Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Making Backgrounds!

It is always fun to try new techniques using what is around the house, shop/garage or in our creative supply stash.  Today's post is about making backgrounds. 

Faux Wood Background
This is an ATC from a SWAP... The theme of the swap was "FROM THE SHOP." My shop items are masking tape and locking washers! over lapping layers of Masking Tape on the base card stock (2 1/2 x 3 1/2), swipe with Chocolate Brown. Stamp VLVS! Harlequin Diamond Background with Barn Red after stamping off. Note: stamping off is inking the stamp then stamping on another sheet of paper before on the actual project.  Next stamp the VLVS! Easy Dog Rider and Route 66 Road Sign with Black. Cover the entire card with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder, heat the embossing powder until clear, this gives the card a nice finish. Add locking washers (available at the hardware store) for embellishment and a touch of color with COPICS.

Supplies:
VLVS! Stamp Harlequin Diamond Background
VLVS! Easy Dog Rider
VLVS! Route 66 Road Sign
VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder
Masking Tape (shop)
Card stock
Inks: Chocolate Brown, Barn Red and Black
Heat Emboss Gun
Locking Washers(shop)
COPICS

RESIST With
Stamp the VLVS! Nike Statue and VLVS! Two Columns in the back ground with white ink (one statue with violet ink), using masks to keep from stamping over previously stamped images. Heat emboss with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.  Spritz with mists, wipe the mist from the embossed images. Randomly stamp VLVS! Swirls to create borders with violet ink. Ink May Arts Lace with chocolate ink and adhere with VLVS! Miracle Tape. What a great background!!!
Supplies:
Journal Clairfontaine
Ink White - Violet - Chocolate
Mist - Winter Grass Stewart Superior
Mist - Sandalwood 
Add VLVS! Lady with Arms stamped on Kromecote Cardstock, fuzzy cut and add her in the foreground.  


Washi Tape Background
To see step by step instuctions on making your own Washi Tape check out Dee Dee's Washi Tape Tutorial posted earlier this week. It is well worth watching!!!
For this card place VLVS! Miracle Tape 1 inch on white tissue. Use an dauber or sponge to apply brown ink directly to the white tissue. 
Randomly stamp images of VLVS! stamps Draw,Pen TipsPointed Pen TipA Drawing Is and This is where I draw the line on the tissue. Note: the images are partially stamped on the tape. Now you have beautiful one of a kind Washi Tape.   
For this card the Washi Tape was cut to fit the card stock panel and used as a background. A few pen nibs were added in the lower left.  Stamp the VLVS! Feather Pen Collage on coordinating card stock and mount with foam tape.
Supplies:

White Tissue (dollar store)
Pen Nibs (thrift store)
Card stock
Ink Brown & Black

Curtains
Another background can be done using VLVS! Stage Curtains stamps to create a mini stage. This is a background I used last weekend when the VLVS! Design Team had their fantastic blog hop BLAST FROM THE PAST using VLVS! Oldie But Goodies Stamps! My stamp was the VLVS! MAN WITH HOOP! Here I created an altered tin with a stage.


Supplies:
VLVS! MAN WITH HOOP
VLVS! Chevron Banner
VLVS! Stage Curtains
VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder
May Arts Ribbon & Fibers
Altoid Tin
Transparency
Cream card stock
Pink Card stock
Black ink
Red ink
Stickles
Sakura Crystal Lacquer
Hearts Made from Creative Paperclay®
Be Mine - Sticker
Foam Tape
Small blocks


Now is the time to stock up on your Viva Las VegaStamps! 
They are now  47% OFF!!! 

47% off stamps and miracle tape RIGHT NOW!

 http://ymlp.com/zjCJYZ


WINGED BOY



          This card was completed with all Viva las Vegastamps and Splash of Color paints.
                                                           
                                                                 WINGED BOY  



SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: 
"Brick background" item number 19077 
"Flying Watch" item number 19004
"Winged Boy" item number 19065
Splash of Color Paints:
Silks, Luminart sparkling H2O's,
German Glitter Pen and Perle pen in Magic Transparent
Tim Holtz metal gears
Wooden Gears
Momento ink "pottery clay"
double stick foam tape
1/2" piece of beveled glass

First I stamped the Boy  twice and the Watch once with Momento pottery
Clay ink.  I cut a shirt and a face from one of the stamped boy papers
and adhered the on top of the other copy with foam tape.  I cut out a set of the Flying Watch
stamped paper (cutting it in 2)  I fit a wing on each side of the boy, attaching just the base 
of the wing to allow it to stand out.  I stamped card stock with the "Brick Background"
stamp.  I adhered the boy onto the background with foam tape.  On top of that I foam taped the shirt and the face.  I painted with both Silk and Luminart paints.  Using  the Viva Magic transparent Perlen pen on the wings to add a gloss.  I dyed the wooden gears with Momento Pottery Clay ink and adding all the gears on the card using Crystal Lacquer.  Using the Viva German glitter (light blue) pen to accent the card.
Using Crystal Lacquer I placed the beveled glass over the boys face.
The background paper is one used for placing furniture on a grid to represent
the proportional relationship to the room.  Since we are in the middle of a move I 
thought it would be fun to use




Winged Boy 2 x 3 3/4Flying Watch 3 x 2 1/4


                     Winged Boy                                                          Flying Watch

                  item number 19065                                        item number 19004
Brick Background 2 1/4 x 5
                       Brick Background

           item number 19077




Tuesday, January 29, 2013

My Little Pockat book

Yes! Pocket + Cats = Pockats!


I received a 9 page pamphlet in the mail.  Don't even remember what it was for.  I promptly gesso'd it, painted the pages with acrylic paint, then taped the pages together with miracle tape to form 4 pockets and used it for the contents of my little Pockatbook.  Each page has a second pocket as well.

Supplies used throughout: gesso, Distress Inkpads-Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Ranger Archival Inkpad-Black, Micron Pen .05, Silk's Acrylic paint-Emperor's Gold, miracle tape, cut up magazine pages sprayed with Fireworks Pear Tart & Cantaloupe, gel medium.

All images were stamped with the Ranger Archival pad.
All of the pages were distressed with inkpads and I used Zentangle®-inspired patterns throughout as embellishment.  Magazine pieces were laid down as a base for each page.  Gel medium was used to glue pieces down.

Supplies for cover
Viva Las VegaStamps! Images used: Tuxedo Cats 15115 
Tim Holtiz Rock Candy Clear Crackle Paint
Grunge Paper
Alcohol Inks-Terra Cotta, Stonewashed, Stream, Copper & Pearl Mixative
Distress Marker-Stormy Sky
Awl & cord

I cut 3 pieces of grunge paper, one approx. 5 x7 for the main cover piece, one at 3 3/4 x 4 1/2 for the cats, and one 1 x 3 3/4 for the title.  I stained the smaller pieces with Terra Cotta, & Copper Mixative alcohol ink, and the main cover with Stream & Stonewashed.  I used the Distress Marker & Micron to write out Pockats, and embellish with Zentangle-Inspired Patterns.

After punching holes in the middle with the awl, I looped and tied a piece of cord that can be used to tie the pockatbook shut, later.



Supplies for Page 1 & 2
Viva Las VegaStamps! Image used: Inquisitive Cat 6791 and Black Cat Silhouette 7185
Sarabinders Small Pocket
Encore Ultimate Blue Metallic Inkpad
Pure & Simple Oatmeal bag

I glued down the Sarabinder Pocket and the Oatmeal Bag (leaving the top unglued so that it became another pocket.  After stamping the cats I added more distress color with the distress inkpads, and more color with the Encore.  Then I tangled patterns all over!


Supplies for Page 3 & 4
Viva Las VegaStamps! Image used:  Serious Cat Face 8673
Coffee Cup sleeve
Sarabinder small pocket
Angelina Fibers ironed to fuse
Flowers previously made from Ice Resin and black cardstock
Stems made from sheet music dipped in Ice Resin
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Acrylic paint-Landscape Green
Inkssentials Enamel Accents
Sakura 3D lacquer/Terri Sproul Mixer-Green Pearl
Color Pencil

I cut off pieces of the coffee cup sleeve.  One piece made me think of an old tub, and the other of a plant holder, so I taped them down.  The long side of the tub was left untaped so it could be used as a side pocket.  I distressed the coffee sleeve with the distress inkpads, then slapped on some acrylic paint.

I glued on the flowery stuff with gel medium.

The splashed water was added with Terri Sproul mixers & dabs of Enamel Accents.

After tangling my patterns, I colored them with color pencils.


Supplies for Page 5 & 6
Viva Las VegaStamps! Images usedKitties Playing Chess 2114  and Kitten And Mouse In Blanket/Sm 3290
Date Due Library Pocket
Amazon tape
Watered down Gesso

I decided to go with half-pockets on this page, so you can actually see some of the magazine pieces that I used as a base background.  I glued down the library pocket and a piece of tape from a box I received from Amazon.  After doing the distress ink thing, I blobbed on some watery gesso, did a little doodling and called it a day.


Supplies for Page 7 & 8
Viva Las VegaStamps! Images used: Steampunk Cat 17720 and Wheeley Cat 18371 
Sarabinder Small Pocket 
Paper Coaster
Distress Inkpads-Salty Ocean and Picked Raspberry
Gesso
May Arts Ribbon
Ink blending sponge tip

I found a set of paper coasters from Dollar Tree that included this piece of bread and knew it had to become a pocket in my journal.  I glued down the May Arts Ribbon and used the sponge tip to add the colors to the page.  I had a little trouble stamping the Wheeley Cat image because I had used so much gel medium on that page, so I went for a feeling of motion.  After tangling my patterns I added the gesso for the 'mayonnaise'.

Hope you've enjoyed my Pockatbook!

Check out the VLVS! Store for all your stamping needs and the  VLVS! Blog for new projects and news every day. Follow VLVS! as the VLVS! Forum - VLVS! FB - VLVS! Pinterest - VLVS! Twitter.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Time 2 Stamp - DIY Washi Tape

Morning everyone :)

Let's jump right in this week with a Time 2 Stamp with VLVS! Episode.

I redid the demo on making your own washi tape with some of our new stamps!

Supplies used:
Archival ink, heat gun, tissue paper (vintage pattern)


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Crazy Love

I adore this couple!  It was so cool to see how gray(s) Copics could make this look so photographic!!  The saying is a little crazy but it is oh so fun for Valentines!  If you are behind in creating cards this one is for you. The only extra time it took was using the Copic markers to do the gray scale on the couple, otherwise it is a pretty self-explanatory card.

17687 Hugging Couple
9925 Random Acts Words
10357 Lips 

Find some great cardstock and fold into a card.  Stamp the lips.  Stamp the couple and use your markers to shade.  I wanted to keep the image not too colorful as a big focal point, and sort of an old fashion photo - tintype style (hand painted colors on b&w photos).

Added a sticker border and the words "Practice Random Acts And Senseless Nudity."



I dunno, the guy sort of reminds me of Frankenstein!!! Ha ha.

Here's another Valentine art piece.  I dedicate this to Sheri, another DT member.  We both love this baby!!

This little angel baby is tired of hearing all that mushy stuff, smooches, and such going on!!  Too much icky stuff!!!!!!!

Lots of love and icky stuff!  Happy Valentines Day!

Cre8tivelea Yours - Lea

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Black and White


Hi there,
 
Hermine here, just playing around with these gorgeous sheep, I really love sheep and these ones look so cool.

 
 
1. Take white or off white card stock and stamp one sheep, mask off and stamp the second one, mask off again. Leave the masks on untill you have done step 2 and 3
2. put some modelling paste in a horizontal line over the middle of the card. Take the film strip and push into the modelling paste. Let dry.
3. Sponge the middle of the card with 2 colours distress ink.
4. Take masks off and colour the sheep, just the hat, face and shoes and a little part of the dress.
5. Put masks on again and splatter with black acryllic paint.
6. Tie a black and white bakerstwine at the leftside of the card.
7. Glue on a double black card and distress the edges.

 

 
 
And while the stamps where laying around on my desk I couldn't resist to make a bookmark as well.
1. Stamped the filmstrip twice on a piece of Kromecote with Stazon Black.
2. Masked off a section of the strip and stamped partial a sheep on it, do this with every section, ofcourse ending with on the last one the legs.
3. Colour with distress ink and a brush.
4. Matt on white cardstock with miracle tape, punch a hole at the top and tie the ribbons from May Arts.
 
Used stamps:
film strip  18921 (also on plate 1428)
sheep 19067 (also on plate 921)
Stazon Black
Miracle tape
May Arts Ribbon

Hope you like them.

Warmly Hermine



Friday, January 25, 2013

Blast From The Past!


Welcome stampers!! To our Blast from the Past blog hop!


Join the creative team on a nostalgic jaunt through the past using some of our long forgotten stamps! Each stop is located in the linky at the bottom of the post, so you'll always be able to find your way :)

Comment on each stop and be entered to win the unmounted plate o' rubber of your choosing! a $22 value.

I'm really amped to share with you what the team has come up with, so feast your eyes on an few sneak peeks and get to hopping!


-

-

Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Inner Workings of the Goddess

 This tag, for me, was created through pure whimsy!  The tag is embossed with gears and gadgets and colored with distress inks.  I stamped the dancing Eastern Goddess on Kromecote paper and embossed using Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.  I stamped text using letter set from the December Plate 1430.  Finally, a bit of color using Copic markers was added to the Goddess along with some fibers at the top and bottom fringe.


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Crazy Book


This is a Mary Vogel Lozinak flip book of sorts.  It is fun and dimensional.  If you bend the inside the characters stand to attention all inserted in each fold so the have a pop-up card look!
 
The front key I used metallic gel pen, and added charm wings.

 

Pick out a plate or single images of  Mary Vogel Lozinak to complete this project with the images you like.   Mary's Flying Key is here


Here is a template for this project:

(Permission for use non-commercial for personal use only)  Check Mirkwood for other wonderful templates). 

Let your imagination go wild with Mary Vogel Lozinak images and pop up type ideas!!!

Cre8tively Yours - Lea



Tuesday, January 22, 2013

"Love Bites..." a Valentine for the Twilight Fans!

Its Tuesday at Viva Las Vegastamps!...WELCOME to the PARTY!! Susan here today bringing you some Valentine inspiration ... complete with a Vampiress!


I have just returned from a whirlwind EXCITING week at CHA and YES!!! I got the pleasure of finally meeting DeeDee in person, as we were demoing together at the Amazing Mold Putty Booth. She is genuinely friendly, fun and bubbly and I have to say our shared love of stamps and everything creative made us immediate crafty pals for life! I'm already planning for my trip to Vegas in April to see my favorite "hair band" Def Leppard whose ballad "Love Bites" is the inspiration for this Valentine ATC {and to sneek off for a few hours to VLVS! to see DeeDee, too}.

I have inspiration overload from CHA - everything and anything has went into this, too many techniques to share them all in one post. What I will share is that - break out those off-season holiday stamps and make them work for other holidays! I've used stamps from Halloween, Christmas and others to make this ATC. Just play around and have FUN getting inky!!!


For the detail on the heart, I melted several layers of gold embossing powder onto a chipboard heart. I inked the gear heart with black pigment ink, reheated the gold embossing powder and pressed stamp into the hot melted embossing powder. For balance, I stamped the words "love bites" and embossed with gold embossing powder to finish this "Vampy Vixen" ATC off right. The golden heart is finished off with a ruffle fashioned out of crepe paper stamped with "23, 24, 25 measuring tape" from PLATE 1430.


Thanks so much for dropping by. If you have a little time... check out what the rest of the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team has been up to or head on over to the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - for all your stamping needs and for every occasion...and MIRACLE TAPE, too!

If you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. I'll be back with another stamping adventure real soon! Hope you have an inky day! Sb

Monday, January 21, 2013

Be Mine


This adorable boy with hands behind back is holding a heart to give a “Be Mine” Valentine.
I hope you enjoy seeing how I made this framed canvas piece. 






    The boy with hands behind back image was inked with Memento black on kromecote card stock. Copic markers were used to color boy image and then cut out. Use Copic markers to color white edges with coordinating colors.  I do this each time I cut out images. It seems to make the images pop.

Use scissors to cut a small heart, stamp Be Mine on heart. 
    Use ink blending tool to apply festive berries distress ink and then frame edges with frayed burlap distress ink. Adhere heart to hand and set aside.
        Ink harlequin diamond background stamp with stormy sky distress ink, stamp image on manila ATC. Use ink blending tool to apply frayed burlap distress ink to edges.
  Adhere tiny 3-D foam dots on back of boy image and heart, removed film, adhere to ATC.
   Apply Miracle Tape on back of ATC, remove film apply to designer paper. Set aside.

Frame:
    Die cut one scallop frame and one back frame with chipboard. Die cut addition cutout frame with white canvas. (This is the heavy unprimed canvas found at fabric stores)
Adhere canvas die cut frame to chipboard die cut frame using a generous amount matte gel medium, smooth around edges for a good fit. Set aside to dry. 
    Ink harlequin diamond background image with white dabber paint, stamp image over canvas. Set aside or heat set to dry.
 Paint weathered wood distress stain over canvas. Set aside to dry.
(Note: the diamond background on the canvas is soft and subtle.)
 Paint canvas with thin coat of decou-page, this will seal the canvas and stop it from fraying. 
Set aside to dry.
  Apply Miracle Tape to back of chipboard frame, remove film add designer paper with the little boy image centered in frame. 
Apply additional layers of Miracle Tape to back of designer paper, remove film, add frame back to cover.
Apply narrow gold line stickers around frame, trim at corners.
 If you have the easel die make one with chipboard, adhere Miracle tape to easel and adhere to frame.
This project makes a wonderful gift! 
Finished piece 4 ¼” x 6.”



Other supplies:
Sizzix Frame and Frame back, Scallop
Sizzix ATC die
Sizzix Easel die
Copic markers
Starform stickers 
Ranger Distress ink; festive berries, frayed burlap, stormy sky
Ranger weathered blue distress stain
Ranger white dabber
Deco Art Decou-Page sealer glue finish
3-D foam dots
1/2" paintbrush
Matte gel medium (adhesive)
Vagabond die cutting tool
Chipboard
Unprimed Canvas material
Designer paper
White and manila card stock
Small sharp scissors



Sunday, January 20, 2013

It's another trap!

Back in November there was an altered mouse trap swap over at the VLVS! swap group on Facebook. The swap was inspired by my mouse traps I did for the Halloween blog hop. I was truly honored that my work was the inspiration for this swap. I didn't do the swap, because I knew I wouldn't be able to get another package of traps in time. I later talked with DeeDee and told her I will be doing one and sending it to the store. I had 1 trap left from the last package I got back in September.


The theme of the swap was powerful women. I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but after going one way I went another way. lol I started out with a base coat of black craft paint. Then I did a layer with crackle medium. after that dried I did 2 coats of magenta craft paint. Two coats because it was water down. After that dried this is where I made a right turn. lol

I wanted to use my Lady Silhouette so I thought hmmm it needs some sparkle. I had this heat and stick stuff that I got years ago, from a local rubber stamp store that is no longer in business  This is just like the Heat and Stick that is now out from Ranger. I had never tried it so I thought why not try it now. So I did. I used the clear embossing pad on the back of the trap and the sprinkled some of the heat and stick on it. heat set it and it was sticky. then used a white glitter from Art Institute  and it stuck nicely to the back of the trap. I then did the other side, but with a hot pink glitter.

I stamped the lady on the Kromecote and colored her with watercolor from Artist Loft. Cut her out and glued her on the trap with hot glue. I added a flower from Jolie's next to her. The quote is from the same plate as the lady. I stamped that quote on the matte side of the Kromecote. I trimmed it and edge it with the picked raspberry distress ink pad. I lightly did the inside with the same pad too what was left on the sponge. I attached that on the metal parts of the trap with glossy accents.


stamps used
Lady Silhouette
"if I'd observed all the rules, I'd never got anywhere"

Items used
Kromecote
Mouse trap
black craft paint
crackle medium
magenta craft paint
Clear embossing pod
Heat and stick embossing pwder
Art institute glitters
Glossy accents
hot glue
flower



Saturday, January 19, 2013

GODDESS SPARKLE

OK I am going to say I had SO much fun making this. I was so inspired by the awesome and crazy Mark Montano, he put up a tutorial on altered cans. Hmmmmm, my wheels starting turning....I am starting a new job Monday, Its with the same company BUT its a new job.
So i wanted to create something pretty to put on my desk.
ARE YOU READY?
What FUN!

Close up

DON'T EVER LET ANYONE DULL YOUR SPARKLE

So lets get started:
SIDE NOTE: The first stamp " Listening Hearts Hear Angels Sing" is not a Viva LasVegaStamp, however it is on their site under other companies.
The "DONT LET ANYONE EVER DULL YOUR SPARKLE."
The stamp can be located HERE
For my 2nd Post of January I will showcasing the same stamp, but HEY! its the most awesome stamp.

Here is VIVA LAS VEGASTAMPS website and see for yourself all the other awesome sayings.

SUPPLIES:
1. Rinsed out soup can. Or any other can you have, drink mix can, vegetable can.
2. Rubber stamp of your CHOICE.
3. I selected favorite poems that spoke to me.
4. PaperFlowers
5. Ribbons
6. Brads
7. Inks,Sprays or Paints you love. I used twinkling H2o's and Radiant pearls and some Mica Mixers
(FYI- Here is a tutorial on how to make the ALTERED PAPERFLOWER.)
8.MIRACLE TAPE
9. Scrapbook Paper
10. Embellishments: Charms, buttons,glitter etc
11. Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks
INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Select your pretty Scrapbook Paper. Cut it to fit around the can. Put Miracle tape on the backside of the paper, i put it one the entire piece. Thats what I LOVE about Miracle Tape, it comes in Sheets!
At this point make your Altered PaperFlowers and let them dry.
2. Attach it around the outside of your can. The inside of my can, I put a few drops of Alcohol Inks in there and let it swish around. Mark Montano spray painted his.
3. I then selected poems, there was two that really spoke to me, because I am careful with copyrights, I also cut out the author of the poem and put it with the poem. I used Miracle Tape to put these on the can.
It sounds super easy and it is, placement took me forever as to me composition is very important to a piece, it has to be pleasing to my eye.
4.Stamp your sentiments on a piece of Scrapbook Paper. Attach to the top and each side of the can.
5. Now its time to use your sprays and inks or really whatever you want to use.
I chose my color scheme and just started spraying. It didn't think, i just wanted color, i wanted sparkle. I wanted this to inspire me at my new job.
6. I attached my flowers, and used some pretty ribbon to highlight the flower. Its ALL in the details, the brads in the middle of the flowers match and then it seems a little dark to me, SO i chose some green ribbon to compliment the purple.
IT'S SO PRETTY!
FYI- Anytime i accidently misjudged the tape and it hung over so therefore it was a sticky place on my art, just sprinkle some glitter.
7. Well if you have ever worked in an office, you know how easy pencils and pens walk off a desk. SO hmmmfph NO ONE is going to get away with taking my pencils LOL I even decorated them!!!!
8. REMEMBER TO MAKE IT YOURS, USE THOSE BUTTONS, CHARMS, BRADS , YOU HAVE BEEN SAVING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. BECAUSE YOU ARE SPECIAL!
My desk is going to look so Sparkily Goddess Love Shiney Glittery, its going to be full of great energy.

Take care my art friends.
I SO love all the inspiration on this blog. I don't comment like I should, I am a rebel sometimes, I don't mean to it just happens, But I admire each of you.
SO this is dedicated to ALL of you. And the poem I used on my can is located here, Let me know if it speaks to you, as much as it did to me
I AM BECOMING BY JAYNE RELAFORD BROWN

L.
ANg