Love Notes

Hello Friends,

Have you heard of Galentine’s Day? It’s like Valentine’s Day, but for gals! Celebrated on February 13th, it’s all about honoring friendships, especially among women. I created something special that could be given as a gift for this unique holiday.

This fun project features Stampers Anonymous Love Notes along with the Simon Says Stamp matching wafer dies! Who knew you could cut out so many hearts at once? I hope you'll pop on over to the Simon Says Stamp blog to see the step-out tutorial for this project. Just click HERE and you will go right to it!

Now carry on,

Paula

Yours Truly Display Panel

Hello friends,

Lot's going on behind the scenes here. I just finished up a project for Simon Says Stamp that will post on Sunday the 9th on their blog. I also have a Palette Orange fabric project for next week and it is so fun. Who knew how much I would love orange!

Well anyway, back to todays post...Today I'm sharing a project focused on love, featuring Salvaged Hearts and Typography! Let's get started and I'll show you how I created the Display Panel from scratch.

I chose paper from Backdrops Vol 1 for the front of the 9 x 9" Display Panel. You can also add paper or paint to the sides of the panel - totally up to you. Adhere the paper with Collage Medium, then add a layer over the top to seal the paper. Let it dry while you work on preparing the Collage Paper.

I decided to add a floral from the Collage Paper Serendipity pack to the left side, over the green paper. 

I used two methods of eliminating as much of the background as possible. First, I used small scissors to fussy-cut around the larger areas. For the areas around the small leaves, I used a Detailer Water Brush to draw a waterline and to pull the paper away from the image. Both ways are easy, but it might take a little longer to fussy-cut.

Add Collage Medium over the entire area that the Collage Paper will touch. Lay the floral into the glue. If you palm is clean (glue free) then you can press the paper right into the glue.

Pick up Collage Medium on your brush and immediately start to brush over the paper (I like to work from center out).

I add Collage Medium to my finger tip and repeat the process to embed the Collage Paper into the glue. Again, I work from the center out until it is adhered and transparent.

You can leave it as is if you like a clean look.

Or you can add Distress Ink with your finger to give it some color variation.

Here is the result.

Once the surface was dry, I used a Walnut Stain Distress Crayon to add definition the edges of the Panel and the seam between the two papers. Scribble it on, rub with a damp fingertip, then pounce over the crayon with a wet wipe. If you wipe too much away, just add more crayon.

Paper Embellishments -

This card from the Palette Ephemera Pack was very clean looking so I painted over it with Collage Medium...

And while still wet, dipped it an ink puddle I made on my Tonic Studio Mat.

I pounced over some of the really wet areas with a wet wipe as I was drying the card with a heat tool. Set aside while you work on other embellishments.

Next up, the Photobooth photos. I cut out three I had never used before + a long strip of pink Backdrop paper (about 1 3/4" wide)

Next I colored the Photobooth with Distress Crayons, using both a water brush and a cotton swab to add the crayon.

NOTE: Normally I do not seal Photobooth, Photomatic or Paper Dolls, but because these were going to be handled and sewn over, I decided to spray them with a clear Spray Fixative. You can find it at any craft store in the art department. The crayon is not effected by the spray and will not wick. Once the fixative is dry, the crayon will be permanent. Be sure to spray in a well ventilated area or outside. I put images on a paper plate and once they are sprayed, it's easy to carry them back to my craft room.

I used E-Z Dots (my favorite repositionable tape) to adhere the images to the paper strip.

Then sewed around each photo.

Next, I used a Mini Blending Tool to add ink to the edges of the paper.

I also inked a tag (found in the Palette Ephemera pack) just like the card with the pink roses.  I also added an eyelet and some string. 

Hearts -

I used hot glue to add a couple Salvaged Hearts to craft sticks 

So much easier to paint when its on the stick! And you just pop the heart off the craft stick once the paint is dry. 

I am only going to use one Salvaged Heart for this project, but I just wasn't sure which size was right at this point.

I left them to dry for quite a while, then lightly sanded the edges.

If you want a more aged heart, scribble Distress Crayon over the top and rub it around (a wet wipe will help).

Arrow - 

I used gold Mixative to color the metal arrow. You might ask why gold Mixative instead of Foundry Wax? Well, you could use Foundry Wax, but I wanted an aged looking gold over the metal and that is easily accomplished with Mixative. 

1. Shake the bottle till you hear the mixing ball. 
2. Add the Mixative to a Blending Tool with felt or just pour some over the arrow (I used a combination of both).
3. Use the felt to make sure the arrow is covered.
4. Use a paper towel to rub the arrow removing some of the gold from the arrow (It should reveal some of the metal underneath). The ability to remove some of the gold by rubbing is something you could not do with Foundry wax which is permanent.

TAKE NOTE: This next step is optional. It is dependent on the size heart you use.

Use wire cutters to clip the arrow in half if you want to "extend" the size of arrow under the heart.

Add a DOUBLE STACK of small 3D foam squares to the back of the heart. *The arrow pieces will slip in between the foam.

So let's gather all the pieces that will be added to the Display Panel.

I added a piece of chipboard to the back of the card with the roses to give it more stability before adding it to the panel with 3D foam squares. 

The tag was added with thin 3D foam squares.

I also added a thick chipboard piece to the back of the photobooth strip for stability. Then added 3D foam squares on the right side (so the foam attaches to the panel, not the roses)

Add the photo strip, the stamp from the Postmarked sticker book and the slide frame from the Palette Ephemera pack.

The Salvaged Heart goes on next.

Then slip the arrow pieces under the heart. I used Scor-tape on the tip of the arrow, along with a small 3D foam square where it leaves the photo strip. There are two small 3D foam squares under the feather end.

You can add any kind of sentiment with Typography. I thought Yours Truly was perfect for this piece. It is so easy to use...just glue it in place with Collage Medium. There is plenty of time to adjust the letters before the Collage Medium dries.

Just a couple more steps...

Cello Sticker Tape for the win! Perfect for adding a vintage touch to any project!

And last but not least, cover the photo strip with post-it notes. Then use a Distress Splatter Brush to flick Picket Fence Distress Paint over the panel.

And that's it! Let the paint dry and you're good to go!

I hope you have learned something in today's tutorial. I also hope you'll take what you learned and make something fun for February!

Now carry on,

paula

Vintage Notes Pocket Folio

Hello friends,

I'm excited to be here today to tell you about a Pocket Folio I created using the Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit - Distressed Vintage Notes. Now why would anyone send me a card kit, when I don't make cards? Well the stipulation was that I NOT make a card. That worked perfectly for me, so I got started unpacking all the elements to the kit...a big stamp set, a cool embossing folder with hearts, and the Nocturne Ink pad which I absolutely love. The kit also comes with a pack of Palette Ephemera, which I am very familiar with, so all was good! I just needed a substrate, and that is where the idea-ology Pocket Folio came into play. 

Please note that the full step-out blog post I wrote for Simon Says Stamp can be accessed through this LINK. I hope you'll follow it to see the rest off the pages and make your own Pocket Folio. 

SSS February Card Kit - Distressed Vintage Notes

includes:

• Simon Says Stamp Distressed Vintage Love Notes 6x8 inch clear stamp set
• Simon Says Stamp Pinnacle Hearts embossing folder
• idea-ology Palette ephemera pack 
• Nocturne Black Versafine Clair ink pad
• Distress Collage Matte medium bottle
• 3 Distress Watercolor Pencils (colors will vary)
• A2 Schoolhouse Red pre-scored cards 10-pack
• foam squares adhesive sheet (size and color will vary)
• Watercolor cardstock sheet
• Cotton Candy cardstock sheet
• A2 Cotton Candy envelope

The kit comes with three random Distress Watercolor Pencils. Lucky for me, I got Saltwater Taffy, Shabby Shutters and Stormy Sky. Three colors that go perfectly together! 

I was able to create three wonderful stamped cards for the folio using the provided Watercolor cardstock, Love Notes stamp set, and the Watercolor Pencils. I love coloring so this was part was so relaxing.

You can see from the last photo how cool that Pinnacle Hearts embossing folder is. Super fun to use to cover a pocket!

I better stop now or I will give the whole thing away! Oh, and here is the LINK again!

Now carry on,
paula

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My Dearest Panel

Hello Friends,

My husband went back to school on Monday, so I thought it was time I got back into the workroom. It's the perfect time to get a few things started for Valentines Day or at least things centered around love and caring. 

I had the idea to combine Paper Strips and Etcetera Tiles. So that is how this square Etcetera panel (8.5 x 8.5") began. Let's get started so I can share the process to make one for yourself or someone you love!

First, start by painting the sides of the Etcetera panel. I used the Distress Paint color, "Old Paper", because the color is similar to the paper I am going to use on the board. You can change up the color of the edge to suit your background paper.

Use a Tonic Precision Trimmer to cut 4 strips - each 1 1/4" wide. I used Backdrop paper (Vol. 4), which is 10" long so your strips are each 1 1/4 x 10". 

For the panel, you need two strips that are 8.5" and 2 strips that are 6", so cut the length accordingly.

Adhere the strips to the board with Collage Medium. Add a layer over the top if you want to use Distress Crayon over the top.

Once dry, scribble the crayon around the edges and use a damp brush or a wet wipe to move it around

(set the board aside while we work on the other elements).

Etcetera Tiles

You will need TWO packages of Large Tiles and one package of Cutout Tiles to make this project.

You can get away with only one package of Large Tiles if you are willing to sacrifice 4 of the Cutout Tiles as a second layer (something that will not be seen, but used just as a riser).

Starting with 4 Large Tiles, use Collage Medium to adhere idea-ology Paper Strips to each tile. There are so many to choose from in the package, that it's hard to choose.

Add a second Large Tile under each papered tile to give it height. 

NOTE: This is where you could use a Cutout Tile as a riser, since it will be hidden by the top tile.

Collage Paper

I chose a sheet from the Collage Paper Serendipity for the "plain" tiles. Because the leaves and flowers were small, I decided to fussy cut the paper rather than using a water line from a Detailer Water brush. Was it persnickety? Yes. But I didn't loose even one in the process. The Water Brush method works better when there is a patterned background to hide the residual paper. Can it ever be used on a light pattern like the linen weave? Well you be the judge. One tile was done with that method...see if you can you spot it?

The linen paper is from Backdrops Vol 4. I covered four more Large Tiles with it.

I have gauged where I want the leaves to go (they may look odd here, but I know what is going to be added later on). So I an ready to add the Collage Medium on the linen paper, and then again over the top of the leaves.

This is the result about a minute later. Literally.

It's magic, I tell you!

I made two with just Collage Paper.

And two, I add Crackle Paste Opaque through the Mini Nordic Stencil (that is part of set 21, if your asking). Once the Crackle Paste was dry, I used a Tiny Blending Tool to add Distress Ink over the Crackle Paste. Then I sprayed the surface with water to allow the ink to get into the cracks.

Here are the four linen tiles together.

If you are counting - we have used 12 Large Tiles so far.

Okay, can you spot the one that I used the Water Brush technique?

It's this one! 

You can still see where I pulled the paper along the water line. I did a pretty good job as disguising it, but it can leave a halo when the paper is darker and has almost no pattern. 

Okay, back to business...

A fifth tile has been covered in the linen paper. This is for the center so I decided to add some vintage lace across the front.

I also made a double bow with 1/4" seam binding ribbon that I colored with Spray Stain in Antique Linen and Tattered Rose. When I say, "double bow", that just means that you have a long ribbon (like maybe 30"). Fold it in half and even out the ends. Now just tie a bow. 

NOTE: once I have the bow the right size and shape - I spray it with hairspray so it will keep its shape!

This is where the Cutout Tiles come in or maybe I should say one Cutout Tile with a heart. I punched out the heart, then added more Paper Strips to mimic the Large Tiles we started with. Use a cutting knife to cut around the heart. You might have to follow up with a bit of sanding!

Heirloom Roses

So I did this technique a few years ago but I don't think I ever documented the steps.

1. Gather Heirloom Florals to color (more than you think you need).

2. Shake Foundry Wax (Statue) till you hear the mixing ball. pour out a dime size puddle. If you need more, shake again, and pour out another dime size puddle.

3. Use your finger tip (or a brush) to wipe the Foundry Wax on to the flowers.

4. Shake some Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the resin florals.

5. Quickly turn each flower upside down into a paper towel or wet wipe so the excess Alcohol Ink can run out.

6. Place flowers back on the deli paper and spray liberally with 91% isopropyl alcohol. It will allow the dark Alcohol Ink to rewet and run out a bit more. Leaving more of the base color showing. You can use as much or as little as you wish. It really depends on how much Alcohol Ink you used in the first place.

NOTE: I keep isopropyl alcohol in a 2oz Ranger Mister Bottle on my desk. I use it all the time to dilute Alcohol Ink (as we are doing here) and to clean my glass mat. Also, if you used a brush to add the Foundry Wax, use isopropyl alcohol to clean your brush. Works like magic.

7. Foundry Wax is heat stable so you can quickly dry the resin flowers with a heat tool. If you find that you have not removed enough of the Alcohol Ink, just spray again.

Admittedly, it's hard to take pictures of shiny things because the color is never exactly right, so I hope this photo does the technique justice. I LOVE how they turned out!! So vintage beautiful to me! Now we just need to use them on the project!

Use Collage Medium to arrange all the pieces on the center tile. And yes, I did add Foundry Wax to the "Sweetheart" Adornments piece for continuity.

The ribbon knot is glued to the lace beside the heart, so the Heirloom Floral can be partially on the heart and partially on the ribbon.  Let dry completely before turning over.

I just love this all together!

I need a sentiment so I decided to use a Quote Chip and a Label Frame. They are so easy to use because they were sized to go together!  No cutting needed!

Use Collage Medium to the nine Tiles to the Etcetera Panel. I worked very quickly to add the glue so that if there were any that needed to be adjusted, I could do that. But really, if you get the bottom row in the correct position, the rest will follow suit!

Once the tiles are in place, you can add the Quote Chip in the Label Frame with foam squares. I did a double stack under the right side and two thin foam squares on the left so that it is hovering over the four tiles beneath.

Now just two more tiles to finish!

Arrange three more Heirloom Florals below the Label Frame. Adhere with Collage Medium.

Stitch an idea-ology Photobooth (or one of your own photos) to a piece of old paper.

Tear away the excess paper till there is just a bit left.

Add 4 thin foam squares to the back and add it to the top left square.

And there you go! I love the color scheme since it's right in my wheelhouse! The Paper Strips could not be any easier to to use, but they make a great impact in the overall piece. 

Lots of close up photos...

Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate you taking the time to come here to read my tutorials and maybe try the projects out. I'll be back shortly with another project, all about love!

Now carry on,
paula