August Projects: Erin Blegen

Good morning everyone :) Erin Blegen here to share with you my projects for August. I've got a bit of variety today, so I hope there's a little bit of something to suit the different tastes out there!

Let's start with my art journal page:

"Live"

I'm new to art journaling, and am really loving the process- even if "flat" layouts/projects aren't my usual style. But I like that it forces me to try new techniques and work with different mediums to replace my usual flowers and frill ;)

These Manor Hinges were just what I needed to accent this page. After starting out with gesso, I used a script stamp and applied randomly over the surface. I then added a touch of watercolors and some gold embossing enamel.

Products Used:

Manor Hinges

Next up, I have a layout to share:

"Natural Beauty"

I couldn't wait to use this title for my beautiful niece Lilah. It was a perfect fit ;)

Just a little bit of gesso and that was all it needed!

These new Graduated Circles are just awesome :). So many things you can do with them- I used this one as a frame. After applying a random bit of gesso, I added a bit of embossing enamel and zapped it with a heat gun.

Finally, these Berry Stems were the perfect touch for this layout.

Products Used:

Berry Stems

Graduated Circles

All Natural Set

Last, I have a tag to share:

"Friends" Tag

A good tag needs a great accent piece. And that is what I found in this Ironwork Accents piece.

I've used a transparency in the past to back my chipboard, and I really liked that- so I did it again here. It made it easy to apply my title. I've again done some stamping and used some embossing enamel to decorate this piece, before adding a few beads as a final touch.

Products Used:

Ironwork Accents

I hope you enjoyed my post today :) Thanks so much for coming by...

and don't forget about the August Sketch Challenge! There are just a few days left- so don't miss out, okay?

Take care :)

Inspirations with Encza

Hello everyone! My name is Ania but on the Web you can find me as Encza from Poland.

I’m very excited that I will have the chance to present my inspirations 

in such an amazing Design Team.

I had the opportunity to meet with you over the next few months 

and I hope that my work provides You interesting inspirations.

Working with these beautiful chipboards from Blue Fern Studios is an amazing adventure for me.

What I prepared for you today?

Let's see :)

Mini  photo album

It’s a small photo album with pictures of my children. I’ve made it for my daughter.  Look at closing of album which I’ve used decorative tags and chipboards from Blue Fern Studios.

I used:

Leafy Page Accents and Ironwork Accents

Romantic card

Next of my work today  is a romantic wedding card. I’ve used two chipboards which I painted a silver pearls and glitter.

I used:

Leafy Page Accents and Ironwork Accents

Frame with my children

It’s a crazy frame with my children. I’ve used chipboards from Blue Fern Studios, tags, flowers and glitter.

I used:

Wedding Words

Thank you for your time spent with me and my inspirations. I hope that you enjoyed yourselves.

Ania_Encza :)

Keep it Whole or Take it Apart w/Erin Blegen

Hi everyone! Erin Blegen here with you today with some projects showing how you can keep your chipboards "as is" or piece them apart in order to best compliment your work. We all like to make the most of our products and it can sure be fun to see how far you can stretch something. While at other times, we want to use something in its entirety to really make a statement!

Let's see how I did both :)

"Pause to Live"

 This piece is an 8"x10" canvas. Normally, when I create something, I don't necessarily start with the chipboard. But that wasn't the case here. I knew I wanted to use the gorgeous Ornate Heart piece- and I definitely knew I didn't want to take this one apart. It's such a gorgeous design and I really wanted to make something special with it.

Here are the steps I took in coloring this piece:

1. Prime chipboard with gesso; dry.

2. Stamp chipboard with a favorite stamp and clear embossing ink.

3. Sprinkle on some white embossing powder and set with heat gun.

4. Randomly apply some watercolors. The embossed stamping will resist.

5. Apply clear embossing powder to some areas of the wet watercolors. Set with heat gun.

Products Used:

Ornate Heart

"Pretty Creative Girl This Afternoon"

This project is a bit of an interesting one as my background is made of sandpaper. I actually have a full step-by-step tutorial on how I went about creating this HERE on my blog if interested.

For this project, I chose to piece apart my chipboard. I've done so with two different pieces, the Quatrefoil Garden Panel and one of the Ironwork Accents. I've kept them raw for the most part, save for a few beads on the panel bits.

I've added a couple of the punched out bits that come with these panels.

Products Used:

Quatrefoil Garden Panel

Ironwork Accents

"Key to My Heart" Tag

My final project today is a tag. I've created a collage-style piece using the bird/flourish cut from the Village Sign Post, and a heart from the Heart Set pack.

I actually ended up using the backside of the heart piece. I'd done some stamping and coloring and just didn't like it- but when I turned it over and discovered the random gesso look that it had, I decided I wanted to keep it that way :). I backed it with a transparency before cutting off a piece from the Village Sign Post, applying some sandy colored chalk ink, and then topping off the heart with it.

Products Used:

Heart Set

Village Sign Post

Thank-you for hanging in there with me today! I hope you enjoyed my projects :)

See you soon- and don't forget about the July Sketch Challenge!