Saturday, March 31, 2012

Scrapbook Layout Using Mosaic Tag

doo dah day 3

As I’ve mentioned, most of my tags make their way onto a scrapbook layout. Here’s an example—using the tag with the mosaic-tile technique, as an embellishment on a double-page layout.

Art Journal Pages This Week

 Art Journal 03-27-2012 w border.jpg

Art Journal 3-29-2012 w border.jpg

In the midst of doing the projects class for Tim Holtz’s Creative Chemistry 101 (finished yesterday), I made a couple of Art Journal pages, just for fun.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 10 Tag

CC101 Day 10 Tag w border.jpg

I didn’t really have an appropriate stamp to showcase this technique, but, as has been true for all ten days, I learned a new technique that I can use in “real life.” Two things that made today’s tag really fun: using two colors of Distress Ink on the stamp (new for me), and finger-painting over the entire tag with Distress Rock Candy Stickles. I also did not know the difference in the types of Stickles, and since I have several on hand, it is nice to understand what I have!

Sad that the class is over. Now I need to re-introduce myself to my kitchen!!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Break from Class to Appreciate the Season

our tulips edited w border

It is just so beautiful here in Missouri today! People say we are about a month ahead of schedule this year, and I agree. Our tulips are just about finished with their time of glory this spring—and it’s not even April yet! Just have to take a minute to appreciate God’s creation today!

Creative Chemistry 101-Day 9 Tags

 CC101 day 9 tags f w border.jpg 

Isn’t that just the way it goes—I finally have great success with all three techniques, and I can’t get a good picture of the evidence! Because each tag has the Perfect Pearl thing going on, I could not get the light to reveal the true pearlized effect on the cards! I took about 20 pictures. So, you’ll just have to take my word for it—the techniques worked wonderfully!

Once again, I learned a lot, and it’s always great when the things I learn help me to better use products I ALREADY have on hand, as was the case today!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101-Day 8 Tags

CC101 Day 8 tags w border.jpg

Well, I’m plugging along, but I certainly do not feel like a star pupil. I am learning the techniques, and that, after all, is the point. But my tags are not show-worthy so much, because I don’t have all the suggested products. On the first tag on the left, the only distress crackle paint I have (other than Rock Candy, which is used in the third tag) is Vintage Photo. So, I knew it wouldn’t make a stunning example of that technique. Still, paired with the stamps from Graphic 45’s abc Primer, it does rather give the feel of an “old” (as in when I was in first grade) elementary classroom. The paint did crackle as desired, even if the camera didn’t pick it up dramatically.

On the middle tag, I loved this technique. I love working with the sticky back canvas, and Tim’s tips were outstanding. The combination of Faded Jeans, Broken China, and Forest Moss distress stains gave the effect of old blue jeans, I thought.

For the third tag, I used Tim’s tips for the Rock Candy Distress Paint, and it was interesting. I used the very same technique on both hearts, but the distress crackled differently on each. The smaller heart would NOT absorb the color. I don’t know how many times I applied the stain, and it remained rather pastel. The larger heart crackled completely differently and was more eager to accept the stain.CC101 Day 8 tags w border hearts only framed.jpg

Another fun day of learning!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 7 Tags

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Ugh! I didn’t do well today. I’m glad this is not for a grade. For the first tag, I realized after my first attempt, it needs a stamp with a lot of solid fill. The only one I have that has very much solid is the steampunk guys. Then I realized their faces would be whatever color I used for the background. Not thrilled with that one.

The second tag is definitely a technique I will use again. First, I love the Evergreen Bough color (from the Winter seasonal line). Aside from my heat tool having problems (and taking about 10 minutes to emboss), it was fun and trouble-free. Love it!

For the last tag, I have about 15 jars of embossing powder, but no distress powder. So I just chose a pastel color of opaque powder and used light colors for the background. I’m ready for a break from so much dark ink—it’s spring already!!!

Obviously, these tags are only for purposes of practicing techniques, and none of them is ready to be “displayed” on a project.

But, I am learning stuff every day, and it’s fun!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 6 Tags

CC101 Day 6 Tags w border.jpg

I’m not pleased with today’s project output, but at least I know the reason: Tim used various Distress Markers for water color techniques with stamps. I own only two of the 37 markers (Peeled Paint and Broken China), so I opted to practice the technique, even though the colors are not very interesting—at least I got “the idea” of how to use the markers. I was particularly unhappy with the third tag, using the Distress Markers directly on a stamp. But I understand the technique, and I did give it a try! And, as a student, I ALWAYS turn in my homework, so here it is!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 4 Tags

CC101 Day 4 Tags with border.jpg

Today I received my stamps from Graphic 45 (abc primer) and so was able to complete the techniques from Tim Holtz’s Day 4 class of Creative Chemistry 101. I used distress reinkers and distress stains, along with water brushes, to complete the first tag, pretty much as Tim taught the technique. I LOVE “coloring” with the waterbrush!

The second tag uses a technique that I am struggling with—using spray inks. I mixed distress reinkers with water and followed the procedure Tim suggested, but I do NOT have great success with spraying over a stencil. Ugh!

The third tag I couldn’t even come close to Tim’s suggestions (do not own the supplies)—so I just made a colorful butterfly tag with stamps and Faber Castell markers.

Fuzzy Bunny Easter Tag

Today Tim posted an Easter tag project that took my fancy. My version was created with quite a few differences.

Bunny Believe Tag w glitter and border.jpg

The only thing from Tim’s list that I actually had on hand was the Seasonal Stash card stack (the little vintage bunny is from that group). After cutting out that little vintage bunny, I distressed and inked the edges.

I used a #8 kraft tag, embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and inked with Gathered Twigs. I cut a 2.5” bunny and some grass from my Cricut Easter cartridge. I cut the bunny three times on grunge paper and glued them all together with Glue ‘n’ Seal.

I think more about white bunnies than brown, for Easter, so I painted the grunge paper bunny white and then covered with Glue ‘n’ Seal and put down some pink flock that I have had on hand for years. I used a real white ribbon for the bunny. For the grass, I used cardstock from Tim’s new Nostalgic Kraft-Core Cut & Emboss Series. I typed the sentiment on the computer (Typewriter font), cut and inked it.

For me, Easter is not so much about the bunnies as about the reason for the celebration (the resurrection of Jesus), so I added a “Believe” token to the tag. The ribbon for the tag is winter white seam binding inked with Wild Honey Distress Stain.

Fun break from the class homework (okay, that’s also fun!).

Friday, March 23, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 5 Tags

Day 5 tags w border

I had some challenges today. The stamping with white picket fence stain did not work well for me (the music tag), and I wasn’t thrilled with the marbling (the bird tag). I LOVED the Kraft Resist technique (the old car) and am glad to know some neat ways to use that paper stack!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 3 Tags

CC101 Day 3 Tags w border Today I needed to improvise, and I think that made it even more fun! This is a great class, and I am learning a lot. I love to learn.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Doo Dah Day with GranTeens

We have a fun tradition with our grandchildren who live close to us—we call it a “Doo Dah Day.” It means we have a day of just fun stuff, just for us. This week is their spring break, so Grandad took a day off, and we enjoyed another fun time today.

We started the day with breakfast out. Then we came to our house, and the guys gathered their gear and headed for the golf course for the first 18-holes of the season (they reported a good outing). Tory and I combined two of our favorite things—cooking/baking and crafting. We baked Grams’ Pound Cake (for strawberry shortcake) and “mashed” our strawberries (as I learned to do from my Mamo). With the 6# pork shoulder in the roaster oven for the day, we were off to play.

Tory and I “worked” very hard in the hobby room. She created a “layout” in her Smash Journal.

Tory Smash Journaling

Tory Smash Journaling 2

Tory Smash Journal Page

Then I “initiated” her in the Art Journal world. She is amazing. Her Art Journal page is not finished, so I will photograph it later.

For supper we had Southern Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Paula Deen), Slaw, Chips/Dip, and Sweet Tea. The Strawberry Shortcake with Grams’ Pound Cake did not disappoint.

Tory and Conner Doo Dah Day Kids here for DDD

We finished up and delivered them home (along with leftovers for their folks), in time for their youth gathering at church.

What a blessing, our GranTeens!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Today’s Project from Tim Holtz’s Creative Chemistry 101 Online Card Class

C Chem 101 Day 2 Projects 2.jpg

More learning today, in Tim’s online class. In the past, I had used some of these techniques, but I was “flying by the seat of my pants” on my own. With Tim’s instruction, I now understand these techniques and will use them for “real” projects when the class is finished.

My favorite today was the watercolor stamp.

“HE Fills My Life with Good Things”

This scripture passage from Psalm 103:5 was the inspiration for today’s art journal pages.

He fills my life journal pages a 2

Learning, learning….I used a gel medium to adhere the pieces of patterned paper and then ended up using it all over the pages. Note to self: it does not work well to stamp on top of the gel medium.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

My Vagabond

Posting a photo of myself with my Vagabond, as part of a promotion on the Sizzix blog, "Where in the World is Your Vagabond?" My Vagabond, along with the rest of my treasure house of supplies and equipment, is in my hobby room, in my home. I really enjoy using this die cutter.

Art Journal--Expression of My Thoughts Today

March 17 art journal d

Just wanted to play around with some paints and stamps and markers today. I love the Sunsnine Yellow paint dabber. Sometimes I will want to use my Art Journal as a testing ground for techniques. On these pages, I incorporated a “trial” of the Tim technique of creating plaid with alcohol inks on glossy cardstock. My first trial was not terribly successful, over the entire tag, so I cut pieces of the rejected tag to use on the journal pages. I guess I just tend to pick colors that are in the same palette, as I decided to use the tag-piece AFTER I had painted the background on the pages.

I’m finding I really like the white Painters Pen for adding final touches. I’m still not great with India ink but do like the boldness of the black.

On my journal pages, I will likely often incorporate a Scripture verse that fits with my thoughts for the day. Need to find or create more digi stamp Scripture verses.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Alcohol Ink Plaid Tag for Scrapbook Page

 Brother Will Tag 4 with border.jpgConner District Contest I was intrigued by a Tim Holtz technique that I saw featured on stamptramp’s blog and taught by Tim in 2009. Randomly, I chose some colors of alcohol ink (I find I tend to be drawn to jewel tones). It really was fairly easy and lots of fun to create the plaid on white glossy cardstock. I used Black Soot distress ink to color a white ribbon. Edges were inked with Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo.

Most of my tags eventually make their way on to a scrapbook page. Once I had created the background on the tag, I decided to use it as an embellishment on a scrapbook page I am creating about my grandson’s music contest solos, and my honor to accompany him (an earlier post features this photo of the two of us). One of his solos was “Brother Will, Brother John” (arr Sacco), so I used a copy of that music for the theme of the tag.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A Journal Page a Day Keeps the…

art journal title pagec

…creative juices flowing, maybe?

Well, I really don’t intend to do a journal page every day. But now that I’ve started the actual bound journal, I couldn’t leave the “title page” blank very long; that’s just not the way I roll. There is, after all, a limit to how “random” I can be. However, “doodling” is about as random as it gets, and I find that is a technique I am enjoying more than I thought I would.

Loving the collage technique really more than painting, and especially more than spraying. I’m just not really onto the “spray” technique yet. Still working on it.

The background of this page is a collage of some of my scrapbooking patterned paper scraps. Used various paints and markers. The colors strike my fancy today. Yes, I’m moody.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Art Journal: My First REAL Pages (Yay Spring in Missouri!)

Art Journal first pages

This day is delicious. It is warm and sunny, really feels almost like summer. It was winter here just a couple of days ago. Seriously.

I decided to start my “real” art journal today. My two previous “attempts” were following some prompts from an online class about doodling. This one today is me, just an expression of how I feel today (or at least as close as an art journal page can express…).

For my jounaling (art and otherwise), the page needs to reflect something about the meaning of the day, to me.

Art Journal first pages journaling For the background, I used my new Dylusional Spray Inks (five of them). On the pages you also see Faber Castell Markers, acrylic ink, stencils, oil pastels, water color crayons, and Hero Arts stamps. The book text represents the first time I have ever in my life intentionally “harmed” a real book. I have an old (as in my gifted teaching years, 1980’s) paperback of Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. It is yellowed and in very bad condition. I like the idea of using book text, but it needs to (again) have meaning. I rationalized that recycling this book into art journal pages would really not be harming it, but rather would actually be bringing it back to life. Sounds good to me anyway.

Yes, I am out of my comfort zone. For one thing, this whole art journaling thing is very messy. I make a huge mess. And cleaning up the mess is not nearly as much fun as making it. But I must clean it up so that I can get to the table to make my next pages (I’m caught up with scrapbooking for now, you see).

Saturday, March 10, 2012

District Music Contest

Conner District Contest It was my honor and privilege to accompany Conner’s vocal solo at District Music Contest today. The music was a challenge for me, so it was really good to be stretched. But, what a special thing for a grandmother! I was so proud of Conner, as he did a great job, even after a week of being sick as a dog with the flu. His ensemble also did very well.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Art Journal Doodles-Trial #2

Week 2 Lesson Doodles Unleashed w border.jpg

This is my second attempt at a project, as I learn some techniques for art journaling from a free online class by Strathmore. This second week class was all about doodling with water color. Although I’m not thrilled with the output, I am learning some things about what will likely become “my style.” For example, I’m not so much about the spraying water everywhere. I do love water color crayons and love dipping the tip in water and then coloring. I’ll use that more.

I also like using my Faber Castell stamp markers. I still need to perfect the use of stencils, and I have some ideas to make that better next time (you can’t really see the attempts at stenciling here). I like stamping, so will use that more. I want to use words more, because I am basically a word person. I’m terrible with the India ink nibs but do pretty well with the “splatters”… ‘-)

Right now I am working on art paper, practicing as it were, for when I actually start the art journal.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Artistic Expression

First attempt at art journal

It’s downright funny to use that term (“artistic expression”) in reference to ME. In fact, if this post is being visited by a family member or close friend, they are double-checking the address for this link, as we speak. If there ever was anyone NOT artistic, that would be me.

But I am a journal-er. In previous posts I have shared about how many journals I have in progress at any given time. So when I heard the term “art journal” being discussed among some of my crafting friends, it was intriguing. As a result of some research into the idea, I am taking a free online class on art doodling, as I start to learn some techniques that I can use in an art journal.

This is my first ever “art” project. When I was almost finished with the piece, I received a phone call that my mother-in-law had passed away (not unexpectedly). That’s when I added “The Lord is my shepherd” to the painting, to mark the significance of this piece.

On the work, I used various media: water color spray, oil pastels, acrylics, several kinds of markers, India ink, white gel pen, and more.

It is fun. I am a realist; I will never be good at this, but I can see how I can use this as a means of “artistic expression,”….yes, that COULD even be me!

Friday, March 2, 2012

2012 Tags--March Tag

12 Tags of 2012 March cornered pixlr

Making do with what I have—that was my theme for this tag, inspired by Tim’s March tag. I cut the butterflies on grunge paper on my Cricut (one from Paper Lace and one from Kate’s ABC’s). I ran them through the xyron and embossed them with American Crafts pewter powder.

The background stamp and the sentiment are from Wendy Vecchi’s Sentimental Art. I started with a manila tag and inked with Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass and Dusty Concord Distress Inks, using the same colors to dye all the lace and trimmings.

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The mosaic technique taught by Tim is quite lovely, I think, but it is very painstaking, clipping all those tiny snippets and then applying Glossy Accents over each one.

The butterflies reminded me of one of my favorite classical pieces from my piano lessons, Edward Grieg’s “Butterfly.” My International Library of Music, Book 3, always falls open to that page. I used it for the background for the photo.