Holiday Cheer ► Majo

Hi folks, with Christmas just around the corner, I decided to finally start my card making for this year.

Today I'd like to show you a technique I recently discovered and I just knew I would love to try this. 

It’s called "Watercolor Smooshing" and it allows you to play with so many colors on top of each other.

I used Watercolor Paper because it will hold up to lots of water, an acrylic stamp block, a Distress Sprayer and of course, many Distress Oxide inks. I tapped the first color (Cracked Pistachio) on to the acrylic block, spritzed with water, smooshed my panel around a little and left it there to allow the ink to be absorbed into the paper. I dried the panel with a heat tool. This is very important, or you will end up with a muddy mess.

I repeated these steps with the other colors (Worn Lipstick, Tumbled Glass and Fossilized Amber), making sure again to dry each layer of ink before using the next.

I diluted the colors even more and used a brush to create the splatters. Again it is very important to dry the splatters right away to prevent the colors absorbing into the background.

I stamped my panel with the “Holiday Cheers” stamp in different colors. The word my dream is from the Banksy sentiment “This was not my dream”, which I stamped on black cardstock and heat embossed with Stampendous Detail White embossing powder.

I cut the snowflake with a Sizzix Die, designed by Tim Holtz. It’s almost Christmas time, so I added some sparkle to my card with several rhinestones.

 

I used the following stamps:

8603
20066

Miracle Tape

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and I hope to see you around next time!

Happy Crafting ♥

Queen of Hearts ❤ with Elina

Hi!
A new spread is now finished in my small Moleskine art journal:

I'm in love with my new VLVS! 'Alice in Wonderland' stamps! The amount of character and expression is amazing, and I know for sure that they will be in heavy use for various types of projects.

The cool images didn't require too many additional elements, so for the background I just simply built layers of gesso, acrylic paints, gold colour cracle medium, and stamped patterns. One layer I stamped on a piece of tissue paper and adhered it to the page with collage glue; it was an easy way to decorate the layer of stencilled texture paste.

I think the simple color palette was a right choice for this page, and I'm quite happy about it's bit grungy, weather-worn look.

Here are close-ups of the main images:

For this page I used the following VLVS! stamps:

Queen Of Hearts
Mad Hatter
Texture Background
Row of Scribble Circles/Eyes
Smear/Smudge
Rows of Numbers

Wishing you a wonderful week! Hope my art journal page inspires you to take out your favourite stamps :)

Art Journal Page by Fiona

Hello my VLVS! peeps. Fiona here with you today to share a little art journal page I have created using the awesome rubber from Viva Las Vegastamps!

 I love working in my little mini art journal. It gives me an opportunity to try out new techniques but in a quick and efficient manner. This page came about because I wanted to use this awesome "That's a Horrible Idea" stamp ... me to a T!

 I had the idea that it would work really well with the Vintage Bicycle stamp .... the fact that it was off the end of each page in a follow me sort of way!

I really love this concept. I often don't put that much thought about the meaning behind my art journal pages but in this case the page was created solely around the idea of this follow you blindly concept.

I am really pleased with how it turned out and now I know it's a concept I can use with other substrates.

 Viva Las Vegastamps! used:

That's a Horrible Idea

Bare Footprint Silhouette

Vintage Bicycle

Thank you so much for popping in and checking out my art. See you all again soon xx

Always Be a Mermaid | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

Sue Plumb here today to share a sweet little project I created recently for my daughter, and it's in stark contrast to my previous project share which featured my "zombie" cat. This time I opted for a small scale project - working on an index card, which fits perfectly into a small 6x4" frame that can then go into my daughters bedroom.

I started by applying a light coat of gesso all over the card, before using Faber-Castell gelatos to add some colour. I used a moist baby wipe to blend each colour, mixing the 3 colours together, but concentrating on having the darkest tone around the outer edge to border it. Once I was happy with the colour, I set it aside to dry.

I then took the Cat Mermaid stamp, which was to be my focal image, and stamped it onto some white cardstock using Staz On ink. I again used my gelatos to add colour; this time by adding a little to my craft mat and then using a water brush to pick up the colour so I could colour my image.

I then turned my attention back to my index card, using the gorgeous Sky of Stars Background stamp and Ranger Archival ink to add a whimsical touch. I also used the Scribble Heart stamp to add a little love.

Next, I fussy cut around my cat mermaid; before stamping the quote using the Always Be Yourself/Mermaid stamp onto cardstock. I again used a gelato to add some colour, then fussy cut the quote into two pieces.

Now it was time to construct my piece. I started by adding a small paper doily to the centre of the card, topped with some messy cotton thread, then added my cat mermaid on top.

I then added the two pieces of the quote above and below the cat.

For a bit of extra whimsy, I finished my piece with a sprinkle of sequins.

This was a super fun little project to make. I must admit that I wasn't really used to creating pieces on such a small scale when I began working on this team; but my amazing VLVS teamies inspired me to give it a go and now I love creating these delicate little pieces! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope I have inspired you to get inky too!

Stamps used: 

- Cat Mermaid

- Sky of Stars Background

- Scribble Heart

- Always Be Yourself/Mermaid

Other materials: 

- Index card

- Colour Blast White Heavy Gesso

- Cardstock

- Faber-Castell Gelatos

- Tsukineko Staz On ink

- Ranger Archival ink

- Paper doily, cotton thread, sequins

- Miracle Tape

She Was...

Hiya all!!
All little bit of calm before the holiday crafting storm...
Michele here today with a pair of ATC's using what I think might be the favorite stamp from the summer release this year!!

This Banksy Wall Singer stamp is so versitile!!  The team has been using it in so many different ways and every singel one is awesome!

I started with the last pieces of a gelli print that I have been hording...it was on kraft cardstock and printed with Dina Wakley paints.

Stamps used:  Banksy Wall Singer, She Was a Dreamer, She Was Courageous

I gave the image some texture with Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.

She can be anything...courageous.

or a dreamer!

Until next time...get inky!

Banksy Wall Singer || Art Journal Page

Hey everyone! Jenn here. That's right, I am back on the team and I couldn't be happier!
I have an art journal page to share with you today using some of the new Banksy stamps. 

This Banksy Wall Singer really caught my eye and I had to make her the star of my page.

If you wanna see exactly how I made this page, you can check out the process video at the bottom of this post.

 STAMPS USED:

Mesh Texture
Banksy Wall Singer
Cross Marks Background
Love Repeat

Watch the Process Video Here:

Thanks for looking!
~jenn

No humanity

Hello everyone,

I have a quick artjournal spread for you today. I used some of the latest new stamps and also some older ones.

There is also a process video ! 

I had fun making this and I have used the following stamps for it:

19962 - I see humans 

10599 - Spriral

19995 - Overlapping Circles 

the library date stamp is from the new plate1508 (will be available singly soon)

the rhino is from plate 1510 (Also available singly soon) 

Thank you so much for stopping by today !

2019 DESIGN TEAM CALL!!!!!!!

Design Team CALL!!!!

We’re looking for all types of artists and welcome anyone who has a passion for rubber stamping to apply! Bring on the Mixed Media Artists, the Card Makers, the Scrapbookers, the Altered Artists, the Scene Stampers… we want you ALL!! International applicants welcome to apply, too.

Our terms last six months. This term will run from January 1^st – June 30th and has 8 openings. 

Design Team requirements during your six month term are as follows:

1) Regularly promote VLVS! through:

a. online galleries

b. your blog

c. social media like facebook, twitter, youtube, instagram and pinterest

d. and by submitting to publications. 

2) Participate in our public VLVS! dedicated Facebook group.

3) Complete a minimum of two (2) projects per month to be posted on the VLVS! blog, always using only Viva Las VegaStamps! images; 1 tutorial & 1 inspiration post. Details for projects provided to team members.

3) Participate in the online private facebook group for the team. Important information like schedules, future hops, logos, links and contact information are all kept in the group. I run a lot of ideas by the team and value their honest opinions. 

4) Participate in blog hops and/or product swaps. (Some may be on a volunteer basis only) 

5) Mail two (2) completed projects to the store for display. This is out of your whole six month term. We love having projects posted all around the store for people to ogle as they peruse through our stamps.

In return VLVS! will: 

1) Provide you with regular shipments to keep you fully stocked on supplies, including but not limited to VLVS! Stamps, Miracle Tape, Embossing powder, and any product swap goods. 

2) Provide you with a detailed schedule at least 2 weeks in advance. 

3) Compensate you for extra work outside of the regular schedule. This will be based upon volunteer projects and any extra hops or swaps outside of said schedule. 

4) Regularly promote you and your projects through online social medias, as well as display you and your personal blog address on our company blog.

How to apply:

Please email me the following information:

- your name

- a brief bio.. Who are you? Why do you create? That type of stuff!

- attachments including three (3) of your best stamped pieces. (could be cards, layouts, tags, jewelry, anything using rubber stamps -- VLVS! not required but appreciated)- let us know -- can you provide videos for your tutorial posts?

- the link to your facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube and/or other accounts

- the link to any and all online galleries you regularly upload to

- any other important links you think I’d like to see

- a list of current and past design teams you have been on. (no previous experience necessary)

- and last please also include in your post why you want to be on the VLVS! DT.

Email to deedee430@gmail.com with subject line “VLVS! DT CALL -YOUR NAME-” due by 11/30 (November 30th) at midnight pacific standard time.

Applicants joining the team will be notified by December 7th.