Frugal Foiling!

Hi friends! Well, I resisted the urge as long as I could. After many requests from you guys I decided to see if I could foil without buying a foiling machine and toner printer. I dug through my stash and found some foil sheets and metal leaf from the LAST time foiling was all the rage and got to work. I was also curious if I could use the Minc foil because it is available at all the big box stores now so I grabbed a roll of that as well. I don’t have a laser printer or photocopier and although I have a cheap laminator I wanted to use supplies the normal crafter would have so I decided to try this with adhesive tape sheets in my die cut machines.

I had two worries about this method, I was worried that the backing on the adhesive sheet would not stick to my electronic cutting mat but I found that the dull side sticks fine and those cuts turned out well. I was also worried that I would not be able to peel off the backing of the adhesive sheets from the intricate designs from my metal dies (because I was afraid the pressure would bond the backing to the tape) but that too worked a treat!

I discovered that it worked very well with different kinds of foil and metal leaf. I also tested the adhesive with metallic embossing powder and that worked well too! Once I knew the tape could take heat I tried it with micro beads and glitter. This is a fun alternative for detailed sparkle without the foil.

Video!

The adhesive sheets and rolls are from our sponsor Craft Chameleon, formally Punch Place Plus. Adhesive is only one of the many supplies they offer and their prices are fantastic, you get 5 of the big sheets I showed you in the video for $5 and the double-sided sticky tape rolls start at $2.50 (way cheaper than the competition)

Supplies:

• Adhesive sheets & Tape (rolls start at $2.50 and a 5 pack of sheets is only $5)
• Cardstock
• Foil and gold leaf (glitter, embossing powder, microbeads and flock can also be used!)
• Die cut machine or xacto knife/scissors if you want to hand cut your designs.

Directions:
1.  Cut a design from a sheet of adhesive.
2. Remove the backing and press on cardstock. Remove the other backing paper.
3. Press foil shiny side up on adhesive.
4. Remove the excess foil backing. If using metal leafing remove the excess and save it for another project.

Try this with glitter, beads, flock and more, it is such a fun technique! I hope you enjoyed this technique and it has inspired you to try foiling. It is such a popular look right now and if you can do it with some of the stuff you already have all the better! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Paint with me LIVE today! Dandelion fluff in Watercolor/Colored pencils!

Hi friends! I have another live painting tutorial for you today!

We will be using watercolors and colored pencils on this easy painting. You can watch the show live, or the reply on the player below but if you want to ask questions or hang out with other painters in the chat you will need to watch on the YouTube watch page.

Supplies available at out sponsor Jerry’s Artarama:

• Coloursoft Colored Pencils in colors c373, c455, c590, c625, c720, c605, c530, c520, c405, c005, c670, c500, c560, c498
• Turner watercolors (Ultramarine, Burnt sienna, yellow ochre, sap green, all can be fount in the cheaper intro set or purchased individually)
• Mimik Squirrel  #30 round brush
• Black Swan 1/2″ (#12)  flat brush
• and a small stiff brush for lifting stems
• Reference Photo by Carrie Layne Mashon

I can’t wait to paint with you today! I do hope you stop by but if you can’t I understand so the reply will be available. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Heart String Art {on a card!}

Hi freinds! I love Valentine’s day, especially making Valentine cards. This card design uses the hot trend of string art and the classic look of baker’s twine.

I kinda messed my first try up (you can see that in the video) so I decided to make a template for the stitching holes. I recommend this whenever you are going to try a different shape, you can use a ruler and pen to work out how the string will go and save time and as a bonus you can keep the template to use again! Feel free to use this one if making a heart!

Watch the video for full instruction!

Supplies:
White and red cardstock
Bakers Twine
Washi Tape
Paper Piercer (needle tool or thumbtack)
Foam Tape
Rubber Stamps: Balloons animal maker and Sentiment (Stampin Up!)
Ink pads in pink and red (Stampin Up!)

Directions:
1. Poke holes in cardstock using the template. Stamp a sentiment on the cardstock if desired.
2. Thread a needle with twine and stitch through holes in the order indicated on the template.
3. Attach stitched panel to mat and card.
4. Decorate inside of card if desired.

Have you tried the old-fashioned string art where you hammer nails in wood and wrap the string? That is so popular right now and I’ve seen some really fun creations! I hope you give this trendy look a try on your next card. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Sponsored by Papermart

Stamp School: Intro to Mixed Media & Watercolor Powders!

Hi friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week! I had a really fun time working on tonight’s project. It is a mixed media card and the thing I love about mixed media is that anything goes!

I even used the scratch paper that protects my table to make the envelope! Watch the video to see how!

Video!

Hot Deal!

• Supplies can be found at our sponsor Lost Coast Designs.  Mention TheFrugalCafter in the comments if ordering any stamps or watercolor powders from Lost Coast Designs and save 15%! Discounts will be deducted before they run your credit card or refunded if using PayPal.

Supplies:
Borders, flower and words stamps (Lost Coast Designs)
Waterprook black inkpad (Ranger Archival)
Gold pigment ink pad and gold embossing powder
Heat tool and iron (optional)
Nuance watercolor powders
Watercolor paper (hot press)
White Cardstock
Scrap paper to protect your work area (and will be used to make a matching envelope)
Washi tape
Deli Paper
Heart die cuts (or scissors to hand cut)
Lace trim or ribbon
Buttons
Stencils
***And anything you like! There are no rules, use what you have and most of all have fun!

As promised here is a swatch of the Nuance pigment watercolor powders, they are available in a set of by the pot. I have the set and the color names were not on the containers but you can tell the colors going by the chart on their website.

Here is the link to the butterfly card tutorial, I used Mod-Podge as a resist instead of embossing powder on that one. Think of all of the supplies you have and how you can incorporate them into your next card! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Look what I did today…

Hi friends! I thought I would get a couple of these live shows under my belt before I made a big to-do about it but it was so much fun that I had to share. Last week was the first episode of a 12 week series called Video Entrepreneurs on the Video Creators YouTube channel. It is a panel discussion with 6 full-time youtubers where we discuss the business of YouTube and how to improve our channels. Each week a different creator is in the “hot seat” (my turn is next week) and can ask advice of the others. This series is designed to help other creators improve their channels too. Here is a replay of todays live show:

I hope this helps other creators, if nothing else it might be interesting for anyone wanting to know a little more about what being a full time youtuber is like. It’s kinda crazy that I get to do this for a living, I never expected it when I started my channel almost 6 years ago. I hope you don’t mind this change of content today, I will be back with another Stamp School video tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

I don’t often post haul videos…

…but when I do they are a doozy! Hi friends, today I want to share some products that I will be featuring in upcoming tutorials. I will share links to the goods below (if available) as well as discount codes that can save you cash. Let me know what products you would like to see me use first in the comments below.

Warning, this is a haul video and may make you want to buy things…

Here is where you can find the stuff I showed today:

• AC Moore
• Stampin Up (Wendy Cranford)
• Rubber Stamp Tapestry *20% off any order of $10 or more of peg stamps and sets (so it does not apply to inks, tools, etc), coupon code:  RST16
• Lost Coast Designs *Mention The frugal Crafter in the comments section of your order and get 15% off  (will be refunded if ordering on PayPal or deducted before running your credit card)
• Art Neko 10% off or free shipping over $50 when you mention The Frugal Crafter in the comments section of your order (discount refunded)
• Stampendous
• Simon Says Stamp (affiliate link)

Disclaimer: Many of the products were sent to me from sponsors and affiliates in exchange for promotional consideration. However I only showcase products I personally enjoy and hope you will too:) Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my new supplies, I always love to dig through new boxes of art goodies with a friend. Let me know what products you would like me to work with first and til next time happy crafting!

Brush Marker Comparison!

Hi Friends! Today I am comparing 6 of the most popular brush markers on the market to see how they hold up and if they play nice together.

Honestly I like all of these but they each have unique qualities that different artists might prefer. Here is a handy checklist to print and record notes on as you try other brands yourself. brush_marker_comparison_chart

Now watch the video!

Here are the markers I used today (affiliate links used when available, thank you for your support:)

• Tria markers (letraset)
• Winsor & Newton BRUSHmarkers (formally Letraset FLEXmarkers and cheaper on the letraset website)
• Prismacolor Brush Tip Markers
• Sharpie Brush markers
• Copic Sketch or Ciao Markers
• Chameleon Color Tones

So now that you have the information you can go forth and color. Also, if you already have a bunch of chisel tip markers you can use them with your brush markers. I suggest you try a couple from each company before investing in a huge set and get different colors because they do play nice together. I keep all of my alcohol markers together for just that reason. Experiment ad have fun! If you have any questions let me know in the comments. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

LIVE Painting Show Today! Candies or Hearts?

Hi friends! It has been a crazy week here so I am so looking forward to hanging out and painting with you today! I will be live on YouTube (or you can watch in the player below) at 12:30pm Eastern Time for a fun painting. You can paint this:

Or this, I painted the jar of candies from Lilian Bell at Paint my Photo but quickly wished I had filled my jar with conversation hearts instead so I bought a bag at Target yesterday and found a very similar jar in my stash.

I will paint the hearts live but I will tell you the color mix options for the candies so you can follow along and do which ever one you prefer and since it is live and I have my awesome niece Sarah monitoring the comments you can ask me questions as we go if you don’t understand something. Make sure to watch on the YouTube watch page if you want to see the chat and ask questions. If you miss the live show you can always catch the replay here. 😀

All the supplies can be found at our sponsor Jerry’s Artarmama!

• Turner Acryl Gouache (but you can use any acrylics or gouache, an assortment of bright colors and white)
• 8″x10″ canvas (If using traditional watercolor gouache use watercolor paper though)
• Nylon brushes (the ones in the Turner kit are perfect!)
• Water, paper towels, pencil or graphite paper (you can trace the photo if you don’t feel like sketching)

I hope to see you at the live show! If you can’t make it I understand, that’s why I keep the replay available:) Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Edible Bouquet for Valentine’s Day!

Hi friends! Make this sweet treat for a classroom or office full of friends using supplies from our sponsor Papermart!

Watch the video to see how!

Supplies:
Pretzels
Chocolate candy wafers
Clear cello bags or plastic wrap
Crepe Paper
Washi Tape
Mason Jar
Ribbon
Flower & leaf dies (Tim Holtz/Sizzix)

Directions:
1. Place pretzels in clear bags or wrap with plastic wrap.
2. Die cut flowers and leaves from crepe paper. Fold flowers into quarters and snip off point. Unfold and slide on pretzel.
3. Secure flowers with washi tape. Shape and tape on leaves.
4. Place in mason jar decorated with a ribbon.

Here is a tutorial on making the pretzels.  I hope you try this fun craft and let the kids help, mine love making the pretzels and they are such a fun treat to share with classmates on Valentine’s day! Happy crafting!