Faber Castell: Design Memory Craft

Mother's Day Necklace

As an art teacher, I'm asked many times to offer ideas for classroom teachers for Mother's Day projects.  I decided to try this fun necklace as one of the ideas I offered up.  I've seen it done with paper and you could totally do it with many different materials, but for today's post, I made this one with large paperclips, Sculpey Ultra Light oven dry clay, and Design Memory Craft products.  It's pretty easy for older kids to do without much guidance.  Little ones would need help, but it would be charming.  Any Mom would love this necklace!

I got a package of brass colored large paperclips at Staples and used around 19 of them and hooking them together. 

Next, I conditioned some clay (I used the Sculpey Ultra Light clay that is baked in the oven)... that is you work it with your fingers to soften it before using it.  I put it on my non-stick craft mat and used a playdoh roller (tee hee... I swiped it from my 3 year old's play set) so that it was about 1/8th of an inch thick. I cut it into 1 1/2"x 1" pieces. 

Next, I placed the piece under a paperclip and wrapped it carefully around the clip. Make sure to press it tight and try to make it even.

I used the Stamper's Big Brush Pen in Black to ink up one of the little stamps in the Gelatos® sets and stamped them into the clay.  I stamped off some of the ink before stamping the clay.  It make it a little more grungy.  IF you like the more opaque black, skip this step!   I stamped both sides of the bead.

Once I complete all beads, I placed it on my crafty old cookie sheet.  I save this well-used sheet for oven bake clay... I baked it for 15 minutes at 275 degrees.

You have to let it cool... remember there is metal in each bead!  HOT!  Allow to cool for at least 10 mins. Now the fun begins!  I used Gelatos® to create washes to color the beads.  Using my craft mat, I scribbled some color on the mat and spritzed some water on it to wet.  They are water-soluable and mix beautifully! 

I used a heat gun to speed dry it a bit and gave it a second coat of color for more intensity.  After they were dry, I used the Textural Accents Glaze to coat each one for a slightly glossy and protective seal.

Here I am wearing my new necklace!  I love how easy it was and using paperclips... who knew?  So economical!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

 

Handmade Journal- One Little Word

Hi! Jen Matott here to share a project that I made using DMC products.  I have made a little mixed media book that has a variety of materials for pages.  The theme of this book is "One Little Word". I created this after being inspired by Ali Edward's yearly quest for the word that will become part of your yearly creative efforts.  I have wanted to participate for some time but didn't get going until now.  I created this book using a vintage photo proof portfolio (I found it among my grandfather's possessions when he passed away.)  They were used to hold photographs but are perfect to create a mini album!  I used watercolor paper, canvas, mixed media paper, chipboard, and cardboard as the pages.  Most of the pages use Gelatos® or Aquarelle watercolor pencils. I wanted to make something closer to my style in order to explore my word this year "Time".

Here's the cover... mostly covered in papers from Authentique and Prima but inside is the more artsy materials!

 

Inside front page that used a piece of chipboard that I covered wth paper  and cut out the window to reveal the drippy next page.

 

First I used a template to spray some Gelato® spray though it to create the clock background.  I then used the Stamper's Big Brush markers to stamp the clocks and banner pieces and used Gelatos® and water at the top of the page to create the drips. I cut out the banner pieces and starburst stamped image to create some depth.

I created a wash of color using Gelatos® on a craft mat and water.  I used them on the back of the page and when the dried, I drew with the PITT® artist pens to create journaling boxes for me to add my thoughts and goals. The next page was canvas on a piece of the portfolio and I used the Aquarelle watercolor pencils to create the circles and arrow shape.  I also used the Big Brush Marker  to stamp the letters to create the words in each box. More drippage and corregated cardboard!  Love the textures here and how the dripping Gelatos® interact with it!

The back of the cardboard page was done with Gelatos® smeared onto the background and then stamped text on top with the Stamper's Big Brush pen... Then, I used that template again to push light modeling paste through to create the raised clocks... add some papers and this one is done!

The reverse of the first page... the template with the Gelatos® sprays on it and turned over to create the opposite.  I used some punchinella to smear some Gelatos® through to create the dots.

More Gelatos® sprays, washes, and stamped images with Stamper's Big Brush Pen.  I created the tag with leftover wash colors.

This book was part of a class I taught at my local scrapbook store and I love the outcome of this special little word book!  I hope you enjoyed my project today!  Thanks for letting me share.

 

 

More Sketchbook Project Pages...

I shared some of my pages from the 2012 Sketchbook Project that I completed and mailed out last week! I thought I'd share the rest of my pages here since I used the new colored Gelatos, PITT® Artist pens, and Big Brush Stamper's Pen in Black. I'm so thrilled with the new colors! They are gorgeous!

Here are the sampling of the rest of the pages in my "Writing on the Wall" book:

The cover of my book... Lots of Gelato drippy goodness!

Good vs. Evil... a template made from my youngest son's photograph. I used Gelato sprays that I made through dotted templates and stamped with red and black Stamper's Big Brush Markers. I outlined the profile with the PITT ® Artist Pens.



I like those new colors A LOT!!! New Gelato colors used through a circle template!


More circles with some of the previously released colors! Love the metallics mixed with the other colors. YUM! I had so much fun creating this journal and can't wait to see who picks it up to view at the Brooklyn Art Library in a few months! Thanks for letting me share my art!

Writing on the Wall

Jen Matott her to share some new journal pages with you using some of the new colors in the DMC Gelato line. I am loving the bright colors that we are debuting at Winter CHA in just a week! I love the gorgeous colors that go perfectly with the existing color lines. I am going to share with you a couple pages from my 2012 Sketchbook Project journal. I signed up this year for the 2nd year with The Art House's Sketchbook Project. It is a traveling art journal show that goes all over the country and then is permenantly housed in the Brooklyn Art Library. I have one there from last year and then this year's is themed "The Writing on the Wall". I was thrilled to get that theme... had lots of images in my head to use. So, I set about looking through my stash for wall images, writing samples, etc... I used lots of stamps, art mediums, and DMC product on here!

Here is my first page that I'm going to share... it's the title page for my book.

There are many layers of stuff on this page! I started with gluing patterned papers down and then swiped some of the DMC Gesso from the Textural Accents set using a palette knife. I wanted to add some texture to the page. Once that was dry, I added some of the Gelato colors over it and used a brush to blend. I stamped with a brick stamp and pen tips stamp and the black Stamper's Big Brush pen.The "Writing" and "Wall" words were done using the negative space of a cut out (with my Cricut) of those words. I swiped some modeling paste through the negative space areas and when I lifted it off they were dimensional. I added some color with the Gelatos when they were dry. Some decorative tape was added and letter stickers.

This next 2 page journal entry was done with much the same techniques as above but using some of the Gelato made sprays and stencils.

Here you can see a close up for the new colors and some of our favorite older ones. I colored through circle waste (from a board game) and smudged with my fingers. Gesso was added below that layer too. I love using the Gelatos with my journals! I will say that I add a layer of the gel medium or glaze over top to seal it all in as it is going across the country and being handled by many people so I wanted it to last and not smudge.

I have more pages to share but I'll save them for a future post! I'm mailing this baby off this week and had so much fun making it! Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek from this project.

Gelato Clutch Purse

Jen Matott here to share a project that is perfect for all of you fashionistas!  With parties all around, I thought it was time that I show my artistic side with a new and unique clutch purse to wear with my little black dress.  I had some natural colored denim (or canvas) that I embellished with some Gelato stamping, sprays made from Gelatos and water, and my PITT® Artist Pens and Stamper's Big Brush Pens! 

I started with a piece of canvas and added stenciled designs using sprays made from Gelatos and direct application of new Gelato colors to a circle template.  Once dry, I added stamped text and wings with a Stamper's Big Brush Pen in Black.


 Next I cut a piece of fabric for the lining and used fusible interfacing to bond the two together.   I stitched the front and lining together at the bottom with a straight stitch.

I folded the bottom up 3/4 of the way and stitched the sides together.  The top was cut to resemble an envelope flap.  I stitched the edges around the flap.

Finally, I added embellishments such as a sequined edging using fabric glue.  I also added a snap and an  artsy flower. 

I can't wait to bring this baby along to my winter parties!   You will love the new colors of Gelatos too... coming soon to CHA!

 

 

A Chocolate and Pistachio Birdhouse

Colleen's last birdhouse is enough to make you want a snack.  She  used the Chocolate and Pistachio Gelatos to create this little gem.  Book pages were adhered to the birdhouse with Gel Medium. Colleen used her trusty paint making technique to make watercolor paint with her Gelatos by swirling them on to a palette and adding water.  She chose a Pistachio house with a Chocolate roof and doesn't it look yummy!  Circles and Stripes were painted on with the Gesso in the Textural Accents Sampler.  While wet, Colleen sprinked with glitter.  The Gesso acts as both a glue and an opaque paint.  She topped it off with some silk leaves and what else, a tiny feathered friend.

Gelato Bird Houses......and a SNEAK PEEK at NEW Gelato colors!

After you read this post, February 1st won't come fast enough.  Afterall, that is the day that the NEW Gelatos will be shipping to stores all around the country.  Design Memory Craft is launching 10 new Gelato colors at the CHA Winter show in Anaheim later next month.  Colleen McGinty had the unique opportunity to work with the new colors before they were available.  What she created was so special, well, we just couldn't hold off showing you her projects now.  And... since she was using the 10 new colors, you get a sneak peek at those too.  All this week we will be showing you what Colleen has been crafting using the new Gelatos. 

Up first are Colleen's charming birdhouses.  We'll kick it off with the Cherry Red and Butterscotch Birdhouse.  Colleen used a collage technique to apply an old calendar to the birdhouse.  She simply cut the calendar pieces to fit, then adhered them with Gel Medium found in the Textural Accents Sampler.  While the Gel Medium dried, Colleen made paint using her Gelatos.  She swirled her Cherry Red & Butterscotch Gelatos into a paint palette then added a bit of water.  She then used this paint to add color to the birdhouse.  A bit of glitter adds sparkle, a garland adds a bit of woodsy whimsy and a tiny red bird calls it home. 

 

Tecniques & Textures

Hi everyone! RIta Barakat here with a few techniques using Gelatos!

Did you know that Gelatos work on canvas?
They are so versitale! I used a mini canvas album -
I dry embossed it and went over the top lightly with Gelatos!

They look beautiful on chipboard as well!
I used the gold metallic Gelato on top of the colors on
the chipboard bird - you can really see it in the middle!   

I used the Stampers Big Brush to stamp the image and
go around the edges with a sponge. I love the way  it came out!

I used the same sponge for the edges of the paper rosette.
Here I used texture paste & Gelatos- depending on what brand you use this is modeling paste, artist spackle, heavy or medium gel. I scribbled on my non stick mat with the Gelatos, added the paste and mixed it up. If I wanted darker colors I added more Gelato to the mat and moved the paste over to blend.
I used a stencil and a plastic knife to spread and set it aside to dry. Depending on which compund you use it can dry pretty quickly.

Here I drew all over the canvas with red and yellow Gelatos, sprayed with water and blended. I wanted more of a subtle finish so I went back over with the white Gelato, sprayed with water again. The felt flower was grey - I colored my non stick mat with red and white Gelatos, sprayed it with water and wiped  it up with my felt flower. After it was dry (you can use a  heat gun) I doodles on the edges with my PITT® Artist Pens.

Here you can see the same techniques I used on the other pages - these are so easy and you can see how you can come up with many different looks!

I hope you take the time to explore these techniques!
I love the Gelatos becasue there is so much you can do with them!

Unique gift box

I don't know about you but I'm starting to panic over how close the holidays are!  I have a unique way to package a small gift such as a gift card, jewelry, or other small treasure.  I had been given a few of these containers to alter and decided to try to do so with some of my favorite Faber-Castell products.

You can get some of these at your local craft store or restaurant supply store. Take the handle off carefully and set aside.  Open up the container and lay flat.  They have a waxy finish so you will want to sand them well with some extra fine grit sandpaper first. 

Wipe clean and prime with gel medium or simply collage decorative papers such as tissue paper, patterns, maps, book pages, sheet music, thin patterned papers, wrapping papers, etc... rip and apply with a good gel medium, like the one in the Design Memory Craft Textural Accents Sampler.  Once it is dry, flip it over and do the other side.

Now, it's time to add some Gelatos!  Color over areas (no need to be very careful or precise) and add a bit of spray water to blend and allow to drip.  Blast with a heat gun to dry.  Continue until you are satisfied with the coverage and do the same with the other side in different colors.

I used a Stamper's Big Brush Pen in Black to stamp some butterflies on the inside.  You could do this all over if desired.  I also stamped on sentiment on a tag (this on is a Thank You for my son's teacher).

I decorated the finished box with paper flowers and canvas leaves.  The flowers were made using watercolor paper colored with Gelatos, Art GRIP® Aquarelle pencils, and bubblewrap stamped using black gelatos. I punched circles using 2" and 3" circles cut into a spiral and rolled.  The canvas leaves were colored with Gelatos and cut.  All pieces were applied with a hot glue gun.

This little box could be used for an occasion.  How much fun would it be to get this with a gift card in it?  The possibilities are endless for color combinations and embellishments!

Day 5 card and giveaway with Brenda Pinnick!

Happy Halloween! Since only one person played along on Friday-(must be everyone's busy making their costumes and cupcakes) I'm going to open Friday's giveaway to carry over onto today's contest. I will only do the giveaway if there are 10 or more people commenting so please invite your friends, personal and facebook! 

Here is today's card

 For this card, I used my Piccadilly Circus stamp set, which is my give-away for today.

For the coloration, I used a combination of Faber Castell Stamper's  Big Brush Pens and of course, Gelatos, both wet and dry. I simply stamped the images onto a piece of charcoal paper while overlapping the medallians. I eyeballed a pumpkin shape and cut it out free form. Embellishments include a spray painted ( Tulip ) doily and some vines and leaves drawn in with my Stamper's Big Brush Green pen. How simple is that?! 

Today's give-away is awesome! From FC- Complete Assortment of Metallic PITT artist pens and Gelatos plus Stamps by Brenda Pinnick   

 

( For purchase on HSN )

 

Today's question is - If you were redoing a new studio space and wanted to paint the floor, what color would you choose? ( Three walls are glass windows and one wall is red brick ).

Answer today's question on both my blog http://brendapinnick.typepad.com and in order to qualify for the drawing. Also, scroll down to Day 4 and answer that question as well. Remember, I need 10 posts in order to validate the giveaway.

Happy Haunting, friends!!