WELCOME CHRISTMAS - Design Team Project

I love Christmas, it is a time to decorate the house and bring some light and fun indoors during the wintery months. So I decided to make a row of houses that was inspired by a picture on Pinterest. I asked my husband to cut some shapes out of wood and then I started to play:

First I covered the four sides with pages torn from an old text book using matt medium.

 
Usually I like to use PaperArtsy Fresco chalk paints, but I didn't have colours I had in mind for this project. So I used acrylic paint instead, and roughly brushed the edges with grey to create a distressed effect.  

I then diluted red acrylic paint to create a translucent effect so that the text would show through once it was applied to all sides.

 Next I added some random stamping, using grey Memento ink.

I then got carried away and forgot to take photos of the next stages but the following photos will show how I added an letter to each of the houses. For this I used transfers that have been in my stash for some time as it seemed a good way to use them, but of course you can also stencil or stamp letters to make the words too. Another idea I had was to paint chipboard letters, this would be a great way of using ones up that have the wrong colour or pattern.

Talking of using things up.... I wanted texture on the roof of the houses and found some corrugated card.  I removed the paper off one side, measured and cut strips to fit, and then painted them with grey acrylic. Once glued into position and dry, coat of matt medium helped to seal everything.

Finally I decided the houses needed a sprinkle of sparkle. Working on one area at a time I stamped small dots onto areas of the front and sides of the houses using a glue stamp pad, then sprinkled with fine glitter and let it dry.

 

I decided it needed a bit more, so I painted small wooden stars in dark grey acrylic. Once dry I added patches of silver embossing powder; and did the same on the bottom edge of each house and the roof, to give more lift.

 

And here is the finished result.  The glitter does not show well in the photos but these houses will make a cheerful welcome to Christmas and to our visitors.

I'm lucky that my husband cut these house shapes for me but there are lots of pre-cut MDF projects including stars available from That Craft Place. That's where you can also buy all materials needed to complete this project or others like it. 

Here is what I used:

Wooden house shapes (see note above)
small wooden stars
Acrylic Paint in black, white, red and green
DecoArt Matt Medium
Page of text (from an old book)
Memento ink Grey Flannel
Small frost, scroll and dot stamps
Alpha transfers - but you could use a stencil or pre-cut shapes
Embossing pad
Silver embossing powder

To see more Design Team projects do pop over to TCP Blog and why not enter this months Mixed Media challenge?  You'll find details how to take part and lots more ideas too.  

And if you would like to know any other details about how I made the Welcome houses please leave a comment, I am happy to help where I can. Thank you for popping by and I hope you have lots of fun making your own Christmas projects.

IT'S TIME TO DREAM - Design Team Project

My last 2 projects were grungy so for this months That Craft Place Design Team project for I decided to do something different.
I looked through my box for inspiration but in the end it came to me through a quote: 

 

'A dream would not want to go out into the world unless there was somewhere receptive to receive it'.

Andrea Schroeder

I started by covering a mannequin and a pair of wings with gesso.
Please note: a supply list will be provided at the end!

While the paint dried I printed the quote onto 120gm paper, leaving a small gap between some of the words.

 

I then selected some decoupage papers. 

 

Can you spot the odd one out?  

I wanted another pattern to compliment the sheets of tissue so I picked out a serviette. It's important to separate the layers and often they are 3-ply. I find it easier to start in the centre as the edges are crimped together.

You will usually find the printed top layer, a plain bottom layer, and one in the centre that has a faint impression:  

 

Keep each of these, they will all be useful for future projects. If your top layer is too bold you can glue it face down, you will still see the colour but it will be more subtle.  However, I wanted bright so started to tear the sheets into small pieces and to glue them onto the mannequin using Matt Medium.

Once covered I tore the words into strips and glued these into position, sp that they run down the front and around the bottom. 

I painted the wings using a blend of PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic and Pearl Glaze. While the paint was still wet I sprinkled
them with DecoArt Glammer Dust. Let me say here, I'm not someone who uses a lot of sparkle, but I thought it might suit this project. I'm not so sure! I have decided to leave it for now, knowing I can come back and change it if I change my mind.  The wings actually look better in real life, but what do you think?

 

SUPPLY LIST

Mannique and Wings
White Gesso
PaperArty Fresco Chalk paint: nougat & Pearl Glaze
DecoArt Glammer Dust
DecoArt Matt Medium
4 sheets of Decopatche tissue or serviettes 

*Note: You only need small pieces of each sheet. Keep the rest for future projects. 

All these items are available from That Craft Place. 
To see more Design Team projects pop over to That Craft Place Blog
 and why not enter this months Mixed Media challenge?  You'll find details how to take part and lots more ideas too. And if you watch shopping channels on tv you might have seen the owner of TCP this week.  Lisa designs and supplies MDF to Creative Expressions. Well done Lisa, you looked so professional and relaxed!   

So that's me done!
I hope some of these ideas inspire you, thank you for popping by.  

STEAMPUNK DOOR HANGER - Design Team Project

I love trying new ideas and so I decided to make a door hanger for this months That Craft Place design team project. I have several Crackle Glazes in my collection, but wanted to try one by DecoArt as this is applied as a top coat rather than between layers of paint like my others.  All products used are available from That Craft Place and I will provide a supply list at the end.  

 To start I took the mdf door hanger and gave it a background coat of Nougat PaperArty Fresco Chalk paint.  I then used stencils to add further colour and detail, using Black Dress and Chocolate Pudding paints of the same range. 

 

Once dry I chose mdf shapes from the Male grab bag collection and placed the cogs and other shapes into position to create a face. I marked the position for the eyes and used a PaperArtsy stamp from my collection.  I'll take this opportunity to apologise for not taking more photos of these stages.
I got so absorbed that I forgot to pick my camera up and I know some of my friends will be shocked at this since my camera is usually in constant use!

I then painted the cogs, moustache and the arrow using the Black Dress, making sure all the visible sides were covered.  Once dry I added a coat of DecoArt Crackle Glaze on to the cogs.  I was interested to see the difference between other glazes I have used and once dry I noticed it created small cracks, which suited the size of the cog.  I brushed a thin coat of DecoArt Antiquating Cream into the cracks and removed the surplus with a damp cloth.  I left the moustache and mouth plain black to give definition. 

 

I glued the 'face' pieces into position using DecoArt Matt Medium.  Once dry I used the same product to cover the surface as this would provide a seal and finish.  I decided I liked the way this crackle glaze worked and I will be experimenting with other ways of using it.   As the door hangers come in packs of two I am looking forward to decorating the next one.  Maybe one for Halloween?  Talking of which, my last project was a set of wobbly haunted houses.  If you missed this there is still time to make your own!
 
SUPPLY LIST
MDF Door hanger (comes in packs of two)
MDF Male Grab Bag 
PaperArty Fresco Chalk paint in colours: nougat, chocolate pudding and black dress
DecoArt Crackle Glaze
DecoArt Antiquating Cream
Stencils
DecoArt Matt Medium
Stamp from PaperArtsy range for eyes

As mentioned all these items are available from That Craft Place. 
There are lots of other designs in the MDF range and a good
selection of masks and stencils, mediums and paints.
To see more Design Team projects pop over to TCP Blog and why not enter this months Mixed Media challenge?  You'll find details how to take part and lots more ideas too.  Thank you for popping by and I'll be back next month with another project. 

FAUX VINTAGE JOURNAL

Welcome if this is your first time of visiting my page, and if not welcome anyway! Last month I chose to decorate some frames for my
THAT CRAFT PLACE DT project. If you missed that post and tutorial you can see it here.  I planned to do something completely different this time but last weekend I discovered a beautiful Victorian Photo Album in an antique shop.  It wasn't cheap so I decided to give myself time to think rather make an impulsive purchase. However, all week the album has been on my mind. I did go back to buy it the following day and the shop was shut.  When asking about the album I had been told someone else had made enquiries and had gone away to think about buying it as a wedding present.  It seemed not meant to be....

But I still couldn't get the album out my head so I phoned the shop and it was still there!  It was waiting for me all the time!  I am super excited as it is a beautiful book filled with black and white photos. A real treasure and I can't wait to collect it next week.

Meantime, frames and vintage albums have been on my mind and I have been meaning to use an ornate MDF frame that is part of the TCP collection.  So I decided to use it on the cover of a hand made journal, here it is and I'll include a brief tutorial:

First I prepared the pages by sewing signatures. I used 120gm A4

paper folded in half.  It would take too long to explain this whole process as it is a post in itself and I will do that another day. So for now I will concentrating on the cover of this book and tutorials for creating pages are available on YouTube.

 

I prepared my covers by measuring the pages to find the width of the spine needed. I added Duck Tape to the front, with the correct allowance, and I put waxed paper on the back to protect the sticky side. 

 

 

Turning the cover right side up I painted the tape and round the edges in black paint.

 

 

 Next I chose some pages from a vintage book and painted these in a  coat of paint diluted with water to create a light wash with brush marks.  Once dry these were glued to the front and back cover.  As I wanted a distressed look I made a few marks on the page while the glue was wet. 

I then painted the frame: first in black paint and when dry, in coat of grey paint.  I then used a piece of scrunched up waxed paper to dab the frame so that the black paint showed through in small patches. 

 

 

 

Leaving each stage time to dry in between, I gave the frame a coat of PaperArtsy Metalic Glaze, and then in places, a light rub of Treasure Gold to further create the aged effect. 

 

Back to the main cover:
Using the same grey paint as the frame I took a dry brush and with the smallest amount of paint I very lightly brushed areas of the cover. This was done to subtly tie the frame and cover together and to continue the distressed effect. 

 

 

Time to add a stamped image inside the frame:
I chose a stamp to fit inside the frame and positioned the frame with a piece of paper under it so that I could create a template.  I drew inside the frame and cut this section out.  I them carefully removed the frame leaving the paper in position.  This allowed me to stamp the image so that a the shape of the stamp fitted inside the shape of the frame and any unwanted areas were printed onto waste paper.

I gave the cover and spine a coat of Matt Medium to seal it and make it harder wearing. More than one coat can be used but as this journal has a vintage look I do not mind if it picks up the occasional scuff.

Final stages:
I glued the frame into position and decided the overall effect looked a bit flat.  So I added embossing ink to the area inside the frame and a layer of chunky embossing powder. Once heat treated  this offered a different texture and gave definition. 

I used metallic wax to colour a MDF lock and glued this into position. It needed final detail so I found some greyboard 'screw heads' in my stash and used black ink to give them a base colour.  A light rub of Treasure Gold completed the effect and these were glued into position onto the lock and down the side of the book.

 

I removed the wax paper from inside the spine (see photo 2) and added a strip of wide Picture Framing Tape so that it covered the sticky back of the Duck Tape and the inside edge of the covers.  This adds further reinforcement to the spine and the pages are now ready to glue inside.  And here it is, with pages shown.

PRODUCTS I USED FOR THIS PROJECT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 

MDF frame and lock from TCP

MDF, Mountboard or Thick card for cover (mine measured slightly larger than A5 so that the paper fitted inside nicely)

Duck and Picture Framing Tape

Paints by PaperArtsy (Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics in South Pacific Little Black Dress and Snowflake)
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish - Metalic Glaze

Embossing ink

Thick embossing powder

Treasure Gold - Renaissance and White Fire

Cosmic Shimmer Glue

DecoArt Matt Medium

PaperArtsy Stamp

Archival Ink (Black)

 
If this inspires you to make your own journal you can buy everything you need from THAT CRAFT PLACE.  Please let me know if you have any questions about making this journal and any comments are appreciated and welcomed.  And do let me know if you make one of your own because I'd love to see what you make!

 

Thanks for popping by and do visit the TCP facebook page for more creative ideas and details about the monthly Mixed Media 'Anything Goes' challenge.

YOU'VE BEEN FRAMED - Tutorial

Welcome if this is your first time of visiting my page, and if not welcome anyway! 

This month I decided to use set of MDF frames for my THAT CRAFT PLACE DT project. They come in packs of two:

 

And I also decided to experiment using a bag of MDF offcut pieces.  I used them on this project too, and these are some of the pieces that were left over. There's nothing more I like than using up bits!    

First I glued the shapes onto the frame using PVA, making sure that I kept the design flat at the bottom so that it would stand. 

If you plan to hang your frame this would not be a consideration. 

 

Next I covered the frame with PVA glue and a thick layer of thick embossing powder.

 

 

After gently shaking off the excess I used a heat gun to melt the powder, being careful to get into all the awkward corners.  After I checked for gaps, reapplied glue and repeated the process. 

As this was a contemporary design I wanted an image that would compliment the frame.  I decided this stain glass window, taken in Liverpool Cathedral, would be perfect. 

 

I attached the photo to the frame using double sided sticky tape and used the same method to attach the back.  I simply slotted the stand into the back and here it is!  I thought about adding acrylic wax to give more definition but for now I have decided the frame looks busy and may be better left as it is.  I often like to live with projects I make and come back to them later....  Do you do this too?

 

 

 

The second frame is quite different, but uses the same technique.

 

This time I used scrunched up tissue paper and glued it onto the top and sides of the frame using PVA. 

 

Once it was thoroughly dry I gave it another coat of PVA glue and a generous layer of thick embossing powder, making sure it reached into all the crevices.  I learnt through my first example that it is easier to emboss one half at a time, as this makes it easier to hold while you apply the heat gun.

I assembled the frame in the same way and this time chose a vintage style.  I love how the frames offer such variety and contrast and I have ideas for others brimming!!

But for now here is a list of products used, all of which are available from THAT CRAFT PLACE. 

 

PRODUCTS USED:

MDF frames from TCP

MDF offcut pieces

Tissue paper

PVA glue

Thick embossing powder

Double sided sticky tape

 

Do check out the range of MDF, it is superior to others I have used and if you see Creative Expressions selling these products chances are they have been made by Lisa!  

Thanks for popping by and do visit the TCP facebook page for more creative ideas.

A SHABBY MIRROR MADE CHIC

I have a wall of mirrors, a collection of old and new, and I suspect one of them was once a set of three on the back of a dressing table as there are two small holes each side of the frame.  I don't remember where I got it from but for years it has waited to be hung and loved.  As it fitted the space well we put it up but I have never liked the frame and always planned to do something with it.

So when this months design team called for Shabby Chic I decided to take it down.  First I filled the holes on the side with Grunge Paste, then put masking tape round the edge of the glass to make painting easier.   I applied a coat of PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic in Limelight to the frame, I chose this colour as I wanted to tie it in with the décor in the hall and to give it a contemporary edge.  Then I added a coat of PaperArtsy Crackle Glaze, before adding a top coat of Fresco Finish in a contrasting colour.

And here is the finished effect.  You can see the green walls in the hall and I think it works well.  The frame is subtle but more interesting than it was before.  Sometimes less is more.

 

I need to live with it for a bit before I decide whether I will do any more to it.  Then I will give it a coat of DecorArt Matt Medium to seal and protect it.  Thanks for popping by!

  

Materials for this project are available from That Craft Place

and other Shabby Chic DT projects can be seen here.

TAKE LIFE ONE CUP AT A TIME

I thought I would share a quick tutorial on how I decorated a laser cut tea pot and a matching coaster, and if you are interested both designs are available from THAT CRAFT PLACE, where I am a design team member.

 

TEAPOT:

As I have been getting messy with paint recently I thought I'd use paper for this project.  I chose a sheet from my collection of 12x12 and glued it to the tea pot leaving a small overlap which would be trimmed once the glue was dry.  I used PVA but you could use other glue of your choice.  I added a contrast paper for the lid and once the glue was dry I gently sanded the edges to remove excess paper and neaten the outline.  

I inked the edges and on this occasion I left the words untreated as I love natural wood and the colour matched the that ink I used.  To finish I sealed it with DecoArt Matt Medium, and attached the words to the teapot using fine fishing line and strong tape.  A strong glue could also be used to attach the fishing line if this is hung in heavy-used areas.

Finally I tied fishing line to the handle and the lid, so that it could be hung at an angle to give the effect of the teapot being poured.

COASTER:

I used a blank MDF coaster and coated it with paint, choosing (Guacamole)  PaperArtsy Fresco as this complimented the paper I was using. 

I also used a set of off-cut laser cut shapes to decorate the coaster.  I love thinking up different ways of using these and to add definition, so I glued a piece of matching paper with PVA and laid the wooden off-cut shapes onto it, smoothing out any air bubbles. 

 

Once the glue was dry I cut between the tiles with a sharp craft knife.

I trimmed and inked the edges of each tile, then moved them around on the coaster until I was happy with the position.  I then glued them on using Cosmic Shimmer as this is fast acting.  You could also use PVA, DecoArt medium or other glue of your choice.

To finish, I gave two coasts of DecoArt Matt Medium to seal.  I made this for decoration purposes and would add further coats of sealer if I wanted to use the coaster.

 

With a box of special tea bags (and a mug too if you are feeling generous!) this would make a nice handmade present Mother's Day.  

 

SUPPLIES USED:

Laser cut designs from THAT CRAFT PLACE - teapot, coaster, off-cut shapes.
Decorated papers to cover teapot and tiles
Glue - PVA or other suitable for attaching papers.
(Please note: you could use the same glue for attaching the tiles, or use Cosmic Shimmer.  There is no right or wrong, just preference and what you have available).
DecoArt Matt Medium to seal (you could also use this to glue if liked)
Ink for edging
PaperArtsy Fresco paint.
Fishing line available from angling shops

 

Thank you for popping by!!