Both of my kids LOVED pretending to be pirates when they were preschoolers. We fully embraced the whole concept. I was blessed enough to be able to capture some of these precious moments on film for years to come. Nik especially would play in what some would call a former living room, we call it the “Play Room”. This was the perfect place for him to set up all of his ‘guys’, ships and castles and just let his imagination run wild for the day.

Mixed Media Pirate Keepsake


Pirate Keepsake Instructions

To capture this perfect long ago moments I took a piece of discarded packing paper and trimmed it to 13×15. Yep, that’s right, discarded packing paper. Truthfully I went looking for the perfect ‘map’ paper and just wasn’t quite happy with what I found. So this is where Therm O Web and Joy Clair stamps came in.

After I had my paper to the size I needed it to be, I crumbled it into a ball to get a ton of cracks and creases. Then my husband and I went outside with a lighter and caught it on fire and then stomping it to put it out. I have to tell you this was a lot of fun. But definitely something you need to do outside.


Then to create the background I grabbed some Brutus Monroe Aqua Pigments and wearing gloves poured some “Arachnis, Starlight, Rivet and Gilded” and just had fun. I also had a water bottle and brush, but mostly I just moved the colors around with my hands. I like getting a little inky when I am creating. When I had gotten the piece to the color I wanted, I then took some Brutus Monroe Sandpaste and Gina K Designs Glitz Glitter Gel – Orange Mango and Gold and put here and there where it looked like it made sense. To finish off this part I took some Brutus Monroe Raven Detail Ink around the edges.

Next, I took my photos and using Gina K Designs Terrific Tape ½” x 27’ I attached Gold and Black scrapbook paper to the back. I made sure that the black scrapbook paper was bigger than the photos and to give them a worn look I tore them around the edges. To attach them to the background piece I used Gina K Designs Foam Tape Black and more of the Gina K Designs Terrific Tape ½”x27’.


Stamp with MISTI

Then using my Memory Misti I stamped using the Brutus Monroe Raven Detail Ink the stamps I wanted for my background piece directly onto it. And on some white paper, I stamped out the wording I wanted and the Pirate’s Treasure Box. To color them both I used some more Brutus Monroe Aqua Pigments and some watercolor pencils and brushes. I attached both of these pieces with some more of the Gina K Designs Foam Tape Black.


Glitz Glitter Gel

To finish my piece I took a photograph of my piece. But I found that the treasure map that I created needed more pop. So I used Gina K Designs Glitz Glitter Gel Black and Deco Foil Metallix Gel – Black Ice to give more texture and background to the piece. When I was done I thought that the piece looked like aged cloth instead of some packing material that I would have otherwise thrown away. Where will you find your treasure at?

Pirate Keepsake Supplies

Joy Clair Stamp Set “God’s Treasure”
Memory Misti
iCraft Decofoil Metallix Gel –  Black Ice
Gina K Designs Glitz Glitter Gel – Gold
Gina K Designs Glitz Glitter Gel – Sweet Mango
Gina K Designs Glitz Glitter Gel – Black
Brutus Monroe Sandpaste
Gina K Designs Foam Tape Black
Gina K Designs Terrific Tape ½”x27’

Brutus Monroe’s “Raven Detail Ink”
Brutus Monroe’s “Aqua Pigment Paper”
Brutus Monroe Aqua Pigments and Metallic Aqua Pigments
Brutus Monroe Sandpaste
Packing Paper
Watercolor Pencils
Black and Gold scrapbook paper
Photos
Paper trimmer
silicone brush
Heat tool

It’s not a collaboration if we don’t offer up a chance for you to win some of these same supplies are designers are using. So follow the Rafflecopter for a chance to get yourself entered to win. Then visit our friends at Joy Clair for more ideas and giveaways as well!

Don’t miss the Birthday sale happening now at Joy Clair! Save 25% off your entire order!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 Comments on Ahoy There Matey! Pirate Mixed Media Keepsake with Joy Clair

  1. Mary Holshouser
    August 22, 2019 at 3:52 pm (5 years ago)

    Fantastic layout. Love the re-use of the
    packing paper. Glad you didn’t catch
    anything unintended on fire. thanks
    for sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  2. trainwithmeghan
    August 22, 2019 at 3:59 pm (5 years ago)

    This is GENIUS! I love how you distressed the paper!

  3. Karthikha Uday
    August 22, 2019 at 4:06 pm (5 years ago)

    What a fun keepsake!! Love the way you made it 🙂

  4. beccab33324
    August 22, 2019 at 5:40 pm (5 years ago)

    That looks like it was so much fun to make. Very clever.

  5. Sue D
    August 22, 2019 at 7:39 pm (5 years ago)

    This is so cool!

  6. Denise Bryant
    August 22, 2019 at 8:55 pm (5 years ago)

    Fun project! This looks great!

  7. Sharon Gullikson
    August 23, 2019 at 11:43 am (5 years ago)

    I love the pirate theme. My grandson would love to get a card similar to that, just without the photo. GREAT idea to wrinkle the paper.