Amore Altered Canvas

Amore. That is love in French and describes how I feel about Graphic 45 paper.  This is my latest canvas made using Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante along with French Manor.  It is so full of techniques and goodies!

First I started out with a 12x12 canvas.  I painted the sides with a warm brown acrylic paint.

Then I roughed up the edges of the paper with the Zutter Ditrezz It All

Next I took Blue China Distress Ink and colored the edges.

I glued the paper to the canvas.

Then I warmed up my Ranger Melting Pot with Natural Bees Wax Chips.  I melted the chips down on 220 degrees.  Once the chips were melted, I used tweezers to dip collage pieces of the Steampunk Debutante collection into the wax. Once the pieces were coated, I removed them from the wax and used a scrapper to smooth down the paper. I then took a heat gun and fused the layers together.  I kept repeating this process until I felt the canvas had enough depth.  Then I dusted the entire waxed area with Ranger Perfect Pearls in Gold.  Next I added some fabulous cuts from the Cricut Cartridge French Manor.  They were cut from Black Glossy Cardstock.

I cut "Amore" at 2,87 inches

I stretched the "dressform" on my Gypsy to match the "Steampunk" feel.

The flourishes are cut at 1.59 inches

The birdcage was designed to be 3D by welding some rectangles on the sides of the cage.  I used brads to hold the cage down and add decoration.  It is cut 2.69 inches from turquoise cardstock.  I used Copper Paint Dabbers to give a faux texture to the cut.

Then I began work on the 3D elements of the canvas.  I added lots of metal pieces to the canvas using E6000.  Most of the metal findings were bought in the jewelry section at Michaels and Joann's.  I love the jewelry section for my metal findings.  typically they go on sale more frequent than scrapbooking items and have better variety.  I also added buttons and various jewels.  When I am working on an altered art piece, I try to shop outside of scrapbooking.  I also use E6000 to adhere my findings.  This adhesive will hold ANYTHING! I also use Tim Holtz's Alcohol Ink for tinting my metal findings.  I love the Alcohol Ink for tinting anything non-porous.

The flowers were all made using satin fabric.  I have shown this technique before but some of you, this maybe a new fun technique for adding dimension and texture to your projects.

Here is the video on how to  make these flowers.

I made my flowers slightly different on this project.  I stacked the colors of fabric to add texture.  I also flattened the flowers as I heated them to make them look more vintage and worn.

 I love how this piece of art came out.  Whenever I get these kind of results, I am just so giddy inside to share! 

I have the Gypsy file for this project for free download.

Steampunk Canvas Gypsy File

Click above for the free download

Thanks again for following and leaving me comments.  It make me feel so special to know that my readers are enjoying my projects and content.

HUGS!

Sweet Memories

Today I am the guest designer at She's a Sassy Lady.  I continue to try to to do 12x12 layouts.  The trouble I have is that I take tons of pictures and I like to journal details. So as I was laying out the Gypsy file for this project, I decided to try some "new" techniques. 

So the first thing I did was make the snowflake lacepaper for my layout.  I made this file using Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art.

 This is going to be my base paper to back the snowflake paper.

Then I adhered the snowflake paper to the base paper using Permanent Crafter's Companion (red can).

The next step was to cut the photo mats.  I chose to use a card from Christmas Cheer.  I unlocked the aspect ratio (yellow chainlink) on height and width to make this more square than rectangle (5.94 inches x 3.94 inches).  I cut the cards from double sided Coredinations cardstock.  So when I fold the card, I get this nice deeper green trim than the rest of the card. I also cut a tag/charm from a very light pink textured cardstock (2.32 inches x 2.53 inches).

  I then took Crushed Olive Distress Ink and inked the edges of the card.  I used Worn Lipstick Distress Ink to ink the sides of the tag.  

 Then on the end of tag, I tied some silver tinsel ribbon that I bought at Michaels. I used my ATG gun to tape down the sides on the card to make a pocket.  Then I slid the tag in, hiding my journaling space (I cannot write straight to save my life).

Next I cut the phrase "Sweet Memories" from Winter Frolic at 2.62 inches (real size off).  I cut the base and the shadow.  This cartridge has a whole layer of phrases, plus borders!

I then took my 5x7 Cuttlebug Folders and ran the phrase and the background through 2 different folders. The shadow was embossed with the large dot folder.

The base was embossed with one of the folders from the Romance collection.

Then I used Crushed Olive and Worn Lipstick to ink and bring out the embossing.

Then I laid all pieces down and adhered them to the lacepaper.

Here is a close up of the tag holder.

 I am slowly gaining confidence in my ability to do a layout. I love that this layout can hold a lot of journaling and room for 5 pictures.  I am going to use our family pictures we take this weekend during Gingerbread House decorating to fill it up! I am sure once I get done taking this pics, this will become a double layout!

If you'd like the free files for download, just click below.  I'd love it of you left me comment on how you think I did.  I also appreciate subscribers and followers.

Martha Stewart Snowflake Paper Gypsy File

Sweet Memories and Tags Gypsy File

Cold Days . . . Warm Hearts Card

Here in Kansas it has been downright CHILLY! Although I am not a fan of the cold, it does give me more time to craft.  I have been trying to finish Christmas Cards.  Unfortunately, I stink at mass producing.  I am good for about 3-5 of the same thing, then I have to change it up.  So this is another Christmas card that will be going out in the mail tomorrow.

I used a sketch from Jana Eubank from the Cricut Circle Blog for the weekly challenge.  It was a fairly easy sketch that has lots of room for interpretation.  I decided to use the colors from Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog of Blue, Silver and White.

 The card is a standard A2. I cut a mat for the card, as well as the frame and coordinating shadow from Ornamental Iron at 4.76 inches.  The paper is from DCWV Winter Wonder Stack.

Sorry this pic is hard to see.  I have tried to darken it a little.

 I also cut a large snow flake at 1.94 inches and 2 small snowflakes at .92 inches from clear acetate.  Each snow flake was spritzed with Sapphire and Key Lime Glimmer Mist.  I then used a little of Chalk Chalkboard Glimmer Mist. 

I know that sounds confusing the the color is Chalk.  The product is Chalkboard Glimmer Mist.

 Once they were dried, I tinted them randomly with Sailboat Blue Alcohol Ink. I also tinted a few clear plastic discs.

While my snowflakes dried, I assembled the card. I actually turned the cut upside down so my image would match the sketch better.

I used a different colored paper so you could see the acetate and stamp better.

Then I stamped my sentiment on a clear acetate rectangle cut from Plantin Schoolbook at 2.88 inches x .62 inches. I stamped with Black Staz-On.  The sentiment is from Pink By Design Stamps "Winter Fun".

Then I used Tombo Vellum to adhere the acetate to the card.  I always cover the entire acetate cut with Tombo Vellum so there is no visible adhesive.

Next I applied the tinted snowflakes with the same Tombo adhesive.  The tinted skittles were applied with E6000.

Then I tied a wired blue satin ribbon to the side of the card.

My final step was the inside sentiment "Warm Wishes". This is a wood mounted rubber stamp from Michaels' $1 bin.  I stamped it with the Broken China Distress Ink.

Here are some close ups. In this picture, you can see the dimension of the card.

I love how the snowflakes glisten.

 

Since I coated the back of the acetate tag, the sentiment is very clear to read and there is no visible adhesive behind the acetate.

As always, I appreciate the comments, followers and subscribers!

Click below for the free Gypsy File

Cold Days Warm Hearts Card

Finally Catching Up!

Some days I feel like I need 10 of me to get it all done! I am sure I am not alone!  So here is a post that I promised about a month ago.  I owe everyone an apology for taking so long to get it out there.  I participated in the Be Thankful Blog Hop in November.  HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ORIGINAL PROJECT.  I made this card which remains one of my favorite projects I have ever made.

I had a tremendous response from my readers and followers.  I have finally gotten through all 257 comments and questions.  I was touched my so many people finding my art inspirational.  I also had many questions that needed to be answered so here they are:

Ah Yes Gypsy Files! The sharing of Gypsy files is one of the best features of Gypsy.  It can be very confusing to read a written tutorial on how to use these files from others.  So I made a photo Tutorial on how to do it. Now I only have PC in my house.  I do not own a MAC, so I do not have a tutorial for sharing on a MAC. Please follow THIS LINK to see a full tutorial. Remember to use a Gypsy you must have the cartridges used to cut the file. I will always list the cartridges I used to design my files.

Flower Soft is an amazing product. I buy mine at Archiver's (which now has an online store) or at my Local Scrapbook Store. Amazon and Simon Says Stamp also sell it.  It comes in many many different colors and blends.  The one I used was Autumn.  The blends are my favorite! There are also tutorials on YouTube on how to make it yourself if you cannot find it.  It does not look exactly the same, but pretty close.

I love inking my Cuttlebug Folders! I have used many many different inks.  If you choose to use Letterpress Ink you will have staining even if you use the wipes they sell.  To me it is not a big deal because the staining is just cosmetic.  It does not transfer to your next project.  Using Water or Dye based Inks, they clean up really easily in warm soapy water.  Actylic Paints, which is how I inked these folders, cleans up easily too.  You many need a old toothbrush to get all the nooks and crannies. Here are some links to other Inked Cuttlebug Projects:

Ink and Embossing on Cuttlebug Folders 

You're So Tweet Card

Poison Tags 

Age has nothing to do with Gypsy- TRUST ME!!! Using file is pretty easy once you see how it's done.  I would direct you to THIS LINK: Uploading Files. I think seeing a visual is easier than reading the directions.  Remember now we use Cricut Sync for all updates and file sharing.

If you ever need a questions answered, please either leave me a comment or email me at lzabeth@hotmail.com.

Have a great day!