Helmar Creative Team

Ball Butterflies

Hi everyone,

This week I have challenged myself with a golf theme. Yep golf !  My father in law plays golf 3-4 days a week and has so many buckets of balls in his shed, so I thought okay what can I do ?

I have seen very creative crafty people create snakes, snails and lady bugs out of golf balls, but I have 2 grand daughters, so I was thinking pink and girly.

So this is what I created "Ball Butterflies"

To start with I have coloured the stark white balls with some pretty pink, blue and purple alcohol inks. And while the inks were tacky I have rubbed on some gold foil. Just to bling them up a bit.

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I then needed to securely glue the balls together so I used my trusty 450 glue, always gives a secure stick. Glueing 2 balls together was fine the tricky one was the 3 balls. I did add a few layers of glue to the balls to securely attach them to each other.

I have used a butterfly clip for the wings by dismantling this pictured butterfly and getting 3 sets of wings

To hide the glueing seam I tied some black tulle around the join and then used my 450 again to glue on strips of flat back black pearls.

Finally finishing off my butterflies by attaching the wings with a large gem, again with my 450. Love this glue !

This project was fun but took 2 days to create allowing sufficient time for the glue to dry securely between each layer, before moving on to the next step.

So what do you think of my pretty Ball Butterflies ?

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Watercoloured Tag with Robyn Wood

Hello! It’s Robyn Wood with you today sharing a colourful, watercoloured tag project. I love the ease of using watercolour for a variety of projects and find that once you have mastered a few techniques, the options are endless.

For this project, I trimmed a tag shape from some cream cardstock scrap and covered parts of the surface with dribbles of masking fluid. You need to allow masking fluid plenty of time to dry so it doesn’t ruin your brushes.

Once the masking fluid was dry, I simply painted over the surface of the tag with watercolour. I’ve used a liquid watercolour to make the process nice & quick. Liquid watercolour can easily be blended or watered down to give different colours and washes. Once the tag was dry, I simply rubbed the masking fluid away with my fingers.

I stamped a greeting and flower stamp using Archival black ink. The greeting was trimmed closely and mounted onto a cardstock layer using Helmar Scrap Dots.

The flower image had been stamped onto watercolour cardstock, making it nice and easy to blend watercolours to create a soft effect. I then fussy cut my flower.

While the pink watercolour was in use, I painted a scrap of watercolour card so that I could punch out a scalloped circle to go on the top of my tag.

The tag was assembled using Helmar Tacky Glue to adhere the flower, greeting and tag top. I then threaded the tag with a short length of pretty ribbon and it was done.

Supplies:

• Helmar Tacky Craft Glue
• Helmar Scrap Dots
• Darkroom Door Fine Flowers Vol 2 & Simple Sayings stamp sets
• Archival black ink
• Masking Fluid
• Liquid watercolour

I hope you have enjoyed learning how this project was created and I’d love to see what you create! Until next time…

Romantic Card - Shabby Style

Hello there, today I am working with the theme of Romance. I love the romantic style. I imagine flowers, hearts, laces and ruffles, dreamy images of yesteryear. So, with my head in the clouds I decided to make a romantic style card.

What I used:

Scissors, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue, a fine tipped bottle and a stylus together with a selection of papers and various die cuts.

I started with a piece of tea stained manilla file folder as these seem to be quite popular in crafting at the moment. I folded and cut it to the size of 15cm x 10cm (6" x 4"). I cut a piece of scrapbooking paper 14cm x 9cm (5.5" x 3.5") and then roughed up the edges with an old pair of scissors and inked them lightly with Walnut Distress Stain. The paperline I used was 'Pen and Ink' by Kaisercraft.

Then, using my Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue I glued it to the card base.

Time to play around with the die cuts and find a nice design.

I used the stylus to add a little texture and dimension to some of the die cuts.

Because some of the die cuts are very delicate I find it easier to transfer some of the Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue into a small bottle with a very fine tip so that application is easier.

The original bottle was still used for the larger die cuts.

I included some cheese cloth into the design to soften the look a little.

Lastly, I used the Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to apply some flat backed pearls, beads and fabric flowers to the card.

Although my card did not end up with any ruffles, I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to make a gift bag to go with it and included some ruffled lace into that design giving it a lovely romantic style.

I hope you've enjoyed this little card making tutorial today. I would normally use the Helmar Tacky Craft Glue with my paper projects but thought it may be interesting to try the Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue to see how well it works. I found the drying time was slightly longer which was a good thing as it enabled me to move things around a little before it took hold and once it was dry, it had a very strong hold.

Thank you so much for stopping by, take care

Jeanette xx

Creating an Art Journal with Tamiko... 1

Hello everyone Tamiko here! I love art journals and I cannot lie!! ::giggles:: Nothing makes me happier in the form of a paper craft then making a book of some sort. Check this one out..

Supplies needed:

Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue

Various papers

Paper cutter

Scissors

Corrugated board

Canvas material

Glue brush 

water

I first grabbed papers, (many kind)  and cut them down to 3 X 5 inches. You can choose any size you want. I decided I wanted a size that allowed me to place the book in my pocket or art bag. I used scrapbook papers of different weights, painted papers, music paper, Chinese language papers, tags and receipts. Once I got a small collection of those, I stacked them tightly and lined up on one edge and clipped them. The clip to hold the papers in place, while applying Helmar Craft and Hobby PVA glue to the one side which will serve as the spine, of the book.  Let it dry, then slather another layer of glue and repeat (for about 3 or 4 layers). Don't forget to dip your brush in some water that has maybe a drop of dish washing detergent in it Helmar's glue is washable, but I just take the extra precautions with my brushes out of habit. 

I used corrugated board to create front and back covers; canvas material and more Helmar Craft & Hobby glue to cover the boards and glue spine. The napkins to decoupaged on the cover and I fussy cut some animals I like and added them, just because I could. I have no idea what I will do with this book.  I could challenge myself to do some 3-5 minute faces or art daily; or I could just give it away in some happy mail. ::shrugs::  I have more fun making them then using them sometimes ::smile::I hope you all like the book I created! I get inspiration from bookmakers like Kiala Givehand and Jeanne Oliver! They both show you pretty awesome book creations ;you can make with minimal supplies we seem to have around the house. Just make sure you use Helmar adhesives in your projects! They will hold stronger for longer and the glues won't eat or age your papers!! Thanks for stopping by!!

 

Alcohol Ink Coasters

Hello, from Tina! Today's project supplies are: ceramic tiles. alcohol ink, 91% alcohol, paint brush, oil based sharpies, newspaper.

My friend and I recently made ceramic tile coasters using alcohol ink. 

First, pour or paint the ceramic tile with alcohol, then  drop various colors of the alcohol inks onto the tile. The colors will bloom and run and blend making cool patterns.

The alcohol dries really fast so I choose to work quickly and missed taking pictures. But here are the few photos I managed to take...

My friend added hand drawing on her coasters

 

Words befitting for a crafter

 

These colors make me happy!

Now to seal the coasters so they  will not fade over time.

Today I am using(Helmar Crystal Kote Fixative) to seal my project. 

 

 

I wanted to spay outside, but it is raining. So I just sprayed the coaster in a cardboard box near an open door and window.

Works great! I look forward to using these colorful coasters. 

Have a craft happy day!

Come Sail Away...

Come sail away with me, on the deep blue sea.     I have always had a dream to set sail on the beautiful calm seas.   I have a great love of the lighthouses that guide the sailors and fishermen home .

The Beacon of beautiful yellow, shining light. 

Hello mates my name is Sharon Estes, a Helmar Glue designer.   Helmar has ask us to chose a them for our blog and lighthouses was on the list.   So I am sharing my dream with you an a lucky crafting friend my Swap card for the month.

     

This was my second step after I  cut my 2-4x4 cardstock. I like using the Premium Craft Glue . 

1. It dries clear!
2. It gives you a little time an wiggle room to work with it.
3. It comes out of bottle very easy. And no clogging!

Step 3.      I used the glue dots to give my lighthouse some depth

 I cut 3 stamped lighthouses out and layered them using the Liquid Scrap Dots.

I added Liquid Scrap Dots and and glue to adhere to card.

Step 4.   Finishing touches to my card.  I stamped a sentiment on yellow card stock  die cut.

Step 5.   Added a few little details to the card and off to the post office!

 

Happy Crafting with Art Grandma

Steampunk Mini Hat

Hi Helmar fans, Raelene with you today with another Steampunk prop for my costume I wore to Steampfesta, today I am sharing how I made my little top hat.

I started by making a tube from 3mm foam, I took the A4 sheet of foam and cut one end off at 4 inches.  Upon completion I feel this is too high so if you are making it try 3inches.  I used some washi to hold my tube together while the Helmar Foam Glue dried, that way I could work on other parts while it dried.

 

So while it was drying I started work on cutting my base and top.  I really should have used my Silhouette as my hands were so wobbly but it was not accessible at the time. 
For my bottom I cut a circle and then marked my tube in the middle, I then cut triangles in the inner circle and glued them inside my tube, I mixed my glues up and used 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to glue my bottom in, but that's ok, it worked.

 
I glued my top into my tube with Helmar Foam Glue and then started covering my hat with some lovely velvet.
I used the Helmar Foam Glue to adhere the fabric to the foam and the Helmar Fabric Glue to adhere fabric to fabric.
As I had cut my fabric with pinking sheers to reduce fraying I turned my edge piece in and glued it to itself with Helmar Fabric Glue.



Now to pretty up the top.
I cut a circle of cereal box cardboard and covered it in the velvet fabric and then adhered it to the top of my hat with Helmar Fabric Glue. 

To pretty up my base first I cut a ring of velvet to go over the top and then I cut a circle of cereal box cardboard and covered it with velvet.  I wound up covering my hat hole but that is ok as I am adding a headband to the base to help it fit on my head.

 

To hide the join where the base velvet joins the top and my side seam I grabbed some super wide lace out of my stash and adhered it to my hat with Helmar Fabric Glue, working in sections at a time as I did when covering my tube with velvet.

Now it was time to decorate my hat.  As so often is the case when I embellish a project my mistakes informed where things would go, I used my embellishments to hide glue I had gotten in the wrong spot and crooked bits of my hat top.
I adhered some gold trim to my hat rim edge with Helmar Fabric Glue to hide the seam between my foam base and cardboard base.

I grabbed out a selection of flowers, feathers, lace and cogs & gears to work with and used Helmar Fabric Glue to adhere the black lace and lace feather and 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to adhere the black feather, flowers and metal pieces.

 

I was happy with how my decorations looked now I just needed to add a headband so I could wear it.


I love how my hat turned out. 

Best Friends

Hello everyone,

I just love to up-cycle so here is another project I have created using a lost treasure from one of our local Op Shops.

Not bad for a $4 find

So for this project I have used the Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish Spray and my all time favourite Tacky Craft Glue!

Other supplies I used included a sticker sheet, off cuts of some blue card stock, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, some old box cardboard, some brown coloured alcohol inks and blending tool.

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To start with I have used alcohol inks to colour up the frame on the top and sides giving it a marbled appearance.

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I then took it outside and gave the entire frame a good spray with the Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish. You must always use this in a well ventilated area.

When I  applied the spray it also effected the alcohol inks and added to the marbled look.     Love It!

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Next step was to add something in the aperture to raise the height ready for mounting the photo, I have used recycled box cardboard cut to size and glued together with the Tacky Craft Glue and using rubber bands to keep it in place while it drys.

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To aid the bright stickers and card stock to blend with the frame I have used Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and applied it with a stipple brush really grudging it all up.

I then layered the photo onto the frame and also the cute little dog house on the side of the frame. I also added the grunted collar across the bottom of the frame.

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And that is how it is done.

Happy Crafting everyone!

Happy Birthday Card for a Special Great Grand-Daughter

Wow! July is almost over and I am doing my second Helmar Product Blog.

I chose this project because it is my little Tesla Sue's second Birthday.

We have a tradition with the 5 great-grandkids, I make them a card and they get a dollar for their age.   They love to go spend the money on junkies, like great-Grandma spends on her craft supplies. I have to have my Helmar Glue Products to ensure it lasts a life time!

My assembly of the card...

Gather all my fun Birthday papers, and card bases, and glue, Helmer’s Premium Craft Glue.

Ready to assemble the card. First designer paper is cut an glued to the card base.

Now the first layer is ready to keep building my design.  I used the Craft Glue to attach the paper elements and some foam strips for lift.

I stamped the #2 on paper, attached with the Helmar Craft Glue.

The outside front is now completely done.

This is headed straight to the mail box to mail this to my sweet Susie Q.

Have fun with the great Helmar products!

 

Happy Craftingwithartgrandma

Fancy flower fix

It seems that this is my season of fixing things. Anyone who knows me, knows that I always wear some type of hair accessory and I love flowers. So, this project starts with some well loved, falling apart hair accessories.

You will need: felt, flowers, aligator clips, embellishments (like gems), scissors and....

You may be thinking that I should use a glue gun. Well since my really old  glue gun takes a million years to heat up; I decided to try the Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive!

The quick dry glue worked like a charm! My flowers were fixed in a matter of minutes!

I just added some more flowers to my hair accessories stash. Great!

Careful, flowers have been known to make you smile.

Happy crafting! Enjoy your day.