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.

Metal background

As a little tag project for Camp Scrap, I decided to try Ranger's Sticky-back Foil. I cut the square of foil into pieces, some large and some not so large. I pulled off the backing and stuck the foil, piece by piece, all over the tag. I over lapped some parts, and used the entire square.  An embossing stylus was used to draw stitch marks, doodles and circles into the foil. Then, out came the alcohol inks! Below is the tag to this point:

From there, I stamped a variety of images (Artistic Outpost) and cut them out. The bicycle is from   Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante. I added a few gears, a token and some trim. Tag complete!

Star Bursts and Layers

These are two things that are new for me. I used the star bursts on a Graduation layout class, but I have not used it in one of my layouts. This one page layout is based on a sketch/technique from May Flaum's Camp Scrap:

I used a bit of layering - card stock, Washi tape, and a "Howdy" banner.  The stars and circles are my burst of embellishments. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye - it was fun to use patterned paper as the basis of the page! Stamps are from Club Scrap. I used Aged Mahogany Distress Stain on the Grunge board letters. To highlight them a bit, I edged them in black. (If you read regularly, you know I edge everything!)

Camp Scrap

I will be participating in May Flaum's Camp Scrap. It is a free summer camp of ideas for scrapping and card making and what ever else! I am hoping to jump start my use and paring down of my stash.
Monday's post discussed clustering of embellishments on a scrapbook page (but can be used on any project). Perfect timing! On June 20th, I will be teaching a layout class using this very technique.

The lower right hand corner contains my cluster of stars, gems, pearls, and punched circles. I usually lay them out to get an idea of placement - the larger sizes first. Then, I glue those down with dots of glue on the background. I add the smaller sizes to fill in and stretch out the design. Your turn to give it a try!

Tuesday's Tip

While reading through a Creating Keepsakes magazine a couple of weeks ago, I saw a great idea for using a common baking item. Cupcake liners make great flowers! Since they come in 2 sizes, you have options. As my kids are grown, I find I do not bake as much, but I do have a couple of different patterns of mini cupcake liners. The possibilities should be fun!

"Wicked"Commitment...

I finished up a recent journal page for my swap with my friend, Kate. I decided to use some stuff (technical term) that was on my desk. So, tearing papers, painting flowers, and painting/gessoing the pages. I really had no plan. It was looking fairly green as I had a mini kit given to me by my friend, Nancy. So, I decided to go with the "wicked" green theme...

The yellow sun up in the right corner is molding paste through a stencil (yes, both were sitting out - on a counter not on my desk!). The wicked witch was from a coordinating stamp set to Graphic 45's Oz collection. There is a bit more sparkle and glitter in real life as I used some Glimmer Glam and Glimmer Glaze.
Give yourself a challenge - use only a few items or leftovers from your desk, a drawer, a basket, etc. You never know where it will lead!

A Little Bird...

Last weekend, Nancy and I took a class with May Flaum. During the self-paced class,
we had the opportunity to play around. The tag was colored with Paint Dabbers and Distress
Stains. The Hero Arts bird was stamped with 2 colors of Distress Markers. I cut it out and
popped it up, added a die cut branch and fabric flower. I love to mix media, usually I do this
in my art journals. So, it was fun to work on a tag.

Tuesday's Tip

My friend, Nancy, and I took a fun little class from May Flaum. We played with tags, patterned paper and a variety of media. We also discussed some of the new/latest trends. One of these trends is   using clusters of buttons and embellishments on cards and scrapbook pages. May had a great tip that I thought I would pass on - when clustering embellishments, put about 6 dots of glue on your layout. Place the embellishments on the dots, then do a few more. It makes it easier to adjust and decide what you think looks good without doing too much at one time.

Sticker Play

On Tuesday's Tips, I posted some ideas for using stickers on cards and layouts - mainly for cards. One of the ideas was to use punches.  For the card above, I punched the flowers at the bottom from the edge of a set of Alphabet stickers from Club Scrap.

For this card, I just punched out the center 1/4 inch circles from the same sheet. Good way to get more mileage from your stickers - and to think outside the box!

Tuesday's Tips

I have a confession to make. Yes, as a paper crafter and artist, I love all things artsy. But, I am not, nor ever have been, a sticker fan. I have bought them, only to give them to the nearest available child!
Well, I recently read a couple of ideas that I could use (other than the obvious titles of scrap pages or journal pages). Using punches to punch out small shapes - think circles for flower centers. Or, collage them on card stock and die cut or punch. I will be giving these a try this week!

Monochromatic...

well, kind of monochromatic! This was a Club Scrap challenge - use one color at least 3 ways on a card or layout. Since I am making card sets for a friend's charity event, I thought this challenge would be fun.

 The flower was painted with Radiant Pearls (which I have not used in quite a while!)

 I used Washi tape placed back to back on the above red card. It is difficult to tell from the photo, but the dots in the corner of the black panel are red Smooch ink/paint.

Challenge yourself to create cards, layouts, or journal pages with one color. It is a great way to use your stash! Card stock used is from Club Scrap. I used rubber stamps from Club Scrap and Stampin' Up and inks from Ranger.

Tag, You're It

Another fun little tag I made for a friend. Similar technique in that I created my own collage with winter/snow stamps and Distress Inks. The little round disc I bought years ago and used similar ones quite a bit. Then, they languished in my stash until just recently. I thought to imitate a little snow globe by filling the disc with glitter glue.

A Little Stamping

It seems like a very long time since I stamped a card. I made the above card for friends who were married back in August. Yes, I am a bit late! I thought a something simple using similar colors to the colors of the bridesmaids dresses. Making this card reminded me why I became interested in rubber stamping - making my own cards. I am currently working on Christmas cards (about halfway done) and getting caught up on real life since I have been home.

Tuesday's Tip

I always like to use stamps and/or materials in a variety of ways. It can help "justify" the purchase (I know you know what I mean!). Not long ago I bought cotton thread to make my own baker's twine. I have used it on a variety of projects. Since it is white, I can color it with markers, re-inkers, etc. I also found a great way to make flowers with the twine. Keep it flat and create a flat spiral circle. I put it on a piece of carpet tape to hold the circle tight. Remember to color the twine before you wind it around.

Tuesday's Tips

I was catching up on my magazines, when I saw a clever idea for an embellishment. With Halloween over and Christmas on its, I thought these would be cute for scrapbook pages or cards. To create fun candy accents, wrap brightly colored buttons in cellophane (in a color similar to the button). Tie the ends with baker's twine, and you will have a clever little candy embellishment!

Done!

A couple of weeks ago, I completed some projects that were laying around awaiting the finishing touches. (I posted the Shadow box a couple of days ago.) Back at the end of July, I took a couple of Tim Holtz's classes when he was teaching in the San Jose area. Well, the largest of the projects has finally been completed. The great thing about this class and project was the variety of techniques it showcased. We used tapes, paints, alcohol inks, stains, embossing, chipboard, and metals. Most of the techniques were not new, but the class was a great reminder of using your materials!

We even added a cute (or so my friends think "creepy") little porcelain doll, and some fun gears and watch parts. If you have a chance to take this class, I highly recommend it!

Canvas Class

During Scramp Camp, we were lucky to have Maryjo McGraw teach a couple of classes. The canvas class ended up being a big hit with all those who took part. I decided to make something more mainstream (if you have seen some of my art journaling, you know I am not really a mainstream type of person!)  This graphic design was really tough for me. But, I am happy with the way it turned out! The images are from Helga Strauss of Art Chix , and the gate stamp from Club Scrap.

I mixed a couple of colors as a base coat of red. Then mixed a couple of different greys, adding a little green to the darker bottom color. The images were added next. I ended up keeping them linear. I finished by embellishing with gold pearl string, gold rhinestones, and a little sponging of gold paint!

A Little Something for Charity

A friend had asked for donated handmade items to sell at a charity event for Children.  I thought it would be great to put together card packs. After stamping 4 sets of 4 cards, I did not want to just place them in a plastic baggie with envelopes. I had made the card box at my friend,.Elaine's, house. The great thing about making this box - it took one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch card stock. I used a combination of card stock's on the 3 boxes, embellishing with flowers and pearls. Is there a particular project you like to make as a card holder?

Tuesday's Tip

With everyone looking to go green and recycle, why not follow through with your art. One of my favorite items to recycle are wrappers and packaging. I like to use candy wrapper and foils in candy/humorous projects. Some tea boxes have interesting images that can be used as inches. Look around  and see what you can find!

ATC Swap

I am participating in another ATC swap. This one is a group of Club Scrap folks and the theme is Truffles/Chocolate. The card stocks and main image stamp are from Club Scrap.

 I used metal and some foil from chocolates as accents. The "designated chocolate tester" was stamped on metal sheeting and cut out. The gold foil at the top is actually from some chocolates. There are certain types of materials I like to recycle - candy wrappers and colored foils are definitely tops on my list. How about you?