Home: Where Our Story Begins

This is my first mixed media collage for 2015!  I wish you a very happy and healthy new year! 

"Home: Where Our Story Begins" is an 9" X 11" mixed media collage made using a wide edge canvas covered in layers of scrapbook paper, vintage ephemera, colorful paints and modeling paste for added texture.  This collage includes vintage buttons, vintage ribbon, a fabric flower and a fabulous painted Masonite heart.  The houses stand out in vibrant primary colors against a mixed yellow, orange, green and blue background.  

This mixed media collage is available through my Etsy store - Danene Elise Designs.  

Thanks so much for visiting!!...xoxoxoxoxo....

She is Inspired

"She is Inspired" is an original, one of a kind, mixed media collage that I made by layering a 8" X 10" canvas with strips of scrapbook paper, modeling paste and mod podge for texture.  This is a collage made using Tim Holtz Layering Stencils, a Dylusions stamp, vintage ephemera and vibrant oranges, reds, yellows, blues and greens.  

After layering the canvas with vintage papers and adding texture using modeling paste and the Tim Holtz Alphabet stencil, I went to my fabulous, fabulous Dylusions Stamps stash and chose Curious Corin to add a bold statement to the canvas.  She's colored in using vibrant and shimmery Smooch ink.  When I look in her eyes, I see strength and positive energy which I find to be quite inspirational!!  Do what you love....    

Thanks so much for visiting!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

I Am Free

"I Am Free" is an original, one of a kind, mixed media collage that I made by layering a 4" X 12" canvas with strips of scrapbook paper, modeling paste and mod podge for texture.  This is a collage made using Tim Holtz Layering Stencils, a stencil from Retro Cafe Art, vintage ephemera and vibrant oranges, reds, yellows and greens.  

After layering the canvas with vintage papers and adding texture using modeling paste and the Tim Holtz Numbers stencil, I went to my stash of whimsical Retro Cafe Art stencils.  Where else can you find such a cool set of versatile and fun stencils??  I've used the dinosaur stencils in the past (again, too cool) but this background called for something more groovy...and so, I introduce you to 'Boogie'.  She is Free to dance the night away...and you know what....I might just join her!!  

Thanks so much for visiting!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Dare to be Yourself

"Dare to be Yourself" is an original, one of a kind mixed media collage that I made by layering a 4" X 12" canvas with strips of scrapbook paper, modeling paste and mod podge for texture.  This is a collage made using Tim Holtz Layering Stencils, Stampotique Stamps, vintage ephemera and vibrant blues, oranges an purples. 

Earlier in the day and while I was cleaning up my studio, I had been choosing random stamps to stamp on plain paper.  These two were in my random selection and they happen to be the catalyst for my projects.  Yippee!!...Aren't Minkeygirl and Gibi the absolute coolest??  I used shimmery Smooch ink to highlight the girls here and there, such as Gibi's rocking pocketbook or Minkeygirl's heart.  I love these stamps!  

What better message for these girls to spread but to Dare to be Yourself?  Many of us need a little reminder now and then to be true to ourselves.  Thanks so much for visiting!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

She is Brave

"She is Brave" is an original, one of a kind mixed media collage that I made by layering a 4" X 12" canvas with strips of scrapbook paper, modeling paste and mod podge for texture. This is a collage made using Tim Holtz Stencils, a Dylusions Stamp, vintage ephemera and vibrant purples, yellows and blues.    

I went into the studio with a blank canvas (pun...intended?...lol) and I started layering scraps of paper I had collected with no specific plan in mind.  What a great experience!!  The next piece that came to mind for me was the Tim Holtz layering stencil Numbered because I love numbers - and I happen to have this fabulous stencil nearby, cool, right!?!  From there I wanted to stay light in my focus and let the layers build themselves.  And to finish this collage, I chose Dependable Dotty from Dylusions colored with shimmery Smooch ink.  

She Shines, She Dreams, She Creates, She is Brave and she wants to share her positive message with you! Thanks so much for visiting!! xoxoxoxoxo

I Choose You This Day and Every Day

"I Choose You This Day and Every Day" is a custom collage I was commissioned to make as wedding gift this past summer.  I knew that the couple was married on the beach and the bride loved shades of Tiffany blue, reds and golds.  I wanted this collage to be relaxed, young, happy and non-traditional.  I also wanted it to be beach inspired with my twist so they're standing on colorful circles of sand....with a beautiful and bold sun shining on them.  

One of the first comments people make when they see a picture of this collage is that the bride isn't wearing shoes and I absolutely love that!!  But then they begin to see the hidden messages, such as 'This makes me happy' or "Remember This' or the ampersand in the lower right corner that the bride is leaning against.      

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to create this collage.  I wish them heartfelt joy and happiness in their marriage!  Thanks for visiting!!...xoxoxoxo....

  

Loved Her Right Back

"Loved Her Right Back" is an original, one of a kind mixed media collage that I made by layering a 10" X 10" wide edge canvas with scrapbook paper and blue, red and yellow acrylic paints. I used a bit of cardboard, a bit of fabric, and a metal pin along with some modeling paste for texture and variation. Then I add more layers and visual interest with ink, stamps, rub ons.  It's just the right size to fill a nook on your wall or site on your table with a family photo.   

I'm really pleased with how this collage turned out.  I wanted to create something out of an every day item and the nearby cardboard box was just perfect!  I balanced the weight of the cardboard with the shimmery softness of a lime green fabric bow.  I fastened the bow to the hear with a decorative metal pin.  

I truly believe we need to love ourselves first and I will pass this message on in every collage so that you can share in this positive vibe!  Thanks so much for visiting!! xoxoxoxoxo

Do What You Love

"Do What You Love" is an original one of a kind mixed media collage that I made by layering a 9" X 11" deep edge canvas with strips of scrapbook paper, modeling paste and mod podge for texture.  Then I add more layers and visual interest with acrylic paint, ink, stamps, rub ons and embellishments. This collage is made of vibrant pinks and greens in contrast to the grey asymmetrical star.  It has a lively energy when you see it in person.  The deep edge of the canvas makes it the perfect width to stand on a bookshelf or sit on your desk with a family photo.  And it's the perfect size to fill a nook on your wall.  

This collage was made using paper by Glitz Design. I was in the mood for a star!  Often times when someone sees one of my collages they apologize for wanting to touch the surface.  This is the greatest compliment!  The surface has so many textures and layers and this is my goal.  I love that they're looking below the surface and noticing the layers of paper and paint and hidden messages.  My parting thought...'Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart'.  Thanks for visiting!....xoxoxoxo....

Summer!

I've been so busy this summer!  The warm weather and long days don't last in New England so I've been taking advantage of the outdoors.  And now it's nearly August!!

I have two new collages that I made using Dylusions stamps and stencils by Dyan Reaveley and Ranger.  If you haven't heard of Dylusions or had a chance to check out her product line, please take a look.  I love, love, love working with her collection.  Not only are they begging to be filled in with bright, vibrant colors but the collection is easily interchangable.  A lot of her products are made for journaling and her line includes a gorgeous line of Dylusions Ink Sprays that blend beautifully on canvas, paper, etc. (Check out the Dylusions Journals as well - wonderful paper!)  Dyan's style is a great deal of fun and I'm so thankful Ranger produced her stamps and ink sprays and stencils and journals!!  

I think Dylusions are made for sharing becasue they're just too cool so I released them from their journal! "Beautiful" and "Embrace" are original one of a kind mixed media collages that I made by layering 8" X 10" canvas with paper and modeling paste for texture.  Then I add more layers and visual interest with acrylic paint, ink, stamps, rub ons and embellishments.  The Dylusions are stamped on vintage papers and colored with Smooch by Clearsnap.  Smooch comes in 32 pearlized colors and adds a jazzy accent! 

I believe in sending positive thoughts out to the world so you'll find that my canvases often have positive phrases hidden here and there.  It's even better when really cool artsy stores like Red Lead Rubber Stamps & Paper Arts feel the exact same and create positive, cool stencils.  'Embrace the special moments in your life' and 'she is Joyful' came from Red Lead.  Check out their fabulous site as well!!  Thanks for visiting!....xoxoxoxoxo....

"Beautiful" by Danene Elise Designs

 

"Embrace" by Danene Elise Designs

A Dog Wags Its Tail With Its Heart

I'm the proud mom of a 11-year old long-haired tweenie dachshund who's name is Shamrock.  He is full of love and personality and I can't imagine a day without him!  He is always thrilled to see me when I get home and he loves, loves, loves his treats and belly rubs.  I realized that I hadn't made any dachshund-related mixed-media collages....until now!  Life is good!...thanks for visiting...xoxoxo...

Junkin' Gift

So exciting!  I recently saw my nephew and he handed me this fabulous, decorative, whatchacallit......

.....that he found at an older house that's being rennovated.  He thought of me!!  Love!!!  This is exactly the kind of 'junk' that I love to collect and incorporate into my mixed-media collages.  Very exciting!  Thanks for stopping by - xoxoxoxo

John

"John" was a gift for my aunt.  I'd had this picture of my uncle for quite some time.  He'd often stare back at me from his spot.  But I wasn't quite ready to work with him yet.  I was shopping in Target last August and I saw a package of napkins - $1 - with fabulous bands of colors.  I instantly thought of John's picture, so I bought the napkins and ran home to plug in the beeswax.  Next, I trimmed the napkin to capture the orange, blue and yellow stripes, and to remove the bits of pink (because he wouldn't want that).  Next, I lightly colored and stamped a vintage Bingo card. I knew I didn't want to use beeswax on his picture, so I used matte medium to adhere him to the card.  And that was it for the John collage for a few months. He didn't like the napkin. We began staring at one another again.  

November rolled around and I plugged the beeswax in again with the purpose of completing this collage.  I told John I was using the napkin.  Period.  I wanted the vintage Popular Mechanics magazine (very masculine!) and the napkin to look warmer and transulcent.  I began adding pieces of the napkin in sections to the background and this seemed to work better for John.  But now that the background was complete, how was I going to secure the bingo card without using Beeswax?  I bought a staple gun!...(any excuse to shop...thankyouverymuch...)  Because the collage was made using an 8 X 8 wood frame, I could staple John directly to the beeswax bacground. Ta-da!

His name is made using various items I'd collected over time.  The 'J' is a piece of jewelry.  The 'O' is a piece of rusty metal I'd found on the ground. Nothing wrong with a little repurposing!  The 'N' came from a game.  And the 'N' is a metal letter I picked up while on a junkin journey. 

Unfortunately, we lost my uncle a few years back, but my aunt loves this collage of him.  And I love that he and I had the opportunity to hang out this way for a little bit.  Thanks for visiting! xoxoxox

Sew Buttons

I made "Sew Buttons" for my mother this past Christmas.  I started with Tim Holtz Kraft paper, a vintage piece of metal (that was clearly meant to be a dress) and a chipboard dress form.  The collage grew to include fabulous flower heads, vintage buttons, dress pattern paper, german glass glitter and miscellaneous scrap bits.  I'd had a lot of these items stored in my vintage drawer or taunting me from my bulletin board for quite some time.  It felt fabulous to create a new collage with pieces that I'd collected over the years in various places at different points in time.  The bright frame completed the look of this eclictic 8 X 10 collage which was made entirely from my head and my heart! 

I'm often so excited when I finish a collage that I can't wait to take a picture and show my friends...hence the pink surface protector sheet as a back-drop...lol... 

Cherish Everyday Life

It was so nice to see my family this weekend and celebrate Mother's Day. It was such a busy weekend that I'm surprised I completed two mixed media collage canvases - but I did just that!

 

Cherish Everyday Life is an original one of a kind 11" X 14" mixed media collage that I made using paper, Balzar Designs stencil 'Flowers' TCW327, Dina Wakley's 'Messy Circles' stencil TCW310, Prima Marketing's 'Stencil Bicycle', mod podge, acrylic paints, alcohol ink, stamps, modeling paste and rub-ons from Basic Grey, Kaisercraft and 7 Gypsies. 

 

 

 

 

 

You Are Just My Type

"You Are Just My Type" is an original, one of a kind, 6' X 12' mixed media collage that I made using paper, October Afternoon washi tape, Balzar Designs 'Stripes' stencil, mod podge, acrylic paints, alcohol ink, stamps, modeling paste and rub-ons.  I took a vintage black & white advertisement and colored it with ink.  

He is cleary a very focused and busy professional who loves using his typewriter.  I love the expression on his face as he works on his love letter!!  Thanks for stopping by!! xoxoxoxo

Road Trip - You Are Here

I wanted to have a little fun with this piece.  I love, love, love vintage car ads but why not add your random dinosaur when the opportunity arises! This particular dinosaur came from Retro Cafe Art and his name is Triceratops.  Maybe his friends T-Rex and Brontosaurus  will visit... 

 You never know what you'll see on your next Road Trip! Enjoy the journey...xoxoxoxo

 

 

 

Retro Cafe Art Gallery Newsletter

Look!  Look at me!  Not only was Bus No. 9 reposted, but my mixed media collage was mentioned in the Retro Café Art Gallery Newsletter!!  I'm over the moon excited!! 

Road Trip

This is an original, one of a kind mixed media collage that I made using the american road mini paper pad from Paper House with mod podge, acrylic paints, stamps, modeling paste and rub-ons and a fabulous vintage car ad. 

"Road Trip" by Danene Elise Designs

 

This is a close-up of the detail that goes into my collage art.  I love to add color and texture and hidden surprises here and there... There's also a gas sign and gas tank in this collage. 

This vintage car ad (love, love, love) from a 1959 magazine was black and white so I colored it using artisan ink.  This wagon is the coolest!

 

 

Bus No. 9

Fast forward a bit to today and I find myself mixing all types of paper and mediums with Tim Holtz Distress paint and stain or Dylusions ink or acrylic craft paint with stencils and stamps from Technique Tuesday to Dylusions to Prima Marketing to Graphic 45 to Coffee Break Designs.....which brings me to the most absolutely exciting development.  I made this collage called Bus No. 9 using a stencil that I had purchased at RetroCafeArt.com called the Large Bus Stop Lady Mania Stencil:  http://www.retrocafeart.com/item_4026/LARGE-Bus-Stop-Lady-Mania-Stencil.htm.  Given that I'd made the collage using their stencil, I shared Bus No. 9 on the http://www.coffeebreakdesign.com/ site.  Well, guess what....it was noticed!!! 

And not only was Bus No. 9 noticed, but this is the first piece of art made by me, yours truly, that was reposted on the https://www.facebook.com/RetroCafeArt site by the owner!!!  Beyond exciting...thrilling really!!!

The Beginning

This adventure began 10 years ago when I fell in love with scrapbooking.  I found this amazing world where my love for paper and stickers and stamps blossomed.  Scrapbooking paper has beautiful swirls of color and endless design possibilities.  I spent many joyful hours compiling scrapbook albums, learning new techniques and investing in new products.  While I loved the scrapbooking options, I needed something more. 

 

I also have an love for junking or collecting old items for reuse, such as a typewritten or handwritten letter from the 1940's or a piece of music paper combined with an old photograph or postcard.  Before long I found myself taking a mixed media collage beeswax class taught by Claudine Hellmuth.  I love how the beeswax makes the paper transparent and adds warmth. 

 

Here are my first couple beeswax collages: