Garden of Grace: Masculine

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Monday, June 6, 2022

Amazing Paper Grace June 2022 Die of the Month: Pop-Up 3D Vignette Road Trip

Welcome to my creative space!

When I saw this fabulous Amazing Paper Grace June Die of the Month I thought what an adorable card it would make for my husband who's a car guy. He likes his cars shiny and clean, so that was the direction I planned to go with this 3D car die set. Then . . . . . . . the more I looked at the shape of this car, I started thinking of old barn find roadsters covered in rust and patina. I searched for images and there was no turning back. I had to transform this adorable car into a grungy "American Pickers" rusty classic. I'd adore hearing from you in the comments to let me know what you think! (Oh and by the way, that's my husband in the driver's seat. He adores taking his cars out for drives around the countryside.)

While it took some time and effort to achieve the rusty patina effect on this car, it was well worth it! I also wanted to show you something that still has that rusty patina effect, but is quick and easy to put together. On the flat card, the car is die cut from paper with a rusty patina print. It still has that grungy patina feel, but in a fraction of the time. With Father's Day just around the corner, these cards would be perfect for that special dad or father figure in your life.

Be sure to scroll down through the Tips and Techniques section below for all the details on how I created these barn find roadster cards.

Many thanks to Amazing Paper Grace for providing the dies used in this project!

There are 26 cutting dies included in the Pop Up 3D Vignette Road Trip.

3D Roadster Card

"Enjoy the Ride" Flat Roadster Card

Tips and Techniques

I used a combination of Rust Paste, which is basically rust and patina colored acrylic paints with grit added for rusty texture, metallic acrylic paint, liquid acrylic paint, and Artisan Powder to create this patina effect. You could really use whatever rusty paint colors you have in your stash to create a similar effect.

I mixed the mediums on a palette, but left streaks of the various colors just like you would find in natural rust and patina. I used a dabbing motion to apply the paints, then lightly brushed over it while still wet in a downward motion to give the feel of rust that has happened over time dripping down over the car. The yellow headlights are rubbed with Rusty Brown Matte Wax to make them look a bit dirty.

The dash board is lightly rubbed with distress inks to add to the grungy feel.

***Tip*** When using paints containing any kind of grit, be sure to use an old or inexpensive brush, as the grit will fray the bristles and damage the brush. I have a couple brushes set aside just for this use.

The back of this card is just as fun as the front with with the spare tire and fun sentiments to pick from. I used the same paint technique here on the back. I applied a little grungy ink to the white wall on the tire. The shiny red lights are toned down by rubbing with Rusty Brown Matte Wax, but no rust since glass doesn't rust.

Don't you just adore how these 3D Vignette cards slide to lie flat for posting? I added the rusty patina effect to the hinges and slot pieces that make up the center of the card as well.

Because this card has a front and a back, I needed to do something to the back of each piece. The metallic paper that I used has a kraft back, and would not have looked right if left as is. The solution was quite simple. I mixed up some emerald and deep blue metallic paints to brush over the back of each piece. Once dry, I lightly dry brushed the pieces with Hazelnut metallic paint in a downward motion to give a bit of that rusty feel. I didn't go all out with the patina mixture on the backs but this quick paint on the backs helps give a cohesive look to the card.

***Tip*** The paint caused the pieces to curl, so once they were dry to the touch, I layered them in paper towels between two glass mats with a few heavy books on top and let them sit overnight. By the next day they were perfectly flat again.

A close-up of this fun sentiment on the back. You can see that the mix of pouncing on the rusty color along with brushing over it gives a natural rusty feel. The shiny black tires and back seat are rubbed with a bit more of that rusty brown matte wax to grunge them up just a little.

Here you get a perfectly grungy car just by die cutting it from paper with a rusty patina design. This car image fits perfectly into the largest Fluted Classics Rectangle. This fluted frame is cut from a different section of the same paper that has more of the rust color in it and is placed over a grungy printed paper in a lighter color so the car image will pop. The sentiment is cut from the lighter paper as well.

The metal accent pieces like the bumper and grille are cut from metallic silver cardstock. To keep it simple, I didn't add any inking or grungy mixed media affects to this card, but just adore the way it turned out.

My husband wears a lot of red and blue, so I gave him a red shirt in the 3D car and blue here on the flat card.

A few final shots

Supplies:

Amazing Paper Grace Dies:

Amazing Paper Grace June 2022 Die of the Month – Pop Up 3D Vignette Road Trip.
S5-475 Fluted Classics Rectangles

Paper:

Scrapbook.com ~ Christmas - Smooth Cardstock Paper Pad - Slimline
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ 8 x 8 Kraft Stock - Metallic - Confections
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ 8 x 8 Kraft Stock - Metallic - Jewels
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ 8 x 8 Kraft Stock - Metallic
Craft Consortium ~ Patina, 12x12" Paper Pad
Prima ~ Timeless Memories, 12x12" Paper Pad
Concord & 9th ~ Dove
Cardstock ~ Black, Red, Blue, White, Skin Tone

Ink:

Distress Ink ~ Frayed Burlap; Pumice Stone

Mixed Media:

Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Rust Effect Paste: Gold Rust; Red Rust; Turquoise
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Liquid Acrylic: Burnt Sienna; Emerald
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Matte Wax: Rusty Brown
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Metallique Acrylic Paint: Hazelnut; Emerald Green; Deep Waters
Frank Garcia with Prima Marketing ~ Artisan Powder: Clay

Embellishments:

Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Hardware Heads

Adhesives:

Scrapbook.com ~ Clear Double Sided Adhesive Roll - Permanent
Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Beacon ~ 3-IN-1 Advanced Craft Glue
Beacon ~ Fabri-Tac
Tombow ~ Mono MULTI Liquid Glue
Foam Tape ~ 1"

Tools:

Spellbinders ~ Platinum 6

The Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month is available exclusively at Spellbinders Paper Arts during June 2022, Pop Up 3D Vignette Road Trip along with other membership perks.

View this month’s Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month!

I would adore hearing from you! Please leave a comment below letting me know how you will use these fabulous dies!

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Monday, May 30, 2022

"Adoring You" Fathers Day Card for Amazing Paper Grace

Welcome to my creative space!

Father's Day is just around the corner, and I thought I'd share how to transform delicate and feminine Amazing Grace Die sets into a masculine card for that special father in your life. I know that some makers are challenged to create guy cards, so I hope this helps inspire you to try out a masculine card with Amazing Paper Grace dies if you haven't already.

I've featured the Adoring Fleurette Card Builder set (S5-493) to create this Father's Day card for my sweet husband. By using neutral colors and arranging some industrial steampunk elements around the center you can get a nice masculine feel. I cut the black border frame with the Scalloped Symphony Notecard set (S6-177). The metal embellishments were mostly silver so I rubbed them with art waxes to give them that aged industrial feel.

Be sure to scroll down through the "Tips and Techniques" section below for close-ups and all the details on how to create this masculine Father's Day card.

Thank you Amazing Paper Grace for providing the dies used in this project.

Tips and Techniques

Here's a close-up of the center of the card. The scrolled background is die cut in two pieces which gives it a lot of versatility and allows you to vary the width of the card. I wanted to use this black border piece from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard set, but the two background pieces did not fit snugly together to fit the dimension of the black border piece. No problem at all. The emblem piece behind the sentiment covers the gap between the two pieces. Easy peasy fix! Both the scrolled background and the emblem are cut from a beautiful leather print paper for a masculine feel. The edges of the emblem are inked lightly with Black Soot Distress Ink.

The emblem is popped up using foam tape, so that you can tuck some of the other elements underneath. This layering gives beautiful dimension. I rubbed several grungy colors of art wax in both metallic and matte finishes to add an aged industrial metal feel to the metal pieces. The edges of the fabric tape are frayed to add to the vintage look.

This half gear has more of the wax finish on it. For a list of colors used, scroll down to my supply list below. I adore texture, so added some microbeads and prills in black and metallic colors.

The number piece below the sentiment is simply glued in place and adds such a nice touch to balance everything out.

I used foam tape to adhere the light base behind the scrollwork to the black frame piece to pop it up and add more depth and dimension.

One final view. I bet you can tell from my staging pieces that I enjoy designing masculine creations and hope that this excitement is contagious!

Amazing Paper Grace Dies:

Paper:

Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Backdrops Vol 1
Tim Holtz Core'dinations Cardstock, Neutral

Ink:

Ranger ~ Distress Ink: Black Soot

Mixed Media:

Finnabair with Prima ~ Metallique Wax: Bronze Age; Aged Brass
Finnabair with Prima ~ Matte Wax: Rusty Brown; Charcoal Black
Finnabair with Prima ~ Microbeads, Black
Finnabair with Prima ~ Soft Matte Gel
US ArtQuest ~ Prills: Gilt Trip

Embellishments:

Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Gauge Dials
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Linen Tape: Patchwork
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Industrial Gears
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Mini Plaquetttes
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Adornments: Foundry
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Tiny Clips
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Hex Fasteners
Tim Holtz with Idea-ology ~ Mini Gears

Adhesives:

Beacon ~ 3-IN-1 Advanced Craft Glue
Beacon ~ Fabri-Tac
Tombow ~ Mono MULTI Liquid Glue
Double Sided Tape ~ 1/4"
Helmar ~ 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L ~ 3D Foam Squares, Black
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L ~ Thin 3D Foam Squares, Black
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L ~ Crafty Foam Tape, Black

Tools:

Spellbinders ~ Platinum 6

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Monday, March 7, 2022

Grungy Steampunk Bee Slimline Card for Amazing Paper Grace

Welcome to my creative space!

I just adore the industrial steampunk style and had so much fun creating this slimline card featuring the fabulous Amazing Paper Grace Fluted Classics Slimline die set (S6-186 Fluted). The medallions from this month's gorgeous Die of the Month, Bella Ovalette (DOMAPG-Mar22) fit perfectly across this card to layer under my steampunk elements.

What's better than combining grungy rust and patina with an intricate steampunk bee? This Zuri Designs bee is colored with metallic paints and waxes while the faucet knobs came with the rusted finish. The beautiful medallions are cut from both patterned paper and thin black chipboard and offset when adhered for a shadow effect. As you scroll down through the Tips and Techniques section, you will discover the details on how I put this card together.

Thank you Amazing Paper Grace for providing the dies used on this card!

Tips and Techniques

You can see in this close-up how I layered the medallion pieces. At first I cut the black chipboard to add thickness to pop up these gorgeous pieces to give them more dimension, but realized how beautiful the shadow effect would be once I die cut the shapes. What do you think? Amazing Paper Grace Dies are so delicate and elegant, but some of them really do work quite perfectly in a steampunk design.

This beautiful intricate insect is molded from the bee in the wonderful Zuri Designs Wings of Beauty silicone mold. It is brushed with a base of black gesso, then the wings and body are lightly dry brushed with ginger acrylic paint then some red and firebird waxes. this will give a rusty effect under the highlights I'll be adding with metallic waxes. Be sure to allow some of the black to show through.

Gold metallic paint is applied to the raised design on the abdomen, thorax, and eyes. I used a small tip paintbrush for eyes, and my finger to apply the paint to the body, but you could also use a sponge makeup wedge. I know the wings are opaque, but to give a bit of an iridescent effect, I used a mix of patina green and peacock waxes to highlight the design on the wings. The legs, face, and antennae are rubbed with firebird and red amber waxes.

You can see how fabulous the fluted design is around the edges of the card. I also added a piece of the patina blue paper behind the die cut base to frame the card and help accent the beautiful medallions. These grungy faucets came already painted, so all I needed to do was glue them down. The center was raised because the edges are sitting on the medallion design, so I addd a piece of chipboard to the center to give enough depth to adhere there as well as around the edges. I like to make sure my heavier metal pieces are good and secure.

I just adore how perfectly these medallions fit across this fluted slimline card! The fabulous sentiment and grungy ruler were actually on the back of the bottom strips of the paper I used. I just couldn't resist incorporating them on my card. The focal paper already had a rusty patina design, so I didn't need to do much to it. I just added a bit of black ink spatter to increase the grunge level.

I hope you've enjoyed this card and are inspired to try out a different style using Becca's Amazing Paper Grace die designs.

Amazing Paper Grace Die Sets:

Paper:

Kaisercraft ~ Scrap Yard Collection
Cardstock ~ Black
Thin Chipboard ~ Black

Ink:

Ranger ~ Bundled Sage

Mixed Media:

Zuri Designs ~ Wings of Beauty Silicone Mold
Amazing Casting Resin ~ White
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Sparks Acrylic Paint: Ginger Magic
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Metallique Acrylic Paint: Gold Rush
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Metallique Wax: Firebird; Peacock
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Antique Brilliance Wax: Red Amber
Finnabair with Prima Marketing ~ Matte Wax: Patina Green
Liquitex ~ Gesso, Black

Embellishments:

Pink Fresh Studio: Metallic Pearls: Matte Gold
Faucet Knobs (purchased at a local craft store)

Adhesives:

Beacon ~ 3-IN-1 Advanced Craft Glue
Beacon ~ Fabri-Tac
Double Sided Tape ~ 1/4"
Tombo ~ Mono MULTI Liquid Glue

Tools:

Spellbinders ~ Platinum 6

I am an affiliate with Zuri Designs and receive a small commission at no

cost to you if you purchase from them using a link from this post.

You can find their online store HERE

and the Wings of Beauty mold can be found HERE.

Thanks so much for your support!