Framed Collage

Hi - Judy here, I enjoyed making this project using these images: face collage stamp, harlequin diamond background and art is the last. These stamped images are framed with a product I discovered six years ago and I'm amazed each time I use it. 

VLVS stamps:

Harlequin Diamond Background image#18920

Face Collage #18378

Art is the last #18925

VLVS supplies:

Kromecote

Miracle Tape

Miracle Sheet

Stamping:

Cut manila card stock 3 ½” x 5.” Use foam applicator to apply broken china and shattered straw inks to manila card stock, while ink is wet, spray with a little water and heat set to dry.

Ink harlequin diamond background with broken china ink and stamp over inked background.  Set aside.  

Use black ink to stamp art is the last form of magic that exists image on die-cut piece, heat set, and then apply gathered twig distress ink to frame piece.

Stamp Face collage with Archival black on Kromecote glossy card stock, heat set, and then color image with distress markers. Trim face collage.  Set aside.  

Tar Gel Frame:

Die cut frame front and back with chipboard, place frame on scrap paper, apply two coats of juniper dabber paint on frame, once dry, place frame down on wax paper, and then drizzle clear tar gel over the frame with a plastic fork or knife.

My suggestion; drizzle off the frame and drizzle back on for best results. The tar gel goes on milky but dries clear. You need blank areas for the next step. The clear tag gel should be syrupy. If not add a teaspoon of distilled water at a time to thin and stir with plastic knife.

When tar gel is dry and clear you are ready for the next step:

Rub a brown distress ink over frame; this will give the frame a vintage look. Set aside to dry and then wipe excess off the raised design. You will have a unique piece to frame your artwork. 

Note: I have used this product on wood frames it turns out beautiful each time. 

Finishing frame:

Use Miracle Tape to adhere face collage and quote on harlequin background. Sandwich frame and back of frame with Miracle Sheet. If you have the easel die add to back of frame to finish.
Finished piece: 4 1/4” x 6.”

Other supplies:

Sizzix Scallop Frame and Frame Back 4 1/4” x 6”

Sizzix easel die

Ranger distress inks; Gathered twig, broken china, shattered straw

Golden Clear Tar Gel

Ranger Dabber paint; juniper

Ranger archival black ink

Ranger Distress markers

Plastic knife

Sizzix die cutting tool and long cutting plates

Manila card stock

Piece of white card stock

Chipboard

Wax paper

Scrap paper

Have a nice day!

Design Team Member- Judy Cantrell

Bottled FRANK!

 I have Bottled Frank and he is attracting flies!!! 

I am loving all the new Halloween Viva Las Vegastamps! stamps this year. There are three ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE new Halloween plates this year. Plates # 827 (which I am using today), 1429 and 1433.

Plate 827

Kromecote Cardstock has a glossy side and a matte side, for this card I used the matte side. I love how the ink does not run or blur when the images are stamped on it. 

First, stamp the Bottle - from Plate 827 twice on paper to use as a mask. The first image, cut the bottle image out (lower left) and the second image cut the inside of the bottle out (lower right).  Now stamp the bottle onto the card. Place the first mask on the stamped image protecting the inside of the bottle when stamping the spiked fence.  Now with the second mask over the bottle stamp Frankenstein Face - from Plate 827 in the bottle with VF Olympic Green. Heat Emboss the images with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. 

Next stamp the Dripping Blood - from Plate 827 several times along the top of the card with VF Crimson Red and CTM Barn Red. Stamp the Harlequin Diamond Background using VersaMark and the Fly - from Plate 827 three times with black ink. Carefully heat emboss the images with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. Do not use the heat gun in one spot too long or the images will melt together.

To give the Bottle a glass look paint it with Sakura Crystal Lacquer mixed with Citrine.  After all the images are stamped and heat embossed and the lacquer is dry, use Tim Hotlz Tea Dye Ink and apply directly to the card.  The embossed images and lacquer will resist the ink.

Stamp "Infectious Waste" - from Plate 827 on craft color paper with black ink. Cut out in a tag shape and staple Ribbon May Arts - Grosgrain - Stitched Edge to the tag. Attach to card with VLVS! Miracle Tape.

VLVS! Stamps 

Bottle - from Plate 827
Dripping Blood - from Plate 827 

Frankenstein Face - from Plate 827
"Infectious Waste" - from Plate 827
Fly - from Plate 827
Spike Fence
Harlequin Diamond Background

Other VLVS! Products
Kromecote Cardstock

VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

VLVS! Miracle Tape

Tim Holtz Distress Marker
Sakura Crystal Lacquer 

Mixer Citrine 

Ribbon May Arts - Grosgrain - Stitched Edge

Inks:
VersaFine (VF) Black
VersaFine(VF)Olympia Green
VersaFine(VF)Crimson Red 

VersaMark
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tea Dye
CTMH Barn Red
Craft paper

Staples 

During the seven day VLVS! All Hallow's Eve Blog I shared a new Halloween project each day using Viva Las Vegastamps! Check out my Halloween Projects with VLVS! Stamps if you have time.  

HAVE A GREAT OCTOBER!!!!

Sunflowers Bring Two Times the Watercolor Fun!

It's FINALLY Friday!!! Welcome to Viva Las Vegastamps!!! Susan here with my bottom of the month post. Today I am sharing another quick and easy technique - watercoloring with your Ranger Distress Markers. Both are using supplies you already have on hand AND depending on your color palette, can give you the look and feel of any season.

I'm going to show you two variations on Kromecote glossy cardstock and also on a textured cardstock {similar to a watercolor paper}. The process is like this: color, mist with water, stamp...REPEAT.

SUPPLIES: You will need your Ranger Distress Markers, assorted VLVS rubber stamps, mister bottle with water, textured and  Kromecote cardstock, dye ink and an acrylic block.

Begin by selecting some colors and color directly to your stamp. I'm using "Tree Writing Collage" #18914 for my first background. I used four markers ranging from yellow to light brown. I colored entire stamp with markers starting with lightest color to darkest. This doesn't have to be perfect. After coloring, spritz stamp with water.

I know I've shared a watercolor technique before, but with different colors and stamps, you get a totally different look and feel. In the above photo, I have done the step above and stamped first on Kromecote {on left}, then remisted and applied to the textured cardstock {on right}. I did not reink - I just misted again with water before applying to second paper. **A TIP** keep remisting and stamping until all ink is used up - this saves you a step in cleaning off the unused ink...and you get a bunch of pretty backgrounds as a result. I heatset each and this is the result - two subtle watercolor effect backgrounds. On the Kromecote, it is much more muted and flowing, the textured cardstock more distressed from the texture of the paper.

Now for a VARIATION...

Now you want repeat the process - EXCEPT - this time, color directly onto your acrylic block. YES! On the acrylic block. I colored horizontally across the block in stripes using the same four colors, gradating from lightest on top to darkest on the bottom. This also doesn't have to be perfect. If there are areas exposed and/or not colored, this is GREAT, too. Have fun with it!

Before you stamp your paper, spritz with water and then use as a stamp and apply to paper. Above is the results of coloring on the acrylic block directly first to the Kromecote, then remisting with water and then applying to the textured cardstock. I reapplied ink and repeated process to try also on a section of vintage book paper.

I stamped the "Sunflowers" #9918 onto my papers with black dye ink and heatset. I gathered some paper scraps in the same color palette and a parchment card base. I layered everything and adhered with Miracle tape to my card base, popped up my torn textured sunflowers with 3D foam dots and added a Burlap Twine May Arts bow.

To finish off I stamped  "Thanks a Lot" #587 in the bottom corner with black dye ink. I added some subtle color detail to the flowers and leaves with my Ranger Distress Markers applied with a water brush. Quick and easy...and beautiful!

Presenting my Lovely Sunflower Card!!!

Thanks so much for dropping by today! I invite you to hang around and peruse the projects by the fabulous Viva Las Vegastamps! Desgin Team or pop on over to the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - loads of new stamps - SEVEN NEW plates to be EXACT - are on pre-order for 20% off!!! YIPPEE!!

If you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. I'll be back with another stamping adventure real soon! Hope you have an inky day! Sb

Salute to America

With 911 approaching I am reminded of the day when I heard the news that didn't make sense to me. We all remember hearing the it...  The news that was a reality that no one could believe was unfolding. Not a plane was in the sky.  So many lost their lives.  I remember that day like it was  yesterday.    

In memory of 911 I would like to share a few cards I made with images from Viva Las Vegastamps! Salute to America Plate 485. I decided to make them simple black & white images to let the stamps tell their story.

Using VLVS! stamps World Trade Center and 911-01 We Will Never Forget, on this card you can barely see the faint image of The Twin Towers in the center.  

To make the above card the World Trade Center was stamped with VersaMark on Kromkote Cardstock and heat embossed with Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.

Then use the same World Trade Center image and stamp it on a transparency; heat set with Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. Cute the image out minus The Twin Towers.  With Miracle Tape adhere the transparency to the card.  Miracle Tape is great to use when adhering parchment or transparencies.  

For the second card I used VLVS! Black Skyline World Trade Center with Reflection and 911-01 911-01 America WILL Remember from Plate 485. 

My final card using VLVS! stamps from Plate 485 are: Eagle on Branch, God Bless America and the American Flag.

Plate 485 sold unmounted is a great selection of patriotic stamps.  Each stamp on the plate is sold individually mounted or unmounted.

Stamps shown on Plate 485:

911-01 America WILL Remember

Black Skyline World Trade Center with Reflection

God Bless America

Big Apple Skykine

American Flag

Ribbon Stars 7 Stripes

America the Beautiful

World Trade Center

Never Forget. Never Surrender!

Eagle on Branch

World Trade Center Circle

New York Skyline

I'm proud to be an American!

911-01 We Will Never Forget

The price for Plate 485 is $21.95.  If you buy stamps from VLVS! I highly recommend comparing the individual stamp price with the plate price. If you plan to buy more than one stamp from any plate it may be more economical to buy the plate! 

Thank you Viva Las Vegastamps! for this beautiful plate!

LAST CHRISTMAS in JULY

Last day to stamp my Christmas in July Cards. If your family is like most the budgets are tight. If you are like me you have a ton of pattern paper you have been hoarding. So why not get yourself a few great VLVS! Christmas Stamps and make your cards this year with all of that paper you have been saving for that special project. 

You don't have to make each card the same mix and match the papers.   

VLVS! Santa Face on VLVS! Kromecote Cardstock-Versafine Black Ink and Tim Holtz Distress Marker- Tattered Rose.  Isn't the detail wonderful!!!

VLVS! Santa Face (fussy cut) stmaped on VLVS! Kromecote Cardstock - ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink Prussian Blue

 VLVS! Santa Face - Versafine Black Ink

 VLVS! Santa Face - Versafine Black Ink

 VLVS! Santa Face - Versafine Black Ink

 VLVS! Santa Face - Versafine Crimson Red Ink

 VLVS! Holly Santa -Versafine Black Ink

 VLVS! Santa Filling Bag - Versafine Black Ink

VLVS! Steampunk Christmas Tree - Versafine Black Ink

Make this an OLD Fashion Christmas... get the family involved in making the Christmas cards this year.  

Elephant Walk

Elephant Walk...an old movie I watched years ago.  It had Elizabeth Taylor playing the female lead.

Did you know that VLVS has Animals of ALL types???  Realistic images, cartoon images, animals with their habitat background, and even Steampunk animals!!!  I really LOVE the variety and choices of images VLVS carries - sends my imagination on overdrive!

I would like to share the "polish stone" technique with you using Kromecote cardstock and alcohol ink.

Back in the day, we used Tria refills.  Tria is/was alcohol markers whose colors were based on the Pantone Color System.  The refills were in big bottles but pricey.  One time a bunch of art pals in Ohio found an art store closing and we bought up all the refills at half price!!!  While I have a few bottles of  Tria left, I use Ranger's Alcohol ink and mixers.

VLVS Image - Elephant  Lifting Foot 8038

Other VLVS Products:

Kromecote Cardstock - link is for 81/2 x 11 sheets, comes in other sizes too

Miracle Tape

Basic Ink Application:

In the old days we used a block of wood with "hook" of Velcro and felt to the wood.  Then proceed.  Thanks to Tim Holtz, we have an applicator with little felt pieces. 

When I went to Ranger U in 2005, Tim told us to bring the alcohol ink bottle to the felt an then tilt and squeeze 3 times.  Most people including myself used to hold the bottle over the felt and let the color drip out.  Tim says you don't waste ink this way and get the felt thoroughly saturated.

The first step is to add the color(s) of alcohol ink to the applicator.  For this project I used Butterscotch and Ginger.

Photo from book Creative Art Concepts of Papercrafts

Place the Kromecote cardstock on a surface with paper under to catch over-color.  I like to use Ranger Mixers or Krylon Gold Pen to add lines and veins to  background.

After adding alcohol ink to the applicator, pounce the applicator on the surface, turning the applicator left then right so that you have a mixed pattern.  If you go over an area you just colored, the area will change and break down to a new pattern.

From the book Creative Art Concepts for Papercrafts

Finished look is like marbled stone.   That is why I like to add the veining.  Gives  an even more dimentional look.

Kromecote cardstock is the PERFECT glossy surface for this technique.  It is supreme amongst all glossy cardstock.  I suggest this cardstock for dazzling results.  If you do not have alcohol ink, try using any VLVS image and use dye ink (Scroll down to Inkit ink by Ranger).  The color POPS!!! 

To finish the card, I die cut the polished stone cardstock and layered with others.  I stamped and cut the elephant (tons of other elephant images to select as well) and collaged it to the art.

Because the elephant is gray, I stamped it on other cardstock, BUT, if you have one of VLVS tiger or lepeord images, stamp it directly on the polished stone cardstock and cut out!  No coloring necessary and beautiful results.  I am going to order a tiger or lepord and later on will post the results for you to see. 

 So there ya go, another fun technique!!!  Mix it up with your stash of VLVS images and create a new look just by changing the technique with the stamps.  I am SO addicted to VLVS images and can never have enough!!  Ok I'm OCD when it comes to stamping, and I am glad VLVS has so many images to fill this NEED, ha ha. 

If you'd like to see another technique with your VLVS images and shrink plastic, please check out the book, Creative Art Concepts For Papercrafts, by C&T publication - who supplied a couple of the photos.

Cre8tiveLea Yours - Lea

Sea salt!

Today I played with some Kromecote cardstock. Kromecote is really fun to play with. It's clay-based cardstock. It make the ink with you use really pop! Its glossy one one side and matte on another. And it stamps great!

Today I'm going to show you a background I first learned many many years ago, When I took a Suze Weinburg class 12 years ago.The salt background technique. Know i know a lot of you already know about this technique. But I wanted to try it with the Kromecote.

I used 2 different types of dye ink pads (a rainbow pad by Kolidacolor (Bouquet) and a Distress ink pad (black soot) I will be playing with my summer distress ink pads soon! I also used 2 different types of salt. A rock salt and a salt used for pretzels. You can also use kosher salt and table salt. 

I first took a piece of the kromecote and cut it to a 2 1/2 strip. Next I  used my brayer and rolled some Black Soot Distress ink on it. I took a small water bottle and sprayed some water on it. I already got a cool effect with that from the distress ink. But I wanted to see what else it did with the salt. I sprinkled some rock salt on top of that. and let it sit while I was working on the other piece.

I then took one of the pieces of the Kromecote and brayed some of the Bouquet Kalidacolor on it. Sprayed some water on that and sprinkled some of the pretzel salt on it and let that sit.

Now you let it dry. But don't let it sit too long. It is salt after all, and it will eat at your paper.just enough til you see the color on the salt. then you shake off access.

Now i have backgrounds, now what to do with them. Here is what I did with the Black soot one after I cut it  to a 3 1/2 size for an atc

 When I was all dried I stamped the Water drop background stamp with clear ink pad and embossed with Ultra High Gloss embossing powder. I then stamped the rabbit in hat on white cardstock with a back vivid ink pad, I colored the bow tie and hearts with a red vivid marker. and the stars with yellow bic marker. I stamped the Do you Believe in Magic stamp on the same white cardstock and same ink pad.  (I see i forgot to color a star LOL) I did fussy cut the sentiment. I attached the words with Miracle tape

This card was rather quick once I picked the stamp I wanted to use. I stamped the Large striped butterfly  on the kromekote with a purple vivid ink pad. I found a paper that somewhat goes with the colors. I chose the paper from the Breath collection by Prima. I cut it down to size so it leaves a small border around the kraft cardstock card base. I distressed the edges of the paper with the Tim Holtz distress tool.  I trimmed down the butterfly a bit and distressed the edges. I edge all the edges with the same purple Vivid ink pad. I attached everything with Miracle tape.

Items used:

Kromekote cardstock

Miracle tape

Ultra high gloss embossing powder

dye ink pads-rainbow pads or solid colors

salt-rock, table salt, kosher, etc

Purple vivid ink pad

Tim Holtz Distress tool

1 sheet of Prima Breath paper

Kraft card stock card base

Stamps Used:

Water drop background

Rabbit in hat

Do you believe in magic

Large Butterfly striped

Tangling with Stamps!

Today is the first time I have stamped any of the new TANGLE stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! I had a lot of fun. 

The images are stamped on Kromekote Cardstock. I was very pleased with the detail of my images. 

I stamped and masked the Flying Bird, Pen Tips and Steampunk Alphabet "X" before I stamped the large Tangle from Plate 1424. Then I used my Tim Holtz Distress Markers to add a bit of color. 

 Masks of the images before stamping the Large Tangle / Zentangles.

Viva Las Vegastamps:
Flying Bird
Large Tangle From Plate 1424
Steampunk Alphabet "X"
Pen Tips (from plate 1424)
Kromekote Cardstock
Tim Holtz Distress Markers

I did add a little bit to the tangles... it was a lot of fun!!  I may have to try my own now!