"Guy Time" Layout with Faux Metal Gear Tutorial for Donna Salazar

I just adore this fun photo of our son-in-law and his groomsmen goofing around before the wedding. Donna's March Sketch'n Color Challenge includes Honey, Adobe, and Leather. The brick walls of the church in the background worked so perfectly with these colors. 

"Guy Time"

March Sketch'n Color

For details on how to join this month's challenge go here.

Tips and Techniques

Although I did not create my flowers for this project, I colored them some of them with Donna's inks and the larger flowers were stamped using Donna's Art Gone Wild Crackle stamp. I used more stamping around the borders of the page and around the photo using the Ruler, Bubble Wrap, Dear Sir, and Crackle stamps. 

Here's a close-up of the Faux Metal Gears I created with Donna's Spellbinder Sprightly Sprockets dies. These are so easy to make, and I've included a tutorial below. 

A friend recently had some old film developed and gave me the end pieces. I used some to frame my photo. The chicken wire is from another friend and the patina is real. It was actually used for a chicken coop at one point. And check out the patina and old paint on this vintage key - a yard sale find. 

I mixed some of Donna's Clearsnap Mix'd Media Inx Reinkers in Black and Leather to splatter across the page. 

Another close-up shot of the fabulous gears below the photo. I have a confession to make. I had created another page for this photo with a strip of stenciled bricks across the page. It just wasn't working for me, so I started over again. The first page was not a total loss since I cut the bricks into strips and tucked them in around my photo and clusters. They were created using Donna's Want2Scrap Small Brick Stencil (8" x 10") with extra coarse Pumice Gel Medium then colored with Mix'd Media Inx.

Faux Metal Gear Tutorial

I enjoy creating masculine pages and grungy metallic gears are such a perfect embellishment. They are so easy, and all who see them can't believe they're not metal. 

Supplies

Die Cut Machine ~ Spellbinders Artisan X-plorer

Good Quality Black Cardstock

Spellbinders ~ Donna Salazar - Sprightly Sprockets Dies

Clearsnap ~ Gold Ink

Clearsnap ~ Copper Ink

Step 1. Cut and emboss black cardstock with Sprightly Sprocket dies, making sure you have a nice embossed imprint on the paper. 

Step 2. Rub the embossed paper gear with gold metallic ink. 

Step 3. Rub the gear with copper metallic ink. The ink really brings out the texture of the embossing. I used a light hand with the ink, allowing the black to show around the embossed areas. You can always layer on more ink if needed. 

***Hint*** You can use any color(s) of metallic ink and even a bit of aqua or teal for a patina effect if desired ~ whatever goes with your layout. 

I hope you've been inspired to create a project for Donna's

March Girlie Grunge Sketch'n Color Challenge.

Details for the challenge can be found here.

Donna Salazar Products

GCD Studio ~ Natural Beauty Collection

GCD Studio ~ Natural Beauty Chipboard Alpha

Clearsnap ~ Mix'd Media Inx - Leather, Adobe, Black, Stormy

Clearsnap ~ Mix'd Media Inx Reinker - Black, Leather

Want2Scrap ~ Small Brick Stencil (8" x 10')

Spellbinders ~ Sprightly Sprockets

Art Gone Wild ~ Crackle Stamp

Art Gone Wild ~ Dear Sir Stamp

Art Gone Wild ~ Bubble Wrap Stamp

Art Gone Wild ~ Ruler Stamp

Other Products

Black Cardstock

Idea-ology ~ Word Sticks, Mini Screw Brads

Petaloo Darjeeling Collection ~ Mini Daisies, Hydrangea, Anemone Mix

Vintage Key ~ Stash

Chicken Wire ~ Stash

Film Strip ~ Stash

Holiday Inspirations - Canvas Ribbon

Clearsnap ~ Metallic Ink - Gold, Copper

Golden Extra Coarse Pumice Gel

Hemar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Hemar ~ Premium Craft Glue
Hemar ~ Liquid Scrap Dots
Hemar ~ Craft and Hobby PVA Glue
Hemar ~ Zapdots - black 1/2" round

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Irish Blessings Birthday Card ~ DT for Helmar

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

And happy birthday to my dear friend, Mandy!! Mandy's birthday falls on St. Patrick's Day, so when I found out that I was to do a St. Pat's themed project for Helmar, I knew it would be a card for my sweet friend. So you'll see lots of green and Irish touches on this card. I've added some gems, in green of course, and used Helmar Gemstone Glue to adhere them. 

Irish Blessings Birthday Card

Tips and Techniques

Gemstones can be a challenge to adhere and have them really stick without adhesive oozing out around them. Helmar Gemstone Glue is a perfect solution. I simply placed a drop of glue on a paint palette, then used tweezers to dip the back of the gem into the glue and then placed it in the center of the lace design. 

Here's a close-up. I love to peruse thrift stores for papercrafting supplies. Once, I found some beautiful vintage, lace-edged handkerchiefs and this Irish lace was cut from one of them.

This beautiful Garden Circle Frame by Leaky Shed Studio was quick and easy. I heat embossed with Fran-tage Embossing Enamel for this gorgeous finish. Of course I adhered it with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

I hand dyed this ribbon with mists to coordinate and tied in a triple loop bow. I used some Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to help raise and position the flowers around the cluster and Helmar 450 to adhere the bow, jewelry piece, and smaller flowers.

One final look. All the paper to paper layers are adhered with Helmar Premium Craft Glue.

Helmar Products

Gemstone Glue

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Premium Craft Glue

Liquid Scrap Dots

Leaky Shed Studio Products

Garden Circle Frame

Other Products

Tim Holtz ~ Crowded Attic Collection

BoBunny ~ Timepiece - Villa; Timepiece

Petaloo ~ Penny Lane - Small Flowers, mint; New Camelia, Mantis Green

Jewelry Medallion - Stash

Hug Snug ~ Seam Binding, white (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Stampendous Fran-tage Embossing Enamel - Aged Ivory; Aged Gold

Perfect Pearl Mist - Heirloom Gold

Heidi Swapp - Color Shine, gold

Ranger Clear Rock Candy Distress Paint

Zutter ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Distrezz-it-All

Martha Stewart ~ Scoring Board 

Thanks for stopping by today! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Grungy Guy Card ~ DT for Leaky Shed Studio

I'm back to share the details about the card I created for Leaky Shed Studio. As much as I enjoy creating pretty, feminine cards for the girls in my life, I do enjoy getting grungy for the guys. Leaky Shed Studio has some great chipboard pieces that work so well for a masculine touch.

"Enjoy the Journey" Card

Tips and Techniques

The Leaky Shed Studio Watch Parts are one of my favorite sets to work with. Here they fit the corner of my card so perfectly. Getting a grungy effect is so easy using Fran-tage embossing enamel in Aged Black. I simply pressed the pieces into my embossing pad, then sprinkled with the embossing powder and heat set. 

Another view of the gears. I pulled out some older BoBunny Timepiece paper and these gears are a perfect fit to coordinate. 

This Leaky Shed Barbed Wire Border is so fun to work with. To fit the card, I simply trimmed one end along the looped edge. This time I used the Aged Silver embossing enamel.  The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed.

Another close-up of the barbed wire. You can also see my mixed media background. I've been gleaning bits and pieces of technique ideas from my European scrappy friends. 

To achieve this grungy background, I started by applying molding paste with a crackle stencil. Then I brushed on Matte Gel medium and scattered two sizes of micro beads into the gel. I dried the gel and then randomly applied spots of Ranger Crackle accents. I set this aside to dry and form cracks. Finally, I applied two colors of mist - mostly Cork Glimmer Mist with accents of copper.

Here's the inside of my card. I've inked the edges and added some stamping.

My tip of the day is to be creative with how you use your chipboard. Don't be afraid to cut it up or to use only part of a set. You can use the leftovers on another project!! 

Leaky Shed Studio Products

Watch Parts

Barbed Wire Border

Other Products

BoBunny ~ Timepiece: Gears; Timepiece; Home; Tic Tock

Black Cardstock

Tim Holtz ~ Idea-ology Film Strip Ribbon

Stampendous ~ Fran-tage Embossing Enamel: Aged Black; Aged Silver

Ranger ~ Perfect Medium

Ranger ~ Crackle Accents

Liquitex Flexible Modeling Paste

Golden ~ Soft Gel

Tattered Angels ~ Glimmer Mist: Copper; Cork

Clearsnap by Donna Salazar Designs ~ Mix'd Media Inx: Truffle

Clearsnap by Donna Salazar Designs ~ Mix'd Media Inx Embossing Powder: Truffle

Ranger ~ Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Ranger ~ Archival Ink - Jet Black

Beadies Mini Marbles

Recollections ~ Microbeads

Prima ~ Stencil - Crackle

Tim Holtz ~ Clear Stamps - Purlely Random, Playful Journey

7 Gypsies - Steampunk Clear Stamps

Helmar ~ Premium Craft Glue

Helmar ~ Zapdots 1/4" Square, clear

Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Darice ~ Heat Tool

Tim Holtz ~ Grid Blocks

Thanks for stopping by today! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Leaky Shed Studio Sneak Peek

I have a project up on the Leaky Shed Studio blog today.

Here's a sneak peek.

Stop by the Leaky Shed Studio blog for more details,

and I so appreciate you leaving a kind word while you are there!! 

~ Blessings ~

"Love" Wedding Card by Tracey Sabella for Donna Salazar Designs

When our girls were younger, they had a group of friends over to our home about once a month. They called it the gathering. Two of those young people became best of friends, and that sweet relationship has resulted in their marriage. Here is the card I created for them featuring lots of Donna Salazar products.

"Love" Wedding Card

Tips and Techniques

Here are three of my handcrafted flowers using Donna's Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms, Grand Peony, and Rose Creations dies. Tutorials can be found as follows.

Bitty Blossoms Flower Tutorial

Open Lace Rose Flower Tutorial

Donna's Clearsnap Mix'd Media Inx in Denim was used to stamp the title and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I've also rubbed Stormy MMI on the doily and flowers to distress.

More stamping with Stormy MMI and distressing with Donna's Zutter Distrezz-it-All.

Lots of distressing with Donna's Distrezz-it-All - my all time favorite distressing tool!!

I hope you've been inspired to grab your Donna Salazar supplies and created a project.

~ Blessings ~

Tracey

Donna Salazar Products

GCD Studios ~ Natural Beauty Collection

GCD Studios ~ Mix'd Media Stax 2

Clearsnap ~ Mix'd Media Inx - Stormy

Clearsnap ~ Mix'd Media Inx - Honey

Clearsnap ~ Mix'd Media Inx - Denim

Spellbinders ~ Grand Peony

Spellbinders ~ Bitty Blossoms

Spellbinders ~ Rose Creations

Zutter ~ Distrezz-it-All

Other Products

Want2Scrap ~ Say It With Bling ~ Allure Swirl, White Pearls

Clearsnap ~ Top Boss Embossing Powder, clear

BoBunny ~ Doilies, medium

Papermania ~ Glazed Brads, Assorted Natural

Darice ~ Berry Bundle

DMC ~ Embroidery Floss, White

Lace - Stash

Stampers Anonymous ~ Urban Grunge

Cloud 9 Design - Love Phrase

Spellbinders ~ Garden Weave

EK Success ~ Morocco Lace Border Punch

Helmar ~ Premium Craft Glue
Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Published at Scrapbooking.com Magazine

I'm so delighted to share that two of my layouts have been published

in the March issue of Scrapbooking.com Magazine! 

Sweet Moment ~ Featured Article - Friends Department

Creativity - Papercrafting Department

Stop on over to check out all the inspiration in the

FREE March Issue of Scrapbooking.com Magazine.

~ Blessings ~

"In the Garden" Mixed Media Layout featuring Helmar and Leaky Shed Studio

I mentioned in yesterday's post that March has arrived, but winter is still here in full force with temperatures last night going below 0 F. Brrrr!! So to warm you up, I have a lovely summer layout. I gave a sneak peek yesterday and am back today with all the details.

Mixed media is a hot trend right now, and I believe it will be sticking around for a long while to come. At least I hope it does!! One of the biggest challenges I had when starting to use different art mediums on my layouts was getting my embellishments and photos to stick to the more slick and textured background. A while back I entered a Helmar/May Arts contest and was sent a small bottle of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. Let's just say an addiction was born as I used that glue on my page. I was totally a tape runner girl, but was converted in short order as I saw how well everything stayed in place. No more elements falling off my page and it didn't warp my paper like some other liquid adhesives do. 

When I saw the DT call for Helmar designers last fall, I couldn't resist, since I was so hooked. All of their products have been amazing to work with. I have to give a little plug here. Helmar is having another DT call right now, so if you would like to work with their amazing adhesive products check out the details here. The call closes March 21.

OK, back to my layout. This is my sweet niece digging in her grandpa's garden. I picked up on the purples and blues from her clothing to use for the page background and embellishments. 

"In the Garden"

Tips and Techniques

My embellishments and flowers are adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

To achieve the grungy color on my flowers, they were dry brushed with gesso, then dabs of mist were brushed across them randomly, then I spritzed them with water to lighten and spread the mist. 

These stems are a great bargain embellishment. They started out bright glitter blue from a "pine" sprig I got clearanced after Christmas. I painted them with spray gesso and then brushed with mist to color. 

While most of my elements are adhered with 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, some of the flowers like this one on the left were adhered with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to raise up and position.

Another view of the flowers. To tuck items in under the photos, I've raised them by adhering with Helmar Zapdots. 

The Leaky Shed Studio chipboard Harja Flourish Zwei was cut into two pieces with parts being used above and below the photo. I often cut my chipboard pieces to suit the needs of the layout I'm working one. I have dry brushed watered down gesso across the flourish, leaving some of the natural chipboard color showing through. I then used up mist overspray from my craft mat by watering it down and brushing it across the flourish pieces to give just a hint of color. 

This chipboard fence is by Leaky Shed Studio, I used just a portion of it. I have layered gesso and mist to get the look of weathered wood like the fence in the photo background and wrapped a berry vine around it which was also gessoed and colored with mist. You can tell from this photo, that it does not lay flat with the wrapped vine and textured background, but the 450 is quite strong enough to hold it in place by adhering where it does contact the background. 

Notice the small "In the garden" title sticker? It would not adhere to this textured surface, but a dab of 450 holds it securely in place. 

Finally, a view of the mixed media texture. I've stenciled with light molding paste, then brushed over with gel medium sprinkled with punch waste bits, micro beads and mini marbles. This was misted, gessoed, and splattered, and then dry brushed again with gesso. You can see why normal adhesives would have a challenge adhering to this surface.

Helmar Products

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Liquid Scrap Dots

Zapdots ~ White Square 1/2"

Leaky Shed Studio Products

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Picket Fence Chipboard

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Harja Flourish Zwei Chipboard (Upcoming Release)

Other Products

13Arts ~ Timeless - Long Time Ago

Heidi Grace Epoxy Stickers - Daisy Dear

Prima ~ Perle Bebe - EnFrancais; Tea Roses - Latte; Parisa Mayfair Mix

Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Mulberry Flowers - Daisy Stem Flowers - Purple

Maya Road Vintage Trinkets - Vintage Pearl Roses

Petaloo ~ Color Me Crazy - Mixed Floral; Mulberry Street Wild Roses - White

Prima Vintage Metal Trinkets - Marion Smith

Darice ~ Berry Vine; Glittered Pine Sprig

Beadies ~ Micro beads; Mini Marbles

13Arts ~ Ayeeda Mist - Chalk Ultramarine

Clearsnap ~ Smooch Spritz - Frosted Grape, Log Cabin

Golden ~ Light Molding Paste; Soft Gel (Matte)

Liquitex ~ Gesso

Punch Waste

Americana Classic Stencil ~ Jacobean Floral

Prima ~ Doily 1 Stencil - 6" x 6"

DCWV ~ 12" x 12" Template EM-033-000023

Darice ~ Heat Tool

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Mixed Media Layouts for Once Upon A...Sketch and Helmar

It's a joy to welcome March. That means spring and warmer weather are just around the corner!!

I have two projects to share with you today. The first is a mixed media layout I have created for Helmar. For details please stop by the Helmar Blog. It would be great if you could leave a comment while you're there. Here's a sneak peek.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My second layout of the day is this DT inspiration for the March Once Upon A...Sketch Challenge. Nadia has outdone herself once again with a gorgeous sketch and thought provoking journaling prompt. Here's my take.

"Words to Live By"

I've included the following hidden journaling on the back of my page.

Faith in Christ is the most important thing in my life. A guiding light showing me how to live right is Scripture. It has never failed me. My favorite verse is James 1:5 ~ “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Journaling Theme ~ Be inspired by this quote.

You are free to interpret our theme ANY WAY you like. It is for your inspiration and this theme word DOES NOT need to be part of your title or journaling. But please make sure you layout is based on the sketch below and includes journaling (hidden journaling is fine). Acceptable journaling is MORE than just a sentence, or generic writing such as date/place etc. It needs to be present and at least 3 lines long. Remember, hidden journaling (under a photo/tag or behind your page) is perfectly fine but please DO let us know in your post where your journaling is!

I have turned the sketch as shown.

Link up your project here.

Tips and Techniques

I've misted and splattered the flowers to coordinate with my page. The leaves are die cut and inked. 

These Leaky Shed Studio Watch Parts have been painted black, then rubbed with gold Rub'n Buff. Photo mat edges are distressed with my Zutter Distrezz-it-All by Donna Salazar.

This chipboard cross from Leaky Shed Studio was heat embossed with Fran-tage Aged Black Embossing Enamel. I adore the texture and color variations in this product!

Here you can see some of the shimmer from the mist spritzed on the background and flowers.

Scripture shines light on the paths I take in life, so I've embellished with this Prima Industrial Lamp and in the title with a Typo Bulb.

I tried a new mixed media product, Golden Extra Coarse Pumice Gel, and wow - look at the texture. It goes on white, but mist and splatter give it this rough granite look! 

I hope you've been inspired to create a layout for the March OUAS Challenge.

Stop by the blog to link up your project.

Products

Heartfelt Creations ~ Balmy Breeze Collection

We R Memory Keepers ~ Storytime Cloud Cardstock

Colorbok ~ Victorian Parlour Alphabet Stickers

Basic Grey ~ Alphabet Stickers bba - 4061

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Cross Set

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Watch Parts

Prima ~ Bebe - En Francais

Prima ~ Kennedy Vintage

Prima ~ Cottage Blossoms - Canary

Prima ~ Wildflowers Pillar Pack- white

Prima ~ Vivian Elizabeth

Prima ~ Guava Peony Brahms

Prima ~ Metallique Iron

Prima ~ Junkyard Findings - Industrial Lamps

Prima ~ Junkyard Findings - Vintage Trinkets Clock Faces

Prima ~ Junkyard Findings - Vintage Trinkets Clock Hands

Prima ~ Junkyard Findings - Typo Bulbs 2

Prima ~ Pebbles - Music Note

Prima ~ Vintage Trinkets Mechanicals Flowers 960407

Prima ~ Say It In Crystals - 551377

Prima ~ Say It In Studs and Crystal Flower Centers - Gray and Brown

Studio G ~ Metal Charms

Creative Charms ~ Vintage Brads

Tim Holtz ~ Tissue Tape - Sketchbook

Abaca Ribbon ~ Stash

Plastic Mesh ~ Stash

Golden Extra Coarse Pumice Gel

Liquitex ~ Gesso

Tattered Angels ~ Glimmer Mist - Cork, Graphite

Art@Glitter Mist ~ Copper

Ranger ~ Perfect Medium

Stampendous ~ Fran-tage Embossing Enamel - Aged Black

Rub'n Buff ~ Grecian Gold

FolkArt ~ Metallic Sequin Black Enamel Paint

Ranger ~ Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap, Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Prima ~ Stencil - Netting

Sizzix Die ~ Branch w/Leaves

Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Helmar ~ Premium Craft Glue

Helmar ~ Zapdots, Black 1/2" Round

Helmar ~ Liquid Scrapdots

Glossy Accents

Zutter ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Distrezz-it-All

Ranger ~ Heat It

Spellbinders Artisan X-plorer

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~