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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Stampin' Up Card Club 2013 Open Seating

An invite to all who live locally in the Salt Lake Area: Anyone who needs a Mommy timeout or some girl time and wants to make cute cards... I will be starting a Stampin' Up Card Club for 2013. Every other month we get together and make cards. The cards are pre-designed and pre-cut ready for you to assemble. Each month we teach you new techniques and ideas to take home. You get your cards FREE but are required to spend only $25 in Stampin' Up product each time we meet (6 times a year). You also get a turn to received the hostess benefits. We do ask you to commit for a year which is 6 meets. If you want to join the club, please let me know via email by January 5th. Our first meet we'll be Saturday, January 26th at 10:00. Then we'll be meeting the 2nd Saturday of every other month, starting in March. It's alot of FUN! & a good way to meet some new crafty friends! Space is limited and it will be first come first serve. If you have any other questions, please send me a message. theartsyaddict@live.com :) HaPpY Holidays!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Winner of Drawing



The winner of the facebook drawing is...drum roll please.... Hailey Fawson. Thanks again to all of you! Happy Holidays! :)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A FaBuLoUs Drawing to say THANK YOU


I just wanted to send a THANK YOU to all the people who have "liked" my facebook page. To say Thanks, I'll be doing a drawing this weekend for a set of Peppermint Stands. Another way to say thanks... I've even made them all pretty so you don't have
 to find time to make them during the busy holiday season. :) Everyone who has liked the The Artsy Addict page by Friday, December 7th at midnight, will be entered to win. Thanks again! & Happy Holidays!






Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Merry Christmas Banner


Hi there! Today I’m going to be doing a tutorial on this cute Merry Christmas banner. Hope you all enjoy and have a great holiday season!




Products and Tools:

10 – Wood Label Banners

Coordinating Paper, Paint, & Glitter

Wood Glue

I used these 4 colors of paint:



& BoBunny Mistletoe Coordinating Papers



Step 1: Trace Block Letters




              Tools: a sharp pencil to trace your banners
          Use the backside of the paper you want to display when tracing. 
           Press and hold the wood with one hand so that your image doesn’t shift while tracing. With the other hand, trace around the image. Before moving the wood look to make sure that your trace has not shifted, otherwise when you cut it out, it will not fit correctly. Great Job! Tracing is one of the trickiest parts. You can relax a little and have some FUN now! 
          Note: Always trace before painting! If you forget you'll have tracing marks around the wood and will need to go back and touch up. It creates an extra step and takes more time.

           Also Note: When working with a large number of pieces it helps to number the wood and paper so that when you go to assemble the pieces they match as perfectly as when you traced them. There is usually some variation with the wood so this helps you to not be playing the matching game when trying to glue your paper to the wood. See picture below 



Step 2: Prep Wood

If your wood has any unsmooth surfaces you’ll want to sand your wood before painting. 




Step 3: Paint Wood

              Tools: paint & sponge brush 
  
              Paint ½ inch border around the front of the banners

              Paint complete sides and backs of banners for a more completed project.


 Step 4: Cut Paper


              Tools: a pair of scissors to cut your banners and to do any trimming. I find it easier to cut detailed areas, etc. with a smaller pair of scissors

              Cut letters right on the line that you traced. Don’t worry if when you lay down your image on the wood if it is a little smaller or larger than the block. I'll teach you in a later step how to disguise your imperfections.


Step 5: Distress Paper

              Tools: Everyone has there own technique and tools for distressing. I prefer to use what I call a cat eye.  It is a small inkpad that is in the shape of a cat eye. Color Box is the company that makes them. I usually recommend chalk only ink, pigment inks are a little too harsh when distressing. The only exceptions I make with this is if you really want the Black or Dark Brown to really be solid and pop, then use a pigment ink. We carrying these in The Wood Connection. If you need to distress with a color you don't have, you can use a technique called dry brushing. 
Distressing with ink pad
               Take your cat eye or distress tool and flick around all the edges of the paper. Start very light and if you want more, you can add. It’s always better to have too little than too much.
Dry Brush Distressing
             Wood Connection has an awesome tutorial on how to do this. For more information, you can click this link... Dry Brush Distressing.


Step 6: Glue Paper to Wood

              Tools: you’ll need Darice Wood Glue and sponge brush for this portion of the project.  

              Sponge wood glue on the front of one piece of wood at a time. ***Try to use it sparingly, a thin layer, not too much. It will cause your paper to bubble after you adhere it, if you put too much on. *** 
              Once you put the glue on the wood, line up starting on one side and add your paper. Be sure to press firmly all along the surface to prevent bubbling. Repeat same steps on all of your wood.

              As you’re adhering your paper to each piece of wood, continue to go back and put pressure on areas that may be starting to bubble on past wood. With pressure you can, in most cases, work out bubbles that seem to form. I have found that with less glue, fewer bubbles form.

Step 7: Glitter Letters

Wood Connection has an awesome tutorial on how to glitter wood, for more information click the link... Glittering Wood.



 Step 8: Glue Wood to Wood

Now you’ll want to glue your banners together to create a three-dimensional look.



Step 9: Create Christmas Banner


           Tools: Banner Punches, Smooth cardstock, Stamps, Embossing Powder, Embossing Gun, Mini Hole Punch, Distressors, Ribbons, 3 Dimensional Adhesives, etc.


            Note: If you have more questions about the "Christmas" banner portion of this project, you can email me at theartsyaddict@live.com.


  A BIG THANKS to the Wood Connection for allowing me the opportunity to guest post! A $25 gift certificate will be given when you enter the raffle on The Wood Connection Blog

 Until next time... Happy Crafting & Happy Holidays!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Amazing Halloween Inspiration!

So speaking of inspiration in our lives... have you ever taken a few minutes to think about all the people that inspire you? For me, I do this pretty regularly with many of the things I do with work, crafting, etc... being inspired and inspiring others makes me giddy! Pinterest is one of my most favorite places to get inspired about the things I love! but beside my virtual pin board, I can only think of a few very awesome people who have always inspired me to be a better person and a better artist. my sister is one of them! she is so much fun and seriously talented!!! i have her to thank for so many things! she's the guest designer for the wood connection this week... and you'll totally understand what I mean when you see this post! She really takes her art to the next level!!!


ghost shadow box tutorial


I am Heather from She Runs. I hope you all enjoy.



Let's get started!

Supply List:
1 11"x14" Box Sign from The Wood Connection
Gel Medium or Mod Podge (found at most National craft stores)
Acrylic Paints in Black, White, Brown, and Orange
White Gel Pen
Pencil
Vinyl Squeegie from The Wood Connection (pictured below)
Paint Brushes
Foam Brush
Assorted Halloween paper scraps (I used papers from the new Echo Park Chillingsworth Manor line)
Alphabet Stickers (I used the Echo Park Apothecary Emporium stickers- also available at The Wood Connection)

With your pencil, sketch out your ghost on the 11"x14" Box Sign. Don't worry about messing it up or having to erase, you're going to cover the entire box anyway. This sketch will just serve as a guide.



Now start tearing up pieces of your Halloween papers and applying them to the box with Gel Medium or Mod Podge and a foam brush. Make sure you cover the back side of your paper thoroughly with medium to ensure the whole piece sticks well. Once you have the paper adhered to the box use your vinyl squeegie to smooth the paper out and make sure there are no air bubbles underneath. Work in small to medium sized sections. After you have a paper down that covers part of your sketch, go back in with pencil and fill the sketch in on the paper.



Here's a pic of the blue squeegie thingy. LOL. I have no idea what they are called but they are awesome for this type of work. I picked mine up at The Wood Connection.


This is what my box looked like after I finished covering it with paper. Notice you can still lightly see my ghost shape in pencil.


Now my favorite part begins. Bring on the paint!


I started with my ghost. Using a color wash of white acrylic paint and water cover the whole inside of your ghost very lightly. I do this part in layers of paint. It's always easier to add layers than to realize you've used too much paint and can't take it off. Once your ghost stands out from the rest of the background start adding more layers of white acrylic paint around the inside edge of your ghost. This will make your ghost really begin to "pop" Just keep working in layers around that edge until you get the desired effect. I like to leave the center lighter. It adds depth and interest to the project, plus you want your awesome collage skills to show through. Once the white paint is dry paint in the eyes and boots with black acrylic paint.

Now I add a very light color wash of brown to the rest of the background. Then I start shading again with brown paint and water. All the way around the edges of the entire box, the ghost and the eyes. This really makes the ghost stand out as well. Once that is all dry, paint orange scallops around the box. I also painted the sides of the box orange and added black scallops to that. When those sections are dry, go back in and add white centers to the scallops. And shade all the way around your orange scallops with a brown wash.


After I painted the boots black I dry brushed a little white for highlights and used a white gel pen to add laces and accents. At this point it's time for the alphabet stickers.



You can finish up the piece by covering the entire thing with Gel Medium or Mod Podge. This will protect your paint and adhere the alpha stickers so they won't peel off or lift in the future. Be sure to let your piece dry very well before adding the finishing layer of Gel Medium.

When life gives you lemons...


I'm not going to lie, it's been quite a year for our family!!!

People say things come in 3's... Well we definitely outpast the 3's! I'd say the 3 times 3's!!! LOL!!! But with many trials has come many opportunities and blessings into our lives. Many of our trials or "lemons" have turned the best dang lemonade... I'd say in 3 counties!!! But it's not allowed me much time this year to get crazy with the arty addictions. I'm so grateful for so many of you who have been so supportive with emails, reviewing the blog for new posts, and well... yes a few messages pleading for more classes or crafty inspriation!

So with such a long long wait... I thought it would be fun to surprise ya'll with a little something...

I'll be posting some FaBuLoUs projects and giveaways that will hopefully InSpIRe YOU!!! As that is always the end goal in mind :) .... and remember I always love your feedback!!!... so let's get to it! and see what we can do about a little inspiration!!! :) I think I've got just the post!! :)

Monday, March 19, 2012

...and The Wood Connection gift certificate... goes too...

...and The Wood Connection gift certificate goes too...

Jessica Olson


Congratulations! You can pick up your gift certificate at the front counter the next time you visit The Wood Connection. It's good for $25 of craftin' goodies! For those of you who didn't win, keep checking back, we'll be doing more tutorials and giveaways! :)

Monday, March 12, 2012

Giveaways

We'll be giving away a $25.00 gift card to The Wood Connection. BooYah! To enter the drawing to win, become a follower on this blog. We'll be announcing the winner this friday! Have A Great Week!

Guest Designer for The Wood Connection

This week, I'm the guest designer for The Wood Connection. How ExCiTiNG!!! I LOVE The Wood Connection! I teach classes for them. I absolutely LOVE to craft and I have a BLAST teaching their classes!!! With many changes at the beginning of this year, I'm getting a late start on classes. But it's time to get very EXCITED! We'll be announcing our April & May classes in the next couples of weeks. If your interested in joining us, keep checking the blog for more information on sign ups. We always have a great time crafting!!! It's a great way to learn new techniques or just to come for a Girlz Night Out!

I must have the birthday bug because lately, I've had birthday decor and crafting on my mind. I've so many cute decorations for each holiday except for birthdays. I thought it would be very special to put birthday decor up for a spouse or kids on their birthday. When they wake up or get home from school or work, the house is decorated just for them! It's sounds really fun & cheesy! I can't wait to try it myself! 

So Let's Get Started....





Step 1: Trace Block Letters


  • Tools: a sharp pencil to trace your balloons and your decorative paper
  • Use the backside of the paper you want to display when tracing. 
  • Press and hold the wood with one hand so that your image doesn’t shift while tracing. With the other hand, trace around the image. Before moving the wood look to make sure that your trace has not shifted, otherwise when you cut it out, it will not fit correctly. Great Job! Tracing is one of the trickiest parts. You can relax a little and have some FUN now! 
  • Note: Always trace before painting! If you forget (like I did with the picture shown above), you'll have tracing marks around the wood. I had to touch up after tracing which added extra time and an extra step. :/



Step 2: Paint Wood


  • Tools: paint & sponge brush 


  • Paint ½ inch border around the front of the balloons

v 

  • Paint complete sides and backs of balloons


 Step 3: Cut Paper
  • Tools: a pair of scissors to cut your balloons and to do any trimming. I find it easier to cut detailed areas, etc. with a smaller pair of scissors. Paper cutter or trimmer to cut rectangles for bases.

  • Cut letters right on the line that you traced. Don’t worry if when you lay down your image on the wood if it is a little smaller or larger than the block. I'll teach you in a later step how to disguise your imperfections.


  • Cut rectangles for bases. You'll need 4 rectangles per base. The dimensions are 3 1/2" wide X 1 1/4" tall. 
Step 4: Distress Paper
  • Tools: Everyone has there own technique and tools for distressing. I prefer to use what I call a cat eye.  It is a small inkpad that is in the shape of a cat eye. Color Box is the company that makes them. I usually recommend chalk only ink, pigment inks are a little too harsh when distressing. The only exceptions I make with this is if you really want the Black or Dark Brown to really be solid and pop, then use a pigment ink. We carrying these in The Wood Connection. If you need to distress with a color you don't have, you can use a technique called dry brushing. 
Distressing with ink pad
  •  Take your cat eye or distress tool and flick around all the edges of the paper. Start very light and if you want more, you can add. It’s always better to have too little than too much.
Dry Brush Distressing
  • Wood Connection has an awesome tutorial on how to do this. For more information, you can click on this link... Dry Brush Distressing.

Step 5: Glue Paper to Wood








  • Tools: you’ll need Darice Wood Glue and sponge brush for this portion of the project.  
  • Sponge wood glue on the front of one piece of wood at a time. ***Try to use it sparingly, a thin layer, not too much. It will cause your paper to bubble after you adhere it, if you put too much on. *** 
  • Once you put the glue on the wood, line up starting on one side and add your paper. Be sure to press firmly all along the surface to prevent bubbling. Repeat same steps on all of your wood.

  • As you’re adhering your paper to each piece of wood, continue to go back and put pressure on areas that may be starting to bubble on past wood. With pressure you can, in most cases, work out bubbles that seem to form. I have found that with less glue, fewer bubbles form.

 Step 6: Create Banner


  • Tools: Petite Pennant Punch, Smooth cardstock, Stamps, Embossing Powder, Embossing Gun, Mini Hole Punch, Distressors, Ribbons, 3 Dimensional Adhesives, etc.


  • Note: If you have more questions about the banner portion of this project, or are interested in Petite Pennant Punch, I do sell them for $16.95. You can email me at theartsyaddict@live.com.




 Unitl next time... Happy Crafting!


Where oh where have I been?

Well Hello!

It's been way too long since I've posted! There have been many changes in my personal life that have not allowed much time to blog or craft lately. Most of them have been really really good changes and I'm really ExCitEd! I've have many really ExCiTiNg new ideas to share so be sure to stop by to check things out over the next few weeks! :)