MMM: Past Loves

"Fresh"

Altered gum packet

Exterior cover

Moo card tucked inside

This week's Mixed Media Monday prompt, Past Loves, challenges us to revisit a technique, medium or color combination that we used to love working with. Well, I miss working with paper! I used to use it all the time: decorative paper, card stock, and even wallpaper were staples in my art wardrobe. Although I still use various papers in my work these days, I will inevitably alter it in some way. What used to be the basis of a piece is now often tucked away somewhere, layered in charcoal and paint. So I decided to keep it simple this week and use a single piece of wallpaper as a backdrop for the central figure from my blog header. I'm headed to Art Unraveled Tuesday, and will be offering these packets of gum to those I meet while there. 

In order to create the altered packet, I first created an 8 1/2 x 11 page from wallpaper, my blog image (illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith, 1863 - 1935), an outline of colored pencil and (yes, some) charcoal. It was washed in a coat of matte medium before being taken to the printers. The printer was able to resize the image and print out several copies on good quality paper. I then just cut and trimmed it to fit the size and shape of the gum. Final touches were a single Swarovski crystal on the cover, a repositionable glue dot to open and close it and my Moo card tucked inside.

By the way, if you haven't done so already, I encourage you to enter my Blogiversary giveaway that can be found in the post below. I have offered some damask wallpapers that are similar to what you see here.  Also, if you are going to Art Unraveled this week, please let me know. I would love to meet you in person, and you already know that I'll have plenty of gum to offer . . .

Kristin xo