Jiggy Mermaid!

'Alter a jigsaw piece' is the theme over on the Flickr group 'Art 'n' Soul' and the theme is 'monochrome ... interpret any way you wish'. 

I used an old jigsaw piece from a child's puzzle measuring approximately 5" square at it's largest points.  Rather than going with black and white I used different shades of blue.

I peeled off the shiny picture from the jigsaw piece and coated it with some gesso.  Once that dried, I sprayed it with some Colour Wash (Stream).  I rubber stamped around the edges and embossed that with two different colours of blue.

For the mermaid, I coloured her (air dried clay) face and (card) body with some alcohol ink (Pool) and dressed her with some nylon netting type fabric.  I cut her tail from card and stuck on some of the tissue I had used to protect my desk when spraying on the colour wash.  Over the top of that I stuck some more of the blue netting with Matte Accents and sprinkled in some Beadazzles.

As there wasn't much contrast between the background and the mermaid, I sprayed her with some Glimmer Mist (Marshmallow).  On reflection I probably should have used Glossy, rather than Matte accents on the tail, but it has given it a dry, grungy look - just like it's been underwater too long!

Mermaid for a day

This month's theme over on the MAD (Monthly Art Doll) Flickr group is 'Mermaids'. Although the swap draw is taking place when I'm away on holiday I couldn't resist making a mermaid, so here she is!

Her face is another moulded air dried clay one, fibres for her hair and a crown made from card with some glitter and gems on.

Her top is part of an old scarf (stuck onto the body with some Anita's 3-D Clear Gloss Finish. Under her top she has a sparkly bra of 'Beadazzles' and a matching navel piercing - she has some of the same sparkle on her eyelids too!

Her tail is the easiest part of all to make. It's silver self adhesive tape stuck onto a card base, freehand embossed and coloured with alcohol inks.

The shoulder butterfly embellishments I found in my stash and I think they make her extra special - well, she has to make the most of being a Mermaid for a day!

Mermaid Paper Doll

Isn't she lovely - well, I think so, especially her wild hair! Being underwater most of the time plays havoc with your hair so I must recommend a good conditioner - lol!

I've joined a new Yahoo group called Fantastic Flat Paper Dolls and this month's theme is 'Mermaids'. Well, I've never made a mermaid before but really enjoyed making the tail! The base is two layers of card (the back is covered with a scrapbook paper) and on the tail I used some self adhesive silver tape (I think it's what electrican's use, but for what I don't know!). I embossed it free hand to make a scaley effect then coloured it with a few different alcohol inks. I had trouble finding a top for her. I wanted her to have a bikini top but couldn't find anything suitable (much like me when I'm getting dressed these days - lol) In the end I used some more of the silver foil and made her a little triangular shaped top. Her face is moulded for air dry clay and coloured with pens and chalks and her hair is some gorgeous fibres which are incredibly soft and fluffy.

She is jointed at the arms and under the belly button. I think I'll have to make another one to keep for myself so I can play with the hair all day! Help someone.....please!!!!!!!!! LOL