How to use unconventional items for creating

The larger frame was broke and in the trash and I rescued it. Glued it together gave it a coat of acrylic paint. The mini frame was also cracked. I repaired it and then painted it white. Allow to dry.

Once dry apply a nice coat of your Crackle medium of choice. Follow the directions on your bottle. Once this medium was tacky I applied another coat of white acrylic paint and cracks started forming.

Now the fun part. Using your glue gun on your craft mat, start making random grass shapes. Allow to dry completely.

Once dry, turn your grass over and on the backside using different shades of green, paint your glue gun grass.

I decided to use Distress Stickles in different shades of green to give texture but not all the bling that regular Stickles gives. Provides a nice chunky texture....

Now for the background paper in my shadow box I really wanted an organic feel. I went and gathered up some dried pine tree needles. Bunching them together created a great paint brush.

Using different shades of green with a bit of mustard, I dipped my pine tree needles in the paint and swipped it across my paper. I love the randomness... just what I wanted to mimic grass.

For the inside of the frame I gathered a color of paper that would blend with the other colors of my project. Cut in strips and distressed the edges with Old Paper DI. Glue to inside of frame.

Once the mini frame was dried I took some green paint and went over the top lightly for an antique finish. Then highlighted the entire frame with Inka Gold for a pretty finish. Add your sentiment.

I wanted to add a bit of texture to the outside of the frame. I mixed Stone Effect Paste by DecoArt with white paint and using my brick stencil I applied randomly to outside of frame.

If you don't have this stone effect you can also add seed beads, crushed shells etc and add it to modeling paste for a great texture. It's fun to improvise when doing mixed media.

These butterflys are from "I am Roses". I used 3 for each butterfly for layering. Using a paint brush, apply your inks. The Dylussions are beautiful and vibrant.

After your butterflys are dry, glue 3 together for layered effect. Using Glossy Accents, I applied the pearls. And for the "icing on the cake" I dabbed clear Stickles to the tops of all the wings.

Now doesn't that grass look great... Never would have thought it to be glue... The chipboard pieces are Blue Fern. Copper embossing powder used on rake and stucco paste used on watering can.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and were inspired to use items that you would normally not think to use when creating.

For more creative inspiration, drop by my blog @ www.Toni-burks.blogspot.com Wishing you a wonderful day.... Creatively yours, Toni