Test Drive Tuesday

Super busy with some projects I am working on so today's tutorial is more of a product "test drive" if you will.  If other words, I needed to find out how some different products work with Modeling paste for a class I am teaching so I figured I might as well invite you along on the "test drive".  

I like to work with heavyweight tags in a large size (#10 size) because it gives me plenty of space to work with.  So I have a stack of tags, some Liquitex light modeling paste (from Michaels), a stencil from Crafter's Workshop and a scraper.   Since the purpose of today's exercise is color/product experimentation I am going to make all the tags using the same stencil. 

On a side note, some people have mentioned that it might be a nice technique but they are not a "tag person".
Well, neither am I. 
I use tags for the experiment so another time I can incorporate the technique onto a canvas or a journal or a layout.
With that said, let's get started.

 Super easy, lay the stencil on your surface and scoop a little paste onto the scraper.

 Cover the stencil, filling in all the gaps.

Now lift the stencil up.

The paste dries rather quickly so clean you stencil right away. 
I just used a baby wipe and a paper towel.

NOTE: please note this next part is addicting so you might want to think about making at least 6 or 7 tags to play with.  I made some on plain tags, others I colored the tag before I added the stencil pattern.

1.  Distress Ink:
My favorite medium in the workroom because it can be subtle or very bold.

I used a blending tool to add Wild Honey to the parts of the tag.

I sprayed the tag with Perfect Pearls - Biscotti.  The water in the Perfect Pearls reactivates the Distress Ink.  If you wait a little bit you can see the color pooling at the edges of the hardened modeling paste.  Once you are satisfied dry with a heat tool.

 Now a bit of Stormy Sky

 And finish with Fired Brick.

Well, not really. 
I wanted to add some Silver Dabber Paint.  So start the dabber on the craft mat and then move to the tag.

Ever so lightly run the paint dabber over the raised pattern to give it just a hint of metallic.
Now I'm done.

2.  Distress Stain:
This tag was sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Old Paper (a new 7gypsies color) before I added the modeling paste. 

Instead of adding the Distress Stain directly to the tag, I squeezed it out onto the craft sheet.

 Then swiped the tag through the stain.

HUmmm...that looks "interesting".  But I am not giving up yet.

 I swiped it through again and then added a bit of water.  Still not there yet.

Add some Victorian Velvet Distress Ink and now it is starting to come together.

Interesting how you can still see the dots from the Glimmer Mist in the background.  It looks way better in person than it does in this picture.  Very subtle color.

3.  Picked Fence:
Note: This tag had a wash of Spun Sugar Distress Stain before I added the Modeling Paste pattern.
I added Vintage Photo Distress Ink to the tag.

I decided to try Picked Fence Distress Stain. 
(This is the only Distress stain you have to shake well before use)

 I swiped it over the raised portion.

 Then quickly sprayed it with water and the stain starts to move around.

 Turn the tag on it's side and the white Picked Fence Stain runs.

I love the way this one turned out.  I think it could use a bit more experimentation but over all the Picked Fence adds an interesting almost chalk like effect to the tag.  I did darken up the edges with Vintage Velvet Distress Ink (love the combo of the pink and brown).

4.  Spray Ink:
I have to test the new Dylusions Ink Sprays on at least one tag.
I picked Bubblegum Pink.
Spray it out on your craft mat.

Then swipe the tag through the ink.
LOVE this color pink...super rich and vibrant.
Dry with a heat tool.

 Now Lemon Zest

 Swiping makes the yellow Lemon zest into orange once it mixes with the pink.

 To get the Lemon Zest to remain yellow I sprayed directly on the tag in a couple of places.

 I think I will finish this one off with one of Dyan's new stamps - Background Love  stamped in Archival - Aquamarine.
looks like candy. yum.

 Well, I think you've seen enough of my test runs for today.  I ended up making more than 15 test tags for future reference...some bold, some subtle and some in between.

 The most important part is not to be afraid...try something new and just have fun experimenting.

One note, if you are even thinking about recreating an experiment... document what you use in order of appearance and any specific notes on the back of the tag.  Too many times colors change when you are layering and later on you can never tell if it is Orange Marmalade or Spiced Marigold!

cheers!
paula

On a totally different topic (so that's why I put it down here in the PS part)
1.   This starts back up on Sunday, May 6th for a ridiculous few weeks.  Season 1 was phenomenal (if you like quirky super sleuths like I do).

2.  This new show is interesting if you like remodeling.  Candice Olsen has become too scripted for me (even though I love her work) so I have been enjoying a change.  Not even my style, but I always love creating something from old stuff, especially reclaimed wood.  You can even watch the first episode online.

Okay, so now I'm done.
cheers again and have a great rest of the week!
p