Light in Your Heart

I posted a picture a few days ago on Instagram of some printing I was doing on idea-ology Tissue Wrap.  I got so many questions on how I did it that I've put together a tutorial for those that requested step-outs of the process.  For those that are familiar with printing, just scroll through the first portion of the tutorial to find what I did with the printed quote.

step 1: Pick a quote.  Create a document on your computer and type the quote or phrase into a text box. I like to place the text box on the bottom portion of the page so the printer can grab the paper first.

step 2: Print out quote using a LASER printer.  NOTE: It is always helpful to draw an arrow at the bottom of the paper to determine the direction of printing since we will need to insert the paper into the printer tray again.  Roll out a small piece of Tissue Wrap large enough to cover quote. 

step 3: Use a low tack tape to secure the Tissue Wrap over the quote.  NOTE: the quote will eventually be cut out so the Tissue Wrap does not have to be perfectly straight.

step 4: Place document back into printer making note of the directional arrow you previously added.  Print.

step 5:  The printer will print the quote onto the Tissue Wrap in the exact same place as the first time (but it still seems a little like magic).

And there you go!  That's how easy it is to print on the Tissue Wrap! 
 So now lets talk about what to do with it!

I using a Framed Panel for this project.  I have covered the back panel with a piece of paper from the French Industrial Paper Stash.  I used Collage Medium to adhere the paper.  This product is fast drying so add medium in the center first, then work your way out to the edges.  Remember to work quickly!  Once adhered, add a thin layer over the top of the paper and let dry.

Cut out quote from Tissue Wrap.  I like to cut away as much as possible and use rounded corners rather than sharp.

NOTE: This is the one part I might have changed looking back...I think I would have added the bottom portion of my collage and THEN added the quote so I could have gotten a better position. 

How to add the Quote:
step 1: Using a small brush, add Collage Medium to the area where you want the quote to go.

step 2: Press the Tissue Wrap into the wet medium with fingertip.

step 3: Add a layer of Collage Medium over quote.

step 4: Again, use your fingertip to smooth out the medium over the quote.  I use a small circle motion to smooth it out.

You can see that much of the Tissue Wrap disappears into the background. 

Collage Work:
I am using my favorite paper from the Dapper Paper Stash to cut up the pieces I want for my collage.

Because my quote has the word HOME in it I decided to cut easy house shapes.

Again, I used the Collage Medium to adhere the shapes to the substrate.  Remember to take into account that the frame will cover part of the panel once complete.

I created a puddle of Tumbled Glass Distress Paint on my Craft Sheet.  Using a Mini Blending Tool and a Mini Stencil, I added Tumbled Glass circles to the background.  Now I might have lost some of you since the paint is bright and does not look like it goes, but stay with me here...other layers will be added!

Back to the collage...cut small pieces from old books to add detail.  You might notice that I changed 2 of the roofs by adding strips of text and cigar bands.  Once I was done I added a layer of Collage Medium over the houses.

The next step is to add depth using Walnut Stain Distress Crayon.  Just scribble the crayon on to the surface and around each house.  Rub with your fingertip...if the crayon does not move easily, dab it a couple times with a damp (not wet) wet wipe.  Using the “damp wipe” leaves the crayon with a mottled look which I love (and something you could never create with just your fingertip). 

The beauty of the Distress Crayons is if you get too much on, just wipe it away and start over.  Yet the surface will be dry to touch in record time, leaving a silky smooth surface (something you have to touch to understand).

I also added a very small heart (cut from chipboard using the Heartfelt die).  The heart almost looks like it’s cut from wool but it’s not.  I simply saturated it with Aged Mahogany Distress Stain.

I did come back and add more paper at the top edge because I felt my quote was too low.  I repeated the same steps as before, ending with the crayon again.

The last step is to paint the frame with Black Soot Distress paint and let it dry.  I added it to the panel with Collage Medium and set a book on top to make sure it adhered well before painting the edges black.

 

 Notice that the Tumbled Glass circles weave their way in and out of the background?  The Distress Crayon really helps to tie everything together.

There is only one thing I don’t like about my piece...the placement of the quote.  Needs to be moved to the right and up a 1/2”.  Darn it.  Sure wish I had placed it after I adhered the houses.  I think I would like to make another with the space to add more houses, details and embellishments.  Fingers crossed I do a better job next time around!

now carry on,
paula

Products Used in this Project

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Distress Crayons: a subtle approach

It's raining here today (not something we say often in CA) and I always like to be working in the craft room when it rains.  If it's not too cold I sometimes even open the window so I can hear it better.

Well today I thought I experiment a little more with the Distress Crayons.  Follow along and I'll show you what I did.

Scribble out some crayon on to the craft mat.  You will also need a Mini Blending tool and a bit of water.

Use the Mini Blending tool to pick up the crayon.  The foam must be damp not wet.  Here are some hints:

• too much water - it picks up the crayon way too easy and almost makes suds
• too little water (or none) - it won't pick up the crayon (it will just squeak across the mat)
• damp sponge - picks up the crayon easily (if you feel like you have too much water on the foam just pounce it on a paper towel a couple times and that will take cake of it)

 I cut a card front from Mixed Media paper and used a large stencil to add a pattern with the Blending Tool.

Now go back and pick up another color.  Same blending foam (no need to change the pad) - I just pounced it on the paper towel a couple times before going into the Fossilized Amber. 

 This time I'm using a Mini Stencil to change the scale of the circles.

 Another Mini Stencil to add some numbers with Seedless Preserves.

 I mounted the card from on Silver Metallic cardstock and then on a turquoise Kraft Core.

 A little stitching around the card finishes it off.

 Next, I mounted the self adhesive Deco Sheet onto a piece of cardstock then punched tiny 1/2" hexagons using the Tim Holtz Hexagon punch.  A quick way to make a lot of hexagon pieces.

 A dot of Glossy Accents works perfectly to adhere the hexagons to the card front.

 A sentiment from the Hashtags stamp set.

I thought the card needed a bit more detail so I used Ranger Watercolor paper and the Tattered Flower Garland to cut a few small flowers.  They have been colored with Distress Inks and a waterbrush.

 I adhered a small Crinkle Ribbon bow with Glossy Accents.

And then added the flowers.  These flowers have a hole in the center for layering with a brad.  I find that if you bend and squish the flower to make them more realistic, the hole fades away.

I added a Heart Charm to complete the cluster.

Its hard to show the shine of the silver Deco Sheets but that textured surface really makes the card fun.  The hexagon punch was super easy to use to create all those hexs...can't imagine doing that by hand.

Well, I hope you will try the crayons/blending tool technique to make a background.  I ended up creating a few card fronts while I was experimenting.  I found that more often than not, I did not even have to wipe off the foam pad between colors (that foam pad is kinda magic).  I think this would be a great way to add color to an art journal.  I guess I better try that size surface next!
now carry on,
paula

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