How to Make a Treasure Chest from Art Canvas

Good afternoon.  Today I have an amazing project.  This is a dual posting,  The video that shows the whole process is located on ColourArte YouTube Channel:  How to make a trunk from art canvas using Club Scraps December Kit: Navigation.  The final posting for this project will occur during the Team Challenge Hop,

This is the first time I combined two teams into one project.  The video goes through the entire process of creating this piece.  In this posting I will discuss some of the issues and share some "out takes", I think we all learn from mistakes.

I started with 2 art canvases, both 8 X 8 and 1" deep.  They were on sale and had some issues on the back.  I am thinking who buys a canvas and worries about the back.  Obviously I didn't when I bought them, so I had to do some "fixing".  Next time, check out the back and not just the front.  Oh well they were cheap!!

 I used several brands of flower dies.  I prefered the sizzix die as I could cut several layers of paper at once, but the blooms don't stack as neatly as the Spellbinder.  I used both on the project, but only demonstrated the process with the Spellbinder rose dies.  

The product that shines here is the Glassine.  This is an Idea-ology product but is also available at Michaels in their Reflection line.  Glassine is used for envelopes, and layering over art canvases.  Do a search, it amazing what can be found.  As a medium here, when inked or painted, and heated, it takes on the texture of wilted but dried flowers or leaves, leather, or parchment.  Rugged.  The more it is manipulated the softer it becomes.  Like a worn piece of leather as opposed to a new piece.  Following me here?

Whatever you add to it, you must heat it.  This liquifies the coating and allows the  pigment, ink or dye to saturate into the paper, then when it cools the layer is again on top.  The ink and paint will not dry or at least not for a long time if you do not heat it.  I forgot when I was making the Faux Leather, and even though I was using a pigment ink, it smeared and ran, until I heated it.  It worked out, but I wanted the images to show through, oh well, next time.  

Lets walk through the steps.  Again, you can watch the video and see it in the making, but you will miss my discussion of the process, LOL.   

I first made the flowers.  These had multiple layers of paint so would need extra drying time.  I was anticipating this project to be completed quickly, boy was I mistaken!!

DIE CUT: Layer and add a brad to center.  Scrunch the paper and unfold.

Using several different products, color the flower.  Heat set and let dry.  Repeat with the leaves.  I used ColorArte Products which are listed in the supply section.

 Here they are all finished and Dried.  The various dies produced different shapes and while they were colored with the same products, vary enough to give interest.

I colored a flower that was made from book paper, you can see how they compare.

The next step was to created the "Faux Leather" from Glassine

The Glassine was randomly stamped with multiple stamps using Archival ink.  I forgot to heat set, so the ink smeared and ruined the crisp images.  In the end it was fine.  I had intended to use the sheets whole rather than tearing them.  But this goof changed my plan.

Not dry but it has been heat set and is finished.  As I add more layers of colorant it will take on an even more distressed leather look.

Time for the Box.  I base coated the canvases with an acrylic paint.  I did not have the exact paint to match the paper in the kit, so I mixed two browns to get the right color.  Not thinking here, I covered it all up with paper.  I could have painted it purple and no one would know.  That would have saved me time, geez!!

Once painted, paper was torn and basically decoupage down.  I used a gel medium as I have better luck with how the finished project looks.  But anything to glue down the paper will work.

 Glassine and book paper was used to completely cover the canvases both inside and out.  Then more stamping in Archival was added.  After every product is added, the glassine was heated.  This prevented contamination of colors.  In the right upper corner, you can see that color has been added.  I was intending this to be the bottom and had tested that corner for color and how it would crackle.  

Several products were used to color the canvas.  ColourArte products, Gesso, and acrylic paint.  After this dried a crackle glaze was applied to the smooth areas and sides of the canvases.

Antiquing wax was then applied to both canvases, this allowed the crackles to show,plus give it a more aged appearance.  My idea was an old trunk that had had the leather peeled back to show the construction.  

Straps were created with Grunge board.  Using the antiquing wax, ColourArte Primary Pigments and Distress ink, the paper was transformed into "faux leather "straps. 

This was cut into strips, pierced and studded with brads, and finally glued to the "trunk".

In doing so I dropped hot glue onto one of the straps, when I pulled it lose, the top layer came off.  I had to come up with a way to cover that, so I added secondary straps.  These are buckles from the Idea-ology line.  I glued them down and then added another piece of grunge to cover the oops.

See that booboo, but I think the buckle added interest.

Added hinges to the front and back.  Because of my to glue accident, the bottom became the top.  Straps don't quite line up on the front, but this an old beat up trunk!

Added the flowers and ribbon to the front.  A little metal tag completes the picture.  The ribbon was dyed with the same greens and gold that were used to color the leaves.  

Next step, what to put on the inside of this box?  That will be revealed during the Team Challenge Hop on December 22, so come back and check it out. 

Happy Crafting,

Josette

Links:  Video: The making of this trunk on ColorArte Channel

ColourArte

Club Scrap

Supplies:  Navigation Deluxe Kit

                 Navigation Unmounted Rubber Stamps

ColourArte Products used:

Primary Elements:  Sunburst, Love Struck, Golden Jade, Ancient Coin, Burnt Umber

Radiant Rain:          Poppy, Jasper Red, Red Hot Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Butternut, 

Other products:  Archival ink: Black, Golden Gesso, Art Basic 3D Gloss Gel, DecoArt Crackle Glaze, Tombow Mono Adhesive, Americana Dark Chocolate acrylic, Liquitex Burnt Sienna acrylic, brads, seam tape. Hinges from Michaels.

Ranger:  Distress Inks; Ground Espresso and Black Soot, Kraft Glassine, Grunge Board, Glossy Accents, Idea-ology metal parts

ColourArte: Breast Cancer Awareness: A Little Mouse

I would like to share my video that was made for ColourArte Breast Cancer Awareness month.
This is also where the download for the polaroid saying can be found.

 The project:

I was a tole painter long before paper.  I am not patient and waiting for that paint to dry, was tedious and besides what do you do with all that wood!!  Then I played with digital art.  Have I mentioned my love for Photoshop.  Digital Scrapbooking taught me all I wanted to know about layers and blending modes.  But then I would have to go to the printer in order to have a "hard copy" of my  final results, so they just sat stacked up on my hard drive.  Eventually I gave up and turned to painting on paper and only using photoshop for my digital images. I do love paper. I have speed of drying, no sanding (or very little) and immediate satisfaction. 

This project combines all those art forms and are dedicated in memory of my Mother and my Grandmother.  Mom was a tole painter and a stamper.  While she did not have breast cancer, she did have cancer and left us as a result.  My Grandmother was a breast cancer survivor.  She taught me all about life and was the force that fueled my crafter spirit.  

So I pulled pieces from those various crafts together and created this momento of Hope.

YouTube Link: Video: ColourArte Channel

https://youtu.be/cO2-Yr0ycuc

Process:

I was wandering around Michaels and stumbled on the wood section and thought of my mother.  OK, lets start there.  I bought 2 pieces of wood,  one was primed and the other raw wood.  Chalk paint and distressing seemed to be the best idea.  I was half tempted to paint directly on the wood, but it had been too long and wasn't sure how to use ColourArte products to Tole paint.   I am going to find out, but not today.  

No prep was done, I just painted on 2 coats of chalk paint on both pieces, distressed them, sealed and added a crackle medium to further age.  They both were antiqued with antiqueing wax.  

Antique Aqua, Cool Moon and Buff for the base coat.  Aging with antiquing wax.

The mouse was a digital download from  Sweet Pea Stamps: Karen Middleton

Using Gina Design chipboard Peacock Feather and Prima Flowers, created an embellishment.

Finally all the different pieces were assembled.  The boards were glued together and the paper holder was screwed into the wood.  All that was missing was a pink ribbon.  Nothing traditional seemed to work. So in the end, I made a bow with seam tape and sprayed with the color closest to "the right pink" and glued it onto the holder.  Only thing left was to open photoshop and create a saying.
This is the perfect area to add a picture or other momento, I opted for a polaroid  with a saying from Muhammed Ali.

This was created in Photoshop using Digital papers from a kit that I had purchased from Jessica Sprague, various fonts and brushes.
The creation of this is more complex than the project that it adorns.  So rather than explaining how I did it, you can click on the image, copy it into your computer and print it out.  
I printed it onto photo paper and cut out. This gave the impression of a Poloroid.

Hope you enjoyed this project.
I will be returning shortly for the Clubscrap Blog Hop and we will turn our attention to Copics.
Happy Crafting,
Josette

Links:
ColourArte

YouTube: ColourArte Channel   Video Link

Supply List:
Boards from Michaels
Chalk Paint and wax: Craft Smart: Michaels
Glaze and other Mediums: DecoArt
Gesso:  Golden
Seam Tape for Ribbon, colored with Radiant Rain

Digital Stamp:  http://www.sweetpeastamps.com/karen-middleton-digi-stamps/

Feather:  Gina Designs  http://www.ginasdesigns.net/Store/

ColourArte Products Used:
Twinkling H20:  Think Pink Set, Zircon Teal, Bamboo, Autumn                     Nutmeg, Solar Gold.
Radiant Rain:  Nutmeg, Egyptian Gold, AppleBlossom (on ribbon), Jasmine

Music:  What is love:    What Is Love" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dreams Become Real" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Happy Bee by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300014
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Another Announcement: I am also a designer for Club Scrap

The good news keeps coming!!!  Nearly the same time that I found out about ColourArte, I was notified of another great opportunity, Club Scrap.

I had applied to both because I thought it would be a winning combination.  One provided media, paint and shimmer, the other everything else: stamps. paper and design elements that I would need to turn into a finished project.  I have the tools (ColourArte) and current stamps and paper (Club Scrap).  YEA!!!!

I worried that my "stuff" was outdated or at least not current.  I have no idea who manufactured what when it comes to stamps and paper.  I always have removed the packaging and tucked them into my organizational system.  So as I started to develop my ideas and goals, one problem surfaced: "how was I to link to products that I had no idea where they came from".   Buy new, well I could but I am not very "trendy" and what if I chose wrong.

I have been following Hetty Sanders, first through Michael Strong stamps and then Club Scrap.  So when the call for a Club Scrap Design Artist came up, I jumped.  

So starting in September I will be present projects for these two amazing companies.  One as a blogger and the other as a videographer.  I will be documenting my progress through the world of paper crafting and mixed media.

So I am going to provide you with a little eye candy, a hint of what is to come.

Happy Crafting
Josette

Birthday wish with copies

Backgrounds, backgrounds and experimentation

It has been a busy week.  Ready for an update?

Multi layered Grunge Card

As you know I am a design team member for Flossy Scrapper.  My role is mixed media.  Well, what does that mean.  To me it means, canvas and layer and more layers, using different media.  How to apply that concept to cards?  This my first dilemma.   This required me to redefine what Mixed Media means to me and perhaps to a larger audience.  So I spent the week searching web sites and viewing different types of art, paper crafting, Art Journaling,  After much reserarch I concluded that mixed media is technically layering, texture and color.  All this must be readable and in the case of a card on a small scale. Possibly mail able?

Insight!
I have made those cards!  I called  this grunge but I was using the same concept,  layer, texture, and color. but I defined it differently.  So what I needed to do, was define a mixed media style that was not grunge?  But how. . . . . . . well, play. Truth is the only way to define a new style or explore a media, is to simply play with it.  So today I am going to share my process and examine the results.

A simple Mixed media "grunge card"

Mixed media canvas

The process:

1) Oh where do I start?  Well paper is a good guess.  I decided to try 3 types, an 80# card stock, a #110 card stock, both in white and a cold press water color paper (140# Canson).  These were all cut down to a 4.25"X 5.5" (A2) size.  I made 3 stacks.  All were going to receive the same treatment.

2) Texture:  Decided to start with embossing: both with texture paste and heat embossed.

3) application:  stencil, stamps, direct application (just smear it on).

So, on each of the 3 card stocks, I first used a stencil and daubed embossing ink on to the card-stock using an ink blending tool.  I used several different stencils, and 2 inks:  Versamark and Ranger Distress and then applied a clear (regular grain size) embossing powder and heat set.  Conclusion:  Distress is Thicker and the result was there is a   "more organic" impression.  The Versamark retained more of the fine detail of the image.  This was better for stamping or when I needed a cleaner image, but when I just wanted texture the Distress proved better.  This became more apparent as I added the color.  No appreciable difference between papers.

This photo shows several examples.  All of these were created using the distress ink.  All were colored using sprays. 

Next was to try the same with stamping.  I simple used one of the 2 inks on each of the papers and stamped a background.  Repeated with the second ink.  Here the answer was clear, use the veramark, as Distress blurs the stamped image.  

Last step was to go back to the stencils and apply texture paste.  I used the same paste as in the video "A latte for you" Ranger, texture paste and applied to each of the 2 card-stock papers.  I did not apply to Watercolor paper.

4) coloring  This was the most enlightening.  The 80# did not hold up well and was quickly abandoned, This left  me with only the 110# card-stock and the Water color paper.   I chose a limited palette: Distress: Abandoned Coral, Cracked Pistachio, Fossilized Amber, and Walnut stain.  I used: stain, reinkers, and ink pads.  For the sprays: Distress but I used only the new colors (no Walnut Stain).  I also used: Heidi Swapp: Gold, Bronze, Cherry, Chartreuse, and Orange. Decided to limit it to a single manufacturer, but in the end added Dylusions in a beautiful yellow I did not have a yellow in  Heidi Swapp spray.  First,  I started with the ranger sprays.  Much to my surprise they were pale and almost pastel, on the card-stock and only slightly more colorful on the water color paper. Made sense as they start out diluted, but I was still surprised.   So I quickly moved onto the inks and re-inkers.  This gave me the more vibrant colors I was after and clearly the water color paper showed the best result.  Here are 2 examples of these:  These also demonstrate the difference in the embossing.  The first is with Versamark on Watercolor paper.  The Second, Ranger Distress embossing on Card-stock.

The first is cleaner and more vibrant, the second more rough and organic.  Both nice but different.  In person the difference is more apparent.

This has been stamped with Stampers Anonymous Fresh Brewed Blueprints mini on the background and on the insert.

The stamping here is from the larger Fresh Brewed Blue print and was colored with water colored pencils to keep with the more "pastel nature of the background.  The background is a combination of a coffee stencil and Tim Holtz Star Stencils. 

I then switched to the other sprays,  First sprayed the embossed papers, they are represented in the very first photo and then moved onto plain paper, both 110# and water color.   In the end the samples all had a softer, mistier feel from the metallic layering. When I left out the metallic or used a very minimal spritz, the color was more vibrant, but not as interesting.  Generally, in this exercise  I had used both the gold and bronze on the same papers.  Wish I had stuck to more color and less metal, but 2 of the backgrounds ended up as cards and they both were more "metallized".  Decision: perhaps one manufacture is not best the best for variety.  Less metal if want bolder colors, paper choice little difference other than the color difference and texture between the papers.  I  preferred the card stock, probably because it was white. 

Time to make cards and stop experimenting:

I still had some embossed samples left over.  So I attacked these with my preferred "media" (re-inkers and pads) but switched up the color to Mowed Lawn and Broken China.  

The hexagon stencil had spoken  to me from the beginning, and I had an idea to use them with a Bird Theme.  Thus, I had embossed several of these, hoping to have a few with the right color combinations.  None of the experiments fit the bill, but I had 2 left .  These were going to become the background for those Crazy Birds by Tim Holtz.  Both were on water color paper with Distress embossing ink and heat embossing regular clear powder. They were  colored with re-reinkers that had been applied to a craft sheet and spritzed with water. Careful placing gave me a sky and grassy area..  I had came up with this idea because they have the look of  chicken wire.

Mowed Lawn and Broken China reinkers, colored with Water Colors (tube type)

Full version.  The birds were matted and popped up and then attached to a blue note card

Similar background, but very "little grass", so I created a Barnyard effect.  This bird was colored with Copics.

As you noticed I did not include my experiments with the texture paste.  There was little sampling necessary as I had used the paste and Distress products on the canvas.  I planned on using the texture paste panel to explore using mixed media  in an elegant, antiqued style.  That style will include a video.  I am most happy with vintage, understated elegance and METAL!!!    So, until next time,

Happy Crafting,

Josette

You Tube Posting!!

So, my computer saga continues.. . . . . . . .

Down here in Texas, we are enduring historic storms.  There has been continuous rain and the most spectacular thunder storms. Not to mention some are touching down in the back yard, or at least near to it, according to  weather dot com, that keeps sending out alerts "lightning Strike 0 miles WSW of you".   Where exactly is that?  Right, the back yard!!

Well it seems it did get  a little close to home and it took out my computer.  True we were without power for several hours after that shattering boom and blinding light (you could even see the trees move with the percussion, I think?  Might have been driving rain and wind? I was sure it was a tornado)?   Irregardless, my dear Mac became a victim of mother nature.  I am a good Mac Mom (I thought).  She had been securely plugged into "the best" surge protector according to the sales force at Best Buy,  and as soon as physically possible,  (with no power and frightened pets and children), we turned off the breaker and unplugged everything,   Of course the storm quickly moved on, I am sure to terrorize another family!    When I next got back to the video I was editing, my computer just did not want to turn on, and when it did, I was greeted by a black screen!!  Off to the computer doctor.  Never considered it was the storm, but it was.   Well, the computer docs have determined that my beloved MAC is now fit for duty and we are back in full swing.

So, without a pause, I finished the video, uploaded it to YouTube and it is now ready for your viewing pleasure.  Let me know what you think!!!

Part one.

 Part 2.

Part 3.

Finished canvas

With all the drama getting this finished and the steep learning curb, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and am very pleased with the final results.  Hope you enjoy it too!!'

Happy Crafting,

Josette

A latte for you Mixed Media Canvas: You Tube

Here is the first part of the Canvas Creation.  The final part will be posted as soon as my Computer returns from the Doctor.  Hopefully, I won't have to start over, LOL.
Let me know what you think about this video.  

This video was created for Flossy Scrapper, and all supplies are available through the on line store or locally at the shop in Joshua, Texas.  http://flossiescrapper.com/

Final Project!!!

Read Blog Post about the process for more information.

Until later this week!!! Happy Crafting.  Josette

A Latte For You!! Finished!!!

Well I finished my canvases.  The first part of the video has been posted to You Tube, unfortunately, my dear MacPro decided to have a hissy fit and is at the computer doctor as I write,  awaiting the verdict as to whether the condition is terminal or nearly needing a fix.  I sure do hope it  is not terminal.  Photoshop was my demise last night.  I swear that thing is a memory hog and froze my beloved computer, all decked out in Vera Bradly to a grinding halt.  They no longer make a 17" MacPro and Vera no longer makes skins!!  Well there is no hope moaning, it is what it is, all things reduced to silence by techno seizure.  Well at least I have a camera and I would love to share my photographs of my finished canvases.  These have not been photo shopped, or enhanced in any way, since my Mac contains my only copy of Photoshop and I am too lazy to try and learn another program on a PC.

In the process of creating the videos, I made 2 full canvases and part of a third.  The second one is clearly better as I had the opportunity to correct what I thought could be improved upon, but both are worthy of becoming decorations.  My next task is to use the same idea and create a card, so stay tuned.!





The top canvas is the last one and the second canvas was created first.  They have the same layout, same colors, but slightly different sizing of the cups and coffee bean and a different sign.

I am quite proud of the coffee bag on the second canvas, looks like it is going to have the beans spilling out.  The First one is more true to the actual stamp



Here are close up of the signs.  These were created by applying foil over a chip board label that had chip board letters glued onto itl.  The letters were embossed, and then the item was textured using various tools..  Finally there was  layering of alcohol inks, Inca Gold and Rub and Buff   Looks like metal or maybe a distressed wooden sign.  

Also in these photos, there is a good close up of the "whip cream".  This was created by adding layers of different medium applied onto velum.  The first step was coloring the shadows with  water colored pencils and then the medium applied over. This is more apparent in the first photo (Latte).   The white Foam is created by using irIsisible Texture spray, not sprayed, but dabbed on allowing it to pool in the folds created when the vellum is wet.  There was a second medium applied, after the watercoloring that helped "fix" the folds and convolutions into place.  

I love Mixed Media Art and will making more of these whimsical canvases over the next few months..  Any suggestions as to theme? 

Don't forget all products are available at     http://www.flossyscrapper.com.

 I am not sure how to link the You Tube video in this blog, but will post as a separate posting following this one.  Let me know what you think about the video.

Supplies Used
Prima Flowers for color theme: Bedtime Story
Acrylic Paint: White, light blue and turquoise, blended to match the Prima teal flower.
Ranger textrue Paste
Tim Holtz Stencil: Lace TH5034
Heidi Swapp Stencil: Stars and dots
Distress Stain Worn lipstick Peacock Feather
Distress Paint: Barn Door Spiced Marmalade Mustard Seed Wild Honey, left this out of the narration
Stamps: Stamper's Anonymous: Freshed Brewed Blue print Circle stamp for label on cup
Paper Kaiser Craft Hello Today 6 x 6 Vellum, cream or vanilla colored Scrap of Kelly Green Cardstock for straw
Plastic lid from Starbucks
Stickybacked canvas: Ranger
Ranger Black Archival Ink or Staz-on
Faber Castell Pitt Pens Assorted browns and greys, plus black
Prima: 3D Gloss Gel
Art Anthology: Sorbet Dimensional Paint (for first layer of whipped cream.
Ranger glossy Accents
Chipboard label or cut a label from chipboard
Chipboard alphabet
Ranger: Foil Sheets
Prima Water Color Pencils
Liquid Pearls: White Opal
Ranger Alcohol Inks, various colors
Inca Gold Gold, Silver, Copper and Black
Heidi Swapp: Gold color shine
IrResistTible: Texture Spray, Wedding Dress

Until next time, Happy Crafting!!

Josette