Kind of Squirrely...

Last week's "Squirrely Challenge" involved double embossing: stamp and white emboss background and then stamp and black emboss image. I was looking for some other backgrounds to use for this technique, and really liked the pattern of an embossing folder. Thus began an experiment:

The embossing folder is a newer Tim Holtz/Sizzix one (came in a set - might have been Spring). I embossed the white panel with the folder. I used my Versamark pen to color the raised areas and white embossed. I did this a section at a time for best coverage. After embossing and allowing to set, I sent the panel through my Big Shot to flatten it out. (My first test did not turn out well as the image was raised too high to get a good stamped image). Then, I black embossed the butterflies and completed the card. The sentiment and punch is from Stampin' Up. I few extra steps, but I now know another use for my embossing folders!

Tuesday's Tip

While reading through a Creating Keepsakes magazine a couple of weeks ago, I saw a great idea for using a common baking item. Cupcake liners make great flowers! Since they come in 2 sizes, you have options. As my kids are grown, I find I do not bake as much, but I do have a couple of different patterns of mini cupcake liners. The possibilities should be fun!

Squirrely Challenge

This time our Squirrely Challenge is Colorful Silhouettes. it is from the August 2011 Technique Junkies Newsletter. After white embossing a panel, I added several blue tones of Distress Inks. The bird from Impression Obsession was back embossed. The result:

I repeated the white embossed Stampin' Up background on the white card base.The label was stamped and punched, with color added from Distress inks. I used a Ranger nib dipped onto the ink pad to color the label.
For links to other Squirrely Girls, visit Nancy's blog.

Tuesday's Tip

Get more from your tools by using them in on-traditional ways. I love using stencils on a variety of projects, In addition to using them with inks, sprays, paints, Gelatos etc, I like to stamp through them. It adds a little extra texture to your image or background!

"Wicked"Commitment...

I finished up a recent journal page for my swap with my friend, Kate. I decided to use some stuff (technical term) that was on my desk. So, tearing papers, painting flowers, and painting/gessoing the pages. I really had no plan. It was looking fairly green as I had a mini kit given to me by my friend, Nancy. So, I decided to go with the "wicked" green theme...

The yellow sun up in the right corner is molding paste through a stencil (yes, both were sitting out - on a counter not on my desk!). The wicked witch was from a coordinating stamp set to Graphic 45's Oz collection. There is a bit more sparkle and glitter in real life as I used some Glimmer Glam and Glimmer Glaze.
Give yourself a challenge - use only a few items or leftovers from your desk, a drawer, a basket, etc. You never know where it will lead!

More Paper Play

I used the same Pink Paislee line as yesterday's card. Parts of the paper were a bit on the busy side, so I cut the main body out of the center of a 12 x 12 sheet of patterned paper. The pink swirls and flowers along the top were from another part of the same 12 x 12 sheet of paper. I cut them out and added them. I used the Stampin' Up butterfly embosslit for the small butterflies (and a bit of acrylic paint).
Remember, you can use any part of a 12 x 12 design and re-arrange it as you see fit. You just have to cut it (and I know sometimes that is NOT easy!)

Paper Play

I have fallen in love with patterned paper. Yes, it has been around for many years - and I had a lot at one time. It was mostly 8 1/2 x 11, and pretty basic. So, I stopped buying it and starting making my own with rubber stamps and inks. Then, I could customize each page as needed.
Jump ahead: there are so many wonderful themes and collections available. I resisted for a while - mainly purchasing (and hoarding) Basic Grey. Then, came all the Graphic 45 collections....sigh. So, I have not only embraced patterned paper, and bought patterned paper, I have been using patterned paper. The above card is all Pink Paislee except for the stamped message. I cut (and die cut) portions of a 12 x 12 sheet - making a pretty little card.

Tuesday's Tip

As I am in Boston visiting my daughter, I am not in the studio. So,  the tip for today is to have fun! Be it crafting or traveling , relax and enjoy!

For the Boys...

When my daughter was in high school (both kids actually), I would find some quirky odds and ends for stocking stuffers and Easter baskets. One year, I found the bank pictured below for her basket:

Over time, we would jokingly refer to "adding to the therapy fund" as things came up. Apparently, two of her college friends thought we had a "real" therapy fund. It is actually pretty funny, given both boys have spent time around Megan and I and know we have a rather obtuse sense of humor. So, I get a text that the boys think it is a real fund. So, I ask her if they are jealous. I receive a text back that they want their own. I had 3 days before going to Boston and could not find a bank of any kind. I did find metal canisters and devised a way to make them into banks. Add a couple of old Rubber Baby stamps, a Ken Brown/American Art Stamp and some letters...

Hope they are happy...otherwise, I will need to add to the fund...

In The Neighborhood

I completed a double page spread for my journal exchange. I thought I would use the background I made with paint and plastic wrap, adding some new purchases. It is a bit less busy in person as the pen work did not photograph well. I used one of the new Hero Arts stamps (large house) and paired with Basic Grey's Out of Print paper. I used the On The Edge houses from Tim Holtz/Sizzix to die cut the patterned paper. A few stickers and punched circles were added.

I finally completed this tag - started when I took May's class. I really liked the background - patterned paper (Pink Paislee) glued to the tag and then Tim Holtz tissue glued on top. It is a great look - more interesting in real life. A little inking, and then I cut out and attached the bird and cage with pop dots. To add a little interest, I smeared some Distress Stickles onto the cage and added Glossy accents to the flower. A nice and quick embellishment for a future card or other project!

Tuesday's Tip

Banners and flags are very popular embellishments these days. There are a variety of dies and punches available. Sometimes, you have a need for a specific size. It is easy to custom make the banner or flag you like. To get an even end, use your corner punch. Kim Reilly, a friend from the Club Scrap forum, shared this tip with everyone - center the corner of a square punch on you banner, and punch. It works great! Thanks, Kim!

Dies for Guys...

I am still playing with die cuts. It is pretty easy to make feminine cards - there are a lot of fun flower and butterfly dies available. I decided to work a masculine card into my collection. The tree and deer dies are Sizzix/Tim Holtz. I "Distress Inked" the background of the blue panel and stamped the same colors onto the white fold over card. The punch is by Stampin' Up and sentiment is Hero Arts.

For Mom...

This weekend, I am teaching a boxed card class - just in time for Mother's Day! I really love the Core d'nations texture card stock for the box and card embellishments.

These are the cards we will be making - there will be 2 of each type. The teal and fuchsia are from Core d'nations. All stamps are Penny Black and Hero Arts. The box was previously shown on my blog, but here it is below:

Enjoy your weekend - whether you are celebrating National Scrapbook Day or Cinco de Mayo!

To Die (cut) For...

I bought the new Sizzix/Tim Holtz border die. I love it! There are a ton of flowers and leaves, in slightly different shapes and sizes. The card above is a class sample. I did not use any leaves, as I liked the large swirl instead. Card stock is Club Scrap and miscellaneous others. I used an embossing folder (QuickCuts, I think) on the background.

A Little Bird...

Last weekend, Nancy and I took a class with May Flaum. During the self-paced class,
we had the opportunity to play around. The tag was colored with Paint Dabbers and Distress
Stains. The Hero Arts bird was stamped with 2 colors of Distress Markers. I cut it out and
popped it up, added a die cut branch and fabric flower. I love to mix media, usually I do this
in my art journals. So, it was fun to work on a tag.

Tuesday's Tip

My friend, Nancy, and I took a fun little class from May Flaum. We played with tags, patterned paper and a variety of media. We also discussed some of the new/latest trends. One of these trends is   using clusters of buttons and embellishments on cards and scrapbook pages. May had a great tip that I thought I would pass on - when clustering embellishments, put about 6 dots of glue on your layout. Place the embellishments on the dots, then do a few more. It makes it easier to adjust and decide what you think looks good without doing too much at one time.

Too Busy...

It has been a very busy week. I have been in a creative mode - using a variety of materials that I really do not use enough. My Sizzix Big Shot and various scissors have been used quite a bit. I should be photographing and posting starting tomorrow!

Tuesday's Tip

I have been using my dies a lot lately - die cutting for class samples, but also for fun. With many dies you can position them anywhere onto your paper to create a window. I found a great way to hold the die into place is using an appropriate size Post-It note. It works great - and is easy to remove from the card stock or paper.

Squirrely Challenge

The current Squirrely Challenge from Nancy is from the latest Technique Junkies Newsletter. The technique she chose is cascading images:

I chose one of the images as a starting point, masking and stamping the other images. I made this second card as a sample for my upcoming Stencils class:

The little square opens to a little image of a flower and mini butterfly. You can find more examples of this technique at Squirrely Art.

Real Life

 Many things have been going on around here - some good and some not so good. I have several things in the process, but have not had time to get into the studio. I am sure I am not the only one who gets side tracked by "real life". I am re-working a couple of classes,working on the art journal exchange, and have been furiously compiling ideas for when things settle a bit. (Plus, I am 3-0 when going to the Giants game so far this year. We share season tickets!) Those are the good things...

One of the things that has me side tracked is the death of a friend. Our children went to school together and our sons played baseball for years. It was such a shock that it took the wind out of my creative sails earlier this week. She was a wonderful person, so positive,cheerful, and always ready to lend a hand. She will be greatly missed.

Jazzy Crafts

is a store located in Castro Valley. They have a variety of crafting products (paper and otherwise) as well as classes in stamping, scrapbooking, Copic markers, and others. I am happy to announce that I will be teaching classes at Jazzy Crafts (as well as A Work of Heart). My first class in Saturday,May 5th from 3-5pm. The project:

This gift box will be filled with 4 handmade cards with envelopes. I will show a sample of the cards when we get closer to the date. Information about Jazzy Crafts can be found here.

Tip Follow Up

I mentioned using plastic wrap for texture in Tuesday's Tip this week. I thought I would show a little of what it looks like. I used this technique in the art journal I am working on. After laying down a thin layer of gesso, I scribbled on the pages with a deep blue Gelato watercolor. I sprayed it liberally with water, moving the book pages around, wetting my finger and smudging, etc. I scrunched up some plastic wrap and let it dry for a day:

This is how it looked as it was drying. I took the plastic wrap off the pages:

You can see the areas of pooled colors. The photo below is a close-up of the left page:

I will be adding to this page, but you could easily use it "as is" or a card background.

Tuesday's Tip

Last Tuesday, I mentioned checking out/reading the labels of your products to determine what they can and cannot do. Now, start trying your ideas! One of my "go to" techniques is using a variety of household items for background texture. Scrunched up plastic wrap and scrunched up paper towels are two of my favorites. To use them with wet mediums (watercolors, paints, re-inkers), scrunch them up and set them onto the wet(painted/water colored) card stock or journal page. Then let it dry. I tend to check on the paper towels and remove them before it is too dry, otherwise it may stick -which is sometimes a good thing and provides more texture. You should have no problem with the plastic wrap.

Now, go play!

Basic Card Making with Die Cuts

Just a friendly reminder, I list all my upcoming classes on the right side of my blog. Tomorrow's class at A Work of Heart Studio is simple card making with die cuts (and stamps, of course!). These basic 101 classes are similar to make and takes - you will complete 2 cards for $10. Click on the link  /houses for A Work of Heart's website.

Hope to see you then!

Squirrely Challenge

For those who have not heard about this: A group of friends and I try different techniques for cards, tags, ATC's, etc. It was started by my friend Nancy (Squirrely Art) and has slowly grown.

Since many of us took an on-line class (Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry), Nancy pulled the "blended spritz and flick" technique with Distress Inks as our challenge. Since most of the art I have seen made with Ranger/Tim Holtz projects has been grungy, I thought I would use a more traditional, somewhat cute (at least for me!) stamp set.

I used several green and blue shades of Distress ink and splattered water drops. The stamp set is from Stephanie Barnard's Stamps Of Life line. I stamped the sentiment in Distress Faded Jeans and black, a little off set. You can see other interpretations of this technique by clicking on the Squirrely Art link in parenthesis above.

Boxed Sets

Last month, I made a group of cards for a friend's charity event in Alabama. I was thinking it would nice to box the 4 cards with envelopes - in hopes of bringing in a bit more money for the charity (children's cancer treatment).
A while ago, my friend,Linda, shared a package of die cut boxes with several of us. I decided to use it as a template and make my own out of card stock.

This is the box I used as a template. I just traced around the edge onto a 12 x 12 sheet of card stock. Below is one of the boxes with the card that goes inside:

This is the closed box, with the cards and envelopes inside:

For the box below, I decided to use a black band to tuck the top flap into it as a closure. The cream lace is self adhesive paper lace. This was my favorite (especially since red is my favorite color!)

Such a simple trace and cut activity and it looks great!

Tuesday's Tip

Some of us were taking an on-line class recently. Most of the information was not new to me, but a little refresher course is never a bad idea. What I found most interesting in reading peoples questions and comments, most had no idea of the properties of their media - inks, stains, paints etc. As a (very) long time stamper, it was a bit surprising. So, my tip for you is to get to know your supplies. Actually read your ink pads (many have instructions/information on that tiny label) as well as your other media. I think it will enlighten you!

Stencils 101

Tuesday, April 3rd is my first basic class at A Work of Heart: Stencils 101. We will be using a couple of stencils and creating 2 cards to take home.

Here's a sneak at one of the cards. So, come on by and try your hand at stenciling and stamping!

Alcohol Ink Agates

I had a bit of time to play, so I thought I would get out my long neglected alcohol inks and some glossy card stock. With Easter just around the corner, I thought I might pull out some Lights and Brights from the color selection. My first attempt was a little too dark, but I tried stamping on it anyway.

Not thrilled - but I will be able to cut it up or use it as a mat. (Hmmmm...maybe I could find an egg

punch!) Anyway, I still wanted the same colors, but just a bit more muted. This was my next attempt:

Of course, I could not resist stamping this cool rabbit. I shaded some of the rabbit with Faber Castel Fat Brush markers. It is difficult to see in the photo, but the markers colored over the alcohol inks quite nicely. This little guy will most likely end up as a card at some point!

She...

Finally completed my art journal pages for the swap in which I am participating. I sort of had a vision of rainy days as a theme since we are experiencing our winter rains now. Since I just unpacked some new sprays, I thought now was as good a time as any to play. I did not give it much thought, and just started spraying, stenciling, painting the pages. I used a combination of Glimmer Mist, Smooch, and Dylusions. Love the Dylusions sprays - bright, transparent and reacts with water for some neat effects!
After the pages were dry, I went in with rubber stamps and inks and added some more texture and images. Finally, pulled out the images for the final layer.

It did not turn into the vague idea I had in my head. I actually like it better - and changed the theme somewhat. The page started with strips of old book and music book pages. I added some details with Faber Castel Pitt Big Brush markers. The word stamp is from Unity.

Tuesday's Tip

Now that PSL is over (last time I will be mentioning this!), I can get back to more balance in my creating. One of the things I like to do, and really not do enough, is play with my supplies. I usually do this in an art journal, but will occasionally use water color paper, tags, scraps, etc. What to do with these bits and pieces? Use them for backgrounds for other projects. You can cut down on the time it takes to create a card, collage, ATC etc.  You can also use it to create an embellishment for a scrap book page, by punching or die cutting. If you are not completely in love with what you created, you can recycle it as a background! Remember, March is National Craft Month so there's still time to get creative!

Sprays...

So, I was cleaning up after the 7 week marathon that was Club Scrap's PSL. I made quite a bit of head way, and then decided to put away some new purchases. My question: Is it possible to have too many Craft Sprays:

Brushless Watercolor

Club Scrap's Pro Scrapbooking League, winter edition, has been going on these past 6 weeks. Today is (thankfully) the last day. You can tell when I am participating - that is when you will see the few scrapbook pages I post (or parts of pages). I am so glad this will be over for many reasons. But this week we had to follow any of 6 posted sketches...for a week...so, yes I am done. 

Today, I made cards using Ranger's (and Tim's) Brushless Watercolor technique. I originally remember using this technique several year ago with Adirondak Ink pads. This time, I used 3 colors of Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge, Honey, and Forest Moss) on a Club Scrap stamp:

After inking the stamp, you spritz it with water and then stamp. The results are slightly different every time. Since Distress was formulated to react with water, it blends much easier than the Adirondak Inks. 

Chipboard Letters

So, have you ever forgotten some of the items that you have, um, bought? I have been doing a bit of cleaning out and re-organizing and found a large quantity of chipboard letters I bought at an extreme discount. So. since I was scrapbooking (for a change!), I decided to use them for titles.

For the above title, I used the Picket Fence Distress Stain and covered the front of the letters. Once it was dry, I stamped small snowflakes in Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass, I think).

For this title, I used Tattered Rose as my base, and stamped leaves in Pine Needles and Persimmon. Super easy - and I am using up my stash!

Tuesday's Tip

Ever feel like playing with your supplies just because? Ever in the mood to make cards, but do not have a real need? Well go ahead and play. There is a great organization that will take them off your hands (nothing glittery) Operation Write Home. You can review all their information by clicking on the link.

These are a small sampling of some of the cards I will be sending. I was playing with a couple of new sketches, and really do not need to store more finished cards. So, my friend, Nancy, checked the website for needed themes...So, play away and help the troops!

Sticker Play

On Tuesday's Tips, I posted some ideas for using stickers on cards and layouts - mainly for cards. One of the ideas was to use punches.  For the card above, I punched the flowers at the bottom from the edge of a set of Alphabet stickers from Club Scrap.

For this card, I just punched out the center 1/4 inch circles from the same sheet. Good way to get more mileage from your stickers - and to think outside the box!

Tuesday's Tips

I have a confession to make. Yes, as a paper crafter and artist, I love all things artsy. But, I am not, nor ever have been, a sticker fan. I have bought them, only to give them to the nearest available child!
Well, I recently read a couple of ideas that I could use (other than the obvious titles of scrap pages or journal pages). Using punches to punch out small shapes - think circles for flower centers. Or, collage them on card stock and die cut or punch. I will be giving these a try this week!

Monochromatic...

well, kind of monochromatic! This was a Club Scrap challenge - use one color at least 3 ways on a card or layout. Since I am making card sets for a friend's charity event, I thought this challenge would be fun.

 The flower was painted with Radiant Pearls (which I have not used in quite a while!)

 I used Washi tape placed back to back on the above red card. It is difficult to tell from the photo, but the dots in the corner of the black panel are red Smooch ink/paint.

Challenge yourself to create cards, layouts, or journal pages with one color. It is a great way to use your stash! Card stock used is from Club Scrap. I used rubber stamps from Club Scrap and Stampin' Up and inks from Ranger.

FInally Done

A while back, I took a free on-line class at Strathmore. I started a couple of background pages but was sidelined with real life and injury. I have finally finished it. Not sure how happy I am about it. I lost my original thought as to how the pages would go. Here's the link to the original post on January 7th.  Below is the final product:

I decided I wanted to go with primitive and circular flowers. I happen to have several dies for flowers, but like this idea better. The background butterflies were stamped with Adirondak ink and Claudine Helmuth's paints. The die cut was sponged with a couple of colors of Adirondak blues. The stamps used were all Club Scrap. Now, I can send my journal onto my friend, Kate, with whom I am doing a journal exchange.

Tuesday's Tip

I have been  busy making samples for classes - specifically, card classes. I have mentioned previously that I like to outline/edge images and panels with gray or black ink. Another tip to really make colors pop is to stamp bright colors on white card stock, and frame it with black. Looks great!

Squirrely Challenge

Last year, some friends and I have been participating in our own technique challenge. My friend, Nancy, put together several challenges using Technique Junkies newsletter. We have been on hiatus until recently. For this challenge, we used the layered masking technique in the most recent newsletter. I made a couple of different cards:

I used Distress inks for the background color (Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and Festive Berries). The stamps are from Stampin' Up (background script) and Club Scrap. I changed the orientation for this second card:

Same Distress ink colors as the first card. Stamps are Stampin' up. Check out Nancy's Blog - she has the links to all the "Squirrel Girls"!

National Craft Month

Yesterday, I forgot to mention that March is National Craft Month. Good excuse to spend some time getting out your art supplies to making cards, scrapbook pages, art journals, etc. I have plans to write some new classes and make my samples. Soon, I hope to post some dates and times in the side bar.  I have some projects and journal pages on the back burner that need some attention. What plans do you have?

Stenciling with Watercolor Pencils

I was playing with stencils  - so nice to feel better! Usually, I use my art sprays, watercolor crayon and Gelatos. I really like the leaf stencil, but did not want to use sprays, so...

I used a watercolor pencil to sketch through the lines of the stencil. After removing the stencil, I went over the lines with a water brush. Quick and easy - and I really liked the look!

Tuesday's Tip

I love rubber stamps. I use them in all my paper art projects, so I have quite a selection of images and sentiments. Even with a plethora of sayings, I sometime come up short. Has this happened to you? I found a fun and funky way to use my stamps and stickers together. Stamp the words you want and fill in with stickers. I like to use the mini letters to spell out the sentiment/fill in the words that I want. it is also a great way to use your stash!

Ready to be Creative

I have been nursing a back injury - specifically, a lower back strain. Lucky me, it happened just as I was leaving for (a 6 hour drive to) CHA Anaheim. Once I returned home, I tried to rest a bit and continue on with class ideas and samples. Well, that was not too successful! It was difficult to concentrate, although I did get some play time in (with the help of large and frequent doses of Advil!). February has not been a good month.

Thankfully, I am nearly back to normal after seeing a massage therapist. I was missing in action last week...but I am ready to go this week. Hope you all had a better February than I did!

Acrylic Watercolors

I have been playing with watercolor crayons and my acrylic blocks, making backgrounds for cards. I decided rather than spray the crayoned blocks with water, I would spray them with mists.

I colored with 3 different blue watercolor crayons. Then, I sprayed the block with Sea Glass Glimmer mist. Unfortunately, you can not tell from the photo, but there is a slight shimmer to the background. This is a fun and addictive technique - just remember to use a lot of water or mist.

Acrylic block Watercolors

I was playing with my watercolor crayons and acrylic blocks, making backgrounds. A simple and fun technique that takes no time at all. You can color on your block with the crayons, spray well with water, and stamp the block on paper.

For the above card, I colored in blocks on the acrylic block. I stamped the watercolors onto paper and allowed it to dry. Then, I trimmed and stamped to make the card. You can also color in a specific pattern to be used with a specific stamps.

I placed my block onto a rubber stamp and colored in the image.

I sprayed the acrylic with water and stamped it on paper:

Here is the completed card: