‚From start to finish’ with ‚Galileo’ kits!

Welcome everybody! This is my start to finish creative process which I documented during my work with the Galileo scrapbook kits this month!

I know, you already know these kits very well, but since Studio Calico has more sets to buy, I can feed you with inspiration during whole month becasue all of these kits are still available in the shop, I think this is so cool! ‚Saturn‚, ‚Jupiter‚ and embellishment extra ‚Venus‚ are waiting for you >>> HERE.

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Before beginning – I gathered some of my favourite embellishments and papers that I knew I wanted to use in my project. I put a lot of focus on the color palette (the adorable mix of pale yellow, grey and blue) in the kits. The wood veneer hoops from the Jupiter add-on were my inspiration, and they were also the main part of the composition of this layout.

Because I decided to use these hoops, I knew that my composition should be based on a circle. I grabbed various circle embellishments and Galileo printables from my June box, I cut few circles from the patterned papers and I tried to build a basic composition on my cardstock. Those tiny doilies from the Saturn add-on were also perfect for this layout.

Among the monthly printable cards designed by Geralyn Sy of In a Creative Bubble, I found the perfect words for my title. I decided to cut them from the journaling card using these precision scissors (BTW – I love them!).

My next step was to embellish the doily (which perfectly fit the middle hoop from the set). I chose a here stamp from Jupiter to create something more interesting than only a blank white doily. You can use any other stamps you have at home; I’m sure that all your round stamps will be perfect as well! ( Maybe even better!)

When the basic composition was adhered to the background, I covered some areas near the circles using white gesso (you can also apply a thin layer of modeling paste, depending on what do you have at home). I need this thin layer of protection because as usual in my projects, I wanted to create a few watercolor splashes here and there. When the background layer was totally dry, I started playing with Transparent Watercolor Papers and Neocolor II crayons. I chose shades that fit my color scheme, which you can find on the patterned papers or embellishments I mentioned earlier when talking about the color palette of this layout.

When the paint was dry, I used dimensional foam tabs to adhere the title. I really love the 3D effect I get when I use those foam tabs.

When I thought that my layout was almost finished, I decided to add one more thing to it. Those hoops reminded me that I should use a thread… somewhere… I tangled a few pieces of blue threads and glued them here and there – this is how you can enrich your compositions 🙂

And the end of my work I stuck few embellishments from the scrapbook kits and voila – the „hoop” layout was ready to upload it to the Monthly Gallery.

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I hope you feel inspired and you can’t wait till you will be able to create your own version of such project. Maybe you will use the same colour scheme, maybe you enjoy the watercolour technique or… maybe you still have some wood veneer hoops in your drawer?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… SUBSCRIBE FOR $5…

In case you missed it, we’ve got a cool deal going on through June 26! Start a new subscription with the Galileo kits for only $5 + get free shipping*! Craft all the stories of summer with pretty kits that have everything you need to remember family vacations, trips to the pool, sunny day outings, summer treats, and anything else worth documenting 🙂

Use the codes SCRAP5 for Scrapbook, POCKET5 for Project Life®, and CARD5 for Card (codes correspond to the type of subscription you’d like to start).

*Please note: This offer is not applicable on add-on kits. Free shipping valid for domestic orders only. Offer ends 6/26/15 at 11:59 pm EST. First kit for $5 offer valid only on new subscriptions started with Galileo kits and requires a 6-month commitment. Add the Galileo kit to your cart and the corresponding promo code. Early subscription cancellations are subject to $15 termination fee. Not valid on previous purchases. Must enter promo code at checkout. Refunds will not be issued for misused or non-entered codes.

Reklama

From start to finish tutorial :: silk screens.

 Today I would like to show you my start to finish course using ‚Far, far Away‚ kits. In this tutorial I show in how many different ways you can use your silkscreens from the January ‚Magic Carpet‚ add-on. I also added a little tip how to create a title using fabulous ‚Mia‚ (or ‚Alyra’) alpha stamps.

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Let’s begin. First of all we have to prepare all basic supplies like papers,embellishments, Color Theory acrylic paint, ink pads, stamps and a photo – of course.

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Talking about the photo – this little lady on a picture… adorable, isn’t she? This is Jane, beloved daughter of our fabulous Paige Evens 🙂 She ‚borrowed’ me this picture to scrap when I wrote on her Instagram how inspired I am looking at these amazing colours.

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OK – coming back to the point. I cuted 12×12 ombre paper to the A4 format – this is one of my favourites lately. I decided to use this outstanding ‚+’ silk screen and white acrylic paint to create a background pattern. This is easy. As you already know you don’t need anything more than acrylic paint (or gesso), a piece of thick cardboard or an old credit card or a palette knive. Just stick the silk screen into the place of your choice (I chose the edge between green and white area in the centre of ombre) and spread the paint.

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I repeated it for a few times becasue my intention was to blend both sides of the background.

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During this time when the backgournd is drying we can create an extraordinary embellishment using the second ‚shine’ silk screen. I took a piece of white cardboard (I think that it was a piece of paper from the stamp’s pack…) and my favourite acrylic ‚Sunny Day‚ paint. I repeat the same action – stick the silk screen to the background, spread the paint, remove the screen from the paper and clean it immediately. I think this is very important to clean the screens just after use becasue than you can be sure that all of these little holes will be clean, and if they will be clean than your prints will be better, cleaner and sharper. So take care of your silk screens, they deserve to be clean 🙂

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OK, the background and the embellishment are ready, how we can use the third ‚HELLO’ screen? I think that the perfect way is to use it as a title! Yes, I think this is a good idea and I recommend you to try this technique on a layout, however this time, I decided to create a different title for my project. In my cretive team box I received the fabulous ‚Mia’ alpha stamp, when I saw it I knew that I have to use it somewhere. I decided to use it on this layout and I knew that I want to get bright, yellow letters. Usually it’s impossible to stamp yellow motives on a dark surface and keep them bright, so my first thought was to stamps it on a white cardboard.

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And that’s what I did. I stamped my title on a white paper (so sorry for these ugly pictures but durign winter months in Poland it’s dark in the afternoon, so I used an artificial light).

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Next I contoured the letters using thin, black precision pen
… and I cuted all these letters separately using tiny, precision scissors.

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I started to stick the photo and other elements to the background.

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During the combining process I thought that it would be nice if I add a phrase stamp – also from the ‚Magic Carpet‚ scrapbook add-on. Once again – I knew that it won’t be satisfactorily visible on a dark green background so it was a quick decision – I used white embossing powder. I adore to mix various techniques like here – stamping, masking, paint, embossing, layering… the mix of all these actions give a special feeling to the project, especially when you look at it in real life.

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This is it. You can check looking at the final layout how I placed the embellishments and how it works together on a surface. I always think about blending elements, I like when everything create one, harmonious totality.
I hope you felt inspired. I think that I show you that you can use three different silk screens in three various ways (and probably far more…). Don’t be affraid. this is not a dirty hobby. I am a mixed-media scrapbooker but believe me – I don’t like dirty hands. You can be mixed-media and clean (and happy). Just take care of your tools and everything will be easy.
I wish you a happy day full of silk screens actions 🙂

I am – AM :: tutorial.

Hi guys, I know you’ve been waiting two weeks for my ‚Far far away’ tutorials… so sorry, but just after New Year I got sick. Awefully. Inflammation of the cornea of the both eyes plus conjunctivitis… It is really painful. Hurts so badly. But now I’m much better. I can finally look at the screens so I’m back (new me becasue I have glasses! I will show you soon).

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OK – first from start to finish tutorial – made with ‚Far far Away‚ scrapbook main kit only (I am deeply IN LOVE WITH this main kit, with all of its patterned papers and exclusive embellishments… those fruity transparencies?! OMG!).

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The composition of this layout is really, really easy. First of all I combine all the basic elements on a backgournd – including photo. At the first step I make a decision about the colour palette of my project.
Oh – I forgot. Do you remember my subjective moodboard for December and its middle picture ‚OUI’?

Well – the inspiration comes from this picture. Actually, I was so charmed by its shades and brush strokes! I decided to combine this idea into the layout.

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I took a piece of white cardboard, Color Theory acrylic paint and a smooth brush. I was using the colours directly from the tubes (yellow, orange, black), only salmon shade was mixed with a blot of white paint.

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I wrote ‚I am’ –  I like this because it also looks like my initials 🙂 Remember that you will get better effect if you won’t repeat the strokes. Try to paint all these lines only once – it won’t be very easy, but it’s not impossible to make. I was not completely satisfied with this effect so I made a second copy using the same colours.

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When my acrylic poster was dry I stick all elements of the composition to the patterned background and I add a subtitle below ‚I am’ title. I embellish few places using this lovely, tiny washi tape with happy phrases from the main kit.

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I was still missing something. I needed an embellishment which will suit to my palette and mood of the project. Suddently I had an idea… Using various papers from the main kit and exclusive wood veneers I combined an  origami looks like bird (I am not sure if I wrote it properly, I hope you get the point). I cuted few triangles – if you want you can make the same. I won’t give you any measures but it shouldn’t be too difficult if you will focus on it. Start from this ‚not triangle’ figure (the bird’s belly) and the rest should be pretty easy to cut.

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When all the elements are ready stick them to the cardboard leaving tiny spaces between the triangles and cut the bird. When my bird embellishment was ready I added few more touches of black – little black dots here & there, you can spy them on a picture above.

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It’s ok to stick the bird to the background, you can add some 3D foams under to give it a dimmention 🙂 I just added few black splashes and draw a thin arrow. The project is ready.

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I hope you enjoy this step by step tutorial. If you like such kind of insirational classes, sketches and not complicated compositions I have an interesting idea for you.

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New Studio Calico proposition. ‚On The Grid’ classes leading by on of my favourite scrappers around the world, fav SC teacher and beloved friend – Marcy Penner and her remarkable contributors!

Save your projects from falling flat – learn how to give each one a solid foundation with On the Grid. Marcy Penner shares her secrets for using a grid based design to create perfectly pulled together projects in a flash. You’ll get Marcy’s expertise in multiple areas to create the perfect base for your projects by exploring using basic grids, playing with design through the use of tags and other materials, and getting out of the square format by experimenting with other shapes or stamps. On the Grid offers the blueprint to success – no heavy equipment needed.

Acrylic paint for everybody.

Today I would like to introduce you to the new kind of medium available in Studio Calico shop. Since last few weeks you can enrich your creative supplies list with the lovely range of Color Theory acrylic paints. My tiny tubes are already at home and I thought that it would be nice if I will write few words about acrylic paints in general before you will start playing with them, plus – I made a quick tutorial. Here we go!

Few basics – acrylics are water-based paints, which means taht you don’t have to use terpentine to thin the paints and clean your brushes. One big advantage of acrylics is wonderful versality. Using them you can achieve many different effects and a variety of styles. For example you can apply them either very thickly (using f.e. palette knives) or very thinly and all sort of combinations between. The consistency and texture of acrylics can be changed with acrylic medium and gel, or modelling paste and water. You can use them on various surfaces: wood, paper or canvas. Once primed up with gesso acrylics can be applied on almost any surface such as fabrics, cloths, clay, etc… These paints dry so very fast, so remember to squeeze only a small amount out of a tube at a time. Acrylic paint is PERMANENT – so please be careful and watch out on your cloths and furnitures 🙂 Unlike a watercolour the dry paint is insoluble and can be over-painted without any concerns – that’s a good part about they permanent nature (that it can be painted over). And the last basic thing – always clean your brushes when changing to a new colour to avoid mudiness. Before you begin mixing paint, make sure you know the ins and outs of the color wheel (you can get lots of informations from Lisa’s ‚Color Studio’ classes). Knowledge of pigment blending can save you time and frustration, as well as rescue a background from unsightly mistakes.

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OK, it should be enough for the begining. I still know lots of various acrylic techniques and I hope I will be able to share them with you one day. Meanwhile I have something easy but eye-catching for all acrylic beginners (and not only) – foil layer.
Once you are not familiar with acrylic paints, you are not sure how they work and you are affraid of ruin the background paper – this method is for you.

Start from the basic composition. Prepare the background, papers, embellishments and paints. In this technique you can paint using brushes, palette knives, finges or you can put the paint directly from the tube – like I did.

You will need a piece of foil (it can be a recycle packaging, plastic bag or a piece of kitchen foil…). I put A5 white paper under my foil to know the area which should be covered by the paint. If everything is ready, you can start appling paint of the foil. It can be totally accidental (but rememebr what I was writting about mixing colours).

Now take a brush, or a piece of paper or palette knive (like on the picture), and spread and blend paint a little bit. You can ‚draw’ some lines on it. it’s the easiest way to give an interesting element to this painting. You can also cover the foil with a smooth, thick surface of paint and scratch some words on it…

While the painting on a foil is ready (remember you can’t wait to long becasue the paint will be dry), you should take a piece of paper and put your painting upside down. And now – you can make a print using your paiting. You can make it on a random piece of paper and use it later as a layer of your project, you can make a print directly on your background or just leave an excess of paint on a paper…

I decided to make a small print and leave it for my future project. I put the foil upside down and I used a brayer to make sure that everything will transfer on a paper. I rolled my brayer over it a couple of times and peel the foil away from the surface. I was left with a print and almost dry piece of plastic bag with fabulous painting on it.

I find this idea very comfortable for all of us. You can use a transparent layer on your project. You can place it wherever you want. There will be no dirt, no blobs of paint – for me it’s a great thing. Of course you can make the same thing directly on a background if you want. Experiment with colours and shapes is fun! Even if you don’t like what you have done it’s not a big deal. Just brush over this ‚mistake’ with gesso. I do this quite often lately 🙂

Coming back to the tutorial. I put few extra layers on a foil (pale patternred paper plus vellum and another white paper). I decided to enrich this project with other techinique – you already familiar with watercolour, aren’t you. This time I was using Color Theory refillers instead of custom watercolours – they worked great!

When watercolour part was totally dry I put it into the the letterpress station and make a ‚hello’ print using black ink (of course you can’t see this letterpress effect on the picture, but believe me it looks sooo good).

Now it’s only few staps to the end. Stick everything together, combine the layers, add embellishments and pictures, glue the title… I used those lovely wood veneer alphabet from the ‚Whitman’ scrapbook add-on, but I coloured it using black marker.

That’s all. It was easy, right? 🙂 The technique is for everybody. It isn’t stressful at all. It’s quick and looks spectacular. Have fun! I am waiting for your own trials! If you have any questions please ask them in the comments below this post.

supplie list: ‚Poet Society’ scrapbook main kit, ‚Dickinson’ and ‚Whitman’ add-ons, vellum, Color Theory acrylic paint, Color Theory refills, palette knives, letterpress ‚hello’ plate, letterpress balck ink, letterpress brayer.

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I have also some good news for those of you who are still on the fence about starting your monthly Studio Calico subscribtion. Now if you decide to be a member of our community you will receive FREE addon! Remember to use the promo code: FREEADDON at the checkout. Join us >> now <<.

Acrylic ‚impasto’ technique.

It’s the day after reveal, how is everyone feeling? Did you get all you want? Hope yes becasue this month’s kits are so awesome! I also added some PL add-ons to my PL subscription 🙂 Lucky me!

I prepared a quick ‚from start to finish’ tutorial using acrylic paints. I focused on one of the easiest acrylic techniques – impasto. In this technique you smear blobs of paint gently over the surface using palette knife. You can get a cool mix of smoothness and texture using ‚fresh’ a a little dried paint. If you don;t have a palette knives you can also use a piece of thick paper.

First I combined the basic composition – as I always do at the begining of my creative process. Grabbed the embellishments, stamps and tools I will be using during my work (all of these things are coming from the ‚Poet Society’ scrapbook main kit).

Next I spreaded some gesso on the background using palette knive and mixed few acrylic colours with this medium on a palette.

I was adding other layers of paint using palette knife alternately with a dry brush. Dry brushing (it’s also well known acrylic technique) is using paint that is not watered down, but not a lot it. It’s sort of drag the paint over the textured area so you can see some of it break though. So firstly I applied gesso and pale hues of acrylics using palette knife and get the texture. Secondly I covered part of it using a brush. This is how I get this effect from the picture.

Remember that acrylic paints dry rapidly and so you have to work fast if you want to blend the colours. Otherway – they dry fast, so you can aplly multiple layers and don;t waste a lot of time for it 🙂

I started to embellish my page using various ‚Poet Society’ printables (oh, I love them all!!! designed by Marcy Penner, those from Creative Bubble and my fav – by LifeLovePaper), and other elements like rub-ons and stamps from the main scrapbook kit… lots of fancy layers here 🙂

If you have any questions about this tutorial please leave a comment below this post. I will try to answer. Hope you enjoy this quick course.

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And I have one more good news for you guys. Studio Calico prepared a special promo for those of you interested in buying new Color Theory ink bundle.

Transform your favourite embellishment.

I’m sure that sometimes most of you have such thoughts: ‚Wish I that this embellishment was white not pink’ or ‚Oh my, these letters would be perfect – but this gold glitter?!’ Well I had such situation during my work with ‚Hello, hello’ kits. In the ‚Bonjour’ add-on there were one of my favourite phrases by Heidi Swapp, in silver, silver glitter – it’s not ‚my thing’ if you know what I mean. Anyway, I knew that I adore those stickers so I decided to upcycling them using emboss technique.

I had no idea how embossing powder will be working with glitter surface on such tiny area, but I had to try! I took a special clear embossing ink and I covered whole glitter phrase. Next I sprinkled some Opaque White ZINK embossing powder on it…

I forgot that the foil around the letters will be also covered by the powder. Anyway I took my ZAP heat gun and embossed whole area.

Next I took a craft knife and started to rab the foil just next to the letters. It took a while but I still think that it was worth the effect I get.

I was satisfied when I saw the white, embossed effect 🙂 finally one of my favourite embellishment suit to the project. I was happy! and I started to composing other things on my layout.

Of course I couldn’t miss the watercolour areas. I was painted the top of the page using transparent watercolour papers and blending them with the background. This is always my favourite part!

Next step was stamping. I adore mixing various techniques – embossing, layering, painting and stamping – everything what I need in my work on one layout! It was fun! Besides – I was using beloved Color Theory ink pads, yay!

I collected few favourite stamp words on the acrylic block becasue I want to be sure that all of them will stamp in a perfect rows (well, I am not that perfectionist, but I like to have an order on my project; you have to believe me, that all around me there is always a huge mess during my work).

This is the final effect, I hope you like the idea of changing embellishments 🙂 For me colour is one of the most imporant things in composition, so that’s why I was so happy when I realized that embossing is working with glitter. Hope you will use these trick when you will need it.

I have one more info for you today – I have an honour to be a guest instagrammer at Studio Calico this week! Please check out SC profile to know something more about my creative space and process! See you there from Monday till Friday!

From START to FINISH layout tutorial.

Today I present my creative process from start to finish at Studio Calico blog! During my work I used supplies from June’s ‚Hello, hello‚ scrapbook main kit and some of my favourite supplies from the shop.

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Where to start? – prepare a neutral base for your layout (I used Studio Calico ‚More White’ cardstock for this project) and try to combine a basic composition. Try to compose also a Calendar Mask into your project together with a photo. Prepare some labels and other printables from’ Hello, hello’ collection and two/three colours which you will be using. My choice was: yellow, orange, pink/red with a pop of creamy salmon.

When I made a decision how my basic composition will look like and where I want to place the mask I mixed two shades of Mister Huey’s mist – ‚double yellow’ and ‚canyon’ to create a suitable, delicate orange shade. When my new, self-made Mister Huey’s colour was ready I start misting the mask on the background in very gently way.

When mists were already dry, I sticked a piece of lovely yellow patterned paper and the photo (I used dimentional foams to stick the photo to the base). Next I started to paint areas next to the photo using peerless watercolour papers and Mister Huey’s watercolour set.

In my next step I added some doodles made with Neocolor II crayon – which is one of my favourite medium last weeks. They are like perfect watercolours with a pop of acrylic paint pluses. Here I used a ‚Salmon’ shade.

Now it’s time for the main point of this tutorial – rainbow stripe pattern – how I got this effect? I used a huge stipe-pattern brayer which is unapproachable now in Studio Calico shop, but I know that lots of you already bought it month ago or you have other brayer stamps at home – so you will be able to create your own rainbow pattern at home using other supplies. So, I took this brayer and covered it using all theree colours of Color Theory ink pads: yellow, orange and pink, one by one – like a rainbow. Than I applied it here and there at the background.

At the end of my work, I added some labels, stickers, printables and gems from the ‚Hello, hello’ scrapbook main kit and I wrote one of my favourites phrases using a nib and black ink.

June for me is a month when me and my fabulous hubby have anniversary, so this year it will be 8 years since our wedding and this time spent together is a pure happiness for both of us. I hope that this combo give you just a piece of my warm feelings I would like to share with you during this month.

Thank you so much for stopping by, thank you for visiting my blog and your constant support. See you soon with another step by step layout tutorial with ‚Hello, hello’ scrapbook kit and add-ons!

‚Bessie’ can be messy :: step by step

Yeeeee…p… it’s not funny 🙂 aha hahahah these are my English poet skills 🙂 ok, not important. How was your reveal yesterday? Did you get everything you want? For today I prepared a simple step by step tutorial based on the ‚Bluegrass Farm‚ add-ons, especially on ‚Bessie‚, but you can find embellishments from other: ‚Clover‚ and ‚Pip‚ kits as well.

‚Bessie‚ is my this month’s favourite kit. These are ‚my’ colours, my favourite embellishments, nice alphabet, beautiful floral patterns and fabulous tiny, skinny masking tape – just fabulous. I creeated a layout based on my favourite composition which is the best for the workshops (in my opinion), so I think most of you can easly repeat it using also different materials in different palette.

Starting from the begining. First you have to combine the composition. I will focus on some tricks in this post, so I will leave the words about building composition, mixing colours, etc… for the next time.

First step is to past the pattern paper,placed the photo with all the layers we want to collect under the picture and glue them all to the background. Then apply gesso using thick piece of paper or an old credit card or something like that.

When the background is dry, it’s time to start painting using watercolours and watercolour media. Here I used one of my favourites lately – Mister Huey’s Watercolor Set from Studio Calico.

When our painting is finished we start adding some splashes and embellishments. I was in love with these cork, botanical shapes and lovely brads with gold print.

This wooden element from the embellish add-on ‚Pip‚ kit was to bold in my opinion for this composition so I decided to use it as a stencil. I put the ampersand and start to prick the papers already sticked to the background. Be careful and try not to move the stencil.

Now we’re working the same as always while embroidering. I used beautiful, silk orange thread which looks fabulous with the palette of this project.

At the end of my work I added some stamps, pencil doodlings, black tiny splashes made by india ink and… I added a little bit of tangled, silk thread under the secret envelope (inside the envelope there’s a hidden message 🙂 I think that this idea of using wooden elements as stencils so good and recommendable. Using them this way give us more possibilities to use them more than once and it’s really important especially whan you love the design – and I adore the designs on the wooden stencils from ‚Pip’ add-on this month.

If you like my courses and would like to get know more about mixing watercolour media with other, permanent techniques. If you are a beginer and want to know-how or if you are already introduced to mixed-media but want to enrich your knowledge and add something new to your toolbox we can meet eachother at the MIXED MEDIA classes at Studio Calico when me and Celine Navarro and our beloved contributors will give you 5 WEEKS of mixed-media wonderland.

We start just in a few days – at the 1st of April so if you still on the fence to make a decision… you know – we are waiting for you there to share our knowledge and experiende with you! See you at the MIXED MEDIA classes soon.

Lindsey Letters :: monogram tutorial

As I mentioned you earlier, in my latest reveal post I had a pleasure to work with one of the newest letterpress plates – Lindsey Letters Letterpress plate & Craft Die set – Monogram Alpha (includes 1 plate with 27 designs and 1 matching die-cut).

I prepared an easy DIY tutorial :: handmade letterpressed Birthday Calendar. I will write you the step by step way how to create such b-day cards at home.

First of all we have to start with letterpress. I prepared twelve white cardboard pieces and sticked a piece of watercolour paper on them. Next I used different monogram letters to mark every single month in a year (J for January, F for February, etc.). The letterpressed effect is clearly visible (sorry if you don’t see it very good at the pictures).

When all letterpress monograms are totally dry (remember that this oil-based ink need a few minutes to get dry), we can start using watercolours. I used Peerless Watercolour Papers to cover the surface. First – I made a kind of palette to check out the shades of each colour. Next I was ready to paint.

Becasue letterpress inks are waterproof I could cover the letterpress area as well without any concerns. I you don’t have peerless watercolour papers at home you can use any other watercolour media like: custom watercolours, mists, woodless crayons, liquid inks, etc…

I painted all twelve cards and now I’m waiting till they will be completely dry…

Now – stamping part. I took one of the older Studio Calico exclusive stamps – daily grid. I stamped every card using black Archival ink pad.

I used my Precision Pen to write some imporatnt b-days and name’s days. Birthday cards are ready 🙂 You can leave this part blank and give this blank cards set as a present. They will be actual for every year 🙂

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I’ve notice also other amazing NEW supplies in SC shop!!!

I wish a great begining of this week. I know – nobody loves Mondays, but… give it a try, smile and start these seven days of a new week with joy 🙂 XoXo

When life bring you… embossing powder :)

It will be my first project where I used embossing technique. I was introduce to this topic many years ago and never tried. Why?! oh why I was waiting for so long to try?!! OK – this afternoon I decided to try to mix my favourite watercolour technique with the new one (new for me) – hot embossing. I prepared a step by step tutorial how I was working with these media. I had so much fun! Let’s start…

First of all I create a simple base of the project using new Studio Calico lines: ‚Lemon Lush‚ and ‚Wanderlust‚ (if you can’t find them in the shop, be sure to click a ‚notify me‚ button to be sure, that you will be inform when they will be in stock).

I collected some acrylic stamps which are coming from the older Studio Calico kits, clear embossing ink pad, white ZING embossing powder, Peerless Watercolour Papers , Ecolines and other ‚must have’ supplies.

I combined a half of the layout and the second part will be the topic of my today’s tutorial. I chose a few stamps in floral and flower shapes and created a simple composition with them – just next to the edge of the layered papers

I sticked them to the small acrylic block and than I stamped them using clear embossing ink (it was not very easy to find the shapes becasue they were really invisible).

Then I covered these invisible stamped shapes with a white embossing powder…

Next I took out the excess of the powder (I put it back to the jar)…

And I got such result (I hope it’s visible enough on the picture)…

I used a heat gun to make the marks pemanent and waterproof (yes, I know that all of you already know how to emboss, but there are some people like me who don;t know a lot about this technique) 🙂

I added more stamps, more leaves and flowers and repeated the pattern. It was the end of embossed part 🙂 I had a lot fun making this! and I’m sure I will use it once again and again in my other projects!

Now – the funny part – watercolouring! I was showing and writting step by step instructions about how to use watercolour many times – so this time I will leave these pictures without any comment. If you have any questions you can ask me in the comments below.

I used Peerless Wartercolours Transparent Papers and liquid inks – Ecolines. This time I mixed more colours than usually… You can find here green, blue, yellow, orange, pink… Yep, I made a kind of mess this time and I really love it! It’s so refreshing! 🙂

When paitnted part was completely dry I made some random floral stamps  using various colours of chalk inks – just to add a kind of dimmension to this part. And it was the end of my work. Super fun, not super easy, but I’m sure that everybody can try to do something simmilar.

I hope you will find a while during the upcoming weekend to try this mixed-media technique. I hope you will enjoy playing with these fabulous things as much as I had.

If you want to see more close-ups please move to my gallery at Studio Calico >>> HERE.

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And my last news just before the end of this week. New supplies will appear in a few days in the Studio Calico shop. I’ve had an opportunity to work with some of them earlier… I prepared next step by step tutorial with these brand new

Lindsey Letter Letterpress Plate & Craft Die set :: Monogram Alpha

I won’t tell you now what it will be, but I just mention that you should be prepared for the shopping!!!

It’s just a sneak peek… don’t miss this up!

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And now something for the whole season, great surprise from Studio Calico fo all mini-book lovers!!!

Little Books, BIG inspiration – times 4! Purchase the Mini Book Bundle for $32 – a 20% savings!

Purchasing the Mini Book Bundle enrolls you in all four of our 2014 Mini Workshops. A new mini workshop will be available each season from our expert line up of teachers – Nicole Reaves, Maggie Holmes, Marcy Penner and Céline Navarro. Each teacher will be showing you how to create a unique mini book through detailed PDFs and videos.

This bundle offer is available with early bird pricing from 1/24/2014 through 1/31/2014.

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Have an amazing weekend everybody!!! We will meet at reveal night! yay! kisses :)))