ETI and GEL PRESS Blog Hop!

Happy Friday and Welcome to the 

ETI and Gel Press Blog Hop

The designers for both companies have been busy creating wonderful projects for this blog hop. You should have hopped here from the wildly talented Cindi at Behind these Eyes, but if you just stopped by my blog today, please start the hop at the ETI Resin Crafts Blog!

Now, on to my project!

Gel Press sent a 5" by 7" gel printing plate, so I watched a few of the videos on their site and I couldn't wait to get started!

Below are some of the mono prints that I made in just a few hours with DecoArt Media Paints, Ann Butler's Iridescents by Earth Safe Finishes, plus her Art Screens and Background Basics Stamps by Clearsnap.  Now I am HOOKED!

Here is a close up of the two mono prints that I decided to use for my project featuring DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Green Gold, Titan Buff and Colbalt Turquoise Hue - can you see the shimmer of the Iridescents Paint? GORGEOUS!

I found the oval and square recessed wooden shapes at the local craft store and hoarded saved them for a resin project!  Paint the edges with Iridescents Copper.  Place plain computer paper in the center of each shape and then score around the edge with a bone folder to create a template.  Cut out the template and trace on to your mono print.  Trim mono print and attach to wooden shape with gel medium, making sure to apply a thick, solid coat.

Attach chipboard letters and embellishments with Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue.  Once dry, apply a layer of gel medium to seal these items to the background.

Next comes measuring and mixing the resin.  I found this intimidating the first time I did it, but it really is quite simple! 

When using EnviroTex Lite always measure equal parts of resin and hardener. Blend in an ETI plastic cup with a wood stick (only a wooden stick) for two minutes, mixing vigorously while scraping sides and bottom of cup. Then pour resin into a new, clean cup and blend for another minute with new wooden stick. Thorough blending is achieved by the above mixing method only! Discard mixing stick. Pour resin onto project immediately. Use stick lighter to remove bubbles from coating. You may need to use the lighter several times during a forty five minute period following application. 

Important: read all instructions included with EnviroTex Lite.

Always pour resin on a level surface that has been protected with waxed or freezer paper. 

Immediately pour your resin onto your project.  Remembering that the resin will self level.

Remove any bubbles with the flame of a stick lighter.  Repeat as needed over the first 45 minutes of the resin hardening process.

Your resin should be as clear as glass.  Here is a detailed photo...

After your resin has cured for 24 hours, cut a 48" length of cotton ribbon and attach wooden shapes with Tombow Xtreme Tabs.

Here are close up photos of each panel - HOME, SWEET, HOME

And, a close up of the Iridescent Copper Paint through the resin - WOW!

Please leave a comment on EACH blog, then tell us on the Gel Press blog and on the Resin Crafts blog which projects you found most interesting or inspiring. 

ETI Blog

Kathy

Ann Butler

Cindi

Beth - YOU ARE HERE

Cyndi - HOP HERE NEXT!

Donna

Lea

Karen

Keri

Larissa

Sandee

Paula

Ann

Tammy

Gel Press

Now, on to the fun stuff - PRIZES!

One winner will be picked, at random, Sunday, July 31, 2016, at 10pm CST. The winner will get both Petite sets of Gel Press plates and ETI Jewelry Resin! Winner must be 18 or over and live in the USA.

Hop now through Sunday and GOOD LUCK!

Be sure to check out the social media accounts for ETI Resin Crafts and Gel Press for TONS more inspiration!

ETI Facebook

ETI Twitter

ETI YouTube

Gel Press Facebook

Gel Press Twitter

Gel Press YouTube

Gel Press Instagram

Gel Press Pinterest

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

Tombow and Avery Elle Blog Hop

HAPPY MONDAY! and welcome to the Tombow USA and Avery Elle Blog Hop! 

To follow along in the blog hop, I hope you have arrived here from the talented Caryn Davies blog, but if you have stumbled across my blog, please make sure you start the hop party directly at the Avery Elle Blog

Now on to my project!

I LOVE the Canopy Clear Stamp Set from Avery Elle for coloring with my Tombow Dual Brush Pens, so This was definitely a FUN project for me to complete - plus who doesn't LOVE glitter!

STEP ONE:

For me, the first step is ALWAYS a color scheme.  I placed the flower section of the Canopy Clear Stamp Set onto an acrylic block and stamped it about 8-10 times with black archival ink.  A brand new stamp normally takes 2-3 impressions before the image becomes crisp and clear.  Then I started selecting colors of Tombow Dual Brush Pens.  Once I was pleased with my selection of colors, I wrote in the number on the color swatch.  This allows me to stay organized.

STEP TWO:

Then we are on to coloring in the images.  I needed five of the canopy of flowers, so I colored while watching a movie with my niece and nephew.  Coloring is very relaxing!!

STEP THREE:

I roughly cut out the five canopy of flowers, selected some bright yellow and bright pink coordinating cardstock and then got busy glittering some chipboard letters!  Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue is excellent for glittering chipboard letters and this Lapis Glitter matches the Tombow Dual Brush Pen #452 perfectly!  My tip is to color the edges of your chipboard with the matching color of Dual Brush Pen, so the color is uniform.

STEP FOUR:

Measure and cut five rectangles 4 1/4" wide by 5 1/2" long from bright yellow cardstock. Measure up 1" from the bottom and to the center, then connect the center dot to each of the bottom edges to create a triangle.  Cut triangles out with scissors, add Tombow Foam Tape to the top edge and attach canopy of flowers for dimension. Attach glittered chipboard letters to banner with Tombow Foam Tape, then draw a dotted line to highlight the bottom edge with Tombow Dual Brush Pen #N15.  Cut 1" strips of bright pink cardstock, then punch with decorative edge punch.  Attach to bottom of banner with Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive. Trim excess cardstock flush with side of banner.

STEP FIVE:

Attach each banner to 60" length of lavender satin ribbon, leaving 12" at either end and 2" in between banners with Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive.

Here is a close up detail of the "H" section of the HELLO banner! It's bright and sunny and I am going to hang it on my mantel to welcome family and friends.  

NOW ON TO THE FUN STUFF - PRIZES! 

Comment on each the Designers’ projects as you hop through their blogs for your chance to win a prize you are guaranteed to fall in love with! One lucky winner will get BOTH a $50 Gift Certificate from Avery Elle and $50 worth of Tombow Adhesives! 

Use the Rafflecopter below to get up to 43 chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to check out and follow Tombow USA and Avery Elle on Instagram for TONS more inspiration daily!

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

DIY Frog Ball and Cup Game made from TP Tubes

Craft Lightning Week is back with Scout Crafts!  

All week long our hosts, Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, Carolina from 30 Minute Crafts and Laura from Me and My Inklings along with me and some other crafty friends will be sharing scouting related crafts! 

Click the Craft Lightning link at the bottom of my post to see all the fun and inspirational Scout Crafts that have been created this week!

Now on to my project!

Craft projects are always fun to do with Scouts, but when that craft is a game the fun really begins!  Follow along below to see how to make these DIY Ball in Cup Games (or rather FLY and FROG games) from recycled TP Tubes!

STEP 1: Squash the bottom of your TP tube and cut off about 3/4".  I used the glue line as my guide, so no measuring needed.

STEP 2: Paint the inside of the tube pink using Americana Paints by DecoArt Peony Pink, let dry.

STEP 3: Measure and cut rectangles from Kunin™ Eco-Fi™ 9" x 12" Craft Cuts Classicfelt Kelly Green. Secure with Beacon Adhesives Felt Glue, let dry.

STEP 4: Cut out frog arms and legs from Kelly Green Kunin Felt and circles from Neon Green Kunin Felt.  Attach felt arm and leg pieces and wiggle eyes with felt glue, let dry.  I didn't have enough of one size wiggle eyes, so I mixed and matched the sizes to use up my stash!

STEP 5: Cut a 24" length of jute twine and attach to inside bottom edge of tube with felt glue.

STEP 6: Staple bottom edge of tube with 3-4 staples.

STEP 7: Attach wiggle eyes and wings cut from Silver Grey Kunin Felt to 1" in diameter black buttons.  Thread jute twine through button hole, tying a knot in the back to secure.

Once complete, your Scouts will have hours of fun swinging the Fly into the Frog's mouth!  

This craft can be used to teach your Scouts about recycling and the eco-system in a pond or stream, as well as working on hand/eye coordination and dexterity. 

Now its time to HOP over (pun INTENDED!) to see what all of the other fabulous Designers have created for this round of Craft Lightning SCOUT CRAFTS!  Just click on this Craft Lightning icon below...

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth