Exploring Alcohol and Acrylic

I recently learned a technique using acrylic paint and rubbing alcohol and I have been having so much fun with it, I thought I would share it here …

I found these little wooden panels on sale at Michael’s and thought they would be good to try this technique on.

1. Paint randomly with multiple colors. I used Distress Paint in blue and green. When they start to blend, stop and clean the brush and then go again. If they mix too much, dry and then add a bit of color back in.
2. When dry, cover with white paint. I used Dylusions paint. This is a very fluid paint that dries quickly and it worked a bit too well … It didn’t cover as completely as I had hoped and the alcohol obliterated it in places. Next time, I will use a standard acrylic paint. While still wet, spray with rubbing alcohol. Let sit for 5 minutes and then use a baby wipe to remove portions of the white paint, allowing the other colors to show through.
3. 
   Because of the properties of the Dylusions paint, I had little to take off … it almost fell off. In some places, I used a dry paper towel to blot the alcohol off and then heat dried it.
4. Use a glazing medium to adhere Finnabair Mica Flakes.
5. Mix glazing medium with Perfect Pearls (I used green) and cover each piece.
6. Use Tiny Attacher to staple rope to the blocks to make a banner or hanger.
7. I added a photo and hung this one on my tree.
8. Cover chipboard letters with two coats of enamel powder and one coat of UTEE.
9. Decorate with photos, twine and rocks taken from the beach!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow Banner

Since things were so busy before the holidays and I had so many plans for the new year, I decided to make my holiday banner a winter banner, so I could leave it up on my tree all season. Of course, I still have the holiday stuff up, so this photo shows the banner with all of it’s holiday attire, but I assure you, the ornaments and Christmas cards will soon be packed away…

I started with a 6×6 paper pad from Michael’s and cut out tags using dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs to make the banner. I added a few cut outs from the paper pad, as well.

Then, I embellished with silver glitter paper using dies from Impression Obsession and a deer punch. I used the Sizzix Precision Base Plate to get the thin metal dies to cut through the glitter paper.

Then I added ribbon and buttons and strung it up with a bit of twine … since the tree is in my hallway where the lighting is poor, the photos on the tree never look great, but you get the idea!

Hannah’s Graduation Open House

My friend is going through a lot right now. Any one of the things she is experiencing would be enough to break many people. Yet, she is dealing with multiple life-changing events all at once. Honestly, I do not know how she is keeping it all together, but she is. Granted she is exhausted and stressed, but she is still managing to smile.

I would love to be able to help her, but there really is nothing I can do … until now at least … her daughter, Hannah, just graduated from high school and if there is one thing I know how to do, it’s play with paper. So I offered to do the centerpieces and banner for Hannah’s open house.

I had help from a few friends who chipped in with money and supplies to help me out. Hannah wanted a Mardi Gras theme, rather than going with school colors, so I created my version of Mardi Gras!

I started with a banner, made from the Tim Holtz Cabinet Card die and then turned upside down. I cut each piece out of chipboard and paper, so it will be strong enough to handle Mother Nature. I then used the Cricut to cut out the letters of her name in metallic gold and a black shadow. I added a few feathers, the year, buttons and little hats to top it off.

 

For the centerpieces, I started with some frappuccino bottles spray-painted in metallic gold. I filled the bottles with sand so they would won’t (hopefully) tip over.

Then, I bought a few digital images from Cricut and made the jester hats, circles and labels. I used a gold paint pen around the edges and on the “bells”. The hats are Jolee’s. I used lollipop sticks for the hats and decorative straws for the others. The sand in the jar holds them in place.

I added a bit of glitter tulle to the jars for a little more festivity.

I also included tons of beads and several boas to go with the centerpieces or for guests and the guest of honor to wear.

Now, I am just hoping for a nice day so we can all celebrate with Hannah and her mom can relax and enjoy the afternoon!

Congratulations, Hannah!

Winter Fox Banner

When I saw this adorable fox fabric from Love My Fabrics, I fell in love.

My friend sent me a piece of fabric and another friend taught me how to sew this adorable banner.

Don’t look too closely at the stitches … I know they are not perfect, but this was my first attempt at sewing and for someone who is as needle challenged as I, this is a BIG deal!

I was invited to be a guest designer at Love My Fabrics to showcase my banner … read all about my experience and learn how to make this cute little banner, here.

A Lovely Banner

I created this banner with inexpensive coasters, Authentique paper and designs made with my Cricut and QuicKutz dies.

Want to make one just like it? I’m offering it as a class in Brighton at the Green Door Studio on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Call 810.225.9190 to register.

 

Merry Christmas Banner

I fell in love with Graphic 45’s 12 Days of Christmas line. But I couldn’t think of a use for it … outside of making a 12 Days of Christmas album and I knew I didn’t want to do that.

Still, I knew it was too beautiful not to use for something, so I bought a few sheets that featured a beautiful background and birds, ducks and a goose.

Eventually, I settled on a banner.

I enjoy making banners, but they are one of the hardest things to photograph! I hope from the collection of photos I am including, you can sort of see what I created.

I used the top of Bell Jar w/Pedestal Die from Tim Holtz/Sizzix to cut out both paper and chipboard for the base of the banner.

I then attached the paper to the chipboard and used my Crop-A-Dial to attach an eyelet to the top of each one.

I used the Tim Holtz/Sizzix die Word Play to cut the letters out of gold paper.

Next I fussy cut words, birds, flowers and a nest. I then coated them in UTEE and attached them with pop dots to create a glassy effect.

Then I added beads, gems, lace, punches and more to finish decorating.

I tied each one with crinkle ribbon and attached it to a wire to hang.

What do you think?

 

 

 

A Sparkly Christmas Banner

Today is my first post as a guest designer for Linnie Blooms. I created this adorable mixed-media banner using blank canvas shapes and my Copic Airbrushing System.

Then, I added a bit of glitter, Stickles, jingle bells, flock and more. I even attempted to sew a bit — OK, I cheated and taped the threads on the backside, but I did use a needle and thread.

Here’s the completed garland …

 

Head over to Linnie Blooms blog for a step-by-step tutorial, including a few tips I learned along the way!

Altered Window Art

My favorite project during the retreat at Sunset Shores was making an altered window.

When I first learned we would be creating these, I will admit that I was a bit skeptical. While I am a country girl and I love antiques, I’m not really into the primitive, paint-peeling, dirty sorts of things that old windows are. But, I figured I would give it a try and see what happens.

As you can see, here, it turned out amazingly wonderful!

My house is a little lake cottage, so I took measurements of the only wall I could think to hang it on before I left. Fortunately, I was able to select a window that fit — just barely — into the space.

I forgot to take a photo of the old window before I started, but here it is after just the first step:

It was plain, devoid of most paint on the inside and came with two tiny nails and a screw where a handle used to be.

The first step was a technique I had not heard of before … gesso and a stencil. We just spread the gesso on like frosting over a home decor stencil and let it dry. It is absolutely amazingly beautiful and I am sure I’ll be trying it on different objects soon … it added just a bit of depth.

Next came the paint. I used Adirondack Paint Dabbers (although I used a brush) in Butterscotch, Hazelnut and White. I kept going over the layers using a dry brush with little paint until I got close to the patina I wanted. Then, I went back with a lot of water and a little paint and created sort of a whitewash effect.

(click on the photos for a better view)

Next came another technique I hadn’t tried before, but loved … printing clip art on tissue paper and then using Glue ‘N Seal to adhere it to the frame. I added another coat of whitewash over the top to tone down the colors a bit.

After that was done, we made a banner. I brought my own paper and modified it a bit (I’m not a fan of rosettes), so I used the Tattered Flowers die from Tim Holtz and two layers of dimensional foam adhesive to make mine. The letters are cut from chipboard and cardstock (adhered together), inked with Distress Ink and then covered with UTEE. It spells out Family, although it is hard to see in the photo.

For the bottom two windows, I glued a piece of chalkboard paper to the front side of one (still have to get some chalk) and then used Glue N Seal to glue a photo of my kids on the back side of the window on the other. The color you see on that pane is the wall.

For this pane, I used Alcohol Inks to alter a piece of chicken wire and stapled it along the edges. Then I used cute little hooks to hang a couple of photos of my chickens on them. The vintage buttons are glued on the front of the window pane. The color behind is the wall.

For the final pane, I taped a piece of printed paper to the back side of the window.

On the frame, I screwed in two screws and wrapped some wire around a tiny glass bottle to hold it in place. The bottle is decorated with Tissue Tape and filled with rye grass. I made a charm with paper, Glastique and a tag from Tim Holtz.

 

I used the same technique to attach this old insulator the frame. I plan to use it as a chalk dispenser.

 

These pieces of faux metal hardware began life as corrugated cardboard.

 

I ran them through an embossing folder and then used Piccolo enamel powders from Globecraft Memories to make them look like metal. They were too shiny for the window, so I sanded them down and applied a bit of Ranger Archival Ink to them. I still didn’t get the look I wanted so I used a friends brown wash to paint them a bit. Eventually, I got the look above, which was perfect.

And, there you have it … one amazing window. I still would like to hang something off of the screw at the bottom, but until I figure out what I want, it’s done …

Now I’m thinking of making another for my living room …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Home Banner

My son just finished a two-year tour in Guam with the U.S. Navy. His next tour is attached to the Marine Corps, so he is headed off for training in San Diego and will then be moving to Hawaii.

I am certainly proud of Christopher, but I miss him terribly.

Naturally, when I found out he was coming home for a few weeks, I had to do something special to welcome him home.

I created this banner that says “Welcome Home” to hang in the window and put out a few flags in the flowerbeds. I know the glare is awful, but that is my beautiful son standing under the banner.

I created it with a Lifestyle Crafts die. The set cuts both the outer pennant and the inside for a perfect mat.

I used papers from My Mind’s Eye American Made collection, and added cardstock from American Crafts for the mats and letters. The embellishments are also from My Mind’s Eye (leftover from another project I made). The letters are Street Sign, cut on my Cricut.

Mounting the banner is easy … I used a bit of baker’s twine. The dies create these tabs, you just put adhesive on them and fold them over the string and it is done.

The project is quick and easy, but it provides a large “punch”.

Since then, we have had a BBQ and fireworks, gone on a boat ride around the lake, visited Cabela’s and endured several days without power. Welcome home, Christopher!

It’s Christmas Time!

Christmas is my favorite time of the year.

I love the music, the ornaments, the lights, the food, and, of course, Santa. I can’t wait to put up my decorations each year and I hate to pack them back away.

So, when Glue Dots® asked me to create a bit of holiday decor, I jumped at the chance. I grabbed a gorgeous collection of paper from Graphic 45, dies by Cheery Lynn Designs, brand new Baubles by Tim Holtz Idea-ology and created this banner …

I had to hang it in order to photograph it and I am not taking it back down, so I can say this is the earliest I have ever had up holiday decorations!

It was really very simple to make …

SUPPLIES:

French Flair Stacker Nesting Dies by Cheery Lynn Designs

Christmas Past Deluxe Edition papers and tags by Graphic 45

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye

Crop-a-Dile and eyelets by We R Memory Keepers

Eyelets by Eyelet Outlet

Vintage Floral Parcel Dimensional Border Stickers by Jolee’s

Baubles and jump rings by Tim Holtz Idea-ology

Beads by Melissa Frances and Maya Road

Craft Glue Dots® (the Dot N Go dispenser is the easiest to work with) to adhere the papers together

Pop Up Glue Dots®

Decorative Edge (Stamp) Scissors by Fiskars

Gems by Hero Arts

Detail scissors

Ribbon and gold star (from my stash)

First, I cut out the papers using the die and inked the edges with Distress Ink.

Then, turning each one slightly, so they resemble ornaments, I put in eyelets at the bottom and each side.

Then, you are ready to decorate … each one is different, so I am putting up close-up photos of each section, so you can see what I did.

I am putting up close-up photos of each section of the banner, so you can see what I did. The camera tends to flatten the images, but I am sure you get the idea.

For the first one, I cut out Santa from the paper and adhered with Pop Up Glue Dots®.

For the next one, I layered a smaller sheet of paper, along with a tag and images I cut out of other papers. I used Pop Up Glue Dots to adhere the stamp and tag to provide added dimension. For the others, I used Craft Dots. I added ribbon and a bead to the tag for extra fun.

For the third, I layered several sheets of paper cut with the dies and then used Pop Up Glue Dots to adhere the angel, which I cut out from the paper. I added a flower, cut from the Jolee’s border to the side.

 

For the first one in this group, I used two of the Stacker dies, held together with a Removable Glue Dot in order to run them through my die cutting machine, to make a frame.  I then added another one inside. I cut out the angels from paper and used Pop Up Glue Dots to make them stand out. Finally, I added a gold star from another pack of Jolee’s stickers that I had lying around. (You could use another of the flowers from the Jolee’s border sticker, instead.)

For the next one, I cut out the design from paper and used Pop Up Glue Dots to adhere. I then added a flower and some of the border from the Jolee’s sticker.

The final one in this group is my favorite … I layered several frames to provide dimension and then placed in a design I cut from the paper. I cut out another piece of paper with decorative scissors and inked the edges. Then, to attach it, I used a combination of Pop Up Glue Dots and Mini Glue Dots. This allowed me to bend the paper and twist the paper … I think it provides movement, making it look like a flag blowing in the breeze.

The Stackers dies that I used to make the banner can also be embossed. The first one in this group shows the embossing detail the best. For this one, I layered a few die cut images. The tag, taken from the die cut sheet, is adhered with Pop Up Glue Dots and accented with gems. I then ran the floral border (another part of the Jolee’s sticker) across the banner, trimming the ends to fit perfectly.

The next one features a collage of angels cut from the Graphic 45 paper and adhered with Pop Up Glue Dots onto a layered die cut. For additional movement, you could mix up your Glue Dots, like I did in the last group.

Finally, the last one is a few layers cut with the Stackers dies, accented with a few “stamps” I cut out of the paper with decorative edge scissors. Again, I used the Pop Up Glue Dots on some of the images. Then, I topped it off with one of the flowers from the Jolee’s border.

Once they are all decorated, tie them together with ribbon. For the two ends, I tied on long strips of ribbon in a loop for hanging.

Then, add the Baubles, beads and other danglies to the bottoms with jump rings.

Oh, one more tip … I hate the white edge you end up with when you cut images from paper, so I used Distress Ink to cover it up. It gives your project a finished, professional look.

I hope this inspires you to create an incredible banner, too!