Sunday, October 07, 2012

My Poe-st (pun intended)

I was introduced to Edgar AllanPoe and The Raven in Junior High School. I still remember how we acted out the poem in class. Naturally, I was the star - the Raven. I only had one line but it was the most important of the entire poem, “Nevermore.” I didn’t receive a standing ovation for my performance but a few classmates applauded, and for a moment in time I actually considered acting as a career path.

I still love the unparalleled literary master of the macabre. Poe believed that visual art should not make a clear statement, but rather suggest and evoke emotions and stimulate the mind. I hope my interpretation of The Raven does just that.
After leaving his home in China, Mr. Crow aka Mr.Raven flew to my local Dollar Tree. He is now residing on a slightly crushed eye-medicine box that I retrieved from the Friday garbage.

I don't find it a bit odd that Mr.Raven is wearing a party hat with a
purple pom-pom. Do you?

SUPPLIES
Black Bird
Recycled Box
Scrapbook Paper
Page from an Old Book
Pom-Pom
Ribbon or Paper Trim for hat/scarf
4 Wooden Feet
Glue Gun
Stickles
Moss
Chipboard Clock
Black Ink

VLVS
NEVERMORE STAMP
MIRACLE TAPE
I kept this craft simple because I wanted to highlight the ornate Nevermore stamp from Viva Las Vegas Stamps. The whole project took around an hour and was easy peasy.

DIRECTIONS
1. Cut scrapbook paper to fit box and using Miracle Tape attach to bottom, top and sides of the box.
2. Cover the 4 wooden feet with Stickles. When dry attach to bottom of the box using your glue gun.
3. Make hat for Mr. Raven by rolling up book paper and attach trim and a pom-pom. Dress Mr. Raven in his hat and scarf using Miracle Tape. Bling optional.
5. Attach Mr. Raven to box and then cover the empty area of the top of the box with Miracle Tape. Cover with moss.
6. Make a banner out of plain paper and stamp NEVERMORE. Attach to box. Add your chipboard clock.
7. Mr. Raven is ready to party!!

Poe died on October 7, 1849 at the age of forty. It seems fitting that the cause of Poe’s death remains a mystery. Your thoughts on Edgar Allan Poe? Or Halloween Parties?

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Gift Card Holder

It's a Matchbox, no it's a Steampunk Elephant, no - really it is a Gift Holder!!  I love "making" stuff from paper...3D stuff, especially when I can put goodies to gift to other people!

Templates are easy to find, Mirwood is a favortie of mine.  Also those who have cutting machines, there are many SVGs out there to create this matchbox.

Find some papers in the same shades but different pattens.  One loud, one more subdued.  It helps to create a focal point for the top of the box and yet you have pattern for inside but it is not over doing it.

Mary Vogel Lozinak has so many fun images to use to decorate the cover.  This would be perfect for a box for jewelry - a Watch would be too wonderful!!!

VLVS images:
18523  Elephant Machine
18322 My Life is a Shideshow

Miracle Tape

I know all my posts show Miracle Tape.  I could not do paper arts without it!  The sheets come in handy for like this stamped art, I stamp and cut out a square.  I mount the square onto a corner of the Miracle Tape sheet, and then cut out the image.  Then I have the sticky back on my image, I peel it off and add it to my art!  Easy Peasy.  Also, I love that Miracle Tape comes in several widths so when I am mounting layer on layer of cardstock, I can pick the width I need.  Never a worry.  Try a roll, you will be hooked (or stuck on, lol) like I am....and I have been creating a LONG time and this is the best tape I've run across!!!

Here is a closeup of the cool elephant traveling in the air on a gear driven blimp!  I've matched the colors of the paper - they stand out yet are monochromatic. 

Join the sideshow and get a jump start on Christmas Gifts!  Think of what these boxes will look like in Christmas patterned paper, and Christmas stamps like the new plates out with Santa's head, or the old fashion Santa (love)!  For those who followed the Halloween Blog Hop, the new stamps mixed with some of the old would be perfect!  If you want to do a trick (sort of) instead of a treat, put a finger cookie (yes a finger looking cookie) or gummy eyeballs in the box.

Note:  For those who love to be green and recyle...if you happen to have empty matchboxes in your stash, that is even better for creating with!  Bravo for you.  I don't play much with matches so I have to make my own box, lol.

I try to post ideas that can be used for any occasion by just changing stamps - use this idea for birthdays, holidays, and even for bridal showers/baby showers.  My daughter is getting married in 2014, so this gives me lots of ideas.

I have been dubbed the Girl who Loves Color...so I am excited now that fall is here - New posts coming up in rusts, cranberry, and lovely fall shades.

Cre8tiveLea Yours - Lea




October Magic!

It's Magic, Plain Flourish, Scowling Moon, New Age Pot
Kromecote Cardstock (glossy side)

Am thrilled to say this is my first upload to the VLVS blog and what better magic is there than that of Magic, Moon and Cauldron?

I used Dylusions Ink Sprays and acrylic paints to achieve background color, along with various patterned papers.  Scowling Moon also added much personality to his particular strip of background paper.

Pile on the layers and voila!  Full tag image complete with sparkle star captured in the steam of the pot.


Wednesday, October 03, 2012

This Saturday, Oct 6th is World Cardmaking Day - Come see me DEMO LIVE!

Our very own Susan M. Brown will be demonstrating some WONDERFUL stamping with VLVS! goodies for World Card Making Day this Saturday!!!

Creative Cynchronicity's "World Card Making Day" is a two-day event that includes online live streaming craft demos and giveaways benefiting the Charity Wings Art Center on Saturday, October 6th from 12 noon to 5pm EST -and- Sunday, October 7th from 12 noon to 8pm EST.


What will Susan be demonstrating on Saturday???

What do you do with unused stamped images, scraps, leftovers and random things headed for the bin??? You create a "Throw-Away Collage"! She will show you how to take things forever collected in a baggie or box on your craft table and put them to use in creative cards. Go "shop your stash", grab your basic tools and come play along. 

Susan will be giving away a fabulous prize package courtesy of Viva Las Vegastamps! {www.stampo.com}...a starter stamping kit including acrylic blocks, stamps, ink, embossing powder, and more. Approx $75 retail value. YOU have to be present during Susan's LIVE ONLINE DEMO for your chance to win this PRIZE package! 

We invite you all to join Susan at 3:30pm EST this Saturday, October 6th at http://www.linqto.com/rooms/creativeedventures. Just go to this link, give yourself a screen name and join in the fun.

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. 

Viva las Vegastamps! "Lady in the Pines"

   
Lady in the Pines






                                                       Plate no.1431
Plate 1431
                                                     New Christmas Stamps
Supplies:
"Christmas Tree" item no.  18932        from plate no/ 1431
"Face in Fir" item no. 17963
"Facial Features"  item no. 8852
Brown and green Momento inks
Tim Holtz "Rock Candy" stickles
small soft paint brush
copic pens
Crystal Lacquer



Directions:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
 1. Use a small soft paint brush and cover only the facial
 features of "Face in the Fir" and then stamped with it.
 *If I had been smarter at the time I would have used
 "Facial Features" item no. and stamped regularly with
  direct ink to stamp process. Feel free to learn from my mistakes!

2.   Use the green momento ink and stamp several Christmas
trees over each other.Re-inking every other time.  At
the top of the card I stamped the tree upside down to
set off the face.

3.  I used Rock Candy stickles over the snow areas and
 since it stays wet I was able to pour my Snow glitter
 and let them both dry.

4.  I used a soft pink and blue copic pens to highlight lips and eyes.
When pen ink was dry I covered lips and eyes with Chrystal Lacquer

5.  I sanded the edges of the stamped piece and the center matt.  I put
both of those layers on with double sided foam tape.  I then
inked the edges with the brown ink and adhered the layers together
on the background.
             
       

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Bottled FRANK!

 I have Bottled Frank and he is attracting flies!!! 
I am loving all the new Halloween Viva Las Vegastamps! stamps this year. There are three ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE new Halloween plates this year. Plates # 827 (which I am using today), 1429 and 1433.
Plate 827
Kromecote Cardstock has a glossy side and a matte side, for this card I used the matte side. I love how the ink does not run or blur when the images are stamped on it. 
First, stamp the Bottle - from Plate 827 twice on paper to use as a mask. The first image, cut the bottle image out (lower left) and the second image cut the inside of the bottle out (lower right).  Now stamp the bottle onto the card. Place the first mask on the stamped image protecting the inside of the bottle when stamping the spiked fence.  Now with the second mask over the bottle stamp Frankenstein Face - from Plate 827 in the bottle with VF Olympic Green. Heat Emboss the images with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

Next stamp the Dripping Blood - from Plate 827 several times along the top of the card with VF Crimson Red and CTM Barn Red. Stamp the Harlequin Diamond Background using VersaMark and the Fly - from Plate 827 three times with black ink. Carefully heat emboss the images with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. Do not use the heat gun in one spot too long or the images will melt together.
To give the Bottle a glass look paint it with Sakura Crystal Lacquer mixed with Citrine.  After all the images are stamped and heat embossed and the lacquer is dry, use Tim Hotlz Tea Dye Ink and apply directly to the card.  The embossed images and lacquer will resist the ink.

Stamp "Infectious Waste" - from Plate 827 on craft color paper with black ink. Cut out in a tag shape and staple Ribbon May Arts - Grosgrain - Stitched Edge to the tag. Attach to card with VLVS! Miracle Tape.

VLVS! Stamps 

Ribbon May Arts - Grosgrain - Stitched Edge

Inks:
VersaFine (VF) Black
VersaFine(VF)Olympia Green
VersaFine(VF)Crimson Red 
VersaMark
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tea Dye
CTMH Barn Red
Craft paper
Staples 

During the seven day VLVS! All Hallow's Eve Blog I shared a new Halloween project each day using Viva Las Vegastamps! Check out my Halloween Projects with VLVS! Stamps if you have time.  

HAVE A GREAT OCTOBER!!!!

Monday, October 01, 2012

Blog Hop Winners!!

Thank you so much to each person who participated in some way. Your words of encouragement each day were so sweet to everyone :)

And thank you for playing all week long with us!! Looks like some fabulous winners are in order!

If you see your name below, please include all requested information as well as what prize you've won when you email me at deedee430@gmail.com - Thank you!!

The Kick Off 
 (for sharing our flyer!):  
Tambo pinned our flyer and gets TWO grab bags! Please email me with your shipping address!

Day 1 
 (for sharing her favorite VLVS! Halloween stamp):  
Joyce Preusser - please email me with your shipping address and we'll get your stamp out to you ASAP!

Day 2 
(From linking up your project!):
 Retta Fox - you get a grab bag of stamps! Email me with your shipping address please :)

Day 2 
(The winning link up! and our Grand Prize Winner!):  
Gerri Johnnic - Ma'am! You get the plate of your choice between plate1429 and plate1433 - choose wisely and email me with your decision and your address!

Day 3 
 (from learning something new on our site):  
Marilyn (tarnished rose) - email me with your shipping address and we'll get you a grab bag of unmounted stamps in the mail ASAP!

Day 4 
(from posting a picture of your stash on our facebook wall):  
Chris Mcadams - email me with your shipping address and we'll get you a grab bag to help grow your wondrous VLVS! stash ;)

Day 5 
(from saying HELLO in our forum):  
VickiR (vrstmpink) - please email me with your shipping address and we'll get you a grab bag of goodies in the mail ASAP!

Day 6 
 (from those who emailed me the secret word):  
Diana Fernandez - Diana please choose one single Halloween image from our online catalog @ vlvstamps.com and email me with the stamp name and ID, whether you'd like it unmounted, mounted, or cling cushioned, and your address!

Day 7 
(From voting for the winning project): 
Dixie! - please email me with your shipping address and we'll send you a grab bag of stamps!

And last but not least from DT member Lea's Frankie giveaway:
By Belle (Michele K.!)

Thanks so much everyone!! It pays to love and spread the word of Viva Las VegaStamps! - Share all your projects with us on facebook using VLVS! images and we'll always love and spread the word of your beautiful art! 

Thank you again! ♥

New Design Team!!!

Today I get to introduce you to the face of our new Design Team!!

We have the pleasure of welcoming back some of our previous members, as well as bringing on some new ones!!!

To introduce them I've asked that they each finish the sentence "I rubber stamp to _____" in three words or less and so here they are in alphabetical order:

Aimee
"I rubber stamp to be happy."



Ang
"I rubber stamp to make art."


Cheryl

"I rubber stamp to create."



DeeDee
(Marketing and Artistic Director for VLVS!)
"I rubber stamp to impress."


Ellen

"I rubber stamp to stay sane."



Glenda
 "I rubber stamp to make myself happy."



Hermine
"I rubber stamp to relax and have fun."



Judy
"I rubber stamp to create artwork."



Kersten
"I rubber stamp to enhance my bliss."



Lea
"I rubber stamp to express my soul."



LR
"I rubber stamp for my health."


Lyneen
"I rubber stamp to create."


Pinky
"I rubber stamp to leave a mark."


Sandra
"I rubber stamp to avoid rubber rooms."



Sheri
"I rubber stamp to make awesome art."



Susan
"I rubber stamp to stay young."



Let's give them all a big round of applause!!!
Each one of these ladies has some fabulous inspiration to share with you for the next nine months, and I can guarantee you won't be disappointed!

I am the Terror that Stamps in the Night!

Did you ever make gelatin  and pour it onto a cookie sheet, then use it as a printing plate? Like it's  a giant stamp to press paint and images onto paper?  I never did, and I think I missed out on a lot of fun.

But recently I purchased a Gelli Arts Gel Printing plate, which is a more permanent version of the same thing. Your home-made gelatin plate breaks apart fairly quickly, while this fancy new version should last for a long, long time and is washable so you can use it over and over.

Supplies
VLVS! Stamps:
Mary Vogel Lozinak's Steampunk Woman's Head 2 1/2 x 3 Item 18365 Plate 1400
I Am The Terror That Stamps (in the night) 3/4 x 2 Item 1987 Plate 385

Two pieces 5.5 x 8.5 in Plike White Cover stock and one 3 inch square piece (You get an unusal tactile feel with Plike Paper, but any cardstock would work)
Tim Holtz Alterations Texture Fades 'Bingo' Sizzix Die (if paint dries in dies, they might not work properly in machines)
Ink Pads-Versamark Watermark, Ranger Archival Black
Acrylic Paints-Claudine Hellmuth Studio 'Dab of Yellow', 'Altered Orange' and 'Sky Blue'
Black Embossing Powder
6x6 inch Gelli Print plate

Scissors
Brayer
3D foam
Painter's tape
Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Marker
Optional: Studio Slow-dry medium (so acrylic won't dry as fast)

I started this project going in one direction and changed my mind mid-stream. But I'm writing the instructions as though I planned everything from the start, so you'll never know I screwed up!  Pretty sneaky, huh?

Process
With the Ranger Archival black, stamp the 'I Am the Terror' text on the 3 inch piece of the Plike paper.

Tear off a piece of painter's tape, big enough to cover text with some room to spare.  Tear edges all around tape to get jagged edges.  Place tape over text.

Using the Gelli Print Plate:
note: if using Slow-dry mix in paint now according to directions
1. Apply about a fingertip's worth of  'Dab of Yellow' acrylic paint to the Gelli plate.
2. Smear the paint wth the brayer until it covers the plate completely.
3. Press the 'Bingo' die firmly onto the plate', then set the die aside.
4. Press the 3 inch piece Plike paper onto the plate, masked tape side down, and lift off some color.
5. Press one of the 5.5 x 8.5 pieces of Plike paper onto the plate.  Don't try to cover the entire piece of paper.

Don't bother cleaning anything at this point, just repeat steps 1 thru 5 using 'Altered Orange'.  When you press the Plike onto the plate this time, reposition it so that another part of the paper is colored, with some overlap of colors.

Repeat the entire process with the 'Sky Blue' paint. Most of the Plike paper should be colored, but don't worry about bits of white--they add to the charm.

Now, quickly, grab the other piece of Plike paper, before the paint dries and press it onto to the plate to pick up as much left-over color as possible.


While the Plike is drying, clean the dies, brayer, and plate with soap and water.  Best not to let the acrylic paint dry on them.

...Intermission entertainment....


Please ignore the stamped images on the left, lol.  They are part of my my original idea.  But I wanted to show you what both pieces of card stock look like.  I cut out the text from the left to use on the right, but in the instructions I'm giving, you'll use the 3 inch piece of Plike.

Process...continued
Using the piece of cardstock you prefer, stamp the Steampunk Women's head with the Versamark ink.  Apply the black embossing powder and heat.

Remove the painter's tape from the 3 inch piece of Plike, and cut it so there are jagged flame-like edges.  Use the foam tape to adhere it where it looks like it is coming from the Steampunk Woman.

And, lastly, take the Sharpie and add some Zentangle®-Inspired Artwork!

You don't have to buy a Gelli Print plate to try this process.  For a video showing how you can make a temporary gelatin plate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZgBkBv8y5s.

Meanwhile, check out the VLVS! Store for all your stamping needs and the  VLVS! Blog for new projects and news every day. Follow VLVS! as the VLVS! Forum - VLVS! FB - VLVS! Pinterest - VLVS! Twitter.