Thursday, October 26, 2017

Create This Dramatic Background Using a Stencil & Ink Pads

Hello, Crafty Friends!
I'm back with Team Xyron. And this week we are partnering up with the awesome people over at ClearSnap throughout the week we have been sharing amazing projects featuring products from both companies. 

Today, I want to share with you how to make this dramatic background using ClearSnap Stencils, Ink Pads, and the Xyron Creative Station!



Supplies Used
ColorBox INK Premium Dye Mini Inkpads- Aqua, Mud Pie, Coal (ClearSnap)
ColorBox Art Screens- Bloom (ClearSnap)
Sorry Dies (Pink and Main)
So Sorry (Pink and Main)
Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies (Pink and Main)
140 lb. Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Pigma Micron Pen (Sakura)
Cardstock- Brown, Turquoise (Recollections)
Creative Station w/ Repositionable Adhesive Refill (Xyron)
Mega Runner (Xyron)

First, I started by adding adhesive to the back of my stencil... YES, I said to the back of my stencil! But don't worry, we are just going to make the stencil a self adhesive one. I like doing this to my stencils so they don't move while I stencil a project. I find it better than trying to tape my stencil down all the time.

 For this, I had to change out my permanent adhesive refill for a repositionable one in my Xyron Creative Station. It is very important that it is the REPOSITIONABLE refill and not permanent! We don't want our stencil to be permanently bonded down on our project!

Then, I simply ran my stencil through my machine.
After it has ran through, make sure you burnish the protetive film really well to remove all the excess adhesive in the cut-out areas.

Now, you have a self adhesive stencil that you can use over and over! No more wasting tape!

Once I backed my stencil with adhesive I simply placed it over the material I wanted stenciled. I used a micron pen to trace along the image of the stencil. Then removed the stencil once I was done. Now I have a huge background image!! This is a great substitute for giant background stamp that tend to be on the pricey side. Most stencils (even very large ones) usually only cost a few bucks. Way cheaper than a standard A2 sized background stamp!

Once I had my outline exactly how I wanted it, I "mushed" my Aqua dye ink pad on to glass work surface to use as a color palette. Then, with my water brush, I picked up color off my mat and colored in my traced image.

I started from the center, making it my darkest area... then, worked my way on out lighter. I do reapply more ink in areas that I think need more.

Look at how pretty coloring a stencil can be...

 Then, in the negative space, I add a second color. Again, working from the center of the image on out, darkest to lightest.

Adding the second color (Mud Pie), really makes that Aqua pop!!

 Once my image was dried, I trimmed it down to 3.75" x 5". Then my Mega Runner to attached it to a 4"x 5.25" mat made from brown cardstock and then onto a standard A2 sized card base made from turquoise cardstock.

This is a such a stunning background already and I didn't want to cover up all that beautiful work with flowers or other embellishments. So I opted to make it a clean and simple card and just added a simple sentiment to accent the card front.

I chose this "Sorry" die from Pink and Main. It comes with a nice thick shadow. Shadows can sometimes be over powering, especially if they are on the thicker side like this one. But I learned that if you cut out your shadows from vellum it gives that nice shadow effect with out blocking out what's behind it.

I cut out the Sorry from Black cardstock, layered it onto the vellum shadow, then glued another Sorry made from craft foam directly under it. It's like giving it a pop dot without being able to see it. IT raises the image up and makes the vellum easier to see and lets in more light under the die cut.

You can really see the dimension of that foam under the vellum. And because you place it directly under your die cut word no one will ever see it!

Then simply add it onto your card front!

 I decided to add the words "my friend"  using Coal ink, and make it an all occassions apology card. There are so many occassions why you could be apologizing... to send a friend condolences, to say sorry after a fight or heated debate, or maybe you missed a birthday... By leaving it "generic" you can add it to your card stash and it'll cover all of them.

And here is my finished card...


This card came out so amazing! I love how bold the colors are and how they pop!


This technique is great to use for those "GUY" cards... some men like it clean and simple and no frills... Well, to be fair some women do too! LOL 


Overall, this is a great technique to give a try and I hope you do!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana

***Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Java Merry Christmas

Hello, Friends!! Welcome back!!
I'm up on Day 2 of the Rinea and Pink & Main collaboration!

All week long we will be featuring amazing projects from our talented Design Team Members using both Rinea and Pink & Main products. And if tons of crafty inspiration was not amazing enough, You can enter to win a $25 Gift Certificate to the Pink and Main Store. All you have to do to enter to win is stop by the Pink and Main blog each day this week and leave a wonderful comment on the featured post!! Easy-peasy!!

For my project today, I created this card...


Supplies Used



   

  

  

Other Supplies Used
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Ultra Smooth Premium Cardstock (Crafter's Companion)
Spectrum Noir Illustrator Markers- AB1, AB3, PP1, PP6, EB2, EB7, FS9 (Crafter's Companion)
Momento Tuxedo Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
VersaMark (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
White Embossing Powder (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Self Adhesive Flatback Pearls
Mega Runner (Xyron)


I started by stamping my images from Pink and Main's Christmas Mugs stamp set onto ultra smooth cardstock with Momento ink. I always stamp more images than I need "just in case".

Tip: can use any brand ink as long as it is dye based ink. It needs to be dye based so that the ink doesn't smear or bleed when coloring with the alcohol based markers.

I colored my images using my Illustrator Markers.

Cup on the LEFT I used:
AB1, AB3, PP1, PP6, & FS9

Cup on the RIGHT I used:
PP1, PP6, EB2, EB7, & FS9

Once my images were colored, I cut them out using the matching Christmas Mugs Dies.

Then I die cut Rinea's Star Struck Mocha Brown foil paper from the Autumn Variety Pack using Pink and Main's Scalloped Circle and Large Bow Dies.

These are just too cute and so much fun to make. And when cutting them with Rinea's foil paper you can curve and mold them for added dimension and the will stay!How cool is that?!!


Then, to make the background to my card I used Pink and Main's Layered Stripes Dies and cut each layer to the background in different colors. The thick lines in aqua, the medium in pink, and the thin lines in a chocolate brown.

I adhere them together using my Xyron mega runner starting with the thickest stripe at the bottom and working my way to the thinnest stripe on top. Then mounted my background stripes onto an A2 sized card made from white cardstock.

I stamped my sentiment onto more chocolate brown cardstock using a Versamark ink pad and covered it with white embossing powder. Then heat set it, cut it into a flag, and mounted it over the top of the card.

Then lastly, I attached the scallop circle and bow onto the front of my card. I used foam adhesive dots to adhere my little mug and attached little flatback pearls in the center of each scallop.

And here is my finished card...


Here is another close-up...

I hope you enjoyed my card for today! 

Don't forget to head on over to the Pink and Main Blog and leave a comment below to enter into our GIVEAWAY!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A SUPER CRAFTY DAY!!
~Mitsyana


***Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Mixed Media - Awaken the Soul - Journal


Hi, Crafty Friends!! 
I'm back again with another Mixed Media Journal Project today. Since discovering that I can dramatically shorten the length of time I can put these bad boys together I have been even more addicted to making them!

I can't get enough of Eileen Hull's Journal Die! Journals are so on trend but tend to get very pricey when buying pre-made ones. But with Eileen's Heartfelt Journal die from Sizzix I can make as many as I want whenever I want and customize and personalize each one, making them as extravagant or as minimalistic as I want.

This and my last journal are quite detailed. But just because they're detailed doesn't necessarily mean difficult. Let me show you how I made this journal using unexpected materials.

Supplies Used
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Eileen Hull Heartfelt Journal Die (Sizzix)
Eileen Hull Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame (Sizzix)- COMING SOON
Mat Board (Sizzix)
Brick Wall Stencil (Little Birdie Crafts)
Chipboard
Corrugated Cardstock (DCWV)
Cheesecloth/ Gauze
Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)
Black Chalkboard Paint (Prima Marketing)
Art Alchemy AcrylicPaint - Emerald Green (Prima Marketing)
Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint-Opal Magic Blue Pink (Prima Marketing)
Mechanicals Tin Hearts (Prima Marketing)
Art Ingredients Mélange Art Pebbles (Prima Marketing)
Gilded Life Large Heart Bezel (Spellbinders)
Pebeo Gilding Wax- Silver (Crafter's Companion)
Pebeo Gilding Wax- Empire Gold (Crafter's Companion)
Pegasus Pony (Dollar Store/ King Dollar)
Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)

I started by cutting my chipboard, burlap sheet, and corrugated cardstock into 6"x 9" pieces.

Then I ran the CHIPBOARD pieces through my Xyron Creative Station. Once I ran it through I flipped it over and ran it through one more time. This way I have adhesive on both sides. I repeated this for both pieces of chipboard.


Once both pieces of chipboard were covered in adhesive, I peeled back the protective film and attached a burlap sheet to one side and a corrugated sheet to the other. I repeated those steps for the second piece of chipboard as well. These will be my covers.

I ran my covered chipboard through my Sizzix Big Shot using my Eileen 
Hull Journal Die (Corrugated side FACE DOWN, against the blade).

Then added Mixed Media Glue to the spine and adhered them together, Lining them up using the pre-cut holes. Then clipped the ends together with a clip and set a heavy object on top till the glue set.


 While that was drying, I ran pieces of cheesecloth and burlap I randomly cut up through my Xyron Creative Station.

Then applied the burlap and cheesecloth onto the front of my cover.


I die cut a frame from Eileen's NEW Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame from white Mat Board. 
I used Little Birdie's Brick wall spackle with some Whipped Spackle to stencil on some texture.


 Once the paste was dry, I ran the frame through my Creative Station, Peeled off the protective film and applied it onto the front cover over the cheesecloth. 

Then added a little fleur de lis metal embellishment to the top of the frame.


Here's a little something unexpected... Just like my last journal, I used plastic toys to build my mixed media piece. I found the plastic pegasus pony at my local King Dollar Store. I love her hot pink color but she's not the prettiest looking pony... but upon further inspection, her wings are absolutely GORGEOUS!! So much detail and texture just in her wings... I just had to take her home and sacrifice her for a greater cause.

Yes, I killed a pony. I'm not a bad person (I promise) but I have to say... I most definitely would and WILL do it again. Sorry kids... Just look away!!

I yanked out her wings... which surprisingly were easy to dismember from her body. Then trimmed off the stumpy plugs off the ends.

WOOT WOOT!! A huge pair of pretty WINGS for a little over $1!! WIN!!


Then, I used mixed media glue to attach the wings to the center of my frame.
And glued a metal heart bezel over top using more mixed media glue. There was quite a bit of a gap so I used some craft foam to fill that uneven space under the bezel.


I used more foam under the tin metal heart and glued it onto the top of the bezel.

While the glue was setting I placed an ink pad between my cover flaps to keep it level so the embellishments don't slide before they set.

Then I added these clear art pebbles for added interest.


Once the glue set, I painted the entire cover and embellishments with black chalkboard paint.
I dry brushed on emerald green and opal magic blue pink acrylic paint over the wings, burlap, pebbles, and bezel.

I ended up repainting the center of the heart and the frame black. I didn't like the grout of my brick green and I wanted the gilding wax to stand out. It really stands out and does best over black.

Then I applied gilding wax over all the metal embellishments and random raised areas along the cover. Rubbers lightly over the grooves in the corrugate, mesh, and burlap... and also tips of the wings and over the brick of the frame.

 I brushed on black chalkboard paint over my Tim Holtz Word Band then rubbed off the excess. I just wanted the paint in the recessed areas in the words. then attached it to the front cover under the frame.

 Then I painted over the back flap and insides with more chalkboard paint and set it aside to dry.

After my journal was dried, I threaded elastic strands through the pre-cut holes and tied the ends into a knot. Then inserted black page inserts I had made earlier... to see how I made my journal inserts, please visit my previous journal making post.

I personally think plain white pages in dark journals look awkward but black pages look amazing!! 
But you can use whatever inserts you like.

And here is my finished journal...


Close Ups




I really enjoyed making this journal! I've been meaning to try more Mixed Media art and I'm so glad I have!! 

I hope you enjoyed to this project and it inspires you to give mixed media a try!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Creepy Crawly Skeleton Journal

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Happy Friday the 13th!!
I'm back with Team Xyron to bring you this creepy crawly mixed media project. And surprisingly, despite its appearance, this project was fairly mess-free! Say what?! I know what you're thinking... How can mixed media be mess-free, right?? Well, the secret is in the Creative Station! Let me show you!



Supplies Used
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Chipboard 
Burlap Sheets (DCWV)
Cheesecloth
Black Cardstock (Bazzill)
Chalkboard Paint (Prima)
Pebeo Gilding Wax-  (Crafter's Companion)
Plastic Halloween Skeleton and Bugs Toys/ Favors
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments- Wicked
Tim Holtz Ideology Word Bands- Halloween
Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)
Stapler


I started by cutting my chipboard and burlap materials into 6"x 9" (die-cuttable sized) pieces. I cut out 2 chipboard pieces and 4 burlap pieces.

Then ran the chipboard through my Xyron Creative Station. Once through I flipped it over and ran it back through again to get adhesive on both sides.

I peeled off the protective film then applied the burlap onto both sides of each chipboard.


Once my chipboard was covered on both sides, I used my Eileen Hull Journal Die and Big Shot machine to die-cut two journal covers.

Then I used mixed media glue to adhere the two spines together. Iused the pre-cut holes to line them up evenly and set them aside to dry.


This next step saved me a whole lot of mess and dry time. Usually when people add texture to their projects the "decoupage" it onto their project, slapping on a whole lot of wet glue with a paintbrush or squeegee, or spackle. That process is repeated for each layer. and the more layers you have the longer dry time takes.

To combat both the mess and drying time I found that quickly running my materials through the Creative Station to be an absolute dream!

With the cheesecloth, I didn't even have to completely unfold it. I simply left it double layered (Folded in half) and cranked it through.

I peeled it off like a fabric sticker and added it to my cover. I added creases and folds to the cloth while adhering to create even more texture.

SO SIMPLE, MESS FREE, and INSTANTLY DRY!!


Once I got my cheesecloth in place I worked on my embellishments.
I found these plastic skeletons and bugs and my local dollar stores. 

I deconstructed my skeleton. I snipped and separated the bones for easier posting and placement.

Next, I used more mixed media glue to piece together the skeleton into a desired position. And then I adhered the plastic bugs and set aside to dry again.


When the glue dried I painted the journal cover with Black Chalkboard Pain! I painted over all the plastic pieces and made sure to get between the creases.

I applied gilding wax over the raised areas and textured material using my fingertip.


Rubbing the guilding was over top really makes all the raised areas and textured material just pop off all that black!

Then I began the whole process again for the back cover.

I also added a word band that said "bone collector" to the front cover.  I painted it over with more chalkboard paint but rubbed it off so that the paint only remained in the recessed areas.

My cover is so creepy it's giving me goosebumps!

I didn't add texture to the inside but did paint it over with more chalkboard paint and rub over it with more guilding wax.


To fill my journal, I created black paged inserts.
I simply crease an 8.5"x 11" cardstock at the 5.5" and folded in half. I did this for 10 sheets.

Then stapled 5 of those sheets together down the center to create one insert.


Then threaded elastic card through the pre-cut holes and tied them off on the inside. Then simply slid my inserts under each cord to fasten the inserts into the book.


And here is the finished Journal...

FRONT

BACK





How cool is this?!! 
I. LOVE. IT!!

And I hope you do too!!

Thanks for joining me today!!

Hope you have a totally wicked Friday the 13th!!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.