Vintage Roses Ornament by Laura Kirste Campbell

This lovely paper ornament is easy and fun to make. The Spellbinder’s die templates make cutting out the shapes a breeze. Imagine all the variations of color you could use to make different styles. For a Spring theme, use  a butterfly instead of the angel. See “Bees and Butterflies” in the Layers of Color boutique for many wonderful options for this project!

MATERIALS:

• Paper – Ivory card stock
• Stamps – Layers of Color Vintage Roses and Angelic art stamp sets
• Inks – VersaFine Vintage Sepia, Prismacolor pencils PC912 Apple Green and PC1045 Metallic Purple
• Spellbinders die templates – smallest Grand Scallop Circles and #1 Circles (cuts 2 1/2″ circle)
• Embellishments – Acrylic bead, Feather Twine
• Other – Spellbinders Grand Calibur die cut machine, scissors, glue, acrylic block for stamping

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place small circle die inside scallop circle die, center and measure, then lightly tape both die templates to card stock. This keeps them in place when running through the cutting machine.

Put through the cutting machine. Punch out the resulting scallop paper ring.

You can use the taped die templates to repeat this process.

Make a total of 6 scallop rings.

Using Vintage Roses arch stamp and Vintage Sepia ink, stamp roses along inside circle.

Notice that the stamp image isn’t on top of the scallops, but is off the edge of the inner circle edge.

Turn the ring around and stamp again creating a ring of roses.

You may have a little overlapping at the ends of the arches, but it will be covered up with color later.

Repeat stamping on all 6 rings.

Using Metallic Purple and Apple Green Prismacolor pencils, color in roses and leaves.

When coloring, use a gentle circular motion, coloring the roses lightly all over and then apply more pressure in the centers to create the feeling of depth in the flowers. Be general and quick with all the coloring, precision isn’t necessary.

Fold all 6  rings in half, with colored side to inside.

Match all scallops evenly when folding and be sure the fold creases a scallop in half as shown.

Fold all 6 rings in half with crease in center of a scallop.

With uncolored sides together, glue two rings together matching scallops and fold creases as shown.

Continue gluing all 6 rings together in the same manner.

Do not connect the first ring to the last ring, yet.

String bead onto Feather Twine. Slide to center of twine.

Position the beaded twine over the first and last rings (not glued together) .

On Ivory card stock with Vintage Sepia ink, and the winged cherub from

Angelic art stamp set, stamp two angels.

Cut out the angels and stamp the backs as well. Don’t worry about accuracy when stamping the back, this is just because the back of the wings will show a little. Slightly fold up each angel wing as shown.

Apply glue to the angel’s head and collar only. Position in the center of the circle and glue to the twine, back to back with the twine sandwiched in between the angels. Check position on the twine in relation to the rings before gluing…

Glue angels to to the twine in the center of the rings.

Then with solid sides together, glue the first and last rings together, completing the circle.

Open the rings so that they are spaced evenly.

Tie ends of Feather Twine in a small knot and hang your Vintage Roses Ornament!

Crayon Resist Technique

by Linda Lucas

This technique is quick and easy.  It is perfect for cards, tags, layouts or altered art.

MATERIALS

• Layers of Color Butterfly Collector art stamp set
• Layers of Color The Love Chapter art stamp set
• VersaFine – Black Onyx
• Distressing Ink – Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, Walnut Stain
• White Card Stock
• White Crayon
• Tsukineko Daubers
• White Card Stock
• Spritzer Bottle

METHOD:

Randomly stamp the butterfly from Butterfly Collector art stamp set with Versafine Black Onyx

Apply white crayon to any area of the image that should remain white.

Start sponging over your image with the Scattered Straw Distressing Ink – this is not precision.

Continue to sponge color with Spiced Marmalade

and finally sponge with Fired Brick until entire piece of card stock is covered

Take a paper towel and buff image – It will take the ink off your crayon marks and brighten the white.

Spray water into your hand and use your fingers to splash it onto the sponged card stock,

dab with tissues immediately and you will see the watermarks appear.

Randomly stamp the sentiment onto your project – I used Walnut Stain and The Love Chapter

It is as easy as that – the variety of colors and images are only limited by your imagination.

Here are some lovely samples using this Crayon Resist Technique:

Card by Linda Lucas using Layers of Color Vintage Roses art stamps

Altered Book by Linda Lucas featuring Layers of Color Cottage Rose cling art stamp

Tag by Linda Lucas stamped with Layers of Color Dotted Delights art stamps

Wedding Gift Bag Tutorial

by Linda Lucas

Wedding Gift Bag by Linda Lucas

YOU WILL NEED:

• Paper Trimmer with scoring blade or Bone Folder
• 12″ x 12″ piece of patterned paper
• Red Sticky Strip
• Ribbon or Tulle
• SU Horizontal Slot Punch
• Scissors
• Adhesive

Lightly score the 12″ X 12″ patterned paper at 1″ and 11″.

Fold on the score line and adhere, showing reverse side of paper.

Rotate the card stock 90 degrees, then score the 12″ side at 3 ½” and 8 ½”

Fold on score lines.

Stick the overlapping section to create a flat tube.

Score at 4 ¾”, 5″, and 5 ¼” as shown.

Fold in half, using your bone folder on the creases for crisp edges.

Fold all score lines. The center score line will be folded up toward the center of the bag.

Place a small amount of Sticky Strip at the center of the bag.

Use only a small piece or the bag will not stand as well when finished.

Adhere bag together. It should stand freely at this point.

Using the Horizontal Slot Punch, punch through just the top layer of folded paper. The punch rests inside of the pocket – I use the top of the circle as a rough guideline for getting the punched holes even.

Thread ribbon through the holes. Here a small piece of Sticky Strip was used to adhere the ribbon to itself. (see below)  Finish putting the ribbon onto the first side so the handle sticks nice and flat.

Finish by decorating and embellishing the front of the bag.

The front of the bag measures 5″ X 4 3/4″ and the base is only about 1/2″ thick.

Layers of Color Sent with Love and Merci Bouquet art stamp sets

For the Tag I also used:

• Spellbinders Grand Calibur
• Labels 4 Nestibilitie
• SU Corner Rounder
• Small Hole Punch (for top of that)
• SU Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder
• Pink Tulle
• Ranger Distressing Ink – Walnut Stain

This is a fun and easy project that will spruce up your wardrobe, or make a fabulous gift! I purchased a Rayon scarf from a second hand shop that was solid green, w/o pattern. A little craft paint and Layers of Color art stencils added the splash of decorative color! I wear it with a turquoise blouse, either around my neck or in my hair.

Materials:

• Scarf
• Layers of Color Natural Flourish and Belle Brocade art stencils
• Acrylic craft paint (turquoise and apple green)
• Fabric medium
• Wedge make up sponge
• Newspaper or spare paper for underneath project
• Optional hairdryer

1. Lay down a stack of newspapers and put the scarf flat on top of the paper. Position the Natural Flourish art stencil on top of the scarf.
2. Mix craft paint and fabric medium according to medium instructions. I didn’t use medium on my scarf, but it will allow the paint to be less stiff.
3. Using the wedge make up sponge, dab a light coat of mixed paint over the art stencil. Add a second layer of paint if necessary.
4. Lift the scarf off of the paper and dry with a hair dryer before moving on to the next area. Don’t allow the scarf to dry on the paper or it will stick to it.
5. Repeat with Belle Brocade art stencil, using a portion of the stencil design.

TIPS:

It’s best to clean the stencil between applications. It’s easier to clean the stencil when the paint is wet, and you’ll be less likely to get paint seeping under the stencil. Change paper between stencil use as well.

I wore my stenciled scarf the day I made it! Try matching jeans, a bag or a hat,  too! What fun!

Have a colorful  and creative day,

Natural Flourish Art Stencil Tissue Box Tutorial

This decorative tissue box is easier than it looks, just a few simple steps from basic to beautiful!

MATERIALS

• Layers of Color Natural Flourish art stencil
• Acrylic craft or house paint (tan and dark brown)
• Paint brush
• Spackling Paste (hardware store)
• Flat wide knife for spreading (spackling, cheese spreader, or cake icing knife – or an old credit card)
• Firm sided tissue box

I used a wooden tissue box. It would work just as well on a firm cardboard, or plastic box. You could recycle one or find one at a thrift shop. If it has a shiny surface, just rough it up with sand paper so it accepts the paint well.

Paint the entire box with 1 – 2 coats of tan colored acrylic paint. Let dry.

You’ll need Spackling Paste, Natural Flourish art stencil and a spreading tool, (cake icing knife shown).

Put the tissue box on it’s side so that the surface you’re working on is horizontal. Lay the stencil on the tissue box. Spread the Spackling Paste evenly over the stencil. You can spread it very thin for a slightly raised effect, or very thick for a heavy raised effect. A thin layer tends to make a more crisp design, thicker is more rough and will take a little longer to dry. My example has an uneven layer with thick and thin areas.

Immediately after spreading the paste, (before it dries), gently and slowly lift off the stencil.

The remaining design can be touched up with a toothpick if desired. If it doesn’t turn out well, you can quickly wipe it all off with a paper towel, clean off the stencil, and re-spread the paste. Let this dry for the amount of time listed on the Spackling Paste container. Clean off stencil with water before paste dries.

Since this project has five sides to decorate (and it’s too hard to work vertically), I had to paste three sides then let it dry. Very gently lay it down on the dry paste side so you don’t chip the design.

Add another coat of tan colored paint. Let dry.

To add an aged antique look, mix dark brown colored acrylic paint with water. I used a raisin-sized dollop of paint to 2 Tablespoons of water, mix together. Paint this on the entire surface with a paint brush, one side at a time, keeping it heavy in the crevices. You can use any color paint on the tissue box to go with your decor, but always use dark brown to achieve this antique look.

While it still wet, wipe away some of the paint with a paper towel. Let dry.

Maybe this pretty tissue box will cheer you up next time you have a cold!