Helmar Creative Team

Paintbrush by Suzanne Franin

Hey Everyone Suzanne here!

I love seeing all the paint brushes that everyone has been doing so I thought why not do one too!

So heres my version for my Helmar project.  

Don't forget to check out the Blog to see what creations the rest of the Creative Team have created.

I started of by painting the brush with some black gesso then using a little patterned stencil which I did over the whole brush.

After that I used some scraps of chipboard to add layers to give height so when I added other layers they were a bit more raised.

I added some muslin using the Helmar Fabric Glue which I also used to attach some string that I wrapped around the brush. 

            

With all the metal embellishments I used the Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive (my favourite) I find this is great for the metal as it dries quick and has a great strong hold.

           

  On all the other embellishments which were paperclay I used the Helmar Super-Tac Glue and as you can see here I used the same glue to add to some Art Stones to scatter over the brush after I finished decorating it.

      

I used Lindy's Magical's Shakers in Cowabunga Copper, Grab A Guy Gold and Guten Tag Teal randomly shaking one colour at a time then drying it before adding another colour until I was happy with the finish. 

              

This Feather is an Acrylic piece from Memory Maze one of the new products they are now doing.

The little clock is also from Memory Maze Mini Grunge Clock which I thought and then   I added a little Frame with paperclay cameo inside it.

             

I used Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Wax in White Gold over the top of every thing using a fine brush to get into the grooves and areas that I couldn't get with my finger.

The Helmar Products I used - 

Thank you for visiting and I hope you will be back soon xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spread Your Wing ATC's by Farrel Tailor (27th June)

Hi there everyone!

Today I am sharing these Artist Trading Cards I created. I have to admit to you all this is the first time I have ever created ATC's and I think I have found my addiction lol.

So let's get started...... I used my Tim Holtz Stamp Platform to stamp onto some old paper I tore out of a book.

Next to adhere the stamped images I used Helmar Spray Adhesive on the back and placed them onto some scrap cardstock.

Next I sealed some white cardstock using clear gesso and my silicone brush. Then dried it with a heat tool.

Now for the fun part.... building my background. For this I used the stamping technique where you stamp the Distress Oxide Inks onto your craft mat and spray with water. Then stamp your cardstock onto the inked area, making sure you dry in between colours.

The colours I used was Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs and Vintage Photo.

I had started stamping with Faded Jeans but the colours where turning to mud so I decided to spray a coat of Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative and now I am able to add the Faded Jeans ink perfectly.

Next I trimmed some Kraft cardstock to 2.5 x 3.5 inches and trimmed my background cardstock a little smaller. Then inked around the edges with Distress Oxides Ink Black Soot.

To adhere all my butterflies and quotes I used Helmar Premium Craft Glue. Then added some washi tape.

I needed some dimension so I used Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to adhere my 3 butterflies.

To finish off the cards I splattered with Dylusions Ink Black Marble. Here is the finished product.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope this has inspired you to create xx

 

Grungy Kaisercraft Fusion Holder

I picked up this Kaisercraft Fusion Holder on clearance for $12 as it had damaged packaging and the shop owner was retiring.  As my boys love drawing Anime I thought it would be perfect for storing their alcohol markers in.  We got C a set of Ironlak Striker Tri Grip Markers last year which are just gorgeous to colour with and since E has joined him in loving this style of drawing we recently got them 2 of the Aldi sets to add to their colour range. 

I put this together with Helmar Craft and Hobby Glue as though it is slow drying it gives a much better hold.  Between waiting for the paint to dry and waiting for the glue to dry this became a ongoing project that say on the end of my dining table, which was great in a way as I had something crafty waiting for me to do so whenever I had a crafty urge I would do something on it.  You will notice that my marker dividers have 2 shades of paint on them, I mixed a custom colour with some silver, black and white to paint the half that will be to the front and then painted the back black as you can't see it but I wanted it to be dark.  Some other parts I had not painted after assembled I decided they needed pain and so added black pain, again it is internal and to the back so it works really well.

    

I wanted to give this Fusion Holder a look that would suite being on the desk the boys use when drawing and colouring.  I selected this old single sided Pink Paisley paper from their Fetching range called Rugged and used a scrap from Kaisercraft Factory 42 for the drawer front.   I glued the papers down with the Helmar Craft and Hobby Glue, I squirted some around the edge and a squiggle in the middle and then spread it with a brush before adhering down and smoothing out any bubbles.  I did adhere the paper to the outside pieces before assembly however as it has been 4 years since I put a Kaisercraft item together I did this incorrectly so after assembly I had to cut new paper and glue it over my original pieces, so glad I had 10 sheets of this gorgeous Pink Paislee paper.

I wanted to embellish it with cogs and gears but I needed it to be flat due to future storage needs, I know I am going to need to have things butted up against it and maybe even on top of it in a few months so the Kaisercraft Factory 42 Collectables were the perfect way to add interest without bulk.  I adhered these down with Helmar Acid Free Glue.

E chose the word I was putting on the drawer, he wanted it to say colour since this is their sketch and colour station so I used some very old rub ons on another scrap from my Kaisercraft Factory 42 papers and created a cluster that says colour on the left of the drawer.  The rub ons no longer rub on so I fussy cut them from the sheet and stuck them down with some Helmar Acid Free Glue.

I love how my clusters have turned out, the fact they are die cuts meant I could fold them and adhere them over the sides so it flowed to the top.

     

And here it is on C's desk with all of their alcohol markers and other drawing and colouring supplies in it.  I am hoping since their supplies are now out and visible instead of tucked away on a bookcase they will create even more wonderful drawings.

I love the results and I love knowing it will last thanks to the use of Helmar Glues.

 

My Granddaughters First Baby Book

Hi crafty friends! Welcome to my blog post for the month of June! It seems as though the months are just passing me by as I have been preparing for the arrival of my 2nd grandchild, a baby girl! I have been busy making small decor projects for her room and making keepsake projects that she will be able to cherish when she is a grown up young lady! That moments seems very far away so we will just begin with her entrance to the world on May 24th 2018. I am excited that I was able to be there for the birth of my granddaughter, she came pretty quick I must say. I had no time to panic, just an overwhelming feeling of extreme happiness. I took alot of photos of her coming into the world and my beautiful daughter holding her for the very 1st time. These memories can all be kept in this very special DIY baby book that I have created.

 

I began by taking this Recollections brand album that I had purchased at Michaels Craft supply store . At the time I purchased it I had no idea this is what I would be creating! As I began created projects for my grand daughter I had remembered I had this album and since I had received some amazingly beautiful paper collections from Prima Marketing, this would be the perfect album for a baby book. Plenty of room for a variety of sized photos and journaling area. 

                                  

I started by painting the album with some DecoArt Americana acrylic paint in a White Wash Color. I had began by painting the entire front as I still wasn't sure how I would be applying the paper on it, then ended up just painting all along the edges as I would do when creating my chipboard mini albums. This provides a cleaner edge to your book and you won't be able to see the kraft color chipboard underneath your design paper. 

                                

Once it was thoroughly dry I began selecting my design papers. I decided on combining some of the beautiful new floral papers from Prima Love Story along with some of the two Prima Heaven Sent I & II collections

                  

I picked this beautiful floral shabby chic design paper from the 12X12 Love Story paper pad for the outside cover, front, back & sides. I really wanted this paper to last on here for years to come to decided on adhering the paper onto the chipboard album using one of my favorite adhesives from Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I applied it in small sections at a time and then used my brayer to evenly distribute the glue evenly throughout the area.

                            

Once I adhered the floral paper on the entire album, I had previously measured the open spaced windows on front of the album where photos can be added. I then wanted to add a small thin lace or trim around these spaces so I found this pink thin cotton trim purchased from Crafty Me facebook group. I used the same Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive . This time I added a fine tipped applicator to the bottle so that the adhesive would be as thin or just as thin as the trim that I was adding. (The center photo I originally was going to use white seam binding as my closure but then cut it out once I decided on something else).

                            

Once I had finished applying the trim on the edges of the spaces I decided I would add some of the finishing sprays from Helmar. So I decided I would go with Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss Spray. Although it didn't produce a glossy finish on my paper but I was wanting to provide it more as a kind of sealer. Basically for longevity purposes and to help it stay free of dusts and fading as this should last her well above her childhood years. Before spraying it I did cover the spaces where I had added the trim, only as a precaution. 

I allowed for this to dry, it actually dried pretty fast so I didn't have to wait very long to resume creating this. I was very excited to add on the closure to this as noted before I originally had added some white seam binding but was able to trim it off at the edge of the paper. It isn't visible at all since I had remembered that I had purchased this stunning pink bling from the same facebook group I had purchased the cotton trim. It came as a whole piece but I measured and was able to cut it where I the covers open up. I'm not worried about it not locking into place to shut because the album same with a magnetic closure. I again used Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to adhere it, & although I don't like used hot glue on paper, I just added a couple of small dabs on each piece just to hold it in place till the glue dried and adding a little more reinforcement. 

                        
                              
 

Once I was finished with the outside I began on the inside sleeves. These plastic sleeves are able to be taken of from the screwed on hinges. On these pages I was able to use some of the papers from the 8X8 Prima Heaven Sent I paper pad. This was super easy and each one of these pages was like making a small layout! I won't go thru the entire album of pages but here are some of the pages that I put together. I also will be looking into checking to see if I can find the plastic sleeve refills for this album or something similar to be able to store more memories. 

                        

On these 8X8 pages I decided to not go crazy using the Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive since its my favorite ! So I used another favorite Helmar Premium Craft Glue which is just as good! I used this for my paper as well as a variety of embellishments on these pages which was were very limited and not too dimensional as I wanted the pages to be flat not bulky. 

                   

I truly hope that you like this project I have shared with you today and I hope you will also feel inspired to create something as special as this for your newest member of your family. I believe that homemade gifts are 100% more special than that of something store bought because they are made with so much love! So thank you for looking at my blog post today and please look out for another one of my posts which will be this month as well featuring a "Favorite Product Spotlight"! Below I have posted a very short video sharing the album with a few of the pages I had made thus far as it will still be a work in progress as my granddaughter goes thru her special milestones and changes as she grows. So now I go back to enjoying her and my grandson as well all while helping my daughter during this wonderful time! Thanks again for stopping in and I'll be back soon!!

~Hugs~ Jeanne

                                              

  

Creating Foam Stamps with Helmar

Hello! It’s Robyn Wood with you today sharing a project featuring some home-made foam stamps. Although I’m a long-term user of commercially made rubber stamps, sometimes I want an image that I don’t have and like to make my own. Luckily with a bit of fun foam & Helmar Foam Glue, I’m easily sorted.

Fun foam is a useful product for crafters, it’s so easy to cut into different shapes and with a little heat it is easily mouldable allowing you to add texture to the surface. A bit of trimming and gluing onto a backing board and you have yourself a home-made stamp.

Supplies:

Helmar Foam Glue

Helmar Premium Craft Glue

Fun foam

Stamp bases – I’ve used pieces of corflute

Manilla tag

Acrylic paint

Gel Press monoprinting plate & brayer

Collage paper

Scissors

Heat gun

Heat proof surface

Ribbon, timber embellishments, ribbon & word sticker

Find some items from around the house that could be used to give the fun foam a bit of texture. I’ve used some bubble wrap & and both sides of a plastic tray.

Before starting, cut the fun foam into smaller pieces to make it easier to work with.

Have the texturizing material close by, then use a heat gun to gently heat the fun foam until the surface appears to change a little. Quickly press the texturizing item onto the foam and allow to cool. If you aren’t happy with the result, just reheat and try again.

Please note – the heat gun and fun foam will become hot so take care. Do this step in a well-ventilated area as the fun foam is a type of plastic & may give off some fumes.

Once the fun foam is cool, remove the texturizing item and cut stamp to the desired shape. I created a round one from the bubble wrap and two rectangular dotty ones from the plastic tray.

Adhere to stamp bases using Helmar Foam Glue. Take care to ensure the glue doesn’t ooze onto the stamping surface, although this just adds an extra element of texture. (I did this without realising for the round stamp)

Set stamps aside for 24hrs to dry and cure.

Spread some acrylic paint onto a Gel Press monoprinting plate using brayer. If you don’t have one, spread a thin layer of paint over a piece of Glad Bake.

Use one of the stamps to remove some of the paint from the Gel Press and print manilla tag to give a tone on tone effect with the texture pattern visible. Allow to dry.

Use some collage paper to make a trio of background images with the round bubble wrap stamp. I’ve ‘inked’ the stamp with grey acrylic paint.

Add an extra layer of texture to the tag using the second rectangular stamp and white acrylic paint.

Assemble tag using various embellishments and add a word sticker and ribbon to finish it off.

Making your own stamps from fun foam will have you looking at the textured surfaces around you with different eyes! I hope you have enjoyed learning how to create this project. Until next time…

Altered Journaling Bible Cover by Tamiko

I like my bible colorful. I use my bible in a way that allows me to study the word and create art based on the reading. The more I created on the inside, I realized its external appearance lacked the same colorfully creative expression.  The outside was very discouraging and blah.  I wanted be able to discuss my art, as well as my bible studies. I don't believe anyone is ever going to know the beauty contained inside my bible besides tabs, if all you see is the the plain black cover. So I did this...

 

 

The items used in this project are:

• Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative Spray
• Helmar Crystal Kote Matte Varnish
• Sandee Setliff SG Stencil- Music Geek
• Deco Art Media Gesso- White
• spray bottle with water
• Paint Pens
• Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers
• Baby wipes

 

I neglected to take a picture of the plain black cover before and after gesso, Im sorry.

After the gesso was dry, I scribbled across the covers, front and back, with mermaid markers. The markings are sprayed with a little water from the bottle. This allows the coll to allow the colors to flow into each other for more of a watercolor look. I aslo covered the bible info on the spine with a piece of washi tape, to act as a mask, during this process. 

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If I was thinking, before I designed ontop of the book cover I would sprayed my first few coats of the Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative. I did the notice the difference as I used it later in this post after other steps. I did some art using the new stencils from a former Helmar DT sister-friend Sandee Setliff who now creates designs for Stencil Girl.  I used her Music Girl Geek stencil and paint pencils to decorate the front cover. I sprayed the fixative a few short quick sprays and allowed to air dry.  

  

 

It wasn't enough, haha I had to add even more art. I could feel the difference in the use of the fixative spray. It seemed as though I was creating on top of a clean art surface and when I made an error, I was able to safely wipe away the paint without disturbing the previous watercolor layer.  I took some black paint and I stenciled the image yet again. Did a little fine line pen-work.  

 

 

I let that dry a few days, then on a rare 90plus degree day in Chicagoland area (haha its FINALLY looking like Spring), I took the bible out for a final spraying. I used the Helmar Crystal Kote Matte spray as my final layer.  Min you the sealant comes in Matte and Gloss

 

 

I hope you enjoy how I altered my bible cover.  Its a book I am even more proud to carry and not only share in discussion of the word, but also in the beauty I see because of it.  Don't stop at a bible. Take any of the Helmar products that can be found worldwide and ALTER SOMETHING!!! (smile)

 

We Love Hummingbirds

My mom LOVES hummingbirds. She is in northern Michigan and as soon as the weather warms, the hummingbird feeder would go out. It was not unusual to see 10 of the little sweeties fighting for the nectar. Unfortunately, my mom is now in a nursing home so when I saw this wood Hummingbird model at a garage sale, I knew I had to get it for her. And I had the perfect adhesive for putting this together - Helmar PVA Professional Woodworking Glue.  The Crystal Kote will be perfect for protecting it once it is painted!

Basically made of balsa wood, this was similar to putting together a model plane. There are layers and layers to be glued together. Because some of the parts were quite small, I used a paintbrush to apply the glue.  

From the head to the tail, each piece was glued. 

Once everything was assembled and dried, I gathered a supply of mists and paints. Then I got to work. 

 I took the bird outside and sprayed it with the Crystal Kote.

And here is my finished Hummingbird. I know my mom will love having it in her room!

 

   

Get out there and shop those garage sales. You never know what treasure you might find!

Thank you so much for joining me. Please be sure to visit Helmar on Facebook  for more inspiration!

I look forward to seeing you next month with another fun project!

 

Vintage Letter Journal Part 2...

Hi all Vicki-Ann here today for part 2 of my vintage letter journal. The inside...

List of items for this project...

• Helmar Tacky Craft Glue
• Helmar Decoupage and Craft Paste
• Helmar Fabric Glue
• Helmar paint and glue spreader
• Sewing machine
• Assorted Ephemera
• Stamps
• Distress ink and blending tool
• Envelope Punch board
• Coffee or tea stained papers
• Twine
• Brads
• Vintage images from
• www.milliande.com, Nikthebooksmith.blogspot.com, ephemeravintagegarden.com, Thegraphicsfairy.com

I scanned some of my Nana's recipe book pages on the computer and printed them out on some of the coffee stained papers for my background.

To add my sewn elements, I pop a small dot of Helmar Tacky Craft Glue

 into the back in the middle of my image to hold it in place.

Then I can sew around the edge and know the I will still have my border glue free. This way I don't have to wait for the glue to dry before sewing.

Then on some of my images I added a line of Helmar Fabric Glue and pressed down some lace. I could have sewn the lace on but I liked the option of using the fabric glue, as then I did not have to be as precise with my sewing. I could sew all my images on to the backing then choose after, what ones 

I wanted to add the lace too.

I put a small dot of Helmar Fabric Glue in the corner of my printed recipe page and added a pearl brad with some lace.

I then place all my elements on the page to see where I want them to go and take a photo. So then when I move them off the page I have a reference of where I had them all. 

Using the Helmar Tacky Craft Glue I add glue to the back of my images making sure to get the glue right to the edges.

I move the glue to the edges with my Helmar paint and glue spreader. 

 

I then press the image flat with the Helmar paint and glue spreader. This makes it nice and flat and adheres it really well.

So this is posted and on its way around Australia. I am really looking forward to seeing what art the other 3 ladies are going to add to my vintage letter journal. 

*So a bit about letter journals. A letter journal has 4 people. You make a small 8x8 cover and have 4 A4 pages folded in half inside that are sewn in. You add an introduction at the start and add the addresses of all the people in the group in the inside back cover. You do a double page spread in your journal and then send it on to the next person in the group. When you receive a letter journal you do 2 double page spreads in the journal and then send it on to the person after you in the group.

Acrylic painting using the dirty pour method

Hi everyone, its Bridget here again.  Today I want to share with you something I have been wanting to try ever since a Helmar Design team member shared her creation. Before I share the link to her fabulous tutorial here is my creation.

 

Sarah Rosse shared her amazing tutorial a few months ago Acrylic painting using the blowing technique

Ever since reading it, this has been on my "need to try" list.

Here is what you need:

Canvas (I got mine from hot dollar)

3-4 Acrylic paints (I used Silver, Teal and fluorescent blue by reno art)

Helmar craft and Hobby PVA glue

Helmar H4000 silicone spray

wooden sticks

Plastic cups

Tin foil roasting tray

Heat gun

Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish

 

While Sarah shared the blowing technique I thought I would try a "Dirty pour".  A dirty pour  is just where you add your 2,3 or 4 pre mixed colors in your cup or containers, and then pour then onto your canvas in a single puddle.  The paints mix and creating interesting patterns

Lets get started. Some people like to wear gloves because this can get messy!

Into a plastic cup add your Helmar craft and hobby PVA glue.

Mix in your Acrylic paint, roughly the same amount paint to glue.

Then add some water to thin the glue. A 2:1 ratio (2 parts glue, 1 part water) you want it flowing off the stick in a fluid stream. Repeat this with all the colors you will be using.

In a separate cup spray your Helmar 4000 Silicone spray in. Please do this outside or in a well ventilated area. Add a few drops to each paint color. Using the wooden sticks mix the silicone in, but not too much or the cells will be very tiny.

Once all the colors are mixed its time to pour them in layers into one cup.

Using the tin foil roasting pan and four cups, place your canvas on the cups. Then tip your "dirty pour" cup onto your canvas. Let the cup sit for a few minutes before lifting it up. Either let the paint do its thing or tilt your canvas in a few different directions so the paint covers the canvas.

At this stage you can already see the silicone cells forming.  If you want your cells to come to the surface and appear larger use a heat gun or a butane torch to "pop" the bubbles

Then you just let it dry for a few days. To  seal and protect your painting spray a few coats of Helmar's Crystal Kote Gloss varnish.  

Here is my finished painting.

This was such a fun project to try and I can't wait to try this again.  Thank you so much for joining me.  Happy Crafting.

A Little Broken Art Journal Page by Farrel Tailor (6th June)

Hi Helmar followers!

Today I would like to share with you all my latest art journal page I created using some of my all time favourite Helmar products.

To start off my page, I sprayed the following Dylusions Ink Sprays Polished Jade, London Blue and Calypso Teal. Then used a paper towel to mop off any access.

Next I sprayed Dylusions Ink Spray Slate Grey onto my The Crafter's Workshop stencil, TCW427s Mini Quartrefoil Revd.

Once the sprays were dry, I then stamped randomly onto my page using Dyan Reavely's Basically Square stamp and stencil set and black archival ink. I also used my Dylusions Acrylic Block around the edges and created the white dots with a white Uni Posca paint pen.

The next step was to stamp some images onto some white cardstock. I used the following Dylusions stamp sets - Passage of Time, How About Never and Flight of Fancy. Then I used some alcohol markers I bought from my local Aldi store to colour in my images.

After fussy cutting my stamped images I then used Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue to adhere all my pieces to the art journal page. This is my "go to" adhesive as I find it is strong and quick drying.

Then to finish off the page I sprayed a coat of Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative spray. Before receiving my design team kit, I had never actually heard of this spray but oh my gosh do I love it!!!! If you are like me and love using different mediums in your art journal pages, sometimes you will find that your mediums will make your pages stick together. I was previously using a wax but it wasn't really doing anything and I found I kept tearing my pages apart. Please do yourself a favour and get this Fixative spray. It not only seals your page so you can add more mediums over the top without ruining your hard work underneath but it also stops the pages from sticking together.... it is just amazing!!!

Here are some close ups of the finished page

Thank you for dropping in and I hope I have inspired you to create in your art journal.

Farrel xx