Palette Teal Cards

Hello friends,

I am over on the Simon Says Stamp blog today sharing three cards made with Palette Teal fabric. Each card features the beautiful Palette Teal fabric by Tim Holtz for FreeSpirit Fabrics. The three cards progress in complexity, starting with a no-sew option, one with simple stitching, and another that introduces a bit of easy quilting. The best part? They're all super doable and easily adaptable, even if you don't own a machine. All three cards were made to fit the Simon Says Stamp Slimline Envelopes in Teal. The perfect color envelope for all the Palette Teal fabrics!

Now carry on....right on over to the Simon Says Stamp blog!

Paula

Be Your Beautiful Self

Hello friends,

Can you believe it is June already? I know I can't! Time marches on whether we like it or not! With our sweet niece Ellie graduating from high school in just a few days, it seem's like a real end of an era for us. All 4 nieces and nephew will soon be in collage and far away from home. Sunday dinners will never be the same! We can't do anything about the pace of life except support and enjoy on the sidelines.

Well enough about the goings on around here, lets move on and talk about todays project! This is a sweet little book made with Folio Folders, then covered with fabric from Palette Orange (Botanical). It is truly one of my favorite fabric of the Palette Collection because of both design and the colors. Right in my wheelhouse. Botanical just goes with everything, including this little book I made. So lets get started and I'll show you how I put it together (including that cover).

I am using 3 large Folio Folders for this project (1 package). But the fun thing about this project is that you can add on as many folders as you like. So if you had two packages of Folio Folders, it could be twice as thick. Totally up to you.

I started as I always do, by spraying the folders with Antique Linen Spray Stain, then wiping it off. I sprayed both sides of each folder, drying with a heat tool between sides.

I used Distress Oxide Bundled Sage and the Ornate stamp from Stampers Anonymous to create a pattern along the inside of each folder. To get the fading top edge, add the ink to the stamp then use a wet wipe to feather the edge before stamping. Give it a spritz with water and stamp! You can practice on another piece of scrap paper before stamping the folder if you want. And remember, you only need to stamp on the inside of each folder, not the outside.

NOTE: Feathering creates a much more random, worn look that will fade away, rather than giving you a hard edge right in the middle of your page.

Choose three images from the Collage Paper pack Serendipity. Add Collage Medium to one side of the folder, then lay the Collage sheet into the glue. Press down (with clean hands), then add another layer of Collage Medium over the paper.

Create a puddle of ink to the side (gathered Twigs and water). Immediately use your finger to randomly add the ink over the glue. Once satisfied, use a paint brush to flick more ink over the glue before it dries. You can set it aside while you work on the other two or dry with a heat tool before moving on.

Add a Layer Frame from the Montage pack to the blank side of the folder. These frames have been pre-stitched so it looks like you have stitched it down but that step has been done for you! I used Scor-tape to add the frames.

I could leave the Collage Paper images alone, but I thought I would use Distress Crayons like watercolors and paint the scenes. To do this I chose a limited palette; Rustic Wilderness, Salvaged Patina, Abandoned Coral, Lumberjack Plaid, and Mustard Seed. I scribbled the crayon onto the glass Studio Mat and picked it up with a small damp paint brush.

I colored each of the Collage Paper images as well as some of the background with the Distress Crayons. I didn't want too much color but wanted to give some life to the images. This coloring was so relaxing!

Once the basic inside of each folder was complete, I lined up the folders in the order I wanted, then marked the outside so I would remember after adding the tape.

I added 1/4" Scor-tape to one side, then peeled the tape to adhere one folder to the next, while creating a pocket between the two folders. That means, don't add tape on one side edge, because that will be the opening for one of the two pockets.

When the two folders are taped together, you should be able to add a card (any kind of card) to the pocket you just created. I cut my cards from Distress Mixed Media Heavystock and repeated the stamp pattern.

So lets now start at the beginning of the book and you will be able to see the order. 

I will label each section folder 1, folder 2, and folder 3.

Folder 1

Paper Doll (Distress Crayons - Salvaged Patina, Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany), Classic Label Stickers, Clippings, Collage Paper, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked stamps.

I used Thin Foam Squares under the paper doll and the black label sticker.

Clippings, Cello Sticker Tape and Number Strip.

Folder 2

Paper Doll (groups) with crayons - Mustard Seed and Salvaged Patina. Classic Label Stickers, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked added with a Tiny Attacher.

Here you can see the first pocket with a card in it on the left.

Clipping Stickers, Stabilo Pencil, Antiqued Gems + eyelet.

Antiqued Gem with Mushroom Alcohol Ink 

Folder 3

Number Strip and Cello Sticker Tape

Second pocket on the left with added Classic Sticker.

Paper Doll (Distress Crayon Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany), Classic Label Stickers, Clippings, Collage Paper, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked stamp. Gold Mixative used for the dots in her hair.

I used Thin Foam Squares under the paper doll and the black label sticker.

Once the folders are complete, open the book so only the cover is showing. 

Cut one piece of Pallet Orange fabric - Botanical approximately 6.5 x 11" (I like a piece larger than the book so I can cut away the excess later)

Use Collage Medium to add the fabric to the cover. I did it one side at a time so the Collage Medium does not dry on you. It dries so fast!

Once fully covered, press down making sure it is adhered well to the paper below (especially along the spine).

Cut away any excess fabric with sharp scissors (Tonic Haberdashery Scissors are sharp to the tip).

Once I had everything secured - I went back and added more Collage Medium from the edge to 1/2" in (you could cover the entire cover if you wish) to stop any fraying. 

I folded the book back and forth and added more Collage Medium along the spine and let that dry.

Once the cover was secure, I wrapped a beautiful ribbon around the cover. I found this silky, satiny...and kind of grungy ribbon in my stash and I have no idea where it even came from! But I'm glad it come out of hiding today because it is just perfect!

To finish off the cover, I added more Classic Labels (that have had a dip into the ink puddle). I stamped the label in Peeled Paint Archival Ink using a phrase from the Tiny Text stamp set. WHat do you do when your phrase is too long for one sticker? stamp two stickers!

I wanted to sew the labels onto the cover but I couldn't do that at this point so I thought the next best thing is to do some faux stitching. I used my Simon Says Stamp powder tool to take away the sticky back of each sticker so I could run them through my sewing machine.

Once stitched, I added the labels to the cover with Collage Medium...and seriously, no one would ever know I didn't stitch them on!

I love this cover so much! It has my heart!

Just some extra shots of the inside!

I hope you'll give this easy folder book a go! And remember, you can add as many folders together as you wish! It's all up to you and your imagination!

Now carry on,

Paula

Palette Teal Tag

Hello friends,

It's June, and that means it's time to add a Palette Teal Tag to my growing collection! This month's tag was a fun one to create with all things teal! Beautiful Palette Teal fabrics combined with idea-ology embellishments like Sprocket Gears and a Thought Token set the scene. Then, a touch of Salvaged Patina Distress Paint brought it all together for a winning mix of idea-ology metals and Palette Teal fabrics!

There are of course 10 Palette Teal fabrics. I used two of the ten to make the Teal tag: Butterflies and  Tiles. I will say the butterfly fabric is AMAZING! Every other Palette fabric works with it, so if you are even thinking of purchasing a piece by the yard, Butterflies would be my choice! The colors are so beautiful and vibrant!

I don't usually do tutorials for my Palette tags, but today I thought I would at least share the 4 easy steps to transforming the metal Photo Frame to fit within the teal theme.

Step 1 - Paint the Photo Frame with Salvaged Patina Distress Paint.

Step 2 - Once dry, add a layer of white Distress Paint (but not too thick).

Step 3 - add random scribbles of Walnut Stain Distress Crayon. Rub the crayon with your thumbs so the paint looks aged.

Step 4 - Use a Splatter Brush to splatter Scorched Timber Distress Paint over the frame.

And there you have it. Add a Photobooth image of your choice and you are good to go!

If you missed my previous six tags, you can see them all in my post HERE.

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