Crepe Paper Flower Tutorial

Thanks for stopping by today! I always look forward to Spring when things begin to turn green and flowers begin to bloom! I created these beautiful flowers, a variation of a flower by Melissa Frances, with Crepe Paper, DecoArt Glamour Dust Glitter Paint and some fabulous buttons from my Zeus and Zoe kit.

Step One: Cut 5 pieces of crepe paper to measure 1-inch x 1.5-inchs, making sure the longer length runs with the lines on the crepe paper. These 5 pieces will form the inner petals of the flower. Cut 7 pieces of crepe paper to measure 1-inch x 2- inches, making sure the longer length runs with the lines on the crepe paper. Using scissors, round the corners on one end of each of the pieces to make a petal shape.

Step Two: Use your thumbnail and a finger to smooth out the crinkled  lines on the rounded end of each of the petals.

Step Three: Dip the tip of each rounded petal into DecoArt Glamour Dust Glitter Paint. Let dry.

Step Four: Use the 5 smaller petals to form the inner layer of the flower. Pinch the straight end of each petal to form a teardrop shape. Use hot glue to adhere the petals together.

Step Five: Layer and adhere the 7 larger petals onto the backside of the 5-petal flower you just formed.

Step Six: Glue a button to the center of the flower to finish.

In addition to the elegant pink flowers, I also created some fun colored blooms.

Remember, there is still time to enter the March Challenge. Link up your challenge by the end of the month for your chance to win a prize! Like the Zeus and Zoe Facebook Page to receive up-to-date information about challenges, upcoming sponsors and contests.

Until next time,
Dana

Fabric covered minialbum tutorial

Hi there! I made this fabric covered minialbum the other day and thought I'd share with you the steps how to create it. 

It's really easy to put together. All you need is some patterned or plain paper, piece of fabric and a sewing machine. For the closing you'll need a piece of elastic band and also a button. Almost all the materials I used for this album are from my Zeus and Zoe kit.

Firstly, gather your supplies for the pages. Cut them to 6" by 12" in size. I used one sheet of 12x12" paper and a brown paper bag from my kit and threw another piece of patterned paper from my own stash.

Then, grab a piece of fabric slightly larger than the pages - about 14" by 13" in size and fold it in half. Now your fabric piece is 7" by 13". You can of course use two different fabrics, too. 

Sew the fabric pieces together from their edges. Sew a few times round the piece and then let the edge fray a little. The stitched line shall keep the piece fraying too much. Then mark the center of the cover part as well as the pages and stitch the pages to the cover with the sewing machine.

You can leave the album in the previous stage, but you can also add a little something to the cover by using mixed media. I used a stencil to make a chevron pattern to the cover with gesso. Then I colored the covers with Tattered Angels mists. The gesso will resist the mists.

Then sew some details to the front cover and a piece of elastic band to the back cover. I used some great doilies and lace form my Zeus and Zoe kit as decorations!

Finish the album by sewing a button to the front cover for the closing. I also added a strip of paper to which I stamped the title. To keep the look of the album cohesive, I stitched the title in place.

If you want to see the finished album from inside, please check my blog!

Challenge layout - March - "Direction"

Hello everyone! Riikka here with my first post on Zeus and Zoe!  This is my creation to the March challenge "New beginnings". 

This autumn is going to be a new beginning for me in some ways. I've been at home with the kids almost 4 years now and shall return to work again during autumn. So now I'm considering my direction and what to do with the new start. The journaling of the layout is at the back.

I had some great blue papers in my Zeus and Zoe kit and the acrylic paint in the sponsor DecoArt matched it perfectly, so I did a blueish layout. But I just have to tell you that blue is my favourite color and the color of hope, so it fitted perfectly with my theme.

Almost all of the materials in the page are from my kit. I used some patterned papers, chipboard embellishment, the flower, the lace and the jewellery pieces from the kit. The tickets, the flower and the oval are all cut from different patterned papers in my kit. Please check the Zeus and Zoe Etsy store for similar materials! I just added a doily, some washi tape and some alphas to the mix from my own stash. 

For the background I used some my own stencils with Tattered Angels mists and then finished the layers with the DecoArt stencil and acrylic paint. I also traced the swirls of the stencil with black felt pen.

I hope I inspired you with my layout! Please, take part to the challenge if you already haven't done so. We would love to see what you create!

March Challenge - an altered book cover

Hello there! It's Yvonne here. I recently started art journaling in old books and for the March challenge, I altered the cover of my art journaling book.

I started by cutting a window on the cover and some inner pages. I wanted to create some depth for the beautiful Zeus and Zoe embellishments but still wanted for the book to fit nicely on a bookshelf. 

I used the DecoArt stencil along with Golden glass bead medium to create a raised texture on the cover. Then I painted it with DecoArt paint and added some PearlEx for some shimmer.

For the base of the window, I used a vintage birthday card and some pretty embellishments. I also added some swirl chipboard to the cover. All from the Zeus and Zoe store.

Challenge Layout - March - New Beginnings

Hello Everyone and welcome to my first post, as a Zeus and Zoe DT member.  This month Dana has picked our challenge theme of 'New Beginnings'.  For me personally, this year I have started a new beginning by researching my family ancestors - and what a journey it has been so far, I am amazed at where my family origins come from and find this part of 'life' fascinating.  

So, today I share a layout of a photograph of my relatives from my Maternal side of the family.

This month Zeus and Zoe are sponsored by Deco Art and were sent some amazing products to play with, including paint and stencils. I had a wonderful time playing with these fabulous products, and will look forwards to using a lot more of them in the future.

Product Overview

DecoArt has one of the widest selection of paints and finishes for arts, crafts, and home decorating. DecoArt has a full product line which includes over 25 brands of paint and finishes.

Our products are sold in all major craft chain stores in the United States, as well as having a strong market presence internationally in over 75 countries abroad.

Our Commitment to Quality

DecoArt assures its loyal and new customers that they can use our products with confidence.

All DecoArt products are non-toxic and user- and enviromently-friendly.

We make safe products. Our paints and specialty products are made in the USA to federally-mandated and industry-wide safety and quality standards as established by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). ACMI employs one of the nation's top independent toxicology groups at 

Duke University. All of our formulas are reviewed and have been certified as non-toxic by this group.

Main Challenge Prize

 Random Challenge Prize

 

To create my stencil background, I mixed Deco Art gold paint in with the texture medium forming a muted gold colour - and applied using the Deco Art Jacobean Floral stencil.  When completely dry, I applied a light brush of straight gold paint onto the textured surface, highlighting some of the pattern. 

As I am a GD over at the Berry71Bleu for March, I used one of Marivic's gorgeous hand-made tags.  The detail in this tag is amazing, and the photographs really do not do it justice.  To purchase tags - visit 'HERE'.  Also, I used a variety of vintage delights from the Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop.  Marivic puts together the most amazing kits, full of vintage and beyond goodness. If you have something in mind colour wise or content wise, Marivic is also happy to create a kit especially to your own personal requirements.

I layered the many vintage elements from my DT kit - including writing paper, note paper, receipt, a post card, old doily, pattern paper, buttons, lace, and a large key charm. My kit contained an old pearl necklace, which I (reluctantly) pulled apart, and adhered along with other beads as a highlight to my layout. You can find all Marivic's beautiful vintage and 'more' kits and embellishments 'HERE'.

I do hope you can join in with our challenge theme this month, and really look forwards to seeing the entries and all the 'New Beginnings' emerge.  Shall certainly be some wonderful talking points.

Enjoy your creative journey,

Sandie

Herb Garden in a Box

Hi all!! I'm Janel and I blog at NellieBellie! I'm so happy to be on board with Zeus and Zoe as a new Design Team Member. I'm beyond thrilled to be able to use the fantastic products!! My blog is a lifestyle blog with a little crafting, a little cooking, a little DIY, and a whole lot of giggling. I'm beyond thrilled to "meet" you and be able to share projects with you often!! Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Wouldn’t this be such a sweet little box to give to someone? Or just keep for yourself. An herb garden in a box. There is something about having fresh herbs right outside my kitchen door that makes me feel so happy. And, this little box lets me give that feeling to someone else easily and inexpensively. What a great way to start Spring!! Get these little herb plants started and let your friend plant them when the ground is ready! I made the box from a cardboard box easily found at a craft store. I used DecoArt’s stencil and paints to give the box a wonderful spring pattern that is fun and whimsical. Wood circles are attached and more DecoArt paint is used to write “Herb Garden in a Box” on them. (The same wood circles and paint make cute plant id’s inside the box.) A fabulous decorative flower from Zeus and Zoe embellishes the front of the box. And cute little flowers from Zeus and Zoe(jazzed up with DecoArt paint) are embellishments for the wood circles on top. To create the “garden” fill plastic cups (cut to size) with potting soil. I set the cut cups into the tops that were cut off (flipped upside down) for added stability. Plant a seed or two in each cup, water, and add the plant tag on top. Include fun accessories like a trowel, more seeds, and an embellishment (this butterfly is also from Zeus and Zoe and is so sweet!). Now let your friend know that the seeds are live and ready for them to care for and see their faces light up with delight when you give them this gift!!

March Challenge Project - When Life Really Begins

Hello everyone, Norma here!!  I'm so happy to be here with you today to share my very first Zeus and Zoe project.  This month we are challenging you to create a "New Beginnings" themed project using a mask or stencil.

So for my take on the challenge, I created a 12x12 mixed media canvas inspired by this beautiful Barbara Deangelis quote,"The moment in between what you once were, and who you are becoming, is when the dance of life Really Begins".  

To create my canvas, I started out by adhering handwritten vintage letters and sewing patterns from my Zeus and Zoe kit.  Next I added the flourishes with molding paste and a DecoArt Spiral Scroll stencil.  Once the molding paste was dry, I painted over the entire canvas with acrylic paint.   Then I fussy cut the birds and flowers from the KaiserCraft, Sweet Nothings Collection - Devoted patterned paper that came in my Zeus and Zoe kit and highlighted with a wash of  DecoArt Twinkles craft paint. 

I found this beautiful vintage photo on Magic Moonlight Freebies.  What I really liked about the photo is that she looks so happy, don't you think.....like she's very happy with where she is in her life.  I thought she matched the quote perfectly.  So I matted the photo with KaiserCraft, Sweet Nothings Collection - Devoted patterned paper and some beautiful embroidered lace from my Zeus and Zoe kit.

My kit also contained beautiful Manor House Fantasy Moonlight flowers and a piece of butterfly printed canvas that went perfectly with my design.  I fussy cut one of the butterflies and a flower from Designs Galore - French Floral Text patterned paper (also from my kit).  Then added more of the Twinkles craft paint to all of the flowers and the butterfly for some added sparkle (cause you can never have to much, lol).

To bring everything together, I added some of Zeus and Zoe's beautiful velvet lilac ribbon and embroidered flowers.  I also tucked in Prima flowers and bling from my stash.  Next I hand wrote the quote onto the backside of the Kaiser patterned paper, fussy cut and inked.  To complete my design, I added purple paint to the edges.  I really like the way the purple paint frames the composition.  

This month's challenge is sponsored by DecoArt and they've given us some fun prizes to share with you.  So I hope I've inspired you to play along with us in this month's "New Beginnings" challenge!  

To find similar items to what I used on my project, visit the Zeus and Zoe online store and don't forget Marivic can put together a special kit just for you.  So if you have something in mind just let her know!  

Thanks so much for joining me today!  I'm really looking forward to seeing all of your beautiful creations, have a beautiful day!!

  

February "love" challenge winners!

Hi everyone! Sandi here. It's time for that exciting announcement on who won our February "love" challenge! First we'd like to say that the entries were just absolutely gorgeous! Such amazing talent ladies! We wish we could pick everyone but we had to narrow it down so for this challenge we decided to do something special, yes that's right, we had such a hard time deciding that we decided to have a DT vote and two randomly picked winners rather then one randomly picked winner! How fun and exciting is that! Yes, and Marivic, our lovely owner, is so generous that she is going to give our second randomly drawn winner a small prize herself! Yeah!

 Our first winner, as selected by the DT, is Keren. We all loved her gorgeous lo! I'm sure you'll agree, that she created one beautiful lo.



 

 

 

Keren, we know your going to love this fabulous package, donated by our DT member Gayle:

 

 

 

 

Our first randomly drawn winner is Denise.  Denise, we really loved what you created for this challenge. So eye-catching and beautiful!

 

 

We know you're going to love this paper pad that our DT member Gayle donated:

 

 

Our second randomly drawn winner is Leila. Leila, we love this sweet, sweet lo that you presented to us. It is just so pretty!

 

 

We know that you're going to love the special "little something" that Marivic is going to send you!

 

 

Ladies, please send your address to Marivic at berry71bleu@gmail.com so that we can send your prizes out to you!

 Thank you to everyone that played along with us!

We invite everyone to join us for our March New beginnings challenge, which is going on now!

Hugs from Zeus and Zoe!

 

 



March Challenge: New Beginnings

Thanks for joining us today! Dana here introducing the challenge theme for March. The month of March brings longer days, warmer temperatures, the rebirth of flora and fauna and Spring! A talented set of new designers begin their term this month and to celebrate the commencement of the new design term and the upcoming Spring Equinox, the Zeus and Zoe Team challenges you to create a project inspired by the theme "New Beginnings." If you started a new job, moved to a new city, are taking a class, treated yourself to a makeover, repainted your house, celebrated the birth of a child, or are reorganizing your scrap space we want to see how this journey has inspired you! This theme is open for interpretation, so we are adding an additional requirement for this challenge to use a mask or stencil on your entry.

This beautiful calendar page came in my Zeus and Zoe Kit and I immediately fell in love with the image and gorgeous color palette. I always look forward to Spring when things begin to turn green and flowers begin to bloom and I created an inspirational piece to hang in my scrap room.

This quote sticker is part of the 7 Dots Studio Hopefully collection and fit perfectly with the New Beginning Theme for the challenge this month.

The Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop has a fabulous selection of Manor House Creations flowers and vintage trinkets.

I used molding paste, a DecoArt Jacobean Floral Stencil and Glamour Dust Glitter Paint to add this flower design to my page. I love the glittery finish from the paint!

Our sponsor for March is DecoArt.

Since 1985, DecoArt has manufactured one of the broadest lines of acrylic paints and finishes for general arts and crafts use in the world. The line includes all-purpose acrylics for professional artists, crafters, and students. Located centrally in the United States, DecoArt manufactures numerous specialty paints that are designed specifically for surfaces like glass, ceramics, fabric, and metal, from its Stanford, Kentucky production facility.

Product Overview
DecoArt has one of the widest selections of paints and finishes for arts, crafts, and home decorating. DecoArt has a full product line which includes over 25 brands of paint and finishes. DecoArt products are sold in all major craft chain stores in the United States, as well as having a strong market presence internationally in over 75 countries abroad. 

Commitment to Quality 
DecoArt assures its loyal and new customers that they can use their products with confidence. All DecoArt products are non-toxic and user- and enviromently-friendly.

DecoArt makea safe products. Their paints and specialty products are made in the USA to federally-mandated and industry-wide safety and quality standards as established by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). ACMI employs one of the nation's top independent toxicology groups at Duke University. All of the DecoArt formulas are reviewed and have been certified as non-toxic by this group. 

For a chance to win some DecoArt products link up your newly created project by the end of the month.

Prizes:

Random Prize:

Here are the rules: 
1. Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the side bar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST, not your entire blog. 
2. You may submit as many entries as you would like and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges. 
3. Post this challenge to your blog and mention, in your post, that you are playing along at Zeus and Zoe TOGETHER with a link back to our Zeus and Zoe blog. 
4. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the 31st of March. 
5. Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the sidebar ONLY, not by email and not by linking up in the comments section please. 

Information about our challenges: 
1. Zeus and Zoe Challenges are open to anyone, anywhere in the world. 
2. Our DT do their best to comment on all entries, you can make their job easier by turning off your word verification. 
3. Challenges are held monthly and each month TWO winners are chosen. One winner is chosen by our DT and the other is chosen by random draw. 
4. Challenge winners will always be announced within a week of the challenge closing and winners are then required to contact Marivic. 
5. Prizes not claimed within two weeks will be forfeited. 
6. The Merit winner will have an image of their project featured in the winners post, together with a link back to the homepage of their blog. 
7. Winners will be awarded a Winner's Badge to post on their blog...full bragging rights included! 

We can't wait to see your entries for this challenge! Thank you for your visit!