Helmar Creative Team

Flower basket Overhaul

Hi Everyone Sue here with my first blog post

I’ve turned a purple flower basket into a sunflower dream lol

 

 

 

My grandson is obsessed with farm animals that’s why my Mother’s Day card is a cow hahaha 

He also picked the flowers for me

 

I created this for Helmar using their fabulous glues

You can see all the design teams work on the Blog and see handy tips on ways to use the different adhesives they have on the website

I’ve used the 450 Quick Dry Adhesive (one of my favourite glues Helmar sells) also the Fabric glue and the Tiger Grip glue on this project

I started by painting the basket with black gesso

Once it was dry I rubbed over it with some old gold wax

Then around the top and bottom I added some paper clay borders

 

 

 

I then used my sunflower mould with some more paper clay - its so good as it’s so light and can be glued using a good glue like Helmar - any in their range would work I chose to use the Tiger Grip cause I know this will adhere just about anything together 

 

 

 

Once all the flowers were in place I wanted to fill in some of the gaps so I used a mix of small and medium art stones added with some Super TAC Glue 

I make a mix in these little cups I have its a consistency of wet sad so I can make it move to where I want it to go -as in all the gaps as empty spaces that need filling

 

 

Then I added some Colour Cuts by Scrapbook Fantasies - so perfect with the sunflowers 

I love the rustic looking tub they are in

I needed them to stick fast so I used the 450 Quick Dry Adhesive I was worried about them slipping off because its a round container its hard to lay on its side and keep it still long enough and the 450 is awesome for this purpose

 

I then used the Tiger Grip for the metal brooch embellishment I put in the middle of the large sunflower 

 

 

The middle of the basket was still purple so I found some fabric that went well with the colours and cut it to fit

I then used the Fabric Glue to make a “hem” - I wasn’t getting a needle and cotton out when I know it wouldn’t be seen and the glue would make a crisper edge anyway lol

 

 

I then cut pieces of ribbon and attached it to the handle for some extra colour and added a dab of Fabric Glue to each knot to make sure they stayed in place 

Added a couple of little embellishments randomly and that’s it

One plain purple basket into a Sunflower Dream lol

 

 

 

 

Thank you for visiting I hope you’ll come back soon xxx

 

 

 

 

Lamp Revived

This project has been waiting a long time to get completed and I have finally done it!

I’ve used an old wicker lamp with a very battered shade to create this project. 

I'm very happy with how it turned out!


So, for this project I have used a huge selection of laces and trims all attached to the lamp shade with Helmar Fabric Glue!

I have also painted the wicker base with white gesso very randomly.

and then painted the solid base with black gesso. 


I also painted the old shade with black gesso. 

Once dry I have gone in and started to glue my laces onto the lamp shade starting from the bottom working my way up to the top 

While the glued laces were drying I went and dry brushed some black gesso over the wicker base
I have finished this lamp off with some matching flowers added some extra lace trims around the base and the top of the lamp stand  and that’s about it 

I just love reinventing old finds from an Op Shop bringing them back in a new way 

Masterboard Tags & Journal Cards

Hi everyone, Nat here with an easy recycling project to make some pretty tags that I will use in future journals as writing spots.

I begin my project by making a masterboard using craft card from a book I deconstructed (packaging card or cardstock would be appropriate too).  I also grab my tub of book text scraps.  You can use any book pages for this, though a variety of text size, types and page discolouration adds to the interest of the finished collage.

First I sqeeze a good whack of the PVA glue into my pallet (I am working on a silicone mat with pallets included).

I add water to this until I have about a one third mix of water, and give it a stir to combine.  This makes the PVA easier to brush on.  You can always add more water or glue to get the consistency you require.

Next I use a large paintbrush to spread some glue on my base card and begin sticking down my text pieces.

Glue is also applied over the top of the book page pieces to seal them nicely.

Once my base piece is covered I leave it to dry.  My next task is to stencil some random patterns on my base using distress ink and a stencil brush.  I do one of my pages with purple and brown stencilling and the other with green and brown.

I grab my Archival Inks and Whichcraft Do You Do 'Documented' stamp set next and stamp these using black and brown inks on one page and green and brown on the other.

This is one of my two collaged masterboards complete and ready to make into ephemera.  I just need to trim the overhanging text page edges.

The Masterboards are cut into good sizes for journal cards and long tags.  I didn't do specific measurements for this as I don't mind them being different sizes.  I managed to get four tags and six journal cards from each base piece.

Now the fun begins - the embellishing!  I used Helmar's Tacky glue in a fine-tip applicator bottle to stick down book pictures, postage stamps, coloured book paper and other small pieces.

The tags had the top corners cut on an angle and the corners rounded for the journal cards.  I inked around the edges of all pieces and added paper for writing on the back.

I found fabric scraps to make tabs for my tags and used the Tacky Glue to stick these on.  Sewing around the edges of my pieces hold these tabs on firmly and finished my creations off nicely.

Here is a process video of this project:

This was such a fun project and the PVA glue worked so well to adhere my papers and seal them ready for my stencilling and stamping.  This is such an easy and fun way to make pretty tags and journal cards while recycling a pile of scraps too.

Hope you will give this project a go and have fun crafting!
xx Nat

PRODUCTS USED:

Helmar

Craft and Hobby PVA Glue

Tacky Craft Glue

Other

Book Page Scraps and Pictures

'Documented' Acrylic Stamps - from Whichcraft Do You Do

Packaging for the Masterboard Base

Distress Ink - Brown, Purple & Green

Archival Inks - Black, Brown & Green

Scrap Fabric for Tabs

Stencil Brush

Paint Brush

Water

 

January Beach Layout- Helmar

Hello everyone,

Welcome to 2024.

Today I am sharing my inspiration layout for 2024 using Helmar Glues

Keeping with the Summer heat, I have created a summery beach layout, using a photo from our recent

summer beach holiday with the family.

I used a piece of corrugated cardboard tucked under my paper to introduced some texture, 

adding a light smearing of Gesso to the corrugated cardboard.

I used Helmar's Crafter's Choice Premium Craft Glue to adhere everything on my layout. 

I adhered thin cardboard on the back of all my embellishments and photo mat to add dimension,

giving a 3D effect to the completed layout.

I created lots of layouts, using louts of fussy cut pieces.

Once happy with the placement of every thing, I glued clusters of Art Stones, randomly

on my layout to give an added feeling of the beach.

Close Up 1

Close up 2

Close Up 3

My completed layout

I hope that you like what I have created .

I will be back again soon

Debra.

Vintage-Style Wall Hanging

Hi all, Nat here with my second project for Helmar.
I am making a vintage-style wall hanging that uses mostly recycled pieces, including old CDs, book pages and laces.  Even the glossy photo paper used was sourced from the local secondhand shop.

My first task was to use my circle punch to create some vellum shapes to cover the hole in the middle of the three CDs I am using.  This will reinforce the area so I don't put a hole in the paper when I cover them.

Next I use the 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to adhere tea-dyed copy paper to what will be the rear of the CDs.  I then cover the front of the CDs - one with tea-dyed paper that has a lovely pattern from a plastic tablecloth on it, one with antique German text and the last with vintage music paper.

I used my leather hole punch to create two holes at the top of one of my CDs to enable me to add some material to hang my creation with, then I punched one hole at the base of what will be the bottom CD of my wall hanging for a dangle to be added later.  I then used my distress ink to ink the edges of my disks.

Texture paste is applied next using a pallet knife and spreading it out over a rose-patterned stencil.  I left this to dry overnight before moving on.

I then placed the stencil back over the pattern to apply distress ink on the texture paste to colour it.  I love the pretty effect that this has.

At this point, the spray application of the Crystal Kote Fixative on the front and back of my CDs  helps protect and seal my papers while enabling me to still continue adding more mediums (paints, inks etc) if I so desire.

Pieces were cut from a lace tablecloth and some tea-dyed broderie anglaise to create pockets on two of my CDs.  I use the Tacky Craft Glue to lightly hold the bottoms of my pockets to the fronts of the CDs while I turn them over and affix the backs.

Next I snip slits into the overhanging fabrics to make it easy to fold over in increments and stick down with the Fabric Glue.

Now we are up to the fun part - which is embellishing.  I use the Fabric Glue again to add some lace pieces to my pocket and the other CDs.  I put some grease-proof paper into the pocket first so that I did not stick it shut!

I have some letters that I have undercoated with a light cover of white gesso, then painted with distress ink.  I am adhering these to my top CD with the 450 glue.

Once I have finished embellishing my CDs I glue them to a strip of tea-dyed fabric to create my wall hanging.

The next task is to thread some seam binding through the holes in the top CD to be able to hang my creation.  I then add a cute, little butterfly dangle made with broken jewellery from the bottom CD hole.

With the addition of a few sentimental family photos in the pockets, I now have a beautiful piece to hang on my wall.

You can check out my full process video here:

https://youtu.be/s4j6dywt4d0

I really enjoyed making this project, being able to re-use these CDs and to create something beautiful to display in my home.  The photos included are of my gorgeous Grandmothers, and it is such a nice way to remember them.

Thanks for joining me today.  I hope you will try this project sometime and enjoy creating a CD wall hanging.
Take care - Nat xx

PRODUCTS USED:

Helmar

Tacky Craft Glue

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Crystal Kote Fixative - Workable Matte

Fabric Glue

Other

Cds

Laces

Book Pages

Tea-dyed Paper

Distress Ink - 'Ground Expresso'

Gesso

Texture Paste

Photos

My 2024 Diary

Wraparound Diary Cover

by Nicole Elmes 

Well jeepers creepers, how fast did last month come and go!! Anyway, here I am with another project to share with you all 🤗 I decided on making myself this cute cover for my 2024 diary, and honestly, I love the finished product 👏👏👏 This is definitely a project that anyone can do, you just need a little patience to do the hand stitching, apart from that it is pretty straight forward.

To get started you will need some wonderful Fabric Glue, from the wonderful Helmar range, of course. The other supplies I used are Kraft Tex, lightly waxed linen thread, fabric for the cover and inside pockets, an eyelet, and some elastic cord for the closure.

‘Firstly I started by cutting 2 pieces of Kraft Tex to make the cover, I covered one piece with the design I printed, I then attached it using heat ‘n’ bond (as the Kraft Tex is pre-washed it is quite textured and I personally have found using glue a little tricky), once attached and wrapped over the edges, you will see that I have stitched (hand stitched) across the top of the fabric before I started gluing the second piece to the back. It is very important when gluing Kraft Tex to use a high quality fabric glue as it is quite fibrous and to get an even and strong adhesion Helmar Fabric Glue is perfect 🤩 Make sure you glue the covers together in sections as it is quite a big piece and it will most likely start drying out on the end you started gluing by the time you work your way across.

Next was to cover and stitch along to top of the design on the inside slip pockets and glue them into place. I then left it overnight in my book press (you can use any weighted item to do this) to ensure all pieces are nicely bonded and ready for the stitching holes to be punched.

So now it’s just a matter of punching the stitching holes, so many holes 😂, and getting this baby stitched up! I do make a paper template just to ensure my stitches are nicely aligned and evenly spaced, see below pic👇, I did also add a pen loop!  

So there you have it my crafty friends, my 2024 diary 📔 Now I’m off to whip up another 4 that I am gifting this Christmas to some family members and friends. I hope that I have inspired you to get out all of your wonderful adhesives from Helmar and get your craft on XX

Project Gallery

 

Beautiful Scrapbooking Layout by Debra

Hello Everyone,

Debra From the Design Team, here to share with you my latest layout using Helmar Glues

I chose beautiful papers from Stamperia, with lots of images that I could fussy cut.

I used the Helmar glues pictured to attach various bits and pieces to my layout.

Using 2 layers of thin cardboard glued together, I adhered these to the back of by photo.

  Creating my layers with my fussy cut pieces.

Using the thin cardboard glued to the back of the fussy cut pieces

More layering

Close up, showing a layer of gauze added between layers

I added stencilled texture paste near my photo.

Lastly I added some Art Stones to Complete my layout.

 

My completed layout.

Hope you like what I have created, 

Debra

Happy Halloween!

Hello everyone,

It's Nat here, I am so excited to share my first project as part of the Helmar Creative Team. 

It is a little nerve-wracking to do my first post, therefore I decided to just have some fun with it.  As it is that time of the year, I thought that something a little spooky would be appropriate, so I hit the shops and grabbed a pile of Halloween goodies to play with.

To begin this project, I covered the chalkboard centre of my frame with paper and masking tape to protect it while I prepared my wooden pieces with a coat of gesso and painted them with acrylic paints.  I did try some crackle medium but unfortunately it did not work as I had hoped (back to the drawing board with that!), however it did add to the nice glossy finish which I liked.

I chose the Professional Acid Free Glue to adhere my photo and paper to my frame, so I removed the paper and tape protecting the chalkboard and then set about this task.  I utilised a glue scraper sent to me by Helmar to spread the glue to the edges of the paper and to help me rub the paper down into the edges of my frame.

I wanted to seal my paper and wood pieces to protect them from dust and wear before I went further so I made sure the area was well ventilated, set up a cardboard box to spray my pieces in then applied the spray back and forth to coat..............

.............then turned the pieces ninety degrees and gave them a second spray.

Now the real fun begins!  Time to stick all of my spooky goodies onto my frame!  For this job I chose to use the 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

I have been using this glue for a good few years now and trust it to hold down the different materials I want to stick to my frame.  I have a rubber bat, snake and spider, a black fabric flower, lace, netting from packaging, wood pieces, paper cauldron, cotton wool and a plastic skeleton piece to adhere. 

The cauldron required a slit to be cut in it so that I could slip the cotton wool in to make it appear to be coming from inside the vessel. Folded cardstock was used to raise the cauldron and tombstone a little to add some dimension and enable me to put more cotton wool and the skeleton arm underneath them.

Initially there was a piece of rope stapled to the frame and middle leg to steady it when standing, which I had removed prior to painting.  To finish my project I found this piece of chunky, black chain in my stash, and used some cup hooks to secure it.

Well that is my first project for the Creative Team finished, I am looking forward to seeing what everyone creates in future!

Have a Spooktacular Halloween!
Nat xx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj8sjiQD9n8&t=14s

Halloween-themed Altered Frame - Helmar Creative Team Project Hi all, I am excited to share with you my first project as a Creative Team Member for @helmarworldwide. I have decided to have a bit of fun and make a proj... www.youtube.com

 

PRODUCTS USED:

Helmar

Tacky Craft Glue

450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish

Professional Acid Free Glue

Other

Paper used: 'Creep On Playing Cards' Digital - Tracie Fox Creative

Acrylic Paint

Gesso

Crackle Medium

Lace

Halloween Decorations

Fabric Flower

Standing Frame with Chalkboard

Boho Fridge Magnets

Helllooooooo Everyone.....

Today I have a set of cute Boho Fridge Magnets that would be great for gifts.

Products Used

Step 1

First off I have painted front and back of the resin pieces with black gesso,

then I have coloured them with wax.

Step 2

I have arranged them on some paper towel and then sprayed with the

Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish, front and back

It seals them and gives a lovely shine.

Step 3

I have cut out some oblong shapes from a magnetic sheet that came

with some cutting dies, I love to upcycle.

Then use some Tiger Grip  to adhere the magnet to the back each piece.

and there you have it...3 lovely Boho fridge magnets.

I hope you have enjoyed my post

Happy Creating

Hugz

Amanda

Halloween Scrapbook Layout

Hello Everyone

Debra here from the Helmar Design Team,

here to share with you my latest inspiration layout, using a Halloween theme.

 

I fussy cut the wreath from a piece of paper with a Halloween theme.

 

 

Using the Helmar Spray adhesive, I attached a piece of cardboard to the back of the wreath piece

 

 

and attached to my background using the spray adhesive.

 

 

Using the above technique, attach apiece of cardboard to the back of the photo and position on the layout.

 Attach to layout using Helmar Crafter's Corner Premium Craft Glue.

 

 

Using the craft glue adhere cardboard pieces to the back of the black bat .

 

 

Using the craft glue adhere foam tape to the back of the fussy cut elements.

Position all the fussy cut elements and the black bat. when happy with the placement, use the craft glue to hold in place.

 

 

 To Complete my layout, I used  some silver glitter glue to highlight some areas of my fussy cut pieces.

 

 

Close Up 2

 

 

 Hope You Like What I created

Debra