Thursday, September 28, 2017

Needles and Pins Art Journal with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and Canva Corp

Hi everyone!  Barbara here today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog, and this month, we are cross-promoting with Canvas Corp, and look at all the goodies they sent. Thank you Canvas Corp for your generosity!



And I thought these products would make a fantastic sewing-themed mini book.  Apologies in advance as this is a very photo heavy, long post, but I hope you enjoy it.



So, I am using the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Art Journal as my base.  As you can see, there are lots of chipboard pages to use, never mind how many sheets of double-sided paper you may or may not choose to add.  The possibilities are endless. 



I pulled threads and frayed two edges (top and left in the photo below) to find the "square" edge so that I could use the book to measure where to cut the canvas (the bottom edge in the photo below).  Lay the covers on your canvas, one at a time, aligning the side with the holes along the selvage edge (right side in photo below) of the canvas. 



Cut the canvas along the bottom edge, leaving approximately 1/4" edge to fray.  I like to pull a thread to get a straight line to cut along. 





Lay book covers onto  Gypsy Seamstress Collection: Spools paper and trace around them, as shown.


Glue the canvas pieces to the outside of each cover.




Then glue the print papers to the inside front and back covers.


I had enough canvas material left, so while I was at it, I cut two more pieces the same size to add as canvas pages.  I used my crop-a-dile tool to punch holes and add eyelets to strengthen the holes.



Cut 8 sheets of the French General print paper measuring 5" x 7" for the inside chipboard pages.  These papers are all double sided, so you will have more choices as to which side or sides to use.





Cover both sides of chipboard pages, as shown below.  (TIP: Use chipboard to mark binding holes and punch or cut out holes before covering each page.  I used a 3/8" hole punch I had in my stash).


Cut 8 sheets of the French General paper measuring 6" x 7-1/4" for the inside tabbed chipboard pages. 





Cover both sides of each tabbed chipboard page and trim away excess paper, as shown below. 




Cut 4 sheets of the French General paper measuring 1-5/8" x 7-1/4" for the inside book mark chipboard pages.





Cover both sides of each chipboard bookmark and trim away excess paper, as shown below. 


Cut 4 more sheets of the French General paper measuring 5" x 7" for the back side only of the corrugated chipboard pages. 





Cover only the smooth side of each corrugated chipboard page, as shown below. 




The pretty red and blue ticking pieces from Canvas Corp matched my papers perfectly, and so I wanted to cut and fray the edges of each color to make additional fabric pages for my art-journal-turned-mini-album.  I punched holes and added eyelets to each page the same as I did for my canvas pages.  I found a couple of pieces of ephemera in the French General collection and stitched them to each page, as shown.




You can make pockets to any size you wish to fit onto your page(s), whether larger or smaller.  The measurements I used for my pocket, shown below, are 4"H x 6"W.  The top was punched with a decorative edge punch.  The remaining sides and bottom were scored 1/2" in on each side, folded, and corners were mitered for a clean corner.  



I added score-tape along the folded edges, as shown, and then these can be added to any page you chose.   Just adjust your measurements for whatever size you want or need, such as journaling cards or other ephemera you want to store.




Heat emboss Flourished Frame Karen with Oil Rubbed Bronze embossing powder.


Use packaging from 7Gypsies Architectures Treasures, and trace around frame with pencil.  Cut out middle section and glue to back of frame.


Glue framed piece to front cover.


Computer generate a title for your book to fit onto one of the Stackable Labels Shape Set labels.  I chose "Needles and Pins" for my title.  Glue to top piece of label and distress with brown ink.  Heat emboss bottom piece of label with Charred Gold embossing powder.  Glue both together and glue to front cover.  (See photo of finished cover)



Heat emboss stand portion of dress form with Weathered Wood embossing powder. 



(TIP:  I added brown archival ink over the embossing to give it a deeper browncolor).  Cover body portion with self adhesive print fabric from the French General collection.  This will be glued to front cover (see photo of finished cover).


Heat emboss stand portion of dress form with Charred Gold embossing powder.  Cover body portion with self adhesive print fabric from the French General collection.  Set aside for use on inside pages.



Heat emboss stand portion of dress form with Hammered Metal embossing powder.  Cover body portion with self adhesive print fabric from the French General collection.  Set aside for use on inside pages.



On the back of a tag, use the Architextures Parchment Rub-On - Inspire to add the quote and whatever image you like.  This is just one example of many I used throughout the book.  They are really fun and easy to use, and they add a real vintage feel to your project.



The rest of the pictures are of those pages I "finished", at least for now.  This is not all of the pages inside this book.  A journal of this size will be a work in progress for me for quite some time.  Even when I think I have finished, I will continue to collect, save, and add more to my pages as time goes on.  But in the meantime, I wanted to show you the pages as they are "finished" at this time.  If you are using this as a photo album, then some of the pages are perfectly suited to the addition of family photos.  Just simply mat your photo with coordinating solid paper and slap it in there.  LOL

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover
Canvas Corp 7Gypsies Architexture Treasures - Vintage Sewing Machine
Page with tags and cards 
Page with tags and cards removed
Reverse of tag shows Canvas Corp rub-on added
Page with Canvas Corp parchment rub-on (dress form)
Corrugated page with tags and cards 
Corrugated page with tags and cards removed
Reverse of tag shows Canvas Corp rub-on added
Page with fussy cut spools from 7Gypsies paper with tags and cards
Page with fussy cut spools from 7Gypsies paper with tags and cards removed
Page with GSL dress form shape
Canvas Corp 7Gypsies Architecture Junque Pack (hanging lamp)
Page with tag inserted in pocket
GSL Dressforms 2 Shape Set
Page with tag removed from pocket
Reverse of tag shows Canvas Corp rub-on added
Corrugated page with handmade flowers
Canvas Natural burlap piece holding small stick pin
Two pages made from Canvas Corp Ticking (red and blue)
Tags sewn onto each piece of fabric
Inside back cover
Canvas Corp 7 Gypsies Architexture Treasures - Old Scissors
Outside Back Cover
Canvas Corp Natural Canvas covering

Supplies Used:

GSL Art Journal
GSL Stackable Labels Shape Set
GSL Dressforms 2 Shape Set
GSL Flourished Frame Karen
Canvas Corp
   Natural canvas fabric
   Ivory burlap fabric
   Ticking fabric (red, blue)
   Colored Burlap (aqua, ivory)
   7Gypsies 12x12 paper - Gypsy Seamstress Collection:  Spools
   7Gypsies 12x12 paper - Gypsy Seamstress Collection:  Buttons
   7Gypsies Architecture Treasures - Vintage Sewing Machine
   7Gypsies Architecture Treasures - Old Scissors
   7Gypsies Architxtures Junque Pack - Library
   7Gypsies Architextures Parchment Rub-On - Inspire
French General paper collection (Jolee's Boutique by EK Success)
French General embellishments and ephemera
Floral edge punch (Martha Stewart)
Buttons punch (EK Success)
Scor-tape (or any adhesive you have on hand)
Embossing Powders (Emerald Creek)
Lace, metal embellishments, gem stickers, etc. (from my stash)

If you are reading this, then I thank you for sticking with me.  I will continue to work in this book, adding and decorating each page, which is the most enjoyable part for me.  I don't like to rush this part, but I enjoy the "hunt" for more items to add. 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, and have wonderful, creative day!  

Barbara

Thursday, September 14, 2017

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

Friday, September 1, 2017

ColourArte VIdeo Tutorial: 3D Mixed Media Canvas

Hi everyone!  Today I have a mixed media canvas video tutorial to share using ColourArte's Silks Acrylic Glazes.  This canvas is inspired by the very talented Finnabair.  I learned so much from her and I hope you will be inspired by my interpretation.




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ColourArte Supplies Used:
Silks Acrylic Glazes
  Pixie Pink
  Apple Blossom
  Sunflower
  Mediterranean Blue
  Jasper Red
Radiant Rain Dauber
  Solar Gold

Other Supplies Used:
Liquitex white gesso
Golden Polymer Medium (Gloss)
3D Gloss Gel (Transparent)(Finnabair)
AP-302 Chubby Cheeks collage image (www.alteredpages.com)
MicroGlaze (Judi-kins)
Tim Holtz Ornate Frame #2 Bigz die (Sizzix 661195)
Black chipboard
Recollections printed tissue paper (keys) (script)
Metal embellishments (Prima, Tim Holtz)
Flowers (Petaloo)
Clear glue (Paper Studio)
Beadazzles beads (Macarena)(Suze Weinberg)
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Black Soot distress ink
Ink Blending Tool

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


Barbara

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Upcycled Toiletries Box

Hi everyone!  Barbara here today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog with a fun and easy upcycle project. 



I saved this box that once contained a tall coffee cup because it seemed nice and sturdy.


I have a pretty wire shelf on my vanity in my bathroom, where I keep ugly pill bottles and other commercial products with not-very-pretty labels.  So I started storing them in this box, which is the exact size I needed for my shelf.  I've been wanting to decorate it to fit my bathroom colors, and found this beautiful paper from Prima's French Riviera paper collection.  So, I covered the outside of the box first, wrapping the pretty paper over the top edge.


Next, I found this solid paper I've had in my stash that I purchased years ago from Target.  The color was a perfect match, so I cut it to size to fit the inside.  (Measurements were not given as it will depend on the size box you have on hand.)  Now it is completely covered and ready for the embellishing.  


But, at this time, it is a good idea to brush on a matte varnish over the papers.  I used DecoArt Ultra Matte Varnish.  This will protect them from anything wet that may get dropped or splashed on your box.  You can also use a glossy varnish for a different look.  This is, of course, optional, depending on whether or not you plan on putting it in a more wet environment.


Make yourself a template from a piece of scrap paper.  Cut it to the same size as the shorter side of the box, fold the paper in half to mark center.  Use a ruler to measure 1" down from the top  of the paper, center the handle at the fold, and align top of handle with the edge of the ruler.  Mark holes with a pencil.


Align the template with the top of the box and centered.  Use an awl to punch the holes, where needed.  


Do this for both sides and attach handles with the brads. 


Since I attached the handles after covering the box with paper, the brad prongs show inside.  If you don't like that, you can punch small circles of the same paper and glue over the prongs. 


Choose one of the Stackable Labels and use the top piece to fit a computer-generated "Articles de toilette" onto a scrap of the solid paper.  I looked it up and that is French for "toiletries".  I thought it sounded better.  


Cut the paper out and adhere to the top piece.  I  like to use an emery board to neaten the paper edges.


Paint the bottom part of the label with Lilac chalk paint.  Next, dry brush the  Rustic chalk paint over the edges, as shown.  If you put too much of the Rustic paint on, dry brush  another coat using the Lilac paint again. 


I chose two of the birds from the Bird on Branch Assortment to fit on either side of the label.  First,  paint the birds with the DecoArt Vintage chalk paint, the branches with the Rustic chalk paint, and the leaves with Spanish Moss chalk paint.  I used the Inktense pencils to add details to the bird and leaves.


Adhere the label and bird pieces to one of the longer sides of the box, as shown.


For the opposite side, I chose to use the Flower Leaves Flourish.  I used a ruler to center the piece, but you could also just eyeball it.  


I also used a couple pieces of washi  tape to hold it in place while I traced inside each opening with a pencil.


Remove chipboard and paint traced areas with a coat of white gesso or white paint.  Let dry.


Paint over the gesso, painting the leaves with Spanish Moss, the flower petals with Lilac, and the flower center with Vintage Mustard chalk paints.  You should have something that looks like this.



And now is a good time to check your work.  Lay the chipboard piece over the painted areas and see if you have full coverage inside the openings.  If not, fill them in with the appropriate color now.  You can see I have a few spots that need a slight touchup.


Paint the flower with the Twinks Terracotta Rose, the leaves with Golden Jade, and the flower center with Sunflower.  Let dry.


Once you get the areas painted to your satisfaction. paint the chipboard with DecoArt Timeless chalk paint.


Dab ColourArte Solar Gold over the chipboard and dry with heat tool, or let it dry naturally.


Now add glue to the back and adhere chipboard over painted flowers and leaves.  Be sure to add the glue to the correct side, otherwise it will not match up with the painted design because it is not symmetrical.



Supplies Used:

GSL Stackable Labels Shape Set
GSL Bird on Branch Assortment
GSL Flower Leaves Flourish (coming soon)
FolkArt Chalk Paint (Spanish Moss, Lilac, Vintage Mustard)
DecoArt Chalk Paint (Rustic, Vintage, Timeless)
DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish
ColourArte Twinkling H20s (Golden Jade, Terracotta Rose, Sunflower)
ColourArte Radiant Rain Dauber (Solar Gold)
Prima Tales of You and Me paper collection
Olive Green/Pale Green Double-Sided Paper (Target)
Aleene's Quick Grab Tacky Glue
Assorted Brushes


I hope you enjoyed this upcycle project.  Just think, with Christmas just around the corner, wouldn't something like this make a wonderful gift?  Check out the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts online shop for more chipboard to personalize your box, whether for yourself or as a gift.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful, craft-filled week.

Barbara