Thursday, May 7, 2015

12 Tags of 2015 - March

My tag for March is inspired by the techniques used on Tim Holtz's blog, but has the theme of Paris. Instead of using the paste technique, however, I used a Dylusions stencil by inking through it and then embossing with gold embossing powder. I did try the paste technique, but didn't particularly like the very chunky look with what I was making. I particularly did like how the fine line stamping looks a little faded, as to me, that contributes to the dream-like quality in the saying on the metal word band used.



Thanks for looking at my creations!



12 Tags of 2015 - February

I don't really go in for the Valentine thing much, so instead of that theme, I used the general design from Tim Holtz's blog as inspiration to make my February tag.



Thanks for looking at my creation.

Friend

My first exposure to stamping many, many years ago was through this marvelous company, Stubby Stampers. New owners, who I have known for years, recently took over the company to keep all their wonderful images available and revitalize the company with new stamps to come from Jambalayas Stubby Stampers.

I am helping out by doing some samples for stamps that they have available on the website, to maybe inspire some ideas of just some of the great things you can make with them. Below is a card using their "Friend" stamp #3897, found here:  http://www.stubbystampers.com/shopping/stamps/messages/friendship.html



I made this card using a nifty technique with embossing folders, diecuts, and some embellishments. Using a piece of white cardstock, I first inked my embossing folder on the side where the images are recessed, placed the paper in, and then passed it through embossing machine. Because I used a blue ink, I then had a piece of paper that was blue background with raised white flowers. I then colored each of the flowers with markers to get the yellow flowers with green stems and petals. 

Using a circular die cut, I then positioned that over my embossed and colored paper, and cut an opening. I cut two more smaller circles (one dark blue, and one light blue). I stamped and heat embossed the word "Friend" on the lighter circle. I then layered first the light blue (on a popdot) onto the dark blue. I glued my background embossed paper onto a light blue rectangle, glued down the dark blue circle, and then glued this down to the dark blue base card. I used a brown plaid ribbon and some flower-shaped Raindot stickers from Cloud9 Design as embellishment.

Thanks for looking at my creation. Check out Jambalayas Stubby Stamps website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stubbystampers for more samples of cards made by some very talented stampers.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

I'm Creating My Own 12 tags of 2015

Glad to once again be able to participate in Tim Holtz's 12 tags of 2015 blog posts. These are great because not only does he share great techniques for products that already exist, but shows eveyone fantastic ways to use his new products.

I, once again, will be trying to use mostly things I already have. Of course, I watched videos and saw blog posts of the new CHA 2015 releases and can't resist all the new things that were announced. So, I am sure will be getting at least a few of them in the year to come. Love that Ranger is releasing a new color of Distress Inks in all mediums monthly so that it affordable to order the mediums you prefer to use the most.

Here is my take on the January 2015 tag.


I used Melange Tissue Wrap glued to a manilla tag for my background. I avoided gluing down the edges so that I could substantially tear them away once the tag was dry. Rather than coating my whole tag with a medium, I preferred to leave as is after painting wrap with Salty Ocean and Seedless Preserves Distress Paint. I used a product called Wonder Wash to apply speckles of silver shimmer to the background (hard to see in photo).  I used three sayings I cut from Words Remnant Rubs sheet at the top of tag. The numbers are Grungeboard coated with Platinum Stickles. The "0" is a spiral paper clip embellished with various color seed beads. Finally, added the metal word band and stained the Crinkle ribbon with Broken China and Dusty Concord Distress Stain.

Thanks for looking at my post and all comments are appreciated!


Saturday, January 10, 2015

Revamp a Standard Computer Chair for Your Craft Area

I was thrilled to find some Eclectic Elements Tim Holtz designed fabric from Coats at my local Jo-ann Fabric store. I had in mind a little plan for some ever since I heard it was out there and available. A little fabric, a ho-hum computer chair and about 30 minutes of time and in the spirit of reduce, reuse, and recycle...




my very own custom chair for my stamping work area. The great thing is that even though I am using inks, sprays, paints and other things that can stain, the chair can easily be changed to a different fabric. This is actually the second time I have re-covered it. As long as it stays in working order and is "cushy" I will keep refreshing it rather than spending alot more for a brand new chair.