Monday, June 4, 2012

Paper, Markers, Glue......

.....A bit of creativity during down-time. My friend Jan got me started on these paper buttons, which originally were from an instructional post by Kelli Nina Perkins. Check her post HERE for all the details.
First off, it doesn't take much to entertain me or make me happy. Old book pages, glue sticks, anything to make a mess and I'm just a lucky-ducky.
 
The above photo shows beautiful fluid, glass-like buttons sent to me from Jan, and then my lazy take on things; paper punches, papers and the final glued and stacked paper I punched the shapes from on the right. (check the tutorial for this to make more sense...)
I wanted my outside layers to be chinese-character paper and some mathematical equations. So my inner package was three sheets (ha! three sheets in the wind more likely!) of heavy textbook paper, and then the choice sheets on each side. The punches *just* cut through all that.

So you can see how lovely Jan's free-cut buttons are...and the detail and luster. She also used UTEE where I used a store brand of heavy embossing powder and there is definitely a difference. UTEE is better. (LUV these Jan!)

 
The tutorial said, I think, to use a skewer to put holes in, but I used this tiny punch that is normally used for marking my card stock glove patterns~~where to join points and seams.....well, everything around here gets more than a single job!

And here is the yield from a piece of glued papers 3 1/2" x 6" : a total of thirty 3/4" buttons and fourteen 1/2" buttons....all nice and, well, THE SAME.
I'm thinking my anal retentive side is showing through....
Moving on, when it came to COLORING, that got thrown to the wind!
 
I got out my Sharpies, Zigs and PrismaColor markers and cut loose! What fun! (and yes, both sides and the edges are colored) I did discover the front and back papers accepted marker differently, and while I used the same colors on both sides, they did not LOOK the same.
Older papers tend to absorb in an unpredictable fashion, and it was fun watching what happened.
BTW, this was a SLOW PROCESS, as I was doing a few at a time and the fumes were getting to me. I also went about with multi-colored fingers for a while....
Next was the embossing, of which there are NO PHOTOS because that was a mess and really, trying to hold the button on a bamboo skewer, the embossing gun AND the camera wasn't going to happen. I might also add, do not do this after having wine with dinner.
Embossing guns and wine are not a good mix......just warning. ;-)
The final product, for your comments:
 
Clear embossing powder, then while hot, edged with either gold, copper or silver, or a combination there of. Nice and shiny, fairly sturdy, happy Anne!
And while I very much LIKE mine, I still like Jan's better! I think everyone would have a different product, an individual outcome, and that's what is so nice about them.
I really recommend giving these a try when you just need something fun and to clear the mental palette before a big project. They all look so different when complete~~even the less-that-lovely ones become lovely with the rest.
But I have ideas for the next bunch I try.....things like, a flower shaped punch, coloring the paper package FIRST, crackle finish, etc etc etc.....
It takes so little to get the gray matter going.
Gosh I'm glad I love the small things!
 
 
Pax....

33 comments:

Robin said...

These are gorgeous! Can't wait to give it a try!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Robin, they're probably even MORE FUN when you feel good and can see and breathe! LOL!!!
I still like the shape of Jan's better but my hands would not play nice with the scissors, so the punches came in handy.

XXOO~~
Anne

Karen S said...

I love yours -- the colors make me smile. Jan sent me some of hers and if you send me some of yours too, I just might have enough that I won't have to waste time trying to make some....

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!!
You NEED to make some because it is FUN!!! (just no wine and heat guns....baaaaaad combo....things get fried)
I probably need to make another batch to send out as goodies; I really would like to try putting these together as a necklace of some sort.
What sort, I'm not sure.
I am *NOT* a jewelry maker by any means....

XXOO~~
Anne

nacherluver said...

Saw them on Jan's blog, now on yours. Fun and beautiful!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I really need to get UTEE and try them again.
Jan's are so much more glass-like in their finish...like, like, like!

XXOO~~
Anne

Unknown said...

I like these Annie but going over to look at Jan's. I can see lots of uses for these. I do not have any paper punches. Had planned on getting some and just never remembered when in town.
Thanks sista
QMM

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oooooo....I just linked to Jan's blog in general; I can't remember what her post was! Sorry! <:-\
You can use scissors; I just have so much trouble with the fingers I use punches whenever possible. Heck, they could be cut in diamond shapes, or squares, or whatever!
But they *are* a little addictive!

XXOO~~
Anne

Deborah said...

Actually, intact sphincter muscles is not a bad thing. So I need to dry out before attempting these? I love both yours and Jan's. I would like to order about 23,000, string them together vertically and make a curtain. When do you expect to ship? **happy smiles** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Bwa-hahahahaha!!!!
I don't know Deb~~just don't use the heat gun while enjoying libations!
When can you expect your 23,000 to ship? Let me check.....
(ruffles thru calender)
Oh yes, when hell freezes over.
Or maybe the day after. >;-D

XXOO~~
Anne

Robin said...

WOWZA! These are so incredible....your mind (inhaling fumes or not) is true genius! I love them all...and I can ONLY imagine the time it took to create ONE....let alone all you have here!
Love Deb's comment...are you going to ship her 23,000? A-ha-ha!

Love your comment on my blog....oh yes, you COULD be making costumes for Opera Companies around the World! I'll try for a photo of *Pope Leo* so you can see the entire robe on!

Raining....yes, raining here today....but must go out and do some marketing....my only *free day* this week.

Love you!!!!!

♥ Robin ♥

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Deb said I was *harsh*.....I'm thinking realistic! ;-D
Oh please, yes, I would LOVE a photo of the robe on to see the work~~amazing. What a treat to create like that!
I'm off to the chaise; much better but still tired. Thinking hot tea and maybe a snooze might happen.

XXOO~~
Anne

Jan said...

They are so fun to create, aren't they? Yours turned out fantastic, Anne! Each one unique. Who cares if you actually find a use for them, they are pretty enough and fun enough to just put in a bowl or something and gaze at. Now you've got me wanting to make more. Maybe I'll do a work shop with my S&B gang.

Jo Murray said...

A fun project indeed. I'm with you re colouring the paper first. What will you do with them now?

GlorV1 said...

Wow Anne! That is a fun project. Now for sure I want to make some. In fact I have old music books that can be used for that. They look awesome. Well done Anne. Hope you are doing great. Have a wonderful week and thanks for the tutorial. I will make some. Yay.

Anonymous said...

These are great fun Anne. I saw Jan's on an earlier post and both are swell. So pink for you - where's the dripping red, rust and more red!!! LOL Play time is so much fun. xox

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan, I was thinking about storing them in a small glass jar till I got enough for what I want! (of course, if they go IN the jar, they may not come out.....)
:-)
Yes, you should do a demo.

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Jo, I'm thinking a necklace. I'd like more, so it could be really full.
One more batch should be enough....providing my sanity holds out that long! LOL!

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey GLoria,

Yep, feeling better but still sleeping a lot. That seems to be the end of the bug, the sleep part.
Music books, hymn books, anything with interesting text will work. You'll have fun!

XXOO~~
Anne

Robbie said...

Lovin these 'buttons'!!! How very cool!!!! At least it kept your "off the streets" as they say!! Now to see what you do with them...love, love the colors!!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Corrine, it's kind of funny, but my red markers went odd colors on the papers, and the hot pink worked better. On the backs of some of them, it looks more red....it's just that marker/paper thing!
I can live with hot pink too...heeheehee!

XXOO~~
Anne

Dear Fireflies said...

Cute paper buttons! I love how colorful and shiny they are... Nice to see yo so busy creating, Anne. :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Robbie,

Actually, they kept me off the John Deere, which gets me in LOTS MORE TROUBLE....LOL!!!
Yes, I have to figure out how to put them together too.
Maybe a leather choker with these sewn on...hmmmmm....

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Amalia, it's nice to be doing just a bit of something creative during the waiting game....little things are what I can manage at the moment, but they're FUN little things!

XXOO~~
Anne

*Ulrike* said...

Wow, the wine and heat gun must have done a number as you mentioned it several times! Those are the absolute cutest buttons, and I have not seen the others yet so I am on my way over.
Take Care,
Ulrike

kj said...

you are amazing! WHEN did you manage to create these amazing colorful hopeful happy spheres?!

hahahha, anne, the paper punch looks just like a fish dragon monster ready to gobble up those poor paper buttons? i am still laughing: take a look. hahahaha!

no one could hold a frown through this post. it is paperly and buttonerly.

you rock

love
kj

martinealison said...

Pourquoi ne pas faire une jolie petite banderole ...
Gros bisous à vous.

marianne said...

fun! wheels turning, thank you! :)

Laura said...

Oh "the girl" is having fun!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Ulrike,

I just *assume* others don't listen like *I* don't listen....but I did send a few buttons flying off the end of the skewers, and one that was gorgeous flew off never to be found...LOL!
But still, that little embossing tool gets hot and fingernails can get singed....*AHEM*

XXOO~~
Anne

yoborobo said...

Ooooh...paper...paint...a tool....What were you saying? LOL! I could spend hours and hours doing this. It looks very relaxing. Maybe you could string them together in a garland of some kind...or just keep punching more out. hahahaha! xox!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Oh Anne how fun and what a relaxing project. They are all so pretty. Like little toys. I am glad to see you creating and enjoying each moment. I have been a crummy blog visitor lately and need to catch up with what is going on with your little slice of Blogland. Take care and have a lovely weekend, Pam

studio lolo said...

oooh, what fun! I'm sure we'll be seeing these in some of your mixed media pieces ;)

I hope you're doing well, anne ;)

xoxo
lo♥

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