Art Society - Standard Of Grace

I just love Christy Thomlinson's artistic style, unlike mine it's so free and spontaneous.  This project is inspired by her monthly Art Society Club.

The tag is covered with burlap and plaster of paris.  The dress form is a Tim Holtz die covered in book paper.  The dress is made from strips of lace dipped in PVA glue, then dyed with distress ink and dry brushed with acrylic paint.

Life Book 2015 - Playing Tag

Continuing with Week 2 of Life Book 2015 with guest artist Roben-Marie Smith.  The focus of her lesson was to create a quick tag using pre-printed art.  I had four altered playing cards lying around doing nothing so I decided to use those on my tag.

Each of the quotes is by Brene Brown and are words of comfort and courage to me. Her books on wholehearted living and letting go of perfectionism are guiding beacons.

 

The tags were cut using a Tim Holtz die, and then covered in book paper. I used Red Brick Distress Ink to colour each tag and splattered water to create the texture.

The altered playing cards and words were attached with gel medium, and then splattered with black acrylic paint.

   

I chose the tag that had the message I most needed to hear and incorporated that into my Life Book layout.

Steampunk Tag

Technique:  Papercraft

Materials:
Scarlett West digi
Copics Markers
Skin: E0000, E00, E02
Golden Brown: Y23, Y26, Y28
Leather Brown: E31, E33, E35, E37, E29
Green: YG61, YG63, YG67
Black: C0, C3, C5, C7
Steampunk Debutante paper by Graphic 45
Distress Inks;
* Vintage Photo
* Antique Linen
* Black Soot
* Walnut Stain
Vintage Photo Stickles
Copper Gel Pen
cardstock
craft metal
metallic copper embossing powder

Tools:
Sizzix Big Shot
Tim Holtz Alterations die, Tag and Booksplates
Cuttlebug embossing folder, Clockworks
Spellbinders Spritely Sprockets
Steampunk Charity Wings rubber stamp set by the Rubber Cafe
heat gun

Did I mention my love for all things steampunkery? :0)

This tag I made specifically for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge this week, the theme of which was to show a tag. 

Do you remember when you first started papercrafting?  You were probably like me and started with very limited supplies, and even a spending spree only meant getting a few prized tools and materials.  Slowly, over time, the collection grows and grows and you can start making what you envision in your head without need for substitution or compromise.  That's been the case with this tag.  First came the Big Shot, then some distress inks, some dies, some embossing folders, and the rubber stamps, don't even get me started on Copics, do you know how long it takes to build up a colour library when you budget to buy 3 at a time LOL.

The main image is called Scarlett West from Kenny K.  No doubt you will get bored with how many times I will use this particularly lovely!

The tag is made using a Tim Holtz die, tag and bookplates, I use this all the time, well worth the investment.  The cog pattern on the background is made with a Cuttlebug embossing folder I am beginning to prefer these over other brands as they are considerably larger.  No need to butcher the folder apart to fit in a tag.  The embossed areas are inked with antique linen and vintage photo distress inks.

The wings and sentiment come from a set by Rubber Cafe called Steampunk Charity Wings, it's one that I can see myself using again and again.  The set was designed especially to support an organization called Charity Wings which is a California Non-Profit Organization that serves as a resource for Crafters and Artists that want to raise money and awareness for charity.

The sentiment is a quote by Orville Wright which reads "If birds can glide for long periods of time why can't I?"  The wings were stamped in vintage photo and then embossed with copper embossing powder.

The cogs are cut from card using a Spellbinders die, Sprightly Sprockets.  Inked with vintage photo, embossed with copper embossing powder, inked again with soot black, and then given a sprinkle of vintage photo Stickles.  The larger of the cogs has been attached with a brad that has likewise been embossed with copper and kissed with Stickles.

Do you ever wish companies would make things just for you?  I wish Texture Fades embossing folders were larger and I wish Spellbinders would make steel rule dies so I could cut chunky materials.  What would you wish for?

Year Of The Rabbit

February 3rd marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year in 2011. This is the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac providing the inspiration for this ornament, however you could make this with the animal that symbolizes your birth year if you prefer.

Techniques: Knotting, Cut and Paste

Materials:
paper mache luggage tag
red and black joss paper, or similar
white chipboard or thick card
acrylic paints
sealant, such as Liquitex or Royal Coat
pva glue
1/2 metre red cord
double sided mounting tape or foam
large bead

Tools:
scissors

Cover the paper mache tag with the red and black joss paper. Print the image below onto a piece of red paper. I had some scrapbooking paper that was slightly textured, red background with a brushed gold over the top, that was perfect for this project. Glue the image onto a piece of white chipboard and cut to size. Seal both the back and front.

The square good luck knot is deceptively easy to make, all you need is a little cord, a square of paper and some good instructions. This site http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/howto4/ shows a step by step guide to tying this knot, and if you feel adventurous, there are several other tutorials for different knots.

Glue the knot to the tag with one loop pointing upwards for hanging, and the loose tails pointing straight down the middle of the tag. Using double sided mounting tape stick the rabbit to the centre of the tag. Thread the loose ends of the cord through the bead and knot securely. Pull the bead back down to cover the knot. Fray the loose ends of the cord so it looks like a tassel.

Cherub Tag

Techniques: Paperclay, Scrapbooking

Materials:
paperclay
luggage tag, either chipboard or strong card
scrapbooking embellishments
PVA glue
sealant
acrylic paints

Tools
Brown Bag Cookie Mold, or similar
rolling pin
paint brushes

With damp hands knead a golf ball sized amount of paperclay until smooth and pliable. This doesn't take long, paperclay is such a lovely medium for this type of project. It's easy to handle, forms into moulds very well, air dried, lightweight, easy to paint.

Place the ball of paperclay into the centre of your cookie mould and squish down firmly. Use a rolling pin to force it into all the creases and to ensure it reaches the edges. Once you have rolled it you should be able to gently peel back a corner and lift it out of the mould. Trim edges and allow to try.

Basecoat entire cherub plaque with a basecoat of white acrylic and allow to dry. Then paint in desired colours. Allow to dry overnight and give front and back a coat of sealant.

Embellish luggage tag with scrapbooking elements. Use the PVA glue to stick the cherub plaque to the tag. Allow to dry overnight and add a hanging cord.