WOW! I can't believe that 2011 has already come to a close! I first discovered Helmar during all the Winter CHA posts on facebook last year and now I can't imagine crafting without my Helmar! Some of my MUST-HAVE faves are the Quick Fix adhesive runner, 450 Quick Dry, Liquid Scrap Dots, Premium Craft Glue, and Acid Free Glue (though if you're like me, you'll want the V2, 2 step crackle, acrylic sealer, zap dots and everything else made by Helmar on hand too! lol).
I'd like to share some projects with you that I created using a few of my favorite Helmar products. First is a layout I put together earlier in December (based on a Creative Scrappers sketch and using my Tres Chic Unique Colorful Kit) that uses several Maya Road snowflake transparencies.

Now with most other adhesives, you'd have to be extremely careful about where you placed the adhesive so that it wouldn't show through, but as you can see (or not see) on my project, the 450 Quick Dry not only holds strong, but dries completely clear! I had absolute freedom deciding how much adhesive to use and where to apply it. :-D See the small, layered, plastic snowflakes? The tiniest drop of 450 is all that's needed to bond the layers together. The mittens on the upper right corner were originally grey, so I painted them with white acrylic paint and wrapped the twine around each. A little dab of 450 not only holds the twine in place, but also keeps the twine from unraveling! I then used a dab of Liquid Scrap Dots on the back of each mitten to give them some lift on my page.
When I think of New Years, I think of resolutions, goals, etc. Now, I do not tend to do the whole New Years resolution thing, but I do set goals for myself. So the next project I'd like to share today is a no-photo layout I created based on the current Sketchy Thursdays sketch. I made it to help inspire me to be creative every day. :-D For some fab inspirational embellies, I used the Melody Ross Soul Food pp and chipboard pieces. The focal image is bordered by a the phrase, "She seeks out what she wants out of life" and the chipboard circles say, "fly," "make something better," "keep growing & learning," and "love life." Then the circle on the very left of my page says, "choose happy."

To adhere the gold foil doily, I just used a little Premium Craft Glue. The Quick Fix Adhesive Runner works so well, they can even hold these highly textured papers with no fear of them coming loose! I then used more of the Premium Craft Glue to adhere the chipboard pieces and just on the center of the butterfly since I curled the wings to give them dimension.
When I look back on 2011 and think about some of the highlights and what/who inspired me the most, Tracy immediately comes to mind. Nearly every Monday night, a bunch of us have a blast sitting in on her Ustream classes featuring Helmar and some fun crafty techniques. When I think "Tracy," I can't help but think "multi-media," so for my last project, I'd like to share the altered canvas I created using Lydell Quinn's fab Dec Helmar sketch for inspiration. It's an adaptation of the no-photo layout above. It's my first actual canvas piece, so please be kind! LOL

I used several techniques that can be found in the Helmar Ustream recordings from Tracy's live classes. First I used watercolor crayons to "paint" my background, then misted over it with a few different colors of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. I then diluted a bit of Glimmer Glam and layered that on top for some added shimmer. Next I had drew some clouds on the back of the text paper and cut them out. Then "whitewashed" them with off-white acrylic paint to lighten the color of the paper. The clouds, text and central image were adhered using Helmar's fab Decoupage paste and then I finished it off by adding the chipboard circles and bird using 450 Quick Dry. The circles read, "love is good stuff," "free your soul," "do it today," and "You are so much stonger than you think you are." I made this canvas to hang in my daughter's room. I hope it inspires her to always persue her dreams. :-D
Thank you, Tracy, for continually inspiring me to step out of my comfort zone, go with the flow, not overthink things, and try new things! And thank you so much for having me as a guest for the Helmar blog! I had a wonderful time sharing my projects with everyone! :-D
Doris Widder
http://www.distressedscrapper.com