GAB Page

Can you tell I'm attempting to complete the remainder of these book pages? This was one of the more difficult topics - not being an organized religion person. However, I did find some images that would work. And, I used an "old" brayer technique.

With the advent of new items and techniques, I find I seldom look back at techniques popular a couple of years ago (let alone a decade ago). Brayers were, at one time, all the rage. These handheld rubber rollers were used to lay down background ink from solid color or rainbow stamp pads, ink large stamps, and print images. These techniques worked best on glossy cardstock.
Since I did not have a rainbow pad large enough to cover the glossy cardstock I was using, I improvised with single color pads. The Ranger Adirondack blues blended quite well. Unfortunately, the black on the bottom portion was not as cooperative. All the images were stamped on matte coat cardstock, cut out, and added to the background.

Finished page! I am off to put these in the mail. Think back to some of your favorite older techniques and start to use them again. Think of it as a blast from the past!

Pandora's Box

I have been struggling with completing this GAB book page. Have you ever had a vision in mind and were unable to find the images you needed? That was the case with this page. So... what to do?
I decided to work with what I had available as opposed to searching the net for images to purchase. Dover Clip Art books come in handy - they are a relatively inexpensive way to increase your image library. Also, check out sale fliers - you never know what will spark an idea.
The demon and snake images are from a Clip Art book and the box is actually a chest from an advertisement. i used Mica Magic reinkers on a sponge for the flame like swirls. I will probably go back and edge this piece with something.

Glimmer Mist and Distress Inks

It seems that I have acquired quite a bit of inks,paints, sprays etc. Not sure how this has happened , but it has and it's time to start mixing.

So, I pulled out my Techniques Junkies Newsletter. I decided on the technique in which you mix a couple of Distress inks and a couple of Glimmer Mists. Super easy and a bit messy...the colors are mixed on a craft sheet and cardstock is rubbed on top. After drying, I made the 2 cards above. The stamps and cardstock are from the January Club Scrap kit "Jubilee". I added some bling and some "Maya Mist"-ed punched stars.

Quick and easy cards using the supplies on hand!

Vintage Women

I really love the Graphic 45 papers and tags. This page, made for my GAB swap, has the background, tag, and postoids form the "Fashionista" line from Graphic 45. I used Maya Mist in Iridescent Pearl to tone down the brightness of the background collage. The "pattern girls" are a stamp from Paula Montgomery's kit club. I colored them in using Copic markers. There is a little bustier charm dangling from wire near the top right edge of the page.

More Valentine Minis

Couldn't resist trying different sizes of cards and frames! The paper is from Club Scrap Heart to Heart and Cruisin'. The word stamps are from Stampin'Up. All of these open from the top - making it easy to write the name of the giver.

Can you tell I'm enjoying my Cricut?!

Heart to Heart

I am still experimenting with my Cricut. I have been trying to find some fun little holiday treats to send college kids (and to prepare for future classes). I cut the card and the envelope from Club Scrap's Heart to Heart kit using the Wild Card cartridge. The stamps are also from Heart to Heart. The little treat box was cut from the same kit using the Boxes,Bags and Tags cartridge. I stamped hearts in red an the box. It will hold a small plastic bag with candy hearts, M & M's, or a small candy bar. This is a great (as well as quick and easy) valentine treat to hand out in elementary classes. Too bad my kids are in college! (not really!)

Mini Cards

I had the opportunity to buy an original Cricut for $50. This was several months ago. I went back and forth on the decision - after all I have a Big Shot and recently bought a Slice for portable use. I decided to see it in action before making my decision. Well, long story short, for $50 I could not go wrong.

Then, it sat in my room...until recently. I bought a few cartridges to play with - one of which was "Wild Card". I made my son's 21st birthday card with that cartridge - and a matching envelope with liner! The "Happy" tag and "Birthday" are from Hero Arts. All cardstock is Club Scrap. The little bottle is actually the front page. I was pleased - given my first shot!

Quick ATC

Things are still a bit hectic - especially with my daughter home from college and my son's 21st birthday. Christmas has been stored away and things are getting back to normal (if there is such a thing!)

I did pop into my room for a few moments to make a quick ATC. My "Secret Santa" from my West Coast group gave me ATC blanks, ephemera, and an easel. So, I thought I'd make a quick piece of art to place on the little easel.

The base is Bristol cardstock. The background stamps are from Club Scrap. This is a twist on the "depth of field" technique from Techniques Junkies newsletter. I yellow embossed the large image. Then, I went back in with a smaller image and stamped in gray. I wiped the gray off of the embossed image. I then sponged on blue ink (wiping off the embossed image afterwards). I stamped the "Happy New Year" on acetate and punched it out. It was glued onto the card with Diamond Glaze. The numbers were stamped last of all. This was a quick and easy ATC to get me back in the creative spirit.