Card Making Again

Some of you know that I have in the past few years, been active in paper crafts and card making. I haven't made cards since I returned to painting full-time, but I have missed it. I started creating more mixed media pieces, and found the desire to make cards has returned. I spent one Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago making a few cards. A couple of them have already been picked up for publication, but here are a couple that I can share.

For the above card, I used Echo Park, American Crafts and Glitz papers (6x6 paper pads - love these). The label is Jillibean. The felt flowers were some older Stampin Up! I had in my stash.

Simple card - Echo Park papers and a Stampin Up! stamp. Martha Stewart butterfly punch. I had cut the banners.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Mixed Media Flowers and Vase

I'm posting this before/after artwork for the March challenge on the Design Memory Craft's blog. I love using paper, stickers, paint, stamps and ink on my collage pieces. This one is something I haven't done before in mixed media - a flower vase collage.

I love using wood for my mixed media pieces. They give them a rustic (and green) feel. First I primed the wood with gesso, then painted the sides. I then started layering tissue, papers, etc... usually freehand cutting (is that a word) the shapes for each piece. Here is a photo of the progress.

There's a lace doily at the top (found object in a box of giftwrapping and decorating items). I used Faber-Castell's gelatos (blue and green) to shade the sides of the paper. I applied it directly to the piece and used my finger with a bit of water to spread it out randomly.

I added stickers and wassi tape. I added paint to the flowers. I used a Pitt pen to draw some of the leaves and accent various places. I used stamps, ink, paint and various textures all over the piece. - finishing off with a few more stickers and some butterflies.

Once I call a piece "done", it gets its hardware and it's ready for hanging. The size of this is 11.5" x 5.5".

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great week.

Breast Cancer Awareness Art Print Now Available

I had some recent interest in obtaining a print of "Words To Live By" - a painting I created for Frankliln Parish Medical Center's Breast Cancer Awareness event in 2011. I thought I'd make it available to anyone who wants one, so it's now listed here in my Etsy Store.

"Words To Live By" by Melanie Douthit

The print is not matted, but if I have enough interest, I will look into offering a pre-cut 8x10 mat with a square opening for the image. Let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Key to My Heart Mixed Media Collage

Before February is completely over, I wanted to share a mixed media collage piece I did for the Gallery Crawl we had a few weeks ago. I used a variety of papers, washi tape, a doily, a tag, stamps, chipboard and wire, nail and a key. A gentleman and his wife were strolling through the gallery and he bought it but didn't want his wife to know, so he got it a few days later. I hope she loved it.

Key to My Heart Mixed Media Collage

The surface is wood. I use Faber Castell Big Brush Pens and Pitt Pens, Stayz On Ink, and a variety of acrylic paints. I had drew and hand cut the heart. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 

Mardi Gras Dachshund Art Love

My hubby and I spend a three day weekend in New Orleans for our 25th wedding anniversary (yes, I said 25th!!). I remember when my parents reached this milestone thinking - wow - that's a long time. LOL. Now that it's our turn, we realize that it isn't really that long at all. We found a sweet place on Esplanade with a balcony that was just perfect.

We spent most of our evenings on Frenchmen Street dining and listening to Jazz music. It was a nice alternative to the touristy crowded places in the French Quarter. Enjoyed it so much, we are already talking about our next trip. I would love to take our bicycles and ride everywhere. Maybe we will.

While I was gone, I had a few collectors send me some pics of when they received their Mardi Gras Dachshund art. How fun!

I recently had some people contact me through my blog asking how to order a custom Mardi Gras Dachshund painting like they have seen in Mimi's Cafe's. I did the first paintings for Mimi's Cafe 10 years ago and have been pleasantly surprised to date that people still see the paintings and look for how to get one. I usually have a custom painting listed in my Etsy Store here, but when I'm filling several orders, I may not have one up. Feel free to email me at the contact info page on my Website and let me know you want one if you don't see a listing.


As much as we loved our trip, it was so good to be back in my own bed. It's really true, there's no place like home.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Home Sweet Home Mixed Media

Just stopping by to share one more piece I made for the Art Crawl. It's going to be a busy night. My 20 year old son and my 11 year old daughter will both have art in two different galleries tonight. I'll be bringing 4 new mixed media pieces to the River Gallery in West Monroe. Here's one of my new pieces.

"Home Sweet Home" by Melanie Douthit. 5.5" x 5.5" mixed media on wood

I used various scrapbook supplies as well as Faber-Castell Big Brush Pens and Pitt Pens. These pieces are so much fun to create.

I hope to see some of you at the Art Crawl tonight! Thanks for stopping by.

Newest Painting of the Year

The calendar "has" holidays, but it actually never takes a holiday. LOL. This is how I feel because the year has already started full-speed. My son and I are participating in a themed group art show this week called "El Corazon" (the heart) at the Downstairs Gallery in Monroe.  In addition to this, my daughter (a fifth grader) is showing some of her art across the street at Becton Gallery. All this coincides with the Downtown Gallery Crawl in Monroe and West Monroe - a bi-monthly event. I tried to get my husband to participate, but he still isn't interested in making art. (smile)

The first piece I created for the "heart" show was a still life with a dove and a string of hearts. I put it on my facebook page and sold it within a few days - so.... I created another piece that I will wait until after the show opens to post.

"Hearts and Flowers" 20" x 20" (SOLD)

Mixed Media by Melanie Douthit

 

 

If you are in Northeast Louisiana, come out this Thursday, Feb 7 to the gallery crawl. My work is always in the River Gallery, 308 Trenton Street, West Monroe and has regular business hours, but will be open till 9pm for the art crawl. There are 9 galleries total so it makes for a fun night. We are having beautiful weather this week, which is great for February!

 

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