Many times I draw on past experiences to
inspire me in my design. This is project
is no exception. My Mom and I are avid
lovers of the dollar store and my Aunt’s have been creating shadow boxes full
of memories since I don’t know when.
Combine a set of mini notebooks from the dollar store with the shadowbox
idea and it turns into this really simple but really beautiful notebook! Have fun with this and sprinkle them
everywhere – you never know when a creative moment will happen!
Welcome to Mixed Media Monday! Wow - Monday's seem to roll around with a blink of an eye! What a busy time of year this is for everyone and for me it's no exception. My project to-do list is growing by the second.
Last week I attended our girls weekend creative retreat and I took the opportunity to make a load of greeting cards using a variety of techniques. Mostly I was playing, with textures and composition, but in the end turned out some cards I really love. So during this busy time of year, take some time out for yourself for creative play and refresh your inner soul. Since cards are small, they can give you some quick gratification!
In this video, I show you how to make the most of Spellbinder's dies to create a stencil and then add dimension to your cards with modeling paste. It's so easy and I know you'll love the effect!
Can't see the video? Click here to watch on youtube.
Please leave me a comment below - would LOVE to know your thoughts or if you have any creative ways you've used stencils and modeling paste
My subscribers learned extra tips about this video in my weekly sneek peak newsletter - you can too! Just subscribe below :)
Now here's your chance to win some awesome crafty swag from Spellbinders
We're digging out from a very early winter storm. The view outside is beautiful but inside it's warm and cozy! Aged metal intriques
me. I’m not sure what it is, but I love
creating surface designs. Perhaps, it’s
because there is a bit of mystery and wonder as to what will happen. I combined this technique, with polymer clay
and some vintage bottles from our family farm to create this winter inspired
home décor project.
I'm sharing one of my favorite types of projects - my Trash To Treasure projects. I discovered this treasure on a recent trip to the treasure ditch. It's such an easy project and adds a sweet touch to my home decor!
MB1-001
Susan Lenart Kazmer for Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Ovals One Bezels
MM1-004
Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Aluminum foil sheets
GC-003
Raspberry Spacer Plate
Bottle with flat front
Burlap approximately 1 1/2 inches wide with fringe.
Acrylic paint – red, brown
Antiquing medium
Polymer clay: light tan
alphabet stamps
Music sheet
Burlap strands or twine
Jump ring
Artificial greenery (optional )
E-6000 silicone-based glue
Low-tack tape
Cosmetic sponge
Cut one ornament shape from aluminium sheet using the Grand
Calibur™ machine
Place the metal ornament into the M-Bossabilities folder
and tape into place. Sandwich the folder
between the embossing plate and the raspberry spacer plate and pass through the
Grand Calibur.
Paint ornament red and allow to dry. Paint additional coat
is needed.
Apply brown paint over raised areas to give an aged
effect, allow to dry. Apply antiquing medium with cosmetic sponge
Condition a marble sized ball of polymer clay in your
hands and roll into a log. Press into
pendant blank and smooth with fingers to fill the cavity.
Stamp desired word into clay.
Bake clay and pendant according to manufactures
instructions for 30 minutes. Allow to cool.
Paint cly with brown paint. Allow some of the paint to
remain in the cracks. Wipe away the excess paint as desired. Antique.
A quick post today to share Mixed-media Mondays whimsical winter postcards. Unfortunately, handwritten letters and cards seem to be a thing of the past. That's such a shame. Bring a smile to someone special when they open up their mailbox and see these adorable postcards just waiting for them.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment below and make sure to click the like button on the video.
I’ve had a long obsession with cuteness! When I first started in this industry, I made miniature characters in polymer clay. Sculpting really helped me train my eye to see simple shapes. I was then able to translate this into 2 dimensional form and draw.
The simple shapes of the dies in the Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ really help make this little character quick, easy and fun! Just another way to explore beyond.
Of course, id love to know what you think of this project and give me suggestions on what you would like to see!
Project Dimensions: Varies
Spellbinders Supplies:
MMM-001 Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ machine
MD1-001 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Ovals One Die
MD1-010 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Hearts Two Die Template
Shipping tag from office supply store
Craft foam
Gesso
Acrylic paint: black, light blue
Alcohol markers - red, orange
Fine line permanent marker - black
Small strip of coordinating fabric
Double stick tape
Decoupage medium
Printed phrase
Scissors
Acrylic block
Cosmetic sponges
Cut one oval with the #3 and #1 (with #1 being the smallest) from craft foam. Cut one #2 heart from craft foam.
Attach shapes to acrylic blocks with double stick tape to create foam stamps.
Apply gesso to tag and allow to dry. Use a cosmetic sponge to daub on light blue paint to background to give a mottled effect. Let dry
Apply black paint to larger oval stamp and stamp onto tag in lower left corner. Apply black paint to small oval and stamp onto body for arms. Refer to picture for placement. Allow to dry.
Apply white gesso to heart stamp. Stamp an upside down heart in the center of oval and let dry.
Apply decoupage medium over tag and let dry.
Draw a triangle for beak with orange marker. Add feet with orange marker. Draw a red heart onto body. Add dots for eyes with black marker.
Add any additional details and outline penguin with black marker.
Cut out and decoupage words.
Tie fabric to whole at the top of the tag.
Add touches of snow where desired with white gesso.
Gotta love it when you can turn trash to treasure! Today I'm sharing a video tutorial on how to create acorns from scraps of fabric. Combine these with an old bed spring, some twigs and who knows what else you can find and you've got a fun candle stick holder!
Hints: Old scraps of fabric are perfect for this
project. Gather twigs and maybe even a
few berries from your yard to make this project festive. I added extra texture by creating foliage
with the S4-329 Foliage templates and dictionary paper. It’s a fun touch and adds a little bit of
unexpected texture!
Variation: Paint your acorns in fun colors and decoupage
words. Display in a decorative
bowl. They make great conversation
starters.
Spellbinders
Supplies:
MMM-001
Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ machine
MD1-006
Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Shields One die templates
S4-328
Spellbinders® Foliage die templates (optional)
Dictionary
paper (optional)
Scraps
of fabric in fall colors and patterns
Burlap
Needle
and thread with matching color
Scissors
Tacky
glue
Green
chalk ink and makeup sponge
Polyester
fiberfill or other suitable stuffing material
Acrylic
paint – Tan, brown
Flat
paintbrush
For the candle:
Bedspring
Battery
operated taper candle
Twigs
and/or berries
Fabric
bow
Hot
Glue
Cut
three shield shapes from fabric using the #3 (with #1 being the smallest)
Shields three die template.
Round
off the point with scissors approximately 1/4” from the bottom.
With
right sides together stitch pieces together beginning at the bottom center
upwards to the top approximately 1/8” from the edge.
Open
up and set in remaining piece. Stitch
around beginning at one side on the top and sewing completely around to other
side. (add a little daub of glue on the
edges to prevent them from pulling apart and fraying. Let the glue dry.)
Turn
right side out and add stuffing.
Stitch
around the top approximately 1/4” from the top and pull thread tight to close
opening. Add glue and let dry. Trim off excess with scissors.
Cut
a random circle shape from burlap about 1/2” bigger that the size of your
acorn. Glue to top.
Paint
acorn tan. Let dry and then streak with
brown if desired. Add a little darker
brown to the burlap and let dry.
As
an option, cut several foliage shapes from dictionary paper and color with
green ink.
Arrange
twigs, acorns, paper foliage and berries.
Glue onto bedspring with hot glue.
Attach a bow with hot glue where desired.
Each Friday I share a round up of my latest projects along with an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming video so please Subscribe!
Just a quickie note to ask that you please be sure to sign up for my newsletters. Every Monday I share a brand new how to video but on the Friday before, I share a sneak peek along with other helpful hints that I don't share in the video.
So please take a moment to drop me your email address. Don't worry - I promise I will only use them to send you personal "NICE" mail - no selling or sharing your email addy or other personal info with anyone.
Some of you have already gotten a sneak peek of the video feature for this week. I am often asked what my favorite character to create is, it would hands down be SNOWMEN! They're so fun and just looking at them makes me smile.
So in this video, I share with you my secret tips on how easy it is to create this snowman on a mini canvas! What a great little decoration - and what a great gift too!
I'd love to hear what you think - so please share with me your favorite snowman project or leave me a suggestion for future videos.
The EASY way to create a Mixed Media Snowman Canvas I’ve been collecting snowmen for years and
years and in the wintertime, snowflakes and snowmen decorate my house! They have a way of brightening up my day and
make me smile. In this video, I show you
how to create this adorable snowman canvas which is a perfect project to start
with if you are new to mixed media. I
used a canvas board, but think creatively and explore beyond the base. What unique base will you create your snowman
on?
Project
Dimensions: Varies
Spellbinders
Supplies:
MMM-001
Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ machine
MD1-012 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™
Circles Three die templates
S5-117
Spellbinders® 2012 Snowflake Pendant die templates
SKU: F-003 – Spellbinders® Blue
Premium Craft Foil or MM1-001 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Foil Pack One
Music patterned paper
Dictionary Paper or similar paper
with words
Printed
Phrase
Acrylic
paint: turquoise blue, green, red,
orange, off white and white
Fine
Tip Permanant markers – black and brown
4
x 4 Gesso board or canvas
Small
star sticker
Tacky
Glue
Paintbrushes
(small flat)
Decoupage
medium or Soft gel medium (glossy)
Cosmetic
sponge
Sanding
sponge
Moist
baby wipe
Bubble
wrap
Container
of water
Paper
towels
Decoupage
music sheet onto canvas and let dry.
Sand excess paper away with sanding sponge.
Using
finger or cosmetic sponge apply blue and green color over the music paper. Rub away excess with baby wipe to leave some
of the music paper showing through.
Cut
one large and one medium circle using the #2 and #3 (with #1 being the
smallest) Circles Three dies. Decoupage
them to the canvas.
Cut
one small snowflake from foil if desired.
Paint
over snowman with off white, rubbing some of the paint away to expose the paper
underneath. Add white for highlights.
Paint
a red scarf using a slightly curved line between the body and head and add two
long triangles for scarf tails. Add
white highlights. Let dry.
Paint
in cheeks with a blend of red/white and a small orange nose. Let dry.
Cut
out phrases and decoupage them to the surface.
Let dry, then outline with marker.
Outline
the snowman, add “x’s” for eyes and mouth and draw in any extra details.
Frame
the canvas with random lines around the perimeter.
Add
a small amount of white paint to bubble wrap and randomly stamp onto canvas for
snow.
Glue
on silver snowflake and add star sticker.
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My very creative cousin Kelly came from California to visit me last week. Our Mom's are sisters. You can really tell that we come from the same family because our personalities and things we like are so similar, yet we each possess our own different perspective, which I LOVE! (I happen to love dragonflies and her...not so much ) It was so awesome(sauce) to have her around to create with and to bounce ideas off of.
Kelly's specialty is creating jewelry from vintage china and stoneware. And being that she does a number of vintage markets in the southern California area she wanted to learn how to create some dressform displays. Check our her Tularosa Vintage facebook page.
We created Hilda and Mathilda completely from scratch using a recycled armature, chicken wire and home-made paper mache. We covered them with tissue from vintage patterns from my Mom's collection - which I think makes them extra special. (Hilda is on the left and Mathilda is on the right). We laughed as we gave them personalities and even joked that if we lived closer we would open up a shop called Hilda and Mathilda.
We made the most of our 5 days together with some junkin at Phoena's Vintage Market in Billings, MO, an awesome garage sale and tons of time in the studio creating jewelry using a variety of metal working techniques.
We soldered, and rusted and dapped and hammered and most of all laughed until the wee hours of the morning!
And we finished up her visit with a journey to our favorite Tea Room - Spring Creek Tea room in Ozark.
"Hilda" loves bicycles - I think she only has about 300 or so....give or take a few and this one caught her eye.
Time with family is so precious - especially since we get so little time to spend together living so far apart. I really hated sending her back home.
Keep checking back - I've created so much jewelry that I'll be posting more frequently.
Keep livin' the creative life!
Linda (aka Mathilda - do I really look like a Mathilda?)
Don't miss out! Subscribe to my free project tutorials, videos and tips to help you in your creative home and business life!
I personally love handmade gifts. They don’t always have to be big elaborate
gifts, sometimes, it’s just nice to give a small – “Hey, I’m thinking of you”
kinda gift!. These candles from the
Dollar Store are perfect to keep on hand when you need to give a little
something. During the winter season, I
love decorating with snowmen and snowflakes and how easy it is to do with the
dies from Spellbinders!
Watch the video on my youtube channel - Click here
Project
Dimensions: Varies
Spellbinders
Supplies:
MMM-001
Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ machine
MD1-012 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™
Circles Three die templates
S5-117
Spellbinders® 2012 Snowflake Pendant die templates
SKU: F-003 – Spellbinders® Blue
Premium Craft Foil or MM1-001 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Foil Pack One
Music patterned paper
Dictionary Paper or similar paper
with words
Printed
Phrase
Acrylic
paint: turquoise blue, green, red,
orange, off white and white
Fine
Tip Permanant markers – black and brown
4
x 4 Gesso board or canvas
Small
star sticker
Tacky
Glue
Paintbrushes
(small flat)
Decoupage
medium or Soft gel medium (glossy)
Cosmetic
sponge
Sanding
sponge
Moist
baby wipe
Bubble
wrap
Decoupage
music sheet onto canvas and let dry.
Sand excess paper away with sanding sponge.
Using
finger or cosmetic sponge apply blue and green color over the music paper. Rub away excess with baby wipe to leave some
of the music paper showing through.
Cut
one large and one medium circle using the #2 and #3 (with #1 being the
smallest) Circles Three dies. Decoupage
them to the canvas.
Cut
one small snowflake from foil if desired.
Paint
over snowman with off white, rubbing some of the paint away to expose the paper
underneath. Add white for highlights.
Paint
a red scarf using a slightly curved line between the body and head and add two
long triangles for scarf tails. Add
white highlights. Let dry.
Paint
in cheeks with a blend of red/white and a small orange nose. Let dry.
Cut
out phrases and decoupage them to the surface.
Let dry, then outline with marker.
Outline
the snowman, add “x’s” for eyes and mouth and draw in any extra details.
Frame
the canvas with random lines around the perimeter.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to my free project tutorials, videos and tips to help you in your creative home and business life!
As you know, I love sharing creative ideas with you all and this time we need your help. I've been associated with Tiffany and Cool2Craft for the last several years and we both work hard to bring our love of crafting to the masses. It will only take a minute to vote for Cool2Craft in order to move on to the next phase to get a grant to bring crafting to kids in her community.
Click here to watch Tiffany's video on how you can help! Really it only takes a click ! While you're there be sure to subscribe to her channel - she has over 900 how to videos!
Thanks for your help and your support! You're the BEST!
Don't miss out! Subscribe to my free project tutorials, videos and tips to help you in your creative home and business life!
Well, did I get your attention? I saw this done at the BlackBerry Creek Bed and Breakfast where I recently stayed and thought - WOW What a great idea!! You know it's nice to have extra TP and now it looks cool too!!
Click here to watch the video on my Youtube channel
Want more fall DIY and decorating ideas? Click here to watch my Fall DIY playlist
Don't miss out! Subscribe to my free project tutorials, videos and tips to help you in your creative home and business life!
I
just returned home from a mini-pickin’ trip where I happened to find some
gorgeous vintage tins. I fell in love
with the pattern and the color and knew the metal in these would make great
charms, pendants and beads. This is a
great project to begin with if you’re just starting to work with metal. There’s nothing hard about it –just jump in
and Explore Beyond™. I also learned a really cool technique on how to cut your nail/brad to just the right length using a credit card from a class I took from Kate Richbourg - awesome class!
Watch a playlist of my favorite jewelry making videos - click here
Spellbinders
Supplies:
MMM-001
Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ machine
MD2-009
Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Hearts Three die templates
MB6-012
Susan Lenart Kazmer™ for Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Frames Two brass blanks
Miscellaneous
flat spacer beads
Jump
rings
Chain
of choice
Clasp
of choice
Bench
block (or hard surface to hammer against)
Texture
hammer
Metal
shears (or heavy duty scissors to cut metal)
Metal
jewelry files
.125
metal hole punch
1.0
x 12.7mm wire nails (found at a hardware store)
Wire
cutters
Ball
peen hammer
Low-tack
tape
(optional: instead of a texture hammer, you can use a
riveting hammer. Age the brass metal if
desired by lightly brushing the surface with Jax® solution for brass)
Position
the metal over the heart from the Hearts Three die template set and pass
through the Artisan X-plorer™. (you can
repeat this step a couple of times for a nice indentation)
Cut
along “cut line” to cut out the heart shape
File
edges smooth and refine the heart shape with a metal jewelry file.
Punch
a hole in the center of the heart with the .125 metal hole punch.
Insert
the wire nail through the back of the heart and thread on a spacer bead.
Punch
a hole in an old credit card and insert over the spacer bead. Snip excess wire using the thickness of the
card as your guide. Remove card.
Gently
tap on the nail head with a ball peen hammer using a circular motion. This will blossom the nail head and secure
the spacer bead embellishment to the heart.
Continue to do this until the nail head is flat against the bead. (hint – you can glue a tiny rhinestone over
the nail head to hide it) Punch an additional hole in the heart where you want
to attach it to the chain.
Set
the brass blanks onto the bench block and use the texture hammer to apply a
cross hatch pattern.
I’ve
offset the frame blank and the backing blank, marked where I wanted my hole to
be in the top and punched it out with the metal punch. Insert a rivet as you did with the heart
charm to attach.
Cut
a piece of metal or use a photo to fit inside the frame.
Attach
chain, charms and beads with jump rings.
Attach toggle clasp.
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I'm in the studio this week creating jewelry up a storm to get ready for my show in November! But look what just popped in my email box!!
My friends at Ashdown publishing based in the UK have just released a brand new beading magazine called BEAD ME which features US jewelry designers! I'm please to have a couple of my projects based on my MetalWork Jewelry book featured in the magazine.
You're gonna love this! It's so interactive and easy to use and read on my new iPad mini (thanks hubby!)
These magazines can be viewed on your tablet or smart phone - click here to download the app (it will take you to the website)
Hey DIY crafters! Today's Mixed Media Monday really delivers a mix of media! Recently, I gave myself a play day. You would think I play everyday and I kind of sort of do, but generally, I'm playing with a particular goal or project in mind. It is very hard for me to shift gears and say "It's okay to play and not make anything and mess up and make mistakes and just discover".
I've been wanting to create something with the doggie dies I have from the Spellbinders Media Mixage line and so this was included in the play day. I also dug out some UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) and chipboard. What I discovered is this technique that looks like a painted rusty metal of sorts and other times, depending on the color you paint it, can look like glazed ceramic.
UTEE has a natural tendency to turn brown as it cooks in the melting pot. I don't know how to prevent this, but at the same time, because I love vintage, the color gives a very nice aged appearance and so for this technique it is quite desirable.
I'd love to hear what you think of this technique and video. Please leave your comments below
Click here to see the video on my youtube channel -
Please don't forget to subscribe! (P.S. - You're gonna love next weeks video too!)
How to make the Doggie Pendant!
Spellbinders
Supplies:
MMM-001
Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ machine
MD2-005
Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Dogs One die template
Heavy
chipboard
Ultra
Thick Embossing Powder Clear (UTEE)
Rubber
Stamps with a deep impression
Acrylic
paint in base color of choice
Antiquing
glaze
Cosmetic
Sponges
Tweezers
Melting
pot
Craft
knife
Scissors
Non-stick
work surface
Optional
Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ die templates:
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