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!!

GELLI PLATE MEETS LASER CUT

I finally took my Gelli Plate out of it's packaging this week. You know how it is, you HAVE to have something and then it sits unused for months and months!  I have never used a Gelli Plate before but I was surprised at my immediate results. There were no rejects or practice pages as I was able to rescue any prints I didn't like by adding another print layer.  My pile soon grew and I plan to scan and print some of my favourites so that I can keep the original. That way I can reproduce a design when ever I choose.

For anyone who doesn't know what a Gelli Plate is, here is a link which also shows a demonstration.

 

Having gathered a lovely pile of prints my excitement grew. As a laser cut design team member for That Craft Place I had been looking for inspiration for two particular projects so the next day I
decided to take a risk and use my Gelli Plate. I had no preconceived ideas or plan, but just rolled on the paint and played. Here are the finished projects and in case you would like to try out any of these ideas, how I made them. 

PRODUCTS USED for both projects:
Laser Cut designs from That Craft Place
PaperArtys Fresco Chalk paints - Mermaid, South Pacific, Little Black Dress, Nouget, Guacamole
Gelli Plate and brayer
DecoArt Mat Medium
Sheet of card for the background
Flitter Glue and foam pad (to apply)
Craftynotions Guilding Flake - Copper Thunder
Chipboard letters - Funky Foam would also work (you could cut your own if you have a die/cutter)
Archival Black ink pad
PaperArtsy stamps
Stencil for Butterfly Frame (I used a sheet that is designed to cook ovenchips, it is sold in Poundland (UK) and it makes a great
grid effect).
TOP TIP - look around your home for interesting items that will make impressions in the paint. Just in case you are wondering I do have a separate sheet that I keep for cooking!



BUTTERFLY FRAME:

1.  I put small drops of paint onto the Gelli plate in a random pattern using 3 drops Nouget and 2 drops Little Black Dress. I used the brayer to spread the paint so that the colours blended but did not mix completely. I placed the grid stencil onto the plate, lifting, and repeating in a random fashion to leave impressions. I then laid the laser cut frame onto the Gelli Plate to make the first print. 
NOTE: If you have paint left on your Gelli Plate don't waste it. Use a piece of card or thick paper and build a collection of prints to use as background designs for other projects. 

2. Next I made the background to fit inside the frame.  I randomly put drops of Mermaid, South Pacific, and just a little Little Black Dress paint onto the Gelli Place and used the brayer to spread the colours without mixing them.  I then had the idea of using the clock face as a stencil as I love the large numbers and the butterflies. I
placed the clock face down onto the Gelli Plate then removed it.
This lifted the paint leaving an impression. I  placed a sheet of white card onto the Gelli Plate and gently rubbed the back to get an even print. When I lifted the card the clock face showed as white.

3.  I put a mix of Guacamole and Mermaid paint onto the Gelli Plate and used the brayer to spread. I laid the row of butterflies onto the paint to give colour.  I also added a hint of this paint in a couple of areas of the frame.  Using Nouget paint, I stamped a small text onto the butterflies and then used Little Black Dress paint to
lightly edge the outline of the butterflies.

4.  I cut the background print so that it was slightly smaller than the frame. Then using PVA I glued it onto the back and smoothed it down. I then glued the frame into position. 
To finish,  I added a stamped quote in the corner and painted the letters with Little Black Dress. I applied a little FlitterGlue onto a foam pad and applied this to the grid stencil.  I stamped this onto each of the letters one at a time and added Guilding Flakes. I rubbed the excess flakes away using a small scouring pad or your
finger.  I glued the letters into position and then covered the finished project with Matt Medium. 

BUTTERFLY CLOCK:

1. I randomly put drops of Mermaid, South Pacific, and just a little Nouget paint onto the Gelli Place and used the brayer to blend the colours leaving slight variation. I placed the clock face down onto paint and repeated until the whole surface was covered.
2. I chose a small swirl stamp and applied FlitterGlue using a pad. I stamped this onto the butterflies one at a time, keeping within the outline, then added Guilding Flake. As before, I removed excess and gently buffed. 
3. To finish I stamped the seed head onto the centre of the clock face, and tips of the stamp onto the numbers to give more detail and continuity. Finally I covered the completed project with Matt Medium.  

 

PLEASE NOTE:
When using paint and FlitterGlue on your stamps wash immediately after each use so that it does not dry.  I use warm soapy water and an old toothbrush.

So, that's what I have been up to this week.  I have had great fun and my Gelli Plate will not be packed away as I know it will be in regular use from now on. If you have any questions or want more information about these projects or the Gelli Plate please let me know. Meanwhile, Lisa over at That Craft Place has an amazing collection of Laser Cut designs ranging from small packs of shapes to larger projects. The link again is here and I'll be back soon with more ideas and projects.

Thanks for popping by and your comments are always very welcome and appreciated. 
  

UPCYCLED BOX - TUTORIAL

I have exciting news because in September I became a Laser Cut design team member for That Craft Place, in Eastbourne.  It has been an exciting time and I have loved using these designs made out of MDF and chipboard and using them as a focus for my projects. 

I thought I'd share my latest make and a tutorial and as I love sewing (among so many other things!) I asked Lisa if she could send me some haberdashery designs.  A part from the laser cuts the materials are all up-cycled or what I had on hand, and if you use any of these ideas please do pop back and let me know as I'd love to see them.  Let's start, shall we!

I made this project on a craft retreat and there is a lack of photos of the stages as I did not plan to write a tutorial at the time (I was probably too busy having fun and chatting!)  But the stages are easy to describe so I'll take you through step by step:

First I took an empty box. 

1.  I painted the box white so that the colour did not show through.  Depending on your base colour you may not need to do this.  Wait for the paint to dry before you cover it.

2. I used tissue paper from a vintage sewing pattern to cover the inside and outside of the box.  Diluted PVA worked well, and I applied it to the box itself as the tissue is fragile.  That said, being so thin tissue is also easy to gently push into awkward corners so it is good to work with.  NOTE:  I worked out any wording or design that I wanted to show and cut the paper to fit.  You could also add the design as a layer if you prefer. Here is the back and underside:

3. While the tissue paper dried I started to work on the laser cuts.  This sewing machine fitted perfectly on top of the box and I looked at various ways I could decorate it.  Paint? Stamp? Ink? In the end I decided I wanted a pattern so I chose printed paper and used the sewing machine as a template to draw the outline on the back of the paper.  After I had cut it out I glued it into position using Collall.  Once it was dry I added a small stamped flourish and a some words. 



4. I hadn't taken any threads with me, but the great thing about being a way with friends is that someone always has what you need!  So I wound embroidery silk around the bobbin and used double sided tape to secure.  I then glued the sewing machine onto the lid. I used my glue gun but was too impatient to let the glue heat properly and it dried before it stuck
so  I borrowed Evostick from another friend and this worked a treat.  

 

5. I used Paper Arty chalk paints to decorate the bobbins and once dry I inked a line to add detail.  I wound round more embroidery silk and used Evostick to glue the MDF to the box.

6. I painted a laser cut button and used the same small flourish to add detail.  More embroidery silk was threaded through the holes to add texture and colour.  I used one of my rubber stamps to make a button card and glued the button on.

7. Finally I added the safety pin and needle and thread.  I love the detail of these and so I simply added a light wash of paint to define the thread.  Sometimes less is more, I think.

8. I added a couple of final stamped imaged inside the box  and now it is ready to post to Lisa for display in the shop.

 

I had great fun making this box and am working on another project that I will share once it is finished. Meanwhile if you would like to see what other laser cut designs are available why not pop over to That Craft Place and take a look? 

Thanks for popping by.