Halloween tags with witch and death moth

Hey everyone,

just two days until Halloween, so of course I have another inspiration project for this. Today I want to share these two tags. I know, it might be a bit hard to see on the photo, but guess which material I used as a base?

... it's foil! Windmill foil to be exact.

I cut my two tags from the foil and colored them with alcohol inks and some blending solution. I worked on them as long as I was happy with the look.

 While they were drying, I stamped and cut two focal points - the witch with her broom and the death moth - on watercolor paper. I left a white boarder around both images. I usually don't do that, but I thought they needed a little more contrast to stand out against my colorful tags. Bonus: it made the cutting much easier. ;-)

To add more interest I chose a chipboard element for each tag and heatembossed it - my favorite thing to do with chipboard.

As my backgrounds have dried in the meantime, I could work a little more on them. I decided to turn the tag around and stamp on the smoother side without the alcohol ink. For stamping I used a white Stazeon ink which works really well on foil. I stamped the row of chakras as well as part of the tree stamp on the red tag and two different skulls and the branch antlers on the blue one. The tree and the antlers both create a similar look when you just stamp parts of it, but I wanted to give you double the inspiration. 

I finished the tags by glueing the chipboard pieces, the cutout images and a lot of thread on them and added one of the Tim Holtz stickers on each.

I haven't had my alcohol inks for a while now, but it was fun playing with them on the foil. And of course there are some cool possibilities of using foil tags for decoration such as placing them in front of an electric candle.

Stamps used:
Witch Holding Broom (19705)
Death Moth (20056)
Weathered Tree (19467)
Realistic Skull (19724)
Branch Antlers Set of 2 by Cat Kerr (20147)
The Head Figure by Cat Kerr (20138)
Chakras (20246)

Other material:
- windmill foil
- watercolor paper
- Versaclaire Ink (nocturne)
- Stazon ink (opaque cotton white)
- Ranger alcohol inks + blending solution
    red tag: sunset orange, purple twilight, wild plum
    blue tag: denim, turquoise, raspberry
    on both: pitch black
- Scrapiniec chipboard elements (spiderweb 4967, boarder 4614)
- Embossing powder (Lindy's Gang - chalk it up)
- black and white thread

See you soon & happy Halloween!

Moths outside of the Closet

Hello Viva Las Vegas Stampers!  Do you have a bunch of alcohol inked random backgrounds laying around, waiting for some attention?  After watching a few Youtube videos, I made a bunch of these standard postcard sized backgrounds (A6 card - Dimensions: 4.5" x 5.75" ) using alcohol ink and rubbing alcohol. Just had a ball mixing all the different colors I had.  For this example, I used my purple, orange and red background.

Supplies:

Deathhead Moth 20056
Black Permanent Ink
Alcohol Inks -- red, orange & purple
White Pigment Ink
Sponge
Rubbing Alcohol [91% alcohol or higher content]
Watercolor Paper cut into A6 card - Dimensions: 4.5" x 5.75"
Flat White Card stock, smooth surface
Colored pencils
Scissors
Sewing Machine with pink thread (optional)
Foam Mounting Tape
Distress Oxide - Fossilized Amber and Wilted Violet
Tim Holtz Stencil - Mesh THS041
Tim Holtz Small Talk Stickers

Instructions:

1. Create background by laying down rubbing alcohol, then put a few droplets from your three alcohol inks randomly across the watercolor background paper.  Blend inks by rolling the inks across the paper sub-straight. Add more alcohol or inks if you need to cover your white watercolor paper.  Once you are happy with the coverage, allow to dry (can use heat to dry).

2. Stamp in permanent black ink onto the flat white card stock the Deathhead Moth three times.  Color them in using muted natural colors.  Fussy cut them out and set aside.

 

3. Stamp in permanent black ink onto the background water colored paper. 

4. Taking a sponge and the white pigment ink, dab the sponge into the white pigment ink, then tap onto the background water colored paper.  I used a circular type sponge and lightly dusted the background with white for a faded bubble-like colored sponging. Allow to dry.

 

5. If you have a sewing machine, sew back and forth, in crazy swirling, intersecting lines with a dark pink or whatever color you have on hand.  The threads should eventually frame the edges of the card.

 

6. Taking Distress Oxides and your stencil, layer on the yellow and purple across your stencil.

 

7. Once all dry, mount the fussy cut, colored moths using double-stick mounting tape over your previously black stamped images. The previously stamped moths should act like a drop shadow.

 

9. Add a saying or sticker phrase. Done and ready to display or give to someone.

You will stay with me forever

Hello) Nataliya is here, and  this is my new work, with little story about love...maybe...

- Where are you?
- You know I can't stay ...
- But I love you!
- I can't ...
- I saved you!
- We're from different worlds ... goodbye ...
- No, nonononono! You will stay with me forever!

And some details. I colored the Butterfly Lady with watercolor:

For tin decorating I used texture paste, acrilic paint & alcohol ink (and lace):

Have a nice day!

It's a bird...its a plane...its another Domino book!

Today's project I made another Domino book. This one was so fun to make.

I used Sunshine Yellow and purple twilight Alcohol inks on the dominoes  I then stamped the brick background stamp with Black Memento ink pad. Yes,I know I should of used Stazon, but I don't have it. So, I used what I have. The edges I used my Heat and Stick embossing powder and some metallic flakes that I had in my stash for years. I stamped the superman standing image on white cardstock and black Memento ink pad. Colored him with Prisma color pencils. Glued him down on the domino and then glossy accented the domino (along with the second domino.) I also Glossy accent the sides of the domino. I took some May Arts trim that was white and colored it with some purple spray. I glued it to each domino. 

Now its time for the inside of the book. I took a piece of white cardstock cut it about 2 inches wide and 9 inches long and scored it at every 7/8ths. You should have 10 sections. But I never do, not a math wiz. lol

I took The Salted Ocean distress ink pad and sponged the color all over the paper to make it look like a sky. I stamped everything with black archival ink pad. I first stamped the Whimsical clouds. I then stamped the Whimsical trees and houses just for placement. On white cardstock I stamped the Whimsical trees and houses. I colored everything with color pencils. I also added some Glossy Accents to parts of the trees and houses. I cut them out and used foam squares to attach them to the pages. I then stamped Superman Flying and colored him in. I then stamped the Sentiment "all my Heroes where their underwear on the outside." and cut the words apart and glued them to the pages. Love how this turned out!

When everything was done. I used Miracle tape and glossy accents to attached the inside of the book to the domino covers. When dried I tied the trim in bows to close the book.

stamps used

Superman standing

Superman flying

Whimsical clouds

Whimsical tree 1

Whimsical tree 2

Whimsical tree 3

Whimsical house 1

Whimsical house 2

Brick background

All my heroes

Items used

Miracle Tape

May Arts trim

Dominoes

Alcohol inks

Black Memento ink pad

Black archival ink pad

Glossy accents

heat and stick embossing powder

metallic flakes

Prisma color pencils

spray to color trim 

Altered Domino book

I was inspired making this altered domino book after I saw it on the Artfully Musing blog. It is very easy to make. Even for me the measuring challenge. And it was fun to make too.

I took 2 domino and alcohol inked them up. Colors I used were sail boat blue, denim  and the silver mixative. There was a little bit o raisin alcohol ink in there too. I stamped the small Banner stamp on Kromecote, I used a blue Crayola maker. Because the crayola marker is water base, it is easy to clean the stamp. I cut out the banner and used glossy accents to glue it to the domino. I then covered both Dominoes with glossy accents. I noticed that the alcohol ink was coming off the domino after a while and this will prevent that to happen. I did 2 coats of Glossy Accents on the front. While that was drying I stamped the jump roping girl on white cardstock and colored her with Bic Mark-it markers. I cut her out and used pop dots and a little bit of glossy accents to attach her to the front domino. The bottom of the dominoes I added 2 hitch posts on both dominoes.

I then glued some trim from May Arts. I took the piece of the black trim folded it half so I know where to cut. I took each half and glued them to a domino. This is how the book closes, you tie both ends of the trim together.

The book part itself is 1 piece of 1 7/8 by 9 piece of cardstock and I scored it at about 7/8 increments. The back of the book I took a scrap of scrapbook paper and trimmed it down to the sizes of the book and then used Miracle tape to attach them tot he back cardstock.

The front of the pages I took  a strip of the Kromecote that I cut to about the same size of the black card stock. I took the 4 colors of alcohol ink that I used on the domino and used it on the kromoecote. A drop of alcohol ink and a spritz of can air. I then took the bigger banner and a couple of the sentiments from plate 918 and stamped on the Kromecote. After that I cut the Kromecote to size and attached them to the black cardstock with Miracle tape. I stamped the little boy on cardstock and colored him with Prismas color pencils. Cut him out and attached him on the the Kromoecote. I used Miracle tape and Glossy accents(to make sure the paper stays put to the Domino) to attach each side of the book to a domino.

Stamps used
Plate 918
jump rope girl

Items used
Kromecote
Miracle tape
glossy accents
Black Memento ink pad
Bic Markers
crayola marker
white card stock
black cardstock
Dominos
Tim Holtz hitch posts
prisma color pencils
Alcohol inks
can of air
score board

A day in a life of a cat

When I first learned I made it to the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design team, I started making a couple of cards, just to have on hand in case my mind went creatively blank. Luckily that hasn't happened. :) But I thought I show you the card I did.

I had some some photo paper that I had used alcohol inked backgrounds on. On white cardstock I stamped the 2 cats in black memento ink. colored the Crayon Kitty with prisma pencils.I then stamped the Excerpt from the diary of a cat on to the background but it smudge when stamping. after a panic moment, I stamped it on a piece of white cardstock. in black memento ink pad. All peices were attached the the background with Miracle tape. And attached to a black card base.

Items used:

Black cardstock

photo paper

alcohol ink

white cardstock

black memento ink pad

color pencils

Miracle tape

Stamps used:

Crayon Kitty

cat sprawl

Excerpt from the diary of a cat day 751

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

Out of this World...Terrier in Space!!!

Happy Monday at Viva Las Vegastamps!!! Susan here to share a project using Viva Las Vegastamps! and a technique using alcohol inks on Kromecote glossy cardstock.

For this technique, alcohol ink is applied using a recycled plastic gift card. This gives broad swatches of color in a sweeping fashion. 

I thought this technique would be a good compliment to the Moon Planets and Spaceship #18016 stamp.

   

For my card I am also using Terrier Dog in Space #4241 and the quote "I have no one to blame but the aliens" #14908.

**A NOTE** Be careful when handling Kromecoat. Your fingerprints will act as a resist to ink on this glossy surface.

For this technique, I applied a stripe of alcohol ink along length of a recycled plastic gift card. Then apply swatches of color in a sweeping fashion onto the Kromecote glossy cardstock. This gives a distressed and random effect when ink is applied and dries instantly.

The first color of alcohol ink applies is "Stream".

The second layer of color applied is "Stonewashed".

The third layer of color applied is "Eggplant".

The fourth layer of color added is "Butterscotch".

The last color applied around perimeter is "Currant".

In applying, you want to play around with this technique. If you apply too much alcohol ink in an area, it will remove color already applied. I found it was best to add additional colors in smaller swatches. This really makes a nice background to go with my space theme.

I also painted a piece of Kromecote with "Silver"

alcohol ink to stamp the terrier.

I stamped images onto the painted papers using black Staz-On ink. I fussy cut out the terrier so he will be "Lost in Space". I darkened edges by smudging with black dye ink and heat set. To finish, I matted background and quote in blue cardstock on a royal blue card base and hand-colored details in the terrier with my Ranger Distress Markers. 

Presenting "Terrier in Space!!!"

Thanks so much for dropping by today! Make sure you subscribe to the VLVS Blog - because Viva Las Vegastamps! has creative posts every day!!! Don't forget to check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - loads of new stamps have just been added. 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 on July 23rd. Hope you have an inky day! Sb

Don't ever loose your sparkle.

Tomorrow is the Viva Las Vegastamps! Link Up! Blog Up! at Viva Las Vegastamps! blog, featuring the images by Mary Vogel Lozinak. I have been having so much fun using her images! Here is a little taste of what is to come for the blog hop!

Today My project is a canvas. Its 5 x 7 flat board canvas, That I got at Blick's. The first layer is a napkin. Napkins are so fun to play with and come in so many fun designs! I took the plain white layer off revealing the pattern. Most cases napkins come in 2 ply but some times they are 3 ply. So be sure to check before gluing down, otherwise the top layer,the pattern, will not be glued down to what ever you are gluing to. I glued the napkin using matte medium. "or you can use modge podge in matte.

After that dried I took some Alcohol inks in Watermelon, Sail boat Blue, and Citrus and dripped some of each color along the top edge of the canvas. Then I took a little spritz bottle that had some 91% rubbing alcohol in it. Then spritz some of that on the canvas causing the inks to run down and dripped. I moved the canvas around and added some more and did the same thing, til I was happy with what I saw. I learned this technique from one of my online friends, Barb. the I let the canvas dry.

I took a tree mask that was given on a RAK. I Sponged some gesso around the tree. i placed the ask in a couple of places, but I didn't like it. so, i put the mask back to where I first placed it and put gesso around the whole thing. That's what fun about playing with canvas. If you don't like something, or you mess up, you just paint or gesso over it. :) I kept the mask on where it was and did a layer of yellow craft paint. After that dried I used a little bit of yellow StarBright paint with a pallet knife and then wiped it around the canvas. It left a nice glittery effect. Of course its a pain to photograph with the glitter. :/ but it looks great in person! Here it is when the background is all done!

No matter how many times I took pictures of this I could never capture what it looked like in real life. but this shot is the closest I got! You can see the napkin I used in the tree. and some of the alcohol inks I used too.  

Now time to add the focal point to the canvas. I chose the peacock from plate 1398. I stamped him on tissue paper with Black Versafine ink pad. stamping with Versafine shows the fine details in this fab stamp!I glued it to the canvas using matte medium, careful not to tear the tissue. I then stamped on white cardstock the sentiment that is also on the same plate "Don't let anyone ever dull your sparkle." I thought it went great with the all the sparkle from the glitter paint. I cut apart the sentiment and glued the pieces down with Glossy Accents.  

I LOVE how this canvas turned out. I did take a little dab of craft paint and watered it down and with my finger painted over the image so that the white of the tissue didn't stand out so much. I know the pictures can not show the sparkle or the colors too well. I've been taking tons of picture of this piece in both day light and        

well...not night light. lol but more when the sun goes down and all is on is a bedroom light. And playing with the camera settings. Its been driving me insane! I really need to make a light box. :P 

Products used:

5x7 canvas

stencil

napkin

craft paint

alcohol inks

tissue paper

Stamps by Mary Vogel Lozinak plate 1389

So if you like this project using Mary Vogel Lozinak be sure to join us for the Link Up! Blog Hop! This weekend! At Viva Las Vegastamps! blog