Shine Bright ATC

Okay, a rarity for sure... a second post for the day! As I was gathering scraps and cleaning up from my Happy 2017 card, inspiration struck again and I made this ATC out of some of them.

Supplies: Dina Wakley Acrylic Paints [Night, Ocean, Sterling, White, Lime], Star Bright stamp set, gesso, Stickles, white embossing powder (Ranger), white cardstock (CTMH), black cardstock (Bazzill), Signo white pen (Mitsubishi Pencil Co.), star jewels and purple metallic thread (Dollarama)

This came together so fluidly. I just love when that happens! The best part is that I am extremely pleased with the background that I created for this little mixed media gem. I just played with paint and love how it worked.

First, I gessoed the ATC cardstock base and once dry I added some dabs of my new Dina Wakley Acrylic paints in Ocean and Night. I spritzed the card with water and then using a paint brush. I dragged the colours out and let them blend. Next, once it was dry I stamped on Sterling for some shine with a scrap piece of bubble wrap. Lastly, I stamped the shine sentiment from Dina Wakley's Star Bright stamp set with her white paint. I love, love, love, how it turned out!

Assembling the ATC, I added purple metallic thread, silver Stickles, and two star jewels with the scraps and newly made background.

Naturally, as the same inspirations from Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Work It Wednesday monthly challenge and  Mixed Media and Art were still at play as the original Happy 2017 card, I am adding them into the same challenges once again. Click on any of the image links below to learn more about each challenge.

       

TTFN,

Happy New Year!

With the New Year upon us, it's all about 'new' things . There are two 'new' challenges over at Simon Says Stamp. This week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is about using something new as is their Work It Wednesday monthly challenge over on the main blog. And there is a new challenge blog that has popped up on the mixed media scene... Mixed Media and Art. It looks really promising given its' spectacular mood board and amazing design team takes on it. With such wonderful inspiration, I just had to play along.

Supplies: Dina Wakley Acrylic Paints [Night, Ocean, Sterling, Lime Blackberry Violet], Star Bright stamp set, gel medium (Ranger), chipboard numbers (American Crafts), mini shimmer alphas (Making Memories), marker (Sharpie), glass beads (Craft Medley), cardstock (CTMH), glass glitter and aluminum foil (Misc.)

I cracked open some new tubes of Dina Wakley's heavy body acrylic paints in Sterling, Night, and Ocean to make the background. I added a light watered down touch of lime to bring in a green haze. Using the Star Bright stamp set, I then stamped the stars on both foil and cardstock using the Ocean paint and one of my favourite colours of Dina's paints Blackberry Violet. While those were drying up, I added some glass glitter to the American Crafts chipboard numbers. Once they everything was dry, a little fussy cutting, then black and white splatters for the stars and black Sharpie marker edging for the numbers. Next, I adhered the stars in a collage and added the Happy 2017. Lastly, I used soft matte gel to glue down my new shimmery turquoise-green glass beads.


There you have it. A New Year's card for my first new card of the 2017!

If you click on the each image, they are linked to each site's challenges so you can check out the inspirational pieces there.

       

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

TTFN,

ICAD Day 7 - Simon Says Stamp with IndigoBlu

My Day 7 ICAD is a Simon Says Stamp inspired one based on their Monday Challenge Blog's 'Red, White, and/or Blue' challenge featuring IndigoBlu stamps.

I have the IndigoBlu Ickle Poppy stamp which was a natural fit for the red. I Distress ink watercolour stamped it in Barn Door and Black Soot. Then, I went in with a brush and my Gansai Tambi paints to add more colour for the flower petals. Once dry, I created a mask and covered the flower so that I could create the background using blue watercolour paint and a stencil and whipped spackle. I finished it off with some black splatters.

Supplies: stamp (Indigo Blue), Distress inks (Ranger), watercolour paints (Gansai Tambi), stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), whipped spackle (Faber-Castell), sentiment die (Simon Says Stamp), index card (Staples), cardstock (CTMH)

Turning this one it into a greeting card was fairly simple. I distressed the edges, mounted it on cardstock, and die cut the "Thanks" sentiment using the Simon Says Stamp Painted Thanks die.

I am also adding this card into Simon Says Stamp's Work It Wednesday for its' stenciling and die cutting.

TTFN,

Celebrate You - Summer of Creative Chemistry - Week 5

Today, I am sharing a card that I made using three of the Distress Paint techniques that are part of Week 5 of Tim Holtz's Summer of Creative Chemistry - Creative Chemistry 102 over at Online Card Classes. My colour choices were inspired by this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday 'Red, White, and/or Blue' challenge.

I created a marbleized background in blues and white on a cutdown Number 10 manilla tag as I wanted my card to be on the taller side. I added the embossed script stamped image in Antiquities and used chalk, to soften the background blues. Then, distressed the edges and edged and splattered it with more Picket fence paint. The ray was stencilled with texture paste, inked with Barn Door red, and then fussy cut out. The reverse stamped, crackle painted, and fussy cut bird was given a few little highlights of Rock Candy Stickles and Silver Stickles.

I shaped the bird and strategically adhered it to give it more of a 3D effect. The frame was heat embossed stamped on a slightly Picket Fence muted pocket card, given a wash and wipe of Pewter metallic paint, and fussy cut out prior to heat embossing the sentiment and adding splatters. The metal foliage was given a swipe of Black Soot to age and coordinate it. A trio of stars for the finishing touch.

Supplies: Tim Holtz Distress paints [Picket Fence, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch, Candied Apple, Brushed Pewter, Black Soot], Distress ink [Picket Fence, Broken China, Barn Door, Emboss It], Distress Rock Candy Crackle Paint, Distress Rock Candy Stickles, Silver Stickles, Black Archival ink, Black emboss powder, number 10 tag (Ranger), Tim Holtz Rays stencil and stamps [Take Flight, Urban Grunge, Just Sayings] (Stampers Anonymous), Tim Holtz Idea-ology Newsprint Alpha Parts, Pocket Card, Metal Foliage (Advantus), cardstock (CTMH), jute twine (Dollarama)

Looking forward to trying out Week 6 techniques.

TTFN,

You Shine - ICAD Day 3

For my Day 3 ICAD, I used Dina Wakley products and some found items: bubble wrap, plastic flexible mesh from a bunch of clementines, and the caps from my sprayer and mini mister.

Supplies: Dina Wakley acrylic paints, Star Light stamp set, star mask, Archival ink, Distress ink (Ranger), white embossing powder (Simon Says Stamp), index card (Staples)

I started by stamping the smallest stars with Turquoise acrylic paint across a pre-gessoed index card. Then, I placed the star masks down to preserve the white. I had one star mask, but wanted three, so I used the outline of the stamps that I had decided to use to create two more. I brushed on some Blackberry Violet and then, used a baby wipe to spread and lighten it across from left to right. Next, I took off the masks and used a piece of bubble wrap with the Turquoise paint and the fruit mesh with the Lime. After all the paint dried, I stamped the 3 focal stars with Black Archival ink. I second generation stamped the striped star to lighten and recede it. Then, I used the different sized sprayer caps to add circle clusters in Magenta. I thought I would see how Picket Fence Distress worked with the 'Star Light, Star Bright' sentiment but it was too light so I quickly added white heat embossing powder. Loved the result!

In keeping with my goal, I turned my Day 3 ICAD into a card.

I added a mess of silver metallic thread under the die cut Simon Says Stamp 'You' and the first couple of Heidi Swapp block letter stickers which I popped up with foam tape. Next, I added some black glitter glue to the 'You' and once dry, I used a a white Signo pen to draw highlights. Lastly, I splatter some black paint and added some twinkle with a few jewels.

I am entering the card in this month's 'Reach for the Stars' challenge over at the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge and into Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 'Anything Goes' Challenge.

  

TTFN,

U Rock - Ode to Tim Holtz - ICAD Day 2

Tim Holtz... U Rock! Yes, you really do. And I mean that in a totally good way. One only has to look at the influence and following (worshipping fans) not to mention the product sales that you generate (which I happily contribute to ;)) to know that this is true. You just have that way about you... your sense of style, creative genius, your friendly relatable personality, teaching ability... you inspire and influence people to create.  Thus, I dedicated my Day 2 ICAD (index card-a-day) to you.

Supplies: Tim Holtz Distress inks, Distress Paints, Collage Medium (Ranger), stencil (Stampers Anonymous), Tim Holtz Idea-ology washi tape, grunge board, chipboard alpha tiles, metal crown (Advantus), index card (Staples)

I made this card using Tim Holtz products with both new and old stash. Plus, what a perfect way to try out some more of the techniques from Summer of Creative Chemistry - Creative Chemistry 101 Week 1 - Wrinkle Free Distress Background.Inspired by my main Tim's supplier... Simon Says Stamp... I went for a row plus one more from the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Tic-Tac-Toe Board.

This is what the ICAD started as and then I built layers up from there.

I used blue, a stencil, and grunge board for cardboard plus washi.

TTFN,

Carpe Diem with some Simple Stories

You just can't help but smile at pieces of Simple Stories Carpe Diem collection. Besides some 12 by 12 sheets, I purchased the journaling cards to use on scrap layouts and cards.

I scrapped this layout for fun after seeing this photo of my daughter and her friends on her phone.

Supplies: patterned paper, cardstock die cut ephemera, cardstock stickers, snap pack, photo stickers (Simple Stories), cardstock and pen (CTMH), watercolour paint (Artist Loft), embroidery Floss (Iris), StazOn ink (Tsukineko)

I used this Struck?! Sketches sketch from April as I thought it would go well with the journaling cards. I am pleased with how they worked out.

TTFN,

Dream On

When I saw the Christine Adolph Rub-on adhesives and Prima foils during CHA releases, I knew I had to get my hands on some. I ordered a few from Simon Says Stamp and gave it a try. 

Supplies: watercolour paints, adhesive rub ons, foil, and sentiment stamp (Prima), watercolour paper (Ranger), cardstock (CTMH), VersaMark (Tsukineko), Heat and Stick (Stampin' Up)

For my first attempt, I placed a butterfly on my Prima watercolour painted background. They work like a charm and... oh my, the design done with the foil is so gorgeous!

I matched the gold with a Finnabair sentiment by emboss ink stamping, covering it with heat 'n stick emboss, and then adhering the foil.

I am playing along with Simon Says Stamp Monday Butterfly Beauty challenge and Creative with Stamps Butterfly challenge.

    

TTFN,

Hey Sunshine!

At this point in winter, a little sunshine can brighten anyone's day so today I am spreading some around. This mixed media card was inspired by Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog's Ray of Sunshine challenge featuring Dina Wakley products. 

Supplies: cardstock (Canadian Scrapbooker Super Stock, CTMH), Dina Wakley acrylic paints and stamps (Ranger), watercolour paper (Strathmore 500 Series), watercolour pencils (Derwent, Reeves), sunray stencil (Magenta), Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Archival Ink (Ranger),  VersaMark, StazOn (Tsukineko), clear emboss powder (CTMH), Tim Holtz letter stickers (Advantus), Silhouette cut file, paint marker (Elmer's)

I stamped one of the Scribbly bird sentiments with VersaMark and clear heat embossed it before using a brayer and two of Dina's acrylic paint colours to create the background piece. Once dry, I stamped with the "Tweet. Chirp." stamp from the collection using grey StazOn. Lastly, I splattered white paint from a paint marker. For the ray, I Distress inked a Magenta sunray that I cut from a stencil and layered the fussy cut watercoloured Scribbly bird on top. A Silhouette cut file and some stickers were used for the sentiment.

Sending a little sunshine your way. :)

TTFN,

Catching Up with LGS layouts

It has been a drought here on my blog over the fall months. While Fall is normally a busy time in my household with me being a teacher, this year's autumn took everything out of me... literally... zapped, zilch, zero; thus, I had to solely concentrate on trying to get my health in order. I have missed my creative peeps and creating new stuff. As is the norm for me, I get a chance to catch up when I get vacation time. Yeah!

So let the posting catch up begin! Today, I have a bunch of layouts that I made for a variety of Let's Get Sketchy Design Team reveals in September and October over on the LGS blog.

Supplies: patterned paper, diecuts (MME), labels, transparencies, glitter stars (Making Memories), title stamp (Magenta), emboss powder(Stampendous), background diamonds grid stamp and pen (CTMH), Archival ink (Ranger)

Total stash find! This really old MME paper and diecuts paired with some old MM transparencies and labels but the best part (besides the stickin' cute photos) is the heat embossed "Oh My Dogness!" title created from a Magenta stamp.

Supplies: patterned paper, die cuts, chipboard, stickers, frames (Simple Stories), letters (American Crafts), gold leaf (Michaels), white pen (Signo)

Cracked into Simple Stories So Fancy collection and had a little fun (or should I say sarcastic scrap session) with these selfies of my daughter hamming it up. Yep... she is sooo fancy! Lol!

Supplies: patterned paper, die cuts, chipboard, pocket cards (Simple Stories), Dina Wakley acrylic paint (Ranger), grid stencil (Magenta), gold Delicata ink (Tsukineko), glass beads and jewels (Dollarama), burlap (Misc.), black pen (Sharpie), white pen (Signo)

Went a little mixed media on this one as it really suited the sketch. Fun and freeing, I am really pleased with how this one turned out.

That's it for layouts. More creative formats to come. :)


TTFN,

Delight in Creating

I have wanted to try some string painting for a while now. I have seen Louise Nelson do some spectacular pieces with this technique and have been totally inspired to give it a go. What better way to give it a try than on an art journal page...  pressure free creative fun.

Supplies: journal (Moleskine), gelato (Faber-Castell), acrylic paints (DecoArt), butterfly stamp (Magenta), delight stamp (Heidi Swapp), vellum (The Paper Company), gold embossing powder (CTMH), Versamark (Tsukineko), Glimmer Glaze (Tattered Angels), die cuts (Maggie Holmes- Crate Paper and Amy Tangerine-American Crafts), Gelly Roll pen (Sakura)

I decided to use my Moleskine journal due to its size which I felt would be comfortable for this experimentation. First, I water coloured with a pink gelato and created some splatters too. Next, I used a piece of embroidery floss and dragged it through black acrylic paint and then laid it on the page in a swirly design. I repeated that process one more time. Once dry, I added some sparkly splatters with pink glimmer glaze. Then, I acrylic paint stamped the Heidi Swapp "delight". 

For embellishments, I added in some vellum as an inspiration for Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge of No Ordinary Paper. I pulled out some Maggie Holmes floral die cuts and started with the gold foil text vellum flower and then added two other flowers that would work with the Amy Tangerine "Create Everyday" die cut and the gelato pink. 

I heat embossed my favourite Magenta Butterfly stamp on vellum and fussy cut it. For finishing touches... a little doodling and some shadows with a Gelly Roll pen.

There you have it. My delight... create everyday!

TTFN,

Shine - Mixed Media Canvas

Trying out some new techniques using Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities III. I followed the technique for altered surfaces on page 45 in creating this canvas for Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge #33 over at Studio L3. This month's generous prize sponsor is Inspiration Emporium.

Supplies: Tim Holtz burlap canvas, Framed, Random and Newsprint Alpha Parts, Alpha Tiles, Corners, Trinket Pins, Paper String, and Patterned Paper (Advantus), Tim Holtz Distress inks, Distress paints, Glue' n Seal (Ranger), Tim Holtz Harlequin stencil (Stamper's Anonymous), gesso (Golden), antique mother of pearl buttons (Misc.)

My theme was inspired by the Creative Gym Exercise #10 - One Important Word over at Mixed Media Place. I love stars and what they represent. The one word that resonates with me in regards to a star is "Shine".

So many layers and textures on this.

I love how this one turned out and it has found a place proudly displayed on my mantel.

TTFN,