Pink Paislee & Heidi Swapp products are now in stock!!

Anna worked hard today to get all the newest products from Pink Paislee and Heidi Swapp out on the shelf.  We'll have them all online in the next couple of days.  Here are the lines that came in...

See the full lines of these products here...PINK PAISLEE & HEIDI SWAPP

 

Mixed Media On Canvas

Hello everyone!!!!  I am amazed at how popular "mixed media" has become.  It is fun, quicker than you think, and allows you to do your own thing using products that you never thought of using.  The following canvas is my first attempt at mixed media.

I used a 9 x 12 canvas, music paper, different colours of kraft paint, gesso, cheese cloth, moulding paste, a stencil,  butterflies cut out from a paper napkin, and matte mod podge.  Here is how I got the effect I wanted.  I knew I wanted to place a picture of the rain forest in Panama that I had taken when I visited there.  So I selected tropical colours (yellow, turquoise, line green and a pink) kraft paint.  I first painted the entire surface of the canvas with white gesso to prepare the surface for the kraft paint.  I always start by using the lightest colour to the darkest colour.   I then took the yellow paint and in long strokes I applied the paint from the top to the bottom in strips then horizontal strips across the canvas (do not completely cover the canvas).  Let each colour dry before applying the next one.

Next I took the lime green and did the same in strokes up and down then across, and then the turquoise paint in the same manner.

When I was finished, I decided to apply a bit of pink very lightly in small sections.  This gave it a little more depth.

When the paint was dry, I applied a thin coat of matte mod podge to seal the colours.  I used the matte mod podge as versus the glossy as it dries to a dull finish and I knew I wanted to mist with some sprays to add texture.  The sprays do not adhere too well to the glossy mod podge but they will to the matte mod podge.

Next I took a sheet of music patterned paper and cut out 3 sections.  I tore around the outer edges and rolled the pieces up into a ball to create wrinkles.  I then took the pieces, gently opened them up (keeping a lot of wrinkles) and adhered them to the canvas using the matte mod podge.  Apply a thin coat of the mod podge to the surface of the paper which will keep the wrinkles.  I placed the paper at the upper right corner, bottom right corner, and at the left side edge. You can also wrap the paper around the edges if you like.

I then (again with the mod podge) adhered a piece of cheese cloth on a slant in the middle of the canvas.  Again I applied the mod podge to the surface as well.

And lastly my final texture was done by using moulding paste.  I took a stencil and applied the paste using a spatula.  Simply spread the paste thinly over the surface of the stencil, lift up the stencil and allow the paste to dry.  You can speed up the drying time by using a heat gun.  Not too close - you do not want to burn it.

I applied the paste to the upper left corner, just above the music paper at the right side edge and just slightly over the music paper at the left side edge.

And this is what it looks like.  Doesn't look too good right now.  Next step - my sprays.  When everything was completely dry I started with a green spray - just here and there (mainly on the moulding paste and cheese cloth) let it dry then I sprayed with a pink colour (mainly on the music paper) let it dry.  And lastly I sprayed wherever with a turquoise spray.  I used the Heidi Swapp shine sprays which comes in very bright colours.  And lastly the butterflies.  I actually cut these out from paper serviettes that I had.  The colours were exactly what I wanted.  I carefully cut them out and applied only the top layer of the butterfly using the mod podge.  I had to be careful as the butterflies were very thin.  Finally, I applied a coat of the mod podge over the entire surface to seal everything.  And below is the completed canvas before embellishments.

Mixed media for me is all about layering and texture.

I hope I wasn't too long-winded.  I wanted to make sure that I covered each step that I did.

Until next time

"HAPPY SCRAPPING!!!!!!

Quick & Easy Sketch

Hello everyone!!  Referring back to my tutorial on using Nepheline Course Gel, here is another layout that I used this product on.  I made sand by mixing a sand-coloured paint with the gel.  Here is the layout.  It was very quick and easy.

Here is a close-up of the "sand".  I had some 1/2" ceramic tiles in my stash.  So I crushed them with a hammer to make stones and adhered them to the sand with mod podge.

I have decided to start  "QUICK AND EASY" layout sketches for you.  Everyone loves quick and easy layouts, I know I do.  I have 8 grandchildren and I am doing albums for all of them.  These will be layouts that you can complete in 15 minutes.  Once you have done the basic layout, you will be able to add embellishments as you wish.  Dress it up or keep it simple.  Here is the first sketch.   I will also include a completed layout for you based on the sketch.

For this layout you will need one paper for the background;  a large doilie; a 7" circle cut from patterned paper; two strips 2" wide x 11" long from a patterned paper.

Here is my completed layout.

I added some lace, flowers, vines, metal decorative oval in the centre of a white pre-cut flower, and a bit of bling.  I added a die cut scalloped circle at the upper right corner of the picture with a silk flower.  It was very easy and took very little time.    I hope you enjoy.  Until next time

HAPPY SCRAPPING!!!!!!!

Check out the classes we have coming up!! There's something for everyone :)

Check out all the classes we have coming up this month....

 

Altered Christmas Cards

  

Make 5 assorted Christmas cards.  Great class for beginner to intermediate scrapbooker.

Tuesday October 22nd...11am or 6:30pm  $25

 

Copic Christmas Cards

Make 5 cards and one gift box using Copic colouring to add details and colour.

Saturday October 19th...10:30am  $30

 

Tag It! Wednesdays

Join Anna each month for a creative evening making tags and art journaling.  Learn new techniques using all the newest products on the market.

Wed Oct 23rd, 6:30pm  $15

 

Bags, Boxes, and Tags Workshop

Join Janet to make 3 varieties of 4 items.  Each set will include an altered bag, 2 boxes, and a tag.  A great way to get started on your gift giving this Christmas!!

Saturday October 26th,  10:30 am  $30

 

Check out our online calendar for all the details on supplies

required for each class.

Online Calendar

Textured Pictured Frame

Good Day everyone!!!  On one of my "browsing" stores day, I found a product at an artist's supply store called Nepheline Course Gel by Tri Art.  It is a gel with a very grainy texture.  So I purchased it took it home and came up with the idea to create a textured surface on a picture frame.  You know the mat frames that you can get in a picture frame kit.  I used one of those, the gel, and metallic paint.  You can also purchase these frames on their own.   Here is how I did it.

You will also need a spatula and paint brush. To start, I painted the surface of the frame with the Decoart (colour: "worn penny") metallic paint.  You can use any paint but I chose the metallic paint because I wanted to use the frame on a heritage page.  Let the paint dry. 

 Do a second coat if you think you need it.

I then took some of the gel and mixed the metallic paint into it.

Next, with the spatula, I applied the gel to the frame in sections.  I did not completely cover the whole frame.  Use your heat gun to dry the gel.  It will dry in no time.  

When it was completely dried, with my finger, I applied some Inka gold metallic rub onto the raised parts of the gel to give it some highlights.  You can use paint as well but just go lightly.

And lastly, here is a layout I did using the frame.  The one on the layout is smaller than the demonstration one.  I will use the larger one on another project later on.  Maybe you will see it on another one of my tutorials.

Here is a closeup of the frame on the layout.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.

While I was posting this tutorial, I came up with another idea for using this gel.   I will post it in another week or so.  Until then,   HAPPY SCRAPPING!!!!!

Look what's new this week!!

It's been another busy week at the Bug...we're working hard to get it all out and ready to go...stop by soon for the best selection!

 

And last week we got in from Echo Park and Carta Bella their newest Christmas releases now in store and online!