this weeks inspiration wednesday was an experiment in modeling paste. i just started punching shapes from cardstock and layering in the paste. when it dried i began adding watercolors and additional layers of texture.

here's the how to in my inspiration journal this week.

• punched flowers and butterflies from cardstock and used the negative space to create a stencil.
• placed stencil over page and filled in with modeling paste, then lifted stencil to reveal shape.
• allowed to dry overnight.
• then painted and layered watercolors to create background
• painted modeling paste with watercolors as well.
• created twisted paper stems using book text
• hand cut leaves from yellow cardstock and crumpled.
• twisted wire spirals for flower centers and adhered using glossy accents.
• stamped quote (amuse stamp).

this page inspired the piece i will be working on today. it is a 20 x 20 canvas. here is how it looks right now!

also wanted to shout from the mountaintops that i found these! when i was in europe last year for the 6 weeks with my family, my computer bag got stolen and in it was not only my computer but the journal i had been keeping. i had bought this exact watercolor paint set in italy and everyday in that journal i was watercoloring snippets of landscape from each country. it was also stolen and i found it in berkeley! it will be in my purse ALWAYS. so if you see me you can ask me to prove it, lol!

what did you create this week?
what do we need to see...leave a post and share your inspirations!

Comments

[Apple]

That is a great peice!!! That's a cool watercolor box too!!

[Nina Maria]

This is just lovely! The texture is very cool and the colors are vibrant. ALso love the twisted text for stems! Thanks for sharing it! ~Nina in San Diego~

[Sarah L]

LOVE that piece!!!!

[LollyChops]

I really love how your inspiration page came out! I have never used modeling paste before. I'll have to google to find some and try it out!

So right now... I am working on sewn rough edged fabric shapes to use on cards, clothes and pictures. I have loads of pics on my blog in case you want to check them out. It's been SO much fun!

[Vicki]

Donna,

You have such great ideas. Thanks for sharing,

xoxo

[Katie]

beatiful. I have been a whole mess of creating...

Working on a painting.
Made Zipper Bags
Made dried apples
Scrapbooked

http://katajone.blogspot.com/

[Anat Dvir]

I love what you do with modeling paste! I should try it myself :-)
I created a page for a chunky book this week.
The book's theme was 'WEDDING', 15 women each created a page for the book that was given as a present to a friend that's getting married.
I used one of Donna's fabric tags :-)
http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/ViewEntry.asp?EntryId=1564474
Hope you have a great week.

[Beth Perry]

I hate that you lost your journaling/paintings while over there! but, cool that you found the watercolors!!!
Love the inspiration! Working on a canvas piece myself. I lot smaller, though. No pics...YET! LOL
Have a great hump day!
B

[Gina Kim]

OMGosh. You are so creative & clever! I have Golden's light molding paste and it has been sitting in its jar. Thank you for this post. It is stirring something in me to experiment too!

Well, if I may share, this was my super fun creative collaboration I've been working on. Enjoy! http://ginaleekim.blogspot.com/2009/10/art-mailer-nearly-done.html

p.s. I'm so so sorry that you lost your journal & computer! To me my art journals are priceless & irreplaceable. The Universe is abundant and you will create even more wonderful things with your new paint set...

[dorrie]

love it donna.. you rock woman!!!!
love my modeling paste..this is awesome!

[Mell]

Its horrible wot people do. Im sorry u lost all your stuff. Love the flowers can u do a video on how u make the stems x

[shannon]

I have that same watercolor set. It's quite the handy little thing! Fits in any bag. Now if only I could say the same for my sketchbooks.

[Kathryn in Benicia by the Bay]

Spent the day finishing the canvas pages from last weekend's book, moving onto the paper...but inspired to create some purple Lupine flowers with paste and maybe use some of my green glimmer mist for the torn page stems...

[Leni]

lovely!

[Sandi M]

That is such a cool effect you got using modeling paste. I think that paste will have to go on my shopping list. Your project is so pretty! Can't wait to see the 20 x 20 you are working on now.

[fromthepines]

Modeling paste sounds cool!

This week I did a collage for a baby shower with transfers and wallpaper. It at my blog http://fromthepines.blogspot.com/

Cheryl

[Emily]

I had a favorite cotman water color kit I packed everywhere, I lost it a few years ago. My hubby gave me a new one last year for my birthday so I've been trying to get it "broke" in. This week I was really geeky and created daily planner pages and an inventory of all my stamp sayings. Silly but made me happy!
www.scrappedout.wordpress.com

[Dalon]

so far in the past two weeks I have not been creative at ALL ...
BUT today is a new day :-)
and so far today I have created some much needed "ME TIME" ...
during this time I came across something that spoke directly to me that I will definitely journal about:
"instead of asking 'why is this happening to me?' ask 'what is this here to teach me?'"
this speaks volumes to me right now ... and the quote on your creative project this week fits perfectly ... it's about the journey!!
thank you!! :-)

[Karen]

Hi Donna,
Here is the link to my teacher blog. The kindergarten students were inspired by your flowers and so was I. Thanks for being you!!!!
http://goodmorningteachers.blogspot.com/2009/11/donna-downey-inspired.html

[Kelli]

I didn't know your watercolors were stolen too! I was with you when you bought those--sadness! I would have sent you my watercolors! They were the same!

Miss you! What country can we invade next? Greece works for me...