Category Archives: Mixed Media

Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor

Little Birdie Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Little Birdie Crafts Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial

Hello, Friends! This Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial is the perfect way to while away a sultry summer afternoon.  Beautiful flowers, cheery stacked teacups, and cheeky little birds beckon you to slow down the pace.  Stop and smell the flowers.

Mixed media is not my area of expertise.  But I do love to dabble.  There’s something liberating about slapping down paint and gel medium and a bunch of different textured layers.  This 8×8 wall  hanging was pure fun to make.  And, as you will see in the video tutorial below, it comes together very quickly!  That’s always a bonus.  I won’t belabor you with a lot of tips and such in this post.  You can hear me talk about them all in the video.  So we’ll just hit a few highlights and move things along quickly.

Decoupage Paper

The inspiration for this project is the stacked teacups and birdie image.  Little Birdie makes wonderful decoupage paper, and I finally had a chance to play with it.   It’s lovely stuff, and so easy to work with.  As you can see, the colors are rich and the images are wonderful. Each package comes with 2 sheets of 2 different designs.

After distressing layers of Woodland Stories Cardstock, I tore the focal image from the sheet of decoupage paper.  Be sure to ink the edges so that it will blend in nicely with the background.  Then, seal it to the base with gel medium.  Do both sides, front and back for a really good seal.

Although this was my first play with this paper, it won’t be my last.  It’s wonderful stuff!

Mixed Media Details

Here are some quick and easy ways to add mixed media details to a project.

  • Distressed edges add wonderful texture to the edges of cardstock.  Use a distressing tool, or simply run the blade of your scissors along the edge of the paper.  Little tears are even better!
  • Chalk paint is one of my favorite mediums.  You can paint edges, paint metals, spatter on the finished project, or brush on flower petals to add a wonderful shabby feel to your project.
  • Machine stitching adds texture, subtle pattern and helps to frame a piece.
  • Check your spice cabinet!  Mustard seeds and green peppercorns lend an organic feel to the composition.

Little Birdie Metallic Wax adds another layer of distressing to painted metals and resin.  I just rub it on lightly with my finger.  Primed chipboard can be used as is, rubbed with metallic wax, or painted and spritzed with mica sprays.  All these elements work together to make mixed media easy to do!

Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial on YouTube

If you’d like to see the steps that went into creating this bit of home decor, you watch me play in the video tutorial below.

I hope you enjoyed viewing this project as much as I enjoyed making it!  You can find a linked supply list below this post, just in case you feel the need to shop for some of these paper pretties!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List

Little Birdie Celebrate Life Mixed Media Card

Little Birdie Crafts Celebrate Life Mixed Media Card by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Little Birdie Celebrate Life Mixed Media Birthday Card

Hello, Friends!  Today we’re going to party with a Little Birdie Celebrate Life Mixed Media Birthday Card.  I’m of the opinion that one should be treated like royalty on one’s day of birth.  So I created a shabby chic birthday card that’s fit for a queen!

But that doesn’t mean this card is hard to make!   It’s all about simple layers, beautiful flowers and a few sneaky mixed media tricks.  These stress-free techniques make you look like a mixed media pro!

Quick and Easy Layers

  • Begin with a 6×6 top fold card base.  That’s easy, right?
  • Now cover the front with a 6×6 panel from Little Birdie’s Celebrate Life 12×12 pad.
  • Look through your stash for a square doily: cloth or paper is fine.  My cloth doily came from a thrift shop bin.  You could also add a square lacy die cut for this layer.
  • Next, stitch a 5″ square panel of the pink woodgrain cardstock to the doily.  Then center and adhere.
  • Finally die cut the bird image with a circle die.  If you don’t have a circle die, trace around a saucer, small bowl or other round object.  If you have an old compass in your stash, that works, too!  Back this image with dimensionals and adhere in the center of the card.
Simple Mixed Media Tricks and Tips

I love working with primed chipboard because it saves me a step.  Simply tap the chipboard with VersaMark Embossing Ink and then sprinkle with Stampendous Shabby White Embossing Enamel.  Now heat emboss until all the layers melt and blend.   I found an old Spellbinders Gilded Life Pendant in my stash.  Dry brush this with white chalk paint.  Then fill the center with some moss and wee colored eggs.  Add flat back pearls to finish.

Add a soft, shabby chic vibe to your Little Birdie Flowers by dry brushing them with white chalk paint.  When you dry brush, dip the tip of your brush in the paint.  Then swipe off most of the paint on a piece of paper or your craft mat.  Lightly feather the brush over the edges of the flower petals to give them that soft, painterly feel we love so much.

Then, dilute the paint on your craft mat and spatter it over the card front to add even more of a soft finish.

A Peek Inside

Cover the card interior with more designer papers.  Then decorate a side pocket with a 3×4 journal card and tuck in a chocolate. No birthday is complete without a bit of chocolate!  Die cut a Little Birdie Oval Tag and stamp it with a sentiment.  Then decorate with ribbon, mini key and cut apart images to finish.

Now you see how easy it is to make a birthday card that’s fit for royalty, I hope you’ll give it a try.

You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

PS: We are still doing well….some days are better than others, but we are improving a bit every day!  Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your continued prayers!  I so appreciate you all!
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Prima Lavender Party Dress Card Folio

Prima Lavender Party Dress Card Folio for Throwback Thursday Kathy Clement Photo 01

Prima Lavender Party Dress Card Folio for Throwback Thursday

Hello, Friends!  Today’s Throwback Thursday is a Prima Lavender Party Dress Card Folio.  While cleaning out the Closet of Shame, I ran across a bunch of lovely chipboard pieces and a flash of inspiration!  Who doesn’t love having a new party dress for spring?  I know, right?  So after a bit more digging, I decided to use this lovely, retired 2017 Prima collection for our Throwback Thursday this week.

Put on Your Party Dress

Mixed Media Techniques for Chipboard Prima Lavender Laserowe Love by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Chipboard is such a wonderful addition to a card design.  You can paint it, cover it with paper, spritz it with mist or, as I did on today’s card, alter it with embossing powder.  This is probably my favorite way to alter chipboard.  Why, you may ask?  Because it is fast, easy and looks terrific!  It will probably take me longer to tell you the steps I followed than it did for me to actually do them.  Here’s how I took this brown paper bag dress to party dress with a little mixed media magic.

  • First, tap the entire surface of the chipboard with VersaMark ink.  Be generous!
  • Next, lightly shake a closed jar of Stampendous Shabby Ivory Embossing Enamel.  This helps mix the particles evenly throughout the mix.
  • Now place the chipboard in a funnel tray or on a piece of printer paper.  Gently shake the embossing powder out over the surface.  You are aiming for even coverage.
  • Then carefully pick up the chipboard and let any loose granules roll off onto the printer paper or into the tray.  Do not tap or flick the back of the chipboard!  Just let gravity do its thing!
  • Now you want to pre-heat your heat gun for a few seconds.  Use tweezers to hold the edge of the chipboard and use the heat gun to melt the granules.  Keep the gun moving at all times.  Chipboard will burn.
  • Heat the granules until the gold flecks start to melt and puddle into the ivory granules.  Now this chip is perfectly cooked!

Take it to the Next Level

The dress is very pretty at this point.  But I wanted to take it to the next level.  So once the chip had cooled, I spritzed it lightly with some Lavender Fields Glimmer Mist that I had in my stash.  Then I gently heated the embossing enamel a second time.  The embossing medium will “open” and allow the mist to sink into the mix, creating a lovely impressionistic pattern on the dress.

I also inked the edges of the dress with Dusty Concord Distress Oxides.  Then I spritzed and flicked water to make some pretty inky puddles.  You can play with this technique.  It’s fun!

TIP:  Adhere an acetate floral overlay from the Lavender Collection to the center of the dress to create soft pattern and design.  Use a dries clear adhesive for this step.  It’s pretty magical, if I do say so myself!

Learn how I altered the chipboard doily and the background tag in the video below.

Finishing Touches

Add some pretty ribbons, trims and posies and this dress is ready for the prom!

Learn how to add these sweet charms in the video, too!

A Peek Inside

Party Dress Card Folio Prima Lavender by Kathy Clement

I decided to create a little folio inside the card base.  The top half is an accordion pull-out with a ribbon closure.

Layer up bits and bobs on the cover to create a pretty collage.

Here’s a peek at the pages inside the 4 3/4″ x 7 3/4″ folio.  Lots of lovely room for photos and journaling the story of a wedding, anniversary, prom, birthday party or bridal shower.

Party Dress Video on YouTube

Here’s a little process video showing how this card folio came together.   I hope you enjoy!

And that’s it for Throwback Thursday this week!  I’ll be adding this little ditty to my Etsy shop if you’d like to see it in real life.

I’ll add a supply list below.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

***Please note: Since Throwback Thursday posts are designed to encourage us to use up paper pretties from our stash, I use a lot of retired items in these projects.  This means I may not be able to provide a link to all the supplies used.  Thanks for understanding!

Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio Tutorial

Little Birdie Crafts Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio Tutorial by Kathy Clement kathy by Design Photo 01

Little Birdie Crafts Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio Tutorial

Hello, Friends!  Today I have a darling Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio tutorial to share with you.  Our granddaughters love fairy gardens, and fairy tales and anything to do with fairies in general.  So I’ve upcycled some corrugate packing material with my Little Birdie Crafts goodies.  I had to pull my Mixed Media Boots out of the Closet of Shame for this project, which is always fun.

Meet Belinda.  She lives in a shady forest glen surrounded by mossy rocks, blooming flowers and sweet little birds.  Learn how to add all these layers and textures in the video tutorial.  If fairies are not your thing, you could easily follow these steps to create a purely botanical tag folio. (in fact, I might just do that!)

TIP: Create a “cloud” for your fairy house with a layer of cheesecloth in the background.  This adds dimension, texture and visual interest to the tag background.

TIP:  Add natural elements like Spanish Moss and real feathers to your project.  This adds lots of lovely texture and dimension.

Two Sides to Every Story

The back side of this Fairy Sparkle mixed media tag is a sweet little accordion style folio.  This would be the perfect spot to save photos from a sleepover, tea party or birthday party.

TIP: Heat emboss a Little Birdie Chipboard Floral Wreath and use it to add details to the folio cover. A few Elira flowers add extra color and texture to the wreath design.

Add pockets and mini folios inside.

And of course I have some fun interactive features like this flap page.

Lift it to reveal this sweet little fairy in a jar.  You’ll learn how to turn this fussy cut image into a tuck spot in the video tutorial.

It is no secret that I love a good pocket…especially a hidden pocket with a pull out page.

So I show you how to create this element along with a clever little tuck spot for these sweet images in the tutorial.

Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio Tutorial on YouTube

If you’d like to learn how to create this cute project you can follow along in this video tutorial.  You can easily translate the steps and techniques for use with any other themed project.  Just change out your paper and embellishments.

 

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your next crafty adventure.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

If you’d like to view some of my past Little Birdie Crafts tutorials, please click HERE.

You’ll find a linked supply list below the post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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A Little Christmas in July

Eileen Hull Sizzix Snowman Box Easel Card Authentique Snowfall by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

A Little Christmas in July with Eileen Hull and Authentique Paper

Hello, Friends!  I know it’s the 4th, but I just had to share a little Christmas in July with you today.  I have two of the cutest little Christmas projects, both made with Eileen Hull’s newly released Sizzix dies and Authentique papers.

These versatile steel rule dies can be used to create a dimensional box, or as mixed media elements.  Cute as a button, they are perfect for holiday gifting and card making.

Warm Hearts Easel Card

This 7″ x 8 1/4″ easel card features elements from the Snowman Box.  Here’s how I prepared the die cut pieces to build this wintry vignette.

  • First, die cut the pieces from mat board.  You will only need one box side to serve as the picket fence.
  • Mist the fence lightly with water and run it through your die cutting machine to add the wood grain texture.
  • Next, apply Gathered Twigs Distress ink to the front of the fence.  Cut an extra “v” on the box side to keep the pickets looking all the same.
  • Now apply Black Soot Distress Ink Directly to the surface of a wood grain embossing folder and run it through the machine a second time.
  • Apply Dries White Glitter Glue and Frosted Crystals to the pickets and base of the fence, then set aside to dry.
  • “Paint” the snowman bodies with Nuvo Toasted Almond Mousse. to add texture and shine.
  • Trace the snowman hats and scarves onto designer paper, cut out and apply to the snowman bodies.
  • Accessorize with burlap string, mini jingle bells and flowers.
A Peek Inside

Add a pocket inside the card to serve as the stopper for the easel mechanism.  Then prepare a little treat wallet to tuck inside.  I’ve decorated this card with Authentique Paper’s Snowfall Collection. Wouldn’t this be a great gift to send in the mail? And you can leave snowman décor up long after the holiday has passed.  They are just so cheery!

On the Nice List: Mitten Treat Box

I have a soft spot in my heart for mittens.  My mom used to knit ours every winter.  She always added extra long cuffs so the snow would not creep up our sleeves and freeze us.  So this mitten box speaks to my memories, and I just love it.   The box is very easy to assemble.  Just die cut mat board or chipboard , then die cut your designer papers and adhere.  The die comes with the mitten shape, the rickrack trim and some cute little hearts.

Make a bunch of these to use as place cards for your holiday celebrations.  They also make wonderful gifts for friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Authentique Paper’s new “A Magical Christmas” collection is absolutely stunning.  I’ve used the 6×6 pad to decorate my mittens and wrap the presents that are tucked inside. Once the treats are consumed, display candy canes, peppermints, or wrapped candy in the mitten box.  Or, use it as a pen holder on your desk.

Create a little tag insert with Eileen’s Gift Card Folder and Label Die.  It fits neatly inside the mitten box.  The dimensional envelope makes a great treat wallet, too.

I used to think Christmas in July was crazy, but now I realize that it takes time to create handmade gifts.  Starting in July makes me feel less rushed during the holiday season, too.  When do you start creating your Christmas crafts?

You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheerio,

kathy

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