The house that snark built

This is the house that snark built.  

It's a bittersweet day for me today.  After three years with the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts team today will be my last post.  I have loved every second I have been on the team and promise I won't be gone forever.  So, for this post I decided to go out the way I came in- full of snark.  

This project was made with the House Oddities box.  This kit includes the box and all the little houses inside.  It's pretty amazing.  

I started with two sheets of watercolor paper and used Distress Oxide Sprays to color them.  The first sheet has Broken China, Wilted Violet, Pumice Stone, and Cracked Pistachio Oxides.  After the initial layer of Oxides I added some PaperArtsy Infusions in Rocky Road. I areas that were still exposed got hit with Distress Ink in the corresponding colors.  

The second sheet was made using Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, and Squeezed Lemonade Oxide Sprays.  I added Infusions in Violeta and filled in the blanks with Distress Ink.

The houses are hinged together using plain white sports tape.  I cut a small piece and put it on the front of the house.  A second piece went on the back so there was no stick exposed tape.  I knew I wasn't going to make the pages too thick with embellishments.  If you want to recreate this house and know you will have chunky pages just make the hinges longer.  The hinges are painted with colors that correspond to the pages.  

I cut the watercolor paper to fit each house and then stamped up the backgrounds.  I used several of Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous sets (CMS364, CMS341, CMS328,CMS302, CMS294,CMS261, CMS187, CMS172,CMS083, and CMS081) for this.  Some of the backgrounds were stamped using Archival ink in Hydrangea and the rest were stamped using Staz-on Pigment inks.  

Part of the stamping was done before the embellishments were added.  After the paperdolls, sentiments, and other bits were glued down I added a bit more stamping. 

Once all the stamping was done I went back in with various gel pens to add doodles and scribbles.  

So this is what the front row of houses looks like all stretched out.  

You can see I added bits to some of the pages.  The little crown, chain, party hats, and coin add just a bit of bulk but I took that into account when making the hinges. 

 Here are the back pages of the house. 

 Now these could be the front.  It just depends on how you fold them up. 

 I had so much fun picking out the paperdolls and the snarky sentiments for each. 

The exterior is quite simple to put together. 

I painted the exterior black and the interior with Dina Wakley's Lime.  Once it was all dry I used Beacon 3 in 1 glue to stick it all together.  Don't glue the front to the box or you won't be able to get inside! I gave the exterior a spritz of gold ink spray just so it wasn't flat black.

 The interior was splattered with the same color paints I used to color the hinges in the book. You can see the little houses all fit right inside the box.  

You can hinge the door to the houses, so when you pull the door open all the houses come right out.  I decided to do mine a bit differently and I actually used Tim Holtz hinges to hinge the door to the box.  The door panels were covered using the same background paper that covers the houses inside. 

Here you can see the top of the box was stuck to the door using a layer of foam tape.  The door is hinged to the side of the box using the metal hinges.  I used an awl and then was able to use brads to attach the hinges.  Please pardon my hand in here, the wooden base I use to take my photos is a bit warped so sometimes projects want to fall over.  

The final touches were added by spraying the finials with Oxide sprays in Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio.  They got splattered with the paint too.  The baseboard doll was edged with gold(and the entire backside is painted gold too).  He got his snarky sentiment and was glued to the box using super glue.  

I hope you enjoyed my project today.  I had so much fun making it! 

Happy Crafting,

Jess

Spring Cleaning

Hi Everyone,
Jess here today.

Well it's time to do some spring cleaning and that includes my desk.  I try to be a neat crafter, but my desk always ends up looking like a large bomb exploded in the general vicinity.  For today's project I used only items that were on my desk or within reach of my desk.  I will admit some of these are mop up tags, so I don't know exactly what is on there.

Adventure is out there tag-

The butterfly man background was made using Vintage Photo Oxide Spray and then I added Hickory Smoke ink through a stencil(THS091).  I shifted the stencil and added Peeled Paint Oxide Ink.  I splatted on some Black Soot Distress Paint and then stamped the flourish(CMS070) in  Ground Espresso Archival Ink.  The edges got a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Crayon for shadow.

The paper doll was inked up using Tsukineko Inks.  His buttons and watch chain were colored using gel pens.  Then got a pair of wings and  glued them to the tag.  I had a snippet of the mini provincial impresslit left so I popped that in the top corner.  Chic chat words were inked up using Peacock Feathers Distress Ink and glued down.

A snippet of the Meadow Flowers was on my desk so I added a couple layers of gesso and once that was dry I added PaperArtsy Infusions in The Sage to the stems.  I added grit paste to the flowers and used Peacock Feathers Distress Ink to color them.  There was some leftover Distress Crayon on my desk from edging the tag and I used that to dirty up the flowers.  Once that was glued down, I added detail using gel pens.

Eccentric, but very estimable gentleman-

For the eccentric, but very estimable gentleman tag I used a mop up tag that had some blues and purples on it.  I added some leftover rust from when I was rusting up bits and some Seth Apter Stamps.
The circles are from the Mixed Media Fragments 1 Small.  I rusted them using PaperArtsy's Rusting Powder and then added Verday Paint from 10 Second Studios for the oxidized brass bits.  I cut the circles into three segments and attached them to the card using glue.  I added Tim Holtz Hardware heads to make them appear to be bolted down. I added alcohol ink in Patina, Mushroom, and Coffee to the hardware heads.  Then I popped on a bit of Distress Crayon in Cracked Pistachio for a bit more dimension.

I tied a little brass heart to his wrist and glued him down.

 Clipping stickers make for really fun stories and gel pens add the final bits to this tag.

The Proprietor of Ideas-

This little guy gets stuck in all kind of things.  Today I popped him in a lightbulb from the Steampunk Lightbulb Set.  The lightbulb was painted white and then the bulb portion was given a layer of DecoArt Crackle Glaze.  Once the glaze was dry I added Distress Crayon in Black Soot and Brushed Pewter.  A thin piece of acetate was added behind the bulb and colored with mushroom alcohol ink.  The tiny crown on his head will be coming soon to the GSL cuts store(I cannot wait for you to see all of these teeny crowns).

The base of the bulb was painted with Tarnished Brass Distress Paint and then pounced with Mushroom, Latte, and Coffee Alcohol Inks. I snuck in another hardware head here and a story stick.

This tag was made by using Oxide Spray on my gel plate.  It makes such gorgeous and dreamy backgrounds.  I used a Tim stencil for the words and numbers.  I used Hickory Smoke and Black Soot Distress Ink for the coloring.  White paint is splattered all over the back, Perfect Pearl spray, and gel pens finish the background.

The main title is from the Tim Holtz Noble Gent set.  That was stamped in Black Soot Archival.  The little halo around the bulb is the same set.  I used Dina Wakley Paint in Ancient and Gilt to stamp out the halo.  Be sure to clean paint off your rubber stamps right away!   

Do you save all of your little bits to make projects with later or do you toss out the scraps?

Jess

love letters folio

Being that February is upon us, and everywhere we look we are reminded that Valentine's day is near, I am sharing a tutorial for my love letters folio. This piece is something that could be used anytime of year, to store special love notes received, or even simply to store your favorite stationery for writing letters.

Before starting my project, I like to assemble the pieces I plan to use (without adhesive). This gives me a visual of how the final piece will present, as well as an idea of the areas that will be covered. I have really been enjoying creating my own papers lately. I am using these along with preprinted designs. This allows me to coordinate the colors exactly as I like. The GSLC folio and mini book has many surfaces that will need finishes.

With an idea in mind, I raid my stash of special papers and select some pieces to use as accents. Using distress oxide and distress inks, I create custom papers that coordinate; then, also gather some embellishments that I might like to incorporate.

 All of the edges of the bare chipboard base are inked with distress ink. This makes for a finished appearance at the edges where the paper and chipboard meet. Along the areas that will be opened and closed repeatedly, I add linen hinging tape and ink on top of that. This serves to reinforce the edges that will repeatedly be folded back and forth, thus extending the life of the folio.

Depending on the area of each surface, I determine what will be the best adhesive for attaching the finished paper. Along the spines, I use collage medium and in the larger, flat areas, I use sookwang double sided adhesive tape. I begin by covering the interior surfaces of the folio. Glittered washi tape adds a bit of interest along the edges of the paper at the fold locations, while sparkle ribbon edges the pocket that will hold the mini book.

In an effort to create more spaces to tuck special notes, a piece of my inked paper is attached only at the top and bottom, creating a central pocket and the two squares of decorative papers that flank either side are open at the top for additional secret compartments. A die cut heart is inked and wrapped with copper wire and beads, then attached to the special pocket.

Included with the folio and mini book set is a 4 page chipboard book base. Instead of creating a book to slip into the folio pocket, I use one piece of the folded base to create a stationary holder. 

T create the insertable holder, I adhere decorative paper to the outside cover and add "X" and "O" from the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts alphabet stencil blanks. These stencil blanks are so fun to incorporate into your project, they can be used separately (as I have here) or even as a complete set.

Each stencil blank is painted with copper colored paint and allowed to dry. I then attach a piece of distress oxide inked paper behind each stencil blank and the combined pieces are secured to the cover with decorative brads. The stencils are only attached at two corners to allow additional opportunities to tuck special things. 

The interior of this part is simply covered with papers. When open, each side contains a pocket along the edge to hold stationary and envelopes or, treasured, keepsake love notes, whichever you prefer. Pieces can also slip into the bands on the pockets.

As much as I had anticipated keeping the outside of my folio simple, I could not resist using the GSLC double hearts flourish as an accent. 

It's size fit so perfectly onto the back outer panel, and I saw it as an opportunity to bring a bit of the copper accents seen on the inside to the outside. This heart piece can be used in so many ways. Either layered (as I have) or separately, it is wonderful as a frame or even just as a decorative element.

For my piece, I paint the top scrollwork heart with copper colored paint and allow to dry. Is is adhered atop the bottom layer which has been inked with distress ink and then crackled. After they are secured with collage medium, I wrap some copper wire around the edges at three locations to form "X"s. Then some spiraled pieces of wire are attached. This piece is adhered to the back cover (distress oxide inked paper) with hot glue. 

The folio and mini book set comes with a belly band; however, I did not use this piece. The front flap of my folio is secured by means of a piece of lace that has been inked. 

The colored lace, once dry, is secured with collage medium along two and a half inches in from each side.  The middle portion of the lace is not attached, which allows the flap to slide under it. Another die cut heart (inked and coated with crazing) is attached to the lace piece with mini staples in an "X".

 
I was so pleased with the way this folio turned out, I think it will be a beautiful way to store treasured notes and other things.

I hope that you have enjoyed my post, and perhaps it has inspired you to create something. The design team and I'd love to see what you create with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. If you haven't joined already, please consider sharing your work on our Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group facebook page.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
~Ann
  xxx

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Alphabet Stencil Blanks
Double Hearts Flourish 

Folio & Mini Book

You altered my heart

Hi Everyone,
Jess here today.

I was totally inspired by a class Tim Holtz just taught at the recent Creativation show(and he was inspired by Paula Cheney).  I wanted to create something similar to what I had seen done, but put my own twist on it.


Start by running the solid half of your Steampunk heart through your die cutting machine using a 3d embossing folder.  Spritz the chipboard on both sides before using the embossing folder so the chipboard really gets nice texture.

Using collage medium adhere college paper to the embossed half of the heart.  I did a thin layer on the heart and adhered the collage paper.  I applied another layer on top and really worked the paper in with my fingers so you could see the embossed texture.

Paint the gear side of the heart using Dina Wakley media paint in Umber.  Paint the gears using Dina Wakley Media paint(Gilt and Ancient) and Tim Holtz Distress Paint(Brushed Pewter).  Add metal gears on top of some of chipboard gears for dimension.  Add embossing powder and crackle texture paste randomly on the heart for even more visual interest.  When the crackle paste is dry rub in a bit of Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon.

Take one of your Extra Large Tags and cut about three inches off the bottom.  Cover the entire tag with patterned paper.  Add bits of ephemera and adhere them to your tag.  I used a mix of vintage and reproduction ephemera here.  I love to mix old and new.  The entire tag gets a coat of collage medium. 

Once the collage medium is dry smoosh Distress Oxide inks onto your craft sheet and tap the tag into the ink.  The ink will stay beaded up on the craft sheet and you get neat splotches of color.  When you have a bit of color on your tag spritz with water and allow to air dry. Do this step several times until you achieve the color you like.

   Use a stencil to add a bit of grit paste to the top corner.  

Then add random blobs of grit past on the sides of the tag.  Once the paste is dry, use the same Oxide inks to color the grit paste.  Add Distress Crayon in Black Soot to the edges of the tag.  Splatter the tag with white, black, and gold paint.  

Using foam tape adhere the heart of the tag.  Give the paper doll a layer of clear gesso and color in his suit using Distress Marker in Mowed Lawn. Add a resin flower to his suit.  Glue the ruler to the heart and using foam tape adhere the man so he appears to be sitting on the ruler.  

Use Chit chat stickers to create your sentiment.  

Color in the word token using Distress Crayon in Picket Fence and add a jump ring.  Take an old paint brush and add a jump ring to the top. Add the rings to a vintage laundry pin and stick the pin through the fabric at the top of the tag.  The fabric at the top of the tag is actually a piece of my clean up rag I use in the studio.  I just cut a piece off because I really liked the colors on it.  To complete my tag I took some gel pens and made marks all over the piece.

Happy Monday

Jess