Stamping Without Ink! {Stamp School}

Hi friends! Sometimes our crafting plans change mid project. When I began this stamping session I had planned to make a bunch of Project Life type cards so I could quickly scrapbook my vacation when I got back but the creative muse had other plans….

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow, and that is just what I did.  Watch the video to see how fun it is to stamp with water-soluble crayons/pastels and markers and how to salvage supplies you pre-cut for one project to make them work with another.

Sponsored by Art Neko  *Save 10% off your next order of any size or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Japanese Marine #2
• Media: water-soluble oil pastels (or crayons) Waterbased markers
• White and cream cardstock
• Patterned paper (Tim Coffee Travel Specialty paper pack from K&Co)
• Scissors
• Spray bottle with water
• Waterbrush or small brush and water

Directions:
1. Spritz stamp with water and color the rubber with water-soluble crayons or markers. Stamp on white cardstock and spread areas of ink with a wet brush. Cut images out.

2. Trim patterned paper and stamp on the paper if you want, you can also flick and spatter any paint on the paper if you like.

3. Assemble paper and stamped images on card base. Stamp accent on envelopes if desired.

I love how this card (like many other of my cards and scrapbook pages) uses paper as an embellishment. I love finding scrapbook paper that has lots of elements than can be cut apart and used to decorate. It keeps postage cost down, it is easy to store and if you can find papers that are from the same line they all coordinate so it can take some of the guesswork out. So, the next time you find a project going awry, don’t fret, just go with it and see what happens! Happy crafting!

Winsor & Newton Watercolor Review!

Hi friends! Please excuse my brain cramp yesterday, I can’t believe I blogged the same project twice and t never occurred to me until I was scrolling through my blog looking for something this morning. Sorry about that. Today I have a paint review for you, one that has been requested a lot! Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolors. These are the paints I used on the barn owl painting on Friday.

In this watercolor paint review we will look at Winsor & Newton Artist watercolors vs their Cotman range and also compare them to other artist quality watercolors.

I am reviewing the 24 color halfpan set I purchased on Amazon for $87

Pros:
Strong pigmentation of colors
Most single pigment colors
Good flow
re-wets easily
Paint does not bead up on metal palette
Available worldwide

Cons:
Weak earth tones
Can be very expensive (I bought them because I got a deal, this set retails for about $212)

Bottom Line, these are lovely paint and probably the most famous watercolor brand. They are nice but there are other cheaper brands on the market that are just as good though. I hope you found this review helpful and til next time happy crafting!

My Foxy Valentine! {Stamp School}

Hi friends! Today in Stamp School I will share several techniques for getting the most out of your stamp pads and reinkers and also show you how to make a bobble head element for your card.

Watch the video for lots of tips and techniques!

This video is sponsored by Wendy Cranford at Luvin Stampin!

***It is Sale-a-Bration time so you can earn a free product with every $50 you spend, use the host code: GQTMCYYQ through Feb. 23rd to receive fun goodies like free card kits with the $50 minimum order, AND… she is also giving 12 FREE printable tutorials each month when you purchase $50 or more from her during the month… YOU MUST use the host code if your order is under $150 to get these benefits:)

Supplies:

• Brights reinker bundle *You can use reinkers to reink stamp-pads, watercolor make spray mists (add water) and refill markers and pens!
• Hexagon embossing folder 
• Foxy Bundle
• Craft wire
• Paint brush
• Watercolor paper or Bristol
• White cardstock
• Melon Mambo Cardstock
• Inkpads: Pumpkin Pie , Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Early Espresso
• OR get blank ink cubes and make mini inkpads with your reinkers

I hope you give some of these techniques a try and if you liked this project please consider sharing it by using one of the handy sharing buttons below. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

This is How a Paper Hoarder makes a Card!

Hi friends! I have a serious problem and I think many paper-crafters can relate. Precious paper. You know that stuff that is too pretty to use, and to add insult to injury sometimes there is a gorgeous paper on the back side too! I seriously feel like I need to buy a couple of sheets to use and a couple to keep. Luckily my frugalness keeps me from buying 5 sheets of the same piece of paper but cutting into my one and only sheets pains me. Today I am going to show you how to stretch that lovely paper and make a cute card!

Watch the video for instructions!

Supplies: *Sponsored by Tupelo Designs

• Stamps: Stampendous Pink Your Life Pink Your Life line
• Stamping ink: Ranger Archival
• Ink: (colors) Memento
• Paper Graphic 45
• White cardstock
• Smooth watercolor or Bristol board
• Watercolor markers (I used Zig Real Brush pens) or For a budget alternative try Spectrum Aqua markers
• Blender pen
• ATG adhesive: ATG adhesive
• Clear Glue

Directions:
1. Stamp several images to build a scene. Work big to small so everything fits and is balanced.

2. Color with markers.

3. Adhere papers and stamped panel ad embellishments to card.

I hope you try some of these techniques and I also hope you use some of the precious paper in your collection because if there is one thing we know for sure, there WILL be more pretty paper to buy in the future.Thanks for stopping by ad til next time happy crafting!

Live! Owl in Watercolor Tutorial, 12:30pm ET!

Edited to add: Here is the final painting from the live stream! As always the replay is available below:) Have a great weekend!

Hi friends! Today at 12:30pm Eastern Time on YouTube we will paint a barn owl in watercolors! This is a colorful loose painting and everyone is welcome to paint along. Here is a quick color study I did of today’s painting:

This video tutorial is sponsored by Jerry’s Artarmama! You can watch the live stream or replay in the player below but if you want to chat live during the show you will need to watch at 12:30pm ET on YouTube.

Supplies:

• 9″x12″ 140# watercolor paper Fabriano Artistico
• Watercolors (Winsor & Newton) Permanent rose (pv19) Cerulean blue (PB35) Ultramarine Blue (PB29) Burnt Sienna (PR101) Yellow Ochre (PY43)
• Round watercolor brushes (assorted sizes) Mimik Squirrel (faux)

Reference photo: https://pixabay.com/en/barn-owl-owl-bird-animal-wildlife-275942/

***Class discounts that support these free tutorials!

Hundreds of classes on sale for under $20 at Craftsy!

**20% off Lifebook 2017 through 1/31/17 with coupon code: FIREWORKS2017

And….

Also! I am interviewed on the Live Inspired podcast this week, you can listen free here.

 

Phew, that is a lot going on huh? I hope you enjoy the fun free painting class at 12:30pm ET today, til then, happy crafting!

This is Literally a Piece of Cake!

 

Hi friends! I had a bit of time free yesterday afternoon so I did a quick half hour live stream of the cheesecake I painted in my sketchbook with mermaid markers.

Here is the replay:

Since I streamed this on my own I save the Q&A til the end so if you are curious as to what people asked about this painting you can listen at the end of the broadcast for that, the tutorial portion is about 30 minutes. Grab whatever water-based markers or watercolor you have and paint along! BTW I will have another live stream tomorrow at the regular time: 12:30pm Eastern time and I think I am finally going to tackle painting an owl, it has been requested a lot so I thought I’d give it a go, wish me luck!

One more thing…

It is the final days to enroll in Lifebook 2017 at a discount, use coupon code:  FIREWORKS2017 through January 31st to save 20% off Lifebook 2017. I hope to see you in class, you can find out more or enroll here.

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Stamp School: REinkers & Bobbles: Cute Foxy Valentine

Hi friends! Today I am going to show you how to make a sweet card with a reinker watercolor background, you can stamp and paint with the same inks so you know everything will match! Plus it is simple. We will also use wire to make an interactive element!

All the instructions are in this real time tutorial. I hope you enjoy it and find the techniques useful in your next card!

This video is sponsored by Wendy Cranford at Luvin Stampin ***It is Stampin Up Sale-a-Bration time so you can earn a free product with every $50 you spend, use the host code: GQTMCYYQ through Feb. 23rd to receive fun goodies like free card kits with the $50 minimum order, AND… she is also giving 12 FREE printable tutorials each month when you purchase $50 or more from her during the month… YOU MUST use the host code if your order is under $150 to get these benefits:)

Supplies:

• Brights reinker bundle
  *You can use reinkers to reink stamp-pads, watercolor make spray mists (add water) and refill markers and pens!
• Hexagon embossing folder
• Foxy Bundle 
• Craft wire
• Paint brush
• Watercolor paper or Bristol
• White cardstock
• Melon Mambo Cardstock
• Inkpads: Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Early Espresso OR get blank ink cubes and make mini inkpads with your reinkers

I really think reinkers are a good investment, not only can you use them to refill a stamp pad 4-6 times (a bottle of reinker costs less than a new stamp pad!) but you can watercolor with them, make spray mists, refill watercolor brush pens as well as dye ribbons and other porous items. Look for supplies that do double duty in your craft room and you will save money, time and space and have a lot more fun creating! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Travel Watercolor Brushes {for cheap!}

Hi friends! Just a quick little DIY tonight that can save you some money if you were looking to buy some short handled travel watercolor brushes.

I made this set of travel watercolor brushes for $10 but you can make it for free if you have some extra brushes lying around. I started off with these brushes that I bought on sale for $10. Watch the video to see how!

Directions:

I gently brushed the brush ends across fine sandpaper to flag the ends so they will be more absorbent for watercolor. It made my brushes about twice as absorbent and they still came to a point and have plenty of snap. Do this at your own risk and only for watercolor.

Then I cut the brushes in half (if you are using standard brushes cut them to the length you want) and used a pencil sharpened to sharpen the smaller brush ends to a point for scraping and the larger ones I just rounded over. You will want to sand them too.

I also cut a standard plastic drinking straw in half at and angle as an extender and additional mark making tool. You will need a larger straw for the larger brushes unless you want to whittle down the handle a bit. I hope you enjoyed this quick DIY!

I also wanted to mention that I used serrated utility scissors to cut down a bamboo brush roll I wasn’t using (it came in last months smart art box) to fit these so the tips will not get damaged in travel. You can see the brushes in the roll in the photo at the top of the post.

Will you be making any travel brushes? Let me know in the comments below and if you liked this video consider sharing it (handy social media sharing button below.) Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Pineapple Painting!

By request here is a tutorial on how to paint the fun pineapple with mermaid markers. You can use watercolor or waterbased markers for this!

Watch the video for this fast and fun project!

I hope you give this a try and til next time happy crafting!