Saturday, May 31, 2014

Saturday Step by Step - Repurposed Packaging

Hi everyone. Jenny here with this week's edition of the Saturday step by step. On Tuesday Wendy Vecchi shared her ideas for repurposing the packaging that comes with Idea-Ology Remnant Rubs and Industrious Stickers (see her post HERE). It got me thinking, then testing a theory, messing it up a couple of times, then succeeding!! So here's my idea for using up that packaging...


It's so easy to create this seascape as long as you get one with it and don't over-think it. Here's how. Dip your packaging sheet into a mix of rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit) and Cornflower Blue Archival Reinkers. Dry quickly with your heat gun (don't take long with this) and repeat this process until there is a good amount of colour on the sheet. For me it took three goes max.


You should still be able to see the swirls from the packaging. Now to get some bubbles in this 'water'. With a small brush flick some small droplets of rubbing alcohol onto your sheet and watch it react! Too much and it will spread into huge bubbles which are not as effective. Dry quickly again and it's done. Now just cut to the size you need for your card or project.


Stamp the seahorse onto a piece of Specialty Stamping Paper with Watering Can Archival Ink.


Colour with Distress Stains using a Tim Holtz Fine Detail brush, then dry, cut out and cover in a couple of coats of clear embossing powder. I edged mine with a Pumice Stone Distress Marker to get rid of those pesky white edges.


Cut some greenery shapes using a couple of the Alterations Strip Dies and Kraft Coredinations card. Remember, you can cut with the front side facing up or down to get the reverse image. Sand back each stem whilst still attached to the card, then remove the waste and shape the leaves with an embossing tool.


To finish your card layer your leaves in a pattern to follow that on the altered packaging sheet. Then add the seahorse - I raised mine using foam pads which also have the edges coloured. Finally stamp a sentiment in Jet Black Archival Ink, and layer your finished sheet on a couple of layers of colour-coordinated card.


Here's a few close ups so you can see how that packaging colour and pattern still shows through to work with the inky bubbles.


Letting the background 'do the talking' by keeping the embellishments simple this way also has the benefit of making this a super quick card to put together.


And of course Wendy always knows what to say and I could have chosen several sentiments to fit lots of occasions.


So that's my take on Wendy's challenge. I hope it has inspired you to look at your packaging in a new light and even have a go at creating your own seascapes. Don't forget our 'Vintage Seaside' challenge runs through Tuesday June 3rd so there's still time to enter.

For now, have a great weekend and take care of yourselves,
Jenny xxx


26 comments:

  1. It always seems a shame to throw away the packaging from Tim's products and you've used this piece to great advantage - fabulous!

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  2. Fabulous technique Jenny ! Love the colours and the greenery with the sea horse is brilliant. Sue C x

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  3. A great workshop and card, thank you Jenny

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  4. A beautiful card, Jenny. I've never thought about clear embossing my stamped embellishments - it looks really effective. Thanks!

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  5. I think Wendy (and Tim) will love this Jenny, I know I do! You really rocked Wendy's challenge with this gorgeous creation.

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  6. absolut fantastic Jenny! love this!

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  7. not only is it beautiful...you took the challenge & repurposed!
    well done! I love it!

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  8. Your card turned out awesome!! I saw your comment on Wendy's blog and was anxiously awaiting your technique to be shared!!

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  9. Ohhhh I love this. I so need to get some ink on my set!

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  10. What a fantastic project and step by step, Jenny! I love Wendy's technique. A lot of the packaging is so beautiful now that it's nice to have different ways to use it!

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  11. The packaging is perfect for your watery background! Love this.

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  12. Fantastic! Great color choices. Feel like I'm at the beach. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  13. I want to order Tim's products just so I can duplicate your card (with my character adjustments). I love repurposing.

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  14. Hi Jenny, This is simply beautiful and a great tutorial.
    Julie x

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  15. Thanks for this great idea and for the tutorial!

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  16. His packaging really is too gorgeous to toss and it's a great weight too. You made a gorgeous piece out of what most people just throw away.
    Jess

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  17. Boy it sure did make a pretty background! gorgeous card! thanks for sharing your idea with us.

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  18. great - thanks for sharing and the tutorial !
    greetings
    margit

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  19. Beautiful!!! I love that you are repurposing the packaging. I have always admired and been inspired by those that use all the materials at their disposal.

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  20. Bookmarked under backgrounds - love this idea, thanks Jenny.

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  21. This is so cool, Jenny! I love the splotchy look of the alcohol inks! Your card turned out absolutely beautiful!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  22. Jenny, your creativity is such an inspiration!! I love the way you used inks and alcohol for the background for your card, and I adore that sweet little seahorse!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  23. This is totally brilliant Jenny!! It looks wonderful here, but I know that it still looks way better in real life!!! There is no way I could have guessed how you did it until I read this! The sea horse looks fantastic too!!

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  24. What a fantastic technique to create that swirling bubbly background - beautiful! Altogether a wonderful tag...
    Alison xx

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