Mixed Media Etcetera Tags

Hi Everyone! I thought I might share a couple tags I created using the two new sizes of Etcetera Thickboard tags.  These tags are made from heavy board which allows you to work directly on the substrate and even nail directly into it if you wanted.  I love that they are inexpensive so you can just have fun creating rather than worrying about the cost.  Follow along and I'll explain the steps.

Mini Etcetera Tag

(4 1/2 x 8") 4 tags and reinforcers per package

1.  Cover the tag surface with paper from Memoranda Paper Stash using Collage Medium.  I also added a thin coat over the surface of the paper to seal.

2.  Stamp the Glorious Bouquet with black archival ink onto Plain Collage Paper.  Once the image was dry, I used my water brush to cut away excess paper leaving about 1/2" around the image (no fussy cutting here).  I added the stamped image to the tag with Collage Medium.  The plain Collage Paper fades right into the background of the patterned paper.  No more worry about getting the perfect stamped image because if it's not right, you just stamp another on the Collage Paper.

3.  Color a few of the flowers and leaves with Distress Markers.  Use a heat tool to dry the marker ink before moving on.

4.  Lay the Stamper Anonymous stencil, "Stitched" over the tag.  Use a palette knife to pull Grit Paste across the stencil.  I love this stencil because the stitches are so wonky…just makes them more realistic looking.  I like to give the Grit Paste at least an hour to dry before moving on, but it will really depend on your climate.

5.  Once dry, scribble a brown Distress Crayon (Walnut Stain or Gathered Twigs) over the Grit Paste.  Use a wet finger or damp paint brush to move the crayon into and around the marks.  Use a wet wipe to remove any excess crayon.

6.  Snap an idea-ology wood ruler in half to use as foundation for the little collage.  Color the ruler with Distress ink and a little water.  Adhere to tag with foam squares.

7.  Use a Picket Fence Distress Crayon to fill in the recessed word on the Story Stick.  Add a cute little bow using red Eclectic Elements Craft Thread.  Add Story Stick to the Ruler with Collage Medium.

8.  Stitch around card from the Layers Collector pack.  Slip behind the ruler, giving the paper Doll something to sit on.  I used Distress Markers to tint the boy and add stripes to his socks.  He was added to the tag with foam squares so the Milk Cap could be added behind his head.  This is a great project to use both sizes of Scrapbook Adhesive Foam Squares (reg and thin)!

9.  Cut a Quote Chip into two pieces so it can be stacked on the left side.

10.  The reinforcer was painted with Weathered Wood Distress Paint and added to the top.

#8 Etcetera Tag

(3 1/8 x 6 1/4") 5 tags and reinforcers per package

This is a pretty simple tag that really relies on the bold graphic background 

to ground the tag. 

1.  Paint #8 tag with Black Soot Distress Paint.  Once dry, cover the black paint with Twisted Citrus, a bold color of green, but worth the risk!  Once the Twisted Citrus was dry, use a Sanding Grip to sand down the sides and corners as well as some of the green on the surface.  

2.  Use the large numbers from the new Merchant stamp set and a grid block to stamp with black gesso or paint.  Line up a few numbers on the grid block so you can stamp one row of numbers at a time.

3.  Add a metal ruler from the idea-ology Measurement pack.  That makes a nice place for my Paper Doll to stand on.  

4.  The tickets were stamped with the new Ticket Booth stamp on Distress Mixed Media Heavystock paper.  

As a side note, this stamp set has a Sizzix Thinlit die that will cut out the tickets with all the little perforations, and indentations.   How cool is that?  

5.  Use Weathered Wood paint and Mushroom Alcohol Ink to color one of the metals from the new Foundry pack (I added a Mini Fastener to the top hole). 

6.  Paint the reinforcer with Black Soot Distress Paint and add to the tag with Collage Medium.

Well, I hope you have gathered some ideas for your mixed media tags.  Working on the Thickboard Etcetera Tags is wonderful since it makes a great substrate (and I love the idea that you can nail right into them if you wanted).

now carry on,

paula

Simon Says Stamp - Friendship

Hi everyone!

I have a blog post over on Simon Says Stamp today!  Hope you will pop over to see the step out tutorial on how I made this small Etcetera Tag all about Friendship.

now carry on,
paula

Make Today Count

Hi everyone!

I thought I might share an easy project today and some tips on using the foam stamps.  I really love the new Cutout alphabets that were just released but I admit I'm always anxious about getting a good impression with foam stamps.  Of course if I was using them for a mixed media background or art journal I wouldn't be as concerned about a perfect impression.  That kind of project will be saved for another day.

I started with a large Vignette Tray for the surface.  I prepped the edges of the tray with Picket Fence Distress paint and let that dry.
I used Collage Medium to adhere different strips of paper from the Wallflower Paper Stash and the new Worn Wallpaper pack.  These two products go together so well that it will be hard to choose which pattern to use!  Once the paper is secure, add a thin layer of the Collage Medium over the top to seal.

(click on photo to enlarge)

To add the words you can stamp directly on to the surface (which I find a bit scary) or use Plain Collage Paper like I did.  Here is my easy method:

My secret weapon is Dina's Media Black Gesso.  I love how thick and creamy the gesso is!  You could use a brayer to add the gesso but I find that a bit messy so I use an old dabber bottle (you know, the kind that the Distress Paint used to come in).  I cleaned out the paint, added the Black Gesso and put on a new dabber top. The Media Black Gesso comes in a jar as well as a tube.  The tube is much easier to squeeze into the bottle but if you have the jar, just use a palette knife as scoop it in.  Now I'm ready for this project as well as many others.  The gesso will stay soft and usable in the bottle even if it is not used for many months.
ps) when cleaning paint out of the old bottle - do it over the trash can not the kitchen sink, as there is a mixing ball in the bottle and you wouldn't want it to go down the garbage disposal.  Now if you do get a mixing ball down your garbage disposal (not that I would know anything about that) one might use a shop vac to get it out.  just saying...

My Stamp Platform works perfectly for the stamping portion because I can stamp the image as many times as I need to get a good clean image.
The Collage Paper is thin and porous so I always lay a paper towel on my Stamp Platform to absorb an excess gesso/paint.  Add the Plain Collage Paper (both are held in place with the magnets) to secure everything.  You might notice I have 4 magnets...I bought an extra set just so I could secure larger things like this.
I arranged each word I could on the paper.  I could stamp "make" and "count" at the same time because they do not share letters.  I stamped "today" in another round because I needed the o and the a from the first words.  To be honest, this is actually easier than trying to gauge your word placement on the paper rather than on the project.

Bring the top plate down, press and pick up the Foam Stamps.  Now we are ready to stamp.

 

Now just squeeze and pounce the Black Gesso onto the Foam Stamps.  

As you can see it is just a nice smooth coat of paint.  If you have never done it before, just give yourself a practice run before you commit to the final.

Press down on the top plate to get a good impression.   If it does not give a dark enough image the first time, just add more gesso and stamp again.

 1st press - not too bad but I think I will add gesso to the words one more time.

 2nd press - now that looks great!
 The gesso dries quickly but if you are in a real hurry, you can use a heat tool.

Once you have each of the three words stamped onto the Collage Paper, use a water brush to cut away the excess.  The paper will only rip along the water line (trust me).  This will leave you with a rough, almost furry edge which is exactly what we want.

Add Collage Medium to the Vignette Tray where you expect the words to go.  Press the Collage Paper down into the medium to adhere.  Once all three words have been added, go over the entire surface with a thin layer of the medium.  All the feathered edges (that you got by using the water brush) will fade into the patterned background...just like magic.
Once the Collage Paper was dry, I added Distress Crayon Walnut Stain around all the edges of the Vignette Tray using a wet wipe to mellow it out.  I also flicked Picket Fence Distress Paint over the entire surface.  I used a wet wipe to remove the paint splatters from the black letters.

For the little vignette, I painted a frame from the Vignette Frames pack with Iced Spruce Distress Paint.  Once dry, I rubbed Picket Fence Distress Paint over the raised bumps to highlight the detail.  TIP: There are four Vignette Frames in each pack and each frame matches one of the Vignette Boxes.

The metal in the corner is from the Vignette Accents pack. I used a combination of Picket Fence Distress Paint, Patina Alcohol Ink and Gold Mixative to get this finish.  Yummy right?

The Paper Doll is my favorite part.  I tinted her with a hat a dress with Distress Markers then lightly wiped Collage Medium over the hat, dress and tights. I quickly sprinkled Clear Rock Candy over the surface.  Once dry I added a piece of ruffle from a vintage petticoat.  It was already gathered at the top so I just cut away some of the netting to expose the ruffles and glued it into place.  I have been waiting about 3 years to find a way to use the old ruffle!

I also added a cute Wishbone and Story Stick with Tim Holtz Craft Thread because I thought, who wouldn't want to wear this party dress 365 days of the year?

I hope you will try this easy technique to stamp with foam.  It really helps me to not be so stressed out about not getting the perfect stamp.  I mean really, who wants to make a project and then mess up on the stamping part?  Not me!

now carry on,
paula

Creativation Blog Hop

Hi Everyone!

Glad to be back after such a long time away from the blog!  Today I'm here as part of the Creativation Blog Hop!  Each designer is sharing one of their show samples and if that is not good enough, we have prizes to give away to some lucky winners!  Leave a comment on as many blogs as you wish - the more you comment, the better your chances at winning a great prize!  Comments must be posted by midnight PST on Tuesday, February 6th.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 7th on Richele's blog.

idea-ology

Paula Cheney

Vicki Evans

Emma Williams

Cathie Parreco

Kaz Hall

Jan Hobbins

Jenny Marples

sizzix

Tami Bastians

Audrey Pettit

Mou Saha

Richele Christensen

stampers anonymous

Kath Stewart

Cheiron Brandon

Stacy Hutchinson

Chelle Fowler

Zoe Hillman

Joy Kennedy

Bobbie Smith

The project I am sharing today was in the idea-ology booth.  I created a wall piece using architectural moulding (10 x 5.5") as the foundation.   The moulding piece I used is called a Bullseye Plinth Block (bought on Etsy) but sometimes you can find them listed under plinth rosettes, architectural salvage or even corbels.  If you look closely, you can just see the edge of the "bullseye" under the Trinket Tin.

I painted the inside of the tin with Weathered Wood Distress Paint.  Once dry, I lightly sanded the edges to age the paint.

I added a piece of an vintage envelope to the door with Collage Medium (including a layer over the top to seal it).  Once it was dry, I scribbled Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the top and used a damp brush to wash over the surface.  You really needed a brush to do this part so you can get the crayon color all the way out to the edges.

I cut foam core to fit inside the deep tin to bring the inside forward.  Then layered linen from the Textile Surfaces Pack and a piece from the new Worn Wallpaper pack over the top.  A Photobooth image and a Clippings sticker was added to tell the story.

At the bottom of the piece there is sizable indentation in the moulding that was just screaming for a stick.  I wrapped the end of the stick with dyed cheesecloth and a bit of lace, binding it with dyed cotton string.  The added Story Stick is one of my favorite and most used of all the new metals.  Small, concise (and with a faux eyelet)... it is the perfect added detail on any piece (note to self: must buy in bulk).

The metal piece at the top comes from the new Foundry pack.  The metal has been aged with paint, alcohol ink and crayon.  Two Mini Fasteners were added to appear as if the plate is actually riveted to the wood (but of course it's not).

The button card on the front of the tin is vintage.  The added Quote Token is not, even thought it appears to be.  A mix of Distress Paint, Picket Fence Distress Crayon and Alcohol Ink make for the perfect patina.

Well I hope you like this piece.  I LOVE mixing vintage and new (made to look old of course).  The Trinket Tin is the perfect little box to hide found treasures and tell secret stories.  I see these being used over and over again!

Vicki is next next up on the Blog Hop so click on the link above to pop over her to her blog and see what she is sharing today!

A huge shout out to Richele for organizing the Blog Hop!  Thank you Richele!

now carry on,
paula

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Hi Everyone!
Just a quick pop in today to share the small vignette tray I created for Facebook Live back in the fall. She has been a favorite of students when I have shared her in class so I thought I could pass on some information about how I made it!  It's definitely a project you could put together in an afternoon!
                     
I started by painting the small tray with Fired Brick Distress paint (but any red color would do).  Once dry I used a palette knife and the  Stampers Anonymous Polka Dot stencil to add the Grit-Paste over the red paint.  This is tricky because you need about 4 hands but I did it so I know you can too!  The hardest part is really the dry time between sides of the tray (in other words I let mine dry on one side before I moved on to the next side).  I just worked on getting the pieces ready for the inside while the outside was drying.

1.  The box at the bottom is the smallest box from the Vignette Box set.  I painted the front lip edge and inside walls with Picket Fence Distress Paint.  Once the paint was dry I covered the OUTSIDE of the box with patterned paper (you can see this in the next photo).
2.  Add a piece of ephemera to the back of the box with Collage Medium.
3.  Paint Collage Medium on the front lip edge of the box and sprinkle it with Clear Rock Candy glitter.
4.  Add the Quote Chip, "baby it's cold outside"from the Christmas Quote Chips.  Make sure the Quote Chip is flush with the edge of the box so the Decorative Dome can sit on top of it.
5.  The inside of the box can be decorated how you wish.  I used a Wood Slice, a small Decorative Deer and flower bunches from the Bouquet pack.  I wiped each flower with Collage Medium and immersed it in Clear Rock Candy glitter (hard to see the sparkle in the photo though).  There are a few Baubles that I also rolled in Collage Medium and Clear Rock Candy to look like snowballs.

6.  I added the plaid Design Tape to the inside of the tray (you could also use paper for the step) as well as patterned paper for the background.  Now you are ready to add everything else!!
7.  Adhere the small Vignette Box to the inside of the tray with Collage Medium.
8.  Add a small piece of Warm And Natural (thin cotton batting) to the top of the small box.  The batting does NOT run under the dome.  If it does, it tends to tip the dome forward.  Paint the batting with Collage Medium and sprinkle with Clear Rock Candy.

9.  Paint the base of a Mini Tree white.  Glue it to the metal base of the Decorative Dome.  Let dry.
10.  Run a bead of Glossy Accents around the inside edge of the metal base.  Then add a very small amount of Clear Rock Candy to the glass dome.  In a very quick motion add the two pieces together capturing the "snow" inside.  The Glossy Accents will dry clear.  Do not pick up until the glue is dry!

11.  Adhere the green Baseboard to the back of the tray with foam squares.
12.  Adhere ephemera pieces to the green Baseboard.  I mounted the poinsettia ephemera onto chipboard and used thin foam squares to mount it to the Base board.
13.  The Paper Doll (my favorite) has been colorized with Distress Markers then placed onto the small box with a double stack of foam squares so she is sitting out in front of the ephemera.  Layers, layers, layers!

I hope this gives you a few ideas on how to use up your Christmas stash.  I know many pieces could be changed up to things you have on hand (I think I have enough stuff on my table right now to create another one, lol).

Happy Holidays!

now carry on,

paula

The Bauble Tree

Hi Everyone!

You can find me today over on the Simon Says Stamp blog showing how I made this cute little Bauble Tree!  It might just be my favorite Christmas project this year!  So pop on over to see the step by step tutorial on how I created it!
cheers!
paula