Everyday Words

Hi all,

I am still on my Funky Floral kick!  After last weeks Framed Panel project I wanted to see if I could use the same idea but translate it to a smaller scale card.  Follow along and I'll show you what I did.

I started the process with a piece of Distress Woodgrain Cardstock.  I colored the cardstock with various colors of blue like Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon and Evergreen Bough.  I mean who says woodgrain has to be brown?

Once the cardstock was dry, I use the Stacked Postage to create a frame for my card.

You'll get three pieces...one for today and two for another day.

I used my Blending Tool to ink the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

I used Distress Resist to give the frame a more polished look.

Remember to spray in a protected area like a trash can and to wipe the nozzle when you're done so it does't clog.

Once dry, the frame will have a sheen to it and an almost plastic coated feel but with a bit of texture. You have to try this to really see what a cool effect the Distress Resist Spray can create over a surface.  I am quite sure we will see more of this technique in the future!

I created a card base from pink cardstock.  Then I ran a piece of Watercolor cardstock through my Vagabond using one of my favorite Texture Fades - Tiny Dots.
I added foam tape to the back of the woodgrain frame and then added it to the card front.

To create a sentiment, I used Shadow Script #1.   I colored the "shadow" layer with Mustard Seed Distress Ink to give it a pop against the blue frame.  I left the top layer "lucky" white and just added Distress Glitter (sorry it's hard to detect in the photo!).

Simply add the Shadow Script to the frame with Collage Medium.  I added a few words to support the word Lucky using Clippings Stickers.  I love how that Shadow Script looks!

Next up the Funky Florals...I'm still using set 3 today, but I'm sure any of the sets would do.  The last time I colored the flowers I used Distress Spray Stain and water which was super easy.  This time I used the ink pad mini's to a create colorful palette on my glass mat.  I spritzed the ink with water and began smooshing (technical term) the flowers into the colors.  I liked this way of coloring the flowers because it was easier to mix colors on the same flower.

Once again, I was compelled to use Clear Rock Candy over the flowers because it just looks spectacular!
Having the frame lifted off the card front was helpful to create dimension.  I also used three small foam squares behind the three larger pink flowers. The orange flower and the daisy at the bottom are glued directly on the frame.
You might notice I cut up the flower that has the little round dots at the top.  Last weeks project was bigger so it worked.  This weeks card has less space to fill but I still wanted to use that flower so I just cut up the flower and added each dot flower individually.  Easy trick.

You can see the dimension a bit better in this photo.  You can also see the sheen the Distress Resist Spray left on the frame.

So there you have it, my translation of last weeks project into a simple card.

Honestly, I am not much of a card maker (it stresses me out) but I love this one.  It might be my favorite card I've ever made.

now carry on, 

paula

Today is Full of Possibilities

Hi everyone!

This past week I got the new die set called Funky Floral 3.  I love the Funky Florals (1, 2 and 3) because they just give you so much variety in one set.

The dies look like this - As you can see, each dies has all the pieces to that flower or leaf.  I like that...no more guessing what pieces go together.  It's also easy to keep track of the dies because they are bigger!

I cut the some of the flowers using Distress Watercolor paper.  I colored them with a variety of Distress Ink in Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick and Mustard Seed.  The green is Peeled Paint, Evergreen Bough and Bundled Sage.  I added Clear Rock Candy over the flowers to give them some sparkle and texture.

So now what to do with the flowers I created?  I decided on a Framed Panel with a favorite Paper Doll.  Follow along and I'll show you what I created...

First I used Collage Medium to adhere paper from the French Industrial paper stash as a foundation for the collage.  Then I cut/ripped up pieces of Worn Wallpaper and layered them on top.  A final coat of Collage Medium over the top of the wallpaper and I left it to dry.

 

Once dry, I scribbled Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon over the edges of the paper and rubbed it it. Remember to use a wet wipe to manipulate the crayon over the surface.

 I ripped up a piece of a vintage reader book to add some text to the collage.  Again, I adhered it with Collage Medium, added a layer over the top and let it dry.  Then added the crayon work to blend in.

 That looks yummy to me!

I painted the frame of the Framed Panel with Antique Linen Distress Paint.  Once dry, I rubbed Collage Medium over the surface of the frame to seal.  Not a "must-do" but I like the way it gives the frame a smooth finish.
Adhere the completed frame to the back with the collage.

 I love these ladies and in the biggest size that comes in the Paper Dolls package they are perfect for this project.  I still stand by using Clear Gesso over the Paper Dolls to help keep their color so that is just what I did - once dry, I colored them with a variety of Distress Markers.

I used a double stack of foam pads to raise the ladies over the Baseboard.  The Timepiece has been colored with three colored of Distress Crayon - Tattered Rose, Shabby Shutters and Gathered Twigs.  I have added a Clock Hand to the Timepiece with a Long Fastener.  I also added a Quote Chip at the bottom.

Now to add the flowers to the collage.  They really can be placed anywhere.  Much of it depends on how many flowers you created.

 I love this grouping of very different flowers.  The color is what brings them together.

I added the fork from the silverware set to hold a small flag made from cardstock and a Remnant Rub.  I thought the two sentiments went together perfectly, since it really is up to us to make any possibility of good into reality.

Here is the finished piece.  You don't see much of the Worn Wallpaper...just hints here are there.  I already have this piece on an easel in my craft room so I can see it every day.  I mean who doesn't need a daily reminder to think of all the good things that are possible each day!

They just look happy...which makes me happy.

now carry on,
paula

Tonic Media Tool Set

Hi there..
Just a short post to say that this tool is a PROBLEM SOLVER if you have the Tim Holtz Glass Mat (or even if you are still waiting for one to be shipped!).  The Media Scraper is made from "hard as a rock" plastic that does not bend when you used it.  And my gosh does it clean off the dried up Collage Medium on the glass with ease.  just saying...

The Media Scraper comes with the clear Media Edge.   The Media Edge has a lip to hold it against the Glass Mat when cutting with a sharp cutting knife (a very, very important feature in my book).

You can cut along the metal edge for a nice straight cut and NOT damage the tempered glass mat.  Trust me I tested it.
The left side of the Media Edge is tapered to be used with a pencil or pen.

Here it is in a nutshell - I love tools that work.
carry on,
paula

3D Assemblage Clock

Hi there!
It has been awhile since I last posted as I have been away teaching in TX and Florida this month.  Thank you to The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, TX and Whim So Doodle for letting me teach a few classes!  I am lucky that my sister Patty lives in Fort Worth, TX and travels with me to these two stores.  She helps me keep all the balls in the air while I'm teaching!  It has been such a huge blessing to have her come with me on these trips as my sidekick!

Well let's get to today's project!  I'm excited to share the Assemblage Clock I created using the new Sizzix 3-D Mechanics Texture Fade.

The 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folders offer the deepest and boldest dimensional embossing.  Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folders are for use with the BIGkick, Big Shot and Vagabond machines only.  There are currently 4 different designs available.

If you haven't used a 3-D Texture Fade the best place to start is this post on Tim's blog.   The short video is great for getting started...like, How many cutting plates to use?  How many times you need to run it through the Vagabond or Big Shot?  and why in the heck would you need a spray bottle?  All these questions and more are answered in the video.

Tim also followed up the first video with a second one giving more tips and tricks - you can see that here.

For this particular project, I used Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Foil Sheets to cover the outside of the clock body and bells (I like it not only for the metallic look, but it's self-adhesive).   To do this, I ran 4 separate sheets of foil through the Vagabond - this was enough to cover the outside of the clock.  Please note: Because I am using thin foil I only needed to run each sheet though the Vagabond once to get the impression and also I did not need to spray it with water - that is only for paper.

I painted the foil sheets with Ground Espresso Distress Paint, wiping away the excess.  Once the paint was dry, I lightly sanded the raised surface details, then randomly wiped Gunmetal Alcohol Ink over the raised texture.  I like to work all 4 sheets at the same time - meaning I paint them all, then sand them all, etc.   I find that its easier to make all 4 sheets look the same if the process is done this way.

Once the 4 sheets are complete, cut them to the with of the clock body and begin to wrap each one onto the clock (this is my favorite part).  Since the clock body is round you will need to cut slits on one edge to ease the foil around the clock body.  Do not wrap the foil around the back of the clock or you may have problems getting the clock back on... well, you can probably get it on but you will never get it off to make adjustments!  Trust me on this one.

Here are some photos of the finished clock body:

I used linen from the Textile Surfaces pack to cover the inside of the clock body.  This is so easy because the linen is flexible so it can easily be adhered to the rounded surface (it's self adhesive too).

I needed something to fill the bottom of the clock.  I decided to use Baubles I had leftover from a Christmas project (seriously, you can never have too many of these).

I used a few colors of Alcohol Ink to give the Baubles a faux "steel" look (no more pearls here!).  I did this by coloring all the Baubles with Gunmetal and letting them dry (I swirled them around in the paper bowl to keep them from sticking together during the drying time).  Once dry, I used a Blending tool with felt to randomly pounce Patina and Mushroom over the Gunmetal.

I love to transform things with Alcohol Ink!  Now just set aside till the clock is ready.

Back to the clock:
Background:

The background of the Assemblage Clock has a patchwork of ephemera from the Collector pack.  I just glued each piece to the surface with Collage Medium, then added a layer over the top to secure.  Once the Collage Medium was dry, I rubbed Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon over the surface.

Paper Doll:

I used one of my favorite sitting paper dolls for the centerpiece.  I rubbed a VERY thin coat of Media Clear Gesso over the paper doll.  Not only do the Distress Marker colors look richer over the Gesso, I think it holds the color longer.  I talked about this Gesso technique in this post you may want to check out.

I colored multiple sizes of gears and a Timepiece with Picket Fence Distress Paint and used some of the same colors of Alcohol Ink as before.

What is MOST important is the layering of each piece:
1.  The man has TWO bingo chips glued together so he is at the forefront.
2.  The Timepiece has TWO stacked regular foam squares.
3.  The Gadget Gears have regular sized foam squares BETWEEN the two layers (you can see the small square size I used at the top of the photo)

Adding the multi-leveled layers allows you to add more pieces to the collage.  First, I snapped off one of the Ruler Pieces to create a place for the man to sit.  The ruler has two stacked foam squares on the left side and is glued directly to the Gadget Gears on the broken right end.  The Quote Chip "Be Brave" is glued directly to the bottom of the Timepiece.

Once the collage was done, I added two more stacks of gears using Sprocket Gears, Mini Gears and the smallest size of Hex Fasteners.  These were glued directly to the surface and tucked partially under the Timepiece and the man's elbow.

 He looks pretty good!

The last thing to do is put it all together.  Pour the Baubles into the clock, then add the back...making sure the man is sitting up straight.  You could embellish the top of the clock with ribbon or trinkets but I decided to leave mine plain to showoff the 3-D texture on the outside.

I hope you will give these new 3-D texture folders a try.  They really are amazing!
now carry on,
paula

paula
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