'FREE TUTORIAL: Image Transfer using Contact Paper!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

Here is another free tutorial. This tutorial I wrote describing my process for an IMAGE TRANSFER. There are many, many different image transfer processes out there in cyber space. This is one of the processes that worked well for me.

 
Note: Soft Gel medium (gloss) was not used for the image transfer - but soft gel medium (gloss) was used to adhere the contact paper to the artwork after the image was transferred.

SUPPLIES LIST:

• clear contact paper (I got mine either at Target or Menards - don't recall which)
• inkjet image to take to copy shop (I prefer to use copyright free artwork - for example, antique images, my own artwork or my own photos)
• toner copy of above image from copy shop (reversed, if it has text you want to preserve as readable in final art piece)
• shallow container of hot water, larger than image
• soft gel medium (gloss) or other 'plastic-to-paper' glue, like '3-in-1' (Beacon)
• clear gesso or soft gel medium (matte) - optional
• palette knife, old credit card, or sponge brush to apply soft gel medium
• paper towels (dry and slightly damp)
• wet wipes (optional)
• workable fixative  (optional)

Note: Skip the copy shop steps if you print a toner copy of your image on your home laser printer.

Note: You can also skip the copy shop step if you 'fix' your inkjet image by spraying  it outdoors with 'WORKABLE FIXATIVE' (Krylon). The disadvantage of using WORKABLE FIXATIVE spray is that it can only be used with ventilation in specific temperatures and specific humidity's. I live in Chicago. So I'm limited to spraying  WORKABLE FIXATIVE outdoors in 5-7 months a year. But I can take my inkjet image to the copy shop all year... 

Important: The reason we do not use an inkjet printed image directly in our wet artwork is that the ink will smear. Inkjet printer ink is water-soluble, therefore it will smear with moisture. However, if you WANT your artwork to have smeared images then you do not need to use WORKABLE FIXATIVE or a toner copy...

PROCESS [over several days]

My clear contact paper transfer process follows, which I accomplished over several days: 

1. scan antique color image into computer and reverse image using image editing software (I scanned it first because I want to keep this image on my computer)
2. print reversed color copy on home inkjet printer
3. take color inkjet image to local copy center and have them make a 'toner' color copy (also the copy shop can reverse the image if you prefer them to reverse it)
4. 'fussy cut' toner image out of paper leaving small margin all around the image (leave about .25 inch)
5. cut contact paper a little larger than the image
6. apply clear contact paper to toner image and burnish contact paper (I let image set overnight after burnishing)
7. fill a shallow plastic 'Tupperware style' container with very hot water
8. plunge image to soak for a minute or two, until paper is saturated
9. remove image from pan and lay it onto a paper towel -  paper side up to absorb excess water on bottom.
10. rub off wet paper with finger, gently - rub and rub. Moisten paper with drips of water if it dries in this step. Don't rub too hard! WHen all the paper is rubbed off there will be a slight white film.
11. dry overnight [or longer] after all paper is removed. (I made a whole batch of image transfers on one day. When they were all dry, I stored them in a drawer labled 'Image Transfers: READY'...)

TO USE IMAGE TRANSFER

• When you want to use the transfer apply a very thin layer of soft gel medium (gloss)  on your artwork and on the back of your contact paper image with old credit card or foam brush.
• Lay the contact paper image, dry side up / wet side down, into the medium on your artwork. And, starting in the center of image, gently press out any air bubbles with your fingers towards the outer edges [several time]. Before each pass, with a wet wipe, remove any medium from your fingers. Carefully blot up any excess medium if it squishes out the sides with slightly damp paper towel. Dry overnight.
• Because the contact paper is slick, you'll have a glossy image on your artwork. If you don't want glossy, apply a thin layer of clear gesso or a thin layer of soft gel medium (matte) to the transfer, or to your whole art piece, as you like.

TEST, TEST, TEST!

  

I tested this transfer process (and many other image transfer processes) before using it on my 'good' artwork.

CONTACT PAPER VS. PACKING TAPE? WHICH PRODUCT TO USE?

Packing tape and Contact paper made identical image transfers in my tests. So you might ask, why use clear contact paper instead of using clear packing tape? Which product you choose to use depends on the size of the image that you want to transfer. 

• clear packing tape is useful for small images
• clear contact paper is useful for larger images.

My test results of various image transfer techniques, including inkjet print on deli paper, showed that the contact paper and packing tape images came out the best (clearer and crisper).

LET US SEE YOUR IMAGE TRANSFERS!

Would love to see your results if you try my Image Transfer Contact Paper process. In the comments of this post, please send me a link to the post on your blog.

Would love for you to comment on this post.

Thanks for visiting and please come back soon.

Peace,
LuLu
http://www.lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com/

'GIVEAWAY - plus Texture Freebie for Your Art Journal!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and welcome!

To celebrate my 4th anniversary on blogger, I'm hosting a long-overdue GIVEAWAY for you! My Blogoversary was in October, but I've been swamped and then had camera glitches.

If you are a scrapbooker or mixed media artist you will love this Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY GOODIES

GIVEAWAY GOODIES

GIVEAWAY GOODIES 

 

  

HOW TO ENTER

LuLu's 4th BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

• Join this site to become a Follower. Now open to everyone!
• Post a link on your blog titled
  'LuLu's 4th BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY'
  with a link back to this post.
   
• Add a comment on this post including,  the Title of a 'LuLu-Too-Beaucoup' post  that you enjoy OR the Title of any sidebar link on this blog that you enjoy.
• Enter as often as you like by adding as many comments as you like. But every comment you add must include a different LuLu-Too-Beaucoup post 'Title' OR a different link Title  on this blog that you enjoy.
• Include in your comment (s) the link back to your blog post.

 

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to Followers  everyone worldwide with a postal address.
• You must have a blog to enter.
• Previous giveaway winners are not eligible.

  

DEADLINE

• Midnight CST Dec Jan 20, 2013.2014

 

HOW TO WIN?

 

• I will choose the winning comment on Dec 20 Jan 21, 2013. 2014
• There will be one winner.

  

RESULTS POST

• Results announcing winner's name will be posted by Dec Jan 21st.
• Winner has until Jan  Feb 3, 2014, to contact me via email with their postal address.
• Winner forfeits prize if I don't get an email by midnight CST Jan Feb 3, 2014.
•  In case of forfeiture, another winner will be chosen.
• If no forfeiture, prizes will be shipped by Jan Feb 17, 2014.

LuLu's 4th Blogoversary GIVEAWAY - PRIZES!

• v 1 pre-prepped art journal (4 1/4" x 8 1/4"), 8 folios/16 pages,   (bound by me including a variety of papers - scrapbook, designer, craft)
•  
• v 1 original stamp "LuLu's Lunas" - carved by me exclusively for the winner
•  
• v 1 hardcover book - journal pages altered by me with original tape, washi and masking tape
•  
• v 3 original 3-pocket journal pages (designed  & assembled by me from double-sided pattern cardstock
•  
• v 3 original acrylic charms - painted by me with alcohol ink
•  
• v set of original tabs - cut by me from pattern scrapbook paper 

•      1 Strathmore  'Drawing' paper pad

 

·       1 Basic Grey paper stack, 6" x 6")

 

·       1 border sticker sheet 

 

·       2 original dominoes - altered by my artist friend, Maria Garcia

 

·       2 vintage dice (great for Steampunk assemblages!)

 

·       2 foam stamps

 

·       2 hanks of ruffle yarn

 

·       2 sheets of vellum sentiments

 

·       2 storage tins

 

·       3 monopoly game tokens (great for Steampunk assemblages!)

 

·       5 foam sheets - assorted colors

 

·       5 keys (great for Steampunk assemblages!)

 

·       6 double-sided embossing/texture plates – plus embossing tool (Fiskars)

 

·       misc. goodies (not shown)

 

·       misc. stickers

 

·       misc. die cuts

 

·       misc. die sheets

 

(Basket not included)

 

 

BONUS ENTRY!
For another chance to win, include in your comment the one-word name of a 16 time Grammy winning musician who shares the same birthday week with me. Hint: he's coming to Chicago for a few months for his musical starting in June 2014!

EVERYBODY WINS FREEBIE!
Even if you do not enter the 4th Blogoversary Giveaway above, you can still take this freebie. Great for adding texture to your art journal or altered books! Permission granted to right click and save picture 'Moisture in Mars' - an excerpt of 'Doodles Deux' - to your computer.

'Moisture on Mars'

Freebie -

permission granted by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes for you to copy

COMING SOON!
A new FREE Tutorial is in the works and coming after the holidays. Stay tuned!

As always, I'd love for you to comment on any of my blog posts.

Thanks for stopping by - and good luck!

Peace,
LuLu

"FREE TUTORIAL - Embossed Metal Tape: Edited"

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome,

I was surfing my own blog and found a short tutorial I totally forgot that I wrote on my technique for embossed metal tape. Thought you might enjoy this post from June of 2010.
 LuLu's Embossed Metal Tape Tute!

'Swirly Girly Challenge'

Have you ever used TH grungeboard? Have you ever used embossed metal tape? Have you played with my tutorials?

Would love for you to comment - and become a Follower too. Thanks for stopping by. Please come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

FREE Tutorial! How to Emboss metal for Art Journal pages, Altered Books, cards, scrapbooks! Complete steps!

Howdy and Welcome!

I'm back after a brief minor illness. Also, been working on pages in my art journals, scrapbooking and taking care of other areas of life.

This is a free tutorial. (UPDATE: Don't forget to check out the other FREE TUTORIALS and FREEBIES here on my blog!)

Embossed metal flags

These embossed and painted metal 'flags' are fun and relatively easy to make. They look fabulous on art journal pages, junk journals, altered book pages, greeting cards, BuJos (bullet journals), smash books, glue books, flo-jos (flow-ish journals), and in scrapbooks. This is not a new technique - just my way of doing it.

The embossed texture is so gorgeous - 
I almost don't want to paint it...

This metal repair tape is not archival, so if you want to use them in your acid-free archival scrapbooks, my suggestion is to seal them with an archival medium - like Golden soft gel medium gloss or Liquitex matte medium.

SUPPLY LIST:

• apron
• Big Shot [or other die cut machine] with embossing platforms
• bone folder [or similar burnishing tool]
• decorative scissors [or junky pinking shears dedicated to crafts (not your good pinking shears used for sewing)]
• dust mask [to protect your lungs when sanding the paint]
• 'Dust Buddy' [or damp paper towels]
• embossing folders and texture plates (Cuttlebug, Sizzix, etc.)
• latex gloves (optional) 
• medium (optional) - Golden soft gel gloss medium or Liquitex matte medium
• metal [aluminum repair tape (comes on a roll, from hardware store)] - this flexible, thin tape is adhesive backed and comes with protective wax paper on the back
• old table cloth [or large craft sheet or something to protect your work surface]
• old mouse pad (cut to fit)  [or flexible pad included with your die cut machine]
• page protectors (optional)
• paints (I got best results using Ranger's Adirondack acrylic paint dabbers which are opaque) or acrylic paints and 1.5" paint brush 
• removable tape (one-sided) - optional, for use with Big Shot
• ruler
• sanding block (from hardware store) [or Tim Holtz's]
• scissors
• various storage containers
• wax paper

PROJECT DURATION:

Several days, if done in 'batches'.

TESTING / MODIFICATIONS:

Test first: you can make a 'prototype' to test this process in just one day, by slightly modifying each step to just use 1 or 2 strips of metal. 

STEP 1 / DAY 1 - CUT:

Cut 5"-6" lengths from roll of aluminum repair tape using scissors. [Cut whole roll. This is a good   project to do while watching TV or a movie.] Store cut tapes until ready for next step.

Mine are stored in an old VHS tape box. Pencil boxes from Target or office supply store would also work. Or just rubber band them together. I store mine in a reused empty VHS box, because I take my projects on crops and when I travel.

Cut strips from metal repair tape - ready to store

Strips stored in old VHS tape box -
a perfect fit!

STEP 2 / DAY 2 - TAPE: 

(optional - works with large Big Shot platforms and the larger texture plates)

Tape three metal strips together using removable tape. Tape together in two places - about 1 inch from top and 1 inch from bottom of metal strips. The purpose of this tape is to keep the metal strips stable while embossing, and also while painting. You could skip this step and emboss and paint the metal strips one-by-one, but it would take forever! Removable tape is required so it can be easily removed later.

Repeat for all remaining strips. 

Store taped strips. I store mine interleaved between sheets of wax paper. One sheet of wax paper is used for each 'three-pack' - that is, one sheet of wax paper for each three strips taped together.



STEP 3 / DAY 3 - DRY EMBOSS:

Emboss a 'three-pack' using an embossing folders or texture plates. You might have to create a two-pack or use a single strip if the 'three-pack' is too wide in the embossing folders. Experiment. 

Repeat for all remaining three-packs. Store embossed three-packs.

Various embossing/texture plates and embossing folder

Metal Strip and Embossing folder

Metal Strip inside Embossing folder

Strip inside embossing folder -
ready to run through die cut machine

Embossed metal strips - yummy texture!

The embossed texture is so gorgeous -
I almost don't want to paint it...

Embossed metal strips stored in
 re-purposed plastic packaging -
ready to be painted  in next step

 STEP 4 / DAY 4 - PAINT:

Put on your apron, gloves, and protective covering on your work surface. 

Using 2-3 different color paints (analogous colors that touch on color wheel, or different tints of analogous colors, or your fave colors), quickly paint a three-pack using long broad strokes of the dabber or your brush. I usually paint my strokes diagonally.

Set aside to dry overnight.

Repeat for all remaining three-packs. Store painted three-packs.

Note: the painting / drying step may take a few days.

Important: paint must be completely dry before the next step, sanding.

Dried painted  embossed metal strips -
ready for next step: sanding

STEP 5 / DAY 5 - SAND:
 

Put on your dust mask. 

With your sanding block, gently sand a three-pack. Then wipe off dust using a 'dust buddy' or slightly damp paper towel. The goal is to sand off a little of the paint that's on the raised edges of the embossed metal.

 
Repeat for all remaining three-packs. 

Store sanded three-packs by color family. That is, store cool color strips together. Store warm color strips together. I use a rubber band or large clip. Fyi, when the painted strips are stored by color family, it makes it easier to apply strips to your pages based on color.

Sanding block and 'Dust Buddy'

STEP 6 / DAY 6 - REMOVE TAPE:

Pull off the removable tape from the back of the thee-pack. You now have single strips.

Repeat for all remaining three-packs. 

Left side has tape on back -
you can just barely see the tape.
Right side is an embossed and painted three-strip

Store single strips by color family. That is, store cool color strips together. Store warm color strips together. I use a rubber band or large clip. Fyi, when the painted strips are stored by color family, it makes it easier to apply strips to your pages, cards and altered books based on color.

Painted strips - sorted by color family,

clipped together and ready to cut in next step

STEP 7 / DAY 7 - CUT FLAGS:

Cut each strip diagonally from corner to corner using the pinking shears or a decorative scissor. I like to use the torn paper decorative scissor or pinking shears for this step.

Repeat for all remaining single strips. 

Store cut 'flags' by color family until ready to use on your AJ, altered book, BuJo, Flo-jo, cards, junk journal, ATCs, or scrapbook page, etc..

Finished Cut flags -
ready for cards, altered books, art  journals, and
scrapbook pages
(Important Note: seal first with a medium for archival scrapbooks)

STEP 8 / DAY 8 - ADHERE FLAGS:

When ready to use flag, remove backing and carefully place flag in or near corner of your page. This adhesive is very sticky so don't press into place into it is in the desired position. When in desired position, press gently to adhere. Try not to smash the embossing. Burnish edges only with bone folder or similar tool.

Sit back and enjoy your artwork!

c mlh1 - M L Haynes 2010

SEND YOUR RESULTS!

If you try this free tutorial, please post your results on YOUR blog and then send me a link to that post via my Contact form. I'd love to see your work based on this tutorial!

Thanks for visiting - please follow me - and stop by again soon!

Peace,

LuLu

www.lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com/

P.S. My 1 year Blog-oversary is rapidly approaching!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!! Stay tuned for my first Giveaway!

'Swirl Challenge - and FREE TUTORIAL!'

'Swirly Girly Screen' - Front

Assemblage

'Swirly Girly Screen' - Back

Assemblage

 Howdy and Welcome!

This was an experiment for the Saturday swirl challenge at Lots To Do. My first time using grungeboard. I needed to adhere the embossed repair tape to a surface that could stand up on it's own. The grunge board worked well, and I love the self- adhesive aluminum repair tape from the hardware store.

But, there were computer problems this week, so I was never able to enter 'Swirly Girly' at the challenge in time. Oh, well, it was a fun exercise!

Ingredients: aluminum repair tape (front - ACE hardware), embossing tools for aluminum reapir tape(front - Big Shot + texture plates - various), Tim Holtz grungeboard, Ranger ADirondack acrylic paint dabbers, Felt Fusion swirl (front), Bo Bunny swirl (back), Karen Foster sticker swirls (back), brads (unknown), beads, rhinestones (unknown)

TUTORIAL for front of screen:

• 
  
  CUT many 6" long strips from a roll of 2"W self-adhesive aluminum tape from hardware store (you could do this task while TV watching. I used the whole roll).
• 
  
  TAPE three of the strips together on back of adhesive paper using one-sided removable tape (this makes the foil wide enough to completely cover the texture plates. Also you will be embossing 3 strips at once instead of embossing 1 strip at a time - which would take for-ever!)
• 
  
  SELECT whichever texture/embossing plates that you want to use.
• 
  
  EMBOSS, as usual, so that the metal side has the impression (I use a Big Shot).
• 
  
  SELECT an assortment of acrylic paints in coordinating and contrasting colors (For this technique, I found that Ranger Acrylic Dabbers worked best).
• 
  
  PAINT the 3-strip embossed foil with quick, light strokes. Let dry (overnight is best).
• 
  
  SAND lightly with TH sanding block (or other sdandpaper) using the fine grit side. (You are trying to expose some of the shiny metal, but don't sand off all the paint. Some of the embossed impressions will flatten with the sanding, but that's ok.) Wipe off debris with a damp paper towel.
• 
  
  REMOVE tape from back of strip - but not the adhesive paper protector. Keep the paper on until you're ready to adhere the strips to something. In this project, I adhered my strips to the textured grungeboard.
• 
  
  ADMIRE your handiwork!

What do you think of this experiment with TH grungeboard? What have you used to cut it? What do you think of the emobssing?

Thanks for visiting - and I'd love for you to come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu