Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Today is my first official post on Xyron's 2018 Design Team! And this week we are all about SPRING!! Goodbye, freezing cold temps! Hello, sunshine and flowers!! 

 I remembered I had recently received and fabulous paper mache dress form and I had been dying to have a go at it. I knew right away I wanted to make or at least attempt to make an amazing dress to go on it. The challenge was to make it spring inspired. Then, I thought to myself, "Hmm... This would be absolutely gorgeous if I made the dress out of leaves and flowers"! Well, it turns out, I was right!!

So, today I'll show you how I created this gorgeous Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form.

Supplies Used

23" Dress Form (Darice)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring Die (Sizzix)

Katelyn Lizardi Butterfly Embellishment Die (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Wrap (Advantus)

Creative Station (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Cardstock- All in the Family- Olive Greens (Core'dinations)

110 lb White Cardstock (Recollections)

Kraft Cardstock (Recollections)

Eileen Hull Blends- Leaf, Wildberry (Clearsnap)

Chalk Box Paint Box Chalk Ink- Cornucopia (Clearsnap)

Hot Pink Tulle

Fabri Tac (Beacon)

Wedding Picks (Celebrate It)

Beaded Garland (Celebrate It)

Rhinestones

First, I gathered my materials. Then, I started by die cutting different shades of green cardstock into 2" x 4" pieces with Eileen Hull's "Leave, Spring" die. I cut down my paper into smaller pieces first because this die has 4 different leaves on it and I only wanted to use the largest leaf on the die with the least amount of waste.

I wasn't sure how much leaves I needed to create the dress but figured 2 - 12"x 12" sheets of each color would be plenty. I ended up cutting  144 leaves total... um, yeah that was waaaaay more than enough! In fact, it was too much. It's alright. I'll stash the extras away to use on other projects.

I wanted each leaf to be seen, so I added shading around the edges of each leaf using different shades of green chalk ink. And yup, I shaded all 144 of those leaves! Well, at least next time they'll be good to go and I can just apply them to my next project! LOL!

 I knew I didn't want any part of my dress form to be "naked". So, I cut pieces of tissue wrap and inserted into my Xyron Creative Station machine and cranked it through to make my own giant sheets of washi tape. Then, I covered the top half of the dress for up to the wooden post.

 I wanted each layer of leaves to lay on the other. I knew I had to create my dress from the bottom on up. I wanted the bottom of my skirt to be fluffy. So, I used tufts of tulle all along the bottom.

I cut my tulle, into 5"x5" pieces, bunched them to form strips, then loosely tied a single basic knot. For this form, I made a total of 20knots.

Then glued each knot, end to end, all along the bottom with a fast drying clear glue,

Once the glue had set, I was ready to build up my leaves.

 I ran my leaves a Xyron 3" Sticker Maker. the applied each leaf in staggering rows. I made 2 rows of each color. leading up to the waist. Once the skirt was done, I trimmed the bottom edge of the tulle to make sure it was even.

Then, I moved onto the bodice...

 I wanted the leaves to "cup" each "breast" so I created darts in the leaves by cutting out about a 1/3" triangle from the bottom of two leaves. I pulled together the flaps and overlapped the sides and glued in place. Then adhered each cupped leaf to each breast and added another two leaves to below those on each side to complete the bodice.

I wanted to add more texture and color. So, I die cut stems and flowers using Katelyn Lizardi's Butterfly Embellishments die. This die comes with a coordinating embossing folder. I die cut 18 stem and 12 flowers. Note: you need 2 flowers to create a single flower.

I shaded the leaves and flowers using Eileen Hull's Blends. Leaf for the leaves and Wildberry for the flowers. 

I glued a flower-shaped rhinestone to the center of each flower. Then adhered the stems to the dress form to form a spray. Then attached my flowers.

For added dimension and drama, I added beaded wedding picks and garland throughout...

And here is my finished Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form...

A closer look...

Even closer...

I love how these pinks really pop against these greens!!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my VERY FIRST altered dress form!! Yup, this was my very first! And, I have to say I just added another addicting hobby to my evergrowing list! This may have been my first but it sure won't be my last!!

Thank you all for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Altered Hoop Art

Hello, Friends!
Today, I'm bringing you this Altered Embroidery Hoop project I created for Little Birdie Crafts!

Supplies Used 

Paper Crafting Medley - Aurora 13pc
4" Embroidery Hoop
6"x6" Orange Tulle
6"x6" Pink Tulle
Mixed Media Glue
Alcohol Markers (I used Spectrum Noir Illustrators)
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen (Clear)
Distress Oxide Ink-
Crinkle Ribbon

I love these Papercrafting Medleys from Little Birdie Crafts! These are awesome little kits that come with almost everything you need to make a project. Flowers, leaves, stems... even chipboard embellishments! And all you have to do is assemble onto your choice of media. Today, I chose to alter a mini embroidery hoop but these kits would go beautifully on a card too!

The chipboard pieces are gorgeous and full of detail. They're even beautiful untouched and left plain!

I chose to color this little gorgeous fairy with my alcohol markers. These are chipboard pieces so the ink does tend to absorb into the material.

*Tip*: Applying gesso before coloring will minimalize the this and will make your color more vibrant. For me I kind of like the brownish undertones.

After coloring, I used my sparkle pen to color over the skirt and wings for lots of shimmer and shine.

Once my fairy was all colored I needed a place to perch her. she is in a sitting position and I thought placing her in a hoop would look like she was swinging.

I wanted the hoop to remain open and airy but needed a backing to apply my embellishments. This is where the tulle comes in. I blended two colors of tulle, one on top of the other, to get the right shade to coordinate with my fairy and my flowers.

I cut the tulle, one orange, and one pink, into 2- 6" pieces. Then layered them over each other. I opened the hoop and placed the material over the inner hoop and fastened in place with the outer hoop. I used scissors to trim away the overhanging excess tulle.

With mixed media glue, I attached my leaves in an arch directly onto the hoop.  Then laid down and glued the rose buds and corkscrew stems next. I added the bigger open roses toward the midway point of the arch and tucked the stems randomly in between.

I shaded the edges of my leaves with Walnut Stain Oxide inks and then I glued them under and around the open roses.

I applied mixed media glue behind my chipboard fairy and attached her direct onto the tulle.

Once she was secure, I attached a bow made of crinkle ribbon to the hoop closure.

Now, she is ready to dangle and sway in her floral swing.

And here is my finished project...

I love how she looks like she is kicking out her foot with her other one curved back. It really looks like she's trying to build momentum and swing!

I hope you liked today's project!

See you all next time!

~Mitsyana

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

PrettyNPink Mixed Media Canvas

Hi, Crafty Friends!!

I'm back again with Little Birdie Crafts to bring you another "Clean" Mixed Media Project.

I love mixed media but don't like getting too grungy and dirty. I like the textures and layering but am more drawn to more bright and fresh color palette. 

So, I create my mixed media with my personal style and likes in mind.. because ART is about personal expression and there's no wrong way to do art!

Little Birdie Crafts Supplies Used

Stencil Script Design

Chalk Paint French Rose

Chipboard Garden Butterflies

Chipboard Ornate Pendants 

Renae Blush (Flowers)

Kraft Leaves

Other Supplies Used

Tulle Ribbon

Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)

Pebeo Gilding Wax (Crafter's Companion)

8"x10" Pre-Primed Canvas

2.5"x2.5" Decorative Picture Frame (Michael's)

White Gesso (Liquitex)

Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)

Spatula

Paintbrush

Scissors

First, I started by applying whipped spackle onto my pre-primed canvas using a palette knife and Script stencil. As you can see in the pictures below, this is a pretty good sized stencil and it covers most of my 8"x10" canvas. I personally did not need to use painters tape or washi tape to hold the stencil in place. But if you could if you wanted it to be more secure.

I removed my stencil, set the canvas aside to dry, then immediately washed my stencil off. Removal of the spackle is a lot easier while it is still wet and it helps to prevent damage to the stencil.

After the spackle dried I painted the entire canvas(including the sides) with  Little Birdie Crafts' French Rose chalk paint.

Once the paint was dried, I applied Pebeo Gilding Wax onto the raised areas of the canvas and along the perimeter edges. This paste is so easy to use... just gently dip your finger directly into the wax and rub your fingertip across the surface. You don't need too much, a little goes a long way!

I removed the easel and backing off the small decorative frame then attached it to the canvas using mixed media glue.

I prepped my chipboard pieces. First snipping a couple of links off of one of my pendants. (I'll save it to add it to the top of my other later to elongate it). 

I prepared a texture paste by mixing 1 teaspoon white gesso with about 1/4 teaspoon - 1/2 teaspoon of texture powder.

I applied the mixture to all my chipboard pieces, making sure to get in between the small creases and along the sides.

Once the pieces were fully dried, I rubbed more gilding wax over the raised textured areas. The wax has a creamy consistency and is very easy to apply and very easy to wash off. Simply wash off with soap and warm water to remove.

I applied the Garden Butterflies Chipboard piece onto the front of the decorative frame with more mixed media glue.  

Then arranged the Renae Blush flowers and leaves and Kraft Leaves around the decorative frame in a cascading fashion, tucking the leaves behind the flowers. Once I achieved the look I wanted, I secured the pieces in place with mixed media glue.

I love how elegant the Renae Blush flowers are. The centers of the flowers are filled with pearl beaded stamens and rhinestones. 

And here is my finished canvas...

Look at all these amazing details!! Those flowers absolutely heavenly!!

And the tulle surrounding the canvas is so dreamy!!

I hope you enjoyed this mixed media tutorial! 

I absolutely adore this style I hope it inspires you to give it a try!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy

Koala-ty Friend

Hello Crafty Friends!

I'm back with Team Pink, to share a quick and super easy, yet totally cute koala card!!

Supplies Used

 

Koalaty Friend

Koalaty Friend Dies

Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies

Stitched Circle Dies

Stitched Greeting Dies

Be Brave 6x6 Paper Pad

Additional Supplies Used

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

140 lb Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

Tim Holtz Distress Markers- Hickory Smoke, Worn Lipstick, Mowed Lawn, Vintage Photo (Ranger)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Light Blue Tulle

Light Blue Rhinestones 

Foam Tape

Light Blue Cardstock

I started by stamping my image with Versafine Onyx Black ink onto 140 lb Mixed Media Paper.

I colored my images using Tim Holtz Distress markers and blended out the color with a water brush. I sped up drying time with a heat tool and added additional shading by going back over it with more coloring.

Then die cut my image out with the matching Koalaty Friend Dies.

I made my card front by die cutting paper from the Be Brave 6x6 Paper Pad with the Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies. 

Then die cut a window from the card front with a circle the Stitched Circle Dies.

On the backside, I used my Mega Runner to apply adhesive around the window and then attached a sheet of light blue tulle to the back.

I attached  my koala to the front of the tulle window, then attached foam tape to the backside.

I cut an oval label using the Stitched Greetings Dies from white cardstock. Then stamped my sentiment using more black ink. Then used more foam tape behind the label to pop it up off the card front.

I attached blue rhinestones onto the tulle and label for a little bling.

Then attached the card front to a A2 (4.25" x 5.5") card base made from light blue cardstock.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed my card for the day!

Happy card making Everyone!!!

~Mitsy

te amo... mucho

Hello Crafty Friends!!

I'm back again today with Team Xyron and we have another awesome treat for you. We are collaborating with the amazing people over at Maya Road to bring you a week long event featuring creations from both Design Teams using Maya Road and Xyron products.

We will have new inspiring projects everyday all week long. 

AND...

Everyday Xyron will be giving away a 1.5" "Blue Sparkly" Sticker Maker!

To be eligible to win, just leave a comment on any of the Maya Road featured projects posted during the week. A new winner will be randomly selected each day! It could be YOU!!

Supplies Used

Tulle Mini Blooms- Ballerina Pink (Maya Road)

Geometric Blossom Die (Maya Road)

Geometric Feather Die (Maya Road)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

1.5" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Peri & Peach Stack (DCWV)

Jewel Tones Textured Cardstock (DCWV)

For my project I made a sweet & simple card. 

This card made me feel a bit nostalgic. It reminded me of a memory from when my husband and I were just starting to seriously date and I would ask him how he felt about me, in hopes that I would get him to admit he was head over heels in love with me. Instead he would say,"Well, I like you". Then I would I would say, "Like... really?? Just like"? In which he would reply, "a lot". HA! That guy, I tell ya! Now he has no problem telling me he loves me. And when I ask him "Well, how much do you love me"? Can you guess what his answer is? Yup... "a lot". 

Here is how I made this card...

 I started by making a standard A2 (4.25"x 5.5"-folded) sized card base out of white cardstock. 

Then, I cut two pieces each of pink cardstock to 4"x5.25" and two pieces of 3.75"x 5"polka dot paper. These will be my layered card mats.

I cut three strips measuring 1.5" x4" (2 white, 1 pink). These pieces are for my feathers.

And, then three 3"x3" squares (1 white, 2 dark patterned paper). These will be for my geometric blossoms.

Because these die cuts are very intricate, I decided it was smarted and faster to add the adhesive to the paper before die cutting. So, I ran my smaller paper pieces into my Xyron Creative Station Lite. Then, I used my dies to cut the feather and flower shapes out.

 For my larger mat pieces I simply used my Xyron Mega Runner to layer and adhere them together. I attached one set of matted paper to the inside of my card and one to the front of the card.

 I easily peeled the protective film off the patterned paper blooms and attached them across the top of the card mat. Then attached the 3rd (white) bloom, in the center of the other two blooms.

For the feathers, I only peeled the bottom end of the protective film, then attached the exposed area to the card front. I only attached then ends because I didn't want my die cut piece just lay flat, this way it gives the illusion that they are somewhat popped up.

Then, with a small dab of liquid adhesive I attached a

I found this card sentiment in gold foil that says, "te amo mucho". I spotted it in my paper stack as I was flipping through it.

I was able to delicately cut out the words leaving a thin white border.

I ran them through my Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker, peeled the protective film then attached the word "te amo" along the bottom right hand side of the card front.

And then, attached the word "mucho" on the inside the card.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial for the day! 

AND...

Don't forget to visit the Xyron page on Facebook to see more inspirational projects and to enter for your chance to win a 1.5" Blue Sparkly Sticker Maker!! Remember there will be a new winner chosen everyday!

So GOOD LUCK to ALL!

HAPPY CRAFTING EVERYONE!!

~Mitsy