Rub-On/Paint/Mist Tutorial.

hey everyone...Nicole here!

i have a confession.
i LOVE rub-ons.
and...i LOVE paint.
and one day, i was working with the Over the Rainbow kit...and while i loved the rub-on that was included, the color didn't quite fit with what i had planned.
and i hated to let it go to waste, so i figured...hey! wouldn't it be cool if i could still use that rub-on, but not in that color??

and there you have it...an idea was born, lol.

so to get started, here's what you need: now, i have to tell you...that adhesive eraser is one of my FAVORITE secrets. you get plenty of bang for your buck...and it lasts FOREVER. you can get one HERE, to ship with your next kit!!

so, grab your rub-on tool of choice and apply the rub-on. smooth it over gently with your finger after applying, just to make sure that all of the edges of the rub-on stick down...that way no paint gets underneath.
next, apply your paint. this is totally a preference thing...i tend to use a light touch, you can always go back if you think you need more.

the paint will dry pretty quickly...so before it does, i run my finger over the top of the rub-on to remove paint that stuck to the top of the rub-on. remember...for this technique, we're aiming for the 'negative' image. if you don't rub the paint off of the rub-on, no biggie...you will have some extra paint on your adhesive eraser. but you also run the risk of paint schmearing where you don't want it when you rub with that eraser.

now here's the cool part...start erasing! it takes a firm grip on the eraser and some elbow grease. after all, technically, rub-ons are created to STICK, lol...not rub right off of what you just applied them to!

as you rub, you will notice some build-up of paint, rub-on and just general gunk on the edge of your eraser. fear not...just pick it off with your finger. if it's really stubborn? cut the edge of the eraser off with some scissors...there will still be plenty of eraser left for many rub-on adventures to come.

brush away the leftovers...and voila!!

i like to outline the negative image that's left to make it stand out a bit.

now, being that April is the Queen of the Mist (not the boat at Niagara Falls...that's the MAID of the Mist and an entirely different topic)...and knowing how many of our SC members have an affinity for mist...i thought, if paint works, mist should too right?

after misting...

hey...what do you know?! i was right!!!

it's a beautiful thing.

and you know how sometimes while trying one thing, another cool thing happens? check it out: the mist filled in my formerly 'negative' space from my experiment with the paint. cool stuff, i'm telling ya!!

now...a few pointers:

• i find that 'solid' rub-ons look better. makes sense, right? it looks bolder and stands out a bit better when you're left with the negative. definitely use a more solid rub-on with the mist...and by solid i mean something not 'airy' and delicate. these 2 rub-ons i showed here are examples of what i would call a 'solid' rub-on.
• let the paint/mist dry COMPLETELY before attempting to rub!! failure to do so may result in the aforementioned schmearing.
• i didn't think to try it until i was typing this out, but how about using INK?? apply rub-on, use an ink pad on top of it and then erase...why not?!

if you have any questions...please don't hesitate to ask or just shoot me an email via Studio Calico. i've also started a thread HERE in case you just want to post your questions there. there really aren't many limitations to this technique...and you'll find yourself reaching for supplies that may have been in your stash for awhile, simply because they were the wrong color.

and any time we can revisit an older supply is a cause to celebrate, right?!

right.
:)

I Don't WANT To Sew. So What?

Maybe sewing on your layout isn't your thing. That's OK!
Wait...What's that? You still want to use fabric on your pages? How about stamping on fabric and adding it to your page? How about making a fabric yo-yo flower or two? You want to know how? You want to see examples?

Here Heather Bailey teaches you how to make a fabric yo-yo flower
(this gives me an entirely new appreciation for the gazillions of them that Scarlet's made for us!!)
Here you learn about stamping on fabric

Perhaps you aren't quite comfortable with putting fabric on your page yet and want to try a few cards, first. How about this link to a cute little project?

Maybe you just need to see some more examples by scrappers you know? An extra little "push" of inspiration if you will-- Lisa stamped on the fabric and sewed it to her page. See them both close up HERE and HERE. Thanks, Lisa, for sharing these fabulous pages with us!

On Monday, Tammy V. left a great comment: "I do have one tip for stitching on paper. I like to make sure my stiches don't come loose, so whether I use a stop stitch or not, I always dab just a tiny bit of Aleenes tacky glue on the back of the paper."

Now, maybe you've never used fabric and have no idea why/how you'd go about getting some just for a page or two. I have a few ideas for you:

• I bet you know a quilter/seamstress. I bet that person has a ton of little scraps that she (or he) has kept that are too small for their own projects. Never hurts to ask, right?
• How about some of those old worn out kid/baby things that you can't bear to part with but don't want to give or donate? What better way to commemorate than adding it to a page? Re-purposing or up-cycling! Yay!!
• Maybe you found some old linens at the flea market and a few were ripped or torn. It only takes a small piece or two to make a great card!
• If you must purchase, but don't want even a 1/4 of a yard, consider turning to etsy. I've seen tons of grab bags full of scraps for sale there.

I am always interested in any other ideas you all might have for fabric and sewing on your pages! Send me an email or leave a comment and I'll definitely include it in my next blog post! Happy Earth Day, everyone!

ReUse Examples

Here are a few examples from the Design Team where they reused packaging iteams:

The famous SC paper bag: A lot of our ladies have used and reused our paper packaging. I love the results, and I LOVE that SC isn't littering the scrap world with plastic bags!





Kirsty is FAMOUS for her use of the SC paper bags. Here are two great examples! I just love the bow she made...ingenious!





Tina also has used the bags to make a great mini book. She also blogged about how she made her book HERE.



I love this two page layout by Davinie. She painted the white SC bags green, and used them to mimic her daughters painting and make adorable ruffles.



Emily used a plastic bag that she got from Target to embellish this layout.





I used the background of Scenic Route chipboard pieces to make these two wall hangings.



This was made with the suitcase that housed embellishments from Making Memories Passport line.

These cards were all made with different packaging:



made with Little Yellow Bicycle packaging.



made with Making Memories Paperie packaging



made from the sticker backer of a Martha Stewart alphabet



made from the chipboard backer that those circles came on (by Scrapworks)



made from the advertisement inside of my Studio Calico kit.

Green Companies

I think people are finally getting it. The things we are doing in excess are changing our planet and not for the better. I know that some people still aren't convinced, but I think that now, the majority of us are.

In this industry that survives on wastefulness, (at least hoarding right?) its been a slow turn around, but I think people are getting it. They are starting to using Post Consumer Waste Recycled paper, they are starting to use Soy based inks. They are beginning to look outside the box. I know its a trend, but I hope it stays trendy.

Here are a few companies that I know either have a recycled line, or are completely recycled. PLEASE comment if you have any others to add to the list!!!!

Piggy Tales
Boasts recycled paper, soy based organic ink

WorldWin Paper
Have some products that are 20% post consumer waste recycled. WorldWin papers also uses 100% Green-e certified wind power.

K & Company
They have produced several lines from recycled materials. This is what they say about their "Remake" line: All Remake products are printed using soy-based inks and created using sustainable manufacturing practices and recycled 100% post-consumer waste. Plus, our paper packaging is made with 100% PCW and is reusable by our printed designs that you cut out to embellish your projects. Even the clear protective bags are made from corn-based materials. The Amy Butler line also features soy based ink and PCW recycled packaging. It does not mention if the papers are printed on recycled paper.

Paper House Productions
Here is Paper House Productions Green Initiative:
Paper House's Green Initiative includes the integration of recycled content into our products and marketing materials, printing with soy-based inks and working with vendors who are FSC certified, and a widespread commitment to recycling efforts, both at home and in our tradeshow booths. We are also helping to cut back on unnecessary waste by utilizing the technology of our website and the Internet to convey information to our customers in an efficient and environmentally-friendly way.

October Afternoon
Is now printing with Soy Based Ink.

Die Cuts with a View
Has a stack now that says its made of 70% recycled materials.

Hero Arts
This company was mentioned in the comments as a green company by Cassi. This is what I found out on their blog:

Hero Arts we take steps to be sure our products are not only handcrafted to the highest standards and use only the most inspiring designs, but are also kind to the environment.This isn’t just something we say. It’s something we practice: from solar panels, to sustainable materials, to energy efficiency, to recycling. And more then that, it is something that I am personally passionate about. It is something that is very important to me. Just like the culture of family at Hero Arts, being environmentally-friendly is a central part of what we do.

I also found this somewhere else:

Did you know?

Hero Arts is Going Green???

- Hero Arts stamps are all handmade in the U.S.A.

- Hero Arts uses Solar power for their operations.

- The clear design stamps are made from photopolymer

which is biodegradable and classified as an organic material....

Fancy Pants:
Their Kraft Kuts line is made from 100% recycled materials.

If you know of any others please leave a comment and I'll add to my list!!! Watch tomorrow evening for examples from the Design Team.

Both the pink and blue "papers" in this card is from the Making Memories Passport packaging.

Think Green!!

Green! Green is one of my top 10 favorite colors :) Its a go to neutral for me, BUT that's not the kind of Green I was talking about.

So as paper crafters we tend to use a lot of....wait for it, PAPER:) Duh! But how many of us recycle our scraps or really think about where our trash is going? I know that some of us are greener than others, but this week I really want to get us thinking about the three R's, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Reducing is kind of hard for us paper hoarders. But one easy way of reducing just me has just been thinking about what kind of adhesive I use. I used to use the red Duck adhesive. Its a grand adhesive, but every time I finished a roll, the whole thing went into the trash. Consider using a refillable adhesive, but watch out, some of the refillable adhesives use just as much plastic on their refill as they do on their main dispenser. I use Mono Multi Liquid glue. It is not refillable, but I can get a LOT more use out of a small bottle of that as I can out of my old tape dispenser.

Recycle. I'll be talking more about recycling this week. But for starters, I keep two trash bins by my desk. One for paper/chipboard recycling, and one for trash I know won't be recycled. One thing I suggest is that you find out what things your recyclers will take. I know that mine will only take certain kinds of plastic. So that goes into the regular trash.

Reuse. Reuse. Reuse. This is my favorite of the three R's. I use paper packaging on cards a LOT!!! The trend in scrapbook packaging is to print part of the pattern of the line onto the chipboard backing. A lot of the chipboard backers are the exact size of cards or can easily be cut down to card size. Also you know how our lovely kit are packed in paper bags. A lot of our DT has been using those bags in their projects, as paper, as mini books, for bows! Look at what is sitting on your desk, and think outside your box. I bet there's a project sitting in your trash bag, and you didn't even know it.

My challenge to you this week, is to make a project with repurposed materials. They can me packaging or anything else. Add it to the Studio Calico gallery and post your link here. Your due date is February 16th. Let me see how you can turn trash into treasure!



I used one of the backers from the Making Memories Love Notes Alphabets to make this card!

Christmas Rush?

Anyone in the Christmas Rush?

Actually I'm not, can you believe it? This year I gave myself permission not to buy into the hype. For me and my family, Christmas is about the birth of our Savior and friend. Over the years, we decided that we were only giving 3 gifts to each child, just like Jesus got.

And this year, this year I did something crazy. This year I decided to go almost completely hand-made for Christmas. I bought my kids one main present off of Etsy, and then am in the process of embroidering them thrifted pillow cases. We'll buy them a toy each, but I've realized, hand made is possible with a little forethought.

I'm all about recycled handmade too!! Here are some recycled etsy finds that I found this week!!

Click the photo to get to etsy, and click around these shops for other great pieces.



This was the dopest thing I saw out there. Recycled SKATEBOARD jewelry. 100% post consumer skateboards that she makes into jewelry. Most pieces are reversible, one side has the skateboard part, the other side has the inside skateboard plywood showing. She shapes and sands everything, and then seals it with gloss sealer. SO rad. Click around she shop, there's a lot of cool stuff.



Love this, made from recycled tin pieces



There are tons of ties out there at Goodwill, and other vintage shops. What a great idea for reusing them!!



These bags, and pillows are made from used sails...very nautical very rad!



I love these envelopes made from old science books! They also have ones made from maps, ooh la la!!



I adore this cuff made from an old record. So cute!!



Recycling felted sweaters is SO the bomb. I love this scarf made from circles of felted sweaters.



Licence plates are always fun when recycled into photo albums like this!



These earrings are literally made out of trash.



Here is another recycled sweater idea. This lady makes bigger felt projects, and when she's done, she uses even the scraps to make something pretty, like this pin.

Recycling your packaging

Admit it, sometime in the past you have been suckered into buying something purely because the packaging was gorgeous and yet never felt as much love for the contents of the packet. And then there are other times you may have bought something out of necessity and simply thrown the packaging without realising its hidden potential; the fact that it can be used to prettify a layout or card.

I am a major recycling freak when it comes to scrap supplies. Cardboard inlays, price stickers, plastic film wrappers and sometimes even the small boxes (think Prima flower tins and bottles!). I thought of digging out layouts from the last year that I have made using my Studio Calico team kit to share those hidden packaging embellies and inspire you to pause before you toss your next packet in the bin. With so many goodies in a kit at Studio Calico, there is never an excuse to find something with good potential in those heavenly boxes.

Lest we forget those beautiful brown paper bags that swaddle our beloved kits in the first place. Ive used this kraft bag a number of times. Below I used it to first mat my photo and curled up the edges and second - see the swoosh and the flowers? I painted onto my hand cuts of the paper to make this simple layouts flourish a little (I also added the string from previous bag wrapping days too!)

Ive also made two books with the brown paper bags that I would never dream of throwing away. This was from last months kit cutting the bag intow quarters and eyeleting together.This was from the Confections kit and became a simple 6x12 mini albumThis simple layout centres around the string from an old kit packet too which I simply inked and stapled onto the layoutSee this layout below from the Fly a Kite kit? The spotty paper was the reverse of some prima packaging and far to yummy to throw away.The green book lable, tab and journal frame was from an Anna Griffin header pack.See the flower on the bottom right? That's nestled on an America Crafts thicker packet sticker - the little black one that generally outlines whether the thickers are foam/chipboard/fabric etcEven the pins from the clothes pin and ribbon ensembles don't get thrown away which I saved for this quick make card. See the very bottom of this layout? the kind of curved bracket? That was the logo strip on the fabulous new Rip Strips on this months kit! I just hid the Studio Calico wording with the graph rip strip.And you see the filligree kraft tabs on the photo? they are from the Prima packaging also in this months kit.

If you have any links to projects that you have recycled packaging with, do share them in the comments box of this post!