Metallic Stamping with PanPastels & Stamp Winner!

Hello friends! Well, the last time I looked at a clock it was lunchtime. Ever had a day like that? That’s fine, I like busy days once in a while and I love days when I get to announce winners! I got over 500 entries on the Artneko giveaway post and the lucky winner is…. Ruth Pfinder! Ruth, check your email! OK, I’m gonna keep this post short but I do have a fun technique video using clear embossing ink and metallic chalk. I am using the metallic PanPastels Hubby got me for Christmas but you can use whatever you have. Watch the video to see how it is done:

Video! Sorry, email subscribers, I still can’t get the video thumbnail to show up in email so you’ll have to see it on my blog:( 

Did you like the triple looped bow? If you want to get your paws on one of the handmade wooden bow making jigs my husband makes than you can email me at artstudiosofbangor@yahoo.com and I will send you a PayPAl invoice and ship one right out to you! Thanks to the several people who ordered today already after watching the video, it is very much appreciated;) The butterfly stamp I used is by ArtNeko and papers and cardstock are from the scrap bin. Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Let’s Use Chalk Paint to Gussy Stuff Up!

Hi friends! Today I am going to show you how I use Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint to refurbish some odds and ends I had kicking around the studio, I never met a box I didn’t like remember…

They started out looking like this:

I was sent this chalk paint to try out from Plaid, I wanted to put it through its paces and see how it covered on glossy painted wood, paper covered wood, hard board, raw wood and wooden beads.  Watch the video to see how it worked and to see my bonus tip for art journalers!

Video!

Here is a look at the supplies I got to work with. They are not cheap but they are excellent quality. I know the brushes will last for years. Often when you buy large hog bristle brushes they shed hairs and when you look down the middle of the brush you can see a gap in the bristles where the handle is. Not with these, they are packed with bristles that are firmly set in the ferrule. The brushes are well-balanced and comfortable to use which is important with a big brush so you do not get fatigued working on a large project.

The wax finish is the final step in these projects. Now, I’m not gonna lie, the buffing of the wax is work. I would not wax a large piece of furniture unless you try the wax on a small project first to see if you can hack it. It looks great and the more you buff it the glossier it looks but it is honestly the hardest part of the project. I don’t know what I was thinking waxing those beads! Live and learn:)

I wanted a sweet little watercolor to put in my distressed frame. You can find the tutorial for painting it here.

I have had summer on the mind lately, I think the little boxes will be great for putting beach treasures in or maybe putting small activities to keep the kids busy during road trips. The bead box would be nice for brushes and paints I think too! What would you put in them! Of course someday I’d love to have a camp on the water and I could totally see these sitting on my bookshelf there but for now I can paint and dream 🙂

Please visit PlaidOnline for more information, free project ideas and to purchase Folk Art Home Decor Chalk or any other of their fine products (they are the mod-podge people you know!) It is generous companies like this that allow me to provide fun craft projects everyday! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Watercolor Bookmarks!

Hi Friends! Small projects are a great way to try out new techniques. I used a combination of stamping, drawing and water-coloring to make these 3 bookmarks:

I used a few Caran D’ache watercolor pencils I recently purchased at MerriArtist, I ordered these and some other goodies last Saturday and got them on Tuesday! Fast service, great prices and wonderful customer service. I am not affiliated with them but they did give me a coupon code to share: 10off for $10 off an order of $100 or more and free shipping. Today I am reviewing the Caran D’ache Supracolor pencils, Caran d’ache water brush (a gift from MerriArtist) and Aquabee 90lb watercolor paper (a real bargain!) Have a look at the video for the tutorial and review.

Video!

After the picture was dry I cut it into 3 panels. I inked the edges and added some stamping with black ink. The edge swirls are by Autumn Leaves, the corner flourish is by Inkadinkado and the Chinese calligraphy is retired from PSX. When I was happy with the look I ran it through my laminating machine (I got my laminator from LTD commodities for $17 and the refill pouches come in a 100 variety pack for $5, another steal of a deal and it has worked well for me for a couple of years, unfortunately I could not find a link to this online.) You can also use contact paper or packing tape to laminate them even cheaper! The lamination really enhances the color and will protect the bookmarks (and your books) from color migration. I also wanted to mention the there is another watercolor pencil by Caran d’ache called “museum” which are more light-fast and expensive that are probably better in quality. I did not know about them when I ordered these or I would have bought a few to compare. I do not know how light-fast these are but the laminating will help prevent fading.

I think I see more bookmarks in my future! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Embossing Pouch!

Hi Friends! In today’s video I will show you how to make an anti-static embossing pouch so you can create perfect rubber stamped images! After that we will make a card!

Video!

Embossing pouch supplies:

• fabric scrap (thin material like cotton or muslin or old t-shirt)
• corn starch or baby powder or Talc/talcum powder
• rubber band

Directions: Cut a 6″ or larger square of fabric. Put 1-2 tablespoons of powder in the center of fabric. Gather up the edges and secure with a rubber band. To use simply pounce and wipe on your cardstock before stamping and heat embossing. You can also use this to de-static other things like glitter trays/funnels. It will also help in to stick to hard to stamp papers better even if you are not embossing.

Card Supplies:

• Hot press watercolor paper or smooth cardstock
• Watercolor markers (Spectrum Aqua) 
• Bicycle Stamp (Rubbernecker) 
• Pattern paper from Nantucket stack (DCVW)
• Spray bottle of water
• Kraft cardstock for card base
• Heat tool, embossing ink (aka glycerin)
• Black embossing powder

BTW here is the ATG shim video I told you about. I am still having trouble with video thumbnails not showing up for my email subscribers,  I hope the issue is fixed soon and you don’t mind popping over here to see the projects. Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

An Easy Easter Centerpiece with Basic Supplies!

Hi Friends! Today I will show you how to make this pretty Easter decoration using basic crafting supplies:

Supplies:

• A washed tin can
• Acrylic Paint
• Paper doilies (I used pretty ones in the seasonal section of the dollar store)
• Offray Ribbon: 1 1/2″ Single Faced satin in Navajo Turquoise, 1 1/2″ Contessa in butter-cream, self adhesive green die-cut ribbon, 3/8″ stitched purple grosgrain
• Yarn in pastel colors
• Styrofoam eggs
• Bamboo skewers
• Tacky glue
• Green paper
• Scissors
• Something to weigh down the centerpiece like sand or marbles.

Time needed: 1.5 hours plus drying time

Directions:

1. Paint a tin can (mine was from spaghetti sauce) with aqua acrylic paint. Let dry.
2. Coat Styrofoam eggs with tacky glue and wrap with pastel colored yarn. Let dry.
3. Wrap doilies around can (trimming the bottom flat) and secure with glue.
4. Wrap can with ribbons and adhere. Tie a bow at the tip pf the can.
5. Fill the can with sand or marbles so it does not tip over.
6. Use scissors the fringe strips of green paper and place them in the can.
7. Push bamboo skewers into the eggs and arrange in the can.
8. Tie a bow on the tallest egg skewer to decorate.

I hope you enjoyed this project sponsored by Offray.com, please visit their website for more seasonal project ideas and inspiration. Til next time happy crafting!

Classic Americana & Versatile Kraft!

Hi Friends! One of the most versatile supplies in my craft room is Kraft paper. One minute it is covering my work surface to protect it from ink and paint spills and the next moment is it being used to beautifully wrap a gift. Kraft doesn’t just stop at paper, you can get so many products from Papermart made from sturdy kraft paper and cardboard and with just a few supplies tun them in to beautiful custom party decor and gift packaging.

The big reason I like kraft is that it goes with everything! It is may favorite neutral. Sure black is elegant and white is a pure blank canvas but kraft is comfortable and since it is a mid value color already you don’t have to do much to it to make it look done. Watch the video and see what I mean.

Here is a list of supplies I used:

• Kraft Take Out Boxes
• Kraft Shipping Tags
• Kraft Tin Tie Coffee Bags
• Kraft Jewelry Boxes
• Star Garland
• Jute Cord
• Kraft paper by the roll
• Patterned Scrapbook Paper (Nantucket line DCWV)
• Gesso or acrylic paint, 1″ wide brush and make-up sponge
• Dry Adhesive such as ATG gun
• Stamps: Tim Holtz, Kaiser Kraft and Stampin’ Up!
• Brown Ink

Directions: Distress the kraft paper products with gesso and ink. Layer on paper and stamp. Embellish with jute cord and star garland.

Try dressing up your kraft paper products with pastel shades of acrylic paint for Easter, bridal and baby showers, try mint and gold for weddings and try stamping polka-dots with a wine cork and any color acrylic paint on kraft paper to make a cheerful birthday wrap! The more you use kraft paper the more ideas you will come up with! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

 

 

Happy Ask a Crafter Day!

Hi Friends! I almost got top 50 degrees today and I am starting to see bits of ground outside! Yipeee! And it was sunny today! It sure does wonders for a gals outlook! Do you have any spring weather happening in your neck of the woods? I hope so, we have all had a doozy of a winter this year and I’m sure I’m not the only one ready for spring! Speaking of sunshine I am with my gal-pals Lorraine and Kathy for another riveting Ask a Crafter, grab a drink and join us, wont you?

Video!

Thanks so much for spending time with us today! In a word full of rushing around isn’t it nice to relax with friends sometimes? Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Who wants to win stamps and make an easy card?

Today I have a limited supply project and a giveaway! You can win the stamps by ArtNeko I used to make this card:

I considered editing down this video to make it about 5 minutes. I thought who needs a 17 minute long video on making such a simple card. I watched the video looking for spots to chop but every bit I though of chopping contained a tip that someone might find useful so if it feels too long feel free to skip ahead or watch it is double speed (click the gear at the bottom to speed it up) I figure it is better to leave the extras in for those who want them.

Supplies:

1. Art Neko Sympathy stamp & Framed Plum Blossom stamp (use coupon code Lindsay10% for a 10% discount of non-sale rubber!)
2. Archival Ink
3. Spectrum Aqua Markers and Tombow Blender Pen
4. Hot Press Watercolor Paper
5. Cardstock (kraft) and pattern paper scrap
6. Grosgrain Ribbon
7. Adhesive (ATG and hot glue)

Note about the Bow Making Tool, I was having some technical issues on my shophandmade store where I sold the Bow Making Jigs my hubby made, if you would like to order one you can send me an email at artstudiosofbangor@yahoo.com and put “bow making jig order” in the subject line and I can send you a PayPal invoice. The Jigs are $20 plus shipping ($6 US Priority Mail, $16 international first class) and handcrafted from beautiful, durable hardwood.

I hope you found the tutorial on blending and all the random tips useful! If you want to win the stamps I used simply leave a comment below, I will draw a winner at random in one week (3/31/15) and this giveaway is open to everyone on the planet!  Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Let’s Paint an Orchid Together!

Hi friends! Today we are going to paint this orchid! I was so happy to see it in bloom again, surely it is a sign of spring right?

I will show you how to draw the orchid in the video but if you prefer to have a pattern I have a similar orchid illustration in the Fancy Flowers digital stamp set. I sketched the picture with a yellow watercolor pencil and I also used my new Golden Qor watercolors.

I have to say I like using them much better dry in the tin AND they dried quickly, I was even able to close the tin without them falling out of the wells ad making a mess. I think the Aquazol binder these paints use help the paint adhere to the palette better. That said the color released quickly when touched with a wet brush. I enjoyed these so much that I ordered the other two intro sets of 6 from MerriArtist because they had them cheaper ($20.99 vs $24.49 a set at all of the big store I usually order from) and a coupon (coupon code 10OFF) for $10 off an order of $100 and free shipping on orders over $90. I am not affiliated with MerriArtist but I ordered Saturday and my order should be here tomorrow so I am happy! You don’t have to have these paints though, any watercolor paints will work. Watch the video to see how it is done:

If you don’t have any watercolor pencils you can sketch lightly with a pencil and when it comes time to do the veining on the orchids you can use a thin liner brush and paint but you need to let the petals DRY completely first instead of working on the wet petals with the watercolor pencils.  I used Prima watercolor pencils but any brand is fine. I hope you try this lesson. Several viewers who saw the video on YouTube already have shared their beautiful paintings with me on TheFrugalCrafter facebook page and they all turned out so nicely. I love seeing the painting you have made, it touched my heart that you would take time out of your day to watch my videos and make a painting or project that I designed. I also love you guys supporting each others creative endeavors.  🙂 Thanks so much for spending some of your day with me and til tomorrow happy crafting!