Mixed Media Two Ways | Ashley Horton
Hi Pinkfresh friends! It's Ashley, and it's my turn on the Blog today. I thought it would be fun to create two layouts, using Mixed Media. On one of the layouts, I used the Office Hours collection, and created my own Mixed Media using the gorgeous Liquid Watercolors. My second layout, uses one of the papers from the Just a Little Lovely collection, that comes with a pre-printed Mixed Media look. So you can have fun with Mixed Media too, whether you're an expert at it or if you like the look of it but are intimidated to use it on your projects.
I started my Office Hours layout with a white cardstock background. I knew I wanted to add some color to it, because I was planning to cut one of the Cut Files that will be available soon in the Pinkfresh Studio store, from white cardstock also. Even though I planned to back the cut file with papers from the Office Hours 6x6 paper pad, I knew the Mixed Media would give some much needed separation from the white on white.
Once I had all of the cut file backed, I placed it on my background paper and used a pencil to make some marks for where I wanted it on my page. Then I started my Mixed Media using the Sunshine Liquid Watercolor with plastic packaging. I also used some water on a brush to paint in some of the color to lighten it up. Next, I brought in some of the Bubble Gum Liquid Watercolor, by splattering on the background with my paintbrush. This was really quick and easy, and I love the look that the Liquid Watercolors add to my page.
When it was time to place my photo, I decided to create two clusters. I put the photo on the top left of the page. I tucked it a little behind the cut file and then layered a mix of embellishments from the Office Hours collection around it. To balance out the design, I created an embellishment cluster on the bottom right of the page. I used the For the Record Clipboard piece and the All in a Day's Work piece from the Ephemera pack to mimic the size of my photo. Then I worked in a few other embellishments.
My second layout came together quickly. If you like the look of Mixed Media, but haven't given it a try, there are some gorgeous papers in the Just a Little Lovely collection that already have a Mixed Media look.
I used the Chitchat paper for my background. All of the Mixed Media you see on this layout, is already done for you. I thought it would be fun to use the banners on the right hand side with a tone on tone look. I went through the collection and pulled out words, stickers and puffy phrases that would match the colors of the banner strips and placed them accordingly.
I placed my photo just to the left of the banners and in the center of the page. And I decided to use some of the Gold Foiled Acetate Ephemera pieces to create a floral look around my photo. I arranged them in a half circle to frame in my photo.
I felt like the floral circle needed some texture, so I placed a couple of the wood buttons and several of the enamel dots, throughout. They were just the right embellishment to get the look I was going for, to finish up my layout!
Both the Office Hours and Just a Little Lovely collections are so fun to work with! I hope you've been inspired today with some ideas for using Mixed Media with your collections! See you next time!