Wedding Card by Tracey Sabella for Helmar

Hi everyone!! I have a new project up on the Helmar blog today with a wedding card featuring Helmar Fabric Glue.

My dear scrapbooking friend, Mandy was married last month. We've been friends for many years and have spent many an hour creating together, so I wanted to create something extra special for her. The focal piece of my card is a chipboard mannequin I dressed up with eyelash yarn and feathers. Helmar Fabric Glue is the perfect adhesive for this task.

Tips and Techniques

I started by painting the chipboard with a pearlescent medium. It's not shown here, but I precut the yarn pieces a little longer than the distance between the waist and the hem.

I squeezed out a line of Helmar Fabric Glue across the waist,

and placed the yarn and feathers into this bead of glue.

I covered the glued area by adhering a strip of ribbon across the waist, over the edge of the yarn pieces. I finished it off with a strip of pearls and tiny rose buds. These are all adhered with Helmar Fabric Glue as well.

I painted this delightful chipboard corner flourish and added half pearls to embellish. Because the background is uneven from the stenciling, I needed a strong adhesive to hold it in place. Of course I grabbed my Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive for this job.

I stamped the love sentiment on a scrap of cardstock. I wanted it to lay flat, so I used Helmar Clear Zapdots where there was no stenciling and a dab of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

on the stenciled areas. Because the clear Zapdots are so thin, they gave just the right amount of dimension to help my sentiment to sit evenly on the card.

I brushed little dabs of Helmar Super-Tac EVA Glue below the

sentiment and sprinkle with iridescent shaved ice flakes. 

Here I used more Helmar Fabric Glue to adhere burlap and hand dyed lace to the bottom of the card.

I hope you've been inspired to grab your Helmar Fabric Glue to adhere

the fiber elements to your next shabby chic project.

Helmar Products

Fabric Glue

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Zapdots - Clear, Square, 1/2"

Super-Tac EVA Glue

Other Products

Maja ~ Vintage Summer Basics 1934

White Cardstock ~ Stash

Dusty Attic ~ Corner Flourish #4 DA0873

Dusty Attic ~ Mini Vine DA0370

Leaky Shed Studio ~ Dress Form 

Wild Orchid Crafts ~ 4mm Rosebuds, Pastel Tone

Midwest Design ~ Touch of Nature - Feathers, white

Fused Pearls ~ iridescent - stash

Beaded Lace ~ Stash

Organza Ribbon ~ Stash

Adhesive Backed Half Pearls ~ Stash

Lion Brand Yarn ~ Romance, Silky White

Hug Snug ~ Seam Binding, white

Burlap - Stash

DecoArt ~ Texture Crackle

Clearsnap by Donna Salazar ~ Mix’d Media Inx ~ Chiffon, Patina, Pewter, Denim

Clearsnap ~ Top Boss - Embossing Powder, clear

Ranger ~ Archival Ink, Jet Black

Viva ~ Pearl Pen, cream

Liquitex ~ Gesso - clear, white

Caran D’ache ~ Neocolor II - Watersoluble Wax Pastels, turquoise blue, cobalt blue, prussian blue

Sparkle N Sprinkle ~ Embossing Powder - Opaline

Stampendous ~ Fran-tage - Shaved Ice

Tim Holtz ~ Stampers Anonymous - Vistual Artistry Clear Stamps, Urban Grunge

Inky Antics ~ Clear Sets - Guided Path

Stampendous ~ Rubber Stamps - Cling Dreams Come True

Tim Holtz ~ Stampers Anonymous - Flourish; Speckles

Darice ~ Heat Tool

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessing ~

Sweet Memories Layout for Helmar

Today, I'm sharing my final project as a regular Helmar designer. I'll be popping back now and then to share projects as a guest designer. 

I thought it would be fun to share how I started using and adoring Helmar products.It all started several years ago when I responded to a joint challenge with Helmar and May Arts. My design package included a bottle of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I had been a tape runner gal, but as I was using more mixed media products in my work found that the elements were not staying adhered to these textures. As I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive on that challenge layout, I became hooked. When that bottle was gone, I had to have more and had my local scrapbooking store special order it for me. (It's now available at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby.)

My favorite reasons for using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

~ Holding Power - my projects never fall apart

~ Adjustment Time - although it dries quickly, I have a few moments to adjust and straighten my adhered elements.

~ It's not stringy

~ No warped paper

I've now had the opportunity to work with most of their fabulous products. Although 450 Quick Dry Adhesive remains my favorite, I've been delighted with all the Helmar products.

Today I've created a mixed media layout. Of course, I've featured Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. Our niece has always adored our son, Joseph. When he married Rachel, that adoration extended to our beautiful daughter-in-law as well. Here's a fun double selfie from Labor Day. Those sweet smiles show just how much they adore each other.

"Sweet Memories"

Tips and Techiques

I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to adhere many of the elements on my layout, but I'm showing the process I used for this piece of crackled chipboard. 

Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive holds very well, so there is no need to apply glue to the entire piece, I just spread it over the oval center portion.

I included this photo so you can see just how textured the background is where I adhered the chipboard needing a very strong adhesive, indeed!

Here's a close-up of this corner all finished. The Large yellow flower is positioned using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. The remaining flowers and butterfly are adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

This gorgeous Leaky Shed Studio chipboard flourish is also adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive but this time to one of the paper mat layers.

I have found that using adhesive under the clear portion of these clear light bulbs often bubbles and shows through. A nice dallop of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive behind the base holds it securely in place with no chance of visible bubbles forming. All flowers are adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

A close-up of the chipboard portion of my title. I raised and adhered the photo mats in two layers using one layer of Helmar 1/2 inch round Zapdots on the lower portion and two Zapdots stuck together under the higher portion shown here.  To adhere the thread. I spread Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive under the mat and tucked the thread into it. The thread showing is not glued down, but securely adhered under the mats. The mats are colored with Pan Pastels and to fix the color, I spritzed with Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative Spray.

Helmar Products

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Crystal Kote Fixative Spray

Zapdots ~ 1/2 in round, white

Liquid Scrap Dots

Leaky Shed Studio Products

Flower Corner

French Oval Frame

Memories Charm

Other Products

7 Dots Studio ~ 9th Wave - Golden Sand, Coral Reef

Prima ~ Melisse Belle

Prima ~ Butterflies - Divine

Prima ~ Candies Flower Bucket

Prima ~ Caboodles A

Prima ~ Firefly, Stone

Petaloo ~ Beaded Peonies - Small, Pink

Petaloo ~ Penny Lane - Ruffled Roses, Vanilla

Petaloo ~ Color Me Crazy - Mii Pearl Daisies

Petaloo ~ Spring Darjeeling Collection - Mini Daisies, w/Leaves

Petaloo ~ Mini Rose Clusters - Pink

Prima ~ Junk Yard Findings - Small Typo Bulbs

Prima ~ Say It in Crystals - Circles

Prima ~ Say It in Crystals #560577

May Arts ~ Iridescent White String - Really Reasonable Ribbon

Jolee's ~ All that Bling - Pink Round Studs

Thread - Pink, Cream

Liquitex ~ Gesso - Clear, White

Golden ~ Light Molding Paste

Lumiere Paint ~ Metallic Gold, Pearlescent Magenta, Halo Violet Gold

Clearsnap ~ Mix'd Media Inx - Stormy, Berries

Ranger ~ Distress Ink - Victorian Velvet, Pumice Stone, Vintage Photo

Ranger ~ Distress - Reinkers

Stampendous ~ Fran-tage Embossing Enamel - Shabby Pink

Luminarte ~ Twinkling H2O's - Black Cherry

Pan Pastels ~ Permanent Red Tine, Magenta, Magenta Shade

Prima ~ Sunrise Sunset Stencil 6"

Glitz ~ Clear Stamps - Distressing D2961

Art Gone Wild Stamps by Donna Salazar ~ Bubble Wrap, Chicken Wire

Ranger ~ Heat It

Darice ~ Heat Tool

Thanks for stopping by today! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

"Your Paths" for OUAS featuring Leaky Shed Studio Chipboard

The Once Upon A...Sketch August Challenge is up and live. Our August journaling theme is, "The Men in Our Lives."

When Elizabeth married Andrew, we were so delighted to add another son to our family. In this fun photo, the groomsmen are "kicking off" Andrew into his new life with Elizabeth. I thought this Scripture sentiment tied in perfectly - we pray that our Lord with direct Andrew's paths as he and Elizabeth look forward to a future together. 

"Your Paths"

(Journaling on Back)

Journaling Theme: The Men in Our Lives

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 your 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! 

August Sketch

I've flipped and rotated the sketch.

For challenge details, more design team inspiration, and to link your project go HERE.

My journaling is on the back of the page and says, "Andrew, your groomsmen are kicking you off into a new life with Elizabeth. It’s my prayer that our Lord with be the center of your relationship and direct your paths together. I hope you have many happy years together."

Tips and Techniques

Lots of mixed media techniques to share. This Leaky Shed Studio Bird Branch was painted with blue metallic paint and dry brushed with white gesso. 

Normally I grunge up my Leaky Shed Studio Gears and Watch Parts more, but I likd the natural chipboard color with this gorgeous 7 Dots Studio paper, so I just lightly inked the edges before adhering, then they also picked up some of the ink I splattered across the page. The two Watch Parts I layered over the larger gears were painted with black gesso for contrast. 

There's lots of layered dimension. The washer strip was cut from brown cardstock and dry brushed with gesso. The frame around my sentiment is a blast from the past. It's an old filmstrip piece with a wood grain finish. I swirled paint across it to freshen up the look. The chipboard heart is covered with aluminum tape and embossed. There are also a couple strips of punchinella with a grid - torn and painted. To keep with the masculine, grungy theme, I've dry brushed the photo edges with gesso. This was actually two separate photos taken by the wedding photographer.

The blue and orange color on the background is added with paint thinned with water and Neocolor II watercolor crayons. The silver frame behind the photo was a scrap piece that held wooden cut-outs used on another project. Yes, I tend to hold onto those odd and end pieces. lol I've also added stamping around the page edges and around the photo cluster. 

Stop by the OUAS blog to link your project HERE.

Leaky Shed Studio Products

Watch Parts

Gear Set

Bird Branch

Other Products

7 Dots Studio ~ Nature Walk, Songbird

Cardstock ~ Brown

Wood Frame ~ Scrap

Filmstrip Frame ~ Stash

Want2Scrap ~ 1/8 cup of Bling - Blue Pearls

Punchinella - Square Mesh - Stash

Thread, black, gold - stash

Caran D'Ache ~ Neocolor II

Jacquard ~ Lumiere Metallic and Pearlescent Paints

DecoArt ~ Paint

Folk Art ~ Paint

Making Memories ~ Glaze Paint

Liquitex ~ Gesso, white, clear, black

Clearsnap by Donna Salazar ~ Mixed Media Inx CHOX - Midnight

Ranger ~ Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Sizzix by Tim Holtz ~ Sizzlets Decorative Strip Die - Washer Border

Sizzix by Tim Holtz ~ Embossing Fade - Riveted Metal

Heartfelt Creations ~ Large Elegant Words Stamp

7Gypsies ~ Steampunk Clear Stamps

Hampton Art ~ Diffusion Stamp

Tim Holtz ~ Seamless Experience Stamp Set

Inky Antics ~ Guided Path Stamp Set

Helmar ~ Liquid Scrap Dots

Helmar ~ Premium Craft Glue

Helmar ~ Zapdots, black 1/2" round

Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Darice ~ Heat Tool

Ranger ~ Craft It 

Sizzix ~ Big Shot

Tim Holtz ~ Grid Blocks

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 ~

"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 ~