Day 3 was so much fun to make. I've done the plaid thing before, but adding in some of the new colors made it more intresting. I forgot to put in the black stripe, but there's so much black stamping that I think it looks good without it. I added in a vintage black snap up in the corner. I pick them up in my treasure hunting excursions for a song and they make a great embellishment. Not enough twine here to wrap up the little set of these that I made, so I subbed in a bit of gold. I think it looks festive, so it works for me.
We had a grand time at Knott's and the snow is coming in like crazy now. We made it home just in time last night. It's a snow day, no school. Kyle's happy about it and I'm just going to let him enjoy his morning before I remind him about the snow shovel and the work that comes along with a snow day. For now, I'm off to make us some hot chocolate. Thanks for stopping by today.
Supplies: Cardstock: Stampin Up; Stamp: A Stamp in the Hand, Stampin Up; Ink: Tsukineko; Alcohol Ink: Ranger; Leafing Pen: Krylon; Glitter Glue: Ranger; Other: Button, Ribbon.
Here's a little joyful pear ATC to share with you this morning. I used just a part of a larger stamp for this one. The original stamp is huge and has three pears on it. I masked the stamp and used cactus green stazon ink to ink up just the last pear in the trio. I wasn't sure if the green would cover since it was a lighter color, but it worked beautifully. Getting the sentiment in that little tag was tricky, but I just eyeballed it. I know a stamp positioner is easier, but I'm too lazy to mess with it. I'm not sure what alcohol ink colors are in the background. This is one of my clean up bases. What I mean by that is when I'm doing alcohol ink techniques that I use the craft mat for, I clean it up with an ATC base. I keep some glossy cardstock cut to ATC size and when my craft mat needs to be wiped off, I add a little blending solution and wipe it up with a base. I do the same thing with regular cardstock and distress inks. Sometimes I use a tag as my clean up base with distress inks. Just spritz with a little water and wipe it up. I do the twirl and lift thing. Lay down the cardstock, then twist it around in the ink and lift. Repeat until the craft mat is clean. These are some of my favorite backgrounds and I try to always include this in my classes. It seems like the best stuff comes out of my just roll with it and see what happens play sessions. I hope you'll find some time to play in the ink this week.
On a personal note, Mom's having surgery on the 23rd. It's been a very long two years of illness for her, and this is her chance at getting rid of most or all of it. We're feeling very hopeful that this will give her the quality of life she deserves. Thanks for stopping by today.
Just a fun little card for you. I fell in love with this little bird stamp by Invoke Arts at a stamp convention and it followed me home. You know how that happens, I'm sure. Things just yell out my name and want to jump in my bag when I go to those conventions. The background is alcohol inks and I masked the image to stamp some other things around it. I colored in some detail with spica glitter pens and used a little rub on paste around the edges.
So, in other news, we had our last hurrah of summer yesterday at Disneyland. We closed the park at midnight and rolled in about 1:30 this morning. Oh my, I can't do late night like I used to. I had to sing loudly and tap my hands on the steering wheel to the beat just to stay focused. I'm still hanging out in my pj's. Kyle starts high school tomorrow. Not sure I'm ready, but I know he is and that's what matters. I can't believe my baby towers over me at well over 6' now. It seems like I was holding him in my arms just yesterday. I plan on hugging on him today when nobody is looking. I'll save those tears that are sure to roll until after he leaves tomorrow morning, then I'm going shopping.
It's been far too long since I made a gothic arch. I picked up a ton of mulberry paper this week in my treasure hunting and used that for the base. I added some distress ink, perfect pearls, and stamping on the background. The little clear butterfly is cuttlebug embossed, alcohol inked, and stickled. That garden sprite in the middle was a silver pin I picked up in the same treasure hunting trip. I put a little copper mixative on her. I'd like to think somebody like her lives in the garden. Thanks for stopping by.
I've been having inky fun creating a new class. These are samples for the Alcohol Ink Jewelry class I'm offering this summer. We will be making 3 different pendants from vintage game pieces. As with most of my classes, the samples are just the jumping off place. Each student will be able to choose their own colors and design elements. So far, I'm scheduled at Stampfully Yours in Escondido on July 11th and at Collective Journey in Redlands on August 27th. I limit my classes to 8-10 students maximum, so you'll get plenty of personal instruction as well as the supplies needed to make all three pieces.
Oh, and I just have to say that I am completely blown away by all of the kind comments on my CFH blog hop post below. The other people in the hop had beautiful stories and cards to share. It was very touching to go through and read all of it. I finished up 14 cards similar to the one below to include in my next batch of cards. You can still hop through the blogs if you haven't already. There's some beautiful inspiration to be had. I'll be drawing a winner for the 3 month subscription later on today.
Just a pic of some samples for my next alcohol inks class on May 9th. The link is over there on the right. I love teaching the techniques and then letting students run with them. I've got a few surprises up my sleeve for this one including all those new alcohol ink colors shown at the bottom and a surprise non card project.
We are having a great spring break. The beach was warm and sunny and gorgeous. We watched Kyle's rugby game on Saturday and then I spent my day outside in the gardens and park on Sunday while the guys went deep sea fishing. The flowers were plentiful, but the fish were elusive. Dinner out, some swimming, and a few new books rounded out our getaway. ahhhh
A couple of tags I made with tons of Ranger products and some vintage goodies. I had so much fun with the winterfest over at 2peas. I didn't make as many projects as I'd like to, but it was fun just the same. I love challenges.
It's been another wildly busy week around here. I taught at the middle school on friday and taught a fun distress class on saturday. Yesterday, I woke up and the guys were gone fishing. I knew when they came home they'd watch fishing on TV. I just couldn't face it, so I drove a long old way down to Carson Original Rubber Stamp Convention. They have it about 3 times per year and I've never been. I always think, oh I'll go in a few months. But I really wanted the new alcohol ink colors and I'm teaching a class on April 4th. I just know my students will want the new colors. They aren't available in any of the stores yet. Don't you love the rationalization here. So, I went with my gift card in hand that I earned working at CHA. I didn't spend it all, but I came close. I ran into Cat who has a wonderful little shop with all the newest goodies. I also ran into some lovely stamping peas...hi Penny, Sue, and Lianne. It was a small show, but worth every gallon of gas. Just take a peek at these beauties...
I'm still having fun with my can of air and alcohol inks. I figured out after the first round, that using the lightest colors works best. For these ATC's I used butterscotch, lettuce, stonewashed, and latte. I can only imagine how fun the new lights and brights alcohol ink colors will be with this technique. The blossoms are made with sharpie poster paint pen. The stamps are by My Sentiments Exactly.
I have fun news to share today. One of my button bracelets is featured on the Fiskateer Blog. I was so happy to receive a few jewelry making tools to work with to create this project. I have to say that the tools they sent are so much nicer than the ones from the toolbox I was making do with. I noticed that Michaels carries some of them if you need new tools.
There are a couple of fun challenges going on this week. Stop by Winterfest 2009 at 2peas stamping board. We have challenges running all week long, and I'm hosting one of them. SNR Card Universe is hosting a Spring Fling for the next two weeks. I'll be teaching a class on the last day, but there's lots of fun between now and then. Thanks for stopping by.
Have you been to Tim's blog today? He made a video on how to do this technique. I was so inspired that I dashed off to the store to get some canned air. It's the stuff they sell to clean out the crumbs in the computer keyboard. Well, of course the drug store that charges $4.99 for it was out, then off to Radio Shack next door where they had one can left for $7.69. I had more fun than you can imagine with my can of air. I'm sure I overpaid for it, but that's how it is when you live in a tiny community. I'll be looking for more at the dollar store. I need to include this technique in my next alcohol inks class.
Welcome to my open house blog style. Please read all the way to the bottom for a special treat. I thought I'd share a bit about our beloved holiday traditions. Our tree is decorated in no particular theme, but every ornament has a story. Each one was a gift, or handmade by a loved one, or purchased on a vacation. Some have been with us since we were small children. They are all special and sentimental and together make a beautiful tree. At least it's beautiful in my eyes.
We go to the fireman's bonfire and donate toys and eat hot dogs and listen to Christmas music each year. It's corny and small community and so much fun. We also have the world's shortest Christmas parade here in Blue Jay. We missed it this year, but try to get to it every year. Again, small community fun here on the mountain.
We travel down to Knott's Merry Farm early in December each year. It is the real kick off to the holiday season. We ride roller coasters, listen to carolers and see snoopy on ice. Love it, and oh the grand finale is Mrs. Knott's famous fried chicken dinner.
On Christmas Eve, we travel off the mountain to my parents home. We all share a delicious ham dinner and open gifts to each other. This night is for family and friends and the cast has changed from year to year. All are welcome and it's such a fun time of love and laughter.
Christmas morning is a smaller affair. Just the three of us in jammies sharing our gifts to each other and zipping downstairs to see what Santa brought. We all have stockings, even the dogs. That's the last part of gift opening. We usually get some hot beverages rolling along with the gifts followed by a late breakfast. The rest of the day is a quiet day of playing games and reading the newest books we received. Sometimes my parents visit later in the day if the roads are clear. That isn't going to happen this year since we are still covered in snow and more expected on Christmas Day.
And now as a thank you for visiting my blog, I have a gift for you. My sweet hubby spent the afternoon helping me make my first video tutorial. It is the same technique I used to make this ATC. We have much to learn, but hope you will enjoy Painting with Alcohol Inks.
Next stop for the Open House Around the World: Cindi in Maine
I'm still working on doing all of Tim Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas tutorials. This is my ATC take on his Day 6 Tag. I gotta tell you I love painting with alcohol inks. I've been meaning to try this for such a long time. I'm so happy I finally did. He does a great tutorial about it on his blog. It's so easy to do and the results are amazing.
I painted behind my colored images with gesso instead of the paint dauber he used, and it worked just fine. I didn't have all the fun embellie goodies he used, but the basic part of this is the same. I added in a rub-on sentiment and some stickles on the ornaments. The stamped image is by Stampington. Thanks for stopping by.
I'm an avid crafter. I buy new and used goodies, and sometimes I get goodies for free. I'm a brand ambassador for Fiskars and attend CHA regularly. Part of what I post on my blog was made with things given to me through my affiliations or directly from manufacturers including Fiskars. Part of it was made with things I found treasure hunting or bought used or new. It's all good. So, there you go. The FTC wants me to be clear about what was free to me. If you see a new product here on my blog, there's a good chance somebody gave it to me. I've met some amazing and generous people in this industry and I appreciate how lucky I am to be in the position to have to post this.
