Friday Focus - Maja Design Papers

It's Cec here and it is my turn to host the Friday Focus segment and today it is all about Maja Design papers.

During the next two weeks there will be an additional 15% discount on all Maja Design paper packs at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Christmas cards are always a must have item this time of year so I decided to make another one to give to a very old friend - that is, old as in since we were babies.

I created the background from a piece of white card stock.  First I took a brayer and laid on a layer of Light Blue Folk Art acrylic paint.

The next step was to add some texture paste through a stencil called Snow Flakes.

Then I inked it with Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans Distress Ink but I couldn't get a blend that matched the papers for the stocking that I was happy with so I took a natural sea sponge and dabbed some Gesso on it - now I was happy.

Once dry I rubbed some silver wax paste onto the snowflakes.  The paste was some I have had for years and while it was still somewhat soft, it was more difficult to work with than some I have from a different manufacturer so I probably should have gone over them a second time to get the silver to pop.  Note to self - splurge on some new silver wax paste or maybe put it on my list for Santa.

I distressed the edges with my scissors and added a few bits of texture paste to look a bit like snow.  Once it was glued to the card blank I added some tiny clear gems along the edge in a couple of spots.

The next step was to cut a stocking shape on my Cameo.

Then it was time to dig out the Maja Design paper pack and this time I used the Vintage Frost Basics.

I glued one of the papers to the toe and heel pieces used a stencil called Mini Ledger with some Wendy Vecchi Crackled Paste to add some highlights.

I also laid some Crackled Paste onto the cuff and while it was still wet I sprinkled some crystal glitter on it.

Once everything was dry, I added more papers to the stocking. I just took one photo of the papers being added although I used two different ones for the first layer. I also noticed that the paper in the photo is upside down but thankfully it is hidden by the toe so you can't see my little oops. I used a brass stencil from Fiber Art to pierce a pattern on a narrow strip of paper and stitched it using embroidery floss.

Then attached the cuff, heel and toe.  I added some gems, venise lace and a sentiment that was part of the pack.  I also added a tag and date that were in the pack but backed them with another tag hand cut from some of the paper.  I didn't have a white brad that was small enough so I just painted one.

Next I created my poinsettia, which was die cut from some gauzy materials I picked up at a wholesale place in Virginia.  You could use the crinoline Linda sells in The Funkie Junkie Boutique but I wanted a really lacy look so I went with this fabric.  I coated each layer with Glue and Seal.

The leaves and flourish are die cuts from my friend Pamellia and they were coated with Perfect Pearl Perfect Pearls (say that five times fast - lol) as were the poinsettia layers.  I use Gum Arabic as a medium with the powder.  I added some stamens to the flower when I combined all the layers.  I also tucked some silver berries under the poinsettia when I added it to the card.

Finally I made a bow from some silver metallic mesh ribbon and added a little snowflake to the centre.  I also added a few more gems for a little added bling.

Here is a revisit of some other projects I have made with my Maja Design papers:

The following products used to create this card came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

Friday Focus: Maja Papers!

Hello dear friends! The end of the week has arrived, bringing with it the Frilly and Funkie Friday Focus. I'm incredibly excited to be presenting this week because the focus is on one of my favorite products, Maja Design Papers. Remember, this also means Linda will be offering a 15% discount on all Maja Design Papers this week at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. That's enough to have me jumping for joy!

I thought long and hard about how I could introduce these papers to those of you who might not be familiar with them. I decided on a tutorial for these layered paper flowers. I make these often because of their simplicity and romantic, shabby appeal. I also enjoy the freedom of choosing colors and patterns to coordinate specifically with my project.

I crafted two sets of flowers. One showcases Vintage Autumn Basics, the other Vintage Summer Basics. This way you can compare the two lines and their amazing scope of color and designs.

   

The above flowers are from the Vintage Autumn Basics collection, and the flowers below are from Vintage Summer Basics.

The first step is to die cut or punch 6 five petal flowers. I used a Spellbinders die because the size was right for my project, but you can use anything you like. Cut 1 large petal, 3 medium petals, and two small petals.    

The next step is to lightly moisten your small petals with water. Shape one of them as pictured below to for the base of your center bud. The second small petal should just be squished together. It is going to become the center of the bud. For petal shaping I use a tool kit and shaping mat from Susan's Garden. You can find similar tools and mats in other brands. You can even use a mouse pad!

Now that your bud is shaped it's time to to move on to your larger petals. Moisten them all lightly with water then gently scrunch and twist them into something that resembles the photo below. It seems like this would tear them apart, but it doesn't. Maja Design papers are strong.

After you have scrunched and twisted you very gently un-scrunch and un-twist them. This is where you want to be quite careful. They will be all crumpled and twisty. That's good. Leave them that way, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes to dry them out. Just a few minutes is all it takes, and remember not to walk away from your oven while baking paper. The photo below is of the baked petals. You may be tempted to skip the baking, but it really cements the shape of the crinkled petal and adds even more dimension and texture.

The next step is to take the two small petals and glue them together to form your center bud. You can work with the middle petal, put some glue in the center and scrunch it into a bud like shape before adhering it inside the small outer petal.

Now adhere the 3 medium petals together, staggering the petals and alternating the patterned side with the solid side as demonstrated below.

At this point you are ready to glue in your center bud. It will appear similar to the photo below:

The final step is to adhere the large petal to the bottom. Voila! You now have a finished bloom in colors that will match your project perfectly!

They also make beautiful gifts. Mine are already packaged and ready to ship to a crafty friend (along with a couple of pads of matching Maja Design papers!)

Thank you so much for stopping in today and checking out the Friday Focus. Don't forget, Linda will be offering a 15% discount on all Maja Design Papers this week at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

It has been a pleasure to share my love of these papers with you. I hope this day brings you joy and lots of crafty inspiration! 

Hugs,

Nancy

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