Thursday, February 23, 2012

Simon Says Stamp...Paris, Plus a Honey of a Tutorial!

This week, the Simon Says Stamp challenge gave us our choice of Paris, London, or New York as our theme. I chose Paris, because I really wanted to use this balloon from Artistic Outpost's Paris Exposition stamp set. How adorable is it all honeycombed up?! It was definitely a bit of a challenge since it was so small, but it was not as hard as you might think.

I can't thank you guys enough for all the wonderful comments on my 12 Tags challenge tag! Without further ado, here is the tutorial you all asked for:

Super Simple Honeycomb

Supplies: StazOn or other permanent ink, glue stick, inking tool, hot air balloon stamp from Stampers Anonymous, Distress ink, tissue paper, white cardstock.

Step one: Using StazOn, stamp balloon portion of hot air balloon stamp on tissue paper 7-9 times (the more pieces you use the smaller your honeycomb openings will be. I used 7 for this example). Ink well with Distress ink.

Step 2: Cut out balloon portion of stamped image, trimming closely. I love how they look like petals! Idea for later, perhaps? Hmmmm....

Step 3: Fold each balloon in half. Even though this stamp isn't perfectly symmetrical, it's close enough. Notice that, since you used a nice, juicy StazOn pad and lots of Distress ink, the pattern and color show on both sides!

Step 4: Note - this is going to look tricky, but it's really easy! Take a folded balloon and, using your glue stick (the drier the adhesive, the better, you don't want it soaking thru!), run a line of glue down the folded edge. Add another little horizontal strip near the top, and one near the bottom. Stack another folded balloon on top and press to adhere.

Step 5: Open the folded balloon and add a small horizontal line of glue in the center. Refold and make sure it's adhered. Repeat this process until you've used all of your folded balloons. Each glued piece should alternate - one glued at the top and bottom, the next glued in the middle, and so on.

Step 6: When you're done stacking and gluing, it should look something like this. You can check your glue points along the way to make sure it's all opening up correctly.

Step 7: Stamp the balloon image on white cardstock, color with Distress ink, and cut out. This will be your base.

Step 7: Cover entire cardstock balloon with glue.

Step 8: Carefully align the folded, stacked tissue balloons on top of the cardstock balloon, the cut edge should be on the outside, the fold should be in the center. It doesn't matter which side you lay down first. Press to adhere.

Step 9: Carefully open up your tissue paper and press the other side down. You can use a craft stick or something similar to reach in and smooth it down, if necessary.

That's it! I hope this was somewhat easy to follow. It's so much easier to show than to tell! Feel free to email me with any questions, or leave one in the comments.

Here is another peek of my original tag using this technique. I think I glued at slightly different points, but it still works! As long as you alternate your glue points, you will get the honeycomb effect.

Here is the technique done on a much smaller scale! Isn't it adorable? This time I used a liquid glue and did not like it one bit. It doesn't take much moisture to get tissue paper saturated - definitely go with a glue stick for this! Just like my original tag, I stamped the rest of the image on a piece of scrap clear packaging and fit the two pieces together. This time, I used my heat gun to slightly soften the banners and then curled them while they were warm. The banner at the top was cut from white paper with Sizzix' Tattered Banners die, and stamped with another image from AO's Paris Exposition. So pretty!

I love using heat embossing on pieces like this, but don't want a shiny finish on something that looks so vintage. To tone it down, I lightly sanded the embossing after it cooled with my Idea-ology Sanding Grip.

After I made this, I wasn't sure what it was, exactly. Should it be a card? A hanging? I decided to add an easel to the back that was cut from chipboard using the Sizzix Small Easel die and make it a stand-alone art piece. I just trimmed a little off the top and it was a perfect fit.

The frame for my piece was created using the large Movers and Shapers Cabinet Card die, and the small Mini Cabinet card die. After it was cut from chipboard, I painted it with a Pitch Black Dabber and then sanded it when it was dry.

So sorry this has turned into a book, lol! I hope some of you decide to try this technique. If you need any of the materials I used, they can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. If you're looking to save a little $$$, use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order!

Supplies


56 comments:

  1. You are a genius! What a great tutorial! Need to have a go at this stat!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bravo!
    An astonishing tutorial. Although I do lots of pretties I love to now and again dabble in Steampunk so this tutorial is so perfect, cannot thank you enough.
    Wishes
    Lynne

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ohh wow, this is very cool. I'm so going to try this one. First have to get me some tissue paper :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really neat idea! I love that you used a "make it work" moment from Tim's 12 tags into a learning opportunity for us all! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have used this fabulous technique on the dress form a while back but with vintage text aper and it works beautifully and then Tim posted his tutorial isn't it fun. I spent ages folding pages and honeycomb paper is such a fab idea. I've tried the balloon using text paper too and it works wonderfully although took some time folding paper lol. Your steampunk creation is stunning as always and we are so pleased you have joined us again at Simon Says Stamp and Show, thank you. You are making me think I now need that easel die too lol. You are a bad influence lol. Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is fabulous and thank you for a terrific tutorial. x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing the tutorial! I love the new card you made with the blue balloon too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW! Love!
    Thanks again for another wonderful tutorial.
    I just received my mini cabinet die...may have to get the large one too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is just the coolest!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Like this card (I think I NEED that die :) )Cool tutorial too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a great tutorial. I remember making christmas decorations this way as a child. I'd never have thought to do it on this smaller scale!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yea .. cant't wait to try this. Thanks so much for the tut. I just used your idea using pitch black on my stick back metal lace cut out. Looks marvelous.

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG, you are a total paper crafting genius!!! Love your free standing creation. I've been wondering what I was going to do for Tim's first tag. Must pick up a glue stick tomorrow. I haven't had one in the house since the kids grew up - LOL.

    I never get tired of your tutorials. Thanks for sharing so freely!

    Hugs,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great tute and great projects!! Thanks for sharing...I will have to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you so much for the tutorial, now I have to think, think, think of an idea I can try it on. I don't have any air balloon stamps, hmmm, Easter eggs.
    Your paris steampunk art is fabulous, love it. Thank you for sharing.
    Jacquelene L.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Shelly,
    It's great fun to see what you are doing with the honeycomb! You make it come to life :) Thanks for taking the time to share and explain. We are thrilled to have you enter your work in our Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge!

    :) Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  17. Shelly, thank you so much for taking the time to create the tutorial! The funny thing is...many years ago I learned how to do this and completely forgot about it until I read the tut and then I remembered I'd done this before. Thank you for reminding me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the amazing tutorial! I love the honeycomb effect without actually buying special paper.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shelly, this is a wonderful piece and a great tutorial! The honeycomb paper people are going to hate you!!! Your project is even cooler than if made with their papers! haha Thank you for the tutorial and for sharing this wonderful piece of art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show! <3 Candy

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is way cool, Shelly!!! Love the honeycomb balloon!!!!!!!!!!!! Fabulous!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Freakin' amazing. Love this and thank you for showing us how to do it ourselves. I'll definitely be giving this a try soon. Love everything you do!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You are a genius!!! I tried and tried, and gave up! You make it look so easy! Your AO piece is simple amazing...gorgeous!!! You are so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Shelly - you continue to amaze me with your brilliance. Great tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I absolutely LOVE this, Shelly. You are so clever and the best for sharing your techiques with us! Fabulous work. Can't wait to see what you create next. You must never sleep...lol.
    - DebbieK

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh my gosh!!! What a fantastic technique!! This is a stunning piece!

    Thanks so much for entering the Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge!!!

    -Sarah

    For More Opportunities:
    *Follow Simon Says Stamp on Twitter
    *Like Simon Says Stamp on Facebook
    *Subscribe to Simon Says Stamp on YouTube
    *Follow Simon Says Stamp on Pinterest
    *Sign up for our Newsletter

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful Piece. I will try this technique. Love the blue.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Awesome tutorial Shelly, really well explained. I will definitely be trying this out. Thank you so much, Judith xx

    ReplyDelete
  28. a very nice piece of art.
    I love it

    Greetings Janny

    ReplyDelete
  29. Absolutely fantastic art piece, Shelly--and a wonderful tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Beautiful project, and such a useful tutorial too! The Design Team are really pleased that you joined us for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge this week - Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Fantastic effect!! Thanks for the tutorial

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is just fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing. How in the world did you ever think of doing this???? I can't wait to try my hand at it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for a long awaited tutorial!!! your rock!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow, this is so wonderful. You are amazing to share this so generously. Thanks for your inspiration.

    Carole

    ReplyDelete
  35. That is AMAZING!!!!!! I LOVE all that detail!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. WOW Shelly...this is amazing from beginning to end...really fab!
    also very impressed with how you share so many great details...you must be very organized :)
    saw your sweet comment over at WS...my sentiments exactly!
    oxo

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hello Shelly,

    thanks for sharing another great "selfmade" technique !
    I could imagine how you made the honeycombe paper in your previous tag, but with the tutorial it's completely clear now :)
    It gives a great effect, love the dimension it gives to the whole card.
    I have the easel die to, but haven't used it yet....good to see it demonstrated here.

    Love the composition of your whole card again and all the detail in it.
    greetings from belgium
    Inge

    ReplyDelete
  38. WOW! Totally awesome. Not sure I have the patience for that but it's so cool!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thank you for showing us this lovely technique - when I saw it on the 12 tags of 2012 I thought there must be a way to make that honeycomb yourself and now I know! Love your projects and I look at your blog every day! So, so inspiring!
    Lots of hugs and thankyous!
    Cardarian

    ReplyDelete
  40. Holy crap, this is so cool! Love the honeycomb balloon, and sure, I just bought some of that stinkin' paper. lol. I like yours better, though, because the image and colors are all there!

    ReplyDelete
  41. This is fab! Thanks for the tutorial. I did an embossed, glittered heart from one of your earlier ones. Came out really cool - thank you again!

    Maria x

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wow, Shelly, that's an awesome tute! LOVE your project. I think I like the blue even more than the red!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Bravo Bravo... Amazing tut, I so am gonna have to try this, you Rock missus

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh la la. Fabby card. And thanks for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  45. This is an awesome tutorial! And an awesome project! Congrats for winning at Simon Says! :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you for sharing that technique, I almost had a go myself but doubted it would look great, will definiately have a go in the future, as I am sure others will, great inspiration. Again thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Amazing project and fab tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Congrats on your Simon Says mention!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Shelly I just wanted to let you know I made a card using your honeycomb technique and I'll be posting it to my blog on the 5th. I've linked to your amazing blog in my post. Thank you so much for sharing your technique and your talent!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. thanks for the tutuorial -- as much as I love the honeycomb paper, this homemade look really picks up on a vintage and grungy look, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks for the tutorial! I used red tissue paper and it worked just as well! :) I'm excited to see what else I can do with this tutorial concept :)

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  52. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing your tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  53. This tutorial is super cool. Here is my interpretation: http://jagodowa-lady.blogspot.com/2012/08/steampunkowy-wianek.html :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!