Mdf plaque - Home Decor

Hello Friends ,

I am sharing a creation this week with Gold Alcohol Splash, they make your projects shine out of the ordinary!!! 

These colours in spray bottles add a mist of gold along with the hue, every time you use them. Give it a try and showcase your creations in this month's challenge here . 

Here is how I have used a MDF Plaque to make a home décor for my new home .

I gave the plaque a good quote of Gesso and waited for it to dry !

Then I started spraying the gold alcohol ink and blended it with the sponge till I was happy with the result !

I wanted the galaxy look on the plaque and I was happy with the result 

Further gave it a sponge with the bubble wrap to create textures ! 

Yes I am working with very little stuffs these days and creating wonders !

I have decorated it with a sentiment sicker and further added chipboard embellishment and foil stickers ! 

My love for stickers and embellishments have just grown too much because of the amazing options Itsy Bitsy is bringing in !!

Its just perfect as I imagined, perfect for our place and we are exploring new possibilities here. Hope to have inspired you to transform ordinary things into pretty stuff with just few craft supplies in hand :) 

Wish to see more of my creations for inspiration, please click here 

Sharada Dilip

Supplies used 

Gold Alcohol Splash - Frosted Pool 50ml

Alcohol Blending Solution 50ml

GESSO UNIVERCELL PRIMER MPA0032 500ML TUB MM

SILICON LIQUID GLUE 100ML IB

CHIP BOARD SHAPES FLOURIEST DES- 2 2...

FOIL PRINTED STICKER BUTTERFLY 6PCS

Crafter in The Spotlight 49 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello arty-crafty folks,

Thursday is here again and as usual I have comeback to introduce you to another talented crafter and her craft journey. This week’s ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ is Tushina Goyal, an ardent art and craft lover born in Agra and now settled in ‘the city of Joy’ Kolkata.

Tushina believes that art is a representation of the soul within and everyone can craft and create. Tushina’s craft hobby has now taken a new turn and given her a new direction. Along with running a business she also works with under-privileged women and teaches them crafting skills.

Mixed media is one of Tushina’s favourite craft styles and its great know that she cannot visualize any project without craft supplies from Itsy Bitsy.

How did Tushina get into crafting, what inspires her, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers? Read answers to all these questions, discover more about her interesting journey and catch a glimpse of a step by step project by Tushina in this interview. Don’t forget to leave your comments for her.

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

Tushina Goyal: I feel so honored to share my journey here as Itsy Bitsy,  is my favorite craft shop. Itsy Bitsy makes craft so affordable to the masses with the best quality products.

I was born and bought up in Agra and am now settled in the city of Joy, Kolkata. Being a NIFT, New Delhi Fashion Design alumni I seek art in all forms of life. I have worked with various corporate houses in the retail and export fashion industry at the onset of my carrier. My two lovely daughters mean the world to me. I love listening to music, reading and travelling. I believe we all have the power to beautify things around us in our own little ways. I am an active follower of Pranic healing. Along with it I have my artist studio where I try creating pieces where design weds functionality.

RC: How did you get into crafting?

TG: When my elder daughter was about 2 years old, I designed a name plate for her room which received rave reviews and orders too. Soon this hobby turned into a full-fledged business. I started working with NGOs’ and under-privileged women and teaching them crafting to empower and enrich them. At that point we would do exhibitions in various MNCs in Delhi-NCR to bring some money and confidence to the girls. I never realized when crafting became the food and therapy for my soul and ‘My expression’.

RC: What is your favourite type of craft?

TG: I am really fond of mixed-media. I also often add decoupage to it. I enjoy re-cycling and up-cycling a lot.

“To gather, then crumble and then again combine..
to whitewash it all and then again add rainbow hues..
to re-mould and re-make and beautify all around me..”

RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

TG: You know what I love most about Itsy Bitsy is the prompt customer care service.

I cannot phantom a piece without something from the store. My favourite products are the silicon glue, the amazing stencils, the chalk paints are my new found love and the very beautiful chipboard collection. I adore the new 3D chip-boards and they are the next in my shopping list. I am very fond of their metal embellishments and stamps too. I can keep writing this as the list of my favourites from the store is countless and ever-growing, like the number of products in the store.

RC:If you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?

TG: With the magical powers in my hand I would like to spread craft and craft products to everyone on this planet. It is like spreading smiles. An art piece always gives tremendous joy whether you are making one or holding one. It smoothens the rough edges of life.. I suppose.

RC: Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?

TG: My ever favorite is brick stencil. I seem to be taking it out every other day. I find it very versatile and it goes with many looks that I work on. Some days I use it to create textures and sometimes just to add colors to the background. I just love its design and quality. I have just started using some thin cut dies also from the store and seem to be falling for them.

RC:How would you describe your style of crafting?

TG: My style is very 3-D, very texture oriented. I love to create new surfaces, depths, heights from things around us. My research and study at the time of NIFT proves very beneficial here. I love to do asymmetrical patterns and kind of incomplete raw finishes.

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

TG: I need not do that thankfully. Rather I organize other things and my schedule around craft.Craft is my priority and takes the maximum part of my day as my motto is to make my craft reach the maximum homes it can and bring smile to as many. Especially now I do Pranically blessed art pieces and want these blessings to reach each home.

RC:Tips for people who want to craft

TG: It sure sounds clichéd but ‘follow your heart’. Your art is a representation of your soul within. And everyone is unique and everyone can craft and create. You can take inspiration from others work but trust your instincts regarding finally making the piece. Your work should be your mirror.

RC: Your all -time favourite quote?

TG: “I dream paintings and then I paint my dream....”by Vincent Van Gogh

Here is a gorgeous project by Tushina & step by step procedure:

Spring Dance’ pencil box—

11. MDF pencil box from the store. Painted it with chalk paint—Falling Sky and let it dry.

12. Repainted it with chalk paints—French rose. Let it dry. Rubbed the surface with sandpaper after drying to give it a distressed and worn out look. Rubbed the edges more to get that blue color prominently out.

3. Used the brick stencil from the store along with texture paste and grey acrylic paint to give the wall texture on top as well as edges of the box.

4. Adorn it with various embellishments found in the store. I have used the fence, paper flowers, metal alphabets, small metal floral and dragon fly from the store and stuck them all secure using the wonderful silicon glue.

 5.Finally add a little glam by adding colored half cut pearls and glitter balls. Wow!! I love the reformed box. SO soothing..Isn’t it a beauty to keep??So soothing to eyes..

Here are a couple of  Tushina's other awesome creations:

“I dream paintings and then I paint my dream..”by Vincet Van Gogh

In The Woods keyholder--
Lock and key chip board, gear, pattern sheet, alphabet cut outs, bamboo stencil, half cut pearls from the store

Steam Punk Box--This one is with my favourite brick stencil, chipboard cutouts, metal alphabets and other metal embellishments from the store.

The ultimate family tree--Again with my favourite brick stencil from the store used with French rose chalk paint. Floral stamp, metal ladybug and dragon fly and few sticker frames also from the store.

The power bull—my latest work with irregular dot stencil, silicon glue, almost most of the metal embellishments, chipboard gears, metallic paint and different sized thermocol balls all from the store.

Many congrats Tushina  for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY!!

You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!

Crafter in The Spotlight 46 - Itsy Bitsy

Thursday is here again. It’s time to introduce our ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’. This week the focus is on Akanksha Sharma from the Pink city, Jaipur but now she lives in Bangalore.  The relation between Akanksha and craft goes a long way. The colourful handicrafts of Rajasthan were her first attraction towards craft and later in life she chose to pursue craft as a career.

Like most crafters Akanksha likes experimenting with different kinds of craft. Playing around with clay and making new things is one of her favourites.

How did Akanksha get into crafting, what inspires her, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers? Read answers to all these questions, discover more about her interesting journey and catch a glimpse of a step by step project by Akanksha in this interview. Don't forget to leave your comments for her.

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

Akanksha Sharma: Hi, I am Akanksha. I am born and brought up in Jaipur. Now, I live in Bangalore with my husband. I am an engineer but I have always been interested in art and craft. After finishing my engineering, I started working in an IT firm but my heart remained with art. After trying hard to juggle my time between work and hobby for five years, I decided to pursue craft as a career. I am now running a small venture of making hand crafted goodies.

RC:How did you get into crafting?

AS:Growing up in Rajasthan, I used to find myself attracted to the colorful handicraft that I saw everywhere around me. I think that is where the fascination started. I started sketching and coloring in school and used to love the art class as a kid. In my school days, I participated in many competitions and loved playing with colors and got great satisfaction when people liked my craft. This became a lifelong passion. I started finding it difficult to grab time for this passion when I started working. I finally decided to take up craft as a career in May 2016.

RC:What is your favorite type of craft?

AS:I have fallen in love with clay modeling these days. I like making fridge magnets,name plates, photo frames and décor items with clay. I also love glass painting and decoupage.I always try to combine these elements together to create something unique.

RC:What are your favorite products at Itsy Bitsy?

AS:I love jute twine, burlap, handmade paper, polymer clay, flower embellishments and decoupage napkins that I can find at Itsy Bitsy. I also love the sculpting tools that are so difficult to find elsewhere.

RC:If you had magic powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?

AS:I think every crafter already has magic powers in his/her hands and creativity. We can contribute by learning and sharing our knowledge.

RC: Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?

AS: Handmade jute sheets and sculpting tools.

RC:How would you describe your style of crafting?

AS: I tend to like colorful stuff. My style is experimental. I like to try and learn new things by experimenting.

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

AS:I spend most of my time crafting and try to manage all my other responsibilities around it.

RC:Tips for people who want to craft

AS:You should put your heart into it without any inhibitions or fear. It is also important to share this passion with others as the appreciation acts as a huge motivation. Today, we can find lots of videos and blogs that help us learn. It is very important to find time for something you love and to keep doing it.

RC:Your all -time favourite quote?

AS:Be yourself, but your best self.

Here is a gorgeous project by Akanksha & step by step procedure:

Travel Themed Name Plate

Materials Required:

-         For Base: Wooden plank- MDF( 6 inches X 12 inches), Decoupage Glue (Mod Podge), Decoupage Brush, Decoupage Paper/ napkin, Sand paper

-         For Embellishments- Polymer Clay, Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint

Instructions:

For base:

1. Prepare surface: Make sure the MDF surface and free of dust to get a smooth finish.

2. Select the Decoupage Paper according to the theme.

3. Glue the paper using Mod Podge and sponge brush, smooth out any wrinkles and wipe away any excess glue.

For Embellishments:

Select the embellishments you want to make, based on your theme.

1.  Mix oil paint of different colors with clay balls.

2.   Use clay balls of different colours, sculpting tools and your creative mind to make the embellishments- Figurines, Taj Mahal, Camera, Burger, Chocolates, Books, Wine Glasses, Singapore Lion

3.   Use acrylic paints, dotting and sculpting tools for finish.

4.   Bake the embellishments as per instructions on polymer clay packet.

5.   Stick them on the base using Fevicol as per required design .

6.   Write the names with air dry clay.

7.   Let it dry and paint the letters with acrylic colours.

8.   Varnish the name plate once and dry again. Varnish adds gloss and also enhances life of the creation.

You are done! Happy Crafting!

Here are a couple of  Akanksha's other awesome creations:

1  Wall decor made with canvas board, air dry clay, polymer clay, oil colours, acrylic colours, clay modelling tools, paint brushes

Photo frame made with MDF base, guitar magnet, handmade flower, polymer clay, colours, jute sheets, twine, glass liner for message and more.

Nameplate made with MDF base, air dry clay, polymer clay, oil colours, acrylic colours, clay modelling tools, paint brushes.

Baby photo frame made with handmade yellow sheet, baby clay embellishments, polymer clay, clay modelling tools, paint brushes.

Many congrats Akanksha for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY!!

You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!

And we are back with CHALLENGES!

Hello Crafters!

Good morning & welcome again!

We have some awesome news to share today........on popular demand we are re introducing our challenges! Yes we are back with ITSY BITSY CHALLENGES! 

Here are some guidelines to participate. Simple & easy to follow - 

ITSY BITSY CHALLENGE#1-2016

Theme - Anything Goes using the Itsy Bitsy LITTLE BIRDIE CHIPBOARD SHAPES

1. Submission can be a card, box, tag, scrapbook layout, decoupage, altered art, home decor - anything as long as it is handmade and complies with the theme.
2. Please follow our blog to be eligible.
3. Turn off word verification to enable us to leave comments.
4. Entries can be submitted until 25th of each month. 
5. In order to submit your entry, click on the inlinkz button provided at the end of this post, add your image and link to your blog post containing the submission.
6. Each participant can submit a maximum of 3 entries. Please add numbers 1,2, 3 while submitting multiple entries.
7. Please link to your post and not just your blog.
8. In your blog post, create a link back to this page. 
9. Only projects posted during the Challenge period are eligible (no backlinking).
10. Entries are welcome from all over the world however if you are the winner, we can only ship your prize to an Indian address.
11. If you don't have a blog and want to add your card on FaceBook, please upload it on our FB group page Itsy Bitsy Crafter's Cafe with the hashtag - #itsybitsychallenge#1-2016
12. TWO winners will be picked through random.org who will each receive a voucher of Rs.500 , redeemable online at www.itsybitsy.in. Top 3 will be selected by the DT.
13. You may link up with upto 10 challenges including ours.

Should you have any queries please feel free to leave it in the comments, we will be glad to help!

Moving onto my project, I cannot get enough of the pearlized paints.......my last project here too was using these awesome paints. Sharing a home decor project using a MDF plaque as the base. 

Colored another smaller MDF plaque with the "blush" shade & white acrylic paint to give it a distressed look. 

To add some texture I mixed impasto with paint & stencilled it randomly over the MDF.

Using the gold dimensional paint from Mont Marte I added a few highlights to the bricks.

Brought out some embellishments - chipboard shapes, flowers, rhinestones, handmade flowers, fence  from my stash & completed the plaque.

Here's the final look - 

All the embellishments & this small little altered bottle were glued using silicon glue.  

Used rub ons to add "Relax you are HOME"

to complete the plaque.

Coordinated the bottle using hemp cord & some gold - 

Supplies used - 

Metallic paints 

Mont Marte Impasto 

Mont Marte dimensional paints 

Flexible knife

embellishments

Chipboard shapes

Handmade flowers

silicon glue

Stencil

MDF plaque 

white acrylic paint 

chipboard shapes, 

flowers, 

rhinestones, 

handmade flowers,

fence

Hemp cord
Rub ons

Hope you like this simple shabby project!
Love,
TANVI

An InLinkz Link-up