Studio Time and a Guest Artist - Katherine

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! ~~~~~~~~

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

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

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!

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....................

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!

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!

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....

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

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