Creative Artiste #129 August 2026

 ....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I love using deep photo frames to make shadow boxes for home decor projects. I've used this one to make an underwater scene.

The frame is 8"x 8" (20 x 20cms) and came already in deep blue. 

 I used Paper Clay and some sea themed moulds from Katy Sue Designs to create my elements. I also used a wonderful MDF mermaid and bubbles from Samantha K Gifts.

1. I ripped up a cardboard box to create a background to fit inside the frame and placed the elements inside to decide on the arrangement.

2. I glued the cardboard together using Prima 3D Matt Gel and gave everything a coat of white gesso.

3. I used DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Vermillion and Hansa Yellow Medium with water to colour the elements. I used gold acrylic to paint the mermaid and bubbles.

4. I glued the cardboard to the base and dabbed on Burnt Umber and Purple Passion Acrylics. I used water to move the paints around and blend them.

5. I added some Bright Purple acrylic to the cardboard structure.

6. I then added Teal Fluid acrylic to the base and cardboard, using water to blend it. 

7. I replaced the base inside the frame and glued some Prima Art Stones mixed with 3D Matt Gel along the bottom.

8. I dabbed the Art Stones with Burnt Umber acrylic and dried everything well.

I placed the golden mermaid in the centre and glued her in place with 3D Matt Gel.

I dotted the seahorses, shells and fish around the scene and used 3D Matt Gel to glue them in place. 

I finished the frame with some old netting across two  corners.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

August challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/07/miucb-84-anything-goes-optional-shape.html

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2026/07/ltccb-93-and-ltccb-92-winner-and-top.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/07/classic-design-challenge-07-2026-julaug.html

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html

Creative Artiste #114 April 2025

  ....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all fabulous and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I had some seashells, resin pieces and beads left over from another project and decided to display them all together in an underwater scene.

I've called this "The Shipwreck II".

I have worked on a bigger canvas than I usually use this month. The canvas measures 16" x 20" (40 x 50 cms). I started by priming the canvas with a coat of white gesso.

I randomly stamped Aall & Create stamp #310 Bubble Block over the canvas using Versafine Clair ink. Once dry, I spread 3D Matt Gel through Aall & Create stencil #87 Totally Dotty with a palette knife.

I arranged the shells and resin pieces on the canvas and fixed them in place with Prima's 3D Matt Gel. I added a few extra leftover pieces like the gold leaves, glass cabochons and starfish.

Next I used lots of water with DecoArt Fluid Acrylics in Prussian Blue, Cobalt Turquoise, Cobalt Teal and Quinacridone Gold. I started with the darkest colour and dried the canvas in between each one to set them in place so they didn't run into each other.

I finished the canvas by adding lots of flat backed pearls with 3D Matt Gel and a few silver charms.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

April challenge. 

I have entered this canvas in the following challenges:

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/03/miucb-76-anything-goes-optional-layers.html

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/ltccb-85-anything-goes-ltccb-84-winner.html

Creative Artiste #109 October 2024

  ....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

Whilst having a clear out recently I came across this wooden unicorn head. One side of it had been decorated with inks by the little princess. I decided to commandeer the unicorn so I could paint and embellish the other side.

1. I started by painting the head with white gesso and sticking down some resin cogs and domes with Prima's Heavy Body Gel. The cogs are mostly from Prima's Machine Parts mould.

2. I gave the cogs a coat of white gesso and then added watered down DecoArt Prussian Blue Hue fluid acrylic to the wood with a brush. I sprayed more water to spread and lighten the colour in some areas. I added the paint to the sides of the head. Then I dried the paint to fix it.

3. I next added watered down DecoArt Cobalt Turquoise Hue fluid acrylic. I sprayed with more water and allowed it to run down the sides. I used the brush to help to blend it in and dried it to fix the colour.

4. I dry brushed the cogs with white acrylic paint to lighten them and make them look more uniform. I painted the unicorn's eye with black acrylic paint.

I dabbed a sticky glue onto random areas of the cogs and sprinkled them with IndigoBlu Royal Peacock gilding flakes and brushed off the excess. I also did the unicorn's horn.

I gave the flakes a good buffing to make it all shine.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

October challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

Creative Artiste #105 June 2024

  ....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all fabulous and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I've had a play with an alternative way to paint a background for a card without using a brush - or my fingers. I have created an 8"x 6" (20 x 15cm) card.

I've used a thick mixed media paper to create the front panel for this card. Using the edge of an old plastic credit card I swiped my watered down  paints lightly across the card panel. I sprayed it with more water to blend and fade. The colours are DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Quinacridone Violet and Cobalt Turquoise Hue.

I used part of stamp #143 Time Flies from Aall & Create on the main panel.

I stamped the butterfly twice so I could cut one out and add a second layer. I painted the butterflies with a brush in the same paints so the colours are more vibrant.

I created the sentiment piece and the outer border for the main panel's matting layer by applying the same colours with brushes for a darker look than the panel.

To create some definition of the layers I heat embossed the edges of the main panel, the base panel, the sentiment and the top butterfly using Versamark and a Docrafts black embossing powder.

I wrapped some black ribbon around the main panel before fixing it to the base card and mounting the sentiment.

I added spatters of White Posca Pen to the main panel and the base card before assembling it with a thin layer of Soft Matt Gel.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

June challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2024/06/morgans-artworld-challenge-77.html Runner Up Winner

https://paperfundaychallenges.blogspot.com/2024/06/june-2024-challenge-66-anything-goes.html

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html

https://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.com/2024/06/challenge-115-no-design-paper.html

Creative Artiste #102 March 2024

  This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Cards Galore Encore challenge post.

March is going to be a busy month for us with family visits, a much anticipated school trip and Easter holidays.

But before all that....

....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I was sent some gorgeous embellishments a while ago by my lovely friend Pam.  I've been waiting for the creative urge to do them justice and it finally came to me. 

I have made a 10" x 12" (25 x 31cm) canvas board that I've called Diamonds and Pearls in honour of the sparkly embellishments.  

I started by priming the canvas with white gesso.  I then lightly stamped some text in random areas.

Next,  I used Prima Soft Matt Gel to fix strips of cotton and lace to the canvas.  I twisted the fabrics to give interest,  dimension and create little pockets to tuck some of the elements into.

Once the fabrics were dry and stiff I added little blue fabric cornflowers,  some white paper roses,  pearl strands,  flower buds,  Prima Artstones and the all important diamond and pearl embellishments.

The main focal piece is a 7" (18cm) resin moth I made using the Prima Mecha Moth mould.  I painted it with DecoArt Fluid Acrylics blended with water and added it to the canvas with Prima Heavy Body Gel.

I used Distress Oxide Faded Jeans and Chipped Sapphire with water to add the blue colouring to the fabrics,  paper roses,  Prima Artstones and canvas. 

I finished by rubbing the moth and Artstones with Pebeo Silver Gilding Wax.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

March challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/ltccb-79-anything-goes-ltccb-78-winner.html Top Pick

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2024/03/miucb-70-anything-goes-optional-fancy.html x

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2024/02/classic-design-challenge-02-2024-febmar.html x

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html x

Creative Artiste #97 September 2023

Already September and the little princess will be back at school next week. To say we've had a disastrous summer is an understatement. Following a phone call to say my wonderful brother had had a suspected stroke at the end of June, I headed 300 miles away from home to be with him. It ended with him passing away from a cancerous brain tumor last week. All so shockingly sudden! I've hardly seen the little princess this summer, but I did make it back home to celebrate her birthday at the weekend. It was a much needed relief to do something happy after our family tragedy.

And now, to keep moving forward .... 

 ....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

Due to the very upsetting couple of months I've had,  I haven't really had time to craft, but, I did manage to finish off a project I started at a Tando Creative Ministry of Mixology craft retreat in April 2017. This was started in a class with Kate Crane. The class involved a Divided Box, some tags and embellishments. The products are still available on the Tando Creative website.

The large square tag measures just under 6" (15cms) and is made from thick greyboard. It was supplied with the Tags Kit. I started with a thick coat of white gesso. 

*All the bits and pieces received a coat of white gesso to start with.*

I then used a Brayer to add the colours, starting with the lighter ones and finishing with black gesso around the edges. I used DecoArt fluid acrylics Cobalt Teal, Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide and Green Gold. I sometimes diluted the colours with white gesso to get lighter shades. Finally, I stamped some text randomly over the tag and splattered with a white Posca pen.

The whimsical houses were from the Embellishment kit. I started this one with DecoArt Vermilion Fluid Acrylic. I then used DecoArt Weathered Wood Crackle medium before adding a top layer of Cobalt Teal. I used my fingers to paint the smaller bits with Green Gold and ran a black Copic pen around the edges before sticking them on the tag with PVA glue.

I used the crackle step on the roof for the second house and finger painted the window and door with Cobalt Teal Hue and white gesso. The tree was hand cut from extra greyboard. I used Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide and Green Gold, then finger added some dabs of Quinacridone Gold. I edged all the pieces with a black Posca pen before adding them to the tag.

The cloud was hand cut from leftover thick greyboard. I painted it with Cobalt Teal Hue and finger added white gesso. Again I edged it with black before sticking in place.

Last was the arrow. It was part of one of the Tando Kits from that day and left all by itself in the box. I painted it with Cobalt Turquoise Hue and added dabs of Quinacridone Gold before adding the black edges and sticking it down. I randomly added some dots to the tag with a black Posca Pen to finish.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.

And meet a new team member!
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

September challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

Creative Artiste #88 November 2022

Well the weathermen weren't wrong about the rain this week but they forgot to mention the 30 mile hour (50 kilometre) winds! We were very brave and had a fun outing to a local marina where we really struggled to walk straight. We rewarded ourselves with some crafty goodies, so, in the end, it was a good trip out.

But before we play with our new toys....

  ....Welcome to a new challenge at

 Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

This month I have an upcycled biscuit tin to show. I've gone back to my comfort zone of circles, gears, blue and brown.

I white gessoed the top of the tin and then dabbed it with a coat of white acrylic. Once dry, I added a layer of DecoArt One Step Crackle. To colour the lid I used DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Prussian Blue, Cobalt Turquoise and Cobalt Teal in an ombre effect across the tin. I used those same colours for the wooden words.

I made the resin gear elements. Some are using a clear resin which gives a lovely translucent effect when painted. They were all painted with Dark Chocolate DecoArt acrylic and Fluid Acrylic Quinacridone Gold and arranged on the tin with Prima Heavy Body Gel.

I used texture paste through a cogs and gears stencil around the base of the tin. Once dry I painted the tin with Fluid Acrylics Quin Gold and Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide and also a few touches of Dark Chocolate acrylic. 

 

I finished the base with a coat of Mod Podge Gloss Finish. I tried to create a leather look as I want the tin to have an overall masculine finish so I can gift it to my brother for Christmas.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

November challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2022/11/ltccb-71-anything-goes-ltccb-70-winner.html x

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2022/11/miucb-62-anything-goes-optional-open.html x

https://mixedmedialovers.blogspot.com/2022/11/letters-challenge-19-van-mixed-media.html winner

https://artydivaschallenge.blogspot.com/2022/10/october-challenge-and-september-winners.html x

Creative Artiste #87 October 2022

  ....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I have upcycled an old chocolate box this month.

I started with a couple of coats of thick white gesso all over the top box piece as it was originally a dark green. I then used texture paste through a text stencil randomly over the top and sides of the top piece.

I painted the base sides with DecoArt Quinacridone Violet fluid acrylic and set it aside.

I used a frame, some flowers, a couple of butterflies and various sized beads that I'd made from resin to decorate the box lid. I stuck everything in place with more texture paste.

When it was all dry I used DecoArt fluid acrylics Primary Magenta and  Quinacridone Violet with lots of water to add colour to the elements and box lid.

Once everything was dry I then had some fun by sprinkling and heat embossing Aged Gold and Chunky Gold Frantage all over the top and sides.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

October challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2022/09/miucb-61-anything-goes-optional.html x

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/ltccb-70-anything-goes-ltccb-69-winner.html Top Pick

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html x

https://mixedmedialovers.blogspot.com/2022/10/challenge-18-mixed-media-lovers.html x

https://artydivaschallenge.blogspot.com/2022/09/september-challenge-and-august-winners.html x

Creative Artiste #83 June 2022

 Happy Friday everyone! The Platinum Jubilee celebrations have begun in Britain and we were treated to a wonderful televised parade and a stunning RAF flypast from London on Thursday morning. I do love all the pomp and ceremony of Royal events but I'm glad not to be in those massive crowds. We still have a few more local celebrations over the next few days and have our fingers (and toes) crossed that the rain holds off.

But, before those events....

....Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always

"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I made a project last month whilst doing an online class with Finnabair through Art Workshops. When I was tidying up my supplies I ended up creating this project following the same techniques I used in the class. I've called this canvas 'Mechanical Moon'.

I started by gessoing the 10"x 12" (26 x 31cm) hexagonal canvas.

I used white texture paste through a stencil featuring different sized cogs. 

I built up my composition using some resin cogs, stars and a moon that I'd made from Prima moulds. Once they were stuck down I added some Prima Art Stones and gave it all a coat of white gesso.

I used DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Prussian Blue, Cobalt Teal Hue and Quinacridone Gold with lots of water spray to colour the canvas, cogs and stars. The moon was coloured with Cobalt Blue Gansai Tambi pigment paint.

I finished by stencilling some hexagons with texture paste around the six sides.

And then I finally tidied up.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

June challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://mixedmedialovers.blogspot.com/2022/06/challenge-14-mixed-media-lovers.html x

http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.com/2022/06/june-2022-seeing-stars.html x

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2022/06/classic-design-challenge-june-6.html 1st place

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2022/05/miucb-59-anything-goes-optional-3-d.html x

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/ltccb-68-anything-goes-ltccb-67-winner.html Winner & Top Pick

Creative Artiste #82 May 2022

 Happy Friday everyone!

Welcome to a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a monthly challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge last month. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always

"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
We have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for all our winners.

I recently took an online class with Finnabair through Art Workshops and this is what I made.

The class was all about exploring our "Signature Style". I discovered that I like circles, turquoise/blues and cogs/gears.

I first white gessoed a 12" (30 cm) canvas and then randomly stencilled circles using AALL & Create #87 Totally Dotty stencil with soft matt gel.

I worked on my composition using empty ribbon and tape reels. I made some cogs and flat back beads with resin. I fixed everything in place with heavy body gel and gave it all a coat of white gesso.

Once everything was dry I used watered DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Prussian Blue, Cobalt Teal Hue and Quinacridone Gold  to colour the cogs and canvas. I also added touches of Pebeo gold wax to the beads and some cogs.

I coloured Prima Art Stones with Cobalt Teal fluid acrylic and used Soft Matt Gel to add them to random areas. I chose a Tim Holtz Paper Doll and placed her on a pair of resin wings I'd made and painted in pale blue acrylic. Lastly, I added the words around the top half of the canvas with a dark blue Posca pen.

I've called this piece "My Sanctuary" as it represents my happy place.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our 

May challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/ltccb-68-anything-goes-ltccb-67-winner.html x

https://mixedmedialovers.blogspot.com/2022/05/challenge-13-mixed-media-lovers.html x

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2022/05/miucb-59-anything-goes-optional-3-d.html x

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2022/05/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html