Puzzled? - by Kim

 I had plans for Tando's Jigsaw Puzzle kit - I was going to use photographs and ephemera and antiquing techniques ... but it didn't happen as I hoped, so I did this instead.

First, I wanted to have some 3D effects in the jigsaw for added interest. I put the puzzle together then separated it in to four sections of five pieces. I glued the sections to thick cardboard to get varying thicknesses. One had no extra cardboard, the next 1 layer, the next 2 layers, and the last 3 layers.

The backboard would normally frame the puzzle, but I spread the sections out to the corners leaving a space in the middle. I marked this space on the backboard. 

My idea was to be looking through the puzzle to a dark forest scene behind, so I painted the visible area (no point painting the rest) with Lamp Black, Burnt Orange, and White in a scumbled, blended manner. Then I painted on the bare tree branches in Lamp Black, highlighted with Zinc grey where the light catches them.

The puzzle sections are painted to look like falling autumnal leaves. I set out Lamp Black, Burnt Orange, Tangerine, and Primary Yellow on my pallet and used a slip-slop technique to create the effect. I started with the lighter colours near the centre, getting darker towards the corners.

Before I stuck the sections to the backboard I painted the edges black, and accentuated the joins in the puzzle pieces with black, too.

As a super contrast I used a set of Tando's Leaf Branch, Cut Out Leaves. I cut each leaf from the branch with a craft knife (very carefully!). 

I painted the front with Indian Turquoise, and the edges with black. I arranged them on the project and when I was pleased with the layout I stuck them on.

A great autumnal and Halloween picture to get you started on spooky season. I hope you enjoyed the project. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for dropping by!

Products:

Tando Creative Jigsaw Puzzle Kit

Tando Creative Cut Out Leaves

DecoArt Americana various colours

Specimen File - Automobile Selection by Kim

 This neat ring file was designed for Tando by Fiona Randall - what a clever idea! A great way to display your favourite things. Of course, mine are cars …

I started with the cover. I cut sections from an old map and stuck them on the both outside and in. I cut them too big and used a sanding block to trim them to size. I covered the backs of the solid inserts with maps, too. I antiqued the edges with Distress Ink in sepia colour.

To make a nice contrast with the maps I covered the frames with kitchen foil - shiny side out. Lay the foil on the table, shiny side down, making sure there are no wrinkles. Apply a layer of PVA to the frames and lay them on the foil, press down to make sure of a good bond. (Like James Bond but smoother). Once the glue has set trim off the excess foil.

I used Alcohol Inks in random colours to jazz-up the foil. Let it dry.

I found some black and white photos of some super classic cars and glued them on the backs of the frames, making sure the picture was central. I also glued a piece of paper over the small window to write on later. Next I glued the assembled frame to the front of an insert page, and put them in the file in the desired order.

Once the pictures are in I glued a description on its facing page. I tore out a cloud shape in ordinary office paper, edged the tear with Distress Ink and wrote the description. In the small window I wrote the year for the car.

Inside front and back covers are sections from drawings I’ve done, again edged with Distress Ink.

I painted the outside spine with Lamp Black, avoiding the flexible hinges.

I added a title to the front cover and made an old-school steering wheel from a large cog wheel left over from Tando’s Industrial Elements pack. Painted with Burnt Umber for the wooden rim, Silver for the spokes, and black and silver for the screws and rivets. The centre is decorated with a T - for Tando, or … what car names begin with T?

Triumph, Tata, Talbot, Toyota, Tesla, TVR, Tatra, Trabant …

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoy making your specimen file.

Products:

Tando Creative Specimen File

Alcohol Inks

Distress Inks

Kitchen foil

Any old map

DecoArt Colours

A5 Art Box - A Handbag! by Kim

This is Tando's latest, super useful, A5 Art Box. Carry all you need for sketching 'en plein air', and use the surface as a great clip board to support your work, as seen on Create and Craft TV. 

The easiest way I found to put the A5 Art Box together is to start with the internal partition. Glue this into the narrow base, then add the narrow sides with the curves at the top. Make sure both sides are facing the same direction - one edge has three tabs, the other, two.

The hinged section can be used with the spring clip either inside or outside - I chose outside as I wanted mine to be used as a portable A5 drawing board, with all your arty supplies inside. Glue this section on to the others, using the side with three tabs. The final panel will glue to the side with two tabs. 

Once I had put the A5 Art Box together I saw it as a designer handbag, I visited Google to see what the latest trends were … 

So, first a base coat of DecoArt Americana Indian Turquoise over everything except the living hinge and the spring clip. Next I marked out the diamond quilting pattern using a fine pencil line. Choose an appropriate size and make sure the design is centred (same number of diamonds both sides). By doing the diamonds first both top and bottom panels will match.

Next I divided the flaps. The top one comes to a shallow point, the next two are straight. Use an eraser to remove the pencil lines from the centre section. 

To get the ‘faux quilt’ look I first shaded with a thin wash of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Cobalt Turquoise Hue to the bottom of the diamonds. Do all the diamonds in one sitting.

To the top left side, point, and a little to the top right side I added highlights of Americana Whispering Turquoise with a dry brush technique.

The gold edging is Venetian Gold applied with a liner brush. When dry Americana Lamp Black stitching is added.

To separate the flaps, shadows of the Cobalt Turquoise Hue wash were added, intensified close to the edge with Media Paynes Grey.

I needed to add a strap and fastening, but without obstructing the flat drawing surface. I cut a strip of card and base coated it with Indian Turquoise, added stitching in Whispering Turquoise. I snipped the last three coils from a wire bound notebook, punched holes, and attached it to the bar on the spring clip. 

As all the big fashion houses have their initials on the buckle I added a big T (for Tando) and stuck on gaudy glitter. I cut an oval from card, painted it to match and glued it to the strap. I used half a Velcro dot as a fastener at the bottom, this left enough room for A5 paper to be used on the flat surface.

Inside the flap I painted some appropriate words, but any other decoration could go there. I found the chain on Amazon because I couldn’t find a suitable strap in my stash!

I used two Velcro dots to hold the bag closed.

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoyed this fun project.

Products:

Tando Creative A5 Art Box (New)

DecoArt Colours

Squares by Dee

Hi everyone Dee here with a rare post. I was having a play with trying to be minimalist hah! It didn't workout and ended up with this. So I think one of the squares is from a coaster set I am not sure of the other but they are Tando squares the measurements are 3.5 inch x 3.5 inch second sq 4 x 4.

I cut out a piece of watercolour paper to fit the smaller square and gave it a coat of gesso. I followed with inks in black, dark brown and old gold. Spritz with water and dry between colours.

Once I was happy I stamped text with a artistic stamper stamp along with a background stamp.

It was looking a bit dark so applied crackle paint with a pallet knife.

The above coin was painted with raw umber and the Antiquing creams were used to give it a lovely patina. Foundry wax was used to highlight the texture on the coin.

Washi tape was used along the centre. A small circle from the circle grab bag was used to mount the coin onto before applying to the board. I really enjoyed making this hope to be back soon.

Cheers Dee x

Tando products used

Grab bag of Circles

5 Pack of 4" x 4" Chipboard Sheets

Coasters - Square

 

Large Match Box by Nicky Roussou

 Large Match Box by Nicky Roussou

Hello lovely creative people and welcome to my blog post for the fab Tando-Creative Large Match Box.

I made this box over a few evenings and unfortunately, I forgot to take photos as I went along but I will talk you through what I done to create this.

It all started with some very light weight air dry clay and making a selection of different types of toadstools. I need a home to display them and what better place than one of the large Match Boxes!

For the outside of the box I started by coating with some black gesso. 

On the outside of the box I used the Tim Holtz 3D embossing folder to give it a woodgrain effect. I painted the woodgrain with some Decoart Brown paint.

 I then used the Stampier Rust Effect Stencil to give it some dimension and selectively painted in some colours to give it a rusty feel. These were a Teal and Orange and then used a metallic bronze to highlight some bits on the raised stencilled areas. This was then all coated with a layer of Decoart quin gold (one of my favourites) 

I made some flat back toadstools too which I used for the front of the box. I gave them a bit of sparkle too with the Stampier glass sparkles.

I also added 2 medium size Tando-Creative layered butterflies with some metallic rose gold paint by decoart and a few sparkles too and a delicate  bit of chiffon with burnt edges behind to add to the rustic look.

For the inside of the match box, I used the Tim Holts 3D embossing folder to create a brick wall which I then painted it brown and highlighted some brick edges with some metallic gilding wax.

I painted up and used 4 of the toadstools I have made and placed them inside the match box (don't they look cute!)

I added some green moss to the base to give the effect of them growing from the ground and then used a little Cadence green to give the impression the moss was growing.

Lastly, I used the Tim Holtz 3D mini frame, painted brown and highlighted with a wonderful little quote that reads " Today is a good day to try"

Thank you for reading and feel free to ask any questions.

Much Love x

PRODUCTS USED:

Tando-Creative Large Match Box

Tando-Creative Layered Butterflies

Decoart Paint: Teal, Orange,
Burnt Umbra, Quin Gold

24 Boxes of Advent - Dun Drekly by Kim

Part of my inheritance from my mother was a Dremel. It is a multi purpose tool often used by model makers. It has many different bits and spins at very high speeds. (It sounds a bit like a dentist's drill).

So, I thought, let's give it a go on greyboard ...

A short video of the finished box is available at : instagram.com/the_scratchypen/

I put the box together as in previous episodes of '24 Boxes of Advent' then, once dry, got to work with the Dremel. I chose a very small ball shaped bit, and after sketching out the rough stone wall, carved gently into the greyboard to produce the recessed joints between the stones. I was careful not to go too deep. This produced a lovely rustic looking surface.

My original plan was to have just three stones missing from the wall so the viewer could get a glimpse of what was inside, but, I changed my mind and opened up a big window. I sanded the surface lightly to tidy up the edges of the carving.

Next, a base coat of DecoArt Zinc, followed by random dry brushed patches of Burnt Umber, Burnt Orange, True Ochre. For the mossy edges, and the outside of the box I used Forest Green and Wasabi Green. I added snow to the edges (well it is supposed to be Christmas!) with a texture paste. I used a little black under each stone as shadow.

Next, the interior - a diorama. I measured the inside of the drawer section. Across the back is 76mm, from front to back (interior measurement) is 69mm. It is 75mm tall. From a cereal box I cut a piece 185mm wide and 75mm high. Measureed 60mm in from both ends for the folds. This meant there was a backdrop of 65mm wide. By making the walls a bit smaller it increases the 3D effect especially in the fireplace. I used a sharp craft knife to cut out my sketched fireplace.

Now the scene. Choose your wallpaper. Pink and green stripes seemed nice (Really?). And a white skirting board (mouse hole is optional). 

On the left we have two pictures, a portrait of Auntie Mable, and a  scene of rolling hills and sheep on a sunny, summers day. These were painted on small greyboard scraps of 10mm x 15mm.

On the right a Christmas tree. The tall side are 55mm and the bottom of the triangle is 50mm folded in the centre. Decorate your tree with your favourite baubles. The star is in Venetian Gold paint. Other baubles are painted around the room as you see fit.

The end wall. The fire grate is painted with Zinc then the ironwork in Lamp Black. The flames are painted with red, orange and yellow flame-shaped dabs using a small detail brush. The mantle piece is cut from a small piece of balsa wood, and the surround, either side is wooden coffee stirrers. These are painted with a wash of Burnt Umber for a nicer colour. Two small pieces of waste greyboard are painted gold for the wall lights, and a piece of greyboard offcut has cooking foil glued on the surface, and a frame of Lamp Black, for the mirror. Christmas stockings are cut from cereal box and painted. A spot of glue sticks them to the mantle.

The wooden floor is a wash of Burnt Umber painted in stripes, and the fireside rug is more cereal box painted to fit with the rest of the decor.

Once your scene is dry tidy up the creases and slot it in. 

Mother's Dremel

The wooden shutter is built from coffee stirrers and stained with a wash of Burnt Umber. I left the support rails long so that I could add the house name board and use it as a handle to slide open the shutter. I had to make a pair of small cutouts in the box to accommodate the rails.

Products:

Tando Creative Box Storage 

Scraps and greyboard offcuts

DecoArt Americana colours