stamping

Upcycling | Mixed Media Art

Posted on by helen

Good Evening, we are back with our 3rd and final dose of colourful art today! Heather Mitchell has created some awesome inspiration for our Facebook group up-cycling challenge…

Hey Everyone…

The latest challenge over in the Visible Image group is an up-cycling challenge where you are encouraged to up-cycle something you would normally throw away!


upcycling | cereal box | mixed media | stamping


I sat (for ages) trying to figure out what to make and then it hit me that what I actually needed was a small box to pop my makes in so that they are kept separate from those cards I’ve already blogged or posted on social media.  I like keep my un-posted makes separate so I know where my head is at!


I needed a box wide enough to fit an 8×8″ card in and initially I looked at a small cardboard box I had but realised the porridge box in the bin was perfect!



At 8.5″ on it’s side, it was perfect size-wise but a tad flimsy so I backed it with some thick card and then added watercolour card over the top so I could distress and grunge it up.  I filled in the gap round the top of the box using modelling paste and a palette knife just so it looked a bit more ‘finished’.



I didn’t have a theme for the box, didn’t know where I was going with it really so I just went with the flow.  

I began by using the Stars and Stripes stencil, utilising the stars with modelling paste for the sides of the front  of the box. Once dried (over night) I just spritzed it with blues and green Distress Oxide Spray as I love the chalky finish they give and added some Picked Raspberry Distress Crayon to the stars to contrast with the cool colours.


I had to use my favourite stencil, Ripples, on the project somewhere so grabbed a Chipped Sapphire ink pad and dotted the fabulous circles around the box.



It was then a matter of layering up the stamps.  I love the two fish from the Art Rebel set so stamped those swimming around and then added the seaweed image from the Dare to Swim set.  I hadn’t really intended the box to have an underwater theme but the colours kind of dictated it a bit.




I love the Scribble stamp on the Total Chaos set and had to have it on the make somewhere, so heat embossed it using WOW’s Angel Eyes powder


To give the box a random feel, I added the tree from Into the Woods using Versafine Clair ink pads in Rain Forest and Verdant and ‘sealed’ the ink using a clear powder from WOW.  The leaves, from both Total Chaos and Tree of Life, are done exactly the same way and coloured using Arteza watercolour brush pens.




The sides needed some art and so again, make it a little quirky, I used the bulbs (and moth) from Glimmer of Light and Shining Bright and tucked the word ‘Shine’ in between them.



For the front of the box, I went all out colour clash and stamped the gorgeous Visible Image eye using Versafine Clair Charming Pink and Glamorous which I then heat embossed using a clear powder.



To finish, I needed a hefty sentiment, something that meant something to me so I chose ‘Create Your Imagination’ from the Just Be Happy stamp set.



So there we have it… think I’ve mentioned it all!?





You can find the challenge in the Visible Image Facebook group  and there is a HUGE £40 voucher for the first winner and then two £20 vouchers for the next two! Enough to grab yourselves a stamp set or stencil or two… and there are some new ones on there way!!

Take care of yourselves and I’ll see you soon and thank you for taking the time to read my posts… it’s massively appreciated.

H xx




Wow!!! This is amazing! So many stamps!!! We love your underwater themed background and all the layers, details and texture! Really awesome inspiration!  Thank you so much Heather ♡

You will find more inspiring projects from Heather over on her blog.



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We hope you will join in with the challenge over in our Facebook group … how can you resist the chance to win a £40 coupon… get upcycling!


We will be back later tomorrow with gorgeous new cards from Nadine and Macarena!


Stay safe!

Best Wishes,

Helen & Mark xx