Rust Backgrounds with Distress Oxides

Hello, happy Saturday everyone!! Have you seen Tim Holtz's video introducing the newest release of Distress Oxides? After watching the video I realized the importance of swatches. It was from seeing the swatch of Vintage Photo that my brain instantly thought RUST!!! I also walked away realizing the importance of letting your backgrounds air dry for the full effect.

Inks used Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Iced Spruce, Cracked Pistachio and Fossilized Amber. 

Additional supplies Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Distress Spray Bottle, Blending Tool, and Micro Glaze. 

I used 200 Series Strathmore Watercolor paper since it's what I had on hand. 

I followed the same steps using all 4 of the main colors. 

Smoosh pad across paper. Leave some white space for the color to move and to pick up highlights later. 

Spray generously. I like to have a couple larger pools and some finer areas for the added variance. 

 Set aside to dry. Here is an example of the difference between air drying and drying with a heat gun. The example on the left was air dried. Look at all that oxidation!! Such a difference!! 

If I am going to emboss my background I do so after inking and spraying the page since you need to mist your paper when using the new 3D Texture Fade folders. This does push some of the color into the page but don't worry it adds character. Set aside to dry. 

Here is a great video on the basics of using 3D Texture Fades. 

Once the first layer has dried spray again. This round I did large droplets. Set aside to dry again. Once the pieces have air dried I heat set them just to be sure. 

Using a blending tool blend Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the entire piece. This makes the brown and orange undertones pop. Spray lightly and set aside to dry.

 In this photo, I have only blended the right side as an example.

Another wonderful tip I learned from Tim's video is the importance of using your Media Mat properly. The white silicone mat makes a big difference when smooshing your piece into wet ink. 

Smoosh some Fossilized Amber onto your mat and spray with water. Wiggle your fingers thru the ink to move it around. Dip your paper randomly into the ink. 

Some of the drops were larger than I wanted so I lightly mopped them up using a baby wipe. Set aside to dry. 

After your pieces have dried go thru and add finishing details. Such as adding another layer of Vintage Photo Distress Ink, blending on more Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide, adding highlights with Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide. Set aside to dry one final time if sprayed again. 

The last step is to add a layer of Micro Glaze. I love how a thin layer of glaze really melds all the layers together and offers a slight sheen. The example above shows the right side with a layer of glaze. 

If you haven't used Micro Glaze yet it's very easy to use. With a blending tool blend a thin layer over background and buff with a clean paper towel.

Following are some notes I wanted to share. Mainly so I can remember the next time I try to make these backgrounds. 

These are both Frayed Burlap following all the same steps except the right has been embossed after the first spray. The difference in color was unique and surprising. 

These are both Vintage Photo following all the same steps except the example on the left is sprayed with a mixture of instant coffee instead of water. The tones are slightly deeper. 

Before Micro Glaze

After Micro Glaze. See how the layer of glaze really highlights the rust and copper tones that were hiding out. 

Frayed Burlap- Top example was sprayed an extra time after air drying the first time. It really brought out the blues!! Middle was done following all the steps as noted. Bottom was embossed after inking and spraying. 

Iced Spruce- Top was sprayed an extra time and flicked with very watered down Cracked Pistachio Oxide. Middle followed the steps above. Bottom was embossed after inked and sprayed. 

Walnut Stain- Top followed all the steps above. Bottom was embossed after inked and sprayed. 

Vintage Photo- Top was embossed after being inked and sprayed. Bottom was ink, sprayed and air dried then sprayed and embossed. There is a slight color difference 

Vintage Photo- Top followed all steps above. Bottom I did not spray after the Vintage Photo Distress Ink layer. The oxide effect is more prominent. 

Added rust details- Top sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with instant coffee granules and heated. Middle sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with cinnamon powder. Bottom sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with Paper Artsy rusting powder and activated with vinegar.

The top example was sprayed and embossed after the layer of Micro Glaze.  The 3D effect isn't as prominent as the bottom layer that was sprayed and embossed after being inked. 

And don't forget to save your baby wipes!! Look at that rusty goodness. 

Look at all those beautiful colors!! I am kicking myself for not making swatches sooner. 

I am so inspired to continue exploring these inks. I am usually in the middle of a project when I try to make the perfect background but then I rush it and it never turns out. Now I realize I need to take the time to play and explore!! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe walk away with a bit of inspiration. Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I would love if you'd leave a comment and let me know you stopped by!! ~ Happy Creating

A Record of the Past

Hello!! I’m here today with a vintage-inspired journal. I have been loving using vintage stencils as frames. But I tend to hoard my vintage supplies so I asked Gina at Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts if she could design some stencils for me. The result was perfection!!

When I started trying to find a home for my stencil I fiddled around with it on a vintage ledger but the ledger was larger than I wanted. Then it hit me I could make my own!! 

Begin by painting stencil. I used Tarnished Brass and Antique Bronzed Distress Paints, Black Soot Distress Crayon and Metallique Wax to get an aged look on my stencil. Bend edges to give it the look of an interlocking brass stencil. 

Blend Black Soot Distress Ink onto the front and back of an Eileen Hull Journal cover using a blending tool. 

Rub Black Soot Distress Ink pad across the journal cover. Use a light touch to get a mottled look of a vintage journal cover. Work in halves for this step to give plenty of time to apply embossing powder while ink is still wet. 

Once heat embossed and piece has cooled rub Vintage Photo Distress Crayon into the pits of the embossed surface. Use a baby wipe and paper towel to blend as desired. 

Not shown - Rip a piece of muslin to size of journal spine and color with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink. Create a stencil for the journal binding using the letters from Tim Holtz's Gift Card Die. Align letters and apply to washi tape. Cut from a piece of Freezer Paper. 

Iron freezer paper to piece of muslin and apply embossing ink thru stencil. Remove stencil and apply gold embossing powder and melt. 

Assemble journal and decorate cover using the Alphabet Stencil. I made a copy of a cabinet card in my collection. I added a thin uneven layer of Vintage Beeswax embossing powder to my photo and layered the stencil over it. I added a couple of flowers from Tim Holtz's Bouquet, added a Hex Fastner to each corner and finished it off with a couple sentiment stickers from Clipping stickers. 

Using the same technique for the stencil for the spine make a stencil for the number in the bottom corner. To add to the vintage feel I bent the cover to give it a worn look. 

Cover inside of journal with vintage ledger paper and ink edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

The stencils will be coming to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts soon so be sure to keep an eye out for them. 

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today. I hope you get to sneak in some creative time this weekend!! Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Santos Doll Class Recap

Hi and happy Friday!! Jennalee here today. A couple Saturdays ago I had the privilege of  teaching my first class at my favorite vintage shop Bits and Pieces . I taught 6 lovely ladies how to make these mixed media Santos Dolls. 

A few weeks before my class I needed a guinea pig to practice teaching. Guess who the lucky participant was? Yep, you guessed it my hubby!! He did a fantastic job and added his own spin to it. 

He wanted to add a manly spin to his so I got out my Steampunk Shape Set. He fashioned a head dress using the wings and gears in the set. 

He had a lesson in heat embossing while preparing the chip board gears. 

Onto the details of class

I had so much fun setting up a special place setting for each lady. 

Everyone enjoyed watching their pieces crackle. 

And rusting the skirts was a blast. 

Each doll had a personality all its own once we started adding the jewels and finishing details. 

Here they are all together. Each and everyone different and beautiful!! 

It was such a great day full of laughs and creativity and even a little bit of cake!! I am so thankful to Melanie and Marcie for letting me share my love of creating in their beautiful store. 

These Santos Dolls are so fun to make. I think I have made 4 to date. I have a tutorial you can revisit for even more inspiration. If you make one I would love for you to let me know!! Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee