Mixed Media Paper Dolls or Ornaments by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

Once upon a time, there were dozens of paper crafting magazines – both print publications and online. For over thirty years, I was a writer and designer for many of them. Almost all have ceased publication, but I retained the copyright to my projects, words and photos. Back issues of some magazines can be found on eBay and at yard sales, but Scrapbooking.com Magazine, an online-only publication, has totally disappeared.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the Scrapbooking.com Magazine articles from my archive, hoping that the ideas will be as useful now as when they were first published. Many of the products are still available, and where that is not the case there are easy substitutions. 

Let’s start with mixed media dolls! (I have totally revised and updated the copy to suit The Queen’s Inkling.) 

IF THERE IS ENOUGH INTEREST I WILL TEACH THIS PROJECT AS A CLASS AT THE QUEEN’S INK THIS WINTER. Please call the store if you want to be on the list. Do NOT leave your name and phone number in the comments section of the blog.

The two mixed media dolls shown today can stand alone as art objects or they can be incorporated into a collage or art journal. This time of year, you can think of them as angels and hang them as tree ornaments.

Design Strategies – Basic Instructions:

1. Start with a square or narrow rectangle cut from heavy weight paper or cardstock for the body. Shown: Embossed cardstock, silk screened paper. (Option: Create your own stamped, stenciled, or gel printed papers!) Reinforce with chipboard for added stability if needed. Don’t worry about making a realistic shape.

2. Use knotted netting for the legs or arms. Again, don’t worry about realism – once you have a face in place your brain will ‘read’ the netting as limbs.

3. Stamp a face on an egg shape. Optional: Add a die cut flower or decorative circle as a halo.

4. Stamp or stencil wings or make them out of foil scraps. 

5. Embellish to complete as shown or as you prefer! The dolls shown include ball fringe, a dimensional butterfly, snowflake gems, Asian coins secured by red brads, orange half-circle feet.

6. More options:

Make a 2-way doll (a good choice for ornaments that will be viewed from both sides) by adding another face plus more embellishments to the back. These elements can be duplicates of the front or totally different! For example: The front can be a human face and the back can be an animal.

Instead of a stamped face, use a photo!

Make a big batch of dolls so you can give them to friends and family. 

Supplies:

• Adhesives for paper, fabric and metal
• Stamp of a person’s or animal’s face
• Stamp or stencil for wings
• Inks, paints
• Assorted papers
• Small scale ball fringe or other trims
• Low-relief embellishments (coins, gems)
• Brads
• Dies (egg, decorative circle or flower)
• Metal scraps
• 6” wide netting

Laurel Burch Christmas – Part Two: Envelopes By Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

[photo C]

I’m going to let the photos do the talking, just like last week. Laurel Burch’s Christmas stamps do all the work – just stamp and color (or not!). 

Pick an ink and stamp cats and dogs, or just cats, or just dogs (as shown) or mix in gift boxes, birds, or whatever combination strikes your fancy. Be sure to leave an open area for the name and address. I chose basic black, but bright red, dark green, or vintage brown would be great options. 

Get out some markers and colored pencils. Turn on holiday music to get you in the mood, listen to a podcast, or visit with a friend, and before you know it, you’ve got a big batch of envelopes in which to send your cards and flat paper ornaments!

Supplies:

• Laurel Burch Christmas stamps
• Ink in black or color(s) of choice
• Envelopes in color(s) of choice - A2 or size(s) of choice
• Markers, pens, colored pencils

Laurel Burch Christmas – Part One: Cards and Ornaments By Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

I’m getting ahead for the holidays, making my usual big batch of cards and flat, easy-to-mail ornaments. This year it’s all about cats and dogs and horses and birds thanks to my newest Laurel Burch stamps and dies.

Patti has been doing her best to keep them in stock, but they do seem to fly off the pegs at the store so don’t miss out!

Instead of instructions, I’m going to let the photos do the talking. I stuck with tan cardstock, black ink, colored pencils and markers. Circles are die-cut. Layouts are simple. The fun is in the coloring and layering. It’s a cliché, but true: The possibilities are endless!

Tune in next time for a big batch of envelopes, stamped with some of the same images.

Supplies:

• Laurel Burch holiday stamps and dies (Stampendous)
• Ink in black or color(s) of choice
• Cardstock in assorted colors
• Patterned papers
• Circle dies in assorted sizes
• Markers, colored pencils, pens
• Narrow ribbon
• Metallic braid
• Hole punches (quarter- and eighth-inch)
• Paper glue
• Foam squares
• Optional: Decorative stickers, glitter dot stickers

Halloween Envelopes by Judi Kauffman

I'm part of Stampendous's 31 Days of Halloween, a month of projects published on their blog, and my tutorial, published on October 7, includes Halloween stamps by Andy Skinner that Patti has ordered for The Queen's Ink. I designed some spooky envelopes for mailing Halloween cards. (If you've been following The Queen's Inkling, you probably already know that I absolutely LOVE stamping and decorating envelopes...)

Check out the tutorial at this link, then please come on back to do your shopping.

New Copic Class! Celestial Celebrations - Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Join me at the The Queen’s Ink on Tuesday, October 16th for a new Copic marker class featuring the Laurel Burch Celestial themed stamp sets from Stampendous. We'll make two cards in this class, with emphasis on basic Copic skills such as ink blending. Details are below. All necessary techniques are taught in class. Seats are limited, so sign up today! CLASS FEE: $25

Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM 

To register, call the Queen’s Ink at (301) 497-9449

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection. PLEASE NOTE: You must bring your own markers to participate in class. If you need markers, please contact The Queen’s Ink in advance of class. If you wait until class time, you may not be able to purchase the markers you need. RV13: Tender Pink RV14: Begonia Pink RV17: Deep Magenta RV19: Red Violet YR04: Chrome Orange Y02: Canary Yellow Y15: Cadmium Yellow Y19: Napoli Yellow YG07: Acid Green BG02: New Blue B24: Sky B66: Clematis B69: Stratospheric Blue E000: Pale Fruit Pink E00: Cotton Pearl (formerly Skin White) 0: Colorless blender OTHER SUPPLIES:  Please bring Scissors suitable for fussy cutting Foam adhesive squares Tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape.