ButterBee Scraps Altered Metal Embellishments Tutorial using Graphic 45 Bloom and Eileen Hull HeARTfelt Journal Die

Hello, Friends! Today I’m honored to be sharing a ButterBee Scraps Altered Metal Embellishments Tutorial with you. You all know how much I love to use metal embellishments on my projects. When the lovely and gracious LouAnn Hunt over at ButterBee Scraps invited me to do a guest designer spot focusing on altering and using metal embellishments on a project, how could I say no? To showcase these lovely metal embellishments, I created an Eileen Hull HeARTfelt Journal made with Graphic 45 Bloom collection. You’ll find a linked supply list for this project at the end of this post.

Altered Metal Embellishments Tips and Tricks

Sometimes I like to mix metals on a project. But sometimes, I want the finishes to match. What to do? Altering a metal embellishment is easy, fun, and not too messy. Here’s how I altered these embellishments:

First, place an old paper bag, magazine or other disposable surface on your work space.
Next, dry brush both sides of each embellishment with a light coat of gesso or paint. For this project, I used an ivory chalk paint. But I’ve also had great success with Antique Linen Distress Paint.
Now heat dry the paint, or let it air dry for about 15 minutes.
Then, tap the raised surfaces with a little Graphic 45 Old Moss Decades Ink. This really brings out the subtle details in the metals.
Finally spray the embellishments with a little mica spray to add a hint of shimmer. Heat Dry.
- I used Perfect Pearls Green Patina Mist (retired). You can actually make your own mica spray by mixing about 1/2 tsp of Perfect Pearls Powder with tap water. Then place in a mister bottle and you are all set.

Graphic 45 Bloom Traveler’s Notebook with Eileen Hull HeArtFelt Journal Dies

The video tutorial below will guide you through all the necessary steps for making this journal. So I’ll just share a few teaser photos with you here.

TIP: Apply a coat of Distress Collage Medium/Matte to the back of the papers used on the journal covers and signatures. I find this works the best of all the adhesives I’ve tried for this particular process. Then burnish well with a bone folder to push out any air pockets.

Using Metal Embellishments Inside the Journal

This journal has 3 signatures (inserts…think chapters in a book.) I usually die cut my own signatures with Eileen’s die, but while on a foraging trip at Tuesday Morning, I found a few Momenta Explore Journal Inserts on clearance for about $1. I can’t die cut them that cheaply at home! So I simply decorated the inserts with pretty papers, metal charms and ribbon. The tutorial will go into the “how” in more detail.

Create a unified design by adding the same embellishments inside the journal. The copper filigree leaves are flat, so they add design without a lot of bulk.

The same holds true for the butterflies.

TIP: Use a metal adhesive like Glossy Accents, Art Institute Dries Clear Adhesive, or E6000 to secure metal to paper. You can always add a dab of hot glue to the paper. This will hold embellishments in place until the slower drying adhesive has a chance to cure.

Here’s another fun way to alter metal embellishments. I tied this darling key through the loop on the bulldog clip. Simple, but effective.

ButterBee Scraps Altered Metal Embellishments Tutorial Video

This video starts with a short flip through tour of the journal. Then I’ve added a simple words/photo step out tutorial to guide you through the steps I used to create the altered embellishments, journal cover and inserts. I hope you enjoy!

Special Discount Code at ButterBee Scraps

LouAnn, the owner at ButterBee Scraps, has graciously offered my followers a discount on all purchases from now until May 17th. Just use the code KATHY10 when you check out to receive a 10% discount on your shopping cart total. Thanks, ButterBee Scraps!

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and inspiration today that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below. To see other Eileen Hull Journals that I’ve created, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List

ButterBee Scraps
Graphic 45 Bloom
Eileen Hull HeARTfelt Journal die by Sizzix
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Adhesives
Mixed Media
- Ivory Chalk Paint
- G45 Antique Moss Decades Ink
- Perfect Pearls Green Patina Mist (retired…but this mica spray would also work)
Little Birdie Flowers…check your local AC Moore store
Jute Cording
Waxed Linen Cord

Hello, Friends!

It’s time for a new challenge over at Really Reasonable Ribbon! I am so excited to share today’s card for the Things With Wings Challenge, because I used some fun techniques to create my card, and I’m going to tell you how I did it!

I super love the April Ribbon Club Collection from Really Reasonable Ribbon. Take a look!

These are the perfect color match for the April pages in Graphic 45’s “Time to Flourish” collection. It’s so exciting when ribbons and papers work together this beautifully!

Graphic 45 April Time to Flourish/Kathy by Design for Really Reasonable Ribbon

RRR Things with Wings Challenge/Kathy by Design

I sewed two of the patterned papers from the 6×6 pad together to make the base for my card. I ran the top portion through my Grand Calibur with the new Spellbinder’s Doily M-Bossabilities folder. The raised design was sponged with Tea Dye Distress Ink to make it pop off the page. Then I made a beautiful border by layering a strip of blue print paper with Tropic Checkerboard Satin Ribbon, Coral Rose Swiss Dots Grosgrain, and Theresa White Crochet Lace.

I fussy cut the beautiful tulips from the 12×12 pages, and shaped them gently with my tool kit. These were adhered with foam dots to add some extra dimension, and then the centers of a few tulips were filled wtih seed beads. I added a gorgeous bow made with Light Coral Diamond Satin Ribbon , White Iridescent metallic string, and a sweet vintage button from my stash. I also scattered some seed beads randomly around the card…because I like them! LOL

Now, to the “Things with Wings” portion of this challenge. I ran a Graphic 45 Staples Butterfly through my machine with a damask embossing folder to give it some really cool texture. Next, I sponged it with a combination of Tumbled Glass, Broken China and Antique Linen Distress Paint. I heated this gently with my heat tool (use tweezers!) and then when it was still warm, I shaped the wings. I topped the whole thing off with a layer of Clear Distress Crackle paint, and then added half a Graphic Staples clothespin for the body. I secured this to my card base with foam adhesive, and then tucked in a fussy cut sentiment from the same 12×12 page, topping it off with a sweet bow made from the Aqua Roses printed Grosgrain Ribbon. This is the sweetest ribbon ever made, and I get a little weak in the knees every time I use it!

Here’s a peeky at the inside of the card. I stamped the ivory oval with one of the Time to Flourish Stamps and layered up some more sweet papers. Doesn’t it feel like spring?

Now it’s your turn to get your craft on! Create a project and link it up to the Things With Wings Challenge. You’ll find all the details and links to the rest of the design team at the Really Reasonable Ribbon BLOG. I can’t wait to see what you make!

Thanks for stopping by!