With simply paper and creativity anyone can create art


Saturday, February 23, 2013

TUTORIAL: Faux Ceramic Letter Tiles

Here is a very easy tutorial on how to create faux ceramic tile letters out of chipboard squares and sticker letters.

I took 3 (of the 6) Dusty Attic French Window Pane chipboard squares (the portion that some people discard to reveal the window).

I painted the squares with Dusty Attic black Soot paint.

I adhered a letter sticker to each of the painted tiles.

I coated each tile with Dusty Attic Clear Gloss Varnish to create a ceramic tile appearance. This varnish product goes on so smoothly and dries very quickly too.

Then, simply glue the tiles to any project - so easy!


Thursday, February 21, 2013

TUTORIAL - Versatile flowers

I have used these handmade flowers on several projects so I thought it would be time to provide a little tutorial. In changing the middle to coordinate with your project, the possibilities are endless on the "looks" you can create with this simple flower base.

STEP 1 - To start, you will need two punched or die-cut flowers with 5 or 6 wide petals. Mine are 2.5 inch punched from my EK Success Daisy punch.


STEP 2 - Mist the flowers (with water or a paint mist if preferred) and curl each petal and pinch while curled around the object to create wrinkles. Note - this will not work if not wet enough.


STEP 3 - Once your curled and pinched petals are almost dry, use a rounded stylus (or end of a paintbrush) and press the middle of each flower into a foam mat. This will raise the petals. now, let completely dry in this shape.


STEP 4 - While off-setting the petals, glue the centers of the dried layers together, pressing into the mat again with the stylus. I used Helmar 450 quick dry glue. Pinch the petal ends to shape them a little more. 


STEP 5 - Now it is time to add a center of your choice. Below, I simply glued a coordinating flower into the middle.


On another project, I used Helmar gemtone glue to add loose pearls and used Clearsnap chalk ink on the petal ends for an antique look. I also pinched the ends a little more to simulate a poinsettia.

Depending on the punched or die cut flower style, the paints and inks used as well as the choice to decorate the middle - the variations you can create are endless!



Monday, February 18, 2013

New DA chipboard in my shop!

I re-stocked my Etsy shop today (http://www.etsy.com/shop/vickyalberto) with Dusty Attic chipboard - including many of the newest releases (see images below).


You can now follow my blog via e-mail (see right sidebar to subscribe) for updates. Thanks so much everyone for all your support in my crafting and retail as well. I really do read and appreciate every comment you leave me.

Here is a peek at just a few of the newest Dusty Attic: