A Place for Creative Ideas...

Hello everyone! Susan here with a special project combining Viva Las VegaStamps! with Art Anthology. All week we have teamed up with Art Anthology to bring you tons of inspirational creations. Have you been checking in each day to see all the artsy goodness?

So you don't miss anything please be sure you check out these links:

For Viva Las VegaStamps!

Website: http://www.vlvstamps.com/index.php/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vlvstamps

Blog: http://vivalas.blogspot.com/

For Art Anthology

Art Anthology's Website: www.artanthologyinc.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Anthology/392413134139071

Blog: www.artanthologyinc.com/blog

Since Earth Day is this week, I have decided to decorate this journal that came to my husband as a goodie from the car dealership. It's a blank book, with lined pages – perfect for jotting down ideas and things to remember... BUT it's not me. Enter Art Anthology Gemstones ~ Dimensional Paint in Emerald and Flourite and Colorations Spray in Wild Orchid along with my stash of VLVS! to decorate this journal in my favorite color PURPLE and also to disguise it from the hubs {so he doesn't realize I swiped this out of the recycling bin - LOL}.

In the process of creating my monoprinted backgrounds - I discovered the Art Anthology Gemstones ~ Dimensional Paint works great for a resist technique. Here's what I did...

I started with my Amazing DIY No-Gelatin Printing Plate and set out to make some monoprinted backgrounds using the Gemstones ~ Dimensional Paint. I went with the Emerald first and placed some onto my surface and spread out evenly with a brayer. **A note** When monoprinting you have to work quickly with this paint as it dries quickly. I pressed the "Harlequin Diamond Background #18920" stamp into the wet paint and pulled back making a reverse image. I quickly placed the stamp onto another paper to remove the paint and pressed a paper onto my rubber slab to pick up the design.

This is my first pull from the Art Anthology Gemstones ~ Dimensional Paint in Emerald.

 

There was some leftover paint that dried on the plate, but that's OK. I then sprayed the Art Anthology Colorations Spray in Wild Orchid and swiped the print into the beads of color. I blotted away any excess spray from the green painted areas with a paper towel. 

 

Photo on left is full resist background and on right is an up-close detail.

The texture and color is yummy!

How about another! I blotted off the remaining mist onto a blank paper {nothing goes to waste} and applied some of the Art Anthology Gemstones ~ Dimensional Paint in Flourite and spread out with my brayer, then repeated my steps. 

 

This one is even better!!! Some of the Emerald that was dried on the plate was picked up in this second pulled print. I love the contrast of the monochromatic resist - this will be for the front of my notebook.

I trimmed each to fit and adhered to my cover using Miracle Sheets - makes altering notebooks quick and easy. Using a small paintbrush I added some of the Flourite around the edges to distress and get rid of the white edges... really I just wanted to get my fingers all purple. Now I'm ready for a little inky embellishing with some fun stamps!

"A Place for Creative Ideas"

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

From Viva Las VegaStamps:

"Harlequin Diamond Background" #18920

"Pure Imagination" #19041

"Ferris Wheel" #16038

"Bee Hung Up" #19164

"London Skyline" #10597

"Triangle Banner" #19043

"Chevron Banner" #19042

Miracle Sheets

StazOn Jet Black Ink

From Art Anthology:

Gemstones ~ Dimensional Paint in Emerald and Flourite

Colorations Spray in Wild Orchid

Other Supplies: white cardstock; recycled notebook; scissors; paper trimmer; small paintbrush; Sakura of America Gelly Roll® Stardust® Pen; and pencil.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Thanks so much for dropping by! Don't forget about the April inspiration board... there's still time to join us and play along with the April inspiration challenge {CLICK HERE for details}. Just make a creation using the inspiration above and your stash of VLVS! stamps... you could win more RUBBER!

If you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. Hope you have a fabulous day!!  Sb

Sm;)e.

Hello!!  Mary here with some fun inspiration for this month's challenge.

I decided to create a fun summertime journal!  It's perfect for scrapping a few summer photos, jotting down my musings and holding all those bits and bobs of goodness I just need to keep.

As you can see, I took the color palette quite literally!  I sprayed a bright yellow and also a teal Lindy's Stamp Gang spray mist  and a whole lotta water onto some watercolor paper.  When it was completely dry, I finger painted white paint here and there to give the illusion of clouds and soften it up a bit.

Then, I stamped the 3 Women in Tubes image in StazOn jet black ink as a focal image.  I then stamped the sm;)e image repeatedly in the same ink.  I love that it serves as my title and adds such lovely texture, as well.

Finally, I stitched a vellum sun, a border and some pretty blue seam binding down.  The seam binding started it's life in white.  I cut three lengths and gradually added more of the same Lindy's teal spray to achieve a pretty ombre water effect.  A few sequins for some sparkle and I'm ready to play!

Needless to say, I was super inspired by this months mood board!  I LOVE my book and can't wait to spend the summer filling her up :-)  I hope you've found a little inspiration today, as well.

Thanks for stopping by!

xx Mary

Tropical Dream Journal

Hello stampers! It's Amy here today, to share a journal I created to contain all of my hopes, dreams, and future plans. Because I hope beyond hope that my future means living in Hawaii, I created the cover of this book with tropical flair.

I started by taking an old paperback children's book and covering it with a thick layer of gesso. When it was dry, I put little drips of acrylic paints in tropical colors all along the book, and went over them with a brayer.

When the paint was dry, I stamped the background using the Map Background 4 1/2 x 4 3/4 using Momento Ink in Tuxedo Black . I then layered up some scrap papers (7 Dots Studio and vintage book pages) to create a palm tree trunk (using miracle tape), and a bit for layers along the side.

I colored on the Fancy Grass/Weeds stamp, using Copic markers in mistletoe and burnt sienna, stamped them onto a library card, and fussy cut them out. I then layered them onto the base of the "tree trunk." When that was complete, I stamped the Anchor 1 1/2x2 with the black Momento ink, and fussy cut it out as well.

I created the palm fronds, by cutting cheesecloth, and spraying it with Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Mint until it was saturated. When it was try, I arranged it to create the top of the tree, and added two brown buttons from my stash, as coconuts!
Adding the adventure awaits sentiment (stamped onto a library card), a few stamped Stars, and 7 Dots Studio alpha stickers spelling out "Dream"; as well as some UmWowStudio chipboard, completed my book cover.

This was a fun, quick, and exciting project to create, and it gives me a place to journal my dreams......which is an added bonus!

Thanks so much for joining me today, and I hope I inspired you to get inky!

Supplies Used:
Viva Las VegaStamps!: Map Background, Stars, Adventure Awaits, Anchor, Fancy Grass/Weeds.
Ink: Tsukeinko Momento, Tuxedo Black; Copic Marker, burnt sienna, mistletoe
Paper: 7 Dots Studio
Chipboard: UmWowStudio

Come to the Greatest Show On Earth!

An indexed journal book is a great substrate for VLVS circus images!  Remove "Under The Big Top," or elephant and add a personal pic from when your family attended the circus.  Makes a wonderful scrapbook page.

VLVS Images:
19190 - Admit One Ticket
19193 - Bulls Eye Target Open
19196 - Bulls Eye Target Solid
19195- Circus Lady
19199- Greatest Show On Earth
19200 - Under The Big Top
19219 - Whimsical Elephant
979 - Design solid Circles

VLVS Partners:
Sakura of America - Cray Pas Expressionist Oil Pastels, Moonglow Gelly Roll Pens
UMWow Studios - Chipboard Banners

The first thing I did was create the background.  There is a subliminal orange and creamy orange jacquard-like background.  I stamped the dots and the bulls eye images.   For the dots, do not ink up the whole stamp, just part to give a more natural look.  Edges distressed slightly.

The picture above is my playing with how I might want the finished layout to look.  Things usually change as I work on my art.  Notice, I changed the "Big Top" word placement with "The Greatest Show" word placement.

Each image is colored using oil pastels colored on plastic (An old CD works well for this) and use odorless mineral spirits to create a more watercolor look.  The Gelly Roll pens add pops of color for contrast.  A couple colors of Copic pens also used to finish off the design.

Here is a close up of how I colored the Chipboard banner pieces.  Instead of picking up color from the CD, I colored full strength with the oil pastel on the chipboard and softened with mineral spirits brushed on top.  It would be fun to go further and layer maybe another patterned chipboard shape over the solid - i.e. the orange striped piece over the solid blue.

This is how the page looks standing up in the journal.  The left side could be where you scrapbook or journal words about your memories of going to the circus as a child or with your children.

We all love the Big Top, afterall; it is The Greatest Show On Earth!!!


Cre8tivelea Yours - Lea

Helmar & VLVS! Inspiration {Susan & Hermine}

Well folks, this is wrapping up our final day with Helmar, and we're so full of ideas after our week long celebration!

Today we're ending with a bang and I'm super excited to show you two projects...

The first by Susan with this AWESOME cake!

She has put together this cake with some recycled ribbon spools and the following stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps! : Cat Jumping, Party Streamers, Washi Lines Background, Large Doily, and Celebrate. She's also done a great job utilizing the extensive line of adhesives from Helmar including 450 Quick Dry, Craft and Hobby PVA, Craft and Decoupage Paste, Fabric Glue and Scrap Dots.

And rounding out our week have Hermine:

For the front cover of her journal she has used the Swirl, Washi Grid BG, Be Adorable, Blowing Dandelion and Wheeled Jester from Viva Las VegaStamps!. She's also utilized the PVA glue and Decoupage paste from Helmar. She has taken the time to stamp on all the inside pages as well, for a full reveal and a tutorial on the front please head over to Hermine's Blog. 

And for our last scoot n boogie, please visit Helmar for some more inspiration!

Don't dull your sparkle altered coaster

Hi again! Today I'm going to show you another piece I submitted to Rubber Stamp Madness for the Spring 2013 issue. And again it didn't make the cut.

I took a $1 coaster from Micheal's and glued some napkins to it to give some tooth for when I added layers to it. Once it was dried I added some gesso. Next I added some layers of different shades of green craft paints. I used a stencil with a lighter green. You can also see some punchenllia too. I also added some Star Bright paint. I put some on with a pallet knife, then with a paper town wiped it off. Leaving the sparkle and not the yellow color.

On tissue paper I stamped the Many Legged lady with Black Versafine ink pad. Glued it on with matte medium. When that was dried I took one of the lighter greens put some on my craft mat and spritz some water and with my finger put some of it over the tissue to try to blend it in more. I stamped the Don't let anyone ever dull your sparkle on white cardstock. I cut the words apart and glued them with glossy accents. I then took a water brushed and Crushed Olive distress ink pad and painted the words. I edged the coaster with black craft paint.

When I got the coaster back, I deiced to make a junk journal with it. I gathered some of my papers and make a little journal with it.

Stamps used 

Many Legged lady

Don't let anyone

Items used

Coaster

matte medium

tissue paper

white cardstock

Versafine black ink pad

Memento ink pad

Crushed olive distress ink pad

water brush

stencils

punchenllia

craft paints

Star bright paint

crop-a-dile

assorted papers for journal

2 binder rings

glossy accents

My VLVS! Christmas Smash Journal!

What is a smash journal? If you don't have time to  scrapbook pages of everyday life this is a fun way to keep the memories. Especially during the month of December, with so much happening we barely have time to breathe. For my December post I am starting a smash book! Use any book... it can be blank, lined, have pictures (mine is a school composition book). A place I can glue mementos from life this month. So many things happen and so little time to capture them on paper, random thoughts can be jotted down, bits and pieces of each day. You can make your smash book with a theme or just everyday life. This particular book will be a book for the month of December 2012.

Cut pattern paper, distress with ink and glue paper to the cover of the book. Repeat on the back and inside covers. On the front stamp the VLVS! Steampunk Christmas Tree and VLVS! Happy Holidays. Heat emboss with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. May Arts Leather is tied around the spine. Add 2012 Thickers and Scrabble pieces with a quick dry glue.

With quick dry glue add locking washers to the tree and trim with Stickles, add Gem and large key.

Now the book is ready to start adding my memories of the month. be sure to use scraps of pattern paper to cover the white pages!!!!  Have FUN.

My first page is a memory page for the Advent Calendar I made for Day 4 of the Week of Inspiration for VLVS! in November using Plate 1430 the December Daily. This month I am sharing each ornament in my Count Down to Christmas on my BLOG HERE!

The background paper for this page is a lovely holiday paper bag I couldn't resist using. On the edge I have added some May Arts Ribbon

Add: pictures, receipts, quotes, things people say, a thought that may trigger a story later, do some stamping, make lists. Anything and everything goes in a smash book. ENJOY!

Supplies:
Composition Book
VLVS! Miracle Tape
VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder
VLVS! Steampunk Christmas Tree Stamp
VLVS! Happy Holidays Stamp
May Arts Ribbon
May Arts Leather
Stickles
Locking Washers from the hardware store
Game Peices-Scrabble
Bakers Twine
Red Thickers
Key K&Company
Large Gem
Glue
Pattern Paper-Tim Holtz All Seasons
Brown Momento Ink
Black VersaFine Ink

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Stamp eight different ways with Birgit Koopsen!

I know it's been a while but this month I bring back to you the Guest Designer feature.. with a big KAPOW!!! Introducing Birgit Koopsen:

I'll let Birgit take it over from here:
Hi! My name is Birgit Koopsen. I'm married to Erik and mom of 3 beautiful kids. I live in a little village called Winsum in the north of the Netherlands.

I started scrapbooking officially when my youngest child was one year old, in 2003, but actually I've been doing it since I was a teenager. I always enjoyed photography and "pimped" my photo albums, just didn't know there was a name for it and special products. I love how scrapbooking keeps all the beautiful memories of special events and everyday life alive. Especially for my children! But I also love the creative outlet it gives me! I just love to get my hands dirty! Be creative, play, experiment! I love color! Bright, happy and bold colors are my favorites to work with. Lime Green, turquoise, pink, orange, yellow and red. My style goes from clean and geometric to “busy” layouts with lots of details and colors, I  love to play with paints and inks and use non-scrapbooking products! In the last few years I fell in love with mixed media and I very much enjoy creating “off-the-page” projects like canvasses and Art Journal style mini albums.In the last 8 years scrapbooking slowly turned into a job. I teach and demonstrate in my own studio at home as well as in scrapbook stores and at (international) scrapbook events, shows and conventions. Also I do freelance work for magazines. I was given the privilege to work on a couple of wonderful DT’s like in the past for Infocrea, MyStampBOX and until last year Prima. Currently I’m a DT-member for Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, a certified Tattered Angels Designer, an endorsed educator for WOW! Embossing Powders and designing for Sizzix.

You can find more of my work on my blog: www.birgitkoopsen.nl, on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Birgit.Koopsen, on Twitter: @BirgitKoopsen and on Instagram: birgitkoopsen. I would love to see you there!

And here is the project I would like to share with you today a mini art journal:

1 stamp – 8 techniques

I  took 1 stamp and used it with 8 different techniques. You can find the stamp I used here!

To create the cover I stamped the image with Versamark and added WOW! Bonding Powder. When you heat the powder it turns into a hot glue and you can add Fab Foil (also from WOW!). Rub it, let it cool down and then carefully remove the foil. You now have a shiny stamped image. I colored in the open spaces using Faber Castel Gelatos and a water brush.

I didn’t throw away the negative left over piece of foil but covered a tag completely with Versmark and bonding powder. Then I added the left over foil.

To create the black and white shipping tag I just stamped with black Stazon and colored the flowers with a white pen.

The next page was stamped with Versamark and colored with PanPastel. The PanPastel gets a darker color in the places where the Versamark is.

For this page I stamped with Versmark and then embossed the image with white embossing powder. The embossed image creates a resist for water based spray paints. The image was spray painted with several colors of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.

For this colorful page I colored directly on the stamp with Faber Castel Gelatos, sprayed it with water and then stamped on white cardstock.

To create this page I first colored a piece of white cardstock with Ecoline (water color ink). I covered the stamp with a very thin layer of blue Ecoline using a brush and then stamped it on the colored cardstock.

This little tag was also created using Ecoline, only this time there is a layer of gesso underneath the pink. If you now stamp with another color of Ecoline the original color will be “pushed away” and leaf you with a water colored look.

I hope you like my little project and that you got inspired to get out one stamp, a lot of different mediums and experiment on all the different looks you can accomplish with only that one image!

Thank you for stopping by today and a big thank you to DeeDee for inviting me to guest design for VivaLasVegaStamps!

Wishing you all a wonderful day! Happy Stamping!

Love, 

Birgit 

A Journal page layout hybrid.. Photo Booth

DeeDee filling in today and here is a journal page/scrapbook layout I did to preserve the fun memory of my husband and I taking our little guy into a photo booth:

The Faded Raven (2.75x2.25 - $9.50)and Crown (2x2.5 - $7.25) really made this piece!!
The raven was stamped in Archival Black by ranger on the journal page, but the crown was stamped with archival on Kromecote and fussy cut to attach to the corner of the photo.

The brad is BasicGrey, the Webbing and Burlap string are May Arts, the mist is glimmer mist. I also used floral beads, a dymo label maker, a black pen, and gesso. 

31 days has December

One of the Viva Las Vegastamps! August 2012 releases 

is the Numbers Plate 1430!  

Yes, 31 days has December...

also... January

March 

May 

July

August

and

October!

The rest of the months are taken care of 

since they have less than 31 days!!!

Think of the fun you could have with the numbers!

Make calendars

Advent Calendar

Create lists of

Favorites 

Ten best

Countdown Days until

Summer

Halloween

Vacation

Retirement

Use them in titles

Birthday cards

Anniversary cards

Pages for youngsters to count

Let your imagination go!

I use journals to try techniques and test my stamps.  On this page of my journal I was playing with texture and numbers to see when stamped what they looked like. I must say I am pleased with my number stamps! In addition to the numbers there is a set of lower case alphas.

Starting with a white page in my Clairfontaine journal I sprayed it with Sandlewood LuminArte Shimmering Mist. With two sizes of Punchinello from Gauche Alchemy stencil the background.  Inks from right to left: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Burnt Sienna, CTMH Red Barn, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Barn Door and ColorBox Fluid Chalk Alabaster. 

On top of the stenciled backgroung randomly stamp the numbers to see how the look.  The journal paper had a little texture and a couple look better on smooth paper so I stamped them on ledger paper and adhered them to the journal page. 

HAVE FUN WITH NUMBRS!!!!

The numbers are sold as PLATE 1430 only.