3 Things - Stripey Sentiment Strip {by Robin Riley}

Hi everyone, it's Robin Riley  with you today for a '3 Things' challenge post. 

This feature on the PaperArtsy Blog is where 3 identical items are sent to 3 members of the PaperArtsy Blogging team. Typically we will receive a stamp, a stencil/tissue and a colour product.

We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send, the whole idea of this challenge is to do something crafty in our personal style with these 3 items. 

We can incorporate other PA products into the mix if we feel it is necessary.

So let's take a look at what I received from PA HQ ...

Let me share with you what I received: my very first Lynne Perrella stamp set (LPC 027), as well as some PaperArtsy Printed Tissue (PT07 - Backgrounds), and the beautiful PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Purple Majesty chalk acrylic paint (FF221).  I was really going to have to think out of the box for this creation.  This was going to be a fun challenge for me.

  

These are most of the additional items that I used to complete with project.

I also used the sentiments on these 3 Alison Bomber stamp sets, EAB37, EAB39 & EAB40, but you can use any that work for you.

Let's get started with the steps to my creation.  I call these "Sentiment Strips."  I love making them and they can be so inspirational for the recipient.  The fact that I use a recycled item is just another plus!

First I started with a paper sac, you know, the kind that we use for gifting.  The sac needs to have a handle.  The size does not matter nor does the color because this all can be easily adapted.

I cut a strip from the center of the bag making sure to include the handle.  Again the size does not matter.  You want to make sure that the elements you are using will fit. Just for a reference, my strip measures 3 3/4" x 14 1/4" .  

Now for some stamping.  I used a smooth and sturdy piece of white card.  I cut each piece to match each stamp.  Prior to the actual stamping, I wanted to age the card.  I did this by using the Distress Ink Vintage Photo and a blending brush.  I simply brushed the ink over each card.  Here are the measurements of the cards:  3 1/8" x 5".      2" x 3 3/4".    2" x 2 3/4".    1 1/2" x 3 1/4"

I stamped all 4 images from LPC027 on to the coordinating cards. I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne so that all the amazing detail from the stamps would be visible.  

I almost always like to edge my cards, I think this makes them pop.  I use a Sharpie and run it along the edge of each.

I first used the Purple Majesty Fresco paint to add pops of colours to the stamped images.  Using a thin brush, I just chose a few areas to create some interest.

For the next step I used some low tack tape. The goal is to create stripes on the background to mimic the stripes on the clothing from the stamp.

Using the beautiful Fresco Finish Purple Majesty paint, I spread a light layer over the exposed areas. I was not too concerned with making these evenly. 

Once the paint was dry, I carefully removed the tape.

I immediately wanted to tone down the purple.  My idea was to add a layer of the PT07 Printed Tissue over the top of the entire strip.  I applied a light coat of the Distress Collage Medium in the vintage color to the back of the tissue.  I like using a silicone spatula for this process.

By overlapping the tissue, I created some texture.  Any excess piece were torn off.  I had to let this dry for about a half hour.

Let me put this project together for you.  As soon as I placed the cards on to the strip, I knew more elements were needed.  Trim to the rescue!  I strategically placed the trim onto each card. Once that was done, I was completely happy with the look.

On all the Sentiment Strips that I make, I like to add words of encouragement. All of the sentiments that I used came from Alison Bomber sets. Each word was stamped on to a piece of scrap from the sac.  I added Vintage Photo Distress Ink to age each word piece.  Once again, using the Sharpie I edged each word.  The words were mounted onto scraps of the tissue covered sac.  Once adhered, a little bow was added to the handle for interest and just down right cuteness!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this recycled project!  Maybe this will inspire you to create your own "Sentiment Strips."

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my project.  I do appreciate that!

Facebook:  facebook.com/robin.riley.777

Instagram: @robin.riley.777

 

June 2025 - With 3 Things - Hoop wall hanging {by Robin Riley}

Hi everyone!

This is Robin Riley (Robin Riley) with you tonight. I was invited as a guest blogger by the PaperArtsy team and I am so very excited to take the “With 3 Things” challenge. This is my very first time doing this and I had such a good time creating this project!

For this feature on the PaperArtsy Blog, 3 identical items are sent to 3 members of the PaperArtsy blogging team. Typically, we receive a stamp, a stencil and some paint. We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send. The whole idea of this challenge is to do something crafty in our personal style with these 3 items.

Let me share with you what I received. The stamp set is  Allison Bomber’s EAB 30. Wish you could have heard my happy squeal when I first saw this! I also received a package of printed tissue, Backgrounds PT07 and to top this off I received the brand new Mattint color Bellflower. Again, there was a little squeal!

Three were also a few freebies in my package (this was the third squeal!) from other Alison Bomber and JoFY sets, that I decided to include in my project.

 

I really wanted to create something different than my usual cards. I hope you find this unique. So, looking through my craft closet (which would probably make you squeal), I came upon an embroidery hoop and that got my wheels turning! I decided to use it as the base for a framed and layered piece.

To prepare the main piece of paper that would fill the hoop, I first used the hoop to lightly trace a circle onto a piece of watercolor paper. I then used my water brush to apply water around the circle to softened it. I carefully tore the paper along the waterline, trying to keep close to the drawn outline. I always teared towards me, not away.

I first applied a coat of Mattint Foxglove to the circle. OH no ….too pink for me. I decided the tissue paper was going to rescue me. Quickly I applied a piece from PT07 while the Mattint was still wet.

Oh geez, it's still too pink for me! So one more try to save this! I decided to add a layer of Fresco Finish acrylic paint in Chalk, which is opaque to knock down the colour. Finally, a result I was happy with! I let this dry naturally before I moved on to the next step.

Time to begin the stamping with Alison Bomber's set EAB30. I wanted a lighter color for this, something similar to a watercolor effect so the next step was to stamp the beautiful image of the violets onto the smooth side of the watercolor paper in VersaFine Morning Mist. Then another tear around this image. I love doing this to watercolor paper. The results are imperfect, yet so perfect for me!

Using a small scrap piece of watercolor paper, I also used the round ephemera stamp from the set. This time I stamped in VersaFine Clair Morning Mist. I wanted a more detailed image and I wanted to eventually be able to paint over it so I needed an ink that resist water. I made sure to use the smoothest side of the paper for stamping.

I just love the Shakespeare quote from this set (EAB30). To stamp it, I used a combination of inks, VersaFine Clair Nocturne and Morning Mist. I really did not want a full on black, so I thought the Morning Mist would tone it down. I cut around this quote, instead of tearing, to give it a more finished look.

Slowly things started to come together. I laid out the pieces….hmmm this didn’t feel right yet!

Another Alison Bomber set to the rescue! This time EAB40. I stamped some solid images of the grass on the background using VersaFine Morning Mist. I also added some splatters of the Distress Oxide Hickory Smoke over all of the pieces. This is now starting to feel right to me!

Now it was time for some real fun. I love using the Mattints to add subtle color. Here I used my water brush to add Bellflower and Fern. Using a dotting tool, I added Acid Mattint dots to the centers of the violets.

The pieces needed to pop more. Using the Distress Oxide Hickory Smoke, I edged the violet piece. I ran a black Sharpie around the edge of the quote. I happened to find a piece of gray scrap to back the quote too. That’s what was needed! Now everything was coming together for me and it was time to assemble.

First I decided to paint the wooden embroidery hoop with the Mattint Shadow. I applied 3 coats, drying in between each coat. To decorate it more, I used a piece of the tissue paper again (Printed Tissue Backgrounds PT07). I took some gray washi tape and adhered it to the back of the tissue to be my guide.

I cut the washi tape from the tissue and glued it to the outer ring of the embroidery hoop.

I really wanted to add another element to this design and I wanted some type of texture, a different material. I felt like the picture needed to be grounded. So what to use? Oh, guess what, recently I made a unique element using cheese cloth and some Fern colored stencil butter from The Crafter’s Workshop. I had also put some PaperArtsy Rusting Powder into the mix.

My go to adhesive for fabrics and heavier elements is Beacon’s 3 in 1 glue. It has never failed me! I used this to attach the cheese cloth along with the hoop. I placed a heavy book on the top and let everything dry. This is exactly what I was hoping for!

I thought another element to finish this project was needed. With the extra stamps I received, I created 3 tags. A little Bellflower Mattint and tissue created the perfect little trio! Finally a little bit of scrap yarn tied around the top of the hoop just seemed to finish this project perfectly.

I really hope you enjoyed seeing me create this fun wall hanging from an embroidery hoop. The products I received sure did make this easier and fun! Thank you PA HQ for giving me this opportunity!

Robin X

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