Family is Forever, Layout - Helmar

Hi Everyone,

I wasn't really sure of how to scrap this photograph, it is a special one of my brothers and myself - one of the very few family shots that were taken of us together.  

So with my trusty Helmar adhesive, I started creating, and this is the final result.  All paper elements were adhered using Helmar's Premium Craft Glue, for those in Australia and who would love to try this adhesive, it is also available in Spotlight, along with many other Helmar products.  OR, you can purchase direct from the Helmar website in Australia, or Helmar USA if in USA/Canada.  I truly love this adhesive, and not just because I am on their Design Team, but because it is a product that has never failed me in the years I have used it.  Previous to scrapbooking, I dabbled in a variety of crafts .... and 450 Quick Dry was a favourite.  I'd have to say that the reason I really 'brag' about the Premium Craft Glue, is because I can use it on everything - there is not one item it will not adhere, and it never buckles my paper!

If I want to work really quickly, I use 450 Quick Dry, for lace, die-cut flowers, embellishments, etc. Perfect, and no waiting time.

Liquid Scrap Dots was applied to add dimension in my layout.  Liquid Scrap Dots, allows for 'me' to chose the height of the elements - once dry, elements no matter what they are will never budge.  

...and another favourite of mine, is the Gemstone Glue, I use this all the time.  Previous to discovering Gemstone Glue with my design team position, I really did not add a great deal of beads to my creations - they always tended to fall off!  NOW, I am in BEAD HEAVEN.... and can add 'any' bead shape, size, or weight knowing, they will be on that layout 'forever'.  Gemstone Glue is so easy to apply with the small nozzle, and once dry, is completely invisible.

 See you later in the month for more 'Helmar' projects....
Sandie

Materials List:

Helmar:  Premium Craft Glue, 450 Quick Dry, Gemstone Glue, Liquid Scrap Dots

Imaginarium Designs: 'Forever' [Remember, Forever, Together IDW0030]

Kaisercraft: 'The Lake House' paper collection from The Scrapbook Store

Cheery Lynn Designs Dies: Cherry Blossom, Dimensional Leaves, and Oval Stacker Series.

Other Dies/Punches: Carl Craft - Flower Punches, Martha Stewart - Leaf Punch

Distress Ink: Vintage Photo 

Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist

Crafters Workshop: Mini Bricks

Other: Silk Ribbon, Beads, Beaded Hearts, Bird Stickers, Computer Generated Sentiment, Cardstock, Pink Acrylic Paint

A New Best Friend, Besides Hot Chocolate - Decoupage with Helmar

This week for Helmar, I have been playing around with Decoupage and Craft Paste, and created a pencil/brush holder from an empty Hot Chocolate container.  I look at items around the house with a new light of re-purposing the empty containers, or packages.

Firstly, I painted my container, as I knew I was going to use tissue paper, which is quite transparent.  I applied the Decoupage and Craft Paste with a paintbrush to the actual container, having previously cut the tissue paper to size.  The process of adding the paper was simple, and a wipe with a damp cloth afterwards, eliminated any wrinkles or creases... you cannot even tell where the join is!

The printed image, I sprayed with Crystal Kote Fixative, just to seal the image - especially as I had printed it myself, and was not sure of the inks stability.  Spraying with the fixative, seals the paper and is a fast process with quick drying time.  I applied the Decoupage and Craft Paste to the area where I wanted the image and added the image, wiping any excess adhesive away with a damp cloth.  No wrinkles, no creases, and no lengthy time to dry.  I did have the help with a heat gun though!

The embellishing of my container was completed using the 450 Quick Dry adhesive.  I also added lace to the inside of the container, so the items sitting inside would not be damaged by the metal rim. 

Also, his month you have a chance to win a great prize with the Helmar Challenge, just upload your challenge entry into the Helmar Flickr Group before the end of the month.  So get creative and come and join in with the fun!

Happy Creating!

Products List:
Helmar: Decoupage and Craft Paste, Crystal Kote Fixative, and 450 Quick Dry
Hot Chocolate Tin
Hand-Made Hat Pins
Tim Holtz Tissue Paper
Braid, Hand-Dyed Laces, Flowers, Ribbon
Computer Generated Image

Love, Cherish Adore Layout and Card - Meg's Garden

Gosh, I was such a little cutie as a baby, especially with that ultra trendy mohawk!  LOL

My layout this month for Meg's Garden was created using various papers from the first edition of 'The Forget Me Not Collection', the background paper being 'Delicate Blue' with a cardstock background.  A variety of flowers were coloured using a Glimmer Mist, and at times Distress Inks to create depth and warmth.  Burgundy and Antique Blue Forget Me Not flowers, and tiny punched flowers were used as fillers.  Meg's Garden has a beautiful array of guipure laces, and these were added into the layout to create a frame of sorts.

I adore lace, and of course Meg's Garden stocks a wonderful assortment of various laces, and some stunning guipure laces - which I have used in this layout.  This particular lace is wonderful to use distress inks or glimmer mist on - the guipure lace absorbs the colour to perfection, so you're able to come up with colours to suit your creative ventures...

 The rest of the Design Team have been totally busy this last month and their creative projects are not only inspirational, but amazing pieces of art... well worth investigating and can be found upon the Meg's Garden Blog.

Meg's Garden Products:

The Forget Me Not Collection 'Delicate Blue' and 'Birds In Forget Me Nots'

Forget Me Not Flowers - 'Burgundy and Antique Blue

Laces: Wide and Medium Width Cream Laces

Paper Flowers: Medium and Small Cream Roses

Fabric Flower

Other: Kaisercraft Roses, Martha Stewart Punches, Imaginarium Designs - 'Love, Cherish, Adore' (IDW0026), and Embellishment 4 Chipboard Elements (IDS0013), Glimmer Mist, Distress Inks, Pearl Beads, Helmar Adhesives.

My card was created using some of the left-overs from my layout - wonderful way to use up 'bits and pieces'.  The roses from Meg's Garden are a delight to colour, but are also wonderful left plain too.

Meg's Garden Products:

Forget Me Not Collection 'Blue Forget Me Nots' Paper

Elements 2 from Forget Me Not Collection

Flowers: Large and Medium Cream Roses with Rose Buds

Cream Lace and Ribbon

Other: Cardstock, Helmar Adhesives

At The Sea - With Helmar and The Robin's Nest

This week, Helmar have cross promoted with The Robin's Nest. The design team were given some fantastic products to play with, very spoilt! I created a 'Treasured Memories' Mini Album to store all the memories of my son's adventure to the beach, earlier this year. Only thing left to do, is place the journaling within.

and...
This month Inkido have a challenge, the theme being 'an element of turquoise'.  I have watched this gorgeous blog for some time now, so thought I would enter this challenge.  Sadly, I missed their first challenge, must have been while we were moving!  Also, please do call over and see what the Inkido Design Team have created - some utterly amazing, and beautiful projects to be found. 

 

 The Robin's Nest have a beautiful variety of embellishments, fibres, ribbons, trinkets and papers.  Not to forget their amazing Dew Drops and Tear Drops, that I have used in this project.

 The Star Fish are also available from The Robin's Nest and really make the beach scene come alive. All embellishments such as shells, starfish, fish, paper, cardstock, and seaweed were adhered using 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.  All jewelled items, such as the dew drops, were adhered using Gemstone Glue - Gemstone Glue is perfect medium for applying dew drops, and other trinkets to projects. Once the adhesive is dry (does not take that long at all) not only will the objects not budge, but the glue is transparent and not seen on a project.

Water-Logged Rub-On's were applied throughout the album - at times cutting in half to add a little character to the page.  Below are pages throughout the book, some have hidden journal areas, and even little pockets.

The background paper is called 'Aquamarine Glitter', and is seriously so beautiful.  Most of the album contains this paper, and cardstock to match.  All paper elements were affixed using Premium Craft Glue.

Hope my project has been inspiring...

Sandie

Materials List:

Helmar: Gemstone Glue, 450 Quick Dry, Premium Craft Glue and Fray Stoppa

The Robin's Nest: Green/Pink Striped Ribbon, Tear Drops 'Sea Glass', Dew Drops 'Pansies', Dew Drops 'Mocha Trall', Ocean Star Fish, Glitter Braid Fibre 'Green, Blue and Gold', Paper: 'Aquamarine Glitter', and Rub-Ons 'Water-Logged'

Imaginarium Designs: Chipboad 'Small Letters, 'Treasured Memories', and 'Compass'
Creative Inspirations Paint: 'Sea Foam'

Zutter Distress It All

Ranger Distress Ink 'Black Soot'

Album: By Vivienne

Scrap Matrix: 'Seagull Charm'

Other: Various Fibres, AC Cardstock, Beach Shells, Plastic Fish, and Brads

The New Venture with Helmar and Faber Castell - Canvas

This week Helmar is partnering with Faber-Castell and what a fantastic journey it has been playing with both products! I was not sure where I was going with this canvas, but I certainly enjoyed the journey of 'exploration' of Faber-Castell - the beautiful product ranges and the glorious colour ranges.

My background was created using Texture Paste, Gesso and The Crafters Workshop template called 'Mini Halequin'.  Each diamond was coloured using a variety of products from Faber-Castell, including the Mixed Media Sets in Blue, Green and Red. A time consuming process, but one well worth the effort!  A light brush with a wet paintbrush brings the product to 'water colour' consistency, and highlights the colours perfectly.  To set the background, a light spray with Helmar's Crystal Kote 'Fixative'. I am not a bright person, so I toned the colours down by spraying lightly with Taupe Glimmer Mist.

The boxboard frame was coloured using the Aquarelle Water Colour Pencils from the 'Blue' Mixed Media Set.  I applied a light wash of water from the brush that came in the set, gently giving the colour a variegated appearance - then a light spray of  Helmar's Crystal Kote 'Fixative to set the colour.  This particular set also comes with a Stamper's Big Brush Pen and a decorative stamp, which I applied to the frame in a haphazard manner. A little 'Walnut' Distress Ink was applied to the frame, particularly around the edges to mute the colours somewhat. When fully dry, another light coat of Helmar's Crystal Kote Fixative was applied to seal with colours.

The frame was adhered to the canvas using Liquid Scrap Dots and left to dry fully.

The flowers are from Prima, and each was coloured with Gesso previous to adding any colour - this was a feat on its own, as the main larger flower was pink!  I left these dry completely overnight, and coloured using the PITT Pastel Pencils and various pencils from the Mixed Media Sets, using water as a medium to 'paint'.  To do this, I actually used the shiny side of the packaging and scribbled heavily, applied the water from the brush to create my own paint.

Each of the die-cuts was coloured lightly using the water colour pencils from the Green Mixed Media Set, and the butterflies from the Blue.  The vintage image was coloured using the PITT Pastel Pencils from the Red/Yellow Set.

The fabric beneath the flowers was adhered using the Decoupage and Craft Paste.  Flowers and butterflies were applied for a 3D affect using Liquid Scrap Dots, and all foliage was affixed using either 450 Quick Dry or Premium Craft Glue.

The whole project was sprayed with Helmar's Crystal Kote Fixative to complete.

.....AND, don't forget the Helmar Challenge for July, to be in the running for a great prize pack!

 This one will be a fun one....Open to interpretation- all you have to do is find something within the image which inspires you with your choice of project.....maybe its the fonts used, or the colours, maybe its the title or the topic, maybe its the design which gets you thinking about something creative.....just let the image speak to you and see what happens!

Just load your completed project to the Helmar Facebook page and tag it with your details before the end of the month, (Be sure to tell us what Helmar glue featured predominately in your creation) for your chance to win a fabulous Helmar goodie pack! "You gotta be in it to win it".....so get creating!!!!

Till next time...
Sandie

Supplies:
Helmar: Liquid Scrap Dots, 450 Quick Dry, Premium Craft Glu , Decoupage and Craft Paste, Crystal Kote Fixative.
Faber-Castell: Mixed Media Sets in Blue, Green and Red, PITT Pastel Pencils Red/Yellow.
The Crafters Workshop 'Mini Harlequin'
Martha Stewart Leaf Punch
Prima Marketing Flowers: Laraine 'Pearl White' and Love Letter Rose Quartz
Meg's Garden Boxboard Frame
Glimmer Mist 'Taupe'
Distress Ink 'Walnut'
Dies: Die-Namics 'Vintage Flourish' and 'Leafy Flourish'.  Spellbinders 'Foliage'.
Gesso and Texture Paste
Vintage Image

Helmar - Red, White and Blue Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the Helmar Red White and Blue Hop. We have a bunch of wonderful projects to share with all of you and wanted to celebrate the colors of our design team with you. Australia, Canada and America are shining brightly, so grab a glass of your favorite beverage and lets get hopping.

If you get lost along the way, you will find the order below. Make sure you leave your comments on every stop for your chance to win. We will select 1 Canadian, 1 American, and 1 Australian individual. So that is 3 prizes total. Now lets get hopping.

 Helmar Blog

 Grace Lauer

Michelle Wallace

Lisa Wilkinson

Sandie Edwards (you are here)

Kate Vickers

Susan Weckesser

Rae Cooper

JJ Sobey

Amy Lynne Lassiter

Cindy Royal

Jessica Morales

Erin Morehouse

12" X 12"
Photograph of John and Sandie - Weeroona Island  - "Australia Day", 2009 

And before I sign off, Helmar have launched a USA based website where Helmar products can be purchased - site can be found 'HERE'.

And, in Australia, the site can be found 'HERE'.

Supplies:

Helmar 450 Quick Dry

Helmar Premium Craft Glue

Helmar Scrap Dots

Imaginarium Designs Chipboard 'Letters' and 'Words'

American Crafts Cardstock

White Gel Pen

Liquid Pearls

Cheery Lynn Designs 'Banner' Die

Sizzix 'Love Letters' Die

BigShot

Pleated Flowers are a Dream with Helmar!

Hi Everyone,

I have a quick project for you this week for the Helmar 'Cards, Layout and Tags' week, using the Helmar Colour Challenge theme, for this month! For all the details of this months challenge, they can be found 'HERE'.  Projects can be uploaded to the Helmar Live Flickr Page, for a chance to win some fabulous Helmar products!

Creating pleated flowers is very simple and is made even easier with the use of Helmar Adhesives.

Firstly, for the pleated rosettes you need to cut your cardstock 5 1/2" X 3/4", and have 4 of this size to complete 2 larger flowers. Score the length of the long side of your cardstock every 1/4", and fold concertina style (like a fan). *See above and below photograph.

Once you have pleated your cardstock and it resembles the top photograph (on the left), adhere both pieces of cardstock together using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive - so your pleated cardstock now resembles the right hand side of the above photograph.  You only need a small amount of the 450 Quick Dry Adhesive - it works a treat and dries in no time.

Next, die cut a 1" circle, and apply a good dollop of 450 Quick Dry to one side and lay flat on your work area.  Working quickly, fold your concertina flower up using fingers to hold in place, and adhere to the area of glue on your punched circle.  Hold firmly in your fingers and push into place.  I used pegs to hold, while I went onto create the next flower.

Turn over your flower and apply a light application of Premium Craft Glue to base of Sparklet, and adhere to top of flower to cover centre.  Allow to dry fully, before running a small beading of Gemstone Glue around perimeter of Sparklet.  Affix small pearl beads with tweezers into the Gemstone Glue.  Once the Gemstone Glue has dried fully, you will see no evidence of adhesive, this is a fantastic product and one I have come to 'love' immensely.

I created an Easel card, decorating in using layers which were completed by using Liquid Scrap Dots.  The die-cuts were also lifted by using Scrap Dots, to give dimension.

Pearls were added as fillers using Gemstone Glue.  Little dollops of Gemstone Glue placed randomly over the card base and top, and 3 small pearls pushed into the adhesive. *See above and below photographs.

Lots of dimension in this card, simply created, and was sooooooo very easy using Helmar Adhesives!

Have a Great Week...
Sandie

Supplies:
Helmar: Premium Craft Glue, Liquid Scrap Dots, 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, Gemstone Glue,
Kaisercraft: 'Clear Sparklets'
Sentiment:  Hero Arts 'Good Friends' Stamp
AC Cardstock
Martha Stewart Punch
Spellbinders: 'Foliage'

June Challenge with Helmar and Ustream Classes

Hi Everyone!  

Helmar have a fantastic 'product prize' up for grabs this month when entering their June challenge. All you have to do is create 'something' (card, layout, off the page, altered, etc.) using the below palette colours, along with your favourite Helmar products, and load onto the Helmar Flickr Page.  Be sure to mention in your post which product/s you used and you have till the end of the month to get your entry in.

My 'take' on the challenge this month, is a layout with a recent photograph of my two beautiful daughters - Amanda and Tayla.  The gorgeous colour palette was so easy to work with, and of course using Helmar adhesives made the task so much more pleasurable. 

I am sure those that have used Helmar products already know why I 'crow' over them and those that have not had the chance to use Helmar adhesives in their creating, then you are seriously missing out on something fantastic!  My creative time is so much easier when using the Helmar 450 Quick Dry, within minutes I can move onto the next phase of my creating without a huge delay.  I truly love that aspect just on its own!!!  

Creating layers is so easy when using the Liquid Scrap Dots - simply apply to one side of the item you wish to add height too, and place on your layout/card.  For the best results with Liquid Scrap Dots, allow for a little drying time - 10 minutes before continuing.  I also apply Liquid Scrap Dots to my flowers, and using this wonderful product allows me to have 'even' flowers that will not drop off my layout or creation ever. Also, it is wonderful to use on chipboard pieces, not only giving dimension, but has the added advantage of being 'clear' in colour - you do not see the Liquid Scrap Dots underneath the chipboard elements. 

Between Layers, I applied Helmar Quickfix Adhesive Runner.

The Premium Craft Glue is absolutely fantastic for quickly applying die-cuts, and for added depth on some of the leaves I also applied Liquid Scrap Dots to add height.

As I added sewing to my layout, on the back of the layout where my finished threads were, I applied Fray Stoppa - only a small amount is needed, and this ensures that my threads will not come lose over time.

The smallish roses, I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry, and was able to continue without any delay working on my layout. Beads were adhered using Gemstone Glue, even though they already have adhesive, using the Gemstone Glue I know they will never come loose. Using the Gemstone Glue is so simple, just apply a small amount to the area you wish to 'bead' and simply apply the beads.  The adhesive dries clear, and the bond is ever so strong!

 Helmar also has a new Ustream classes, with some of the Design Team members showing various products and how to use/apply them, as well as creating a wonderful lot of inspiration.  You can find the link 'HERE'...just register and take a class or two - and of course for free....

Till next time,

Sandie

Product Supplies:

Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Helmar Premium Craft Glue

Helmar Gemstone Glue

Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots

Helmar Quickfix Adhesive Runner

Helmar Fray Stoppa

American Craft Cardstock

Pink Paislee London Market - 'Royal Charm', 'Curiosities' and 'Mayfair' 12 X 12 Paper

Imaginarium Designs 'Special Memories' (IDP0013) and Embellishment 8 (IDS0014)

Prima Marketing Flowers: The Roosevelt Col Carow, Prima Dandles 2, Candy Gems Bubble Gum, and Swallowtail Butterflies Azure.

Cheery Lynn Designs: Olive Branches

Spellbinders: Foilage

Zutter Distress It All
Kaisercraft: Pearls

Craft Supply: Thread, Sewing Machine, Glitter, Paint, and Gesso.