our local Mixed Media Collaborative art group took a day trip on Saturday driving about two hours south to Charlottesville, Virginia…
some of you may find this hard to believe but I did not take one photo all day as my camera was in the trunk (boot) of my car and once Sue had us under her spell at Paper, Ink there was no stopping…
Paper, Ink (formerly Handcraft House in Madison) is a beautiful store owned by Ken and situated perfectly on the corner of 5th and East Main Streets which is part of the charming pedestrian mall in Charlottesville…
one of the things that really stands out at Ken’s store(s) is the talent, generosity and sharing of his delightful staff…
they truly enjoy what they do and are so creative…
I could hardly wait to get home and try the first of several techniques that Sue shared with us…
I tried snapping a few photos at home to show you some of the layering I did using a type of rice paper, stencils and various color wash sprays…
Sue introduced us to Dylusions Ink Sprays and a Fred Mullett technique with a bit more on that here)…
I was pleased with my first attempts and look forward to experimenting further with this technique…
the crowning glory were two of Fred Mullett’s wonderful stamps and a Brilliance Moonlight White ink pad to give my papers that certain something as a finishing touch…
I also ended up with an array of papers that I used to blot my stencils with (regular copy paper and some smooth Bristol)…
these will make great background papers for cards and who knows what other uses I will find for them…
I never let not knowing what I will do with something stop me from enjoying the creative process…
I only photographed half of my rice papers for this post as I thought I was going to stop and clean up until the other ten sheets of rice paper called out for me to finish them too…
many thanks to Sue, Ken and Liz at Paper, Ink…
if you are ever close to Charlottesville be sure and stop in for a visit and prepare to be amazed and inspired!
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
Amazing!
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Dearest Patty,
I loved the message. It was right on. It is right by my bed and I love it. You never forget me, even though I have been so “absent” lately.
Thank you, dear friend.
Huge hugs,
Suz
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What a wonderful shop…and a great day! Love the pieces. I have some Fred Mullett stamps….two fish ones and I think my shells are by him, too. I reallllllllly love the fish!
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WOW it looks like you had a fabulous time with this..
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Oh, you are pulling at my heartstrings now Patty! Ioooooove these, so many luscious layers are melding and morphing into another level of beauty! More please!
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Love all those rich colours and patterns.
The use of the white ink pad gives a beautifully soft ethereal finish Patty.
Wonderful for you to have a day out “arting” with your friends – nothing nicer!
I’ve been forgetting my camera recently too – usually we’re joined at the hip*!*!*!*!
Great big hugs to you dear Patty.
Shane xox
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O M G !!!
Patty what a inking fun.
Your papers are wonderful.
Great spraying my dear friend.
Have a creative week Sweetie.
xoxo
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The layering is working soooo well Patty. Beautiful stuff.
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wonderful papers Patty!
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Well holy cow girl….I am on my way over to Munich to book my next flight to Charlottesville!!! Does this look great or WHAT??? Love what you created…tooooo much fun and fabulous look to the papers. Can I come camp out at your house?
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Oh my Patty! The papers are gorgeous – stunning results and the Fred M. stamps really have a fantastic effect! xxoo
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oh my – did I miss out!!!! These are just spectacular – can’t wait to see some up close! I was thinking about you all day and couldnt wait to see your posting!
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Patty, your papers most definitely speak of nature. There is a wonderful organic energy to them.
We can certainly tell that lots of fun took place.
Wishes
Lynne
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I really like your choice of stencils. They are great. And I’m really impressed with all those hand painted papers, although maybe I should have called them hand “sprayed.” Lovely.
I’ve heard of the Dylusions, but never seen them here. Of course, you know what they say. The west and east coasts get the products first, then the middle of the country gets them about two years later (grin). Sad, but often true.
Ironically, I was talking to my art friend Kathy last night and she asked me if I had any white ink. I told her I had Brilliance and it was pigment ink. She wants to use it on a technique she saw on Pinterest. You mentioned the exact same brand and color I have. I’ve had it since forever, and seldom use it. Now I must play a bit. You are SUCH an inspiration.
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They look wonderful Patty and I just love the white! xoxo
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Now THAT was a fun day! And look at what you accomplished.
You go girl. And clever that you are using the blotting papers, too!
I hope to make some art today. Fingers crossed!
Jan
xoxoxoxox
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So wonderful sprayed papers, dear Patty.
Have a great week
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Dear Patty, what a wonderful post, your day at Paper, Ink must have been incredible, judging by your results and your joy! My very favorite photo is the collage with the seed pod in the top left corner. Your colors and depth are gorgeous.
roxanne
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such loveliness ~ colors, paper, summer’s end and fall begins! Beautiful!!
xoxo
Karen
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Dear Patty, I always try to think how I can describe what a beautiful experience it is reading your posts- and I am going to take a stab at it- It’s as if I am on an open coach on a cool summer day- with the wind gently blowing on my face like a kiss and I can feel the ever so subtle ground beneath the carriage with rolling hills in the background – the sun is shining bright and you look up and see a magical rainbow in front of your eyes with a crystal star that’s shning from the sun’s glowing reflection on a glistening lake in my eyes view. A beautiful masterpiece- each and everyone one of your posts- this one included!! xo
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Looks like a fun technique! I used something similar on the background of my envelopes. I use liquid watercolors and a Mini Mister (by Ranger) to spray color 🙂 My background is a stencil from Studio Calico (I only have one so far :p) but embossing resist with a rubberstamp would be cool too 😀
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Looks like a lot of fun! All those stencils. They will be wonderful background and collage elements.
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I love the ones with the fish scales and the seed pods.
Rinda
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Oodles of luscious colors and layers Patty! I can see how you wanted to keep going-looks like it was a great class.And aren’t those Dylusions spray inks the most vibrant colors ever??? Love em!
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Sounds like an incredible day dear Patty…. your pages are STUNNING… love the colors… and yes… a big fan of dylusions ink… the colors are so vibrant and delicious…
Hugs
Jenny x
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Truly, I adored your words “I never let not knowing what I will do with something stop me from enjoying the creative process…” Nailing that one to the kitchen cupboards!!!! 🙂
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Gorgeous samples, Patty! You know how much I love stencilling, I’m glad you enjoyed your experiments 🙂
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Absolument magnifique, belle technique, j’adoreeee.
Bizzzz
MAPY
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Yeah, fantastic backgrounds 🙂 Those sprays are wonderful – aren’t they 😉
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Looks like you had loads of fun which will continue as you find uses for all you created!
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What a seriously fun field trip — I like your experiments. That’s what I most miss — having time to take chances. Great techniques!
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Dear Patty , your papers are stunningly beautiful. I so love all you created, and experimented,- all the layers and wonderful colours on top of each other…the effect of the F.M. stamps are gorgeous dear.
SO VERY FABOLOUS!
Hugs from Dorthe
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Sorry I’m a bit late Patty….but I just had to say ‘these are definitely my cup of tea!!!!’ Fabulous! xx
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how did i miss this one? beautiful!!! i have always wanted some of those mullet stamps…you have an amazing stamp collection, patty! beautiful papers…makes me think i need some of those inks! (of course, i always want to buy new supplies!) ggg…xo
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