PaperArtsy: September 2017

Saturday, 30 September 2017

2017 #13 Metallics: Weeping Over Lost Time [By Keren Baker}

2017 Topic 13: Colour Study: Metallics

I am always amazed at how Keren seems to pull something out of the bag with her innovative creative ideas. Life sure is a box of chocolates, and in this post she shares how a pick and mix of metallic products come together in a very clever arrangement!

Hi everyone, it's Keren Baker with you today, and I'd like to share with you a piece of artistic expression about lost time.

I wanted to use different types of metallic product and inserted as many as I could in this relatively small piece. It's less about technique, more about playing with products, trying to make images fit into a theme and trying watercolouring with metallic pens.

I'll explain the piece briefly so you understand what's going on! The eye (in which has numerals or time at the centre) is crying. She's weeping for lost time and wasted time (hence the numbers- be that seconds, minutes or years). The crowns are representing that fact that she thought she was in control of her life, when in fact, she was carried by circumstance and swayed by meaningless events. Now you've had a chance to digest that ;-) I'll explain what I've used and what I enjoyed!

I began with an image from Hot Pick 1502

and started to sketch out an eye. I wanted the numerals to be in the iris, which meant I had to make the eye be in proportion.

The 'number tears' are from a happy find in the Squiggly Ink range; Ding and Dong

The crowns are from another Squiggly Ink set- Crowns and Castles

You can just about see that the pupil has a little shimmer- I've used the Fresco Finish Metallic Glaze which when watered down slightly turns any base colour into a metallic looking one

I really enjoyed all the fussy cutting (i know, I'm strange !) and adding in as many metallic elements- from the metallic embossing powder, the Metallic Glaze, to the watered down metallic markers (Nuvo Glitter Markers) and the metal wire help tie it all together.

I really enjoyed taking the Hot Picks image and trying to transform it into another type of image because I didn't have quite what I wanted in my stash. Linking separate elements like the numbers to create a more solid larger image was a challenge and I loved the happy accident where the crowns looked a little like false eyelashes from a distance.

Do have a sort through your stamps and try transforming into a part of something else. Taking metallic pens and watering them down with a water-brush led to some delicate results and I really recommend you having a play.

Thanks for bearing with me to the end- hope it's not been a 'wasted' read!!

Blog: Kerenbaker's Blog
Facebook: Keren Baker
Twitter:craftstampink
Instagram:Craftstampink
Pinterest:Craftstampink

Isn't this fun! I really love the eyelashes too, twinkling in the light. Small numbers, big numbers, they all work so well! thanks Keren, you always throw us a great challenge!

We always hope that you learn something interesting from our blog.

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!

Why not join our 2-weekly challenge by blogging your create response to the current topic and link it here?

The current topic link Topic 13: Metallics will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 1st October 2017, 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.

Friday, 29 September 2017

2017 #13 Metallics: Get Foiling with ELB {by Wanda Hentges}

2017 Topic 13: Colour Study: Metallics

For many crafters, that molten embossing powder in shades of gold and silver were the first thing that got us hooked. In the last few years, we have found other ways to get that kind of metal effect and foil techniques have become really popular (again) be it with sticky embossing powders or hot/cold lamination. Wanda is here to share her insights, tips and tricks.

Hi everyone, it's Wanda (Art By Wanda Blog) with you today, and I'd like to share with you a few different ways to add foil to your projects.

I love using foil!!! Oh, the joy of seeing that shine on a project!! And it's a wonderful contrast to the matte look of the Fresco Finish Paints.

There are many ways to use foil - even more than I am sharing today. I'll cover the basics of each way here but you can find many more pictures and detailed information of the projects on my blog.

The foil I am using is the kind that comes on a release sheet. The front is the shiny, colored side and this is the side to have up when you are working, placing the back side down onto what you want it to stick to. Always remember this!!

Stamps and Stencils used for these projects are all Lin Brown designs - ELB10, ELB11, ELB12, ELB29 and stencils PS005, PS044.

One way to add foil is with warm, melted embossing powder. I stamp and emboss my image then go back and rewarm the melted embossing powder where I want to add foil.

You need to have your foil ready to press onto the warmed embossing before it cools as the foil only sticks when the powder is warm. After pressing on the foil (shiny, colored side up) you then peel the sheet off. For the leaf I just reheated along the center area so the leaves are two-toned with the Fern Green Powder and Green Foil. On the Red Geranium Embossing Powder I went for a somewhat random look. When trying to accomplish this, it can be helpful not to press to hard.

Another way to add foil is using a heat laminator. I just had to purchase a laminator a few months ago after finding out you can print something with a laser printer, place it with foil inside a folded piece of parchment paper, run it through the hot laminator and the foil will stick to the laser printer ink. Way Cool!!!!! But....

... you can also use the laminator to add foil to gloss gel medium. I used Golden's Heavy Gel Gloss to stencil, allowed it to dry completely and then ran it through the laminator with red foil. I had done this before always smoothing the gel but decided to try and leave the gel more dimensional and uneven for this. That is the image on the left. It worked but definitely gave a more distressed look to the foiling as there are some spots the foil didn't stick (too much difference between the high and low spots) and also some extra spots that got some gel on them while removing the stencil. I did it again smoothing the gel (the image on the right) and you get a more elegant look. I think both a fabulous!!!

Here I'm peeling the sheet off the first one after running it through the lamintor.

You can also use double sided tape to add foil. Stick the tape to your project, peel off the liner, press the foil onto the tape, peel back. Double sided tape comes in many widths and you could even put wide tape onto cardstock, die cut it, and then add foil to the top.

Finally you can use Sticky Embossing Powder. The advantage to using sticky powder over regular powder is you have more work time and it's easier to foil a large, complete image.

Sticky powder works exactly the same way as regular embossing powder except that it leaves the image sticky. You stamp your image, pour on the powder, tap off the excess powder and then heat to melt. When you melt the powder it's important to only heat until it turns clear and then move on. If you heat it too much it will dry out the adhesive and it won't be sticky. Once it's sticky, don't touch it!!... apply the foil pressing well over the image and peel off the release sheet. If there are any spots left without foil just press foil again in that spot to fill in.

If you've never used foil, I do hope you are inspired to try adding foil to your projects. If you like drawing your own images, try making a laser copy and then foiling using a laminator. How cool would that be!!!! Foil is available from several companies and although I haven't tried them all, any should work fine.

Thanks for following along!!

Hugs, Wanda

Blog: https://artbywanda.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanda.hentges
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WandaHentges
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandahentges/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wandah/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WandaHentges

OK fess up, who knew the gel trick?? What a great idea! These ideas are all wonderful for Xmas , and of course foil laminating is perfect on any Christmas card - we're all going to look super professional this Christmas!!!

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

2017 #13 Metallics: Memories Plaque with ESA {by Alison Hall}

2017 Topic 13: Colour Study - Metallics

After a series of shimmery glittery posts, Alison heads us into a more masculine metallic direction with a fantastic wall hanging!

Hi everyone, it's Alison/Craftytrog with you today, and I'd like to share with you a plaque on which I used various metallic elements, the main one being Woodware's Magic Metal Copper Sheet. When heated with a hot plate or heat gun, it turns gradually from copper to deep orange, then pink, then purple, so you can have a variety of colours if you wish.

I began by stamping Seth Apter's wonderful collage image from ESA05 onto the copper sheet, using Jet Black Stazon Ink, then used my heat gun to change the colour of the metal, and at the same time to dry the ink. It takes a little while, but it's amazing to see the copper changing colour. Care needs to be taken of course, as the metal gets very hot.

On the plaque I started with a base coat of Concrete Fresco Chalk Paint, then wanting to create some texture, I grabbed a piece of scrunched up kitchen towel, dipping it into Antarctic Fresco Chalk Paint and dabbing it on. I then dabbed on some Mermaid Fresco Chalk Paint. This technique produces a great bit of random texture.

I stamped the circle image from ESA05 with Jet Black Archival Ink, going over onto the edges. Then I used Metallic Glaze to stamp the writing from ESA04. I love the subtle shimmer of the glaze, another metallic element!

Eclectica³ {Seth Apter} Set 04

Eclectica³ {Seth Apter} Set 05

Going back to the copper image, I used metal tools to add texture and dimension. Then to get sharply stamped images of the collage and chevrons from ESA05 on the plaque, I stamped them onto white tissue, then adhered them with Matte Glaze.

Rummaging through my stash, I found a copper key, some rusty wire and a bird's egg pendant. Spanish Topaz Treasure Gold accents and cream lace were the finishing touches. I really love the soft texture the lace adds to my piece, contrasting with the metal.

I hope I've inspired you to join in with our Metallics Challenge. As I've demonstrated, there are many ways to incorporate metallic elements into your art. I've had the copper sheet for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to play with it. It had been a long time since I used the metal tools too, and I'll be honest, the lace hides a very ugly edge! Lol!

Happy crafting!
Alison x

Blog: Craftytrog's Arty Adventures
Facebook: Alison Hall
Twitter: @craftytrog
Instagram: @craftytrog
Pinterest: Alison Hall

I haven't seen this copper sheet stuff for years, and forgot how it changed colour with heat! Doesn't it look amazing with Seth's stamp on top too! Lovely idea Alison! ~ Leandra

Monday, 25 September 2017

2017 #13 Metallics: A Beautiful Book with EEG {by Wendy Mallas}

2017 Topic 13: Beautiful Metallics {by Wendy Mallas}

Hi everyone, it's Wendy here again today, and I can't wait to share a beautiful art journal with you.

I love making books and I love monoprinting and I really love Paperartsy Fresco Acrylics.

I think the most important thing here is to take your time. I knew I was going to make a book with a wraparound closure and also that I was going to get one of my Gelli plates out and work with Emma Godfrey's fabulous stamps and stencils, but that's about all.

Luckily for me, all of my pinks and purples were in the same box! Aren't they pretty?

I worked with Paperartsy's Frescos colour chart and a mini hexagonal plate because they fit so well in a repeating pattern. So, the first four purples on the chart were my starting point. Blueberry, Purple Rain, Lavender and Wisteria.

I continued to work through the colour chart and used Emma's absolutely gorgeous mask, PM008, repeatedly over the hexagons. And doodling, of course. You can't beat a good doodle.

I chose to use the fabulous floral stamp sets, EEG14 and EEG22 then colour and fussy cut them out as embellishments.

After curling the edges to give some dimension, all that they needed was a little rub of Treasure Gold around the edges, Royal Amethyst on the purple and Pewter on the pink. It really highlights the amazing shapes of the flowers.

Very appropriate bit of heat embossing in silver. At first, it was a little lost against the background, but a cheeky black drop shadow with a fineliner sorted that. Now it looks ... um... beautiful... especially by the silver thread I used on the exposed chain stitching.

I hid a magnet inside the pocket and popped a bookmark complete with silver tassel inside.

And the middle flower was the perfect place under which to hide the other magnet. Ta-da!

I'm so pleased with the finished book. It's so sparkly and all the metallic elements really give it polish, so to speak. I really had no idea where I was going with this until I was near the end. The colour scheme and flowery theme are not my usual 'go to' ones. Well that just goes to show that you should try everything at least once. I loved using the small Gelli plate as a stamp and that's something I'll most certainly do again. The hardest part was hand-tearing all of the pages. Just looking through my studio for anything metallic was a revelation for me. You could look through your stash and gather all of the shiny things. See what you can do with it.

Love and peace,

Wendy x

Blog: http://wendymallas.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WendyMallasIllustration/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendywitwoo
Website: http://wendymallas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendywitwoo/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/wendymallas/

Ohhh Wendy, what lovely shimmery goodness you have created! This looks like a wonderfully special book too! Keep this one away from the magpies! ~ Leandra

Sunday, 24 September 2017

2017 #13 Metallics: Metallic Secrets with EEA {by Alison Bomber}

2017 Topic 13: Metallic

If you are a bit of a more is more crafter, and would like to learn how to master the more is more but in a subtle way, then this post is for you! Alison's layers are soft and subtle, flicks, splats and embossing all come together in soft Vintage shades. Beautiful!

Hi everyone, it's Alison here from Words and Pictures, and I've been having a lovely time playing with some metallics both old and new.

From the moment the White Fire Fresco Chalk Paint arrived on the scene, I loved it. It has such a fabulous sheen and a delicate gleaming hint of silvery-gold. I also noticed how close it was in colour to maybe my all-time favourite metallic embossing powder, the Ranger Liquid Platinum. So for this collection of altered money-envelopes I decided to combine the two.

I toyed with brayering the White Fire directly onto the kraft envelopes, but then decided I'd get more layers, more texture and probably more golden gleam if I did a couple of sweeps of Snowflake Fresco Chalk Paint first. That was my base layer.

I love this recent Everything Art set, EEA06. It has such great elements for adding background detail and texture, as well as those haunting vintage photos.

Eclectica³ {Everything Art} Set 06

My very first idea was to emboss those broken frames in the Liquid Platinum, so that it would look as though they were emerging from the brayered White Fire background. Very happy that it turned out exactly as I'd imagined!

I layered in some more stamping in Sepia Archival, and also used the ink around the edges as well as over the embossed frames for more burnished look. By this point, I'd also stuck the envelopes onto some stiff card so that they would behave themselves and stay flat.

I know myself well enough that flat out shininess is not going to make me happy, so the Sepia Archival was the first step towards a slight rustiness... and some actual rusty wire put in an appearance pretty soon after that.

I stamped the strip of photos in Potting Soil Archival, but since I wanted slight variations for each of my envelopes, I cut a different trio of people for each one. Of course I needed the vintage look, so I weathered them with some Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Inks.

And I also knew from very early on that one of my own word stamps was calling to me from those faces in the photos. It's from EAB03 Music and Silence, and it's a quote by one of my favourite writers, Rilke.

Eclectica³ {Alison Bomber} Set 03

It just wanted to come and play with these images.

I'm sure there are some secrets hidden behind some of these eyes...

And, if not, at least two or three of them have a strong desire to be alone... so perhaps they're the ones "saying" the words.

Oh, I nearly forgot: the metal filigree leaves have also had some embossing done - slightly more full on than the Liquid Platinum...

I used the Stampendous Chunky Metallic (of course) Embossing Enamel in Seasonings (I guess they mean it's sort of salt-and-peppery?) for them, and I do like the finished effect.

As I said, I love the subtle gleam and glow of the White Fire - it's already less full on than some metallics - but even then I can't resist going down the slightly decaying route. I guess I'm just not one for clean and shiny. And especially with such vintage-style images it felt right. I do like the embossing for the frames - I think that works really well to give a look of antique picture frames - I suppose it's a "realistic" way to use the embossing powder.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you've found some metallic inspiration to play with here.

Alison Bomber
Blog: Words and Pictures
Pinterest: Butterfly Crafter

Wow, it really is amazing how layers of slightly different tones of metallics can give such a soothing effect overall. We'll all be pulling out the embossing powders now!! ~ Leandra

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