Believe

Tim introduced a new product this month called "Frosted" during his December tag tutorial.  It looks interesting and I hope he demonstrates other uses for it in future posts.

I substituted old-fashioned drafting vellum for my background and text by using the Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp) and a section from Tim's Christmas Words stamp along with some embossing ink and powder to create a similar effect.

The reindeer was embellished with Perfect Pearls and you may recognize the leaves from Tim's Wallflower paper stash. The number 25 is an Idea-ology Plaquette.

I'd like to share an embossing technique seen on the leaves as it comes in handy when you want fine details and better control.

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I used a gel pen to draw in the areas I wanted to emboss. In this case, it was the veins on the leaves.

The ink stays wet long enough to apply embossing powder. I used various pen colors and clear powder in this example.

O Karma, Darma

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O Karma, Darma, pudding and pie,

gimme a break before I die:

grant me wisdom, will and wit,

purity, probity, pluck and grit.

Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind,

gimme great abs and

a steel-trap mind, and forgive,

Ye Gods, some humble advice--

these little blessings would suffice

to beget an earthly paradise:

make the bad people good--

and the good people nice;

and before our world goes over the brink,

teach the believers how to think. 

This poem, by Philip Appleman, is what I inscribed on my journal page (in case you can't read my handwriting).

I started the background by using a variety of paint colors with a stencil by Simon Says Stamp called Gingham/Pure Sunshine. I added the bird cage, tree, bird and people then started filling-in blank areas with a variety of stencils and stamps.

I often use poetry as inspiration for a journal page. Sometimes I start with the poem and sometimes (as in this case) the poem comes at the end.

As I printed the lines on the page, I was thinking about how our schools no longer believe it necessary to teach penmanship and wondered when poetry will meet the same fate.

I'm linking to this week's challenge at SSS where the theme is "the letter O" which is the first word of this poem (from New and Selected Poems, 1956-1996, University of Arkansas Press).

Cowboy and Indian

If you were born before 1970, you may recognize that the image used in this journal page is the Indian-head test pattern which was shown on black and white TVs right before a broadcasting station signed off for the night.

If you've followed my blog for awhile, you may also recognize the little cowboy as an image used in a previous blog post.

In terms of technique, this two page journal spread was an exercise in trying out three new stencils and a new stamp that I purchased from SSS after winning the $50 prize drawing a few weeks back.

The first stencil used is by Prima called Pavers which I moved around the page to create a color wheel pattern then knocked-back a bit with off-white paint.

I applied a gel medium image transfer of the Indian-head test pattern next.

I followed with a stencil by My Favorite Things called Grid to add a black pattern to the corners and page borders. I added text with a stencil by Crafter's Workshop called Art Is to cover large parts of the page using mostly white and some black paint.

I was skeptical about how well the text stencil would work but I'm quite impressed and very happy with the results. This was a good investment and it is sure to get lots of use.

I added tiny text from a stamp by Kaiser called Dictionary Meanings to create a border around the test pattern using black archival ink.

I used distress ink here and there to help unify the composition.

I created a background for the little cowboy with white paint before pasting him to the page and added a hand-written sentiment and a tiny pink heart.

I'm linking to this week's Monday blog challenge at SSS where the theme is "Falling in love with..." (my new stencils and stamp). And what better time to extend a great big thank you to SSS for the generosity of their $50 prize and to each and every design team member for all their hard work.

Sugar Crush

Another irresistible photo prompted the creation of this tag using a page from the French Industrial paper collection by Tim Holtz as the background.

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Sugar sprinkles were added with off-white paint using a stencil from Simon Says Stamp called Falling Snow (...sweet...)

Some of the larger sprinkles were made to look like peppermints by adding stripes with a gel pen (...delicious...)

The border was distressed with Walnut Stain and I've linked it to the Monday blog challenge at SSS (...sugar crush...)

Spending too much time playing a certain online arcade game may have also been a factor.

Rain

I live in the desert. We've had severe drought conditions for the last several years. If and when it rains, it usually comes in the summer and we call it the "monsoon season."

Yesterday half of all the rain we usually get in one year came down upon us in less than 24 hours. Streets were shut down, roofs collapsed, schools were closed. The season finally lived up to its name.

This helps to explain why I made this tag. Also, the only SSS product I own is the Falling Snow stencil and using one of their products was encouraged for this week's Monday blog challenge which celebrates "STAMPtember."

And the final reason for making it? I wanted to see what colored rain drops would look like. I expect the end result of all those colors dropping and mixing would be mud and we now have a lot of that here. But fear not, in just a few days it will all be hard as rock again.

Photo credit:  Ralph Morse

If Only...

I don't know what possessed me to purchase a face stamp (this one's by LaBlanche) because I've found them rather limited in use. But seeing Tim's September tag and the others who've posted links, has given me some new ideas.

I also admit that alcohol inks intimidate me so mine have gathered dust but it was good to get them out again for this project.  I do love the glossy paper because it takes ink so well, stamped images are super crisp and it may be a "must have" for any success with alcohol inks on paper.

I tried Tim's background technique, to no avail, so I just dripped the colors right from the bottle onto a tag cut from glossy paper. Then I randomly stamped off-white paint through some homemade and store-bought stencils and went over it with distress inks after the paint had dried. Some light stamping with script, borders cut from washi tape and a bit of Dymo tape text finished it off.

Resting Place

I sometimes think my tags are more like journal pages and I certainly seem to approach them that way. This one is a good example of what I mean.

I wondered what would happen if I used black acrylic paint and my tree stencil (Crafter's Workshop) over a piece of very tiny sheet music (Vintage Finds by Theresa Collins). But the contrast of black and white was pretty stark, so I decided it needed leaves.

I put small drops of three shades of green acrylic paint here and there and covered it with a piece of scrap paper that I pressed down and lifted off. There was too much coverage so I used a sheet of hand sanitizer (don't have baby wipes) to take off most of it.

What if I tried to make it look like the sky was peaking through? Out came a few shades of blue paint that I applied with a brush, feathering a bit with my fingers and wipes.

Next? Birds, of course! So I used black archival ink to stamp them and found book text that seemed appropriate. But the overall design was still just a little monotonous. Then I remembered a tool which I should use more often (the prompt this week at the SSS Monday blog challenge).

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It's a tracing wheel used in sewing to transfer pattern markings to cloth. You run it through paint and then on your surface and it leaves tiny little dots all in a row. It's a technique that was probably invented by Lynn Whipple and I used it here to complete the tag.

So, whether it's a tag or a journal page, it doesn't really matter.

 It began as an experiment, one step led to another, it was satisfying, I had fun, and I learned something along the way. And that is why I do it! (Stamp credit: Stamping Bella)

I'm linking to Craft Horders Anonymous Challenge #10 Spray It! Ink It! Paint It! Smear It! Emboss It!

Soap Box Queen

Today, I'm sharing the result of a tag made for the Monday blog challenge at Simon Says Stamp where this week's theme is paint.

It all began by dripping transparent acrylic paints from one end to the other with the help of a water mister.

Then I wandered through images on the net until I found one that spoke to me and transferred it using polymer medium (see tutorial here).

I drew the platform and crown with fine tip markers and used acrylic paint on her dress and the shadow.

The bubbles (also paint) were made with the Falling Snow stencil by SSS and emphasized by outlining with a marker.

Waterfall

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I can certainly relate to the sentiment on this month's 12 Tags of 2014 by Tim Holtz which is, "out of limitations comes creativity." Perhaps that's another way of saying, "necessity is the mother of invention." All I know is I seldom have the products to make an identical tag so I have to improvise and that often gives birth to a whole new level of creativity.

I did use watercolor paper, his bubble stencil and distress inks for the background and enjoyed this relief printing technique.

The butterflies were made using a handmade stamp on book paper and sewing machine stitching provided the accents.

I know I'll use this technique again with other stencils and I think the key is to use good, smooth, heavy watercolor paper.

Washi Paint

Before and After

I linked this tag to the Wednesday blog challenge at Simon Says Stamp where the theme is Easter.

But, I didn't like it that much and it really didn't reflect this week's theme.

So, I peeled off the tape and washed over it with gesso and started over.

And this is the new tag:

After applying gesso, I traced the outline of the cone flowers (originally applied with a stencil) using pen and ink then traced the outline of a bunny photo. I used oil pastels for tint and applied washi tape on a few of the petals.

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I really like the washi tape I used on this version. It's bright white and has good sticking power and I favor it over other brands. Here's a link if you want to know more about it.

So hopefully, I've learned a lesson here.

When I am less than satisfied with something, and it can't be rescued, then I must learn to listen to that voice inside my head and just start over.

So Far Away

I've always said, "if I won the lottery, I would travel to far and exotic places and seek out every corner of the world."

For now, I must be content to travel in my dreams and hope that, someday, I'll be able to journey somewhere farther than the grocery store.

My tag is thanks to an outstanding image, the artist unknown to me and the original source lost in the tangle of the Internet.

After printing, I made a cut-away which was pasted to a background that was stenciled and stamped.

Bundled sage, spun sugar and dried marigold Distress inks were used as tints.

I've linked this tag to the Monday blog challenge at Simon Says Stamp, where the theme is journey.

Shabby Chic a la Morocco

I love a good challenge and Tim's tag for April was just that. Not using a die cutter means working the hard way but it forces me to think outside the box and makes for more original artwork. I always try to incorporate whatever technique he highlights but make a point to put my own spin on it.

This tag went through many transformations (thank goodness for gesso, the great cover-up) and I'd be hard pressed to say exactly how it was made. But the ingredients were corrugated cardstock, a modified stencil (courtesy of Lowes), an Exacto knife, various tissue tapes, acrylic paint, Distress inks, sand paper and a fine-tipped marker. My flower was made using a technique from Clare Buswell and the leaves were cut from watercolor paper.

I really enjoy Tim's monthly feature and had so much fun working on this tag. I am grateful for his inspiration as well as the opportunity to link up and I always look forward to seeing what others will make. Thanks for stopping by!

Slate-colored Junco

I've got a thing for tags and make a lot of them. I also make greeting cards but I guess I feel more liberated working on tags and I like the challenge of this odd-ball format.

The long and narrow space used to feel confining but it doesn't bother me anymore and the manila cardstock is tough and can take my abuse.

For this tag, I cut birds from an old book, used book text for the background and a 12" x 12" stencil from Crafter's Workshop called Branches. It's a favorite of mine and I highly recommend it. There are two versions, a positive (208) and a negative (251). The leaves were stamped and filled in with colored pencils.

I made it so I could link up to Tag It, the Wednesday challenge theme at Simon Says Stamp, for a chance to win the random drawing.

But I can't let this challenge theme go by without sharing my all-time, most favorite tag.

In his September, 2012, tag post, Tim Holtz did a demo on an embossed metal background and I used this technique to make a steam-punked version of my cat, Howie (click to enlarge it). His goggles were made from polymer clay and the scarf was made from cheese cloth. It was crazy fun!

To Have and to Hold

The best part of a challenge? For me, it's exploring a subject that's not part of my normal repertoire like Weddings or Anniversaries, which is the theme for Wednesday's blog challenge at Simon Says Stamp.

I started by finding a great vintage photo of a bride and groom and thought I'd turn this lovely couple into a wedding cake topper. The cake was decorated with washi tape, acrylic paint and a fine tip marker. Distress inks, acrylic paint and a hand-made stencil were used to create the background.

Since I do a lot of "fussy-cutting" I thought I'd share a tip, especially when using figures from photos: After cutting, take time to ink the edges as this will help to blend them into your collage.

Making this tag was a lot of fun and a great excuse to play around. I never decorated a wedding cake before and I got to know this couple a little better. But why didn't the bride smile and what did the groom need gloves for?

Anna

I watch very little television (I'd rather spend my free time crafting) but I am absolutely smitten with a PBS series called Downton Abbey along with millions of others who've made it the most-watched drama on TV right now.

Last night's episode was another gem with lavish costumes and great dialogue but also included a story line that must have taken everyone by surprise. I should have known something was up--it was the first time the network gave a pre-show warning that some content may not be appropriate for all viewers.

Poor lovely, kind, helpful, Anna. Her behavior after the attack isn't surprising given the taboos of this era but I'm sure her husband will get wind of it and go after the perpetrator even if it means a lifetime jail sentence or death.

I made this tag in response to last night's show and am linking it to the Simon Says Stamp Monday blog challenge where the theme is "anything goes."

The stamp (face) is a LaBlanche, the teacup was cut from a Trader Joe's grocery bag, a hand made stencil was used to embellish, the background is a paper from Idea-ology, and the color scheme was influenced by design team member Tracy Evans' recycled packaging design.