Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Mixed Media Thank You Cards & TECHNIQUE VIDEO Featuring Prima Soft Oil Pastels with the February Scraps of Elegance Kit.



Welcome to my creative space!! I'm back to share a technique video with you featuring the Scraps of Elegance Watercolor Wishes February Mixed Media/Creativity Add On.

I'm so excited each month to see what fresh new mixed media product(s) Melinda has included in the kit and add ons. The February Creativity Add On includes Prima Soft Oil Pastels. I've not worked with oil pastels before, so enjoyed spending some time experimenting with several types of paper and inks to see what would work best to color the 49 and Market Gabi's Hibiscus flowers that I fussy cut for the focal flowers on a set of mixed media thank you cards.

FTC Disclosure: I am currently working as a freelance designer for Scraps of Elegance. While I am compensated in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of these products and will not recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy.

I share how I used Prima Soft Oil Pastels to color a stamped image in this 
DIY Technique Video:

Please subscribe to my channel HERE.

Here's the fabulous Watercolor Wishes February Scraps of Elegance Kit:



Additional add ons and kit details can be viewed HERE.


Close-Ups
 
The Kaisercraft Oui Oiu paper is dry brushed with white gesso then edged with blue oil pastels. I used the Kaisercraft Cherry Blossom stencil to apply texture then rubbed with Aquamarine Viva Gold to highlight. Pastel Art Gems add such lovely dimension.

 
I wanted a soft backdrop for these sweet flowers, so layered cheesecloth, white feathers, and burlap threads over one of the Momenta Watercolor Doilies.

 
I adore texture so used a mix of Minni Pearl and Coral See Prills sprinkled with Prima Pearl Glass Glitter across the card. You  can see a little of the stenciled texture peeking out from under the cheese cloth too.


Supply List
Mixed Media Creativity Add On
Prima Marketing Soft Oil Pastels 24/Pkg
49 and Market Gabrielle Pollacco Clear Stamps (4x6"): Gabi's Hibiscus

Scraps of Elegance February Watercolor Wishes Main Kit (Sold Out)
Kaisercraft Ooh La La Collection:  Oui Oui
Momenta: 4" Bright Watercolor Doilies (4 assorted doilies)
Kaisercraft: Cherry Blossom Mini Designer Template 3.5"X5.75"
Pastel Mix Art Gems - approx. 15 to 16 gems

Elements Add On
Prima Metal Patina Trinkets - Birds

Scraps of Elegance Store
Dina Wakley Media Gel Medium - Matte
US Artquest Prills - Minnie Pearls
US Artquest Prills - Coral See
Prima Art Ingredients Glass Glitter: Pearl

Previous Kits
August 2016: Vintaj Solid Brass Metal Accents: Dragonfly Fern
December 2015: Viva Decor Inka Gold: Aquamarine

Other Products
A2 Card Base White - Stash
Stathmore ~ Windpower  - Mixed Media Vellum Surface 140 lb. 400 Series
Burlap Remnant Threads
Touch of Nature ~ Feathers, White
TSUKINEKO ~ Versafine Ink - Onyx Black
Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L ~ Crafty Power Tape
Hampton Arts ~ Stamp Perfect
Studio 71 ~ Blending Stumps

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.
~ Blessings ~

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Mixed Media Floral Tags for ScrapBerry's

ScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Mixed Media Tags
Welcome back to my creative space. Today I'm sharing a set of tags featuring the beautiful ScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Collection along with sweet embellishments that coordinate perfectly. A complete product list can be found at the bottom of this post.

FTC Disclosure: I am currently working as a freelance designer for ScrapBerry's. While I am compensated in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of these products and will not recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy.

Tips and TechniquesScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Mixed Media Tags
I paired a Pink Clove paper flower with a sweet Versailles Resin Chrysanthemum for this delicate cluster.

I like to have a selection of all occasion gift tags on hand for when I am putting gift packages together so this "delight" flair button is simply perfect for the sentiment.

ScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Mixed Media Tags
The flowers are dry brushed with white gesso to soften. I brushed gel medium around the cluster and sprinkled with Prills and microbeads for added texture.

I inked the edges of the chipboard birds with Distress Ink, then lightly dry brushed with white gesso. The background is stenciled with molding paste, then spritzed with beige and primrose mist. Once dry, I added a bit of white spatter with drawing ink.

ScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Mixed Media Tags
A close-up of the second tag. Here I used a pink daisy in place of the clove flower. The sentiment is stamped with the Happy Day Clear Stamps Set.

ScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Mixed Media Tags
In this shot you can see another of the delicate resin Chrysanthemums. Don't you just adore how the dry brushed gesso brings out the texture?

ScrapBerry's Birds of Paradise Mixed Media Tags
I just adore the bird chipboard in the Birds of Paradise Set and it was so easy to color them by edging with Distress Ink and gesso.

My dear friend, Juliana Michaels recently gave me a set of Jillibean Soup Chipboard Tags. I traced the tag shape onto the paper and adhered with soft matte gel. To make sure the paper was securely attached, I rolled over the paper firmly with a brayer while the gel was still wet. Once dry, I trimmed off any excess paper then sanded the edges. You can view Juliana's amazing work on her blog, 17turtles.

 I hope you've been inspired to grab your ScrapBerry's
products to create some tags of your own.

ScrapBerry's Supply List
Birds of Paradise ~ At Sunset (SCB220606304)
Birds of Paradise ~ Warbles (SCB220606301)

Birds of Paradise ~ Chipboard Die-Cuts No1 (SCB62000110)
Versailles ~ Set of Chrysanthemums (SCB250001088)
Flair Embellishments (SCB340001082)
Paper Flowers ~ Daisy - Pink (SCB280307)
Paper Flowers ~ Clove - Pink (SCB280408)
Wax String ~ White and Beige (SCB20020333074)
Happy Day Clear Stamps (SCB4907084)

Other Products
Jillibean Soup ~ Chipboard Tags
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Rosebuds - Mixe Pink Tone
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Hip Rosebuds - Pastel Tone
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 10mm Open Roses - 2-Tone Pink
Prima ~ Art Basics - Soft Matte Gel
Liquitex ~ Gesso - Clear, white
Golden Regular Gel (Matte)
Golden ~ Light Molding Paste
Ranger ~ Distress Ink - Pumice Stone
TSUKIMEKO ~ Archival Brilliance Ink - Pearlescent Chocolate
Lindy’s Stamp Gang ~ Starburst - Clam Bake Beige
Heidi Swapp ~ Color Shine - Primrose
Higgins ~ Drawing Ink - White
US ArtQuest - Mini Prills - Silver Lining
Martha Stewart ~ Microbeads - Pink Sapphire
The Crafter’s Workshop 6x6 Stencil - Mini Butterfly Collage
Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Tombow ~ MONO Multi Liquid Glue
Hampton Art ~ Stamp Perfect
Speedball Roller (Brayer)



Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Love Baby DIY Mixed Media Layout and PROCESS VIDEO TUTORIAL with the January 2017 Scraps of Elegance Kit


What an amazing experience it is to become grandparents. Our granddaughter, Avery, was born just over a week ago. In this photo she's just a few hours old and so content to be in her mother's loving arms. She came 2 1/2 weeks early and weighed in at 6lb 13oz. I had originally planned this layout around one of her baby shower photos, but couldn't resist swapping it out. She's our sweet Valentine this year and this Blue Fern Studios paper collection and kit products were absolutely perfect to showcase this adorable photo.

FTC Disclosure: I am currently working as a freelance designer for Scraps of Elegance. While I am compensated in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of these products and will not recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy learning from my creative process in this
DIY Process Video:

Please subscribe to my channel HERE.

Here's the fabulous January Scraps of Elegance Kit:

Also Using
Elements Add on

Mixed Media/Creativity Add On

Floral Add On

Color Add On

Scraps of Elegance Links:

Close-Ups







Product List
Main Kit
Blue Fern Studios Heartland Collection:  XOXO
Blue Fern Studios Heartland Collection:  Love Notes
Nuvo: Strawberry Coulis Jewel Drops
Kaisercraft: Love Themed Wood Embellishments
Blue Fern Studios: Heartland Roses & Blooms 
Simply Creative: Pink and Blue 6mm self-adhesive gems

Mixed Media Creativity Add On
Imagine Crafts Rosebud IrRESISTible Texture Spray
Imagine Crafts Pink Creative Medium Iridescent Texture Paste

Elements Add On
Ken Oliver Vintage Embellishments - Heart & Key Charms
Kaisercraft - PS I Love You Die CutsA
Kaisercraft - Hearts Sparklets Self-Adhesive Rhinestone Clusters

Floral Add On
Prima Sweet Peppermint Underneath The Christmas Tree Flowers
Prima Charleston Flowers

Color Add On
Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Royal Red Acrylic Paint
Blue Fern Studios Cotton Candy Embossing Powder

SOE Store

Other Products
Ranger ~ Perfect Medium
Prima ~ Resist Chalk Edger - Vintage Pink
Prima ~ 12x12” Stencil - Flourish
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L ~ EZ Dots - Repositionable 
Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar ~ Scrap Dots
Tombow ~ MONO Multi Liquid Glue
Wagner ~ HT 400 Heat Gun
Liquitex ~ Free Style - Palette Knife #5

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Saturday, February 4, 2017

"Love Forever" DIY Home Decor Heart and PROCESS VIDEO TUTORIAL with the January 2017 Scraps of Elegance Kit


I'm so excited to share my latest project for Scraps of Elegance with a process video tutorial. This Crate Paper Color Reveal Watercolor Heart Panel is the January exclusive OTP Add On and was a dream to work with. It is a watercolor panel stretched over a heart frame. So it has the feel of a canvas, but the properties of watercolor paper. Just perfect for a Valentine's home decor project when paired up with all the gorgeous elements in the Main Kit and Add Ons.

FTC Disclosure: I am currently working as a freelance designer for Scraps of Elegance. While I am compensated in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of these products and will not recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy learning from my creative process in this
DIY Process Video:



Please subscribe to my channel HERE.

Here's the fabulous January Scraps of Elegance Kit:


OTP Add On


Also Using
Elements Add on


Mixed Media/Creativity Add On


Floral Add On


Color Add On


Scraps of Elegance Links:
Store: http://www.scrapsofdarkness.com/
Blog: http://scrapsofdarkness.blogspot.com/
Online Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scrapsofdarkness/

Close-Ups










Product List
OTP Add On
Crate Paper Color Reveal Watercolor Heart Panel 10.5"x8.75"

Main Kit
Kaisercraft: Love Themed Wood Embellishments
Blue Fern Studios: Heartland Roses & Blooms

Mixed Media Creativity Add On
Imagine Crafts Rosebud IrRESISTible Texture Spray

Elements Add On
Ken Oliver Vintage Embellishments - Heart & Key Charms
Kaisercraft - PS I Love You Die Cuts
Kaisercraft - Hearts Sparklets Self-Adhesive Rhinestone Clusters

Floral Add On
Prima Sweet Peppermint Underneath The Christmas Tree Flowers
Petaloo Teal Ruffled PeoniesKai
Petaloo Robin's Egg Mini Daisies

Color Add On
Blue Fern Studios Cotton Candy Embossing Powder
Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse

SOE Store
US Artquest Prills - Minnie Pearls
Prima Art Basics Mixed Media Essentials - Gesso (Heavy White)
Dina Wakley Media Gel Medium - Matte

Other Products
Ranger ~ Perfect Medium
Tim Holtz with Stampers Anonymous ~ Layering Stencil - Flourish
Helmar ~ Premium Craft Glue
Helmar ~ Liquid Scrap Dots
Tombow ~ MONO Multi Liquid Glue
Wagner ~ HT 400 Heat Gun
Liquitex ~ Free Style - Palette Knife #5

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Friday, February 3, 2017

Forever Valentine for ScrapBerry's

"Forever Valentine"

Welcome back to my creative space. I'm back to share a new project featuring the gorgeous ScrapBerry's Juliet Paper Collection along with an assortment of their fabulous embellishments.

I've been sharing my excitement of becoming a grandmother for the first time through my paper crafting projects. Recently our son and lovely daughter-in-law revealed the name they've given our coming granddaughter ~ Avery. I've created this heart wall hanging for her. It's her first Valentine from me, a "Forever Valentine." I hope she'll be reminded of my love for her as she grows up seeing it hanging on her wall.

FTC Disclosure: I am currently working as a freelance designer for ScrapBerry's. While I am compensated in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of these products and will not recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy.

Tips and Techniques
ScrapBerry's creates such beautiful flowers in an array of lovely colors to go with any of their paper collections I've featured a sweet gardenia and curly rose here. I've also tucked in a few tiny flowers from my stash. See the purple rose below the gardenia? Its's one of the Rosebud Charms that I brushed with gesso, then colored with Distress Ink. The crystal flourish is from the Curls for Wedding 1 set.

The edge of the heart was painted with white gesso, then a stenciled design was added with molding paste. I highlighted the texture by rubbing lightly with ink.

From this angle you can see the love piece from the Weddings 3 Polymer Set topped with a Versailles Resin Chrysanthemum and chipboard key right below it from the Holiday Romance Collection. Tucked in at the top of the cluster I've used hearts from the Kid's Fun Polymer Set along with the sweet Winter Joy Bottle Cap. (The heart flourish chippie is from my stash.) 

**Tip**
Water based mediums will bead up on resin/polymer and not stay true to color on raw chipboard, so I apply a quick coat of white gesso to these items and allow to dry before adding water based color. For these elements, I layered two colors of Distress Ink to coordinate with the gorgeous Juliet papers.

 
A little handcrafted heart I created from corrugated cardboard. I've used a mixture of Prills, tiny seed beeds, and microbeads from my stash here and around the flower cluster for added texture. The smaller purple hearts are more chippies from the Holiday Romance Collection.

For this banner with Avery's name, I simply cut triangles from Juliet paper and inked the edges. I laid them out and adhered them in place, then added a strip of lace across the top that I colored with Distress Ink. The wooden letters from my stash were colored with ink and spritzed with Iridescent Glitter Dust spray for some sweet girly sparkle (before adhering to the project).

My dear friend, Juliana Michaels, gave me this wood heart, and I knew right away that it would be perfect for creating a Forever Valentine for Avery. (You can visit Juliana's creative blog at 17turtles.) I traced and cut out the heart onto the Juliet paper, then used gel medium to adhere it to the wood heart. I rolled over it firmly with a brayer to make sure the paper was securely adhered, then set it aside dry for a few minutes. Once the paper was set in place, but the gel medium was still damp, I cut into the wood grooves to show the slats, then used a sanding block lightly over the paper to reveal the wood grain below. I also added a touch of spatter with drawing ink. I adore the texture this created on the background.

I hope you've been inspired to grab your ScrapBerry's products
and create a Valentine for someone special in your life.

Don't forget, love is the theme of the ScrapBerry’s January/February challenge.
Be sure to stop by the ScrapBerry's blog for all the challenge details
and to be inspired by the rest of the design team creations HERE.

ScrapBerry’s Products

Juliet Collections ~ Victoria (SCB220608403)
Juliet Collections ~ Juliet (SCB220608407)
Gardenia Mix ~ Pink  (SCB300107)
Paper Flowers ~ Curly Rose – Lilac (SCB280605)
Winter Joy ~ Set of decorative cork (Bottle Cap) (SCB340982)
Weddings 3 ~ Set of polymer items (SCB26001020)
Kid’s Fun ~ Set of polymer items (SCB26001012)
Versailles  ~ Set of chrysanthemums 1 (resin) (SCB250001088)
Curls For Wedding 1 (pearls swirl) (SCB250001078
Charms Set ~ (Rosebud SCB250122474)
Holiday Romance Chipboard Elements No. 3 (SCB62000106B)
Birds of Paradise ~ Chipboard Elements No. 1 (SCB62000110)

Other Products
Craft Essentials ~ Wall Hanging (Wood Heart)
Prima ~ 3D Wood Alphas Hexagon(587413)
Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L - Lace Ribbons
Prima ~ Trims - Magnolia #583033
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 10mm Open Roses - 2-Tone Pink
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Hip Rosebuds - Mixed Pink Tone
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 30mm Leaves - White
Martha Stewart Crafts ~ Microbeads - Kunzite
Darice ~ TOHO Beads - Round Rainbow Clear
US ArtQuest ~ Mini Prills - Lavender & Lace; Minni Pearls
Darice ~ Finishing Accents - Wood Shapes, Butterflies
The Charm Shop ~ Heart Charms
Bead Landing ~ Hemp Cord (Lavender)
Flower Stamen ~ Stash
Prima ~ Art Basics -Soft Matte Gel
Liquitex ~ Gesso - White
Liquitex ~ Matte Medium
Golden ~ Light Molding Paste
Ranger ~ Distress Ink - Pumice Stone; Seedless Preserves; Victorian Velvet
Therm O Web ~ Glitter Dust - Iridescent
Higgins ~ Drawing Ink - White
The Crafter’s Workshop ~ Mini Butterfly Collage Stencil
Therm O Web ~ iCraft - Mixed Media Adhesive
Helmar ~ Premium Craft Glue
Ranger ~ Dina Wakley Media - Gel Medium
Other project - stamped bunny
Bunny My Little Star - Set of stamps - Baby Bunny (SCB4907044)
Ranger ~ Archival Ink - Jet Black
Kuretake ~ Zig Clean Color Real Brush - Dark Gray, Light Violet, S. Almond Pink, Oatmeal



Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Thursday, February 2, 2017

True Love Is Forever Mixed Media Card for ScrapBerry's


Love is the theme of the January/February challenge at ScrapBerry’s, and the design
team has been busy creating projects to inspire you as you join along. 

Be sure to stop on over at the ScrapBerry's blog for all the challenge details
and to be inspired by the rest of the design team creations HERE.

My parents will be celebrating 58 years of marriage this year, so I wanted to create a special card for them. I just adore this paper from ScrapBerry's Cherished Jewels Collection that includes the sweet sentiment "True Love Is Forever." How perfect for this card. I've included mixed media touches which I'll talk about below with the close-up photos.

FTC Disclosure: I am currently working as a freelance designer for ScrapBerry's. While I am compensated in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of these products and will not recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy.

Tips and Techniques
A sweet flower cluster featuring ScrapBerry's Clove, Daisy, and Cherry Blossom Flowers along with a few tiny flowers tucked in from my stash. 

ScrapBerry's has beautiful gems and jewels. I've tucked in a pearl flourish from the Holidays 1 Collection as well as the sparkling Crystal Sticker and sweet resin rose from the Fairy Tale Flowers 1 Set. I used gel medium to adhere Prills around the cluster for extra texture.

The Holiday Romance Chipboard Set has pieces perfect for Valentine's Day and love themed cards. I heat embossed this key with embossing enamel for a vintage shabby feel and placed it to accent the sentiment.

Here's a close-up of the mixed media background I created. I applied molding paste with a flourish stencil first. When that design was dry, I added the hearts. I spritzed them with blush and gold mist, then dry brushed with gesso for a soft frosty finish.

**Tip**
Start by brushing the background paper with clear gesso when planning to use mixed media products, especially wet product like spray mists. This will help reduce warping on the paper.

Don't forget to hop on over to the ScrapBerry's blog for the
challenge details and gorgeous inspiration HERE.


Product List
ScrapBerry's Products
Cherished Jewels Collection ~ 6x6 Paper Set (SCB220612008X)

Holiday Romance Chipboard Elements No. 3 (SCB62000106B)
Pearl swirl Happy Holidays 1 (SCB25002042)
Crystal Stickers Decoration ~ Floral Embroidery (SCB53000007)
Fairy Tale ~ Set of Flowers 1 (Resin) (SCB25002018)
Paper Flowers ~ Clove - Pink (SCB280408)
Paper Flowers ~ Daisy - White Cream
Cherry Blossom ~ Pink & White (SCB300204)
Clear Stamps ~ Butterfly Wings (SCB4907003B)

Other Products
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 30mm Leaves - White
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Bead Berry Clusters - White
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 4mm Rosebuds - White
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Hip Rosebuds - Mixed Pink Tone
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 15mm Open Roses - 2-Tone Champagne Pink
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 10mm Open Roses - 2-Tone Champagne Pink
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Miniature Sweetheart Blossoms - White
Wild Orchid Crafts ~ Gypsophila Flowers - White
Liquitex ~ Gesso - Clear, White
Golden ~ Light Molding Paste
Donna Salazar with ColorBox ~ Mix’d Media Inx - Stormy
Ranger ~ Perfect Medium
Heidi Swapp ~ Color Shine - Gold; Blush
Stampendous ~ Embossing Enamel - Shabby White
Tim Holtz with Stampers Anonymous - Layering Stencil Flourish
UmWow Studios ~ Mixed Media Stencils - Heart Confetti
Tombow ~ MULTI Mono Liquid Glue

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~