Do-It-Yourself Craft Mat

Hello, Marilyn here with a cool how-to from Alchemist Misty.  Have you ever need something, but just can’t seem to make yourself part with those hard earned bucks to purchase it?  Never fear!  Today, Misty shares with us how to make one of those much longed-for items, a craft mat.  So without further ado or to-do, here’s Misty……………………………………………………

If you’re like me there are things you should probably have but don’t buy because you would rather spend your money on more paper, inks, mists, etc.  One of the things I really needed was a craft mat, but I really couldn’t see spending $20 on one!  So I kept trying different things to get the same effect and finally stumbled upon a roll of laminate…the kind you can find in hardware stores to protect drawers and shelves.  I has some on hand as I had just laminated a chore chart for my kiddo.  Anyway, I decided to test it out over a piece of cardboard and I was so excited to see that it worked PERFECTLY for my needs!

First you find a large piece of cardboard.   I’ve used the Gauche Alchemy “pizza box”.  It’s the perfect size and you already have the shape lined out for you!  Plus, who wouldn’t love to have their own Gauche Alchemy craft mat, right?

Then you use the “magic cover”, which is just a roll of clear laminate, and cut two pieces about an inch or so bigger than your cardboard piece.  Take the first piece and slowly remove the backing off small sections at a time while laying it over your cardboard piece….trying to smooth it out and prevent any bubbles or creases.  Then once you cover the first side, repeat with the opposite side.  The second side is a little harder because you want to make sure that you place the laminate on the cardboard without touching the sticky side of the laminate on the opposite side…or you will have troubles detaching them.

Once you have both sides laminated, cut the excess around the cardboard and your mat is ready!

As you can see from the pictures you can use inks and mists and since its a non-porous surface, it has the same effect as the expensive craft mats, and you are paying less than $5 for this one!

Now, I’m not saying that this is just as good as a craft mat in every way.  For instance, the Ranger mat is supposedly heat resistant, and this one will melt under extreme heat!  If your a cheap-o like me though, this is a perfect knock-off so that you can spend your money on better things like more mists, inks, and glitter!

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Thank you Misty for once again giving us a great how-to.  I don’t know about the rest of you, but this is the perfect solution to a problem I’ve been having.  See, I LOVE glue, but I get it everywhere & my nice, expensive craft mat is just too big for my work area.  So did I give this a whirl?  Oh, yessiree, yes I did, I sure did, I made a smaller one using Misty’s instructions.  PERFECTION! Now I can glue to my heart’s content and when done, move the mat out of the way.

Until later……………………
Smiles~
Marilyn

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Punchinella Gets Down With “The Girls”

Hi there! Scraps, here, with a layout from Alchemist Misty that features loads of texture and plenty of personality.

Gritty and gorgeous, right? Let’s see how she put this layout together.

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Misty: Here is a layout I made using lots of different styles of Gauche punchinella to make the background.  I painted my cardstock and then pressed the different punchinella’s in the gesso to give texture.  Then misted away.

From there I used the chevron template from The Crafter’s Workshop and and added modeling paste over it and misted it as well.

To embellish the page,  I added strips of the rectangle punchinella to the right bottom corner, and some 6 petaled flower punchinella to the top left corner.

I matted the picture to a piece of cardboard that I covered with aluminum tape and then embossed.

Below the pic, I added a strip of ouchless cardboard backed with some lace, and added large silver eyelets.

To the top right corner I clipped on a barrett from the blue color kit to a piece of scrap (ouchless) cardboard.  Because the color didn’t quite match my layout, I decided to heat emboss the barret and then add some purple ink over the embossed areas.

I had tons of fun creating this layout, and I’m obsessed with all of the different punchinellas that are available, to create textured backgrounds and to satisfy my need for metal on a page!

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I am just loving the monochromatic, industrial vibe to this layout. That turquoise pop from the bit of lace does a fabulous job of pulling the eye in towards the picture and highlighting the subtle and not-so-subtle textures.

Of course, I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t point you towards the Gauche Alchemy punchinella variety pack so you could try out your own take on this layout.

Until next time!

~Scraps

Layout from Outer Space

Hi everyone! Maggi here with a new layout from Alchemist Michelle!

I loved our kit, Monstrous Mutant Robots From Outer Space from the moment I saw it- the pops of orange and the Bam Pop papers are so AWESOME. But I must admit the patterns are very intimidating. So here’s what I did- I pretended the paper was plain white. Sometimes the biggest hurdle using a certain material is overcoming your preconceived notion of what the final product should look like. I’ve been drawn to white background pages for a while now but when I tried to put this page together on white paper, I felt I needed to add a background to it with stamps and misting so I just decided to let the paper be what it is. I really like this as it represents what my nephew’s minds must look like (there’s probably more burgers, fries and soda involved though.)

My youngest nephew Marcus (background) is within the Autism spectrum and though he’s highly functional, mastering social interaction took a while for him and makes him uncomfortable to this day. His older brother Kaine (foreground), does his best to guide him through interactions in school and in public. It’s a role he didn’t choose for himself but he handles the occasional stares and comments with humor and good sense.

You’ve seen these before- I have a thing for triangles on borders lately. I’m so excited about the geometry trend in crafting! Mathematical equations, triangles, hexagons- I have a fetish. What I love most about washi tape is that it’s translucent so layering solid colors over patterns really makes an impact.

I also used our blue punchinella, red grid washi tape, and metallic silver washi tape!

The embellishments in the this kit are really cool. I LOVE these wall decals and their pure colors. I also cut out the robots from another Bam Pop paper but they never made it on here- in a future project perhaps.

Awesome layout Michelle!  Your layering of different elements is always so inspiring!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi 😀

Layering Techniques for Paper Crafters, Part 3

Happy Friday, y’all! Scraps, here, with part 3 of the fabulous Layering Techniques video series by Alchemist Amy!

In  case you missed them: part one is here, part two is here.

In this final part we get to see how Amy arranges her embellishments, adds items that will lead the eye where she wants it to go (very important when you’ve got a lot of elements in play!) and ponders the ever present question: Does it need just one more thing?

I love it when a page comes together! And this series was like looking over Amy’s shoulder throughout the whole process.

Awesome work, Amy, on the layout and the videos! And is anyone else itching to get their hands on that Moshi Moshi kit–it can’t be just me!

Until next time!

~Scraps

Layering Techniques for Paper Crafters: Part Two

Hi everyone! Maggi here to share the second video in a three part series on layering techniques from Alchemist Amy! (Part one is here)

Don’t forget to join us on Friday for part three!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi 😀

Layering Techniques for Paper Crafting, Part One

Good morning everyone!  Marilyn here, with a brand new video from Alchemist Amy.  Today, using elements from the Moshi Moshi Kit, Amy is going to give us her take on the technique of layering and demonstrate for us how to get started (we also get a sneak peek at the final product-LOVE!).  So without further ado or to-do, Amy, show us your stuff……………….

Thank you Amy.  Extremely enlightening and easy to understand!  I loved the part about using a horizon line to give you a starting point and help draw the eye, through the use of layers, to the main focul point (the picture or subject).  This is something I never considered and a definite “must do” my next time in the studio.  It will make layering sooooo much easier!

Folks, hang around because on Wednesday, May 16th, Maggi is going to share with us the second installment of Amy’s layering technique and on Friday, May 18th, Jenn (aka Scraps) is going to share the third and final installment.  Now, I’m off to find my scissors, glue, and paper.  It’s layering time people!

Until later…………………
Smiles~
Marilyn

Precious in Purple

Hi, Marilyn here with another attention-grabbing, earth-shaking layout from Alchemist Misty.  I have to say, when I saw this, it reached out, grabbed me, and said “Purple Rules!”.

Purple is truly Misty’s gorgeous niece Mallory’s color and Misty is going to show us how she worked her magic on this eye-grabbing layout.  She can always mix that right amount of grunginess with a touch of sweetness to knock us off our feet (& out of our socks).  So, without further ado or to-do, here’s Misty……………………………………….

Because I am out of white/cream cardstock, and don’t plan to buy anymore, I started this layout on a red piece of cardstock instead and covered it in gesso.  Then, I pressed the rectangle grid punchinella into the wet paint for added texture, added my mists and allowed to dry.  From there I started my layering, first using some music paper from the Acme Kit that I misted and adhered with modpodge.  Then, I continued to layer using some white mesh from the Wedding Night Mixed Media Color Kit, some peacock punchinella, and another piece of the same music paper, tucking in a tag to the left for some journaling. 

The sentiment at the top of the page came from cardstock found in the Going Postal Mail Art Kit that I matted with some TH tissue tape.

I had bigger plans for the film strips but changed my mind in the middle of it all.  Unfortunately, they were already tied down with eyelets so they just became part of the design anyway… 🙂 

I then added the picture and some torquoise rose ribbon as a border.  To add some extra interest, I added pieces of a chicken wire chippy from Scrap FX as well as the “Precious” wordlet.

Thank you Misty.  Just look at that finished layout!  WOW, doesn’t she make it seem so easy?  A little punchinella here, some layered paper there, give it a good mist, glue on some wording, and KAPOW!, there it is!

Until later………………..
Smiles~
Marilyn

Neon Cuteness in a Tutu (or madness and a camera)

Good Morning Everyone!  Marilyn here with a layout from Alchemist Michelle that is stunning in it’s creative cleverness & just so darn cute to boot.  Michelle, show us what you’ve got…………………………………………..

My daughter actually napped today!!! For 2 hours!!!  I got to do some work in actual DAYLIGHT!!!  Using the same basic page design I always use, I slapped on some  washi tape, (including some triangles which I am now officially obsessed with) and incorporated the Gauche Alchemy Neon Color Kit and the Mutant Robots Kit (for the Alice In Wonderland quote, rabbit, word bubble and pink frame).  I wanted to include some journaling but I ran out of space, so here’s the story:

I had a very elaborate “Alice In Wonderland” theme birthday party planned for my 1 year old daughter.  That should tell you everything about how it went right there.  Elaborate and 1 year old do NOT mix.  The disaster alarm started ringing from the first step – a photoshoot with a handmade tutu and apron set I thought was “adorable”.  Well first of all, she hated the tutu.  She also hated the insane Carmen Miranda flower tiara I made for her (I was the Red Queen for the party but obviously Mad Hatter was a more appropriate choice).  I took Miss Thang out 7 times over the space of 4 weeks to get 1 cute baby smiling at the camera shot.  I didn’t even manage 1!!!  I was shooting with a brand spanking new point and shoot camera on auto.  Ok – straight talk from the chick who wasted 4 years and 60 thousand dollars on a photo degree.  DO NOT SHOOT TODDLERS IN SCRATCHY TUTUS USING AUTO FOCUS!!!!  Learn to use your new camera on manual setting or pay K-Mart to shoot the darned photo for you.  WHY?  Because your adorable kidlet in a tutu will look at the camera and smile for exactly 3 seconds no matter how long you spend trying to shoot.  The rest of the time the child in question will move around – a camera on auto focus will spend all it’s time refocusing and you will slowly go MAD.  But you knew this, didn’t you?

Journaling – 173 images.  Yup, you read right, 173 images – well, it’s actually around 300 but 173 is my final edit from all 7 shoots.  I SQUEALED when I saw the page from Alice in Wonderland in my Mutant Robots Kit!  It’s one of my all time favorite books and it fit the theme I had been struggling to capture for a while now.  I altered the grey American Crafts Thickers using some acrylic paint, yellow marker and a fine line pen.  The neon yarn is from the Neon Color Kit.  The background paper is my favorite print from Basic Grey’s AWESOME “Out of Print” collection.

TRIANGLES AND STRIPES!!!!  LOOOVE!  Washi tape is so great – cut it up and stick it on – that’s all you need to create all kinds of cool patterns on your paper.  My favorite combos are diagonal stripe, grid and lace scallops.

I don’t know if anyone else does this but I like adding cream or white mist droplets to my photos for a “Bokeh” effect without all the fancy in-camera technical footwork.  It’s easier than trying to get the right amount of “out of focus” and I really don’t like random messy effects digital “Bokeh” filters add to photos.

Let me leave you with this quote:  If you are silent, the walls speak. Please do not forget me they plead.

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Don’t you love it when you can take several different Gauche Alchemy Kits, pull elements out of each, and then watch things “fall” into place (especially when you spot THE piece that you need for your project”?  Even if it does take umpteen shots to get the perfect (or not so perfect) shot?  My eyes are crossing just thinking about looking through a camera that many times!  Michelle, you rock!

Until later……………………..
Smiles~
Marilyn

Showstoppers Scrapbook Collage

Hi everyone! Maggi here to share the last project from this month’s guest designer, Lenna Young Andrews. (Actually, we have one more project from Lenna to show you but that’s going in the Gauche Alchemy newsletter so if you don’t already subscribe to our rockin’ newsletter, be sure to sign up today so you don’t miss a thing!)

Today’s project from Lenna is a collage she created with our Showstoppers Kit to go into her new scrapbook…Have at it, Lenna!

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First, I cut out a nice size piece of the paper to lay my photo on and also cut out a number of the sayings.

I arranged all of the papers and the photo in a pleasing manner.

I edged my cut out words with a 14K Gold marker. Then I cut out 2 hearts and some contrasting strips using the same paper but showing the other side.

I glued everything down – this photo shows the reverse of both sides of paper.

A close-up of my collage.

Lastly, I applied my collage to a full size sheet of cardstock (also from the kit) and slipped the whole thing into a new scrapbook I had recently purchased. I am on my way to filling it!!

Fantastic job, Lenna! On behalf of all of us at Gauche Alchemy, we want to thank Lenna for working with our Showstoppers Kit and creating such fabulous projects! Thank you, Lenna!!!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi 😀

Neon Diva

Good morning everyone.  Marilyn here with another awesome layout from Alchemist Michelle.  She has worked wonders once again and given us another bright, colorful, happy layout, using our totally cool Neon Color Kit.  Michelle, show us what we can create…………………………………..

My daughter astounded me the other day by running up against a corner on the street and posing like a model.  I love how she looked moodily off to the right and stalked off when she saw me press the button on my iPod to take the shot.  This page was a complete fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants experiment.  I knew I wanted to try out the chevron pattern trend but I don’t have the patience to measure out perfect angles so I did this close up version to simplify the process.  The materials I used were just lying around on my table.  I had to machine stitch everything because the washi tape kept peeling up – word to the wise – use glue or stitch it down if you want permanent adhesion on tapes sold through American manufacturers like American Crafts.  (Oh, hey, did you know we have killer deals on washi tape in our shop now?)

The stripes were made using neon pink washi tape, Peacock punchinella, yellow embroidery floss and then machine stitching everything into place.

So you like the “neon” trend but REALLY don’t want to splurge on new items that cost a fortune only to find out OOOPS you hate the look?  I used older materials for this page that were already in my stash – here the alphas are from Pink Paislee 2011, Crate Paper Paper Hearts, Gauch Alchemy’s AWESOME Neon Color Kit, Hambly, and American Crafts (the tropical inspired Margarita line).  I also bought some cheap neon acrylic paint, price stickers from the dime store, and used gel pens from Sakura which can help you achieve the look for minimal price.

Just a fun photo you can use to close the page with.  “Neon” photo taken with Hipstamatic’s Ben Watts lens and Big UP film and then altered further using Camera+ app.

Why buy embellishments when you can make your own?  Here I punched out a simple square, cut into each corner, folded in one of the triangles for each corner, and wham – instant pin wheel!  I used a half pearl and a pop dot to secure the middle.  Are there any hand made embellishments you prefer to make?  Leave a comment or a link to your blog and we’ll swing by to check it out!

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Thanks for sharing this inspiring layout (& your model is totally adoreable) with us.  Just goes to show that you can create great and wonderful things without breaking the ol’ piggy bank.  A little ingenuity and a treasure hunt through you stash is all that’s needed.

Until the next time…………….
Smiles~
Marilyn