Tagged: tutorial

August 14, 2016

Inspired Tags

I have been watching some videos by Marta from Maremi SmallArt on YouTube. She is one talented lady! She does amazing mixed media as well as paper projects like cards. One video in particular got my creative juices flowing. In this video, Marta made Shabby Chic vintage style cards. The link to the video is:

Instead of making cards, however, I was inspired to make some tags using her techniques.

First I cut some tag shapes out of cardboard. I just free-handed these.

Then I added a layer of texture using decoupage paper, drywall tape and old book pages stuck on with Gesso.

For my first tag I used my Prima Princess paper collection and embellishments.

For the second tag I used some specialty papers and some papers from the Market Street collection by My Mind’s Eye.

For the third tag I used paper from Tim Holtz and My Mind’s Eye, however, I forgot to take a picture of the papers used. Sorry!

Here are the three tags I made.

I love how they turned out. There is so much layering on each one so the dimension is quite thick.

If you find yourself in a rut or just need a little inspiration. Go to Marta’s YouTube channel, Maremi SmallArt. I know you will find some videos to jump-start your art mojo!

Thank you Marta for all of your videos, including the “Break a blank page” series!

January 17, 2013

A Curiously Strong Tin

I have always been fascinated with little tins. I remember as a child my friends and I would put leaves and sticks in Sucrets tins to make homes for Wooly Worms in the fall. Now I have friends who eat Altoids. Like Sucrets, they come in a great little tin. I am not shy about asking friends and acquaintances alike if I can have their empty tins. This is post number 1 of probably many posts about what you can do with empty Altoids tins.

Before we get on with the little tutorial I want to explain why I wanted to make this project. There have been many occasions when I am at somewhat of a loss as how to console someone who is hurting, or just having a bad day. You know, the mother of a child having a meltdown in the grocery store, the friend who is going through a tough time, or someone who just looks like they need a pick-me-up. In an effort to be more Christlike and giving, I came up with this idea.

First, rinse out your Altoids tin. Then cut a decorative paper to fit the outside top, side and bottom and the inside top and bottom. Also select some clip art that will fit the top cover.

Decoupage the papers to the tin, inside and out.

Add your clip art to the front cover.

Add embellishments like stamps. I even rosied up her cheeks with pastels. Then I gave the top and bottom edges a quick going over with sand paper. I prefer the worn look over the freshly cut look.

Then I inked the edges with Tim Holtz’s Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Before we go on to the next step we want to make sure the chocolate we are going to use is fresh. Mmmmm it is, so we can go on.

Cover six miniature chocolate bars with pretty papers and finish with string, twine and embroidery floss.

Fill your little tin with the chocolates. That’s it. Now you are ready to go out into this big, cold world and offer a bit of happiness (in the form of a piece of chocolate) to someone in need of some loving. Who knows what doors this could open. And just think, in one day you could make six people smile just by emptying your tin! My challenge to you is to make a tin, fill it with some kind of treats and then go out and empty it on others! I’m excited at the prospect and just may blog on my results.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:16