CRAZY FRIENDS by Fran Chalmers

 Hello everyone!

Today I have made a simple postcard as I haven't been able to do much crafting due to illness.

First of all I smooshed a Distress Oxide background in Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber and Salty Ocean.

I added some interest to the background by using Blueprint Sketch through a stencil I had,

I also added some numbers and inked the edges in the same colour 

I stamped the main image in thick paper, and cut it out, leaving a white edge.  I decided not to colour the image as I thought it had more impact in black and white.

I added the sentiment, stamped onto card.

Stamps Used:

Five ladies 18537

If you have crazy 18569

Library return dates 20342

Other items used:

Distress Oxides in Blueprint Sketch, Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Salty Ocean

Versafine Clair ink in Nocturn

See you next time!

Mail Art Monday

Hello Crafty Friends!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Happy Mail Art Monday!

Today I want to share a super fun postcard I created for a friend.

I wanted something fun and bright, so I went with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

Stamps Used:

Plate 1508

This book belongs to

Library Return Dates

Library Return Card

Mad Hatter

Stars

I started with a 4x6 base for my postcard. I started by stamping the Mad Hatter in memento ink and masked it off. 

Next, I stamped return library card in watering can archival ink.  To add extra detail, I stamped library return dates, and "this book belongs to". 

Next, used my distress ink to add a gradient for my background colors. 

After removing my mask, I stamped my stars in cornflower blue. 

I used various markers and colored pencils to color my Mad Hatter. 

I also used a few flicks of black dylusions ink, and perfect pearls sprays to add a bit of grunge.

I hope you all like this postcard as much as I do. 

One for the books...

Hello crafty friends!

I hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Today, I want to share a super fun art journal page. I have this punched to go in a happy planner. I wanted something to record books I've read on.

Stamps used:

Aagar the emotional 

Paperclip

Library return dates

Library return card

I started with my blank art journal page, and stamped my dragon 1st in memento ink. (On a second piece of paper, I created a mask of the dragon)

With the dragon masked off, I stamped my library card. I masked off the 1st library card, and then stamped it a second time.

I used distress oxide ink to color my background and for the stenciling.

Next I should have stamped my library return dates, but I did this out of order so I had to remark everything.

With all the masks removed,  I used blick alcohol markers to color my dragon. I also used nuva glitter pen to add a little glitter.

I hope you all enjoy this page as much as I do.... now, to fill it with books.

What are you reading?

Awesome | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

It's Sue Plumb here to share my latest Viva Las VegaStamps design team project with you. Today I have a 12x12" mixed media scrapbook layout to share that features some new release library-themed stamps, as well as a few others from my stash.

I created this page to document some photos of my boys that I captured in a hospital waiting room one day, while they both practised their reading and writing skills.

I began my layout with a sheet of white cardstock, and a couple of pages torn from some old books. I collaged the pieces onto the cardstock, then applied acrylic paint over the top with a brayer to give the page more of an aged paper look. 

Once the paint had dried, I stamped the new Library Return Card stamp multiple times to define the focal area of my page where my photos were going to be placed.

I then used the This Book Belongs To: and the Library Return Dates stamps to add some extra interest and structure to my background. 

(These three stamps are all available together on plate #1508.)

With all that text in place, it was time to add a few images to my page. I used a series of dragon images (all with a book theme) designed by Brian Kesinger - Aagar the Emotional; Telkyn the Learned; and Vornii the Bookish. (These three stamps are all available together on plate #1499.)

I stamped the three dragons around my page to form a "visual triangle" around my photos. 

With all my background in place, it was time to add some papery layers to form a mat for my photos. Naturally, I turned again to book paper (a logical choice for this page, right?) 

I layered some torn pieces of paper, along with some brown paper, small white tags, and a large kraft tag that I had also stamped with the Library Return Card stamp. 

I stapled all the papers in place along with some frayed gauze, and then added my photos on top before turning my attention to adding some embellishments to finish off my page and tie it all together. 

In keeping with the reading theme of my page, I chose a handmade book paper star from Charms Creations, and tucked it under the right edge of my photo.

I added three wood veneer stars from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, layering one on top of the book paper star and using the other two to again form a "visual triangle". 

To the left of my photo I added a wood veneer arrow, and then below my photos the large awesome wood veneer piece for my page title (all from Cocoa Vanilla Studio). 

I added some simple handwritten journalling below my title using a felt pen, and my page was complete.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to get inky too!

Stamps used:

- Library Return Card

- This Book Belongs To:

- Library Return Dates

- Aagar the Emotional

- Telkyn the Learned

- Vornii the Bookish

Other materials:

- Bazzill cardstock

- Mont Marte acrylic paints

- Book paper, brown paper, gauze, tags

- Miracle Tape

- Tsukineko Staz On ink

- Cocoa Vanilla Studio wood veneer pieces

- Charms Creations handmade book paper star

- Felt pen