ETA: I apologize for not putting links into my post --- perhaps sleep deprivation is not a good thing - LOL! I have tried to come back in and link to the supplies I have used. Just a quick FYI - more Hero Arts stamps are in transit and I will let you know when they will be arriving once I get the tracking number :D (yippie!)
Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to sit down and "play" with the Studio Line of products. Today I want to share just one of the discoveries I made that day.
With a background in interior design I was able to utilize so many wonderful wall finishes and products as I designed interiors for customers. It was as I sat and thought about correlating that past with my present, that the idea for "old wallpaper" came up. So the technique that I am sharing first today I am calling just that---old wallpaper technique.
Because today's blog candy drawing includes ten "toys" from the Tim Holtz product lines I decided to pay homage to the beautiful tags he creates. It was our very own Kim, who inspired me to use the HUGE size tag and turn it into my card today.
Many of you have asked for more information on the Studio Line and this little lesson is going to focus on Gesso.
Gesso is an art supply that is similar to paint, but it dries hard. It is typically applied to a surface to "prime" it or prepare it for painting. It helps to create a surface that paint will not seep through and provides a tooth that the paint will "stick" to. It also adds "substance" to the product you are applying it to, giving it more durability. Even though it dries hard, it still is a flexible product. It can be used on canvas, fabric, paper, wood and so much more.
When dry, gesso has a somewhat chalky appearance. It can be mixed with numerous pigments and applied as a colored mixture, but I have mostly experimented using the white.
As you can see in the photo above I typically apply a dollop of gesso to the paper surfaces I plan on priming.
I then use my craft scraper to spread the gesso over my papers. For this project today I spread gesso on one side of a x-large manila tag. I also spread gesso on two 4 1/2" squares of Classic Cream Neenah cardstock (I'm glad I made two as you will see later in this post --- it is just as quick and easy to make two when experimenting and believe me when I tell you that it was a happy thing today :D )
Lastly is where I created my "old wallpaper." By simply spreading the gesso in a very thin layer over one of the papers from the Sugar Rush series I was able to age the paper and add a more chalky, plaster like finish to my paper, making it reminiscent of old wallpapers I had to remove in one of the design homes I participated in.
If you find that your scrapbook papers are a little to vivid this is a wonderful way of muting them and creating a unique vintage appearance.
Next I utilized the Mini Floret Mask. I applied it to the front of my tag card along the right edge. I then airbrushed over these masks using YG67. I had initially planned on applying the gesso over the top of all of these pieces, but sadly they just didn't adhere well enough, so on to plan B.
After removing the masks I applied a thin layer of gesso to create a unified surface for my project.
Once I was certain my gesso squares were dry I then stamped this gorgeous flower using VersaMark Dazzle Frost and then applied my silver embossing powder. When looking at the Sugar Rush line of papers I was intrigued by the grays that were used in this line and felt that this silver would fit nicely with those grays.
I am sharing this next segment with you to share something that did not work well for me. I believe that because the gesso surface creates a very smooth chalky-like finish not all dye inks will dry well on this surface. I watercolored in my image using Distress Reinker colors. I allowed it to sit to dry, I used my Heat It tool think this would set the color --- yet it still did not dry.
I finally ended up just pulling away much of the color with a paper towel. It still was quite pretty, but not what I was wanting and so I abandoned ship here - LOL!
Next I decided to try using Adirondack Dye Ink Pads. I believe that there is some "ingredient" in the Distress Inks that extends the dry time and therefore does not allow the ink to dry well on the gessoed surface. I was not about to give up and so I went with the ink pad to non-stick craft sheet method. Applying Peach Bellini, Mountain Rose, and Watermelon Dye ink pads directly to the surface and misting with water was the next step.
I swirled my remaining dried gesso squared in this mixture. I LOVE the magical appearance that was the end result.
I had wanted to use this technique on the interior of my tag and was very pleased with the end result. Once dry (you will see this in the last photo) it has the incredible appearance of an old plastered wall like you would find in Southern France or perhaps Italy. The texture that the gesso provides is extraordinary!
As you can see the Adirondack inks dried beautifully.
I then repeated the silver embossed flower on this square. I did come back in with my waterbrush and add a little additional reinker to bring a little more boldness to the color of the image.
As Beks would say---I then fussy cut (love that term :D) my flower. Adding a stitched brad to the flower center. Oh my goodness... I'm in love with the idea of applying gesso to everything and seeing what happens - LOL!
I stitched the Sugar Rush old wallpaper to my tag.
One final view of the tag interior. All it needs now is a sentiment in the silver embossing powder. Being I don't have a destination in mind for this beauty the sentiment will have to wait.
A little silk ribbon, combined with some old favorite Basic Grey trims and my project is complete.
The most important tip I can share is to clean your tools promptly upon completing the application of gesso. I keep a few baby wipes handy to clean my non-stick craft sheet as I go, so that things don't get too messy. As well I have a water dish that I place my tools in so that they don't dry out. Even though this can be a bit messy it is SO worth it and I encourage you to try something new and different. You can use it with some of your old favorites, or add a few new twists. I have other things that I have tried and hope to share with you soon as well, because they are oh, so cool!!! I hope that you will give gesso a try!
Now on to the drawing for today :D
TENTH DAY BLOG CANDY
On the tenth day of Christmas my goodie box could be:
- ten toys from Tim's world
To participate in this random drawing please leave your answer to the following question as a comment to this post. Please limit yourself to one comment only. The last day to submit a comment to this post will be January 6th at Midnight. We will post the winners (which will be drawn using a Random Number Generator) for all twelve days on January 7th.
This is going to be a longer comment requirement - LOL! Word on the street is that Tim has 12 new Distress Ink colors coming out at CHA as well as new BIgz dies. Do you see yourself buying these new inks sooner rather than later? Do you still purchase and use the large size dies such as Bigz? Would you like for us to carry the complete line of Tim's accessories? and last but not least, you have suggested that you would like us to share how to use the "old supplies" - please share an example or two of the products you have in your stash that you would like us to incorporate with the new :D
Don't forget the following 12 Days of Christmas blog candy drawings --- be certain to answer the question on each individual post to be included in that drawing!
