FRIENDS in ART

My Trinket Case - Altered

2012-02-12T21:27:00.004-06:00

This is the Trinket Case from Tim Holtz that I altered.

This is how it finally ended up....but there were stages along the way to share.

These are 3 of the new really cool Mini Dies from Tim Holtz. They're cut from Grungeboard, inked, stamped, and enhanced with Glossy Accents. I love 'em!

I measured, cut, and Distress Inked my favorite collection of papers Lost and Found.

I like adding Tea Dye and Vintage Photo for added contrast in colors.

These are cut from the ATC sized papers....I hoarded them. But now I can see them on my desk.

The Plaquettes have Butterscotch Alcohol Ink dabbed on them.

Here is a closeup of the little Typewriter. I painted some of it with Silver Mixative and a brush.

This paper is from the Kraft Resist collection. I used Tombow markers to color.

Greys and blues were used to shadow that adds the depth.

Cannot wait to see what Tim's new Distress Markers can do on Kraft paper.

Then I used more Alcohol Ink and Mixatives to color the Pen Nibs.

Thinking it still needed more, I cut 1 inch strips of the Bottle Caps paper and added to the drawers

The Calendar Pages and Rulers are a fun addition to the inside.

Ignore the scattered occupants of the drawers...I've become a "digger". Never thought that would happen.

Something pretty phenomenal for a slightly OCD person like myself.

My favorite is the little Camera and all the little pieces that pop out so you can ink and paint.

Hope you find some inspiration here.

You can Pre-Order these goodies at Inspiration Emporium!

Get out the paper cutter, glue, and get started!!!!

Linda

Embossed Metal Foil Clock

2012-02-08T19:54:00.002-06:00

This is a short and sweet!

It's so easy, it's almost sinful!

I used Regal Flourished embossed Metal Foil Tape on a piece of Chipboard.

You can use pieces, it doesn't matter, just make a pleasing pattern.

It's had many colors of Alcohol Inks added in layers.

Let it completely dry and sand off to reveal the silver again.

The Weathered Clock and Hands are made the same way only it's embossed AFTER it's die cut.

I used a Texture Wheel from Ten Seconds Studio on the hands and Black Soot Alcohol Ink.

I think they turned out looking pretty cool!!

There's a tiny bit that doesn't get embossed, just run it through again just on the section that didn't fit.

The Clockface center is from Tim's Lost and Found Paper Stash.

It fits perfectly!!!

I added some Distress Inks and a crackle stamp over the clockface.

To give it some depth, I layered it all with chipboard and added the piece of light colored paper at the back for contrast.

It's a diamond shape, so it should add a different look to a wall hanging group.

Be well, and have a great week.

I'm planning a vacation get-away, and I can't wait to get out of Dodge!

Linda

** Destinations Tag *

2012-02-03T21:50:00.001-06:00

More Destinations goodies from Tim Holtz on this tag.

New Idea-ology pieces as well.

New Tissue Tape Commute that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

The Mini Rosettes are cut using the Destination Paper with the State Postcards.

Salvage Stickers adorn the centers.

Mini Gears are here, too!

This is how is all starts.

First I add the Tissue Tape.

Then the Distress Inks...Pumice Stone, Dusty Concord, Stormy Sky, and a tiny bit of Pine Needles all over a #8 Manila Tag.

Flicked with water for some fun.

Stamp with Jet Black Archival ink using the Steampunk and Little Labels sets.

I added a clear stamp from Tim along the side.

The new Seam Binding is died with many different colors of Distress Ink and Distress Stains....

I just keep going until I get the colors I like...LOVE how this turned out!!!

I added a Wire Pin and Gears...new Mini and Sprocket...with a Chain Tassel to the top.

Tombow markers add the Red in the Numbers....

MUST HAVE NEW MARKERS FROM TIM!!!!!!

The little Memo Pin has numbers punched out and added with Glossy Accents over the top.

A little watch part goes great in the center of the Sticker.

I used a piece of left over Grungepaper and Metal Foil Tape from the Roofing project at the bottom.

A Texture Wheel from Ten Seconds Studio adds design and Alcohol Inks give some color.

The Coffee Archival Ink was used with the Artistic Outpost stamp around the corners.

Then I layered the tag up on chipboard that has Fired Brick Stain and Black Soot Distress Ink on it.

You can Pre-Order all these new products from Inspiration Emporium with $5 shipping in the US.

Use “chaspecial” through Feb. 5th for 20% off your order!!!!!

So what are you waiting for.....go check it out!!!

Linda

Birdhouse Travel Resort for CHA

2012-01-31T21:58:00.005-06:00

Oh, the fun I've had making Tim Holtz Projects!!!!!

His new Idea-ology pieces are to die for!!!

The Paper Stash papers are from the new Destinations. They were full of vintage pictures of travelers, airplanes, trains, ticket stubs, travel schedules, and much, much more!

FUN, FUN, FUN to play with for sure!

So here I used the papers to cover all the sides of this 3 room birdhouse.

It then becomes a Travel Resort of sorts with little upside down Label Pulls as roosts for them to perch on.

The Cash Key is hanging from a Screw Eye and piece of chain.

I used the very cool File Tabs to designate the 3 different "rooms" in the resort.

The larger Mini Rosette was perfect with a Travel Sticker in the middle.

I layered several stickers all over the Resort. They added some great color.

You really can't see the little Screw Eyes that are hanging the little sign on the eve with chain links.

See the tiny travel picture in the keyhole?

Really like the wings with Alcohol Inks!

I love the 6x6 paper sections with the Clocks. Perfect for a Clock Tower.

The Traveler sign is cut from paper and has Glossy Accents all over it making it stand out.

Some stamping and embossing give a bit of depth here and there as well.

And of course, the really challenging part was becoming a roofer!

Bill, bless his heart, made the little cupolas on the rooftops for me.

The Grungepaper is covered with Metal Foil Tape and cut with the On the Edge Mini Scallop Die.

There are a couple of papers from Lost and Found to add just a bit of bright colors.

Personally, my favorite is the License Plate paper in the 6x6 on the tallest tower.

Which new product is your favorite????

Have fun, Create ART, and be good to each other.

Linda

CHA Idea-ology Project - Gypsy Traveler Wagon

2012-01-30T01:12:00.005-06:00

I gotta tell ya, I think this was the most audaciously fun project I have EVER done!

I loved it from beginning to end...and believe me, there were many, many changes in the making of this piece.

I want to thank Tim Holtz for his thoughts along the way....it was an engineering project for sure, and my very patient husband Bill with his POWER TOOLS!

I LOVE the POWER TOOLS!

I wish I'd taken a picture of this cigar box before I tore it apart. I was covered in yellow paper, with the front doors on paper hinges.

All had to go.

The front doors open to reveal a diorama inside. I used the Bookcovers Stamp on the door panels.

The Faucet Knobs and Pulley Wheels are AMAZING!!!!

Tim's new Idea-ology pieces screamed GYPSY CARAVAN to me...and this looked like a traveling wagon....the Traveler piece of paper from Destinations Paper Stash on the back fit perfectly with the gold star from Vintaj!

I diecut Metal Foil Tape and used it to frame the Traveler paper.

Diecut Grungepaper was used as skirting around the bottom and painted with Perfect Pearls.

This is a Clock cut from the paper and covered with Distress Inks and Distress Stickles.

More Mini Gears and Mini Numerals on this end piece.

Bill used a drill press to make some of the holes larger to accommodate the knobs and such. Some things had to be altered to fit. You could use the Drill Punch as well.

The Clock Key on the top is probably one of my favorite new Idea-ology pieces...way cool, and so many possibilities running through my mind.

The pictures in the opening of the cigar box are from the new paper stash.

More Mini Gears are on the tops of painted wooden pieces. The Mini Gears die is used to cut Metal Foil Tape on Grungeboard and colored with Alcohol Inks.

This open shot of the doors show the Salvage Stickers on the inside. Terminology Tissue Wrap is glued to the inside and colored with Distress Inks.

Here is another Clock Key on the end of the Wagon. (so cool) The Mini Numerals are covered with UTEE in various colors.

Inspiration Emporium has a 20% off everything sale going on right now...use the code "chaspecial" and Pre-Order these cool new items!!!

This is a great shot from the booth by Kristin Langlais shown here with her permission.

IT MADE MY WHOLE MONTH. When I saw this I gasped...took my breath away!

Thanks Kristin!!!!

I hope you've enjoyed this Journey as much as I did. It is a piece I will treasure for a long time.

I had 2 great events this week within our Musical Family. I'll upload some pictures and things when CHA closes and things slow down.

Be Well and CREATE ART!

Linda

CHA Ranger's Designer Challenge

2012-01-29T14:47:00.002-06:00

Well, it's finally here!

CHA has officially begun, and so here come the samples from the depths of our very souls!

This was one of the most fun of all.

The Designers Challenge from Ranger using

Stickles, Ice Stickles, Liquid Pearls, or Accents (Glossy and Crackle).

And it was so much fun. I LOVED how this turned out. I hope you do, too!

We were given a 13" paper mache mannequin for a base, and a ton of products to play with.

I knew when I saw the gorgeous new colors, that the Blues would be my 1st choices.

I also used Perfect Pearls to paint several pieces so that everything sparkled.

The headpiece is a pin I found at JoAnn's.

I made a dress out of muslin 1st to be able to fit it to the dress form before cutting out the blue material.

This material is from a project I did a few years back for a Cloth Paper Scissors accordion book.

It is so beautiful with the gold metallic studs and mica chips on the wonderful watercolor-looking silky material. So glad I saved a piece.

The leaves are hand-cut from Grungepaper and have Stickles outlined with Liquid Pearls.

Getting the neckline was the hardest. The material is slippery.

The Grungeboard Butterflies are painted with Perfect Pearls and Stickles as well.

Wonder Tape secured it all perfectly!!!!

The Ice Stickles don't show up well in the picture, but they are all over the tulle skirt and the headpiece.

It really does SPARKLE!

I added a wooden base that painted with Perfect Pearls first and then coated with Ice Stickles.

The Stickles and Liquid Pearls really were fun to draw designs around the base for added glitz!

Thanks to Ranger for this great opportunity to "play with products". It was a BLAST!

Linda

Come back tomorrow and I'll show you an Idea-ology Project for Tim's booth...can you say Pulley Wheels, Clock Keys and Faucet Knobs??????

Artistic Outpost Stamping

2012-01-25T13:39:00.001-06:00

More fun from Artistic Outpost and their wonderful Red Rubber Stamps!

Lots of fun here with a combinations of many different products.

I started with Distress Stains on a water-sprayed #8 Manila Tag and added the stamps from Whimsical Melange set with Jet Black and Coffee Archival Inks.

UPDATE:

I begin with Wild Honey and Dried Marigold in the middle, add Broken China, Barn Door, Fired Brick. Keep going while wet with Chipped Sapphire and add Tea Dye in spots to blend.

Trial and Error, and just plain practice with lots of luck, Mo!

Then some Tissue Tape- Symphony at top and bottom.

Next was a layer of Rock Candy Distress Stickles all over the tag.

The On the Edge Die-Ornate was used to cut a piece of Grungepaper and colored with various blue Distress Inks. It makes a great edge at the bottom.

The lovely lady is from the Flapper Fashion set stamped onto Manila cardstock and cut out. She's layered up with pop dots.

The Grungeboard Heart was left over from a previous project, but fit perfectly here with the other Tissue Tape.

I cut some Metal Foil tape with the Decorative Strip-Vintage Lace die and added it to the roof line of the house stamp.

A Spinner goes great on the clock stamp, don't you think?

The Charm Clip was used to add the Muse Token to the Distress Stained piece of fabric. I have no idea where this piece of fabric came from. I found it in the "stuff" box. Anyone know?

I added a Plaquette and some Tissue Paper-Market Days from Collections to a skinny bottle that had Cranberry Alcohol Ink spun around in it.

The tissue paper is colored with Distress Inks to age.

Lots of color, and plenty of stamping here for great fun.

Check out the Artistic Outpost wonderful stamps at Inspiration Emporium.

TTFN as Tigger would say!

Linda

A Little Bit of Color on a Dark and Gloomy Day

2012-01-23T12:18:00.001-06:00

Sometimes we just need a little bit of color!

And sometimes we need a little bit of heat!

Today, both would be nice here.....the furnace quit working last night and it's only 62 degrees in here.

The repairman is on the way....at least it wasn't on a Sunday.

So, now for the color....you're asking yourself, is that thing REALLY that bright?????

And the answer is a resounding YES it is! The colors are gorgeous in person.

So we've all had that wonderful LARGE fragment stashed away somewhere, just waiting for a project to add it to, right?

Well get out your Alcohol Inks and lets get started.

You've seen the technique before, but if not, here goes.

Select a few colors you would like to work with. Use a combination you like. I'll tell you what I used for this project.

1. Using Alcohol Inks apply Wild Plum, Bottle, Espresso and Eggplant Ink with an ApplicatorTool and Felt to the Large Fragment.

2. Using a dabbing motion, add inks in a pleasing pattern.

3. Let dry and add more until you like the color combination. The darker colors blend and bleed. And the 2nd application makes the gorgeous backruns.

4. Take a detailed stamp and stamp onto Alcohol Inks with Jet Black Archival Ink. Here I used the Flapper Fashion set from Artistic Outpost.

5. Immediately blot ink with soft cloth. Continue with CLEAN area of cloth until all black ink seems to be gone.

IMPORTANT: Always have a CLEAN spot to pick up the black ink or it will smudge your work.

6. Buff the area and the ink will all disappear and leave you a clear image of your stamp.

7. Apply Glossy Accents around the edge of the Fragment and glue to white cardstock.

8. Trim around Fragment when dry.

Faux Epoxy Sticker

9. Stamp onto Manila cardstock with Pine Needles using Papillon stamp set from Tim Holtz. Heat set with Heat It Tool. Trim around words as you like in curved fashion.

10. Add Old Paper Distress Ink all over the Manila paper. Use black permanent marker around the edges.

11. Cover paper with Clear UTEE. The Distress Ink will act as an embossing ink and grab the UTEE. Heat with Heat Tool until it is completely embossed. Repeat if you like it thicker.

12. Add the phrases to the front of Fragment layering up with chipboard.

13. Layer-up onto Core’dinations cardstock in various colors.

14. Add to front of card.

That's it for today. CHA is right around the corner....as soon as I can, I will upload some of my projects for Ranger and Tim.

They were so much fun to make this year. WAY, WAY over the top in some cases.

Can't wait to show them to you!!!!

Linda

Back to REALITY!

2012-01-19T14:15:00.001-06:00

Well the fun and pressure is over again for awhile....CHA assignments are done, packed up and on their way to their destinations.

I had a BLAST working on all the projects.

The one you probably have seen a bit about is the Ranger Designer's Challenge where Alain, the owner there had himself covered with Gold Stickles. Quite impressive I must say. Hope they were able to salvage all the goop they poured over him!!

So when the show opens, we have permission to let you see what we created using the new Ice Stickles colors, Stickles, and Liquid Pearls on a 13" mannequin.

(these are sooooooooooooo cool!)

I LOVED what I made, and that's not something I can usually say, but this came to me in an immediate flash as what to do. Strange and unusual for me.

So all I can say is, if you remember this project I did years ago for Cloth Paper Scissors, then you've seen the gorgeous blue material with gold studs and mica chips before.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then....man, it seems like a lifetime ago.

But I saved that luscious material, and I'm so glad I did, because it was PERFECT for this Designers Challenge.

Stop back again, I'll show the CHA samples for Tim, and Ranger when I can.

Be Well and Be Good to Each Other.

Linda

English Pub from Darkroom Door

2012-01-12T16:39:00.002-06:00

HELLO!!!!

Yes, I'm still here and Creating Art in the Studio!

The fingers are all worn to the nubbin and my nose to the grindstone is suffering as well.

JUST KIDDING!

A couple of weeks ago, probably a couple of months, my sweet and remarkably talented friend from Down Under sent me some great new products from Darkroom Door. Rachel Greig takes the most wonderful pictures and creates gorgeous stamps and Montage Collections with them.

These 2 cards are using her new stamp English Pub.

Check them out.

Here I used a piece of Glossy Paper and Alcohol Inks-Raisin, Lettuce and Butterscotch dabbed around on it until I got the background I liked.

Then I stamped the image with Jet Black Archival Ink and Embossed with Super-Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder.

This really was cool, but a bit too much color for me.

So I used Blending Solution squirted onto the piece, and then dabbed some of the color from areas I wanted to highlight. Use a clean area of a cloth each time to pick up the extra ink. Make sure its clean or you'll contaminate the color.

Then, since the Blending Solution took some of the shine off the embossing, I reheated with the Heat It Tool to bring back the shine.

I layered it onto Kraft Resist Paper with Crushed Olive Distress Ink, and 2 layers of Core'dinations Paper.

Tie on a gold ribbon, add a tiny gold star and layer onto a black card.

This is another way to use this gorgeous stamp.

I stamped it onto Manila Cardstock with Jet Black Archival Ink.

Then I colored certain things of interest with Tombow Markers.

I used Tea Dye Distress Ink on the edges to age a bit.

The "Celebrate" is from Rachel's wonderful collection of Wordstrips. This one is call Love Letters.

These things are SO COOL!

They are perfect for cards and add great little phrases to pieces.

Here both are layered onto Kraft Resist paper and highlighted with Distress Ink Aged Mahogany and Fired Brick.

Black cardstock frames the picture in 2 layers and makes the picture pop.

So back to the worktable...still gluing and cutting. I wanted to be an engineer in Junior High, but my teacher told me there weren't any women in that field. Creep....

But NOW, I feel like I have become an Engineer...seriously.

Maybe a Paper Engineer!!!

FUN!

We lost the Internet today...snow storm and all, and the spell check isn't working with Blogger...so cut me some slack if I've misspelled anything today! Thanks!

Pictures Around the House and Elsewhere

2012-01-02T22:47:00.006-06:00

My youngest grandson, Shadow, with his new haircut and Christmas chewy toy. He holds still better than any of the other kids...can you believe it?????

Emma was again the Christmas Child handing out gifts.

The 2 of the younger kids in their family...Em and Alex playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Brittany with her Fantasia Collectors CD...just what she put on her list.

We have no idea who this person is with the Steeler's hat on....classy!

For some reason, Erin escaped my camera shots! So this is from an earlier outing to Wicked with me.

And we all love this one....such a sweet smile!

Lovin' everyone.

It's been very busy around here with CHA projects. I've gotten several done and I'm so happy with the Ranger Designers Challenge. Very fun project!!!

But I will get back in a bit with some fun pics or techniques. If you have any requests, let me know.

Skyped with "the t!mster" tonight, and you guys are going to FLIP over all the new and wonderful things coming out....

START SAVING YOUR PENNIES NOW!

I mean it!!

SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY- AMAZING!!!!!

Have a great New Year and if you're in the freezing Midwest or now the East Coast....where ever you are .....

Stay Warm and Create ART!

Linda

Studio Time and a Guest Artist - Katherine

2011-12-30T14:10:00.000-06:00

Katherine Barrus

Katherine wanted a kit to make for her Mother for Christmas. She kindly shared her work with us.

She said, "She burst into tears and trust me when I say---she isn't into the homemade gifts."

"My Christmas gift for my Mom, made from a kit I bought from Linda!!! I used photos of my Grandparents. My Nanny is 16 in this picture and Grampy is 18. They were the best!"

Katherine, you made my day!

Working on CHA projects in the Studio.....praying for some brilliance to come my way.

Will settle for "Oh, OK, that works!"

That's all I can ask for.....really!

Be Well!

Linda

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-24T12:11:00.001-06:00

This is an oldie, but a favorite stamp of mine.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful Christmas and safe travels to all!

We'll be celebrating for the next 3 days with kids and grandkids.

Let the Joyful Noise Begin!

And I look forward to the Peace on Earth that follows.

Your Friend in ART,

Linda

A Snowman, a Tissue Paper Flower & a Bell

2011-12-19T10:47:00.000-06:00

So many Ranger Products here....and some fun ephemera I've picked up along the way.

I used: District Market - Tissue Wrap - Composer for the Flower.

Remember when we used to make flowers out of Kleenex??? It's the same principle. Fold the tissue paper accordion style. Then bind in the middle and fan out to make the flower.

I put layers of Distress Stain-Fired Brick, Distress Ink-Fired Brick, Crushed Olive Distress Stickles, and Gold Stickles on the Tissue Paper and let it dry before folding.

The bell is on the wire that holds the flower together.

The Metal Foil Tape is used for the trim at the bottom. Tim's new Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Vintage Lace is AMAZING!

You get 7 trimmings with each run. Pretty Cool!

I added the Metal Foil Tape to some dark cardstock. Then Die Cut the Holiday Lamppost Holly Leaves. Add a layer of dark cardstock behind the leaves to add shadow.

Use Pesto Alcohol Ink and Sharpie markers to make them green.

The little Snowman is so cute. I found him at Hobby Lobby as well as the Gold Tinsel Trim.

I originally had this snowman on the tag.

Nice sunny day picked up the gold really well....

I'd photographed, edited, sized, you know....the whole enchilada!

Then I looked at this snowman and something seemed to be inherently WRONG with him....

DOES HE LOOK JUST A BIT STRANGE TO YOU??????

Scarf

Arms

Legs?????

Really, I still cannot for the life of me, figure out his anatomy.

So I tore him off the tag...and added a different one, but I thought later, you might find him at least a bit amusing. So here he is.

One picture taken on the porch in sunlight, and the other under the Ott Light with indirect sun.

Straight-on shot doesn't show the sparkle like the angle shot in the previous post.

Enjoy and Create ART!

Have a great Holiday Season whatever you celebrate.

Linda

Technique Tags

2011-12-18T15:21:00.000-06:00

I decided to just play around today.

To start with, I wanted to use some of the mounds of stash that is laying on my table for Christmas before I put it all away.

These are not finished projects, just backgrounds you can use for tags or whatever.

This was REALLY FUN!!!!

1. Spray Large Manila Tag with water mister.

2. Swipe colors of Barn Door, Fired Brick, Mustard Seed, Pine Needles, and Peeled Paint across the tag....left to right with above colors. Let them blend.

3. Spray Chipped Sapphire Distress Stain on to Craft Sheet and pick up droplets of color with tag. (this is the dark colored splotches on the tag.)

4. Dry with Heat It Tool.

5. Emboss with Texture Fades set Christmas Background and Borders. I butted the smaller folder up against the larger one and ran it through at the same time to create the border.

6. Spray Sunflower sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist onto Tag. Then spray onto Craft sheet. Pick up color onto tag by dragging the spot you want into the color. Heat set.

This is, as with all Perfect Pearl and Glitter projects, soooooo much cooler in person. It's so hard to get the gorgeous shine on film...or on digital. Whatever.....

This is going to be hard for me to cover up....

This one has less steps, and will be great for a background.

Here I used Copper Perfect Pearl Mists, and sanded the embossed area.

I like the contrast of the Manila Tag with the colors.

I also flicked some white paint onto the tag....could not find my brush for making snow, so I used an old coarse brush. Didn't work as well, but you get the idea.

You could leave it as is, or here I added some Gathered Twig Distress Ink to the raised areas of the tag and some Gold Paint Dabber.

Use what you have....CREATE ART!

Tomorrow I'll put it together for you!

Linda

Time for a WINNER!

2011-12-16T10:42:00.009-06:00

So after many wonderful comments on the blog, we have a WINNER! We drew today at 10:00am from the comments we had.

Scrapin Kat said...: This is a beautiful book! I have my G45 stashed to start early next year - I have enjoyed watching you make this project! You truly embellish great!; December 10, 2011 10:09 PM

Thanks to everyone who played along!

Send me your name and address, Scrapin Kat, and I'll get it out ASAP!

I can't tell you how much fun it is to do this. And the Wreath seems to have generated some interest as well!

I tell ya, it's fun and it's easy! Give it a try!

Working on a couple of tag backgrounds that I'll post in a day or so.

So come back, talk, leave a question or a comment, and we'll see what we can do!

I remain:

YOUR FRIEND IN ART,

Linda

.......................A Christmas Wreath....................

2011-12-14T00:00:00.001-06:00

This is a project from me to you, and REALLY it comes together rather quickly.

You do have to click on the piece to see the gorgeous colors the Alcohol Inks create.

So, let's get started!

To begin, cut about 30 of the Holly Leaves and 3 of the Branches from the Tim Holtz die Holly Branches.

I used the plastic packaging from all the products I can't live without.

Then, using the Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool and Felt, add several different Green inks.

I used Pesto, Lettuce, and Bottle...at touch of Espresso and Metallic Gold Mixative.

This is the back...see how splotchy it is....leave areas for the paint to fill in.

This is the front (shiny side). Yes, looks like there is at least a 12 point match on my fingerprint!

You can tell the BACK because the inks will make if feel rough. The FRONT is smooth to the touch.

The Heat It Tool can be used to bend the leaves. Not a lot of heat is needed. And if you don't like the way it looks, just reheat and do it over.

The next step is to add Lettuce and Gold Acrylic Paint Dabber OVER the Alcohol Inks.

All the layering of ink and paint is on one side.

This shows the FRONT of the leaf after I've dabbed all the paint and ink on the BACK.

The paint fills in the spots the Alcohol Ink hasn't covered.

Use the same technique to add Metallic Gold Mixative and then Gold Paint Dabber to one side of the 3 branches.

When dry, heat and scrunch up to form a bed for your Holly Berries.

Now, this is a bit of a twist. When completely dry, you can run the leaves through the Vagabond with the Swirls Texture Fades.

The folder will clean off with a toothbrush and soap if you get a bit of paint on it. No worries.

These leaves I left flat since heating will remove the embossing.

The biggest problem I had was what to use as the base. After trying several ideas, I cut a 6 1/2" circle out of thin corrugated cardboard, and then a 4 1/2" circle out of the center.

Don't be too critical of your cut, as it will not be seen under the leaves.....really!

I used Forrest Moss and Peeled Paint Distress Stains in swiping motions for a mottled effect.

You'll see why later.

I dried the circle with a hair dryer, it works well and doesn't get too hot.

Then I sprayed it with Forever Green Perfect Pearls Mist.....and dried it again.

This is something I've had forever. It's a twisted paper ribbon.

I tied it through the 3 gold bells and wrapped it around a skewer to curl.

Next I applied Art Glitter Glue and sprinkled with Red Glitter.

It may take a couple of times to get it covered the way you want it.

This is a closeup of the Gold Branch after it's been heated and scrunched.

I used a low-temp hot glue gun to add the berries. I found these a couple of years back in Minnesota.

They came with the snow already on them! BONUS!

I punched 2 holes with the Cropadile, and added large black eyelets.

Since you'll be covering the front with leaves, use the black side of the eyelets for the BACK.

This shows the gorgeous Perfect Pearls Mist at a different angle. The 2 colors of Distress Stain make it have a wonderful glow with the Pearls.

The Red and Gold Cord is tied in a square knot through the 2 holes and frayed out.

I bought this at Scrapaganza before they closed...I miss them already:(

Then lay out your 1st layer of leaves. Since I only heated the embossed leaves LIGHTLY on the edges, they go well as the 1st layer. They're flatter.

Add with the hot glue gun.

Then lay out your second layer and start gluing. This shows the beautiful Bottle Green here and there.

Make sure to leave just a single layer at the top where the bow will go.

Add your bells and berry pieces with the hot glue.

The bow is tied and added to the top for the finishing touch!

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. It really doesn't take a lot of time to make this wreath, seriously.

I put it together if a few hours.

So give it a try, and put your own spin on it.

Have a great week.

We'll draw for the winner later this week, so don't forget to add your comment to the previous GIVEAWAY post.

I found some more goodies to add to the package. When you open a drawer here, and there's always something new you've forgotten about!

Linda

Prize Package and a Sneak Peek!

2011-12-13T20:32:00.000-06:00

OK everybody.....here's the prize package I put together.

It has 6 sheets of Graphic 45 papers PLUS the Christmas Past Tags.

'Tis the Season Clear Stamps from KaiserCraft.

Garlands, Tinsel, a tiny tree, German Scrap, Felt Stars, Clear Snowflakes, Tags, Mini Lights, Gold Stars, Trimmings, Christmas 6x6 papers, and I just keep finding cool things to add.....

So leave your comment on the previous post...

I'll draw the end of the week....

And tomorrow, I'll post the tutorial for the Christmas Wreath using Tim's Holly Branch die, alcohol inks and more!

Here's a Peek!

The Last Two Pages of the Christmas Emporium Book - And A Give Away!

2011-12-10T21:09:00.001-06:00

Well, we're finally done with the 8 pages of the book.

It's been great fun, and I've enjoyed the challenge.

I can't thank Graphic 45 enough for all the support and help they've given be over the last few years.

Using their papers in classes has been more than wonderful.

So let's get this going!!!

I think this one is my favorite, but then I've said that about more than just a couple of them.

I fussy cut the Holly. Then I added Glossy Accents to it.

The Compliments of the Seasons strip of paper is from the Christmas Past Tag collection.
(I have several sheets of these great tags...going to give some away!!!!)

Glossy Accents on the Stamp. The card was too wide, so I just trimmed it down a bit.

I've used Gold German Scrap, some more Lime Green Stickles, and Gold Nail Heads again here.

Everything has been layered onto chipboard for depth.

The Snowflake has been glitzed up with Copper Glitter and trimmed.

And the last page.....sniff, sniff...tissue please.

The base paper is By the Beautiful Sea - On the Boardwalk Collection.

The next paper is A Christmas Carol that's had Distress Inks Tea Dye and Old Paper added.

Here is a close-up of the FABULOUS discovery Emma and I made last night...we had a Sleep Over.

These are 2 foam glittered snowflakes from Michael's...sticky back.

Then we dabbed on Chipped Sapphire Distress Stain! Oh My~~~~~ WAS IT COOL!!!!

It turned the most gorgeous shades of Turquoise and deep Sapphire. We LOVED it!

The clear Rhinestone added the finishing touch to our large snowflake.

The stamps have been layered onto black Chipboard and glazed over with Rock Candy Distress Stickles.

I added Gold Nailheads, a Sequin Star, and a black Nailhead in the center.

Another gorgeous Tag with Lime Green Stickles and a tiny gold star.

Tie a thin red ribbon bow to the tag and you're done!!!!

So this is a picture of 2 pages...the sun was going down, so the light was getting away from me.

But I was determined to get these done today before Emma's Soccer game....they won 4-1, she scored the 1st goal!!!! YAY!

And I did get them done! All 8 pages!!! WHEW!!!!

So NOW I'm going to play around with some ideas from Tim's 12 Days of Christmas Tags!

This is one side of the book opened up....I have no idea what happened to the picture of the back.

Exhaustion has set in.....

So if you've followed me through this, and if you leave a comment, I'm going to send a Prize Package of some of the great little ephemera that I've used throughout this project.

Like a package of the little Christmas Lights, small stars, bigger stars, Christmas Past Tag sheet, Let It Snow paper,

Snow Flakes, Manila Tags, ribbon, Mini Tinsel garlands (3 colors, German Scrap,etc, etc, etc.....a bunch of altering goodies!

So just leave a comment and we'll draw for a winner!

I hope you've had fun along the way and maybe learned a thing or two.

Happy Creating!

Linda

The Christmas Emporium Book Continues....

2011-12-08T15:37:00.001-06:00

Here we go again!

It's been great hearing from you telling me you've got to get out your G45 papers and CREATE!

And some are even following along making Christmas Cards with these pages!

Whatever you're doing, it's wonderful to play along together.

The Box is up on the Graphic 45 Blog today!!!! YAY!!! So THRILLED!!!

Thanks so much to everyone there, especially Charee, I really appreciate the shout out!

You will be blown away with Jim's Wine Box also featured there. AMAZING!!!

So here's 2 more pages. If you've joined use late, the prepping of the book is in earlier posts.

I'm using this as the cover page.

I've fussy cut the toys, added Glossy Accents, and layered with chipboard.

The Santa from Christmas Emporium 8x8 Paper Pad is layered onto the back of Poppy Fields paper to frame.

I LOVE the little boys gazing in the window at Santa....precious beyond words.

Here again I used the Grey TomBow pen to add shadows. And Distress Inks for added depth and color.

The Tag is from the Christmas Emporium Chipboard Die-cuts 1 set. Wonderful pieces!!!

The Letters are from and old set from K&Co. that I added Martha's Copper colored Glitter with Glossy Accents.

The picture (as always with glitter) does not give it's TRUE coppery color justice. Honest....

Added Holly Berries all over with Burgundy Stickles where there were berries on the papers, and some I just made up to balance out the piece.

The other page is this Sleeping Little Darling. I could NOT go without using this great piece.

It's from the 12x12 Believe sheet. It's a rectangular piece, so I trimmed off the right edge and glued the frame section back on butting up the edges. When you cover it up with the tag and JOY, you don't see the seam.

The JOY is made with Gold Martha Glitter as well as the Maya Road Snowflake that we showed in an earlier post. (much more sparkly in person) No Perfect Pearls on this one.

I received this stunning copper metal Ribbon on a gift many years ago and have hoarded it.

This seemed like the perfect place to use it. I love how it scrunches.

The Christmas Stocking Tag is edged with Lime Green Stickles. (it has a bit of gold in it!)

I layered up the 1Cent Stamp and the Sleeping Darling onto chipboard for more depth.

The SD square is also framed onto piece of the 8x8 paper using the Dancing Family square on Happy Holidays. Just wanted a bit more framing here.

It looks like we only have 2 more pages to go, and we'll be done with the book.

Let me know how you're doing, and I'll be back later this week with the last pages.

Be Well, and Be Good to Each Other!

Linda

Santa and the Boys Plus Christmas Window Pages

2011-12-06T17:49:00.006-06:00

Well, I promised 2 pages today, so here we go!

The first is one for the predominant front and the 2nd is for the so-called back.

I LOVE this Santa and the Boys from Happy Holidays 12x12 paper.

I used Maya Road Olivia Mini-Letters and red glitter.

Paint the letters the same color as the glitter 1st and then layer on the Glossy Accents and glitter.

I fussy cut the garland from the 8x8 pad Christmas Emporium sheet, and added Glossy Accents. Let dry over night.

Add black permanent marker to edges and chipboard strip to back.

I used 2 sheets of the 12x12 Santa square here. Cut out this one as shown.

Lots of Distress Ink was added here and there. The Dots are stamped with the above stamp and Iced Spruce Distress Ink.

And then add Grey Tombow Pen N75 for shadows. That makes things stand out.

Don't do the Santa and Boys...they'll be covered up.

Then I fussy cut the other Santa square from a 2nd sheet of 12x12.

NOW add the grey pen for shadows.

It REALLY makes a difference in the depth of the pictures.

Turn them over and add Black Chipboard to layer-up for more depth.

This shows the layered Santa and the Boys at a different angle.

I ADORE these little Christmas Tree lights from Darice!!!!

I added some gold metallic thread, twirled around a wooden skewer, heat LIGHTLY with Heat It Tool, and unwind gently.

Assemble your page as shown!!!!!

what do you think???

Next is the page on the BACK of Santa and the Boys.

This one is much simpler but just as fun.

Here is another one of the 4 sections of Happy Holidays 12x12 trimmed.

I used Distress Inks to brighten a bit, and added the stamped Holly leaves with Olive Archival Ink and the stamp from Christmas Emporium 2 around the frame edge.

I also used the Grey Tombow Pen N75 to shade a lot here.

The Christmas Bells from Tim Holtz Christmas Adornments are colored with Sharpie Fine Tip Pens. Easy Peasy!

I put the Gold Stickles all around the Window Frame.

Cut out Holiday Wishes from the 8x8 Joyous Noel paper, add chipboard to back, edge with Gold Stickles, and glue to page.

Assemble as shown or however you wish! WHEW!!!!

Come back and we'll work on the remaining pages!

NOW I can move onto the next item on my list of things to do today!

The tree is up, and it needs some wrapped presents underneath it!

Linda

Dancing Around the Christmas Tree

2011-12-05T00:01:00.005-06:00

Hello Bloggers!

This is on the front of the book page I did yesterday. (To see how we started, see yesterdays post.)

The papers again are from the 8x8 paper pack Christmas Emporium from Graphic 45.

I took the Game Piece and added red and black permanent markers to it. Then a layer of Glossy Accents to the top.

Gold Stickles and Platinum Pearl-Liquid Pearls are dotted around the tree and edges to brighten up the Christmas Party.

Tea Dye Distress Ink is added to the Let It Snow-Christmas Past tan paper and the ever popular Botanicabella-Antiquities background paper. (I loved that collection:(

I've fussy cut the scroll and the bow. Glossy Accents is applied to the Bow for dimension.

I REALLY loved how the Bow turned out!!!

The Bow and the Scroll are layered up onto chipboard. I used 2 layers for the Bow.

Glue as you like and you're done!

Any one of these pages could be used as a Christmas Card idea....make a whole set!

Moving right along now.

Another page tomorrow!

Linda

And Happy 30th Anniversary today to the best guy ever! Mwah!

Christmas Emporium Book

2011-12-04T15:14:00.005-06:00

We're Home!

We had a great time on our Smoky Mountain trip! It was full of great food, fun, shopping and tours.

That having been said....there's no place like home!

So I decided to work (finally) on putting together the book that goes into the Graphic 45-5x5 Kraftboard Altered Art Box with Album.

This is just one of the BACK pages. We'll prep all the pages here with Distress Stain to start.

Come back tomorrow for this front section!

This page is a bit bowed in the picture because of the "stuff" on the other side...Greetings really is straight, I promise!

If you have the wonderful box, you know it comes with an insert book. It folds out into 4 accordion pages.

I took one of my favorite Distress Stain - Fired Brick and outlined all the sections to begin with.

Then I added just a touch of Aged Mahogany and Vintage Photo. I used 2 layers of the Fired Brick to get a rich, deep color on the Kraft Paper.

Almost all the papers are the 8x8 paper pad from the Christmas Emporium collection again.

Since you've cut all the pieces out of one sheet for the box, all you have to do is decide where to put theses gorgeous papers!!! Right???

This is basically just a section of the Happy Holidays paper. (This is the 12x12 sheet here.)

I cut out the one section, then Distress Inked with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo and the Blending Tool.

Glue to to 3rd page from the left on the back.

The Snowflakes are from Maya Road, and the Glitter is Martha Stewart.

Add Glossy Accents and pile on the glitter. I use a piece of chipboard or plastic packaging to GENTLY press the glitter on top to flatten. Then move out of the pile to dry.

Thanks to Lisa M. Pace for teaching me to do glitter. She is the Glitter Queen!

(Check out her new book Delight in the Seasons and her new stamps by Pink Persimmon.)

When they're dry, spray with Blue Smoke Perfect Pearl Mist to add a more vintage look.

You can see the difference in the before and after in the picture above.

The Best Christmas Wishes and Greetings pieces are added to black chipboard.

Punch a hole in the tag, add an eyelet, and tie a piece of gold ribbon.

The Snowflakes needed a "little somethin' more" so I added a Rhinestone.

These were clear, so I added a bit of Denim Alcohol Ink to them for color and contrast.

A Green Metallic Gelly Roll pen makes a few marks around the border, and Coffee Archival Ink added a few more swirls on the tags.

I found the tiny wreath somewhere in my travels, and it was exactly the same size as the one in the picture!

The Star is from Mark Richards.

So I'll be working to put the other pages up as the month goes on.

But my suggestion for gluing is start on the back with the flat pieces, and move to the front.

Live and Learn!

Don't forget that Inspiration Emporium has $5 shipping in the US, and they carry all the things you need for Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas. So check them out!

Linda

Traveling Day - Henry Clay Estate

2011-12-02T19:52:00.000-06:00

It was another beautiful day in the South. The sky was blue and the birds were singing.

We took off early to go to the Tennessee Artisan Center. What a fabulous place.

Hundreds of items of original art, pottery, jewelry and textile pieces to admire and buy.

I did my part to help the economy!!!

Ashland Henry Clay Estate

Then we traveled to Lexington, KY to tour the Henry Clay Estate. The surrounding homes were absolutely stunning. And the estate was a real treat to visit.

Our guide was brilliant. The stories and pieces of history that he shared created a wonderful learning experience for all of us.

I truly enjoyed it.

Roy graciously took our picture in front of one of the beautifully decorated window balconies.

We walked the grounds and enjoyed to carriage house and other restored buildings on the estate.

The sun was near to setting, so we took off for dinner.

Home tomorrow...............YES!!!

LOVE to go, and LOVE to come home!

Be Well.

Linda and Bill

What a Difference a Day Makes......

2011-12-01T20:45:00.000-06:00

......that and a few thousand feet.

We took off after breakfast to enjoy the sunshine and the sites.

This is a Mill that has been made into a restaurant along the river.

The water is crystal clear coming down from the mountains after the snowfall.

The Christmas Village Shops were amazing. I've never seen SO many decorations in one store!

You seriously could NOT find the way out....Bill did no go IN!!!

The park along the river was gorgeous.

And the Smoky Mountains are in the distance.

The day was just perfect.

So I'll leave you with a parting shot of me in the Gazebo.

We leave for home tomorrow.

Stopping in Kentucky to see the Henry Clay Estate. It's been a great trip.

Bill and Linda

The Great Smoky Mountain Anniversary Trip

2011-11-29T22:55:00.001-06:00

Bill and I always try to go somewhere for our anniversary. Usually it's to Branson....but we decided to change things around this year and go some place different.

And boy have we had a great time!

We had a tour up the mountain today. It wasn't too cold when we left, but as we got higher, of course, the temp dropped 20 degrees.

Our guide took us up Sugarland Mountain as far as we could go this time of year to Newfound Gap across the Appalachian Trail.

With all the rain, the rivers and streams were VERY high. This bridge across the Pigeon River (I think) was very cool.

This was further up the mountain where it began to snow and get colder fast.

Bill HATES to have his picture taken. This was about 10 minutes before we hit the level with snow coming down. (don't tell him he's on the blog.....)

Here is a shot of the raging water.

This is where it had just started to snow. You can see the mountain road going up the side of the mountain.

You could almost see the Indians riding up through the gorge in Dances with Wolves. It was so beautiful.

And this is Chris, our tour guide, out on the rocks in the middle of the river with Jeff!!!!

They made my heart STOP!!! GEEZ!

A fun day.

More tomorrow.

Sleep tight!

Bill and Linda

Christmas Emporium from Graphic 45

2011-11-22T21:00:00.002-06:00

Those of you who follow me may remember I started this Graphic 45 Altered Art Box/with Album in Sept. up at the cabin in Minnesota.

Having said that, it's not unusual for me to work on something for months. Look at it, play around, add this, think of that at midnight, forget what I thought about the next morning....etc, etc, etc.

But, I did paint the box and glue the 2 layers around the base that you see here with the GORGEOUS Merry and Bright paper.

I LOVE the papers with the most black in them for some reason, and this one is fabulous!

These are mostly from the 8x8 paper pad Christmas Emporium, but I did use a few 12x12 sheets and some lighter backgrounds Let It Snow from Christmas Past.

I started by painting the box with Black Acrylic Paint.

Then I cut the papers apart...

Literally....all of the pieces...only using one of the 2 sheets in the pack.

Then I trace and cut the opening for the front section, stamp, distress ink, spray, and glue.

Time for a night photo.....this really shows the gorgeous spray of Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist on the blue paper for the cover front.

Next I start layering.

The hardest part for me is deciding it's time to glue.

So I punched out all the Christmas Emporium Tags 1 and started to add paper and stamped images to the backs.

I also used Christmas Emporium 1 and Christmas Emporium 2 Cling stamps throughout.

This is a look inside the box standing up after I've tied the tags to a Tim Holtz Curio Knob.

A closer detail look at the inside spine. Be careful not to layer anything too thick as the box will not close properly.

The chipboard frame is from Red Lead, and I've added many different layers of Distress Ink and Stamps.

The cutout frame with Glossy Accents is layered on top.

The Gold beaded trim is tree trim from Hobby Lobby.

The Wooden Stars and Gold Rick-Rack are from JoAnn's.

Although the papers from Graphic 45 are perfectly vintage the way they are, I tend to add Tea Dye Distress Ink. It seems to make them just a bit richer and deeper in color.

I've stamped the edge here and added some extra dots as fill in.

The green chipboard piece has permanent marker along the edges.

After painting a couple of layers of acrylic paint on the wooden feet, I added Platinum Pearls-Liquid Pearls in little dots.

Then some black Gel Glaze Pen dots to the bottom of the feet.

This is the bottom of the box.

I stamped the rejoicing family onto Let It Snow paper and added different Distress Inks to the edges.

The Green is Evergreen Bough from the Limited Edition Winter 2011 Distress Ink from Tim Holtz, and an Artistic Outpost stamp from the Sleigh Ride set.

The stamped piece was layered onto Transatlantique-Globe Trotter paper for drama!

Here's a detail shot of the Stamped images with Jet Black Archival Ink, and dots that I can't live without.

This is a dark picture of the inside of the box.

This is what is on my desk....Emma told me it was "kinda a mess" yesterday. JUST KINDA??????

I think I've worked harder than that to make it a REAL, BIG MESS...but that's just my opinion.

Now to decorate the INSIDE PAGES...I WILL POST THEM STARTING DEC. 1ST.

Come Back AGAIN!

Linda

A Busy Week

2011-11-18T22:31:00.000-06:00

WOW! It's been a whole week since I've blogged!

We've been busy around here, cleaning up the garden and yard for winter.

Lunching with our friends in Lincoln.

Shopping and installing a new 42" LED TV in the bedroom. (got a real education with THAT adventure). Bill is genius when it comes to fishing a wall PERFECTLY for the cable!!!

I was extremely impressed!

Then I programmed it...yes, I did quite well even if I do say so myself. I learned a lot when I put in the DVR in my Studio.

One night earlier this week, I was working in the Studio, and out of my window, I saw the most glorious MOON!

So, to cut the chance of glare....my worst enemy it seems....I opened the window and got this cool shot going through the trees! More like Halloween than Thanksgiving, but I'll take it!

Erin had a school project due this week using the Mayan Indians for various things...art project, recipe, report....etc. And this is what she made with clay.

I did help a bit with the idea....these are all canvases covered with a really cool soft, air-dry clay!

Two 8x8 canvas boards on the bottom, then a 6", a 5", a 4", 2-3x3, and 2-2x2" canvases glued together. The top piece is just a square of clay in the top piece.

She really did a fantastic job!!! So proud of her!!!

FUN TIME together!!!!

Today I decided I'd cleaned out enough closets and drawers in the last few days....7 bags to Goodwill!

I thought it was time to get out the half-done Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium project and work on that for awhile.....

So I dragged out a bunch of stash and hoped for inspiration.

It's still a work in progress, but I've been taking pictures along the way, so perhaps a TUTORIAL will be in the near future.....STAY TUNED!

Then in mid-afternoon....Bill brought up the mail!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!YAY!!!! What a treat!!!!!!

My Trinket Case and Cargo Case from Tim Holtz!

Already loaded up some of the things in the Trinket Case....still giving some thought to the Cargo Case.

I really think they need some ALTERING.....so I'm working on that thought, too!

Taking in easy, reading on the sunporch, and relaxing for a few weeks has been wonderful.

So that's the weekly update here from me.

Monday it's back to the dentist to check on the root canal and another tooth.

"Getting old ain't for Sissies" ~Betty Davis

Linda

Sleigh Ride Together Tag Tutorial

2011-11-11T14:22:00.004-06:00

Well, you guys let me know that you like tutorials! Thanks a bunch for all the comments here and on Facebook....you're the BEST!

As I type this, I just read that it's snowing at the Lizton, IN rest stop where the Morton Band is on the last stop before Indy and the Grand Nationals Competition!!! So proud of you guys!

Knock their socks off!!!

So, here's your tutorial, since you've all been so good!!!

Keep in mind, that some of these shots are at night. so the color difference is there at times.

This is a #8 Manila Tag. I used the Mustard Seed beginning in the middle with at circular motion and a Blending Tool. This gives you your "sunny" area for a good contrast.

Then work your way upward in arcing sweeps (practice on plain paper, it helps) adding the colors Victorian Velvet and Festive Berries. Then Iced Spruce and a touch of Stormy Sky.

I layer colors like a watercolor glaze. This gives a deeper, richer color to your piece.

The lower portion is some more Iced Spruce, Evergreen Bough from the Limited Edition Winter 2011 Collection, and Pine Needles all blended together.

Try to keep the blue out of the Mustard - it turns it green...as you can see....

All the Texture Fades used here are from the Christmas Background and Borders set. A MUST HAVE!!!

Next I added 2 layers of Icicles Texture Fades, one first and the the 2nd offset. It puts one in the background and one more predominant in the front when you run it through the 2nd time.

Then the Boughs down the side. Only run up to the edge of the Icicles or you'll remove your Icicles!

The Snowflakes are added along the bottom.

I juggle the last one on the right and only run up to the edge of the folder. If you keep going all the way through the Vagabond or other machine, you will loose all your other embossing. Vagabond...on your Christmas list??????????

Both the Snowflakes and the Icicles are painted with Silver Metallic Paint Dabber paint and a tiny brush.

So now the painting fun begins. I used Forever Green, Forever Red and Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls out of the jar mixed with water to form a paint.

Yes, these darker shots are the ones at night...I am a Night Owl.

Then I used Gathered Twigs and The Crafter's Workshop Branches Reversed Template to add the tree.

Be careful NOT to get any brown over the EDGES of your template....that's going to go onto your tag where you don't want it!!! Trust me here.....wonder why?

I used the Artistic Outpost - Sleigh Ride stamp here stamped on Manila cardstock and cut out. Aren't they gorgeous??? Here's their link!

I start with a wet brush and pick up color from the ink pads...here Spun Sugar for the flesh color on the faces. I used the Iced Spruce and Evergreen Bough on the Sleigh and children's coats.

I've also added TomBow markers for shading and deeper color in areas. The leggings had to add bright color to the tag, so I used a TomBow there and the Light Grey pen to shade.

Here is the Rock Candy Distress Stickles before it dries. I used a brush to add it into the smaller areas, but my finger over larger sections.

If I get the Stickles to show up in the photo, the metallic colors glare your eyes out! So you'll just have to take my word for the fact that the Stickles are there.

It's hard to see here, but I sprayed red Seam Binding ribbon with Kiwi Perfect Pearl Mists, crumpled it up and dried with the Heat It Tool.

I also added Perfect Pearl powder and water mixed to some areas along the side to denote snow.

The Crystal is from my stash I think I got when I was is St. Louis at RED LEAD! Oh the treasures you can find there.....love it!

This is the really cute phrase in the AO set. I stamped it on Manila cardstock with Jet Black Archival Ink, then cut it out in a curvy pattern. I added some Iced Spruce to the edges with the Blending Tool.

The kids are layered onto the tag with black pop dots. I added 3 layers to the phrase to make it stand up even higher than the kids.

I trim the manila tag about 1/8" on both sides and 1/4" on the bottom.

This way when I cut out a tag with Tim's Tag die and black chipboard, it fits almost perfectly giving a nice edge of black around the tag.

Well, that's it for today. Hope you enjoy the tutorial and make something of your own.

As I said before, hearing from all of you makes my Heart Sing!!!!

Thanking all our Veterans for their service, my Sailor especially!!!

Linda

Who Wants a Tutorial????

2011-11-06T21:32:00.005-06:00

Thankful, I am so very thankful for all my blessings, especially my wonderful family and friends.

So, for you peeps out there who want to CREATE, here's a tutorial using some fantastic products from Ranger and the talented Mr. Tim Holtz.

I love using my favorite Tool-the Vagabond to die cut and emboss for this tutorial.

First I took a #8 Manila Tag, spritzed it with water, and swiped several colors of Distress Stains over the tag letting them blend slightly.

I used Chipped Sapphire, Barn Door, Broken China, Tea Dye and Pine Needles. Spritz a bit more and dry with a Heat It tool.

Then swipe your Distress Ink Pad Vintage Photo on your Craft Sheet and spritz with water. Dip the tag in it, heat set, and pick up a few more dots of color for interest. Dry again.

Then I sprayed a slight mist and drops of Espresso Adirondack Color Wash. Dry again.

Add a strip of Traveler Tissue Tape to one side. If you're really reading this...you don't have to dry here....that's a joke.

OK, this is upside down to some people...I used the new Thankful Texture Fades on the tag. Then carefully...carefully swiped Black Soot DI across the raised letters with the Blending Tool.

You've seen this technique before, but here it is again. Die cut leaves from packaging plastic with the Tattered Leaves die.

Add Alcohol Inks to the back.

I used Terra Cotta, Sunset Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Butterscotch, and Pitch Black. A bit of Silver Metallic Mixative was also used.

Then add Copper, Gold and Lettuce paint dabbers OVER the Alcohol inks....this is all on the back of the leaves.

Flip it over and add vein lines with a permanent pen. I like the Write4All by Stabilo. Add a bit of Gold Paint dabber to the edges, too, for contrast.

A dash of heat from the Heat It Tool and you can curl the leaves as you like.

I added Gold Acrylic paint dabber over the embossed area...kind of hard to see the contrast here.

The cool stencil is from Julie Balzer -Time Travel, (they have a whole ton of new stencils in at Inspiration Emporium in the Just In section) added with Jennie Bowlin Malted Milk paint dabber.

I pushed the Spinner into embossing ink, then into the jar of Spruce Green UTEE and hit it with the Heat gun.

Sprinkled a few bits of Butterscotch Adirondack embossing powder. And heated it again.

Then I decided it needed better contrast, so I took the top off the Copper paint dabber and painted the word Thankful.

Now you wonder, why then should I go to all the trouble to add the Black Soot DI???

Because it has created the perfect shadow outline to the raised letters!!!!

I would like to tell you I planned it that way all alone, but it's just a happy result of constant layering.

Since there's a lot of metallic color and plastic, there is a lot of different colors that show up in different angles of shooting the photos.

I think the copper lettering and the gold paint on the leaves shows up best here.

Layer up your leaves, a Timepiece and brad with your spinner. Add some Copper paint dabber around the edge of the tag.

I like to add my tags to a piece of black chipboard for stability.

And a row of Gold nailheads from Mark Richards is at the bottom for one last section of Bling.

That's my Thankful Tag Tutorial.

What are you thankful for??????????

Type a comment and let me know. Do you want to see more tutorials or just pictures?

It's no fun talking to yourself....all you bloggers out there know what I mean.

Your Friend in ART,

Linda

Rainy Day Fun in the Studio

2011-11-03T19:47:00.002-05:00

The sun has gone down and I've added about 300 glaze pen dots to this by now. Not much good light today for pictures.

But I just thought I'd share a couple of peeks at this fun Altered Art Box and the beautiful Christmas Emporium papers, stamps and Chipboard Tags.

The Tags are wonderful and haven't quite found the exact place for them yet.

I LOVE the stamps!!! This is one of my favorites. I had 2 sets and gave one of each of the Christmas stamp sets away in my classes recently. A big hit for sure!

Here I used a mask to stamp 2 different colors on the back of the tag. Fun.

It's a work in progress.....

OH, and just to let you know....Joy has the new release of Seasonal Distress Ink pads from Tim in here at Inspiration Emporium....get them before they're gone.

And,you can see Tim's video on using the new Seasonal colors there when you click on....nice!

Hoping for some sunshine tomorrow. I'm sick of the rain and wind already. BUT if it had been snow, the weatherman said it would have been at least 10" on the ground!

I'll take the rain........

Linda

Doin' the Happy Dance Again!!! YAY!

2011-11-01T14:19:00.000-05:00

OH! You guys will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new publication....I am amazed at the color, the layout, the 300 different projects that are in it......it's a MUST have for sure.

The link for the magazine is Scott Publications here.

This is one of the projects in there.

And my Steampunk Clock....on my wall ticking away as we speak.

And probably my favorite is this one. All kinds of metal from several different places.

So that's it for today. Off to pick up the girls for the afternoon.

It is a gorgeous day.

Be Well.....and Be Good to each other.

YOUR FRIEND IN ART!

Linda

Symphony of Hearts Tutorial at Ranger

2011-10-26T19:12:00.002-05:00

I really had a great time making projects for Ranger's booth at CHA this summer.

Patti is so wonderful to work with. So when she asked me to write a few tutorials for the Ranger blog, I was hoping this would be one of them.

You can find all the details and the blog post here.

The Perfect Pearls Mists are all over this piece! A great place to try your hand with the newer Picket Fence Distress Stain as well.

When I got home from Ankeny, there was a great package from Joy and Inspiration Emporium!!!!

YES, I have the Butterfly Tote, Tissue Wrap (really cool), and Julie Balzer Templates, Halloween Adornments, Christmas Adornments, plus much, much more!!!!

I got the 7Gypsies Shadowbox Tray at Memory Bound.

So I'm a happy camper to say the least.....

TIME TO PLAY!!!!

And I guess I've been making it hard for people to read my blog with all the colors I've been known to throw in....sorry about that.

I think it's only a problem when I use really light colors....we'll see.

So I guess I'll have to make it mostly plain old black and white type from now on.

Hope this helps!

You know what I tell you in my classes...."I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY!"

Be Well!

Your Friend in ART,

Linda

Doing the Happy Dance-Published! And more class pics!

2011-10-24T16:22:00.010-05:00

There's a teeny tiny picture of my Christmas Configuration in the new Cloth Paper Scissors publication. Even so, it makes my day!

It's under the Muse Flash section......

Here's a bigger picture of the piece. I used lots of different company's products here, that's what makes it so much fun. But most everything is from Tim Holtz and Ranger.

Dig out all the STASH!

Then, here's just a few pictures of the class projects from Sunday. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of everyone....I thought I had. I can see Josephine and RaNae in the background........

This was a new duo in my classes. Here's Carolyn and she's checking out her bosses work! I think they had a good time and completed a really nice couple of canvases!!!

Karmen and Janet busy creating. There's Kelly in the background...so cute!!!!

And the Teacher's Pets, of course, always a JOY to have in class. Marlene and Jackie. Big Hugs!!!

My good bud Wanda. Such a fun and talented gal!!!

Then I had to show you the picture of Leslie's finished Standing Curio. She brought it back to class on Sunday.....VERY, VERY, COOL!

These are pictures of her Grandparents I believe. Turned out fantastic, Leslie!!!

It's Taco Night at our house with the Little Kids. Will have to catch up on all the weekend fun they had while we were gone. Soccer goals....Erin's 1st Haunted House experience....Emma's tooth coming in maybe...who knows!

Be Well!

And just a note....I only have 3 Standing Curio Kits left ($31+shp)...that's all! When they're gone, they're gone.So if you want one, please let me know as soon as you can!

I have more of the other class kits left.

UPDATE: They're gone! The Curios...thanks everyone!

And CREATE ART!!!!

Fun Times at Memory Bound Scrapbook Store

2011-10-22T21:24:00.001-05:00

Sorry this has to be said 1st!

MORTON HS is GRAND CHAMPION at UofI!!!!!!! (my son's Marching Band)

Two classes down and one to go!!!

And I think everyone had a good time, learned a few things and went home with projects they really loved. The ones with their own pictures were just too cool!

I did not get pics of the finished ones...so if anyone sends me pictures, I'll upload them.

BUT, I did get a few pictures of the gals in class....all so talented, and helpful to each other.

These 3 hard workers had fantastic Curios. Leslie helped a lot, too. And Josephine was a treat to have in class. It was the 1st time I'd met her, and she did a wonderful job with her project.

The little lady in the back, was new to my classes too, I apologize for not remembering her name. She had a ton of tools, and was soooo organized. Love how her project came together!

I am terrible with names. I don't remember all of them, but these 2 I DO remember. Heather and Mary!!! Good luck at the Soccer Games tomorrow!

And this young lady is soooo talented. Tami, thank you for wearing your name tag, but I remembered it without looking!!!

These 2 gals are a hoot! They shared all their stuff and helped each other and those around them. That is always great to have in class. Thanks Shawn and Julie!!!

And here is Ms. Wanda...soooooo talented and helpful, too. Just a peach to be around. Big hugs, girl.

And RaNae, love her to pieces. Her project really turned out beautiful. She used pictures of her gorgeous daughter in her Curio. (Hi Harry!!!)

And now these 2. There are no words to describe the fun they had and gave to all of us. We even sang an "oldie but goodie" for the class!

Jackie won one of the DOOR PRIZEs, a set of G45 Christmas stamps. I believe that made her happy.

Thank you Marlene for TRYING to keep her under control...the emphasis on TRYING!

And this person came incognito! We've no idea who she is. She didn't want to be recognized so we'll just leave it at that. But she did have a great project she made and didn't even mind sharing her drink!

A lovely lady....

So that's it for today. All in all, a wonderful time!!!!!

I'll have one more class tomorrow, and be headed home.

Thanks so much to Kelli and Dawn for everything.

And to all the students, from the bottom of my heart, a great big thank you and a hug.

Be Well and Be Good to each other!

Your Friend in ART....signing out from Ankeny Iowa....Good Night!

Memory Bound Scrapbook Classes this weekend!

2011-10-20T10:54:00.003-05:00

Just got an email from Dawn. If you'd like to take the classes this weekend....they have some spots open.

Here are the classes for you to pick from....they were a ton of fun in Elmhurst.

There will be Graphic 45 door prizes and these are great for Christmas gifts to duplicate!

Here ya go!

LINDA CAIN is teaching three new classes this weekend! Students loved her classes the last time she was here. We still have openings if you'd like to join her and learn many new techniques.

STEAMPUNK TOOL CADDY
Saturday, October 22, 10am-12pm
This makes a fun gift box, or a beautiful place to hold your tools, photos, and other treasures. Using Graphic 45 Stampunk papers, Metal Foil Tape techniques, and the new metal flowers, you'll create a masterpiece. $23

STANDING CURIO
Saturday, October 22, 1-4pmThis has been one of Linda's most requested class from her trunk show. It's a 10" vintage keepsake curio with wire, buttons, a bottle, and other ephemera. It's picture-ready for your own photos, and Linda will show you how to make your pics look like old photo booth prints. $38

POPPY CANVAS
Sunday, October 23, 12:30-2:30pmWith layer upon layer of paper & chipboard, create a one-of-a-kind dimensional canvas. Embellish with the new Cabinet Card die cut, 5 layers of fabric for each flower, Memory Frame, Plaquette, and key. It sits nicely on a small easel or hangs on the wall. $25

Click here for all the info here.

Gotta go paint a tarp for the Marching Band....sorry for the short post!

Linda

FRIENDS in ART

My Trinket Case - Altered

Embossed Metal Foil Clock

****************** Destinations Tag *****************

Birdhouse Travel Resort for CHA

CHA Idea-ology Project - Gypsy Traveler Wagon

CHA Ranger's Designer Challenge

Artistic Outpost Stamping

A Little Bit of Color on a Dark and Gloomy Day

Back to REALITY!

English Pub from Darkroom Door

Pictures Around the House and Elsewhere

Studio Time and a Guest Artist - Katherine

~~~~~~~~ Merry Christmas Everyone! ~~~~~~~~

A Snowman, a Tissue Paper Flower & a Bell

Technique Tags

Time for a WINNER!

So after many wonderful comments on the blog, we have a WINNER! We drew today at 10:00am from the comments we had.

.......................A Christmas Wreath....................

Prize Package and a Sneak Peek!

The Last Two Pages of the Christmas Emporium Book - And A Give Away!

The Christmas Emporium Book Continues....

Santa and the Boys Plus Christmas Window Pages

Dancing Around the Christmas Tree

Christmas Emporium Book

Traveling Day - Henry Clay Estate

What a Difference a Day Makes......

The Great Smoky Mountain Anniversary Trip

Christmas Emporium from Graphic 45

A Busy Week

Sleigh Ride Together Tag Tutorial

Who Wants a Tutorial????

Rainy Day Fun in the Studio

Doin' the Happy Dance Again!!! YAY!

Symphony of Hearts Tutorial at Ranger

Doing the Happy Dance-Published! And more class pics!

Fun Times at Memory Bound Scrapbook Store

Memory Bound Scrapbook Classes this weekend!

** Destinations Tag *

Merry Christmas Everyone!