DIY Business Cards

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This article was written by Jean Mullins

Supplies required

Computer and printer

Laminator (optional)

Coloured Card stock A4 size. This will give you approx. 10 cards depending   on the size.

Water colour paper or thin card A4 size or larger, not printer paper as this is too thin.

Glue, acrylic paint or inks, stencils, stamps etc.

Creating back of cards

Step 1.

Paint, stencil, and stamp the paper or thin cardboard.  I used Jo Sonjas paints, simply because I have a lot, I love Cad red light, Norwegian orange, French blue, white, touch of yellow, and violet, I used stencils, then stamps.

I made 2 separate backing papers so some cards have the orangey back and some the violet shades.

Create unique business cards

TIP>If your painted paper is lumpy and bumpy, for example if you use texture paste, buttons or similar, it will be harder to laminate, creates wrinkles, air pockets etc.

Step 2.

While your painted paper is drying, create your business card.

I used an Avery template, 10 cards to the page.Type the wording you want on your cards, name address, webpage, what you do etc.Save,and then print them out on the card stock, use a colour that will blend with the paper you have just painted. Cut each card out.

Step 3.

When the painted paper is dry, use a cut out card as a template on the back of the paper draw around it, this will give you the right size to cut for each card. Cut them out.

Create unique business cards

Step 4.

Now you require one of each, using a glue stick, dab a bit of glue on each card as you stick the front to the back take care to have them back to back. Trim if required.

TIP. Use just a dab of glue and press the 2 pieces together firmly.

Step 5.

The fun bit Laminating.

Get your laminator ready, turn it on to warm up.

Lay a laminating pouch on a flat surface, open it, then dab the glue stick on each card as you position it on the laminating sheet. Leave a little space between so that they each seal. (Approx. 10/11 per sheet). When the laminator is ready carefully lift and feed through.

Now cut and separate each of your beautiful, unique business cards and say wow. Trim excess laminate off each card.

For those of you who don’t have access to a laminator, office supplies or similar place will laminate them for you.

Alternatively after glueing the 2 pieces together, use a brad in opposite corners or eyelet in one corner then tie with string cord etc.

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Jean Mullins (Stevenson) lives at Caboolture Queensland with 2 little dogs.

Mother and grandmother, Jean is passionate about teaching and passing her knowledge on to everyone she can. Author, pattern designer, magazine contributor for many years, Jean loves to create and play with paint, as well as tutor at U3A.

You can see more of my work at:

www.nannasworkroom-stitcheriesandsuch.blogspot.com

www.jeaniesartyplace.blogspot.com

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Cheeky Photo Frames

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This article was written by Cecilia Sanchez

I have made a friendly and funny photo frame, thinking of putting pictures of my naughty children.  It’s pretty simple. They like to play with bottle caps, and so I wanted to include them in the frame.

Make your own photo frames

List of materials:

A wooden frame 
Bottle caps 
marbles 
metal washers 
glue 
stencil (Stencil girl products)
gesso 
acrylic paint 
paper towels 
mod podge 
crakle paint 
Zig Painty FX

First, glue the metal elements or whatever we want. 
Then, cover with a coat of gesso.

I used a stencil of electronic circuits with gesso to give more texture.

Mixed media photo frames

I like to use the paper towels used, and stained with paint.

I have fixed with Mod Podge.

A layer of acrylic paint.

I remove some paint with a baby wipe.

Mixed media photo frames

Finally, a layer of Distress Crackle paint, gives an interesting effect.

Mixed media photo frames

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My name is Cecilia Sanchez (CeciScrap) and I live in Málaga, Spain. I am married and we have three gorgeous sons. They inspire me every day with their crazy ideas.

Since my childhood I liked the photography, drawing, collage and make photo albums with cuts and travel souvenirs. I also love crafts in general. In 2006, a few months after birth my twins, I discovered scrapbooking, digital first and then the traditional. I love to do 30X30 pages, cards and mini albums, and for a while now I am fascinated with the Art Journal and Mixed Media, and I do not imagine scrapbooking without getting my hands dirty.
I am inspired by everyday things, feelings … The art journal is a real diary for me, because sometimes I need to express feelings with colors and shapes.

I love learning and discovering new techniques and materials.
I am part of the European design team of KURETAKE, and I am also designer for a monthly blog challenge Sweet Card Club. I contribute with some blogs and digital magazines and organized Scrapbooking workshops in Malaga.

You can see more of me at:

http://ceciscrap.blogspot.com.es/

http://www.facebook.com/ceciscrap

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Ribbon Wrapped Journal

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This article is written by Nicole.                                 

I like making crafts and keeping busy. Here is one of the projects I like to make to give as a personalised gift, or to use as a Teachers Gift at the end of the year.

mixed media project ideas for art journal

I used 5″ x7″ leather journal that I bought at Wal-Mart in a 3-pack.  They were only about 70 pages so I used a thin ribbon, but a wider ribbon would work just as well.  I got most of my supplies at Wal-Mart except the black star buttons and the “mom” letters; those I got at Hobby Lobby.

Items needed:

Journal of your choice

Ribbon of your choice

Metal D ring

Scissors

Fabric pen or marker

Hot glue gun and hot glue

Velcro strips

Needle and thread

Buttons and other embellishments

Start by wrapping the ribbon about 1.5 times around your journal and cut it off the spool.  This is to ensure that the Velcro closure will be in the back and the D ring will be in the front.

Sew a seam on both ends of the ribbon, being careful if your ribbon has an obvious front and back.  You could also hot glue the seam, but I like the look of a sewed seam.

Sew the D ring on to one end of the ribbon. Then, wrap the ribbon around the journal and thread the ribbon through the ring to determine the placement of the Velcro strip; I placed one end of my closure about 1/2 inch inside the seam of the ribbon to give a pull tab.  Make sure the ribbon is not twisted and the D ring is straight and on the front of the journal.  Mark the placement for the Velcro strips with a fabric pen or marker; remember you will have to make one mark for each side of the Velcro.  While the ribbon is still wrapped around the journal go ahead and mark the place for your embellishments.  I was unsure at first when I started these so I waited until later, which is fine as well.

Remove ribbon and attach the Velcro strip according to package instructions.  I used some that had adhesive on the back, but because my ribbon was satin, it didn’t stick and I ended up having to sew it.  After that you can then add your embellishments.  Use your imagination and be as creative as you want.  Sine I made mine for gifts I used buttons and jewels to represent their personalities.

mixed media project ideas for art journal

When your embellishments are attached to the ribbon, wrap it around the journal again, this time gluing it to the spine (and along the back if you’d like) of the journal.  At the time I made these I did not have a hot glue gun (I’m just starting out in crafting) so the ribbon just slid right off.  I personally think they would have been better if they had been glued down.

Guess what?  You are now finished and ready to enjoy your super adorable and one of a kind journal.

I hope my instructions are easy to follow and that you enjoy your journals.  I would love to see what you create so feel free to send me a pic of them at luckyhandsproducts@gmail.com.

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Nicole is happily married with 2 adorable kids. She loves to write, using her degree in creative writing. Nicole also enjoy reading, crafting, photography, and cooking (especially chocolate) and loves to stay busy.

journal and mixed media project ideas

mixed media journal project ideas

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Five Mixed Media Christmas Ornaments to Make

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It seems like this time of year brings out everyone’s creativity and we get a chance to show off our crafting skills by making greeting cards, Christmas decorations and Christmas Ornaments. This lets us share our passion with friends and family. I have been scouting the internet to find ornaments that we can make with our mixed media supplies and put all of those mixed media techniques to good use!

Here are my Top 5 Mixed Media Christmas Ornaments:

1. Paper Ephemera Ornaments

Being avid mixed media artists, we all have a huge collection of paper ephemera, old book pages, painted backgrounds and maybe even a few Gelli plate prints lying around. This tutorial by Shelley Detton, over at 7 Layers, shows us how to make these Christmas Ornament Spheres using sheet music, red ribbon and some sparkly glitter. She has also included the wordstrips for you to print ~ Thanks Shelley!

Shelley Detton from 7 layers

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2. Cookie Cutter Ornaments

These cute ornaments, featured by Martha Stewart can be made as simply or as lavishly as your creativity dictates. While the glueing will need to be done with care, this is another project to put those lovely ephemera sheets and lovely background on display. You can also use your embellishments to add a little sparkle.

Cute Martha Stewart design

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3. Button Tree Ornaments

For those of us that may have a bit of a button fettish, this Button Tree ornament is a “must-try”! Penelope has put together this tutorial to make sure we can all create a lovely little tree.

Use your button collection to make this cute christmas tree decoration

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4. Paper Origami Flower Ornaments

If you still have any paper ephemera or gelli prints left over after the previous paper ornament tutorials, Jenn, from Origami Twist has done this video showing how to fold and glue this gorgeous flower ornament. I’m not quite sure if your papers need to be two sided but I am giving this a go soon, so I’ll report back.

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5. Beading Mini Wreath Ornament

If you are looking to use more of your jewelry making skills, Stacy from Beads Direct, shows us how to create these cute little Christmas Wreaths.

Use your jewellery skills to make these lovely beaded ornaments

You will need some jewellery wire, a collection of beads and some ribbon. Alternatively if you don’t have these materials at hand, you could substitute pipe cleaners for the wire to make the support ring and replace thinner wire with thread to tie the beads into place. You could even mixed beads and buttons to create an interesting wreath.

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Filed Under: Mixed Media Project Tagged With: , , , , ,
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