Faux Metal Embellishments

I was inspired by a post I saw over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog where there were links to tutorials on how to make faux metal embellishments.

Now, I know that my "take" on it doesn't "really" qualify as "faux metal", but it's DEFINITELY a frugal approach to the ready made metal embellishments we all know and love:)

You really need to visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog and try their techniques for accomplishing great faux metal results.

In addition, feel free to try my idea:)  For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you may have seen me use this technique before.  On this post, I want to offer you another tutorial on how to make your own "faux" metal embellishments.

All you need to start with is a few basic items:

• A die cut (the shapes that are often metal work best)
• Chipboard
• Xyron create-a-sticker machine (size depends on the size of your diecut)
• Aluminum foil

For this demonstration, I'll use a few different methods that will give varying results.

For this first diecut, I made sure my piece of aluminum foil was no wider than the width of my xyron (in this case 1 1/2 inches)...remember for this to work properly, your diecut must be less than this width, too.



Once the aluminum foil is run through the xyron, gently pull it away from the waxy paper and apply it to a piece of chipboard that was cut just a bit bigger than the resulting die cut.

Next you just run it through your diecutting system and your done!  There are a few variations you can also use to get slightly different results. I've shown three different results below.



One was run through with a smooth finish on the foil.

One was run through the xyron using a piece of foil wider than the Xyron opening.  As the foil funneled in to the opening of the Xyron, it crinkled, thereby resulting in a crinkled diecut.  This is especially cool when working on Halloween projects.

The last one was run through smooth and then run though an embossing folder.

Bonus ideas:

• You can use the "insides" of the keyholes as photocorners.  Just pierce a hole in the round part and attach with a brad.

• You can use alcohol inks on your embellishments to change the color since aluminum foil is a non-porous surface.
• You can sand the tops (be gentle because the foil is thin) and then you can use distress inks on them to age them.
• You can add stickles, distress stickles, etc.

Enjoy:)

Frugal Scrappin' Sneak Peek:)

One of the things I did notice at CHA was alot of flowers that LOOKED homemade...well you know me, why buy one already made when you CAN make it yourself?

With that in mind, shown above is just ONE of the cards we will make in the Febrary Frugal Scrappin' class that will held on Thursday, February 24th from 6:30 - 8:30 at Ever After Scrapbooks.

Now, if you're really perceptive, you may notice a cute little birdie stamp in the lower right corner...well, fellow frugal crafters, we WILL be making this awesome stamp in class, so you will be able to take one home with you!  Whoo hoo!  This is an idea I've been thinking about for a while, but my AWESOMELY talented co-instructor actually made this one for me as a gift.  THANKS, KAREN...you ROCK, girlfriend!

Since I'd been thinking about this anyway, and I do have the diecut to make this bird, I thought I'd just use this design for our class.  It's really cute and will help us start thinking about Spring which is right around the corner...well actually for us in Southern Cali, it's just Spring and Fall all year, but I'm sure you get the drift.

We will make 4 cards in class, some in a different shape (5 x 5) and we will also be using some other FRUGAL products to use with our cards...I just need to feel better so my creative mind can start workin' again:)

enJOY, and check back for more sneak peeks at the rest of the cards...as I design them, they will be posted...and as always, they WILL be AWESOME and will be FILLED with new TECHNIQUES to try:)

Studio L3 AND 365 Cards:)

Well bloggers, I am spending some time this weekend at the ole craft table, I'm happy to report...I am feelin' kind of a creative block though, so I've decided to try and jump start...well....somethin' with a little help from some of my favorite challenge blogs:)  I know I'm double dippin' but a frugal scrapper's gotta do what a frugal scrappers gotta do sometimes...

Since today is my son Dan's 31st BIRTHDAY, yes, I know I look WAY to young to have a 31 year old, lol...I decided to make a card for him...now I don't normally make traditional birthday cards...my cards need to "speak" to me...hmmmmmmm...I often say I need to create things that "speak" to me...now before you call the white coats, I really DON'T hear voices, lol...it's just my inner creative mind at work, heehee...

Anyway, I'm really into dreamin' big, and livin' those dreams...I've been caught WAY too many times gettin' up on my ol' soap box and sayin' "figure out where you want to go (what your goals are)...then back up...and figure out how to get there"...

(disclaimer)...just don't back up so far that you fall off the cliff you didn't see behind you, ya hear?

Anyway, I am SO PROUD of my son and all he has accomplished in his life and I just want him to keep followin' those dreams...and remember....always GIVE MORE than you GET...

O.k...I'm gettin' down off my soap box now, lol...and will show you my card for the day...it's kinda simple and deep...hopefully YOUR dreams give YOU glimpses of LIFE bigger than YOUR own:)

Now, hop on over to Studio L3 AND 365 Cards so you can see the challenges I was tryin' to play along with...then feel free to "pop" back here and leave me a comment...what are YOUR DREAMS tellin' YOU?

Studio L3 Challenge:)

I went to the Carson Stamp Show yesterday with my dear friend, Karen and we met some great ladies that are members of a yahoo group called "All Things Tim".  Actually, I believe one of the ladies created the group.  They were very sweet and told me to e-mail them for an invitation to join the group....Thank you, Ladies...I've sent my e-mail and am anxiouxly awaiting your reply:)

Anyway, while I was cruisin' around, I also found this site called Studio L3 where there is an ongoing challenge to use T!m's new "A Compendium of Curiosities" book to complete challenges.  Today's challenge is to use T!m's shabby chic technique...one of OH SO MANY awesome techniques found in his book.

I decided to play along and have completed my project for this challenge:

For detailed instructions on how to do the technique, check out page 49 of the book.  I chose to use the following:

Plain grungeboard for the "bird cage".  I used an espresso paint dabber, then T!m's notepaper stamp with embossing ink.  I used terra cotta embossing powder and once dry went back over with a pool paint dabber.  Then I ran it through my big shot, using T!m's scallop alterations die.  You know me....being the frugal scrapper and all, I just HAD to use the negative cut from the die for the bottom of my "cage".

I covered my grunge page with a snow cap paint dabber, used some of my favorite T!m stamps (frame and floral) with some embossing ink and clear embossing powder.  Over top, I used my citrus paint dabber (and a little pool here and there).

I used sepia archival ink on the bird and branch.  I added one of T!m's mettal keyholes and scraps from my "bird cage" roof to close in the sides.  Once this was done, I spritzed my "new" favorite mist (a mix of water and "pearl" perfect pearls) which gave my cage a nice shiny appearance (hard to see in the picture).

Again, in my typical fashion, I used the key sample from my newly opened hardware findings die, first covering it with my pool paint dabber, then pressing it randomly into embossing ink.  I then added some terra cotta embossing powder to make the key look rusted.

I added a couple of buttons from my stash and a stamped phrase...it's all perspective...is the bird really in the cage or are we?

I had fun playing along...now to go post to the challenge:)

EnJOY:)

Lori McCausland, FSE

I'm just a girl in a mixed media world...