Cupcake mini album - tutorial

Hello creatives,

Im back with my DT project for Lulupu, the theme this month is

Make a Mini

(Click here to read all challenge rules)

Special rules for this challenge:

1. Construct a mini, don't use a ready available album (example mdf album)

2. You can use any binding, any theme

3. Submit entries by 30 November, 2015, 11.55pm IST

The challenge winner will receive a goodie bag from Lulupu.

Ive made a cupcake shaped mini album and have a tutorial on creating the cover page and tips for decorating your albums.  Its not a long post, but hope it brightens up your day :)

Are you ready to get started? Here is how the cover came into being.

Step1: Using a template, cut out cupcake outlines from Simple Life Echo Park 6x6 papers. These are double sided, so you already have a background for the other side.

Step2: Trace only the base of the cupcake ( not the cream) onto vellum or acetate. Handstich the vellum to one of the cupcake cutouts, I forgot to click, but you'll understand what I'm talking about in a minute. Fill it up with sequins - gold, grey. Ive also added some star confetti.

Step5: Seal shut with double sided tape. This part is a bit tricky, but patience pays :) in the form of clean finishing. You will now have something like this ( minus eyelets and stickers)

Next step is to create the focal points for each page aka embellishments. This was by far the most enjoyable and time consuming part of the project.

Ive used crate paper open book 12x12 papers and the ephemera pack and they matched  the colour theme quite well. My two tips when it comes to embellishments:

1. Mix and match  whatever is in your stash.

2. Layering - Experiment with combining  different materials  - lace, vellum, chipboard, acetate
Some details- the clothespin holding the butterfly had been glittered using the fine tip zig pen, the pinwheel  is held together  with American crafts glitter brad, the big heart sticker has an action wobble below it and finally the little moments base comes from Maggi Holmes ephemera packaging.

Can you see gold tape peeking through some of the layers- totally in love with this tape.

Using the crop-a-dile, attach green eyelets to all the pages. Finally assemble all the pages. Here is a close up of the pages.

 

  

And the other side.

 

In my second post this month, I will be taking you through more details of each page.

Supplies from the Lulupu store:

Black & Gray Essentials Sequins 8mm 6g

Simple Life Echo Park Paper Pad 6"X6" 24/Pkg

Fine Tip - Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Ranger Essentials Wonder Tape Roll 1/8

Action Wobble - Self Adhesive Springs - 12 Pack 

Gold Dotted Japenese Washi Tape

Light Gold Japanese Washi Tape

Forster Woodsies Clothespin Tiny Spring 50pc

Gold Script Japanese Washi Tape

Green Eyelets Standard 60/Pkg

Maggie Holmes Ephemera Cardstock Die-Cuts 81/Pkg

Med Glitter Brads - Metallic

 

 

 

Christmas in July!

Hello crafty friends,

How are you all today?

I got a great deal at Spotlight a few weeks ago, Heidi Swapp Christmas embellishments were on sale. This pack has the cutest stuff - vellum die cuts, acetate snowflakes and titles. Last year, despite my best intentions, only managed a couple of Christmas cards, so this year made an early start.

For our second post this month at Lulupu, the team has decided to showcase CAS cards. CAS is definitely out of my comfort zone, but once I started, found it hard to stop. Today, I'm sharing three cards from the lot I made, hopefully managed to find a balance between CAS design and my love for mixed media art.

 

For all my cards, the background was created by using gesso + white sand texture through a stencil. Gesso ensures that the texture paste gets a bright white color on drying to match the white card stock.  

On this card, the tiniest amount of watercolors were used through a waterbrush to infuse some color before embellishing with gold stars, title and vellum snowflakes.

 

On this one, as there is a contrast already between the texture paste and kraft card stock, no paints were needed, just some embellishments. 

I usually make a few card bases together and experiment with different techniques and color combinations. One such piece of card stock was used to cut the three Christmas trees and another such piece was used to mat the card on.The words have been heat embossed with gold embossing powder after stamping with versamark watermark stamp pad.

Thank you for visiting today. 

Don't forget to visit the Lulupu blog and check more CAS cards from the rest of the team.

Cheers,

Kripa

Products used from the Lulupu store:

Essentials - Mr. Huey's Watercolor Set

Koi Water Brushes Medium

Gold Super Fine Embossing Powder 1oz Jar

Krafty Smooth Value Pack Cardstock 8.5"X11" 25/Pkg

VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad 1

Gesso - Sakura Acrylic Tube

Heat It Craft Tool Europeon Version

 

Let the sea, set you free - MM Canvas

Hello friends,

Im on the Lulupu blog today with a mixed media canvas for their current challenge

Summer Splash

(interpreted by me as related to beach..... sea..... anchor, ship)

For a while, Ive been wanting to create something about my favorite affirmations. One of them is the subject of my canvas today. Its very easy to get frustrated and run down by a sea of emotions resulting from the challenges life throws our way. But, if one takes a different perspective, from the same set of events/ challenges will arise inspiration, balance and inner peace. Happiness is a choice, not a result.

The final push needed came from this moodboard at Scrap Around The World which includes a similar quote.

Cant imagine making a project without my Silhouette Cameo. All the shapes - anchor, seahorse, sea weed, ship in a bottle, birds, sand dollar and a few other random shapes have all been cut with the Silhouette machine.

The background has lots of texture paste, gesso - black and white, Prima sand texture, gel medium, crackle paste and a variety of fabric, mesh, tissue paper. 

Inspired by the different background techniques shared here, Ive started building my background with paper and mesh, followed by texture paste like Rebecca. There were a dozen techniques used to create interesting texture, here is one : apply a fairly thick layer of texture paste. Stamp into it when semi dry. Remember to wash your stamp immediately. Ive stamped Kaiser craft texture stamps and Tim Holtz embossing folder to create patterns in the texture paste.

 

Our theme this month can be interpreted in many different ways. Click here to read all the details. I hope to have inspired you in someway today, look forward to seeing your take on this challenge.

Cheers,

Kripa

Watercolour Cards

Hello friends,

I'm on the Lulupu blog with my interpretation of

 

Lulupu Challenge #48

Watercolour Cards

Cards are not really my forte and neither are watercolours, so I was nervous at first, but both turned out to be so addictive, couldn't stop once the ideas started flowing.

Today, I have two cards and pictorials to share. The first one is my favourite technique, that I use often on mixed media layouts while creating backgrounds. The same technique turned out quite good even on a card. The base is a watercolour paper, with embossing paste applied through a stencil. Before applying any colour, ensure the base is completely dry.

 Now starts the interesting part - dab some paint onto a piece of plastic - I've used the cover of a stamp set. Press the paint side down on the watercolour paper and lightly guide the paint with your fingers. After two applications, the card looked like picture 2. Start with a small dab of dilute paint and build up layers ensuring each layer dries completely unless you want the colours to mix. The speed at which you apply the plastic, the amount of paint and water will all give different splatter effects.

 

Then I used the same magenta paint but with lesser water, giving a more intense colour. Finally some light peach. The 'hello' is also painted with several coats of the same magenta colour.To finish off the card, I've used some thread and sequins and edged the card with dilute paint using a waterbrush.

 

 

 

After this card, I decided to be a little more adventurous and step outside my comfort zone and try something new - traditional watercolour painting. The base for my experiment this time is a piece of Prima patter paper with a light coat of gesso. If you don't gesso, paper will soak the paint and it wont spread. Once completely dry, I drew some macaroons (yummy) using watercolour pencils.

 

Then using a waterbrush, went over the drawing, like magic, the lines will melt into paint and start to spread wherever your brush goes. Its so easy to clean a waterbrush too, just touch the tip to a tissue till the colour soaks off, or brush it over a scrap paper a few times till all the paint runs out. After going over all the drawings, add some shading with the same colour paints and some splatters. My favourite part was painting the creamy macaroon fillings. To finish, I tried lettering with the thinnest brush I had - this was the most challenging part of the card. As you can see, the oo in the macaroons bled out, the base wasn't completely dry.

For all those watercolour beginners (and experts 😊) out there, I hope you feel inspired to try the techniques shared by me and the other DT. There are many mediums you can use - paints, watercolour pencils, distress inks even gelatos and there is still plenty of time left to create and link your creation here.

How to : Image transfer using mod podge

My post today is a short tutorial on image transfer. Ever since I bought mod podge image transfer from the Lulupu store a few months back, I've been itching to try it out. The process is very simple:

Gather all your supplies:
1. Prints / photocopies of image : if you have a laser printout or an actual photograph, take a photo copy. The image will only transfer from a thinnish paper - photo paper is too thick. Also, remember that the transferred image will be a mirror image of the original, so if you have text or need a particular orientation, flip the image before printing.
2. Mod podge image transfer medium: comes with a foam brush for easy application.
3. Pattern paper (or canvas/ wood/ metal) onto which you want to transfer the image.
4. Mod podge matte to make the surface waterproof. Gel medium would also work for this.

Step1: Prepare the base on which you want to transfer the image. In my case, two sheets of Prima paper with a thin coat of white gesso. Once dry applied a coat of mod podge matte. This ensures the layers beneath are sealed and the surface is waterproof. (you will discover soon why waterproof surface is required)

Step 2: Cut out the image to be transferred, leaving no white edges. Apply a slightly thick and even coat of mod podge image transfer on the right side of the image. Place the medium side down on the patter paper and remove any air bubbles or crease on the paper by running. a brayer over it. This now needs to dry overnight.

Step3: Next morning, I ran a wet brush over the top of the image, let the paper soak up the water and gently rubbed over the paper with my fingers. Slowly, the paper started peeling off revealing the transferred image. Be gentle, or the paper can tear. Once all the paper is out, let it dry and give it a coat of mod podge to seal and protect.

As you can see, the transferred image isn't as bright as the original, so I touched it up using watercolour pencils and watercolours. Now I have two page dividers ready to go into my planner.

I'd love to see how you've used this product and see your creation. Also, don't forget to check out the Birthday Celebration challenge at Lulupu, there are more than the usual share of prizes to be won.

Linking this to Beyond Grey Challenges : Mixed Media - felt like this one was written just for me. Gesso, mod podge image transfer medium, paints, watercolour pencils.

Happy Birthday Lulupu and Prima March BAP

Hello friends,

My blog has been awfully neglected these last few weeks. Haven't done much other than DT work..... a bit low on mojo. What do you do when you feel this way? Ive been fussy cutting paper, making backgrounds for layouts .... still waiting..... lol.

But I do have something to share with you all. Most of my layouts are built around a photograph, this one is an exception, made as a gift, created purely based on this moodboard and the Prima March BAP sketch.

These are what I chose from the moodboard:

Colours: Pink, Teal, Gold, Yellow, sap green

Materials: tissue, lace, string

Embellishments : flowers, glitter, pennant

 

And the final one, the number 3 is used in the title of the layout, peeking from under the layers. 

 

The background is a pale pink cardstock which very gracefully took the wrath of the mediums I poured on it. There are many layers of tissue, spray, paint, watercolour pencils and mediums (Finnabair's totally awesome range of medium - gesso, gel medium, texture paste and stencils) All the papers are different Prima releases - Coffee break, princess, Annalle, songbird easy to mix and match.

Lots of exciting activities this month to celebrate Lulupu's 3rd Birthday. 
We have games, a sale lulupu shop,  a birthday bash raffle and a monthly challenge with loads of prizes to be won. Hope you are able to join us this month.
 

Wishing you all a great week ahead.

Cheers,

Kripa

 

Product Highlight: Texture paste + Black Sand and SATW Feb Moodboard

Hello peeps,

I'm on the Lulupu blog today with some tips on how texture paste and black sand were used to create the background and layer in this layout. Click here to read the full post.

The grunge and torn (plank type) layers are inspired by the wooden bridge and boat in this moodboard from Scrap Around The World.

The quote though, was what caught my attention and my mind wandered off interpreting 'unimaginable' - awe inspiring, wonderstruck, achieving the unattainable? and that formed the basis of this layout.

I'm drawn to vintage doorways and got to see plenty on our Europe trip a few years ago. I had been waiting for an idea to click and this moodboard did that for me :)

 

Lots of Prima products on this one: mediums, Sunrise Sunset papers, flowers, metal trinkets, glass beads, stencils and sprays. Here is the final layout

Also playing alongwith Simon Says Stamp - Monday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by today, have a nice day

Cheers,

Kripa

 

Love you Sweets - Mini Album and tutorial

Hello friends,

I'm really overwhelmed by the comments, visits and likes on both Facebook and my blog for my previous post on the mixed media canvas. Your appreciation means a lot to me so heartfelt thank you.

I'm on the Lulupu blog today announcing the new challenge for February. I hope many more of you will be able to participate, going forward challenges will be open for the whole month. One theme and a whole month to come up with entries. The DT will continue to present challenge related inspiration. But in addition, they will also bring you tips, tutorials, product reviews and projects throughout the month. 

So lets get started with

 

Lulupu Challenge #46

Love you SWEETS

Twist - Use Red or Pink

(Click here to read the general guidelines)
 

1. Anything goes - so you can make a card, layout, canvas, mini album, 3d project etc.
2. Emphasis on Sweets - use it in the sentiment, title or literally - cupcakes, candies, chocolates..... use your imagination
3. Don't forget the twist - Include Red or Pink in your project. You can use both too if you want.
4. You have until 28 February, 2015 11:55 IST to submit your entries.

 

 Here is my project for you all. Its a valentines themed flip up mini album. The spine is an old photo frame from IKEA. The first page is a cupcake shaker placemat and I have a tutorial on how it was put together.

The first step is to get the layers ready. They have been numbered in the image below, so that its easy for me to explain each one.
1.  Full image x 2 cut out of pearl paper to form front and back of the shaker placemat.
2. Outline x3 chipboard for the inner portion of the shaker, to give depth and form the cavity that holds the sequins.
3. Outline solid x 2 acetate sheets.
All of these were cut using the Silhouette Cameo and I designed it using some free shapes on the internet.

NOTE: The order of assembling the shaker is important.

Full image – acetate – 3xchipboard – acetate – full image

If you want to stamp or colour the full image cut-outs, its best to do so before assembling the shaker. Attach the embellishment later.
Stack-up the three pieces of chipboard and stick them together. Wet glue works well as you can move around the pieces and adjust the alignment.

Here is a close up of the shaker card

The sequins are confined to the shape of the cupcake, so the placemat can be strung through ribbon or rings to bind into a mini. Also, the shaker is identical from front and back.

Wanted to try something different and really happy with the outcome.

Wishing you all a great crafting week!

3D with Silhouette Cameo

Hello friends,

Happy Tuesday to you all. I hope you found some crafting time this weekend to join us in

Lulupu Challenge #45

3D with Dies (or a die cutting machine)

Click here for all the details and rules

Tanvi Shah presented us with a beautiful shadow box + tutorial last week. If you haven't already started making your submission, I hope my project inspires you to try.

This project is another first attempt for me - traditional scrapbooking technique - paper piecing and layering. No inks, or stamps just paper and glue. Also, my first big project using the Silhouette Cameo. Here is a close up, any guesses?

Its a carousel which also doubles up as a cupcake holder. All papers have been cut using the Silhouette cameo -  plain, textured, glitter and pearl cardstock . Its definitely a dream machine, I could never have created this project without this die cutting machine. The cut file for the carousel is from www.svgcuts.com

There is place for 8 cupcakes and the horses are meant to be cupcake toppers. If you look closely, you can see that the horses have been temporarily fixed to the cupcake wrappers using washi tape. They can easily be removed later and inserted into the cupcake.

The top of the carousel can also be removed, there is enough place for a card and a light weight gift.

 

The biggest challenge I faced was what glue to use. After some trial and error, I used a combination of dry and wet glues. Just curious - what glue and brand do you use for projects like this?

 

I hope this post made your Tuesday a little more inspired 

So, dust those dies or cutting machines, take a leap of faith like I did and share your creation here with us.

Supplies from the Lulupu store
 

Silhouette Cameo Electronic Cutter

Terrifically Tacky Tape .25"x5 Yds

Aleene's Tacky Glue Quick Dry 4oz

Heidi Swapp Silicone Craft Mat 18"X24"

Fine Tip - Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

InLinkz.com

Happy New Year & Lulupu Challenge #44

Hello friends,

 



Hope you have all had a great start to the New Year.

I had a nice long break over the last couple of months.... and when I got back home was itching to try something different and the current challenge offered just that.

 

Challenge #44 - Fancy Folds card + punches

Click here to read the full post and challenge guidelines.

If you've seen my work, I hardly ever leave a pattern paper as is. I have to alter it in some way, stamps, gesso, paints. So, this time I decided to stay away from any wet medium. It was very difficult, but an hour later this was born. Its a slider card, with place for two hidden messages. This is what it looks like closed.

Lots of measuring, scoring and lining up edges, couldn't have done it without  Martha Stewart Tools Scoring Board. Pull the tab and the images slide up like so. The Welcome Baby Boy banner is glued only on the edges and the baby image on pop dots so that the tag can easily slide in and out.

View from the top. There is place for another short message on the top too. These papers are a combination of Kaisercraft Bundle of Joy and Pitter Patter Kaisercraft Paper Pad 6.5"X6.5" 40/Pkg. Not only do you get both pink and blue pattern paper in the same pad, there are also 4 sheets of die cuts making it very easy to embellish a project. My favourite though are the sheets with cute vintage baby images - have fussy cut the crane from it.

 This slider has been mounted onto a pearl 6inchx4inch cardstock with lots of room for a personal message to the new parents.

I have few more projects to share but now I'm off to visit all of you dear readers who I haven't visited these last few weeks.

Inspired by a moodboard - Lulupu Challenge #43

I'm on the Lulupu blog today with an A4 mixed media layout
 

Challenge # 43-
Inspired by moodboard
Twist- Use two or more pattern papers

 

I love creating with moodboards because they make me use colours, photographs and embellishments that I wont normally choose. I'm sharing my steps on seeing this moodboard in the hope that you will also find some starting points to create and share it with us here at Lulupu.

1. Photograph - always the first step for me, the layout will be created to highlight the photo. Vintage, retro, sitting on a vespa, no luck. Finally found an old baby picture in a lace dress.

2. Embellishments & textures - Next I visualise the background textures and main embellishments

From the dresses: lace, fabric, silk thread embroidery, pearl, roses, sequins

From the tent top: frame, gold accent, circles

3. Pattern paper - Far, far away from my studio, couldn't find even one pattern paper in the exact colours. Solution: use the closest shades, gesso and alter with paint to the moodboard colours

 

Here is what I created - an A4 size mixed media layout

 

 

I would love to hear what went through your creative mind when you saw this moodboard.

 

The sketch for my layout is inspired by Sketchabilities #128