Hi friends! I have been asked to do a craft room tour of my space after decluttering. It has been quite a process because after the first konmari clean out I thought I was done but things evolved. I got rid of more ruthlessly (although the video will show that I still have plenty) and I corralled the sprawl of art supplies thought the rest of the house and basement and integrated what I kept back into my art space. It opened up the possibility of using the rest of our basement in a more practical way. We were wasting the space on storing when we could be using it for living! Funny how decluttering can change your whole perspective on things and open up new possibilities huh? I filmed this video before I took down my binder storage shelves and uprooted the jewelry storage wall to move it in about a foot because I wasn’t sure what it would look like after.
Video tour!
After the video I tore this corner apart. I rebuilt the shelves to fit in 12″ less space so there is some strange geography on my “map binders” now LOL! because my art “room” has no real walls, aside from the two walls that make up the cellar foundation, I can rearrange as needed:)
I applied a fresh roll of contact paper to the stamp binder bench and my main workspace and it really brightens up the place! I took these photos this morning because I’m not sure if or when I might do something permanent or drastic to my studio space.
Next to the stamp bench is my dresser with brushes, printmaking and pastel supplies, Above on the shelves are canvasses. Under the mannequin are my yarn totes. I moved my easel to the corner to give the room a more open feel and because I needed to shift the stamp bench down to bring the jewelry wall in a foot. Next to the easel is my die cutting bench. I moved my Scan n’ Cut machine to this area with my other die cutting things, it just made sense.
You can see the end of my die-cutting bench. I moved my pen racks over my cardstock storage cabinet because I really want my main workspace to be clear and open. I didn’t mention it on the video but the birdcages hold lace trims, it works great, i just pull out what I need but sometimes I need to shake the dust off LOL!
Behind my workspace I have paper, colored pencils, ribbon, washi tape and lots of often used goodies in drawers. I moved the filing cabinet back in here and it was the same height as my two plastic drawers of paint supplies. I have a large white sheet of paper clipped behind there and lights on the paper so I can get photos or my artwork daily. This used to be in the middle of the basement (the aforementioned sprawl) and it hold magazines I have been published in and office/business stuff. You can still see my wood stamp storage shelve that I am going to go through again because it can’t stay there. I considered unmounting them and putting them in binders but some stamps I think are just like art to me and I just like how they look on the blocks. Many I have forgotten I have so I really need to have a look at them again. There is not point keeping things I won’t use. It is a hard collection to downsize though (those joy-sparking stamps!)
If you need help decluttering I recommend The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. It was really helpful for me anyway. Are you decluttering? Let me know how it’s going for you and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! Today there is a whole lotta shakin’ going on with this card! I’ll show you how to create a multi window shaker card. You can use any shape you like to make it fit your needs. I love versatile techniques.
There are quite a few steps here and lots of tips and tricks in today’s video. I hope you like it!
Video!
This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code: FRUGALAUGUST17 – 10% off everything in the store. Coupon expires August 31, 2017. Become a Peg Stamp VIP & get an instant coupon for 20% off RST stamps here plus the deepest weekly discounts available! Offer expires August 31, 2017.
This project is a bit more complicated than others. Please allow 30 minutes to an hour to make it if you have never made a shaker card. Complete instructions and tips in the video! I hope you give this project a try and let me know what you think. Happy crafting!
Hi friends! It’s been a crazy week so I am so glad to get a chance to hang out with you live and paint today! We are going to paint a house finch on a bare branch with a soft wet-in-wet background. We might even get a little crazy and toss some salt in for texture!
I am really hoping the live-stream gremlins behave this week because honestly the YouTube live stream problems have been causing me some unneeded stress to the point of thinking about replacing the live show with a prerecorded tutorial. If you hear a bit of cracklely audio or blurry video please be patient, Sarah and I will troubleshoot as quickly as we can. Out internet was taken over by a new company a couple of months ago and my live streaming has not been reliable. I have the fastest upload plan available so it is quite a frustrating bummer for me. All the equipment on my end checks out so I am not sure what is going on. All I ask for is a bit of patience, I am doing the best I can. Also if you don’t care if the Friday video is live or recorded you can let me know in the comments:)
You probably know the drill by now but in case you don’t you can watch the live stream or the reply in the video player below but if you want to chat live with fellow painters or ask me questions as we go along be sure to watch on the YouTube watch page at 12:30pm ET today.
Supplies can be purchased from our sponsor Jerry’s Artarama! 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.
Supplies:
M Graham Watercolors: Colors: Cad Red Deep, Sap Green, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre
Here is a lovely comment I received in the classroom this week:
Hi Lindsay, Thank you for a fabulous course – I found it to be very comprehensive, learning many techniques which allowed us to produce three really different paintings! Your style is engaging and inspiring and you have given me the confidence to paint more! I hope you have more courses planned! -Marianna Panopoulos
This class gets you geared up with everything you need to know to paint along with any of my free tutorials on YouTube in the quickest possible way, and today it’s 30% off! As an added benefit the purchase of this class helps me produce more free tutorials on my blog so I thank you for your support:)
Hi friends! Today I am sharing a really fun and colorful cardmaking technique! The stamps I am using are from ArtNeko and they will be giving away the stamps I used on today’s project to one lucky reader. To enter the contest simply leave a comment and I will pick one lucky commenter next Wednesday! Good luck!
These card were so fun to make and I think a batch of these colorful creations would make a lovely gift or craft fair item too. If you are new to stamping I suggest you invest in mini ink cubes instead of full size pads because the raised top pads can ink any size stamp and you can have a big variety of colors in a small space and on a tiny budget. I also recommend buying reinkers as they get dry. There are many good brands but I like the Memento pads because I can always find reinkers at stamp shows if I need them. Here I have my mini ink pads in an empty Project Life page protector box and I have them all out and ready to go. Convenient huh?
Simply watch the video to see how it’s done!
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!
Directions:
1. Cut and score card bases. I took 8.5″ x 4.25″ cardstock and folded it in half for my cards. Also make envelopes to match.
2. Select an acrylic block and cover with ink from mini ink pads. spray with water (generously) and press on card bases. Let dry. Repeat for all card bases.
3. Stamp a focal image on each card with black ink.
4. Glue on wooden charms, add sequins and penwork if desired.
I have to be honest, some projects just give me joy to make and this was one of them. Sitting down with ink and making a (small) mess with colors and ink was the perfect way to decompress after a tough day. Creating can give us that releif from stress and worry that we so often need. Just like excersize rejuvinates out body creativity calms the soul (and it is a heack of a lot more healthy they eating a bag of potato chips LOL!) Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! Here is a fun painting you can make today!
I am using watercolor pencils and it is so easy to do. Learn how in today’s video!
Watercolor pencils and waterbrushes are from sponsor Arteza! Save 10% with coupon code THEFRUGALCRAFTER10 here! Check out their other art, craft and quilting supply basics at super low prices too:) 10% off coupon good through 9/17/17
This project should take between 30-45 minutes to complete but feel free to pause the video and take breaks because the most important thing is that you learn and enjoy the process!
Want more in-depth watercolor lessons?
Check out my Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor course on sale for 30% off this week with coupon code TEACHME, you get over 5 hours of watercolor instruction for $55.30 (Regular $79!) Join the nearly 700 watercolor students getting fantastic results! Learn more here or enroll today! Sale ends Saturday so don’t wait:) Happy crafting!
Hi friends! How do you go about your card making process? Is it a scramble of sifting through everything you have hoping to find the perfect paper, embellishment or die cut only to make a chaotic card and have a complete mess of a craft table when you are done? If so I am going to share a tip that will streamline your process and help you create stylish cards (and you probably have everything you need already!)
I got the brand new Bee-Utiful Day stamp set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry this week. RST is a wonderful company who sponsors a weekly tutorial on my blog and YouTube channel and as a bonus they don’t mind one bit that I encourage you to use what you have:) Love those guys! When you get a new stamp set it should make all of your other supplies more useful (not redundant as so often happens) so keeping that in mind I thought of a design element I could repeat in the card. Hexagons! I could replicate the look of honeycomb by gathering the various hexagon stencils, embossing folders, punches, dies or pattern paper I already had and give them new live with the new stamp set! See where I’m going here? I could repeat the hexagon shape with different tools and add variety with different colors and materials but still have cohesion because of the consistent design element of the hexagon shape. Repetition and variety equal good (and easy!) design!
Need more ideas? Watch today’s video!
This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code: FRUGALAUGUST17 – 10% off everything in the store. Coupon expires August 31, 2017. Become a Peg Stamp VIP & get an instant coupon for 20% off RST stamps here plus the deepest weekly discounts available! Offer expires August
31, 2017
I also employed the “make the envelopes first and die cut the scraps trick” that I have been using a lot mainly because I have lots of pattern paper I love to use and I am no longer buying the cheap blank card and envelope sets. I am really loving the look though because a patterned envelope is so much fun and special to receive. What tips do you have to improve your card design or mix old and new supplies? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to share this tutorial with friends who might like it. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
PS here is a link to my DIY Shimmer Spray and Ink Dauber tutorial from a few years ago if you want it:) Have fun with your DIY supplies!
EDIT: Here is the final painting from the Livestream today! Please note that there were some audio issues at the beginning of this video, we did swap microphones out and the audio improved. Oh the joy of live broadcasts LOL:)
Hi friends! I had a great couple of days off last week but I missed you during the live show so I am so excited to paint with you today! Earlier this week I was trying to paint an english rose with very packed petals. I was working in a small sketchbook with a waterbrush and a pocket set of watercolors.
I enjoyed the challenge of my quick sketch above but realized that to do the flower justice I needed a plan. I wanted to paint it larger on good paper using better brushes and paint and that is what we will do today!
You can watch the live tutorial or replay in the player below but if you want to chat live be sure to watch at 12:30pm ET on the YouTube watch page.
Supplies:
Watercolor Paint Winsor & Newton (this is the set I have) colors we will use: Ultramarine blue, Burnt Sienna, Olive Green, Winsor Yellow, Permanent Rose
Brushes (you just need a few rounds of assorted sizes, I’m using Princeton Neptune)
Watercolor paper: Arches 140# CP (you can also use Hot Press)
Save 30% on my full watercolor course! Use coupon code TEACHME if the discount doesn’t show up automatically.
If you have ever struggled to keep up with any of my YouTube tutorials or felt that you might be missing some of the foundations of watercolor then Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor is for you. I designed this course to teach the basics of watercolor and reinforce good habits when painting. I had so many YouTube viewers ask me to make a class that would get people up to speed with watercolor quickly and have all of that needed information in one place for easy reference. In my course you get over 5 hours of step-by-step instruction covering a wide variety of topics from color mixing, texture effects, washes and more. Upon completion of the class you will have filled your watercolor toolbox with techniques and competed 3 beautiful painting using the skills that you learned. Join the nearly 700 students who have enrolled in this class already! Here are some recent student comments:
Hey Lindsay, I had so much fun with this tutorial and learnt so many techniques – thank you! -Marianna Panopoulos
This is a great overview on color. I really appreciate the way you explained it. I never knew the difference between warm colors and cool colors and how they work together (or not) when you mix them to create new colors. Thanks for the encouragement on playing with colors. It’s so much fun. -Stephanie Youngerman
Love this lesson. Very detailed skills tips and skills provided. -Eloise Luyk
Yay!!! While there are lots of things I would work to improve, I NEVER thought I could do this before now! Thank you, Lindsay! -Diane Giarrusso
Below are the paintings you will complete in class:
You will also practise washes and do color mixing studies that you can keep and refer to later. You also have lifetime access to the class so you can return whenever you want a refresher. Feel free to share your work in the classroom and you can even share photos of painting in progress if you want feedback, or get stuck, right under the lesson it pertains too. I am so excited this feature exists because it is helpful to all students and not just the ones asking a questions. Learning together and from one another is so much fun!
Are you ready to lay a good foundation for your watercolor journey? Check out Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor and save 30% today! Use coupon code TEACHME if the discount doesn’t show up in your cart. I hope to see you at 12:30pm ET for another life painting lesson. Thank you for your support and til next time happy crafting!
If you have leftover paint, brush it over cardstock to make matching decorative paper!
Make an envelope first from 12″x12″ scrapbook paper and use the scraps to die cut embellishments.
Make a batch: It only takes a little more time to make multiple cards while your supplies are all out. As a bonus you’ll have less to file away when you are done. Use up those scraps now because they may never get used if you file them away. (At least that is the case in my experience.)
Be careful when heat embossing your small wood tiles so you don’t burn your hands off.
If mailing these thick cards place them (envelope and all) in a bubble mailer to prevent snags in post office machinery.
I hope you give this project a try, and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 