Clear Scraps Acrylic Card Tutorial

Hello friends...hope you are having a good week! It seems to be going fast and I   can't believe tomorrow is March 1st!  Yesterday on the Clear Scraps blog I  shared a video tutorial on a fun technique coloring stamped images on acrylic!  I  recently started a YouTube channel so bare with me since I'm new at this!  Doing videos is something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

Here is my first card! I  used the 12x12 Acrylic Sheets cut down to approximately 4x5 inches.  A solvent based ink is always recommended as it will dry quickly and will not smear.  I  used StazOn in black with a fun Dina Wakley stamp set.  

Once my stamped images were dry, I  flipped over my acrylic to start painting with my Zig Paint Pens.  

Here is my video demonstrating the technique!  

Thanks for stopping by! I    hope to have more videos posted soon! Have a great night! 

LOVE Expressions XL Clear Word Title

Hello! I'm trying to blog more of my projects this week. Both kiddos are currently home sick with the flu and I'm still not feeling that great.  Spring needs to get here pronto.  And I'm going to Lysol-bomb the house tomorrow!  

This week I was up on the Clear Scraps blog with the LOVE Expressions XL Clear Word Title. I'm going to show you an easy way to give your acrylic a marbled look (which is so in right now).  

Now, the best and easiest way to color your acrylic is with alcohol inks. After removing the protective film from both sides of the word, I flipped OVER the word and applied  Ranger Alcohol Ink in Watermelon.  Why color on the backside of the acrylic? This is so that if you add any paint or additional medium to the front of your project, the color will not bleed.   

So confession time: I had planned on using some distress paint on the front of my heart..but it so did not work out. I used non-acetone polish remover to take off the paint and accidentally removed some of my red alcohol ink which created some "gaps" in the overall coloring on the back.  So, I grabbed two more coordinating colors of alcohol inks and directly applied in small drop allowing the colors to spread.  I also used a paper towel to dab any extra ink...I love how it turned out!  

I wanted to add one of the Dragonfly Chipboard Embellishments to my heart. The easiest way to color is to add acrylic paint...here I used a few coats of Distress Paint in Cracked Pistachio.  

Once the paint was dry, I applied the chipboard directly to my Versa Mark pad and sprinkled with embossing powder that has bits of glitter embedded.  I removed the excess powder and set with my heat gun. 

The remainder of the letters I covered with patterned paper using Beacon Adhesive 3-in-1 Craft Glue.   We highly recommend a water based liquid adhesive so it doesn't yellow the acrylic...plus Beacon is just plain awesome!  I cut away excess paper with scissors and an exacto knife..and a little bit of sanding helps too! I followed by adding some fun embellishments from collection I used: Crate Paper's Hello Love.

Clear Scraps: Dreaming of Sunshine Layout

Hello...so happy its Friday!  Today, our family adopted two kittens and we've been busy playing and cuddling!  This past spring, we lost our sweet Sadie who was almost 16...I think my husband wanted to be cat-less for awhile but I kept begging LOL So, for Mother's Day he surprised me with a note saying that I could have one kitten after we got back from our vacation in August.  So, somehow we adopted two kittens in June! LOL

Today, I'm sharing a layout I have up on the Clear Scraps blog using the Chipboard Butterfly Embellishment and 12 Inch Cloud Mascil. 

I started first with white card stock and my 12 Inch Cloud Mascil.  Using Heidi Swapp Color Shine, I lightly sprayed my background.  You can use as much or little as you prefer!  Don't be afraid to experiment with the ink...and it doesn't have to be perfect!

I added in some enamel dots and a cute wood veneer heart from my stash to accent the clouds. 

I also used some of the epoxy stickers from Maggie Holmes' Bloom collection as well as adhered a doily behind my photo.  I used strips of different patterns to create my own sunshine rays and stitched through with my sewing machine. 

My title is also from the Bloom Epoxy Sticker Sheet!  

A close up of my butterfly...I'm going to show you how a simple way to embellish your chipboard! 

I first applied a light coat of white acrylic paint to the surface and allowed to dry.

Next, I covered the painted surface with clear embossing ink (turning the pad upside down and applying directly works best!).   Then using embossing enamel I applied an ample amount to the chipboard.  I tapped the chipboard on my craft sheet a few times to remove the excess powder and applied heat. The one thing I love about the embossing enamel is that it has bits of metal that melt!  It creates a beautiful effect!  

Thanks for stopping by! Check out the Clear Scraps shop to see the huge selection of chipboard shapes as well as Mascils!

Clear Scraps: Explore

Last week, I had a layout and tutorial up on the Clear Scraps blog using the new
Helm and Anchor Chipboard Embellishments.  I thought this set would go great with this cute photo of my nephew and October Afternoon's Treasure Map! 

I'm going to show you how I altered my chipboard pieces!  First, I applied a couple layers of white acrylic paint to each piece. 

I've had this ombre ink from Hero Arts since October and have been wanting to use it!  I thought the teal color would go well with my paper line. 

After allowing the acrylic paint to dry, I turned the pieces over and lightly applied directly to the ink pad.  

Once dry, I used Ranger Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy. 

To give texture to my anchor, I used one of my roller stamps from American Crafts and did some "messy" stamping....I love how it turned out! 

For my title, I used wood grain Chipboard letters from October Afternoon, as well as added flair and stickers from Treasure Map. I also added wooden veneer stars from Studio Calico (love these!). 

I adhered some of the Sew Fun Banners on top of a Border and Label Stickers then stitched through. 

Thanks for reading...you can visit the Clear Scraps shop to see these and the many new products!

Have a great day!

Clear Scraps: Mother's Day layout

Hello! Happy Thursday to you! Hope your week is going well! Today on Clear Scraps, I have a layout and tutorial up on the blog!  I used the new Chevron Border Mascil and the Banner Mixer for my page.  I incorporated gold accents into my layout...let me show you how!

Securing the Border Mascil with washi tape, I lightly sprayed with Gold Color Shine from Heidi Swapp. I used a paper towel to dab my page before lifting the Mascil.  I found this helps any errant drips from ruining my effect.  

And here is how it turned out! I used two different patterned papers and adhered them to the side of my page allowing the gold to show.  

I never seem to use up all of the rub ons in a collection.  I had the idea of cutting the rub ons into smaller sections and placing over my Banner Mixer.  

This is a great way to add accent to your acrylic!  I found too that if the edges aren't quite perfect you can smooth with your finger or lightly sand with a sanding tool.  :)

More photos of my page! I used Maggie Holmes' Styleboard: a collection I have been hoarding!  

I layered pieces of the ephemera as well as added enamel dots from Crate Paper and Teresa Collins Designs.  

If you are celebrating Mother's Day this weekend, I wish you a happy one!  Whether or not you are a mom, I challenge you to take photos of yourself this week!  I am guilty of being the photographer and not getting in front of the camera!  As women, we are too self critical.  Even as I  look at this photo of myself from 6 years ago,  I remember not liking the way I looked.   At the time, my own mother was in the hospital fighting for her life against cancer. It made me realize that I needed to be photographed with my kids. I needed to cherish every day.  Now with my mom gone, I absolutely TREASURE photos of us together.  I regret not taking more. So, please document yourself!

 Have a great day!

Chic Tags Tutorial Tuesday

Hello...hope everyone's week is off to a good start. We didn't get half as much snow this past weekend as they had predicted. So, I'm happy about that. It's still really cold but the temps are supposed to start warming up by the weekend!

 

Today on the Chic Tags blog I have a layout using pieces of Happy Place as well as a little tutorial on using mixed media on your pages.  I am loving Teresa Collins Designs' new modeling paste and stencils from her Basically Essentials line!  So, I've been trying to incorporate more of it in my work.

 

 

I started with a 12x12 piece of white cardstock and one of Teresa's stencils.  I always use a bit of washi tape to secure the stencil to my page to prevent it from slipping.

Using a spatula, I apply  good amount to the stencil and sweep in a downward diagonal motion.  Now, I like to "thin" my paste out and apply evenly but you can make it as thick or thin as you like. 

 

After allowing the paste to dry, you are ready to start creating your page!

 

 

I created  cluster of circles using Happy Place Mini Icons, circles punched from patterned paper, rub ons, buttons, vellum, enamel dots, and sequins. 

 

Love the Happy Place Rub Ons...this on is so cute and perfect for my page!

 

My title is a Freebie Cut File from the Chic Tags shop called Chic Tags Summer Titles.  These are one of many of the FREE cut files and printables offered by CT!  :)

 

The Happy Place hanging tags are perfect to slide behind a photo or to add some journling!

 

A final touch to the modeling paste is adding some color if you prefer! I used one of my gelatos to add a pop of blue.  They are easy to apply using a foam dabber or just your finger.  You can also use ink or chalk to!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Check out these products, plus the two new lines being released later this month:  Lets Go and Cloud 9.  Also, the new March Kit is available in the shop right now!