With 3 Things : Love Notes Tag Book {by Ann Barnes}

Hi friends, it's Ann, @aksbarchitect with you for another With 3 Things post.

This feature on the PaperArtsy Blog is where 3 bloggers are sent 3 items in the post. We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send us, there might be a slight variation but generally 2 of the 3 things will be identical. 

For this round, I received PaperArtsy Eclectica stamp set by Sara Naumann ESN11 and a stencil Sara also designed PS092. From the PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint range I received Candy Floss (FF70) and Red Lipstick (FF160). I love that the stamp set has a mixture of stamp designs that can be used to create in so many different styles. 

Usually as the days close in on the end of a year, I tend to start looking forward to the next. Seeing the hearts and the harlequin stencil design had my mind immediately thinking about getting a jump start on a Valentine's day piece.

Our most recent blog topic was 'Gilded', and I wanted to work that into my piece. If you are familiar with some of my work then you will understand how adding a bit of gilding to my project is not unusual for me! To challenge myself, I thought it would be fun to use gold leafing, which is not a supply I typically use. 

For this post today, I am excited to share with you 'My Heart to Keep', a tag book for love notes, that I created using these "3 things" I was sent. 

I began by adding some paint to a set of hardboard tags. These will serve as the front and back covers of my Tag Book. I was hoping to achieve a more vintage look so I used a dry brush and did not cover the entire surface with the PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paint in Candy Floss.

Once I was satisfied with the coverage, I decided to add a bit of interest with some texture. Using a spatula, I applied PaperArtsy Grunge Paste (GP190) randomly through the stencil. (Note: be sure to clean the Grunge paste off of the stencil before it dries.) 

After allowing the PaperArtsy Grunge Paste stencilling to dry, I added another layer of paint.

To add the gold leaf, I realigned the stencil on the cover and pounced metal leaf adhesive through the design in the areas I wanted to add the gold leaf. I then removed the stencil ad placed the sheet of gold leaf onto the adhesive, creating the pattern design.

I altered a cupid that I had fussy cut from some old scrapbook paper. The garment was painted with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Red Lipstick. I then mixed the Red Lipstick and Candy Floss paint colours together to create some gradients for the details.

I heat embossed "My Heart" from the stamp set onto a small tag painted in Fresco Finish Red Lipstick with dry brushed Candy Floss and clipped it to the edge of the tag.

For the specialty paper inside both the front and back covers, I used the script stamp from the set and randomly stamped with embossing ink, then I heat embossed with gold powder.

I created different tags for inside the book using various stamps from the set. By cutting out some of the hearts and adding a clear acetate back, I was able to create openings to show off portions of the designs from the next tag.

Each tag has open areas where I can compose love notes.

I mixed the Fresco Finish paints to create different pink hues and then layered the base with stencilling to create beautiful patterns to build upon.

I love that I can easily add additional tags to the book, and am looking forward to writing personalized notes on each of these tags for the recipient.

I am so happy you stopped by today, I hope that maybe you are inspired to create your own tag book. I think it would be a great way to explore new techniques and document them or even to use as a journal; perhaps you could even create some love notes of your own! The possibilities are endless.

creatively yours,

Ann

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