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Saturday, December 5, 2015

Simple Poinsettia Watercolor turotorial

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Merry Christmas everyone!   I just love this time of year!  I've been getting my Christmas cards ready to be mailed.  Today I wanted to share with you a simple way to watercolor that takes very little time, but looks like you spent hours. The best part - these cards are flat, and can easily be mailed!

For today's focal point, I stamped this gorgeous stamp by Stampendous!   It comes with a mask/stencil which comes in handy for layering larger projects or painting negative spaces.   As you can see the stamp fills an A2 card nicely!  There is a coordinating die for this stamp set that is sold separately.
 
I recommend a heavy card stock if you plan to emboss your stamping like I did.  I would use a stock that is 80 - 110lb if possible.   Watercolor paper could be used, but the stamping may not be crisp.
 
Card dimensions:
The cardstock is cut at 4 1/4 inches  x 11 inches  then scored at 5 1/2 inches  so it is a top folding card
Interior Panels:   4inches x 5 inches
 
Here is a glimpse at my finished card:

For a super simple watercolor method where you don't have to be too persnickety about colors mixing, try heat embossing your stamped image. The enameled raised edges give boundaries for the water to pool and help keep your pigment trapped.  While you may experience a little wicking it will be minimal, and you won't have to be too fussy.  I really love the richness the gold embossing offers to the overall look of the card.
 
To watercolor my card I created a palette with an ice tray using this watercolor set. You can see how I did this in my September  Ustream!
  
 
Here is the video where I created the card:
 

 
 
Who wouldn't enjoy receiving a hand painted card.  These are just gorgeous!   Thank you so much for hanging out with me today!
 
Tonya
 
Supplies:
Stampendous Cling Create A Poinsettia CRS5081 Stamp
Inkadinkado 97342MM
Cardstock - 81/2 x 11  Red Cardstock
Solid white/ivory cardstock  80 - 110lb
Versa Ink
Ranger Ink - Queen's Gold Embossing Powder
Daler Rowney Watercolor Tubes
White Paint
Round 0 Watercolor Brush
Round 10 Watercolor Brush
Scotch ATG tape
 
 
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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Prima Bloom Birds - Live Tutorial Follow Up

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Thank you to everyone who came to watch the show live yesterday.  We experienced some problems with a blurry video so for those of you who stuck it out - THANK YOU!   I did however, find the wisdom to record from a separate source, so I do have the entire show in FULL detail YAY! 


Here is the finished watercolor from yesterday's class.  Isn't this little guy JUST Darling? 


Here are the little bird stamps.  They are available for purchase here! 

To color up my birds, I used this little guy for inspiration: 

These are the colors of Distress Markers that I used to color the card: 


Here are samples of some of the other cards I have created using these stamps: 





If you missed the tutorial live, or just wanted a clearer view of the tutorial, here is the recording: 




Thank you again for your patience, for the ones that came to the show live!   This was my first time broadcasting from YouTube, and clearly I have to figure out the encoder software.  

Our next broadcast is set for December 7, 2015.  Stay tuned for details and venue information.  If I can figure out the Kinks on the YouTube, I think everyone enjoyed that environment better.  If not, then we may move back to Ustream.   I'll let you guys know later in the week! 

Thank you so much again for being the bestest subbies every!  


Tonya 
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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Bloom Bird Watercolor Card - Live Class Monday Nov 23

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JOIN ME LIVE ON YouTube  (https://www.youtube.com/user/psychomoms) - I'm going to give a new area a try this month) 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
AT 3:30 PM EST  (NOTE NEW TIME) for my International buddies - just this class!   

A few weeks ago I shared on Instagram that I finally found these beautiful stamps designed by Jamie Daugherty.  


I FELL IN LOVE - the second I saw her post a project with them. Like shamelessly begged for her hand drawing to be stamps, and boom within a week here they are - like Prima was tuned into my wishes. (LOL)  Well not really but I like to think so!  They were probably in production long before she shared the hand drawing.  

If you have these cute little stamps and want to follow along - I'm going to use this little fellow as inspiration for coloring up my little birds: 



I am also going to play around with my Tim Holtz Markers: 
Ground Espresso,
Pumice Stone,
Cracked Pistachio,
Peeled Paint,
Evergreen Bough,
Tumbled Glass, and
Warn Lipstick.

Also grab out a pale distress ink pad either of these colors will work:
Antique Linen, Old Paper, Pumice Stone, Tea Dye




I hope you can join me live.  I know many of my USA friends may be working, so I will record.  I just wanted to share a live class with my international buddies who are always  sleeping when I broadcast live.   

Channel:   YouTube channel (live) http://www.youtube.com/user/psychomoms I want to see if this environment is better
Time:  3:30 PM EST 
Date:  MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23



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Friday, November 13, 2015

Christmas Card - Money or Gift Card Holder

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Hi everyone!  I hope you are getting into the Holiday spirit over here this week.  Today I would like to share with you a card tutorial for sharing a gift card, or money with that extra special someone. 
 
Today's card concept is intended for the mail.  I wanted a little more space than offered by the traditional A2 card size, so I decided on a standard #10.   The back panel of the card measures 7in x 8.5 in   scored and folded at 3.5 in x 8.5 in.   The front panels are then cut a quarter inch smaller to leave a bit of a border. The card will fit in a standard #10 (letter/business size)  envelope. As you can see from the photo above the card's design is still relatively flat, so you could easily mail this card.  However because of its weight, you may be required to add additional postage.
 
 
For today's project I chose the new Christmas Collection from Blue Fern Studios - Vintage Christmas - Noel 12x12 paper.  I trimmed the design from the front of the paper, and used the b-side as a background for the front and inside panels of my card.  Before cutting down your panels, be sure to fussy cut the pattern for the cover.
 
 
I also used the Merry Christmas title from the Greeting Cards Cut apart paper.
 
 
 
 
 
To add depth to the front, I chose the Coordinated Chipboard Frolic Mesh.  As you can see in the photo below. It made the perfect trellis for my flower cluster.   I wanted to keep it natural colored, so I added a bit of clear Holographic embossing powder from Ranger to it. This gives it a wet shimmer but maintains the look of wood.  I also added a bit of "fake" snow to some of the centers of the designs.  
 


 

This time of year, there are all kinds of things you can find to add shimmer and fun to your holiday paper crafting projects.   I found this cluster of wired beads that also made the perfect "holly berries"  They look really great mixed in with my flowers.  For the Holly, I used some scrap pieces of Gelli Prints® that I had made over the summer and a Martha Stewart Holly Punch. 
 
 
 
I thought adding a sentiment to the card would take away from the word Noel that was already printed.  However, the printed Noel seemed lost among all the other elements.  So I decided to use a small Melissa Frances frame to call attention to the word.  I colored the frame with a gold Wink of Stella Glitter Pen and finished it off with Glossy Accents in the center.  Now my sentiment takes center stage!  
 
 
 
For the Inside pocket of the card, I needed to keep the design flat.  So I simply created a banner with a Marvy Pennant Punch and Jenny Bowlin Blue Ribbon Punch using scraps from the paper.   I also took a sentiment from the Greeting Cards paper from Blue Fern Studios to add the sentiment. 
 
 
 
Here is a quick process video showing how I created the card. 



You can see why I have fallen in love with these papers from Blue Fern Studios. The designs are so delish!  I just love vintage traditional Christmas patterns.   I hope I have inspired you to spend a little extra time on that special person in your life whom you plan to gift money or a gift card this Christmas.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Tonya

Supplies

  • Blue Fern Studios - Vintage Christmas - Noel 12 x12 Paper
  • Blue Fern Studios - Vintage Christmas - Greet Cards  12x12 Paper
  • Blue Fern Studios - Coordinating Chipboard - Frolic Mesh
  • Ranger Ink - Glossy Accents
  • Melissa Francis - Resin Frames
  • Martha Stewart - Holly Punch
  • Fiskars - Jenni Bowlin - Blue Ribbon Punch
  • Marvy - Pennant Punch
  • Scotch - ATG adhesive
  • Tombo Mono Adhesive
  • My Favorite things - Doily Die
  • Cheese Cloth
  • Zig - Gold Wink of Stella Glitter Pen
  • Home Accents - Red Glass Bead Spray
  • Flowers
  • Chipboard
  • Red Cardstock
  • Home Accents - Christmas Fake Snow
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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Vintage Christmas Chalkboard

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This is without a doubt my favorite time of year! It is the only Holiday I decorate for and love to create home made items every year. Today I would like to share with you a simple project that is perfect for your Holiday Home Décor.  Today's project is going to feature Blue Fern Studios' Vintage Christmas Collection 
 
 
Magical 12x12 papers
 
Wonderland 12x12 paper
 
I started with a 12x12 chalkboard that I picked up at a local box store.  I crackled it for a different project, and then simply erased the chalk saying to use for this project.  The crackle base is gold with white on top. This offered the perfect frame for my vintage Christmas project.  You can buy a chalkboard ready to use or make one by painting the glass inside a frame with chalkboard paint.  
 
 

 
I fussy cut the images from the two paper collections to use in the corners of my board.  To dress up the flat paper, I added a bit of white Puff Paint to the snow on the tree,  yellow Stickles for the ornaments and Glossy accents over the berries.   Then I clustered flowers, and miniature Christmas tree ornaments around the paper to give it depth and interest.  To help it all sparkle  I spritzed it was Lindy's Stamp Gang Glitz Spritz - Blazing Sun. 
 
 
Aren't these little Candy Miniature ornaments adorable?  And they add the perfect touch to the corners.



 
I just love how the flowers, ornaments and candies mimic the look of the paper. 
 
Coordinating Chipboard - Santa's Sleigh
 
When I saw this Chipboard piece I just had to have it.  I mean look at all the tiny fine details in the deer and sleigh. 
 
 

To add a golden element to the layout, I carefully heat embossed the chipboard with gold embossing powder.  Then made sure the antlers for the deer were safely mounted to the frame of the board so that they would not become damaged.  
 
 
 
 
Here is a quick video showing how this chalkboard came together.

 

Here are a few tips for creating your own chalkboard lettering.
 
  • For a new chalkboard - make sure you prime the board by rubbing chalk all over it, then erasing it.  You can use your heat gun to blow away dust residue but don't "wet" the board.
  • Use a pencil sharpener to keep a fine tip on your chalk
  • Practice Practice Practice -  It may help you visualize placement and spacing of the letter shapes if you practice first on a piece of paper.
  • Don't draw your letters too close together.
  • Thicken the lines on the down strokes to make them look better.
  • use a cotton swab to smooth away unwanted lines
 
I hope I have inspired you to create a chalkboard for your Holiday Home Décor.  If so, please make sure you come back and tell me about it, or #FollowingTonyaGibbs in your social media outlets so I can see your project.
 
Thanks for stopping in today,
 
Tonya
 
 
SUPPLIES
 
  • Blue Fern Studios - Vintage Christmas - Wonderland 12x12 paper
  • Blue Fern Studios - Vintage Christmas - Magical 12x12 paper
  • Blue Fern Studios - Coordinating Chipboard - Santa's Sleigh
  • Lindy's Stamp Gang - Glitz Spritz - Blazing Sun
  • 12x12 Chalkboard
  • Chalk
  • Foam Adhesive
  • Ranger Ink - Yellow Stickles
  • Ranger Ink - Glossy Accents
  • Ranger Ink - Embossing Powder Gold
  • Versa Ink
  • Miniature Ornaments - Candies, Toys and Ornaments
  • Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® Gel Medium
  • Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® Essential Tools Accessory Kit
  • Miscellaneous Flowers
  • Tullip - White Puff Paint 

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Amazing Heart Layout Tutorial

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Hi everyone, I hope you are having a great day!   I have a super cute mixed media layout to share with you today using lots of YUMMY Blue Fern Studios' products.    For today's layout I selected these beautiful papers from the new Love Story Collection.
 
 
Amazing Heart
 
 
Calling Cards
 
 
I don't think beautiful begins to describe these papers.  They are a really nice heavy stock and hold up well to wet mediums, and heavy embellishments.  The patterns are so romantic. I used the papers today to scrapbook a photo of my sweet niece Austyn. 
 
I selected these lovely Paisley & Vine Coordinating Chipboard pieces from Blue Fern Studios to play center stage in my embellishment cluster. 
 
 
As you can see from the photo below they work fantastic in your embellishment clusters to add texture, and weight without adding a lot of bulk.
 
 
I covered them in Crackle Texture Paste.  Then painted them with Lindy's Stamp Gang Rudolph's Nose Red, and Edelweiss Moss Green. Since the paste has a bit of silicone it did resist the pigment.  If you do this technique, remember to choose dark colors.   The center of the flowers were removed and the holes were filled with hot glue to keep it elevated. This gives my flowers more depth.  Then I used a Wink of Stella Gold Glitter pen to give them more pop and a hint of sparkle. The entire piece was also distress with Tim Holtz' Tea Die Distress Ink to make them ore vintage looking, and bring out the crackle.  
 
 
For added texture around the layout, I used white embossing powder and the brick patterned stamp from Blue Fern Studios' Autumn Anthology Line -  Essentials Texture.  The stamping offers a great foundation for my embellishment cluster and framing.
 
 
For the embellishment clusters, I tucked in pieces of lace, lace applique flowers, organza roses, and mulberry lilies.   I also used a few Tim Holtz remnant rubs to add a few butterflies.  These black elements help to bring the black from the background up into the foreground, and help ground the elements.   Every good embellishment cluster needs a little metal.  So I mimicked the patterned paper and added an arrow, crown, heart and key.  The arrow helps to draw your eye back to the photo.  Since all these pieces were different finishes,  I added gesso to them to help them look cohesive.   To finish off the layout I created a mixture of Glossy Accents, silver German glass glitter, and clear beads then tucked it into the shadows, and  odd transitional areas around the base of the layout.  This offers a sophisticated sparkle. 
 
Here is a video showing you the step by step process
 

 
 
I think this is one of my all time favorite layouts.   I absolutely adore this paper collection. You will probably see me use it quite a bit!   I love how my photo just pops against the softer colors.  The Layout has lots of  details, but is not over done! 
 
Thank you for stopping in today.  I hope you have a learned a few new techniques.
 
Tonya
 
Supplies:
 
  • Blue Fern Studios - Love Story - 12 x 12 paper Amazing Heart 
  • Blue Fern Studios - Love Story - 12 x 12 paper Calling Cards 
  • Blue Fern Studios - Coordinating Chipboard - Paisley & Vine 
  • Blue Fern Studios - Autumn Anthology - Essentials Texture Stamps 
  • Ranger Ink - White Embossing Powder 
  • Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink - Tea Dye 
  • Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Glossy Accents 
  • Ranger Ink - #10 Manila Tag 
  • Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Adornments - Arrows 
  • Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Adornments - Heart & Crown 
  • Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Remnant Rubs - Botanical 
  • Lindy's Stamp Gang - Starburst Spray - Rudolph's Nose Red 
  • Lindy's Stamp Gang - Starburst Spray - Edelweiss Moss Green 
  • Lindy's Stamp Gang - Limor Webber Designs - Tres Chic - Chateau Rose 
  • Lindy's Stamp Gang - Limor Webber Designs - Tres Chic - Café au Lait 
  • Lindy's Stamp Gang - Limor Webber Designs - Neon Graffiti - Sidewalk Chalk 
  • Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® - Gesso 
  • Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® - Gel Medium 
  • Versa Ink Pad 
  • Silhouette Pick Me Up Stick
  • Rhinestone 
  • Zig - Wink of Stella Gold Glitter Pen 
  • Prima Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Glass Beads Crystal 
  • Prima Finnabair - Art Ingredients - Glass Glitter Sterling 
  • Prima Finnabair - Texture Paste - White Crackle 
  • Tissue Paper 
  • Cherry Lynn Designs - Heart Doily Die Cut 
  • Lace 
  • Maya Road - White Organza Rose Trim 
  • Lace Applique Flowers 
  • Metal Key
  • Seam Binding
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Friday, October 23, 2015

Class of 2015 Mixed Media Layout

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Happy fall everyone! I've been away for a while - have you missed me? This time of year is a MESS in my world. Just busy busy with lots going on in my personal life. Today, with the kids back in a school, and lots of "sports" photos being taken, I thought I would share with you a masculine layout to inspire you to scrap those teen school photos. My Son graduated last year, and the photo taken here, was one we used in his senior announcement.
 
 
I gathered up lots of Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® to create a colorful background for my black and white photo.   I just love all the texture and grunge. 
 
 
What teen doesn't have music blaring 24/7? So I used Gel Medium to add music tissue paper to the background. The Boysenberry Gelatos® was the perfect blue to add color to my white card stock and represent his school colors of red and blue.   Once it was dry, I applied Whipped Spackle through the School House Stencil from Tim Holtz. This gave me some subtle texture.  For my journal area, I add a list of Brighton's top 10 details from his Senior year.
 
 
 
I also used the Boysenberry Gelatos® and the Tim Holtz Stars Stencil to add a few grungy stars to my background.  I created a wash with the Double Scoops® Red Cherry® and used a bottle to add a few circles in areas around the background.   For more texture, I used my Stamper's Big Brush Pen in Black as a stamping ink with some grungy texture stamps from Tim Holtz.  
 

 
I also gathered a few items that I thought would set the tone for a "school" themed layout.  Since my Son is a HUGE lover of all things historical, I figured a page from the Life of Abraham Lincoln would make the perfect photo mat. I also pulled a few mini file folders, notebook paper, grid paper, dictionary paper with the football definition visible to add to my photo mat layers.  If your son is anything like mine, his homework always looked like it had been stuffed in the bottom of a back pack for weeks.  To achieve this look, a crumpled up the papers and used the Nougat Stamper's Big Brush Artist pen to distress the edges.  I also wanted the entire piece to have a messy handwritten look, so I hand wrote my journaling and titles. To finish off the embellishment clusters, I used tickets and charms for my ephemera. Heidi Swapp's chipboard stars added depth, and show he is my "All-Star".  

Here is a quick video showing how I created the layout.  
 
 

 
 
 
Thanks for stopping in today,  I hope you have a great weekend.
 
Tonya
 
Supplies:

 


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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Ustream Recap from Sept 7 2015 - Watercolor Cards

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Hi everyone what a fun show last night. Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the show live. It was fun hanging out with you, and getting to know the newbies. Here is the beautiful card I created.



In this show I demonstrated some simple watercolor techniques for creating a beautiful Sunflower card (seen above).  I painted this card with a simple palette of 4 colors, and demonstrated how mixing them, you can create secondary colors for accents and shadows. I also shared some easy brush techniques to create shadows and highlights. 

If you are a newbie to watercolor and you simply want to experiment without a huge expense.  I recommend purchasing an inexpensive watercolor set. These student grade paints are great for practicing paint brush techniques and familiarizing yourself with how watercolor works.  The set I used during the show retails for under $8 at a local box store.



However, if have the budget for expensive paints and want to jump in feet first, by all means go ahead.  I recommend that you start your collection with four simple colors:  Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, and a Burnt Sienna.  You can always expand from there as your budget allows.

Here is the recorded video: 

Watch On YouTube


I've really had a great time painting these cards, and shared at the end of the video how a set would make a great gift for someone during the holiday season, maybe a teacher, friend from church, or neighbor.  Who doesn't need a card every now then? Here are a few others that I have created using the techniques taught in this class. 




I hope you enjoyed the show.  Our next broadcast is scheduled for October 5, 2015. 

Thanks for stopping in today, don't forget if you try these techniques #FollowingTonyaGibbs in your social media or tag me on Facebook so that I can see what you have done. 


Products that I used:
  • Canson Watercolor Cold Press 140lb Paper
  • Daler-Rowney Simply Watercolor Paint Set, 12pk
  • Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® - Watercolor Brush #3 Round
  • Artist Loft - Watercolor Brush #8 Round
  • Ice Cube Tray
  • Cardstock (card backing)
  • White foam adhesive
  • Scotch ATG Tape
  • Tim Holtz - Ranger Ink Vintage Photo Distress Ink
  • Tim Holtz - Ranger Ink - Distress Tool
  • Ranger Ink - Craft Mat
  • Uni-ball Signo Impact 207 Gel Pen (black) 1.0mm


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I love seeing things you create using my tutorials or project shares. Please use the following handles/tags in social media to insure that I get to see your creations:

INSTAGRAM: #FollowingTonyaGibbs    |   TWITTER:  @gibbst    #FollowingTonyaGibbs   |      FACEBOOK:Tag  Tonya Gibbs   #FollowingTonyaGibbs

I Design for:

    http://www.yvonneblair.com

Guest Artist: Click icon to see post!

http://www.teresacollinsdesignteam.blogspot.com/2013/10/family-stories-layout-and-video-by.html#comment-form   http://canvascorp.com/2013/03/21/easter-treat-baskets/


Past Teams

http://www.die-namites.com/     marion