TCW Meets Sizzix

An opportunity to work with two different companies products is always fun!  The Crafters Workshop was kind to offer a samples to work with along with Eileen Hull’s Sizzix dies.  I’m lucky enough to be a somewhat familiar with the stencils and products from TCW and the little project I’m sharing here shows a way. 

 

Combining the base shape from Eileen’s new Notepad die, her new damask stamp by Maker Forte, TCW(The Crafters Workshop) stencils and paints and other assorted materials and a technique for creating backgrounds from another mixed media designer, Rebekah Meier, I ended up with my own interpretation and a smaller version of “prayer flags”. 

NOTE:

Here’s a little information on the meaning behind “prayer flags”: Traditionally prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom to everyone. By hanging flags in high places, the “Lungta” (wind horse) will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the (sacred utterances) Mantras. 

There are usually five colors on traditional prayer flags; blue - representing the sky, white - representing the air, red - symbolizing fire, green - symbolizing water and yellow-symbolizing the earth.  All five colors together signify balance. 

Information about traditional prayer flags and creative ideas for making, sharing and using more updated  prayer flags are easy to find on the internet.  

Materials

Eileen Hull Sizzix Notepad die (66588)

Eileen Hull Maker Forte stamp, vintage damask

TCW Stencils, #944s and other assorted designs

TCW Stencil Butter paints

Archival ink pad, brown

Acrylic paint, white

Distress Oxide sprays

TCW Clear Gesso, matte

Brush

Cosmetic sponges

Palette knife

Pellon EZ Steam II fusible web

Printed napkin

White cotton fabric

Iron

Pressing board

Flat braid or ribbon, 1/2” wide 

Verse stamps

Fabri-Tac glue

Stampers Anoonymous Tim Holtz Tiny Text (CMS394)

Create background for the flags

• Add one layer of a decorative napkin to one side of EZSteam sheet. 

• Press slightly with iron. 
• Brush over napkin with the clear gesso and allow to dry well. 
• Cover with parchment paper and press lightly with iron to smooth. 
• Stamp damask background image randomly onto napkin with archival ink. 
• Spray randomly and lightly with distress oxide sprays; dry. 

• Cover and iron the stamped, sprayed side well. When cool, peel the backing sheet from opposite side. 
• Lay a piece of white cotton fabric over the adhesive and iron well to adhere to the fusible.

• Fold and cut four pieces from sheet. 
• Die-cut notepad shape from each piece.
• Using the stencils and acrylic paints randomly stencil parts of the stencils onto the cut flags with cosmetic sponges. 
• Add other design elements if desired using small bottle caps or pencil erasers for circles; the edge of an old keycard or palette knife for lines.  

• Stamp or hand print a verse to add to each flag. 
• Attach the flags onto a flat braid by sewing or gluing.  
• If desired, hang the flags, as a collection or single, to fly near a door or window to catch the wind. If choosing to fly the flags outside, use a protective coating that can give outdoor protection.

TIPS

For ideas and information on mixed media collage techniques a good reference is an e-book by Rebekah Meier, "Paper Art Collage, mixed media layering techniques, from Bella Crafts Publishing.  Another source, if it can be found, is a pamphlet by Rebekah called Techniques for Mixed Media for Fabric Elements, by Fabric Editions, Inc.