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The Many Ways to Use a Crafter's Workshop Template

I love finding products that can be used with my existing supplies! Crafter's Workshop templates are definitely one of those items. There are SO many products that can be used with just one template (and they are easy to store - a huge bonus!) Today I am going to share five different ways to use a single template.

Chevron is a VERY trendy look - you will find it in fashion, home decor and now big time in the paper crafting world. It is so very easy to incorporate some of these fun trends into your projects and today I thought I would share all my samples using just this one template and a limited color scheme to show you how diverse one item can be. 

When working with a template I find it easiest to attach my cardstock to the back of the template using tissue tape. Tissue tape is easy to remove without damaging the cardstock and keeps the template in one position when working, for a crisp, clean end result.

DISTRESS INKS and CRAFTER'S WORKSHOP TEMPLATES

Fredward bear is oh so cute and when creating the various backgrounds the chevron appeared to be a group of forest trees. Adding a paper pieced scarf, a sweet Hero Arts sentiment, a little Copic shading, white glittery snowbanks and a little bling --- who wouldn't love receiving this sweet little thought in the mail?!?

By looking at your stencils, moving them around on your project and/or masking them, the variety of looks is endless! As you can see I placed a piece of scratch paper along the upper edge and taped my stencil into position, allowing the top of the stencil to become the treeline.

Simply swirl your ink blending tool over the top of the stencil and overlap the two colors ever so slightly to create this particular look.

By starting with the Tumbled Glass on each end and then adding in the Shabby Shutters, allowing the color to almost completely disappear by the center, I was able to create a fabulous gradated sample --- an ombre look.

Or mix it up even further and use a larger variety of colors.

These cute little snowmen are the Limited Edition release from Karen Lockhart this Christmas Season. I love how each year Karen creates a new snow globe centered around what is new in Nicholas' life. Yes, this year Nicholas LOVES to sing :-D Each stamp is signed and number, as well as colored, which makes it a wonderful reference tool!

These are the colors I used to create my sample image and on this is the image I used for this month's Thank You notes.

Using a Styled Labels diecut, trimmed to make it appear as though it is a mantle, I was able to create a fabulous and unusual colored Christmas card. The sentiment "Christmas brings us together" is so appropriate for this card!

COPIC MARKERS and CRAFTER'S WORKSHOP TEMPLATES
If you have had the opportunity to view the Copic Airbrushing DVD you will see how I love to use masks (stencils, templates) to control my airbrush and create wonderful effects. The Crafter's Workshop templates are fabulous for this use!

One product I forgot to include in this image of the supplies is Eclipse Tape. I have been shouting the beauty of Eclipse tape since I first began blogging in 2006. It is still my go to, absolute favorite, masking product.

Trace through the stencil with a pencil and then cut out the eclipse tape as shown in the image above. Even though the eclipse tape has a sticky surface it can curl away from the edges during use, so I have found that it is best to hold the eclipse in place using magnets and our Essentials Craft Assistant.This keeps the edges crisp.

Creating a mask will allow you to use the templates in a whole new way.

As you can see I developed a repetitive pattern by working my way down the template with my masks, covering an airbrushed area and exposing that fresh white cardstock until I had moved all the way down my cardfront.

Crisp, clean and bright!

Exact same supplies but just using the airbrush in a freeform manner, combining colors and creating a more graffiti like look! Super quick and EASY!

STUDIO PAINTS and CRAFTER'S WORKSHOP TEMPLATES

With the addition of the new Studio Paint Kits this project would be simplied even further! Squeezing small amounts directly on to the ink blending tool and then pouncing on your non-stick craft sheet to spread it evenly over the foam would be super easy!

For this project I simply placed a dab of Studio paint on a non-stick craft sheet using a different craft stick for each color. Dab an ink blending tool into the paint and apply to stencil.

As you can see a little paint goes a long way.

You could mask for a clean line between colors or do as I did and overlap the colors ever so slightly. Paint will work on cardstock, sticky back canvas and so much more!

Each product lends a unique look and texture to the finished sample.

FABER CASTELL AQUARELLES AND CRAFTER'S WORKSHOP TEMPLATES

When you want a precise look an easy product to use to achieve this would be the Faber Castell Aquarelles.

Color each chevron quickly with an Aquarelle pencil or combine a couple of colors for added variation. Do not worry about coloring in an even manner because it will actually have greater depth if you scribble color.

Then use a waterbrush or paint brush to blend the colors. Stay in the lines if you want a crisp clean look, or let it bleed outside the lines for a completely random look.

Creating unique and custom patterns is ideal with this medium.

ADIRONDACK DABBERS and CRAFTER'S WORKSHOP TEMPLATES

This background has a lovely textured look --- sort of like the surface on a piece of knitwear or even socks :-D Life is definitely too short to match socks, it is far more fun to stamp and experiment - LOL!

This cute image from Unity Stamps was watercolored with Distress Ink pads. Simply rub the surface of the ink pad on your non-stick craft sheet and then use the waterbrush to paint in your image.

Applying some of the fun stamping techniques I learned at Ranger U to these templates is going to be a blast! This particular technique is simply a modification of one of the techniques I especially love the look of.

Dab the entire surface with Snow Cap White.

Remove the stencil and allow to dry.

Then add color in a circular motion using an ink blending tool. Absolutely shabbilicious! You could also use different colors of dabbers to create a completely different look.

I haven't even touched on sprays, Distress Stains, watercolor paper, shrink plastic, layering... oh my, oh my, oh my! Let the experimentation begin with the Crafter's Workshop Templates!!!

Copic Airbrushing by Sharon Harnist

This article will give you some basic tips for airbrushing with Copic markers and a little more detail about hooking up and using an air compressor, for an unlimited supply of air for your airbrushing needs!

Things you can airbrush:
Buttons, canvas, chipboard, Craft-a-Board, Clear Plastic, Dew Drops, fabric, hair, paper or silk flowers, lace, metal, paper, ribbon, wood . . . well you get the idea -- just about anything!!  I'll show you a few of these items that were airbrushed in my project below.

Airbrush System Sets:

1. ABS-1 (air can connected): Air Grip, Air Adaptor, Aircan Hose, Air Can 80, Air Can Holder - Everything you need to get started airbrushing with canned air.  The Air Grip , Air Adaptor & Aircan Hose can be used with an air compressor.
2. ABS-2 (air can direct-connected set): Air Grip, Air Can D60 - The D60 can of air has a built-in regulator.  Once you've used this can of air, the ENTIRE system can not be used again (Ellen usually doesn't stock this option).
3. ABS-3 (air compressor connect set): Air Grip, Air Adaptor - Required to use with either the Sparmax AC-101 Windstorm Airbrush Compressor or Sparmax AC-100 Airbrush Compressor Ellen carries (or suitable aircompressor you may have).

Airbrushing Hints:
1. The Copic airbrush system is made for Sketch markers and Copic Original (square) barrel markers only.
2. Make sure the "tallest" part of the Copic marker chisel tip is on top (slanting downward) and the oval Sketch marker barrel is vertical, when inserting into the air grip:

 

3. If you aren't getting a good spray (or none at all), make sure marker is inserted into the air grip all the way.  If the marker is inserted correctly, try GENTLY pulling the chisel tip out of the marker barrel just a little.
4. Make sure the slanted silver nozzle of the airbrush tip (the part that blows out air) is pointed straight down towards your paper -- you'll feel like you are overcompensating your aim.  The end of the air adapter/handle (where the air hose connects) will be pointed up:

 

Canned Air:

 
1. Air Can D60 (comes with the ABS-2) - Contains about 7-8 minutes of air; has built-in regulator, therefore does not need and air adaptor.
2. Air Can 80 (comes with the ABS-1) - About 20 minutes of air; needs an air adaptor.
3. Air Can 180 - Lasts about 40-45 minutes of continuous use; needs an air adaptor.

Air Compressors:

 
If you've quickly gone through several cans of air, or feel like you need to hoard your cans of air, then it may be time for an air compressor!  Here is some information on the ones Ellen carries, along with instructions on how to connect one, and some tips:

An air compressor's air pressure should be between 20-50psi (optimal is 40-50psi).  Under 20psi will make the ink spray pattern rough; over 50psi has the potential to break the air grip.  Both air compressors Ellen carries are quiet-running, zero maintenance, oil-free, 1/8 hp motor:

1. Sparmax AC-100 Airbrush Compressor - Approximately 8 lbs.
2. Sparmax AC-101 Windstorm Airbrush Compressor - Approximagely 9.9 lbs.  Key difference between this model and AC-100 is this one features an automatic shut-off.  When you are no longer spraying, the motor will automatically shut off.

And look how small the Windstorm Airbrush Compressor is -- not much larger than a standard A2-sized greeting card (1/4 sheet of 8.50" x 11" paper)!  This sits under my desk, ready to go whenever I need it:

 

I was pleasantly surprised at how quick & easy it is to hook up and get started with the Windstorm Airbrush compressor -- just four easy steps:

1. Attach the Pressure Gauge/Regulator (silver unit on the far right of the photo below) to the compressor: 

 

2. Attach one end of the curly air hose to the air outlet (black cylinder on the right in the photo below) and the other end of the curly hose to the air inlet (silver cylinder on the left in the photo below):

3. Connect the straight hose to the air outlet on the end of the silver cylinder (on the left in the photo below) and the other end of the straight hose attaches to the end of your air adaptor hand grip (ABS-3):

  
4. Plug in and you are ready to airbrush -- that simple!  Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.

When Finished Airbrushing:
1. Pull the marker out of the air grip and replace cap.

Prolonged pressure against the parts of the air grip and joints can cause damage; therefore:
2. If using canned air, unscrew (counter-clockwise) the Air Control Screw on top of the canned air and then bleed the remaining air from the line (by depressing airbrush trigger).
3. When finished using the air compressor, turn the machine off and bleed air from the line.

Now, what can you do with your airbrush system & air compressor?  Here's a little sample:

I started by cutting a 7" piece of Ellen's Crystal Clear Plastic, to create an airbrushed frame "overlay".  I selected a piece of Webster's Petite Papers that I wanted to work with and placed it under the Clear Plastic.  Then I die cut butterflies from Eclipse Masking Tape and placed them where I wanted (the Eclipse tape is white but I had already used these butterflies on another project that got airbrushed blue!):

 

I wanted the airbrushing to be on the reverse side of the Plastic, so the shinier surface of the Clear Plastic would be on the front of the frame.  So I turned the Plastic over and lined up more die cuts:

 

The scalloped circle is where my photo will go.  Then I airbrushed with R85:

 

Here's what my Clear Plastic now looks like, with the masks removed:

 

Next, I wanted to make a scalloped overlay for the front side of the frame, to cover the photograph (which is attached to the top side of the frame).  So I scallop die cut a piece of Crystal Clear Plastic, cut a circle mask from more Eclipse Tape to place in the center of the scalloped circle, and then airbrushed it with BG45 & YG63.  The center circle mask ensures the center of my circle overlay will remain clear, allowing it to cover and protect my photo, without adding any additional color to the photo:

 

To attach the patterned paper to the back of the Clear Plastic, I used Glossy Accents under the photo and a tiny bit on each corner of the patterned paper:

 
 
Glossy Accents was also used to attached the scalloped piece over the top of my photo (on each of the scallop petals, not touching the photo).  Here, I discovered you need to have the airbrushing facing up, because the Glossy Accents will remove the airbrushed color if applied to it!

White Prima Flowers were customized and airbrushed to match the rest of my project -- R81 Copic marker was used to tip the white flowers and YG63 was used to color the smaller green flower:

White or cream accessories are wonderful to keep on hand so they can be airbrushed to match whatever project you are working on.  A clear Dew Drop was also airbrushed and added to the center of the flower group above.

Don't have a button that matches your project?  You can airbrush white, ivory or pearl ones any color you'd like!  Here, I used my same BG45 marker to airbrush a pearly button: 

 

To finish, I printed and cut out some journaling and attached it to the front of the frame, using Mini Glue Dots.  Martha Stewart's 3-in-1 Classic Butterfly punch was used to punch patterned paper and accent the airbrushed butterflies:

The butterfly wings were bent up and attached in the middles with rolled up Mini Glue Dots.
 
You can find another example of airbrushing with an air compressor on this frame I created and posted over in the CLASSroom (the frame started out white!):

Airbrush-Compatible Products:
Ellen has several other products that are airbrush compatible and assist in airbrushing your projects.  You can find these listed in the Manufacturer category in the store, under Essentials by Ellen.  These include:

1. Art Magnetic Masking Material - This lightweight flexible magnet sheeting is white on top.  You can use it to create your own unique reusable masks, by die cutting it in most die cutting systems, dies and electronic cutters.  You can also cut stencils by hand or use the shape of a rubber stamp.
2. Craft Assistant - The perfect companion to Art Magnetic Masking Material.  This product is black enameled metal that assists in holding your magnetic masks in place while you airbrush!  It should be available in the store in about two weeks.  You can keep checking the Essentials by Ellen category in the store to find it.  I'll be showing you how to use it in my projects in the next two weeks.
3. Craft-a-Board - Ellen's chipboard-like material that is thin enough to be used with most low-profile and regular die cut systems and is a soft white color that takes airbrushing beautifully.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be showing you several more airbrushing projects over in Ellen's CLASSroom, so I hope you'll join me there on Thursdays! 

 
Paper: Webster's Pages Petite Papers-Postcards From Paris
Ink: Copic markers R81, R85, YG63, BG45
Tools: Sparmax AC-101 Windstorm Airbrush Compressor, Copic ABS-3 Airbrush Kit, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Zutter 1/2-inch Corner Rounder
Essentials by Ellen: Crystal Clear Plastic 8x8 
Dies & Punches: Spellbinders Butterflies 2, Classic & Classic Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Classic Butterfly punch
Accessories: Eclipse Masking Tape, Prima Flowers, Prima Lace, Dew Drops, Button, Ranger Glossy Accents, Glue Dots