Monday, May 27, 2013

12 Tags of 2013 - May




I am still playing along with the 12 Tags of 2013 on Tim Holtz's wonderful blog.  This month, he is featuring a technique using Idea-ology Remnant Rubs.  I didn't have any of those on hand, but did have a stack of alphabet rub-ons from DCWV gathering dust in my stash of crafting things, so I decided to try those to see if it gives a similar effect.  I started off by applying some letters randomly around a tag, and also added some lines of periods so they just look like random dots.  I used Distress Stains in the same technique per the blog and was happy to see it did give a similar effect of resisting the stains.

I did not have the enamel tags from Idea-ology either, so used white Architexture Stone piece from EK Success.  After I applied a white rub-on letter to it, I stained around the letter with Ranger Alcohol Inks.

Another techique I tried which was not on the blog, was to apply Alcohol Ink and then Clear Distress Crackle to the back of the Idea-ology Film Strip Ribbon.  I wanted to add more red/purple to that side of the tag as it was mostly yellow and orange on that side.  Instead of trying to add it to the tag itself with more stain, I added color via the layer on top (the plastic ribbon).  You have to be careful to apply the Crackle only down the middle of the plastic ribbon and leave the edges clean so you can then use double-stick tape to attach it as per the blog.  Also, I cut it slightly larger than I needed so I could have clean ends with which to hold it down flat with weight on each end until it totally dried.  I then trimmed that part off before adhering it to tag.  I feel the crackle gives the film strip ribbon an interesting layer of texture, while it remains smooth to the touch on top.

Once I had stamped a portion of my Inkadinkado Illuminata stamp, I wanted to highlight the center image of the hands to make them more important than the rest of the image, so used Distress Markers in Picket Fence (white).  For anyone who may not catch it, the hands are from the portion of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel painting called The Creation of Adam, depicting God reaching out to give Adam the spark of life.  I had also stamped a honeycomb image from BoBunny Geometric Patterns stamp set around the edges and highlighted portions of that with the Picket Fence marker.

I applied the saying "possibility begins with imagination" from the Idea-ology Metal Decorative Bands pack with some brads I had on hand and then added a selection of decorative fibers.

I do like how it turned out and will definitely be using this technique again.  After I had finished this, I found out that my local Michaels crafting store now carries the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Word Remnant Rubs, so I got a pack of those to use on other tags, ATCs, and cards.  Can't wait to do that same technique again.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Taking Print Candy printing/mixed media class online

I had been hearing about Gelli plates everywhere and saw this artist offering online class.  http://www.arteyecandy.com Have started the class and really love it.  For first class, we made our own print block with lino cutting.  I haven't done that since highschool, but really enjoyed it. 

I printed out an image I liked (having flipped it via printing software).  I then traced a rough outline onto the Speedy-Cut material.  You can use carbon paper or just rub a soft-lead pencil across the back of image to be able to do the transfer.

I had a Speedball Lino Cutter and carefully cut out the image.
Once I inked it to test it out to be sure I liked it,
it looked like this...



I then used it
to make this tag...



It was fun to try this out.  However, I own lots and lots of stamps that I have purchased through the years, so don't really see myself getting into lino cutting.  That being said, it is always good to know you can make your own custom image if you don't have an appropriate image on hand.

The next class involves monoprinting with Gelli Plate from Gelli Arts.  I did not have a Gelli plate, so made a gelatin plate via directions from this excellent printing artist...

http://printmakingwithoutapress.blogspot.com/p/gelatin-printing-tips.html

I have already tried it and liked it so much, that I went ahead and bought a Gelli plate from my local scrapbooking store.  The advantage of the Gelli plate is that it does not have to be stored in fridge and will last much longer than a gelatin one.  I will be posting what I made with the gelatin and the Gelli plate for my next post.