Monday, July 18, 2011

Painting Envelopes...

While ordering office supplies late one evening I was compelled to add a box of small coin envelopes to my order. I knew I could craft with them and they would be fun to decorate. Mr. C was not amused. "What are you going to do with so many little envelopes!" he said. I replied, "I don't know however I will use them!"

Here I am painting each little envelope with gesso to tone down the kraft coloring. I included my hand as proof that I can get messy. I am very fussy and never like my hands to get dirty or messy at all. So in true artist style I am forcing myself to allow messiness as others say it is part of the creative process and even others say it is part of the fun. Hmmm...my hands did clean up after the painting and it really wasn't so bad. There might be hope for me after all. :o)



No picture of my hands here but trust me they got lots of paint on them with all of this process. I painted each envelope with different colors on both sides. I wanted a variety.




Here is my favorite little blue envelope. I even added liquid silver leaf circles and it really gave a lustrous shine.







This treatment of dry brushing several colors included a metallic copper which I really liked. The photo does not show it well.









This little one was dotted with some black ink. I used the end of a square chop stick.









Hard to see the gold leafing dry brush technique here. I thought the colors were representative of a bright spring day with all the trees leafing out.








What am I doing with my little painted and gilded envelopes? Now that is for another day.


Here we are in a new week and I shall be busy cleaning and weeding and ironing and weeding and generally enjoying being a homeowner.

How is your week shaping up?

Wonderful week and I hope you make time to make art...




16 comments:

  1. Your envelopes are adorable! I don't think that's anything I'll try any time soon, though. Paint and I just don't get along! ; )

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aren't these fun. I found a box of 500 at a friend's garage sale, I just couldn't resist the temptation to make something with them. Here's what I ended up with, yours are far more colorful than mine!
    http://lifeartcollide.blogspot.com/2011/05/quick-and-easy-atc-albums.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love what you are doing with these. Can't wait to see more.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have these little envelopes and paint little flowers on them. I love what you have done. I like the blue one too! My week sounds exactly like yours. Have fun.

    ReplyDelete
  5. how creative and fun. Getting a card or note in one of these beauties would be wonderful. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Terrific idea. I spent way too much time out in the heat. It is not conducive to creativity. :(

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a fun project. I can't wait to see what you're going to do with all the cute envelopes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great idea, and I love the results! Unique little envelopes! They'd make great gift tags for Christmas, or any time.
    Have an art-filled day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a good idea! I have a big box of those envelopes too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, I bet it will be great! Can't wait to see!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  12. These are so cool and you've made each one a little piece of art! Love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Morning greetings to my enterprising envelope friend! You must keep painting and messing up your hands, it's great! Can't wait to see what your creative brain comes up with for the use of them. It'll be wonderful, for sure! ~kath

    ReplyDelete
  14. They are the cutest little things! What a great idea to paint them and now I'm curious to see what you'll do with them next...
    Love your messy fingers too by the way!
    This week I am quilting - time to think about some Christmas projects and get busy with them.

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW! I love your envelopes and the fact that you 'did something with them' straightaway. I buy things I have great ideas about and then ... uhmmmm.... just sit on them until I forget what my great idea was. keeleyxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. You sure do know how to have fun! I love what you are doing with the envelopes and paint. They all look fab!
    Hugs,
    Terri

    ReplyDelete

Thank you very much for visiting my blog. I love to receive comments and read them with much interest.