More leaves to rake

After yesterday's rain and moderate winds, more leaves have fallen.  Guess I'd better get started on raking before I become overwhelmed by the chore.  The sentiment on this card illustrates my feelings.

Ann-ticipation stamp; kraft cardstock, handmade paper, brown cardstock; Studio 490 Layered Tree stencil; distress inks, Jet Black Archival Ink; Impression-Obsession die 201-K

Altered puzzle - the last pieces

I can't believe another challenge has ended.  This one was for altered puzzle pieces.

13a

13b

13a
--Ranger:  distress paints (Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender, Shaded Lilac), archival inks (Jet Black, Potting Soil, Deep Purple), Glossy Accents
--misc.: cork paper, white cardstock scrap, Krylon 18kt Gold Leafing Pen
--Stamps: wine varieties background, cork (Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers), wine! (Ann-ticipations 9845E)

13b
--Ranger:  distress paints (Fossilized Amber, Abandoned Coral, Mermaid Lagoon), archival inks (Jet Black), watercolor paper, Glossy Accents
--stamps:  books (Anita's), text (Art Impressions P-2125)
--Martha Stewart: butterfly punch
--misc.:  white cardstock scrap, vellum, foam tape

My puzzle had 25 pieces so I used it as my title page.  On the last piece (lower right hand corner) I painted it with several coats of Antique Linen Distress Paint.  Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink was lightly applied around the edges then spritzed with water and dried.  Potting Soil Archival Ink was added around the edge and heat sealed.  I found an old Stampendous clear stamp (Journal Border SSC605) and stamped it in Cornflower Blue Archival Ink.  'Favorite', from an old Inque Boutique stamp set, was inked in Jet Black Archival Ink.  The rest of my title was handwritten using a Sakura Micron Black pen, #05.

It also came with its own frame so I altered it as well.  I applied a generous coat of gesso to seal in the bright, colorful colors then covered that with lots of brown distress paints (Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, and Gathered Twigs).  I used Tim Holtz' Woodgrain stamp and Potting Soil and Tree Branch Archival Inks to make the frame look like it was real wood.  IRL you'd think it was!  Success!

Finished puzzle

Before alterations

2015 calendar page techniques

In the past I've followed Ink Stains with Roni on creating technique-heavy calendar pages.  When I saw her recent post that she would be doing this once again I couldn't wait. 

Here's my rendition for January.

I cut my arch from chipboard using Sizzix Gothic Arch die 658569.  I found a downloadable calendar that actually created two sets at once so I can make a second calendar if I choose.

Gesso; blue sprays; Jet Black Archival Ink; Ann-ticipation stamp 9346G; Icicle Stickles; FloraCraft 'Diamond Dust'; Glossy Accents; Adirondack markers; Martha Stewart snowflake punch; blue distress ink

I can't wait to see what technique Roni chooses for February!

Wintry blast

Claudine is using another technique on this week's challenge for the Altered Playing Cards.  It's also about recycling.  She often uses paper towels under her work when she uses sprays.  So why not take those towels and create art?

 On this card I glued the towel directly to the gesso'd playing card.  Studio 490 embossing paste was used on Tim's Holiday Knits layering stencil and Clear Rock Candy Distress Stickles Dry Glitter was sprinkled over the top; let dry.  The JustRite stamps are pre-inked.

I tried to get the sprayed towel to transfer to the card but it wasn't happening so I sprayed the same colors onto the card and let them dry.  Same effect, just darker.  The earlier effect was way too pale.  On watercolor paper I stamped the boy and snowman; colored with distress markers.  Cut out and applied texture paste to the snow at the bottom of the card.  The sentiment (My Sentiments Exactly M373-IO) was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink.  The snowflakes (Mini Holidays 3 CS114) were stamped in Cornflower Blue Archival Ink.







We had snow flurries last week and more are on tap for this week.  I'm more than ready for the air to get clear and dry and watch the flakes pile high and glisten. 

Create your own stencil

I love creating my own stencils and masks from dies! 

Ingredients:  Tim Holtz/Sizzix Writing Desk die, white & green cardstock, Iced Spruce distress ink, Pine Needles & Black Soot distress markers, sentiment is from Ann-ticipations

Stencils, stencils and more stencils! Day 1

I'm taking an on-line card class with some super teachers...you can find out more about it here.  I figured the timing was perfect...it's snowing, blowing, polar vortex, and no football.  What's a girl to do?  And who doesn't enjoy spending more time in their art room, playing with stencils, trying new things, etc.?  I made 6 cards to go with each bit of today's lesson.  However, rather than sharing them all at once I'll do separate posts...all brief.  And you want to know the best part about this class?  The fee is great and you'll have lifetime access to the class!

First up is a card that I sponged through the mask. 

Ingredients:  white card stock, Dylusions stencil, distress ink, vellum, Ann-ticipation stamp, embossing ink, white embossing powder, jute, black thread, red mitten buttons, foam dots

"A woman is like a tea bag;

you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water."  This quote by Eleanor Roosevelt is the theme chosen for the current eclecticPaperie blog hop (inspired by words).  A $25.00 gift voucher from their store is up for grabs.

I started out with a blank page in my journal...and in my mind.  And I thought, 'Silly, start at the beginning!'  I started going through my stamps looking to see what would be appropriate.  The stamps I selected helped  determine the other bits and pieces that on the page.  A length of painters tape was used to keep the inner border clean for challenge info. 

Up on my shelf was a never opened, got on clearance years ago, tube of Country Red Delta Texture Magic.  I slathered it over a Crafters Workshop Mini Tile Texture stencil.  A blast of the heat tool and it was dry.  Over this I stamped a block of words describing women (Lasting Impressions with Panache) in Saffron archival ink.  I drew around the word 'woman' with a Micron black pen.  Through a Dylusions stencil (Luscious Leaves) I rubbed in various green and brown distress inks.  Tea Dye distress ink (appropriate choice) was used all over the page, leaving the center lighter.

I journaled the quote along the left hand side of the page, using an alpha wood tile, part of my stamped image (lucky placement, that's all!), my own handwriting and Maya Road chipboard letters.  The tea bag stamp (Ann-ticipations) makes this like a rebus.  The chipboard letters were inked with yellow, orange and red distress inks (to simulate heat) then covered with Glossy Accents.

The tea cup (Stampington & Company) was stamped with Jet Black archival ink on Studio 490's 'Clearly For Art'.  The reverse side was colored with red alcohol ink then smooshed the Sepia archival ink pad over that.  A bit of heat was applied so I could curve the cup and saucer.

I had to ask a neighbor for a tea bag (removing the tea!) so I could stamp the face (Studio 490's 'Art Fit For A Queen') on it with Jet Black archival ink.  I dampened the tea bag and sprinkled the tea all over it; let dry.  Maya Road chipboard scrolls were colored with Pitch Black and Silver paint dabbers before dripping Caramel alcohol ink on them (Thank you, Shelly Hickox for this idea!*).  I cut them apart and glued them down to simulate steam. 

At the urging of a friend, I have also submitted this journal page to the Frilly & Funkie blog challenge that requires the use of stencils and masks.  I was unaware of this blog but will definitely be following them now.  Frilly, funkie and vintage...just up my alley!

* If you haven't checked out Shelly's blog, please do so!  She is so talented and I love her work!