"Vintage Crafting" with Designer Craft Blog Connection

It's time for the September Designer Craft Blog Connection hop and this month our theme is "Vintage Crafting."   I seem to almost endlessly be crafting via repurposing - but just how old does a an item need to be before it's considered vintage?  Do the old clothes I've been crafting with that once belonged to my grandmother count as vintage (like in my first episode of Behind These Eyes with Cindi Bisson)?  When it comes to the many vintage furniture pieces and home decor accents I have in my home, I prefer them with their aged appearance and am hesitant to consider altering them.  My studio supplies are even stored in a wide variety of "vintage" containers - ranging from old steamer trunks and suitcases, to old shipping crates. I've created many scrapbook layouts with a vintage feel, using vintage photos and vintage themed papers and embellishments.   The one that stands out in my mind as actually having vintage memorabilia actually included, and was made with "old" scrapbooking products I've had in my stash for many years, is this collage style layout of my grandfather and his brothers in their WWII uniforms.

 

Creating a memorial collage is a great way to remember loved ones who have served in the military – past or present!  An official definition of “collage” is:  a technique of composing a work of art by pasting on a single surface various materials not normally associated with one another, as newspaper clippings, parts of photographs, theater tickets, and fragments of an envelope. 

However, I believe a true definition of the art of collage is “anything goes!”  Dare to use elements you might otherwise never consider – whether you use the actual ephemera or scans/photographs of the pieces – the sky is the limit.  Being a texture junkie, I love the dimension and depth that actual elements add rather than photos. 

Whether you choose to create your collage for a family scrapbook, create a framed piece or canvas art, set your creative muse free!  One technique I often incorporate into my collage work is dimensional embellishments & ephemera – in this case I used actual buttons, pins and patches from my grandfather’s WWII uniform.  I scanned the vintage photos of he and his three brothers who also served, both front and back to capture the handwritten names and dates on each, and the actual military documents we have saved throughout the years.  This text was then used to label some of the photos and as an element of the collage.    I wanted all of the elements of this project to have a vintage feel, so even the “new” materials used were aged using walnut ink – the Jolee’s Boutique microbeaded flag and the flag printed vellum were both given a healthy application of spray walnut ink and allowed to set for approximately 1 minute before they were gently rinsed and allowed to dry.  Some papers were torn & rumpled before application on the background, metal tags were stamped with names using black Staz-On ink and small alphabet stamps, and metallic eyelets were added as accents to the tags.  All the assorted elements were then arranged and mounted as shown using Elmer’s Craft Bond Adhesive. Collage is most often about applying multiple materials in a random fashion rather than a linear format – but as I said – anything goes – if you want your “collage” to be composed of multiple images lined up neat and clean – it is not wrong as long as you are happy with the finished project!

Follow the Designer Craft Blog Connection link on the right to view the other creativity projects being shared as part of this hop.

I hope this month's hop inspires you to pull out some of your "old supplies", perhaps repurpose an "old" decorative item, or even use new supplies to create something unique with a vintage feel.  And always remember, it's okay to "Dare to be Different!" - Cindi Bisson

But wait, there's MORE!  

The Prize!

 
Crafty KT is sponsoring The KOOL TAK™ Manufacturer Challenge: Fabulously-Fall Blog Hop.

September 8th to September 18th

Join us and visit the blogs of 12 professional and creative craft designers (I'm participating!) as they show you how to create some great fall projects with Kool Tak™ products. 

Make sure to enter the The Kool Tak™ giveaway, which is valued at about $70.00

Kool Tak™ 1 Layer Perfect (Use it for centering, piercing, and edge stitching) Tool
Kool Tak™ 1 Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets (Earth Tones)
Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape ¼ x ¼ x 1/32” thick
Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 3/16 x 1/16 thick by 1.6 yards
Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME 2 ½ x 27 yards

We will choose one lucky giveaway winner from those who sign up for our newsletter.  You only need to enter once.

Only those with a mainland USA shipping address are eligible to win the giveaway.

Link: http://craftykt.com/suscribe-to-newsletter

ImpressArt® Metal Stamps - Designer Craft Blog Connection Hop

I am so excited to be a part of this ImpressArt® Metal Stamps Designer Craft Blog Connection hop!  I received my product from ImpressArt®, opened the box and became almost immediately obsessed.  I have been adding metal stamped accents to almost every creative project I've made since receiving my product.  Today I'm sharing three jewelry projects featuring the lowercase Newsprint set of metal stamps, and assorted stamping blanks.   There are 3 projects, and I've included instructions and supplies for each - so I appreciate your patience with this long post :0).   Also, ImpressArt is hosting a great opportunity for you to win a fantastic prize package - The Grand Prize is valued at up to $120.00 and contains: 


        1- ImpressArt alphabet set of the winner's choice
        1- ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block, small
        1- ImpressArt Metal Stamping Hammer
        1- ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape
        An Assortment of metal discs

To enter the contest, you must go to the following link and follow the directions:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ImpressArt/155664424487844?sk=app_194975693850063
                                                       
I can promise you'll be seeing a lot more of my projects with metal stamping.  In the meantime, be sure to follow the Designer Craft Blog Connection link at the right to see what other creative projects have been shared by fellow designers!

Cobalt and Copper Pendant
Featuring Metal Stamps and Copper Offset Oval Washer Blank from ImpressArt®  

Materials:

ImpressArt® Design Stamp, Whimsy Heart Metal Stamp - Item #SC158-K-3MM
ImpressArt® Metal Stamping Blank, Offset Oval Washer w/Ring, 2” - Copper - Item #IAD12261
ImpressArt® Brass Metal Stamping Hammer - Item #SC711
ImpressArt® Stamp Straight Tape™ - Item #BC21-1520
ImpressArt® Steel metal stamping block
Cobalt glass beads, brown glass beads
ART Glitter - Cobalt Vintage Glass Glitter
Copper jewelry wire
Lumiere 3D Dimensional Metallic Paint and Adhesive from Jacquard Products - #219 Blue
Jewelry pliers, wire cutters, copper colored fiber, copper necklace closure finding, soft cloth

Instructions:

Cut two small pieces of Stamp Straight Tape™ and align on bottom of Copper Offset Oval Washer.  Holding upside down, stamp Whimsy Heart Metal Stamp radiating out from center opening in space repeatedly between tape.  From there, move each piece of tape in a radiating fashion and repeat stamping heart “upside down”. 

Use fingertip to apply small amount of blue Lumiere 3D Dimensional Metallic Paint & Adhesive over metal stamped hearts.  While paint is still wet, gently rub surface of copper with soft cloth, allowing blue paint to enhance stamped hearts. 

Use round end of hammer to gently distress outside edge of metal and around inner opening.

Apply thin lines of blue Lumiere 3D Dimensional Metallic Paint & Adhesive between each row of stamped hearts.  While wet, add cobalt blue vintage glass glitter.  Let dry.

Measure and cut copper colored fiber to desired pendant length.  Loop through ring on top of oval to hold in place.  String large blue glass bead onto fibers and directly to ring, tie large knot in fiber over glass bead. Add copper necklace closure.   Add 3 smaller descending sizes of cobalt and brown glass beads  to a piece of copper wire.  Arrange in opening and wrap around ring to hold in place.

© All images - Cindi Bisson - Behind These Eyes™

And on to Project #2 -

BLOOM Ring
Featuring Metal Stamps and Floral Stamping Blanks from ImpressArt® 

Materials:

ImpressArt® Alphabet Stamp Set, Newsprint Lowercase Stamp Set  - Item #SC1316-3MM
ImpressArt® Metal Stamping Blank, 5 Petal Flower with Ring Stamping Blank - Brass:  IAD12130 - TWO
ImpressArt® Brass Metal Stamping Hammer - Item #SC711
ImpressArt® Steel metal stamping block
Black Sharpie Marker
We R Memory Keepers Cropo-A-Dile Punch
Pearl Dew Drop embellishment from The Robin’s Nest
Jewelry pliers, wire cutters, soft cloth, E-6000 adhesive

Instructions:

Use lowercase Newsprint metal stamps to stamp two brass flower blanks - one letter on each petal, spelling out “BLOOM”.

Use wire tool to cut hanging ring from each charm.

Color stamped lettering with black Sharpie marker.  Gently rub
from surface of brass with soft cloth, allowing black to enhance
stamped lettering


Use jewelry pliers to gently bend petals upward and outward on one flower.

Gently bend petals of second flower backward.

Trace ring back onto scrap paper.  Cut circle of paper to cover ring back, adhere.  This ensures the silver toned metal from ring back doesn't show around brass flower.

      Use E-6000  Adhesive to mount flower with petals bent backward onto ring base, then mount flower with upward bent petals so that all petals show.  

Add pearl Dew Drop accent for center of flower. 

© All images - Cindi Bisson - Behind These Eyes™




And lastly, at least for today - Project #3 -

Take Flight Mixed-Media Pendant
Featuring Metal Stamps & Copper and Brass Stamping Blanks from ImpressArt® 

Materials:

ImpressArt® Alphabet Stamp Set, Newsprint Lowercase Stamp Set  - Item #SC1316-3MM
ImpressArt® Design Stamp, Square Swirl Stamp - Item #SC1510-P-3MM
ImpressArt® Design Stamp,  Whimsy Flower Stamp - Item #SC1514-K-3MM
ImpressArt® Metal Stamping Blank, Butterfly, 1 5/16” Brass - Item #IAD12142 - TWO
ImpressArt® Metal Stamping Blank, 6 Petal Flower, 1” Copper - Item #IAD12222
ImpressArt® Brass Metal Stamping Hammer - Item #SC711
ImpressArt® Steel metal stamping block
We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Punch
Black Sharpie Marker
Rectangular Brass Hobknob bezel from ICE Resin
ICE Resin
Pattered paper from Belles Dames Francaise flip book from ICE Resin
Pearl Dew Drops embellishments from The Robin’s Nest
Jewelry pliers, wire cutters, copper colored fibers, gold/brass toned floss/fibers, small pearl beads, repurposed rhinestones, mica flakes, copper flakes, small paper flowers, copper necklace closure finding, soft cloth

Instructions: 

Punch small hole near top of copper flower using Crop-A-Dile punch. 

Use lowercase Newsprint letter stamps to stamp “beauty in flight”, somewhat centered, onto copper flower.  Randomly stamp flower with Whimsy Flower stamp.

Punch two small holes approximately 1/4” apart, centered on each brass butterfly using Crop-A-Dile punch. 

Use lowercase Newsprint letter stamps to stamp “fly”, between punched holes.

On each butterfly top wing tip, stamp Square Swirl stamp three times in a row, radiating upward, allowing to overlap slightly.  Stamp each bottom wing once in lower corner.

Use black Sharpie to color each stamped blank, wipe with soft cloth to remove from face of blank, allowing black to enhance stamped areas.

Use jewelry pliers to gently bend the wings of each butterfly upward.  Also bend the petals of the copper flower randomly upward and downward to add depth.

Line rectangular bezel with patterned paper.  Sprinkle in copper flakes on left edge and mica flakes on right lower edge.  Arrange repurposed rhinestones into dragonfly shape above butterfly image on patterned paper.  Set two small paper flowers in lower right corner, with pearl Dew Drop centers.

On copper strip of metal, use lowercase Newsprint stamps to stamp “wings”.  Trim around word, color with black Sharpie and rub with soft cloth to remove ink from surface of copper strip.   Place into collaged bezel as shown.

Mix ICE Resin according to manufacturer instructions, pour into bezel.  While wet, add 3rd small paper flower, coated with resin, with Dew Drop center onto lower right outside corner of bezel, extending beyond the center. Cure overnight.

Measure and cut fibers to desired length.  String copper fiber with pearl bead accents approximately 1” apart, knotting to hold in place.  Add stamped butterfly accents to hanging fibers.  Add jewelry closure.  Measure and
cut fibers to hold copper flower beneath collaged pendant.  Add pearl bead, tie to stamped flower and tie to ring on filled bezel.

© All images - Cindi Bisson - Behind These Eyes™

An Altered Necktie - All Things Altered Block Hop

Welcome to the "All Things Altered" Blog Hop, hosted by Pam Bray.  13 Designers are participating and adding their unique flair.  For my project I altered an old necktie purchased in the local Goodwill store (where I also discovered this clock shaped like a vintage pocket watch - had to have that!)  The vintage masculine papers in the Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman Collection were perfect for what I had in mind.  I first tore assorted sheets from the collections into random sized pieces, then adhered them collage style using Plaid Fabric Mod Podge to the front of the tie.  The back was given a single coat of Plaid's Martha Stewart Crafts Copper Metallic Multi-Surface Craft Paint using haphazard strokes to add texture and sheen, yet the darker base color of the fabric still resonates through the paint.  

When paired with a vintage cufflink & tie bar set, a gentleman who accents his outfit with this vintage style altered tie is sure to feel dapper.

Be sure to hop through the 12 other participating designer's links and see what they have shared.  You are sure to find some inspiration to do a bit of creative altering yourself!

Betty - http://scrappybetty.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://studiobeecreations.blogspot.com/
Christine - www.scrapbookingtechnique.blogspot.com/
Jess B. - http://thatzuneek.blogspot.com/
Charity- http://scrapfaire.blogspot.com/
Laura Evangeline - www.lauraevangeline.blogspot.com/
Eileen - http://www.eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Jennifer - http://hydrangeahippo.com/
Irit - http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/
Gloria - http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Cindi - http://www.fatcatcreations.blogspot.com/

Here's a peak at the true colors of the papers in the collection