Mixed Media Fly Canvas

This project actually started out as an attempt to make a card for one of my Graphic 45 projects.  As you can see it did not turn into a card.  I immediately felt better once I decided to turn this into a mixed media canvas project. My inspiration colors were: Tuscan Sunset, Bon Voyage, Heritage Kraft 

I used Steampunk Spells and a few precious butterflies from a coveted sheet of Olde Curiosity Shoppe. Here are the rest of my supplies.

Steampunk Spells 8x8

Steampunk Spells 6x6 Pattern and Solids

Steampunk Spells Flowers

Steampunk Spells Chipboard 2

Staples: Ornate Keyholes and Keys

Olde Curiosity Shoppe 12x12

Buttons

Craft wire

Burlap Canvas

Matte Medium

Tissue Tape

Ideaology Newsprint Letters

Ideaology Tissue Wrap

Gilders paste, copper

E6000 adhesive

Lots of layers, matting, gilders paste and embellishments give this canvas piece a lot to look at.

I even made a snaguide for how to make the flowers!

Hope you enjoy!

Rhea




Check out How to Make Mixed Media Flowers by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

Steampunk Mucha Arch

This project has been lying on my work table half finished for ages!  As I was trying to get some cleaning done in my crafty space, I was of course distracted by this little unfinished object.

The background paper is from Graphic 45's Steampunk Spells.  I also used the tiny gears from the Steampunk Spells Flowers when I was adding all the fun embellishments.

In order to add a bit of mystery, I had to use some glitter.  I added some highlights with stickels glitter glue in two different colors.  Also used were some gear die cuts someone gave me as I still need to purchase this one.  To give the gears texture I misted them with Perfect Pearls.

The base of the project is from Gina's Designs. It was painted with black gesso and then dusted with a bit of copper gilders paste. Of course I had to add lots of metal do dads to give the piece some weight and interest. 

I just love how this one turned out! 

Cheers,

Rhea

Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

It is hard to believe it has been a year since my first art dream came true and I landed a coveted slot on the highly esteemed Graphic 45 design team.  The journey has been spectacular, but I am not quite ready for it to end.  I am going to apply again and hope that I can continue to be a brand ambassador for this amazing company and serve a second term

First off I am going to show off my recently published Steampunk Mail piece.  Here I used one of my favorite lines,  Steampunk Spells, to make this little treasure.  There are also metal staples incorporated as well.

Inside this tiny mail sorter is all sorts of fun postal themed ephemera.  I used lots of distress techniques along with embossing to create lots of texture and an aged look.  

Yet another project made with the delightful Steampunk Spells paper was this fun piece of home decor made with Xyron and more Petaloo.

I adore all the metal elements and texture.

The fact that I could emboss this butterfly to match my theme was a perfect touch.  Notice the use of lots more Staples.  Graphic 45 seriously spoiled us with the hugest bag of metal stuff in our first design team kit. I remember shaking with joy as I made this discovery.  You can see that video here.

Next up I want to show off my favorite shadow box created this year, featuring Typography.  Those of you who follow me know that I adore making these easy assemblages.  They really appeal to all the crazy embellishing I like to do on my projects.

What I really enjoy about this paper line is all the great creative quotes and sayings that are included in the snippets. Finding ways to make my projects very thoughtful and unique is important to me.

A little nod to the company name.  I was amazed to find that little G on an old pen nib scored at an estate sale.

I even took the typing theme to the next level by adding a few bits of actual typewriters.  The gear and rollers above still move, and I love that.

A few more detail shots so you can see what I have stashed inside.  Lots of old vintage junk, right along side newly made embellishments, but they blend seamlessly together.

Another project done in Typography that I just adored is this cute Inspiration box.  My favorite element of this project has to be the clever use of ornate key holes for feet. 

All the lovely ribbon was sent to us in our initial Graphic 45 package from product partner, May Arts Ribbon.

I was surprised at how much I fell in love with this project using Sweet Sentiments.  This is not my usual color palate or style, but I absolutely love how it turned out, super sweet and romantic.  

All the dimension created from sewing the hearts together really makes this project special.

The clever trick of dying ribbons to match the vintage look, also helped to add those extra details.

Yet another project that is not my typical style is this up cycled box I created with Bohemian Bazaar.  The rich colors of this line reminds me of the tropics, a place most of us in the Midwest would rather be after a most challenging winter!  Both of these projects highlight how I am able to extend my typical style to encompass new directions and still produce quality work.  

The box itself matched the paper so I left the hot pink edges exposed.  The lime green ribbon was also existing to the box and worked perfectly.  You can check out the entire tutorial if you choose here.

I predict that the Botanical Tea line is going to be one of the most popular releases Graphic 45 has to date. The colors are perfect and the theme of the paper is so spot on, again, making me long for spring.

I have a few other projects from this line up my sleeve, but they are still top secret! Stay tuned this month to see what I have made and in the meantime, you can take a peek to see what is inside this easel book.

Inside I did several two page layouts, adding lots of flowers and embellishments that fit with the natural theme.

I love all the Petaloo flowers I was able to incorporate.  It almost looks as if they are real flowers pressed in the book.

Isn't it amazing the range of colors you can choose from the same package of paper.  By simply choosing coordinating versus contrasting papers, a whole different look can be achieved.

Well, that was a fun peek at my work over the past year in partnership with Graphic 45.  I can only hope the team was pleased enough with my work to invite me aboard once again.  Stay tuned to see how that all plays out!  

P.S. If your the crafty type, think about giving it a go and applying yourself, you just never know what will happen.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Valentine

I was inspired to make this card because of my new design team appointment with Xyron.  With the Valentine holiday right upon us, I decided to go with that theme.  Of course I had to put a bit of a steampunk twist on it, and here is what I came up with. I used 1/4 inch (6mm) Double Sided Tape and it worked like a dream, getting the edges perfectly.

My chosen paper was Steampunk Spells paper by Graphic 45, how cool that this Halloween paper can double for an edgy valentine.  I embossed some foil card stock I had on hand and altered it with Vintaj Patina, Liquid Pearls and a black acrylic paint wash.

Inside I added some of the Kraft Reflections paper along with some stickers and layered paper from the 6x6 patterns and solids, also from the Steampunk Spells line.

On the front I also added some stampings from Graphic 45 along with some of Tim Holtz's numeral rub ons. Metal corners I found in my stash help to ground and frame the card.

Another little secret, I actually used the back of the paper pack that is printed with the awesome gears and flowers, as a layer in this matte.  I just could not let that awesome imagery go to waste. Thanks for stopping by!  I truly hope you found at least tid bit of inspiration.

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Mail: Published!

To all my faithful followers, I am so excited to share that I have reached my art goal of being published!  I am feeling quite happy and accomplished.  The magazine is Just Steampunk by Scott Publications.  

I purchased this little paper mache box for a dollar at a wonderful place called USArtquest, which was the inspiration for this project.  This is also where I met a certain man named Joe Rotella of Create N Craft, who pointed me in the direction to submit. Incidently, I also met Steampunk Eddie at the big sale at USArtquest, who is on the page opposite me in the magazine!

Below is a picture of my page from the publication.  I was tickled to later see my work on the title page of the home decor section too!

I have to give shout outs to both Graphic 45 and Alpha Stamps as they were both mentioned in the article as well.  I can't believe they put most of my text too!!!  It was edited for tense, but other than that, these are my words...and there are lots of them.  There are not too many long written pieces in this publication.  

I love the texture that the silver gilders paste created on the wings and on the Dresden Scrap that borders the box.

Lots of metal embellishments add to the industrial look of the project.

See some of the cool mail below.  I just started creating freely using up scraps on hand.  I thought it was quite clever to use gears, keys and junk as tabs and dividers.

The large postcard is captured in a mica frame.  I also used a lot of embossing.  This is an easy technique that gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

I love the addition of vintage postage stamps to the mix as well.

As always thank you for your support!  Each and every one of you who stops by is appreciated, and your comments really do mean the world to me.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Spells Handmade Book Tutorial

This little Steampunk Spells book I made for Graphic 45 was so easy to alter and I am going to show you just how I did it, so be sure to check out the tutorial in my post. 

Supplies:

Old Book

Steampunk Spells 12x12 paper

Steampunk Spells 8x8 paper

Steampunk Spells Chipboard 1

Steampunk Spells Cardstock Stickers

Steampunk Spells Alphabet Stickers

Steampunk SpellsTags and Envelopes

Steampunk Spells Banners

Distress ink and Stain: Black Soot

Scor-Pal

Xyron Mega Runner

Seam Binding in Black and Spice

Craft Knife

For this project I was inspired to use the ribbon binding technique in yet another way.  This time I decided to upcycle an old book I had on hand.

To start out, I used a craft knife to remove the inside of the book.  Be very careful not to cut too deep.  Don’t forget to save the inside pages for other projects.  This text is in French, I think I forgot I even had this book in my stash. 

Next I chose a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper for my cover. 

I cut the paper large enough for about an extra inch of paper surrounding the cover.  I have always been one to work around measuring. 

I used the Scor-pal to guide my creases for my folds to wrap the cover. 

A quick adhesive was used as I folded down all my edges.  I really love my recent discovery of “dry” adhesives!

Next I folded my spine to break it in a bit and I cut and scored my signatures. The paper will need to be just less than double the width of your desired page size.    The size will be dependent on your book.   You simply score down the middle of your paper so you can tie in your pages. 

For the last step, simply tie in each of your paper signatures.  I chose to use seam binding from Alpha Stamps.   This time I chose to go with classic bows instead of tying uniformly at the bottom.  I like the volume and texture the seam binding provides.   Now you have a fun altered book or photo album to document your spooky Halloween season.  

Happy Halloween folks, I hope you enjoyed and found a bit of inspiration. 

Cheers, 

Rhea