Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft

How To Create Ornamental Boxes!

Hi everyone! Faber-Castell USA and I are back with another tutorial! This time, I'm going to walk you through creating simple ornamental boxes for journal!

I’m here to tell you that while some of bullet journaling looks complex, it can actually be pretty simple if you break it down into steps! Starting with a simple rectangle, you can create an interesting space in your bujo for lists, notes, or even quotes!

Tip: Use a pencil first! (Word on the street... Faber-Castell has some pretty sweet supplies if you’re interested... just sayin’) 

Try out each step shown here on these 4 simple boxes! As you can tell, I wasn’t sure what to call them, so forgive the names... I just can't help myself!

Once you’ve completed the three steps, it’s time to push it (...push it real good!) Add flourishes, shadows, florals, and metallic elements to help elevate your boxes, and then use them in your journal! How many other ornamental boxes can you create from a simple rectangle? Experiment and make it your own!

If you'd love to use ornamental boxes in your journal, but aren't ready to take the plunge, check out this free printable here! Download

Thanks, everyone! Keep creating!

Be Awesome Altered Tin and Album

Welcome back to another colorful Gelatos® post! This is Rachel Kleinman and I'm sharing a new-to-me project with my favorite Gelatos® color: GUAVA! Last post I shared that Snowcone Gelatos® was the first color I ever owned; but Guava Gelatos® was my first favorite! The name definitely had something to do with it, I mean, Guava Juice is delicious :)

 

 

I started with a plain metal tin that included a little accordion style album inside. You can find these at many arts and crafts stores, or just make your own with an old mint tin. I covered everything with Gesso before adding my Gelatos®, Aquarelle® Pencils, and Whipped Spackle.

 

 

Since Guava Gelatos® is naturally a light color, I used my Aquarelle® Pencils to highlight and outline. You can see I've added a lot of orange to my album, and that's because I always find myself using Guava alongside the Mango Gelatos®. They just work together! You'll see in a lot of my pieces that where there's pink... there is orange right along side it!

 

 

There are a lot of new techniques I share in my how-to video for new ways to use your Guava Gelatos®. This includes misting, melting, and stenciling! 

 

 

This little album and tin is also filled to the brim with Mixed Media Stencils! I really love the addition of stencils to the Design Memory Craft line, it just makes designing so easy!

 

 

So, go! BE AWESOME and play in your craft space, create something new, and try out new ways to use your Gelatos®! Thanks for joining me and happy creating!

 

SUPPLIES

Gelatos® - Guava, Mango

Double Scoop Gelatos® Guava

Gesso

Whipped Spackle

Stencils 101 Collection

Stencils 102 Collection

Stencils 301 Collection

Scandinavian Stencil Collection

Art GRIP® Aquarelles - Blues

Art GRIP® Aquarelles - Reds

Gelatos Tool Set

 

Bloom Mini Mixed Media Art Journal with Clear Scraps

Hi everyone, it's Erin Bassett here. This week the Design Team was challenged to use a combination of Design Memory Craft™  and Clear Scraps products.  Clear Scraps manufactures some beautiful artistic pieces for mixed media.  Check out their website for more information. I was really excited to use these products. This is what I came up with...a mini art journal. By allowing myself the creative freedom to combine elements into one project, I bloomed as an artist.

Here's how I created the pages.

For the first page I covered the chipboard piece with Gesso and then layered  Stamper's Big Brush Pens in Dark Chrome Yellow #109 and Cadmium Yellow #107. To create the flower embellishment,  I took the chipboard piece and applied the Silver Texture Luxe over  a stencil from the 101 collection to create a pattern. Once that was dry,  I placed the stencil back on the chipboard and traced the pattern with a PITT^® Artist Pen Cobalt Green #156 and then mounted it on top of a foil cupcake liner that I was smashed flat. 

The  button on top was colored with the PITT^® Artist Pen Cobalt Green #156.

For the backside of that page I mounted layered cupcake liners and topped it with a clear button that I colored as well. 

To add texture to this clear acrylic page, I used Silver Texture Luxe and a stencil from the 101 collection . I created the same design on both sides of the page being careful to line up the pattern . Once it was dry,  I marked and smudged the edges of the pattern with a PITT^® Artist Pen.

For this chipboard page I used the 3 x 12 Bloom where you are Planted stencil from Clear Scraps and traced over it with the Stamper's Big Brush White Pen and then shadowed it with the PITT^® Artist Pen. I also used Copper and Pearl Texture Luxe with the stencil to create the flower. Once everything was dry,  I rubbed a Banana Gelatos^® around the background.

For the backside of the page, I added Gesso and then used both the small and the large dot dabber with the Snow Cone Gelatos^® to create circles all over the page. I outlined the larger ones using a Black #199 PITT^® Artist Pen. I again used the 3 x 12 Bloom where you are Planted stencil and Banana Gelatos^® to create and color the flowers. The Black  Stamper's Big Brush Pen was used along with letter stamps to add the quote to this and the following pages.

 I mounted a square of sticky backed canvas onto this clear page. I added Gesso to the canvas and then used a stencil from the Scandinavian collection and the Stamper's Big Brush pens in Dark Chrome Yellow #109 and Cadmium Yellow #107. I also scribbled a bit of color onto my craft mat and added a drop of water to it so I could brush it on around the design. Next I used the Texture Gems^™ Ice Liner to trace around parts of the design. Lastly,  I sprinkled some glitter to add some sparkle. 

The backside of the page also has canvas that was prepped with Gesso.  I used a wash of the Banana Gelatos^® to color the background. While that dried I mixed together the Blueberry Gelatos^® and Whipped Spackle Paste. Next, I applied it over a stencil from the Scandinavian collection. Once dried,  I added some doodles with a PITT^® Artist Pen. The leaves and flag were rubbed with the Lime and Bubble Gum Gelatos^® onto white cardstock.  Next I cut them out into the shapes I needed. I also made a wash with the Cobalt Green#156 Stamper's Big Brush pen and water and dipped some cotton lace into it to dye it blue.

For the last page I added some Gesso and then used a Texture Card to add a pattern. Once it was dry,  I made a color wash with Cobalt Green#156 Stamper's Big Brush pen and water and applied it to the background. On a piece of white cardstock  I brushed a wash of Stamper's Big Brush Pens in Dark Chrome Yellow #109 and Cadmium Yellow #107. I used a stamp from the Gelatos Dolce 2 gift set to add another design element.  Once again,  I created the leaves by rubbing the Lime Gelatos^® onto the paper and then cut it into the shape I needed. The veins were added with a May Green #170 Stamper's Big Brush Pen. Lastly, I  added a dot of the Pearl Texture Gems Liner to each of the flowers.

I hope this inspires you to use a variety of mixed media products on your Clear Scraps art journal pages. 

We asked Rita to share a few thoughts about her time on our Design Team! "Five years with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft" by Rita Barakat

Hey there creatives, Rita Barakat reflecting on the past five years I have spent here at Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft. Being one of the originals - or OGG, Original Gelatos Girls I remember getting that first email before anyone knew what Gelatos were! I almost threw it out because I did not know the sender; but after a little time spent on Google I decided it was LEGIT! (LOL) And it's a good thing I did because there was a whirlwind of activity to follow!

Here are a couple of my first projects I did on the team. Even then I loved color, so I knew it would be a perfect fit!

As the core design team we had to wear aprons for CHA and I just couldn't leave mine blank! I ended up falling in love with decorating aprons! (This was one of many over the years!  PITT Artist pens work great on fabric!)


I've had a lot of fun on this team, I loved traveling, doing demos and meeting other creatives in person! 

I loved teaching at CHA  and other venues...


I've loved the friends I made along the way. I learned a lot about the creative business, the art itself and I feel like I blossomed into who I am today creatively...


As fun as it's been, when given the opportunity, I chose instead to start a new venture. This is my last post as an official design team member OGG for Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft. As a Mixed Media Artist I know I won't be giving up my Gelatos and PITT Artist pens anytime soon, but I am excited about what the future holds for me creative wise!  I am thankful I was able to work with some amazing people and products; to have met so many beautiful people in person and of course for the sweet blog readers.

It's a new season.
Good luck to the new team and make sure you check in with me at RitaBarakat.com.


Blessings!
Rita Barakat

Rita Barakat is a Mixed Media Artist, Illustrator and Designer & Educator. From wall murals to itty bitty minis you can find her work in various hospitals, corporations, family homes, manufacturer websites and magazines. She designs and teaches workshops for Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® and freelances for a variety of manufacturers. Not anywhere near a local event? Sign up for her newsletter and receive a Top Secret Mixed Media Class each month! http://ritabarakat.com/classes/ Written by Rita Barakat - Visit Website

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City Mini Album by Jen Matott

 

Hi Artsy Friends!  Jen here to share a mini album I made with Metallic Gelatos® colors and our new Cement Texture Paste and Asphalt Texture Paste.  These mediums are so fun to use and create amazing texture to you projects!  Here are some of my pages and a few tips to share about them.

An art journal page with Marie-Eve Bernard

Hello!

It's Marie-Eve Bernard and I'm here today to present you a art journal page with a simple watercolor technique.  As a guest design team member, we have received a box full of marvelous products!  One of those products was this little Mixed Media Journal. These ultra-durable, double sided board have a watercolor texture and are designed to withstand wet mediums without warping. Bind your journal pages together with the expandable rings (included) or use your own twine, yarn, ribbon or fabric! Try these boards with any Design Memory Craft® product!  The possibilities are endless!

Small Art Journal page by Maya

I fell head over heals for the Mini Journal Boards when I started playing with them. I keep a large Art Journal but as I am a cardmaker at heart I sometimes have trouble planning such a large surface. These Journaling Boards are just the perfect small format for me and I can add my own pages too since they are bound with rings.  Here's the process of making the page and I added a video at the end for you to watch if you'd like. Let's get started! 

DIY mini coloring book!

 

Hi ya! Lynn here and I've got a super cute quick project for you that is perfect for popping in your bag and making art on the go.

My geekiness over drawing tons of patterns has led me into creating coloring book style drawings. I'm sure you've heard about adults turning to coloring books to de-stress from our busy lives? Well, here's how you can make a coloring book from your very own designs.

 

Here are the supplies that I used for this project:

* Mini Mixed Media Journal®

* PITT Artist Pens® in various colors (I'll tell you the colors during the tutorial)

* Paper Crafter Crayons NEUTRAL®

 

Can I just say that the Mini Mixed Media Journal® seriously has it going on? We're talking very heavy duty  board that lets you work on both sides. Which means with a six board set you can go nuts and create TWELVE patterns to color in - woo!

 

STEP 1:

I used Pitt Artist Pen® in Cold Grey VI 235 to create the outlines for the patterns:

If you're new to drawing patterns, here are a few tips:

1. If you need some inspiration, take a look around you. You'll be surprised at how many everyday items have patterns on them. They make great jumping off points for your own drawings.

2. Use a black or dark grey pen to draw your patterns - these create great contrast for the colors you will add.

3. Draw large shapes/images first and then go back and fill in with smaller details.

* * * * * *

STEP 2: 

Once you have your patterns complete, it's time to COLOR!! Yay! I used a combo of Pitt Artist Pens® and Paper Crafter Crayons® on this project.

 I started coloring with Pitt Artist Pens® in the following colors:

* Deep Scarlett Red 219

* Orange Glaze 113

* Magenta 133

* Cobalt Green 156

* Black 199

* * * * * *

STEP 3:

After I finished with the Pitt Artist Pens®, I worked with the Paper Crafter Crayons®. Since the journal boards do have some texture to it, you can see a little bit of it come through when you use the crayons. But I really like the effect, makes me think of coloring as a kid. :)

The crayons are super cool, lots of pigment and really smooth. Here is how I applied them to my pattern:

And viola! Your little coloring board is done!

 I adore creating super complex projects but I also value the simpler, FUN projects too. It's nice sometimes to just play and go with the flow. That's how this project feels to me - a lovely little pause in a hectic schedule.

I hope you'll make your own little coloring book and if you do, I'd love to see pictures - have fun!!!!

Stenciled Negative Background

Hello Blogosphere! It's Tiffany here today with another way to use those Art GRIP® Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils with the new Mixed Media Stencils! I love the new Mixed Media Stencils because they come in a variety of patterns at an affordable price! They're also disposable, but with a coat of glaze you can prolong their life & usability! Pretty neat, right?

 

Video Tutorial:

 

I hope you're inspired to try this SUPER EASY technique on your own!

Thanks for stopping by,

Faber-Castell® Design Memory Craft® Products Used:

• Art GRIP® Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils RED
• Gelatos® Mist Maker Set
• Mixed Media Stencils 101

Other Products:

• Strathmore Watercolor Paper

Mini Mixed Media Journal with Marjolaine Walker

Hi creative friends, Marjolaine Walker here with my first post as a guess designer. I am so thrilled to be here! This project is part one of a two part project.  The Mini Mixed Media Journal has twelve pages and today I am showing you six. I will be doing something different to finish up the rest of the journal.

For my projects I rely heavily on Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® Mix and Match collections. The reason for this is that I am partially color blind and need all the help I can get in putting colors together! Mix and Match takes the guess work out of it for me because the colors are set to look fantastic together. All the Gelatos® I used come from the 15 piece Brights that has quickly become my favorite!