Monday, June 16, 2014

Introducing Bella Bulb - A Member Of Craft Hoarder's Anonymous


When I was first approached to be part of the StencilGirl/Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge blog hop, I just laughed out loud!  Me?  A craft hoarder?  Duh!  Not only have I been hoarding craft supplies for over 20 years but when I moved here to Brasil from New York City, I took it all with me.  And then I started to hoard Brasilian craft supplies.

Okay, I admit it - I AM A CRAFT HOARDER!    

For this blog hop, the artists had only two rules - use StencilGirl stencils and then to dig through our craft hoard and use whatever we wanted to use.  I grabbed stencils (duh) sprays, pastes, paints, makeup sponges, lots and lots of BLING, you name it.  Heck, I even grabbed my bag of keyboard letters and some fake eyelashes that were in the hoard.  Told ya, I am a craft hoarder.

There is something very freeing about just using stuff from my hoard and making a piece of art.  I did not do much thinking here.  I did know what stencils I wanted to use and then I just pulled stuff out of the hoard to use with the stencils.

I had soooooo much fun working on this challenge/piece!  I even gave her a name. Bella Bulb!!
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DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY!!
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE PROJECTS ON TODAY'S BLOGS, BELOW, AND LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ENTERED IN THE GIVEAWAY!!  


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Now, wanna make Bella Bulb?     

Step by Step:

Steps 1 through 4: The Canvas Background.  
  • Cover the canvas with a coat of Gesso. Allow to dry or heat set.  
  • Grab a bunch of sprays.   I am a little low on my Dylusions sprays and, since I do not have the luxury of a Michaels near me, I went to my "Hoard".  I found a bunch of sprays from Stamp Zia (no longer in business but very much missed) and a bunch of Mister Huey's sprays by Studio Calico. So I grabbed them and just started to spritz away! Heat set but removed excess in areas with a paper towel.  
  • Then I placed the large Clock Face stencil from the StencilGirl Club) over the canvas and sprayed the London Blue Dylusions through it. Removed stencil. Heat set. Then washed stencil.
  • Place (washed) Clock Face stencil over the canvas again, in the same exact position, and spray with the Calico White Mister Huey spray. You will need to shake well and get that ball inside bouncing. I wanted a "muted" London Blue color to come through.  Heat set.

So far, this is what I have - I kinda like it just the way it is but...this being a post about using your hoard, I gotta keep going!!  


Step 5 and 6: The Head and Face Outline.
  • Place the open part of the Face Map Version 2 on left side of piece. Hold in place and coat inside with two coasts of gesso.  Heat set, wash stencil, and then do again with a skin colored acrylic paint (I used a Brasilian brand).
  • Then I mixed some molding paste with some black acrylic paint and used a spatula to apply the mixture through the outline side of the same stencil.  I did not want a strong black outline and the mixture helps achieve that. 

Step 7 through 9: The hair - YES, Bella needs hair!  LOL
  • Place the "mask" - the solid face part from the Face Map Version 2 stencil- over where you painted. I placed it about 1/16" below the outline.  Then I placed the 6" Peacock stencil (from the January 2014 Club Kit) over the mask.  Using the same molding paste/black paint mixture from Step 2, above, use a spatula and apply this mixture through the peacock feathers - in order to make the "hair".   

Step 10: Paint the hair. 
  • I mixed a bit of blue acrylic paint with just a hint of H2O and filled in the hair. You still see the designs on the canvas, which is what I was aiming for.

Step 11: The Words....the Phrase - The Uplifting Words stencil by Carolyn Dube was just perfect for this piece.  Actually, it's a great stencil for any project - but that is my opinion.   Most of the words I wanted were already on the stencil but there were a few that were not.  So, to start - 
  • Using white acrylic paint and a makeup sponge, I placed the word "find" on the canvas where I wanted it and applied the paint.  Allow to dry or heat set.  Now, because I did not use gesso first, I had to do this for the words 2 or 3 times until I got the level of white that I wanted.  Next up was the word "THE".  Did the same with the paint.
  • For the word "Time" - using painter's tape, I masked off the word Time from the word Timeless on Seth Apter's Timeless stencil and applied the white paint through it.  
  • For the words "TO" and "MAKE" - I dug through my hoard because I knew I had some old keyboard letters.  Using a hot glue gun, I adhered the letters down when I got to that area.

  • For the words "ON" and "Ideas", I just masked of the letters I wanted to use and applied the paint through each letter.  I heat set between applications and letters.

**After all the words were done, the paint applied and dried, I went back with a black Sharpie pen and outlined each of the letters.


Step 12: The Lightbulbs (the "Ideas" in her head)
  • Mix a small amount of yellow acrylic paint with a hint of H2O and spread it over a piece of white cardstock.  Allow to dry or heat set. 
  • Now lay the Lightbulb stencil on the paper and, using a makeup sponge and some black acrylic paint, apply the paint through the smallest of the lightbulbs.  I did this 5 times.  Heat set.  I then applied a light water-based sealer/varnish over the bulbs. Heat set again.  Cut them out.  (Note: the photo below shows that I only cut 3 of them out but I ended up cutting and using all 5 in the final piece).

  • Using the hot glue gun, I applied some glue on the back of each bulb and adhered them around her face in her hair.  I did not go below the hairline.  And, although the photo below shows 3 bulbs, I did use all 5 of them.  

Step 13: The Bling and Shiny Stuff!
  • Bling!!  Enough said.  Using Glossy Accents, I applied Bling around her face, along the hairline.  Also applied a few pieces of Bling in her hair, here and there.  And I made her a necklace of even more Bling!  I also gave her lips some red paint and, after it dried, applied some Glossy Accents with a bit of glitter.
  • Then it was applying the fake eyelashes with more Bling!  Oh, and a smaller Bling in her nose.  What the heck!!
  • And, since I knew all of this would be drying overnight, I applied a coat of Glossy Accents to each of the bulbs to give them a glass effect look.

Step 14: Final Steps
  • Because I felt there was something missing, I placed sections of the Clock Collage in the upper left and lower right corners of the canvas.  Applied some white paint through the stencil and felt this balanced the whole piece.
  • I also went and painted the 4 sides of the canvas in red paint.

And that my friends is it!  Man, if you really read and got this far, please leave me a comment!!  I know my tutorials tend to be long but once you do a project of mine, you realize I just want to make sure you understand everything I did and how I did it!!

Thanks for letting me share this with all of you.  Hugs!!

~Michael

Supplied I Used:

I know...a crazy Hoard!!

StencilGirl Product Stencils Used:

Uplifting Words Stencil by Carolyn Dube
Face Map Front Version 2 Stencil by Pam Carriker
Timeless Stencil by Seth Apter
Clock Background and Lightbulbs by Carolyn Dube (from April 2014 StencilGirl Club Kit)
Peacock (6x6) by Jessica Sporn (from January 2014 StencilGirl Club Kit)

Stuff From My Hoard Used:

12" x 8" Canvas (30cm x 20cm)
Gesso by Golden
Mister Huey's Sprays by Studio Calico - Gable Green, Cameo, Overdue, Dewey and Calico White
Color Wash Sprays in Citron, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Ruby by Stamp Zia, who is no longer in business (unfortunately)
Dylusions Spray in London Blue
Acrylic Paints - Titanium White, Yellow, Blue, Red, Black, Antique Beige
Molding Paste/Spatula
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Keyboard pieces from old unused keyboards
Black Sharpie
Glossy Accents
Normal everyday stuff - brushes, foam brushes, heat gun, makeup sponges, painters tape, scissors,
Glass or ceramic plate for mixing paints and textures

What would a Blog Hop be without a GIVEAWAY??!!!
StencilGirl Products will be picking FIVE winners this week--one from each day!
Take your time and visit each blog showcased every day this week and leave a comment. 
The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN
One comment per blog please.
You will have until Sunday, June 22nd at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments. The winners will be announced on the StencilGirl Facebook on Tuesday, June 24th.

181 comments:

  1. What a fun, fabulous post, Michael! Love your brilliant colors and the way you unified a variety of elements and materials! :)

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  2. Lovely! Thank you for the detailed tutorial! Love to see artwork with stencils that I HAVE!!

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  3. Very cool. Love the glitter and bling! And the idea behind the piece...time to clarify your ideas.

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  4. Love this Michael! The Peacock Afro is genius! Way to use your hoard!!! xo

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    1. Thanks Janet. You have no idea how many different stencils I tried before I tried the peacock. And it was perfect!

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  5. Yup, very Carmen Miranda... Love it! And the more the details, the better!!!

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  6. Michael this is very unique interesting and fun! I like the way you used partial lettering to say what u wanted to convey your thoughts...that was a surprise and good idea to think outside the box is what this creation is! Great piece of creativity!

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    1. Thanks so much Ina. That stencil is fantastic to use for words and partial words. She was so much fun to create! Glad you like her.

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  7. Now doesn't it just feel good to use some of your hoard? Your creation is amazing! Thanks for being a part of the Craft Hoarders/Stencil Girl Blog Hop!

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    1. Thanks so much Glenda. Does feel great to use part of the hoard but I still have sooooo much left. LOL

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  8. Way to use up your hoard. Loved the tutorial. How the heck did you remember everything you used. I'd have forgotten 1/2 of them once I was finished.

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    1. Hi Jill. Glad you liked the tutorial. I am not very organized in my day to day routine but when I am doing a tut for a site, I am very good at record keeping and photo taking. I also only keep what I am going to use on the table! It helps.

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  9. Michael, Love her, she looks very South American

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  10. You put into a picture the way I often feel. There are many lightbulbs burning and I need to get them out and the ideas used on a project. they often can't be turned off until they are used.
    We are not hoarders - we are keepers of fabulous items that must be preserved. (However, when the kids come to clean out the house after I'm gone I can hear my son say "what did she have all of the junque for"). Hopefully someone in the family will take over my stash and give it a good home. thanks for a fun project. Wish my eyelashes looked like hers.

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    1. Hi. Glad you liked the project. Bella started out as me, trying to get all those ideas out of my head, but at some point I she became Bella. The eyelashes were fun but man, what a pain in the butt to apply! LOL

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  11. awesome work Michael! thanks for sharing :)

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  12. OMG! She is fabulous! How you combined the stencils is amazing!

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  13. I hadn't thought of myself as a hoarder until you put craft in front of hoarder! :O Great post!

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    1. Oh Elle...we are all craft hoarders. We are all also just in denial. LOL. Glad you liked her.

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  14. Great tutorial! Love how you used the peacock stencil!

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  15. Michael, I love your lady. Too funny because I have some false eyelashes in my hoard too!

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    1. Thanks Dee. I actually went to buy those lashes. The girls in the store thought they were for me. I had to explain about Bella. LOL. Now, go use them!!

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  16. Terrific tutorial, Michael! I love her peacock and lightbulb hair....and the eyelashes! I am a hoarder and I can relate. I love challenges that limit you to what you have on hand....it really makes you be a little more creative. Thanks for sharing your process.

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    1. Thanks so much. Glad you liked her. I don't know where some of my ideas come from....

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  17. Michael, you are amazing! You are a "light " to me me to start using my stencils today! Since I got. Mine I have used them several ways. I made a card to send to a friend....You light up my life!" Before my bulbs burn out I need to send this to you! Thanks for your inspiration!

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    1. Wow...thanks so much for the amazing comments. Glad I can inspire!! Have fun with the stencils you have!

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  18. I love this Michael and want to be her friend.

    Tell me what it is you use for a heat set? I have a blow dryer and.I have a heat gun you use in encaustics or for silk paints. what do you jse??

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    1. Hi Tommy!! Man, you always have a question...LOL....I use the heat gun by Ranger. The little white one that Tim always uses. You can also use a hair dryer if you want but it might take a bit longer to dry. Glad you liked Bella!!

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  19. Great project love the look and using the different stencils what fun..never thought of being a hoarder, but I think I have become one.

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    1. Thanks Pat. Glad you liked. Heck, being a hoarder is great!! LOL

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  20. OMG! Michael you are amazing! Now just to be brave and try to create something myself. The pull outs from the stencils are great.

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    1. Thanks Lynn. Trust me, I was brave on this project. This is very much outside my comfort zone but I had a blast making Bella and just having fun with her.

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  21. What a fun project! I loved reading your tutorial. And, well, once a hoarder, always a hoarder. I am the Chief Hoarder, so I know all about it. I have moved my hoard to 4 different states! And it gets bigger each time! hee hee Thanks for joining the Craft Hoarders Anonymous team this week for our messy hop!

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    1. Thanks so much Gloria. This was a blast to work on!! When I moved here I had 55 boxes. 45 of them were rubber stamps, scrapbook papers, and the hoard. I am really happy to have been a part of this joint challenge!!

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  22. Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  23. Bella Bulb is a beauty. Thanks for all the info...there are tips in there that are very helpful.

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    1. Thanks Jo. Glad you liked and glad to keep hearing how the tutorial works for folks!!

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  24. Fabulous canvas, loved all the supplies that you used, now I have a long list, hehe... ;-)

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  25. thanks for the tutorial loved the light bulbs

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  26. I truly love this and need some more stencils to add to my own collection. Yep, I am a hoarder too. Is there a 12-step program for us? BTW, I didn't feel your post was long because I love when a blogger tells everything about how they created. Thanks for sharing your talent.

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    1. Thanks so much Trish. No, there is no 12 step program, nor do we need one because we would just keep the papers they hand out to to us for our stash. LOL. Glad you liked the tutorial. I have to just accept that my tuts are what they are because I want others to be able to make the same as I did. Glad you liked!!

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  27. She is stunning, your work is so inspirational . Fantastic tutorial x

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    1. Thanks so much Gemma!! Glad you liked Bella...she was a hoot to create.

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  28. Loved your clever "peacock" hair! Thanks for all the step-by-step ... looks like you had fun!

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    1. Thanks Cindye. Oh, I had a lot of fun with Bella. I had to force myself to stop!! Glad you liked too.

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  29. Hi Michael. I really like your canvas. Talk about Mixed Media!!! It definitely IS! :) I love your use of the keyboard keys mixed in your sentiment. Your stamped woman with the peacock tail stenciled hair is such a clever idea, too. Love all of the different patterns of your background, too. Thanks for sharing the steps. <3 Candy

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    1. Thanks Candy. Glad you liked her. I love when my tutorials get rave reviews. I want someone to be able to make what I did. She was fun to do!!

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  30. What beautiful colors! Super depth on the canvas.
    Love your step (wash) step directions...
    Were you a teacher in another life?

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    1. Thanks for the comments Nancy. I love teaching in this life but in my previous lives I was the King of a land of fat free dark chocolates. LOL. Glad you liked. I love doing my step by steps so others can do the same!

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  31. Oh My Goodness! She is amazing - you are amazing! My absolutely favorite element of her - those eyelashes! And the red sparkling lips! And the lightbulb hair! And the way you did the words! Oh, heck - it is all my favorite!

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    1. Thanks Carolyn. She was soooooooooooooooooooooo much fun to do. Your designs inspire me, what can I tell you?

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  32. Very beautiful creation, Love the mixed media!!!

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  33. Oh My Goodness. What a brilliant tutorial. You didn't leave anything out at all. I feel like I could follow your instructions and come up with a decent piece of art. Yours is fantastic. So many steps. Wow you are good

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    1. Thanks Vicki. Glad you liked. I know, my tuts are crazy but they are all like this. I want people to be able to go and do what I did!!

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  34. Crazy, quirky and so much fun! Love those lightbulbs and the false eyelashes!! Great inspiration for the challenge, thank you.
    Alison x

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  35. Your step by step instructions are wonderful. What you created is amazing. Thanks for sharing and really showing how to use up items from one's stash.

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    1. Thanks so much Glenda. Glad you liked Bella. She was fun.

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  36. Awesome Creation Michael! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  37. Awesome mixed media canvas! I love all the different medias you used and how you created words with keys from a keyboard. Amazingly creative!

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    1. Thanks so much Amber. She was a hoot to make and I love finding keyboards in the garbage for my hoard.

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  38. Love the step on instructions you did to Bella Bulb...fun and eclectic...Thanks for sharing with us at the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog.

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    1. Thanks so much. Glad you liked her. She was fun to make.

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  39. She is wonderful. Love her name!!

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    1. Thanks Boo. One of my dogs is named Bella but, believe it or not, I call her Boo at times.

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  40. This is awesome!! I first saw it in the StencilGirl Stencil Club FB group and thought how fun this was! To use the peacock tail as the base for the hair is just too clever! Great job incorporating so much from your stash.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments Caroline. She was fun and the peacock stencil was perfect!

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  41. Wow I am new to this and loved seeing how you did all the steps. Lots of layers. Very neat project. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks so much Rosie. Glad you liked the project and my tutorial.

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  42. You say craft hoarder like it is a bad thing, LOL! You already know that I think that your project is fantastic and shows what a wonderful imagination you have!!! Brasilian craft supplies??????!!!! There is always room for more--I'll be right there :)

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    1. I did not mean that craft hoarding is a bad thing. When you know you have that specific item you need in your hoard but cannot for the life of you remember where it is, that is a bad thing. LOL. Glad you liked her Maria. Yes, Brasilian craft supplies...it never ever ends...sigh...

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  43. The eye lashes are a hoot. I am VERY new to stenciling and was wondering if you could use a black sharpie and trace the light bulb through the cut outs? Please remember I am a newbie if my question seems, odd.

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    1. Hi Beth. We were all newbies at some point and, to tell you the truth, I am learning something new every time I make a piece. Yes, you can use a sharpie. I LOVE Sharpies!! My best friends.

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  44. Very cool! I love your colors and your style!

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    1. Thanks Kathy. I love bright colors!! Must be the sun here in Brasil.

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  45. I absolutely love her, eyelashes and all. You should try putting those on yourself when you're blind without glasses. LOL

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    1. Thanks Liz. She was fun. As for the lashes...I have no idea how women put them on! What a pain. But Bella loved them. LOL

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  46. So crafty!! I need to go through my stuff too and create something - I know I have all the stuff I need! Thanks a lot for the great step-by-step!

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    1. Thanks!! Glad you liked. Now go have some fun with your hoard.

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  47. Wild and wonderful.......LOVE her!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  48. I always love seeing how others go about their creative process. This is fantastic.
    I love seeing the finished image appear as you layer and layer. Awesome piece of art!

    So glad you could hop with us at Craft Hoarders Anon :)

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    1. Thanks so much Christy. Glad you liked her. I sometimes wonder about my creative process but it worked for this piece. LOL

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  49. Well, Michael...the first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem! And the Craft Hoarders team is always there for you....to ENABLE! Bwahahahahahaha! Seriously, though, this is such a fun, whimsical piece. I love her lightbulb hair, the false eyelashes, the wonderful title you added...it's fun and energetic and the step by step photos are wonderful! I love mixed media, but it is not in my wheelhouse, so this was inspiring. Thanks for hopping with us at Craft HOarders Anonymous!

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    1. Kathy...thanks so much for your comments. First of all, did I say I wanted to step towards recovery? LOL As for this not being in your wheelhouse, mixed media can be so much fun and freeing. No rules. Hope I inspired you to try it.

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  50. Oooohhhhhh.....peacock and lightbulb hair! I love it!

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    1. LOL Lisa...yes, peacock hair. I have no idea what part of my brain that came from. But I love it.

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  51. That is so fun and just wonderful! It is a work of art! Awesome idea to use the keyboard keys, too!

    Love it!

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    1. Thanks so much! Glad you liked her. Yeah, I love keyboard keys....

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  52. So pretty. Love the light bulbs and the eyelashes more.

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  53. Fabulous! And, I love thorough tutorials, so many thanks. Great stencils for this project-my mind is buzzing with ideas. Hugs, Maggie

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    1. Ya see Maggie!! You asked....and I supplied...LOL. So glad you like the piece and the tutorial. And I am beyond happy when something I make inspires someone else or gets ideas buzzing in their heads. Happy Stenciling.

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  54. Your post made me so glad I didn't throw out that bag of keyboard letters lurking in my stash. I never quite knew what to do with them before. Thanks for a terrific tutorial.

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    1. Hey Martha!! It's those voices in our heads telling us "one day you will NEED this"...thanks for your comment and glad you liked Bella.

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  55. absolutely wonderful, thanks for the tutorial, is amazing!

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  56. This is just too cool Michael. Digging the way you used the stencil to create her hair and love the use of the lightbulbs. Thanks too for incorporating my stencil into the project!

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    1. Thanks Seth!! You have no idea how many stencils I tried for the hair until I hit the peacock one!! Glad you like her!

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  57. Hilarious! Love all the tutorial of HOW you did it! tfs

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  58. Wow, nice project, so many details. Thanks for the tutorial and thanks for being part of the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Blog Hop!

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    1. Thanks for the comment Donna. Glad you liked the project.

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  59. Love what you did with your hoard! Love love love anything by Carolyn Dube! Great composition and colors. Love your work, Michael Trent!

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    1. Thanks Janice. Carolyn's stencils seem to talk to me sometimes!! Glad you liked the project. And thanks so much for your comments!!

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  60. Digging Bella's hair!! Cool how you used the typewriter keys- have to pull mine out- as soon as I've found where i stashed them!

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    1. Thanks Jackie!! The keys were a great find in the stash.

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  61. I adore this piece! And I am so with you on the volume and variety of craft hoarding stuff.... right down to the eyelashes ( I have tons! ) LOL.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments. Have fun with those eyelashes. LOL

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  62. I am taking apart some old keyboards now that I have seen your project - what a great idea to recycle the letters! Love your project!

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    1. Thanks Mic. Check Pinterest too, they have some cool projects for old keyboard letters. Just have fun with them.

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  63. I like this a lot. Its different from the usual stencil look...bea

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  64. O.M.G. I really thought I was the ONLY one who took all the keys off the keyboards before they were trashed. Everyone at my office thinks I am nuts.....this is wonderful and very inspiring!

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    1. No, Lois, you are NOT nuts. You think ahead!! And you know that someday you will have a need for keyboard letters. LOL. And you kept them out of the landfill. Glad I was able to inspire you to go use them!!

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  65. Love Bella and thanks for the tutorial. I too am a craft hoarder....I need choices when I create.....or do I? Thanks for the opportunity to win a great prize.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments. We are all craft hoarders of some sort. Hope you win!!

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  66. Bella makes me think of a Las Vegas Peacock! LOL!!! AND I've never even seen one! :D Super Job on your creation!!!! Inspiring? YES!!!! ;D

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments! Glad you liked her.

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  67. Michael, Love Ms Bella and your detailed blog on how she came to be. Hoarder Pride! Unite! Keep on creating - super fan here!

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    1. Thanks so much Colleen! Glad you liked her. Hoarder Pride - I like that!

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  68. OMG....This is wonderful. Its great seeing all of your steps, and how you incorporated some hoarded supplies(LOL).

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  69. interesting. Have a great day

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  70. I love how you did this... the peacock stencil was genius, and I love using the lightbulbs for hair! Well done :D

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  71. How clever using those old keyboard keys. I have several kicking around that I am going to dig out and "re-purpose". Thanks, Michael!

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    1. Save them Phyrie!! I knew they would come in handy one day. lol. Glad you liked the project.

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    1. Thanks Melody. Was a stencil and/or keyboard letters.

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  73. If we could afford your plane ticket, we'd invite you to our Saturday art conclaves! Great work on the whole piece but Cath Sheard is right: it's the eyelashes!

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    1. Thanks Linda!! Saturday art conclaves sounds fun!! Where are you guys located?

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  74. Bella Bulb is brilliant!! From green (false) eyelashes to her peacock hair to her bright ideas!! A very clever masterpiece! Thanks for the step-by-step and for digging through your hoard to ensure Bella was properly prepared for her debut with CHACB!!

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  75. So creative and very cool! Love the background you created. Love the peacock hair or headress! Awesome work. Love the words too. Thanks for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  76. So creative! Love your use of stencils and products!

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  77. I love this, Michael! Thanks for the awesome tutorial, you rock!

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  78. Hi Michael! Wow, your tutorial was awesome! Thank you for sharing with us! Loved the variety of elements used.

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Crafty Elves Countdown to Christmas - March 2023 - Christmas Fishes

  Hello everyone.  Believe it or not but I have yet to make a holiday card this year (not counting this post) and I've missed making the...