Valentine's Day Collage

One of my New PIT friends asked if I would

like to join her in doing a little something new over at 

Bella Creations.

Soon you will be able to join the new group

Collage.

Here is my first sample for our first thread.

I was so excited!  I couldn't wait for the glossy accents to dry on my rose image, and that is why it appears cloudy.  Needless to say I will post another picture once it dries.

If you are interested in some of the steps--continue on.

I started with a Gallery wrapped canvas.  These are nice because they are 2 inches thick so they will stand up on their own or you can hang them without a frame.  The first step was to give the canvas a couple of coats of acrylic paint.  In this project I used Delta Ceramcoat Maple sugar tan.

Next I used a flourish stamp (any airy stamp would work).  I stamped the edges of the piece with Ranger's distress ink in Vintage photo.  I also did just a little around the front of the canvas.  This is rather difficult because you can't get good pressure on the stamp (because there is nothing supporting the canvas).  Let me show you and example of a boo boo....LOL.

No matter how much pressure I applied to the stamp, the impression just didn't want to stick.  So I did what I always do--just fix it.  I stamped the same image on cream cardstock, then inked and distressed it with Ranger's vintage photo.  You can also see here that I inked the edges of the canvas in worn lipstick and again in fired brick (both Ranger Distress inks).  The black stamp was done in Stazon's Jet black.  This is important, because that ink won't smear.  Unfortunately the Rangers ink will when you add any waterbased collage medium over it.  So, you can find other colors of ink in Stazon's that you like and use those.  Normally I would apply a light coat of Clear acrylic spray (but it is too cold here to do that--lol).  If you do light coats, it will dry fast, and be less likely to smear.

I knew I wanted to incorporate a piece of cardboard.  So I drew out a heart and cut it out.  The rose is one of the images that I painted a while back.

I decided to have a little fun with the cardboard.  I tore off some of the top layer.  I am thinking that I will curl the upper left part of the heart to add even more depth.

I cut out a stip of black cardstock that was just wide enough to accommodate this Martha Stewart punch.  I will be cutting it down...no specific size...just however it looks good.  That is pretty much how I do things.

A lot of what has happened here...is stuff I figure you already know...or it is easy enough to explain with out a photo.  

The flower in the upper right was made with plain white card stock. You can use one of your favorite punches, die cuts or svg/gsd files for the flowers.  I used a Silhouette SD file.  I stamped all the pieces (front and back) with the same flourish stamp (jet black ink), then used the same three Ranger inks to color the flowers...front and back.  I stamped a flower stamp (I created this one) onto the heart with Stazon jet black ink.  I inked the whole thing with the same tree colors of ink as mentioned before.  The piece of paper in the upper right is just a left over scrap.  Actually I was practicing using the "love stamp"...apparently...so I just used it.  Any scrap of paper you like will work..and just stamp on your sentiment.

I used stickles in tea dye to form little dots around the edge of the heart.  I also used some left over berries and a leaf from my 

Christmas butterfly layout

The leaf was actually really big, so I just cut out leaf shapes between the veins.  I used hot glue to adhere all my items to my canvas.  You can use what ever type of glue you like...I just like fast and goopy

Before I added the stickles,  I gave this a few mists with Ranger's new Copper Perfect pearls mists.   I used my Crop O Dile by We are Memories to punch a whole in the cardboard and insert a grommet. I took a piece of lacey trim and inked it..and tied it in place.  One of my favorite things ...is vintage buttons.  I put them in most of my layouts.  I simply take a piece of gold (or any color you like) beading wire (mine is Darice 24 gauge).  I thread the wire through the shank and then give it a twist to hold it in place.  You can see that done 

Similar here,

I use the same stick that I used to curl the wire to curl the paper back on the heart.

Here you can see the Mya Roads chipboard key that I used red embossing powder on.  You could use some fine red glitter.  I was just looking for fast and painless.  I applied glossy accents to my flower die cut (these are in my Etsy store...well..they will be).  You can use any flower or Valentine's day die cut you like!  I used pop dots (a good amount) to make sure that when I applied the glossy accents to the flower..it stayed connected to the canvas.  I used a small antique bronze pearl to fill that white space to the right.

I cut out a strip of card board to fit in the space I had left.  I then glued a piece of  ivory card stock (use what ever you want) to it.  Then distressed the edges with my craft knife and inked it.  Using Ranger's Vintage photo and a little Worn lipstick.  The last little touch was the Peace love charm.  I got that from the jewelry (can you say clearance isle) at Michaels.

Here is the finished piece one more time.

Here are some side shots

I will also add some of the distress sparkles to the sides..to give it a little glossy look.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!  

Thanks for viewing this extremely long post!

Hugs!

Hope you are inspired!


Okay Bella Beauties...Post your Photos here...if you need help just let me know!