Friday, March 30, 2018

A set of cards using stencils by Clear Scraps!

Hi, Connie here with a set of cards using the 6" Bird on Branch and the 6" Shiplap stencil both new releases from Clear Scraps.  My inspiration was to create a mini canvas and use it for a card front.  I cut a piece of canvas in thirds and  came away with a 3 1/2" x 4" piece of canvas.  That is where I started~

Clear Scraps_bird stencil_card1_C. Mercer
I stenciled the bird on the canvas first with brown acrylic paint.  I use a makeup sponge to give it a dark to light look.  A stencil brush would give the bird a more even look when using acrylic paint.  The shiplap stencil was used next with black acrylic paint.

Clear Scraps_bird stencil_card2_C. Mercer
Beads and sequins were added for color.  The cards were speckled with black ink before mounting them on the brown checkered pattern paper.  I stitched the card front to the brown checkered paper for more texture.

Clear Scraps_bird stencil_card3_C. Mercer
Once all the steps were done the card front was mounted on the card base.  I used kraft cardstock for this.  The cards are smaller than a regular size card perfect to hand deliver or for a gift bag.

Clear Scraps_bird stencil_card4_C. Mercer

Supplies used:
Clear Scraps: 6" Bird on Branch stencil
Clear Scraps: 6" Shiplap stencil
other:
Beacon
Darkroom Door stamps
Kraft cardstock
canvas, acrylic paint, pearls, sequins, thread and pattern paper

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Darkroom Door March Challenge~ATC

Hi!
You still have time to create a ATC for the March challenge on the
 I haven't created ATC's in a long time, like 6 years, but
 it was so fun. I hope you will give it a try~

I used the Artist Brushes by Darkroom Door and it is such a fun set.  I stamped the different paint brushes on the ATC (Artist Trading Card) 2.5"x3.5" and then used acrylic paint (DecoArt) to add color to the tips of the brushes.  I stamped the Border Filmstrip stamp to create the frame for the "Create" word.  

Stamped this fun "created by" stamp on the back~

Products used:
Darkroom Door: Artist Brushes
Darkroom Door: Border Filmstrip
DecoArt: acrylic paint
Scrapbook Adhesives: foam squares
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Thanks for stopping by~

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Try It Tuesday~Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs)

Hi!
I'm going to attempt to give you an idea of how these beautiful Ukrainian Easter Eggs are created.  The ones I'm sharing with you were created over 20 years ago.  We were raising Ostrich, Emu and Rhea birds and I had friends with ducks and geese, so I had eggs.  A friend invited me to a class and I was hooked~
I could usually create two a day and still have supper on the table :). 

The best way to start something new is, buy the kit !!!!

The kit came with the dyes, the tool (kistka or stylus) and beeswax.  It also has some
 easy patterns for the eggs.
You will also need white vinegar, no.2 pencil, candle, varnish and drying rack (hubby made mine).

Drying rack along with an Egg Lathe.  The Egg Lathe is a device used to draw perfect horizontal lines around the egg.  This was a very useful tool when I started learning this craft.

Pure beeswax is the only type of wax used with the egg dying process.  The candle is used when you take the wax off, to reveal the designs on the egg.  It really is like opening a present!!

When I first started creating the Ukrainian Ester Eggs, I couldn't start an egg with a pattern, so that is why I have several books of patterns.  As I kept creating I was able to come up with my own designs.  I have listed below the steps in creating an Ukrainian Easter Egg.  Take in consideration the dye has been prepared ( different jars for each color) and beeswax and kistka is ready.

1. Blow the yoke out of the egg. Wash and let it come to room temperature. (You can do them the traditional way and not blow out the yoke.)
2. Place pencil lines, on the egg, dividing it into sections.
3. Apply beeswax to the basic lines.
4. Draw another pattern and then dip in the dye.  Using light color of dye first.
5. Continue the process until the egg is covered with wax.
6. Hold the egg over a candle and the wax will melt off reveling the egg.
The more you practice the better you will get.
7. Rub with varnish and place on the drying rack.
 I would do this at night so the eggs would have a good 8 hours to dry.


These are Rhea eggs~

These are duck, turkey and goose eggs~
Start out using chicken eggs and then look for a source for goose eggs.  They are bigger and give you more space to design with.

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I'm thinking of gearing up and doing this craft again ~
I'll keep you posted!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!

Friday, March 23, 2018

Easter Decorations~

Hi!
I have a few decorations to share with you today.  The first ones
 are made from pressed paper and are really old, about 1940.  They are super duper cute!!


They are beat up some but you would be too if you had survived
 that many years packed away in an attic.  I'm thinking they were little treat baskets.  On
 the bottom, of each, is a boys name and then, the other, a girls name.  

They are painted and the paint has chipped off in places.

The eyes are painted and have a small seed bead in the center.

I love these types of containers, the metal bin drawers.  They are fun and primative
 looking when you add content to them.  I switch them around for different holidays.
Favorite decorating container!
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Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Try It Tuesday~ a Flamingo showed up!!

Hi!!
I have another set of art journal pages to share using the
 gel press by Gelli Arts, DecoArt acryic paint and Darkroom
 Door rubber stamps for Try It Tuesday.  I'm still trying!!



Thhis page started like the others, cleaning the brayer from the Gelli Press.  I added some vintage text paper and stamped the Flamingo(Darkroom Door) on it.  Loved the color combo and this one .


This side is showcasing the stamps and stencil used to create interest. The ink is 
Distress Oxides, my new favorite ink product.  Easy to use and I love the end result!!

Love the Flamingo and the saying that goes perfectly with the image.
These are the last of my pages that I was able to create over the New Year week.  I have a couple pages prepared and ready to go :) ~ got to get busy!!!

Products used:
Distress Oxide inks
DecoArt acrylic paints
Gelli Press
Darkroom Door stencil: Lrg. Mesh       
Art Journal: Dyan Reaveley / small

Thanks for stopping by~

Friday, March 16, 2018

Scallop Circle Printer Tray by Clear Scraps~

Hi, Connie here with the Scallop Circle Printer Tray with a creative twist.  Clear Scraps makes this very cool product that you can really get creative with.  I really wanted to take it up a notch with more of a vintage look.  Instead of adding sequins, buttons and making it a shaker with photos I created a shadow box.  Once I got going on this more ideas flooded my head.  This is how it all shook out ~
Clear scraps_printer tray1_C. Mercer

Instructions:
Gesso the back panel of the Printer Tray.  Use a heat tool to dry it quickly.

Clear Scraps_printer tray3_tutorial_C. Mercer
Create a background using the Gelli Press and several different colors of acrylic paints.  Let dry.

Clear Scraps_printer Tray4_tutorial_C. Mercer
Apply the excess paint, from the brayer, on an Art Journal page (for next creative project~no waste!)

Clear Scraps_printer tray5_tutorial_C. Mercer
Apply a stencil design and add modeling paste for a raised texture.  Dry with heat tool.  For added texture apply more stencils with ink.  Gather and prepare items for inside the Printer Tray.  I stamped out some Art themed stamps, trimmed them out to add to the Printer Tray along with some other Art related items.  Glue the items in the divided spaces and let dry.  Glue two frames together and let dry (no need to paint the tops).  Glue them to the bottom back panel.  Remove plastic film from acrylic sheet and glue on top of Printer Tray.  Prepare the top frame (paint or paper) and glue over acrylic sheet.  Decorate front with more embellishments.

Clear Scraps_printer tray7_C. Mercer
 I loved digging around my craft room for Art related items to put inside the Printer Tray Frame.  The brushes are from when I first started painting "sigh".

Clear Scraps_printer tray2_C. Mercer
Very fun project!!!

Supplies used:
Clear Scraps: Scallop Circle Printer Tray Frame
Clear Scraps: "create" chipboard word
Clear Scraps: 6" Chevron stencil and 6" Spiral stencil
Beacon/Quick Dry
Other:
DecoArt paint
Ranger inks
Gelli Press
Darkroom Door rubber stamps
Tim Holtz ( embellishment items)

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Try It Tuesday~ Art Journal, another page!

Hi guys!
Thanks for stopping in for another Art Journal page.  Still learning~

This was another page that was started by cleaning the brayer (from gel press project) using acrylic paint by DecoArt.  I filled in with Distress Oxides.  Washi tape, stencils and stamps were used to complete the background.


The Past Due stamp is a vintage office stamp.  I thought it went perfect with my page. The quote stamp is stamped on vintage text paper.


Products used:
DecoArt acrylic paints
Darkroom Door stamps ( Succulents, Happy quote stamp)
Clear Scraps Chevron 12" stencil
Archival Ink/Jet Black
Distress Oxides
Washi tape
vintage office stamp
Fun Stampers Journey/Silk
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I'm going to keep on TRYing !!!

Saturday, March 10, 2018

With All My Heart~Quick Quotes & Canon

Hi, Connie here with a scrapbook page using the Spring Showers Collection by Quick Quotes and my iP8720 Canon Printer.  The photo I wanted to use was a vintage print and it was small, about 3" x 3 1/2".  Really wanted it bigger without losing details in the photo.


 The photo was scanned into my computer and printed out using the iP8720 Canon Printer.

I printed out the photo at a 4" x 6" size and was really happy it was so clear and crisp after being enlarged from a 3" x 3 1/2" pocket size photo.  The third picture in the collage you can see the difference.

I decided to use both photos on the page.  You can clearly see which one is the original print but can see details, that are in the picture, looking at the larger photo.  Love the contrast from old to new.

The journal strips were created using Microsoft Word and printed out using the iP8720 Canon printer.  The information is covered for privacy.


The edges of the pattern papers were shaded with Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks.  They have brand new colors for 2018 that match the new paper collections.  The papers are gorgeous!!!!

Products used:
Quick Quotes: ***coming soon**** Spring Showers Collection
Quick Quotes: Windsong Quotes & Phrases
Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks: Key Largo, Capri Blue and Midnight Confessions
Canon: iP8720 Canon Printer
other:
Darkroom Door stamps
Buttons Galore & More
Vintage trim
Scrapbook Adhesives

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Try It Tuesday~ scraps, save them!

Hi guys!!
Wanted share a card made from pieces I saved.
Stamped images. backgrounds and cardstock pieces saved to make
another project!

The background was created using Distress Oxide inks on watercolor paper.
The crayon image was stamped on white cardstock and cut out individually. 
The mason jar was stamped directly on the background and then
  colored in using Distress Oxide ink.  All of the stamped
 images are stamps by Darkroom Door.

Products used:
Darkroom Door Eclectic: crayons and mini mason jar
Distress Oxide ink 
watercolor paper
cardstock
Fun Stampers Journey: silk/Dark Roast
stickers
Fun card!!!!

Thanks for stopping by ~

Monday, March 5, 2018

Scallop Clipboard by Clear Scraps!!

Hi, Connie here with my take on the large Scalloped Clipboard by Clear Scraps.  I used one of the new 6" stencils and chipboard words,  to create a "Springy" decor piece.  I used some old pattern paper, from my stash, along with a vintage bingo card, that was gifted to me by a fellow crafter and friend.

Clear Scraps_scallop clipboard1_C. Mercer
The pattern paper was cut in half and then, using a tape runner, to attach the two pieces together making the paper 8 1/2" X 12".
















The next step was to stencil the background paper using the 6" Shiplap stencil with black ink.  The "Home" chipboard embellishment was stamped with Distress Oxide ink and then embossed.  I love the texture it gives the chipboard word.

Clear Scraps_scallop clipboard2_C. Mercer
Attach the vintage Bingo card to front by placing it under the clipboard clip.  Adhere photos and paper embellishments, by layering the paper and tags, to create a focal point on the Bingo card.  Building a focal point of interest is really the fun part!!

Clear Scraps_scallop clipboard3_C. Mercer
To bring attention to the beautiful scalloped edges, of the clipboard,  Stazon ink was lightly applied to the edges, giving the clipboard a shadow look.  Once the clipboard was finished, black ink was speckled randomly, for a finished look.  Tip: Cover photos before speckling with ink.

Products used:
Clear Scraps: Lrg. Scalloped Clipboard
Clear Scraps: 6" Shiplap stencil
Clear Scraps: "Home" chipboard script word
Stazon ink/Jet Black
Beacon/Quick Grip
Other:
tags, trim, paper embellishments, material flower

Thanks for syopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Friday, March 2, 2018

More Art Journal pages ~

Hi guys!
I have a couple of art journal pages to share. I still feel like a fish out
 of water doing this kinda of art but I am enjoying it.
The base of these pages are where I cleaned my brayer when
I was using the Gelli Press.   So I kinda had a head start :)

 I decoupaged some vintage text paper in random areas of the pages. Stamps,
 stencils, Distress Oxides and modeling paste were used to add 
color and texture to the pages.


Because I didn't use acrylic paints, on these pages, they have a mat finish.  I'm
 assuming that is from the Distress Oxides.

I didn't write down the products, when I created this page,
 so I might miss a few. I'll do my best~

Products used:
Distress Oxide/Ranger
Archival ink/Ranger
Modeling Paste/DecoArt
White acrylic paint/DecoArt
other:
vintage text paper

 I still have a couple more pages to share with you and have already
 started two backgrounds.  It is addicting!!!
Thanks for stopping by~