Friday, July 20, 2012

The Giving Tree



Hello and welcome, so happy you dropped by! I have another mixed media piece for you today and this one is close to my heart. I was visiting my friend's blog, You Made Me Ink, the other day and she made four cards that tugged at my heart strings. The images are from Nicecrane Designs and I immediately fell in love with them. The owner, Ignacio, offered me a free image and I happily obliged. Thank you so much Ignacio for your generosity!!! I chose this little boy because he reminded me of a very special boy, my boy. He's grown now and in the Army but he'll always be my little boy. I have precious memories of us reading his favorite book,  The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. When he was 5 we bought him the book and I ran across it recently while cleaning. It stirred something in me and when I saw this image I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to create something to capture that moment in time. This is how I did it...




The tree in the book was an apple tree so my tree is as well. I used a kaleidoscope circle stencil to create my sun with texture magic and rub ons, stamps, acrylic paint, & Faber Castell markers were used to create my background. I colored this sweet image with Copic markers and fussy cut it out. The tree was made from a Studio Calico paper pad I received in a kit from Scarlet Lime. Christy Tomlinson is the artist/owner and she does a video featuring the new kit every month. She made a tree but nothing stirred me so I put it up thinking what am I going to do with this. It's funny how things will come back to you in an instant because when I saw this image from Nicecrane I remembered the video and the book. So here it is and I plan to hang it where I can see it and remember.

If you haven't delved into the world of mixed media I encourage you to. You can create so much with so little, you do not have to buy a lot of expensive products to create with. Acrylic paints are inexpensive and can be found (in U. S.) at every Wal-Mart and most are under a dollar for a 2 oz. bottle. No fancy brushes are needed & Plaid's Mod Podge is probably the most expensive thing you need to buy. Hope you'll give it a try sometime. I created a wall hanging a few posts ago and did a tutorial. You can see my step-by-step process there (click on Tutorials tab) and I'll be creating more soon. Any questions just email and I'll be happy to share what I've learned. Good luck and happy crafting!

I'm linking this up at the Old Back Porch & Make It Monday #98 challenge where anything goes. I'm in a hurry to get out the door so if I find more challenges to enter I'll link up later in the day.
Edit: I'm back and I'm also going to play along with the Stampin' Royalty #133 Anything Goes, Divas by Design Challenge #44-Anything Goes, and The Paper Shelter Challenge #73-Anything GoesCrazy Amigo Challenge-Free Theme. So happy to find some new and exciting challenges!  

Thanks again to Ignacio at Nicecrane Designs for the free image, the inspiration I always receive from Lisa M. and to all of you for your support and encouragement. I do hope you'll click on the Nicecrane Designs link to view all of Ignacio's wonderful images and collage sheets. You will not be disappointed, promise. Also, pay Lisa M. a visit and leave her a sweet comment, she loves for folks to visit. As for me, your comments always brighten my day!!!
Hugs,
Lisa

15 comments:

Bananastamper said...

Wow!!! This is fantastic! I have two little boys who are BIG readers and this makes me think of them devouring their books! I adore this! Thanks for sharing! I am your newest follower.
Shanna :)

http://bananastamper.blogspot.ca/

Jeanne J. said...

Lisa, You made me so nostalgic reading your post!!! Your mixed media is amazing. I love the image of the boy under the tree reading the book and how you personalized the scene! This is a real treasure and a beautiful piece of art! I wish I could see it in person so I could soak in all the details! You are making me want to take the plunge into this new world so I can have a treasure of my own!

Nicecrane Designs said...

Wowwwww Lisa,,,love it. soooo adorable,,,,,you are talented,,,your friend Lisa Mnckler talk me about you ,,,and I am offer you to join in my DT if you are interesting my friend,,,,,horayyyyyyyyyyy for Lisa.

Chrissy said...

This is so adorable Lisa, fabulous work.

Thanks for sharing with us at ‘Make it Monday’

Luv CHRISSYxx

Don’t forget. .if you leave a comment on another entrant, mention that you saw their card on ‘Make it Monday’ for a chance at second prize.. the more you comment on and mention MIM, the more chances at winning second prize.

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful project Lisa! Love the cute Vintage imae and the gorgeous tree! Love the story behind it!

Jackie Rockwell said...

This is truly AMAZING! Love the fine details like the numbers in the tree trunk! I have 2 grown boys and this post reminded me of when they were small too. They will always be our little boys in our heart. :)

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, how super! I went straight to get the images too, having seen them at You Made Me Ink... too adorable! And I love how you've placed him here - what a beautiful artwork. Thanks so much for jumping on board at Words and Pictures, and your lovely comment. It really means a lot!
Alison x

Lisa Minckler said...

I made it...I finally made it over!! Internet went out and blogger as you know, is definetely on my naughty list now. :( L1, I have to admit, that post gave me instant goosebumps when I read it. I was overwhelmed with a mother's love for her child and the desire to preserve such precious memories we hold so tightly to. This mixed media almost brought me to tears...it's exceptional not only in design, but in the depth of love that it portrays. Outstanding work!!!
Hugs to you,
L2

Shannon White said...

Wow Lisa this is Such a Fabulous mixed Media Project! So many Lovely details and Such a heartwarming story behind it too! 8-)

Hugs & Happy weekend!
Shannon

Christy Beans said...

I saw your thumbnail at MIM and followed the link and I'm glad - this is fabulous! It actually reminds me of some of the images in my favorite childhood books. And also it reminds me of me as a child, sitting with a book under a favorite tree. Wonderful! -=) Christy

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

Stunning creation, just love the scene you have created & the sun looks fab!

Thank you for sharing with us at Divas this week, good luck!
Hugs Shell xx

Margaret said...

OH, Lisa!!! This is absolutely wonderful in every way! I fell in love with this very same image and you have put it in the most wonderful setting!
It just squeezed my heart to see this gorgeous piece of art and know the strong connection you have to it. You make this look so easy and who knows, someday I may find the courage to throw caution to the wind and make my own attempt! For now, I think I'll just sit here and admire your's!!

corrie said...

This is truly incredible. It is so detailed. I just love everything about it!

Jeanne J. said...

Probaly my 5th look at this one Lisa! Still think it's just fabulous! Perfect in every way!

Marjie Kemper said...

This is so fabulous, Lisa! Love all the texture you've added and the image itself sure does make me think of reading to my little guys as well.

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