The Secret of Everyday Things

hello friends,

I'm here today sharing another of my Kitsch Flamingo projects. This one might not be everyone's cup of tea since my background is so bold! I really wanted a happy piece that showed off the boldness of Kitsch Flamingo. I hope you give it a chance and follow along to see it up close!

I stared with the outside of the Shrine, painting it black and sanding it down to look old. I squeezed out some Kitsch Flamingo Distress Paint on the silicon mat, spreading it out with my fingertip so I could stamp into the paint without picking up too much.  Because I am going for a distressed look, the imperfect stamping worked well.  I stamped all the leaves first and then went back to fill in with the script.

Again, I used two stamps on the outside of the Shrine.  This leaf stamp from Urban Elements and Ledger Script to fill in the blank spaces.

I collaged ephemera to the inside walls of the Shrine before adding the background piece which began as a piece of White Heavystock cut to the shape of the shrine (so I just had to glue one piece in once I was done).

I added Distress Texture Paste Crackle through the Nordic Layering Stencil.  One the paste was dry, I sprayed the paper with Kitsch Flamingo Distress Stain and dried it.  I added a Collage Paper sunflower on the right side then painted the entire surface with Collage medium to seal it.  I also used my white Posca pen to add the white dots on the flower.

I combined ephemera from three different packs, Layers Remnants, Layers Urban, and Keepsakes Ephemera.  Because you know what?  they just all work together! 3D foam pads were used to raise the pieces to different levels inside the Shrine.  It's all about the dimension!

The Garden

I stared with shredded cheesecloth (leftover from halloween) to fill in around the feet of the Paper Dolls.  It takes very little Collage Medium to keep the shred in place since all the other things get glued down on top of it.

I painted the gate with Picket Fence, then added Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the paint to age it.  Once dry, I bent the gate until in broke in half (not that hard to do) then slightly curved it with pliers before gluing it into the Shrine with Collage Medium.

While I waited for the gate to set, I painted a few Adornment metal flowers with Distress Paint (Kitsch Flamingo, Picket Fence, and Speckled Egg - with a bit of Mustard Seed thrown in).  The leaves are Rustic Wilderness with Peeled Paint wiped over the raised bits. Once the paint was dry, I added very small pearls to the center of a few flowers.  For the 2 flowers that are standing - I hot glued each to a Memo Pin, then added the largest leaf.  NOTE: You cannot see it now, but I stuck each Memo Pin into a small cork so the flower could be glued to the Shrine.  Sneaky trick!  The tiny rocks came from the craft store.

I also added the metal Deco Frame behind the mother to highlight her.

I love how the pink of Kitsch Flamingo really pops in the background.  It just makes this project sing with HAPPY thoughts about a mother and son taking a walk in the park!

Remember, Saturday February 27th is the idea-ology product release and YouTube Live with Tim starting at 9am PST.  So many samples to share, you don't want to miss it! 

Now carry on,

paula

Kitsch Flamingo Tray

Hello friends,

Glad to be here today sharing another of my Kitsch Flamingo projects.  This one was my favorite because the color story is right in my wheelhouse.  Lets get started!

I painted the outside of the large Vignette Tray with Picket Fence Distress Paint. Once dry, I sanded it down and stamped the edges with the Distressed Damask stamp using Hickory Smoke Archival Ink. I like that the stamp is "distressed" looking so it fits just right with the sanded surface.

I went on to add patterned paper from the Memoranda Paper Pad to the inside of the tray, finishing it off with the silver pinked edged Trim Tape.  This silver tape was part of the Christmas release but it is my favorite tape to use on edges.  I also like how the hint of silver goes with the Pocket Watch focal point .

To begin any collage you just need a pile of junk and paper.  I gathered some things I thought would go with the Kitsch Flamingo color...things in taupe, grey, green, silver.  I tried a few different Layers pieces before I settled on the map in the center from the Remnants Layers pack.  The green in the map went with the green of the Salvaged Tag, which led to the Worn Wallpaper pieces (with bits of all the colors used) and that really finished the whole thing off.

I really started with the #8 etcetera tag in the center.  I like the use of the hardboard tag because it was a great way to 'hold up" the collage.  It is on a couple wood blocks which allows you to not only build on top of it, but slip pieces underneath it with ease.

I used collage medium to adhere White Heavystock to the #8 tag.  Then using embossing ink, stamped directly on the tag and added Embossing Glaze in Kitsch Flamingo.  Once the Glaze was melted, the color is almost neon, the perfect pop to all the neutrals!  I gave the tag a quick spray of Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain, dabbed it off and quickly dried it with a heat tool.

The bow was made using Mummy Cloth (a Halloween release) that I use year round!  Perfect with this project.  All I had to do was spray a little Walnut Stain and water over the top and dry.  Then tie on a messy bow.

The center Pocket Watch has a Photobooth photo inside.  I cut out the people (who came tinted) and added them to the Pocket Watch with some ephemera in the background.  The number 1941 is from the Remnant Rubs sheet.  It's a small number but I love the added detail.

I cut a couple of the Skeleton Leaves with the White Heavystock, then smooshed them into a mix of Distress Spray Stain (Kitsch Flamingo, Speckled Egg and a hint of Antique Linen).  I kept smooshing and drying until I got the result I wanted.  Once dry, I gave the leaves a coat of Collage Medium on both the front and the back and let them dry. This helps to strengthen the paper and keep the shape of the leaves.  

I added more Collage Medium to the tip of each leaf and dipped in right into the jar of Vintage Platinum Glitter.  I just love that gold on the tips!

I used one stem of leaves on the left side, then just two single leaves from the second set I cut on the right.

The gold metallic Stencil Chip 2 is a great way to repeat the gold of the glitter on the leaves.  I also added a Tiny Clip to the top of the Stencil Chip. 

You can see in this photo the ripped Worn Wallpaper piece.  The flowers are the perfect combo of colors and really added to the collage.  Two pieces were used, this one seen here and another on the left side.  They are small but like I said before, they really completed the collage for me because of the combo of colors.

I love this tray not only because of the color story but the tiny details, like a bit of glitter, a tiny clip, and a piece of ripped wallpaper that make a bright color like Kitsch Flamingo really sing!

Now back to work on lots of behind the scene stuff for the new idea-ology release taking place very soon.  

now carry on,
paula

Love is in the Air

Hello friends,

I have post over on the Ranger Projects Blog today, showing how I created this Matchbox Valentine featuring Kitsch Flamingo. I hope you will pop by the Ranger site to see how I created the Valentine, start to finish!

There are unlimited options for filling the boxes so I thought I would share four of them here! 

Salvaged Doll 

1. Sprinkle Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the top of the doll and wipe over it with felt.
2. Cut out a small heart (Kitsch Flamingo sprayed on White Heavystock) and glue to the chest.  Cover with Glossy Accents.
3. Use gold Mixative to color the tiny crown, then glue to head with Glossy Accents

Mini Pocketwatch

1. Glue in ephemera background.  Add Clippings sticker.  
2. Cut out a flower from Worn Wallpaper and glue in place.
3. Secure to the box with 3D foam squares.

Type Chips

1. Find the 4 letters to spell Love.
2. Use a piece of scotch tape to secure letter together (they need to be flexible to bend).
3. Cut away the top, uppercase letters leaving only the lowercase.
4. Use a doubled foam square to add to the box.

Heart

1. Cut a heart from wool (I used an old Sizzix Bigz Die called Heartfelt).
2. Use wire cutters to clip the Adornment Arrow in half (use safety glasses).
3. Make a small cut into the wool heart for each piece of the arrow to slip inside.
4. Add Collage Medium to the back of each end of the arrow and slip in the tiny hole.  Hold in place until secure.

I hope you will take the time to pop over to the Ranger blog to see the rest of the project - the Monoprint background is my favorite!

Now carry on!

paula

Kitsch Flamingo Etcetera Tag

Hello Friends! 

I'm happy to be here today to share my first Kitsch Flamingo project! If you missed the Live and would like to watch the replay, you can find that HERE on Tims blog.  It's about 50 minutes long and so worth it to hear him talk about the different color mediums and how they work on surfaces (plus see the samples that were created).

The first project I'm sharing is a Small Etcetera tag watercolored with Kitsch Flamingo Distress Ink using the easy no-line watercolor technique.  Let's get started!

You will need a few supplies:

Small Etcetera Tag 

Distress Watercolor Cardstock - I used the smooth side (8 1/2 x 11")

"Dearly Departed" stamp set

Adhere Distress Watercolor Cardstock to the Etcetera Tag with Collage Medium.  

Flip tag over, onto a self healing mat to cut away excess paper with cutting knife. 

Using the flower from the Dearly Departed stamp set + Antique Linen Distress Ink, stamp a "pattern" over the entire surface of the tag.  The stamping should be light so the lines disappear during the watercoloring process.

I'm using the Glass Media Mat so I am able to make a palette of ink directly on the glass.  I am using just a small brush for todays project but you can also use a Water Brush.

I began coloring each flower with Distress Ink Kitsch Flamingo.  Each flower was given a light wash of color and then built up form there. 

NOTE: I did stamp a flower on a scrap piece of Watercolor Cardstock so I could practice before I started on the real thing.

After the pink was dry, I started on the leaves using Peeled Paint and then Bundled Sage. The tiny brush came in handy to easily color the stems and tips of the leaves.

The center of the flower really could be any color.  I chose Fossilized Amber then followed up with dots of Walnut Stain when the Fossilized Amber was dry.

I used another stamp from Dearly Departed for the text.  This time I changed ink to Antique Linen Oxide. Since it's a mix of dye and pigment it will work better for such fine text.

I did not use a block, but rather hand "rolled" the stamp where I needed it.  This way it is easier to only use portions of the stamp.

So here is where you need to make a choice.  You can leave the tag as is, or you can distress the surface just a bit to give it more of an aged look.  My favorite way of do that is using Distress Crayon, but you CANNOT use a Distress Crayon unless you SEAL the surface of the tag.  Distress Crayons need a slick surface.

OPTIONS:

1. Leave tag to dry for a day, then lightly paint a thin layer of Collage Medium over the top to seal.  I have done this many times with very little or no smudging of the ink.  The dry time is very important since if you add the Collage Medium right away you have much more chance of smudging the ink (you can always test a corner or an area that will be covered to see if it is dry)

2.  When I am in a hurry (or just impatient), I will go outside and spray aerosol Fixative over the surface.  I have used many brands over the years like Prismacolor, Krylon and Grumbacher.  I don't have a favorite but Krylon is usually the cheapest and it does a fine job sealing the surface.  You don't need multiple coats, just a good 'once over' making sure you got all areas will suffice.  Once you have sprayed the Fixative, you are able to add the Collage Medium right away with no smudging.  Hence why there is a can of Fixative in my garage at all times.

After the surface was sealed with CM, I scribbled around the tag with Walnut Stain Distress Crayon. I rubbed it with my fingers, then pounced over the crayon with a damp wet wipe (as apposed to a wet, wet wipe - I swear there is a difference).  Remember, this surface is sealed, if you hate it or you get it too brown just wipe it away, dry the surface and start over.

Aging the surface can be very subtle and really enhance the depth of your surface.

A Found Relative was taped to a Lace Frame and added to the tag surface with Foam Squares to raise it up.  You can use any kind of leaves - mine are cut using the Garden Greens Sizzix die.  The Bouque Flowers were sprayed with Kitch Flamingo Distress Spray Stain.  If you don't want them so bright, just add a little Antiqued Linen to the mix.

The Vintage Flair button is from idea-ology as well as the Velvet Ribbon that I had left from Christmas.  I did use a hot glue gun to add the ribbon to the frame.  The netting is vintage.

The words Free to fly are from Quote Chips.  I cut the dovetail on the left end and added a Hardware Head to the right.  It was added to the surface with Collage Medium.  I thought the saying went with the Vintage Flair pin.

The Vintage Clip has been painted with Picket Fence Distress Paint then once dry, I added Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the surface.  The 1929 comes from the Remnant Rubs sheet.

I hope you liked the first of the Kitch Flamingo projects.  I love the painting part of this one because watercoloring is calming to me (even though I am far from being an expert). The flower from Dearly Departed is just perfect for this kind of watercoloring.  Lots of open space to even mix colors on each petal.

now carry on,

paula

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Star of Hope

Hello friends,

I'm sharing a project today I created for the Sizzix release of the 3D Holly Berries Impresslit.  The background was easy to create using 8 1/2 x 11" Watercolor cardstock. I decided on using the background stamp "Sparkles"(CMS324) to stamp at random over the paper. Each time I stamped, I added white Embossing Powder and melted it with a heat tool. Each time I waited for the embossing to cool, then moved on to the next section. As you can see, I left wide open spaces for a distressed finish.

To color the watercolor cardstock (and force the white embossing to show up), I created a mix of colors, Barn Door, Festive Berries, with a little Pumice Stone and Walnut Stain, on my craft mat. I spritzed the watercolor paper with a bit of water, then smooshed the paper into the ink, quickly picking it up to dry. Any white spaces were smooshed back in the ink and dried again. Once I was satisfied, I dried the paper completely, then glued it to the Mini Etcetera Tag (8 x 4 1/2") using Collage Medium. All excess paper was cut away using a cutting knife and self healing mat board.

Metallic paper is perfect for the 3D Holly Berries.  Remember to spritz the paper with water before adding it to the Impresslit.  Then make three passes through the machine.  The Impresslit not only makes the impression, it cuts it out too - that is my favorite part.  You can leave as is or give it an aged look.  I used a damp brush and Forest Moss Distress Crayon to add some dimension to the berries.

To create the Cathedral Window:

1. Use the Embossing Dabber to add embossing ink to the surface of the Etcetera Cathedral Window.
2. With the window on disposable paper, pour Silver Embossing Powder over the top.  Tap off excess powder, returning it to the jar.
3. Use an Embossing Gun to melt the powder, then let cool.

To create the background for the window:

1. REMOVE the protective plastic sheet on the piece of Mirrored product.
2. Sprinkle on 3-4 drops of Mushroom Alcohol Ink + a couple drops of gold Alloy.
3. Sprinkle on a few drops of Blending Solution to break up the Alloy. Swirl around till you get the look you want, then dry with heat tool to stop the movement. I think when creating this kind of stained glass look it's alway nice to leave some of the clear Mirrored showing.
4. Cut the window shape using Tim Holtz/Tonic scissors and add to the Cathedral Window.

Once the window is complete, add both the window and Holly Berries (cut to fit) to the Mini Tag with 3D Foam Squares.  Note - the window is offset on purpose to balance the sitting Paper Dolls I chose to use.  I also added some words from the Sticker Book to the upper right corner and a Vintage Clip at the top.

I chose this couple before I even started the tag.  As always, I used Distress Crayons and a Water Brush to color the Paper Dolls.  Broken China for his shirt, Aged Mahogany for his stripe socks and cheeks.  Peeled Paint for her dress.

You might notice it better here, that I used the tip of the Detailer Water Brush to pick up some Broken China crayon and make dots in patches over her dress. This creates an illusion of pattern, rather than just a plain dress.

I cut watercolor cardstock using the Holiday Brushstroke Thinlit then painted them with the Water Brush and Distress Ink.  I added some cheesecloth to fill in behind as I added the diecuts with Collage Medium.

I also added a small ribbon bow and and the chipboard number 56 from the Junk Drawer Baseboard pack. I wish I had taken more photos before this got sent off in the mail so this one will have to do.  

So what started as a simple embossed background on water color paper became the visual texture and basis for this Mini Tag with a Christmas feel.  

Thank you for stopping by today!

now carry on,

paula