Joyful Hearts

I have always marveled at the art Ruth creates from what others consider little scraps and leftover bits. Joyful Hearts is one such piece. Created with scraps of fabric, paper and ribbon, this piece is nothing short of divine. It tells a story that is not only charming but also endearing. It is a perfect example of looking at things in a different light.

Instant coffee never looked better and the layers of paint, paper and fabric are truly delightful.

Materials List

120-lb (255gsm) watercolor paper

6" × 8" (15cm × 20cm) wood board

acrylic paints, assorted

baby wipe

buttons

fabric scraps

fabric adhesive

foam brush

instant coffee granules

muslin

needle and thread or sewing machine

paintbrushes

paper, assorted

school glue

scissors

scribe

small spray bottle

wax

white gesso

STEP 1: Prepare the Surface and Add Crackle

Gesso a 6" × 8" (15cm × 20cm) piece of wood, let dry and then paint it with Titanium White acrylic paint and let dry. With a foam brush, apply a medium coat of white school glue over the dry white paint and let it sit for 30 minutes.

STEP 2: Add a Wash

Mix equal parts of light blue paint and Titanium Buff (slightly water down the mixture), then apply over the glue. Let it dry completely; it can take up to two hours to dry completely. A heat gun can be used, but the paint will start to blister easily, so it’s better to let it dry naturally.

STEP 3: Add Wax

Once the crackle paint is completely dried, cover it with a thin layer of hot wax and let cool.

STEP 4: Add Markings Into the Wax

Once the wax is dry, use a scribe to make small marks in the wax.

STEP 5: Add Color to the Wax

Rub Raw Umber paint into the wax surface, and a rub away excess paint with a baby wipe, leaving the marks pronounced.

STEP 6: Create a Fabric Collage

Paint a 4" × 5" (10cm × 13cm) piece of muslin with the slightly watered down mixture of light blue and Titanium Buff paint. Once dry, cut the fabric intohearts of various sizes.

STEP 7: Create Hearts and Assemble the Collage

Cut an array of hearts in various sizes from paper and fabric. Layer squares and hearts together, and stitch with a sewing machine or needle and thread. Add buttons to embellish some of these pieces.

STEP 8: Spray on a Wash

Fill a small spray bottle three-quarters with hot water. Add three drops of white school glue and six drops of light blue paint. Shake and spray over the heart collage pieces.

STEP 9: Add Depth

Mix ¹⁄₂ cup of hot water with 1 tablespoon instant coffee and put the mixture in a small spray bottle. Spray the coffee onto 120-lb. (255gsm), watercolor paper. Once the paper is mostly saturated, place a few coffee granules directly on the paper and continue to mist the paper until you achieve the desired effect. Allow to dry.

STEP 10: Assemble the Background Fabric

Tear a 5¹⁄₂" × 3¹⁄₂" (14cm × 9cm) piece of coffee-stained paper and place it over a 6" × 4" (15cm × 10cm) piece of muslin. Stitch them together.

STEP 11: Attach the Collages, Paper and Fabric

Arrange the heart collages on the coffee-stained paper and fabric. Stitch your elements into place.

STEP 12: Attach the Collage to the Background

Attach the fabric collage to the top of the altered board with adhesive.