"Pieces Of My Heart" Collage

 I truly believe that God always sends us just what we need just when we need it.  Last week marked the first anniversary of the loss of my bulldog Louie.  About a week before that sad day, I found an awesome quote that lifted my spirits.  I knew I wanted to create a collage featuring ALL my dogs using that sentiment (which I'll share below).  I didn't plan the piece out, didn't obsess over any placement of elements...just sat down and in one sitting created a very personal piece. 

 First I grabbed an 8" x 11" canvas board.  I painted it with yellow acrylic paint and then using three shades of red paint, added the circle stamping with a piece of recycled bubble wrap.  Once the paint was dry, I took Distress Inks in reds and browns and added ink to edges, corners and where the heart was to be placed.  I added a swash of lighter yellow paint where I wanted to place the sentiment.  The center heart was cut from designer dog-themed paper.  The dog heads were printed in black and white (sealed with fixative) and glued to the heart.  I added paint and ink to the heart and stamped the bones around the edges.  I used collage glue to attach the heart to the canvas.  The metal heart charm is from Tim Holtz and it's attached with Glossy Accents.

Using my new Picket Fence Distress Marker I colored in the bones.  It looked great--not too bright.  I thought that spraying it with fixative would hold the color--it didn't (FYI)--so I left it without the white.  I also thinned the yellow background paint to make a glaze and painted it lightly over the dog photos.  This gave them the same tone as the background.  I used Sharpie pens to add the names and write the sentiment.  At the top I stamped the images using Jet Black Archival Ink.  I used a mat sealer to finish the piece.

 

Here is the sentiment I found that I loved so much:

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.  If I live long enough all the components of my heart with be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

-Anonymous

This Collage is entered into the following Challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers--#70 No Cards, Tags or ATCs
Paper Playtime--#77 Anything with a Sentiment
Let's Ink It Up--#24 Favorite Embellishments
(of course that would be my dogs, but I also LOVE my Tim Holtz charms)
Crafty Mess--#11 Use Paint
Hot Shot Craft--#9 Distress Inks
Simon Says Stamp and Show a Bit of Brown
Crafty Creations--#174 How Charming
Word Art Wednesday--#32
Craft Room Challenge--Furry Four Legged Family Member