Secret Garden Spool with HP {by Jenny Marples}

Hello everyone, Jenny Marples here with you today to show how I transformed a long strip of paper into a mixed media adventure through a secret garden, all securely attached to a spool for easy storage. I'll be sharing how I build the collage 'vignettes' along the way, a process that can be applied to journal pages, tags, books, boxes and more.

We are delving into the vaults of PaperArtsy's Hot Picks range to play with stamp sets HP1005 and HP1006, combining them with a more recent stencil PS021, Fresco Chalk Acrylics, Grunge Paste and Printed Tissue.

Start by gluing torn pieces of book page/manuscript, brown wrapping paper, gel printing cast offs and stained paper onto your strip of backing paper. If you need to recreate these, apply Fresco Chalk Acrylic Sorbet (FF169) and Koala (FF141) to plain (or even better tea stained) paper and add a thin layer of Mattint Ladybug (MT12) to graph paper or similar.

These scraps need blending together with the background - I find scraping a fine layer of  Grunge Paste over the edges and toning down the colours/text with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Chalk (FF83) works well for this.

Finish your base layer by lightly tea staining it all, adding extra depth in areas if needed with dry used teabag papers and highlights with more Chalk paint.

Now to start adding the details.

 

I adore the process of combining translucent layers, stamping and stencilling to create collages but it can feel overwhelming when looking at the finished pieces. Start with thinking about where you want your stamped image to go a try applying a layer of sewing pattern tissue below it. This helps to draw the eye to the image. Make use of any text on the pattern piece to help you line up your stamp. You can even use a fine permanent pen to extend the manuscript lines.

Try re-stamping some of the images within the larger stamp to make those details pop. Then extend the design further by using the text stamp either side of the main image. And to finish for now help to blend the edges between your stamping and the background by adding Grunge Paste through the stencil.

Let's repeat this process in another section, beginning again by deciding where your stamping should go. There's a straight edge to this border so I added some Printed Tissue Postcards (PT13) on one side, adding the stamped butterfly to enhance the design.

Repeat stamping a border can be very effective when you are looking to fill an area. Try adding another of those translucent layers below the stamping (in this case some 'mop up' paper towel covered unevenly with Infusions Golden Sands (CS05). If you don't want extra stamping like the swirls to compete with the border design try using a coloured permanent ink, and then add more stencilling to blend it all together. You'll spot that I added an extra butterfly and used some paper coloured with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Pumpkin Soup (FF33) to make them more impactful.

Here's one final example of this process in action, starting with the Printed Tissue and stamping with different coloured inks.

More layers are added by stamping the images onto card which can then be cut out and place where you need them to be. The repeat stencilling and some tea stained lace help to create a natural flow along the whole design. The scrap of woven fabric beneath the lace was coloured with Fresco Chalk Acrylic London Bus (FF37) which I then rinsed and dried for a more faded appearance.

Just a few more elements to go now.

Work along your paper adding more stamping to extend your designs further. Don't be afraid to leave some areas blank - this provides a visual break and makes those focal points stand out even more. I love to add stitching using different threads. Follow the lines of your stamped images to give them more textural impact.

Cut out stamped images to add over previous stamping and stencilling to help finish your panel.

 

I often strengthen the back of my panels/pages by adhering a layer of calico but in this case that went 'wrong' as the paper buckled when the fabric dried out. The only way to make the paper lay flat was to cut into the fabric.

Rather than give up I remembered how Shelley Rhodes deliberately adds flaws to her paper and fabric. And so I visibly stitched through the two layers to secure the fabric and create 'rivers' of thread throughout the paper.

All that remains is to attach your paper to a spool or similar so that it can be rolled up for storage purposes.

Here's the end of finished spool...

... and here's the beginning, inviting you into the Secret Garden Spool.

Let's take a walk through the whole of the design.

All of this has been created using just two stamp sets and a stencil - so the question is which of your stamp sets would you use to create a spool of your own?

Thank you for joining me today.

Jenny

Blog: https://pushingtherightbuttons.blogspot.com/

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Paper Doll Tags with LPC {by Jenny Marples}

Hi everyone, Jenny here,

Let's dive into the world of 'paper collage' to create paper dolls on tags. It's a super way to use up those scraps and leftovers from other projects!

You will see from here that I haven't included the dress colours - this is because you can choose any colours you want depending on the other supplies you have available.

I always start with choosing colours and was inspired by the Art Nouveau period for this one. Plans can change though as you'll see. Also bear in mind that whilst I swatched all the colours from three 'paint families' in practice you don't need them all to complete the tags.

To begin paint your tags with 'Blah Mange' Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint. Then take your time to apply the new 'Postcards' Printed Tissue over the top with Fresco Finish Matte Glaze. I find it easier to work in small sections when doing this.

Remove any excess Printed Tissue by sanding the edges. This also gives a lovely 'worn' look to the tags. Finally splatter a little diluted 'Sorbet' Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint across the backgrounds to create the illusion of age spots on the paper.

Now it's time to start on the paper dolls.

 

Start by stamping the three ladies from the new Lynne Perrella stamp set LPC080 onto your finished tags. Add colour to their faces and arms as you choose. I found mixing 'Toffee', 'Vintage Lace' and a hint of 'Chocolate Pudding' Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints worked well for this purpose.

To add colour to their dresses stamp the images onto painted paper and 'fussy cut' the different dress sections. They are easier to cut around when the paper is thinner (think copy paper weight). For a more professional finish use a black pen around the edges of the cut-outs before gluing them onto the tags.

If you are planning to machine or hand sew around the edge of the tags now would be a good time to do it. Try two layers of stitching, deliberately wonky, to hide genuine imperfections.

And now it's time to embellish those beautiful dresses.

You saw earlier how I swatched all the colours from each 'paint family' - it creates a reference point to help me select appropriate scraps of paper and trims from my stash.

 

If you are missing some colours you can make your own papers. Try mixing a couple of drops of Fresco Finish Drying Retarder to a tiny amount of the opaque paints to create matte glazes which work perfectly over book paper. In this case you can see how 'Pine Grove' and 'Calypso' Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints magically became translucent with this method.

Make your own patterned paper and ribbons by repeat stamping small sections of the dresses, the leaf branches and the ribbon hair image from the same stamp set. Scrunch up your papers when stamped to give them the look of fabric too.

Cut your papers, ribbons and laces into uneven lengths and begin to attach them to the bottom of the dress. Layer the different shades and textures to create the illusion of movement. Allow the glue to dry between layers to ensure the finished skirt remains in place.

To finish stamp the roses from each lady onto card painted with 'Toffee Apple' Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint. Fussy cut around these roses and add them to the tag. Make sure to cut out and layer on extra roses to cover the overlap between the dress and the trims at the bottom. You may also choose to add extra roses to the other tags (as I did to the top of the purple dress).

I found using thicker card for the roses worked well because they could be shaped more effectively to create a seamless blend between the 3D layers at the bottom and the 2D dress on the tag.

And so the paper dolls are complete, though you could add other embellishments if you want.

Here are some close ups to show you more of the stamped layers. As I mentioned at the beginning when sharing the supplies list, I deliberately omitted adding paint colours for the dresses as those can easily be changed by you. You could even try a multi-coloured option!

Thank you for joining me today.

Jenny

Blog: https://pushingtherightbuttons.blogspot.com/

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