name. Seriously! Along with alphabet stickers and nail polish. Ha!) I will use it all up in a few projects and think it was a good artsy buy.

Have you tried anything new lately? 

Do tell!

Why Not!? Wednesday - Using Modeling Paste

 If you have read my blog before you know I LOVE using modeling paste. I love the way it looks. Don't you? The instant texture not only looks fabulous, but adds tons of visual interest. It is so easy to use too. Plus there are so many things to do with it. Soooo, why not use modeling paste with shapes. What I mean by that is...instead of applying it randomly (which is also fabulous I might add) across your surface...be very specific about where you place it.

For example, use modeling paste within angel wings. I think the dimension it adds to this piece is lovely. On this piece, not only is the modeling paste emphasizing her wings, but also a pretty shimmer paint too. I just dragged my palette knife (or popsicle stick) across the space of the wing in the same direction. If I went out of the lines of the wing, I simply wiped it away with a damp cloth or baby wipe. Easy!

 More angels with textured wings...

 What about flowers? Spring is almost here, and beautiful blooms are everywhere. Why not use modeling paste?? Below is a canvas I painted for my master bedroom in light blues, creams and grays. On the large flower petals, to add that visual interest again, I "painted" with the modeling paste. I used the same technique as the wings. After the paste is completely dry, I used watercolor and acrylic paint on top. I love how the raised parts of the petals collected the color. Oh, and remember that you can add paint color directly into the modeling paste before you use it too!

There are many different shapes try - hair, animals, grass, ocean, mermaid's tail, clouds. Those are just a few that come to my mind. What can you think of? Why not go give it try!! :)

Happy Creating!

A Little Life Book

I really enjoyed Tam's lesson this week for Life Book.

We worked on front facing portraits, adding texture with modeling paste, and honoring our past. I found this quote by Ralph Blum that I really like...

"The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."

9x12 Mixed Media on watercolor paper

I like the way she turned out. But, I wish her expression didn't look quite so sad or worried. Does she look worried? I sometimes tend to be a "worrier." How interesting that it crept right into this painting. :)

It's funny. Each week I watch all the videos, but have yet to 

complete all the lessons. (Totally embracing my slow pace)

With this one...I jumped right in! 

My daughter, a little budding artist, watched Tam with me 

and drew with me.

I LOVE that!

Working with her reminds me to have eyes like a child. She adored her own work and was very proud of it. She kept making comments like, 

"Mommy, look at this nose. It looks real!"

"Mommy, this is soooo good."

"Mommy I think she needs big pink cheeks!"...and plopped them 

down with bold confidence. :)

I think I need to remember that fearless little girl I once was and 

embrace my inner child! :)

You can find me on Instagram @sadieinspired.

Linking up to Paint Party Friday

Small Spaces

It's all about the first day sparkly shoes. :)

 OK. Can I see a raise of hands...who else has been knee deep in Back to School?? Anyone? My goodness...it takes a lot to get back on the "school wagon." :) Whew (wiping brow)... now I can find time to get messy!

I have a little space on my wall...some space between some frames on a picture wall I am putting together at the top of my stairs. The frames are black with hints of turquoise. I was tempted to spray paint all the frames white. I still might. (I am so in love with all things white! If I didn't have 2 young kids, a huge golden retriever, and a ton of things not white - I think I'd live in a Scandinavian house with white washed floors, white or cream slip covered couches, painted shabby chic furniture, things worn, distressed, & chipped - totally yummy & vintage & white!) SIGH.....

Source: madeinpersbo.blogspot.com via Marianne on Pinterest

Anyways, after way too much deliberation, I stuck with black frames. (We'll see how long they last. Anyone else a schizophrenic decorator?) If the frames were staying dark, I needed something that would brighten it up a bit and add an artistic touch.

I already had some fairly small wood boards that had been cut laying around the garage. I grabbed those and started putting some modeling paste on them. I stamped in it, added some flowers, used bottle top lids to add texture, scraped, scooped, drew in it, wrote words....just had fun. I let it dry and then painted them using watered down acrylic and my watercolor crayons. I used greens, whites, yellows, and of course turquoise.  I added some words... faith, love, hope, and joy. Perfect. Now they are ready to hang. :)

Such a super cheap & quick way to add some interest to a standard picture wall.

Have a beautiful end of the week.
I'll let you know if the frames remain black!
Oh, and let me know if you are schizophrenic too. I'd like to know that I am not alone. :)

XO,

Jen

Playing with Modeling Paste

 I was walking through Joann's...looking for something to use my 40% off coupon on. (I can't just let these little coupons go!) Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted all these red tags in the art department. Lucky me! They had all kinds of things on clearance! Yippee! It was like they were trying to clear their shelves. I found some 2 oz. Liquitex paint for $1.97. They are usually $7.99 or something. But, the best part...I scored a bottle of modeling paste for $4.99! It normally goes for $18.99. That was definitely going in the basket. :)

Look at my loot!

I have been wanting to use some modeling paste for the longest time, so I couldn't wait to play in my journal and add some texture to some canvases too. I got some little stencils on my trip as well and they worked brilliantly. I know I have said before that I have a serious addiction to clear stamps, and they landed in my collection of goodies too. I mean, look at those little birdies! I can't pass them up. Anyways, look at that texture...makes my heart go pitter pat. :)

Yummy texture!

These journal pages are a work in progress, but I am loving how they are starting out. I have been thinking a lot about change and not limiting myself, so butterflies seemed like a perfect addition. I am seeing tons of blues, greens, whites, and creams turning up in the things I am working on. Somewhere....somehow, they always seem to work their way into my palette.

Journal 2011 "Fly"

WIP canvas

I am excited to continue working on these and to find more ways to use modeling paste. Do you use it too? I think I may search my house to find interesting things to stick in it! You know you "have it bad" when you get more excited about paste then a pair of shoes. :) Oh well, what's a girl to do!

I hope you have a beautiful, creative weekend. I am hopefully finishing some house projects that I am very jazzed about. It is AMAZING what a little paint can do!

I am linking this up to Paint Party Friday. I am SO looking forward to seeing what everyone else is up to. My goodness there is inspiration and serious talent everywhere I turn.

Hugs,

Jen