Handmade Embellishments using Templates

I have a design team share today for The Cutting Cafe. We are using templates from various cutting files in different crafty ways. I used two of the smaller hearts from the Layered Stitched Hearts Templates and Cutting Files to create these mixed media embellishments.    

I started by making a mixed media background with ink sprays, stencils and translucent modeling paste. The texture in person is wonderful and for now I simply added a word strip to each heart. You can see my heart templates on the right. Hearts are always a go-to embellishment for me as they are useful on any project throughout the year. I am saving these for my future faith scrapping projects which I plan to start next month. I'll add additional items to each {enamel dots, metal embellishments, etc.} but until I know what I want I decided to stop at this point. 

I would love to make some handmade cork embellishments using several of the templates from TCC. Fabric is another great option and the possibilities are really endless when designing custom embellies to use. For those of us who aren't great at drawing {that would be me} templates are a fantastic way to fake it. 

The design team post will be live on Monday, May 21st so check out the crafty makes by my teamies. If you leave a comment on the post you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win 3 FREE SETS and Regina will announce the winner on June 7th. 

Good Luck,

Lisa xx

Summer Flip Book

Front Cover

I'm back to share a summer themed flip book I created for a pal in Sweden. She needed a pick-me-up after a long winter so I thought the bright, warm colors might do the trick. Happy to report that she loved it! 

Each page was painted with various acrylic paints then I added black spots by thinning black acrylic paint with water and splattering. To decorate the book I used various stickers, ephemera, thickers and chipboard. It was fun using up a lot of my stash and by the time I finished the book it was chunky. 

Pages 1 and 2

Pages 3 and 4

Pages 5 and 6

Pages 7 and 8

Pages 9 and 10

Pages 11 and 12

Page 12 has a pull out so I spelled out a message tiny type alphas.

I love this banner by American Crafts and as my happy mail was a bit delayed I thought it was appropriate. It was definitely made with love!

It was chunky but I kinda like chunky. :)

Thanks for visiting today!

 I'm working to get back into posting here routinely so hopefully you'll be seeing more content.

Have a great day,

Lisa xx

August Outgoing and Incoming Pocket Letters

For Tasha

Good Morning!

It's time to share the pocket letters that I made for my pals at Pocket Letter Pals during the month of August. I'm also going to share the pl's my pals made for me as well so let's get started. The pocket letter above was created for my pal, Tasha, in England. It's actually the second one I made for her as the first pl was damaged in transit. Fortunately the postal system mailed it back to me just before I left for my anniversary trip in June. I contacted her and she was so gracious and understanding. Thanks Tasha!!! As soon as I returned home I made a replacement pl then promptly mailed it. It arrived in England within a week and that has to be a record!!!  

I used a paper collection that has been in my stash for a while (maybe because I am hoarding it) to create it. Pink Paislee's London Market 12 x 12 paper and the alpha paper is from Prima's Romance Novel. I fussy cut stamps as well as ephemera - banners, tickets and a floral pocket to hold treasure (aka metal charms) from both paper collections. I also decided to add a die cut Sizzix Eiffel Tower, on the front of my letter and outlined it with Platinum Liquid Pearls by Ranger. Finishing touches on the pockets include fancy trim, stickers, chipboard cog wheel, a button, Prima bling, washi tape, ribbons, rub ons, metal charm tag on the spine, stamping and Ranger's Liquid Pearls. I'm happy to say she loves it!  I shared her pl previously on my blog but here it is again below.

I love all the girly aspects of her letter and the color combo too!

Thanks again Tasha!

Next up is the letter I sent to my pal and friend, Katrin, in Germany. It always amazes me how much we think alike but somehow we managed to surprise each other with travel pocket letters. :)

Here's the one I made for her.

It was hard to photograph because it was bulky and the glare was impossible. Basically each pocket holds an accordion style booklet which is a mini photo album of the places we visited. Here's a photo which shows how dimensional this pl is.

They were wedged in the protective pocket covers and I worried a few wouldn't fit. ;)

This is what the back looks like.

Maybe some close ups will help with the glare...

Top Row-Photos along the drive, Canyon De Chelley National Monument in Arizona, Zion National Park in Utah

Middle Row-Kolob Canyons, Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park

Bottom Row-Arches Nat'l Park in Utah, Ouray, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico

Along the way I sent Katrin messages via Instagram and I used those photos as well. Hopefully it brings back wonderful memories of the places she visited with her husband in Utah and inspires them to come back for another visit to the beautiful southwest. I'll share quickly how I put the mini albums together as someone asked that question on Pocket Letter Pal's. 

I used an acrylic accordion style album that I purchased several years ago from Taylored Expressions. I added designer paper to the front of each section with double stick tape but first I chomped the corners with the 1/2" corner rounder by We R Memory Keepers. 

I added photos to the front and back writing notes on the actual photos and sometimes spelling a message out with tiny alphas.  

To maximize my album I tucked photos behind and on top of (flip style) other photos. 

You can see here how I added a photo on top of the bottom photo and another one on the inside of my flipped up photo. 

I'm not sure if these acrylic accordion style mini albums are available anymore (each panel was ATC size - 2.5" x 3.5") but you can make your own using a piece of cardstock and a score board. Your panel needs to be 3.5" tall and for a 5 photo spread like mine it needs to be 12.5" wide. You'll score at 2.5", 5", 7.5", 10" and 12.5" then fold on each score line. You can round the corners or not, whatever you like. Truthfully it would probably work better with cardstock as the acrylic accordion albums were rather bulky once I added the photos. 

Okay, now let me share the pocket letter Katrin made for me (well my hubby too).

I love it!!! The glare again is making it a bit difficult to see but you can click on any photo to enlarge. There's a lot of detail on each pocket and I love how she layers her elements. :) 

The top right pocket is still hard to see. I love the paper she used which looks like a map of a national park and the buffalo embellishment and small map folded and tucked in the bottom left corner are fabulous touches. I'll have to share my up close and personal experience with buffalo in the Wind Cave National Park with you someday. ;) The two love birds on the branch (bottom left pocket) is another fave and she put our initials inside the heart. How sweet! I love the starry background and her message spelled out - Under the Stars. 

On the spine she included this fun tag with the retro image of a car and vintage style camper complete with the towering red rocks of the southwest in the background. I love the metal charms and sweet little banner too. Thanks Katrin!!! I'm going to place some of our fave photos in the back of the pockets and store it with our vacation albums so we'll see it every time we look back and remember this amazing trip. :)

Next up is the most recent pl I created and it was for a butterfly group swap at PLP's. It went to my pal, Glenda, in Florida and I'm tickled that she loves it and considers it a work of art. That just made my day!

I used mixed media techniques to add several layers to each pocket. Each one started out with a resist paper from Hot Off the Press that had a butterfly motif pattern on it. When I rubbed my distress inks-old paper, tattered rose, gathered twigs, black soot-over the top the butterflies popped up. I love resist paper and it's always an easy way to make a statement. I added a variety of mediums like texture paste, stenciling, Tim's Tissue Paper-Melange-rub ons and inks. The tissue paper offered a large butterfly (bottom row, left pocket) which I love and this paper has a waxy feel to it. However it's translucent which is great for shading/adding color with my Faber-Castell Pitt Brush Pens or Tim's Distress Markers.

Since we were challenged to make some of our butterflies pop off the page I went for a 3 dimensional look. First butterfly was stamped in permanent black ink on the resist paper, then I stamped it twice on a dp from Prima's Almanac paper collection in Versamark Ink and heat embossed each one with black embossing powder by Ranger. Foam dots were added under the wings of the first embossed butterfly and I placed it directly over the stamped butterfly. I placed the other embossed butterfly on the outside of the pocket, matching it up with the other two, and this time foam tape was used on the body of the butterfly so I could bring the wings up as if he/she were in flight. This pocket was embellished with a quote, a Prima flower and rub ons. 

I fussy cut several butterflies from the Almanac collection and layered them on top of each other adding dimension with foam dots/tape. You can see in the background a Pink Paislee rub on that I placed over the resist paper and also some rub on stitches (upper right) by Christy Tomlinson. I love Finnabair's mixed media products (available through Prima Marketing) and one of my fave things to do is add her micro beads to anything. For this pocket letter I added a Prima paper rose to each pocket and adorned each one with bronze micro beads by Finn. Simply mix a small amount with her soft gloss gel (or other medium like matte gel) and add with a fine tip brush where you want to place the beads. The gel medium will dry clear as you can see leaving only the beads to shine. I spelled out "with brave wings she flies" with Tim Holtz's chitchat stickers.

Since Glenda is always so gracious to include handmade beaded items I wanted to include beading on my letter to her. While I'm simply not patient enough to create beaded tassles or pretty stick pins I did pay homage by stringing these seed beads onto a strand of hemp cording and I added micro beads to each and every Prima rose. You can also see on this pocket that I used a smaller butterfly cut from the Almanac collection and laser cut wood butterflies that were altered with acrylic paint, ink and bronze Liquid Pearls. You can also see the 3 layers of resist paper, Tim's tissue paper and his lattice stencil in the background. I love the depth the layering adds as well as rub ons. 

The piano keyboard is ephemera from the Almanac collection as well as the mini stamps on the different pocket letters. Prima bling was added to 3 of the pockets and I used rub ons from Kaisercraft, Pink Paislee, Christy Tomlinson and Tim Holtz on the various pockets. Butterflies mean "new beginnings" so I had to stamp this Taylored Expressions sentiment on a hand cut banner. For my inks I used Tim's Distress Inks in the above mentioned colors. The music notes are actually from Tim's Melange Tissue Paper and I adhered it with matte gel medium by Liquitex.

The number 8 means "new beginnings" so I wanted to include it on my letter for Glenda. You can see (white lines) the lattice stencil by Tim Holtz peeking through the background. I placed this large butterfly from the tissue paper on my resist paper vertically so I could capture most of it. It's colored with Distress Markers and I stamped a butterfly image with Versamark ink onto a dp from the Almanac collection then heat embossed it. It was popped up on foam dots for dimension and placed on top of the tissue butterfly and I added a Prima rose in the center. I love that the tissue paper dries translucent so you can see the design beneath it as well as the text, script writing and butterfly on this sheet. Tim Holtz is a creative genius indeed!

Here's is Glenda's butterfly pocket letter to me and being someone who loves color......well I simply love it. The butterflies are gorgeous and I love the banner she made along the spine. 

I'm not sure where she got all of her images from but they are so pretty in person. The blue is vibrant and jumps off the page and I love the beaded tassle as well as the handmade stick pins (not shown) she always includes. I admitted to her that I am hoarding them. :) Sorry folks but no way am I passing those treasures on. I'm planning to use them on future mini albums I want to create if things ever calm down a bit. I also got a chuckle out of her saying I looked too young to become a grandma soon in my note I included for her. It might be time for me to update my profile photo lol because this time next month my grandson should be here. I'm just a wee bit excited to become a "Mimi" and even more excited to hold that precious bundle in my arms for the first time. :)))))

Sorry, I got off track...here's a mini collage of this pretty pocket letter before I close today.

She's added sunflowers (which I love) crochet lace, sequin trim, my initial, and a yellow and white fancy trim....just so many details that are hard to miss if you don't take a closer look. The image of the cluster of butterflies (middle pocket, bottom row) is stunning in person. I love winged things and I'm currently working on another pl with this theme. Upon receiving this one from Glenda last week I decided to go with vibrant colors as well. After all, summer is nearly over and the butterflies will be leaving soon then everything will turn golden.

A big thank you to all of my pals for the wonderful goodies they included with my pocket letters and for those special handmade gifts that will be cherished always. ;)

Thanks for the visit today!

Hugs,

Lisa 

Tracy Verdugo

Hi there! I hope your week is off to a great start! 

Recently I attended a two day art class with the talented Australian artist, Tracy Verdugo, at Donna Downey Studio's in Huntersville, North Carolina. It was my second visit to Donna's Studio, last July I attended Finnabair's two day collage class and loved it. Donna and Bill are wonderful hosts and this time there was a new addition to the studio, a full service coffee bar with a comfy lounge. Bill Downey makes a mean iced coffee latte. :)

The photo above is what we saw when we walked in our classroom. Every student was given two 24" x 24" canvases to create their masterpieces, a set or art brushes and a sketchbook.

Tracy arrived pulling a rolling suitcase packed with art supplies and began setting up.  

We began our class the morning of Tuesday, May 31st. She started setting up her supplies as we all browsed Donna's gift / art shop and grabbed a quick bite. Donna provides breakfast and lunch plus there's the "Wall of  Candy" in candy store jars that just make my heart sing. Tootsie Rolls are my fave and the jar was full. :)  

Do you see those art supplies below in the corner and along the wall?

Every student has full access to them and Donna doesn't cut corners on art products. :)

After Donna went over some housekeeping issues she turned the class over to Tracy and we began. This photo was taken after we started our first canvas and she was about to do a demo.

For me, one of the main attractions to Tracy's art is her use of color and how she fearlessly works on any substrate. Her approach to large canvases make them feel less intimidating. When you stare at a 24" x 24" canvas it can be daunting. She teaches you how to break it down so you don't feel overwhelmed.

She shared how she has times where she doubts her ability as an artist and that floored me. I like to create art and love mixed media but I often have this ticker tape that runs through my head saying "you're not a real artist" and it shuts my creativity down. Tracy spoke to us about this feeling and how we can overcome it and go on to create beautiful art, with or without an art degree. It was an epiphany for me! I'll take her instruction and sage advice with me forever, thank you Tracy. 

One of our exercises was to sketch some items that inspired us. Tracy found the butterfly on this bag in Donna's gift shop inspiring. There are so many things to inspire and make you chuckle!

There's Donna on the far left and the lady with her back to the camera was sitting next to me in class. Her name is Edie and she's a true sweetheart. She uses a purple and pink wash on her hair and I love it!!! I hope I'm brave enough to do something like that when my hair turns gray or white. :)

This is one of the canvases Tracy worked on during class. She creates art to illustrate and teach techniques leaving her with two finished canvases after class that are for sale. 

In this photo you can see Tracy working on it at an earlier stage. The composition begins to emerge after several layers are applied.

This is my second canvas with the first layer of paint / ink applied. I love the colors but as she says don't get too attached because it's going to change and it does. 

This is the base layer of my first canvas....it's filled with symbols and drawings in a random fashion that inspired me. She told us not to worry about how everything looks at this point because it will change with additional layers. 

Class Day One (not all of the students are pictured)

Feel free to skip this paragraph if you want but I gotta get something off my chest...

There were two women who totally disrespected Tracy, as a teacher and artist, in our class. It got so bad that Tracy stopped class instruction and began working with us individually on the second day as she'd obviously reached her limit. I was seriously frustrated and downright mad at these inconsiderate women. You would think they would've had enough sense to realize what they were doing. Apparently they were too self absorbed to notice their effect on anyone. One of the Nancy's (yep, same name) started the first day, first 15 min of class, when introductions were being made by stating that she refused to work on the canvases provided. Okay, fine no problem but then she continues and said that she'd be using techniques she learned in another artist's class and might incorporate some of Tracy's. Seriously!!! For one thing she paid for those canvases and this was not an inexpensive class, secondly why bother lady even coming to this class if you're obviously not there to learn from this artist?!? I got the last seat when I was at Finn's class last year and what's infuriating is that I know people who wanted to attend her class but couldn't because it was sold out. Then these two "Nancy's" show up with NON STOP complaints, talking out loud in a disruptive manner, whining and so much more that I'll spare you from. They sat next to each other and definitely fed off one another. I can't tell you how bad I, as well as the rest of the class, felt for Tracy! I continued to work on my first canvas but mentally I'd shut down and several of the ladies left early the second day. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut. People who know me in real life know what I'm talkin' about. I'm over rude people, period! Shame on both of you!!!

(Disclaimer: Bill (Donna's hubby) wasn't aware of what was happening in the class bc he was training new coffee shop employees and setting up for our breakfast and lunch times while Donna was out most of the time with real life mom stuff like her daughters athletic banquet one night and other stuff that a mom of 3 has to attend to. She allows the artist to hold their own class using her facility and pretty much stays out of the way. She did pop in once and overheard an episode by one of the "Nancy's" and she shut it down. That was interesting to say the least, all I gotta say is don't mess with a Jersey girl lol. Wish she'd been there the whole time!). Okay, I'm going to take a deep breathe and move along...

This is as far as I got on my second canvas...didn't even touch it the second day. There are two layers of paint/acrylic ink and I added a few symbols and words. Not sure where it's going from here but as Tracy said...just step back, look at your art and see what you can see emerging from it. I learned helpful techniques in this class which will be with me always. :)

A bit reluctant to show you my first canvas tho...I went with the suggestion of a monkey but honestly I wasn't "feeling it" and clearly I didn't commit to it. Partly because I don't know how to draw monkeys and it was a struggle trying to make him appear. Poor fella and that bird on the bottom right has a really long neck lol. Good gravy!

Early layer here...

I took a wrong turn adding the coconuts to a tree that clearly isn't a palm tree LOL...I tell ya I was stressed. Couldn't stand all the drama that was going on and when I said I mentally shut down..well now you know I did. Ha Ha

It's okay though because as Tracy said...it's only paint. Right! I can fix this and I will when I get back in July. ;) Easy peasy!!

For now, I plan to totally enjoy my upcoming 30th anniversary trip with my hubby and the baby shower I'm hosting for my son and DIL on July 9th. Luckily I made notes in class and I do have access to Tracy's online workshops. 

Tracy is a wonderful person, a great artist and teacher. It was a pleasure to meet her and I encourage you to take a class from her if you have the opportunity to. Thank you so much for everything Tracy and safe travels home this week. xxx

BTW, see that awesome elephant behind us?

This was her second class project and I absolutely love, love, love it!

Maybe my internal struggle was that subliminally I wanted to do an elephant (bc I love hers so much) but I boxed myself in with one of my layers....hmmm...I'll be pondering that and how to fix it.

Have a great week everyone, wherever you are. :) 

Thanks for hanging in there with this long post and I hope you'll check back on Wednesday when I share my May Outgoing Pocket Letters. There will be scheduled posts throughout my bloggie break so hopefully you'll find some inspiration along the way and I may pop in and share some photos of my adventure. Also if there are any spelling errors please overlook, spell check was on the fritz with Blogger today. 

Big Hugs,

Lisa