Canvas Trio!

The other day while blog visiting, my bloggy friend Sandra "Made By Sannie," had a real eye catcher on her blog!  I just loved the effect.  She was so sweet to send me an e-mail with a video link to watch the altered journal by Drew!  Thank you, Sandra and so here is my take on this fabulous technique!  This were be a little heavy with photos!



I will be linking this up to Simon Says Stamp and Show "Quotable."  Once again I am using those fabulous "Paperboy" stamps from Artistic Outpost, where there is still time to join in the March Referral Program.  ENABLER ALERT - The Funkie Junkie Boutique, has Artistic Outposts stamps at 15% off for their Friday Focus!  This is my first time doing this technique and I can tell you that it won't be the last.  Watch the video and it is long!  I started by adding items for texture using Multi Medium Matt, letting it dry and then covering my items with another coat.  I used paper and metal gears, chain, lace,  paper flower and flower bling, rice seed beads, other findings and a grocery produce bag.  Pretty much whatever you desire!  For my piece as I knew I would be adding some stamped imaged, I stamped the images on my 3" canvases, so I would not have them on an uneven surface!  The "Quote" which I love was stamped on a separate piece of paper and cut to size.  

After all your little texture pieces have dried, then you cover them up with White Gesso, let that dry and then you spray with inks.  At this point I wondered how can this be so ugly, so let ugly dry a little and then blot off some excess!  I had to play with this a few times to achieve what I thought was pretty ugly!  Really at this point, I was scratching my head!  Then I went to have lunch with my Molly, who was letting me know that she did not care about my canvas trio!  She is very vocal!!!  Next step is highlighting with again White Gesso in the raised areas and Holy Cow, it starts to look quite amazing and if you don't think so, please lie to me big time!  After I was pleased with my canvases, I did give a spray of matt sealer.  Sadly, I never got to finish the video, so I can't tell you how it ends!!!  

My images were stamped using Archival Sepia and shaded with Distress Inks.  A little Tattered Rose was applied to the faces.  

The pen nib was giving my rusty effect, which is to apply both Archival Ink and Acrylic paint.  When you heat emboss the paint blisters.  Tim's tissue tape was applied for the "Quote" frame and yes, I did miter the corners!  This was a really fun and cool technique!  I see myself using it often!  

Wishing all of you who celebrate a Happy Easter!  Thank you for taking the time to visit and I will be back on April 1st to announce the winner of my 3rd Year Blogaversary!  Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me!  

Sprays:  Color Wash, Stream, Butterscotch, Espresso, Dylusions Pure Sunshine

Ink:  Sepia, Distress Pumice Stone, Tattered Rose, Rusty Hinge, Brushed Corduroy

Fresco Finish, Chocolate Pudding

Happy Easter!

I was kind of chatting around on FB, when I remember I wanted to enter Lisa's Bloggers Challenge, "Easter."  Sometimes I forget about Stampin Up's lovely Chocolate Bunny, who sadly sits in hiding, so today he has come out to play!  Still looking for a little "P.O.P" at Inspiration Journal, so we are a hopping over there as well! 

The bunny was stamped and embossed and was mounted on several chipboard layers of Tim's little bunny!  It is an actual pretty nice fit!  The little tickets are from Tim's Seasonal papers and I rounded them - duh, certainly not egged shaped! 

However, the background is egg shaped!  Using one of Tim's embossing folders and the diffuser, I first inked in Green and Pinks Distress (of course), embossed and then highlighted in Salty Ocean!  Then I added clear EP all over the background!  Nice little egg color!  Pretty quick, but sometimes you need something fast!  I am thinking now the rabbit needs a bow around his neck!!!  Always something more to remember!

Tomorrow I will have a really cool project, really I love this one, so I hope you will stop by then!  Thank you for visiting me today and I hope whatever your plans are for the weekend you have a wonderful one!  Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate!

Those Were The Days!

I really do adore the new Paperboy release from Artistic Outpost and I really can't wait to see what those of you, who have ordered this collection, will come up with!  Just a reminder that there is still a couple of days left to enter the March Referral Program, using those AO stamps! 

I will be sharing this tag next Wednesday at Artistic Outpost, but if you would like to see what I have this week, click HERE.  The little paperboy and building was stamped and masked.  Next I inked up the background and did Spritz and Flick with water. 

I just love that effect!  Other than cutting out the masks, this all came together quite quickly! 

There are a few days left to enter my 3 Year Blogaversary, so if you would like a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to the Funkie Junkie Boutique, leave a comment on the link above!  I want to thank all of my followers for all the support over the past three years!  For those of you who have also shared my "Blog Candy" on your blogs, that is so sweet and I so appreciate that!

Hope you are having a wonderful week and I thank you for taking the time to visit and comment! 

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Paperboy
Inks:  Archival Sepia, Distress Rusty Hinge, Stormy Sky, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo 

Happy Spring!

Well not everyone is seeing that season, but it will arrive!!  The current challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges is Paper Piecing, by my DT sister, Claire.  Now this can be elaborate or simple, but more than anything it has to be stamping fun!  You won't want to miss out on all the inspiration the team has in store for you, so please stop by FSC!  Flonz Crafts is our new sponsor and the prize is a $20 store credit.  Now that is pretty nice, so come on and join in!

The stamped image is from I Brake For Stamps and was stamped in Archival Coffee.  The berries and some of the foliage was colored with Distress markers and then I inked over the entire surface with Peeled Paint and shaded with Vintage Photo. 

The butterfly was my Paper Piece and was stamped a second (OK third) time on glossy card stock, which was inked with various shades of alcohol inks (greens, some yellow and blue).  After this was heat set, I cut out and glued over the original image.  I just felt the need for a second butterfly and now I am think I may just need one more!  I felt little bling eyes were in order and I also inked over the berries with a Spica Clear Glitter pen.

Wishing you all the warmth of Spring and thank you so much for visiting me today! 

A Ruinator I Am!

So you are wondering if I have lost my mind with the title of this blog post, well maybe I have!  You see I signed up for this online workshop by Andy Skinner entitled "The Book of Ruination" and I have been so caught up in learning new techniques!  For some time now I have admired his work, so I was pretty excited to start and finish this project!  Now I won't tell you about the technique out of respect for Andy, but I can tell you that if you like what you see, sign up!  This man does some incredible work and remember any technique can be applied to any style!  Here we go and I will share what I feel comfortable with! 

The outside cover of my paper mache book was done following the technique, which has quite a few layers and a mix of materials!

For the edge treatment, I used Tim's Sewing Room OTE die and this was painted using a mix from the color palette.  Once dried, I embossed and highlighted.  The photo corners were painted and sealed.

All stamps are from Mr. Holtz and the ruler is from his new "Artful Tools" set, which I picked up at the Carson convention!  This was first inked with Distress Inks, stamped in Black Archival, dried and crackled here and there. 

For the box inside top, I stamped the dress form in Black Archival, gave a spray of Goosebumps and then inked with Distress.  Other images were stamped with Aged Mahogany and then given a quick spray with Matt Sealer!

The bottom back of the box, I just stenciled on an image of the dancing ladies.  Not that anyone will see it, but I kind of liked those gals!

This truly was a blast to work on and I hope I did not overwhelm you with an abundance of photos!  Thank you for visiting today and go get inky!

Stamps:  Tim Holtz
Paints:  DecoArt; Quinacradone Gold (Traditions), Prussian Blue, White, Bright Yellow, Tangerine, Mustard Seed, Fresca Finish; Hey Pesto, Delta; Silver
Inks:  Distress; Iced Spruce, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Aged Mahogany, Faded Jeans, Walnut Stain, Archival Black
Misc:  Modeling Paste, Rock Candy Crackle, Masking Fluid, Mod Podge, Embossing Folder

Why Creep When You Can Soar!

WooHoo it is another Blog Hop at Artistic Outpost and it is all about "Backgrounds, Typography or Sentiments."  I had such a great time working on this tag and I know you will love what all DT members have in store for you as well!   Gerrie, Lisa, Sue, Tracy, Linda, Alison, Terry (Me), Kate.

The background I created was inked with Peacock Feathers and Brushed Corduroy and the gears, from the Industrial Backgrounds set,  stamped in the same colors.  The sentiment was mostly inked with Peacock Feathers and shaded and gears stamped using Archival Sepia.  Both were given a quick spray of water! Some of the gears are Tim's and others are bits from my DH, which I inked with black alcohol ink.

The Steampunk Gentleman soaring to new heights was stamped in Black Archival and colored using Distress Inks.  I find that Tattered Rose is a perfect skin tone!  Both the Gentleman and Plane were obviously fussy cut!  I did a little slit at the man's arm to have him kind of resting on that awesome Sentiment, from Quotes and Quotables!

For the back black tag panel, I cut the edge using the Steampunk Gear, embossed and then highlighted with Opalite.  Added a tie using an old ham bag!!

There is still plenty of time to join in the March Referral Program and hopefully this Blog Hop has inspired you to pull out your AO stamps!  Thank you so much for visiting and have a wonderful Day!

Artistic Outpost Stamps:  Industrial Background, Quotes and Quoatables, SteamPunk
Inks:  Distress Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot Tattered Rose, Peacock Feathers, Archival Black and Sepia, Opalite, Winter Rust
Misc. gears, Dot Matrix Texture Fade, On the Edge Steampunk Gears

Cuckoo For Steampunk!

Hope you are having a beautiful day!  It is going to be in the 80's here today and I think it will be a lovely day for working in the yard.  Although when I did that the other day, I paid for it will nasty allergies for two days!    I suppose that is like working with stamps and inks and paying for it with stained fingernails?   I don't know about you, but I sure get very excited over Tim's new releases.  All my life I have had pretty good self-control, but not when it comes to Tim!

The inspiration for this Tag came from a brand new challenge blog,  SanDee & Amelie's Steampunk Challenges, "Cuckoo Clocks Go Steampunk."    Inspiration Journal is all about adding a little "P.O.P" and this has pocket watch has two chipboard layers and is further elevation by large "Pop Dots."  We are also taking flight with Bloggers Challenge, "Come Fly With Me."

The new Pocket Watch die was cut from both Black Card Stock and Chipboard, stamped in Opalite Ink and clear embossed.  These inks have a really nice metallic look and I love them!  I then used the steampunk gear to cut out the opening for the sweet little birds, through one layer of CS and CB.  The second CB cut was just for dimension.

The background clocks from Hero Arts was stamped in VersaMark and clear embossed, inked with Distress and then Tim's "Mini Blueprints 3" gears was stamped in Black Soot in a random pattern.  The next step was pulling out that iron and you know the rest!

Hope you are enjoying the week and have a wonderful weekend - almost!  Thank you for stopping by!

Stamps:  Tim's Tiny Things and Mini Blueprints #3, Hero Arts Clock Background
Inks, Opalite Golden Mist and Winter Rust, Distress Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Bard Door, Rusty Hinge, Black Walnut, Black Soot, VersaMark
Dies: Pocket Watch, gears

You Are The Hero!

Can you tell that I am really loving this new release from Artistic Outpost??  This Paperboy plate really inspires me and I know once you get this lovely rubber set in your hands, you will just have a blast!  Wednesday is my day to share at Artistic Outpost's Blog, so click HERE to see addtional pictures and all the details!  No reason to bore you here! 

This background was so awesome, that even with these gorgeous stamps, I had a hard time covering it up!  I really enjoyed creating it!   My little hero is going to P.O.P. over to visit Inspiration Journal for their monthly challenge.  Pull out your AO stamps and join in the March Referral Program, because someone wins!

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment!  Enjoy the day!

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Paperboy
Kraft Tag
TH Stencil Textured Fade, ATC Die, Ticket Die
Inks:  Distress, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Archival Coffee
Stampin Up Caulks
VersaMark Clear Embossing Ink and Powder
Stampendous, Aged Black, Gold, Silver and Tea Stain Mica Fragments

Hippity Hop!

Today is a beautiful day here and I worked in the yard a little and then decided it was "Tim Time" and time to play with my new movers and shapers "sized arches."  I was going to build up a frame using all the sizes, but decided to pretty much stay within Tim's instructions!  This is my take on Tim's March Tag!  We are also hopping over to visit Inspiration Journal for their "Add A Little P.O.P."  You should stop by there, because they have a nice $50 prize and guess who won last month?  WooHoo, it was me! 

Pretty much I stayed within Tim's guidelines.  For my tinsel bunny, I used various brown shades of alcohol ink.  I was thinking chocolate!  I used three Distress stains for my ribbon, because I was again thinking, Easter Eggs!  After I painted my flowers, I quickly added clear embossing powder and heat set.  If you do this, don't get too close as the paint will blister.  The grass was cut using shredding scissors. 

Last week was so busy, so I am a little behind on blogging visits, but will be visiting really soon!  My DH took the entire week off for our 30th Anniversary and if you have not entered my BLOGAVERSARY, you might want to do so.  When he is off, I am pretty much off as well!  My son had eye surgery and is healing OK.  Since I am not a girly kind of girl, my DH surprised me with a "Smart Phone" and it is pretty cool, but I don't know!  Anyway I do thank you for visiting today and hope you are having a fantastic week! 

These Eyes!

Yesterday I made it into my craft room to actually tidy up a bit and instead this happened!  First I thought about an eye looking through the new movers and shapers pocket watch die I own and then I saw a little tag laying around and thought the Steamy Punk Eyes, would look so cool on a tag.  Well of course the tag at hand was too small, so out came Tim's mini tag die and it all began!  Now that pocket watch was not going to go unused! 



All these delicious stamps are from Artistic Outpost.  Eyes were stamped with Archival black, I then used a VersaMark pen around the glasses and gold embossed.  Colored the eyes and then masked off before inking, flicking and splattering! 

The tag background was inked with various Distress colors, more of the above, dried and then stamped the gears in a random pattern using Black Walnut.  I actually added a light sprinkle of gold EP, heat set and then ironed this off in hopes that a little of the gold would remain and it did!

I used the resist piece of newsprint for the sentiment!  I thought that made a nice background!

For the pocket watch, I cut black chip board twice and glued together.  Made a little frame insert using Spellbinders circles and the clock was stamped in black archival on the same newsprint.  This was put together and then clear embossed several times to give a real pocket watch kind of look! 

We are popping over to Inspiration Journal as they are wanting us to "Add A Little P.O.P" and  Simon Says Stamp and Show is "By The Numbers."   Also am linking this up to V's Sweet Ideas for their "Masculine Theme."If you have some Artistic Outpost stamps, there is the March Referral Program and always a chance to win!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you are having a wonderful week and have great and fun plans for the weekend!   I will be going to the Carson Stamp Convention this weekend and that should be some great fun and I am sure not very costly at all! 

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, SteamPunk, Industrial Backgrounds, Whimsical Melange
Inks:  Distress, Tattered Rose, Peeled Paint, Salty Ocean Frayed Burlap, Black Walnut, Archival Black,
Marker: Stampin Up for the eyes
Distress Stain, Broken China, Bundled Sage, Walnut Stain
VersaMark Pen and Ink
Gold EP

Extra, Extra, Extra and More!

Today is a very special day in so many ways!  First I want to thank all of my followers, who take the time to visit and comment!  We all know how much time that takes and I am Over the Moon thrilled to have all of you joining me on this amazing adventure!  Your response to my blog touches my heart in so many ways and I am blessed and so thankful each and every day!

Tomorrow is my day to share at Artistic Outpost, but I thought this little "Newsies" could help me share the news today!   He is part of the new "Paperboy" and is he not as cute as can be?  For all the details and more pictures, please visit AO tomorrow and say, "hello."   Would love to see you there! 

Today is my "30th" Anniversary with the love of my life!  How did that happen so fast?  Each year that I celebrate my marriage anniversary, I also celebrate by Blog Anniversary and today we are "3."   Well it is actually May from the first post, but that was just to see how it worked!  Oh did I mention how much I love blogging and all my blogging friends?  Well I do!  I love creating, even if I started this later in life and I love joining in on Design Teams, as you all know is a blast.  So to thank you for all the encouragement and friendship you have so generously given to me, I am offering to one of my fabulous followers this gift.   I do wish I could give you all a gift and if I ever win the lottery, I will! 

The winner will be announced as I always do, on April 1st and will have a week to contact me for the GC code!  If I don't hear from the winner a new winner will be chosen on April 7th.  The Funkie Junkie Boutique is a fabulous store to shop at and I know you will enjoy looking around!  If you would like to add my blog candy to your blogs sidebar that would be just lovely and an extra throw in the hat, but certainly not required! 

Remember the new March Referral Program at Artistic Outpost has started, so pull out those AO stamps and join in for a chance to win!   I am also taking my little guy over for a visit across the pond to join in on a brand new challenge blog "Country View Crafts" for there "Pick and Mix" an anything goes challenge! 

Again I thank you for being a part of my blogging world and have a great week! 

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Paperboy
Ink:  Distress, Tumbled Glass,  Salty Ocean, Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Archival Black
Marker: Old Paper
Clear Embossing Ink and Powder
Stampin Up Chalks
Cuttlebug Gears EF