Love Grows Here

I love Valentine's Day. It's my favorite time of the year. I love the reds and the hearts and the L O V E and the decor. Every year I try to make something fun to add to my collection of goodies .

This year I had no idea what I was going to make and as you can see we have this piece above. Truth be told I thought I was going to make a seashell heart using oysters shells and using very little color.

Here's what actually happened.

I started out with two heavy pieces of cardboard, traced a heart and cut. 

 I glued the two hearts together with several bamboo skews inside thinking that somehow this heart was going to be standing up tall and proud. 

I started to lay out shells onto the cardboard and could see immediately that the shells would be too heavy for this particular heart. Oh well. Tuck that idea away for a bit.

First, I applied sheets of vintage sheet music for a background. 
Sorry folks my pics are somewhere but not in my files.
You get it the idea.

 Next, I decoupaged these beautiful paper napkins I had found at #TuesdayMorning. I loved the color and print and I assumed that the roses and the aqua would pair nicely with seashells. I mean you know how I roll. #CoastalBohemian

You need the one layer of napkin that has the print. This means you'll be removing one or two other layers or ply.

My friend Pam taught me a trick the other day. Take a piece of tape and attach it to the edge of the napkin. This makes it easier to pull the layers of paper napkin apart. Trust me, I have fidgeted with pulling these layers apart over the years. Just grab the tape.

 Using some water and a paint brush , I outline the sections of napkin you I want to use and it easily pulls apart. 

 Using Mod Podge, I apply the sections in a design  I like.

 I use some burgundy wine acrylic paint to add a bit of dimension and get the mixed media flare going.

Of course, I needed some black to set things off.

At this point I am full on in ART FLOW. 

Dry brush some gold.

Highlight with black.

Added a little feathery trim(more like hairy trim).

And in the end, a little bling to brighten up the piece.

A bit of foam in a pot and I had a finished piece. 

I hope the reds and the heart  give you a bit of cheer. I know it makes me wildly happy. 
Happy Valentine's Day.


With love and gratitude,

Michele

Find me partying here all week at these link parties with some great bloggers.

If you are in Myrtle Beach come on down and visit us at the Coastal Bohemian Studio or check us out on Facebook, Pinterest , Instagram, or  G+ .