Friday, March 30, 2018

CAS- Masking with Xyron & Derwent

Hello, my friends! 
After a couple days of ugly weather, lots of rain and severe thunderstorms, we finally have a bit of gorgeousness peeking through. The sun is shining and starting to dry up these huge mud puddles. Soon there will be flowers blooming everywhere! I am very much looking forward to taking tons of pictures in all the wildflowers that grow around here. 

But until then, I'll settle for creating my own blooms.

Today, I have a CAS (Clean and Simple) card I made for Team Xyron. This week Xyron has partnered with Derwent, makers of high-quality pencils, watercolors, and artist materials. 
And combined together I  created this gorgeous card...


Let me show you how I did it!

Supplies Used
Creative Station (Xyron)
Creative Station Lite (Xyron)
Repositionable Adhesive Refill (Xyron)
5" Creative Station Permanent Refill (Xyron)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Procolour Pencils, Metal Tin, 24 Count (Derwent)
Big Book Sketch Book, A5 (Derwent)
Colorbox Petal Points- Boardwalk (Clearsnap)
Top Boss Clear Embossing Pad (Clearsnap)
White Embossing Powder (Clearsnap)
Spectrum Noir Colorista Aqua Stamp Set - My Sunshine (Crafter's Companion) 
Stitched Circle Dies (Pink and Main)
Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies (Pink and Main)
Blender Stylus and Tips (Clearsnap)
Silver Glossy Dots (Pink and Main)
Thin Acetate (Grafix)
Blending Solution
Blending Stumps


I started my card by actually creating a DIY mask. Yup, you can create your own masks and it's super easy to do too!

I cut a piece of super thin acetate. I believe this sheet is about .002" in thickness. I wanted my mask to be pretty big. Big enough to cover an entire card front. So this one measure 6"x 8.5". In the picture, I left the tissue paper backer in place just so you can see where the acetate is because it's see-thru and practically invisible. But once cut down to size, I removed it before proceeding.

Next, I took the acetate and ran it through my Xyron Creative Station using a Repositionable adhesive refill cartridge. This is important! If you don't use a "repositionable" adhesive you will pretty much ruin your acetate and it will bind to whatever you try to mak off.

Then, I trimmed off the excess backer to make it easier for this next step...

I used the third largest circle from Pink and Main's Stitched Circle Dies to die cut a mask. I removed the circle die cut and st it to the side (I can save this to use this at another time). I peeled the acetate (with the circle cut-out) off the protective sheet, then placed over a sheet from my Derwent Big Book Sketch Book.

I love that this book has a nice "tooth" to it and is perfect for use with pencils.

 I used the Dune (taupe looking color) ink pad from the Boardwalk Petal Point ink pad to stamp my flower image. Then I wiped the excess ink from the mask to avoid smearing it all over my image.

Then used the Sunset Gold (#61) pencil to trace an outline inside of the mask. Then removed the mask and stored it onto a piece of leftover Xyron Creative Station adhesive film backer.  I save big sheets of this stuff and set them aside for later. They really come in handy every now and then for moments like this.

I removed the mask. Sometimes I like to take my work with me and tracing around the mask gives me a perimeter to stay within when coloring. without having the mask hanging off my page.

I colored my image using Foliage (#51),  Cedar Green (#48), & Sap Green (#46) for the leaves.

Then used Buttercup Yellow (#03), Deep Chrome (#09), Sunset Gold (#61), & Nutmeg (#65) to color the flowers and buds.

Next, I placed my mask back on my page. Back into place on the traced circle. Then with a blending stylus and blender tip, I blended a halo of Dune ink around the inner perimeter of my mask.  Then removed the mask and placed it back on the backer film. As long as you keep the mask on the backer sheets you can use it over and over again.

I love how my image looks so far but wanted a little more pop...

So, I used blending stumps and solution over my image. I blended each section one color at a time. Blending with separate stumps dipped in the solution.

Adding solution doesn't just break down the pigments to blend, it also makes the colors more vibrant too!

Once I was happy with the blending, I die cut my image off my page using the second biggest circle die from the Stitched Circle Dies set. Making sure to center my image so I have a clean and even border around it.

I die cut a circle shaped card using the largest circle from the same stitched circle die set. I simply took a 5.5" (folded in half) square card and positioned it so that the edge of the card is slightly inside the perimeter of the die.

Then, I  ran my die cut image through my Creative Station Lite. I could've just put my 5" refill cart in my Original CS machine. But I was feeling lazy... besides, my CS Lite was already loaded and on hand. LOL

I peeled my image off the backer (of course saving it for later use) and applied my image to the front of my circle card.

Next, I stamped the "FOR YOU" sentiment with Top Boss Clear Embossing ink onto black cardstock. Then sprinkled white embossing powder over the top, dusted off the excess, then heat set it.

Once I embossed my sentiment, I die cut the sentiment out using the smallest rectangle from the Pink and Main Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies set.
I added a few Silver Glass dots to the center of my largest flower and around the card for additional embellishment. Then used my Mega Runner to attach my sentiment.


And here is my finished card...






I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and try some of these techniques for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana

Friday, March 23, 2018

Pink and Main & MISTI Blog Hop


Happy Friday, Crafty Friends!!
I've got a special surprise for you all today... I am the first stop in the Pink & Main and My Sweet Petunia Blog Hop & Giveaway!! WOOT WOOT!!

So, first of all, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!

We have such an amazing line up today, with both the Pink & Main AND the My Sweet Petunia design teams coming out to play!

I hope you are ready to be inspired, have fun, and (with a little bit of luck) maybe win something amazing too, because we have a couple of fabulous prizes to give away to 2 lucky individuals! More details will be listed below.

SO, LET'S GET STARTED!

Today, I have not ONE, or TWO, but THREE adorable EASTER cards for you...



Using the Joyful Easter Stamp set 




Supplies Used
Original Misti Tool (My Sweet Petunia)
Joyful Easter (Pink & Main)
Joyful Easter Dies (Pink and Main)
Stitched Circle Dies (Pink & Main)
Large Bow Dies (Pink & Main)
Beach Babe Paper Pad (Pink & Main)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
110 lb Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
India Ink (Clearsnap)
Glitter Cardstock (Crafter's Companion)
Clean Color Real Brush Markers (Zig/ Kuretake)
Hemp Twine 
Buttons

I love to use my original MISTI to stamp multiple images. The larger platform gives me the flexibility to created larger or multiple projects by making more room to stamp everything all at once. Especially, without having to worry about an image not stamping all the way. If I mss up, all I have to do is re-ink my image, close the lid, and stamp again in the exact same place!! TAH-DAH, no mistakes!!

And each images comes out perfect!! 
Just atke a close-ups of these finished cards...




I hope you like what you see and enjoyed all of my cards!! Thanks for stopping in! 
And hope you all have a very HAPPY EASTER!!

~Mitsyana

Don't forget hop on over to our next talented designer's blog!!
Ilina Crouse is up NEXT!!


WHOA... You didn't think we were done yet, did you?!

Before you go... How would you like to win one of these amazing prizes??!!...

**PRIZES**
1- $50 Shopping Spree at www.mysweetpetunia.com
1- $50 Shopping Spree at www.pinkandmain.com 

All you have to do to enter is, leave a comment on each participating blog. Please keep it kind, encouraging, and respectful. Following each blog is not necessary to enter but would be greatly appreciated.  All comments must be received by April 1, 2018 by 11:59 (Central Time).  Winners will be chosen at random and be announced on the Pink & Main and My Sweet Petunia Blogs on Tuesday, April 3.

Keep on hopping till you get back to the My Sweet Petunia Blog. If at any time you get lost refer to the complete list down below...

Check out our complete list of  fabulous Designers:

Mitsyana Wright (YOU ARE HERE)
Ilina Crouse (GO HERE NEXT)
My Sweet Petunia (THE END)

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE AN SUPER CRAFTY DAY!!

Monday, March 19, 2018

Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Today is my first official post on Xyron's 2018 Design Team! And this week we are all about SPRING!! Goodbye, freezing cold temps! Hello, sunshine and flowers!! 

 I remembered I had recently received and fabulous paper mache dress form and I had been dying to have a go at it. I knew right away I wanted to make or at least attempt to make an amazing dress to go on it. The challenge was to make it spring inspired. Then, I thought to myself, "Hmm... This would be absolutely gorgeous if I made the dress out of leaves and flowers"! Well, it turns out, I was right!!

So, today I'll show you how I created this gorgeous Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form.






Supplies Used
23" Dress Form (Darice)
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Wrap (Advantus)
Cardstock- All in the Family- Olive Greens (Core'dinations)
110 lb White Cardstock (Recollections)
Kraft Cardstock (Recollections)
Eileen Hull Blends- Leaf, Wildberry (Clearsnap)
Chalk Box Paint Box Chalk Ink- Cornucopia (Clearsnap)
Hot Pink Tulle
Fabri Tac (Beacon)
Wedding Picks (Celebrate It)
Beaded Garland (Celebrate It)
Rhinestones

First, I gathered my materials. Then, I started by die cutting different shades of green cardstock into 2" x 4" pieces with Eileen Hull's "Leave, Spring" die. I cut down my paper into smaller pieces first because this die has 4 different leaves on it and I only wanted to use the largest leaf on the die with the least amount of waste.

I wasn't sure how much leaves I needed to create the dress but figured 2 - 12"x 12" sheets of each color would be plenty. I ended up cutting  144 leaves total... um, yeah that was waaaaay more than enough! In fact, it was too much. It's alright. I'll stash the extras away to use on other projects.

I wanted each leaf to be seen, so I added shading around the edges of each leaf using different shades of green chalk ink. And yup, I shaded all 144 of those leaves! Well, at least next time they'll be good to go and I can just apply them to my next project! LOL!

 I knew I didn't want any part of my dress form to be "naked". So, I cut pieces of tissue wrap and inserted into my Xyron Creative Station machine and cranked it through to make my own giant sheets of washi tape. Then, I covered the top half of the dress for up to the wooden post.

 I wanted each layer of leaves to lay on the other. I knew I had to create my dress from the bottom on up. I wanted the bottom of my skirt to be fluffy. So, I used tufts of tulle all along the bottom.

I cut my tulle, into 5"x5" pieces, bunched them to form strips, then loosely tied a single basic knot. For this form, I made a total of 20knots.

Then glued each knot, end to end, all along the bottom with a fast drying clear glue,

Once the glue had set, I was ready to build up my leaves.

 I ran my leaves a Xyron 3" Sticker Maker. the applied each leaf in staggering rows. I made 2 rows of each color. leading up to the waist. Once the skirt was done, I trimmed the bottom edge of the tulle to make sure it was even.

Then, I moved onto the bodice...

 I wanted the leaves to "cup" each "breast" so I created darts in the leaves by cutting out about a 1/3" triangle from the bottom of two leaves. I pulled together the flaps and overlapped the sides and glued in place. Then adhered each cupped leaf to each breast and added another two leaves to below those on each side to complete the bodice.

I wanted to add more texture and color. So, I die cut stems and flowers using Katelyn Lizardi's Butterfly Embellishments die. This die comes with a coordinating embossing folder. I die cut 18 stem and 12 flowers. Note: you need 2 flowers to create a single flower.

I shaded the leaves and flowers using Eileen Hull's Blends. Leaf for the leaves and Wildberry for the flowers. 

I glued a flower-shaped rhinestone to the center of each flower. Then adhered the stems to the dress form to form a spray. Then attached my flowers.

For added dimension and drama, I added beaded wedding picks and garland throughout...


And here is my finished Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form...



A closer look...


Even closer...


I love how these pinks really pop against these greens!!


Well, I hope you all enjoyed my VERY FIRST altered dress form!! Yup, this was my very first! And, I have to say I just added another addicting hobby to my evergrowing list! This may have been my first but it sure won't be my last!!

Thank you all for stopping by!

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.