Trying something new with Cheri Piles

Happy New Years everyone!!

I have thought a lot about this project, I have envisioned it for months now. I just didn't really know what to do or how to start.... My own "self-talk" & fear of failure kept me from doing this sooner. I woke up the other day and said enough. I can and will do this, I want to try so badly, so I did it - I took a leap of faith. 

I have to say a HUGE HUGE, THANK YOU to Sesil, I happened to call her as I was in route to buy my supplies and she was a huge help! So Thanks Sesil!!!

This was my first collage art piece. I used all 9 papers from the Now & Then collection. Can you find them? Each piece of paper is represented in one form or another. It's very whimsical and fun!

I love this quote from the die cut banners, I just cut the words out and adhered them.

This is my second piece - you can see I'm starting to get the hang of it, it's not perfect by any means but I LOVE this one the most! It is so inspirational!

Another quote, and it's so true!! I am going to frame this and put it on my desk... I have big plans for this year!!!

This is my third piece, it is using the Vintage Finds Collection. I really wanted you to see this in the frame. It MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world to frame these! Wouldn't you agree??

I can never get enough of these flowers layered on one another, I cut them out from the "flowers" paper. I did not glue them "into" the project, I wanted to see what it would look like as a 3-D effect.

What I learned:

• Never not try something new no matter how much it might intimidate you - give yourself a chance to grow. You can see that just after a few tries I am starting to get the hang of the very basics of collage art.
• Go with the flow and use papers that YOU love and that inspire YOU! When you are inspired, your art will reflect it.
• Different mediums may change or alter the hue's of the paper. Project #2 really is bright in real life!!
• Gesso allows you to have a Do-over, lol!!

What I used besides papers from the Now & Then, Tell Your Story and Vintage Finds Collections:

• 8x10 Canvas 
• Gesso - Acrylic, Opaque, Matte, Medium fluid (from the back of the bottle) - I painted this on top of the canvas to give the paint something to stick to.
• Slow Dry blending gel medium - I mixed this with my paint on project #1 & #2. I also used it as a "mod-podge" to apply the layers and over them.
• black pen - I like the look of outlining some of the pieces of paper.

 I hope this inspires you to try something fun and new!

Guest Designer Erin Yambe

Today we have a a guest designer Erin Yamabe! I had the pleasure of meeting her at CHA and feel truly blessed to have met this amazing designer.  Come see what Erin creates with the Sweet Afternoon Collection.

Hello there, my name is Erin Yamabe, and I am so excited to be here this month!  Thank you Teresa and Sesil for having me:)  Sweet Afternoon is one of my very favorite collections, so I was very happy to play!

I'm blessed to be a stay at home Mom to two little girls, who are the subject of most of my work.  My husband is very supportive of all his girls, and am very appreciative for him to understand how much this hobby means to me!  Aside from scrapbooking, I enjoy being active at my girls' schools and our church, taking spin and zumba classes, and date nights with my hubby! Over the past five years, I've worn several hats in this industry...as a designer, DT Coordinator, and instructor.  Currently, I am working with Therm O Web, Ruby Rock-It Bella! Fundamentals, Punky Sprouts, and The Paper Bakery kit club.  I've been blessed to have my work published in both the U.S. and Japanese magazines, at CHA, on the Scrapbook Memories TV Show, and on QVC UK.

Here are my projects:

1.  Easter layout:

Supplies Used:

• In The Garden paper
• At The Picnic paper
• Just Relaxing paper
• 6x6 Paper pad paper
• Brads
• Cardstock stickers
• Chipboard stickers

For this layout, I wanted to showcase the soft tones by adding a contrast in some stitching.  On top of the stitched circles, I rolled some flowers so they would pop.  

2.  Find Beauty In The Everyday layout:

Supplies Used:

• In The Park Paper
• At The Picnic Paper
• 6x6 Paper pad paper
• Brads/banners
• Chipboard stickers

For this layout, I let the elegant design in the paper lead.  The rectangles fit wallet size photos perfectly...so I just folded over different paper strips to give the photos a little frame.  I cut out parts of the rectangles and added some contrasting papers behind them, so the little tabs of papers popped.

3.  SOAR card:

Supplies Used:

• Flying Kites Paper
• In The Garden Paper
• Just Relaxing Paper
• stamps
• 6x6 Paper pad Paper

For this card, I created little rows of chevrons, and added dimension with every other row.  I chose to stitch in yellow, so the circles from the Just Relaxing Paper were a great accent in color along with the stamps:)

4.  Bird cage tag: [I wanted to show the versatility in this line, so I created two tags...one mixing the soft colors, the other simply monochromatic]

Supplies Used:

• Flying Kites paper
• At The Picnic paper
• Just Relaxing paper
• Brads
• Chipboard stickers

5.  Monochromatic tag:

Supplies Used:

• Just Relaxing Paper
• Chipboard stickers
• Brads

6.  Twice Blessed Frame

Supplies Used:

• Just Relaxing Paper
• At The Picnic Paper
• 6x6 Paper pad Paper
• In The Garden Paper
• Going Downtown Paper
• In The Attic Paper
• Brads/banners
• Cardstock diecuts
• Stamps

For the Twice Blessed project...I've had this frame for awhile now.  And I knew I wanted to create a piece about the blessings our girls' are for us.  Decorating some canvas dresses with the papers and brads seemed like a perfect fit!

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Please visit Erin at her blog:http://erinyamabe.com/

Thank you so much for Guest Designing with Teresa Collins Designs. 

Simply Amazing!  If your local retailer does not carry Teresa Collins please ask.

Thank you again ERIN!!!

String canvas decor by Amanda Jones

Hi everyone :) I am making a big effort to create as much of my own Chrstmas decor as possible this year. I recently had a big sort out in my scrap area and came across this set of 3 small canvases and decided they would be perfect for this project.

So, today I thought I would share with you how I created these string canvases.

First I decided on the shapes I wanted to have as string designs on the front of the canvas. Hint: PICK SOMETHING SIMPLE! I tried holly first. Ha! I chose to do 2 stars and a Christmas tree, so I flipped the canvas over and sketched the design on the back. Make sure you keep the design within the frame otherwise you'll not be able to stitch it later ;)

I selected an assortment of papers from the Christmas Home 6x6 pad. They were the perfect size as my canvas was just under 6"x6".

Then, I tore them into narrow strips. This was fun ;)

Using Mod Podge I then adhered random strips over the canvases.

Once I'd trimmed off anything overlapping the edges I was left with 3 of these.

This next step was the trickiest. I selected the biggest needle I could find in my sewing basket and thread it with thick, jute twine. Then, working from the reverse using the sketched designs I carefully stitched round each star and tree, ending up with something like this.

As the final step, I took some watered down white acrylic paint and washed over the entire surface of each canvas and string.

They are now sitting above my fireplace waiting for Santa :)

Have a wonderful December!

Amanda's Blog

Notations 12x12 : Colette Nederhoff - Mixed Media Project with Notations - "Make a Wish"

Colette has a wonderful Mixed Media side that always makes me want to grab my canvas and get creating. Here is a canvas that she created using the Notations 12x12 line from Teresa Collins!

Take it away Colette!

________________________________

Notations 12x12 "Make a Wish"
by: Colette Nederhoff

 
I think this Notations paper reminds me so much of wedding cake-- so I decided to make a cake-- which ended up more for a Birthday!! Also a side note-- I love whimsical, so if the cake looks like it is not straight  and it is tipping over-- it is!  Such a fun project
http://nederhoffco.blogspot.com

The canvas has a rough finish plus the
glitter and punchinello accents make it
dimensional.  Not easy to capture a good photo of that.

Notations Make a Wish
designed by Colette Nederhoff (http://nederehoffco.blogspot.com)
featuring: Teresa Collins Notations

Supplies:

11 X 14” artists Canvas
Notations 12X12 papers:  Rulers, Calendar, Flourish and Alphabet
Acrylic Paints:  Folkart Wicker White, Portrait Light, and Ivory
Paint brush
Punchinello
Black Stazon Ink
Antique Book Paper
Mod Podge
Spun Sugar Stickles by Ranger
Blingage: Donna’s Gems, Paisley’s Flower
Teresa Collins stamp maker Stamp  (design included with machine)
Large Scallop Scissors

Instructions:

1.  Start by painting the canvas with the acrylic paints.  I blended the 3 colors to create a
    a creamy - soft background with a tinge of pink.  I also brushed some stickles Spun
   Sugar glitter in some areas.  I used the Punchinello to add dimension by making some
    spots with ivory and also some spun sugar glitter spots.  Let all dry.
2.  Use the 3 papers to cut the cake layers.  The biggest one is using Flourish and it
    measures 4 ½ tall by 8 ¾ inches wide.  I love using the scallop border at the top
    to make it a part of the cake.  
     The next layer up is the other side of the Calendar paper.  It measures: 4” X 6”.
      The top layer is the other side of the ruler paper.  Measuring:  2 ½ X 4 ½ “
       Blacken the edges of all these papers with Stazon.  
3.  Cut Antique book paper into 1 ½ inch wide strips.    Cut the bottom edge with the
     Large scallop decorative scissors.  Place on top edge of the 2 top cake layers and
     measure to fit.  Round the corners of top edges.  Blacken along top edge.  
 
 4.  After all cake pieces and borders are cut out, lay these pieces on canvas and Mod
    Podge down.  Put a nice layer of Mod Podge over the entire cake and make sure it  is
    all smooth and flat.  This will seal it nicely.  

5.  Stamp the flourish stamp in the bottom corners of the cake to make it look like
    it has a stand.  
6.  Cut out the Word W I S H  out of the Alphabet paper.  Cut them down a little bit to
    fit the space.   Blacken the edges with Stazon ink.  Mod Podge these in place and cover to seal.   
7.  Use the Stickles Spun Sugar Pink Glitter to highlight the designs.  It can be added to
      your liking -- following the edges of the scallops, and the design in the paper.  I
     highlighted the bottom circle in the center and also the flourishes.    LET DRY!!!!
8.  When all the Mod Podge and glitter are dry, I used a Black Paint marker (fine)
     to draw over all the layers.  This really made them pop.  I also added a few free-
     form lines to make it whimsical around each cake piece.  
9.   I added the gem borders of Donna’s gems to the top 2 layers of cake.  There will
    be remaining gems to cut apart and use to highlight more places of your choosing.
10.   Take the bottom 2 layers of the Paisley’s flower apart from the top 2.   I felt the
       flower was to large, so I only used the top 2.  I glittered  those top 2 with the gem                    inside    and glued it to the top right hand part of the top  layer of cake.  
11. Lastly, I added the words “make a .  .  .   “ at the top left corner of the cake.

Side note:   I like things kind of whimsical, so I did not  make this cake perfectly straight.  

 I thought the center layer looked cuter when slightly tipped.   

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Thank you Colette!  If you would like to see more creation by Colette stop by her blog at:

http://nederhoffco.blogspot.com.

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Have a great week!