Make Today Count

 Hello Friends,

I'm here today to share another Uncharted Mariner project!  This one showed up so much better in the Live.  Probably because it is so hard to photograph projects with metallic shine.  No matter, I'm here to show the step-outs to how I created the background for the Etcetera Tag.  So lets get started!

Use Collage Medium to adhere Entomology Collage Paper to a small Etcetera Tag (5.5 x 10"). With clean hands, press paper down to secure the paper to the surface. Add another layer of Collage Medium over the surface to seal. hen set aside to dry completely.

Once the Collage paper is dry, sand away excess paper.

Paint over the Collage Paper with Antique Linen Distress Paint.  Use a wet wipe to remove enough paint to see the images.  Let dry.

Use a small palette knife to spread Distress Crackle Opaque over the Burlap Layering Stencil.  This stencil is an oldie but a goodie!  Once the paste is dry, the cracks will appear in the pattern and give a great surface to work with for the next step.

Squeeze the eye-dropper of the Uncharted Mariner re-inker at the top of the crackle paste.  Stand tag up and spritz with water to let the ink run down the surface and into all the cracks.  Dry with a heat tool, while pouncing over the surface to remove any excess ink.  You can add more ink, then repeat the spray, dry, ink, spray, dry until you are satisfied.  I worked on the right side and then the left, then repeated the steps again.

Once the ink was dry, I added Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges and rubbed it in with my finger.  Pounce over the top of the crayon to muddle the color and make it look more organic.

So that is how I created the surface to build on.  Any color or stencil will work but I highly recommend the Crackle Paste Opaque.  Ranger has made an exceptional product that just works beautifully every single time.

So lets talk about what I did with the die-cuts and embellishments.

1. Die cut the Leafy Thinlit out of Mixed Media cardstock.

2. Clip the Leafy die cut at the 5 cut lines (show here) to easily separate the panel into two distinct sides. Super easy to do and it gives a great effect.  They can both be used as I did or use just one!

3. Randomly add Uncharted Mariner Distress Embossing ink (using the Dabber) to the larger side of the Leafy die-cut, then heat emboss with Uncharted Mariner Embossing Glaze (the piece was added to the top of the tag using Collage Medium).

For the focal point, I used a Paper Doll from the Solos pack, 2 Baseboard pieces from Junk Drawer, flowers from Layers Botanical, and small toadstools and a red label from Field Notes Snippets.

Vintage lace and a button were added to her skirt.

4. Fussy-cut small flowers - glue one directly to her dress and layer the second on top using THIN 3D foam squares by Scrapbook Adhesives.

5. Add shredded Mummy Cloth behind the Paper Doll.

6. Add toadstools to the end of the Baseboard piece for balance.

7. Adhere red label and stamp with date (Stampers Anonymous Eccentric stamp) in Ground Espresso Archival Ink (I masked off the rest of the stamp to only get May).

8. Emboss the second part of the Leafy die-cut with two layers of Embossing Glaze to give it a rich feeling.

9. Die-cut Sizzix Bold Text with Metallic Gold paper. 

NOTE: I cut two sets of letters with Sizzix Permanent Adhesive on the back, so I could combine to make thicker letters.   Also, remember to save the leftover die-cut negative to use for letter spacing.

10.  Use Collage medium to add a sentiment from the Clippings Sticker book.

I sure am happy with this new color. It is a color I have wanted for a long time!  I love how this turned out with Uncharted Mariner and the gold metallic words.   

I still have a few projects coming this week using the new color.  I'll be on the Ranger Projects page on Thursday the 23rd. That will be followed by the idea-ology Divided Drawer back here on my blog.
now carry on,
paula

Spring Kits

Hello friends!

I have listed my remaining Spring kits in my Etsy shop.  Each kit comes with all the product and full color step-out instructions as well as written instructions.   If you are interested in any of the kits shown below, click on the link HERE or use the Etsy icon on the right sidebar.
thank you!
and now carry on!
paula

Lost and Found

Tokens Of Affection
sold out

Be Genuine

 Wildflower Garden

Top Five - No. 5 - Layering Stencils

I know the new Layering Stencils are not Idea-ology, but I cannot do a Top 5 list without them.  When I saw the prototypes a while back I knew these were going to be a favorite.  There are thirteen different styles to choose from.  I have been working with them all week long and have found them to be a really great weight (not too thin and not too thick) and an easy size to handle.  I already have favorites...the dots (both sizes), burlap, and honeycomb.  So if you can't buy them all, start with those.

I also love the idea that they are tag shaped and have a hole at the top for a ring.  So easy to store away.  You can see a picture of each stencil here on tim's blog...pages right from the Stampers Anonymous catalog.

photo via tim holtz blog

Oh, my!  You can see why these had to be in my Top Five!

Well, by the time you read this I will already be in Las Vegas and in the midst of setting the booths.  I won't be blogging from the show because (quite frankly) the darn hotel internet connection is $15 a day.  Geez I hate that.  

What I will be doing is taking pictures throughout the show.  If you would like to follow along on Instagram my name is luckyday.  Who knew? 

Have a great week everyone!

carry on,

paula

Work In Progress

Is it just me or are the weeks are racing by?

Less than 4 weeks till school is out and Jay and I head to Australia to visit some good friends and meet a few new.  While Jay plays golf with our friend Andrew in Moss vale, I will be teaching at a couple stores that are listed on the sidebar.  Super excited to teach these new classes since it has a few months since I have taught in person.  If you are in the Sydney area, you are welcome to join us!

As for today's tutorial, I had so much on my check list that I didn't think I had the time, but then everything seemed to fall into place as I checked things off the list, which left me a couple hours to create something for today's blog post.  I seriously love this one so much I wish it was a class I was teaching!  Super fun, especially the pink frosting part which made me want to make some cupcakes.  No time for cupcakes today though!

I had two 8 x 10" canvas boards up on the shelf that I had never used.  I got these at Michaels, but they sell them at most hobby stores and art supply places.

I cut up a bunch of difference paper pieces including some vintage music (most came from my scrap bin) and layered them on the board using multi-medium matte finish.  I kept the papers in the pink and brown tones.  No reason, it was just what I was drawn to today.

Once the paper was dry I gave the entire surface a coat of the multi-medium and let it dry again.

Get out the Modeling Paste...I sure hope you are not tired of it, because I'm not.
I used a stencil from Crafters Workshop - Mini Peony and some Liquitex paint in Turner's Yellow and Light Portrait Pink.

On my craft sheet I added Blank Canvas (white) paint and a bit of pink...mixed it up... then added a bit of water to make a wash.  You don't need much of any of the three items to make a wash.

I used a foam brush to paint a light wash over random parts of the canvas.

 If you get too much in a certain place you can just wipe it away with a baby wipe.

 Let it dry.

 I mixed up the same concoction except replacing the pink paint for the mustard paint.  Again, you don't need to make too much.

To be quite honest this is a terrible picture...sorry about that...no do-overs on this one!
Anyway, I added just a bit of the mustard wash in a few places.  It really is very subtle.
I painted the wash over the rose, then wiped away the paint revealing just the flower. 

 If you compare the bare canvas below to the photo above, you can see the change.

Once dry, I used a chicken wire stamp using Archival Ink - Coffee.  It's important to use Archival ink since it is waterproof and you never know what is next (or at least I don't)...I would rather be safe than sorry.
Notice...no acrylic block, just fingers for a more random look. This is a long stamp and I only used small parts of it each time I stamped the image.

Next, place some modeling paste on the craft mat,

 Add just a bit of paint

And stir it up
I told you it looked like frosting!

 Grab your stencil

This time I used a pallet knife but you can use a scraper or an old credit card.

 Here is what it looked like when I was done "frosting" the stencil.

 and the reveal...

 There were a few "hanger-overs"... I just wiped them away with my finger.

Here is the final result.

 I used a smaller stencil to add a couple more designs to the board.

Next, I stamped the butterflies from the Attic Treasures stamp.  This time I used an acrylic block to get a good impression.

 Once dry, I took a water-soluble crayon, Bleu Turquoise and colored in the wings.

This looks very bold but as soon as you paint a little water over the crayon it becomes transparent just like watercolor.

 I wanted a very subtle blue tint to each butterfly.

Next let's use a China marker to add some detail.
1.  Follow the paper edge.

2.  Rub the line with your finger to smudge.

 3. Wipe away the excess with a baby wipe.

 4.  Move on to the next paper line.  You don't have to do them all, just the one's that make sense.

 5.  I also used the side of the China Marker along the edge of the board.

I used one more stamp (black Archival Ink) called Going Somewhere.  I just used this little typewriter Alpha stamp.  One of my favorites.
Again, no block, just fingers pressing the stamp on the board.

 You can see the China marker edging much better in this image (as well as the Alpha stamp).

Gotta have some words from a book.  What should I choose today?

Use Multi-medium to add the words.  Once dry, ink with a bit of Distress Ink, then seal with a bit Multi-medium.

I decided that I really like the direction the board is going but that big flower looks like it needs something in the center...so I am going to make this some kind of journal (I did not start out with this idea).  I used a Japanese Screw Punch to make a hole for a knob (that took some effort because this board is thick!)

I added a knob that I colored a long time ago with Alcohol Ink (probably Pool).

Then I punched 3 more holes on the left side for rings.
Love how it is turning out so far.

Now I know you are saying, where's the rest?  Well, you will have to come back next week to see the rest of the journal (or at least I think that is what it will be).  This is a work in progress and my time is up for today.

Tomorrow I am off to the Inspired Journey event in Manhattan Beach, Ca.  I am meeting up with Sande Krieger who is teaching at the event, along with Teresa Collins and Rebecca Cross from Pink Paislee.  I am going to be Sande's classroom helper as well as help with the 7g make and take on Friday night.  I recognized a few names on the list of event attendees so I am looking forward to seeing some old friends.

cheers for a great week!
paula