Ephemera Paperclips

paper clips

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.

materials

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

finished tag

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.

mixed media tag

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:

close-up of tag

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
Blending Brushes
Shop at:
AZ
Distress Ink Bundle
Distress Ink Bundle
Shop at:
AZ
Gwen Studios at Walmart
Gwen Studios at Walmart
Shop at:
O
Reptile Glue
Reptile Glue
Shop at:
AZ
ribbons
ribbons
Shop at:
O
Scrapbook Scissors
Scrapbook Scissors
Shop at:
SB
Temu Butterfly Washi
Temu Butterfly Washi
Shop at:
O
Temu Glue Bottles
Temu Glue Bottles
Shop at:
O
WRMK - All-In-One Tool - The Works
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
Crossover II
Shop at:
AZ
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
Shop at:
SSS
Portable Trimmer
Portable Trimmer
Shop at:
AZ | O | C
Tape Runner
Tape Runner
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Versamark
Versamark
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Woodless Colored Pencils
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.

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.

stamping materials
s

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

stamping  sentiment

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.

card close-up

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

Fairy Stamping and Gelli Plate Tutorial

Making a fairy card with a Gelli Plate background. #sponsored #affiliate @fairystamper

I have a video tutorial up on the Fairy Stampers YouTube channel. As a part of their video design team, I post tutorials twice a month. Today I am using a Gelli Plate to make the background image along with the Moana stamp fairy. The Gelli Plate technique I am using is with alcohol inks and acrylic paint. It is really fun and addictive.

Many of the items I use in my posts are provided by the manufacturers in order to promote their products.
A special thanks to those brands who sponsor this site.

Materials:

  • Gelli Plate
  • Alcohol Inks
  • 2 brayers
  • copy paper
  • The Works Board
  • mini Maker die cutter
  • leaf die
  • card stock – green and white
  • blending brush
  • Distress Oxide stamp pads
  • Liquitex Acrylic
  • Best Glue Ever
  • tape runner
  • black ink pad
  • Derwent pencils
  • sentiment stamp
  • paintbrush

Video Tutorial:

I added details on the inside of the card as well. A strip of the Gelli Plate print that I had trimmed off the background and an additional die-cut leaf. These elements add a surprise when the card is open as well as linking to the front of the card.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | O
Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium
Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | O
Scraperfect Perfect Crafting Pouch
Scraperfect Perfect Crafting Pouch
Shop at:
AZ | SSS
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink 3 pack
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink 3 pack
Shop at:
AZ | SSS
We R Memory Keepers - All-In-One Tool - The Works
We R Memory Keepers – All-In-One Tool – The Works
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Professional Makeup Brush Set
Professional Makeup Brush Set
Shop at:
AZ
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
Shop at:
SSS
Distress Ink Bundle
Distress Ink Bundle
Shop at:
AZ
Mini Maker
Mini Maker
Shop at:
O
Tape Runner
Tape Runner
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Gelli Plate
Gelli Plate
Shop at:
AZ | SSS
Liquitex Transparent White
Liquitex Transparent White
Shop at:
AZ
Derwent Inktense
Derwent Inktense
Shop at:
AZ

Tres Jolie Monthly Kit :: ATCs

Making ATCs with the June kit from Tres Jolie. #sponsored #guestdesigner

finished atc

As a guest designer this month with Tres Jolie, I was sent the Cards, Tags, and More kit for June. Using a variety of techniques, I created a set of Artist Trading Cards to go with the ATC journal I created earlier this month. The Stamperia paper pack is amazing and has so many inspiring images.

To begin, I cut a piece of card stock to the standard ATC size which is 2.5″ x 3.5″. I used that as a templated to cut out pieces from the paper pack.

fussy cut

I fussy cut pieces from the paper pack to use on the ATCs. The single elements were positioned against the front and back cover so that I didn’t have to cut into any beautiful paper to use these elements.

gluing

Pieces that were cut were glued into place on the ATCs.

newspaper

One card incorporated newspaper as the background image. Blending with Distress Oxide as well as using the ink with stencils was used on a few of the cards.

water technique

Using Distress Oxides for blending through a stencil and then going over that with a wet baby wipe creates beautiful watercolor-type textures.

A Few Tips and Techniques:

tissue

I also added layers of tissue paper. This technique coordinates with the ATC Journal I made earlier this month. 

watercolor pencil

Little details were added with water color pencils around images and then softened and blended into the cards with a wet brush.

foam tape

To finish up, sentiments and layered images were added using foam tape to create some depth. 

hollding

You might also notice that the edges were blended using a brush with Distress Oxide. Some of the cards had the edges run along stamp pads to darken the thin edge.

June is Tres Jolie’s anniversary month. I will have three more projects on their blog using pieces from the kit. Below is the unboxing video I made of the kit I was sent.

Some Suggest Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | O
Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium
Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | O
Professional Makeup Brush Set
Professional Makeup Brush Set
Shop at:
AZ
Gina K foam tape
Gina K foam tape
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Distress Ink Bundle
Distress Ink Bundle
Shop at:
AZ
Nori Paste
Nori Paste
Shop at:
AZ

Tres Jolie Kit :: ATC Journal

Making a steampunk ATC Journal using the Cards, Tags and More kit from Tres Jolie’s June Kit. #sponsored #guestdesigner

atc journal

This month I am a guest designer at Tres Jolie Kits. I was sent the June Cards, Tags, and More kit. I decided to alter the ATC journal and incorporate chipboard gears on the cover. The process used layering and I will take you through it step by step.

inside lining

I actually started on the inside of the journal. Using watered-down Nori paste and patterned tissue paper cut to size, I lined both the front and back inside cover. The tissue paper was found at the Dollar Tree.

outside tissue collage

Using the same technique as above, I covered the entire outside of the journal with torn collage pieces of green and tan tissue paper. The Nori paste was used under and over the tissue paper on the cover.

outside journal painting

I incorporated the chip board gears into the tissue paper layer using the Nori paste to glue the gears in place as well as placing some tissue paper over parts of the gears. 

Then I did a brown metallic paint wash (watered down paint) over the entire cover, then let it dry over night. This technique enhanced the torn edges of the tissue paper as well as the wrinkles.

outside stencil design

To finish off the look, I used a stencil and ink brush bending technique with Distress Oxide ink pads in random areas of the cover.

close-up

Here is a close-up image of all the actual and visual texture on the cover. My journal is now ready to put ATCs inside!

Check back later this month to see the ATC cards I made to put in this journal.

June is Tres Jolie’s anniversary month. I will have three more projects on their blog using pieces from the kit. Below is the unboxing video I made of the kit I was sent.

Making a Card with Mica Powder

Make a mini mica card using up materials you have on hand.

I like making cards that are alternative sizes. This is a good technique for using up scraps and materials you already have on hand. I am using a lot of materials to make this simple card but you don’t have to have them all to make a similar card. Follow along with the video tutorial to see how this simple card is done.

Materials:

  • cardstock
  • stamp
  • stamp block
  • Versamark ink pad
  • Mica power
  • Label maker
  • alcohol ink marker
  • Washi chomper
  • Glue Dots

Video Tutorial:

Here is a close-up of the finished mini card. The mica powder really shines in person. I like how the colors are enhanced by the black cardstock.

Let me know what you make cards in a variety of different sizes. I think mini or small are my favorite.

Suggested Material Links:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Markers
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Versamark
Versamark
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Glue Dots
Glue Dots
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Similar Brother Label Maker
Similar Brother Label Maker
Shop at:
AZ
Washi Chomper
Washi Chomper
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Pearl-Ex
Pearl-Ex
Shop at:
AZ