Rita Barakat Designs: Altered Mermaid Paint Brush and Tag

I am excited to participate in a unique swap with my fellow Rita Barakat designer peeps! The challenge was to alter a paintbrush using Rita Barakat products and her partners' products in creating something FUN! Of course, I had to go with MERMAID!! The colors I had were perfect in making that happen :)

Did we mention a giveaway? Check out Rita Barakat Instagram for more details. In the meantime, I'd like to walk through how I altered my brushes.

**I receive products from Rita Barakat Designs, Plaid, Aladine, Spellbinders Paper Arts and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® for use in my projects. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience and doing so I can share what I personally love to use.**

Mermaid Altered Paint Brush Step Outs

I had these paint brushes for at least a couple of years and they were collecting dust. Each one had a rubber grip and a bar code sticker. It was easy to take off both (PHEW!) so I decided to give them a try. Before applying the gesso, I sanded the entire area with the exception of the bristles.

Next, I applied a thick coat of FolkArt® Color Shift™ Acrylic Paint in Aqua Flash. Note: I wanted texture so I tap the paint on. Let dry and then tap on another heavy coat of paint. Let dry. This would become the mermaid tail.

For the skin tone, I mixed Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint in Spice Tan and FolkArt® Acrylic Color Wicker White Paint until I got my desired color. I applied two heavy coats (dry in between coats) over the area where the rubber grip was. This will be the mermaid's torso.

After the torso color dried, I used a palette knife and edge the top and bottom of the mermaid tail with Glitterific™ in Clear Hologram. Note: make sure to use a heavy coat. Let dry. It will take time to let this dry.

For the rest of the handle, I covered with Adhesive Sheet 4 x 6-inch and burnished it well with your fingernail to transfer the adhesive to the handle. You may need to do re-apply in missed areas.

Next, cover the handle with Kiss of the Fairy Embossing Powder and use a heat gun to melt.

Note the plastic handle does melt and bend. That was done on purpose. I'm thinking her "hair" is pink and wavy. Remember she's a mermaid so she's underwater and her hair is flowing up. #DesignMethodToMyMadness LOL!

For her top, I wanted something sparkly so I added two self-adhesive pink rhinestones. It works well with the FolkArt® Glitterific™ Acrylic Paint in Clear Hologram!

Since she has this glorious hair, she needs a headband. I created one with Extreme Double-Sided Tape 1/8-inch by wrapping it around where the hair meets the head. Remove the red liner and pour over Tropical Teal Sand. Press to secure and if I missed a spot, I reapply.

Lastly, I die cut a circle in white cardstock and stamped Sea Grass Cling Rubber Stamp with Izink Pigment Metal Ink in Silver. It's highly pigmented and stays wet longer so I poured Midnight Magic Embossing Powder on top of the image. Tap off excess and melt with a heating tool.

Punch a hole each on the top and bottom center. Thread the paintbrush handle to create a background for the project. DONE!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Creative Time: 120 minutes
Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials Needed
Rita Barakat Designs
Kiss of the Fairy Embossing Powder
Midnight Magic Embossing Powder
Sea Grass Cling Rubber Stamp


Plaid®
FolkArt® Color Shift™ Acrylic Paint in Aqua Flash
FolkArt® Glitterific™ Acrylic Paint in Clear Hologram
Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint in Spice Tan
FolkArt® Acrylic Color Wicker White Paint

Aladine Creations
Izink Pigment Metal Ink in Silver

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®
Adhesive Sheets 4 x 6-inch
Extreme Double-Sided Tape 1/8-inch

Other
Sand: Mudd Puddles (Tropical Teal Sand); Self-Adhesive Pink Rhinestones: Asuka Studio (MP-59129 Rhinestone Light Pink); Heating Tool; Paint Brushes; White Gesso; Hole Punch; White Cardstock

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JustRite and Faber-Castell Mixed Media Blog Hop! Day 2

Welcome to the JustRite® Papercraft and Faber-Castell® Mixed Media Blog Hop - Day 2. Both design teams created inspiring projects so visit each blog for full detailed instructions. Oh, did I mention PRIZES?! Details at the bottom of this post ;)

Blog Hop（ブログ　ホップ）：ぴょんと飛び跳ねてあちこちのブログを回る、という企画です。このブログホップに参加している、JustRite Papercraft DT ＆ Faber-Castell DTのブログをホップして、賞品を当てて下さいね！下の写真を参照してください。 なるべく多くのブログにコメントを残した方が当たる確率が上がります！是非全部のブログに書き込みしてくださいね。16か所のリンクは下記のとおりです。応募期間は、3月22日（アメリカ東部時間24：00）までです。

For the Blog Hop, I created a card using two products from Faber-Castell: GRIP WaterColor EcoPencils and Gelatos® Color 4ct - Yellow (Colors: Butter Cream, Lemon, Mango and Tangerine). From JustRite Papercraft, I used Antique Damask Background Stamp and Floral Vintage Labels Two Stamp Set.

Faber-Castellの水彩色鉛筆や、ジェラトスを使ってカードを作りました。とても楽しいかったです！是非試して下さいね。

I stamped the flower image three times with StazOn Jet Black ink. Then I fussy cut each flower (one entire image, one medium size and one small) to create layers.

Next color each cut layer with Faber-Castell's WaterColor Pencils. Then use a water brush to blend and soften the colors. I used 3D Foam Squares to make each layer dimensional and added Flower Soft Lavender texture in the center. Set aside to dry.

For the background, I stamped Antique Damask Background Stamp with VersaMark ink and loaded on Detailed White Embossing Powder and heat set the entire image.

I love the ombre look (graduation of color - shading of same color tones from dark to light) so when I heard about the blog hop, it was the perfect technique to try. The set had all the colors to make that easy! I added each color in quarters on the background stamp...

Then I used my mini mister and lightly sprayed over the area. Taking the paper towel, I buffed a little. The coloring was a little lighter than I liked so I added more Gelato and rubbed in with my finger for the desired look. Don't be afraid to add on or take off. It's a forgiving medium to use!

Next I cut/embossed with A2 Matting Basics A die #7 (the smallest size being #1)...

Then I cut a strip of 5 x 1⅛" purple patterned paper and cut a tail at the end. I didn't like the white edges so I penciled in with purple WaterColor EcoPencil and then blended with the water brush.

Using the sentiment from Floral Vintage Labels Two, I stamped first and then cut/embossed with Labels Four die #2 over the image. Assemble as shown in picture...

Project Supplies:
JustRite Papercraft: Antique Damask Background Stamp and Floral Vintage Labels Two
Spellbinders™ Creative Arts: A2 Matting Basics A and Labels Four
Faber-Castell: GRIP WaterColor EcoPencils and Gelatos® Color 4ct - Yellow
Ink: TSUKINEKO Imagine Crafts (StazOn: Jet Black; VersaMark; Memento: Tangelo)
Embossing Powder: Stampedous (Detailed White)
Patterned Paper: DoodleBug Designs
Cardstock: Darice
Card Base: Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock® David Tutera™ Celebrate Cardmaking System
Pearls: Mark Richards (3mm)
Texture: Flower Soft (Lavender)
Tools: WaterBrush (KURETAKE ZIG); Mini Mister (Ranger Ink); Mini Scissors (Westcott)
Adhesives: BEACON ADHESIVE (Zip Dry) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L™ (3D Foam Squares)

Visit our talented designers who are participating today:
JustRite Inspiration
Debbie Olson
Heidi Blankenship
Sharon Harnist
Michele Kovack
Jen Matott
Darsie Bruno
Kellie Fortin
Marisa Job
Kathy Jones
Margie Higuchi - ME~!!
Kazan Clark
Barb Schram
Colleen McGinty
Mou Saha
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft

Your next designer to visit is Kazan Clark!

PRIZES information:
Each day we are giving away one of these Faber-Castell prize packages. For a chance to win, readers will need to leave comments on each designer's blog post and we will be randomly select two designers blogs, and selecting winners from each designer's comments. Comments will be open until March 22nd at midnight EST.

Hmmm...I think I'm gong to enter this card in the Ombre Challenge over at Moxie Fab World :)

Thanks for stopping in and come visit me soon!
MargieH

JustRite Friday Challenge: Celebrate!

Today is JustRite® Papercraft's Friday Challenge #92 - "Make It POP!" Create a birthday card and add (sponsor:) SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES By 3L™ 3D Foam Squares for dimension! A special shout out to our Challenge Host - Happy Birthday, Sheri! MANY MANY good wishes to you! xo

今日は、JustRite Papercraft　Friday Challengeです。テーマは、SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES By 3L 3D Foam Square を使って、バースデーカードを作る事です。実はChallenge担当者の誕生日です～！Sheriさん、お誕生日おめでとう！私は、お祝いに　Spellbinders™ Labels Twenty Nineダイのシェイプ・カードを作りました。 是非、挑戦して下さいね！

For the card base, I heat embossed Good Friends Labels Twenty-Nine image and then cut/embossed Labels Twenty Nine die #6 (the smallest die being #1) twice to create a shaped card. Pictured below are the layers I used for the card front and adhered each layer with 3D Foam Squares for dimension.

Supplies Used:
JustRite Papercraft - Good Friends Labels Twenty-Nine and Enjoy The Day Vintage Labels Four
JustRite Custom Dies - Vintage Labels Four
Spellbinders™ Paper Arts - Labels Twenty Nine
Inks - TSUKINEKO (Memento - Rich Cocoa and Tangelo; VersaMark)
Embossing Powder - Stampendous (Detailed White)
Cardstock - Darice
Patterned Papers - Authentique Paper (Delightful Collection)
Adhesives - SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (E-Z Runner and 3D Foam Squares)

Good luck everyone! Deadline is Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (6:00PM CST)!
As always, thank you for stopping by!
MargieH xo

JustRite: Grand Damask Notebook

Today I am sharing my project using JustRite® Papercraft March 2013 Release Graceful Monogram and Grand Damask Background Stamp sets to create an elegant notebook. What a great gift for someone who to planning a wedding or even make it into a scrapbook :)

３月の新しいスタンプセット(Graceful Monogram and Grand Damask Background Stamp Sets)の紹介です。スタンプを使って ノートブックを（又はミニアルバムにも） 作りました。 Spellbinders Media Mixage Line (Mixed Media向けの商品) Bezelもつけて、エレガントな感じかな～。

For the notebook cover, I heat embossed the Grand Damask Background Stamp with pink embossing powder. Loved how the pink just pops against that black cardstock :)

Next I played with Spellbinders™ newest collection, the Media Mixáge™ Line. Did you know Graceful Monogram stamp set fits into some of their bezels?! I am using MB2-007 Circles One bezel #2 (the smallest size is #1) to frame the cameo image. I cut/embossed with its matching die templates, MD1-007 Circles One die #3 over the stamped image. Then added glitter to the stamped cameo. To frame the bezel cup, I stamped the floral frame image and fussy cut to fit. See below...

Since I wasn't planning on using a jeweler's resin or sealer, I needed to "lift" the cameo image with 3D Foam Squares to give it the desired depth in my embellishment. Next I added gems and pearls as accents, using my Embellie Gellie tool to pick up all those gems!

Next I cut two pieces of chipboard for notebook covers, painted the edges in black and covered all with patterned papers. I threaded a ¾" black organza ribbon through the bezel loops. I secured the ribbon onto the back of the bezels with Dodz™ (glue rounds) and then use more Dodz to secure the bezel onto the Grand Damask cover.

Here is a close up of the embellished bezel...

This is how I will have my pages set up. I used my Bind-It-All to punch holes and bind the notebook together.

I used the "M" and flourish frame images to create a charm with Shrink Plastic and cut with S4-110 Classic Ovals LG die #4. Don't forget to punch that hole on top :)

Add the charm and trinket pins with the bow on the binding wire - it's ready to give away...not sure I want to give THIS one away! LOL!! Here's another look...

Project Supplies:
JustRite Papercrafts Stamps: Graceful Monogram Stamp Set and Grand Damask Background Stamp
Spellbinders Creative Arts: S4-110 Classic Ovals LG; MB2-001 Circles One Bezels; MD1-007 Circles One Dies and Spellbinders Artisan X-plorer™ Machine
Ink: TSUKINEKO/IMAGINE Crafts (Memento: Tuxedo Black; StazOn: Jet Black; VersaMark)
Embossing Powder: JoAnn's (Pink)
Patterned Papers: Carta Bella (Paris Girl Collection by Samantha Walker)
Embellishments: Ribbon (Offray); Trinket Pins (Maya Road); Gems & Pearls (KaiserCraft); JumpRing (Advantus); Glitter Stickles (Ranger Ink)
Tools: Bind-It-All; ScraPerfect (Embellie Gellie)
Adhesives: ScraPerfect (Best Glue Ever) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES™ BY 3L (3D Foam Squares & Dodz)
Other: Black Paint; Chipboard

Hope you are enjoying all of JustRite Papercraft March 2013 Releases! Speaking of...visit my fellow team members to be inspired more - off to visit them myself!

JustRite Inspiration
Darsie Bruno
Kathy Jones
Heidi Blankenship
Barb Schram
Sheri Holt
Angela Barkhouse
Eva Dobilas

Thanks for stopping by!!
MargieH xo

ScraPerfect: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Today on ScraPerfect's Blog I posted about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I created a shaped card from a wonderful stamp set that I got from A Jillian Vance Design called 2012 Hope Ink Pink set. I love this design!

2012 Hope Card by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: Darice; Stamp: A Jillian Vance Design (2012 Hope Ink Pink); Ink: Ranger (Distress Ink) and TSUKINEKO (VersaMark); Embossing Powder: Stampdeous (White); Glitter: American Craft; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (LF-347 Labels Twenty-Three, LF-132 Grand Rectangles); Tool: Ranger (Ink Blending Tool) and ScraPerfect (the Perfect Crafting Pouch); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (the Best Glue Ever); Other: Foam Tape 

I have step outs so visit ScraPerfect's Breast Cancer Awareness Month post. So easy to do and follow. Please leave comment there too - they would love to hear from you!

As always, thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

ScrapMart: Love

As promised, I am going through the details on the KURETAKE: Wedding Challenge posted Friday night. Made that challenge within 15 minutes before it ended! YIKES! Here's the card for those who haven't seen it yet...

Love Card by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Patterned Papers: Carta Bella (Paris Girl Collection); Ink: Clearsnap (Queue Ink); Embossing Powder: Sparkle 'N Sprinkle (Pink Glitter Embossing Powder); Embossing Pen: KURETAKE ZIG; Pearls: Want2Scrap; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S5-131 A-2 Matting Basics A, S5-133 A-2 Polka Dots, S5-146 Botanical Swirls and Accents, S4-364 Spiral Blossom Four and S5-099 Jewel Keys); Adhesives: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Foam Squares); Other: White Cardstock

First off, I LOVE Spellbinders™ Card Creator Series collaborated with Designer Cindy Echtinaw. You will notice that S5-133 A-2 Polka Dots has a ton of cuts so I put wax paper between the die template and white cardstock. The paper came out SO EASILY! Love it!!

I cut two of S5-133 A-2 Polka Dots largest die template to create the card base - one for the card front and the other for the back piece.

Then I scored the back piece ¾" from the top and adhered together with the card front die cut.

I used ScraPerfect's The Best Glue Ever because of its fine tip and I don't use too much of it, a little goes a long way with this adhesive :)

Notice the intricate embossed design in the motif die from S5-146 Botanical Swirls and Accents, just BEAUTIFUL!! I pulled out my KURETAKE ZIG Emboss Pen - great for detailing like this! I also used the emboss pen to edge S4-364 Spiral Blossom Four, added the glitter embossing powder and heated it. Can't really see it in the picture but IRL, it's wonderful!

After I cut/embossed/stenciled the "Love" die cut from S5-099 Jewel Keys and cut/embossed a base from A-2 Matting Basic A, I assembled as shown below. Added Want2Scrap pink pearls for the finishing touch and it's ready to send!

For cardmakers, I highly recommend Spellbinders Card Creator Series! The time it took to create this A2 card and not waste paper (from mis-meaasuring) was SO FAST = LOVE THAT!!

Thanks for visiting me!
MargieH