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.

2015 #23 Christmas Frame {By Paula Pascual}

Hi everyone! My name is Paula Pascual and I am excited to be back at the PaperArtsy blog with a little project to gift in Christmas: a small frame perfect as a Christmas ornament.There is nothing more relaxing to me than the brayer paint technique. It's just so much fun, and perfect to create quick and easy backgrounds.

For this project I used: Eclectica³ {Lin Brown} Plate 10...

...and Fresco paints in Antarctic, Mermaid and Spanish Mulberry, and smoothy cardstock.

Step One: On a white piece of card I used the acrylic paint technique of using a brayer to cover the whole area. (see this video series from Leandra for variations on brayered paint backgrounds: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Masterboard)

Step Two: Once dried, I stamped the 'Noel' message from Lin Brown's set (ELB10) using Versamark ink so that I could then emboss it after.

Step Three: I sprinkled the embossing powder over it and tapped the excess off. I wanted some specks to remain to create a bit of a silver sparks though.

Then, I heat emboss it.

Step Four: Using a very very fine brush I coloured in the letters using Spanish Mulberry.

Step Five: On a separate piece of card I did the same brayer technique for another background and then I layered it, and added to a silver frame.

Of course, I could not stop there, so I made a Christmas card using the same techniques.

And used the left over card to create a tag for gift wrapping, simply stamp and emboss the snowflake, which is also from the same Lin Brown set.

I hope you like these ideas and have a go too.

Paula

Paula Pascual

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NEW {July 2015} PaperArtsy Products: Eclectica³ Emma Godfrey - Part 2

Hi everyone, Emma Godfrey here with Part 2 of my new stamp release for July 2015.

Tonight I'm going to show you a few samples I have made with the new stamps from set EEG10, and I am joined by Paula Pascual and Hazel Agnew who have made fabulous samples too with this travel themed set. First up if you missed it last night, here is the intro video I filmed with Leandra, and gorgeous samples!

As for my earlier stamp sets, my inspiration for this release was versatility for pocket scrapbooking, scrapbooking, mini albums and whatever else you can think of.  The two new sets are perfect for this time of year as the themes are Summer and Travel. They can work brilliantly together, as well as being easy to mix with any of the earlier sets.

The NEW {July, 2015} stamps...
There are 2 new stamp sets in this release. Plate EEG09 (see yesterday's bog post), and today we are looking more closely at Plate EEG10.

I have some talented assistants tonight who have made some items to show you with my newest stamps. The colour scheme for all the projects tonight was Fresco Finish Space Cadet, Lake Wanaka, Stone, Taupe and French Roast.

Hazel Agnew is a very talented, and extremely modest #PAtwit who I had the absolute pleasure to meet in person at a class earlier this year. She has a refreshing freedom to her method of creativity, which is so very inspirational. I am thrilled that she agreed to be a wingman for me tonight. If you want to see more of Hazel, visit her blog 'Mellifluous Meanderings' ... or you can find her on Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.

Travel Notebook by Hazel Agnew using EEG10

A padded canvas notebook with pages stitched inside. PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paints can easily be used on fabric.

Here's the inside...

Photo Tag by Hazel Agnew using EEG10

Canvas was applied to the tag, then painted and decorated.

Photo Pocket by Hazel Agnew using EEG10

A photo pocket with double sided tags just waiting for some journaling, and a magnetic clasp to open the pocket out to reveal more space for travel notes and stories...

Postcard by Hazel Agnew using EEG10

Perfectly sized for pocket scrapbooking ... a postcard with paint drips.

Paula Pascual is a very experienced, professional freelance demonstrator. She has designed stamps, papers and dies with numerous well known companies over the years such as Craftwork Cards, Personal Impressions and Sizzix, and writes regularly for various UK craft publications. She is also a personal friend, and a lot of fun! I was so pleased when she agreed to make samples for me. If you want to see more of her, visit her blog 'Paula Pascual' or you can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter too. 

Life Is An Adventure by Paula Pascual using EEG10

I love how you can combine two messages taking on a slightly different meaning.  And the dragging effect background creates a rugged look perfect for the sentiment.

Wish You Were Here by Paula Pascual using EEG10

I like to cut elements and use them on a card. Repetition of words creates a meaningful pattern perfect for this postcard to send to family.

{Heart} Adventure by Paula Pascual using EEG10
I love this little background stamp that stamps so well with paint.

Enjoy The Journey by Paula Pascual using EEG10

As soon as I saw this stamp, I knew I wanted to stamp and emboss it with a platinum embossing powder and then colour it in using diluted Fresco Finish paints. Perfect for a bookmark, as well as for scrapbooking.

Finally, I'd like to share with you a few of the items I have made with this stamps set.

Amsterdam Scrapbook Page by Emma Godfrey using EEG10

Step One: I printed out a vintage style map of Amsterdam to use as my "patterned paper". I planned where that and my photos would be positioned on the 12"x12" piece of Heavy Smoothy.

Step Two: Bearing in mind where the photos and map were going, I used the Ranger Mini Blending Tool and Pumice Stone Distress Ink and a blue ink pad to add colour in three areas around the page.  I then added stamping with the various cross stamps using the same ink pads, a champagne metallic ink pad and Fresco Finish Taupe paint.

Step Three: I crumpled the map up slightly before sticking that and the photos down.  I outlined the photos with a brown pen - but it wasn't quite the right colour so I then went over the lines with a Derwent Inktense Sepia Ink pencil and water brush.  I added some hand drawn crosses with this pencil too.   I stuck down the alphabet stickers for the title (if you have some and they're not quite the right colour - remember you can paint them!).  To finish I stamped clusters of the words in the top left and bottom right hand corners using Archival Ink Coffee.

Here's a close up... so you can see some of the layout in more detail...

Fountains Abbey Mini Album by Emma Godfrey using EEG10

Step One:  I created a sheet of my own patterned paper by using Leandra's brayer technique (you can find the video here).  I used the Fresco Finish paints in this order - French Roast, Taupe, Space Cadet, Stone and Lake Wanaka.   I then swiped some Fresco Finish Pewter over the top, and stamped Mini 18 using the Pewter paint too.  I cut this up up so I had two larger pieces for the covers, and eight strips (approx 1/2" wide).

Step Two: Using #10 Manila tags, I stuck two tags together to make the front cover, and repeated to make the back cover.   I painted the tops of all the tags (on both sides) with Fresco Finish Lake Wanaka.

Step Three: I cut up three other co-ordinating patterned papers into strips. I stuck these, my photos, and the brayered strips randomly on each tag (on both sides). I went around the edges of the tags with Archival Ink Coffee and a piece of Cut'n'Dry Foam. (The tags are slightly bigger than 4" - so there was a slight gap above and below each photo).

Step Four: I sponged the Archival Ink Coffee through some sequin waste (on the covers and the pages).  I stamped words and crosses on the pages, and stamped the signpost with a word inside for the front cover.  I used Basic Grey alphabet stickers for the title and added a couple of bits of vintage washi tape to the covers.   I ran a silver pen along the paper joins on the covers and coloured in any outline words with it.   I flattened a bottle cap, punched a circle from one of the patterned papers and stamped a word on it, before gluing it to the front cover. To finish, I joined the book together with a book ring and tied various ribbons around it.

Here's a close up of one of the pages...

I also made some journaling cards...

And some greeting cards...

If you'd like to come to a class taught by me, I hold regular workshops at my monthly crop in Upminster (Essex) - you can find more information on them here. You'll also find me teaching at Forget Me Not Kraft Kabin and Birds In The Barn later in the year.

If you would like to arrange for me to teach/demo at your shop or event, then please contact me at emmaimaginethatpapercrafts@yahoo.co.uk.

My blog Imagine That is new for 2015, and you can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter @emmaimaginethat .

I really hope you are going to enjoy using my stamps this year... I can't wait to see what you create with them!

Emma

The following shops have already ordered my stamps from PaperArtsy and the only place you can get them NOW is exclusively from them. Please try to support your local independent retailer, be they a physical shop, or online. 

All my stamps are red rubber and sell in the UK for £20.50 (incl VAT). They come individually trimmed on EZ mount foam, ready to use with your acrylic blocks.

Birds in the Barn, Marks Tey, Essex, UK. Telephone orders, or please visit the shop.
Countryview Crafts, Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. EEG stamps here.
Frantic Stamper Inc, Oregon, USA. EEG stamps here.
Imagine That Papercrafts, Essex, UK. EEG Stamps here.


PS Don't forget that the blog challenge for Topic 12: Stencils is still open until Sunday July 12th. If you'd like to take part, and show us your stencilling skills, then go right ahead!

2015 #12 Striking Stencils {by Paula Pascual}

2015 Topic 12: Stencils

Hi PaperArtsy lovers!

It’s Paula here again, my second project for PaperArtsy blog! As I said for my first project I love PaperArtsy products, their stamps and paints are second to none! And the thing is that they are so well designed and produced that you can use them for all sorts of styles.

When the theme of stencils was mentioned I had to choose it because I had seen Emma Godfrey's stencils and I couldn’t wait to play with them. As my style tends to be simple and modern, I wanted to do a simple layout that reflected both my style and how easy it is to use stencils to add pattern and colour to a plain white card. I choose colours that are string and vibrant, but I use them sparingly.

A very quick and simple layout but quite colourful! Here is how I made it.

I cut a piece of the Smoothy (Heavyweight) - A4 white stamping card to measure 6 x 8, my current favourite size for scrapbooking. I placed the stencil PaperArtsy Stencil 018 {EEG} over the card and covered the other designs as well as the rest of the card with sticky notes and a white scrap piece of paper.

I selected PaperArsty Fresco Finish Lin Brown Limited Edition {set 3} plus Tango and Blood Orange. Using a foam applicator used for distress inks and proceed to use small amounts of the lighter colour (Banana) in gentle circular motions. I only applied Banana paint to some areas leaving the rest white. It is important to make sure that there is very little paint on the sponge otherwise it will bleed through the stencil.

After the Banana paint, I went in with Tango and then Bougainvillea with using the same motion going a little over the yellow.

I then applied a tiny bit of Banana and I went over some areas to make sure it was all nicely blended. Finally I dabbed gently some Blood Orange paint to create a bit of depth over the areas where I had put the Bougainvillea.

To add some metallic detail, I used Treasure Gold - Pewter. I used a finger dabber, that has a sponge in the end, perfect to add some detail with great control.

To add some detail bellow where the photo was going to go, I stamped the Mini 72 using the Fresco paints already used in the project, Banana, Tango and Bougainvillia. I also used a foam applicator to ink to make sure that I didn't overink the stamp.

The last thing was to stamp the sentiment from Eclectica³ Lin Brown 05 stamp set with Archival black ink.

And once I did that layout, I couldn't stop so I made a Bookmark using another stencil,  PaperArtsy Stencil 016 {EEG} but the same colours and another sentiment from the same stamp set E Lin Brown 05.

Simple can be striking, I hope you like it too!

Paula

You can find me here: Blog: Paula Pascual, Pinterest, Twitter

We would love you to join in with challenge #12: Stencils If you are inspired by any of our guests who blog with us over the fortnight, then please join in and link up your creativity HERE. 

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Stencils link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, July 12th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.