Valentine's Day 4x4 Canvas using Gecko Galz Ephemera

I like making special little pieces of art to give to bus drivers and teachers to let them know we appreciate what they do for our children. Unfortunately with three children all in separate classes and even schools it gets a bit hard on the family coffers. If you are like me, it's really important to be as thrifty as possible. This next project certainly fits the bill.

What you need:

4x4 Canvas (I picked mine up at the Dollar Tree 2 for $1.25)

Crystal gems (again $1.25 at Dollar Tree for a huge package)

Tissue Paper

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (I used Scarlet and Dazzling Diamonds)

Plastic Vines from the Dollar Store (One vine was $2.00 and I will be able to create hundreds of projects from it)

Rolled Paper Roses

Mod Podge (it's even thriftier to make your own)

How To:

1. Prep canvas with a thin even coat of mod podge (you can make homemade mod podge with equal parts white glue and water)
2. Take a piece of tissue paper slightly bigger than the canvas and scrunch it up in your hand. Really give it a good crumple. Then flatten it out slightly and use it to cover the canvas. Don't rub out the creases as it creates texture for your background.
3. Lightly dab mod podge over the tissue using a brush.
4. Spray it thoroughly with Tattered Angels glimmer mist.
5. Allow it to dry.
6. Adhere your Gecko Galz image and use the the crystals to create a frame around the focal image.
7. Attach your greenery (I used Craft Medley Multipurpose glue) and once it is secure and the glue has dried add your rolled flowers.
8. One last step, spray a light mist of Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds on the entire project.

This project definitely costs less than $1 to create if you are making multiples and will use up all the leftover supplies. If you want to turn it into a magnet just add a round magnet to the back of each corner using a strong glue. They are going to love it.

Quick and Easy Valentine's Day Tag Using Gecko Galz Ephemera

This cute tag is perfect for sending off to school with the kidlets with a little package of cinnamon hearts for their teacher. Its quick and easy and requires very few supplies.

What You Need:

Cardstock to cut out a tag shape
Glitter paper or glitter glue
small white paper doily
Red Ribbon or Lace
Foam squares
adhesive backed crystals

How To:

Cut a 51/2 by 3 inch tag out of red cardstock
Punch a whole in the top using a punch or scissors
Adhere doily to top of tag leaving space between the doily and the hole you punched.
Use your glittle paper or glitter glue to create a sparkly bottom to the tag and also create a couple of little glittery red hearts.
Add your crystals in flourishes around the tag. Be sure to press them down well.
Add your focal image (in my case ephemera from Gecko Galz) by popping the four corners up using foam squares.
Tie a ribbon on the baby and you are done.

Decorative Ceramic Tile using Gecko Galz images

Have you tried image transfers yet? I have tried several times with varied results but I purchased some Gel Medium and it works every time. I would suggest investing in some if your budget allows. A little goes a long way. 

What you need:

ceramic tile

background paper

mod podge

gesso

flowers

framed image

adhesive backed gems

strong glue

How to:

For this particular project I laid down a coat of gesso on a ceramic tile. It was the type that looks like smooth rock not the type that is smooth and heavily glazed. After the gesso dried I applied a coat of mod podge to seal it. I then applied a second generous coat and while it was still wet I covered the inked side of my paper (Gecko Galz Tara's Garden) with mod podge and placed it face down on the tile. It is really important to get all the air bubbles and wrinkles out, so use your hands or a squeegee and really make it smooth. 

Put it aside and don't even think about doing anything else until tomorrow.

After you have had your first coffee go ahead and take out your tile. You are going to need a spray bottle or sponge and water. You will totally saturate the entire surface of the paper. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then spray again. 

Using your finger, gently draw little circles on the paper. You should see little piece of the paper begin to ball up. Keep going gently. If you find the paper is drying, wet it again and continue. Keep going until you can see your image clearly. This will take some time so be patient.

When you are convinced you have all the white paper off the tile, set it aside to dry.

I added another coat of mod podge just to be sure nothing moved or soaked up colours from my embellishments later on.

I then adhered, using Glossy Accents (Craft Medley Premium Craft Glue works perfectly I was just out) all of my flowers and my framed Gecko Galz image from the Isn't It Romantic Collage sheet.

What do you think?

I stamped my sentiment using a Graphic 45 stamp from the Mon Amour collection and Daisy White ink from Close To My Heart. Using some white glitter embossing powder and my heat tool I embossed the sentiment to make it stand out. The finishing touches were the adhesive backed crystals which to me make it the cutest Valentine's Day Decor item.