Collage and UTEE Handmade Hearts Tutorial

Supplies: Water Color and Masonite Classic and Folk Hearts, Gold UTEE, Gelatos Gift Set, Washi Tape, Metallic Eyelets, White Valentine Word Paper Cuts, Various Paper Cuts, Matte Glue N Seal, Black and Sepia Archival Ink, Ink Blending Foam, Sharpie Paint Marker White and Black, Vintage Sheet Music Collage Sheet, Flower Background Collage Sheet, Retro Grunge Pattern Collage Sheet.

So many of you asked me questions about my handmade heart techniques, and whether there was a tutorial, so I decided to make one for you. These are fast, fun, and easy, and hopefully you will pick up a few tips!

 

(You can CLICK any of the photos for a larger view!)

To create your layered backgrounds, tear up bits of paper, collage sheets, and washi tape, and attach them to your masonite heart bases using Matte Glue N' Seal. You won't need medium for the tape and I added mine last. Be sure to layer and use colors that are pleasing to you. Make sure to cover the entire heart, extending over the edges. This is a fast and easy way to do it! And a great way to use up all those tiny scraps you have laying around. If you are like me, you hoard them! You can order the hearts with watercolor paper overlays, however for these hearts I only used the masonite bases.

Once dry, trim around your hearts holding your scissors to the edge. Since the masonite is hard and durable, you can do this easily without damaging the base. So easy!

Lightly sand the edges in a downward motion for a nice clean look. If you don't have sand paper on hand, you can also use a nail file. Now your backgrounds are done.

Layer Paper Cuts and any other images onto your backgrounds. The Paper Cuts are great since they are ready to go. Don't be afraid to just use just part of the image, and trim off the rest as we did above. Attach using Matte Glue N' Seal. Add accents using Sharpie Paint Markers and color using Gelatos, paint, etc. as desired. I added some Gelato color here and there and Sharpie Paint Marker Polka Dots.

Using a piece of Ink Blending Foam (I don't use a tool, I like the control of the foam in my hand) ink the edges of your hearts. I using a combination of Sepia and Black, beginning with Sepia. Using an awl, xacto knife, or small scissors, reopen the hole in your masonite heart so you can add an eyelet. Go in through the front. The hole doesn't need to be perfect since the eyelet will cover it.

These next two steps are most important and kill several birds with one stone. You must work fairly quickly. Seal your pieces with Glue N' Seal using a sponge brush. I like a textured look so I "pounce" with my brush rather than "stroking" on the medium. Make sure you add a generous amount over the eyelet hole. While your Glue N' Seal is still wet, proceed to the next step.

Before your Glue N' Seal dries, add your eyelet. Next randomly sprinkle on some Gold UTEE. The wet Glue N' Seal holds it in place just as nicely as any embossing medium and this allows you to skip a step. I figured this out after the first batch of hearts. The UTEE particles are large, so if you don't like some of the placement of the crystals, brush them off with your finger before heating. I tried to avoid covering faces and words. Finally, heat your heart using your heat tool until the UTEE melts. I placed mine on a paper plate and held the edge of the plate while heating, as the hearts can get hot.

The randomly placed UTEE crystals create a cool molten look and add another wonderful layer of texture! Several of you thought I used a melting pot or splattered it on while it was melted. No, this is much easier. Just sprinkle it on and heat!

And a string through your eyelet and you have a perfect little hanging heart. Or if you prefer, order the hearts without holes and attach them to an assemblage project or use them to create magnets!

 

Hearts definitely aren't just for Valentine's Day. Make some today!

Supplies: Water Color and Masonite Classic and Folk Hearts, Gold UTEE, Gelatos Gift Set, Washi Tape, Metallic Eyelets, White Valentine Word Paper Cuts, Various Paper Cuts, Matte Glue N Seal, Black and Sepia Archival Ink, Ink Blending Foam, Sharpie Paint Marker White and Black, Vintage Sheet Music Collage Sheet, Flower Background Collage Sheet, Retro Grunge Pattern Collage Sheet.