Friday, August 2, 2013

Altered Alarm Clock

Hello Crafty Friends ,
I have been a little ill lately and because of that I am a little heartbroken too , I wanted to apply for my favorite Lindy's DT call  but the night I was suppose to write the post , I got ill with vomits all over and it was the last day to apply .
A special thanks to Riti { our lovely video DT queen } who actually forced me to this extent , that I revived and revamped my whole blog . My blog was stangnant from past few months .

Todays project is really important and special to me , as I have never worked for three days on a single project . I am a very impatient person , but this one I had to do with patience .
This project has so much from our store that you will definitely be tempted to dent your pocket right away .
I have altered an alarm clock using lots of Mixed Media techniques and other paper crafting techniques .
You all must be aware by now , How much I love working on 3d projects .
This is by far my most precious project as it literally squeezed away all my energy .
I am first posting a picture of how it looked before and then after .

I am entering this into Lindy's August Challenge 

Colors which have been used are

Tibetan Poppy Teal 
Silent Night 
Jack in Pulpit Teal 
Jazzy Jivin Purple 
Grab a Guy Gold
Cosmopolitian Pink 







The above picture has me and my clock ! I know I look like a scary version of Micky Mouse . 
I had no idea when I started , how will I alter it . 
 The chain of pictures below show how it turned into after  I altered it . 
I have used my recent loved products called Lindys Stamp Gang Mists . This company has taken my heart away . I just love the results { END} given by these . 
I have used Divine Prima line for the banners . 
The tiles inside is made by using the Divine Prima Pad line again . 
The frame has been cut by a Cherry Lynn Die called Mirror 
I have used loads of Mulberry flowers from our store . 
To make the texture I have used Gesso , Modelling Paste and Mod Podge . 
Crafters Workshop Templates called  - Bricks , Frames have also been used . 
Score Board - Martha Stewart and Trimmer by tonic has been used . 
All the trimming part has been done by my Tonic Scissors . 
Distress inks colors used - Vintage Photo , Gathered Twigs . 
I have used swivel Clasps by Tim Holtz for few hangings { you can see if you look carefully inside } 

I hope I have done justice to this clock . Please do leave some love










Hugs
Mallika  - 

Monday, July 29, 2013

Crafters Corner - Bingo Round 6

Hello Friends ,
Welcome to my blog .
I am sure you all are enjoying the Bingo Game . I have basically revived my whole blog and changed the whole look of it . Please do leave your precious comments .
I will be soon uploading some more terrific projects on mixed media using some beautiful items on my store.

Here is my last word

Tim Holtz Tonic Scissors - 
You must have now realized that I am a loyalist of tim baba .
These scissors are nothing but luxury . They are too good . They have kush grip and they dont get tacky by cutting double sided tapes .


Do leave some love .
A small project to soothe your eyes .

Used my fav lindys from our store


Hugs
Mallika

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Mixed Media Jewelry Box

Hello Friends ,
This is Mallika here today to share a New Creation to inspire you all for our upcoming amazing challenge .
I have tried my hands a little at Mixed Media . The Crafters workshop templates are so versatile and they work like a charm .

Lets start with the supplies used -
MOD PODGE - Once I start using it , I am hooked to it .. It a very good sealant . I like the way paper sticks to base wood with mod podge . You can see the texture on my butterflies - all thanx to mod podge .

Papers - They are a mix three stacks - Prima Collection {Rondelle }  , DCWV Luxary Stack  , DCWV Lace and linen stack .

Distress Inks - My lifeline - Vintage Photo , walnut stain , Wild Honey , Frayed Burlap

Tearing Tool - Heart Attack

Assorted Mulbury Flowers  and leaves

TCW Template - Bricks  6 by 6

Heat Gun - Ranger { European Version }

Trimmer - Tonic Trimmer
Ribbons , Cameo , Cage , laces are from my Stash .
For the  texture , I have used modelling paste , You can even use colgate for that .  Do read my post on distress inks for that .
There might be a possibility that I have forgotten to mention something , Please do write in comment section for any doubts .
Regards
Mallika













Use your Scraps with Mod podge ! - A tutorial

Hello Folks ,
This is Mallika here .
Today I  am here to share  a  tutorial on how to use your scraps with mod podge .
My scrap shelf is filling day by day with loads bits of paper and I had no idea how to finish them off . Its heartbreaking to throw them away .
I decided to make a decor piggy bank with it using Mod Podge .
Now I will start with step by step instruction .
It is divided in two parts .


Part 1 - Making the base 

What  basic stuff you need ?
  1. Mod podge - Matt / Glossy Finish  { I am using matt } 
  2. Paint Brush 
  3. Scraps of Paper 
  4. Scissor 
  5. Heat Gun { Ranger } 
  6. Tweezer 









Step 1 - 
Chop your scraps randomly , it will look like confetti in huge size . 


Step 2 - 
Take  any base , It can be a box , plate , organizer any thing for that matter which you want to alter . 
I have taken a base of my mdf Piggy Bank . 


Step 3 - 
Start applying modpodge with help of your Paint brush on small portion of base . 


Step 4 -
After applying mod podge , start applying the bits of paper randomly with modpodge . Mod Podge acts as a wonderful sealant . 


Keep on applying randomly , making sure there is no mdf base peeping . 

Step 5  - 
For the base , I wanted to give a look of grass . I selected my green colored scarps and followed the same steps above . 



Please don't worry about the neatness , as once it dries the whole effect is beautiful . 

Step 6 - 
Take a big piece of paper and apply to the walls . Dont forget to modpodge it . 




Step 7 - 
Take your heat gun and make it dry . You can leave it for natural air dry too . I am one person with almost nil patience . 







Part 2 - Decorating the Base 

This part totally depends upon the supplies which you have . 
I will mention here the supplies which  have used to finish this wonderful piece . 

  1. MS Doily Lace Punch 
  2. Chateau Gate by Heart felt Creation 
  3. Distress Inks -  Vintage Photo , walnut stain , Wild Honey , Frayed Burlap 
  4. Laces from my stash 
  5. Mulberry Flower
In this tutorial my main focus was to give you all an easy idea on how to use your scraps . The embellishing of the item totally depends on the way you want to do it . Sky is the Limit . 

You can even write in the comment section below . 

Regards
Mallika 

Best out of your Dies

Hello Blogger Friends ,
I ll be very clear at the start , that this is going to be one word heavy post full of information and fun things you can do with your die . Sit Back  ! Relax and wear your glasses :P

TOPIC1  - 
TO start with , the first segment is about the most popular topic / confusion METAL ADAPTER PLATE! 
When I first bought my big shot , I used sheets of paper below my acrylic plates to get perfect amount of pressure . Every company die required different layers of sheets for perfect pressure . My paper width which was suppose to be chopped was also different . I used this technique for a long period of time but finally my bigshot broke . I still have no idea weather it was pressure or plates were placed tilted .
I took my second bigshot and I was not ready to take any chances , so I took metal adaptor plate . These plates , the moment I took them and started using made cutting easier process . I was not suppose to use different layers of paper everytime . One plate worked for all the companies .
In the following picture I was demonstrate a perfect way to use these plates .
From bottom to up  , this is the way you will layer your die and paper .
1) The thick Base called solo platform { it comes along with your machine }
2) The metal adaptor plate
3) Your first acrylic plates
4) Die - with cutting side up
5) Your paper / felt etc
6) Your second acrylic plates

And voila - Here your sandwich is ready to be chopped in !



It is very important to have a proper sandwich for any die to chop your paper properly .I need these adaptor plates for all my wafer thin dies .

TOPIC 2 - 

Storage of these precious expensive babies called dies .
I have struggled alot while storing these , and lost few small ones from the set too . The solution to these was using art bin magnetic sheet box .As these dies are metallic in nature , they will be attracted to magnet .
The best way to store them and keep them in place was to store on magnetic sheets and stack them in a box,which is perfect with the size of your magnetic sheets .
I prefer art bin sheets , specially because the magnetic property of sheet is strong enough to keep dies in place  and they dont require any extra sheet covering of cellophene of plastic bag . It easy to take them out , organize them and use it in handy . When we are ready to spend thousands of money on dies , then why not a single thousand on keeping them properly .
Do have a look , in the picture below - I have organized my dies properly in these boxes
sorry for those black dots - i m too lazy to clean them ;)
One box has marriane , joycraft , spellbinder
The other box has all other companies - memory box , mft , cherrylynn , dieversions .
I am planing to take one more box and give spellbinders a separate box . Spellbinders are very versatile and they are my favorites . The designs will never bore you with time . Below I will show some interesting items I made with spellbinder .




TOPIC 3 - 
Will my die ever loose its life ?? 
DUDE !! You serious !! never they will never loose there life , until and unless there is blast or fire .
the paint comes off , but the sharpness of your dies will never go away .
The more you use it , the better it becomes . The blade part on your die sharpens itself .
I used few of my dies like zillion number of times - my butterflies :P  , they all are still fine - ekdum zinda !


TOPIC 4 - 
Are all the dies in my set useful ? 
Think before you say NO !! The answer is yes . All the sizes are useful even the tiniest . 
We always think , that in this set of 5 dies only two - three are useful , rest are not of any use . In the upcoming pictures you ll see how nicely small tag books can be done using all my die sizes !
I have used decorative labels 8 for the same .

I will be uploading this picture in the evening { There is power cut at my place :( }




TOPIC 5 - 
How versatile can my die be ?? 
Our dies can be very versatile . Look at the way you can use your labels !
You can chop these beautiful die cuts and tag them together  with a ring binder to make a mini album .
I have used labels 20 to make this .

I love taking different die cuts from spellbinders  and stacking them all together in a different manner .
Believe me , there is always to explore more and more with your dies .
Our DT member Hussena beautifully combined two dies together to make an ornamental cage . Can you spot in the picture ? Check the post here . 







Have a nice day !
Mallika







Wishing Well - Kaisercraft

Hello Friends ,
This is Mallika here with another creation of mine .
For this month I have made this beauty called "Wishing Well " .
Its a wishing well from Kaisercraft which I have altered .
I had to do a lot of brainstorming for giving so many details to my project . I wanted this project to  be as detailed as possible .
To start with - as you all can see the base is of mdf . I preferred not to paint it .
I used papers from Prima Collection Engraver and Romance Novel
The chipboard cage is colored using beautiful Distress Paint - Antique  bronze .
Can you see that motif cameo - the blob in it is made using ranger Melt art . I love the results by     my melt art
The bucket is from my Stash which I bought a long time back to keep my hair pins .
All the other items are from my attic .
Distress inks have been heavily used on the edges .  { Vintage Photo , Gathered Twig ,  walnut Stain }
Can you see the little watch inside . You can find that in our store .
The mulberry Leaves are also from store .
Your comments are very important for me , please do leave your review .

Hugs
Mallika











How to use UTEE with your cookie cutter and much more !

Hello Friends ,


Today I will showcase UTEE and its uses .
I am little unwell and I had really planned to write this post in a very nice manner  , but I guess my bad health will not allow me to give you all my best .
Ranger Melt Art
It has
1) Melting Pot 
This is the  basic tool which is important for using these . RANGER-Melt Art Melting Pot. Melt, dip, and pour Ultra Thick Embossing Enamels(TM) (UTEE) and other embossing powders in the Melting Pot (R). Create 3-D embellishments for jewelry, crafting, and home decor. Use with Project Pans for melting wax, glue, soap, candy, and for curing polymer clay. Optimum temperature control. Non-stick surface for easy cleaning. Large handles for easy lifting and pouring. 
IMPORTANT - Using waxing pots wont give you proper result as they dont have a pouring mouth  , you need a pouring mouth for best results . Please dont invest in local waxing pots .

2) Texture Treads 
These are heat resistant which are required for creating textures . Crafters Corner has beautiful Texture Treads .

3)Melt Art Colors 
These colors are required for adding color to your enamel . You can mix and match to get beautiful colors .

4) Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel  { UTEE } 
The most important element .  Ultra Thick Embossing Enamels (UTEE) are a large particle dimensional medium for paper; fiber and decorative arts. Use to fashion jewelry pieces; magnets; trinket boxes; frames and craft embellishments.

5) Craft Sheets 
This re-usable non-stick multi-purpose craft sheet offers a heat resistant slick work surface for easy clean-up. Paint glue and embossing powders peel off and inks can be easily wiped clean. Its generous size is perfect for Melt Art projects scrapbook pages rubber stamping embossing iron-on transfers polymer clay painting and more.


Now I will show you all Picture by picture how to make wonders from these


This is all the items which you will need to create .
The transparent box has some local cookie cutters for making shapes .



Only green light indicates that your pot is not in heat mode . 


Pour some UTEE in the pot . 


Now simply switch on the pot . A orange light will start glowing . 


Move the red switch to the extreme where UTEE is marked . 


Take your texture treads and keep a cookie cutter on it . 


Wait for your UTEE to start melting . 


Start adding your desired color Drop by drop  . Only few drops are enough . 


Take the spatula which comes along with  the melting pot and starting stirring the UTEE  


I realized that UTEE was less , so I decided to add more UTEE . This will not effect the process as UTEE is reusable . It is just like wax . 


I have closed the lid for a minute as I have no patience and like stirring is again and again which is irritating my roommate telling me to have patience . My whole PG friends  get super excited seeing new things . 



Once the UTEE has melted , you can see a thick liquid  . Pour the liquid in the cookie cutter and texture will follow as it is below the cookie cutter . 



Make sure no part is left without the liquid of UTEE . 
Keep the whole thing aside and now lets do something more with UTEE . 



Now on how to create a texture for your mixed media projects  , canvas etc . 
Just pour the hot Utee on your craft sheet . 


Take the texture tread of your choice and just press it on the UTEE . 


COUNT FROM 1 TO 10 . 


Now simply remove the texture . 

See the texture , You can simply use this texture on your mixed media project . You can directly pour onto the surface . 



Remember we had kept this aside . The UTEE has finally turned into Solid State . 
Its time to see the result . 


I have taken out the cookie cutter . 


See the textured Heart embellishment . Isn't it beautiful ? 



Now lets make it more beautiful . Take your perfect Pearls and sprinkle some . 



Once the pearls are sprinkled , the texture becomes more defined . See the picture below . 


I have created some more embellishment by pouring the UTEE into these empty Cameos . 


Phew - Finally I am done with the whole thing , Sorry for so many pictures . 
Please let me know in comment section , if you don't understand any part of it . 
I will be honest in saying that I have created this post in hurry , so there might be a possibility that I am short of words in explaining . Please don't hesitate to ask any questions .
I am going for a vacation , I will try to answer them all as soon as possible . 
Hugs 
Mallika