2016 #7 Box of Sunshine {by Paula Pascual}

2016 Topic 7: Resists

Hi everyone, it's Paula Pascual here. As the previous times, I am very excited to be able to participate in the PaperArtsy blog, this time with a little piece of home decor to brighten my day with an inspirational quote that I think we all need from time to time.

As the theme was Resists, I knew I would do the traditional resist techniques that I like so much, using masking tape, embossing powders and a 3D gloss accent medium. I do like the fancier techniques, but sometimes the old techniques are just the ticket!

The first thing did was to select a box that I had from a lovely die packaging, so lovely that I couldn't throw it away and I kept it in my studio for over three years. Then I painted only the lid with two thin coats of Fresco Hint of Mint. And let it dry aside. The base was already this beautiful shade of pink so I left it as it was, and simply put it inside the lid to create a double lined frame.

Step One: I cut a piece of Paperartsy heavy smoothy card to fit inside the box. Then I stamped the girl from the JoFy 42 set, just off centre to left side. 

Jofy42

Step Two: Then using wide washi tape, I masked all four sides. As I wanted to have even boarders, I used the edge of the card as a guide to apply the wider tape. Then, as I wanted an even wider white border, I used a thinner washi tape.

Step Three: Using archival ink, I stamped the flower sun image on the top right corner. I did not want the doodles showing off on the white edge.

Step Four:Using distress inks and blending foam applicator, I applies Distress inks - Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint.

Step Five: To make my next step successful, I ran an antistatic bag over the bottom right corner. Then, I stamped using a clean Versamark pad a border of dots from the Hot Pick 1602 set.

HP1602

Step Six: I sprinkled over clear embossing powder and heat it to melt. 

Step Seven: Once it had cooled, I went again with the Distress Inks to darken the background. Using a kitchen paper towel, I burnished the top of the clear embossed image to clean it up. The embossing powder acted as a resist, showing the slightly lighter colours of the background. 

I removed all the washi tape to reveal the nice clean edges and stamped the message - from Emma Godfrey's 10 set.

EEG10

Step Eight: To create the decoupage layers for the girl, I stamped three times the image onto a white card. It is best to use a thinner card this time as the detail cutting will be easier than if you use thick card.

On the piece that it was for the dress I used a 3D gloss medium that will act as a resist. As they take a bit of time to dry, I did it first and then set it aside.

Step Nine: I proceed to colour in with Pan Pastels, as you can see, not very carefully! As I was decoupaging the images it did not matter that I went over the black lines. On the dress, the gloss areas acted as a resist so the white of the card showed through.

As you can see, I had the stamp index all the time next to me to refer to colours. I find it nice to follow it some times with small variations if I don't feel very colour creative that day.

Step Ten: I then trimmed all the pieces and layered them up using a 3D glue.

Step Eleven: For flower sun, I decided to use the Distress crayons. So, I first stamped the image using Versamark and then heat embossed it with clear embossing power. That created a slight texture that the crayons would highlight up close. I add the colour placing the crayons directly on to the areas I wanted each colour, and then blended them together using my fingers. I do actually love using my fingers for adding colour, but be sure to wash your hands soon after or your clean work won't be clean anymore. (I say this from experience!) I then trimmed it up and layered on to the card.

Finally I added a transparent button to add some more dimension.

This piece would not be long lasting without some protection, so I cut a piece of acetate to fit in. I made two score lines either side so that would be inserted in the gap between the lid and base.

And of course I could not resist to do some stamping using the Frosting Glaze and another image from the Hot Picks set, just to add texture and another dimension to the box.

And there it is. Clean and simple. But hopefully inspiring, the sky is really the limit, whatever your style or favourite colours. And remember, don't throw away pretty packaging as it can make a pretty piece of art some day!

Paula

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Thanks Paula, these are great resist techniques, simple but very effective. The washi tape is such a fabulous way to achieve those clean lines. A girl after my own heart, I too keep pretty boxes..well just about any boxes really! ~Darcy 

We would love to see how you interpret this Resists topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #7: Resists, on this page HERE.

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas, particularly if you were inspired directly by their post. 

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Resists link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, April 17th 2016. The winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.