Faux Leather Tag Tutorial

Hi Everyone!  I wanted to share a tutorial I made that was in the March issue of Scrapbook News and Review.  I also shared this with Swirlydoos because I used this tag on a page I made for the April kit reveal.  In my opinion, Fimo Clay is far too often overlooked as a medium for scrapbook pages.  You can make practically anything with it and it is super light so it won't weigh your pages down.  Having said that, let's get on with the tutorial!

Supplies
Clay - I used Sculpey
Tag Template
Rolling Pin
Aluminum Foil
Wax Paper
Knife
Metal Etching Brush
Stamp
Perfect Pearls
Paint Brush
Grommets
Distress Ink - Black Soot
Antiquing Medium
Paper Towels
Tim Holtz Retractable Craft Pick

Step One
Put some wax paper on your work surface. Depending on the type of clay you use, you may need to knead it for a bit in your hands until it becomes more flexible. Once the clay has become really flexible and soft, begin to roll it out with your rolling pin. You could use a glass if you don't have a rolling pin. You want to roll it to about an 1/8 (one eighth) of an inch thick. I try to go just a bit thinner than that, but too much more and it will be too thin to work with.

Step Two
Position your tag template over your clay.
*Tip - I made my own template out of scrap card stock. I punched a hole in the top and then using my Tim Holtz clear ruler, I pierced the stitching holes around the edge.

Step Three
Using your knife, cut your clay to match the template. Remove the excess clay. Keep the template on your tag and use your knife to cut out the hole. Then, using your craft pick, follow the stitching holes in your template and pierce the holes into your clay.

Step Four
Take your stamp and press it into your clay. If you press too hard you will go through your clay just like a cookie cutter. You want to apply enough pressure to embed your images.

Step Five
Take a piece of aluminum foil and crinkle it up in your hands. The more crinkle in the foil, the more wrinkle in your clay. Pull open the foil enough to expose your wrinkles and place it over the top of your tag. Lightly press it down onto your tag. Roll your rolling pin over the top. You don't need to apply pressure, just lightly roll it.

Gently remove the foil and your tag should look something like this.

Step Six
Apply some Perfect Pearls to your stamped image using your paint brush. Using a damp paper towel, lightly go over the top of your stamped imaged. This will remove the Perfect Pearls from the top edges. I like to to do this because it will give a more worn look to the finished tag.

Take your grommet and place it in the hole. Take it back out. You want to do this before you bake your tag because you may break or crack the clay if the grommet is too big.

Using your metal brush, rough up the edges of the clay. This will give your finished tag a more realistic look. I find that a thinner piece of clay gives me a more ragged edge; where as a thicker piece of clay will curl more than it will "fray".

**Bake your clay following the manufacturer's instructions.

Step Seven
Once your clay has cooled from baking, add some antiquing medium to a paper towel and brush it over your tag. This will deepen the color. Then I used another paper towel and some Black Soot Distress Ink and hit a few of the edges making them look dirty.

Now all that is left is to add your grommet and any other embellishments to dress up your tag. Here are a few examples as well as the page lay out I added this tag to:

Thanks for stopping by to check out this tutorial.  I hope I have inspired you to play with clay!

XO~ Lisa

Emerging Color Resist Technique Tutorial

Ok, I'll admit it...I really love stamping and the more I stamp the more I want to stamp. It's a wonderfully vicious circle.  Emerging Color is one of those techniques that have some very basic and constant elements to it, but the creative license is all yours in how you present it. I'm sure if you Google or YouTube you will find a ton of tutorials and a lot of them will be very similar.  Emerging Color boils down to this one word: resist. This is at its very core a resist technique. The whole trick to doing this is to remember that you will work in layers. You all have seen the page I did for this month's kit. The border across the top uses my version of Emerging Color.

These are the samples I did for this tutorial.

 They look a little grungy, but I did them for the purpose of illustrating how the resist works.

Supplies:
*Heat Gun
*Clear Embossing Powder
*Stamps
*Ink
*Versamark or other embossing ink
*Ink Blending Tool

Step One:

The only thing you really need to remember is this; anything that you clear emboss ON will stay just as you originally placed it on your page. With that in mind I begin to create my first layer knowing that the majority of these colors will stay in tact.

I took the butterflies stamp and added 2 colors of distress ink and then stamped it on my page. I then added some Broken China Distress Ink to a few places around my butterflies. I want sections of the blue to show through when I'm done.

Step Two:

This is the stamp that I want to emboss. This will be the image that will resist all ink going forward. Depending on the image you already created, your final embossed image could show up as being colored or white, or a combination. A big tip: In order for the resist to have an impact your stamp should lay down a fair amount of ink. If your design is anything other than a simple one, a fine or dainty stamp may not work really well.

I used Versamark Ink on my stamp and then stamped my project. Make sure to get your clear embossing powder onto all areas of your stamped image. Now use your heat gun to emboss it. Check your image by looking at an angle to make sure that all of the embossing powder has melted.


Here is what my project looks like with my image embossed. Hopefully you can see it.

Step Three:

I begin adding ink to my project using the lightest color ink first. You can see that my embossed image is beginning to pop.

If you have Googled this technique you will note that it is at this point most people take a brayer and ink over their entire project in really dark ink so that only those images or colors under the embossing show and nothing else. I've taken mine one step further.
 

Step Four:

I begin by adding black ink in different areas. The darker you make your ink, the more your embossing shows up.

For this project I decided to spray it with just a light misting of water. This reacts with the distress ink and some of the lines between the colors being to blend on their own. I lightly wipe the water off; concentrating on removing the ink from the embossed image.

As you can see in the picture above, the blue and some of the purple and marigold of my butterflies still shows through as if it hasn't been touched. Yet, those colors are either gone or greatly reduced where the embossing was more "distressed" or not there at all.

This is one of many really cool resist techniques that you can do with embossing. I hope you give it a try! If you have any questions please let me know!!!


XO,
Lisa

Forever

This is an arch I did for Scrapbook News and Review's Week of Valentines Newsletter. I know it's a day late, but I still wanted to post for you!  I hope you enjoy the tutorial and that is sparks some creative thoughts for you!!

Supplies

• Cardboard
• Cardstock: Red and White
• Stamps: Heartfelt Creations, Stampers Anonymous
• Ink: Distress, Archival, Memento, Colorbox
• Paint: Lumiere by Jaquard
• Mist: Tattered Angels
• Fantastix
• Chipboard Frame: Kaiserkraft
• Rub On
• Lace and pearls
• Ephemera
• Melting Pot
• UTEE
• Spellbinders Dies

Step 1

Cut your card stock and cardboard in the shape of an arch. After you have cut the red card stock fold it in half vertically and then cut it. Next, take the white card stock and crumple it up in your hands. I then took my background script stamp and using my black archival ink, I stamped it onto the white card stock somewhat off the paper.

Using my ink blending tool and Vintage Photo Distress Ink, I lightly went over the top of the paper just so that the ink hit the high point of the creases. I went back in with my blending tool and blotted more color in a few places and made sure to ink up my edges. Then I used my Mini Mister to spray water onto my card stock. I crinkled up the paper again and then hit it with my heat gun to dry it.

Take one half of the red card stock and using white Color Box ink and my Stampers Anonymous Flourish stamp, I stamped off the page around the outside edge.

Step 4

(sorry for the blurry pic) Glue your white card stock to the cardboard arch. The cardboard provides stability to your project. Then glue the red card stock you just stamped over the top of your white card stock. You may want to add your rub on at this point as well.

**Steps five and six are a project all by themselves, so I will try to combine them the best I can.

 Step 5
Using black archival ink, I stamped my leaf onto a sheet of white card stock. Cut the leaves out from the card stock. I then used my Spellbinders Flowers Dies and cut out two flowers from white card stock.

 Step 6
Using Fantastix and two shades of Green Memento ink I added veins to my leaves and colored in the very ends where it looks like the leaf is curled. I then used Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and inked up the edges of my flowers. I used my stylus I curled the petals on the flowers.

Melt UTEE in the melting pot. When everything is melted begin to dip each flower into the UTEE making sure to cover the entire piece. Let it drip off and place it on something non-stick like your craft mat. You have to work quickly with this next step and be careful not to burn yourself. As the UTEE begins to harden you have a small period of time that you can still manipulate your petals to give them shape. After you have dipped your flowers, you will now dip your leaves and repeat the process.

When the flowers dry and harden you may need to go back and trim off any little dried blobs of UTEE. Start assembling your flowers. You will need to use pop dots to glue them together. Add a pearl for your flower center.

Step 7
Using my finger, I applied White Pearl Lumiere paint to my chipboard frame. When that dried, I lightly misted it with Graphite Mist by Tattered Angels. The mist will make little pools on the white paint. You want this to happen. You want a mottled look. This will give it the appearance of tarnished silver. When this dried I added my photo and adorned it with pearls and a mini cameo.

All that is left is to assemble your arch! Glue your pearls around the outside edge, add your frame, glue down your flowers and your lace.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!!  Thanks a ton for stopping by!

XO,
Lisa

Faux Leather Tutorial

Making faux leather is easier than you think.  I know, I say that about a lot of my tutorials.  Have I been wrong? LOL  Let's get started!

Supplies

• Matte Multi Medium
• Paint Brush
• Card Stock
• Tissue Paper
• Ink (I used Distress Inks in the following colors: Old Paper, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain and Aged Mahogany
• Ink Blending Tool (s) & Pad (s)

 

Step 1

The first thing I did was distress my paper by using my fingers to break down the paper fibers so that the paper was more flexible.  I didn't really do this for the creases because the tissue paper takes care of that.

Beginning with your lightest color, start pulling the ink onto your paper with your blending tool.  Remember that you want an uneven finish.  Old, worn leather doesn't have an even color, neither should your card stock.

*Tip - Don't get stuck in the thought that your leather must be brown.  Get creative and go with any color your heart desires.  I used to have a pink leather mini skirt.  LOL Those were the days.

 

Step 2

Once you have your card stock inked to your heart's content, take a piece of tissue paper that is half-again as big as your card stock, and crumple it up really good.  I balled mine up into my hand.  Now gently pull it open, but don't open it to the point where all of your wrinkles and creases are gone.

Step 3

Using your paint brush, begin spreading your matte Multi Medium onto your card stock until you've covered it.

**Tip:  If you are using Distress Ink, it will begin to react to the moisture from the Multi Medium.  If you look close at my photo you can see where this is beginning to happen.  Now, you may decide you want this to happen in which case it gives you another opportunity to blend and move the color around.  If you don't want this to happen then you need to use as few brush strokes as possible to get your piece covered.  I started out using more MM on my brush so that my brush wasn't initially in contact with the paper.  You can eliminate this from happening by using inks that don't react to water.

Step 4

Take your tissue paper and begin laying it onto your paper.  This is where you control how wrinkled and creased your leather looks.  You can just lay it on top all at once and lightly press it down in place, as I have above), or you can start in one section and using your fingers you can pull open your tissue paper so that it isn't so wrinkled and push it down onto your page. (Refer to my page layout example at the top)  You can go another step further and move the tissue paper around on the page.  Just remember that your tissue paper is soaking up moisture and could rip or tear.

If you have any tissue paper hanging over the edge just leave it there for the time being.  You'll need to dry your project at this point by using a heat gun or hair dryer.  Once the paper has dried, use a craft knife or scissors and trim off the excess tissue paper.

Step 5

Take your mid-tone ink (Vintage Photo in my case) and run your blending tool just across the tops of the creases so that they grab the color.  You may want to smoosh your tool down in a few places to add a richer tone to your leather.  

Your Done!!!!  As you can see from the two examples I provided at the beginning of this tutorial, the applications are only limited by your mind.  You could make an entire background out of this, a card or just sections for a page.  You could make inches, twinchies, thrinchies, tags and ATCs.  You can stamp on it (as I did above).  I used colored pencils on the example as well.  Open your mind and get creative.  I can't wait to hear how this works for you and I would love to see what you do with it!

Have a blast and thanks so very much for stopping by!!

Crepe Paper Carnations

How much do I love thee?  Let me count the ways!!  Isn't this flower adorable!?  I ran across this tutorial on the web months ago and it has been rolling around my head ever since.  It is so versatile making it perfect for every one one of your gorgeous creations.  Let's go!

Supplies

• Crepe Paper - I wouldn't suggest the rolls of crepe paper that you buy for parties because it is much too thin.  You can use it.  I tried it and wasn't as satisfied with it.  They were still cute and will work in a pinch. The difference in weight and stiffness makes a huge difference with this flower.  I bought my crepe paper from Paper Whimsy.  This site has awesome downloadable files too!
• Two circle punches - a 1 inch and a 3/4 inch
• Glitter and glitter tray
• Matte Medium
• Fast drying liquid glue
• Tweezers
• Pearls for the flower center - I bought a string of pearls in the jewelry department at Michael's. You can pick up some nice stuff when there is a sale or by using one of their coupons.

 Step One

Cut out 5 of each size circle with your punches.  Just a side note, sharpen your punches first.  Crepe paper is spongy and your punches may not cut all the way through.  My punches are not a great quality so they struggled a bit.  You also need to cut out a 1 inch circle out of card stock.  This is the base that you will glue your petals to.

Make sure that all of your circles are placed so that the creases are vertical (going up and down).  There is a reason for this and it will be explained in the next step.  Using a small amount of liquid glue on the petal, pinch the bottom so that it looks like a fan (see above).  Do this to all of your petals.

Step Two

No, you aren't seeing double. LOL  Once you have glued all of your petals, go back to each one and pull at the creases of the paper making the petals fan out.

 

Step Three

Add some glitter to your glitter tray, or bowl.  Make a little pile with it.  Place a small amount of Matte Medium to your pointer finger.  Now touch it to your thumb so that both fingers have Medium on them.  Take each petal and place a small amount of Matte Medium on the edges by placing it between your finger and thumb. This will add some Medium to the top and bottom.  Dip each petal, like a chip, into the glitter.  You really just want to put a small amount on the edges.

Step Four

Place some glue on the card stock circle.  Begin to place the large petals around the circle.  Tuck one side of your petal underneath the petal before it.  

Step Five

Repeat the step above only this time using the small petals.  I placed a dollop of glue in the middle and used my tweezers to help me place them and push down in the middle.  You want to offset your petals, and will need to layer them the same way you did the larger ones.  I like my flowers to have a little depth to them so I made sure to squish down the little petals making them pop up a little. The last step is to glue a pearl in the center.  When everything dries you can play with the petals to "fluff" them up a little. 

You can use whatever color crepe paper you want for these.  You can use glass beads in place of glitter, or don't use any at all and use ink around the edges.  You can use a smaller flower for the center, glass beads or whatever strikes your fancy.  Really simple, totally customizable, and versatile.  What else would you want from a flower!!  Enjoy~

Calla Lily Tutorial

I fell in love with this flower when I saw a video for it on the Heartfelt Creations website.  So, if you don't want to read my tutorial you can click here to watch it over at HC.   I did distress this up a little bit, which is not on the video.  All right!  Let's get started......

Supplies

• Lily Petals Pre Cut Stamps - You will use the largest stamp (Heartfelt Creations)
• Perfect Petals Die Set by Spellbinders - You will use the largest die (Heartfelt Creations)
• Cuttlebug (not pictured)
• Glitter (not shown) and Glitter Tray
• Paper Distresser
• Ink (I used two: Bundled Sage Distress Ink, and Coffee Bean Archival Ink)
• Jolee's Boutique Vintage Flower & Bud Stickers (can be bought in various places)
• Floral Tape
• Paint brush, pen, or stylus - something to curl your flower
• Glue (I used Zots)

 Step One

I wanted the inside of my lily to have more of a variegated look.  I first covered my stamp in Bundled Sage and then strategically hit specific areas with the Coffee Bean.  **Tip - always start with the light color when using more than one ink.  This way you won't muddy up the light ink pad.  I had to use a paper towel to lightly blot of some of the brown ink, otherwise it would have been really dark.  I was going for a more washed out look so I didn't want super dark ink.

Step Two

Cut out the stamp using your Spellbinders die. Now cut off the bottom 1/2 inch of the flower.

Step Three

Distress the edges of the petal and crinkle up the petal giving it a worn look.  Take Bundled Sage and hit the edges and some of the wrinkles.  Remember to do the back because when you curl your lily it will show.  Add some water (for such a small piece you can use a paint brush, Q-Tip, or your fingers) around the edge of your petal.  Remember that you used Distress Ink so try not to get the center of your flower wet or you will loose some of the detail from the stamp.  Now start to work your paper to give some curl to the edges and waves to your flower.  While the paper is still damp, place your petal vertically (like above) and place your paint brush (also vertically) and roll the bottom of the flower around your brush until the bottom looks like a lily. You are rolling it from side to side and not top to bottom.

I don't have pictures of the last step, but you can refer to the sample picture at the top.  Now stake a flower stamen and using glue place the stamen inside the lily.  You can thread the stamen through the bottom of the flower.  You may also need to glue the bottom edge of your lily where you curled it around.  I cut down a wooden skewer for the stem and wrapped the stamen around it.  You can use floral wire or whatever you like for the stem of your flowers.  The last thing you need to do is wrap floral tape around everything to secure it in place.  I decided to use some Rock Candy Stickles on the inside to give it some shimmer and I also rolled the edge in some silver glitter to match the other flowers on my page.  Not something you need to do, but this just gives you an idea of how you can customize it to coordinate with other flowers you may be using.