June 20, 2010

USArtQuest Blog Hop and Project

Welcome to the inaugural blog hop for the new USAQ Design Team!  We've been busy creating cool projects using the Draw and Gild kit.  In addition to hopping from one DT blog to the other to see the fabulous creations, you can enter to win one of the Draw and Gild kits so you can see for yourself what all the excitement is about.

There are some rules, of course, to be eligible to win.  You must stop by the blog of each DT member and enter a comment on each blog before 11:59 P.M. ET on June 27, 2010.

To make it even easier for you, I've listed all of the blogs below so you can simply click on the DT member's name and you'll be taken to her blog.  Oh, and one more thing, you need to hop in order starting with Sarah's blog!



Before you go, however, don't forget to check out the awesome frame I made for the hop.  Most of you know I'm a cardmaker at heart but this is a special event so it calls for a special project.

I did get a bit carried away working on this project and couldn't seem to restrict myself to just using the supplies in the kit.  The quality of the USAQ products is phenomenal!

With the exception of the frame, all supplies can be purchase at USAQ's online store.


Gildenglitz - gold
Fine Liner tool
Duo Glue
Paint brush
Perfect Pigments - titanium white, deep sky blue, cobalt turquoise hue, magenta, purple mist
Perfect Glaze - clear
Perfect Paper Adhesive Gloss
Crystal Effectz
Wood frame

Paint the frame with a base coat of white.  Mix glazing medium into the blue, turquoise and purple acrylics.  Using the little yellow sponges that come with the acrylic paint kits, layer the paints starting with the turquoise and adding highlights with the blue and purple.  Remember to let a little of the white base show through.

When the paint is dry, place a couple of drops of Duo Glue into the Fine Liner and let your imagination (and your hand) wander, creating swirls and squiggles all over the frame.  Remember, when the Duo Glue is clear, it is ready to adhere.  This is your sign to add the Gildenglitz, pressing the flakes gently into the glue.  Use the texture sponge to brush off the excess flakes, which can be used in the next step.  To add a little interest, I placed a drop of Duo Glue on my finger and created a few smudges here and there, adding more Gildenglitz to bring them to life.

For the finishing touch to my frame, I coated the frame with PPA gloss and lightly sprinkled a bit of Crystal Effectz.

I typed up one of my favorite prayers and inserted into the frame.  Not only am I reminded of the message, but seeing it in the beautiful frame puts a smile on my face. 

Now, get hopping and good luck on the drawing!

Connie

P.S.  If you don't win or just can't wait, you can always purchase your own kit!  You won't be disappointed.

79 comments:

Julie Ranae said...

wonderful job Connie...here's hoping all internet issues get fixed for you soon : )

Jessica Griffin said...

Connie!! Great minds think alike!! Love your frame!!

Proxxon Tools said...

What a great frame!

Elana said...

That is a wonderfully pretty frame. Every blog I hop to makes me more excited about this gilding tool, because you all use it in different and lovely ways! I like the delicate lines you make!

Lisa H. said...

I am absolutely loving this draw and gild gadget! Thanks for the BlogHop generosity!

suzi blu said...

Beautiful and elegant frame! xoxo

Catherine said...

This is so beautiful! I love, love, love those colours. The aqua goes so well with the gold swirls!

Linda said...

Love, love, love the goodies, great project!!

Cindy Jones Lantier said...

Love the colors you chose; they all work so well together. What a cool frame!

Sarah Anderson said...

Such a pretty frame Connie, I love the colours and the sparkle adds the right amount of pizzazz :)

Kelly said...

I really like your frame. I can just imagine Suzi using this as inspiration for her petit mermaids!

Joy said...

I love this and your prayer is wonderful. Thanks for the lesson. Off to next artist to learn some more.

usaqsue said...

As ususal Connie, you have made something special, even more beautiful. I know you love the tool, but I love the frame...and, what's inside too! Thank you.

Jan Hennings said...

So pretty! You'd never know you're used to making cards cause this is a beauty :)

KayakChickee said...

Very cool. I might have to pick this kit up, unless I win it of course. :)

prutsels said...

Great ideas,great blog hop

Sue said...

Beautiful project! I love your choice of color.

Unknown said...

I love your frame. Gosh, this hopping just became more difficult. Someone didn't say earlier it had to be in order! Yikes.

Unknown said...

I love this project! The colors are beautiful!

Terry said...

Love using this on a frame! Lovely colors!

1CardCreator said...

Gorgeous frame, I love your prayer. Thanks for sharing. ~Diane

PinkHattuer said...

Love the fine line designs! It looks so light and elegant!

Helen said...

Connie, this is a beautiful frame, thanks for the chance to win the goodies!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful frame. S x

karen said...

This kit looks like fun!

JaneT said...

This looks like it would be loads of fun. I love blue too.

Jacque said...

I love your frame! It is in my favorite color palette and I love the glitz! This blog hop is fun! Thank you for sharing.

Odd Chick said...

Wow- you made it sound easy to create such a beautiful frame!

Unknown said...

Fun frame!

Anonymous said...

wonderfully delicate stamping project. You certainly can show off what fine work this kit can do!

Gwen said...

This frame is just gorgeous! Love the colors and how the gilded designs stand out!

get~ko~neck~ted said...

thank you for this opportunity.
getkoneckted@yahoo.com

Kelly Berkey said...

Fun project!!

Anonymous said...

Another great project!

Anonymous said...

Lovely blog! :D Here for the blog hop! :D Great work! cheers! maria

Tolegranny said...

This is great. Hope to win this great kit.

fairykin said...

Yahoo! Bloghop gild package contest.
Thank you to you SuziBlu and other artists.
http://crystalscreations-stillwatersgallery.blogspot.com

Keziah said...

I love this, so delicate

Jam Ito said...

Wonderful hand-drawn frame!

Anonymous said...

What amazing work on this frame, its subtle but so so striking. love your artwork
Hugs June xxxx

Caz said...

Beautiful frame - so delicate and the gilding sets it off so well

Caz

Unknown said...

Love the frame - Love the prayer! This is just wonderful!

StampinCathy said...

This is just one stunning frame. Great colors and details.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing!

Angie Hall Haviland said...

FABULOUS Frame...Love the saying inside too!

Deb Brooner said...

Yet another tastefully done frame. Congrats.

Kathleen Barnes said...

I love the turqouise and glitz effect. Great project....

Charlotte said...

Those colours look really good together! Very nice!

Elaine said...

Absolutely beautiful - blue is my favourite colour and you've made it look very rich and vibrant. Great job!

JennV said...

I'm loving this frame! Seeing all these creations makes me think that I may actually be able to use this kit on something! LOL! Thanks for the opportunity and I'm loving the Blog Hop!

Angie at Home said...

I think I want to make one of these frames for each of my sisters... and I can really see a Halloween design coming to mind.

Thanks for sharing your technique.

Barbara I. said...

Wow, your frame is beautiful. I love the gilding leaf effect! It adds so much to the finished piece. Thanks for sharing your creativity and giving us a chance to win the kit!

Quilt knit said...

This is awesome Idea. There is a small glitch. Guess I am just not smart.

Susan said...

OMGoodness, I love that frame. The colors are so lovely together. It would be so...so....GREAT to be able to try some of the projects being posted.

Lisa Somerville said...

Beautiful frame, love the shimmer!

Suzanne C said...

Lovely mix of colors, gold, and techniques.

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

This frame is so pretty--I love the gold accents! I have never tried this product before...but after this hop--now I want one! How fun:) TFS!

Peggy said...

CJ I like the frame.. you got outside the box LOL
Craft SIS

Lori said...

Lovely frame, beautiful colors, and the glitz really adds to it!

Lavender said...

I love the frame, it's in my favourite colours! Blue and gold look so good together!

elderberry said...

This blog hop is really getting me excited about new techniques and cute projects! Thanks for the boost.

jennifer said...

wow it's a beautiful frame!

wwilloww said...

I love your frame (and the prayer is powerful!!!) Your color choices were some of my favs! Thanks so much!

Miriam Cutelis said...

I love the affects in gold.......very exciting work,

SherylH said...

Beautiful frame -- love the look of the gilded squiggles.

Create With Joy said...

What a beautiful project - one of my faves on the hop!

Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

Kat Baker said...

I love mixed media, so it's fun to do this little blog hop and see what everyone is doing. Thanks for the opportunity to win the Gilding tool.

Sal-Gal said...

What a wonderful idea to liven up a plain old frame! thanks for all the instructions - very helpful for a newbie like me!

Karen Denson said...

beautiful frame. It actually looks like real turquoise and I love the effect of the gilding with it

TR said...

This is wonderful...
My favorite project so far in The Hop!
Looking forward to going thru
your archives and see what else
you've done!

Hug, TR

Rusted Wings said...

lovely work & offering!
thanks for sharing!!!
blessings,
abigail

craftimamma said...

What a lovely frame. Such pretty colours all enhanced with the gilding. Beautiful!

Definitely a must have tool.

Lesley Xx

Shellco said...

Great colors - the gildenglitz adds so much to the project. Thanks for sharing!

Shari said...

Your frame is beautiful. I am getting so many good ideas. I have some nude frames, I guess I better get busy. What wonderful gifts these would make. The Blog Hop has been so inspiring.

lockeit said...

Love the frame:)

karenvonbaron said...

love the frame...pick me!

Tanya said...

What an amazing frame!!! THis kit looks like soooo much fun!!

pupton said...

Connie! I love your frame! Great colors and sparkly!

Stacey said...

Awesome frame! TFS!