mixed media – Try It – Like It

Mixing Media Tag

Layered textures, coordinated colors, and a mix of mediums come together to create this dimensional mixed media tag.

This week’s tag tutorial features a mix of different mediums layered together to create both visual and tactile texture. While the color palette is coordinated and inspired by the printed cardstock, the added elements vary in scale to create balance and interest across the overall composition.

A variety of materials were used to bring this tag together, including a printed cardstock base, stamping ink, texture paste, ink pen details, and layered cardstock. Each medium adds its own unique dimension, working together to enhance both the visual appeal and physical texture of the design.

While cleaning up the stencil, I wiped the excess with a baby wipe through the stencil onto another leftover piece of printed cardstock, creating a slightly different take on the design. This version appears softer and more subtle, with less dimension than the original application. I have to admit, I may even prefer this look over the first—it has a gentle, understated charm.

Video Tutorial:

In the close-up image, you can see the added dimension created by the foam tape and the texture paste. It also offers a great view of the inked edges of the cardstock, which help define each layer and add depth to the overall design.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Expanding Mousse Shop at: AZ
Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Palette Knife Shop at: AZ
Pit Pen Shop at: AZ	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Simon Says Black Ink Shop at: C	Vintage Word Stamps Shop at: AZ

Mixed Media Buttons

Mixed media and buttons for creative results.

I had so much fun experimenting with a variety of techniques to alter buttons from Gwen Studios! From paint and ink to layering and embellishment, each design took on a new life.

These transformed pieces can be used as functional buttons or repurposed as ephemera for tags, journals, cards, and more. A little creativity goes a long way!

The links provided are for your use and may contain affiliate links.
They cost nothing for you to use.
Thank you in advance for supporting this site with its use.

This project was created for Gwen Studios. You can find all the design team projects listed on the Designer Crafts Connection website. Gwen Studios products can be found at Walmart and Michaels.

I started with a decoupage technique using Mod Podge, napkins, and tissue paper—a fun and textured way to give the buttons a new look. But I couldn’t stop there! I went on to experiment with patterned paper, paint, and alcohol inks, each bringing its own unique flair. I even gave nail polish a try, though the results weren’t quite what I hoped for—so that technique will have to wait for another creative session!

Video Tutorial:

I truly enjoyed exploring all of these techniques—it was such a fun and creative process! I’m sure this is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to continue experimenting and finding new ways to use these altered buttons in my future crafting adventures.

I’d love to hear from you—which technique is your favorite? Drop a comment below and let’s keep the creative conversation going!

Using Sizzix Studio

Mixed Media Tag with Sizzix and Cat Kerr.

This week I’m diving into mixed media by combining Sizzix Studio products with the rich, creamy colors of Gelatos to create a vibrant handmade tag. I started with a blank white tag, then layered on color using Gelatos.

The textures and dimension came alive using stenciling and stamping. It’s a playful, colorful piece that showcases how well these materials work together for mixed media crafting.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Craft Brushes Shop at: AZ	Finger Daubers Shop at: AZ	Gelatos Shop at: AZ \| O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Grid Sheets Shop at: AZ
HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Ranger Archilval Ink Shop at: AZ	Sizzix Stamping Platform Shop at: AZ

DIY Your Own Mixed Media Sprays

I will show you how to make your own DIY Mixed Media Sprays. I called this “plastic paint” for lack of a better explanation. I was inspired by a video I watched on the Pink Poodles Craft channel and went in my own direction from her experimentation.

Materials:

spray bottle
beads
water
polyacrylic
craft paint

Video Tutorial:

Depending on your chosen colors, you can end up with very different results. There is no end to how many layers of spray you can use.

In the close-up image, you can see the variety of layered colors showing through and the spots created by the spray of paint and the spray of water on top.

I am not done experimenting, I want to try adding mica powders and metallic paints. It was really fun to do and hard to stop layering.

Tell me how you would use these creations, as card backgrounds. Would you die cut them? In collage? I want to make more to add to my stash for future crafting.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, O – Other

DecoArt Paint Shop at: AZ	Polyacrylic Shop at: AZ	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Spray Bottles Shop at: O
Steel Mixing Balls Shop at: O	Teflon Craft Mat Shop at: AZ

Ephemera Paperclips

I think I am addicted to making ephemera paper clips. It is so much fun using up scraps and pieces and combining them into a pleasant image. They are miniature works of art.

There are no rules to making ephemera paper clips and if you do a Google search you will find a variety of examples. The only things you must use are a paper clip and some kind of adhesive. After that, you can collect whatever is around you. I tend to collect pieces that relate to each other by color.

Video Tutorial:

The first two I made were based on a journal I made in a past tutorial. I used leftover pieces of painted paper that were used for the cover of the book and coordinated additional pieces.

As I said, these were so fun to make. It has inspired me to do a series of miniature art pieces.

Tag it Tuesday

A new series of mixed media tags called “Tag it Tuesday!” #tagitTuesday

I am starting a new series I am calling “Tag it Tuesday.” Using a variety of different materials and mediums, a tag will be created. It’s a fun way to get our creative juices flowing. A tag isn’t too large of a project – something quick and easy to try out new ideas.

Tag Tutorial Video:

If you follow my other posts you will see that this project uses a variety of different materials from past posts. The tea cup is from a Cricut Cut n Paste tutorial and the word is from Die Cutting a Box.

I’d love for you to join along and make your own tags, and if you do, remember to tag the project with this hashtag #tagitTuesday.

DIY a Mixed Media Tag

Mixed media tag making that was inspired by the craft materials.

As a crafter, it is fun to just be inspired by your materials and craft with them. This is the case for this mixed media tag. I was inspired by a washi tape sticker and went from there. In the end, I actually changed the washi sticker I was going to use with a different one. Sometimes that is just how crafting goes.

Video Tutorial:

Here is a closer look at the tag. There is a lot of color and different textures. The Vintage Photo ink is showing darker in the photograph than the actual finished product.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Blending Brushes Shop at: AZ	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ	Gwen Studios at Walmart Shop at: O	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ
ribbons Shop at: O	Scrapbook Scissors Shop at: SB	Temu Butterfly Washi Shop at: O	Temu Glue Bottles Shop at: O
WRMK – All-In-One Tool – The Works Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB

Friday Freebie 1/6

Grab the printable Friday freebie. #printable

The free Friday printable is a part of the French printable pack available in the store at [French printables] Use the pages to fill up your junk journal by folding them in half, cutting them out for ephemera, or using them as embellishments. Pages can be used for other paper crafts such as glue books, scrapbooks, travel notes, and more.

Enjoy this free download PDF file and if you’d like more printables that relate to this one, they are available at the link above. [Blue French printable PDF]

Fairy Card with Heart Stems

Follow along to make this fairy card with heart stems. Lots of techniques included.

Today I am working with a stamp from Fairy Hugs called Alexa. She is joyful and playful so I added an array of three different colored heart stems behind her to amplify her action. The card doesn’t have a sentiment. I like leaving them blank until later so the card can be used for a variety of different occasions. I can always add a sentiment but changing one isn’t that easy.

Many of the items I use in posts are provided by the manufacturers to promote their products.
A special thanks to those brands who sponsor this site. Some links are affiliates, thank you for using them.

Materials:

Alexa stamp
stamp block
black ink
colored pencils
embossing plate
CrossOver II
heart stem die
clear embossing powder
Versamark ink pad
heat tool
purple ink pad
card stock – a variety of colors
tape runner
foam tape *
scissors *
Brother Scan n Cut
Wink of Stella
Blue metallic marker *
Cricut Paper Trimmer
* items were purchased at the Dollar Tree

A variety of different techniques were used in putting this card together. You can see them step by step in the video tutorial below.

Video Tutorial:

Above is a close-u image of the card so you can see some of the details. The final touches while seem small really do add to the overall vision of the card.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, C – Cricut, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Crossover II Shop at: AZ	Intense Black Ink Pad Shop at: SSS	Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| O \| C	Tape Runner Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB
Versamark Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	Woodless Colored Pencils Shop at: AZ \| O \|

Ways to Stamp Texture

Learn fun stamping techniques with Fairy Stamper stamps.

with Fairy Stamper

I enjoy creating my own textured papers using a variety of different techniques. For my Fairy Stampers Video Design post this month, I used a bulrushes stamp in different ways to create the background paper for my card. Another Fairy Stampers stamp was used for the sentiment. This was a fun card to make.

The card came together in a two-step process. The first was creating the background, and the second was creating the sentiment strip.

After embossing the cardstock, the sentiment was stamped on top. Since the embossed cardstock has texture, the stamp needed to be applied more than once.

Once the parts of the card were made, it was time to put it all together. A tape runner and foam tape were used.

Here is a close-up shot of the card so you can see the texture and misting spray as well as the raised sentiment. You can really see how the colors work together in this image.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook

Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ	Gelli Plate Shop at: AZ \| SSS	Gina K foam tape Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	StazOn Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	Tape Runner Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB
Versamark Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	We R Memory Keepers – All-In-One Tool – The Works Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB

Crossover II Shop at: AZ	Intense Black Ink Pad Shop at: SSS	Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| O \| C	Tape Runner Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB
Versamark Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	Woodless Colored Pencils Shop at: AZ \| O \|

Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ	Gelli Plate Shop at: AZ \| SSS	Gina K foam tape Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	StazOn Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	Tape Runner Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB
Versamark Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	We R Memory Keepers – All-In-One Tool – The Works Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB