Today’s the start of the blog hop between Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft and 100 Proof Press! We’re very excited for our first collaboration with them! Hop with us today for a blog hop packed with inspiration and techniques!

We’ll also have prizes for those who participate. Be sure to visit leave a comment on each designer’s blog. When you’re finished, comment on the company’s blogs to be eligible for the following great prizes:

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft will be giving away a $40 prize pack, and 100 Proof Press will be giving away a $30 gift certificate!

Want an extra chance to win some prizes? Tweet Design Memory Craft at @DesignMemCraft about a technique you learned on the hop for a chance to win their NEW Stamper’s Big White Pen! Or like 100 Proof Press’s Facebook page (https://console.mxlogic.com/redir/?2ehpsjvuodELcIICzB4QsCOsVHkiP2DeXrO5qBunNrifQN6ZOUmzmHFsbh-B2Ubr84fyn69x2C8ELffFIfL8LfLLfCyATvAXTLuZXTKrKrFIt1idXHhHlRqfQFOVJNZAQsCQmm3hOed79EVsd7bVJ5MS2_id47EiDW1EwB2sqCV-7PNo_pgdFCQn3qbPbbbMUsr6_PziGQo for a chance to win the calendar you saw on this hop!


The blog hop will be open until midnight on October 26th, and the winners will be announced on October 29th on the company’s blog/twitter.


Here is a complete schedule of the entire Hop incase you are just joining in, or would like to keep coming back for more!

 

100 Proof Press http://www.100proofpress.com/_blog/Blog

Tiffany Johnson http://iheartartblog.com/

Jennifer http://justjingle.blogspot.com/

Jen Matott http://arttalk-sigmagirl.blogspot.com/

Tracy Evans http://craftaddicts-tracyevans.blogspot.co.uk/

Colleen http://artbythelake.typepad.com/my-blog/

Gladys http://gladyschia2010.wordpress.com/

Mou Saha http://collagecollagecollage.blogspot.com/

Sara http://zemphira.blogspot.com/

Amy http://tsurutadesigns.blogspot.com/

Rita http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/

Gerri http://gerriherbst.blogspot.com/

Alexa http://alexalett.blogspot.com/

Nicole http://nicoleeccles.blogspot.com/ <------- YOU ARE HERE

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft http://designmemorycraft.typepad.com/design-memory-craft/
END

 

 

Now onto the inspiration!

From Faber Castell, I recieved sampler packs for Mixed Media Collageing.  From Gesso, to gel medium, water color pencils and glaze, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make another MM Collage.
This mixed media collage was created on Heavy Chipboard.  The background has been handpainted using Acrylics, gesso and watercolor pencils. 

 

 

This wonderful large fish from 100 Proof Press is so fun to play with!  There are so many ways he could be colored or used, and he is HUGE and stamps so crisp and clean !! 

 

Fish really do make the best form or travel!  With a great ocean floor view, and beautiful bubbles skittering about and heck, they are pretty fast when they think something is chasing them!

 

That's all for today!  Thanks so much for joining in the Hop today, I hope you are running to play with all your stamps and goodies now!

Have an amazing Monday!!

 

Nicki Chicky

 

 

 

 

Day 2 w/ Gauche Alchemy and 100 Proof Press Hop

Well made it through another Monday, and here we are Tuesday already!

Today is day two of a fun little Hop with 100 Proof Press Stamps and Gauche Alchemy!

Here is a little info about both companies

 

Gauche Alchemy is all about the art - really fun art supplies! They have mixed media kits, that are filled with fun artistic finds, papers, ephemera, embellishments, fabric, and more. Gauche Alchemy "is for those that create outside the of the box, those that create inside of the box, and those that tear the box a new one..."

 

100 Proof Press The stamps are manufactured right here in the Midwest, with attention to detail second to none. The images are deeply etched and then expertly trimmed on a Hagner scroll saw, thus providing an amazingly close and perfectly perpendicular cut. Nothing prints better. The wood mount is smooth hard maple, 3/4" high with curved sides. The design is never bulky; we always use a mount which is custom cut to fit the image that goes on it. The index on top is permanently stamped in jet black printers ink. It's sharp looking and will never come off. We believe in selling a high quality product that sets industry standards

 

 

Make sure to stop by both their sites today and find a little inspiration along the way!  There's even a special offer going on now - you can use the code 100ProofPress10 to get 10% off your order in the Gauche Alchemy store!!!

 

 

Now onto my project!!!

 

 

For my project I decided to alter the back side of an 8 x 10 canvas, turning it into a framed shadowbox. 

 

 

The Gauche Alchemy papers were used for the background, the frames border, paper piecing all the clothes and all the fun cut out words.  Oh and don't forget that perfect little dove!

There was so much fun stuff to use, from old magazine clippings to fun little nick knacks, and you will definitely be seeing more with their product!!!

 

 

Everything has been dimensionally placed to create wonderful depth.  It's a little hard to see all the depth, but hopefully this picture helped to capture it.

 

 

Left behind on a cliff, (haven't decided if the little girl made an escape, or she was the only one who could be rescued)  The cliff was hand drawn and popped so this little lass looked like she was sitting in the forefront. 

But, I guess it's all in the optics....

 

 

I really couldn't have planned all of these stamps to go together any better! Absolutely love the Bolt Hot Air Balloon!! 

 

 

The background was inked using Distress inks.  Hand cut shapes made the perfect mask to create fluffy white clouds. 

 

 

And last, but not least this fun metal drawer pull from G45 is perfect for the words Close -Up, cut from some yummy magazine clippings from Gauche Alchemy!!

 

Stamps Used:

4584T, 4991T, 3240T

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today and joining in the Hop!

Have an amazing Tuesday!

Nicki Chicky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Paper to Canvas Transfer Using Graphic 45 Papers

Hello. and Happy Monday!!

My day was already off with a kick, somehow ,my brain wasn't working last night, and I turned on the wrong alarm clock.  We woke up just as my daughter's school bus was driving off.  In a mad dash we ate, filled out any papers and drove like the wind to get her there on time!  Whew, such excitement for 7:30 am..  And now for a little more excitement, because today I have a fun little tutorial to share with you!

This is a quick and easy little technique for creating unique Halloween Treat bags. It is also a great way to use up those left over little strips of paper too!

The small canvas bags can be found at any of your local craft stores and come in a variety of sizes. This technique is also great for transferring those original photos, or magazine images to fabric.

Once you get started you won’t want to stop, creating transfer images for clothes, hats or purses. Just make sure if your item gets dirty, to hand wash only!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies Needed for Paper to Fabric Transfer Technique:

Gel Medium or Mod Podge

Paint Brush

Image

Fabric, or Canvas Bag

 

Step 1. To get started choose your image you wish to transfer and paint a heavy coating of Gel Medium directly over the image

 

 

Step 2. Place the image face down onto the canvas bag, rubbing firmly into place. Allow a few hours to dry, or speed up the process with a blow dryer.

 

 

Step 3 & 4 Once dry, use a small mister bottle or your hand to sprinkle water along the back of the surface and allow to soak in.

 

 

Step 5 Once the water has soaked in, use your fingers rubbing in a small circular motion to gently remove to top layers paper, slowly revealing your image

 

 

Repeat a small addition of water and rubbing to desired effect. But don’t rub too hard, you can rub right through your transfer image

 

 

For protection seal with a thin layer of Gel Medium.

 

*Note: If using images with words, they will transfer backwards. 

This process also works with images you print off yourself, just make sure if it has words to reverse the image!! 

Supplies Used:

Graphic 45 Papers:

Happy Haunting- Happy Haunting,Jeepers Creepers, Halloween Greetings,Fright Night

May Arts: Ribbon and Ric Rac

Other: Gel Medium, Paint Brush, Canvas Bag, Halloween treats and décor

 

 

That's it for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Come back tomorrow for a fun stamped project created for 100 Proof Press Blog Hop!!

Have an amazing Monday!!

 

Nicki Chicky

 



Graphic 45's Happy Haunting Ornaments and Tutorials

 

Greetings and Salutations on the brisk, lovely Tuesday morning!!!

 

Today I have for you 3 different ornament ideas for the Holidays.  Whether it be for Christmas or Halloween, these techniques can easily be used for any Holiday celebration!!

So lets waste no time getting to the good stuff....

 

 

 

First up are these classy, yet simple glass ornaments.  The glass ornaments can be found at your local craft store, and lend lots of possibilities when it comes to decorating them. 

Here is a little how to...

 

 

Supplies Used for Happy Haunting Glass Ornaments:

Graphic 45 Papers:

Happy Haunting: Man in the Moon, Pumpkin Time

G45 Metal Staples: Ornate Metal Keys

Ranger: Glossy Accents

Other: Confetti, tinsel, hot glue

Once your image is on, you can take the top off and add a little fun inside the ornament.  Hang some Graphic 45 ornate keys at the top to add interest.  Add some tinsel, or even just a ribbon.  

The possibilities for decorating these babies is endless!!!

 

Next up, I have a couple bottle cap ornaments!!

 

 

 

 

Bottle Cap Ornament Tutorial

1. Cut out desired images for ornament from Graphic 45 Happy Haunting line

 

2. Adhere round cut image to bottom of bottle cap

 

3. Using hot glue, adhere tinsel around the outside edge of the bottle cap

 

4. Cut 2 different colored pipe cleaners to desired size for handle. Mine was 8”

 

5. Gently twist the two pipe cleaners together for a more decorative look

 

6. Bend into a U shape for the handle, making sure it is even at the bottom

 

7. Adhere handle into bottle cap using hot glue

 

8. Cut a scrap piece of heave chipboard to run along the back of your cut image to ensure stability. Bend slightly at feet.

 

9. Adhere image using hot glue on chipboard tab, place underneath handle making sure image is straight

 

10. Using hot glue, moss, torn paper, or tinsel cover the inside of the bottle cap for a finished look

 

11. Cut out small strip that says Halloween from G45 papers. Taper at the ends like a ribbon

 

12. Adhere to front of bottle cap

13. Create a small crepe paper rosette by pinching a little crepe paper at a time to create a circle. Glue in the center, and adhere to top of pipe cleaner handle

14. Peel and stick clock from G45 Happy Haunting Sticker sheet. Trim rosette if necessary.

15. Peel and stick the word greetings and place along the clock face. Hang and enjoy!!!

 

Supplies Used for Bottle Cap Ornaments:

Graphic 45 Papers:

Happy Haunting: Trick or Treat, Midnight Magic

Happy Haunting Sticker Sheet

May Arts: Giant Bottle cap

Imaginarium Designs: Chipboard fence

Other: Pipe cleaners, hot glue gun, tinsel, crepe paper, moss

And last but definitely not least, the vintage style pipe cleaner ornaments. 

These are something that can easily be made with a little one.  The characters you can create using G45 papers is endless!!

 

 

 

Pipe Cleaner Ornament Tutorial

1. Cut out desired G45 images for head and hat of ornament

2. Cut a slip in the hat so it can fit on the pumpkin

3.Open your slit up slightly by pinching the sides toward the center

4. Place hat on head of pumpkin and adhere. Set aside head for later

5. Bend pipe cleaner 90 degrees to the left to create the left arm. Leave about 1/2” sticking up for the neck

6. Bend pipe cleaner back on itself towards the center to create the left arm. Arm should be approx 1/2”.

7.Tuck the pipe cleaner behind the neck. This should leave it sticking out the right side, ready to create the right arm

8. Bend pipe cleaner back on itself towards the center to create the right arm. Arm should be approx 1/2”.

9.Tuck the pipe cleaner behind the neck again, this time bending the pipe cleaning downward to create the left leg. Pipe cleaner should resemble a t.

10.Bend pipe cleaner back on itself towards the center to create the left leg. Leg should be approx 1/2”- 3/4”.

11.Tuck the pipe cleaner behind the neck again, this time bending the pipe cleaner downward towards the right to create the right leg. Pipe cleaner should resemble a star. Trim down right leg if necessary to even them out.

12.Adhere head with hat using hot glue. Don’t leave a long neck.

13. Fold a short piece of crepe paper in half to create a skirt.

14. Gently pinch a pleated look to the crepe paper

15. Adhere to pipe cleaner person right at the cross over in the center. Wrap all the way around and snip off to complete.

16. Using scissors to create small slits in the skirt, this will give it a fluffier look

17. Tie a loop in a piece of bakers twine and adhere to the back of the ornament head

18. Add a fun Halloween sign from G45’s Happy Haunting Sticker Sheet. Hang and enjoy!

 

Supplies Used for Pipe Cleaner Ornaments:

Graphic 45 Papers:

Happy Haunting: Trick or Treat, Bewitched

Happy Haunting Sticker Sheet

May Arts: Baker’s Twine

Other: Pipe Cleaners, crepe paper, hot glue gun, scissors

That's all for Today!!  I hope you have enjoyed the tutorials and are ready to try your hand at some Holiday Ornaments!  Whether you give them as gifts, or just share in the fun with family, handmade ornaments are a very special treat!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 Have an amazing day!

 

Nicki Chicky