Stamping Gear

After attending CHA Anaheim, I wrote a few blog posts showcasing some new products. One of the more interesting tools was the Stamping Gear from Inkadinkado. I had several inquiries as to when it would be available. You can find it here, at SimonSaysStamp. They are selling the components and specialty stamps, singly. Check out YouTube for videos demonstrations as to all the uses.

So-So

I was inspired to use my Inktense watercolor stick by a card made by my Squirelly (Art) friend, Nancy. I scribbled, painted with a water brush, die cut, and stamped. Not sure I like the results. I was not going to post, but I think it is good to show your art in different incarnations. Sometimes, things work out well and other times, not so well. We all have these experiences, even some of the captains in the industry. I remember watching a demonstration by Kevin Nakagawa (Stampscapes) - he ended up with a funky thumb print in the middle of the card. Others have tried a new color combination in a demo, and ended up being less than happy with the result. So...here is my "less than thrilling" card:

It could be better...and it could be worse! What has been your experiences?

Picture Yourself....

...in your studio with a song running through your head! Actually, this song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" has been running through my head for a couple of weeks. When I received my journal in the swap that I am doing, it seemed like a logical page idea. I used some patterned papers as a base, laying down inks and sprays.

The trees were stamped in Distress ink. I actually used a scoop of ice cream as the tree leaves. Not sure if I like them, but I do not want to start over. The clouds are a stamp from Stampin' Up (marshmallows from a cocoa set) with Liquid Applique (remember that!?). I penned in accents using Crayola Spider Writers, Copic markers and Souffle pens.

A Good Find

I love book stores. I do not often get the opportunity to go into one since I own a Nook. Usually, I buy magazines and art books at the store. While on an excursion for magazines, I totally scored some fun books for collage and altering! They were on the discount area when I entered, ao I could not resist. And I could not decide, so....

I splurged and bought all three! I already have some ideas for usage....

Tuesday's Tip

This is a little reminder of a great tip - that I needed for myself. With all the family issues, my creative time has been limited. I have had some great ideas for cards, journal pages etc. Unfortunately, many have been lost BECAUSE I DID NOT WRITE THEM DOWN! Yeah, it was pretty stupid, especially since I usually have several notepads around the house...
Remember, you never know when inspiration and a good idea will strike. Keep a small notebook with you. Better yet, keep several in key locations (purse and bedside table for me).

Using My Stash

As much as love this paper collection, I am determined not to hoard. So, I made this cute little card using a scrap and a sticker. Add a stamped greeting - 10 minutes of less!

A Bit of Inspiration...

I was in need of a baby card - but was a bit stumped. I am having issues with my mom (in rehab, refusing physical therapy and a cousin who is a nightmare....think Jerry Springer) so I have not been feeling terrible creative. While out looking for some wrapping paper, I found this tissue paper in the same colors as the outfit I bought.

I love the color combination of pink and grey! So, I pulled out an embossing folder,ink pads,  some stamps and punches:

I was very pleased with the clean and simple look of the card. From what items have  you drawn inspiration lately?

Squirrely Challenge Part 2

I had another idea for the Squirrely Challenge. I originally thought I would use darker, more masculine colors, but just went with the flow:

The pearl was white, but I colored it with a Copic marker. The background was colored with Distress Inks. The stamp is from Club Scrap.

Squirrely Challenge

The Squirrely Challenge is from the current edition of Technique Junkies Newsletter. It is called the "embossed puzzle" - dry emboss a card stock panel, cut and ink. For more information, check out TechniqueJunkies.com. For links to additional Squirrely Challenge girls, visit Nancy's blog at Squirrely Art. My contribution:

I inked the embossed pieces with a variety of Distress Inks. The telephone was colored with Distress Marker (yellow) and a Cut and Dry Nib inked with Distress Raspberry ink.  Stamps used are from Printworks and SimonSaysStamp.

Tuesday's Tip

Banners are very popular at present. They can be a variety of sizes - from large decor items to smaller card sized embellishments. Banners can be made from paper, card, stock, chipboard, etc. For a fun metallic steampunk type of banner, use paper clips. They can be colored with alcohol inks - lending a fun (primary colors) to vintage (subdued colors) embellishment.

No Place Like Home

It has been a tad busy here over the past 2 weeks. My daughter was in town for a brief visit and I am dealing long distance with an elderly mother going downhill (mostly mentally, but physically as well). So, I really needed to get caught up on my journal exchange pages.
This was a definitely go with the flow type of spread. I started by spraying Dylusions Sprays in a yellow and green. Then, I just randomly stamped various leaves and backgrounds - I think I considering something floral. The previous 2 pages were my "Green"/wicked witch scene and Kate followed up with an "over the rainbow" scene.  I decided to continue the Oz theme a bit - stamping,coloring and cutting out the images. I glittered the wings and various areas of the background. I added glitter to the background subtly - placing drops on my finder and smearing it around.

Thought a close up might show the glitter better - you can see some on her wings. All fairy stamps are from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, background stamps are Stampin' Up, house is from Club Scrap, and saying is from Graphic 45/Hampton (I think it's Hampton Arts).

Tuesday's Tip

Lately, I have been all about variety. I have mixed in pattern papers again - as well as doilies and other fun goodies from back when I started card making. I am attempting to do the same with my journals - adding more paints and media to pages. A couple of fun additions to try - envelopes and    
and old greeting cards. I have few cards saved and I thought I might "tip" them into established journals. Tipping in pages is fairly common - way back when, we would construct entire books from these pages. Simply attach a tip-in to an existing page - or trim down a page to an inch or so strip and attach to that.

A Little Inspiration

While touring the neighborhoods of Paris, I noticed some interesting murals and bits of graffiti. This was a striking mural on the side of a building in the Marais neighborhood - a bookstore was housed in the bottom floor. The top two scenes are from Don Quixote...

There were several of these paper images around the city - most were half torn off...

This little guy is actually the "mascot" of a famous Mont Martre restaurant Lapin Agile. I love his expression....

The Mess on my Desk

I had a  mess of scraps on my desk (bet you thought I would be posting a photo of that mess!) - what to do....I usually save the larger pieces or punch usable shapes and save in a baggie. Instead, I decided to challenge myself to create something from the scraps. So, the above ATC was born. The only "non-desk" items were the sentiment stamp and the pearls. Challenge yourself and try to come up with art from the mess on your desk (come on - you know you probably have a little bit of a mess!)

Under the Sea

I was running behind in my art journal exchange with my friend, Kate. I have been attempting to have a vision of a completed page, but it has not really been working. So, I am going with the flow!
This page started with a variety of spray mists - Dylusions (LOVE these), Perfect Pearls Mists, and Glimmer Mists. After each layere dried, I attempted more spraying over stencils - circles and trees. When all was dry, it seemed to me that I was working toward a water scene! For the little mermaids on the left, I stamped small fish and added the tails to Art Chix mini gals. The depth and shimmer of the pages does not really show in the photo.
Do you plan out your pages or go with the flow?

Crop Weekend Recovery

I had been attempting to get back my creative mojo after vacation. I played a bit here and there, but was pretty unproductive. Then comes "Scrap Diva" weekend - a Friday through Saturday opportunity to have fairly uninterrupted creative time. My friend, Nancy (Squirrely Art) and I decided to go. It was wonderful to just sit (walk around occasionally) and play. I took a variety of projects so as not to get bored.
I started with some pre-made Club Scrap layouts, adding photos (the embellishments will wait until I am home with all my stamps etc). Then came out the Simon Says Stamp card kits:

There are about half a dozen more that were in another box. Not all of these are completed, but I have some great starts to build upon.
I really like these type of weekends - for more than just the opportunity to complete projects. It is always interesting to meet fellow crafters and discuss different styles, companies, kits, products etc. I finally received the little kick I needed to actually take the Gypsy I purchased (over a year ago...) and load up my cartridges (Thanks, Debbie!). So, you never know when and who will provide inspiration. What have been some of your experiences at weekend crops?