Enchanted - Quick bookmarks

 Hey everyone,

Today I'm sharing two bookmarks with you. No fancy techniques this time, even no coloring, just a little stamping to fill up my lunch break while I was working from home.

I must admit that I have been a little uncreative over the last month. Such more simple projects help me getting back to the crafting table. So if your muse went on vacation, this might be a way to get back into your creative flow.

Here's how I made the bookmarks:

I cut the two pieces of paper to a size of 7 x 2.5 inch and used a small corner chomper. For bookmarks I prefer having round corners. Then I stamped the goddess on one and the raven on the other tag, using Versafine Clair ink. The next stamp I used was the "enchanted" lettering along with a multi-colored embossing powder. This creates some nice interest on the bookmarks as it contrasts the other more neutral colors I used.

For a little visual texture I grabbed the lace background stamp as well as a writing stamp from the same plate. Fun fact: When I stamped the lace I was really dissatisfied with the look - lucky that changed once I added the other stamp over it.

I added some ink to the edges and some mettalic thread to the top and that's it.

 

Here are some more detail photos of the two bookmarks:

Stamps used:
Raven Looking Up (20269)
Whimsical Tree Lady Nude (19681)
Lace Background (19298)
French Writing Background (19297)
Enchanted (18823)


Other supplies:
- left over paper (watercolor paper, kraft cardstock)
- corner chomper
- Versafine Clair ink (nocturne)
- Versamark ink
- Archival ink (pebble beach, watering can)
- WOW! embossing powder - Seth Apter "space dust"
- thread or ribbon

Hope you like my project, even if it is such a simple one.

See you soon

 

Oh my Goddess!

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd try something new and did a wooden tag. It was fun to work on this new (to me) surface and I'm sharing my process with you today.

The tag I used is nearly 8 inches high and it also has a frame which is great to create some dimension. I started with a generous layer of heavy gesso on both parts. 

After the gesso was dry, I added some background stamps with Versamark ink as well as some Embossing powder to the tag. Spoiler alert: You don't see many details of these stamps on the finished tag, but it creates a pretty nice texture. 

Next, I got out a stencil and some light texture paste. With these I added texture to both, tag and frame. To bring in some color I sprayed the tag with Moon Shadow Mists and some of Lindy's Squirts. The heat embossed areas resist the paint. I wanted some more contrast between the tag base and the frame, so I used my fingers to color the inner edge with acrylic paint.

Time to choose a focal point. I stamped the Eastern Goddess and colored her with watercolor. I cut the image and used a marker to darken the cutting edges.

To create some more embellishments, I stamped the Writing Triangles on design paper, heat embossed them in black and also cut them out. On the same paper I stamped a quote: "Inhale the future. Exhalte the past."

I then started to assemble the tag. With matte gel I glued the frame to the base. I added my prepared paper elements, two metal leafs and sequins. As a final touch I added some ribbon to the hole at the top.

I'm happy how the tag turned out and hope you like it as much as I do. Here are some detail photos of my project:

Stamps used:
Texture Background (19570)
Bubble Wrap Texture (19566)
Writing Circles Background (19567)
Writing Triangles (19571)
Eastern Goddess (6010)
Inhale The Future (19892) 

Extra tip: the texture stamps I used can be found on plate 1455, one of my favorites.


Other materials:
- HDF tag with frame
- Heavy Gesso
- Light Modeling Paste
- Gel medium
- Ink Pads (Versamark and Versafine Onyx Black)
- Stencil (Finnabair Tapestry)
- Embossing Powders (WOW! Vintage Peacock; Ranger Black)
- Moon Shadow Mists from Lindy's Stamp Gang (Smoky Sapphire, Buccaneer Bay Blue, Treasure Island Aqua)
- Lindy's Gang Squirt (Loonie Toonie Teal)
- Acrylic Paint (Paynes Grey)
- Design Paper
- Metal embellishments, sequins, ribbon


See you soon!

Causing a Scene

Hello VLVS fans!  Mercy here and I am super excited to share my new experiment.  While I have definitely used tissue paper in my craft projects in the past, I haven’t actually stamped directly on it. Being in the experimental mood, I thought I’d use the Whimsical Tree Lady as my focus image for this altered hoop design, and see where it went from there.

My idea was to layer the tissue paper across several inked layers, like a paper mâché meets soft fabric, with the image laying on the top tissue paper layer.  The result was a quilted pillow like surface that easily fits a small embroidery hoop frame.

Supplies:

Whimsical Tree Lady Nude SKU 19681

Black Archival Ink

Dylusions  (or any brand) Yellow-Orange Watercolor Ink

Small 3” round wooden embroidery hoop

Copper Wax Paste

Several sheets of white Tissue Paper

White Butterfly Brad from Eyelet Outlet

Leaf Pins (I had these in my stash)

Die cut flowers

Yellow pearl embellishments

Clear Glue

Tim Holtz Saying

Instructions:

1.  First, I took a sheet of white tissue paper and folded it down into a rough 6X6 stack.  There were about four layers that I used for the base and I sprayed the top with Dylusions Yellow-Orange Ink in the center, allowing the ink to seep down and spread, it was set aside to dry.  Taking a small scrap of white tissue paper and permanent black ink, the Tree Goddess was stamped, allowed to dry, then fussy cut out.
2.  Using clear glue, pour a generous amount onto the center of the yellow inked stacked paper, spreading the glue out thinly.  Once spread, layer the stamped image across it, carefully flattening the stamped image and making sure there are no air bubbles, folds or excess clear glue underneath it.  Allow to dry.
3. While the tissue paper is drying, gently rub some of the copper wax paste around both sections of the embroidery loop. Wipe off all excess wax so that it doesn’t stain or come off.  Get out your trusty small flower dies (or whatever flowers you have on hand that complement the color theme) and color in varying shades of blue to pop off the yellow-orange inks.
4. Place the dried inked and glued tissue paper centered into the wooden frame. Carefully adjust for best presentation and tighten screws to hold everything taut.  Once in, take saying from Tim Holtz stickers, cut and place beside the stamped image.  Once glued down straight, arrange colored flowers and butterfly brad within the circle, then glue or punch down.  Add yellow pearls to the centers of the flowers, and pin through the tissue paper outside of the frame with the leaf pins.
5. More embellishments can be added as well as distressing the tissue paper outside of the frame.  I decided to keep this one simple, celebrating the sentiment and the lovely stamp celebrating nature and woman. 

Hope you enjoyed this and it gives you some encouragement to stamp on different types of papers.

The Inner Workings of the Goddess

 This tag, for me, was created through pure whimsy!  The tag is embossed with gears and gadgets and colored with distress inks.  I stamped the dancing Eastern Goddess on Kromecote paper and embossed using Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.  I stamped text using letter set from the December Plate 1430.  Finally, a bit of color using Copic markers was added to the Goddess along with some fibers at the top and bottom fringe.

GODDESS SPARKLE

OK I am going to say I had SO much fun making this. I was so inspired by the awesome and crazy Mark Montano, he put up a tutorial on altered cans. Hmmmmm, my wheels starting turning....I am starting a new job Monday, Its with the same company BUT its a new job.
So i wanted to create something pretty to put on my desk.
ARE YOU READY?

What FUN!

Close up

DON'T EVER LET ANYONE DULL YOUR SPARKLE

So lets get started:
SIDE NOTE: The first stamp " Listening Hearts Hear Angels Sing" is not a Viva LasVegaStamp, however it is on their site under other companies.

The "DONT LET ANYONE EVER DULL YOUR SPARKLE."
The stamp can be located HERE
For my 2nd Post of January I will showcasing the same stamp, but HEY! its the most awesome stamp.

Here is VIVA LAS VEGASTAMPS website and see for yourself all the other awesome sayings.

SUPPLIES:
1. Rinsed out soup can. Or any other can you have, drink mix can, vegetable can.
2. Rubber stamp of your CHOICE.
3. I selected favorite poems that spoke to me.
4. PaperFlowers
5. Ribbons
6. Brads
7. Inks,Sprays or Paints you love. I used twinkling H2o's and Radiant pearls and some Mica Mixers
(FYI- Here is a tutorial on how to make the ALTERED PAPERFLOWER.)
8.MIRACLE TAPE
9. Scrapbook Paper
10. Embellishments: Charms, buttons,glitter etc
11. Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks
INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Select your pretty Scrapbook Paper. Cut it to fit around the can. Put Miracle tape on the backside of the paper, i put it one the entire piece. Thats what I LOVE about Miracle Tape, it comes in Sheets!
At this point make your Altered PaperFlowers and let them dry.
2. Attach it around the outside of your can. The inside of my can, I put a few drops of Alcohol Inks in there and let it swish around. Mark Montano spray painted his.
3. I then selected poems, there was two that really spoke to me, because I am careful with copyrights, I also cut out the author of the poem and put it with the poem. I used Miracle Tape to put these on the can.
It sounds super easy and it is, placement took me forever as to me composition is very important to a piece, it has to be pleasing to my eye.
4.Stamp your sentiments on a piece of Scrapbook Paper. Attach to the top and each side of the can.
5. Now its time to use your sprays and inks or really whatever you want to use.
I chose my color scheme and just started spraying. It didn't think, i just wanted color, i wanted sparkle. I wanted this to inspire me at my new job.
6. I attached my flowers, and used some pretty ribbon to highlight the flower. Its ALL in the details, the brads in the middle of the flowers match and then it seems a little dark to me, SO i chose some green ribbon to compliment the purple.
IT'S SO PRETTY!
FYI- Anytime i accidently misjudged the tape and it hung over so therefore it was a sticky place on my art, just sprinkle some glitter.
7. Well if you have ever worked in an office, you know how easy pencils and pens walk off a desk. SO hmmmfph NO ONE is going to get away with taking my pencils LOL I even decorated them!!!!
8. REMEMBER TO MAKE IT YOURS, USE THOSE BUTTONS, CHARMS, BRADS , YOU HAVE BEEN SAVING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. BECAUSE YOU ARE SPECIAL!
My desk is going to look so Sparkily Goddess Love Shiney Glittery, its going to be full of great energy.

Take care my art friends.
I SO love all the inspiration on this blog. I don't comment like I should, I am a rebel sometimes, I don't mean to it just happens, But I admire each of you.
SO this is dedicated to ALL of you. And the poem I used on my can is located here, Let me know if it speaks to you, as much as it did to me
I AM BECOMING BY JAYNE RELAFORD BROWN

L.
ANg