Aug 28 2008
A Little Something From My Overflowing Alterables Cabinet
I know…the frame pales in comparison to the little girl it was made for. This is Emily, my friend’s granddaughter. She keeps me company on my desk at work where all I have to do is glance over at her and my load is suddenly lighter.
My project came about after I watched this video tutorial created by Flourishes’ Nancy Kirk. It was very informative and I highly recommend it. I came away quite inspired! The tutorial is all about using Polished Pigment Powders.
To clarify: Polished Pigment Powders are not the same as Twinkling H20’s. The end result is the same, but the product used to achieve that result is in a different form.
- Twinkling H20’s are solid cakes of ready-to-use paints — just add water. They’re watercolor paints with mica chips added for sparkle and sheen.
- Polished Pigment Powders are little pots of pure color. If you were to remove every other ingredient from a pot of paint, this is what you’d have — pigment powder. That’s why they’re referred to as pure color. The Polished Pigment Powders also contain the mica chips that set them apart from ordinary pigment powders.
One benefit of the powder form is mileage. You can cover a lot of distance with a little bit of powder, which made them ideal for painting my frame. I spooned some powder into the lid of a plastic butter tub and mixed with Simple Solutions 2. The directions say 1 part powder/2 parts Simple Solution but I didn’t measure — I just added solution until the consistency looked right.
The colors I used are from my collection. Similar colors can be found here at Flourishes. The chipboard flower is from Stampin’ Up!. It’s kraft, or cardboard, color but the Polished Pigments painted over it flawlessly. The ready-to-alter white frame was purchased at my local scrapbook store. The photo size is 5 x 7. Other details of the frame are as follows:
- Designer paper — BasicGrey Sultry 6 x 6 pad
- Cardstock — Stampin’ Up! Purely Pomegranate (retired, trimmed with Fiskars scallop edge scissors)
- Letters — Curlz Monogram Kit (stamped, cut out, then traced on one side with pink marker, colored over with Sakura Stardust clear glitter pen)
- Butterfly — Flourishes Butterfly Moments stamp set (brown embossed then painted with Twinkling H20’s)
- Accessories — Ribbon, rhinestones from Flourishes, button from my vast collection
Since I had a little paint left over from the frame I decided to finish it off with a card:
I painted a Cuttlebug embossed background and cut it into a circle with a Spellbinders die. The card has mostly all the same ingedients as the frame — the designer papers are from the same Sultry pad. I added copper pearls to match the copper cord which ties the tag to the ribbon. The tag is stamped with a word and flower from Fantasy Floral Garden.
The butterfly is adhered to the scallop circle with tacky glue and there’s a little strip of foam mounting tape under each wing to assure they remain slightly lifted.
I know some of the other Flourishes designers have been working with the Polished Pigments, as well. See Susan’s card here and be sure and check with Julie and Faith, too.
Have a happy day!
This is such a lovely frame…and yes, the child is really adorable…you just have to look at that smile and the world is suddenly a wonderful place..
Hugs,Tejal
Leslie, this is so gorgeous, absolutely stunning! I have the LuminArte Mica Powders and have used them with Versamark. I can’t wait to try them with the Simple Solutions.
They are beautiful! I did purchase some of the powders and Simple Solutions from Flourishes but have never used them. Now I know how and I’d better get busy, right?
That is so darn cute, Les! I am glad Vikki works there. I miss everyone, but the summer is speeding by. I love all those colors…definatley have to smile when you look at that cute little critter!
Leslie…your friend’s granddaughter is so precious, and the frame you made to hold her photo is so beautiful!! Those powders sound like such a nice medium to work with. You have certainly had lovely results!! Your butterfly card is gorgeous as well!! I love your patterned papers, and all of your dimension! Your butterfly is so very beautiful!!
Emily is adorable and your frame is gorgeous! Love the bright colours and ribbons you chose! Who would’a thought to paint paper afterwards? Very cool, the yellow really pops and is a beautiful frame for the butterfly! Gorgeous card!
God was definitely in giving us children…..they bring laughter and love into so many lives. I too, have a Monday and a Wednesday children….grand nieces and nephew that love my studio and time with Nonna and Poppa Mike! The art you have created is wonderful and I love the versatility of the product….it makes a much more useful product in our studios. Thanks Leslie.
Cute frame and little girl. Very pretty card-love the butterfly. Thanks for the camera info. Bev J.
Wow, beautiful work. I had no idea that you could cover chipboard with that stuff and have it look sooo good. Great idea!
Beautiful frame with an adorable little girl!!! And, your card is gorgeous Leslie - glad you had some leftovers, lol! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
What a treasure! Your creations are beautiful, Leslie. I can’t wait to give these products a try!
Oh she is so precious. Isn’t it amazing how even just a picture of such sweet innocence can make our hearts lighter. Oh and your card is stunning, too, Leslie!
What an absolutely beautiful little girl and totally befitting frame you made for her — fabulous project!!! LOVE your butterfly card as well — super stunning and a FANTABULOUS job on that butterfly!!! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!! Much appreciated!!!
I don’t think the frame pales at all! It lets the little girl shine! perfectly done!
Oh my goodness! What a darling frame for this charming little girl! I’ve never seen these products, Leslie! Thanks for such a comprehensive lesson! I love the coverage and depth of color!
Now this card … well … it’s in true, stunning Leslie style. It is to LOVE.
((hugs))
Bev
Wow Leslie! I learn something new everytime I visit your blog. The frame is awesome. What adorable little girl. I love the butterfly WOW!!
What a great frame, adorable little girls and beautiful card, Leslie!
What an absolute cutie in that gorgeous frame!!!
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