Snow Loved! REVERSE Canvas project

Hello Everyone!  Below is my second post on Helmar's Design Team Blog, as their January Guest Designer.
I hope you like this project.  If you are in the Northern NJ area - I am offering this REVERSE CANVAS Class on Feb 4th at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo in Ramsey, NJ - contact info is below. There are only 4 seats left - so please contact them ASAP to reserve a seat!  Thanks for looking!

This is Sherri Caramico, back again with my second post as January's Guest Designer for Helmar and I want to share a very special project with you. 

I decided to create another reverse canvas project - believe me, once you try one - you will get hooked on this fun, dimensional decorative piece of art!

First, please allow me to give you a little background on the photo that I used in this project.

We were blessed to have an AMAZING and LOVING Portuguese Water Dog, named Lily
( aka Turnabout's Princess Water Lily) share our lives for the last 11 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed with TCC / Bladder Cancer in July 2011, and spent the last 4 months of her life putting up a tough battle, endured chemo, and was spoiled as much as she could be, by all members of our family.  On November 12th, at 3:00am, my husband and I had to take her to the vet and do what was best for our girl, and the hardest thing we have every had to do.  I am thankful we were able have the strength to finally give her peace, and we know that she is waiting for us over the Rainbow Bridge.

I found a photo Lily from the winter of 2009, and it made me smile - I just knew I had to do something special with it.  PWD's have hair, not fur, and pretty much become a giant mitten with clumps of snow sticking to them when they go out to play.  Lily also liked to sniff snow, and playtime in the snow usually ended with me sitting on the floor, melting clumps of snow with a hairdryer! LOL!

I used lots of great products on this project - here are just a few ( I'll list them all at the bottom of the post for you!)

I started with a 12" x 12" Canvas, and gave the edges, sides and some of the center a good coat of Gesso, I also added some randomly to the chipboard snowflake.



Before spraying with various shades of Blue Glimmer Mist, I applied some True Snow to corners of the frame to give them some texture.



After the Glimmer Mist, I used Viva Decor's Silver Metallic Modeling Creme for the first time!  OH MY!! This was LOTS OF FUN!! - I used a plastic glove and applied it with my finger tip - kind of like finger paint!!

Look at all those layers!  I achieved them with various thicknesses of Helmar ZAP DOTS - my new FAVORITE 3D Double Sided Adhesive Foam!  Notice the shimmery Silver Modeling Cream both on the "frame" and I even used it to "distress" the the edges of the photo and paper too!



Here is the finished project - I just LOVE the layers and the way the whole project turned out.  Our Lily was "SNOW LOVED" and I think this is the perfect way to honor this picture of her, and a great memory of the the LAUGHTER and JOY she brought to us.

Here is a close up to show you all the beautiful elements, colors patterns and textures and a close up of our much loved loyal friend.

The Helmar ZAP DOTS really helped me to achive that layered look, which worked great within the "shadow box" feel of the reverse frame. ALSO Helmar's Gemstone Glue worked PERFECTLY to adhere the white beaded trim, and the AMAZING Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive was used to attach all other elements - OH -and the large Snow Flake in the top left, and the blue star at the bottom right were given added dimension with Helmar's LIQUID SCRAP DOTS !



Here are the Items/Tools used:
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Helmar 1/2" and 1/4" foam ZAP DOTS
Helmar Gemstone Glue
12x12" Canvas by Canvas Concepts
Gesso
Little Yellow Bicycle's Winter Twig Collection
Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mists ~ Teal Higheel, Patina, Autumn Nights, Bubbles
Aleene's True Snow
Viva Decor Silver Metallic Modeling Creme,
White cardstock letters cut out with Tim Holtz "Vintage Market" Alphabet Die
colored with Tumbled Glass and Chipped Sapphire Ranger Distress Inks
Donna Salazar Fairydust Glitter
Fiskars Boarder Punch
Chipboard Snowflake
Kaiser Sparklets
Bazzill Clear Button
Pearl and Silver Snowflake ribbon
Clear Acrylic Embellishments 
99% of these items were purchased at my favorite Local Scrapbook Store
Scrap-a-Doodle Doo  - they also have an on line store too - just click on their name!

I hope I've inspired you to give a REVERSE Canvas a try!

Please follow my BLOG www.shercara.blogspot.com for new projects and adventures!

If you are in the Northern NJ area - I am teaching a class to make this project on

Saturday, Feb 4th at 12:00 Noon at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo - seating is limited to contact the store ASAP to reserve a seat 201 818 7060

THANKS HELMAR!

~ Sherri Caramico

REVERSE CANVAS Class Feb 4th at THE DOO!

Please join me for my upcoming class at:


Scrap-a-Doodle Doo
37-C Swan St
Ramsey, NJ
201-818-7060 - CALL TO RESERVE your seat ASAP!
http://www.scrap-a-doodledoo.com/

Saturday, February 4th at 12:00 noon


Cost $40.00 per person

LIMITED to 10 Students - Sorry, NO KITS will be available, as much of the products are consumable supplies shared by the teacher.


12"x12" REVERSE CANVAS CLASS
~featuring Little Yellow Bicycle's WINTER TWIG Collection!


Come and learn some fun new techniques, and leave with a BEAUTIFUL project that will be ready to hang or display.

By using the back or reverse side of a 12 x 12 Canvas, you will create a 3-D Frame, or shadow box effect. This enables you to capture your favorite winter memories in a very UNIQUE way.

We will be using Glimmer Mist, (Chalkboard and Original) and Viva Decor Modeling Creme. We'll make our own flat but shiny faux "Thickers" using our Xyron and Fairy Dust! (this is soo cool!) You'll learn 2 different ways to use True Snow and lots MORE FUN STUFF!


Each Student must bring to class - Your basic tool kit - INCLUDING or PLUS ~ a HEAT GUN, Splat Mat, 12x12 Trimmer, Scissors, Tape Runner, Liquid Adhesive ( like Helmar 450, Fabritac, or Zip Dry ) FOAM POP DOTS, TWEEZERS and either bring or have an idea as to what size photo or photos they want to use - ( my sample has a black and white 4x6 vertical photo -but a color photo would look good too - I would suggest only (1) 4x6 photo -either vertical or horizontal - or possibly 2 smaller photos)


OPTIONAL items: ( which will be provided by the teacher - but you may want to use your own) any BLUE GLIMMER MIST ( I used Chalkboard Teal High-heel, along with Patina, Autumn Nights and Bubbles. Any BLUE Distress INK ( I used Chipped Sapphire, Tumbled Glass, Broken China) and an applicator - Small Xyron "X" and adhesive - all for your personal use, instead of sharing - if you prefer.


ALL SUPPLIES mentioned are available at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo - please call the store ASAP if you need to purchase any for the class.


Here is a "SNEAK PEEK!"

More info and full photos to follow later this month on my BLOG and on my upcoming JANUARY GUEST DESIGNER post over on the HELMAR DESIGN TEAM BLOG too!


REMEMBER - CALL 201-818-7060 - TO RESERVE your seat ASAP!



THANKS! SHERRI

Helmar January 2012 Guest Designer "HOME"

Hi everyone!  I am so HAPPY to announce that my first post as HELMAR's January 2012 Guest Designer is UP on their Blog!  Check it out at over there or below!

I'm Sherri Caramico and I am SOO EXCITED to be here - as this is my first post as a GUEST DESIGNER for my most favorite adhesive company HELMAR !!  I am very grateful for the opportunity, and I LOVE  working with Helmar products! 

Before I get to the "sticky, crafty Helmar Goodness" let me first tell you a little about myself.

I am a mother of 2 wonderful sons, who are 22 and 17, and the wife to my amazing husband of 29 years-my high school sweetheart!   Both my husband and my sons support my scrap habit and endure my endless requests to take their picture! I know someday they will thank me when they can look back on all the wonderful memories I have preserved!

I work full-time in the corporate world, but enjoy a creative escape whenever I can fit it in. I've been scrapping since @ 2004, and I guess you would say that my style is full of dimension, texture and color. I am a scrapbooker who has become more and more interested in altered art and mixed media projects. I am not afraid to stretch and reach outside of the standard box - although I will tell you a little secret, I still remember that fear and the funny feeling that came over me the first time I ever cut and tore a 4 x 6 photograph!! ( I know you know what I am talking about!)

I am a member of the Scrap-a-Doodle Doo Design Team in Ramsey, NJ, and one of the lead educators at the store.(one of the few LSS left in our area.)  I was selected to be part of Cheerio's Eat Healthy campaign, and made a video about my "Passion for Scrapbooking" which was filmed at the store back in 2009. You can view the video here: Cheerios ~ Youtube    I LOVE meeting people and teaching them new techniques. I always try to gently push them to reach outside their comfort/creative zone, to try something new-usually the messier the better! I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can help someone who once said "I could never do that" change their thinking to "Wow, I did that!" after trying something new in a class that I was teaching. 

Since I won Helmar's facebook contest to secure this coveted spot back in November with my "HOME" reverse canvas project ( for which received the most votes - and lots of wonderful compliments too! THANKS!)- I've decided to share some info on how it was made -with hopes to inspire you to give it a try!

First off, I started with an  8" x 12" blank canvas  - and turned it over to work on the back.  It becomes a frame/shadow box this way.  I painted a nice thick coat of Gesso on the frame and sides - and just kind of brushed the center canvas portion "here and there."

Next I took the scrap or punched out piece of chipboard from The Dusty Attic "Wrought Iron Trim Set" # DA0547  ( I save everything!)  and literally filled it with an nice thick layer of Gesso that I applied very liberally - okay - kind of in gobs!

here is the beginning of that step

Here is one completed side - see the texture! It is going to LOVE being sprayed with Glimmer Mist!

I also brushed some gesso on the Grungeboard letters that I cut out with my cricut, and on the chipboard embellishments, and allowed everything to dry well overnight.  The letters were later sprayed with Olive Vine Glimmer Mist ( one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE COLORS!) 

Next it was time to add some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist  to the frame - I love blending and adding LOTS of color - I always start with the lightest color ( in this case Wheat Beer in the bottom left corner) and added Candy Apple Red and Chocolate Covered Cherries for the brown tone.  I also distressed the whole frame with Ranger's Black Soot Distress Ink pad.

Here is a close up of all that Glimmery Goodness!

I made paper flowers out of white cardstock that I colored using the same Glimmer Mists that were used on the canvas - I used a paint brush to add the color to the edges of the flowers - If you've never dipped your paintbrush into a bottle of Glimmer Mist - you don't know what fun you are missing!! LOL! The flower was glued together with Helmar's 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, which was also used to adhere the Grungeboard "HOME" to the canvas too!

LOVE THIS STUFF!

All of the elements on the frame were attached with Helmar's 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, and Helmar's Liquid Scrap Dots worked PERFECTLY for the metal button centers on the flowers - I think this is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE products!  

A definite MUST HAVE to add dimension with ease!

Here is my finished piece.  I really hope you like it and it inspires you to try a reverse canvas too! 
So much fun!

Thanks for looking!  

Now go CREATE SOMETHING!!

Sherri

I won a Guest Designer Spot for Helmar!

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

I want to THANK everyone who voted for my entry in the HELMAR Guest Designer contest last week!

I am so HAPPY and EXCITED that I WON!

There were many beautiful entries, by lots of talented artists, and I am HONORED to have received the most votes.
(If yours was one of them - I sincerely THANK YOU!)

I LOVE working with Helmar adhesives - and can't wait to be a Guest Designer for them!  ( So watch for more info to follow!)

If you didn't see it yet - here is the project that I submitted:

This is a REVERSE Canvas project.   I took an 8x11" canvas and turned it over, creating a frame.

I covered the wood with Gesso -quite thickly in spots. I even used a pc of chipboard as a stencil to fill in and create the frame's texture.  It was colored with Glimmer Mist, and Glimmer Glam, along with some Black Soot Ranger Distress Ink.  The 2 flowers are white cardstock that I also colored with Glimmer Mist and glued them together with Helmar Scrap Dots.   The letters for HOME are sprayed with Glimmer mist - and edge with Oil Slick Black Glimmer Glaze.  I stitched them onto the canvas, after gluing them first.

Here is a close up of some the detail - along with the handmade paper flower.

I hope you like this project - STAY TUNED - I "feel" a REVERSE CANVAS CLASS is going to be coming to  Scrap-a-Doodle Doo early next year - THINK SNOW, SPARKLE and FUN!!

Be sure to add yourself to the EMAIL option on my Blog, to be sure you don't miss out on any class info or opportunities!!
THANKS for stopping by!
Sherri