Tombstone Swap from Retro Cafe Art Gallery and a SALE!

Some of my favorite color combinations are used for traditional Halloween projects.

Orange...Purple....and Green.

So these Tombstones for Kristin's Swap are a lot of fun for me. The Antique Skeleton Cut-Outs are perfect for these little tombstones.

I like to use Fresco Paints applied with Cut-n-Dry foam for a lot of my backgrounds. Then I stamped with the Mini Halloween 3 set from Tim Holtz in various Archival Ink colors.

The Bats in the background are added using the Bat Camp stencil and archival ink. 

The Cat Cut-Out and Bat Cut-Out have some white Sharpie Poster pen outlines.

This Zombie hand is reaching for the bats that are flying away. I really love the intricate cut of this Spider Web Tombstone.

 

The background is stamped onto Finnabair Sunrise Sunset Paper here. Great colors for this. And the Newsprint Words are layered onto mat board. 

The EEK is painted and used as a base for out little Skeleton's feet to perch upon.

You've gotta love the Bat Charm.

Now this one is altogether different. It has an Ultra Thick Embossing Powder background with some gold paint dabbed over spots. I pushed the tombstone into the embossing ink and then added different colors of my discontinued Brightz UTEE before hitting it all with the heat tool.

The Cat Lantern is hanging from a snap back.

The little Moon Face is made from Paper Clay and a Punch Mold from RCAG and is painted with various paints with a bit of ink.

These Art Doll Faces are just way too much fun, and VERY easy to make.

I stamped the little Trick or Treaters on the backs and signed them. This one has branches stamped around the edges, and some vintage text...all from the same stamp set. LOVE IT!

I really like how they have spots of the background showing through them. Kind of looks like they're at a bonfire or watching the sun set on their way into the Scary Night!

BOO!

Check out the products from RCAG and get yourself entered into the SWAP! (Click the SWAP link for all the good information.)

These are going there soon!

NOW! Here is the GOOD stuff...SALE TIME at Retro Cafe Art - 10% off ALL items! Use this code LABOR10OFF until Monday at Midnight. All NEW items here.

Linda

Retro Cafe Art Products:
Gothic Tombstone Bases III
Antique Skeleton Illustrations Paper cuts
Vintage Skeleton Paper cuts-Colored
Tim Holtz Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Mini Halloween 3
Zombie Arm Cut Outs
Halloween Word Scroll Cut Outs
Cat Cut Outs-Black Mat Board
Bat Cut Outs-Black Mat Board
Bat Camp Stencil
Brass Fancy Bat Charm
Paper Clay and Sculpey Flexible Push Mold-Art Doll Faces
Halloween Lanterns Embellishments
Halloween Collage Vintage Paper Cuts-Newspaper Grey
Jet Black Archival Ink

Emma's Charm Bracelet

Every little girl need a charm bracelet at least once in their life. And this one is so simple to make, even I could do it!!!

 

The charms are all from Inspiration Emporium and the chain and clasp are from my local bead store. You can see all the charms here.

 

What was really fun was how she explained each charm and how they symbolized her summer....even though she didn't pick any of them out!  An imagination is a wonderful gift!!!

 

The door and umbrella are a symbol of the door to her backyard pool with an umbrella.

 

The crescent moon is something she's fixated on since she was a toddler.

 

The butterfly has some symbol of a show she's watching this summer....

She loved the lock and key, and of course everyone has to have a pair of flip-flops in the summer.

 

The paper is a torn sheet from the Sunrise Sunset Collection by Finnebair. And they're in stock. Use my code iecain81 and get 10% off your order!!! $5 shipping in USA.

 

Hard to believe the summer is almost over and school starts back up next week here....

 

Time Flies so Swiftly.

 

Linda

Necklaces Are My Thing

I'm just trying out some new things on my phone and learning to upload them here.

These are 3 of the necklaces I made with Vintaj elements and Patinas using beads I got on vacation.

I used the Patinas on the Dragonfly here.

This is a large deardrop shaped stone and the key is again painted with the Patinas. The cool "chain" is a copper colored tube wire...hard to describe...that looks knitted. You can push beads down it and tie it to close. Really fun stuff.

 

This one went to Brittany for all her hard work. Proud of her. I made one for my daughter Michelle, and I forgot to take a picture of it. Really proud of her, too. They both work very hard at their jobs. XXX

This cool piece is wrapped around the stone and the embossed blank has another Dragonfly hanging from it.

Just a little change of pace here for me. And an exercise in using the new phone. I'll get better at it....I always told my students to just keep practicing. It works better with every try!

Linda

Guess What Time It Is?????

Yep, it's my turn for one last time over on the

PaperArtsy Blog.

 

It's been an amazing time spent with such fantastic people...I can't thank Leandra and Darcy enough.

 

And the great Designers there just continue to knock your socks off!

 

 

This is a look at one side of the spread using stencils and stamps from my dear and talented friend Lin Brown.

 

If you want to see the full spread,  jump on over there. You'll see  a list of products used and and chance to win with your entry into the challenge!

 

Your Friend in ART,

 

Linda

Blog Hop with Eileen Hull & StencilGirl Products

It's time for another Blog Hop!!!

 

It's with Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, Craffiti Direct (who make Eileen's stamps) and

 

StencilGirls!

 

This Blog Hop runs from Aug. 18-22 with a Stencil Give-Away at the end from all the comments left on each blog.

 

 

This is my project....the die is soooo stinkin' cute, and this little box has so many possibilities.

  

The  pieces were cut from chipboard using the

 Sizzix ScoreBoard XL Bag, Caddy die.

 



You cut 2 pieces of the box section to make the caddy, or you can use just one. I also cut a few more flowers and leaves.

 

I base coated all the pieces with acrylic paint and then added my stenciling with archival ink and a foam square.

 

 

I used the Andrew Borloz stencil L159 everywhere here. It is so versatile with 6 different patterns.

 

 

 

Next I used the 2 different circle/cross patterns with white acrylic paint. Then I stamped with the sets below using Black Archival Ink.

 

Dahlia and Frame

 

 Picket Fence

 

I used 2 different stamp sets from Eileen's collection, Dahlia and Frame and Picket Fence.

 

 

Working on the middle section, I painted it with acrylic paints. Then I used the little squares stencil and a white paint dabber.

   

 

Now break out the stamps again and the White marker.

 

 

Here is another shot of the center piece with the little flowers painted yellow and accented with black marker.

 

The front section and back section sides were stamped with 2 different stamps....just for fun.

 

Then the double stick tape is added. All that's left is putting it together. Glue on the Leaves and Flowers with lavender rhinestones in the center.

 

Load it up with a little crinkled paper and some candy, or use it to store your small tools on your work table.

 

It makes an adorable gift bag using just one side piece.

 

The possibilities are endless....use your creative imagination!

 

This is the PRIZE you can win by leaving a comment. Each comment on each blog gives you a chance to win.

 

GIVEAWAY will close on Sunday, August 24th @ at 11:59PM Central Time.

 

 

Now HOP to the other Artist's sites for more ideas, and don't forget to leave a comment here and on the other sites for chances to win the  GREAT PRIZE.

 

Make sure you leave us an email or some way to notify you if you win unless you have a Blogger account.

 

StencilGirl Talk

Linda Cain (You are HERE)

Mary Beth Shaw

Shelly Hickox

Eileen Hull

Amy Bowerman

 

Good Luck,

 

Linda

Reason to do The Happy Dance!

Well the big reveal was today, and I'm thrilled to tell you that I will be on the

Anna Dabrowska aka

Finnabair Creative Team!!!!

  

 

I've met Anna twice, and I can say without a doubt, that she is as beautiful inside as she is outside. A truly kind and generous person that has more talent in her little finger than I'll ever hope to have.

 

And this TEAM....OMGoodness!

We're from all over the bloody world! (like that Monika?) Russia, UK, Ireland, Finland, Poland, France, Australia and Ukraine.

 

WOW!

 

These are a couple of the projects I've done inspired by Anna.

 

 

So come along and join the fun.

 

 

The links to all our blogs are on my Website blogroll, so check them all out when you get time. I'll also post them here.

 

Anna aka Finnabair

Carol

Elena

Lena

Marta

Monica

Rebecca

Riikka

 

So don't be a stranger. We are gonna have a blast!

 

Let the games begin!!!

 

Linda

She's Back as Madame Macabre!

I know you've seen her here before, but I had to finish this project that's been on my desk for what seems like a YEAR!

Don't you all have at least one of those things that you look at, and just cannot for the life of you figure out WHAT it needs?????

Well, this is mine, and now it's DONE!

It starts with the Articulated Art Doll Shrine Kit that has the little box piece with a hanger on the back in her midsection. You can put all kinds of trinkets or treasures inside it. I chose to just put a picture of it inside.

The Glasses and Monocles Cut Out and  Steampunk Gears are painted with Antique Bronze, Brushed Pewter and Tarnished Brass Distress Paints.

Here you can see the little insert with the 1 cent stamp picture in it. The owl and the raven are fussy cut to add to the piece.

I painted her arms with my rendition of the gloves worn in that period.

It's hard to see in the other photos, but this is a detail of the niche. The orange and black checkerboard paper line the inside walls of it. I love how you can add all kinds of things in this little cubby and hang your creation on the wall.

 The boots are cut from a leather-like shiny black origami paper. I punched holes in the edges and added tiny brass brads. Then I laced the gold thread around the brads.

The fishnet stockings are just black ink and a background stamp.

I tore a ragged edge around the tulle and used 3 pieces of clock paper fro her undergarment skirt.

The papers are from Graphic 45's collections Steampunk Spells, Happy Haunting and Steampunk Debutante.

Check out the link to 

Retro Cafe Art Gallery's Shop 

and get a cool Art Doll Project for your wall!

Linda

Little Miss Collage

I'm still waiting on my replacement frames, so I've been working a lot in the Studio. I can see well close up, but not far away....so maybe it's a good thing for a bit?

 

  

Anyway, this is a quick little project that I had fun making last night. It's on a 3 1/4 inch square piece of black mat board.

These stamps from Prima are perfect for small collages and cards. The paper is from the gorgeous paper pad Sunrise Sunset from Finnabair/Prima. I LOVE the warm colors on these papers.

I glued a corner section of the paper to the mat board, added some Distress Inks on the edges and used the Flowers stencil in one section. Then I stamped with coffee Archival Ink using the 3 stamp sets.

I sprayed a bit of Copper Perfect Pearl Mist on the piece and added black pen marks.

Then I glued on the little Lady.

I used various paints and sprays to add color to the Prima embellishments and glued them into place. I think she looks to be about 3 years old, hence the 3.

The Cut Out Collage Word and the black chipboard heart tell the story in one word.

Here you can see the Perfect Pearls shimmering on the background.

Check out the links below for the products used. And remember to use my code iecain81 for 10% off your order at Inspiration Emporium.

Linda 

Products Used:
Prima Stamps - Engraver, Lady Bird #2 and Sunrise Sunset #1
Prima Stencil - Sunrise Sunset Flowers
Prima - Sunrise Sunset 6x6 Paper Pad
Prima - Finnabair Mechanicals - Mini Numerals, Mini Roman Numerals, Mini Flowers, Vintage Washers #1, Flowers Medium
Prima - Junkyard Findings - Jeans Buttons and Special Screws
Prima - Flowers
Retro Cafe Art Gallery - Collage Word Paper Cuts-Newsprint
Ranger - Perfect Pearls Mists-Copper and Forever Violet
Ranger - Archival Ink-Coffee
Ranger - Tim Holtz Idea-ology-Found Relatives
Ranger - Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Chipped Sapphire, Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves
Zig Ball 5mm Black Permanent Pen
Uhu Glue Stick
Crafter's Pick-The Ultimate white glue
Black Mat Board, Black Chipboard Heart

My MUSE....where did it go?

When your Muse is missing....go in another direction.

 

I broke my glasses and have to wait for new frames to come in, soooooooooo, since I see quite well with my 10 yr. old glasses in the bifocal area,

I decided to just suck it up and make some earrings.

 

Actually, a lot of things broke in the last couple of weeks, the refrigerator, my glasses, my computer, the speaker on my NEW iPhone, my architect light on my work table...that they don't make any more...and I LOVED it...

 

But, there were no broken bones, and no blood, so all is well.

 

When frustrated, make Jewelry!

 



 

The one pair still need wires, but it was fun to work with some of the beads I'd gotten while on vacation this year.

 

Most of these are from Door County, like the Red Fishes and the Green ones. I also picked up some cool Vintaj bead caps there.

 

The Fish have a rectangle Brass Blank that's been embossed from Vintaj.

 

I enjoy being unconventional by using silver, gold, brass and copper in the same piece.

 

Call me crazy, I just like it.

 

Linda

Bohemian Santos Cage Doll

Hi everybody! It's time for another

Retro Cafe Art Gallery

step-out.

 

This is one of my favorite pieces...and it's the

 Santos Cage Doll ATC kit.

 

Don't you just LOVE this bright and colorful lady???

 

I only used ONE stamp on the entire piece on her arms with Sepia Archival Ink. This is a gorgeous  Sunrise Sunset stamp from Ania Dabrowska that is tiny and works perfectly on small areas you want to have delicate detail.

It blended in with the paper design perfectly.

 

 

Speaking of paper.....this is almost all PAPER.

 

I adore this gorgeous collection from Graphic45 called Bohemian Bazaar. The color combinations just knock your socks off.

 

Bill always says he likes the pieces I make that have COLOR. "Now I like that, I like that bright color." So, there ya go.

 

The other pieces I used from RCAG were the Sunburst Halo Cut-Outs behind her head, some tiny stars painted blue from the Star Mix Cut-Outs, and the Santos Doll Head Paper Cuts II for the face. I did cut her down a bit just because I could....

 

 As almost always, I started by basecoating parts of the Masonite pieces in the kit.  Here I used Fresco Paints Bora Bora and South Pacific on top of Snowflake. I basecoated everything with Snowflake and then decided to cover most of it up with paper....planning, right???

 

The skirt did take a couple of coats of paint to get it real white.

This is how I lay out my pieces of paper before I start to glue. Use a few colors of Distress Inks on the edges of your papers to create shadows.



 

The Stars are done with Haystack, Autumn Fire and a touch of London Bus.

 

I like the way the colors blend and create patterns when you use foam squares to apply the paints. I don't go for perfection here. I like the splotchy effect it brings to the pieces.

This lets you see the inside of the box before it gets glued together with just a small amount of white glue.

 

The Wand is one of the little pieces I added because I just thought she needed something in her hands. It's from the Witch Wands set that also has Spider Wands, and are on sale right now....Halloween is coming, people. Get them while they're HOT!

 

(I think Kristin is thinking about a Tombstone Swap...so maybe you just might NEED some Spider Wands for your projects...I'm just sayin')

The 2 little Frames and the Heart are a part of the ATC Box kit. The contrasting colors make them stand out with a few pen dots around them. Easy Peasy.

 

Note the difference it makes by adding the White Sharpie pen marks to the stars and borders. The colors POP.

 

The bodice and the skirt are pieces of the Bohemian papers. This pad is 8x8 so the patterns are smaller and perfect for smaller projects. I just cut them out....and glued them on.

 

I was thrilled at the way the paints and papers worked out. They were a perfect combination for this Santos Art Doll.

 

Check out the links along the way here, and have a great Weekend!

 

Just one more thing...Emma was here for a few days and she painted and designed this Crown using the Large Regal Stencil Border for herself. It's 2 of the larger cut-outs painted and stapled together. We stapled because it would be stronger and easier to size.

 

I think she did a GREAT job, and the design is all hers, believe me, she has a mind of her own when it comes to STYLE!

 

 Linda