LWD Design Team Showcase: Prima Flowers

My Lone Wolf Designs Design Team showcase for this month is an 11"x14" altered canvas featuring LOTS of Prima flowers. I have listed the flowers (name and item number) at the end of the post. You can use that information to place an order with Kris at Lone Wolf Designs Discount Retail Sales Group. The next Prima order is going in on July 5th, 2013.

This is my first time creating an altered canvas. Let me tell you, I was very nervous about it at first. Once I got into it, though, I had a great time. I can't wait to make another one! The hardest part was waiting for the background to dry. Well, I take that back...the hardest part was picking a theme after I decided to do a canvas. My FB friend, Marilyn, is on the design team for Basically Bare, and she does a lot of altered art projects. I thought I might find some inspiration if I looked around her space for bit. I spent hours looking through all the altered art and mini album posts on both of the blogs. The inspiration for today's project came from this post at Basically Bare. Now, I know what you're thinking....How did I go from this...

to this...

I was inspired by how she created the background of her canvas. My original plan was to use the inks to create the background then use Studio 490 Wendi Vecchi stencils and embossing paste to further decorate the background. However, once I decided on the theme (beachy), I decided I didn't really like that idea anymore. For my background, I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Salty Ocean, Broken China, and Evergreen Bough. I rubbed the ink pad directly on the canvas and spritzed it with water. I turned it on the side to let the colors run together then dried it with my heat tool.

For the last layer, after I spritzed the inks with water, I rubbed a paper towel over the canvas in a "swirly" motion. I wanted the colors to really blend together. Apparently, I did a good job. My 7 yr old told me so and also told me that it looked "just like a real ocean."

Next, I started on my photo mats. I got 2 different colors of blue/teal Core-dinations cardstock and cut them down to size. I wanted my photos to be 4"x4" so I cut the lighter photo mat (which would be directly behind the photo) 4.25"x4.25" and the darker photo mat is cut at 4.5"x4.5". I used my Tim Holtz Paper Distresser to really distress the edges of all of the photo mats. I inked the edges of all the photo mats with Evergreen Bough.

TIP: When you distress the edges, REALLY distress them. If you only distress a little bit, it looks like you need a new blade in your paper trimmer and that just makes your work look sloppy.

This photo shows how I have arranged my 3 photo mats. Normally, when I adhere photo mats, I make sure that my adhesive goes all the way to the edge so nothing lifts up from the paper. Since this is a beach themed project, I kept the adhesive about 1/4" from the edges and allowed the edges to curl up. It kind of reminds me of waves.

You'll notice on the bottom photo mat that I have penciled in "4x4". This is to remind me what size I will need to print or crop my photos. When I make layouts ahead of time, I always try to mark what size I need to print or crop my photo. This saves me the trouble of having to remember it or having to get the ruler out and measure it again.

Last summer I participated in 2 or 3 stick pin swaps that had beach themes. I was seriously starting to wonder if I would ever find a use for all those stick pins! I was pleased to tell my husband (who accuses me of being a stick pin hoarder!) that I used SIX stick pins on this project. I think that must be some kind of record!

 

This starfish stick pin was actually the color inspiration for this project. I love the pop of orange that it adds to the canvas. The large flower (Odette Aqua) is my favorite flower that I used.  I wanted to use fishing net on this but I couldn't find any small pieces. These flowers have a layer that sort of looks like a net, and of course, the color was just perfect. I also tucked a couple of Petaloo feathers in there to add some interest.

This large flower stem actually had 2 paper birds in it. I cut them off and saved them to use on a future project. The colors were just perfect to use.

Can you see the 3 stick pins that are in this floral arrangement?

All the flowers are Prima, except for the little white roses. They are from the dollar bin at Michael's. I tucked in one last stick pin at the bottom of canvas along with a few more feathers.

Growing up in South Florida, I could visit the beach pretty much when ever I wanted. It was only a short 45 minute drive. Now, I live in the middle of South Carolina and it takes a bit more planning ahead when I want to go to the beach. I have insisted that my husband take me next month. I have the canvas all ready for some special pictures. Now we HAVE to go, right?!?

If you purchase some of these flowers and/or make your own canvas. Please let me know. I would love to see how you used them in your project!

Have you joined us over at Lone Wolf Designs Discount Retail Sales Group? Everything is always 25% off MSRP and you never have to wait for a coupon! If you are purchasing your craft supplies from somewhere else, you are paying too much!

Prima:
Songbird Vine Blue (Item #539023)
Avante Teal (Item #566678)
Labelle Calypso (Item #565909)
Giselle Mermaid (Item #566395)
Joulee Tidepool (Item #567125)
Odette Aqua (Item #566586)

Petaloo:
Feathers Cream (Item #1608-001)