Faux Batik

Welcome to January's Artist Team Blog Hop brought to you by Club Scrap.  Each month the team presents a themed challenge or technique. The  purpose of the blog hop is to demonstrate the beauty of paper crafts. If you just happened on the blog hop today because you're a regular reader of my blog, and you'd like to view the entire hop, you can start back at Club Scrap.  If you're already hopping and linked to me from Donna's Blog, you're in the right spot.

Each member of the team is pulling inspiration from January's Color Me Happy collection which is full of gorgeous batik images. We're here to demonstrate how to create batik-like images with your paper creations.  I have several techniques I'd like to share with you. They all involve an iron.  I'm sad to say that my iron has touched more paper than clothes in it's lifetime :)

This first technique is the most simple.  I started with the embossed white print from Shades of Winter and added Color Bursts directly to the paper and sprayed with water.  Let dry. Wipe the paper with a paper towel to remove the color from the resistant white print.

After drying I trimmed the paper into 4 smaller panels.
 

Next place a piece of computer paper on top of the print and iron with a hot iron (no steam). You'll see the embossed image show through the paper. This is the raised embossed print being removed from the paper. You're left with a flat matte panel mimicking a batik finish.

Club Scrap papers, ribbon and stamps. Ken Oliver Color Bursts. Martha Stewart punch. Recollections flower. 

In a similar technique, I stamped an image and heat embossed with white embossing powder. 

Color image with Pan Pastels. Remove embossed image with paper and iron as above.

Club Scrap papers, stamps, ribbon and tags. Cuttlebug embossing folder. Queen & Co. gems. Unknown ribbon. 

 

This third technique is inspired by our team member Roni who posted this tutorial back in 2007. Start with mulberry paper. It really does make a difference. The fibers that show through really make this fun.  Stamp your image in Versamark ink and heat set with white embossing powder.

 

I deviated from the original instructions because I was too lazy to mix my own misting sprays.

So I just rubbed ink over the paper and images.

 Next, remove the embossing powder with your iron as above.

Crinkle up your paper, smooth out but don't iron. You need those creases.

Lightly rub a darker color ink pad back over the paper. I used gray.

 

 



 

Club Scrap papers, border and stamps. Recollections sequins. My own pressed foliage. 

Thank you for hoping with us today! 

Please continue on to the talented Tina's blog to see how she's created a Batik design for you.

Two

My darling niece turned 2 over the summer.  She is totally in love with Minnie Mouse so her party was lots of polka dots :)  That girl is a wild child with lots of energy and was harder than heck to get her out of her bouncy house!

The layout was constructed using the 9 of Spades from the Club Scrap Idea Deck Volume I.  Not only did I complete the Idea Deck challenge but I also added tiny button brads for the Tools and Stash Challenge and a heart stencil for the Never Been Used Stuff challenge. I just love trying to see how many challenge's I can get with one layout or project.

Club Scrap papers, ribbon, stamp and stencils. Memory Makers metal letters.

 



Echo Park Paper Co. stencil.

Adorable white button brads by Recollections.

Hall of Fame Game

Color blocking is somewhat intimidating to me.  I think maybe because in the past i thought I had to stay within the lines or boxes. So I scrapped out of my comfort zone and chose  the 9 of Spades sketch from Volume II Assembly Line Idea Deck for January's challenge. As you can see, only two photos are "blocked". I love the look!

 

This layout has photos from Cindy and my trip to Canton, Ohio to see Brett Favre inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.  The following day was the Packers vs. Colts Hall of Fame football game.  Denied!  The game was canceled one hour prior to kick off because someone used the wrong paint on the field!  Incredible! But we still made the best of the trip and visited a chocolate factory to drown our sorrows.

Club Scrap papers. Want 2 Scrap football. American Crafts letters. Memorabilia. 

 

Instead of buying larger, more expensive trinkets while on vacation.
I tend to purchase patches and pins for my albums. 

You Had Me at Merlot

So...when I was creating art panels for January's technique challenge over at Club Scrap, I had naturally progressed from tea staining to wine staining :)  I had a bottle of wine that I just didn't like so no good wine went to waste.  I intentionally was messy in my crafting and love the results!

Watercolor paper works best for this. 

Let the wine glass sit on the paper to get the wine to really set in the paper.

 



I used three thin pieces of cork for a little added fun.

The wine glass was stamped on acetate and hand cut. Colored backside with Copics.

Club Scrap papers, glass stamp button, twine and leaf. Paper Smooches sentiment.

 

This button is the same as the one used here only I used the backside and stamped on it. 

Color Me Happy Blog Hop

Welcome to the Club Scrap Color Me Happy Blog Hop!  If you've arrived from the talented Tina's blog, you are in the right spot. If you'd like to start from the beginning, please head over to Club Scrap to see what wonderful project Karen has created for you.

January's Idea Deck challenge is to use the 9 of Spades from any of the five ALSB Idea Decks. As luck would have it, the card sketch from the Cardmaking Deck Vol. I calls for small squares which match perfectly with the cut aparts from Color Me Happy.  I seriously had to do very little to put these together.  I just added a ribbon, sequin or dot and embossed a panel.

 

These are super cute and super easy but that's not the reason you're here today. 

 This adorable see-through box is!

 

I modified the Stationer's Box project from Club Scrap Retreat 2013 to fit the cards and envelopes I had created.  Great minds must think alike because Tricia just posted a video last week on creating a similar box with a solid lid.  If you learn better by watching, check out her video for the Greeting Card Box.

 

Below are my modified dimensions to fit ten 4x5 cards and ten Bar envelopes.

 

Base:  12 x 9 score at 1/4, 1, 1 3/4 on each side.

Cut notches out of the long sides as the diagram shows. 

Diagram by Club Scrap.

Make sure to tightly fold in the tabs on the short side when adhering.

Lid:  11 3/4 x 8 5/8 score at 3/4, 1 1/2 on each side.

Cut out the long sides like you did for the base.

Fold and adhere.

 

Cut out a 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 rectangle from the center of the lid. 

Adhere a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 transparency film with bookbinding glue.

Top of box: Inside

 

I'm super thrilled with this easy, adorable way to package handmade cards!

 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 
Please continue on to see what the amazing Donna has created for you. 

Choose to Shine Notebook

I am in love with Kraft-Tex.  I've been making these cute little books for everything lately!  I went through my Projects file to find something close to what I was looking for and came across instructions for the Secret Keeper Project from the Private Eye collection. The project calls for a plastic cover which I replaced with the Kraft-Tex.
 

 Score nine 4 x6 pages horizontally at 3".

 Pierce a hole 1" from the top and 1" from the bottom along the scored line.
  Using a piercing cradle is a super time saver since you can pierce at least 4 pages at a time.

 Stitch through each page using a chain stitch to link each page together.

If you need a refresher on stitching check out this video.

 Cut the cover out of Kraft-Tex at 4.5 x 10 and round the corners.

Decorate the front cover as desired. 

I added stickles to the stamped image.

Punch hole in center of back cover and insert elastic band.

 

Club Scrap papers, stamps and elastic band. Stickles.

 

Now I have a perfect notebook for the depths of my clutter purse!

Don't forget to return tomorrow for the Club Scrap Color Me Happy Blog Hop!



I Love Fall

The Monthly Layout Challenge over at Club Scrap has many different options to participate.

1.  Use the monthly double page layout sketch available to kit members only.

2.  Use the color palate of that month's collection to create a double page layout.

3.  Any double page layout using papers from the month's collection.

4.  A double page layout that meets a certain monthly topic.

This layout was created using the layout sketch downloaded with the Color Me Happy collection.

Club Scrap papers, ribbon, leaves and stamp. Laser Cuts wheat. Recollections wood title. 

Inked edges of wood to give a burnt look. 

Make perfect bows every time with this tutorial.

 

Looking forward to seeing your layouts on the challenge! 

Always Being There

I love cards that have an interesting fold.

These tent cards from Color Me Happy Greetings to Go are fun to create with. 

They fold flat and when open, the inside greeting holds the front panel in place.

 Club Scrap papers, stamps and silver dot stickers. Ken Oliver Color Bursts. Unknown dragonfly button.

 

Can You Case It #144 color challenge

Yupo Notebook

Yupo is a unique alternative to traditional art papers. It’s a synthetic, pulp-free (tree-free) paper, made in the USA from 100% polypropylene. It has several unique properties: Super-smooth, durable, waterproof, tear-proof and bright white.

When this fabulous paper arrived in the Color Me Happy kit,  most crafters were excited to break out their alcohol inks and color bursts. I was excited about the waterproof, tear-proof properties to this paper. This is exactly what I need for a pocket notebook I'll use at work. The small notebook needs to be strong and sturdy and withstand being shoved in and out of my pant pockets in all types of weather.

 

Lately I've been fascinated with Midori travel notebooks and Julie provides amazing tutorials, links and videos on how to create one. I took inspiration from those and set about to create my own. I apologize in advance for the VERY long post.  

 

Cut the Yupo papers into nine 4x6 pieces. I saved the extras to play with.

Score each at 3".

 

Using my Envelope Punch Board I made tabs on each folded piece.

The tabs will allow me to find my information in a hurry.

6 pieces were punched at 2".

3 pieces were punched at 1" and 3".

Using a ruler and craft knife I sliced off the sides to create tabs.

 



 

 Next create three signature of 3 different tabbed folders.

Using the piercing cradle pierce holes 1" from the top and the bottom.

Stitch each signature separately for stability. 

For the cover, trim a piece of Kraft-Tex at 4 1/2 x 6 3/4.

Pierce one hole in the very center.

Pierce holes at .5" and .75" from the top and bottom in the center.

Pierce holes at .5" and .75" one quarter inch to the left and right of the top and bottom holes.

Create a loop on the outside of the book and bring both ends of an elastic band through the center hole.

Bring the end of the elastic band through the hole above the center to the outside and stitch back through the top hole. Repeat with bottom elastic band.

Tie tight in the middle. Enough to create small bend in the cover.

Stitch the two remaining columns and tie in the middle.

 

Add one stitched folded signature under each elastic band.

 

I love love love my little book.  Stamping didn't go as well as planned, but hey...it's art!

So I wanted to experiment with the pens I'll be using in my notebook.

The notebook is virtually waterproof and I needed the ink to be as well.

 

I was testing on left over pieces the quickness in drying of the pens on the Yupo.

I was also testing the inks ability to withstand water.

The reason I keep emphasizing the water thing is my last notebook was decimated at work while standing in the rain when we received nearly 3 inches.

Looks like the Sharpie wins out.

 

I can't wait to fill this up! I can even add more pages if I need.