Heart Art Challenge: Week 5

I am enjoying the process each week of making a new heart art tag. I search for inspiration everywhere. I like to try out new techniques and materials. This time I the idea was sparked from a picture found online. It's very busy and colourful, isn't it? The end result, as always, is quite different from original concept. But there is no right or wrong way to create art.

I decided to take out my Gelli plate and craft paint to create the background. I actually did eight tags in total, experimenting with different colour combinations. I have a tag swap that I signed up for so the extras will come in handy.

This morning, I watched an awesome video on YouTube on the Shel C. PaperOcotilliStudio 'Tags From The Desk - Puppy Love for February'. I can see me making my swap tags using similar techniques, as well as, a future heart art tag.

But back to this weeks' heart art tag. The colours on this one are turquoise and bright yellow which blend into a pretty green shade. After it dried, I used some archival ink to stamp on some swirls. I also used a sponge to ink the edges of the tag. 

I punched the hearts out of the scrap paper that I used to clean off my brayer after each application of paint onto the Gelli plate. The edges of each heart were individually inked with a sponge and the archival ink. I used black thread to 'hang' some of the hearts from. A finishing coat of Mod Podge was the last step. The tag has a nice, glossy shine to it.

I'm very happy with how this one turned out. To see Bea Grob's process video for her heart art card for week 5, click here. 

Now, to start thinking about next weeks' tag. Where will I look for inspiration this time?

New Papercraft Tools

In early December, a friend was having a Stampin' Up home party for her and a few friends. I knew that I would not be attending, so asked her to bring a catalogue for me to peruse. You have to know what happened next. I found a 'few' things that I wanted.

Being on a tight budget, I could not have it all, even though I would have liked to. I settled on something that I have wanted for quite some time; a scoring board. I have not been able to find them anywhere else, so I was quite excited when I found one in the catalogue.

The 'Simply Scored' board has a base that is slightly larger than 12" X 12". You can create multiple scored projects (like envelopes or mini boxes) or projects with many score lines (like rosettes). The grooves are etched in every 1/8". You can choose how far apart you want the score marks to be. Since my plan is to start making greeting cards, and possibly some rosettes, this is the perfect tool to have.

I've ordered another new tool that will not be available until mid-April; the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform by Tonic Craft. I can't wait to get this one! Simon Says Stamp is taking pre-orders now.

The platform is 8.5" X 8.5" and has a side ruler to help accurately placing stamps where you want them. The base plate is magnetic and it comes with 2 high strength magnets to hold the paper in place. It can be used for both clear and rubber stamps.

I was sold on this tool after seeing a video demonstration on YouTube. Click here to watch it. Tim Holtz himself was doing the demo at Creativation 2017 in Phoenix, AZ from January 19 - 23. This is one of many new products introduced at this event. I would have loved to be there!

Heart Art Challenge: Week 4

For week 4, I tried a different background technique. I used two different colours of Distress Ink pads from Tim Holtz, Shabby Shutters and Peacock Feathers. I laid some colour down on my craft mat, spritzed it with water and placed the tag on top. I did that a couple of times, drying in between each application, making sure the whole tag was covered and until I was satisfied with the look.

I've seen this technique used in lots of videos, but never tried it myself. I'm not sure it is a method I will use that often. It was another fun learning experience though. 

Next, I cut out two birds from bits of paper from my scrap box. Once I decided where I wanted them positioned, I glued down the 'mama' bird first. Using a black Sharpie marker and a ruler, I drew and coloured in her legs.

The 'baby' bird was glued down after that and his/her legs were added. The finishing touch was the various size hearts punched out of red card stock. The tag worked up quite quickly and I am very happy with the results.

Check out Bea Grob's video, Heart Art: Week 4. She used the napkin technique for her background. I may have to try that one sometime soon.

DIY Embellishment Clusters

A couple of months ago I picked up a grab bag of scrapbook papers at the local thrift store. I was not sure what all was in there but I was certain that I'd be able to make use of some of it for my artist trading cards, tags or art journal pages. The $2.99 price tag was very appealing too.

One of the paper pads in the bag was this Princess Paper Pad by K&Company. I love the mix of colours; pink, purple and lime green, but until now, I really did not know how I would use this pretty card stock.

Saturday was a rainy day, which always means that my pain levels are high, and I was not getting around very well. So, I decided to pull out this paper pad and some dies and punches. Might as well use the time constructively since I was not able to move about much. I sat at my craft table and punched out scalloped circles, mini tags and hearts, then pulled out my Big Shot to die cut banners in two sizes.

The next step was to start layering various pieces on top of each other to create unique embellishments for art journal pages, tags and ATCs or to drop in as extra goodies when sending happy mail to my friends.

I used a glue stick to adhere the layers together and some Tim Holtz Chitchat stickers provided the finishing touch. I could sit and make these for hours. (Actually, I think I did.) It was a good way to keep busy and focused on something fun, rather than the pain.

I think you will have to agree that life is a bit more manageable when you are creating art. It is for me anyway.

Heart Art Challenge: Week 3

The inspiration for this weeks' tag came from a picture I found when doing a Google search for heart images. This one immediately sparked my imagination.

I picked up a set of Halloween dies at ScrapFest in September and one of them is a 'spooky' tree. It does not look so 'scary' when punched out of brown card stock instead of black though. And I have a small heart punch from a set that I purchased from Michaels some time ago. Off to a good start.

Next, I went searching for an appropriate quote or poem to put on the tag. I typed 'heart tree' in the Google search bar and surprisingly found just the right quote very quickly. One more hurdle cleared.

The idea was coming together nicely, except I had to decide what kind of background to make. I finally settled on using the plastic wrap technique, with green at the bottom and blue at the top. I enjoyed experimenting with that method a couple of weeks ago and wanted to try it again.

I really intended for there to be less green and more blue but I was overly generous with the paint and this is how it turned out. So, instead of having the tree close to the bottom and the full quote at the top as I'd planned, I had to rearrange in my mind where the elements would be positioned. No problem, I'm adaptable.

I coated the background with Mod Podge and dried it with my heat tool before adding the tree, the hearts and the quote. I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out, even if it is not 'perfect'. 

Bea Grob: Week 3

Here is a link to Bea's Heart Art Week 3 video along with a photo of the completed card to the left.

 Now, to come up with an idea for Week 4. Where will I go for inspiration this time? Time will tell. But remember, you should always be aware of everything around you, because you never know what small sight, or sound or smell could open the door to creative expression.