F Valentine Papier-mâché Hearts | tamdoll's workspace

Valentine Papier-mâché Hearts

January 29, 2011

Thanks for the comments on my last post!  I don’t have an exact “how-to”.. but can tell you what I did to decorate the hearts.   I didn’t make the base hearts –they were papier-mâché ones that I had in my stash for many years.   Does anyone else do that?  I save things for a long time, afraid that I’ll ruin them, or never have them again… it’s self-defeating I think. 

I’ve been wanting to collage with sheet music for a while – I always see it done so nicely on other people’s blogs so I pulled out some music I’d been saving – and tore it up, focusing on “romantic” words.  Then I went through my paper stash and took out coordinating papers, a poem from the back of a chocolate bar, along with tissue paper that had been stamped with permanent ink and images that I used in this 2010 decoupage project (I save everything!)

Using matte Gel Medium as glue (had Liquitex Matte Gel left over from that first project, too – it’s really nice and thick), I first pasted on the music-pieces.  Next I pasted accent papers all around, layering them a little, covering the base completely.  I made sure not to get the gel on top of any of the pieces, afraid that it would act as a resist to the paint later on.

Tamdoll click for closeup pictures

In the afternoon when all was dry, I took out paints that I had at home – Golden Fluid Acrylics in Iridescent Gold Deep color, and a pink and burgundy glaze (Plaid brand, Folk Art paints).  I just squirted a dollop onto wax paper and tried to brush on and blend the different colors, but wanted a more transparent look, so started smooshing and rubbing it all on with my fingers.  I ended up finger painting all of them.  It was fun, but my hands took a beating from all the washing. 

Usually I’ll spray a fixative or a sealer when I’m done with a project like this, but I didn’t want to dull the shine from the paint.  I went back once more to darken up some of the first pieces that I hadn’t been so bold with – and that was it!  A half-dozen cute Valentine ornaments that can be used as an indoor decoration this winter.

Do you ever depart from your normal crafts? Have huge stashes of things you never use or are afraid to let go of?  Save everything and then are really happy when you find a use for them?  As I re-read this post, this is what I came away with, sounds a little wacky, but I know I’m not alone out there!

Look for this at the Craft schooling Sunday link party, too – lots of fun!

Craft Schooling Sunday

9 comments:

  1. Thank you, Tammy, for taking the time to share your process. Your hearts are just beautiful and I hope I can make one even half as pretty for my Valentine tree.

    I just love the musical notes on the hearts and the soft pink shade. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do the same thing .. I've spilled over into 3 rooms now with all the crap I have :) I bounce from one thing to another and just 'have' to have it all because you never know when you'll need it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These look great! I love them! I'm wondering if I can find some at Joanns, to do this to!
    Great idea!
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cool! I don't really do paper gluing type thingies, so I'll have to live vicariously through you. I have an idea, get materials, then don't do the project and hoard the materials.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ah yes. I do save things--some are weird things. Because you just never know. Soon I'm going to work with printing fabric, so now I get to save more weird things. happy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. the hearts came out wonderful! Yes, I save paper and beads... easy to store! {:-D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh tammy these are gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing your process with us! I ove them so much. Love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Tammy, love these sheet music hearts....I've been wanting to craft with sheet music too only can't find any around here! Love your hearts and thanks so much for sharing on Craft schooling Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. They are so cute! Thank you for taking the time to share with everyone! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by!

Powered by Blogger.
Back to Top