2017 Topic #3: Paints with Infusions {Challenge}

 2017 Topic 3: Paint with Infusions

Well hello everyone, Darcy here with a new topic, this one leads on from one of our new releases, speaking of which, did you see all the wonderful new products that we showcased last week? if not pop back and see all the new yummy goodies. 

Our latest topic is Infusions, and we have 12 brand new colours available now from your favourite PaperArtsy stockists. As the first 12 colours have been out for a while now you have all been having fun, experimenting with them. We would love to see what else you can come up with, and our guests over the next 2 weeks have lots of ideas to inspire you. 

We would especially like you to combine using Infusions with PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk acrylics, glazes and grunge paste they make great companions on projects, and we are excited to see how you can work with them together. This can be anything from using the paints as a base with Infusions on top to creating mottled backgrounds with Infusions and using paints for your accents or embellishments. 

Kay Carley

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 2: Masks Challenge. Because of launch week, you had extra time for this challenge and wow did you put that time to good use. I have been checking them out, so much creativity on cards, tags, journal pages. It is exciting to see just how many different techniques were used. 

The winner of Masks  is: Asia from Lemon Creation

Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@gmail.com

PaperArtsy Infusions are a water-reactive powder with 2 ingredients; colour dye and walnut dye. The 2 particles dissolve at different rates allowing you to increase or decrease the vintage vibe depending on how much water you add, and when you dry the results. Increase permanence by adding gum arabic, glazes, mediums and pastes.

Rusty Car

So as we know, working direct onto most paper and card can result in your paint or ink being sucked into the substrate, what can reduce this firstly is using good quality, smooth card. I haven't found anything as good as PaperArtsy smoothy card. This is a great base layer, but to make it even less 'sucky' you can use a 'sealing' layer. 

PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk acrylics glide onto the card and blend beautifully. Even though they contain chalk which means they dry really quickly they still give you plenty of time to move them around. We have other 'sealants' such as Matte glaze, Satin Glaze, Gloss glaze, Pearl glaze and Metallic glaze, all of these once dried will prevent the subsequent layer from getting sucked into the card. 

So why not start with a paint layer before adding your Infusions, they will react slightly differently than if they were added direct to the card. They won't get sucked in when you add water, they will puddle more and drying times will be slower, this raises lots more possibilities and these are all things you can experiment with. 

Try them out over our newest paint colours from the Seth Apter Collection. 

You can also get your 'mixology' hat on and play around with mixing Infusions with paint, tint some snowflake to create your own colours, or tint one of the other lighter colours.. how exciting to come up with brand new colours! This technique has the added advantage of sealing in your infusions and making them permanent. 

Ellie Knol made these gorgeous cards by combining paint and Infusions on her gelli plate. 

You can also do this with the grunge paste, here Leandra is tinting grunge paste with Infusions. 

LIVE on #Periscope: Quick #infusions #grungepaste demo before the show opens at #portsunny #save https://t.co/msBcmt7Zii

— Leandra (@PaperArtsy) May 7, 2016

Another great combination here from Wanda, here she has cleverly used her Infusions with fabric, but also added in paint and embossing powder.  

Another great fabric project comes from Helen Chilton, she loves t experiment and on this piece she not only dyed the fabric using Infusions but also stamped the images with Infusions. 

Two stunning pieces next from Lin Brown, the first uses a glaze to hold the Infusions in place so that subsequent layers can be added. This technique creates a really muted, blended background, ideal for creating depth. 

This next piece also from Lin uses a combination of Infusions and Crayola slick Stix.  A little experimentation with different mediums can often yield some fun results. 

Another video for you now showing how Shari Carroll uses a glazing medium with her Infusions. 

Infusions can be sprinkled really effectively through stencils, though you do get a watery spreading effect, for a tighter version try adding using a texture paste or heavy gel through the stencil and then add the Infusions like in this gorgeous card. 

Nikki Acton

This next card shows one of the most simple combinations, just Infusions and a die cut. I think you will agree the black silhouette looks stunning, and really pops over the Infusions. As for the technique, this is a 'mop up' from leftover infusions on a stencil, nothing wasted here!

Clare Mesenger

Please don't shoot me, I know it is early.. or is that too late.. for Christmas, but I simply could not resist showing you these cards. 

           

Shirley-Bee

Shirley-Bee

How about these colourful strips of Infusion magic, don't they look like strips of fabric?

Keren Baker

These cards combines several very cool techniques, starting with an infusion masterboard, then clear embossing and finally blacking out the background. Click through to see how Emma Godfrey created these.  

A final video today from Kim Dellow, here she talks you through how she using her Infusions with embossing ink, it's a magical technique. 

Here is a recap of our Infusions:

• 24 Water soluble, non permanent dye stains mixed with walnut crystals.
• Easy to apply from the bottle.
• The colour dye and the walnut dissolve at different speeds. That opens all kinds of doors for FUN!
• Permanent when spritzed with gum arabic dissolved in water or when applied with a glaze (matte, satin, gloss).
• Use lots or a little of the powder for totally different effects.
• Use lots or a little water for totally different effects.
• Differing results on both sealed or sucky surfaces (smoothy/ gesso/ fresco/ watercolour paper, Yupo, Grunge paste).
• Amazing on/ into textured surfaces or on/ into gels and mediums.
• Superb on fabric.
• Fabulous with stencils, applied direct or sprinkled into mediums/ textures.

This final card shows a great contrast between the paler background and the bolder flowers, both done with Infusions. You can achieve so many different looks by just playing and varying the amount of powder, amount of water and the drying time. 

Mandys Card

Summary.... So what will you experiment with? Infusions and paint or glazes, or tinting grunge paste? Watch out for some truly fabulous inspiration over the next 2 weeks, have a go at the techniques that our guests share or try out something new! However you play with your Infusions, we want to see! 

Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

~ Darcy

We hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired! Why not join our challenge by blogging your interpretation of the current topic and link it here?

The current topic link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, March 12th 2016, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.

Challenge Guidelines

• The challenge is a for you to show how you are inspired by the current blog topic. We encourage you to play with us and explore your personal creative style.
• Please mention which PA blog post inspired you and and why (link directly to that post). Please don't link to the home page of your blog because then no-one can track back to easily find the original post.
• We prefer your challenge blog post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then you may link to both if appropriate.
• You are most welcome to use stamps/ products/ substrates you have to hand from a variety of companies, we do not expect you to exclusively use PA products - it's lovely when you do though!
• You can enter as many times as you like. We don't want to restrict your creativity! 

NB. Link closes at 17:00 Sunday March 12th  (London Time)

Prize: The winner will receive a £50 credit voucher to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website. The credit voucher includes VAT and postage. We request that one of your purchases is an A5 rubber stamp. You can add any other items to your basket, but the final total should not exceed £50. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy. 

email: darcydotneedles@gmail.com

NEW Challenge/ winner: Each fortnight on Sunday, the winner will be announced at 19:00 (London time). In the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted. 

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!