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Hello! It’s Heather Collins here with another mixed media project. I called this one “Life is Art” and I have a story to go along with it…
Life can change in the blink of an eye, sending you down a path you never imagined. In 2005, a truck crashed into my car, and in an instant, life as I knew it changed forever. I had to relearn how to write, read aloud, and even walk correctly. Through time, the love and support of my family, countless hours of therapy, and the healing power of art, I found my way back.
Although I recovered, the accident left me with lifelong health challenges that I've learned to adapt to over the years. Every once in a while, though, my body reminds me that those challenges are still there. About a week and a half ago, my left leg unexpectedly gave out, sending me to the hospital and leaving me on bed rest for several days. It was physically exhausting and emotionally draining.
Thankfully, I have art! Once I was able to move around again, my husband quietly placed one of my craft bags beside me. It was filled with leftover pieces from previous projects, and it was exactly what I needed to begin creating again.
Inside the bag were several embossed and colored images from a project I had made using the Brutus Monroe One of a Kind | 2x3 Stamp Set. I also found the leftover negative sheets from foiling card panels and the Brutus Monroe Secret Garden | DuoFoil Washi Sheet. One of my favorite things about using Brutus Monroe Foil Transfer Sheets is that even after the original design has been transferred, the remaining foil can still be used to create beautiful, unique effects. I also had a few of my favorite paint colors nearby—teal and lime green.
I asked my husband to stop by the craft store and pick up an unfinished ceramic piece for me. Even though I had to complete the entire project from my bed, it came together beautifully, and I absolutely love the finished result.
To begin, I covered the entire ceramic piece with Decoupage Matte Paint using a foam brush. I allowed it to dry until it became tacky, which in the summer heat only took about 30–45 seconds.
Once it reached that stage, I pressed Brutus Monroe Foil Transfer Sheets in Gold Static, Disco, and Copper Ripples onto the surface. By gently rubbing the foil with my fingertips, I was able to transfer gorgeous metallic accents to the piece. In several areas, you can even see the beautiful swirls and patterns left behind from the previous foiling project, giving the background incredible texture and interest.
Next, I applied washes of teal and lime green paint, blending the colors with a baby wipe and lightly misting the surface with water to create a soft, weathered appearance. Once that dried, I added touches of Brutus Monroe Navy Glitter Glaze with my fingertip to create sparkle and dimension. I also highlighted select areas using a wet glitter pen for even more shimmer.
After everything had dried completely, I brushed on additional Decoupage Matte Paint in a few highlight areas and repeated the foil transfer process with more Brutus Monroe Foil Transfer Sheets, adding extra metallic details and depth throughout the piece.
To finish the project, I attached three fussy-cut butterflies with foam adhesive squares and embellished the design with five flat-back crystals using iCraft® Ultra Bond™ Adhesive Glue.
I love how quickly this project came together, but even more than that, I love what it represents. Sometimes creativity doesn't just make something beautiful—it helps us heal. This little ceramic piece became a reminder that even when life forces us to slow down, we can still create something meaningful from what's left behind.
By Heather Collins
Products Used
iCraft® Ultra Bond™ Adhesive Glue
Brutus Monroe | Foil Transfer Sheets | Gold Static
Brutus Monroe | Foil Transfer Sheets | Disco
Brutus Monroe | Foil Transfer Sheets | Copper Ripples
Other Supplies:
Brutus Monroe "Secret Garden | DuoFoil Washi Sheet"
Brutus Monroe "One of a Kind | 2x3 Stamp Set"
Brutus Monroe Navy | Glitter Glaze
Fuse Foil Machine by Gina K Designs
flatback crystals
foam square
Paint brush
Paints: Teal and Lime Green
Glitter Pens: Teal and Lime Green
Decoupage Matte Paint
Ceramic Blank Art
