Playing with Tim Holtz Woodgrain Cardstock

Hi folks! I'm back with another new product review...Tim Holtz Woodgrain Cardstock. The new cardstock comes in a pack of 12 pre-cut sheets (5.5" x 4.25") of heavy cardstock embossed with a woodgrain texture. Very convenient! The pages are white right out of the package. Here's what I created with my first sheet...

This piece of cardstock involved lots of layers, which started with Distress Paint in Tea Dye and Bundled Sage. I added the paint and then spritzed the paper with water to blend the colors. It already looked pretty good here!

Next I added a few Distress Stain colors to get more of that patina look. I used Peacock Feathers and Peeled Paint for this second layer.

And just because I was curious about the new Mica Sprays (this one is from the Dylusions line), I spritzed a fine mist of mica spray over the cardstock. It's not screaming bling, but adds just the finest mist of shimmer. Love it!

As I was digging through my bin of paint I stumbled across the Tarnished Brass Distress Paint and was compelled to add a tiny bit of brass paint to the edges...dreamy.

I finished by adding Gathered Twigs and Black Soot Distress Inks. Conclusion? The woodgrain cardstock is a blast, and it take stand up to just about anything you throw at it!

Next I stamped a butterfly, from a Dina Wakley stamp set (see supply list below), onto a piece of a gelli print I had in my stash. (I did glue the deli paper to a piece of cardstock for more stability) Then I grabbed my new Dylusions White Paint Pen and added some highlights...The new paint pen is dreamy! You need it! It took a while for the paint to work its way down to the tip of the pen, but after that it worked amazingly well, better than the Sharpies I have in my stash. This white pen is going into my stash of favorite pens!

I finished my card by using the new cabinet cards from Tim Holtz, along with a sentiment and a few Idea-ology stickers (upper right hand corner). And, of course, I needed a tiny bit of bling...'cause butterflies must have a sparkly trail, right? 

And in other, very exciting news, I was asked to join the 2016 The Crafters Workshop design team! I can't wait!! The term doesn't begin until the May time frame, but be sure to stay tuned for lots of great stencil projects!!

Supplies:
-Tim Holtz Woodgrain Cardstock

-Distress Paint

-Distress Ink

-Distess Stain

-Scribbly Insects Stamp Set

-Cabinet Cards in Black

-Idea-ology Labels

-Dylusions Paint Pens

-Dylusions Mica Spray

Gesso Resist Technique

Hi friends! Today I'm sharing a quick and easy technique for creating amazing backgrounds....Gesso Resist! Here are the materials you're going to need:

I'm using a piece of watercolor paper (you'll need a heavier cardstock for this technique), gesso (Liquitex is my fav), a sponge, and background stamp, I'm using the Typewriter Text background stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy.

Put some gesso on a non-stick craft sheet and use the sponge to apply a thin layer of gesso on to the stamp. Use a light hand to apply the gesso as too much will create a puddle of paint and will keep the edges of the design from being crisp. (You can see how the top of the stamp has a little too much paint)

Stamp onto the piece of watercolor paper. You'll see that some of the archival ink, that was on my stamp 'cause I never clean my stamp, came off with the gesso. This won't affect the results. Be sure to clean your stamp immediately after stamping as the gesso will harden and effect the use of your stamp.

Next, grab a few Distress Stains and a water bottle. Apply the Distress Stains to a non-stick craft sheet, you can see my bottles above each color, and then spritz the stains with some water. This will allow the color to freely move over the watercolor paper.

Swipe the cardstock through the ink. Be careful not to move the cardstock around too much or your colors will become muddy (well, my colors would 'cause I'm using colors on the opposite side of the color wheel! LOL!). Spritz your cardstock with more water if you want the color to move around more.

Check out these results! Ohhh...love it! The gesso resists the stains, making the background design pop out...love it! You can see how I allowed the stains to drip off of the page. I had originally intended to cut a shape out of this piece of paper, but I loved the drips so much I use the entire piece!

I finished my card by adding a flower from the Lovely Lotus stamp set, colored with Faber Castell watercolor pencils, a few dragonflies, from the same set, and a sentiment.

Hope you enjoyed today's tutorial!! If you're interested in more of my video tutorials, including other gesso resist projects, subscribe to my You Tube Channel, here.

When Was the Last Time

Hi gang!  Sorry I've been MIA again!  Life and the running of a business sure does get in the way of my creative time!!  However, I did manage to sneak into the studio this week to create a short video on using Remnant Rubs!  You can check out the video here and I'll list the products I used on this project below!  Enjoy!

 

Supply List:

Remnant Rubs

Distress Stains

Distress Ink

Petaloo Flowers

Manila Tags

Way with Words Stamp Set

 

 

Courage

Hi everyone!  I'm back today with an art journal project, and a video, where I demonstrate another gesso resist technique...this one is where I use gesso as an ink for stamps.  Fun stuff!  (Tim Holtz demonstrated this technique at a retailer event that I attended a few weeks ago). 

 

And...I'm working on my courage, showing you (in a big 'ol picture I might add) my very first face drawing.  Ugh...it needs work but I finished...I did it, I drew something by hand (me, who can barely draw a stick figure), and I'm super excited about continuing to learn and experiment! 

 

I do have to give a huge shout out to the following two ladies, who are the ones who provided a ton of inspiration and help when it came to some of the smaller details....Donna Downey, who just started drawing faces and her videos were a great help in pushing me to give it a try and Tamara Laporte, who is an artist I just stumbled upon (thank you Dyan Reaveley!) and I adore her art!  Her faces are amazing and I love the colors she uses...purples and blues in the hair...stunning!

 

Here's how my projects came together...(A full product list can be found at the end of my post)

I started by using gesso as an ink and then stamping with the Collage of Digits images all over two pages in my Dylusions journal (the video will provide you with step-by-step instruction on how to use the gesso).

Then I grabbed three Distress Stains (Spiced Maralade, Dusty Concord, & Broken China) and "scribbled" all over both pages.  A good spritz of water helped the colors to blend.  Once the pages were dry, I used my hand and more water to create the droplets.

I need added more design by grabbing a few 6x6 stencils from the Crafters Workshop.  Distress Ink gave color to the dark brown design and some Maya Gold gave color to another stencil.  (I adore metallic on my projects!)

And then I started sketching the face!  I started by using a charcoal pencil, which blends a bit when you go over it with paint (I used Golden Liquid Acrylics and Adirondack paint) but I like that extra shading bit.  I then filled in my face with a mixture of Titan Buff and Yellow Ochre and added the features.  Note...it's super hard to get the eyes the same size and once I'd finished I realized my lips were off center...had to repaint them!  I have a whole new appreciation for people who have nature drawing talent...it's super hard!  Once the face was complete, I painted the hair and added a shirt.  Then I added this great quote!

Notes for next time...my eyes are huge, as are my lips, need to make both smaller.  Need to work on the hair...it looks too flat or something, it needs more movement.  Maybe next time I'll just go for one of those no-feature faces...yeah, I like that idea...LOL!

Here's my produce list and the video link is below the list (feel free to email me with any questions at kim@eclecticpaperie.com).

Dylusions Journal
Claudine Hellmuth Gesso
Collage of Digits
Distress Stains
Quartrefoil Stencil
Golden Liquid Acrylics
Adirondack Paint Dabbers
Distress Ink (Gathered Twigs)

I created a video demonstrating the gesso resist-stamping technique.  Check it out below!  For your reference, it's also posted in the eClassroom where you can also check out our other videos.  Enjoy!

She Sprouted Wings

Tim posted his February tag a few days ago and I managed to fit in some crafting time this weekend that started with the tag.

So...any time I've followed along with Tim's tags - and I have for about four years now - I always approach my creation in the same way.  I follow his techniques and then create my own design, using what I have on hand, since not all of us have all of the products (well...I have them but I have to send them to customers...ohhh...it's hard not to shop from my own store whenver the mood strikes! LOL!)

This month's tags included the following items that I wanted to be sure and incorporate into my tag:
1) Kraft core embossed paper
2) A main image that resembled a card
3) Twine
4) Using Distress Markers
5) Using Distress Stain
6) Incorporating metal
7) Using foam tape to pop up one part of the main image

First I created the background of my tag just like Tim did in his tutorial...Barn Door Distress Stain, aged the edges, Black Soot Distress Ink.  Then, since I don't have the stamp set he used, I just grabbed a text stamp that I love and stamped portions of it a few times on the background.

 

Then I grabbed my stash of Kraft Core-dinations cardstock (yes, I think I'm adding this back to the store...it's just too good not to share!), ran it through my Vagabond in a Tim-designed embossing folder, sanded the embossed areas, tore the edges, and attached the pieces to the top and bottom of the tag.

 

Next came my main image....I did snag this great stamp set, She Sprouted Wings (Unity), from the store and stamped it once on cream cardstock (note that I am out of watercolor paper!  This is tragic!).  I then used a ruler and a black Zig pen to toss in a few lines...kind of like that playing card look.  Got to work with my Distress Markers...When I watercolor with the markers, I scribble on my non-stick craft sheet, and then use a water brush to pick up water and apply it to the paper.  Once my little lady was colored, I cut out my "card" and attached it, with foam tape, to the tag (with aged edges..of course)!  Next I stamped the image again, colored just the wings, cut them out and attached them to the main image. 

 

Then my lady got a crown...of course...

 

My last step was to add the twine (OK, never considered using my blending tool and Distress Ink to color the white part of the twine...duh...), sentiment and label sticker.  Oh, and the tag "string" made out of tissue tape....yet another time I smacked my head and said, "why didn't I think of that?!"

 

Hope you enjoyed today's tag...Head on over to Tim's blog to play along!!

 

Time is a Companion

Hi there and welcome to my second post of 2013!  I'm off to a good start! **smile**  I had some time to play along with Tim's January tag challenge yesterday and I thought I'd share my creation with you today!  I missed doing the tags at Christmas this year so I was itching to make a card.

 

My goals, any time I participate in one of Tim's tag challenges, is to incorporate the elements he used on his tag and to use some or all of the same techniques but not to copy the same design.  This month's tag included embossing, Distress Ink, metal accents, a big 'ol sentiment, film tape, and some great layering.

My first step was to use an embossing folder to emboss a tag.  I liked this circle design and it was similar to Tim's gears embossing folder that he used on his tag so...I went with it!

Next I used Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass, Mustard Seed, and Walnut Stain Distress Ink to color the tag.  Then I spritzed with Perfect Pearls because I love that tiny bit of shimmer!

 And then came the decorating!  I got a bit carried carried away and didn't take photos of the entire process but here's what I did...

1 - Added the film strip to the left side of my tag.  Use thin red line tape to attach the film.
2 - Stamp my sentiment on cream cardstock, cut it out, and age edges with Walnut Stain.  (Funny story about the sentiment...I looked at Tim's tag and went to my craft studio.  I selected this sentiment because I liked the saying and how it fit on the tag.  It wasn't until after my tag was finished that I realized I'd used the same sentiment!)
3 - Stamp the mini ticket on cream cardstock, cut it out, and age edges with Walnut Stain.
4 - Cut two dress forms from grunge paper.  Color one with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink and stamp over the top half with a script stamp.  Color the stand with Walnut Stain.
5 - Use paper from October Afternoon (Farm Girl) to create a skirt.
6 - Wrap washi tape around the waist (for a belt) and use a glue gun to attach a metal flower.
7 - Stamp music notes on crinkle ribbon and color with Tumbled Glass Distress Stain.

 Now it's time to assemble!  I used a glue gun to attach the metal leaves on the shoulder of the dress form.  Then I added the dress and used the mini ticket to note the month and year I made the tag.  Use a glue gun to attach a mini pin to the top of my sentiment and then use foam tape to attach sentiment to tag.  Use foam tape to attach this sweet clock from Wendy Vecchi's Blossom Bucket collection. 

And there you have it...January's tag!  Enjoy and stop by Tim's blog to see his tag and play along with this month's challenge...

Praying for You

Hello Monday and welcome to our next CAS challenge on Splitcoast!  This week it's a photo inspiration challenge and wait until you see the photo...it's beautiful! 

 

I went back and forth when creating my card as I really wanted to be quite literal in my design...having tiny leaves cascading down the side of my card (like in the photo).  However, after I created these leaves using sticky back canvas, Dylusions Ink Sprays, Distress Ink Stains, and Seasons of Change dies from Sweet 'n Sassy I changed my mind. :-) 

 

I decided to focus on the elements of the photo...the vines in the background were recreated with an Impression Obsession background stamp in the middle of my card, my leaves were attached with foam tape, and I added scallop trim in a teal.  Loved that pop of color in the photo!  And my sentiment is also from Sweet 'n Sassy, from the Seasons of Change stamp set (this set coordinates with the dies). 

 

Enjoy!

 

Bonjour

Why do I do it to myself?  I'm trying out for the CAS design team on Splitcoast again.  Yes, it's the fourth time (at least) and now I'm busy running eP but still...I figured I needed to give it one more try....So here is my card for the second round.  The challenge was to create a card using our three favorite things.  My three favs right now?

 

1) Sticky Back Canvas!  Can't get enough of it!

2) Distress Stains - Didn't think I'd like them but I LOVE them!

3) Silhouette images - And Sweet 'n Sassy has the best silhouette stamp sets out there!

 

So we'll see...I have a few days to wait until we get the final word.  Of course I'll scream like a little girl if get it and if I don't...then I'll be darn happy for the girls who did get on the team!!  Then I get to play along with the challenges, without any pressure.  That's not a bad thing...

 

To create this card I started by using Distress Stains in Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge on my canvas.  The joy of the stains is that they're very lightweight and translucent so you can start off with a light hand and add more color as you go.  I used the Wild Honey in the center and Rusty Hinge on the edges.  Then I spritzed just a tiny bit of Glimmer Mist on the top.  I used a heat gun to completely dry the canvas before stamping with the To Paris with Love image on the canvas.  Then I got to work on those edges because canvas isn't any good unless it has frayed edges!  Removed the backing from the canvas, attched it to a piece of cardstock, and mounted the whole thing on a piece of watercolor paper...just for a tiny bit of texture.  I'd called that a clean AND simple design! :-)

 

Supply List: 

All products from eclectic Paperie (product links in text), To Paris with Love stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

What's Perking

I had some time to play with some new products a few night's ago.  One major benefit of owning a store is having the opportunity to work with new products!  WooHoo!!  One of those products is stencils.  Many years ago I used to use the metal stencils and a stipple brush to create my name image (who remembers those?).  However, The Crafter's Workshop stencils are much larger (come in a variety of sizess) and are plastic.  Since this is a new product for me, I wanted to get my hands on a few and spend an evening just playing!

I grabbed my Distress Inks (new Summer colors), paint daubers, Glimmer Mist (Dylusions sprays would work as well), Distress Stains, a bunch of cardstock, and my blending tool.  (The kids even decided to play with me...love that!)  Then we got to work trying out different products to see what worked the best.  The conclusion...everything works with stencils!  My preference ended up being the Distress Inks because the color was rich and I could mix colors (that sample coming up next week).  The sprays worked great as well, either on their own or as an accent over the Distress Inks.  The stains blend a little bit but that can create a fun vintage look.  I also really liked the paint daubers and can see using this type of method on altered projects.

I decided to use my sample as designer paper on a card, 'cause cards are my favorite go-to craft!  I paired my stenciled paper with designer paper from Authentique (ohh...perhaps a product sneak peek), and stamps from Hero Arts, from the What's Perking set. 

I had a great time using stencils and can see bringing them into my studio for use on a regular basis!  eP has a great selection of stencils, paints, mists, and inks available...why not check out some of these great products this weekend!

Enjoy!

Supplies:
Distress Inks (Picked Raspberry)
The Crafters Workshop Stencils - Mini Fish Scales used on this card

Blending Tool

Wishing you a Beautiful Day

Happy Monday everyone!! 

Today's card came about after looking through a book that I purchased for my boys yesterday...a mini Smash book. (Who has jumped on the Smash book bandwagon??) I thought the Smash books would be a great spot for them to jot down some of their summer memories. Both of them have already filled out a few pages and added some stickers.

One of the Smash book pages was covered with a beautiful rainbow of colors that looked as if someone had watercolored right on the page. When I saw the page I immediately imagined this card!

To create the card I used Distress Stains to color on a piece of sticky backed canvas. Once the stains were dry (you can speed up this process with a heat gun), I stamped my images directly onto the canvas. I started with the Friendship Script stamp, which I stamped in Pumice Stone Distress Ink and then I added a flower image, also stamped in Pumice Stone and Black Soot, from the Nature Silhouettes stamp set. Next, I frayed the edges of the canvas by pulling out a few of the strings from each side of the sqaure. My card was assembled and then I added this great sentiment from the new Make a Wish stamp set.

Super fun card to create and a super fun way to start the week! How about you? Have you tried out any of our Silhouette stamp sets yet? They're great paired with colorful backgrounds. Here are links to some of my favorites that are perfect for all of your summer crafty projects!
-Nature Silhouettes
-Together Silhouettes
-Serene Silhouettes
-Polka Dot Silhouettes

Enjoy!