Gel Press: Patriotic Tags Trio Tutorial

More and more I see makers using the gel presses to create beautiful projects in the paper crafting world (think mono-printing plate). I was at a consumer show last month where I met/saw Sally Lynn McDonald from Gel Press® by PolyGel® showcasing their plates. I was intrigued :) AND it didn't help that she was demo-ing right next to me! LOL!!!

So what did I do? I bought one! LOL! The one I purchased was the 8 x 10" Plate - perfect for art journaling and for card making. They also have other sizes from 12 x 14" to petite sizes (click Featured Products for size information). This is what I ended up making...

I started with two colors of Testors Craft® Acrylic 2 oz. Craft Paints in Stop Sign (red) and Island Breeze (blue) both in matte finish. You just need a little and a brayer to spread the colors across - just enough to cover my tags.

For one tag, I just press down for a trio color look. The second one, after I rolled on color, I drew my texture card across to make strips. The third, I pressed excess paint from the other two and make a tie-dyed background. I love each one of them :)

To create my fireworks design (the tie-dyed background tag), I cut Make a Wish die, trimmed off the stem and colored with red glitter. I repeated for the blue one. This idea was inspired by my talented friend Debi Adams (thanks Debi xo)!!

For "USA" I cut Font One Uppercase with 3D Foam Creative Sheets (cuts like butter!) and took off the top liner to rub Pigment Powder Gold for shimmer. Then I centered the letters on the tag by taking off the back liner. SO EASY!

Used Dodz Adhesives Dots Small to make those fireworks stick! Love that the adhesive dots have liners...so much easier to handle and no tearing of my die cuts.

For my stars and stripes tag, I used a bunch of 3D Foam Stars all over and colored them using a combination of Pigment Powder Gold and Blue.

The Happy Birthday tag, I placed patterned paper on top of a piece of 3D Creative Foam Sheet (after removing the top liner). Then put the die on top covered foam sheet to cut with a manual die cutting machine.

I used the America the Beautiful die to cut patterned paper and applied adhesive on the back using Adhesive Sheets 4 x 6". You can also apply the adhesive sheet on the back of the patterned paper and die-cut (won't damage the die).

After I assembled the pieces, I stamped the sentiments and added sequins with Dodz Adhesive Dots Small to the tag. Here's another look at each one...

I hope you enjoyed my process and thanks for sticking with me till the end - LOL!!
MargieH

Supplies:
Gel Press® by PolyGel®: 8 x 10" Plate
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®: 3D Foam Stars, 3D Foam Creative Sheets, Adhesive Sheets 4 x 6" and Dodz Adhesive Dots Small
Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®: Pigment Powder Gold and Pigment Powder Blue
Testors Corp: Acrylic 2 oz. Craft Paints (Stop Sign and Island Breeze)
Spellbinders® Creative Arts: Font One Uppercase and Make a Wish
SugarPea Designs: America The Beautiful
DoodleBug Designs Inc™: Patriotic Picnic Collection
JustRite PaperCraft: Extra Grand Sentiments Clear Stamps
Ranger Inks: Stickles (Red and Blue)
Faber-Castell® Design Memory Craft®: Texture Card #8
Others: Brayer; Tags; Sequins; Red, White and Blue Cardstock

Design Memory Craft: My Take on the Vision Board Kit

Hello all! Today I have a post on Faber-Castell® Design Memory Craft® Blog on their NEW Faber-Castell® Design Memory Craft® Vision Board Kit. Seeing these boards in artists' studio, I was thrilled that this was offered. Here's what I did with this unique kit...

The kit comes in a box like this with all the materials you'll need to be inspired by...

To create your board, you will the linen material, two layers of support (foam sheet - to pin into and poster board - to anchor) and double-sided tape. All included. I placed an 1.5 inch long piece in between the boards to secure. I didn't bother to iron the linen piece and it will eventually be smooth when assembled :)

Cut excess from all four corners for a clean corner (aka Miter Cut).

I personalizing the board by stenciling areas Texture Luxe™ Pearl and 102 Stencil Collection - Leaf Design.

While the stenciling is drying, I took the package of die cuts and started to group my thoughts...this may change in the process. LOVE that this is a continuous work in progress board :)

I used the GRIP Color Markers - great triangle shape with raised dots for a great hold while you're writing.

The colored die cuts in the kit are fun to embellish with Glass Bead Glitter Gel from my stash. They will dry clear and will be FULL of texture and sparkle = LOVE!

Pins are also included so that you can pin inspiring die cut words and tags on your vision board. I used one of the GRIP Color Markers to color the edge of my white "INSPIRE" die cut.

The white die cuts I used my Design Memory Craft® Double Scoop® Gelatos® in Bubble Gum and Raspberry to bring them to life. I blended the color with a Misting Bottle and watercolor brush.

Once everything was dried, I adhered most of the die cuts (some with 3D Foam Squares for dimension) and my Hawaii photo with Gel Medium which does many things such as extends color, seals projects, acts as a texture, etc.

For the finishing touch, I added on the enamel dots from the kit which also matches the GRIP Color Markers. How cool is that?!

Here's another look at my vision board...can't decide if I want to put it on an easel for desk top or in a frame for the wall...

Such a unique gift for someone to personalize and make it their own. Great for a teen, an artist or how about for that college student for their dorm/apt?! What would you add to YOUR VISION BOARD? Tell us by commenting below in the post. Would love to hear!

As always, thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Supplies:
Design Memory Craft®: Vision Board Kit, Texture Luxe™ Pearl, 102 Stencil Collection, Glass Bead Glitter Gel, Misting Bottle, Design Memory Craft® Double Scoop® Gelatos® (Bubble Gum & Raspberry) and Gel Medium
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®: 3D Foam Squares - White, Regular

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: How to Embellish a Father's Day Home Decor Gift

Today I'm up on Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® Blog to embellish a metal letter "H" for my husband, Hosho, for Father's Day! Thought it would look nice in his office and he can change out the picture when he wants to update.

Starting with an element that needs time to dry, I looped Girlie Grunge Twine in Navy three times. To keep its shape, I covered it with Girlie Grunge Art Medium on a Teflon® craft sheet. It can not only adhere but seal and stiffen materials too. Truly one of my "Go To" mediums!

While the twine dries, I rolled some stars on the metal letter "H" with E-Z Stars Runner Refillable Dispenser. Then pressed and rubbed Pigment Powder Gold into them. Use a small piece of baby wipe to clean the excess powder.

On the lower left side of the letter, I added two layers of ribbon for texture. Using Extreme Double-Sided Tape 1/2" Permanent, I adhered Texture Ribbons - White Burlap Ribbon to the metal and then Denim Ribbons - Dark Denim Ribbon with white stars on top.

For the star embellishment, I used Pigment Powder Gold and Pigment Powder Silver to color the 3D Foam Stars. Set aside to add later.

Now to adhere my looped twine embellishment. Again, I used Girlie Grunge Art Medium by dipping the twine into the jar. Place on top of the layered ribbon and press down to secure. The medium will dry clear.

After the twine dries, I placed the embellished 3D Foam Star on top but at the top, I added a 3D Foam Square - White, Regular to keep the star leveled, It was also a good place to push my memo pin in.

I trimmed my photo of my "boys" and slid in the memo pin. Now it's ready to give to my husband for his desk top or office wall :)

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Supplies:
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®: 3D Foam Stars and 3D Foam Squares - White, Regular
Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: Girlie Grunge Twine, Girlie Grunge Art Medium, E-Z Stars Runner Refillable Dispenser, Pigment Powder Gold, Pigment Powder Silver, Texture Ribbon and Denim Ribbons
Home & Hobby: Extreme Double-Sided Tape 1/2" Permanent
Memo Pin: Advantus (Tim Holtz Collection)
Other: Metal Letter, Photo and Teflon Craft Sheet

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: Dimensional Mixed Media Background All Occasion Card Tutorial

I'm up on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Blog today :) Sharing a mixed media all occasion card using Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® Pigment Powder Pink and modeling paste. I am showing two different techniques for an easy and fast background!

Since this is going on the Company, I can only sneak peek a couple :)

Want to see more?! Visit Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Blog for detailed step outs and a full supplies list!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH