Using Helmar 450 with Mixed Media

Hi everyone! It's Tracey here to share my final project as a regular Helmar designer.

I'll be popping back in now and then to share projects as a guest designer.

I thought it would be fun to share how I started using and adoring Helmar products. It all started several years ago when I responded to a joint challenge with Helmar and May Arts. My design package included a bottle of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I had been a tape runner gal, but as I was using more mixed media products in my work found that the elements were not staying adhered to these textures. As I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive on that challenge layout, I became hooked. When that bottle was gone, I had to have more and had my local scrapbooking store special order it for me. (It's now available at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby.)

My favorite reasons for using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

~ Holding Power - my projects never fall apart

~ Adjustment Time - although it dries quickly, I have a few moments

to adjust and straighten my adhered elements.

~ It's not stringy

~ No warped paper

I've now had the opportunity to work with most of their fabulous products. Although Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive remains my favorite, I've been delighted with all the Helmar products.

Today I've created a mixed media layout. Of course, I've featured Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. Our niece has always adored our son, Joseph. When he married Rachel, that adoration extended to our beautiful daughter-in-law as well. Here's a fun double selfie from Labor Day. Those sweet smiles show just how much they adore each other.

"Sweet Memories"

Tips and Techiques

I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to adhere many of the elements on my layout, but I'm showing the process I used for this piece of crackled chipboard.

Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive holds very well, so there is no need to apply glue to the entire piece, I just spread it over the oval center portion.

I included this photo so you can see just how textured the background is where I adhered the chipboard needing a very strong adhesive, indeed!

Here's a close-up of this corner all finished. The Large yellow flower is positioned using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. The remaining flowers and butterfly are adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

This gorgeous Leaky Shed Studio chipboard flourish is also adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive but this time to one of the paper mat layers.

I have found that using adhesive under the clear portion of these clear light bulbs often bubbles and shows through. A nice dallop of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive behind the base holds it securely in place with no chance of visible bubbles forming. All flowers are adhered with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

A close-up of the chipboard portion of my title. I raised and adhered the photo mats in two layers using one layer of Helmar 1/2 inch round Zapdots on the lower portion and two Zapdots stuck together under the higher portion shown here. To adhere the thread. I spread Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive under the mat and tucked the thread into it. The thread showing is not glued down, but securely adhered under the mats. The mats are colored with Pan Pastels and to fix the color, I spritzed with Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative Spray.

I hope you've been inspired to try out Helmar 450 on your next mixed media project.