Faux Plein Air

Today's theme for Stamping with Friends Blog Hop is making a card or project with a Window Sheet. This is a firm piece of clear plastic, sold in 12x12 sheets and very versatile in cardmaking and 3D projects (anything but a card).

My project is a Faux Plein Air wall hanging. I love flowers and trees, and the water color look; so I decided to incorporate that love with our beautiful Designer Series Papers called Thoughtful Journey, a Window Sheet and some natural elements.   

                                   

The more time I spend on water color techniques with Stampin' Up! inks, water color paper, and stamped images, the more I imagine myself sitting on a stump with paint brush in hand or setting up an easel outdoors, even in my yard where we have plenty of trees and flowers. I've recently learned about "Plein Air" painting, and its with those daydreams that I made this wall hanging with a Window Sheet as the base.  

Plein Air painting is the concept of "leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape" (description by artistsnetwork.com )

Materials used and directions:

Window Sheet for the Base. cut it 6 wide x 8 high. (You will attach the paper after you attach a hanger to the top and the sticks to top and bottom.)

Punch 2 holes with a paper punch, a half an inch down and 2" in from each end.

Add a hanger with twine, ribbon, or string that is long enough to be threaded through both holes and brought up above to tie in a knot, approximately 8-12 inches.

Attach the sticks. I lined up each stick with its curves, and turned it around till the stick laid somewhat flat, then punched a few holes in the Window sheet directly behind the stick, and wrapped Baker's twine or fishing line around the stick and through the holes to fasten it.

Attach the bottom stick a similar way.  Punch 2 or 3 holes about 1/2" up, spaced apart on the bottom of the Window sheet and use twine to wrap around the stick to get it where you want it to sit.   

Thoughtful Journey - 1 - 6x6 cut to 6" high x 5 1/2" wide - make sure to check the direction of your print before cutting. 

Use a die from the Forever Forest dies to cut a few trees and a cloud as shown.  

Attach the paper to the Window Sheet after you attach the sticks and hanger. Use Mini Glue Dots on the corners, a few along the sides of the back of the paper then center it on the Window Sheet.

Add your easel with Dimensionals - you want it to look realistic, like its standing in the grass.

Add dried flowers, twigs, or cedar.  I used Tombo Glue, but you could use hot glue as long as the glue was put on top of the stick and not the window sheet (in case it melts). As always with hot glue, make sure to trim off the "strings" of glue that get left.

The purpose of the Window Sheet for this project is to be a sturdy base for the sticks and hanger, plus being clear you don't add weight to it like you would if the base was cardstock. 

You could also substitute the paper for an photograph; or use a photograph on the easel print.

Hang this in your window or where you can be reminded of beautiful scenery, and where it might encourage you to participate in art outside!

I would love to see what Designer Series Papers you choose or a water or a sunrise or sunset scene.

 

Learn more about the beautiful coordinating products of Stampin' Up! and why being an Independent Demonstrator, joining my team - Card Connoisseurs could be for you! 

Thanks for stopping by!   Now click the next name and hop along on Stampin' With Friends Blog Hop - Inspiration From Around the World!