Faux Flair Friday #3 - Dimensional Washi

This week I made some flair buttons using washi and Diamond Glaze. I have oodles of washi tape and finding ways to use it up always make me happy. I honestly don't think I'll ever use it all up, but it's worth a try. :)

In past weeks I have demonstrated how to make faux flair using scraps of paper and got artsy making some mixed media beauties as well. The process is basically the same this week, I just simply traded out the one inch epoxy stickers for Aleene's Paper Glaze or Diamond Glaze. (You could also use Mod Podge Dimensional Magic)

Let's get started!

 
Grab some more scraps or plain card stock, washi tape, and a one inch circle punch. I used the back side of my one sided patterned paper. I am really trying to use these up too!

Cover your paper with the washi tape you choose. Some patterns on the washi will line up nicely while others will not. That didn't bother me though. Embellishments or words can always be added afterward to hide the imperfection. :)

Next, punch out the circles. In hindsight, I should have used a wider piece of paper so I could have punched two circles. I just punched some semi circles out from the left over space.

Now, it's time to jazz your little pretties up! The great thing about making "flair" buttons like this is that your embellishments do not have to lay flat. When using epoxy stickers that is not possible. Here I was able to use stickers like me & my BIG ideas mambi STICKS. They are so cute and have a great price. I also used some Cosmo Cricket word stickers from Joann's.

I placed my flair badges in a flat, shallow box and began adding Aleene's Paper Glaze. I also made some using Diamond Glaze as well and prefer it to the Aleene's. I always try out the glaze on a scrap paper before adding it to my projects. Also, keep a tiny pin near by to poke any air bubbles that might make their way into your circles. I move slow in a circular motion watching the nozzle to see if I can catch any bubbles before they come out. If they do, just pop them with the pin.

I cover mine up with a plastic lid and let them cure for at least 24 hours. I added glitter to mine to give them a bit of bling too!

They turned out darling! 

I am looking forward to making some more for some upcoming Christmas projects! (I am trying not to hyperventilate... the holidays ARE here, and there is SO much to do. That's why my motto this year is simplify & simplify some more!)

Happy Creating!

(Don't forget to check out my other flair - HERE & HERE)

Cute, Quick & Easy Halloween Treat Bags

 Halloween is just about a week away, and I don't know about you... but, I always have friends or neighbors that I love to spoil a bit. I wanted to make something quick & easy, but super cute. I thought the me & my BIG ideas Halloween themed POCKET PAGES cards would be perfect to make that happen. Look how cute they turned out! There are several different 3x4 cards in each set, so each bag can be a little unique. PLUS, an extra bonus - the 4x6 cards can be used for decoration around my house and the left over 3x4s will make their way into my Project Life album. Perfect!!

This is all you need to make these adorable goodie bags...

Supply List: 

• me & my BIG ideas Halloween cards from Michaels (there are 2 different packages. I couldn't decide which one I wanted. So, I just had to get both!)
• $1 ribbon also from Michaels
• Small kraft colored bags (Hobby Lobby)
• Small white doilies (Hobby Lobby)
• Goodies for your little monsters :)
• Adhesive & Hole Punch
• That's it!

Once I had my supplies, I sat down at my table and got to work. First, I adhered the doily to the kraft bag. I layered the cards on top. The mambi sets include cards with sayings and cards with cute patterned paper. That makes projects like these a breeze! I used the patterned paper (with sparkle!) to make little banners along the bottom of some. I punched holes in the top, filled the bag, and tied my ribbon. I just love that I can fill the bag with other goodies besides just candy too. Right!? The little munchkins will get plenty of sugar already!! :)

I hope you are having a wonderful week.

Happy Creating,

 

Faux Flair Friday #2 - Mixed Media Embellies

Remember last week when I had a blast making darling little flair buttons using epoxy stickers and some of my favorite patterned paper. Well, this week I have been doing more of the same. Except this week I have been busting into my paint, watercolors, stamps, markers, and Mod Podge to make these cute embellishments. Using paint and your own created art makes them SO versatile! Look at how easy they are to make!

I grabbed some watercolor paper from my stash and began making a mixed media background. You could use some light colored card stock, but watercolor paper will hold the wet media much better. I added book text with some gel medium, doodled with my Faber Castell PITT pens, added inexpensive watercolor, watercolor crayons, stamped, stenciled, and just had fun. The most important thing is to have fun, right? Don't worry about making a mistake. Just mark, doodle, smoosh (is that a word?), swipe, scrape, drip, smear, dot, and create to your heart's content. When you're finished, stand back and admire your beautiful work.

After I let my pages dry for a bit, I punched some one inch circles out. I sorted through them and chose my favorites. Like last week, some I left plain and others I added words for variety. 

I carefully added the epoxy stickers on top and rubbed the back to completely adhere the paper. I just love how they turned out. They will certainly make a pretty layer on a scrapbook layout, journal page, card, tag, or canvas. LOVE them!

I am starting to grow a wonderful collection of these creative little goodies, so I better get busy making some projects! What are you working on? Do share! I'd love to hear all about it. Better yet, leave me a link so I can come visit. :)

Next week, I will be back with some washi buttons. Cute! Who has oodles of washi? I know I do. Let's turn them into some fabulous faux flair!

Happy Creating,
(You can read last week's post right HERE)

"Faux Flair" Friday - Make Your Own

I don't know about you, but I have a ton of paper. I mean A LOT. After doing oodles of mixed media, art journal, and scrappy projects... I also have a TON of scraps. I just can't seem to throw those pieces away (they usually end up in my mixed media backgrounds). I am always thinking of ways to use them up. I bet you are too! 

  Lately, flair buttons have become super popular. There are so many cute designs! I adore them. I thought it would be really fun to try and make some of my own. I think making my own adds a little homemade feel to my projects and I can alter them any way I need to. It is such a perfect way to match embellishments to whatever projects I am working on. Seriously, after making a few...I am sold, and there is just so many options to make them unique. Here is what I did! 

 1) I gathered up all my fabulous scraps. I always keep a small recycled container by my Project Life/scrapbook station (hello, dining room table) and my art table to collect bits of paper.  :)

2) I used a one inch circle punch and punched away. I like to punch a bunch out at one time. That way I have them ready to go for any crafty project.

3) Once my circles were ready I decided to embellish some, doodle some words on a few and left some plain. I also loved using little word stickers. This is a GREAT way to tailor your flare to your needs!

4) Finally, I used some Spare Parts (the Paper Studio) 1 inch epoxy stickers and added them to my punched circles. It can be a little tricky to center the epoxy right onto the circle, but you can carefully trim around the edge after if needed. I don't mind the imperfection at all. 

5) I turned each "faux flair" over and rubbed the paper on the back to make sure I got any air bubbles out. Again, I am not a factory and they may have imperfections. Especially, if I altered the circle with something that had  dimension...the sticker may not lay completely flat. No problem!

Look how cute they turned out! Eeeek, LOOK at that gold beauty in front. I made that one from a mambi Specialty Card. The glittering star is Dear Lizzy paper and a Stickerdoodle sticker. Too cute!

Here is a "faux flair" I made for an embellishment cluster on a 12x12 layout recently. Adorable, right!? That heart was created from one of the me and my BIG ideas 3x4 POCKET PAGES card packs. I simply punched it out & added the epoxy sticker. It was a cinch and it added some needed dimension. Not to mention adding to the cuteness factor. ;) (Layout post coming in the future.)

I am in love with this crafty process! So, I will be making some more. There are all kinds of things to be done with them - add to a Project Life layout, attach to an altered canvas, layer up a card, personalize a journal, and so much more.

Come back next Friday when I show you how I made some mixed media flair!! I KNOW you what to get those hands messy...so, I will see you right here next Friday! :)

Happy Creating!