Weathered Wood Background

Who doesn't love a weathered wood background???
Michele here to share a quick and easy way to create one.

Start with a piece of cardstock.

I used gel medium and painted randomly on the cardstock using a brush in vertical strokes.

After the gel is completely dry use your scoreboard and with the gel side down score every 1/4 inch.

I used Antique Linen Distress ink, the ink pad directly on the paper, for the first layer of color.

Then with a blender and Vintage Photo Distress Ink I blended the next layer of color.

I added Barn Door DIstress Ink and some stamped caution signs,  Radioactive and Caution Safety Glasses stamped with Staz On.

Here is the complete card.

Banksy Gas Mask Flower Girl is watercolored with Distress Markers adn she is holding a Prima flower.  ALong the bottom is the Wildflower Silhouette with some UmWow Studio flower confetti painted with Distress Paint. The sentiment is created with my Dymo Label Maker.

I was on a roll with my backgrounds so I also created this fun boy card.

This one has a bit less gel and some white drips on the 'fence'
Chevron Banner is stamped in Staz On directly on the fence.  I also used Boy and Dog Looking Up, Wildflower Silhouette and Boys Just Want.

A little watercoloring with Distress Markers.

UmWow Studio flower confetti painted with Distress Paint.

And a tiny bit of May Arts burlap string.

Don't forget about our monthly inspiration challenge and of course join us on our Facebook Fan Page.

Until next time...get inky!!

Are You Ready?

Halloween is RIGHT around the corner...have you started your spooky crafting??
Michele here today and I HAVE!!  For some reason this year I am really feeling ghoulish and have been creating for Halloween extra early.

Viva Las VegaStamps! would like to inspire you with words like lime green, halloween, spooky, POISON, labels, fruit, bad, spoiled, witch's broom, skulls, droopy, blood, black, white, heritage, grungy, spots, distressed, leaves, stems, and more.

Inspired by this months mood board; lime green, halloween, grungy, distressed, spooky, labels... I created a set of ATC's and a card.

Viva Las VegaStamps! used:  Bell Jar, Caution Safety Glasses, Bottle, Spider Web, Spider, Spider on Web Line, Practice of Palmistry, Frankenstein's Bolts, Full Moon, Striped Witch Hat, Raven in a Witch Hat.

Other supplies:  Distress Spray, Faber Castelle Aquarelle pencils, Archival Ink, VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder, Dymo Label Maker, Thread, watercolor paper.

The card:

The ATC's:

I can't wait to see how you are inspired by this months mood board!!  Get linked up for your chance to win a grab bag of AWESOME pink rubber!!
Until next time...get inky!!

Just Keep Swimming

Whenever I get stuck on something but want to push myself to finish I find that I am singing a little song in my head...just. keep. swim.ming, just. keep. swim.ming!  That was my inspiration for this tag I created.

Viva Las VegaStamps! images:  Koi, Writing Triangles, Coffee Ring Stain.

Other items used:  Magicals, Art Anthology Colorations, gesso, Teresa Collins gem, archival ink, May Arts burlap string, Tim Holtz button, sequins and Dymo Label Maker, tiny attacher.

Until next time...get inky!

Time2Stamp {Chunky ATCs + stamping tip}

Hey folks :) I'm not sure if you're aware but every couple of months the VLVS! fans and myself (DeeDee here!) participate in an art swap of some sort. Right now Chunky ATCs are due to be arriving on my desk all week long. You can join our facebook group where all swap info and signups are posted.

Today I'd like to share with you my own Chunky ATC + a video tip on using old fragile / vintage / delicate papers without being in fear of them tearing, breaking or downright disintegrating. lol.

My little Immortal Seeking doll has Bat Wings in archival black. They've been stamped on an old book page, and to reinforce the image so that my wings aren't so delicate I've prepared them accordingly. Please watch the following Time2Stamp video for that info:

I've also used the new Penny Farthing in archival ink.

And the Clockface on the back as a bold statement about time slipping by and seeking the immortal path. The first two stamps were stamped on different kinds of paper, but the clockface has been stamped directly to wood. So grungy and great.

Other supplies : Amazing Crafting Products, UmWowStudio, Ranger Ink Distress Ink and Paint, Michaels Drawer Pulls, coffee, vintage card catalog card, netting, staples, Dymo Label Maker.

Join me on my own blog for more shots and details on the creation process.