Sparkle Wall Hanging with Sandy McTier

SPARKLE!!

SPRING! SPRING! SPRING!

I am so ready for spring aren’t you?

Butterflies, bees, flowers and warmer weather are just a few of the things I love about SPRING – oh and all the COLOUR!

Here’s what I did to create my “Sparkle” Tag

Prepping the Surface:

• I painted the surface with DecoArt’s All Purpose Sealer and let completely dry.
• Then, I painted a smooth layer of DecoArt Media Gesso and let completely dry.
• Next, I spritzed the surface with DecoArt Media Shimmer Mister Turquoise and Yellow Green and let it drip down the surface. Once dried, I painted a layer of watered down Gesso over it and wiped it back with a soft paper towel. This helped tone down the background colours.

• I laid the Southern Ridge Trading Company Intersecting Circle Stencil (small) in place and stenciled some Titanium White on the surface.

Design Elements:

• I drew out and painted the shape of a butterfly on the surface and then outlined it with an Identi-Pen.
• I painted the wings and chipboard butterflies with Gesso and let dry.
• Once dried, I spritzed the Shimmer Mister Turquoise and Purple on the chip board butterflies and Purple on the butterfly wings. I laid a paper towel on the wings to soften and lift some of the color.
• Next, I loaded the toe of a 3/8” Angle brush with Phthalo Blue and shaded around the inside edge of the wings. I lightly brushed some of this colour on the wings as well.

• Then I stenciled on some elements from an M2 stencil (M2-5) that screamed, ‘butterfly wing adornment’!
• I decided to outline the elements with the Identi-Pen, and well… let’s just say thank goodness for hand sanitizer and a Mezzaluna brush because I was able to get the pen markings off and re-stroke some of the white back in place. ☺
• I painted the body with a mixture of Green Gold and Titanium White and then shaded each section with Sap Green.  Then I added a small highlight of white on each section.
• I shaded underneath the wings and left side of the body with Paynes Grey to lift the design a bit from the surface.
• I re-outlined the wings, the antenna and body with the Identi-Pen.
• I added another element of texture with drywall tape and Titanium White in the background.

I spritzed the circle stencil with the Shimmer Mister Turquoise and then pressed it on the background here and there – to add a reversed image ☺ from the stencil.

• I added some details to the chipboard butterflies with the Identi-Pen.
• I painted the ‘Sparkle’ chipboard piece with a mixture of DecoArt Metallic Lustre – White Frost and Shimmer Mister Purple.
• I loaded a wet brush with a touch of Metallic Lustre – White Frost and painted over the chipboard butterflies as well as the butterfly wings on the surface to give them more of a sparkle.

Finishing Touches:

• I splattered some Shimmer Mister Purple and Titanium White on the surface and then laid a paper towel over the surface to soften the look.
• I glued both of the butterfly pieces in place with E6000 glue. Notice that I cut the little butterflies off the one chipboard piece.
• Once everything was painted, glued and dried, I painted the surface with Soft Touch Varnish to protect the painted design.

I hung mine with green floral wire. ☺

Southern Ridge Trading Company Supplies Used:

- Intersecting Circles Stencil

- Butterflies

Other Supplies Used:

- Surface: Scallop Dome Ornament #31-L206 (available – www.cdwood.com )

- M2-5 Stencil (available – www.sandymctierdesigns.com )

- DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Titanium White, Phthalo Blue, Paynes Grey, Sap Green & Green Gold

- DecoArt Media Metallic Lustre: White Frost

- DecoArt Media Misters: Shimmer Mister Turquoise, Purple & Yellow Green

- DecoArt All Purpose Sealer, Media Gesso & Soft Touch Varnish

- Dynasty Brushes: Black Gold 3/4", #8 Shader, 3/8" Angle, 1/4" Angle, Stencil Brush and a liner brush of choice. (Available from TheBrushGuys.com – use promo code: sandymc for an additional discount)

- Identi-Pen

- E6000 Glue

- Drywall Tape

- Green Floral Wire

Website: www.sandymctierdesigns.com

FB: www.Facebook.com/SandyMcTierDesigns

©2018 SPARKLE, Sandy McTier Designs ~ all rights reserved

Y’all have a GREAT day; Happy Creating!!  Sandy

Give Thanks Wall Hanging with Sandy McTier

I love the colours of autumn, and some of my favourite colours together are aqua, red, purple, green and orange! Fall is also a time when we gather with friends and family! Giving Thanks always but especially during the holidays when we’re reminded to give thanks and - be grateful for all we have! 

I hope you enjoy creating this sweet little frame and add it to your fall décor – or give it as a gift!

Prep: I painted the chipboard with an even coat of Gesso using a large oval foam brush. This allowed me to either brush it on or tap it on for added texture. For this particular piece, I brushed on a smooth coat of Gesso. Once one side was dry, I repeated it on the other side. I think this gave the chipboard a bit more stability.

I painted all of the branches with Raw Umber and then added some Quinacridone Gold in places to give the branches some variation in colour. Next, I added some Raw Umber and Titanium White and added some highlights here and there.  

I painted in all of the elements with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics. For the leaves, I used Green Gold. For the purple flowers, I used Dioxazine Purple just along the edges of the petals and Titanium White on the inside of the flowers. For the two larger mums, I used Pyrrole Red and Pyrrole Orange. Finally for the smaller mums, I used Quinacridone Gold. 

While the base colours were drying, I painted the frame with DecoArt Vintage Effects – Turquoise and then let it dry.

I added petals to the large mums with a mix of Yellow Oxide and Titan Buff and then painted petals along the back with Vermilion. Once dry, I added some brighter petals along the front with a mixture of Hansa Yellow Light and Titanium White. I shaded inside the flower and along the base of the bottom petals with some Raw Umber. 

Using an angle brush, I shaded the base of each of the leaves with Sap Green. Using a liner brush, I added small stamens with a mixture of Dioxazine Purple and Titanium White and randomly topped them with dots. The dots are a mixture of Green Gold and Titanium White. 

I finished by dry brushing a mixture of Cobalt Teal Hue and a touch of Titanium White on the leaves. Then I added some Metallic Gold to the front petals of the mums. Finally, I darkened some shading between the branches, leaves and flowers. 

While the chipboard was drying, I added some subtle interest to the frame. I used an M2-2L stencil by Tracy Moreau and yours truly, a Tracy Moreau Stencil brush and Metallic Gold.

TIP: Load the brush up well and then wipe most of it off onto a paper towel. Using a circular motion, brush over the stencil. Repeat, reloading the brush and wiping it off really well, as needed. 

Turn the cardboard insert for the frame over and paint with Titan Buff; let dry. Splatter some Metallic Gold on the frame and let dry. Transfer the words on using transfer paper and a pen or stylus. Paint words with Raw Umber and then add a mixture of Cobalt Teal Hue and a touch of Titanium White to the right of the letters as shown. Let dry. 

Once everything is dry, varnish with DecoArt Soft-Touch Varnish.

To finish, glue the chipboard on the frame using E6000 and insert the card piece into the frame. Place on an easel or let it stand with the little stick that comes with the frame. Note: Make sure you know where the hole is on the back and position it at the bottom before gluing your chipboard into place.

I hope this inspires you to create some Happy Fall Art today!!

Southern Ridge Trading Company Supplies Used:

- Floral Circle Frame (coming soon)

Other Supplies Used:

- Surface: Wooden Frame 

- M2 Stencil: M2-2L (Available from www.SandyMcTierDesigns.com)

- DecoArt Vintage Effects: Turquoise

- DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Titanium White, Titan Buff, Sap Green, Green Gold,

Quinacridone Gold, Pyrrole Orange, Pyrrole Red, Cobalt Teal Hue, Hansa Yellow Light, Yellow Oxide, Dioxazine Purple, Vermilion & Metallic Gold

- DecoArt Media White Gesso & Soft-Touch Varnish

- Dynasty Brushes: IPC Large Oval Foam, Black Gold 3/4" Flat Wash, Black Gold #2 & #4

Shaders, 1/4" Angle, & Mezzaluna (Sm)

- Tracy Moreau Stencil Brush (Med) (Available from TheBrushGuys.com – use promo code:

sandymc for an additional discount)

- Other Supplies: E6000, Transfer Paper and Pen/Stylus

Website: www.sandymctierdesigns.com FB: www.Facebook.com/SandyMcTierDesigns

©2018 Give Thanks, Sandy McTier Designs ~ All Rights Reserved

Y’all have a GREAT Fall day; Happy Creating!! Sandy 

Happy Fall Y'all Wall Hanging with Sandy McTier

The colour of leaves will soon be changing and pumpkin spice everything (my favourite) will be available! I love the colours of autumn, and two of my favourite colours together are aqua and orange! And, if you haven't guessed, I'm from the south and say "y'all" on a daily basis.

I hope you enjoy creating this little sign to decorate during the fall season!

I loved all the pieces that come in the SRTC Canada 150 set and couldn’t wait to incorporate some of them into a painted project. 

Using a Dynasty Palmer brush, I base coated a thin layer of watered down Gesso over the wooden plaque and let it dry. Then I painted it with a coat of DecoArt Vintage Effects Turquoise.

Next, I stenciled on some beautiful scroll work using an M2 Stencil I created with fellow SRTC Design Team Member Tracy Moreau. I used DecoArt’s Chalky Finish Paint Revive and applied it with a Tracy Moreau Stencil brush. 

Once dry, I drew the basic shape of a pumpkin using a white chalk pencil from General Pencil Company. Next, I base coated the pumpkin with watered down Gesso and let it dry. Then I floated in some shading between the sections with DecoArt Premium Raw Umber. I used Matte Medium on the brush to help the colour float a bit better. 

I picked up Cadmium Orange Hue and Vermillion Hue on the Angle brush and painted in each section. I was pleased with the shading that came through the paint so didn’t add any other shading. 

I loaded the Angle brush with some Sap Green and Raw Umber and painted the stem. Once dry, I floated on some Raw Umber around the base of the stem where it meets the pumpkin. I dry brushed some highlights using a small Dynasty Mezzaluna brush loaded with Green Gold. TIP: Load brush with paint and then wipe off almost all of it onto a paper towel; dry brush in a small area. It’s easier to build up the highlights with additional layers. I finished by dry brushing a mixture of Primary Yellow and White on some of the sections around the front and on the right as well as on the top of the stem.

I dry brushed highlights on the pumpkin sections using a medium Mezzaluna brush loaded with the same Primary Yellow and White mixture. Then I dry brushed some Quinacridrone Gold along the bottom of the sections to make them appear a little bit darker. 

I printed out a cute little saying on my computer, transferred it on using graphite paper and then painted the letters with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Titanium White. I finished them by coming back with my Dynasty Round brush and shadowed the letters with Sap Green. You could use the Premium Titanium White if you don’t have the DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Titanium White. 

Now for the stars of the show! I wanted the wooden leaves to be all sorts of autumn colours! I added some paint to DecoArt’s Metallic Lustre White Frost and randomly brushed them on the leaves here and there – exactly what I was looking for! I loved the way they sparkle and added a bit of shine to the piece. TIP: Load damp medium Mezzaluna brush with some Lustre; mix with just a touch of the paint and it will make it metallic; brush here and there on the leaves. Repeat with different colours. Once dry, you can buff to a desired shine using a soft cloth!

To finish, I glued the wooden leaves to the piece using E6000 glue. I let everything dry completely and then sealed the piece with Soft-Touch Varnish using the Palmer brush. 

I hope this inspires you to create some Happy Fall Art today!!

Southern Ridge Trading Company Supplies Used:

- Maple Leaves from the Canada 150 Set

Other Supplies Used:

- Surface: Wooden Plaque #3132 - www.bearwithus.com

- M2 Stencil: M2-2L (Available from www.SandyMcTierDesigns.com)

- DecoArts Vintage Effects: Turquoise

- DecoArt Chalk Finish Paints: Revive

- DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Titanium White

- DecoArt Premium Acrylics: Raw Umber, Cadmium Orange Hue, Vermillion Hue, Sap Green, Green Gold, Quinacridone Gold, Primary Yellow and Matte Medium

- DecoArt Media White Gesso & Soft-Touch Varnish

- DecoArt Metallic Lustre: White Frost

- Dynasty Brushes: 2" Palmer, 3/8 Angle, Mezzaluna (Sm. & Med.)

- Tracy Moreau Stencil Brush (Med.) (Available from TheBrushGuys.com - use promo code: sandymc for additional discount)

- Other Supplies: E6000, White Chalk Pencil (by General Pencil Company) and wired ribbon of choice to hang piece

Website: www.sandymctierdesigns.com FB: www.Facebook.com/SandyMcTierDesigns

©2018 Happy Fall Y’all, Sandy McTier Designs ~ All Rights Reserved

Y’all have a GREAT day; Happy Creating!! Sandy

Every Day is Coffee Day with Sandy McTier

Hi Y’all!!

When I was newly married and living in Okinawa, Japan I learned to drink coffee. I say ‘learn’ because I never really liked the taste of it up to that point in my life. I worked in a Japanese/English Language School and helped young Japanese school kids with their conversational English. The owner of the school was a big coffee drinker and, rather than offering any of the wonderful Japanese teas you could get throughout the country, only offered coffee – strong, black coffee at that, with lots of sugar! I use the word ‘offered’ lightly because I really didn’t have a choice – he poured it and gave it to you; it would have been disrespectful not to drink it. So… that is where and when my love for coffee began – LOL! It’s the first thing I can’t wait to smell and taste each morning too – but it’s not black – I can assure you of that!

When I saw this SRTC “Every day is coffee day” chipboard piece, I couldn’t wait to make a piece of coffee art for my kitchen! Here’s how I did it, and I hope it inspires you to create one as well!

The surface is a tall wooden coffee cup available from Creative Arts Lifestyle. I painted it with Multi-Purpose Sealer and let it dry. Next, I painted a coat of Light Buttermilk over the cup and let it dry. Then I stenciled the Classic Quatrefoil pattern on using a stencil brush and Quinacridone Gold. Let dry.

TIP: Load the brush with paint, wipe the excess off on a paper towel and, using a light circular motion, brush over stencil.  

Using a dry, large foam brush, I painted the chipboard with White Gesso; then let it dry. I tapped the gesso on and then lightly brushed it to avoid build up between the letters. I painted the mug with Cobalt Turquoise Hue and then let it dry. Next, I loaded the large foam brush with Cobalt Teal Hue and painted the words; then let it dry. I mixed some Cobalt Teal Hue and Titanium White together, wiped the excess paint off onto a paper towel and stenciled over the mug. 

I shaded along the edges of the cup using an Angle brush and Raw Umber. Then I shaded along the edges of the chipboard mug with Paynes Grey. 

I added a shadow on the letters using a black Identi-Pen. You could also use black paint and a liner brush. Then I highlighted the letters with Titanium White.

I laid the chipboard in place on the wooden cup and traced inside the opening of the cup. I removed the chipboard and painted the oval shape in with a mixture of Raw Umber a touch of Titanium White. Then I shaded around the edges of the oval with Raw Umber and let it dry. I added some ripples on the coffee using an Angle brush and Titan Buff.

Next, I added white highlights on the mug. Using an Angle brush, I shaded inside and underneath the handle and underneath the bottom of the mug with Paynes Grey.

Finally, I added highlights on the main cup surface using Titan Buff.

To finish, I glued the chipboard piece to the surface using E6000 glue. I let everything dry completely and then sealed the piece with Soft-Touch Varnish. 

I hope this inspires you to create some Coffee Art today! 

Southern Ridge Trading Company Supplies Used:

- Every Day is Coffee Day

Other Supplies Used:

- Surface: Tall Coffee Cup #WDSF1130_3 (Available from CreativeArtsLifestyle.com)

- DecoArt Multi: Purpose Sealer

- DecoArt Americana Décor Stencil: Classic Quatrefoil

- M2 Stencil: M2-3 (Available from www.SandyMcTierDesigns.com)

- DecoArt Americana Acrylics: Light Buttermilk

- DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Quinacridone Gold, Raw Umber, Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Cobalt Teal Hue, Paynes Grey, Titan Buff and Titanium White.

- DecoArt Media White Gesso & Soft Touch Varnish

- Dynasty Brushes: 1” Faux Sable, 1/2" Angle, 1/4" Angle, IPC Large Foam Brush and Tracy Moreau Stencil brushes (Small/Med) (Available from TheBrushGuys.com – use promo code: sandymc for an additional discount)

- Other Supplies: E6000 & Black Identi-Pen

Website: www.sandymctierdesigns.com FB: www.Facebook.com/SandyMcTierDesigns

©2018 Every Day Is Coffee Day, Sandy McTier Designs ~ all rights reserved

Y’all have a GREAT day; Happy Creating!! 

 - Sandy