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!

Love is a work of (he)art

Hello everyone,
Valentine's day is near and although that's not a typical occasion for me to craft for, I did a small art journal page that I want to show you.

I am working in various journals at the same time so I can always choose between different sizes and substrates. This one here is a small disc bound journal. The panel has the size of a standard card (4 1/4 x 5 1/2"), so if you'd like you could easily turn this design into a mixed media card.

Recently, I did a project where I needed some hearts that I cut with a Bigz die and so I had this piece with negative hearts left. And as I'm trying to waste as less as possible, our challenge team came to my mind.
I cut the paper to size as well as a watercolor paper to create the rear background. I did this by using a text stencil and some modeling paste, just wanted something subtle.

In the next step, I added some Lindy's Gang sprays to both layers: Creme Brulee Cream to the paper with the modeling paste, Cowabunga Copper and Cocklebells Coral to the layer with the hearts.

Also, I inked up the edges of the hearts with black Archival Ink and a finger dauber. This created a nice little contrast.

Now the fun part: some stamping! I stamped the "Girl in Princess Costume" with Versafine ink and the sentiment "Love is a work of heart" with red Archival Ink. Also, I added a few "Hearts By Cat Kerr" to my panel.

I colored the little girl with watercolor and did some fussy cutting. Whenever I cut out an image directly and without leaving a little white border, I use a black pen to get rid of the white edges so the image blends in better.

I also cut the sentiment to pieces, inked up the edges in the same color I used for stamping and matted them onto some black card stock so they don't get lost in front of the background.

To complete my page, I adhered the two panels to each other using matte gel. I added the girl (underlaid with some black thread) and the sentiment pieces with foam tape. As a last step, I glued the page into my black journal which gives some extra bite. And here are some more photos of the completed project:

I used the following stamps:

Girl in Princess Costume (19536)
Hearts By Cat Kerr (19978)
Love Is A Work (14691)

Other materials:
- Paper (Sheena cardstock, watercolor paper, black cardstock)
- Stencil "Aria song" from 13@rts
- Modeling paste
- Sizzix Bigz Die Tim Holtz - Heartfelt
- Lindy's Gang Starburst Sprays (Creme Brulee Cream, Cowabunga Copper, Cocklebells Coral)
- Archival Ink (Jet Black, Vermillion)
- Versafine Ink Onyx Black
- Watercolor
- Black thread

See you soon & happy stamping!

She Was... Tag by Shanna

Hello everyone Shanna here. I have a new tag I made and had a blast creating it. I was limited to what I could use as my craft stuff is currently packed and in storage while we wait to close on our new home. So this was tons of fun to create.

I started my tag off with some quick spot stamping using the stamp Dictionary Page - 19015. Then I used some different colors of Distress Paint on the Expanding Rays Silhouette - 19896 and stamped it on the tag. 

Let it dry then add some Distress Ink over it. I love how the Distress Paint pops out. 

I added water splatters but it didn't show too well so I went over with another color of ink. 

So I totally forgot to snap a photo of stamping Doodle Circle - 19823 on white cardstock and cutting it out as well as stamping She Was - 19632 on canvas. I then stitched it down on the tag. My original idea was to use clay however the paint wasn't sticking to my clay right and every time I tried a certain technique it kept coming off so we shall try clay stamping another day. 

Here are some close ups I hope you enjoyed this quick little project. 

Stamps Used:

Dictionary Page - 19015

She Was - 19632

Doodle Circle - 19823

Expanding Rays Silhouette - 19896

Other Items Used:
Ranger Ink #8 Tag
Distress Ink and Distress Paint
Canvas scraps
Bombay Black India Ink
Stitching (sewing machine)

I Put A Spell On You... Mail Art

Hello Again! 

It's me Tera here with another fun Mail Art tutorial ...
No it's not Monday but, I couldn't resist making a few more Halloween envelopes. 

Stamps Used:

Sitting Voodoo Doll 

Plate 1455

(Individual below)

Smear/Smudge

Paperclip

Mesh Texture

Bubble Wrap Texture

Texture Background

Writing Circles Background

Start by stamping the voodoo doll stamp in the bottom right then mask it off.  Next stamp the paperclip on the left side. draw a box to create a space for your address. (i traced around an ATC then you can keep it to use as a mask).  I then used a combination of the stamps listed above to add texture to my envelopes. I used a sponge to color the base of my envelopes, then used coordinating markers to add accent colors. 

Thank You for visiting! 

I hope you all have a spooktacular rest of October!