About two weeks ago, the Create & Craft team and I taught a collage frame class at Red Letter Journals in Grove City, Ohio. The class was inspired by the Botanical Paper Napkin Collage Frame I posted by in January. While the class was well attended, some of my “regular” students didn’t sign up. Turns out, some were intimidated by the technique. They said they felt that collage is “too hard” or they are “card-makers, not artists.” Today’s post is for them. Collage is really easy – especially when you’re working with beautiful prints of butterflies and birds – and can be used for cards and scrapbook layouts!
These four cards were created for a class JoeM, Betty and I are teaching on Sunday, 3/11, at Red Letter Journals. Come join us! See how easily you can collage just about anything. In fact, after the frame class, one student told me if her cat sat still long enough, she would collage it! That’s how much fun she’s having collaging found objects, cards, pages – you name it!
Now on to the four cards…
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Collage isn’t limited to backgrounds, large areas or even overlapping patterns! Joe Morganfound a little cocktail napkin with these adorable chicks on it and decided they would be the perfect focal point for an Easter card. He used a single image from one napkin. Collage the image on stiff cardboard or chipboard using Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA). The cards in the Art Canvas pack work great! They are the perfect size to use standalone as an artist’s trading card (ATC) or on the front of a greeting card. For added sparkle, while the adhesive is still wet, sprinkle the top of the image with Crystal Effectz™. Once it’s dry, ink the edges, mat it and attach all the layers using Great Tape. § |
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Having been a florist for 40 years, Betty can’t resist flowers and butterflies. She used images from 2 different napkins to create this collage. One napkin had flowers and butterflies and the other had postcards, postmarks and stamps. To make this card, Betty collaged the image on stiff cardboard using Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA). While the adhesive was still wet, she sprinkled Crystal Effectz™ on top. The background is sheet music that’s been distressed and inked. Add a strip of lace and a stamped sentiment embellished with Candi Dots and you’ve got a great vintage looking card. § |
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Collage can be used as the first step in your creative process. It’s easy to stamp or paint on top of a collage to add layers and highlights.To make this card, I stamped a map on the card front in black ink and then stamped the fleur-de-lis with turquoise Perfect Pigments™ - Pure Liquid Acrylics™ using a foam stamp.
I collaged the butterfly on a tag using Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA). Once the collage was dry, I highlighted parts of the wings with the same paint I used on the card base. The #4 Round Brush was perfect for adding fine details. Once that was dry, I used a brush to apply Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA) to some small areas of the card. While the adhesive was still wet, I applied Blue Topaz Mica D’Lights to really make the wings pop! Attach the tag to the card with a brad and add some distressed tickets and you’re done! § |
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This card was so much fun to make! I found a napkin with the crown and sentiment and thought it would be the perfect background for a vintage photo. I think it worked perfectly with purple flowers and butterflies from two other napkin patterns.Collage the crown, flowers and butterflies on still chipboard using Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA). Once the collage was dry, I highlighted the stones in the crown withturquoise Perfect Pigments™ - Pure Liquid Acrylics™. Once again, the #4 Round Brush was perfect for adding fine details. Once that was dry, I used a brush to apply Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA) to some small areas of the card. While the adhesive was still wet, I applied Gold and Ruby Mica D’Lights to add sparkle to the crown.
It turned out the sentiment on the napkin was just too faint. So, I printed the sentiment on top of an image of twill ribbon in font that looked like rubber stamps (Stampede from dafont.com). I cut out the image and attached it to the front of the collage with Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA). The girl is a stock photo that’s been printed out on glossy paper, fussy cut and attached to the background with pop-dots. Attach the collage to a purple card with Great Tape and you’ve got a message fit for a Queen! § |
You can see more of my projects on my blog on Create & Craft.
Look around. Think about what you’ve got at home, or things you’ve seen at thrift stores or garage sales. What could you transform or create using napkins, Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA), Crystal Effectz, Mica D’Lights and paint? I would love to hear what you’re thinking!
Happy Crafting!
Joe
