Thursday, August 27, 2015

A Tribute to Ground Espresso...

While I was away teaching over the weekend, the new Distress color Ground Espresso was delivered to my door.  After a few test swatches, I decided to create an entire project around it because quite honestly...I'm in love.  What a wonderfully rich, warm brown color to add to the color palette!  If your saying why do I need another brown? think again, you do...and this post will prove it!

I'm using one of my favorite 6.5 x 9" wood boards from Michaels for this project.  I find I use decor projects for Halloween more than cards, so I'm going that route today.   I added paper from the new Regions Beyond paper stash to the wood surface using Multi Medium.  I did add a layer of Multi Medium over the top of the paper to seal it.
Once dry, I swiped Ground Espresso Distress Paint on the edges of the surface, then wiped away as much as needed with a wet wipe.
I added bits of the Design Tape to the surface in random locations.  I covered it with Multi Medium to secure to the torn edges.  Then I went back and added more Ground Espresso paint over the bright tape.


I want to use a dark Texture Paste through a stencil (you'll see why in a minute) so dripped a small amount of Ground Espresso reinker into the Texture Paste.  I made about twice as much paste as I needed for this project.  Lesson learned.
I gave it a good stir with my palette knife.  At this point I felt like I needed to go make some cupcakes because it really looked like frosting! (not so good tasting though) Remember that time I almost ate Multi Medium thinking it was my morning yogurt? 
I'm using the Tim Holtz "Batground" stencil over the wood surface to add little bats (coolest name for a stencil ever).
If you refer to the picture above, it's hard to get really random bats using just the stencil.  So I let the paste sit for 3 or 4 minutes and then started using a small blade and then a wet q-tip to remove certain bats.  Because I added the reinker to the texture paste, it leave a "ghost bat" when the paste is removed.  The longer you leave the bat in place, the darker the ink...but remember the reason I love Ranger Texture Paste is that it dries quickly, so start removing bats at the 3 or 4 minute mark and you should have a good 10-15 minute window to get the pattern you want.
While the paste is drying lets move on to the focal point, the Mini Cabinet Card.  Sand the card with a Sanding Grip and ink with... what else? ...Ground Espresso!
NOTE: it's important that some of the ink gets onto the white center of the card.
Use the new Distress Sprayer to dribble big drops of water onto the card face.
 Then remove the droplets with a paper towel.  Heat dry.
Use the tiny droplets of Ground Espresso that were left on your craft sheet to add another layer of dark color.  I went back and forth between the craft sheet, a paper towel, and a heat tool quite a few times to get all the subtle layers.
NOTE: did you notice what happened to the excess ink that was on the white center?  It now looks like it is part of the card.
Cut one of the "photos" from the Regions Beyond paper stash.  Not only did I cut it out, but I cut away the paper above her shoulders.  I added the image with Multi Medium and then used my fingertip to add MM over the entire center to seal that cool background. Let dry.
Since the background is sealed, I can use the Ground Espresso Distress Marker to add a drop shadow and really integrate her into the background.  It already looks like she belongs.
But I want to kick it up a notch by using Distress Spray Stain to color a small piece of cheesecloth (I know it looks like a Halloween moustache).  Heat dry.
I took the cheesecloth and cut a dip in the front to make her a dress of sorts.  She looks more like a witch now.  I added the witch hat, the spider and the fig.133 from the Halloween Remnant Rubs.  I also added a drop shadow around the hat so she is now totally part of the background, rather than just sitting above it.  Ground Espresso you haven't failed me yet!
So here she is on the foundation.  I love the way it looks so far!
The Halloween Ephemera pack is awesome.  We have never done Halloween ephemera so I super happy it turned out so well.  Tim did a great job making sure there were lots of sizes and colors to choose from.
I'm just going to use a few pieces to create some layers.  Foam squares are a must in the layering process.
 I also used Distress Paint to color some wire.
 Then I used a few tack nails to secure the wire in place.
 Now a few Tiny Tattered Florals cut from black Kraft-Core.
The Tiny Tattered Florals come with the Quilling tool to create the flowers.  The tool has a small slit in the end to grab onto to the paper.
 I like to add small drops of glossy accents on the edge to secure the flower as I am rolling.
 
 Once you get to the end you pull the tool out and add glue to the bottom.  A hot glue gun is my favorite way to end because you don't have to wait for it to dry.
 And your done.
 I used Distress Stain in Ground Espresso and Fossilized Amber to color crinkle ribbon
Then made a very simple bow with wire to secure the center.
I added both the Tiny Tattered Florals and the ribbon with a hot glue gun.
A few more ephemera labels (beware covers up the tack nail) and a large Timepiece with Game Spinner hands.  Guess what?  I painted it with Ground Espresso paint!
I had some fine steel wool on my desk from sanding the Timepiece and decided to use it as spider webbing. 
It worked like a charm, but now my arms feel a little itchy so beware the steel wool...maybe wear long sleeves and gloves if you are going to try it!  And wash your hands right away!
So here she is all done...witchy woman herself!  This was a fun project to do.  I love the "ghost bats" and the whole process of making the witch in the frame...love layering so this is my kind of project.

Funny, it looks like there is a band on her hat and as you can see from the previous picture, the Remnant Rub is solid black.  Maybe she really is a witch!


Hope you like my tribute to Ground Espresso...looking forward to pairing it with something crazy like Twisted Citron or Abandoned Coral...plenty of time to try out all the new colors.  At least until the new Sept color is released! 

now carry on,
paula


62 comments:

  1. This is amazing!! I need this brown!!

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  2. Just awesome, I love everything about this! x

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  3. Paula, you blow me away every time! Love this project and you've definitely convinced me I need this brown!!!

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    1. Thanks Dana! and you do need this brown! I wasn't convinced till I used it!

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  4. Wow Paula - what a fabulous project! I love how you got so many shades of that gorgeous brown. Mine arrived yesterday and I have flowers drying already! I think Vintage Photo just got knocked off its pedestal! Jennie x

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  5. FABULOUS!! Again, this is why you are Paula Cheney and the rest of us, are well, just us!! Love this wickedly wonderful tribute to Tim's new color--but especially to the creative witchery you enchant us with!! Love this, Paula!! XOXO-Shari

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    1. oh trust me, I'm just Paula a girl from next door. No fan fare, no ego here Shari. But thanks for thinking that for 5 seconds, lol. (and my arms are still itchy today)

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  6. As a coffee nut I was beyond the moon when Ground Espresso was announced. And since I was at Stampaway I was able to pick it up the day after the announcement! I love how you did the bats -- now I'm thinking about combining the texture paste with the Distress Ink reinkers for other stencils! (If only there was a coffee bean stencil....)

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    1. I never used to buy the reinkers but now, well I have changed my mind. I keep finding uses for them like the Distress DIY pads! I am going to have to invest in more colors!

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  7. This might just be my favorite Halloween project ever! LOVE all the Ground Espresso use too! I had a duh moment about the steel wool...never thought to use it to distress metal, much less for webs! YOU AMAZE ME!!! Gorgeous layered project. Pinned!

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    1. Anita...anything on the desk is fair game! You probably have the same rule!

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  8. I'm in LOVE with this Halloween project and Ground Espresso!!! You are always thinking outside the box, awesome Halloween inspiration Paula...fabulously spookalicious!!! Ground Espresso has been ordered! ;)

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  9. This project has so much fabulosity!! 😊

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  10. I had bought one of the tattered floral dies so it was great to see how to use it. This year's Halloween is one of the more memorable collections and can't wait to get my hands on it! I love working with the texture paste and I need to try adding the reinker to it. Off to Memory Bound for some Ground Espresso.

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  11. I love seeing ALL the steps!
    It turned out so so COOL!!!
    NICE JOB = )

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  12. I love this, absolutely, unabashedly, totally intoxicated. I need to make me one (as soon as i get my inky hands on ground espresso - come on post office, deliver)

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  13. I am soooooooo in love with Ground Expresso. And yes ... it totally deserves it's very own project. So gorgeous on that Mini Cabinet card. And there is definitely magic when it combines with Fossilized Amber (amazing). I gotta say ... that your 2nd use for steel wool (a spider's web -- who knew?!?!?) is so much more fun than using it for housework :) Brilliant project once again Paula! Now I've got to go order this gorgeous color!!! Can't wait to play.

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    1. How did I manage to not spell Espresso correctly ... seriously?!? As addicted as I am to coffee, you would think I could spell that in my sleep. Sorry!

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    2. lol I didn't even notice! thank you for your kind words Mary Elizabeth!

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  14. You already know Tim had me from the beginning with Ground Espresso! I planned to get inky with it today, but that thing called life got in my way! I LOVE your witchy-witch! I am notsomuch a Halloween girl, but this "Espression" of Espresso Love is over the top gorgeous!

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  15. Gorgeous piece, I adore the colour and I love the mix on the ribbon . Love how,you used the imagery and incorporated it beautifully into the design. Wonderful inspiration. Tracy x

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  16. Love this Paula! My Ground Espresso will be delivered tomorrow. I'm doing my happy dance!

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  17. It's really great! Thank for sharing :)

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  18. This is a fantastic Halloween project, I love the way you did the bats, they look amazing and the wire wool for spider web - so clever. I got my Espresso and bat stencil yesterday, looking forward to having a play now. As always, thanks for the inspiration! x

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    1. Can't wait to see what you create with the new color - I am sure it will be wonderful!

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  19. Paula...this is just out of the world amazing!!! Your tutorial is really wonderful. Every step is just so creative and so well thought out! You are just incredible with all of your details! LOVE THIS!

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    1. thanks Candy - I'm hiring you for my PR person, lol! You are too nice.

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  20. This is just sooo cool! I saw it pinned and wanted to check out the details! Fabulous!

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  21. Fantastic project my friend. I am getting so ready for Halloween. Michigan has had a GORGEOUS summer of no humidity and lots of sunshine but for some reason this August has been cooler and fall is in the air...I can feel it.

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  22. Paula, how do you hang the boards or do you? Just wondering. Love this witchy lady.

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    1. Jessica I don't have a lot of wall space so I usually just use a clear easel that I got at Michaels. I use it for both the wood panels and the burlap panels I make and just change them out by season.

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  23. Fabulous inspiration Paula!!!! I have all of Tim's new idea-ology Halloween line on my table right now and the new brown (I think it might kick gathered twigs butt - which is my favorite brown).... I shall move forward and create!!! Thank you for the inspiration!

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    1. exactly my thoughts Kat. Gathered Twigs is my go to brown...move over, there's a new kid in town!

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  24. Your creation pays perfect tribute to just what makes Halloween so much fun. You've showcased this new color perfectly and I can see that it would be great to use when you need dark dark but not black. The name espresso says it all. Also, appreciate your stencil technique for random bats, I'm anxious to give it a try.

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    1. you will love that technique - a little tedious at first to pick which bats to remove but then I was sad when I was done. It did take a few q-tips to finish the job but they're cheap so no matter.

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  25. Fabulous as ever, Paula! I always love watching your process. My Ground Espresso arrived today! Can't wait to play around with it.

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  26. Another beautiful job with the tutorial and your great creativity. Always so easy to duplicate your projects because of all the details you share with us. Thanks for all your hard work! - Donna Jean Anderson

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    1. thank you Donna! Glad you always like what I make - so I am most happy to share the details!

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  27. Oh yes this is going to be a must have color. So rich and dark. Ummmm, mixed with the paste it does look just like frosting, ha. Your canvas is so fun. The batground bats and their ghost friends is one of my favorite elements. Love the tribute to ground espresso!

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  28. OMG, OMG, OMG ... Paula this is spooktacular, the batground bats,steel wool webbing ... every little detail ( so fun too ) !! WOMAN your creativity is amazing !!!
    OOOOOOOOOO the thought of Ground espresso and Twisted Citron ...

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  29. Wicked is correct!! LOVE this - what great inspiration here today - wonderful little details and SO spooky fun!!! Julia xx

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  30. Utterly love your home decor piece and what a smashing tribute to ground espresso. Mine arrives Monday and you have made my anticipation reach fever pitch! Love what you did with the cabinet card and the batground stencil looks SO cool. You're amazing! :)

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  31. Oh my gosh !!! that turned out so great!!! Love it!! Can't wait to try out the textured paint bats!!!!!!!!

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  32. Oh, how cool! I just got home from my closest scrapbook store (20 miles away!) & they had just received their shipment of Ground espresso. I snatched up the paint & reinker. Heading downstairs to play. To be honest, I'm making my version of the Halloween project you posted recently.

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    1. I forgot to say thanks for the idea of mixing the ink with the Texture Paste. I didn't realize you could change the color.

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    2. That is great! So glad I made something you would want to recreate! And thank you for supporting your local Scrapbook store! I sure wish I had one only 20 miles away!

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  33. Masterpiece! As Always Paula! Details, color, everything is perfect! Me too I'm in love with Ground Espresso and I can't wait to have it in my hands! BArbarayaya

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  34. Wonderful tribute to ground espresso.......love the background, the spider web on the wire, ribbon color, okay I love it all!

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  35. Wonderful tribute to ground espresso.......love the background, the spider web on the wire, ribbon color, okay I love it all!

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  36. Dear Paula, another awesome project...background, flower, wire, photo, texture, everything is just perfect...and yes, you are right, I need another hue of brown!
    Hugs from Slovenia

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  37. Just fabulous Paula, amazing how you can use just the one (wonderful!) Distress colour and get such depth of colour and interest. Love, love, love the ghost bats and your witchy woman is fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing all of your techniques, excuse me while I go and put in an order for some Ground Expresso Distress! Deb xo

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  38. Ok, I didn't think I needed it, nope, but then....well you got me at the texture paste. So chocolatey looking. Now I know I NEED it. On my way to see Maura tomorrow. Glad I'm on the reserve list. Great project, as always.

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  39. I love the technique you used with the batground stencil. Very cool!

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  40. Mine has now arrived and I too am totally in love with the fabulous depth of colour. Ground espresso has now replaced walnut stain as the only ink pad that never gets put away on the shelf, it's already being used in nearly everything I create. Xxx

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  41. GENIUS - I just love watching it call come together.

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