Making Stuff

gsatc 08

I’ve been wanting to play with my Gelli Plate for ages, so I finally got it out. Then I remembered why it had been a while. For some reason, I get stuck when I’m trying to use it. I’m rarely happy with my results, and just feel like I’m burning through prodigious amounts of paper. So I did what I often do when I’m stuck: follow directions.  Gelli Arts is one of my favorite Youtube channels. They have a hell of a designer, and I always find their videos inspiring. I decided this video on making transfer film with packing tape looked like fun (seriously, go watch–it’s cool), so I followed along, copying as closely as I could. I loved the results, so naturally, I had to do it again–with skulls.

gsatc 01

I used my Dyan Reavely Skulls stencil, and followed the video again. I used all mica powder on the background of these. You can’t see it well here, but they have a great shimmer. I think the bottom strip is my favorite–the yellow bits are the mica powder.

gsatc 02

So what to do with this sparkly largesse? Just so happens, I have a ton of pre-cut ATC paper. I even have some that is leftover from other sets, so it already has pretty backing.

gsatc 03

I started by cutting the strips and attaching them with some gel medium. Of course I goobed–see that one with the smudge? I actually put that on sticky-side UP. Which is the wrong way. So I had to cover it with gel so I wouldn’t get mica powder everywhere. We’ll see how it turns out.

gsatc 04

Next, I used light molding paste to apply a spooky stencil.

gsatc 05

The paste and paper areas get a light wash of color. I love how this brings out the texture of the paste.

gsatc 06

Shimmery paint, either Lumiere or Silks, is added just to the stenciled shapes. Because I didn’t want to lose the texture, I blotted the paint back.

gsatc 07

Here’s the set, and I’m pretty pleased with them! I like the contrast of the slick Gelli Plate art and the organic molding paste.

gsatc 09

cf 05

Maybe I’ll do the whole garland, maybe I won’t, but I at least have two flags done.

cf 01

Started by laying out some paisley fabric and some pretty orange lace. They got attached with fusible interfacing, and sewed on the top edge.

cf 02

The pumpkin is from the My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Halloween set.  After I’d filled that in some, I started doodling.

cf 03

At about this point I realized there was nothing spooky about the flag. Fixed that.

cf 08

To bring out the pumpkin more, I used Lumiere’s Halo Pink-Gold and Metallic Russet.

cf 04

This time I distressed the edge with a mix of Neopaque Brown and Lumiere Russet, heavily watered. I like it much better. The edge was sewn, and the spiders given a bit of dimension with beads. After the beads were done, the back got covered in fabric.

cf 06

Finally, a spider charm with a couple of beads attached to the bottom.

This went a lot faster than yesterday’s flag. I think I’m getting the hang of it. So to speak.

cf 07

 

 

 

 

sf 12

sf 01

I think it was some kit subscription I dumped long ago that sent me this garland kit from Maya Road. It includes six canvas flags. They are nice and heavy, and pre-grommeted. I thought I’d make a garland! We’ll see how that turned out.

sf 02

I wanted to use these Tulip Fabric Markers that I got when I was on a fabric painting kick. I grabbed a piece of muslin close in color to the flags, and did a swatch test. These are gorgeous and bright, and as long as there aren’t a lot of solid areas, they stamp well. Also, they don’t usually bleed.

sf 03

You can only see a bit of my table, but lemme tell ya, half of my studio is on it. I grabbed stamps and ribbons and lace and charms…anything I thought might be nice on the garland.  I chose some fabric, lace, a charm, and a stamp from Craftsmart. I stamped on paper first, so I could decide on placement.

sf 04

Fabric is down with fusible interfacing, stamp is stamped. I grundged things up a bit, and started doodling paisleys.

sf 06

I had planned to get away with no sewing, but the flag cried out for it. I’ve added some color to the paisleys and the skull, and run around the red fabric and the entire flag a few times on the machine. Next, I used a Hampton Art letter set to add some text, and sewed around that, too.

sf 07

A few more details on the paisleys. I decided the skull wasn’t standing out enough, so I added some Lumiere Pearl White. Of course, I took the picture before I added the paint, because I am a genius.

sf 08

A few beads were required. I took out the red delicas from the last project and highlighted the red paisleys.

sf 09

To cover my many sins on the back of the flag, I attached some cool fabric with fusible interfacing.

sf 10

Last, a grommet on the bottom, a jump ring, and red beads to highlight the skeleton charm.  The cord is just for taking pictures. I may or may not make this into a garland later.

See, this took me all morning. Like allll morning, so I decided one flag was good enough for today’s project. I love this, and I’m thinking six like it would be pretty cool, but that’s for later.

sf 13

sf 11

tq 11

I subscribe to quite a few magazines. They are great motivation. My method: I have a Post-It flag dispenser on the ledge of the tub. I go through the magazines, marking things I’d like to try. Then I copy the first page of the article and put it in a notebook, making sure the issue is somewhere on the page. The magazine is stored neatly in date order, so I can choose something from the notebook, and grab the appropriate magazine.

I mention all this, because I picked something from the notebook tonight. This mini trinket quilt is inspired by Vesna Taneva-Miller, and was featured in the Summer 2015 issue of Sew Somerset.

tq 01

For this project, I’m going to use upcycled shrink plastic–#6 plastic from a takeout container. Rock N Roll is one of my favorite sushi rolls. It’s deep fried. Don’t judge.

tq 02

I cut out the best piece of plastic, gave it a good sanding on one side, and stamped on the sanded side. The spell book is from Inkadinkado’s Nevermore set. I often leave the pressed symbols from the container in, as I like to show where the material came from.

tq 03

Next, the image is lightly colored with pencils. You don’t want to add too much color, as it will become very concentrated when the plastic shrinks.

tq 04

A 1/8″ is used to make stitching holes around the image. A couple of these got very small, and had to be opened with one of my tiny diamond files. Not much to be done about that.

tq 05

All shrunk. See what I mean about color concentration?

tq 06

Time to choose fabric! Muslin, tulle, a very soft fleesish (it’s a word because I say so) thing, and some lace scraps.

tq 07

I used a machine to go around the layers several times with black thread. Red embroidery thread attached the spell book.

tq 08

I’ve been wanting to use those silver beads forever. Along with the red delicas, they are nice accents.

tq 09

Muslin backing is added once all the embellishment is done. Because of those nifty corner beads, I had to hand-sew. And since I was hand-sewing, hey, why not add some jute?

Mind you, I had to do this twice, because I cannot sew a straight line. The second time, fusible interfacing kept everything in place.

Eyelets were set in the upper corners (because I found a Crop-A-Dile for half price at Tuesday Morning!), and binding tape used to make an over-the-head necklace.

The only thing I would do differently is use a shaped stamp, like a pumpkin or skull, so it was more immediately recognizable. This thing is tiny, and if someone wanted to see what it was, they’d so be up in my face. Overall, though, I loved the process, and I think the result is fabulous.

tq 10

rp 07

I had some paints I wanted to play with, Silks Acrylic Glazes and Pebeo Prisme Fantasy. Some of it worked, some of it didn’t.

rp 01

I found some nice flat cardboard in my stash, and decided it had to be postcards. I cut four, and will use the rest later.

rp 02

I started out with a coat of gesso, then some Silks in Wine and Roses and Azurite. So pretty.

rp 03

I used Versafine to stamp this raven from Inkadinkado. Since I got it a little too high, I added a Hampton Arts banner. After three tries. Getting it upside-down the first time. Let us never speak of it again.

Clear embossing powder came next. I was hoping it would act as a resist.

rp 04

I read the directions on the Pebeo, and realized it required turps to clean up. Then I thought, hey, I’ll just use a disposable makeup sponge! Did you know? I always get paint on my fingers. Luckily, alcohol worked well enough on my skin. The layer wasn’t thick enough to get the paint’s effect, and of course the embossing didn’t resist it much. I ended up buffing it with a baby wipe. It actually looks pretty cool, though next time I would just use something water-based, like Lumiere.

I also took a cotton ball (because there was one sitting on my table for no reason), and went over the edges with more Wine and Roses.

Then I kinda got involved and stopped taking pictures, because I am a goob.

I wanted a little more color and contrast, so I used the Silks again–Persimmon for the banner and Chestnut Brown for the wreath. I painted them then pressed a tissue over the paint to pull most of it back.

rp 06

The bird was an issue. It ended up with five different layers of three different paints on it. In the end, I’m okay with it. It had a base of Lumiere black mixed with Golden black, then many attempts at dry brushing with Lumiere white and Golden white, then finally a very watery wash in black.  Oof.

Overall, I like the look, and would like to try again with different paints, and a better idea of direction.

rp 05

 

BONUS!

USCB has released their library of cylinder recordings from the turn of the 20th century. It is way cool. Only one thing comes up for Halloween: “The Halloween Dance.”

IMG_6458

I picked up a mess of Tim Holtz Facets at Tuesday Morning for cheap, and I’ve been wanting to play with them. For this pendant I used:

  • Tim Holtz Facet, small round
  • Red handmade paper from Daigo Japan
  • Fab Lab Autumn Craft decoupage paper
  • Studio G bat punch
  • A Wink of Stella brush
  • Golden Fluid Matte Medium
  • Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer
  • QuickStik
  • Distress Ink, Black Soot
bp 01

I always forget something in supply pics. This time: Distress Ink.

bp 02

To make my bats a little sparkly, I applied a couple coats with my A Wink of Stella brush. I love this thing.

bp 03

While that was drying, I ran a pencil around the Facet on my background paper.

bp 04

Using Distress Ink and a dry brush, I created a fairly deep vignette, so it would still be visible despite the strong facets on the pendant.

bp 05

Tissue paper doesn’t play nice with punches. You can make it behave by punching it along with a piece of plain paper. Then you verrrry carefully separate the paper from the tiny tissue shape. I punched out three bats, and made sure they were sparkle side down.

bp 06

I coated the entire back of the Facet with liquid matte medium.

bp 07

QuickStik is extremely handy for picking up tiny things. I placed the bats sparkle-side-down on the back of the Facet. I had to hold the bat down with the tip of my pencil and carefully lift the QuickStik, as the hold was a bit strong for itty bits of tissue.  Once the bats were arranged, I gently went over them with matte medium. Be careful not to move the bats around. Like I did.

bp 08

Making sure there was plenty of matte medium on the back, especially on the edges, I turned the pendant over and pressed it to the background tissue within the penciled guidelines.

bp 09

Working quickly, I applied matte medium to the back of the pendant, over the tissue, making sure everything was covered. With a damp fingertip, I carefully pressed the tissue, rolling my finger toward the edge, to eliminate any bubbles.

bp 10

I love how the back turns translucent. Now, wait for the pendant to dry completely. COMPLETELY. If you trim early, you’ll rip the tissue. Like I did.

bp 11

Okay, now you can trim. It’s easiest to do this right-side-up. Trim right up to the pendant edge.

bp 12

I applied a coat of 3D Lacquer to the back. I like this stuff because it’s very tough, and dries clear. I could have done a dome effect, but I like the thin coat better. It looks all artsy.

Add a jump ring (included with the Facets) and a cord, and you have a pretty sparkly bat pendant!

bp 13

 

sb 01

I have a rule about insomnia: after an hour of worrying about clowns eating me, I get up and do something. Last night, the clowns wanted to play with shrink plastic.

sb 02

Usually, I’ll use #6 plastic containers for my shrink film. This time, I wanted a white background, so I headed for my small stash of commercial sheets.  Everything except for the cat is stamped in StazOn Jet Black.

I used four stamp sets:

  • Mindscapes Halloween by Inkadinkado (pictured above)
  • Halloween Hauntings by Tattered Angels
  • Trick or Treat by Studio G
  • Beware by Studio G

sb 03

When I first stamped the cat (Tattered Angels), I had the hole by the tail, and it was so long it curled completely over and fused to the body. Oops. I went to re-stamp, and discovered I was out of white shrink plastic. I decided having a black cat would be cute, so I got out the White Opaque StazOn. I was right, it’s way cute.

sb 04

Once everything was shrunk, the blank backs looked sad, so I grabbed a damask stamp from Great Impressions.

sb 05

Now they’re as pretty on the back as the front. That’s an idea I’ll be going back to.

sb 06

Time for beads! Maybe. I was originally going to go lazy, and use stretch cord, but it wouldn’t work with the beads I wanted, so I rethought…

sb 07

…and ended up building a charm bracelet from jump rings. It won’t be the strongest, so I’ll have to wear it carefully.  At this point it’s about 2:00am, and I probably shouldn’t be trying to put together patterns from recalcitrant bits of metal.

sb 08

This looked good, but ended up being four inches long. Sigh. I took it apart and re-designed, and got a decent start before I fell over at 3:00am.

sb 09

Yay! All done. I managed to get the “Trick or Treat” charm on backwards, but hey, it wouldn’t be me if something wasn’t cockeyed.  I absolutely love this thing. I’m keeping it forever and ever. Or until I catch it on something and the jump rings separate.

sb 10

cembook 01

After making the log book for the Screaming Grimoire, I wanted to try another book with French binding. Got the sophomore blues a bit, but I still had fun.

cem book 03

I started by cutting some 9×12″ drawing paper in half, as I only wanted a little book. Creased, folded, and nested, I ended up with four signatures of four sheets each, making a total of 64 pages. Now they get pressed under a brick for a day.

cem book 04

Then I had to do math. Luckily, it was easy. I wanted to start my stitch holes ½” from the ends, then I needed four more holes to make six. The final four ended up an inch apart. Yes, I had to use a calculator. Shut. Up.  So why the Scrabble board? I’d bought a few at thrift stores and garage sales to get the tiles. The extra game boards came in handy for building a punching cradle, and boy am I glad I did–though mine is simpler than the one linked. It makes the hole punching so much easier. Here you see the template I made, sitting over the signature that’s getting punched.

cem book 05

My cover paper is another thrift store find. Very pretty handmade paper new in the roll for $1.50. I win. It was a bit thin for this application, so I saturated both sides with matte varnish and let it dry. Didn’t make it a lot stronger, but good enough to fold.

cem book 06

Though as it turns out, not strong enough to punch. I ended up putting a strip of book tape on the bit to be punched. It will barely show when the book is finished.

cem book 06.1

Stitching the first signature to the back cover with some pretty blue hemp. It’s waxed, but I run it through Thread Magic anyway, because tangles suck. That big paper thing in the background is a paper-covered brick, to keep the pages in place while you stitch.

cem book 07

All stitched. A little sloppy, as you can see when you look up instructions for French binding. I didn’t realize it at the time, but one of my kettle stitches was loose, so the book was also kinda loose. Sad face.

cem book 11

Next, I put down some wax paper and glued the spine. Then I move the book back on the paper so no extra glue is touching, fold the paper over, and the brick goes on top to press everything for several hours.

cem book 08

So how this fold goes: you lay it down like it’s another page–that’s your endpaper. Leave a little skosh room that you’ll trim later, and crease and fold at the spine. Stitching happens after that. Once stitched, you fold the cover forward then back again, and trim the endpapers. The actual cover is those two pieces of folded paper….

cem book 12

….and that bit left on the end gets glued down to cover the spine.

Next, decorate the cover! I’ve been on a tissue kick, so I ran some different tissues through a die cutter, and made a little cemetery scene. Pieces were attached with matte medium, and the whole front cover got a coat afterward.

This was as much fun as making the first book. Of course I want to try it again, and actually get the stitching tight!

cem book 02

 

I’m feeling much better!

But I still lost several days blogging. 🙁  Gonna try to make up for it as soon as I can, but in the meantime, I direct you to Artful Evidence, where you will find a series of seven wonderful Halloween card videos. I’m definitely swiping some of her ideas.

Clipboard Image (9 October 2015)

One of Rachel’s. I may make something similar–love this technique.