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)

From Cardstock to Journaling Cards - Project Life, Smashing or Anything!

Recently, on one of my many trips to Michaels (Seriously. I know. It's like I go every week. I don't. Usually.) I spotted a "last chance" bin of some scrapbook papers. At 14 cents a sheet, I couldn't help but rummage through it. I grabbed some great patterned paper, but also spotted some plain white card stock. Ahhhh! So perfect for making some of my own Project Life journaling cards. SO fun! The cards could also be easily used for other journaling, stuck down in a Smash Book, used for cards, or attached to gifts as a tag. If you are not familiar with Project Life, check it out right here on Becky Higgins site. I am joining the PL tribe this year, and look forward to writing more about it here on my blog!

So I took this plain white paper...

Used my good ol' Fiskars paper cutter (I think I have had this longer than I have been a mom - so like, 8 years! Love it!) and cut down the 12 x 12 pages. The Project Life system (which is SO easy for the non-scrapbooker, total newbie - ME!) uses sheet protectors with little pockets that are about 3x4 inches. I cut the cards a little smaller than 3x4 so they slide easily into the pockets. I used a card from one of Becky's kits as a guide.

After I cut a bunch of 3x4s, the mixed media artist in me needed some larger pieces for a few messy spring canvases. :) So I also cut a 5x5 and a 5x7. I thought it would be fun to paint a few spring themed pieces to frame, then add to my house. I know I am ready for some spring around here! How about you???

I keep a little journal to jot down ideas for Project Life cards. There are SO many wonderful card designers out there. I love looking around Instagram and Pinterest. I can not believe the creativity out there. Seriously! Amazing!! Here are a few of my sketches..

So referring to my sketches, going with the flow, using my creative mojo, and grabbing some of my favorite washi tapes...I started to make my cards. I can see how this could be very addicting! I do LOVE all the different things that the various paper companies have out on the market right now for journaling and Project Life. But, it is super exciting to make some things on my own. I know I will continue to do both - buy some pre-made cutie stuff and make my own.

Look at this beautiful tape. Be still my heart. Washi = Love. 

Lol. Please, tell me I am not alone in the love of washi? :) The mustard yellow chevron washi and aqua stripe came from Michaels (no big surprise there). The yellow stripe was a gift from my uber creative friend Toni from Five. The yellow polka dot washi came from a package of four tapes that I scored from Target on clearance! I sure do love a crafty deal!! Washi tape is perfect for smashing and Project Life too. 

See, just a little hint of aqua and white polka tape peeking out from that "right now" sticker looks great. I stamped the zig zag with a $1 stamp. Then added that adorable Heidi Swapp striped butterfly. (She is another favorite of mine!) Now all I have to do is journal a bit in the white place or add a little picture. Then slide it into my PL binder. Easy Peasy. :)

I need to go get busy on making more cards!! It was so relaxing to just sit and create these little beauties. I have tons of ideas swirling around in my head. Of course I am going to spend time painting too.  I have the 5x5 started...and will hopefully find some time at my studio table this weekend.

WIP 5x5 Mixed Media

Background - washi tape, book pages, Basic Grey paper

I'll come back and show you my little spring 5x5 and more Project Life journaling cards as I make them. I am looking forward to sharing all this creative goodness right here on Sadie Inspired. Yiippee! :)

How do you share all the pictures you take?

I'd LOVE to know!!

Washi Tape Altered Tag

Today I wanted to share a tag I created with some fun washi tape. I was inspired by the technique that Sharon Laakkonen used for the Creative Jump Start Summit hosted by Nat Kalbach. Have you joined along?? I love it. Each morning in January I have received a wonderful creative video in my inbox to get my creative juices flowing. I love being introduced to new artists, teachers, and techniques. If you haven't checked CJS 2013 out, you should click right here and join!

Washi tape is so fun to use and there are so many different ways to utilize all the colorful patterns. Right!? I think I need to add a Washi Tape board to my Pinterest, so I can gather all the various ideas I see. :) In Sharon's video she covered her entire manilla tag with washi tape which created a fabulous texture for the background. So I started there! Look!! Super fab!

After covering the entire tag with coordinating washi colors, I laid down a layer of gesso to prepare for some painting and stamping.

I really love this circle stamp I found at Michael's in the clearance section. I love the size! It was only $1.99, so how could I pass it up?

I decided that I would make a tag also inspired by my daughter and spring. I had some paper butterflies in my stash that I wanted to use. I painted the butterfly with blue acrylic paint for contrast. 

I looked through my billions of letters to find the letter M. (OK. Slight exaggeration. Maybe not a billion, but I am addicted to letters. Could it be the teacher in me? I do not know. I found a package of these chipboard letters from K&Company at the dollar store. Score!)

I added all my little goodies and also punched a butterfly directly into the tag. I have seen this done by quite a few people, but had never tried it before. All you do is punch or cut out a shape, then add patterned paper to the back so it shows through. It is a great way to add visual interest and texture. You can see where I did it with that little white butterfly. Some of the white paper hangs below the bottom of the tag. I cut it with a pair of scalloped craft scissors. (Technique also shown in Sharon's video)

Here is the finished tag. Super cute and girlie. I added some turquoise ribbon through holes in the letter M. On the right side of letter I glued some chipboard flowers that came in the letter package and added a little bling. Along the bottom I attached some cream colored lace. I love this lace because it has adhesive on the back. SO easy. Peel and stick! :)

Hope you are having a lovely Tuesday!