Mel Designs

Painted Handbag Using Products by Jacquard

If you do a lot of DIY projects, you probably know what I am talking about when your friends and family show up with loads of tossed off items that "they just knew you could do something with it." I am lucky to have that problem. When my first cousin brought me this interesting silver toned pleated purse, I immediately was inspired to make it a lot more interesting using products by Jacquard.

Using Lumiere and Neopaque in a variety of colors, I painted each of the pleats on this bag a different color, including the ruffles.

I love using Lumiere on surfaces such as leather and vinyl because it adds such a rich shine. Neopaque is the perfect compliment to it because it covers the surface with an opaque finish. This means you do not have to use multiple coats the surface, usually one does the trick!

To add details, I used the handle of a foam brush and black neopaque paint to create dots on the pleat that was painted Neopaque in turquoise.

On the white panel, I opted for stripes painted in Lumiere Crimson. I added details with a black fine point tee juice marker. I have recently discovered the fun of using tee juice markers on top of Jacquard paints.

I continued decorating each panel in a different design, using markers as needed.

This was a really fun project! And I saved a nice bag from the trash bin.

Jacquard Lumiere, Neopaque and Tee juice markers can be purchased from Dick Blick Art Materials.

Live Life Creatively,

Snowman Votives for the Holidays

Looking for a quick last minute gift for neighbors, co-workers, friends and those unexpected drop by guests. These snowman votives are easy to make in batches, inexpensive and fun!

Purchase a .50 glass votive in a style that has a slight curve for the top. For the bottom, a recycled glass jar works perfectly. I used a pimento jar. Wrap the pieces in self adhesive decorative scrap booking tape such as Tim Holtz's Tidings Tissue tape which can be purchased at Scrapbook.com. Simply tear small (1"-3") pieces of the tape off the roll and layer as needed to cover all the glass.

When both pieces have been covered, decorative the face by gluing pebble beads for eyes and creating a carrot shaped nose with sculpey.

Use a strong adhesive to hold the facial features in place such as Aleene's Liquid Fusion.I chose to bling up the top edge of my snowman with self adhesive gem stones such as these by Creative Imaginations that can be purchased from Scrapbook.com as well.

With all in place, glue the jar top and bottom together using the Liquid Fusion. If you are using a pimento jar, this should be fairly easy since it has a flat bottom. To add a cute scarf, wrap some pretty seam binding or organza ribbon around the middle and add a starburst brad, such as these by Karen Foster.

So gather up all your supplies and start working on these adorable snowman votives for the holidays.

Live Life Creatively,

10 Ideas for Using Patterned Paper and Cardstock Scraps- Part Two

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed several ideas for using patterned paper and cardstock scraps in your creative projects.Here are yet more ideas on using what is in your stash to create cards, home decor, favors and even paintings with your patterned paper and card stock scraps.

This free form card was created by tearing strips of leftover coordinating papers and gluing them to a card base. Then I simply free formed stitched the background and added a fabric heart (die cut from an old black t-shirt) and added a rolled flower and sentiment.

Making these in batches would be easy and sure to take up lots of old paper scraps as well as putting to use an old t-shirt!

And speaking of rolled flowers. Why not add some made from organza to small recycled bottles covered with patterned paper scraps to use as baby or wedding shower favors? Add an altered scrap booking embellishment created from an old gromment to the center for an interesting focal point.

Not sure how to create a rolled flower from ribbon or fabric strips? See this post on making rolled flowers for embellishing anything from cards to apparel.

Do you have junk mail and security lined envelopes? They make fantastic scraps for cards, layouts, art, etc. This mail themed card was created with paper punched security envelopes. Use your die cut stash to create interesting shapes as well. I used a mix of machine and hand sewing to create this junk mail card, perfect for many occasions.

And so what if you mixed security lined envelope scraps with patterned paper scraps to create a unique decor piece? This thrift store cabinet, purchased for a few bucks, makes a nice mantel decoration.

Use acrylic paint to paint the cabinet and wood shapes, then decoupage patterned paper scraps on the pieces, including a coordinating color of recycled security lined envelopes.

Last but not least, this art "painting" by Cynthia Hanna of Creative ARTitudes incorporates patterned paper scraps. Isn't it amazing?

Cynthia wrote me to share how she incorporates patterned paper scraps into her art.

How do you use your patterned paper and card stock scraps? I would love to hear your ideas!

Live Life Creatively,

 

 

Painted and Doodled Canvas Totes

  
The plain canvas tote. A perfect surface for painting and doodling using Jacquard's Lumiere, Neopaque and Tee Juice Markers. Big totes, perfect for shopping are cropping up everywhere as an alternative to those plastic monsters. You can buy them anywhere and everywhere, but why not have a ball customizing your own. Here are two ideas...

 Start with a plain canvas tote that can be purchased virtually anywhere, including Joanns, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I like these from Eco-bags since they are softer in texture and seem extremely well made. I chose black because I am going to experiment with dry brushing Neopaque and Lumiere paints on the top to add an interesting texture and then doodle over the paint with Tee Juice Markers.

I started with a coat of Lumiere in Pewter, dry brushing back and forth to create a nice texture. My goal is to create a light coat of texture on both sides, but to also let some of the black show through.

Next I added a dry brushed coat of Neopaque in White. I brushed horizontally as well as vertically to create an interesting background for doodling.

Now its time to doodle...

 
To start the process of a large doodle surface, I usually begin with a central motif and add to the motif going outward. For a more detailed evolution of a doodled surface see this post on a Doodled T shirt with Tee Juice markers.

 
 
  Here is the final result...

Remember your tote will stand out more if you do both sides. I discovered that the tee juice markers work very well on top of the painted surface. I am going to try this with a plain cotton t shirt next.

For my second tote, I painted the background Neopaque Turquoise and White and also added some Metallic Silver Lumiere to add that sparkle factor. I chose a simple doodling technique for this tote, I used a fine point Tee juice marker and faked script words on the white parts, where it would show up. To do this, start with a recognizable letter in caps and then finish the word with indecipherable scribbles.

Further embellish your tote by adding die cut hearts cut from tossed away sweaters. Mine were cut from an old ribbed turtleneck.

To embellish the heart centers, I added Flower Centers in Dynasty Ivory by Prima Marketing. These can be purchased from Scrapbook.com and sewn on the hearts.

Whatever design you choose, your tote is sure to be a real eye catcher when you customize it. You will relish the creative process as well.

Neopaque, Lumiere and Tee Juice Markers can be purchased from Dick Blick.

 Live Life Creatively,

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Westcott Brand Cutting Tools- Duck Tape Cuff Bracelet

Its the first Monday of a brand new month which means its time for the Designer Crafts Connection hop! To hop forward or backward to the other 32 designer's fabulous creations using Westcott Brand Cutting Tools, Duct tape and Velcro, use the Designer Craft Connection logo on the right sidebar of my blog here.

Here are some cool facts about Westcott Brand Cutting Tools who is the official sponsor of the hop.

 

Westcott Brand® Scissors are the WORLD’S FAVORITE SCISSORS™ meaning Westcott sells more scissors than any other manufacturer in the world!

Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors are the BEST Non Stick Scissors on the market that never get stuck and can easily cut through Sticky Back VELCRO®, Duck Tape and multiple layers of fabric and other materials!

Titanium bonded blades are 3 times harder than stainless steel and never need sharpening!

Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools have the best performance! The 3” scissors can even cut through 5 layers of fabric!

Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools are ergonomic and come in several different color options!

Since October is Brest Cancer Awareness Month, we are making pink projects. I decided to make a simple cuff using the The Duck Brand® Solid and Patterned Duct Tape Rolls in gold and pink and black zebra striped pattern. To begin, I used the Westcott cutting mat to measure two 10" long strips of duct tape. Then I cut the strips with the 8" straight Titanium Non Stick Scissors.

Place the two strips together, sticky backs in to form the cuff. If your wrist is larger or smaller, you may want to adjust the measurements of the strips.

Next, cut the zebra striped tape with the Westcott Titanium Bonded Blade Paper Trimmer at 1/2". You will need two of these strips to line the top and bottom edges of the cuff.

I used the velcro to create the closure for the bracelet.

To create the flower embellishment, cut strips of zebra printed duct tape to 2" with the Titanium Non Stick Scissors.

 Fold the strip in half long ways...

Fold the long strip in half again, like this...

Adhere the bottom of the open ends together with a small strip (approximately 1/4" x 1/2" ) cut with 3" Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors.

Cut tiny corners off of the edges uisng the 3" scissors.

Repeat making petals, lining them intoma circle, placing tiny strips of duct tape between each petal.

Layer another smaller circle of flowers on top and glue an interesting embellishment in the center to finish.

Next, glue the flower to the center of the cuff.

 
 Win a Deluxe Westcott Cutting Tools Prize Package Assortment!
  

Westcott Giveaway: To win a fantastic Deluxe Assortment of Westcott Cutting Tools, go to . http://westcottbrand.blogspot.com/2011/10/designer-crafts-connection-charitable.html and leave a comment to win prior to November 1st (actual prize package may vary slghtly, US residents only please). You can also get an extra chance to win by leaving a comment about the hop on the Westcott Facebook Fan Page.

 
Live Life Creatively,

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Odds and Ends Altered Sweater

 
When I saw the sweater Charlotte Lyons had designed for her Mary Engelbright Holiday Classes held in November, I could not stop thinking about the beautiful sweater of odds and ends that come together beautifully into a garment that is eclectic yet sweet and makes use of the various odds and ends you might gave in your stash, dying to be used.

About a month ago, I started cleaning out my closet and decided to discard of some of my worn and torn clothing. Instead of tossing it, I set on the floor of my studio and cut shape after shape outof the sweaters with my Sizzix Bigshot die cut machine and dies.

I cut shape after shape including birds, flower layers, hearts and stars from ribbed sweaters, wool sweaters, cashmere, al types. I arranged the motifs on the sweater and pinned in place when I liked the arrangment. To secure, I used various embroidery stitches including backstitches, blanket stitches and french knots.

  

Of course, I like to add dimension with beads and stamped or computer generated sentiments on cotton fabirc.

 

Create a rolled flower from fabric scraps and fabric glue and sew that to the sweater in the place you have pre determined.

After adding a pretty knife pleated ribbon, some beaded needke felting and a branch for the bird to perch on, I have finished this side.  
 
 
Heres a photo of the other side.

Thanks Charlotte- for insprining me to jazz up this othewise boring cardigan. Its sweater weather here today in South GA so I may be sporting this today.

Have an altered clothing project you would like to share. Share your link in my comments section or send photo to melonybradley@msm.com. I would love to feature your projects here in a future post,

 Live Life Creatively,