Mantle Clock Tutorial

I made this mantle clock is made entirely from scratch using chipboard and a clock kit.

 

All flowers were white paper flowers that I dyed with Antique Linen Distress Reinker & Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls (see flower dying tutorial here)

You will need:

• Clock Kit with 5.5cm hands
• Medium weight chipboard (approx 4 sheets)
• Light weight chipboard
• Tools - Craft Knife, Ruler, Scor-tape, liquid glue (Mod Podge)
• Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) & Ink Blending Tool
• Optional embellishments - Long Fasteners (brads), Flowers, Vine, Tim Holtz Ideaology etc

Download the mantle clock template

 

  Measurements:

• Clock face circle: approx 3 3/4" (90mm)
• Lightweight chipboard side strips x2: 2 1/8" (55mm) x as long as possible
• Lightweight chipboard clock face strip: 1" (25mm) x as long as possible

Base Box

• Front & Back: 1 7/8" x 6" (50mm x 150mm)
• Sides: 1 7/8" x 3" (50mm x 75mm)
• Top: 6" x 3" (75mm x 150mm)
• Front Trim x1: 1 1/2" x 5 3/4 (40mm x 150mm)
• Side Trim x2: 1 1/2" x 2 3/4" (40mm x 70mm)

Supplies used in shabby version:

• Pattern paper
• White paper flowers dyed with Antique Linen Distress Reinker & Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls (see flower dying tutorial here)
• Artificial Vine
• Long Fasteners
• Adage Ticket
• Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Supplies used in masculine version:

• Kaisercraft Pattern Paper
• Long Fasteners
• Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Tim Holtz Sprocket Gears & Mini Sprocket Gears
• Tim Holtz Mini Numerals
• Tim Holtz Stamp from Stuff To Say set

  
Watch Part 1 on you-tube - http://youtu.be/zlG4yHp924c

Watch Part 2 on you-tube - http://youtu.be/h5TeAOSIBCM

Watch Part 3 on you-tube - http://youtu.be/-toORuyySkw 

Shabby Chic Technique Tutorial

 
I have been shabby chic painting so much lately. It all started when I was making decorations for my wedding. I made some crates, some really large wooden letters and an easel for our guest book. I'm still not over it so I have painted about 15 picture frames with the same technique to make them match.

 Here is how I do it:

 

Watercolouring Tutorial

 Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/zLIuZ0rne70 

 Supplies:
* Blender Pen (such as Tombow or Dove)
* Tim Holtz Distress Markers or Distress Ink Pads
* Watercolour Paper
* Jet Black Stazon Ink 
  * Twinkling H2O's
* Fine Water Brush
* Line Art Rubber Stamp (High Hopes - Handy Dragon)

See the text version of this tutorial here

How to stamp a clean and clear image

Check out this video for a few tips on how I stamp to get a clean and clear image.

Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/eOTPzQxTweg

Supplies:

Staz-on Ink
Watercolour paper
Waterbased Stamp Cleaner or solution
Stamp Cleaning Pad or Rub 'n' Scrub
Tack 'n' Peel
Acrylic Block

How to Re-cover Books

This is a great way to update some old books that you no longer want to read or even just for a bit of home decor around the house. Stacking books is really popular right now so why not have them look pretty too. 

I covered my books using calico and wallpaper samples that I got from Masters Australia (a hardware shop) but you can use any sort of paper or fabric. Why not try scrapbooking paper, decoupage paper, a nice wrapping paper (how cool would a stack of Christmas books look!) or even your own or child's artwork that they painted themselves. 

 

Watch this video on you-tube: http://youtu.be/AeHzOGHHq18 

Supplies:
Old Hardcover Books Fabric (such as calico)
Wallpaper, scrapbooking paper or artwork etc.
Ribbon to cover the join between paper and fabric
Fabric Glue
Mod Podge Matte
Craft Knife

Canvas Wall Art Tutorial

Here is a tutorial on how I made my flower wall art.

 

Watch the video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/HpMld1pCoto

   

You can download my flower template here but please be aware that it is for personal use only and cannot be used if you are selling the finished artwork.

If you use this file and share your project, please post a link to this video or blog and I will be very thankful.

 Download the .psd files - Side Canvas and Middle Canvas Download the .jpg files - Side Canvas and Middle Canvas 

Instructions for Photoshop (.psd)
~ Open the .psd file in photoshop
~ In the menu go to Image > Image Size
~ Under Document Size, type in the size of your canvas then click OK
~ Use the crop tool to crop sections the size of your paper. Print each section then undo the crop and crop the next piece.
~ Use sticky tape to match up the printed sections (cut off any excess paper up to the joins though or you will be trying to cut flowers through canvas and two layers of paper instead of one)

Instructions for .jpg
~ Open the .jpg in picture viewing software (I use Microsoft Picture Viewer or Picasa which is free from google)
~ Click Print and print the full design on a single sheet of paper
~ Use a photocopier or the copy function on a scanner to enlarge the design to fit your canvas. Simply fold the single sheet of paper in to smaller sections and enlarge that section
~ Repeat re-sizing sections until the whole design is larger
~ Use sticky tape to match up the printed sections (cut off any excess paper up to the joins though or you will be trying to cut flowers through canvas and two layers of paper instead of one)

 If the whole design does not fit on one page
~ In Microsoft Picture Viewer tick or un-tick 'Fit Picture to Frame' (I have to un-tick it)
~ In Picasa click the button that says 'Shrink to Fit'

 

Supplies:
One 12" x 24" Canvas
Two 10" x 20" Canvas'
Craft Knife
RGB LED lights or Christmas Lights
Hot Glue for gluing on lights

Scrunched Flower Tutorial

Here is a quick video showing how to make Donna Salazar's scrunched and puffy flowers. They look fantastic on 3D projects that can allow for quite a lot of dimension.

 

Watch this video on You-tube - http://youtu.be/bVmWvyDQ13Q

Supplies:
Spellbinders Cutting Die - Scalloped Circle
Text paper
Tissue Paper
Liquid Mist (Perfect Pearl Mist or Glimmer Mist)
Mix your own liquid mist (Mini Mister, Distress Reinker & Perfect Pearl Powders)
Liquid Glue (such as Mod Podge)

Background Stamps with Chalk and Perfect Pearls

Here is a quick tutorial on how to use background stamps with VersaMark ink, chalks and Perfect Pearls to create cute backgrounds for your cards.  

Watch this video on You-tube - http://youtu.be/W_iieq_Mmd8



Supplies:
Background Stamp (Darkroom Door stamps used in video)
VersaMark Clear Watermark Ink Pad
Pebbles Inc, Chalk
Extra Pom Poms
Tim Holtz Perfect Pearl Powders

How to make custom colour Metallic Distress Crackle

Here is a quick video on how you can make any colour metallic Distress Crackle Paint you like. All you need is Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Brushed Pewter, your choice of Alcohol Inks and an Alcohol Ink Applicator. It will be great for ornaments and Christmas decorations for one.

Watch the video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/JpNqzEHM15M

Supplies:
Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint - Brushed Pewter
Adirondack Alcohol Ink
Alcohol Ink Applicator
Chipboard Shape,
Cardstock or Tag
Non-Stick Craft Sheet (optional)

Watercolouring: 3 hours in 3 minutes

This is just a fun video I made because I was curious to see what my watercolouring process looks like in high speed.

Click here to see my Watercolouring Tutorial.

Supplies:
Tim Holtz Distress Markers or Distress Ink Pads
Tombow Blender Pen
Watercolouring Paper
Make It Crafty Stamp - Fairy Tree House

Rolled Roses/ Spiral Blossom Tutorial

When I first saw a spiral blossom cutting die I was a little bit confused as to how to construct the cutout. This video should clear it up for you.

Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/5Erv1PPpAho

Supplies: 
Spellbinders Spiral Blossom or Bitty Blossoms die
Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Ink Blending Tool
Mod Podge glue

How to cover wood or chipboard with paper

I often get asked how to cover chipboard with pattern paper and here is how I do it.  

Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/U54q0L9gUtE

 

I made this JOY project using some MDF letters that I cut with the jigsaw and a giant bauble decoration. I covered the bauble with rolled roses made from Kaisercraft Twigs & Berries paper. I lost count of how long it took to ink, scrunch and roll the roses at the 25 hour mark! I also made a bigger bauble top with a loop of copper wire and covered the letters in pattern paper. 

 

Supplies:

Ink Blending Tool
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Retractable Craft Knife
Making Memories Craft Knife Blades

Cane-deer Tutorial

 

I love making my little Cane-deer every Christmas and this year decided to make a video on how they come to life. They are so simple you can make an entire herd!

Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/8mn5VaDAAPQ

Supplies:
Candy Canes
Googly Eyes
Pom Poms
Pipe Cleaners
Glossy Accents
Artistic Wire
Silver Bell Pliers

Perfect Christmas Bow Tutorial

Here is a quick video on how a bow challenged person like me, can fake it for a perfect bow for a present or Christmas tree.  

Watch the video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/VHcpd3Atu1Q

Supplies:

Wired Ribbon
Fabric Glue
Mini Clamps

Metal Christmas Bauble Tutorial

Oh how do I love Christmas crafts!  This year I made a bunch of these Christmas baubles by covering a paper mache ornament with Ten Second Studio Metal coloured with Alcohol Ink.

Check out the tutorial video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/_S0vP80RDJg

Supplies:

• Paper Mache Bauble
• Ten Second Studio Metal (any colour, they are all silver on the reverse)
• Humungo Killer Adhesive
• Alcohol Ink
• Alcohol Ink Applicator
• Tonic/Tim Holtz Non-Stick Scissors
• Spellbinders M-Bossabilities Holiday Magic
• Paper Stump

Vintage Book Tutorial

Here is a video on how to make a vintage book with a curved spine. It is a fun little project and will be great for a notebook, journal or a gift for someone.

 

View this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/-MZR3fucuME

Supplies used:

• Pattern paper
• Medium weight chipboard
• Paper towel roll
• String
• Material and light interfacing
• Mod Podge
• Album Posts
• Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
• Ink Blending Tool

In the next video you can find out how to tea-dye ordinary printer paper to give it an aged look. This is the process used to make the pages inside the book.

 

View this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/NclJQpQs14M 

Supplies used:

• Printer paper
• Tea Leaves
• Strainer & Muslin Fabric
• Dish to fit paper
• Heat Tool (optional)

Papercraft Adhesives Explained

I get a lot of emails asking what adhesives I use so here is the rundown!  

Mod Podge, Glossy Accents, Scor-Tape & Wonder Tape and Multi-Medium.

Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/kaE5BKlK_wU

String Embellishment Tutorial

Here is a video on how to make a quick and easy string embellishment for a card or scrapbooking layout.

View the video on You-tube - http://youtu.be/C_BAIXI468E 

 

Watercolouring Tutorial

I often get emails asking how I watercolour... gee are there A LOT of different ways out there and I have tried dozens of them! I remember when I first started, I read and read and still didn't know where to start. This tutorial shows how I watercolour and techniques I personally find the best at giving me the results I like.

What I use:

• Stampin' Up! Blender Pen
• Stampin' Up! Watercolour Paper
• Stampin' Up! Classic Ink Pads
• Jet Black Stazon Ink
• Twinkling H2O's
• Fine Aqua Painter

1. With the classic ink pad closed, press the lid hard into the ink pad to transfer ink onto the lid. This will be your palette. Use a blender pen to pick up a small amount of ink and then watercolour as if you are using a marker. Scribble the blender pen on scrap paper to clean and remove the ink and change colour.
Tip: Start with your lightest shade first, allow each layer to dry fully and then work on building the colour rather than trying to watercolour the shade you want it straight up. This way you will have more control over the tonal variation of your image.

2. Watercolour a light wash over the entire image. Think about the lightest area you would like, and do the whole image in that light shade.
3. Allow the first layer to dry then apply some thick colour where the sun would be casting a shadow. Without letting the ink dry, quickly wipe the blender clean and then in small circular motions, blend just the edge of the colour in with the lighter areas.

4. Continue over the whole image returning to areas when they are dry to apply more layers if you would like it darker again.

5. Decide on a secondary colour to really bring your image to life. Watercolour lightly on the shadow/dark areas.

6. Continue over the whole image then add other colours.

7. Apply a small amount of Twinkling H2O's with an Aqua Painter on the dark areas to accentuate them further.

Tip: try not to let too much water leak onto the paper. Lightly wet the entire area to spread the H2O's properly and to avoid having little water line marks left behind.

8. Apply your finishing touches to the rest of your image. I put some Kindy Glitz on Huggable Hank's wings and a bit of H2O's on his scales in blue to make them stand out.

I hope this helps! GOOD LUCK!!