Steampunk Theatre Shrine

   Well, it's been a really fun Christmas season with the family. Had some good food, fun times, great pictures, and saw a fabulous movie.

 

I HIGHLY recommend seeing Les Miserables...different from anything I've seen on stage or in the theatre before. Erin and I loved it.

 

So after all the "together" time, I had some fun yesterday with a few of my favorite products.

 

Here I used the really great Steampunk Theatre Shrine from Retro Cafe Art, Fresco Finish Paints, Tim Holtz, and Lynne Perrella Paper Artsy Stamps.

 

IMHO they worked beautifully together!

 

I know it's a bit large for the blog screen, but it had to be...

 

 

 

The Numbers Border is from Danelle Johnson, Tim Holtz's Mixed Media chickenwire , and the Horse is from Lynne Perrella's 019 Paper Artsy collection.

 

This starts out as a kit. You can paint, paper, decorate, or stamp each one before assembling the piece. All the Masonite gears come in this kit.

 

 

Shown here is after it's glued together. I changed it around a bit.

 

 

 

This shows how the pieces go together easily with a bit of glue...night picture, of course as I can seldom work in the daylight...Vampire that I am.

 

 

This is a detail shot of the gears and such. The stars are from the Star Mix Cutouts that have 48 wonderful pieces. I used some in the natural Masonite color, and some painted with Snowflake Fresco Finish...2 coats.

 

 

The entire kit was base coated with Snowflake, then I used Autumn Fire, Smoked Paprika, and Mocha Mousse over the top.

 

Sepia, Venetian Orange, and Jet Black Archival Inks were used to stamp onto the surfaces. Then heat set them.

 

This shows the Tim Holtz stamp from the Remnants collection, and a Word Band with some white paint to accent the words.

 

 

 

Here you can see the side painted basically with the Mocha Mousse and stamped with the Lynne Perrella 017 image. LOVE that collection!

 

The Dragonfly inside is from Hot Picks 1104 collection at Paper Artsy.

 

The Wings, Mini Gears and Spinner are Idea-ology pieces.

 

The gold pieces over the Mini Gears are actually computer parts a friend gave me. Cool, eh?

 

So I'll leave you with a couple of shots of the kids and grandkids. Funny, talented, and really cute!

 

 

The Neavors....son Jeff, Ann, Erin and Emma.....not everyone wanted their picture taken, but we got a few.

 

Erin doing her Buddy the Elf on Papa Elf's lap impression!

 

The Haifa's....Britta, daughter Michelle, Alex, and Carlo.

 

Michelle and Carlo.

 

Sister and Brother...Brit and Alex.

 

That's it for today. Have a safe New Years. It's just snowing lightly or spitting snow (ew) as my Mom used to say.

 

So it should be cold and dreary here, but no 18" of snow like Southern Illinois got.

 

Be Well......and Big Hugs,

 

Linda

 



Russsian Nesting Dolls and an Announcement

Here's the Scoop!!!

 

Leandra with Paper Artsy has decided to have a whole year of Guest Designers...each taking a 4 month stretch with a certain week of the month to design for them.

 

And she asked me to be one of the Designers!!!! YAY!!!

 

I have LOVED PA stamps FOREVER....I remember the first time I saw a whole rack of them up by Chicago years ago. They were there hidden for a special sale in the back.

 

Anyhow, I just received a huge box of goodies from Mr. Paper Artsy...stamps, paints, papers, tags, and so on and so forth. I AM THRILLED!

 

 

 

My oldest granddaughter, Britta, the budding Artist, LOVES the Russian Nesting Dolls.

 

She collects them.

 

So when I saw these gorgeous stamps from Paper Artsy's Lynne Perrella collection, I KNEW exactly what needed to be done with them.

 

They are stamped on the Metal Card (this stuff is so cool) with Staz-On ink and cut out.

 

 

 

Then I used a metal tool to edge and add trim around the middle sections. (You can see it better in this photo.)

 

They're layered onto black chipboard, punched a hole and added an eyelet, and tied a piece of gorgeous ribbon in them.

 

I tied gold cord to string them onto the tree.

 

Fun, easy, and they are so pretty, they need nothing else. IMHO!

 

You MUST go and watch Leandra's fabulous Video Tutorials here. I learned soooooo much from them. Brilliant work.

 

So look for me the 3rd week of the January, February, March and April on the blog here.

 

You never know what all of us will come up with!

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

Linda

 

My Christmas Card to All of You

I made a fun card with the new Mario Rossi Jr.'s gorgeous stamps, Christmas Blueprint from Tim Holtz.

 

This Snowman is just so stinkin' cute. I didn't think it would be so much fun!

 

This is on watercolor paper and stamped with Black Soot Distress Ink. Then it's embossed with Super-Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder.

Add caption

 

The background had water laid down around the snowman and Prussian Blue watercolor paint was added in layers.

 

Before it dries completely, you have to add regular Table Salt to create the little blue circles that dry in the paint. It's tricky, but can be done. Adding it at just the right time makes it happen.

 

I added many, many different colors of Markers...Distress and Tombow to the Snowman and background.

 

JOY was written on a Jewelry Tag and a bit of  Tea Dye Distress Ink added to the edges.

 

A White Pen was used to put a few drops of snow over the blue.

 

Christmas Red dots of Ice Stickles make the Holly stand out on the Hat, and a Candy Cane from Petaloo adds a bit of whimsy.

 

Layer it onto a layer of black and red cardstock, and then onto a tan card.

 

That's it for today, hope you enjoy! And a wonderful Holiday Season to All my friends of every religion.

 

Linda



Chipboard Tower Houses from Retro Cafe

We took a fun trip down to Branson for a couple of days. Saw a few shows, laughed a lot, were amazed with Joseph's HUGE set, sang some Christmas songs and ate good food.

 

On the trip I got an email request for a fun new adventure for next year....it was too good to pass up...more to follow on that later.

 

But BEFORE we left Kristin Hubick from Retro Cafe Art sent me some WONDERFUL things to play with.

 

These are so much fun...easy to put together...and just loads and loads of ways to make them your own.

 

Take a look at the 3 Chipboard Tower Houses.

 

 

 

These come in a flat sheet, laser cut, and VERY easy to decorate after, during, or before you glue the sides up.

 

The little numbers came in the kit and I used UTEE on them.

 

The Papers are 7Gypsies 6x6 paper pad Gypsy Market.

 

Thinner papers work well on these type of pieces.

 

I added Kristin's German Dresden-Fancy Border on this roof under Brushed Pewter Distress Stain.

 

The Distress Stains work WONDERFULLY on these. Extremely easy to cover.

 

I used UTEE on the 2, but found it too light for this house, so I a painted on Gold Metallic Mixative to lighten it up.

 

 

This side view shows more of the German Scrap that's perfect for these little gems.

 

I added a strip of tiny Red Rhinestones and a Black Zig Zag Stitched Ribbon.

 

The Red German Dresden Mini Border and Silver German Dresden- Baroque on the roof here were fun to add different patterns and colors.

 

I used the Antique Brass and Resin Pocketwatch Charm on the front.

 

This is a shot of the backs with some penwork and stamping. The one on the right has that cool image on the 7Gypsies paper...LOVE it!

 

The houses were base coated with Antique Bronze, Tarnished Brass, and  Brushed Pewter Distress Stains. These and MANY other items are on sale now at Retro Cafe Art!

 

Be sure to check out the Exploding Box Kits and Shrines....amazing!

 

.

 

This shows you the Silver Mini Dresden on the side front section with the Gold Rick Rack and Rhinestones.

 

The roof is Metal Foil Tape that was embossed and colored with Stream and Espresso Alcohol Ink.

 

The 4 was done with Platinum UTEE.

 

 

The last shot is with the fun Woodlands Bottle Brush Trees from Tim Holtz...also on sale..I'm just sayin'.

 

 

So check out this great site...tell them Linda sent you...and try some of these little cuties for fun gifts or for yourself.

 

More later on a new adventure for next year .... should be exciting!

 

Be well and be good to each other.

 

Linda



Steampunk Earrings

Life is a Journey....enjoy the Ride.

 

How true.  And we've been making Earrings!!!!!

 

I've dabbled in so many different things since I retired. Always loving whatever medium I've chosen at the time.

 

 I LOVE METAL....in all the things I've done...metal has always had it's place.

 

But today I've got to show you the Amazing Work of Britta Haifa...my granddaughter...the oldest.

 

 

These Steampunk Earrings are ones she made for a friend who loves being a bit eccentric and punky.

 

I LOVED THEM! The keys are just too cool for words and the hand...holding the keys to a cell perhaps???

 

And the gorgeous wrapped piece with the dapped disk..what's not to love?

 

Now a certain type of person could only do these justice...a younger gal with longer hair would be perfect...can't wait to see an updated pic, Brit!

 

So proud of you!

 

 

 

These are what I started with...Artisan Copper Discs  that were embossed and dapped with the Wood Dapping Block to make them more interesting. I've become a Dapping Fiend.

 

So fun, and so easy!

 

Thanks to Jess Italia-Lincoln and her insight on this when I ran into her at her mom Trish's new shop in Galena...Rustic River Finds.

 

You must stop in if you're there on Main Street.

 

Love them both!

 

These were my next adventures...the black metal embossed (right) and sanded and polished with the Metal Reliefing Block are really cool. (this Block is a MUST!!!)

 

The Brass Discs are also sanded after being run through the Vagabond with different Deco Emboss Folders from Vintaj.

 

Beads and jewels are added for a bit of color...see the little tiny stars at the end of the finding on the ones with the Moon?  Maybe not....tiny...phone picture. And already wrapped up.

 

 

These are on the Black discs as well, but larger.

 

(Make sure they are the newer discs that are thinner and can bend a bit that you can emboss!!!!)

 

I like to mix my metals for interest and color.

 

Here also is a Brass Chain from Vintaj.

 

And these are my happy accident earrings!

 

I used a silver-colored disc, but it moved on me when I embossed it. So the image was off and it had a line in it where the embossing ended.

 

So I thought, can't ruin it any, run it through again....and then just one more time for kicks!

 

And I liked what I saw...sanded, polished and dapped the other way to make concave.

 

Add some crystals with copper beads and they're kinda fun!

 

I'm so easily amused!!!

 

So get some discs...emboss 'em, pound them with the dapping block (way easy, way fun) and make some presents or keep them for yourself.

 

I can't decide which ones to give and which to keep.....hmmmm.....

 

 

And I'll leave you with this that was the thought for today from Teri Martin.

" Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.
Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow.
Let reality be reality.
Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

Lao Tzu

I'm going with the Flow....

 

Linda

Snowflake Christmas Tree

 

I've spent as much time trying to get a "sparkly" photo of this tree as I did making it!!!

 

I give up!

 

I know that glitter and bling are very difficult to shoot....but this thing is all about the sparkle.

 

The only way I can get the thing to shine is with Instagram.

 

So here it is. 

This is made with lots and lots of Sizzix Snowflake and Mini Snowflakes Rosesttes from Tim.

 

I ran green papers from the Retro Grunge paper stash collection through the Vagabond.

 

The bottom 2 rows are 2 pieces glued together to make a larger section that I glue to paper circles.

 

 

 

 This is the tree all glued together with hot glue. I added Glue n' seal to the branches and then sprinkled a couple of layers of Distress Stickles Dry Glitter on them.

 

But it still needed more...."please sir, I want some more?" ~Oliver Twist

 So, I drizzled Diamond Ice Stickles all over the branches...which only shows up in bad lighting....

 

 The wooden star is painted Fired Brick with Distress Stains and Christmas Red Ice Stickles are added when dry. A small gold star is glued to the front and back.

 

 

 

But it still needed MORE...so the little tiny Christmas Lights from Darice were perfect to add more color. IMHO.

 

This is a natural light, but it doesn't look good to me since the gold mica in the Stickles disappears when you try to photograph it!

 

 It's sitting on a candle holder I used Mirror Finish spray paint on for the Mercury glass technique with a battery candle flickering in it.

 

So try it, use your imagination. See what you come up with...these 2 dies are so much fun!

 

 

This is our new Slim Tree....smaller, but easier to get out of the attic. Our old tree looks beautiful in Brit's appartment. A perfect new home.

 

Linda

 

 

Products Used:





• Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Snowflake Rosette
• Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Mini Snowflake Rosettes (2 sizes)
• Idea-ology - Paper Stash - Retro Grunge
• Distress Stickles - Dry Glitter - Clear Rock Candy
• Inkssentials Glue N' Seal - 1 oz. Matte
• Ice Stickles Glitter Glue - Diamond and Christmas Red
• Tim Holtz Distress Stains - Fired Brick
• Tim Holtz - Vagabond Machine

The Nutcracker Sweet Reliquary

 

 Paper Whimsy has some wonderful Reliquaries. This is one of them I've had for awhile and had to get at.

 

The papers are from the 12x12 collection of Graphic 45 - Nutcracker Sweet.

 

 

 

 

 I used little wooden blocks for the packages that became legs.

 

The Sizzix Sizzlit  Mini-Snowflake Rosette is from Tim Holtz.

 

 

 

 

 Mark Richard's glittered pearls adorn the top that's been painted with Pine Needles Distress Stain and stamped in the Tarnished Brass.

 

 

 This is the back view.

 

 

 

I used Lime Ice Stickles on the top.

 

Purple Ice Stickles are on the Diamonds.

 

Ice Stickles add color AND sparkle!

 

 

 I added Ice Stickles in Christmas Red here and there and Gold Tinsel Trim on the inside.

 

Orange Peal Ice Stickles make the inside color darker and more sparklier. True Blue and Silver Ice Stickles are on the Snowflake as well.

 

I use various pens to highlight the color and make it richer all over and add shadows.

 

Tea Dye Distress Ink was used, too, for more depth. I love the Glue n' seal from Ranger for working with the paper elements here, it makes life so much simpler!

 

Three of my favorite collections added to make a fun little treasure.

 

Check out Inspiration Emporium  and Paper Whimsy with the links here for products!

 

Linda

 

I Challenged Myself to a 5 Minute Tag

 

And this is what I came up with....

 

 

 

I used Gelatos on a Manila Tag then spritzed with water and guided the color with a brush. You have to be quick to keep them from running all together too much...so dry it with a heat tool.

 

 

Then I added Clear Rock Candy Crackle Paint and waited a moment...then hit it with the heat tool.

 

I know, I know...patience is a virtue that I do not posess...

 

I used Vintage Photo Distress over the whole tag and edged with a black Sharpie.

 

Here you can see the Crackle Paint better.

 

I used the Classics #1 Stamper's Anonymous stamp collection, masking off the pear to add the bottom stamp.

 

Then my favorite from Tim's Mixed Media collection, the chickenwire, was rolled on in various spots of the tag using Jet Black Archival Ink.

 

My new favorite is a smooth brown chipboard for the background and a glittered gold ribbon.

 

Depending on the angle...the tag is darker and lighter as you look through the Crackle Paint.

 

But, basically, a very quick and easy tag....write on the back and it's a card of a different sort!!!

 

Linda

 

Products Used:

Faber-Castell - Gelatos-Blue, Turqouise, Red, Yellow and Black

Tim Holtz - Stamper's Anonymous - Mixed Media and Classicxs #1

Tim Holtz - Distress Ink-Vintage Photo, Crackle Paint-Clear Rock Candy

Ranger - Manila tag #8, Jet Black Archival Ink,

Sharpie - Black Chisel Tip Marker

Be Thankful...Spread a Little LOVE.

Make a little iTunes cardholder for someone, or a moneyholder as a gift for just being a good kid, or a friend you're thankful to have.

 

I just felt like embossing, and embossing some more.....so here's what I came up with.

 

Make one with your own variations.

 

Start with a #10 Manila tag.

 

 

Emboss it with 2 Texture Fades from the Thankful Backgrounds and Borders set. The little one going on the very top of the tag.

 

 

Score and fold twice measuring in 3 1/2 inches in from the bottom and then one more time.

 

 

 

I rubbed Embossing Ink gently over the raised areas of the letters and leaves. I let it run over here and there, because it just did!

 

Then I sprinkled 3 colors of embossing powders - Lettuce, Red Pepper, and Butterscotch and heated it up. You can brush off in between the letters, but I like the affect of letting if bleed...so to speak.

 

The Swirl stamp from Urban Chic was added with Black Soot Distress Ink and embossed on the back section.

 

Then I added Gathered Twigs, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge, Walnut Stain, and Spiced Marmalade all over the tag. Black Soot is on the edges.

 

Last the Chickenwire stamp from the Mixed Media collection was stamped using Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

 

I used a black permanent Ultra-fine pen to outline all the letters.

 

 

Yes, the back is upside down...but that doesn't bother me. Turn it around and it's right side up...so it just depends on how you're holding it!  Ha!

 

 

 

I punched a hole and added the Hitch Fastener with three Chain Tassels on a Jump Ring.

 

AND the good news...the Hitchfasteners are coming back CHA 2013!

 

I've hoarded lots and lots of them!

 

I also added a scrap piece of Grungeboard on the back of the hole for support of the Hitch Fastener.

 

I trimmed about 3/4" off the bottom so it leaves space to slide the card in. Use Scor-it Tape on the sides to hold it shut.

 

So make a little gift wallet for someone you're Thankful to have around.

 

Linda

 

 

Products Used:

• Tim Holtz - Inkssentials Surfaces Manila Tags - #10
• Tim Holz - Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 4PK - Thankful Background & Borders
• Ranger - Adirondack Embossing Powders - Red Pepper, Lettuce and Butterscotch, Embossing Powder, Black
• Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Black Soot,  Mustard Seed, Gathered Twigs, Rusty Hinge, Walnut Stain, Spice Marmalade, and Vintage Photo
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Collection - Mixed Media, Urban Chic
• Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Chain Tassels, Jump Rings, Hitch Fasteners, Grungeboard
• Scor-Tape 1/4"
• uni-Posta - Black Ultra-fine Pen 

Silver Metal Snowflake Tag

I'm finally here to show you what I made with my new shipment of goodies from Inspiration Emporium!

 

This is a #10 Manila Tag that I used 2 Texture Fade embossing folders on....the new Holly Branch and the Snowflakes from Christmas Background and Borders.

 

First run the Holly Branches and then carefully add the Snowflakes a few at a time around the tag.

 

 

Then I spritzed the tag lightly with water.

 

 

 

Now you can see why I embossed first. Because you add the Distress Stains over certain areas you want to have specific colors. Here I used Broken China, Pine Needles, and Dusty Concord.

 

I also had a little Mini Mister with a long-forgotten formula of a light reddish color that I spread around to fill in the vacant spots.

 

This is a very watered-down, muted colored tag right now. So......

 

...... I added various shades of the same colors to the tops with Distress Inks. Lightly brush the colors over the embossed areas especially the edges.

 

Here I added Glue n' seal with a small brush and then layered on Distress Stickles Dry Glitter to the snowflakes.

 

I used a heavier outline on the Holly Leaves to add more dimension.

 

(Just a note here...see the space right above the snowflakes on the right? It was too bare for me, so I drew in one more Holly leaf, flipped it over and hand embossed it, and you'd never know the difference!!!!)

  

 The Christmas Red Ice Stickles color in the Berries....add a few of your own here and there.

 

I used a White water-based pen to outline and a brown Sharpie to paint in the branches. 



 

The Crinkle Ribbon is spritzed, crumpled and dried then tied into a bow at the top.

 

I always like to glue my tags to chipboard for stability...here I used brown chipboard for a change.



 

 

The Snowflake Sixxlit was used to cut a strip of 12" of Metal Foil Tape and another piece of cardstock.

 

I adhered the metal to the cardstock and added Stream and a bit of Gold Metallic Alcohol Inks with a brush.

 

The Distressed Doily Die was used on Crinoline for the circular doily. I matched the edge to create a turn that rounded out the doily. A little tricky, but it can be done!

 

 

 

And now for the Snowflake center. You can see it's also run through the Vagabond with the Cracked Texture Fade...my favorite!

 

This angle shows a bit of the Gold Metallic Mixative that is on some of the edges.

 

I folded this snowflake the opposite of the way you're supposed to so the longest tips laid flatter and gave more of a pointed area to paint with the inks.

 

It's all up to what you personally like.

 

Enjoy the weekend....and Create ART!

 

Linda

 

Products Used:

Tim Holtz - Texture Fades - Holly Branch, Cracked, Christmas Background and Borders

Tim Holtz - Sizzix Sizzlits - Snowflake Rosette

Tim Holtz - Sizzix - Distressed Doily

Tim Holtz - Alcohol Inks - Stream and Metallic Gold Mixative

Tim Holtz - Distress Stains - Dusty Concord, Broken China, and Pine Needles

Tim Holtz - Distress Inks - Dusty Concord, Broken China and Pine Needles

Tim Holtz - Distress Stickles Dry Glitter - Clear Rock Candy

Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Crinkle Ribbon

Ranger - Inkssentials - Metal Foil Tape

Ranger - Ice Stickles - Christmas Red

Ranger - #10 Manila Tag

Ranger - Glue n' seal

 uni-Posca - White Ultra-Fine pen

White Crinoline Material

Brown heavy Chipboard