I AM... StencilGirl® Affirmation/Tarot Deck Collaborative

Hello friends! It's a new week and I am excited for you to join me today for the reveal of a new StencilGirl® collaborative project, the "StencilGirl® Affirmation and Tarot Card Collaboration"... a project in which we were challenged to create an inspiration/tarot deck of cards using StencilGirl® Stencils.

This project is a bit different... one that is more reflective and introspective. For a while now I have been investing in refilling my creative well by following The Artist's Way and the accompanying work with a group of fellow creatives in an accountability cluster.

A bit about the process: For the cards I started out with a base black metallic cardstock that I stenciled with 2-3 layers of color using different Plaid FolkArt® Color Shift Acrylics. I have previously swatched all the colors on white, black and chipboard surfaces to see the resulting color magic. If you have these, they are really fun and make for some pretty cool unexpected effects.

On the backside I layered over the first layer with a combination of 3-4 colors of my favorite Ranger Distress Acrylic paint daubers, creating an ombre on my Gel-Press plate to stencil onto. The backgrounds are a result of combining the rubbed stencil and papers created from pulling the leftover after removing stencil. Nothing goes to waste! I mounted fronts to backs using spray adhesive and cut sheets down to create cards (cards are sizes to fit into a recycled altoid tin).

I also upcycled an altoid mint tin as a coordinating home for these cards on my desk.

I left adding the inscriptions to the end. I set out stenciling in letters with a liquid silver pen.

As luck would have it... the ink bled like crazy under the stencil.

Interestingly, this mess up actually looks pretty neat with how distressed it looks.

So I carried on... intentionally doing this on all of them.

I think this may have been kismet... a way of just enjoying the process, regardless the twists and turns.

This forced me to work slowly, adding many layers of marker and pen to fill in and make the letters stand out on the cards.

This project turned out to be very personal and emotional one. This project served as several of my artists' dates and was a free time to just "BE" and let each session evolve without any pressures to make an instructional.

Here are all of my cards before adding stenciled text inscriptions. The colored stencil background overlayed with a black stencil design.

I am sharing the first three of inscriptions here as they were part of the StencilGirl® stencil I used and started me off on a journey of what the rest should/would say.

Front and back side-by-side (sorry the scanner doesn't pick up the shimmer and shine of the metallic paint and pens).

"i am enough"

"i am me"

"i am brave"

All of the fronts are the same. To finish off, I created a chipboard template with a corner rounding punch to add a silver outline.

StencilGirl® Stencils Used on Front/Back of 18 cards:

Kerr L856 - ATC Mixup Stencil

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-ATC-Mixup-Cat-Kerr-p/l856.htm

Evans L654 - ATC Mixup Evans Stencil

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-ATC-Mixup-Evans-Jennifer-Evans-p/l654.htm

Kalbach L319 - Art Deco Wallpaper Stencil

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-art-deco-paris-nathalie-kablach-p/l319.htm

StencilGirl® Stencils Used on Container Lid:

Shaw S730 - Brilliant Star Stencil

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-Brilliant-Star-Mary-Beth-Shaw-p/s730.htm

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I hope you enjoyed this project. CLICK HERE to jump over to see the other cards made for the StencilGirl® Affirmation and Tarot Card Collaboration. 

Thanks for dropping by! Sb

#Cre8time Spray-time... Designer Crafts Connection Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra Challenge

Hello creative friends! Are you ready for something NEW that will knock your Cre8time socks off?! In celebration of March is National Craft Month, the Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop designers are creating with something brand NEW... Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra!

YASS!!!! Mod Podge Ultra comes in a SPRAY bottle!!!
NO-BRUSHES NEEDED!!!

For this challenge I was provided an 8 oz bottle of Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra in a matte finish; an artist variety set of Folkart ® Brushes; a Plaid ® Art Materials - Brush Basin; and a 2 oz bottle of Brush Plus™ brush cleaner. The rest of the supplies I am using are from my crafty stash: Folk Art Apple Red Multi Surface paint; gold brocade trim; red satin beaded trim; recycled gold gift tissue paper; StazOn Ink; Asian chop background stamp; LED mini candle; and some wood findings. I also need a pair of scissors, my paper trimmer and 1/8" double sided tape {for adhering trims}.

For today's project I am transforming this empty liquor box.

I have reinvented a couple of these boxes into lamps previously and I am so excited to finally make this Asian inspired version based off of this altered puzzle piece design I created for a swap many moons ago {2007}.

I will be honest I have started this collage project before, but never finished. It's quite time consuming to brush and apply each individual square of paper with traditional Mod Podge to complete this home decor project. So I am so excited to try out the BRAND NEW Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra which is a SPRAY formula and I'm sure it will speed up the process.

The box is a nice sturdy paper but has some lettering to cover, so I paint the box red using Folk Art Multi-Surface paint in apple red. This paint is buttery like a heavy body acrylic and covers nicely. I apply in a dry-brush fashion so it can dry quickly and I can build up layers of color where needed.

I quickly covered all sides and the lid. I like the distressed texture that has resulted. Now I'm ready to start the decoupage process.

I crumple up and flatten out the sheet of recycled gift tissue, fold over and cut into 1" strips with my photo trimmer {this can also be accomplished with scissors}.

I stack the strips and cut into approx. 1" squares. I cut some into 1/2" and thinner sections for edges. These squares will be decoupaged to create a faux mosaic background.

Now the FUN begins! There are a few steps to get the Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra ready to go. STEP 1 – shake the product for 15 seconds. STEP 2 – Prime the sprayer by spraying a few times to make sure the nozzle is clear and you get an even mist. STEP 3 – wipe the nozzle with a damp cloth to clear nozzle after spraying, as you work on you project. 

These 3 steps need to be repeated every time you are going to spray Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra to ensure your nozzle doesn't get clogged.

I spread out my tissue squares on a protected surface and SPRAYED-AWAY! I sprayed a nice layer and made them pretty saturated so they didn't dry too quickly.

Then I sprayed an even coating of Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra to my painted surface.

**PLEASE NOTE** treat Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra as you would a paint brush. The Mod Podge Ultra Spray top needs to be cleaned after EVERY use. This product dries pretty quick and will clog nozzle and become unusable. So after several times of spraying and wiping, I just rubber banded my wet sponge to the nozzle. EASY-PEASY!

I apply the squares in a wonky mosaic pattern, smooshing them up and leaving some red peeking through here and there. This is so easy, messy and fun! The Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra dries quicker than I expected, so as I sprayed more as I worked across the surface.

When completing the mosaic on surface, I sprayed a sealing coat of the Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra. I'm not concerned with the beading – the product is self-leveling. While the lid dries, I continue onto the sides of the box.

I'm LOVING this new Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra! It has sped up this process ten-fold! I have all this papered in about an hour. Using a brush and traditional Mod Podge this takes soooo much longer. 

I let the sealing layer of Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra dry completely for a couple hours and the surface is beautiful, textured and a lovely matte finish ready for some inky-goodness.

I apply a good amount of StazOn ink to my asian chop background stamp...

and apply to the mosaic surfaces.

I continue stamping to cover all sides.

This really makes the gold and red POP!

Now for finishing touches. I cut a square of the same tissue and mounted into the bottom of the box and added a distressed gold LED candle from Dollar Tree.

I used some double-sided adhesive tape to add trim to edge of open sides.

I added my painted wooden finial layered on a painted, dried up ink pad container. When it comes to embellishing, I use whatever shape works!

Illuminated with Asian Flair...

The pale gold metallic paper that comes in the box reflects the candlelight nicely.

I love how this turned out and I can't wait to decoupage ALL THE THINGS with this new Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra... the first thing being some composition books!

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For more information on Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra or to where you can purchase this product please visit website HERE and find more projects and inspiration on the Plaid® Online Blog HERE.

What would you collage with
Mod Podge Ultra?!

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Thanks so much for visiting! CLICK HERE to POP over to the DCC BLOG for to see all the fantastic ways the Designers have put the NEW Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra to use! Sb :)

** This is a sponsored post. Plaid® has provided Plaid® Mod Podge Ultra, and Folk Art® supplies for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.

Have you heard?! 2018 Favecrafts Best Blogger Contest Finalist!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to share my make that is one of the 20 finalists in the 2018 Favecrafts Best Blogger Contest. This is my third year entering and I am honored and so excited to have been selected in the top 20 with a fabulous upcycled tray.

I have a FAVOR to ask... the top 20 finalists need votes to judge who has the winning project. There are two days left to vote. Would you please take a moment to visit https://www.favecrafts.com/voting/Blogger-Contest-2018/ to see the top 20 projects and vote on my project -or- your favorite. Voting closes Monday, April 16 11:59pm.

I've given this old, faded plastic tray from the TV show "Friends" a Cre8time transformation -- one that is sugary sweet!

To see all the entries

and to VOTE

for your Favorite

CLICK HERE.

I wiped clean tray to prepare for altering. This has a shiny surface and I would like to alter that, so I coat entire tray with a coating of Mod Podge® Ultra Matte Chalk. I'm not really concerned about the brush strokes as it dries clear - I just want to alter the finish of this shiny plastic tray. I applied a second coat when the first layer was dry and the result is a fabulous faux surface resembling "old" painted wood.

While the tray is drying, I gently disassemble a treat bag and use a paper trimmer to cut to size {which is 10 1/2" x 7 1/2"}. I used a corner rounder punch to round corners for a perfect fit. Add distressing by gently crumpling the prepared paper to add a bit of texture and to take attention away from the fold lines.

I pour some Mod Podge® Antique Matte into the base of the tray, spreading to the edges and cover the base completely, and brush excess onto backside of prepared paper. This product looks like pancake batter, though it dries clear.

I placed the paper pattern side up into tray, then used a squeegee to gently press out air bubbles and the excess Mod Podge®. I use a brush to paint remaining Mod Podge® overall to seal paper in place and give the surface an antique treatment. I am quite impressed with how it transforms the very reflective and glossy surface on the paper treat bag. The metallic sheen is completely different.

I prepare some feet using recycled water bottle lids with a punched circle of the patterned paper bag PODGED into the center of each. I made a braid of the Bernat® Maker Home Dec™ yarn to line the edge around my reNEWed decoupage tray and tacked in place using the Mod Melter. I also wrapped some yarn around handles and prepared feet and glued in place.

BEFORE...

AFTER!

But I'm not stopping here! I have one more thing to do to add that finishing touch... I use various colored Sakura of America Gelly Roll pens to doodle some sugar skull features, scrollwork and flowers into the design.

This throwaway tchotscke has a new lease on life! I just love how the yarn braid gives a woven touch to this recycled project - adding charm to the faded pink tray. I love how this Dia De Los Muertos makeover on my tray turned out and all of the sparkle and shine!!

Wish me luck! Thanks so much for visiting and thanks in advance for voting! Sb :)