Good Times Mixed Media Layout

Happy Monday! Today I'm excited to share a mixed media layout that I made last week. I was inspired by this scrapbook layout that Jen Chapin made with a Studio Calico kit. I don't make a lot of mixed media scrapbook layouts, but I have been trying to step out of my comfort zone.

The boys and I went to the playground and took so many great photos. Of course I had to make a few layouts documenting our fun day.

I decided to use my Dylusions Paints for this layout. I used three different colors and then added a few dots on the cardstock. Then I spread the paint across the page. Once the paint dried, I added my photo and the transparent title. I used a ruler and added some journaling lines. Then I embellished the layout with some enamel dots and stickers. I felt that the bottom right of the layout was "empty" so I used a stamp set to add an additional title and used a wood veneer ampersand. To complete my layout, I added my journaling.

Below is a close up of my layout.

I plan to make a few more mixed media layouts and can't wait to share them with you.

How was your weekend?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers Review

Hi everyone! So many of you may have heard of Jane Davenport and her amazing new mixed media collection. I love new art supplies and when I heard about this collection, I knew that I had to try a few of the products. Two of the products that I immediately purchased was the abstract 6x9 journal and the DIY face stamp set. I really wanted to get the neutral watercolor petite palette and the brights watercolor petite palette. Unfortunately, my local Michaels does not carry the Jane Davenport line and the two other closest stores have not had the watercolor sets in stock. I kept debating whether or not to purchase the mermaid markers mainly because it's rare if I use aqua brushes and I primarily use watercolor brushes. However, I ended up purchasing them since I couldn't find the watercolor palettes...and I'm glad that I did.

The Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers set comes with 12 pre-filled bright watercolors in aqua brushes. The colors are extremely vibrant and once the watercolors are gone, you can reuse the water brushes. The names of the colors are so adorable. The mermaid markers came with some simple instructions to follow before you use them. I do have some tips and notes that you may want to use if you decide to purchase your own mermaid markers.

• Don't squeeze the brush too hard or else a lot of ink may come out.

• Less is more...the colors are incredibly vibrant.

• The colors may fade if they are exposed to sunlight.

• Make sure to store the markers upright in order to avoid any leakage.
• Make sure to check your markers before as well. Unfortunately one of my markers keeps leaking even though I store all of them upright. I also made sure that everything was screwed all the way and correctly. However, after contacting American Crafts, I was told that they would be sending me a few replacements.

• You may notice that some of the markers are not filled all the way to the top. Apparently the markers are supposed to be filled at least above the U in the word "PUSH" (it's on the watercolor (aqua) brush barrel).  A couple of my markers were not filled above the U and American Crafts will be sending a few replacements. 

• If you live near a Michaels, I definitely recommend that you use a coupon on this product. The markers cost $39.99, but I was able to use a 50% (maybe a 60% off) coupon.

Below are some projects that I made using the Mermaid Markers.

To make this painting, I put some different colors on some plastic wrapping. Then I sprayed the colors with a spray bottle and then put the plastic wrapping on the paper. I pressed down and then carefully lifted the wrapping off the paper. I let the watercolor/ink dry and really loved how it turned out.

I used the same technique for this painting as well, but I added the DIY stamp set and then used my Sharpie fine point pen to draw the hair.

For this painting, I put the watercolor in a palette and then used a watercolor brush to add the color onto my page.

Overall, I definitely recommend the Mermaid Markers and am so glad that I decided to purchase them. Here's to hoping that there will be refills for the markers.

Have you tried the new Mermaid Markers? Do you plan to purchase anything in the collection?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Dylusions Paints Review

Hey! Hey! Today I have something very exciting to share with you all! If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have seen some pictures of the Dylusions Paints that I received for Mother's Day. I got some of the paints as an early Mother's Day gift and the rest I got on Mother's Day. You can check out some of my pictures of the paints here.

After watching some videos on Youtube of the paints and checking out some pictures of the paints and projects on Instagram, I decided that I had to get them. I thought that there were only 12 in the collection, but apparently there are 18. Unfortunately, my local Michaels only has the original 12 so I will have to order the other 6 online or try to find them in another shop.

Anyways, these paints are awesome! They are so bright and extremely fluid. Seriously, you have to be very careful when you open them because they may spill. There was no strong odor and the colors dry really fast. I did hear that you should put the lid back on the container so that the paint won't dry out, but I do it mainly because I do not want the paint to spill. Yes, I can be a bit clumsy. You may also tell that I used the paint that was on the lid. I have been using the paint that is in the lid first rather than just going into the actual container. Oh and a little paint goes a long way. I was amazed at how little paint I used and was very impressed that I did not need a lot of paint to cover large areas. Applying the paint is very easy and you can use these paints in various ways. I have been using baby wipes to blend the colors and have been using other things that I normally would never use. For instance, I used a business card to make lines on some projects (like on the art below) and even the cardboard roll (from a paper towel roll) to make circles.

The photo above is an art journal page that I made in my Dylusions Creative Journal using Cut Grass, London Blue, Vibrant Turquoise, and Black Marble. I used some baby wipes to blend the colors. After the paint dried, I used a business card to make some lines using the black paint. I did use Liquitex Gesso to prime my page. One thing that I do recommend is that you use gesso, but it is a personal preference.

What do you think of Dylusions Paints? Have you tried them? If so, what did you make?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

P.S. I would like to note that I was not compensated or asked to write this review. I wrote it because I really love this product. All opinions are my own.