Cool Plaster Texture with Hot Glue & Reusable Molds!

Hi friends! I am a big believer in playing with your art supplies and enjoying the process. Sometimes a project doesn’t come out as good as you would like but there is always something you can learn from it! I think we are afraid to “waste” our supplies so we admire them on a shelf but if you do that for too long you will start to feel badly that you haven’t used the things you bought and that feels wasteful too. Grab those precious supplies and play with them! You either succeed or you learn! I did a bit of both today:)

I love knowing how to use the reusable mold making product (win!) so I will be able to cast replicas the next time I find a one-of-a-kind treasure and I adore the faux plaster effect I got by spackling the hot glue! I love that I can give a plaster/stone look to anything I like now! I have to admit I am not crazy about the plant pot I decorated as a whole but the techniques I discovered were worth the play! Watch the video to see it all come together!

You can find the supplies I used  from our sponsor Smart Art!

THE SUPPLIES in the MAY Smart Art Box

• COMPOSIMOLD ORIGINAL 6OZ-When melted this molding material is 100% reusable. Many casts can be made using the same mold. It is a great material for artists who want to learn and become more involved in sculpting, modeling and mold making without the worry of mistakes or wasting material. This flexible, rubbery thermoplastic is great for small mold parts that require a stiffer mold making material. It is compatible with many different casting materials including clays, plaster, cement, epoxy, polyurethane and many others.
• COMPOSISTONE 1LBComposiStone is light gray in color, harder than plaster and smoother than cement. Mixes 2 1/2 powder:1 water (by volume), with a 5-10 minute working time. Use ComposiStone for lawn and shelf ornaments, sculptures, craft parts, and other general applications.
• CRAFTER’S ACRYLIC PAINT BLACK This non-toxic acrylic paint is ideal for simple base coating and craft projects. Designed to brush out smoothly and evenly, it covers in one or two coats and can be intermixed. This fast-drying, permanent paint can be used for general arts and crafts, stenciling, ceramics, school projects, home decorating and decorative painting.
• DAZZLING METALLICS ACRYLIC COLORS 4- 2OZ BOTTLES Made with finely ground metal flakes, these bright, water-based, non-toxic acrylic colors are ideal for adding metallic accents to most projects. They can be used on wood, canvas, plaster, metal, resins, ceramic bisque, papier-mache, Styrofoam, paper, poster board frames, lamps, vases, figurines, candles, candle holders and fabric. Great for painting, sponging, faux finishing, and adding metallic accents to art, craft and home decor projects.
• PRINCETON ARTIST BRUSH CO. SELECT ARTISTE BRUSH SET 3PCS Princeton’s Select Artiste mixed-media brush sets feature a variety of assortments of brushes that work well together. Specially designed by artist Willow Wolfe, these high quality, short-handled brushes are made to last. With their robin’s egg blue colored handles, they will be a beautiful addition to your existing brush collection as they go above and beyond basic brush shapes and sizes.
• PRIMA MARKETING RESIN OWL Use this detailed resin owl to create a mold using the ComposiMold materials. Create many castings to use as a variety of decorations such as charms, ornaments, or mixed media pieces.

**** I did not use the owl mold, I used checkers but you can mold anything you like. I also used hot glue and a plant pot as well as a spatula from the encaustic smart art box.

Need a variation?

It just occurred to me that you could use kraft paper dipped in paper mache paste to cover an object to get the wrinkly plaster texture, let dry completely and paint black as we did with the hot glue texture and then dry brush the metallics. That would be a great solution to get that look on a large surface or if you are working with children and don’t want to use hot glue. The only downside would be drying time and potential warping if you were working on a paper/cardboard surface like a paper mache box of journal cover.

There are so many ways to create! The next time you sit down to craft try not to focus on the end result and just enjoy the process! That is why we create! We could always buy something pretty from the store (probably for less than we spend to make it even) if that is all we wanted but there is something magical in creating something new with our hands and hearts, don’t you think? Til next time happy crafting!

 

 

Last call to save 50% on Essentails Tools and Techniques for Watercolor!

Today is the last day to get my watercolor course for $39 (regular $79) and I didn’t want you to miss out:) Price good through 5/31/17.

Last Two Days to Save 50% on My Watercolor Course!

Hi friends! I just wanted to pop in with a friendly reminder that my Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor course is 50% off through tomorrow! Come June 1st it will cost $79 to enroll in this class but you can enroll today for $39 and have lifetime access so you can take you time in completing it and return to it whenever you feel like you want a refresher.

Still not convinced? Here is what some of the students have to say:

“Thanks so much for this class Lindsay as well as all the videos you do. You are so encouraging and motivating.” -Virginia Staib

“Lindsay, you’re the greatest! I’m pleased with the results of my still life after a second try. I’ve definitely enjoyed your in-depth course. Still need work on glass but it’s the best I’ve done. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more classes.” -Priscilla M. Ware

“I hate for this to end. I have never done watercolor before because everyone said it was so hard but you made it so enjoyable, I’ve done oil and acrylic but I think……I really like the water color. Especially how you never waste any paint! It was so much fun and relaxing. I want to learn more, more, more so I hope you will have another one.” -Sherry Sandberg

“Lindsay, I am enjoying your class so much! You have such a nice manner and make everything look easy! Your lessons are such a pleasure, it is like spending time with a fun friend who also happens to be an artist!” -Gerri Dauer

The class is broken up into two parts. In the first part we go over techniques on their own and color mixing. We also learn washes. It is important to isolate these skills so you can practise and perfect them.

In the second part of the course we put those techniques to good use as we complete three finished paintings. Learning a technique is only useful if you see how to apply it in a painting.

In the iris painting we learn wet-in-wet wash, plastic wrap texture, scraping, glazing, shading, color mixing, masking fluid and cutting highlights.

In the landscape we learn wet-in-wet washes, lifting, layering, composition, perspective, spattering, masking with tape, side load shading, scraping, shading, color mixing and reflections.

In the still life we learn masking with masking fluid, controlled wash, wet-in-wet wash, salt texture, layering for texture, glazing, lifting, shadows, reflections and glass refractions.

You can see that many techniques are repeated in the painting lessons, that’s because application and repetition over different subject matters will help you learn where you can use those techniques on your future paintings making the techniques you learn in this class extend to your art outside of the classroom.

If you love watercolor but feel you are missing some of the foundations or you want to brush up (pun intended) on your skills and have three new paintings to show for it consider enrolling in Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor Today! On sale for $39 (regular $79) through May 31, 2017. Don’t miss out, learn the essentials for half price! Thank you so much for your support and til next time happy crafting & painting!

Gel Printing Workshop & Stamp Giveaway!

Announcement: Contest is closed, congrats to Lee Kendel who won this contest!

Hi freinds! Today I have an indepth gel printing and cardmaking workshop for you! I will also give away the rubber stamps I am using from ArtNeko to one lucky reader so make sure to leave a comment for a chance to win. This contest is open worldwide.

I love making gelatin prints and I really like the synthetic options on the market today as they are vegan and durable and need no refrigeration. You can make your own though and I have a tutorial here on how to do that. I also have a tutorial on making a permanent one but after you buy the gelatin and glycerin for that recipe it might be cheaper to buy one. The main reason I don’t make prints more often is that I end up with a bunch of prints that I don’t know what to do with so they sit in a folder and get forgotten. Today though, we will print on 5″x7″ cards and envelopes. then we will finish them off with some stamping and embellishing so when we are done we have 6 finished cards ready to send and no stack of unused prints to be forgotten. Win Win!

Watch the video to see how!

Tutorial 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! *Visit my blog and enter to win the rubber stamps I used from ArtNeko!

Supplies:

• Stamp sets (artneko.com) Dragonfly Moon, Steampunk Dragonfly & Gears, Shells
• Gelli Arts (TM) Plate and Strathmore Printmaking Cards Value Pack
• *Individual Gel printing plates
• *Individual 5″x7″ card packs (these are thinner but still fun to use!)
• Acrylic Craft Paint
• Silicone Tipped Tools
• Stencils
• **Embossing folders $2 at Consumer Crafts Through 5/30/17 *Big thanks to Consumer Crafts for extending the sale because my video was late! I didn’t want you guys to miss out:)
• Soft Rubber Brayer
• Foam Stamps
• Craft foam (funfoam)
• Deco scissors (To make scraper tools with fun foam)
• Embossing paste
• Metal Wave Stencil *I used this with texture paste
• ATG adhesive
• Hot Glue gun and sticks
• NIJI pearl watercolor set at Consumer crafts or Amazon
• Mizuhiki Cord
• Brads 
• Gelatos  or GEl sticks
• Versamark in pad
• Pearl ex pigment powder *OR Perfect Pearls and this comes with a mini versamark pad
• Ranger Archival Black ink pad
• Hairspray or fixative
• Copper tape (stained glass supply)

Please note that you do not need all of these supplies, they are just the things I used:)

Directions:
1. Place your Gel printing plate on a piece of paper, this will keep your table clean. Squirt a couple dabs of acrylic paint on the pate and spread out with a brayer.

2. There are many ways to make an impression on the plate: You can press a stencil on the plate, you can press an embossed piece of paper on the plate, you can use found objects like mesh bags, leaves or string to make a cool impression too. I like to pull one print with the objects still on the plate and another after you have removed the stencil. You can also draw on the plate with foam and silicon tools. Just be sure not to use sharp objects as they can scratch the plate.

3. Press paper on the plate, rub the back of the paper to ensure the paper completely contacts the plate and remove and set aside to dry.

You can layer as many prints as you like for intersting effects!

4. When you are done be sure to clean your gelli plate, brayer and other tools with soapy water and let dry before storing. I recommend you save the packaging that comes with your Gelli Arts (TM) printing plate for storage.

Embellish your printed cards as desired! I hope you enjoyed this productive workshop. I love to make prints but I don’t like having a bunch of leftover prints I don’t know what to do with, that is why I love to print directly on card bases. This would also be a great way to use up bulk packs of cards, they are often not as thick as we would like but they still would make great notecards if they had a cool print plus the layers of paint will add a bit of thickness to them. Let me know what you think of this project and workshop style videos in the comments below and don’t forget to comment to win the rubber stamps I used from ArtNeko! The other links in this post are affiliate links and I earn a small commission on any sales generated through the links without costing you anything extra, it is a way to support the free tutorials on my blog as you shop and I thank you for your support. Good luck in the contest, I will pick a winner at random in one week, and til next time happy crafting!

Layered Window Cards! {Stamp School!}

Hi friends! I have a bright and cheerful card for you today but if you prefer a more elegant look than you can change up the window shape and colors for a more subdued palette!

I tend to need many children’s birthday cards so I figured you might too and it is fun to learn a new technique and have a very useful card when we are done but this would also be pretty done with an oval die and shades of white for a wedding. Use what you like!

Video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code: LINDSAY17 – 20% off peg stamps and peg stamp sets on orders of $10 or more. Coupon expires July 3, 2017

Supplies:

• Twinkle Twinkle Peg Stamp set, Gingerbread Wreath Peg stamp set, Near the Reef Or try Party Time Peg Stamp Set
• Uplifting Sentiments Unmounted Set 
• Colored cardstock
• Dye inks (Memento)
• Nested dies, stencils or any shape cutter you have
• Stardust pen
• Foam make up sponges or ink blending sponges

Follow the steps in the video to line up your cardstock layers when die-cutting. Remember to use your leftover bits on other cards! How did you like the glimpse of my “vintage” die cutting machine? I think I am the only “youtube crafter” using that model still. Heck, if it ain’t broke why replace it? Honestly that is the big reason when people ask me what die cutting machine I recommend I say Big Shot/BigKick, they are rugged beasts even after 10 years of daily use! I hope you enjoyed this project and til next time happy crafting!

LIVE! Realistic Cherries in Watercolor 12:30pm ET

EDIT: Here is a photo of the painting we did in today’s live stream. It was a lot of fun and not too difficult, I hope you give it a try!

Hi friends! I have a skill builder exercise for you today! I will show you how to get the smooth, shiny and realistic texture and for of these juicy cherries from this photo.

Here is a practice sketch I just worked up:

We will paint this live at 12:30pm Eastern time today. You can watch live or the replay in the player below but if you want to chat with fellow painters or ask me questions live you will need to watch on YouTube.

Supplies available from sponsor Jerry’s Artarama: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/ Use coupon code: frugal20FS49 for 20% off $49 + Free Shipping (Excludes: Sale, Super Sale, Egift Cards, Buy It Try It’s and Vendor restricted items. Look for the green coupon eligible icon on the product listing

• Sennelier watercolors *Crimson, Carmine, Ultramarine, Olive green, Yellow Ochre
• Brushes Mimik Synthetic Squirrel
• Arches watercolor paper 
• White gel pen (optional)

***Last 4 days to save 50% on my watercolor course!!!

Grab my NEW Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor Course for $39 (Regular $79) sale ends 6/1/17!

Learn techniques for mixing brilliant colors, masking, perfect washes and more! This course contains the techniques I think every watercolor painter should know to easily create beautiful paintings that look effortless. Upon completion of this course you will have three beautiful finished paintings showcasing the techniques you learned. You can take as long as you need to complete this self-paced class and return to it as often as you want, you get lifetime access! This is a beginner course that combines basic and more advanced techniques in a relaxed paced, easy to follow format.  Learn more or enroll today!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and maybe carve out a little time to paint, the weather looks like it will be good for us in the Northeast so my painting might involve a ladder and trim! Thanks for spending some time with me today and til next time happy crafting!

A Watercolor Rose, Upcoming Projects & A Sale!

Hi friends! My work table has been delighted by many projects this week using a variety of media from mold making supplies, gel printing plates, acrylic paint, rubber stamps and embossing folders. I planned on sharing a big batch of gelli printed greeting cards on Tuesday but the batch got bigger and took me into yesterday to complete and I haven’t even looked at how much footage I have to go through!

The reason I am telling you this is because in the video I mentioned that embossing folders are on sale for $2 this week at Consumer Crafts but when the video goes up the sale will be over so if you need any grab them now AND shipping if half off too (or free on orders over $75.) I just don’t want anyone mad at me if they missed the sale (and I also don’t want to have to voice over the video since I narrated it live…OK I’m lazy, so sue me:)

Now on to today’s tutorial! I was not happy with this rose painting but I liked the leaves so I re-filmed the leaves only and shared that a week ago. I showed this card as well and said I would post the video for it if anyone was interested and surprisingly many said that they would like to see it. I think you just like to see me struggle LOL! Well, at least you can see how I think through a hot mess painting, in any event it is only a piece of paper so why worry?

Video!

Supplies:

• Watercolors (Daniel smith) Olive green watercolor (Sennelier)
• Strathmore Watercolor Cards (bulk pack)
• Mimik Watercolor brushes (grey handle)
• Royal Majestic Watercolor Brushes (black handle)
• Ceramic palette: Consumer Crafts or Amazon
• Painter’s tape

I hope you enjoyed that little practise and I hope it makes you realize that not every painting is a winner, everyone struggles, even people who paint everyday, it is part of the journey. Just to let you know I am back to normal live streaming time tomorrow so mark your calendar for 12:30pm Eastern Time tomorrow for a free live paint along! I will try to have all the supplies and details ready tomorrow morning so you can be ready to paint:) Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

My Craft Room Declutter: One Month Later

Hi friends! I wanted to do an update on how my space is suiting me one month after completing the Konmari method in my craft room. If you missed the big decluttering video you can find it here. I used the process outlined in the book The Life Changing Magic of Tiding Up by Marie Kondo. For whatever reason it contained the secret sauce to help me get my act together.

Watch the video to see what I think about the process one month later.

The Craft Room Clean Up video was my most popular video last month so I figured you might be interested in how I am keeping up with it and if I have an regrets about the things I got rid of. The konmari method is explained in the book “The Life Changing Magic of Tiding Up”, it is a quick read or listen:) I also found the follow up book “Spark Joy” to be helpful too because she follows up with the techniques in the first book.

I think this method of picking each item up and asking “does this spark joy?” was simple and that is why it worked for me. This is not a book on minimalism, everyone has their own “right” amount of possessions that feels good to them. You do you. I think the most epic thing I learned from the books was to “store things at the store” as I tend to be a “just in case” type of shopper and I tend to buy duplicates “in case” I lose the first one. The cool thing about having a space where everything has a place is that you don’t lose things so you don’r need duplicates! I’m still not getting rid of my 42 pairs of scissors tho..baby steps LOL:) Have you tried the konmari method or have any awesome decluttering or storage tips to share? Share your tips in the comments below! Til next time happy crafting!

Let’s Paint Lilacs! {Real Time Watercolor Tutorial}

Hi friends! I had a bit of free time on Saturday night so I live streamed this painting tutorial of Lilac flowers in a mason jar.

I missed hanging out and painting with you on Friday because I was away on a school trip so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to paint with you:)

This video origanally broadcast live on Saturday night. During drying times I answered viewer questions and I also took questions at the end of the show, if you don’t care for the chatter you can fast forward through the Q&A bits and not miss any instruction:) Video!

Supplies:

• Watercolors: I used my LUKAS 1862 watercolors from the 48 half pan set for this but they are sold out on Jerry’s and Amazon (and the prices of the sets have gone up) BUT I did find a screaming deal on the 48 pan set of Rembrandt which is a better quality paint than the LUKAS 1862 and currently a lot cheaper. Colors used: Cobalt Teal, Andethrone Blue, Olive Green, Perm. Yellow Light, Purple, Diox Violet and Burnt Sienna
• Arches 140# CP paper 
• Mimik Brushes 3/4″ flat, #8 round
• 1/2″ angle flat Majestic brush
• Pastels

Lilac flowers are one of my favorite signs of spring, what spring flowers are your favorite? Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

PS: If you want more real timewatercolor instruction be sure to check out my new watercolor course Essentail Tools and Techniques for Watercolor on sale for $39 (reg. $79) this month only!

 

Elegant & Easy Foiled Cards!

Hi friends! I’m back from a 2 day field trip with my kids’ school band and chorus trip. We got back in the wee hours of the morning, slept then went to a girl scout fundraiser.  We are all a bit tired. I hope you are having a fun, even if it might be tiring, weekend too! Today I wanted to share a simple, inexpensive way to add a bit of foil to your cards.

Foiling has become very popular lately and many crafters have even bought special machines to do it with but this method only take a glue pen and some double stick tape. Watch the video to see how!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  use coupon code: LINDSAY17 – 20% off peg stamps and peg stamp sets on orders of $10 or more. Coupon expires July 3, 2017

Supplies

• Peg Stamps: Azalea Terrace, Sunny Daisy, Bright New Day, Delicate Rose
• Live, Love, Be Thankful Unmounted Sentiment Stamp Set
• Quickie Glue Pen
• Distress oxide inks
• Foil
• 1/8″ scor-tape
• #10 round brush (any juicy brush for paint flicking)
• 3/4″ painters/masking tape
• Acrylic blocks
• Heavy white cardstock (110# Recollections)

Directions:
1. Place masking tape on card on the bottom 1/3 of paper.
2. Stamp design with peg stamps.
3. Press inkpads to acrylic blocks, add water with a paintbrush and mix it with ink. Spatter on ink. Dry paper.
4. Remove tape. Stamp friendship on white space. Add strips of thin tape on the strait stamped edge.
5. Trace over the sentiment with quickie glue pen (go slow!) and let the glue dry until it goes clear.
6. Remove liner from tape and press foil down, make sure the pretty side is facing up!

Tip! You can use a ruler and the quickie glue pen to make the stripes if you don’t have scor-tape, jut keep making more parallel lines until you have the thickness you want.

You can also try this technique with gold leaf so if you have that in your stash give it a try! Gold leaf is better on bold designs (like the tape strips) than fine designs where-as foil can capture very tiny details. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and til next time happy crafting!