Lesley Langdon Tutorials

Mini Canvases with Shimmerz and Gesso

2011-09-15T12:59:00.000-04:00

I have a new tutorial up for Shimmerz!

Canvas Art Board Album Cover with Coloringz

2011-05-05T11:21:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I posted here on my tutorial blog, but I am in the process of dumping a lot of tutorials here, mostly videos now girls!

This is my latest using Shimmerz Coloringz - a brilliant product.

From the Shimmerz Ed Vlog:

I am in LOVE with Coloringz. The colors are so VIBRANT and just work so well together, and the blending is fantastic. So are you surprised that again, I am using them in this month's video?

For this video, I used 3 Coloringz , 1 Pearlz and stamps.

Hope you enjoy!

Video tutorial by Lesley Langdon.

Sachet Scented Pillow Tutorial

2011-03-22T09:54:00.000-04:00

These are pictures of the project made in Episode #3! of UnityTV which aired Monday, March 21st. If you watch it on You Tube, go ahead and subscribe to the UnityTV channel (UnityStampCoTV), because the videos will just keep coming!

And here is Episode #3 of UnityTV:

SUPPLY LIST:
Unity Stamps: Iron Orchid Designs - Carte Postale (Postcard, Bird)
Mist: Shimmerz Spritz (Purple Passion)
Ink: Staz-on (Royal Purple and Timber Brown) by Tsukineko
Trim: May Arts
Button: My Mind's Eye
Seam Binding: Scrapnkris ETSY Store
Other: Canvas (fabric store), Sewing Machine, Needle & Thread, Cotton, Dried Lavendar, Lavendar Essential Oil, Cheesecloth

Stamping with Coloringz, Unity Stamp Co UnityTV

2011-03-20T14:38:00.000-04:00

See those chandeliers and that repeated fourish on top? That is all in the video below that I created for UnityTV featuring Marah Johnson's Breathless set.

The reason this looks so cool - COLORINGZ by Shimmerz (Acnhor's Away). It's new and VERY awesome to work and stamp with.

And here is the video:

Have a great day and happy crafting!

LARGE SPRITZED AND STAMPED CANVAS FLOWER

2011-02-11T12:54:00.001-05:00

Here is a picture tutorial for you! A very easy project that requires you to have a sewing machine (to sew the ribbon for the edging). If you don't sew, just omit the ribbon edging or sew it with a needle and thread!

Click on the images to enlarge them and to see the directions.

Stitch the top and pull tight to form a flower.

Adhere a pre made flower for the center, stitching it in place.

Here is a close up of the Shimmerz spritzed canvas and that cute bicycle stamp from Unity Stamp Co (Melody Ross Collection).

I finished off the back with a piece of fabric that was die cut with a circle die cut from Spellbinders. See that FAUX suede leaf ribbon from May Arts? Cute isn't it! I used my Glue Gun from Glue Arts to adhere the fabric circle.

FABRIC HEART ART Video Tutorial

2011-02-08T11:44:00.000-05:00

Want to use up some of your stash? Watch the video, get messy and create a piece of art for your craft room!

SUPPLIES:

Shimmerz Paints Products:

Red-y or Not Vibez

Pop Art Pink Vibez

Razzle Dazzle Berry Vibez

Cotton Candy Spritz

Barn Door Spritz

Eucalyptus Spritz

Licorice Spritz

Jeni B Bleu Vibez

Other Supplies:

Unity Stamp Co. Stamps (Just Be You)

Gesso Paint (Ranger)

Mod Podge (Matte)

Canvas on Frame (11x14)

Fabric (white cotton)

Staz-on Jet Black by Tsukineko

Metallic Pen (Silver)

Hottie Pink Shimmerz Blingz (to cover up mistakes)

Blue By You Shimmerz Pearlz (chipboard letters, some on top of Gesso)

Prima Flowers, Leaves, and Flower Packaging (white words on plastic)

Metal Keyhole (Tim Holtz)

Hemp Cord

Glue Arts Hot Glue Gun

My Mind's Eye Brad

7 Gypsies Chipboard Letters (Create)

Basic Grey Chipboard Letters (from, the)

Stardust Stickles (Ranger)

Gems: Queen & Co.

Metal Watch Container Top with Glass

Metal Wing

Metal Corners (Lee Valley)

GESSO, CANVAS, CHIPBOARD and SHIMMERZ

2011-01-11T23:20:00.000-05:00

I think it's a beautiful marriage! This tutorial is EASY. It involves taking a Punky Sprouts canvas album cover (or any canvas), applying chipboard letters (or other chipboard shapes), and treating it with coats of Gesso and beautiful Shimmerz products.

I want to do this AGAIN! I want to use up my CHIPBOARD! I can use any CHIPBOARD shapes in my possession! You can also throw in some buttons or metal, or fabric, you name it!

Here is the video - I hope you enjoy it, and most of all, I hope you try it! Spell any WORD you want!

Shimmerz Products Used in this Video:

Penny Pincher Vibez

Sea Monkey Vibez

Licorice Spritz

Eucalyptus Spritz

Tickle Me Turquoise Shimmerz Paint

Other Supplies:

Gesso Paint

Punky Sprouts Canvas Album Cover (Rebel Sprout Album)

American Crafts Thickers (Assorted)

Glue Arts Glue Gun

Have a wonderful and creative journey!

Framed Art - WITH SHIMMERZ AND UNITY!

2011-01-03T20:23:00.000-05:00

Below is a video on how to make your own little pieces of stamped art!

Shimmerz Products Used in this Video:
Tickle Me Turquoise Shimmerz
Key Lime Shimmerz
Golden Wheat Shimmerz
Blue by U Pearlz
Jeni B Bleu Vibez

Other Supplies:
Stamps - Unity Stamp Co. (Donna Downey)
Ink - Ranger Black Soot
Paper - 140 Pound Watercolor Paper
Tools - paint brush, heat gun, black pen

Bye for now! Happy crafting!

SHAKER CARD TUTORIAL

2010-12-03T14:08:00.000-05:00

See it here! EASY! I promise!

You will need a sheet of foam, 2 die cuts and a die cut machine.

ALTERNATIVE: If you want to use sparkle or beads, place the U-Cut-It square on the paper first, sprinkle in the filling, then apply your frame.

Supplies:

Adhesive: Glue Arts U Cut It Foam

Ribbon: May Arts Ribbon

Paper: Crate Paper Restoration Line (chipboard, stickers, paper)

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co (Just Be You set)

My Paper Art Blog: http://lesleylangdoncreative.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

BOTTLE CAP MAGNETS

2010-10-19T23:45:00.000-04:00

I own a Silhouette Die Cut Machine (electronic, cuts from software on the computer). It's a wonderful invention! Car Accents is a vinyl made by Glue Arts and comes in all colors! They are 12x12 sheets, which can be cut to fit into the Silhouette machine. You can use the "cut piece" as well by placing it on the cutting matte. This tutorial can be applied to any season or theme, the shapes are endless. Keep in mind that your shapes should be no larger than 1", so intricate designs may not work that well.

The pictures below are in order of HOW TO.

Supplies:
Glue Arts Car Accents (Blackout)
Glue Arts Extreme Micro Adhesive Squares
Glue Arts Adhesive Squares
Bottle Caps
Magnets
UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) by Ranger Industries
Patterned Paper
1 1/8 inch Hole Punch
Ink (Dark Brown)
Silhouette Die Cut Machine
Halloween Die Cut Files
Tin Foil
Toaster Oven

Instructions:
1. Run Glue Arts Car Accents vinyl through your die cutting machine to cut out 1 inch Halloween images.
2. Punch round patterned paper circles, ink around edges.
3. Adhere paper inside the bottle caps with Glue Arts Extreme Micro Adhesive Squares.
4. Pour UTEE inside each bottle cap, place on plate covered in tin foil, heat set in toaster oven (approximately 5 minutes on broil – watch carefully).
5. Let cool and apply Car Accents Halloween images.
6. Adhere magnets to the back side of the bottle cap with Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares.

HAVE FUN!

Misting and Stamping with Unity Stamps!

2010-09-09T22:49:00.000-04:00

Over on Unity Stamp Company's Blog, there is a tutorial that I created using UNITY STAMP CO. stamps and Glimmer Mists. You can see it here too!

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Free to Be (Birdcage) and She Sprouted Wings (sentiment)

Mists: Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels (Lime Twist, Turquoise, and Winter Pine)

Inks: Broken China and Walnut Stain Distress Inks

Paper: Photo Paper (Glossy for Inkjet)

Other: Brayer, Tin Foil, Glimmer Mist Cap, 8.5 x 11 Heavy Paper

Hope you enjoyed the video!

Stamped Fabric Postcard Tutorial

2010-09-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

I love working with products that allow me to add color to an otherwise boring piece of white paper, lace or fabric. Below, I have my VERY FIRST video tutorial (about 3 minutes in length) on stamping on fabric and applying some color with Shimmerz Spritz and Paint. Hope you like it! Stay tuned to see how I use it on an upcoming layout....I do have a plan!

Supplies:

Stamp: Unity Stamp Co. (Vintage Postcard)

Mists: Shimmerz (Mud Pie, Eucalyptus)

Paint: Shimmerz Jilted Jade

Other: Cotton Fabric, Black Dye Ink, Paint Brush

LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS!

2010-07-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

I created this tutorial for Color Combos Galore, so I'm putting it here too for you all to enjoy, or better yet, come join us for a color challenge and some great tutorials at CCG!

I am consistently inspired by scrapbookers and cardmakers who can lay on the layers, thereby adding incredible amount of details and “hot spots” to look at more closely. Would you like to add more detail to your layouts and create layers of interesting elements? Then read on. It’s not rocket science, but it is finding your “eye” for balance and design.

THE IDEA:
This tutorial is all about the layers, which helps to add detail and dimension to any layout. Just think about it like stacking your supplies, but making sure you can see some elements of each layer.

STEP 1:
Gather your supplies. Start with the base papers and cardstock, and then find scraps of coordinating papers. Gather some ribbons and lace, maybe 2 or 3. Look for matching items like pins and buttons, crystals, and overlays. Then scour your supplies for chipboard, letters, flowers, tools (punches and paper distressing tools), and stickles. You may not use it all in the end, but putting it all together in a pile in front of you will help you through the layering process.

STEP 2:
Now that you have placed all your supplies in front of you, start planning your layout. Create a line across your page that will become your “layer line” and strong focal point.

STEP 3:
Play with your layers, change it up, add, take away, play until you are happy with the level of detail. In the example above, I started with the BASE paper, then played around with the gold overlay, the lace, crystals, and flowers. But I felt it needed something a little more, so I looked for a paper that I could slip underneath somewhere. When in doubt, add a coordinating patterned paper piece. To add dimension, distress the paper, crumple it, mist it, tear it, or punch it.

Here I added some brown paper which I punch with a SCALLOP punch, but didn’t quite like it, so I flipped it over to its blue side for a lighter more airy feel.

STEP 4:
Settle on your layers, think about cohesiveness:
1. …does it look like each element belongs?
2. …do these layers look beautiful together?
3. …is there anything I could add to make it better (think buttons, flowers, title, pins, etc?

STEP 5:
Glue down all your layers and when it is all adhere to the layout, think about adding some stickles here and there for EXTRA detail.

STEP 6:

Complete your layout by adding all other elements and photos.

LAYERING TIPS:

Great supplies for BASE layers are:
• Ribbons (lace and velvet)
• Papers (crumpled, distressed, misted, punched)
• Overlays/Transparencies

Great supplies for TOP layers are:
• Crystals
• Stickles
• Gems
• Chipboard
• Flowers
• Buttons
• Letters
• Pins

The BEST tip is to scour your supply room in advance looking for items in the Color Combos Galore color palette of the week!

A stunning focal point needs detail – so think about layering AT LEAST 5 items.

Have fun creating gorgeous pieces of layered ART!

Lesley

Altering KRAFT Envelopes - Maya Road

2010-06-30T21:26:00.001-04:00

I think I need to buy more of these Maya Road kraft envelopes. They are pretty enough alone, but because I have some background stamps at my disposal and some other distressing supplies, I thought I would create a mini tutorial on altering these envelopes to create a nice FOCAL point for your layouts or cards.

SUPPLIES:
Background Stamp (Unity Stamp Co. Vintage Chic Kit)
Liquid Adhesive
Glitter (Art Glitter Institute – Angel Dust)
Stickles: Cinnamon
Ink: Color Queue (Chocolate & Blueberries)
Kraft Envelope (Maya Road)

STEP 1:
Ink around the edges of the envelope with brown ink.

STEP 2:

Open envelope and stamp script background (Unity Stamp Co) in black ink.

STEP 3:

Apply liquid glue (clear drying) to the top of envelope, kind of like an icicle pattern.

STEP 4:

Apply glitter to the glue (angel dust). Shake off excess glitter.

STEP 5:

Although the glitter looks white, it will dry clear. Apply Cinnamon Stickles around the white glitter. Let dry. Apply to layout.

Here is another example of stamping a background text onto the envelope (both the main and flap). Inked the edges with a darker brown ink, and applied a green acrylic paint. The flowers add a nice touch (Maya Road), and a Prima Pebble was added for detail. The date stamp is 7 Gypsies and the flourishes are Basic Grey.

And here is the whole layout.

Here is another envelope treated with paper strips, stamps, ink, a Prima pebble, and paint.

Hope you can go out and buy some of these fabulous envelopes and find new ways to alter them - and then come and tell me!

CLAY BRADS - Make & Bake!

2010-06-15T21:30:00.000-04:00

This is a fun tutorial on making your own FUNKY brads out of FIMO (or similar product). You can use these on layouts, cards, for the centers of flowers, etc... The possibilities are endless.

SUPPLIES:

WHITE FIMO/SCULPEY CLAY

ALCOHOL INKS or SMOOCH or ACRYLIC PAINT

SMALL PATTERNED STAMPS (HOUNDSTOOTH)

STAZ-ON

BRADS

Step 1:

Roll clay into 1/2" ball.

Step 2:

Take ball of clay and start covering the large brad.

Step 3:

Cover brad and pinch clay.

Step 4:

Flatten clay on the under side of brad (kind of like a mushroom).

Step 5:

Position brad onto a deeply etched rubber stamp.

Step 6:

Press clay firmly into stamp so that it is flat like a pancake.

Step 7:

Pull up clay gently.

Step 8:

Start molding clay back into a mushroom shape by pressing in the sides, being careful not to touch the pattern (top of the brad).

Step 9:

Bake according to instructions on package.

Step 10:

Colour your brads with alcohol ink (mushroom).

Step 11:

To really make the pattern POP, apply black Staz-on Ink to the raised portion only.

Other ideas: SMOOCH for color.

Plum Alcohol Ink for colour....

Make lines in the clay with toothpicks....

Make holes in the clay, apply Silver Alcohol Ink for colour....

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and would love to see your projects!

Lesley Langdon Tutorials

Variated Petals - Playing with WHITE Flowers!

2010-06-10T23:05:00.000-04:00

With the creation of shimmering mists such as GLIMMER MIST or SHIMMERZ SPRITZ, a whole new world has been opened to us in the crafting world. You can pretty much add colour to anything that will absorb water.

I have been purchasing CREAM or WHITE ribbons, papers, and flowers with misting in mind.

Below, is a QUICK tutorial on getting some nice blended colours onto your WHITE flower. You can apply this to any colour scheme, provided your mist, ink, and stickles match.

SUPPLIES:

Patina Glimmer Mist

Broken China Distress Ink REFILL Bottle

Aqua Stickles

Prima Flower

Step 1:

Mist your flower with a good 5 prays of mist.

Step 2:

WHILE THE FLOWER IS STILL WET, directly from the dropper of your refill ink, run the dropper along the tops petals.

Step 3:

Immediately spray the flower again with mist, this will make the flower very wet, and will allow for the ink and mist to blend. For a lighter blue flower, apply less Broken China ink, perhaps use a fine tip paint brush instead of the dropper.

Step 4:

While still wet, apply Aqua Stickles to the flower petals tops and middles for some shimmer (THIS IS OPTIONAL).

Step 5:

Watch it blend as it dries and use it on a project!

Have fun crafting!

DRAWING AND PAINTING ON TEXT - CARD

2010-06-08T12:37:00.000-04:00

This tutorial is pretty straight forward, you just have to use the right inks and colouring supplies.

SUPPLIES FOR TEXT DRAWING:

Background Text Stamp (CHF Vintage Text)

Waterproof Black Dye Ink (Memories by Stewart Superior)

Waterproof Black Pen (Copic Multi-liner)

Alcohol Ink (Red Pepper by Ranger)

Prism Simply Smooth Natural Paper (or similar)

Water

Paint Brush

Instructions:

1. Stamp any background text in black dye ink (waterproof) or use an old book page.

2. Draw a simple dress with waterproof black pen.

3. Make a little boat out of tin foil for your alcohol ink. Dilute 5 drops of red alcohol ink with 1 tbsp of water and with paint brush, colour the dress, shading the left side and creases. The text will show through. You can also water down acrylic paint and get a similar result.

4. Die cut the image in a circle.

5. With cut n' Dry Foam, apply Lettuce Adirondack ink around the edges, working your way into the center.

6. Die cut glitter felt (scalloped circle), and adhere image.

7. Design your card and apply image and sentiment.

If I was an artist and could actually draw something more than a dress, I would!!! You can also try printing images onto the text and see what happens.

Creating Marble Chipboard with Paint

2010-05-31T13:00:00.001-04:00

I picked up these plain CHIPBOARD alphabets from Kaisercraft from SCRAPBOOK STAR. They come in all shapes and sizes, UPPER CASE to use as nice BIG stand out initials and smaller one word titles and, and LOWERCASE to use in all circumstances.

I’ve had a chance to play around with these chipboard alphabets and all I can say is that they are great because of the fact that they are a clean slate from which to play. You can make them any colour, use products such as ink, embossing powder, glitter, UTEE, paint, or cover them with patterned paper.

Here is just one way you can alter your chipboard alphabets by creating a marble appearance.

Step 1:

Gather your supplies.

• Kaisercraft Chipboard Letters

• Ranger Paint Dabbers (Pool and Bottle)

• Cream coloured acrylic paint

• Paint Brush

• Glossy Coat (optional)

Step 2:
Apply a coat of Bottle paint by dabbing it onto the chipboard. Because of the scrubby applicator on the Ranger Dabber, you will get some texture on the chipboard. For a smooth, non-textured look, you can use a swiping motion.

Step 3:

Apply small dabs only of the light colour paint (POOL), until you get the desired look. If you applied too much, start over again with the darker colour (BOTTLE) and try again. Paint is forgiving this way!

Step 4:

With a paint brush, apply small strokes to the outer edges of the chipboard letter, going from the outside, in. OPTIONAL – apply a spray coating that will make your letters glossy, Mod Podge, or apply Ranger’s Glossy Accents.

Supplies:

Patterned Paper – KAISERCRAFT Rosa (Gypsy Sisters), Nadia (Gypsy Sisters)

Chipboard Alphabets – KAISERCRAFT Large Lowercase

Mini Alpha Stickers – KAISERCARFT Black

Paint - RANGER and LIQUITEX

Triple Thick Glaze (applied to letters on layout)

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you end up trying this - I would love to see your results.

Lesley

Drip, Drop, and Run Technique

2010-05-28T13:40:00.000-04:00

OK - this is for all you Distress Ink Fans. I envisioned that this technique would work before I tried it, knowing how these inks react with water. It is KEY to use watercolor paper with this technique, as it can withstand the amount of water you will subject it to.

Supplies:
Ranger Distress Inks (Broken China, Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord)
Watercolor Paper 140 (Pound)
Water

Instructions:
1. Cut watercolor paper 9" x 9".
2. With ruler and pencil, create 3" squares to a total of 9 squares.
3. Take 3 coordinating Distress Ink colors and apply the pads direct to paper, varying be sure to place different colors beside each other.

4. In the sink, apply water to the top of the paper, letting the ink from the first squares drip to the middle and bottom squares.
5. Turn upside down, and repeat step 4.
6. Re-apply ink to the same squares when the paper is still wet.
7. Now turn the paper sideways and apply water, let run down.

8. Now turn the paper again to the last side and apply water, let run.
9. Splat drops of water onto the paper.
10. Let dry and create your project!

If you prefer, you can cut up these squares and use them for cards and all sorts of little projects!

If you try this - I would love it if you would share your creation with me!

Now go and Get MESSY!