Be My Valentine Peeled Paint Tag

Earlier this week I shared February's Mixed Media Technique Calendar Page that featured the peeled paint technique using acrylic paints and petroleum jelly.  When I was finished painting my gothic arch I had quite a bit of each color of paint left over so I used up the rest making this tag...

Not one to let anything go to waste I thought it would work perfectly for a Valentine's Day tag so that's just what I did....

I stamped the background using a script stamp and Spiced Chai Staz-On ink and glued on a strip of printed ribbon.  I found the heart laying in a pile on my desk from a previous creation which I stamped my sentiment on and then added Delicata Gold and Bronze inks around the top and bottom edges...I wish it showed up better in the photo - the shimmer is brilliant.  

Finally I stamped the rose on a piece of extra smooth white cardstock from Club Scrap and colored the image using my Chameleon Markers.  It was then fussy cut and mounted on the tag.  I added a few dots of Gold Pico Embellisher to finish it off.  

I need to find some ribbon for the hole then I will call it finished ready to be tied onto a Valentine's gift bag!  The only question is who I'll give it to?!?!?

Supplies: Tag; DecoArt - Americana Paints; Petroleum Jelly; Printed Ribbon; X-Cut Die Cuts; Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - Sentiment, Rose, Text; Chameleon Markers; IMAGINE Crafts - StazOn Ink - Jet Black, Spiced Chai; Delicata Gold & Bronze Inks; Pico Embellisher.

Metallic Creative Medium - Steampunk Genius Card

Have you seen IMAGINE Crafts new Metallic Creative Medium?  Well I have to tell you I love it.  I just got to play with it for the first time and I'm in love.  It's got the same consistency as the original Creative Medium but there are new colors - the Metallics consist of Copper, Gold, Silver and Bronze and are they ever stunning!

I think they look best on dark background colors so I started off with a black cardstock panel.  I am using a DecoArt stencil - gears and cogs today.

Simply spread it out over the stencil as you would gesso or other similar mediums...

Once you've covered the entire panel, remove the stencil and let it dry naturally.

Once it dries you'll be left with amazing deep rich metallic colors!  In addition to the color I so wish you could feel the texture. 

Stamps: Artistic Outpost

Image was colored using Memento Inks

Club Scrap Constellations Blog Hop

Welcome friends to the very first Club Scrap blog hop of the year!!  I hope you're all ready for lots of inspiration that everyone has in store for you.  

This month's kit - Constellations is all about the beauty of the solar-scape and the wonderful "creatures" found among the stars.

Of course the first thing I thought of when I saw this amazing kit was a star book but since I made a star book for the Lakes kit I decided to go in a different direction and I made a couple of inspired cards...  They take a little bit more time to make but in the end they are worth it.

It's Written In The Stars....

Yes, the outside looks like any other card...

But open it up and you're transported into the night sky in all it's grandeur!

How fun are those little danglies?

Start off with an 8.5" x 10" sheet of cardstock. 

Insert the cardstock in the Scor-Pal with the 8.5" side at the top - score at the 1.5" line the entire length of the cardstock.

Turn the cardstock so the 10" side is at the top - score at the 5" line all the way down.  Score at  2.75" and 7.25" down to the 1.5" previously scored line. The little paper arrows point to each score line I made since it's a bit hard to see on the dark blue cardstock.

Use your exacto knife and cut along the 1.5" fold line between the 2.75" and 7.25" score marks as shown...

Score the card along it's spine; fold the 1.5" flap over so it is now positioned on the inside of the card and bend the cut section so it stands away from the card center when closed.

Assemble the inside panels as desired.  Here I have stamped the Grey Cardstock with Memento Cloudy Sky and London Fog inks using stamps from the Unmounted, Greetings and Borders & Backgrounds sets.  I also stamped two sentiments that followed along the same story line as the one used on the front of the card.

Next I flipped the card over so the folded flap was facing me.  I trimmed a few of the constellation maps from one of the pattern pieces of paper.  I then taped a short piece of black thread to the back of each piece and taped the other end to the card flap.  I also added glue to both ends of the flap that will be attached to the card.

To finish the card off I added lots and lots of the Dazzles Silver Stickers to highlight various constellations and stars on both the front, inside panels and danglies of the card.

My next card is a Star Fold card....

Which once opened is actually a triangle!

I thought these sentiments complimented each other very well...

Good Things Take Time.

Keep your eyes on the Stars

and you're Feet on the Ground.

Theodore Roosevelt 

This is made from a 12" triangle that I scored at 4", 6" and 8" marks across each point.  To fold simply tuck each corner behind the previous fold so just like a box - one side is on top and the other side is folded under.   I added the stamped constellation map onto one of the folded points positioned just so it would match the direction of the sentiment inside once opened up.  This card is also finished off with lots and lots of those fun little Dazzles stickers.

Thanks so much for stopping by...I hope you've enjoyed both of the cards I have shared and have been inspired to give one or both a try! 

Your next stop on the hop is

Tricia's - The Efficient Crafter.

If you get lost along the way you can find the complete list of artists

at the Club Scrap blog.

2015 Technique Calendar - February

Time for February's Mixed Media Calendar Page!!  The main technique I want to focus on is the peeled paint technique.  The whole idea behind this technique is that the jelly will resist the paint which makes for a fun, unexpected outcome.

The supplies are very minimal - petroleum jelly, acrylic paint* and clean cloths.  That's it!   Let's begin...

*Thinner paints work better for this technique.

Determine what you want your background to be.  It could be bits of ephemera like mine, you could use a solid color cardstock, pattern paper, etc.

Liberally spread the petroleum jelly over various areas of your arch.  

Paint your first color over the entire arch...jelly and all.  Try to cover each area with one or two stokes.  You don't want to over work it and move the jelly around.  Let the paint dry.

Once the paint has dried, wipe away the jelly - everywhere the PJ was will have resisted the paint.

Continue building layers of "peeled paint" by repeating the jelly, paint, dry and wipe.  Here is my pink layer...

Then I added a white layer...

a lavender layer ...

and finally I added a bit of rouge red here and there.

I had some extra paint left over so I made a plain manila tag using the same layering technique.

And you can finish off your calendar any way you like.  I stamped several background images on the background in Cotton White; Gold and another shade of pink.  Added a bit of washi tape, the darling stamped mouse from Unity and a few other bits.  

Supplies: Petroleum Jelly; DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint; Vintage Sheet Music; IMAGINE Crafts - Creative Medium, Staz-On Cotton White, Jet Black; Memento Marker - Lady Bug; Tuxedo Black Pico Embellisher; Unity Stamp - Mouse; Sentiment - Avery Elle; Washi Tape; Stick Back Gems & Filigree Piece

Washi Shaker Valentine's Day Card

Hi Everyone...I didn't have time to make the February calendar page today (it will be here tomorrow) but I did want to share a fun Valentine's Day card with you that combines lots of fun stuff....washi tape, shaker card, IMAGINE Crafts Amplify and more!

Here we go...

Cut a card panel to size then die-cut your desired shape from the center.

Take the cut out and trace it onto a scrap of paper.

Cover the traced design with various designs of washi tape.  I just found these this past weekend (which is why I was excited to make this card!).  

 You'll still be able to see the traced line very faintly...which is o.k. because we're going to use it as a guide for tape placement.   Cut strips of double stick tape and trace the outline of the heart.  Pour desired shakie stuff into the center of the outline.

Carefully remove the tape liner so you don't bump any of the shakies onto the sticky tape then cover with a piece of acetate - it could be from product packaging (which is what I used); a transparency; a piece of a page protector, etc.  Set it aside for now...

Stamp desired sentiment on the die-cut panel.  I used Memento markers to color my sentiment.

This is totally optional but it's a fun extra - outline the edge of the die-cut space with Electric Pink Radiant Neon Amplify!

Heat to puff the Amplify!.

And here's what it looks like....

Finish assembling the card by mounting the card panel over the shaker and attach it to a card blank and you're done!

If you've never made a shaker card I highly suggest you give it a try.

They are so much fun.

Flip Flop Stamping Heart Card

Hey Everyone... I wanted to share a fun card inspired by of all things a farm paper!  Yes I know...it's an odd place to get inspiration from but it's true.  I was picking up some of DH's farm papers that he was finished reading and I noticed an ad for a seed corn company that had kernels of corn surrounding the ad... every other kernel was flipped upside down and it looked pretty cool.  

It got my mind racing so I pulled out some heart stamps I had and gave it a try....

Stamps: Just For Fun Rubber Stamps

I really like how it came out. I only had time to make one card today but I'm thinkin' it might be fun to use with other stamps too...  Flowers, pumpkins, birthday gifts, balloons, etc.  Makes the creative wheels spin!  

I wish the trim on the card showed up better...It's wicked cool...it's got black glitter embedded into it somehow.  Very pretty in person - you can just begin to see some of the sparkle in the photo.

So where do you find inspiration for your art?  

Weird places like me?

Time to Fly - DecoArt Image Transfer Canvas

Happy Wednesday Friends!  Today was my turn to share a project over at Altered Pages.  As you may or may not know the Altered Pages team has partnered up with DecoArt this month combining their awesome products with artsy finds from Altered Pages.  Well today I came up with this canvas....

Time to Fly...

You can click on the link above to find out all of the details but I did want to share a close up one one of the techniques I used the DecoArt Media Matte Medium for....an image transfer!  I had mentioned before that I really liked this medium because it was thicker than the usual collage glues on the market and I have to say it also makes image transfers quite fun as well.  I'm a bit of a messy artist but I didn't get any of this glue on the back of the image which is quite an accomplishment for me - LOL!! 

I used a regular ink jet image printed on plain copy paper for all of the butterflies and it worked quite well.  You can see that I did get a bit aggressive in one area while I was rubbing and rubbed a hole in one wing.  I left it though because I thought it had a cool look to it.

I also did lots of rubbing of paints and the antiquing cream with my hands so I was all painty when I was done and I have to tell you it felt wonderful!! 

DecoArt Supplies: Media Matte Medium; Fluid Acrylics - Cadmium Red; Carbon Black, Primary Yellow, Primary Cyan, Titanium White; Antiquing Cream - Titanium White; Dazzling Metallics Glorious Gold  acrylic paint

Altered Pages Supplies: Beautiful Butterflies Collage Sheet; Canvas Art Board; Oil Pastels; Vintage Text Pages 

2015 Technique Calendar - January cont.

If you recall this is where we left the calendar yesterday...

We're ready to continue!

Next step was to apply IMAGINE Crafts Amplify along the top edge dripping down like snow/icecicles hanging off the edge of a roof.  I also added it to the "snow" areas of the stamped image of the trees.  I then sprinkled extra fine silver glitter over the wet medium.  I know most people don't have this yet as it's BRAND new :) so here are a few other ideas...you could use something like Crystal Lacquer, Glossy Accents, for clear ice or Pearl Pens, Liquid Pearls, (for snow) and any glitter you have on hand.

Here is the wicked thing about Amplify....once it's heated it puffs and looks so cool!!

Check out this texture and dimension....  I wasn't sure how the glitter would work since I've never tried it before but it looks great.

I then added a strip of lace along the bottom edge to finish it off; spritzed the entire arch with Shimmer Goosebumps spray and sprinkled on more of the extra fine silver glitter.  This step adds more dimension and texture to the entire arch because the Goosebumps spray holds it's dimension even after it dries.  Think of Crystal Lacquer or Glossy Accents in a spray form...WONDERFUL effect.

As a final touch I added the stamped sentiment - Baby it's cold outside! And here's the finished January Gothic Arch calendar page....  

I wish you could see it up close and feel all of the texture and dimension created by the various layers.  So there you go...the first calendar page of 2015!  I hope you have fun making your own.

Supplies:

Chipboard (for arch base)

DecoArt Media - Shimmer Mister; Gesso; Titanium White Acrylic Paint

IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko - Memento Ink - Danube Blue, Lulu Lavender, Rose Bud; Golden Glitz Delicata Ink; Memento Dual Tip Markers; StazOn Ink - Jet Black; Amplify - White; Sponge Daubers ; Shimmer Goosebumps Texture Spray

Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - Sketchy Snowman; Small Snow Pine

Technique Tuesday - Sentiment Stamp

The Crafters Workshop - Diamond Stencil; Star Stencil

Mica Flakes

Vintage Lace 

Silver Glitter

2015 Technique Calendar - January

Hey everyone!  Yeah!  It's time to start our first page in our calendar.  If you've joined me in prior years you know I sort of go with the seasons and holidays.   January in Indiana means snow so that is the general theme for my January page.  You of course can vary your themes and colors and still play along.  I've tried to make it versatile enough so you can make it your own.

Below are a list of supplies I will be using to create this arch.  I have also listed several alternatives where appropriate.

Supplies:

Chipboard (for arch base)

DecoArt Media - Shimmer Mister; Gesso; Titanium White Acrylic Paint

IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko - Memento Ink - Danube Blue, Lulu Lavender, Rose Bud; Golden Glitz Delicata Ink; Memento Dual Tip Markers; StazOn Ink - Jet Black; Amplify - White; Sponge Daubers ; Shimmer Goosebumps Texture Spray

Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - Sketchy Snowman; Small Snow Pine

Technique Tuesday - Sentiment Stamp

The Crafters Workshop - Diamond Stencil; Star Stencil

Mica Flakes

Vintage Lace 

Silver Glitter

Directions...

So, starting off I spritzed my Gothic Arch with a blue dye spray (this one is from DecoArt).  Complete coverage isn't necessary but the center is the most important area.

Next, cover the entire arch with a thicker layer of gesso; scrape it around a bit...by doing so the gesso should start picking up some of the color from the dye spray ink.  Just a tinge is great but continue to mix it up as long as you'd like.  Then sort of scrape it from the center and pile it near the bottom and around the top of the arch.

This is totally optional but it adds a great bit of texture and some sparkle too.  Sprinkle in some glitter or in my case I used some Mica "snowflakes".  Mix it into your piles of gesso.

Here are a few close ups of what it looks like....

Look at all that wonderful texture!  Gotta love it and the shine and sparkle of the mica is an added bonus!

Stencil time...I added a bit of blue, purple and pink using this fun diamond pattern.

Stamped a few snowflakes using white acrylic paint.

Now it's time for a bit of stamping.... (using Staz-On ink)

I then colored the trees and bits of the snowman with markers and stenciled on some Gold stars.

Next I added the calendar.

Which is where we'll stop for today. 

Tomorrow we'll add a few more layers!

Also, due to many e-mails and requests we'll do one calendar page a week - that way everyone will have plenty of time to play along.