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Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Ink Blending Your Background using a Stencil

Hi everyone!!  Just wanted to share with you a video we made awhile back that teaches you a little about ink blending with a stencil.  Hannah used a Taylored Expressions stencil, Catherine Pooler Inks, and Picket Fence's Life Changing Blender Brushes.


These brushes really are life changing!!  Look at that blending on the clouds!
Here are a few tips and details about these brushes....

  • They are a "make-up brush," but a higher quality one. (Will the cheap ones work....yes, but think of them as "work shoes;" you know the shoes you pay more for so they WORK...and your feet feel good in them.  Same thing.  You can get the cheaper ones, and they will blend ink, but probably not as well and they may not hold up like you want them too.  I know the ones I tested the brush lost bristles and they bristles were nut cut as smooth, so my blending did not look a flawless like I wanted it to.)
  • Can I clean them- YES!  Dawn Dish Soap and water and then let air dry.  You can blend the color out too on a scrap piece of paper or a microfiber towel for a quick ink color change.
  • Can you use them with all inks- Not really.  We were told by picket fence to avoid using them with SOLVENT based inks....like Staz-On.



Check out this video to see a full tutorial on how Hannah made this card background:


She used the following products on her card background:
Picket Fence Life Changing Blender Brushes
Catherine Pooler Ink
Taylored Expressions Cloud Stencil- 
Neenah Classic Crest 80lb Solar White Cardstock


IF you love this and would like to learn more about how to use stencils...Join Hannah for STENCIL SCHOOL June 7th from 6:30-8:30

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

05-21-2019-Solving the Mystery of Mixed Media





Hello, design team member Amberly here to talk about an art near and dear to my heart, mixed media. For this project I used the Tim Holtz clock, this clock has a glass piece in front that cannot be removed. The Prima Finnabair clock does not have a glass piece in front. Having the glass piece that cannot be removed, I taped off the glass first.

Mixed media art is using a variety of products in layers. For example, this project uses the following:

-Tim Holtz clock

-White gesso, base layer that allows for paints and pastes to stay on object painting

-Texture paste, brings another level of texture to project. Creating a “stone” like appearance

-Acrylic paints, variety of colors and can mixed to create special colors

-Color Bloom sprays, multiple colors and help create drips and running of color on project

-Paper flowers, can also use metal or resin flowers that can painted any color

-Resin clock, using a quick resin in moulds to create a custom embellishment

-Gold leafing, adds sparkle and shine and another texture layer

The hardest part to mixed media projects (in my opinion) is the drying time between layers.

My sister and I have taken a few mixed media classes with industry experts to learn more about mixed media art and gain knowledge of the products available.

Feel free to ask questions, I am happy to help fellow crafters

All products are available and waiting for you at The Doodlebug, Jasper Indiana



Friday, May 17, 2019

Check Out These Design Team Projects

Are you looking for inspiration?  Then look no further.  These are the latest projects submitted by out design team and there is something for everyone. If you want to see them in person, everything is on display at The Doodlebug, and we will help you get what you need to make your own versions!


Kaisercraft Scrap Studio Layout by Leigh Ann Frick

Simple Stories Little Princess Layout by Tina Johnson

Simple Stories Mom's Day Layout by Tina Johnson

Paper Artsy Stamps and Paint by Tina Johnson

Tag using Nuvo Shimmer Powder by Tina Johnson


Fold out Mini using Authentique Youngster by Tina Johnson

Gerda Steiner stamps on a coaster by Amberly Hoffman

Lawn Fawn Shadowbox by Amberly Hoffman

Lawn Fawn 3D Card by Amberly Hoffman
Lawn Fawn Shadowbox Card by Amberly Hoffman



Lawn Fawn Card by Amberly Hoffman


Lawn Fawn Pop up Butterfly card by Amberly Hoffman

Decorative Frame by Amberly Hoffman


Carta Bella Flower Market Mini Album by Amberly Hoffman

Mixed Media Tim Holtz Clock by Amberly Hoffman

Jillibean Soup Uneven Pallet by Tina Johnson

Clear Scraps Shadow Box using Simple Stories Say Cheese 4 by Tina Johnson

Clear Scraps Shadow Box using Carta Bella Flower Market by Tina Johnson

Kaisercraft Scrap Studio Layout by Tina Johnson
Jillibean Soup Garden Harvest Layout using Kiwi Lane Templates by Melody Poff 
Jillibean Soup Garden Harvest Layout using Kiwi Lane Templates by Melody Poff



Jillibean Soup Garden Harvest Layout by Melody Poff

Adorn It Layout by Melody Poff

Carta Bella Flower Market Layout by Melody Poff

Carta Bella Flower Market Layout by Melody Poff

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Kaisercraft Scrap Studio

Hello Paper Crafters… Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of paper with flowers all over it and wondered how you would use it to create a layout?  That’s what happened when I saw the Kaisercraft Scrap Studio “Gritty” paper with beautiful pink, yellow, cream, and red roses.  Today, I will share how I used this line of paper to create a double page layout incorporating these beautiful roses.


My solution was to use a technique called "fussy cutting."  For those not familiar with the term "fussy cutting," it simply means to cut out the pieces (flowers, in this example) of the paper you would like to use on your project.   I began by tearing a strip from the top and bottom of the “Gritty” paper (remove the tape measure strip at the bottom before tearing the paper).  Then, use a Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Distresser to further distress the edges leaving a tattered edge.  


Attach one strip to the top and the other strip to the bottom of a full sheet of "Gritty" paper on the linen colored side.  Then, fussy cut the rest of the flowers on the "Gritty" paper.  I also fussy cut images from the "Expression" paper (doilies, flowers, butterflies, and tags) and other images from the "Coarse" and "Authentic" papers.  Save the identifying strips at the bottom of each sheet because they have pretty patterns and words that will be used later (like the measuring tape shown above).




The following are examples of some of the items I cut out of the “Gritty” (floral side) and "Expressions paper" (floral and doily side).  Along with butterflies from the "Coarse" paper and pieces of the opposite sides of the "Coarse" and "Authentic" paper that were used to make partial tags.



Some hints…unless they are extremely small, never throw away any pieces of paper until you have completed your project.  You may find a special spot for those leftover pieces later.  Also, even if the element is not complete, it can also be used by tucking it under another piece (for example, the yellow flower in the lower left of the picture shown above).
To add a vintage touch to the project, I inked the edges of all pieces with the Tim Holtz Acid Free Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap.  To apply the ink, I used  the Tim Holtz Mini Ink Blending Tool, which features a round foam applicator. 


Now, it's time to create the double page layout.  First up is the left page.  For the base paper, I used “Splatter.”  What a beautiful combination of roses and pink board!  The arched frame is part of the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Baseboard Frames set – Lace (these are so pretty and will work well with scrapbook layouts and mixed media projects!).  


Next, slide the larger doily from the "Expressions" paper to the left of the lace frame (I cut off the black bird).  Then, start placing flowers against the frame and below the doily.  When building the page, try different ways of laying out the flowers


Don't apply adhesive just yet.  Let's look at the right page and see if we want to move any flowers from the left page to the right page.  The "Gritty" sheet that already has a strip of flowers at the top and bottom is the base for our second page.  Place the rectangular Tim Holtz Idea-ology Baseboard Frame in the middle of the sheet and add flowers, tags and other ephemera around the frame


Once you've decided that everything is where you want it to be, begin adhering each piece to the page.  Use 3-D thin and regular foam squares to pop up some of the images at different levels.  Tip...if you use black foam squares instead of white, they do not show up behind the images when looking from the side.  On this project,  I used the Scrapbook Adhesive brand of foam squares.



On the right page, I tucked a clock into the elements on the left side of the layout.  It was part of the Fancy Pants Designs - Magnolia Moments Collection - Chipboard Embellishments - Spools and Slices everyone received at the April 2019 Doodlebug crop at Santa's Lodge.  I like the clock so much that I cut it in half and will be using the other half on another project.



To finalize the layouts, I added butterflies, paper doilies, string bows, pearls, and words from the strip at the bottom of the paper sheets that went well with my wedding picture theme.  Also, I used a black marker to add stitched lines around the tags to give them dimension.  You'll notice that my flowers did not end up in the same place as the original picture.  That's why it's important to wait until the format of both pages of a double page layout is decided before adhering anything

The final layouts... 



Never leave extra paper behind!  With the leftovers, I created two tags.  Once again, I used the fussy cutting technique to cut out images.  When applying a butterfly, only apply adhesive to the center of the body and raise the wings for added dimension.




Visit The Doodlebug, Inc., in Jasper, IN, to see the Kaisercraft Scrap Studio collection and the other products shown in this blog, or, shop online at www.thedoodlebuginc.com!  Here are links to the products I used on these pages:


Thanks for checking out my Kaisercraft Scrap Studio layouts and tags.
Until next time, happy crafting with The Doodlebug!
Melody

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Tonic Studios - Surfaces - A3 Glass Cutting Mat

Hi crafty friends!  Amy here today. Check out my latest purchase from The Doodlebug!!



I am one that never remembers the measurements when layering cards. Finally I "may" remember now. (After I learn centimeters) 




If you are a card maker this Tonic Extra Large Glass Cutting Mat is A MUST HAVE.  It has all the measurements you need to mat and layer your cards.   The bottom has rubber feet so it will stay in play on your work space. 



This is a great way to protect your work surface.   Can't wait to have more time to make so many beautiful creations!  You can find this mat online at The Doodlebug!


~~Amy~~