Now that’s a title- huh? LOL. I created this layout with the new Cocoa Daisy January Tea & Cupcakes Kit.
Being able to teach 18 workshops last April in Australia still makes my heart sing. It was such an amazing experience and my students were sooo fun and creative – so that is why Aussies Rule :)
In the kit are those black American Crafts Felt letters- which I love – but after creating a couple layouts with them I was a bit tired of the harsh black (this out of the mouth of someone who LOVES black- LOL).
So now changing up the color here with a marker is a bit challenging since a) the letters are felt – they love to act like a sponge making it hard to apply markers and b) they are black – even harder to get a color showing. There comes….GESSO to the rescue ;) A nice primer- that has so many versatile uses from priming backgrounds, applying texture, for embellishments, manipulating photos….ah …..crazy yummy stuff
I just took off the letters I wanted to use and put them on a Craft Mat (Teflon Sheet will do too), so that you can easly peel them off later and still use them being tacky. I used a wet brush and added the gesso with a thin layer – it cover most of the black – I didn’t want it to cover all- and I was able to get some texture worked out this way. You can of course just apply a thin even unwatered down layer. Just make sure to not add it too much into the insides of the letters.
After the Gesso dried- and that goes quick – I used two different LetraSet Promarkers . First I painted the bottom with the darker green and then the top with the lighter green. Always better to have the darker color on the bottom so it doesn’t look awkward. Peel of the letters and apply them to the layout. Voila
And there you go – you have the black a bit peaking out- but it is not as harsh anymore- the colors are fitting to the mini letters I used from the kit and I added some texture that fits the workshop I taught in Australia :) Pretty easy and although it looks like a lot of work- it is actually not- easy peasy fast -promised!
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If you are interested in other and way more techniques and tutorials with Gesso check out my 5 week-long Über*Media Online Workshop starting January 15, 2012. More infos here
Wishing you an amazing day!!!!
huge hugs
nat
Comments (15)
Eniko
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Aussies DO rule and I love what you did with the title! Happy Jumpstart!
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MicheyMoo
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Perfectly apt use of these thickers on this layout from the class. I loved meeting you that day (I was in the earlier class that morning sitting with the delightful Louise) and loved the inspiration you provided in this class. I’ve been getting fabulously messy with gesso and mists ever since!! And loving the Jumpstart to 2012 too!! xx
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LindaBrun
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Great tutorial Nat.. Now I know what to do with those brown felt thickers I bought for a special project, but can’t seem to find a new use for the until now… Hugs
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Riikka
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That picture and the idea of painting Thickers rocked my world! Thank you so much! I was creating a page when I noticed this post and immediately thought of using the idea with a twist – I painted the letters with white crackle paint.
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Marilyn Peter
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Wow, love this tip!! Would never of thought to use Gesso, that is one thing I forget is in my stash!! Will have to pull it out and leave it where I can see it!
Love the letters with just a touch of black showing through, LOVE your layout!!
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Tana
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Hi Nat!! Thanks for the tutorial, it’ s a great idea! I still love black letters but… who knows… ;) I must take a note about this tip. Have a nice day! Hugs ♥
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misty
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I love the way those letters look!!! Awesome…thanks for sharing!
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Vibeke
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Your letters is so cool!! The sun is lovely!!:)
Thank you for the inspiration:)
Hugs
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Linda B
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Hi Nathalie, thank you for the kind comments you left at my blog today. I’m finding a lot of inspiration in the Creative Jump Start Summit 2012… thank you for putting it together.
I would never have thought of altering Thickers in this way… a fabulous idea! What a great LO!
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marianne/skorpionen
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ahhhh…love your new letters and just love the color combination!
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Carol
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How creative to alter those letters to suit your layout!
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Sue Clarke
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Like the LO and thanks for the idea of altering the letters…for some reason I think of altering many supplies but usually not those (unless they are plain chipboard).
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Natalie Hall
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Wonderful! Thanks for the tutorial!!
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Anne Porretta
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As a art scrapbooker/journalist/mixed media artist, I use gesso for so many things . . . thanks for another creative way to add to my techniques!
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Peggy Lee
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so love this tip!!!! thanks for the great tutorial!!!
Peggy Lee
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