Time for a change ......

Happy Wednesday ......

WOW!  this weeks going fast!!!  Just wish I could keep up!

Time for another challenge ..... it's the Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenge today, and this month it's all about ........ RECYCLING

Using up all those bits and bobs saved from old projects ........ making use of that gorgeous box/jar/bottle that we just can't bring ourselves to throw away ....... or just giving something a makeover because we no longer like the colour or design.

I've given an old mirror a bit of a facelift ....... and had so much fun doing it!

It was a plain, wooden mirror that I'd basically started to decorate some time ago, using decorative papers, and then just left it .... it sat in the old craft room, unloved, not even hung on the wall!!! (I didn't even take a picture of it as it was .... but trust me it was plain!)
Not any more though ...... it's anything but plain!

I started by adding some detail and texture to the mirror (over the top of the paper that was already on there) using stencils and texture paste.  My favourite brick wall ......

The beautiful blossom stencil from Tim Holtz ......

And a few random stripes here and there .....

Next ...... inspired by the very talented Finnabair ...... I played around with paper flowers and metal embellishments ......

chipboard shapes, buttons, cogs and keys ......

Tiny seed beads,  that beautiful laser cut MDF word ......

and basically any other bits and bobs I could find in my stash.

Once I was happy with the arrangement I attached everything using a heavy gel medium and left it all to dry. 

I masked off the mirror in the centre and then everything was given a good coat of black gesso. 

Next came the fun bit ...... adding the colours. 

Lots of mica sprays ....... pinks, purples, blues and turquoise.  A touch of gold in there too.   love how the colours change in the light, and they blend so well.

Even the metal shapes take on the colour, because of the coat of gesso ...... love it!! 

Just keep adding more colour until you're happy with the result ..... drying in between each layer to really bring out the colours.  I love how all the texture really comes through .....

This was so much fun to do ..... but, if you're not really into the darker shades and using the black gesso scares you just a little bit,  then why not try white gesso as a base, use the same mica sprays over the top, and you'll get a completely different look.  Give it a go!

As always the challenge is sponsored by the Happy Little Stampers store

And the winner will receive a $15 discount to spend in the store

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time