Fast and Easy Thanksgiving Wreath with Gypsy Soul

Hi everyone!  Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving, and Christmas isn't far behind.  You'd better get busy on your holiday decorations, and here is one that should be quick and easy to make, and look great, too!

I am using the largest of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Wreath Rings as my base, along with the Page Frame Flourished and the Chickenwire Large.  That should be a really good start.  Separate the largest wreath from the two smaller ones.

Adhere wreath ring to the back of 12x12 printed scrapbook paper.

Trim excess paper from outer and inner edges of ring.  Save inner circle piece to use later.

Turn ring over, back side up, and glue chickenwire to back of ring.  The color of the bare chipboard is perfect for Fall, so I didn't change it in any way.  Set aside to dry.

With a stiff bristle brush, like a stencil brush, apply Vintage Gold Metallique wax over the page frame flourished.  If you don't have this wax, you can certainly use a metallic gold acrylic paint instead.

This step is optional, but I guess I was in a super blingy mood.  Apply Cosmic Shimmer glue to a makeup sponge and dab the glue randomly over the page frame flourished.  (TIP:  If you don't have this glue, you can use Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue or any glue that dries tacky).  Then apply the gilding flakes to the glued areas.  Be sure to turn all fans off as this stuff flies around very easily.

Use a clean, stiff stencil brush to remove excess gilding flakes.  Use the brush to pick up the flake "crumbs" and move them into exposed glue spots.  I did not try to cover the entire frame with the gilding flakes.

Your piece should look something like this.

Glue the page frame to the wreath ring.  Set aside to dry.

Wrap Fall multi-colored trim around wreath ring and glue ends to the back.

Ink the words "Happy" and "Fall" from the Fall Word Set with Versamark  ink and heat emboss with gold embossing powder.  I embossed the words twice to get smooth coverage.

Grab two small tags, add adhesive and glue them to back of the same print paper.  I used the circle portion that was left from covering the wreath ring in the step above.

 

Trim excess paper from around the tags and edge with the Vintage Gold Metallique wax.  Adhere the words "Happy" and "Fall" to each tag, as shown.

I misted my small sunflowers with Tattered Angels Golden Terracotta glimmer mist to give them a more orange tint that would match my large sunflower.  Set flowers aside to dry.

Add sunflowers, word tags, leaves, and vines to finish off the wreath.

Supplies Used:
GSL Wreath Rings
GSL Page Frame Flourished
GSL Chickenwire Large
GSL Fall Word Set
GSL Small Tag Set
Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes
Cosmic Shimmer Flake & Glitter Glue (or Tombo Mono Multi Liquid Glue)
Art Alchemy Vintage Gold Metallique Wax (Prima/Finnabair)
Fall multi-color trim, flowers, leaves, vines (Hobby Lobby, Michaels)
Stencil brushes
Golden Terracotta Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels)
Versamark Ink Pad
Gold Detail embossing powder
Heat tool

I hope you enjoyed today's project and will consider making one, or two, or three, of these truly fun, fast, and easy home decor wreaths.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful time making things for the holidays.

Barbara

How to Make Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts' Tablet/Ipad/Phone Holder

Hi everyone!  Today I have a super fun and easy project that is going to be a must-have in every home.  Lately, I've decided I am tired of holding my phone or Ipad while I'm working, and I remembered seeing this nifty Tablet/Ipad/Phone Holder in the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts online store.  It's easy to put together, and can be embellished or left plain.  Of course, I am going to embellish mine.

There are only three pieces to put together. 

Cut two pieces of paper the same size as the bottom of the holder.  Glue one paper to the top, cut out the slots, turn over and glue the second paper to the bottom.  Do not cut out the slots again.  You will want complete coverage on the bottom.

All three pieces are now covered with the paper.  Notice that the paper on the two side pieces are not covering the dovetails. You will want to keep them free so that they will still fit inside the slots on the bottom piece.

Distress all the edges with Frayed Burlap distress ink.  This will give a nice finish and cover the white edges on the paper.  In the photo below, the top piece has not been distressed, while the bottom piece has been.  Can you tell the difference?

Before gluing the pieces together, I used a gloss varnish to cover both sides of the paper on each piece.  This will protect the paper from use and abuse while using the holder, such as coffee spills or food stains.  

Glue the two sides to the bottom piece, as shown.  I like to use a fast grab tacky glue for this.  Let the glue dry before handling it

Use a craft knife to cut away the "chads" that hold the laser cuts in place.  There are only two holding this Leafy Corner intact.  

I decided to emboss my leafy cuts with a blue patina that matched the colors in my paper.  You can you any kind of embossing ink, or Versamark if you have that.

I embossed two leafy cuts and adhered one to the front and back of the larger back piece.

front side

back side

On the front, add flowers and berries, etc. along the front section, being careful not to place the flowers too high or it will obstruct your view of your phone or tablet.

However, embellish away on the back side.  

Here are a few shots from the side, and  how it looks when in use with a phone or tablet.

Supplies Used:
GSL Tablet/Ipad/Phone Holder

GSL Leafy Corners

12x12 Print Paper (Stamperia SBB520)

PVA (white) glue

Fast Grab Glue (Aleenes)

Gloss Varnish (DecoArt)

Frayed Burlap distress ink (Tim Holtz)

Foam blender tool (Ranger)

Rustique Patina Azure embossing powder (Judi-Kins)

Clear Emboss It Dabber (Ranger)
Floral embellishments

I hope you enjoyed today's project.  Wouldn't these make such wonderful gifts to give to all your family and friends.  It would be so much fun to decorate each one differently to suit the recipient, after you've made one of your very own, of course.  So check out Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts for more inspiration and ideas.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful, creative day!

Barbara

How to Make Quick & Easy Halloween Candles From The Dollar Store

Hi everyone!  I have a quick and easy Halloween candle for you to make, whether just for fun, or for your  home décor.  Since I found these at my local Dollar Store, you can make lots of them for your holiday decorating or gift giving, They would also make nice party favors for your guests to take home.

Here is a short video tutorial showing how easy these are to make, and they look great!



Supplies Used:

GSL Trick or Treaters Border (contact store)
GSL Rickety Fence With Cats
GSL Spooky Shape Set
Battery-operated candles (Dollar Store)
#48 Glama Natural Clear Translucent Parchment Paper
Tim Holtz Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter
Xyron machine or doube sided adhesive sheets
Halloween Ribbon
Decorative Punches (grass) (fence not used)

I am also entering this in the PaperArtsy 2017 Topic 14 Glitter Challenge.  Unfortunately, I didn't use any PaperArtsy stamps or products, but I was totally inspired by the JoAnns blog post, and I used a lot of glitter on the background vellum paper.  

I hope you have been inspired by my project today and will check out the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts shop to see the fabulous Halloween collection (and more) for all your holiday decorating.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

Barbara

Pyramid Base Display Shelf Tutorial

Hi everyone!  Barbara Rankin here today with another video tutorial using Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Pyramid Base Display Shelf.  This is such a fun and useful piece, and can be personalized to any taste simply by changing the paper, or paint, or what have you.  Use whatever you have and proudly display your mini collections.  

front

back

I found these miniature vintage items on eBay and I've just been waiting for the right display piece to come along.  I am so pleased with the way this turned out.  

Supplies Used:
GSL Pyramid Base Display Shelf
GSL Stackable Labels Shape Set
GSL Words and Phrases 1 (Memories)
GSL Art Deco Corner Set
GSL Border Sticks Floral
GSL Topiary Trees
Blue Fern paper collection (Timeless)
PVA Glue (Paper Source) (optional: Elmer's Glue)
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Aleene's Quick Grab Glue
FolkArt Chalk Paint (Spanish Moss)
DecoArt Chalk Paint (Timeless, Rustic, Carbon)
Jacquard Lumiere 3D Metallic Paint (Brass)
Makeup sponges
1" Sponge Brush
Flower Soft (Christmas Green, Shamrock Green, Ultra Fine Pine)
Distress Ink (Tattered Rose)
Sand paper and sanding grip (Tim Holtz)

I hope you enjoyed my project today, and I hope I have inspired you to try making your own display shelf, whether for yourself or for a gift.  Remember, Christmas is just around the corner, and who doesn't love a handmade gift?  

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful, crafty day!

Barbara

How To Video Tutorial: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Steamer Trunk

Hi everyone!  Barbara here today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog, and I have the cutest piece to share with you today.  It is the 8" Steamer Trunk, and just think of all the possible uses for this sweet piece.  I was thinking it could be used on your desk for small office supplies, or a jewelry box to keep some of your precious "jewels".  How about using it on your craft desk to keep some of your small embellishments, buttons, ink refills, glue sticks, etc.  Just change up the paper design to suit your style.

Closed Front

Closed Back

Here are a few more pictures of the steamer trunk on the inside. 

Trunk Open- Desk Lid Closed

Trunk Open - Desk Lid Open

Supplies Used:

GSL 8" Steamer Trunk
Basic Grey Plumeria print paper
Handmade leather like paper
Tim Holtz Idea-ology metal hinges, box corners, hitch fastener, and buckle
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
   Transparent Red Iron Oxide
   Titanium White Antiquing Cream
   Black Shimmer Metallic Lustre
Folk Art Lilac Chalk Paint
PVA or white glue
Assorted brushes

I hope you enjoyed my project and video today, and be sure to check out the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts shop for all your laser cut chipboard needs.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, and have a super day!

Barbara

Mixed Media: Antique Flower Cart

Hello everyone!  Are you ready for Spring?  I sure am, and when I saw this Flower Cart from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, I couldn't help but think of the coming of Spring.

I always like to lay my chipboard pieces out so I can see how they will fit together.

Prime both sides of all chipboard with a coat of DecoArt Media white gesso.  I like to use a flat sponge or blending tool to prevent filling up the delicate lasercuts with paint.

Glue flower cart together and set aside to dry.

Spread DecoArt Media white modeling paste through a stencil with a spatula.  Keep edges rough and uneven for a worn look.  Let paste dry.

Mix DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics (Cerulean Blue, Blue Green Light, Phthalo Turquoise) together with water on a palette and paint cart, inside and out. 

I decided to add a second coat to the cart to give it a more patinated look.  Set aside to dry.

Dry brush DecoArt Media Blue Green Light over the stenciled areas, as well as the edges where the paste was roughly spread, and the top edges of the cart.  This will add to the patina.

Each Border Sticks Floral was cut to fit the sides of the card, and primed with white gesso.  Some strips that I had left were not long enough, but as you can see, it is easy to piece them together. 

Paint the Border Sticks Floral with DecoArt Media Gold Metallic Fluid Acrylic.  Only one side needs to be painted since these will be glued down.

Paint both sides of the wheels from the Flower Cart with the DecoArt Media Gold Metallic Fluid Acrylic. 

To give the wheels and border sticks more of a copper look, I painted each with DecoArt Media Quinacridone Gold.  This paint is transparent and allows the metallic gold color still show through.

Darken the outer edges of the wheels with black archival ink (black paint could also be used).

Glue the Border Sticks Floral around the top edges of the cart, just below the decorative scroll and along the back of the cart.  Use your finger to apply DecoArt Burnished Brass Metallic Lustre over the high spots made from the paste, and along the edges of the cart and handles.

Attach the wheels to the cart with decorative metal brads.

Here you can see the how the brad extends through the holes in both the cart and the wheels, making it very easy to attach them.

Here are a couple of views of the cart from each angle.

Supplies Used:
GSL Flower Cart
GSL Border Sticks Floral

DecoArt Media white gesso
DecoArt Media white modeling paste
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
  Cerulean Blue
  Blue Green Light
  Phthalo Turquoise
  Metallic Gold
  Quinacridone Gold
DecoArt Metallic Lustre - Burnished Brass
The Crafter's Workshop TCW334s Mini Window Screen stencil
Two decorative metal brads
Blending tool
Black Archival ink
Dynasty brushes

I really love how this flower cart turned out, and I can think of several uses for it.  As you can tell, I used mine to display a beautiful bouquet of Spring flowers.  But I also thought this would make a lovely centerpiece to hold candy or small party favors.  What about a nice housewarming gift with a small potted plant, or even a hostess gift.  What will you use yours for?  Let us know and be sure to share your photos if you decide to make one for yourself or a friend.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to play!

Barbara