"FLOOD the streets with ART" Contribution

"FLOOD the streets with Art"

Contribution

Hello everyone!! D.L. Mannex here! Long Time No Blog! I am so sorry for not being around very often but as many of you know, my Husband recently came back from being deployed for over 7 months and we are currently in the process of being restationed. I currently dont have access to any of my crafting supplies because they are all in storage until we can settle into our new home in late Jan. However, I was able to keep some of my drawing/art supplies in my hands and have been busy with my doodles and even started a series of 12 pieces for a 2016 Calendar! You can all Thank my Husband for that one!

But to get to the topic of this Blog Entry, I recently was invited to an Event on Facebook titled "FLOOD the streets with ART(Part II)" which also was a group under the same title. You can find the link to the Group HERE .

In short, it is an event that an Artist makes a piece or Art that they are willing to give away, made specifically to give away. Then on Friday November 28th, 2014, yes Black Friday, they simply drop it off in a high human traffic area, such as a store or in my case a coffee shop, in the hopes someone will pick it up and take it home. Also you make a Tag to go on it, so people passing by realize that it is free to take home.

Below you will find a picture of the piece I will be dropping!

Above is the piece I did specifically for this event. It took me 4 days from Sketch to Transfer to Finish in full Color. And I mean 4 Days, at least 12 hours a day. I used several types of supplies. The final is on 11 x 14 Smooth Bristol Paper. The beautiful Lady is done with Copic Marker, Faber-Castell PolyChromos, Gel Pen, and Sakura Pigma Micron Multi-Liners. The Background is done in cheap Watercolor Paints.

This was my first attempt with using all of these things in one piece, and my first time using Watercolors all together. I also went to my local Dollar Tree Store and bought Red Sale Tags for the Tag Option. Under Sale I wrote " FREE!!!! I'M YOURS!!!!" and on the reverse side I explained why it was free and left my contact information and a link to the Event page on Facebook, which can be found above.

For those who might want to know, I will be dropping this outside a coffee shop in my hometown of Apple Valley, Ca. I have yet to decide which coffee shop and most likely wont decide until that morning. I want it to be a spur of the moment choice, just as it will be a spur of the moment choice for who will pick it up.

I want to Thank Everyone who is taking the time to read this, and for all those who have continued in their support of me and my crazy ways of expression.

I would also like to extend my Prayers and Wishes for Everyone to have a Wonderful Thanksgiving,and a Safe Black Friday. And if I am forced to neglect my Blog for a long amount of time again, I want to extend my Prayers and Wishes for everyone to have a Safe and Very Merry Christmas!

D.L. Mannex Out!

Prize Mail from Sonya Winston!!

Prize Mail from Sonya Winston!

Hello Everyone! About 3 weeks ago a Crafter named Sonya Winston announced a Giveaway on her YouTube Channel. I had been a subscriber of hers since her first video was posted, so I decided to enter for the prize. A week later she posted a video to announce the Giveaway Winner, and to my shock, it was me. I was extremely excited not only for the prize, but it was also my first giveaway win!

Below you will find my video, showing off Sonya's generous giveaway prizes and a beautiful hand crafted card! And then below that you will find two links. One to her YouTube Channel, and another to her Blog! Please show her some support, she has been incredible generous!

Sonya : YouTube

Sonya : Blog

Thank you so much everyone! Till Next Time!

~D.L. Mannex : Devon's Divine Designs~

First Tutorial Video!

First Tutorial Video!

Hello and Good Evening Crafty Bloggers and Friends! I am happy to announce that I have posted my first crafting tutorial to my recently created YouTube Channel. I am so excited, I have already recieved 6 Subscribers and a few nice comments and emails. I look forward to many videos in the future and hope you will take some time to stop by and take a look.



Anniversary Card

My Parents will be celebrating their 31st Wedding Anniversary on 8/20/14! I am so happy for them, and went ahead and made a simple yet elegant card for them!

Below you will find the Video Tutorial I posted on my YouTube Channel. Please feel free to leave comments and/or questions either here or in the comments section on Youtube. I am so excited to share this with you and would appreciate a thumbs up on the video! 

Thank you so very much for visiting my blog! Have a fantastic evening!

~D.L. Mannex : Devon's Divine Designs~

My Intro to YouTube!

My Intro to YouTube!

Good Sunday Afternoon to Everyone! I know it has been a while since I have posted but I am back and I have plenty of things planned in the future!! 

Below you will find the link to my YouTube Channel and my first video. It explains a little bit about me and what I believe I can contribute to everyone in the Crafty Community.

YouTube Channel

Thank you for your time, and I hope you will share this with your friends as soon as I get my first craft video uploaded!

G45 A Ladies Diary : Wall Decor

Graphic 45 A Ladies Diary:
Wall Decor

Good Evening Crafty Bloggers!! D.L. Mannex here, back with a new project!!

Sometime last year, my very Best Friend Lori, who introduced me to crafting by the way, went to Scrapbook Expo and brought me home the most amazing paper stack. She bought me my first Graphic 45 paper stack, A Ladies Diary. I instantly fell in love with it, but because of its very many options, I didnt have the courage to use it. So I tucked it away.

Just the other night, after I finished my previous Blog Post, I went browsing through Pinterest. While rummaging through the "DIY and Crafts" search, I came across the most beautiful Panel Wall Decor, which can be seen HERE. That very Pin drove me to dig out that beautiful paper and start brainstorming ideas. After all, the original Blogger didnt post how she made it.

Then I had an amazing idea, remembering that I had collected some ChipBoard like Coasters from a bar on my honeymoon. Not knowing at the time what I could create with them, but I am sure glad I grabbed them! Well enough chatter, here is my Wall Decor!!

Now I even surprised myself with this creation. Ive never done anything this amazing in crafting. But I can give you a run down of how I did this if you have a few more minutes to spare.

Supplies:

- 4 Chipboard-like Coasters

- Gesso

-Tissue Paper

- Metallic Folk Art Paint

- G45 A Ladies Diary 12 x 12 stack

- Assorted Embellishments

- Gold Chain

- Foam Mounting Tape

- Assorted Adhesives

- Assorted Paper Trimmers/Scissors

Now, these Coasters started out with Coors Light Advertisements on them. We could'nt have that showing through so, I experimented with Gesso for the first time. For me it only took one solid coat to cover the advertisement. I let them dry for a couple hours and when I returned I noticed that the Gesso had added a little more texture to the surface. But that wasnt enough for me, so I whipped out the Mod Podge and started laying down layers of tissue paper. For the two Pink Panels, I used Pink Tissue Paper and the two Aqua Panels I used a light Pastel Green Tissue Paper.

When I got the texture I wanted, I again let them dry for a couple hours. Then the Metallic Folk Art Paint came in. On the Pink Panels, I lightly coated over it with Champagne (#2484), and on the Aqua Panels, a light coat of Metallic Ice Blue (#2588).

Now from this point on it would be your preference of how to arrange things. For each Panel I decided on a focal point. For the first Panel, the focal point is basically the title of the project.

I then just built around it with images from the 12 x 12 stack, little charms and paper flowers.

For Panel two, the Focal was the lovely framed Lady in a very Fancy Hat. She is lifted with Foam Mounting tape, while the other two full bodied ladies are flat to the surface. And again, small charms and paper flowers.

For the Third Panel, the Lady pinning Flowers to Gentleman's lapel is the focal point. This image is flat to the surface, where as the Lady Stamp and Vintage Car images are lifted with Foam Mounting Tape. Here I was able to chang up the paper flower colors because the focal image had yellow flowers in the lower right hand corner.

In the final Panel, I did my best to combine all of the colors and levels of the previous three panels. Here the Focal is the Lady in the Yellow Dress, center image, which is flat to the surface. All other images are lifted with Foam Mounting Tape.

I then let everything rest over night, and added the gold chain to link them all together, and so that it could hang on the wall.

Overall this was a very thrilling project, I tested my limits far more then I have ever imagined. Using things I never thought i'd touch and making up new techniques to further my abilities.

Thanks again for taking the time to enjoy this post, and please come back soon to share in my adventures!

And with that, Divine Designs Out!!

April 2014 Challenge : Tonya Gibbs Sketch

April 2014 Challenge: Tonya Gibbs Sketch

Good Evening Bloggers! D.L. Mannex with Devon's Divine Designs here!! Announcing my very first Challenge Entry in my crafting Career, and I am so very excited! If youd like to take on this Challenge, go HERE !

It all starts with this beautiful sketch from Tonya Gibbs!

The Challenge is to use Washi Tape, Scraps, or Old Products. Sadly I dont own any Washi Tapes, but Old Products and Scraps are my best friends in the crafting world, often coming to me as hand-me-downs, yard sale finds, or clearancing items at craft stores or expos. So before I get started here is a Supply List for my version of this wonderful sketch.

Supplies:

~ Card Base : Ivory - Recollections

~ Mixed Pattern Cardstock (Yard Sale Discovery)

~ Paper Doily (Hand-me-Down Supplies)

~Memento Ink : Rose Bud

~Color Box Cat's Eye Inks : Pastels

~Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist: #16850 Valentine Pink

~ "Thank You" Cling Stamp

~Spotted Feathers

~Rinestones

~Silk Ribbon Rose

~ Assorted Trimmers and Adhesives

And now, here is my version of the Sketch!!

So after digging out the scraps of Mixed Pattern Paper, I took my Westcott Paper Trimmer and eye-balled trimming them down in different sizes to match the Sketch the best I could.

Then using my Tape Runner, I adhered the trimmings to the Ivory Card Base.

Next was the Paper Doily, which I sprayed with Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist in Valentine Pink (#16850). To speed up the drying process, I used my Martha Stewart Heat Gun. Which I then Adhered over the trimmings with my Tape Runner.

Then I came across two tags in the same patterned papers ad the trimmings. I distressed them with Color Box Cat's Eye Ink in Pink Pastel, and stamped "Thank You" in Memento Ink in Rose Bud.

Using Foam Mounting Tape, I adhered the two tags together, giving the top on some lift. Then using my Hot Glue Gun, I glued the Spotted Feather between the two tags, and the Silk Ribbon Rose on the top tag.

Once again, using Foam Mounting Tape, I adhered the Tags to the Doily, giving it some lift.

Last but not least, I used my Hot Glue Gun to glue down the Rinestones in the Triangle Pattern displayed in the Sketch.

Over all I am very impressed with how much fun I had doing this. Ive never been much of a card maker but apparently all it takes is a beautiful sketch and some scraps. 

Thank you Tonya Gibbs for the Challenge!

And again, whoever finds inspiration in my creation and would like to take on this Challenge, just go HERE !!

And with that, Divine Designs Out!!

And So It Begins

And So It Begins

I finally begin the first 3 of 5 Wedding Albums for my family. After purchasing the Chipboard Albums from Micheals and digging through my paper packs. A few hours and a ton of Mod Podge later I managed to cover the all the albums with Paper.

Then yestarday I finally found the time to get the photos printed for the albums. They came out perfect, sizes from 5x5, 4x6, and 5x7. I also went all out and got myself a new self healing mat, 4 new pairs of scissors in various sizes, double sided tape, foam matting tape, and clear sleeves.  Now I believe I am ready to start filling the albums with amazing pictures and embellishments

Today marked another milestone for myself. I began Apartment Hunting today. And I have an appointment next week to view at least 2 but possibly 4. I will soon have a 2 bedroom apartment, 1 room will be an art studio. I am so excited for this!

But the bad news is, my Husband is set to deploy soon. Time is ticking faster then it ever has before. But I have told myself that I will get through this.

New Name, New Life!

New Name, New Life

On January 25, 2014 I married the man of my dreams, and my best friend, Russell James Mannex Jr. 

This, by far, was the best day of my life. Not only did I get to have an amazing time with my new husband, but I was able to spend time with my amazing family. I got to see so many side of people I didnt know where there, including myself. It was so beautiful.

My dearest and closest friend Lori made everything come together on such short notice. the fallowing beautiful pictures wouldnt have been possible without her! Not only did she take such amazing pictures, but she decorated and coordinated my entire wedding, and was my florist! I owe her so much for doing all these amazing things for me!

She did such an amazing job, and these are only a fraction of the pictures she mananged to take. She made me feel so amazing in these pictures, she made me feel like a princess!

So now all I have to do is take all 320 photos from the wedding and make 4 scrap-chipboard albums for family members. That isnt to much at all right? I already have some of the supplies. Blank Chipboard Albums and Scrapbook Paper from Michaels. Lots of stickers, laces, pearls, beads, yadda-yadda-yadda! I am so excited to get started.... but I have to have the photos printed and I havent found a place I like yet!