Where Does It Come From?

As a teenager I used to keep a diary. It never lasted long, but right before I'd decide to stop keeping one I used to look at what I wrote. Every time I thought to myself, "I WROTE THAT!?!"

Well tonight I'm feeling much like that as I started to just goof around with some of my supplies. I took out a plain white sheet of paper to play with some Glimmer Mist. I had some different paint type mediums that hadn't been opened and I wanted to see what they would look like. Get an idea of their texture, their finish, etc. Next thing I know I went from using this white sheet of paper as a "test sheet" to a finish page. No pictures on it... just some artistic expression. When I felt I needed to stop, I did and this is what I ended up with:

I started layering colors of Glimmer Mist (blues, greens and browns). I used some Magic Mesh as a screen to create some visual texture across the bottom and side. This was part of the playing around. Then I had some gesso that I wanted to see what exactly it was. Right now all I've decided is that it's a thicker version of acrylic white paint (I'll have to do a little more research on it's uses). Then I stamped the numbers and the words. The words just seemed to float there, so I got some collage paper to layer over it.

I misted it down with Glimmer Mist then crumpled it and used it to wipe up the left over Glimmer Mist on my mat. I started to tape it down (I didn't wait for it to dry... most of the stuff was still damp as I put it together). Then I took the butterfly I was playing around with the other day and added it. I thought it was PERFECT. I added the key and stamped the flourish to take up some of the space that didn't feel right.

Lastly I added the word "love". I took some Rusty Pickle cardboard letters and peeled the top layer off to expose the corrugated middle. I took the brush I used for the gesso and started to use up the excess left on the brush. I wanted to enhance the raised portion of the corrugation. Because I don't like to waste my supplies (call me environmentally conscious or frugal) and used it as a "shadow" for the letters. Again I just started to slap adhesive on it so it didn't stick down completely on every portion of the letter adding more texture.

I'm still amazed that in 10 minutes this is what I cranked out. I know I'm more own worst critic, but I'm just in awe.