A Favorite Thing

A favorite thing is using what I have and what I LOVE!  For me, that also happens to be the fun and the challenge that comes when creating with my favorite tools and materials and mixing it all up with ideas into something worth sharing.

A project from the past begins with a versatile surface to create from,  Eileen Hull Sizzix die, the Journal.  (One of the main reasons her dies have become my "go to Tools".)


 Mixed Media Journal

Let's begin...
To make this journal I used a Sizzix die designed by Eileen Hull and the Big Shot die cutting system that I like to use for most of my die-cutting.  I have added the material list that I used to complete this project.  NOTE: Use what you have available or other perferred materials.

Front Journal Cover

This cover was made using two different techniques from the book together for a layered look that still showed under the other embellishments.

Back Journal Cover

The back journal cover again uses a easy and fun background technique that will change with colors used, tools (such as stencils or stamps) and type of medium (paints and/or inks).

Front Journal Label

Another fun and interesting technique using foils that creates a lovely background, whether it is large or small.

Inside Journal Signature Covers

Transform double-sided card stock into something different using techniques found in the book along with a variety of stamps, stencils and various paints and other mediums.

Art Tape for Embellishments

Art Tape Foiling

Add coloring with inks or paints and then add stamped images to create "one of a kind" backgrounds for embellishments.  Add foil to the adhesive side for an intereesting affect.

To complete the journal a burlap ribbon band is added for texture, along with die-cut leaves from coordinating card stock.  The leaves have touches of various colored foils added to them before gluing in place.  A small bow was created from the Art Tape. The word "journal" is cut from fun foam.  The last element is an old jewelrey find.  Signature covers are made from the re-designed card stock, with inserts for each are  made by using copy paper.

NOTE: Techniques used to create this Journal can be found here: 
 ebook by Rebekah Meier's Paper Art Collage

List of Materials
Sizzix Dies:Eileen Hull Journal die
Sizzix Dies: Eileen Hull Journaling Words
Sizzix nesting label die
Tim Holtz thinlits bows, skeleton leaves, funky festive
Sizzix Big Shot cutting machine

Mixed Media adhesive sheets
Mixed Media art paper sheets
Mixed Media art tape
Mixed Media foil sheets - patina, antique pearl, old gold
Mixed Media medium
Double sided tape, 1/4”
TCW gold gesso, light & fluffy modeling paste
TCW stencils by RM 462, 462S, 768
Stamps RM mesh, mandala, Death Star explosion
Stamps RM F22011,G22006, F22003, F22000, H22014, H22012, L22013, CC18

Paints - DecoArt media fluid acrylics, assorted colors
Distress oxide inks, assorted colors
Mat board, 2 -  6" x 13"
Gelli arts plate
Brayer
Decorative papers, assorted
Assorted papers, Various weights and colors Black foam
Seam binding, white Various embellishments

Faux Tiles with Creative Art Textures

Create "faux tiles" with two colors of paint and papers, a gel plate and Creative Art Textures designs by Rebekah Meier.

Black Box & Black Book

The projects of this box and book were made to show how to print with the Creative Texture Plate and a gel printing plate. A single Creative Art Texture design and single colors was used for each project; Black on white, white on black.  A print was made for the 6 sides of the box and book covers, inside and out.  To give the printed pieces the look of glazed tiles, each print was embossed with clear embossing powder. 

The little black book is made from one die cut box design fits inside the finished gift box.  

NOTE: Beside the written instructions, there is a short video of approximately 4 minutes that covers the the printing on the gel plate, trimming the printed designs to fit the sides of the box, the process of embossing each design and adding the embossed squares to the box.  In the written instructions the Creative Art Textures will be referred to as CAT.

Material List

Creative texture stamps

Gel printing plate 

Acrylic paint - white, black

Brayer 

Printing paper

Sizzix Big Shot

Sizzix Die

Mat board - 3 sheets

Adhesive (sheet or spray)

Clear acrylic ruler

Paper cutter or rotary cutter

Clear embossing pad

Clear embossing powder

Heat tool

Extra Materials 

Scissors

Ribbon bias tape

Piercing tool

Scoreboard and tool

Paper for book spine and pages

Extra Materials

Black paint

Brush

Glue

Extender/paint

Optional: Mod Podge, glossy finish

Instructions

Printing the tile designs (Make 6 for the Box, Make 4 for the book)

1. Apply paint onto a surface (I used another gel plate). Use a brayer to spread the paint onto the gel plate used for printing with the Creative Art Texture.  
2. Remove the CAT from the plate and apply the paper square and make the print.  Repeat for each paper square. Repeat the process with both black and white paint.

 NOTE: The short video shows a small part of this process, found at the end of the post

Measure - Trim Printed Design Tiles

1. Using an acrylic ruler, find the center of the printed design image on each printed sheet, in both  directions and mark.
2. Trim all four sides with a rotary cutter and ruler to fit the measurements of the sides of the box. 

NOTE: The short video shows a small part of this process, found at the end of the post.

Embossing the Paper Design Tiles

1. Press the paper tile into clear embossing ink.
2. Sprinkle with clear embossing powder
3. With heat tool, melt the powder to coat the paper.
4. Repeat these steps 2 to 3 times to build the coating to look like a glazed tile. Repeat these steps for each paper tile.

NOTE: If using Mod Podge, glossy finish, use several coats of glossy Mod Podge to get a similar look. Allow time between coats to dry well. 

Making Box

1. Cut box from mat board (Two pieces will be needed for box, one for book).
2. If using white mat board, paint the pieces with black matte paint. Crease at folds and paint the edges. Dry.
3. Construct the box using glue or strong adhesive tape.
4. Add double-sided adhesive sheets, cut to fit each paper tile square.
5. Apply each square to a side of the box.

NOTE: Optional, a ribbon closure was made by using 4 lengths of ribbon. Poke a hole into the center of the bottom of the box. Thread the end of the 4 lengths through the hole, from the inside.  Knot the four lengths together (make the knot big enough so it will not pull through).  Draw up each piece of ribbon on each side the tie into a bow at the top.

Making Book

1. Cut one mat board with die once.
2. Measure and cut at the center of the middle square of the die-cut.
3. Paint with black matte paint if needed. Paint all edges and creases. Dry.
4. Glue the two cut pieces to form book. Use glue or strong adhesive tape. 
5. Cut a piece of black paper for center of the inside book to hold pages. Measurement is approximately - 6 1/2” x 3 3/4” (No wider)
6. Using a scoring board and bone folder, make lines for folds 1/2” apart along paper strip. Form an accordion folded inside binding for paper pages.  NOTE: Fold paper piece in half (this becomes the first mountain fold). Make 2 score lines from the center, both sides, each 1” apart. Turn piece over and make 1/2” score lines between the 1” spaces. The 2 ends will be a bit wider than 1/2”.
7. Glue the first and last 1/2” fold onto the inner edges of the front and back covers. 
8. Apply the finished paper tiles, same as the directions above for the box, to outside and inside of the covers.
9. Cut paper pages of choice to fit the book, gluing onto the accordion folds of the inside binding.

NOTE: Optional, add ribbons for a closure, glued into,place before adding front and back tiles. 

Video Link:

Arnold Grummer's Papermaking - Christmas In July

Is it too soon to give any thoughts to Christmas?  When days are hot and steamy why not!  Actually I have been into a couple of craft stores in the area and "holiday" items are already on display.

It was time to play around and experiment again.  Going through the casting molds and other things items to use as deckles for shapes, I found a Wilton cookie mold and some plaster molds.

 Here is a snowflake casting, using the Wilton cookie mold and cotton linter squares.  I used enough of the squares that would cover the size of the mold and processed them in a blender as suggested for making pulp.  I included  "Iridescent Flakes" into the pulp before making the casting.  Once the snowflake casting was dry, I used some glitter glue to add dimension on some of the raised lines on the casting.  I small hole is punched and a narrow ribbon hanger is added.   Just for a few ideas, the snowflakes would make a nice additon to a Christmas tree or could be used as decorations in a sway over a doorway or along a mantle edge.  NOTE: I created over 100 of these snowflakes several years ago as a favor at a friends "winter wedding".  I had brushed the raised areas with white glue and sprinkled them with iridescent glitter.  A decorative, silver ornament hanger was attached.  Each was packaged in a cellophane bag along with some artifical snow, with gift tag attached from the bride and groom.

These two package tags were created with recycling thin, kraft colored packing paper pulp.  Process the pulp in a blender and strain.  Press the pulp into molds of choice.  I used two molds that are meant for plaster casting.  Remove as much water with sponges or rags.  Allow the casting to dry. NOTE:  I help the drying process along by placing the  pieces on a microwave safe surface and use 30 secong intervals to dry pieces. Use this method to dry slightly and then leave overnight to dry completely.  

Once the pieces are dry, they can be painted if desired or embellished in any way.  Use a purchased tag or die-cut a tag shape.  Add a strip of torn holiday fabric and glue the casting onto the surface.  Add a ribbon or cord for attaching the tag to a package.

For a 20% savings, use SAVE20 code after visiting the Arnold Grummer website for any purchase this month.