#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!

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

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?!

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

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.

The TIME is NOW... for #thestencilfiedjournal Project -- Prompt No.1

Hello Friends! The beginning of summer is like NEW YEAR's for me. I focus on learning and stretching that creative muscle by playing along with many fun challenges happening over the summer. One of which is a new COLLABORATIVE project hosted by Tina Walker and StencilGirl®. Tina is officially one of StencilGirl's new Columnists with her focus being on Collaborations -- of which she is QUEEN! 

This week is the beginning of a new collaboration project with 80+artists participating from around the world. CLICK HERE to jump over to Tina Walker's blog who is hostess and organizer of this Cre8time adventure and see her journal creation and to give her some love for dreaming up another fun challenge!

For this challenge you can make or use a ready made journal or field book. I'm using one of these mini pocket-sized field books {approx 3" x 5" in size}. There's something about a pristine blank book -- just ready for a new adventure. 

This particular book has a faint grid pattern on the pages. I thought that would be a little interesting and not as daunting as blank white pages. 

With this small format, I can bring a handful of supplies with me to work on each week's prompt anywhere I go. And with my new work-for-myself and around my health lifestyle... I am always on the run...

I travel 3 days a week 50 miles away for work, and I left all my stuff stashed in my desk there smiling brightly at me upon my return yesterday. So let's pretend it's Monday!

I will briefly share a few steps of how I transformed this spread for Prompt No. 1 to share how quick and easy it is to squeeze some art journaling into your week.

I spread a thin layer of clear gesso across the pages with a recycled gift card I'm ready to go! 

 

In the effort of finding the clear gesso... I had to move a tube of Heidi Swapp butterscotch acrylic paint {circa 2005} and a Maya Road Maya Mist green mist. OH YEAH! One-touch rule is in full effect. I spritzed the green mist through the Mimosa 6 StencilGirl® stencil overlapping in different directions, then dabbed on some of the butterscotch yellow with a papertowel. 

 

I wanted to add a bit more color and contrast. I have a travel tin of 10 Caran-Dache crayons that go with me everywhere. I used the blue and green to color through the stencil, then used a purell hand wipe cloth to blend out the color. Base layer DONE!

Next I painted in butterscotch circles using my finger and added some smaller circle details from my assortment of Seth Apter StencilGirl® stencils awaiting. 

A few weeks back I took a little creative road trip to meet up with my art sister Cat Kerr to take an all day workshop with Seth Apter. A wonderful day of arting!

Channeling inspiration from Seth Apter's circle motifs, I added the phrase "I'm certain... the TIME is NOW" with some pens, Caran-Dache Crayons and finger smudging.

I love the tropical foilage feel from the stenciled background and the pops of yellow!

Love ALL the yummy layers and detail. I spent the most time on getting the letters to pop as some layers of pen ink just soaked right in to the back ground. My words exemplify the turning of a page where I am taking a business course for artists this month at the same time that this artsy challenge is beginning. Time is at a complete crunch, though I believe making time for learning and playing is always good!

StencilGirl® stencils used: Mimosa 6 Stencil by Cecilia Swatton; and the following by Seth Apter -- Splat, Text and Texture Transform stencil, Inside out stencil, and Timeless stencil.

You are invited to join the fun!
Here's Prompt No.1

The only rule is use ONLY StencilGirl® stencils {sorry, no other brands}. Anything else goes as you are inspired to follow the prompt.

Share your pages and keep
a lookout in blogland
and social media using
#thestencilfiedjournal

Gotta run... Thanks for dropping by! I hope you are inspired to go grab a blank journal and your StencilGirl® stencils and join in the fun! Have a creative day :) Sb

Make a #Cre8time Quick Change... with Designer Crafts Connection and Expo International Inc.

Hello Friends! Today is a fabulous day full of glitter and gold! I am part of a new Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop challenge and the designers are creating with assortment of terrific Trims, Buttons and MORE from Expo International.

How do you take something from day to night??! You bling it up! For my Cre8time project today I have transformed a zipper makeup pouch from the Dollar Tree into a beautiful clutch to accompany a little "RED" Dress. 

Expo International sent me a selection of items to create: Tuva Woven Beaded Trim in Red/Gold; a package of Carla Crosstitch Rose-Iron-on Patch Applique; and Tianna Beaded Pom-pom Trim Multi Colors {the latter I will be using for a real special holiday project - stay tuned}.

I reserve playing dress up for special occasions and as for accessories, I steer in the direction of less is more. I have this little red velvet halter dress that I scored on sale when shopping for a dress to wear to a formal event. Its funny how you find things when you aren't looking. I don't have anything else to finish this look... but today I will be more than halfway there! 

OMG - look at this TRIM!! It will go with my dress perfectly! The Tuva Woven Beaded Trim is about 1 1/2" wide and comes in 7 different colorations.

Starting with a plastic zipper makeup pouch from the Dollar Tree I transformed this into something stunning with just a few additional supplies from my stash: scissors; one sheet of Graphix Double Tack Mounting Film {a permanent double sided adhesive paper}; a few Marvy colored pens; and Diamond Glaze. 

The pouch was a bit longer than I liked so I turned it inside out, measured a few dots down from the top, then traced a line. I took this to the sewing machine to stitch one seam and trimmed away the excess. I could have used adhesive for this, but the sewing machine had this done in a quick minute {I didn't even change out the green thread in it}.

Enter the super fun and quick way to alter anything... PENS!

This plastic pouch is durable with a hot pink zipper enclosure... and SO WORTH $1. Sewing zippers is a bit tricky and is certainly something that I need to go back to school for someday. I used two pens to prep for the final transformation: a Marvy Liquid Gold pen to color the zipper pull and the teeth; and red Marvy Plume II brush pen to color the hot pink zipper fabric. I colored along the sides and bottom of the pouch with gold as these may be slightly visable after applying trim. I don't mind spending few extra minutes on these little extra details -- they make all the difference in the end result.

I gently rubbed the edge of the gold nib along the zipper teeth. To my delight and suprise... it's all gold when closed!

Now to add the trim! I cut a sheet of the self adhesive paper into 1 1/4" strips and applied to the backside of the trim. From the height I made the pouch, I will need four stripes to cover top to bottom. I like dry adhesives over wet for ribbons/trim. I could have also used my Xyron X sticker maker or stitch in place with sewing machine.

I aligned to the top of trim to the zipper edge, removed backing and wrapped along front, and bent to continue around to backside -- leaving only one exposed seam edge. Having adhesive on the back helps keep trim from fraying when trimming to size. 

I repeated applying three more lengths of trim and touched up the seam edges with dabs of Diamond Glaze to prevent fraying and to keep cut edges of bling in place.

FROM THIS...

TO THIS!!! 

What a transformation! Paired with my gold resin bangles and some gold earrings {nothing fancy, these are all regular day wear} all I need are some shoes. 

With summer approaching I'm sure I can find a cute pair of gold strappy heels to complete my look and I'm ready for the next weekend getaway with the hubs!

What would you transform
from day to night with
Expo International Trims?

CLICK HERE to POP over to the DCC BLOG for info on how you can enter to win a Treasure Trunk of Trims from Expo International! For more information on Expo International and products to dress up anything please visit website HERE.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Thanks so much for visiting! CLICK HERE to pop over to the beginning of the Designer Crafts Connection "Expo International Terrific Trims" Bloghop and enjoy a treasure trove of inspiration. Sb :)

** This is a sponsored post. Expo International has provided trims for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.