The Best is Yet to Come

Hello Friends,

I’m excited to share a new idea-ology project blooming with springtime florals. My inspiration for this panel actually came from a beautiful fabric bag created by my friend Richele Christensen. She used a Palette Orange fabric called Botanical—a long-time favorite of mine—and I couldn't get the print out of my head. I decided to translate Richele’s textile vision into a paper version, bringing a bit of her "fabric side" over to the paper side of the Palette.

I started with a large Etcetera Panel as my base. I used Collage Medium to cover the panel with a sheet of the Palette Orange Botanical print (12 x 12"). I added Collage Medium over the top to seal the paper.

Once dry, I added crayon to the edges of the panel.

I chose two pieces of coordinating ephemera from the Palette Ephemera pack. I stitched the edges on the machine. Since I used cream thread, I decided to ink the thread with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

On the ends that were not stitched, I tore through the paper and also inked the torn edges. I always spritz the inked edges with water to make the ink wick into the paper. Dry with a heat tool before gluing to the panel.

I used Scor-tape to add the ephemera to the panel.

Next up, is the house shape from an Etcetera Facade pack. I left the pop out center in place and covered the entire front of the shape with a sheet of Backdrop paper that I thought really worked with the Botanical paper (Backdrops 4 - Neutral pack). 

I added multiple strips of Design Tape Trims to the house shape for decoration.

I did add Collage Medium over the tape to permanently secure it to the surface. Then set it aside to dry.

I chose a favorite Paper Doll from the groups pack and colored it with Distress Crayons in Saltwater Taffy, Aged Mahogany, Faded Jeans, and Rustic Wilderness. I used a Detailer Water Brush to add a plaid pattern to the mans pants.

I also combined an Optical Lens and a Date Dial with a bit of Collage Medium. Once dry, I tied string around the stem to cover the number that was upside down (with the stem on the left).

Now combine the house shape, the Optical Lens and the Paper Doll. I used three double-stacks of foam squares on the back of the Paper Dolls so they above the Optical Lens.

I also used 3D foam squares to add the house shape Facade to the panel covering the gap between the ephemera. 

Now I need a sentiment - I combined a Quote Chip Label and a Label Frame. Then I decided to use my cutting knife to shove shredded cheesecloth into the crack between label and the frame for added texture. I also needed to add a bingo chip to the back on the right side so it will sit level with the house shape.

Once I added the label to the panel, I added vintage buttons to the right end. No I didn't stitch them on. I collect vintage buttons with the thread still in them - they are like gold to me! So all I had to do was glue them in place and let them dry.

I also created a small collage of Palette ephemera in the top right corner. Just stuff I liked and thought would bring out the green in the paper. I did add thin foam squares under the butterfly so it sits slightly above the collage.

I guess I forgot to mention the vintage lace that run along the brown ephemera. It was just a piece that I had in my stash and thought it looked good with the theme.

Love this little cluster!

You can see that vintage lace much better here,

I hope you liked this one. The colors and vintage vibe are right in my wheelhouse so this makes me very happy. And we all could use a little reminder of good things to come, right?

Now carry on,

paula

Home Panel featuring Palette Indigo Fabric

Hello friends,

I'm glad to be here today sharing a special make for Simon Says Stamp using beautiful Palette Indigo fabric from Freespirit. I love how the rich indigo contrasts the light ledger background. This project can be created with or without sewing so it really is for anyone! What you might notice is the "frame" on this project. The Etcetera Panels do not come with a frame, so I created one from something that might surprise you! If you are interested in the project tutorial (or how I created the "frame"), it can be found on the Simon Says Stamp blog. Click the link and it will take right on over!

Now carry on,

paula

Precious Things

Hello friends,

With the introduction of the New Large 3D Texture Fades from Tim Holtz and Sizzix, I knew it was time to get to work to see what all the hullabaloo was about! The new size is awesome - something I have dreamed of for a long time. It opens so many possibilities for larger projects or more than one card front from one pass. Today I used a 6 x 8 1/2" Etcetera Panel and it fits perfectly! 

There are 5 new large folders that fit a piece of 6 x 8 1/2" paper. 

Foundry

Botanical

Lumber 

Typewriter 

Entangled 

I used Distress Watercolor Cardstock to emboss three of the folders before choosing to go with Typewriter for today's project.
*Please note that an A5 Cutting Pad is required for use with these large-format embossing folders so the machine can grab onto the cutting pad.

Paint the entire surface with Salvaged Patina Distress Paint.

Once dry, lightly rub over the surface with Distress Embossing Ink. I did not squish the pad onto the surface, I just went over the raised texture best I could.

I sprinkled (with my fingers) Scorched Timber Distress Embossing Glaze over the surface. Then embossed it with an embossing gun. Distress Embossing Glaze melts quickly so be sure to watch it as you are melting...you don't want to melt away the texture!

Next, just paint over the surface (I did one half at a time) then wipe most of it away with a wet wipe. The paint will get into all the recessed areas and really bring out the letters. *Compare the last photo with this one to see the difference!

This is what it looked like when I was done. I LOVE IT! Nice and grungy! The Distress Watercolor Cardstock is really holding up to all these layers!

Okay, just one more thing...I took Distress Spritz Vintage Photo and shook it up. Then opened the bottle and used the plastic tube to drip Spritz into the lines between the letters. If you get too much, just pounce over the top. And if you need more, just add more!

Now go back two photos to see the before and now the after! The Spritz added not only another color, but some shine to the texture. It just keeps getting better! 

The new folders are 6 x 8 1/2" - the exact same size as the larger Etcetera Panel. It's like they were meant to go together! I painted the entire back with Ground Espresso (for a finished look), then turned it over to paint the edges and up onto the front. The cardstock will cover the entire front, but I want to make sure there is a bit of brown just in case I get it on there crooked!

Use multiple strips of wide Scor-tape to add the cardstock to the panel. 

For the embellishments, I pulled three windows from the Baseboard Windows pack.

Because they were all so different, I decided to make them the same using Distress Paint and a Distress Crayon. You can also use acrylic paint if you have that on hand. All the painting is done very rough, don't worry if the colors show through. It's the layers that matter.

Step 1: Paint windows with Salvaged Patina Distress Paint.

Step 2: Once dry, paint with Black Soot Distress Paint

Step 3: Once dry, sand with a sanding block to reveal the color under the black.

Step 4: Scribble heavily with a Walnut Stain Crayon so the window is totally covered. Rub with your fingertip to smooth it out, then pounce over the top with a wet wipe to reveal the colors underneath.

This shot might be better to show the finished result. A little Salvaged Patina showing through the black paint and a little brown crayon to soften the black.

Use a combination of 3D Foam Squares and THIN 3D Foam Squares + Collage Medium to adhere the windows to the panel.

For a centerpiece, I chose a large butterfly from the Transparent Things pack. I turned it over and pounced Gold Mixative on the BACK to create the metallic gold border around the butterfly.

I also sprayed Salvaged Patina Distress Spritz over the butterfly. Distress Spritz will dry on plastic (and other slick surfaces) unlike most Distress products (like Spray Stain or ink). I did use a heat tool to dry the Spritz, I just kept the tool at a distance so the butterfly would not melt. The transparencies are tough!

Once the Distress Spritz was dry, I used 3D Foam Squares to add the butterfly to the panel. 

I added Screw Heads to the corners of the windows, then worked on the gears. You could add as many or just a few. Totally up to your taste.  I focused on adding Long Fasteners and Mini Fasteners to a few Mini Gears and Sprocket Gears. Then just moved them around till I got the configuration I liked. NOTE: The solid gear that looks like the sun is from the Sprocket Gears pack...the rest are from the Mini Gears pack.

Again, here is the same combination of gears on the left side of the panel. You can see where I have pounded the Long Fastener in the center of the Sprocket Gear with my Texture Hammer. I love that the pebbled side of the Texture Hammer will smash a Long Fastener like this! I also sanded the edges of the Sprocket Gear so the gold came through on the edges of the sunburst.

I chose a quote from the Quote Chip Labels and added it to the Label frame. Then it was adhered to the window frame with Collage Medium. I also added a string bow on the left side with Collage Medium. 

And that's a wrap!

Tim hosted a Live all about the new folders. The techniques he shares are quite amazing so if you missed the live I would suggest watching it now. It is absolutely inspiring!! Here is the link to his BLOG.

Now carry on,
paula