Mixed Media Blog Hop featuring three of my favorite Designers!

How to make a Mod Christmas Wreath

Happy Friday Y'all!  I am beyond excited to share my Mod Christmas Wreath - and you won't believe what it is made from!

A PLASTIC SILVER TRAY!

This month the design teams of three of my favorite designers have been sharing our unique projects in a fun collaboration of color and pattern.  Colorique by Lisa Jimenez,  ArtFoamies Stamps by Rita Barakat plus Crafter's Ink and Background Basics Stamps by Ann Butler Designs  Now, as y'all know I am very familiar with Ann Butler Designs and faux quilting, but I was excited to work with new products from two fellow designers who I really admire.

I purchased several plastic silver trays for a party, but never used them, so they have been sitting in my "to be upcycled" craft stash (which seems to grow organically LOL!).  Thinking that the round one would make a perfect wreath for the holidays, I grabbed them and got to work...

Place a quarter size puddle of Colorique Verdigris and Turquoise Mountain on a paper plate.  Pounce Verdigris onto the edges of the tray with an old paintbrush.  Wipe off some of the ink with a baby wipe, so the silver shows through.  Repeat with Turquoise Mountain.  Colorique is an opaque liquid ink that dries quickly and can be applied to most hard-to-color surfaces like plastic, glass and metal.

Once dry, cut a line across the inside of the tray with a craft knife on a self healing mat.  Take your time as this will take several passes with a sharp craft knife.  Then using sharp, pointed scissors, carefully cut the middle away from the tray.

I loved the swirly pattern in the Zen Doodle Cloud ArtFoamies Stamp, so I used it with Crafter's Ink in Berry to create an all over pattern on pink card stock.  The image from this foam stamp is crisp and clean, oh and did I mention I love the swirls!  

Once the ink is dry, trace one 2", 3" and 4" circle, then cut out with scissors.  These will be the holly berries!

Using the Background Basics stamps and Crafter's Ink in Evergreen, create a Faux Quilted background on bright green and olive card stock.  

Draw two holly leaves on plain white paper, one 5"long and one 7" long, cut out with scissors.  Trace both leaves onto both colors of card stock and cut out with scissors.  Fold each leaf in half length-wise.

Attach the holly berries and holly leaves to the wreath in varying layers with Foam Tape from Tombow.

Here is a close up of the patterns and layers:

I hope that you have enjoyed my Mod Christmas Wreath and the next time you get crafty that you will use traditional materials in unconventional ways!

Ann Butler has posted a ROUND-UP of all of the wonderful projects, so hop over and take a look, there is a lot of inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!

Creatively, Beth

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