Collage on Wood

So, I had the great pleasure of meeting and talking with Ania Dąbrowska aka Finnabair. She is as brilliant and kind as she is beautiful.

 

My friend Lin Brown from the UK was lucky enough to take one of her classes and told me I had to try her wonderful techniques....long story short....this is my attempt at a Finnabair Collage.

 

(You MUST visit Lin's blog and see what fabulous pieces she made in Ania's class)

 

It was a real treat to dig out old hoarded treasures from the past to randomly cut and glue to this hanging plaque I got for a song at HL a long time ago.

 

I used the new Tissue Wrap Melange Tim sent me as the base...how could you go wrong starting with such a gorgeous base???

 

 

 

I loved how the Crinkle Ribbon took the Distress Inks and Stains. That stuff is just so amazing.

 

 

The little girls are on a clay button I made years ago. The image is from JVO's Collections.

 

There's a real snap, the innards of a watch, a Vintaj piece and a button with a crown all sprayed and layered with Multi-Medium.

 

This gold frame was perfect to go around a piece of paper with at 7 on it, and a metal embellishment.

 

The little bits of computer pieces are here and there.

7Gypsies gaffer tape and a Vintaj butterfly.

 

 

 

This is a Jenny Bowlin button, I think....not positive...and some metal piece from long ago on top.

 

I love the Mini Lightbulb I just got from Time Pieces.

 

The computer glass fit perfectly into the Spocket Gear.

 

Sadly the mica sparkle doesn't show up well in the pictures...but you get the idea.

 

 

 

The nylon netting created a cool affect under the butterfly.

 

 

 

I added a few stamps here and there to fill up space under the trims that were glued on and sprayed.

 

I used Perfect Pearls Turquoise and Perfect Copper on the KaiserCraft flowers and all over.

 

The flower has a Grungepaper and Metal Foil base that was embossed. It gathered some of the spray as well.

 

This is by no means anything near what Lin or Ania created, but it was a fun project, and that's all that matters!

 

 

 

Tonight we had a great Birthday Dinner with my son Jeff and his family. This is his oldest Erin.(she's 11!)

 

The food color dye is slowly coming out...I think we're doing Blueberry next time!

 

Have a great week.

 

Linda

 

Wonderfully Fun Cuff Bracelet!

THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Seriously!

I've seen these fabulous creations on line and in magazines and was "dying" to make one using all my collections of inks to dye some fabric and trims.

The bead in the center is in a brass piece I've had for years, but fit perfectly here.

Of course I started at night and didn't take pics in progress, but this shows a bit of the vintage trims I colored with everything from Adirondack Colors Washes to painted-on Perfect Pearls and water on the lower piece of trim.

The base was a cloth napkin I'd liked, for some odd reason, and bought a couple years ago.

Then I added the wide lace...no colors added....and sewed the trims on top.

I used a fabric glue for adding the vintage Ric-Rac.

I LOVE the copper wings! They're from Red Lead.

My friend Jen Crossley ( a brilliant metal artist...must check out her latest treasure on her blog here) talked me into trying cold soldering.

Well, I chickened out and used brads on the main Vintaj piece where I added the wings. BUT, next time I'm doing rivets!!!

 The key was sewn on with invisible thread.

The Vintaj brads are added on top of a piece from a days gone by collection.

I added the pearls and purple beads by hand.

The vintage buttons are gifts from friends. I think they're from my WC Chick friend Susan's mothers collection, but I'm not sure.

She's from England...could be from there...one can dream.

This is the back where I used looped trim tied and knotted for the latch.

Arn't the buttons gorgeous???

Here's a picture without all the freckles and wrinkles of my arm!

Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of a bracelet on your own arm???

For me, it was a contortionist act at best!

Be well, and hope to see many friends at CHA in a few days.

Linda

New Supplies in the Studio----PLAYTIME!

I received a shipment of new and exciting goodies last week.

After a crazy weekend...HS play, 2 soccer games, yard duties, etc....I finally got down to playing in the studio.

This is a picture I took on my "Oh So Smart" phone. Tiny but better than I could get today.

It's using the new and wonderfully creative Patina's from Vintaj and Ranger.

I painted them on with a brush...we'll talk later on that.

 Then I opened the Spray Inks from Dylusion and Dylan Reaveley.

Oh My Gosh....the COLORS are AMAZING!!!!

Trying to watch Tim's video class Creative Chemistry 101 and play at the same time.

Ha! REWIND is wonderful.

I sprayed several colors, dried, and sprayed again with a Crafter's Workshop/Julie Balzer Stencil.

LOVE!

In my box of goodies I got my set of Remnants Stamps from Tim.

The Old by Fav, Fancy Flourish, stamp and Black Archival Inks added the swirls.

Foamies also added here and there for fun.

Here's another shot of the 2nd layer with stamps and Archival Ink.

This is over another Julie Balzer Stencil and more black ink...LOVE the contrast.

So, that is just the beginning. If you want to follow along, go make a page with just color all over it.

Add some stencils with sprays or Distress Inks and Applicator, and then give a favorite stamped image a spot in 3 places. Overlap off the page for composition and we'll be back later.

I left a lighter spot in the middle of one page to write some words....

I'll be back later with some more steps to add to this page.


NEXT

Remember this bracelet I made last summer?

Well I had to try the new Patinas on it.

There's terrific step-by-step instructions from Jess at Vintaj here.

Look at the dramatic difference now! It REALLY shows off the turquoise and amber beads.

I used Cinnabar, Rust and Verdigris on a tiny brush.

Heat set, sand, and polish with the the Metal Reliefing Block. (this block is a MUST...unbelievable when used to sand and polish detail. Different than any other on the market.)

Then here's a bit of fun.

The Owl was embossed using Moonlit Night Deco Embossing Folder, a Square Blank, and the Vagabond Machine.

Then using a small brush again, I added several layers of color, sanded, and polished.

The result is a cute little owl in a fun outdoor setting....leaves and such.

 I had a fun day with my new supplies and therefore had to share with you. Check out the links below to find these products.

You can also find many Vintaj products at Hobby Lobby.

Go and Create ART!

Linda

Vintaj - Patina- Verdigris, Cinnabar, Rust by Ranger

Vintaj - Deco Embossing folder - Moonlit Night by Sizzix

Vintaj - Altered Blank

Vintaj - Metal Reliefing Block

Dylusions - Ink Sprays Crushed Grape, Bubblegum Pink, Vibrant Turquoise, Fresh Lime, Lemon Zest, and Squeezed Orange by Ranger

Tim Holtz - Stamp set Remnants, Fancy Flourish by Stamper's Anonymous

Ranger - Archival Inks - Deep Purple and Jet Black
Ranger - Distress Inks and Ink Blending Tool

The Crafter's Workshop/ Julie Balzer - Stencils- Mini Daisy Doodle, Numbers Collage
 Sizzix - Vagabond Machine


CHA Idea-ology Project - Gypsy Traveler Wagon

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

Butterfly Bracelet with Vintaj

I was so impressed with Jess's fantastic bracelet using the large Butterfly, that I had to try one for myself.

You can see hers called Enchanted Path here.

Curving the pieces and adding the the jumprings to new holes that you punch with a 2 hole screw punch made for a challenging engineered project.

I am not a jewelry artist, so I struggle with the concept of getting it all to lay right, and at the same time, look fairly nice....and FIT!

The main pieces are found on this page @Vintaj. I used the Acorn Leaves on the back, the Butterfly Grandeur for the main piece, and the Deco Vines Filigree cut in half.

All were sanded and polished with the outstanding Metal Reliefing Block. It makes a world of difference in the contrasting of the pieces.

 

You can really see what it does here in this detail.

So find some great pieces and play with them. I got some great DecoEmboss Folders from Hobby Lobby last week. They are SOOOOOO COOL!!!!

 

Here's a few blanks I had to emboss.

 

Will maybe have time to put something together before I head up North to see the fantastic people @Creative Cuts and Crafts this weekend!!!! Classes are ready to go!  WHOO HOO!

Can't wait to see everyone again!!!  It's supposed to be a gorgeous Indian Summer week.

Bill can walk the bike trail out back and then hit the bakery next door.

Sounds like a plan to me!!!

Linda

Here's just a TIP

 
Yep, we're back up North. I love this picture so I thought I'd share it again.

It was simply a perfect day on the lake. The fishing was fantastic and the weather gorgeous! We even had Fish Fry for dinner....we'll both sleep good tonight!

This is our cabin number..it's really a duplex with 2 sides. I get the loft upstairs to play with my G45 project I'm working on, and my computer. This sloooooowwwww WiFi is driving me crazy!!!!


So here's the tip I mentioned....it's really a cool and simple thing you can do with your metal pieces.

Give it a try!

Depending upon how you like your pieces of "hardware" for your projects, this is a TIP from me.

I used the Locks from Tim Holtz. On the RIGHT is the before....the one on the LEFT ( I know backwards) is the after.

I used the new Vintaj Metal Reliefing Block to sand the high points of the lock, and then buff the finished piece.

Here is the before on the Left and the after on the Right.

You can use a sanding block, but it does have a heavier grit to it, and doesn't have the polishing side.

Either way, you can see the difference in the piece.

Try it. I LOVE the contrast!

Linda 

Can you stand one more Necklace

This is just another fun piece I made in the Melting Pot with Vintaj and Embossing Powders.

I learned that if you punch the holes in the brass blank BEFORE you add the powders, it gives you many more possibilities to add more beads.

The leather cord for the necklace gives it a more rustic feel as well.

All the kits for the Artful Dwellings class are gone. YAY! They went very fast in Davenport. But I do have a few left for the Loaded Chunky ATC Kits if anyone is interested.

Pay Pal is set up. So email me or whatever.

They are $30 plus shipping. Only to US right now please.

Everything is inked, painted, Distress Stickled, sprayed with Perfect Pearls and ready to go. All you need is a few background stamps to the main papers, some Distress Ink Tea Dye and Black Soot, black paint for the block, some glue and a sanding block for the metal on the back.

Hope you're having a safe and happy Labor Day in the States, and a good weekend to everyone else!

Linda

Fun Time at Scrapaganza and a Few More Pics

Well, it was a FULL HOUSE!!! And a Happy, Inky HOUSE!

"It was a beautiful day, and we were beautiful, too!" (to  quote an old friend)

Lots of Metal and lots of Ink in Davenport Iowa and Scrapaganza. Thank you so much for all your hard work girls.

It was GREAT! Could not have asked for more.....

I tried to keep Penny busy by letting her take some pictures!

She takes great shots and got some of the many smiling faces that were there for the fun.

All kinds of different color combos....that's what we LOVE to see!

Many brought their own family pictures and incorporated them into their projects. They were wonderful images from the past.

Thank you Penny for taking pictures. It's so hard to find the time when you're talking and having a full day! You always make me smile! (see below...)

Just a bit cheesy!


And just to prove I was working, she got me demoing the Melting Pot and Embossing Powders with the Vintaj pieces. Jess's technique dazzled them!!!

Here on the left is a fun one. We used UTEE Bronze, Green Zinnia, and Violet then coated with a layer of Clear.  The one on the right has some fine black and Orange Glitter Embossing.  REALLY cool! Much more sparkly in person.

I seemed to knock the bluebird off my Row House piece from CHA and didn't find it anywhere, so I decided to try out my new Snow Cap Mixative on a different one, and painted in Denim blue Alcohol Ink and Sunshine Yellow over the top.

I think he turned out even better than the original that didn't have the Snowcap base!!! It's easy to shadow the colors with a touch of Alcohol Blending Solution on your brush.


Went to the Lincoln Balloon and Art Fest today. Bill likes seeing the old cars that come and line the streets downtown.


Lunch with Harry and Joni. Then out to the Wine Tasting Tent with live music. Our favorite was the Sweet Red Wine....a simple name. They're usually more exotic.

Harry didn't hear me well over the music and thought I said the name was CHEAP Red Wine. So that's what he went and asked for. It made the owners laugh.

So back home and another beautiful day!

Tomorrow.....2 soccer games with the girls. They both won on Saturday and each scored a goal!!!

GIRLS RULE!

Linda