Funky Face paint background for a Christmas card.

This week I had loads of fun creating with face paint from Chiswick. Whose face did I paint? Well not a face at all…. Instead I started experimenting to see what I can do with the huge range of face paints that Chiswick stocks. They come in the most amazing colours, but for me the challenge is in using the colour that well, let’s just say is not that popular with us older folks. But nonetheless very fashionable at the moment. So i used this Fluorescent pink face paint to create a background for a Christmas card alongside some of their other fun products.
I didn’t exactly know what I was working towards, but I just wanted to have some random fun and see what happened.
Here’s how I created my background:
Step 1 – Use a palette knife and add some random blobs of face paint to smooth white cardstock.
 Step 2 – While the paint is still wet, use a plastic fork (from those handy take-aways) and drag it through the paint to create some texture.
I had some thicker patches of paint that is perfect for creating dimension – so don’t be afraid of that.
 Step 3 – Once the face paint is dry, use a sponge applicator and some black chalk paint and paint over the entire surface. Use a wet wipe to move the paint around if need be and then to remove some of the paint off of the pink face paint. The chalk paint did not adhere to the face paint so I could wipe it off easily.
 Step 4 – Leave the chalk paint to dry completely. Use bronze burnishing paste and a stipple brush and add a layer of paste over the entire surface to add some shimmer. Use a soft cloth to smooth it out if need be.
 Step 5 – Next I added a layer of lilac Pearlescent ink over the entire surface and a soft cloth to blend it into the now pearly background.
The lilac ink adds more sparkle and softens the look overall. I simply love how it turned out – and you only get the true effect in real life.
For my card focal point I used a store bought reindeer and covered him in silver glitter also from the Chiswick range. A quick stamped sentiment and some diamante finished off this quick and funky Christmas card – perfect for those individuals who do not like to follow the rules.
And that’s how I turned Fluorescent pink face paint into a gorgeous rich red background using different mediums together in layers.
I used the following products from Chiswick for my card
Ultra fine glitter sb4225
Pearlescent ink pad – Fresh Pink rs3315Fluorescent Face paint  Pink pa2100
Burnishing Paste Bronze pa2195
Visit the Chiswick website to view these products and the entire range available. Ask for it by name at your local craft store!
Happy crafting!

Wrapping paper Die-cuts - a Christmas card for Couture Creations.

Hi Couture Crafters - Jowilna here with a quick and easy wrapping paper die cut card!
It's countdown time to Christmas- officially one month to go!
We don't do a huge Christmas celebration, but I know I good wrapping paper when I see one. So when i had to wrap a present for someone else I bought this lovely paper with berries and leaves on with a mostly white background - perfect for any crafting project!
I wanted to create something festive but simple and this lovely new Christmas die was perfect for my card. I used the die cut as a base for my focal point element to sit on.
The details on the Couture Creations dies are amazing!
A quick sentiment strip adhered using foam tape adds some dimension.
Delicate layers compliment the die cut beautifully.
Here's how i created my die-cut and other elements:
Step 1 - adhere your Christmas wrapping paper to smooth white cardstock using a glue stick. Leave the glue to dry before cutting or otherwise the thin paper might rip and tear.
Step 2 - trim some of the leaves and berries out of the paper and ink the edges to hide the cutting marks.
die and cut the element out of the wrapping paper piece. I used Quick release die paper to help my paper release easily from the detailed die.
Step 4 - Remove the quick release paper and then adhere the element to the front of your card. Add cut out leaves and berries as well as a focal point image and sentiment using foam tape - Double Sided Tape Premium Craft Adhesives

Remember you can find all these wonderful products from your local craft store - or ask for them by name! Happy crafting - i hope your Christmas cards are all done by now!
Until next time!

Superhero stuff double page layout

Inspired by this new “off the wall” range of papers from Kaisercraft I created this fun layout. It helped that I could use the most perfect photos from a friend to complete the work of art. The stamps available in the range helped me to create decorative elements perfect for this layout.

Production Text Photography by Jowilna Nolte © Photos supplied by Minette Botha taken by Artery Photography & Design



About this layout
How to create the curved left edge of your layout
If you have a template trace it onto your patterned blue paper with the splats on. Then adhere it to orange cardstock and cut a 5mm border so that the orange peeks out from underneath.
Trace a second shape onto a darker patterned paper and trim it smaller – adhere this piece on top of the first traced shape 7cm from the left edge – add machine or hand sewing to finish it off.
**I used a large circle to create my shaped border, if you don’t have a large circle here’s how you create it – cut a 13cm wide strip of patterned paper. Make a mark in the middle 9cm in from the left edge and 15cm down from the top – now draw a curved line from the top right edge towards the middle 9cm mark and then out towards the bottom right hand
corner – cut and ink the edges.

2. Once you have created your left curved edge, adhere it flush to the left edge of your layout.
3. Matt your photos. I matted the four photos on the left hand side all on one piece of cardstock and trimmed around the
edge. Adhere the photos 5.3cm from the bottom edge and flush in the middle.
4. Adhere the remainder of your photos on the right hand side of your layout with a 2mm spacing from the left edge.
5. Cut a piece of the graffiti paper 14cm wide and ink the edges. Adhere this strip next to the photos on the right hand side with a small spacing between the paper and the matted photos.
6. Cut a 2cm wide strip from the graph paper, ink the edges and adhere it flush with the graffiti paper strip on the right side of it.
7. Trim a 5mm wide strip of orange cardstock and adhere it to the right
8. Trim a barcode strip off of your patterned paper and adhere it next to the orange cardstock strip.
9. Adhere a Project Life card on the right side of your layout 7cm from the bottom edge and on the graffiti paper panel.
10. Add your sewing. I added a creative border sewing on the graph paper strip by using the squares as a guide to pierce holes. See how I sew my arrow shape on the following page.
11. Cut two flags from paper scraps measuring about 5cmx2cm, ink the edges and adhere them 7cm from the bottom
edge on the left page.
12. Stamp five circles on acetate using a foam circle stamp and Silver StazOn ink pad. Leave the circles to dry thoroughly
and then cut them out using your scissors. Warning: Do not try punching them - some punched will jam and break
permanently if you try to punch acetate.
13. Position the circles on your layout and make a hole using your paper piercer. Adhere the circle onto the page using
brads instead of an adhesive that will show through. Trim off the overlapping parts of the circles on the edges.
14. Stamp orange stars onto scrap paper as well as the word awesome. Trim the stars and adhere them using foam tape. Fold the awesome stamped ticket over and adhere with a brad and adhesive. Add your title and any other boy embellishments you want to. Add additional machine sewing and diamanté to finish it off. Remember your journaling!

I used hand sewing on my layout because I love the texture and dimension it adds. But I also love machine stitching and have no problem combining the two together on a single layout. Here I used a
variegated green silk thread to sew with my machine - it runs from white to light green to dark green and adds so much interest. I also did some sewing through my title stickers to make sure they are permanent - this works really well when stickers aren’t that sticky anymore.

Project Life cards from the kits ranges are perfect to use on your layouts. These cards offers you a place to add journaling, extra photos like a decorative photo matt and acts as a powerful and instant decorative element on your layout. I use themed project life cards on my layouts all the time - the thinking has been done already and often they only need a small amount of dressing up to act as a really cool element. And when I am done I can also use them in my PL albums for everyday memories.
This article was written and created for Scrapbook Studio - the full PDF can be downloaded with the layout sketch from their website. www.scrapbookstudio.co.za

A Quick comparison of Milk Paint and Chalk paint.

What is Milk Paint and Chalk Paint? 

Milk Paint: Is a 100% natural paint that’s been around for hundreds of years. It’s called milk paint, because one of the ingredients is casein, which is milk protein. 
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: Was developed by Annie Sloan and is named Chalk Paint for its “chalky appearance” when dried. It is the most amazing paint. 

What does the paint look like? 

Milk Paint: Comes in a powdered form and has to be mixed with water. 
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: Comes in quarts, premixed and ready to use. Smaller jars of chalk paint are available for small projects and as tester pots.

Do you have to use primer?
Milk Paint: No, but there is a bonding agent you can use to mix into the paint if you want the paint to grip to non-porous surfaces. But if you love the chippy old world look then just go ahead and paint.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: No. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint grips really well and a primer isn’t necessary.

Do you have to sand before painting?

No for both paints, but it’s a good idea to do for both paints if the surface is really glossy. I have painted melamine and have not wax it yet and the piece has held up just fine. 

Do you have to use wax or a topcoat?
Milk Paint: No, but I would suggest it. You can use either a wax or poly topcoat to protect the paint from moisture and wear.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: No, but I always do. The only time I don’t use wax is on a piece that won’t get a lot of wear and I don’t mind if the paint gets distressed naturally. I also wax my pieces to keep them from getting dirty from everyday touching and for easy cleaning. I use the Annie Sloan waxes in both dark and clear – dark for added distressing and ageing and the clear to seal it in, or only the clear to give it the most amazing velvet feel and make it soft to the touch and to keep dirt out.

Can the colors be mixed to make custom colors?

Yes, the colors from both paint lines mix beautifully. You can soften the colours by adding white to green for a soft pale green for example.

How can you apply the paint?
Both paints can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer. It all works.  With milk paint you need to be sure that it is mixed really well – I use a milk frother I bought from the Crazy store for R24.00 and it works perfectly – if not you will have lumps and clots in the paint that has not dissolved and will cause havoc on your painted object.

Do the paints distress well?

Milk Paint: Milk paint is unpredictable in how it will distress. At times it grips really well and just comes off in a fine powder. Other times the paint cracks and flakes away creating a fabulous  chippy look on some areas only. You just have to go with it and see what happens. Once it chips I would seal in that chippiness to keep it from happening even more and preserve the look you are happy with.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: Comes off in a fine powder when sanded before waxing. It’s easy to control the amount of wear and results in a soft, distressed finish that looks amazing. You can control how much you distress it and what look you are after. I use an electric sander for the first bit to get most of my distressing done, and then switch to a small block covered in sanding paper if I need more distressing in certain areas or on edges.

Do I have to distress these paints?

No you don’t have to distress it – you can leave it as is and it will at some point distress from wear and tear naturally. The effect is amazing and distressing happens on areas where it will get used the most. I love them both for different reasons and applications. Chalk paint adheres to anything and you don't need a primer, it's virtually odorless and very safe. Milk paint I love because it is unpredicatble and spontanoues. Because of this you never know how it will chip and react to whatever you are painting and until it dries and chips or not chip it's all a bit of a wait and see game. I am so thankful to The Wholesaler who took a chancve and brought these in for me to play with - I needed more stash of this and I hope you will also fall in love like i have.

Currently I am using the Milk Paint line from American Crafts/Imaginisce to paint some background boards for a project. Where you would normally mix 1 part powder to 2 parts water, I used four parts water to get a wash rather than a paint. And my next project will be Milk paint on a layout for this week - can't wait to show you what i have done!
To view the range available head on over here

Come December I am hoping to finish off the furniture pieces i started and tackle some more!
The opinions expressed are my own after having used both products extensively. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for the comparison since I have used this product for several years. I use Annie Sloan waxes for all my painted furniture. Please remember that the comparisons in this article is what I experienced and know about the products.

Modern Colour blocked Christmas card using ink pads.

I love making quick and easy Christmas cards. And with the range of Chiswick inks it really is so easy, even the kids can join in the fun. For this modern version of a Christmas card I used the inks directly to paper to create and fun and beautiful colour blocked effect.
It really took me ten minutes to make this card,and I simply love the effect achieved. Here’s how i created the background effect
step 1
Select 3-5 colours of ink pads from the Chiswick range – I used a selection of Pearlescent and Dye ink pads. Place the ink pads on your white cardstock and apply pressure to get a coloured square. Ten move onto the next colour of ink pad overlapping colours as you go along.
 step 2
Immediately after “stamping” the ink onto your cardstock, apply a layer of clear embossing powder over the ink squares.
step 3
Heat set the clear embossing powder using your Chiswick heat gun. Remember that once the powder turns shiny it is done.
 The embossing creates a shiny dimensional look making the colours more vibrant.
 For my focal point I stamped a Christmas bauble in a multicolored ink pad and raised it using foam squares for dimension. A baker’s twine bow finishes off  the top of the bauble nicely against a diamante strip.
 Some sewing around the edges of my card adds a nice finishing touch as well as texture. See the texture of the embossing and the interesting effect created by overlapping the ink pad colours? Love it!
 A quick ten minute Christmas card in a few easy steps.
And a list of the products i used from Chiswick
Assorted foam squares sb4430
Pearlescent Ink Pad – Brown rs3350
Pearlescent Ink Pad – Black rs3365
Pearlescent Ink Pad – Green rs3325
Dye Ink Pad- Red rs3291
Heat gun cr1350
Plastic Bone folder cr1200
Remember to contact Denise should you have any problems getting hold of any of our products on 27(0)31 569 5673
Visit our website www.chiswick.co.za to view to entire range of products – or visit your nearest craft store today

Die-cut border double page by Jowilna Nolte.

One of my favourite things to do is use my paper scraps (those vast amounts) i collect each week and create something out of the proverbial nothing.So came to be this double page layout using some of the beautiful blue and brown Couture Creations paper scraps and one of my favourite die-cuts.
I started by grouping strips of Couture Creations paper from the Sew Jo Paper pad together with washi tape and other paper scraps. I then searched for some blue and green elements out of my scrap box to use.

I used some Co'ordinations cardstock scraps to punch leaves for layering on top of my die-cuts.
I die-cut my leaves out of plain smooth white cardstock. I was looking for a specific blue embossing powder, but instead what i found was years of almost done tubs of embossing powder - so i mixed all the little bits together and got this amazing blue colour - perfect!
 I embossed all the leaves to give them lots of texture and ana amzing colour!
dainty paper flowers and diamante grouped together - and here you can clearly see the brown and blue paper strips that i cut from the Couture Creations Sew Jo | CO723545 Paper pad.
The brown, blue and white striped paper was the inspiration behind this layout and also the colour scheme prompt. What triggers and inspires your creativity?



Ten Minute Christmas Card with Prima Modelling Paste.

Each year I try and make a quick Christmas card in the hopes of re-producing it into mass and sending it out to family and friends – well each year the task just seems bigger and bigger and in the end I am happy with nothing and just leave it all together!
But this year I think I may have a winning formula with some of my favourite products! I think we have a winner people (shouting voice)!
And the bonus this really is a ten minute card if you work in batches creating all the bits and pieces. Here’s how I am tackling this card design to make a quick production line…


  • Step 1

    Use your modelling paste and palette knife and create a textured background. Simple lift some paste with your palette and sweep it across the background cardstock until you are happy with the look. TIP: you want to leave some uncovered areas for the next step – so don’t cover the entire piece of cardstock with paste.
  • Step 2

    Once the paste is dry, mist your cardstock with 2 different colours of Color Bloom – I used Tea Stain and Storm Cloud in that order. Leave the mist to dry or dry with your heat gun.
  • Step 3

    Cut your background piece so that it fits onto the front of your folded card base and adhere it using double sided tape. Add sewing around the edge if so desired.
  • Step 4

    Cut Christmas trees using your Silhouette machine in smooth black cardstock to the size that will fit on the front of your folded card. Adhere the tree and add diamanté as decorations.

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