Going with the simple theme of yesterday's card, I used a punch out, Baker's Twine and Washi tape to create the details of this card. The only stamped images were the line with dots and "hello".

Loved how it came together!

Squirrely Challenge

It has been a while since I participated in my friend, Nancy's, "Squirrely Challenge". This was a simple charge - use Washi tape. If you have read my blog for some time, you know this was right up my alley! It seems as if Washi tape is everywhere - but is it actually Washi Tape?
Washi is a type of paper from Japan, often used in Origami. The tape is made similarly - often from pulpy paper sources. It has a distinctive weight and finish (both the paper and the tape). There are a lot of decorative tapes out now - some are true Washi, while others are tissue or craft tape. The Tim Holtz/Ranger products are tissue tapes. They are made differently, have a different texture and adhesive. The behave differently, particularly with wet media.
All that being said, I used a variety of tapes on this card for the challenge:

The trees and striped tapes are "craft/tissue" tapes and the blue text is actual Washi tape. The "Keep Calm and Merry On" is from a clear set of Darcy's Christmas stamps. Had a bit of a problem as the stamp is not very deeply etched. It will definitely require "surgery"! The embossing folder used on the card is by Stampin' Up. I made my own red and white twine with string and a Sharpie!

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends...

A Bit of Washi

I had made the base of this card a while back. I love Washi tape and tend to use it a lot, particularly in art journals. When I received this floral tape from my friend Sherry, I knew it would make a fun background. So, I just cut a panel and taped away!

It was quick and easy - and I really love the shades of blue in the tape. Since tapes are the hottest product out there, you will have a variety from which to choose for backgrounds and accents! I added colored card stock (Club Scrap) and some Stampin' Up stamps and punch. I used Distress markers to color the inside of the flowers. It is difficult to see, but I used a vine embossing folder on the brown strip. Quick and easy, especially if you have pre-made bases!

Flipping pages...

As I mentioned previously, I have been working in my "flippy" art journal with a French theme. Below are examples of how the pages "flip out" horizontally:

You can see how the page unfolds. I plan on bringing home some fun ephemera to use to finish the pages of this book!

French Journal

Thought I would share a page from a journal I made in a Kelly Kilmer class. We called it the "flippy book" since the pages folded out, up and down. As I was collaging the first page, it became apparent the theme of the book was French:

I used a variety of patterned papers and Washi tapes with my images. Watercolor wash was added to unify.

Spray Paint part 2

Yesterday, I posted a spray paint project my friend,Nancy, and I did. I was letting the finished projects dry an extra day before using them. The back of the desktop organizer:

The same object - side view:

And, the completed view of the organizer as it will sit on my desk:

I added polka dot Washi tape to the front and along the edges of the compartments. The completed plastic tumbler that I use for miscellaneous storage:

The top band is actually painted red, while the dotted pattern is painted black. You could also add stamping or collage if you do a project like this. I liked the graphic urban design feel of the paint without any more decoration.

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.

Hark...

I was finishing my Christmas cards, trimming the music Washi tape. I was accumulating a bunch of triangular shaped bits of tape. I really did not want to waste it/throw them out (yeah, I know...). So, I decided to add them to a couple of blank journal pages as part of the background. After the cards were done, I pulled out the journal to finish the pages (I am involved in a monthly journal exchange and need to get going!). The music theme inspired me to make a holiday/angel page. I did some light stamping with Club Scrap's holiday stamps and added some spray mists. The larger angel was reduced from an angel graphic on a 12 x 12 Club Scrap scrapbook page. I cut the image from the card stock and reduced it on my computer. The end result was:

These pages came together quickly and easily - I think the bits of tape helped jump start my creativity. 

Christmas Cards

Finally completed my Christmas cards - in the nick of time! I showed an "in process" shot earlier this month. I stamped the white glossy panel with stamps from Stampers Anonymous and Technique Tuesday, using Distress Inks and Brilliance Galaxy Gold. The mats and card are from Club Scrap. I die cut the deer and then embossed  with a snowflake pattern. A little Distress Ink was sponged on to add dimension. A quick die cut of a ticket, more inking and stamping, and a strip of  Washi tape - the card is complete!

Mr Bill

When I work in my Art Journal, I tend to use magazine page images. I have a couple of quirky magazines that I specifically buy to pillage-Juxtapose and High Fructose. These are not for everyone, but I do love the interesting graphics. I found a page of Bill Murray paintings that I could not resist. I turned them into a couple of Retro pages using Washi tape, transparencies, and patterned paper.

Birds...

I have still been traveling - this has been a very busy Fall. It has been difficult to get into a routine for anything, because it changes week to week! I have been squeezing some creativity in, in small bunches. Mainly, I need to finish a couple of projects before their fast approaching deadline!

The above journal pages (I think I have mentioned before that I usually coordinate facing pages) were fun bird variations. Of course, my friend Kelly, found me the word "supper". She knows me well!

Tuesday's Tip

I have purchased various chip board collections in the past. I think many of us have them, but do not always use all the pieces. I find there are certain favorites that I tend to use up. As much as I love the parenthesis chipboard shapes, I find them a challenge to use at times. I recently saw a fun way to incorporate these shapes into art - as photo corners. They can be painted, glittered, stamped and Washi taped! I plan to dig them out and start using them!

Completed Journal

I have many handmade books and journals. Actually, I have a drawer full of them. They all have some pages done - but none are fully complete. Until now! Finally, I have finished an art journal! Feels pretty good - only umpteen more to go!

This is the final 2 page spread - although I may eventually go back and add some words.

Art Journal Page

I know - it took me long enough to take photos of some of the pages from last weekend. I have been busy unpacking, cleaning and completing a few things.  The above  are 2 pages from yet another newly made book. I generally work on 2 pages at once as I like them to be somewhat complimentary and cohesive. I also used Faber Castell Gelato watercolors to add some color around the doll images. I like to add paint/ink to my pages and these are very easy to transport.

The images were taken from a Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. I find I cannot keep all my magazines, so I pull images that might be useful in collage and place them in a storage container. The butterfly overlay swings both ways so it can also go over the house. Yes, this was a somewhat sedate (and normal) page for me. Do not be discouraged - the unusual ones will come.

Mini Book a la Tim

As I have mentioned, I took a couple of classes over the weekend with Tim Holtz. The book above was made in the Sunday morning class. The covers and spine are chipboard, covered in Tim's paper and sticky back canvas (on the spine). I used Distress Ink and Stains to color the covers and spine. I used acrylic Paint Dabber to add a little gold to the metal frame and key.

The spine contains a bar and binder ring assembly. These are sold as a set and are pretty easy to attach to chip board. You can see a few of the pages - which have been distressed, painted, and/or stained.

Some of the pages were made into pocket pages using tissue tape. Quite and fun and easy little book. I plan to add more pages to it.

Distress Stains and Stencils Part 2

After making cards with the Distress Stains ans stencils, I thought I would play on my journal. Of course, the final outcome was not quite what I had originally had in mind! I used 2 colors of Distress Stains on my background - then stenciled the numbers. Then, after a bit of stamping I had a very busy background. I added some Washi tape and vellum, more stamping and a focal image:

You can click on the image to enlarge it. It is a bit of a commentary on having both kids home from college this summer. I do love it when I can use techniques on a multitude of projects!

Mail Art

I made a little bit of Mail Art to send to my friend, Nancy. Since she likes bird images, I thought I would use a new set I bought from Stampin' Up. On the background of the matte coat postcard, I spritzed some water and added 3 complimentary colors of Distress Stains. Once the background was dry, I added the vintage flower page. The images were stamped in India Ink black and Distress Inks. Washi tape was added around the borders. Then, to tie the whole card together, I added a wash of Distress Stain.
Mail art postcards are a quick, easy and fun little project for times when you do not have a lot of time. You can still create something fun and brighten the mailbox of a friend!

Art Journal

I took  a little break from card making and Distress Stain. My art journal needed some attention, so I completed this page I started a bit ago.

I had painted the background and stamped a while ago. After adding patterned paper and tape, I found another fun image from the Housewife's Tarot deck. I added the stamped palmistry hand before adhering my focal image. After all, it is 5 o'clock somewhere...

Painted Backgrounds

Spring appears to have sprung in the Bay Area. We went from cold and rain to sun and 80 degrees in less than a week. I was inspired to play with paint and bright, cheerful colors. Using Claudine Hellmuth's green acrylic, I covered 2 art journal pages. I found a great tip to help when using acrylics on paper. (Sorry, tune in to Tuesday's Tip for the information!) Then, I took a bright yellow and orange and made splatters. That was the starting point. I pulled out some images, stamps, and tapes (of course). Below is the double page spread:

I also used portions of flower punches to add interesting elements. A close-up of the left page side:

And, a close up of the right side:

Bright and cheerful pages calling out for Spring.