Watercolor Background Effect Using Ink

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make it monday kristie sloan artful adventuresWelcome to another Make It Monday blog hop project! You can check out the list of participants later in this post.

In today’s project, we’ll learn how to create a watercolor background using water soluble dye based ink pads that you may have on hand for stamping. Creating this effect uses very few items.

All we need are:

  • Ink colors
  • Acrylic stamp block
  • Tiny mister for water
  • Card stock or other paper
watercolor ink background tools

Very few items are needed for this technique.

A quick and easy way to apply the ink to your block is to just rub the corner of your ink pad onto the center of the block.

Rub ink into the center of the acrylic block.

Rub ink into the center of the acrylic block.

Mist the ink with your sprayer and let it mingle for a moment before applying it to your paper. I just used a piece of card stock for this project, but you could certainly use watercolor or a mixed media paper. If using card stock, make sure to not over saturate your paper with water. Wipe the block off between colors, or even between applications. Baby wipes are a great item to have in your craft room! Continue to randomly stamp the colors until you are happy with the results. Don’t worry about leaving white spaces, they can work well into your finished piece.

Stamp the ink from the acrylic block randomly on the paper, changing colors as desired

Stamp the ink from the acrylic block randomly on the paper, changing colors as desired.

Now you have a background piece to use as you wish. I cut a piece to use as a card front, however you can use this technique in selected spots on a scrapbook page background for a nice artsy feel. Since the background has so much going on, I wanted to just create a simple card by only using black to stamp any designs or greetings. Here is the finished card, using a black card base (with white liner), backed  with a piece of CTMH Thistle card stock.

Design and greeting stamped in black

Design and greeting stamped in black.

For a finishing touch, I added a rhinestone for the head of the butterfly on the right.

I’m happy with the way the card turned out, and I have enough paper to use for another card. These are not colors I would normally use, but I’m glad I gave them a try!

Be sure to visit the next stop on the Make It Monday hop, Jen Wright. She’s got some ideas for a scrapbook template and a challenge. Here is the whole list this week:

Connie Hanks: Layers on scrapbook layouts

      You’re Here — Kristie Sloan: Watercolor Effects Using Ink

Jen Wright: Scrapbook template ideas and challenge

Alice Boll: Capture the beauty of fall on a ‘WonderFALL’ scrapbook layout

Gina Zee: Make a school themed tag from a cereal box

 

Until our next Artful Adventure,

KS

 

 

Here are some handy links to some of the products in this project. When you use these links to purchase these items, I receive a commission. Yes, shameless promotion!


Fast and Fabulous Base and Bling Necklace

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Welcome to a Make It Monday project!

Base and Bling Necklace.

Base and Bling Necklace.

I am so excited to invite you to meet a few of my creative and crafty friends from all over the world with this new blog hop! I am amazed at the diverse and creative projects these ladies share! I met many of them through Layout-a-day, so it’s safe to say many of them enjoy scrapbooking. However, you’ll find they have a passion for projects from Scrapbooking to Art, Embroidery to Photo Management, paper to digital. Come join the fun!

Today I want to show you a quick way to create a personalized necklace with minimal supplies. In fact, once you have the supplies, you’ll be ready to make more of these not only for yourself, but they make great, affordable gifts. Who doesn’t like a thoughtful gift?

You’ll need:

  • A pendant base
  • A beveled glass cover
  • Clear craft lacquer
  • An image to use
  • A Necklace chain
  • Charms (optional)

You can create your own image the size you need, but there are images ready to just peel and stick! Take a look at these choices from Close To My Heart:

base and bling story teller style sheet - Z1973

Base and Bling Story Teller Style Sheet

base and bling signature style sheet - Z2055

Base and Bling Signature Style Sheet

base and bling journey style sheet - Z2054

Base and Bling Journey Style Sheet

base and bling free thinker style sheet - Z1974

Base and Bling Free Thinker Style Sheet

base and bling dreamer style sheet - Z1976

Base and Bling Dreamer Style Sheet

base and bling craft queen style sheet - Z1975

Base and Bling Craft Queen Style Sheet

 

Once you select your image you need your base. Here are the bases that are currently available from CTMH:

CTMH Pendant Bases

CTMH Pendant Bases

 

Select a glass cover to match your base.

Rectangle Glass Cover

Rectangle Glass Cover

Oval Glass Cover

Oval Glass Cover

Circle and Square Glass Cover

Circle and Square Glass Cover

 

I decided to use a rectangular image and a square base. They are the same width, so just trim the height to fit.

Rectangle image used for square pendant

Rectangle image used for square pendant.

 

Place the image into the base and press firmly against the base. It’s okay to press it up the side a tiny bit, because once the cover is placed in the base, it will look fine! If you have created your own image, you will need to adhere it to the base.

Adhere image to the base and press firmly in place

Adhere image to the base and press firmly in place.

 

Next, you’ll want to have your cover and a wipe ready, along with the clear craft lacquer. I’ve used the  Liquid Glass from Close to My Heart.

Have your items ready, along with a wipe

Have your items ready, along with a wipe.

CTMH Liquid Glass

CTMH Liquid Glass

 

There is no need to completely cover the image with the lacquer, because as you press the cover on, it will spread on. Look closely at the following, and you can see that there is space that has not been covered.

Add clear craft lacquer to over image to adhere the glass cover

Add clear craft lacquer to over image to adhere the glass cover.

 

As you press down the cover, you will be pressing out any air bubbles. Look to make sure you have pressed them out. Quickly wipe any excess lacquer that may have seeped out from the edges. Hold the cover in place for a moment to make sure you have a good seal. Allow project to set for awhile to be sure the lacquer is dry. I like to let mine set for about 24 hours, just to be safe.

Press on the cover and wipe edges

Press on the cover and wipe edges.

 

That’s it! Add a chain and you’re finished.

Base and Bling Necklace

Base and Bling Necklace.

 

Here are some other pendants created from the same style sheet.

additional base and bling pendants

 

To further customize your creation you can add some charms. Who knows, you may already have some charms you can add to your chain! Links to the currently available CTMH charms are in the product links below. (Affiliate links)

Oval Pendant with added Charms

Oval Pendant with added Charms!

 

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you will visit the others on the hop this week. Next up on the hop is Gina Zee from MesstakenIdentity with a very artistic way to save a stained shirt!

make it monday kristie sloan artful adventures

Here is list for our blog hop this week:

Connie Hanks: Clicky Chick Creates – cupcake toppers with a crafty feel.

Karen Fitting:  Photos Kept Alive  – Using Panstoria Artisan to make a 3D frame from your pictures.

Alison Day: Alison Day Designs – Take your layouts from ‘meh’ to ‘Marvellous’ with these simple framing ideas!

Alice Boll:  Scrapbook Wonderland   – Learn how to use your artwork on a scrapbook layout.

Beth Soler: Scrapping Wonders  – Creating labels for our Project Life and Scrapbook layouts with my Cricut.

Melissa Shanhun: Digital Scrapbooking HQ  – How to create a simple digital Project Life style page without templates (video tutorial)

This is where you are!  Kristie Sloan: Artful Adventures  –  Create a simple customized necklace with minimal supplies!

Gina Zee – MesstakenIdentity – See how to rescue a stained shirt using some artistic flair!

Cheers to YOUR Artful Adventures,

KS

 

 

Here are some quick links to the Base and Bling products to make these fun pieces.


Halloween Magic Potions Decor

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Add a little decorative element to your home for Halloween by creating some “magic potions!” I know many of you enjoy doing your own lettering and drawing, and you can use this idea as you like. However, when pressed for time, or if you just want to use the get it done version, here’s how to make it happen. When I saw these cute little label stamps, I knew I had to do something fun with them!

C1509 Magic Potions

Magic Potions Stamp Set, #C1509

Each of these label shapes can be cut with a Cricut die cut machine from the CTMH Cricut Artiste Collection cartridge, #Z1790. You can see that the page of the accompanying booklet and the cutting size are marked right along side the stamps. Since they are clear, they are easy to see exactly where to place your stamp on the label.

I grabbed some random bottles and decorated them! You can see I did a very basic version of dressing these bottles. There is so much more you could do, but I wanted you to see that just doing something simple can be very effective!  These would look cute with candy in them. Since these bottles are rather tall, I filled them with water and added food coloring to the water to create the colors I wanted in each one.

CTMH Scaredy Cat papers with the Magic Potions stamps

CTMH Scaredy Cat papers with the Magic Potions stamps.

I love the Black Shimmer Trim! It was perfect for this project to add a little zip to the top of each bottle. All you have to do is pull off the backing tape, and it’s ready to adhere to your project!

Paper rosettes make a nice backing to the labels, or just use some of the coordinating papers from the Scaredy Cat collection, #X7185B.

Magic Potion Stamps with paper rosette

Magic Potion stamp with paper rosette from Scaredy Cat paper collection.

Cutting the labels with the die cut machine makes easy work of decorative labels. Inking the edges finishes this label nicely.

CTMH Magic Potions stamped label with inked edges.

Magic Potions stamped label with inked edges.

Coordinating decorative papers, as well as plain colored card stock make it easy to create projects have a cohesive look when doing a grouping of items.

magic potions stamps and scaredy cat papers

Coordinating papers make the perfect background to add even more interest.

There are so many possibilities for these label stamps. Wouldn’t they look adorable on treat bags? What do you think you’d make with them, my little pretty?

Here’s a peek at the Scaredy Cat printed paper. There are also pieces of coordinating card stock not shown.

CTMH scaredy cat paper pack

CTMH scaredy cat paper pack

914 SOTM KS  


Skylark One Sheet Wonder – update

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skylark paperThere have been requests for coming up with how to cut this specific sheet of CTMH Skylark paper to create the One Sheet Wonder cards shown in this previous post. Although I shared the basic idea and how to cut a 12×12 sheet of paper to make the cards, some of you wanted help utilizing the idea specifically for this sheet. Even though the paper is retired, there are many of us who still have some on hand. So, here is the cutting info, and access to the cut files!

Here are the cards which were made from this one sheet of paper, along with 2 pieces of coordinating card stock, (plus the card bases).

CTMH Skylark paper coded one sheet wonder cards

 

One Sheet Wonder Skylark cutting diagram

Digital Cut files are at the bottom of the post!

 

As promised, here are the MATTING SIZES!

Card A:  Lagoon – 5 1.2″ x 1 1/8″,  Sweet Leaf – 3 3/16″ x 2 1/4″
Card B:  Sweet Leaf – 2 3/16″ x 1 1/4″
Card C:  Sweet Leaf – 5 1/4″ x 1 1/4″, Lagoon – 5″ x 1 1/4″
Card D:  Lagoon – 2 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ plus punched scalloped border (you could cut 2 1/4″ x 2 1/5″ and punch that piece; Lagoon – heart die-cut 1 1/2″ high.
Card E:  Lagoon – 1 3/4″ x 5″
Card F:  Sweet Leaf – 5 1/2″ x 1″, 5 1/2″ x 1 1/2″, 3 1/2 ” Zip Strip or 3 1/2″ x 1/2″; Lagoon – 1 3/4″ scalloped circle
Card G:  Lagoon – 4″ x 1/2″ (2 pieces), Skylark paper was scallop punched on top and bottom edge.
Card H: Lagoon – 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″, Sweet Leaf – 2″ x 5″, Lagoon – 2 1/4″ x 5/8″, Sweet Leaf – 2″ x 1/2″
Card I:  Lagoon – 7 1/2″ long scalloped edge piece, 1 3/4″ flower punch or die cut, Sweet Leaf – leaf sprays pouched or die cut as desired
Card J:  Not matting
Card K:  Lagoon – 5 1/2″ x 2 3/4″, 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″, Sweet Leaf – 2 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ (cut 3)
Card L:  Lagoon – 2 3/4″ x 2 1/2″, Sweet Pear – 2 1/4″ x 2 1/4″
Card M:  Sweet Leaf – 2 1/4″ x 2 1/4″, Lagoon – 1 1/2″ high heart punch or die cut
Card N:  Lagoon – 2 5/8″ x 4 1/4″, Sweet Leaf – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
  
Until our next Artful Adventure,
KS
 
 
 
 

Composition Notebook Makeover

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Back to school sales are a great time to pick up composition notebooks, as well as many other basic supplies. Often there are bargains that won’t be matched at any other time of year. Since composition notebooks are rather inexpensive, I guess that’s why they are not very pretty! Never fear, they are easy to dress up. Not only can you fix up one for yourself or anyone at your home, you could even make one for a quick little gift, because who couldn’t use one to keep notes?

For this makeover we are going to use the new Chalk It Up line from Close to My Heart (CTMH). This is just one of the double-sided papers in the pack. Here are basic supplies I decided to start with:

Chalk It Up notebook supplies

Basic supplies: composition notebook 3 pieces of decorative paper or card stock, any ephemera you choose.

For the front and back covers, cut two pieces of paper at 6 3/4″ x 9 3/4″. For the binding you’ll cut one piece of a coordinating card stock or decorative paper at 2 1/4″ x 9 3/4″.

Cut pieces for notebook

Cut 2 pieces each 6 3/4″x 9 3/4″; Cut 1 piece 2 1/4″x9 3/4″

Lining up the out edges of the paper against the notebook, adhere in place with your chosen adhesive. I used the Bonding Memories Glue Pen by CTMH. It has a very wide tip and makes it easy to apply adhesive to paper. You notice you have a bit of an overhang if your notebook has curved corners. Just flip the cover open and trim along the edge, using the notebook cover as your guide.

Snip off excess around the curves.

Snip off excess around the curves.

To adhere the binding cover, I used some sticky strip because I thought the backing may get the most use and it may be hard to keep in place with glue. I ran the strip on the long edge of each side. I carefully aligned it just over the edge of the binding (the measurement was a little big wider than the original binding). Flip the notebook over and your ready to place the back of the binding cover down. That’s it! The basic makeover is complete. Now just decorate to taste.

Cover the edge of the original binding

Cover the edge of the original binding

notebook binding cover

Sticky strip used along the outer edge of the binding cover

The Chalk it Up Complements pack is a set of coordinating chipboard pieces and I had already chosen a piece to use. I love the phrase it has on it, Every Accomplishment Begins with the Decision to Try!

From the Chalk It Up Complements set

From the Chalk It Up Complements set.

I decided to use an initial “k” because if I decide I want to give it away, I have two family members who also start with a k. However, I think I’ll probably keep it. We can always gift to ourselves, right? Anyway, I cut a lowercase k from the alphabet that is from the CTMH Cricut Artbooking Collection cartridge, in the same color I used for the backing.

Lowercase k from the CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge

Lowercase “k” from the CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge.

 

It looked like it need something more and it got three hearts from the Chalk It Up Assortment.

Hearts from the Chalk It Up Assortment.

Hearts from the Chalk It Up Assortment.

At this point I wished I had used some ribbon or something along the binding edge because it just looked so naked! I spied the black arrow washi tape and gave it a try! I was happy with it and I pronounced it to be finished! It was a fun, easy project, give it a try!

Composition Book Makeover

Composition Book Makeover

Be sure to stop over at Take Heart Ideas to see what other inspiration pieces are available for the current Back-to-School theme challenge, and play along with us!

Cheers to YOUR Artful Adventures!

KS

August Stamp of the Month 2014