Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Eye and the Hand Tag

Hi everybody! Time for just playing around tag fun!
 
I had this #7 tag that I'd added some leftover Fresco Paints to when I first got them.
 
 I had no place to go today, just an ice storm on the way, so I decided to "mess" with it.
 
 
The paints are basically Smoked Paprika, Autumn Fire and a dash of Brown Shed from PaperArtsy.
 
Nothing fancy, just blended around in a pleasing pattern.

 
Next I got out the Oddities stamp set from Tim, and stamped the Hand with Embossing Ink.
 
I used white embossing powder next. And heat it up.
 
Then I stamped the thing that looks like a Wasp to me over the hand with Versafine Onyx Black and the Eye Chart with Vintage Sepia. And I heat set it.
 
Well, apparently I didn't heat it enough, because it just didn't set everywhere, so some of the inks wiped off the white hand..but not all...no problem...exactly what I planned. Right!
 
Now the Wasp thingy looks to be BEHIND the Hand...I like it!
 
So I switched to Archival Ink Jet Black and stamped the Gears from Ink and the Dog Mini 60, and the Script Mini 74 in Sepia Archival Ink. Heat set, and it stayed this time.
 
Just what I planned.....Right! Where I wiped them off, it created shadow on the hand...COOL!

 
Then I brought out the Markers....Tim's Distress Markers went into the Hand openings. Rusty Hinge, Dusty Concord, Shabby Shutter....etc.
 
I created shadow behind the Hand with Brushed Corduroy and Pumice Stone.
 
 
 
Still it needed something....THE EYE! YES!!!!
 
So Jet Black Archival ink and some more Markers. And the highlights with a white Posca pen.
 
Needed contrast....so I flicked some Limelight Fresco Paint over everything.....contrast!
 
Last I layered onto black chipboard, punched a hole, spritzed my Crinkle Ribbon and added Distress Ink pads Seedless Preserves, Broken China, and Pine Needles.
 
Crumple, and dry with the heat tool, and tie in a bow.
 
Fun times on a cold...rainy...and now becoming ICY day here in the Midwest USA!
 
Linda

Friday, January 25, 2013

Last Day this Month on PaperArtsy Blog

This is probably my favorite piece of the week.
 
So I guess it's good to post it last.
 
 
And I'm thrilled to tell you more United States stores have ordered from Leandra...I'm soooo happy!!!
 
It's a wooden canvas that was perfect to paint on!
 
 
And then stamp....and glue pieces of ephemera here and there.
 
Go over to the PaperArtsy Blog at 1PM CST today and I'll lead you through it.

(Click here or on the Badge on my sidebar.)
 
And by the way, you can paint on the metal with the wonderful Fresco Chalk Paints.
 
Good times, great fun, and I'll be back there the 3rd week of every month through April.
 
So let me know what you'd like to see, PLEASE.
 
I'm here to serve!
 
Linda

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Day 3 on Paper Artsy Blog-A Steampunk Collage

 
So we're going to bump it up a little more today with an 8x8 inch collage.
 

 Yep, this was really full of layers and layers....paint, tissue paper, stamping, and glazes, resulting in a lighter pastel piece that framed up rather well.
 
Want to see how it came to be???
 
Check it out here, and enter to win a set of STAMPS, either 1 x A5 set, or 2 x A6 sets, or 3 minis, chosen at the end of the week.
 
 
These are just a couple of the steps in the tutorial to reach this light and airy piece. 
 
Airy....pardon the pun.
 
LOVE this little Blowfish Hot Air Balloon, don't you?

 
And we'll lay down a base with Moldeling Paste to give it even more texture.
 
So give it a go, take a look, and as always, let us know what you think!
 
Linda
 
P.S. And one last post will be up on Friday, another collage, this time on wood! Stay tuned.....
 


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A Valentine Tag Triptych - And PRIZES!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!
 
I really was overwhelmed by how many people jumped on my blog yesterday! Some staying and browsing for quite a long visit.
 
It makes me smile.
 
Now today, over at PaperArtsy, we're going to boost it up a bit. Yesterday was just breaking open the paints and getting our feet wet. Each day this week we'll get more involved.
 
Today we have added the Metal Card which is metal already on black cardstock!

Yep, that is Silver Metal for the Hearts that were stamped and cut out!
 
How perfect its that for Stamping???
 

 
So, if you'd like a tutorial on how to make this little piece, jump over to PaperArtsy and have a look today at 1PM CST. It's now up now HERE!
 
And did I mention, there's a STAMPSET to WIN???
 
The stamps are from Hot Picks and Boy Howdy, do they stamp up great!
 
Bill's Valentine is sitting on the mantle. I thought it only appropriate to give it to him since he keeps me fed during my creative periods when I'm not smart enough to come down and eat.
 
Be Well and Have a great day!
 
Linda
 
P.S. If you want to know where in the US you can get a lot of these products from the UK, here's a list.
 
Absolutely Everything: Squiggly Ink, Hot Picks, Lynne Perrella, Fresco Acrylic Paint, Minis.
Blockhead Rubber Stamps: Ink and the Dog, Lynne Perella, Squiggly Ink.
Simon Says Stamp: Hot Picks, Dies, Fresco Acrylic Paint, Ink and the Dog Minis, Papers.
Stamp Diva: Ink and the Dog, Urban Snapshots, Lynne Perrella, Hot Picks.
The Ink Pad: Lynne Perrella, Minis, Vintage Ink and the Dog, Hot Picks, Ink and the Dog, Urban Snapshots.
The Occasional Artist: Hot Picks, Minis, JoFY, Lynne Perrella.
The Stamproom: Hot Picks, Dies, Urban Snapshots, Squiggly Ink.


Monday, January 21, 2013

Guest Designer on PaperArtsy Blog Week

Today at 1:00PM CST (19:00 hrs GMT) PaperArtsy will put up the 1st of 4 posts that have my projects.
 
 
They will add a new one throughout the week, and I'll alert you here with a new picture of the latest project.
 
And I'm told, there will be prizes to be had as well!
  
 
 
This is my first attempt to play with the WONDERFUL Fresco Finish Chalk Paints and Lynne Perrella stamps.
 
I LOVE THEM....and I'm not easily impressed.
 
So go to the blog, see the tutorial, and check out the Sunday post where all you United States Artists can find their products.
 
You cannot find a greater detailed stamp than Lynne Perrella's gorgeous Works of ART.
 
Let me know what you think, or if you have any questions!
 
Linda

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Stand Up Heart Valentine

More fun from Retro Cafe Art. This is a Stand Up Heart- Extra Large that comes with 2 pieces of Masonite here.
 
The Cupid is from a set of 6 here.
 
And the Medium Winged Hearts here.
 
Other small Hearts are from the Heart Mix Set of 36 here.
 
And the papers are from Bo Bunny-Love Letter 6x6 pad here.
 
Fresco Finish Paints from PaperArtsy - London NightVintage Lace, and Claret.
 
Ultra-Thick Embossing Powder (UTEE) - Clear, Gold, and Bronze.
 
(just a note about the paints...they come in Translucent, Opaque, and Semi-Opaque formulas each working for a different ending. The Opaque Vintage Lace lays the base and the Claret is a Translucent glaze-type paint that lets the other paints show through. You must watch  Leandra's  wonderful video  here  to see her work with these gorgeous paints. They are AMAZING!
 
 
This is the front. with a layer of London Night painted on the base ( it's an Opaque so it covers completely), and 2 layers of the paper added onto chipboard I cut out by tracing the large heart first, and cutting down.

 
These are the pieces before I glued them to the front.
 
The Cupid was painted with Fresco Paint Vintage Lace, then 2 layers of Claret are sponged on with Cut-n-Dry foam.
 
When dry I added a layer of clear UTEE.
 


The back paper was just traced and cut out. White pen marks add a border.


 
This is the Medium Winged Heart with White Pen and a cutout heart glued on.
 
 
The Cupid really turned out gorgeous with the Claret (a Translucent) and Clear UTEE.
 
I cut out extra little Hearts from the Turquoise paper and glued here and there. The one Cupid is aiming at was added with a black foam square.


The base has the London Night Fresco paint and White Pen marks around the edge.
 
I applied Gold and Bronze UTEE to the Scalloped Heart here and used a cutout stamp from the paper pad.
 
 
 
The Heart on the Front Base is covered with a cutout that has terrific little red and white letters. This section has "I (heart) U" in the center and is layered onto black chipboard. Really cute paper.
 
I added a few white dots to the heart centers here and there just for kicks.
 
These Bo Bunny papers were perfect to work with and I loved the color combos.
 
So check out the links....order some Hearts, and make a fun Valentine that can sit on your Sweetheart's desk...or your desk just to make you SMILE!
 
And leave a comment to let me know what you think....I LOVE hearing your thoughts!
 
Linda


 P.S. Don't forget to stop back for a peek at my projects for the 3rd Week of the Month Design Spot for Paper Artsy (the 21st)!!!
 
And check out the other Designers all year with a new person every week! here
 
I'll have the link and a look at my projects throughout the week...there will be 4 in all!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Mixed-Media Tag : UPDATE for USA

So much fun using Fresco Finish Chalk Paints!!!!
 
I cannot say enough about them....this is a tag I made using them, and the PaperArtsy Ink and the Dog Mini stamps.
 
I'll lead you through the process.
 
UPDATE: Simon Says Stamp just got a BUNCH of Fresco Paints in and they have the Mini Stamps, too, for all of us in the USA! HERE
 
 
I applied the Fresco Paints with a piece of Cut-n-dry foam to a Manila Tag.
 
 
I used Mini 05, 27, 48, 60, and 62 stamps...LOVE them ALL!
 
Then I ran it through the Vagabond with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder...the Numbers are my ALL-TIME Favorite.
 


The next step is to sand off the high spots and edges. I also hit the low spots to add some scratches.



I had just gotten in my new stash of PaperArtsy Mini stamps, so I added bits and pieces of them with Jet Black Archival and Sepia inks.
 
Then I took to the sewing machine and did 2 different stitches around it.
 
I had to add it to Black Chipboard for stability and punch.

 
I've had these pieces of die cut chipboard forever from Framedangoes.
 
I pushed them into the black embossing inkpad, then dipped them into black UTEE.
 
It only picked up some of the UTEE, and that was PERFECT. Heat it, and add some Peacock Feathers Distress Ink.
 


The Gold Metal Sheet is stamped with Staz-On Jet Black ink and added to the back of the chipboard with Wonder Tape.
 
 
I took a piece of Smoothy Super Smooth Card and added Vintage Lace, Mocha Mousse, and Beach Hut FP. Be mindful of the spot you want the baby's face. Mini 05.
 
Stamp with Archival Ink and add a bit more of color with markers. Here they look a bit pinkish, but they're really light orange...honest.
 
Then trim with decorative scissors and edge with a bit of Peacock Feathers Distress Ink.
 

 
Use Peacock Feathers and Ripe Persimmon Distress Stains on some Crinkle Ribbon, crunch it up, dry and tie in a bow.
 
Add the stamped image and Chipboard pieces with foam tape and a gold brad in each one.
 
That's it for today. Blogger has been on the fritz with uploading pictures for about 10 days...boo...so I had to use Picasa that takes much longer.
 
Hope you enjoy, and check out the links above!
 
Linda

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Exploding Picture Box from Retro Cafe ART

What's new and exciting??? I'm designing for Retro Cafe ART!!!!! 
 
  I am so LOVIN' working with Retro Cafe Art substrates....this, my friends is the
Victorian Exploding Picture Box!

And it is amazing!
 
 
 
UPDATE!!! The link above takes you to the Medium Box Kit (as shown)...the wooden blocks, base and top are all from Hobby Lobby. Sorry for any confusion!
 
I will show you several steps to creating this piece...but first see the wooden base is painted with Ivy Green Liquid Pearls.
 
The 5 Wooden Blocks are painted with the Chestnut Liquid Pearls. They are glued to the round base to form a platform.  Get it???

 
You take the top off....and it EXPLODES to this really cool foldout.
 

 
This is one layer of the foldout section covered with Tissue Wrap. (Bottom inside section)
 

 
The bottom outside of the inner section was painted with Snowflake and various colors of orange Fresco Finish Paints from PaperArtsy.
 

 
Then I stamped with Jet Black Archival Ink using Tim Holtz, Lynne Perrella, PaperArtsy Hot Picks, and Graphic 45 stamps.
 
I'm telling you, stamping on Fresco Paints is AMAZING!

 
Then Graphic 45 Streampunk papers (and others) on the reverse side of the Tissue Paper layer.(the bottom outside)
 
 
 
Last, the Copper from Paper Artsy was embossed through the Vagabond and sanded to reveal the silver base. I added them with Wonder Tape.
 
Lots of Idea-ology pieces, Faucet Knobs, a Clock Key, a Locket Key, a Timepiece Watchface, etc,   were colored with Alcohol Inks and attached.
 
Penwork here and there, and the Lady Postage Stamps from G45 are added to the Tissue Wrap layer. I added a bit of color with Pine Needles Distress Ink.
 
 
The bottles were filled with micro beads, pearls, and sand. Then I glued different paper labels to them and tied waxed linen and colored wire around the tops.
 
Once you have the 2 layers all decorated the way you like, you can use foam tape to adhere them at the centers.
 
 
This is the lid before it's glued together. I always add black to the edges of most everything.
If you've taken my classes, you know I am addicted to the Sharpie Chisel Tip Markers.
 
The unfinished edge (shown here) was covered with more embossed Copper Metal.
 
 
The little wooden top is painted with Liquid Pearls and a black permanent marker before it's glued into place. It's hollow so it worked great...it's from the Wood Shop.
 
 This whole kit comes flat and you can decorate it before it's glued together.
 
 Makes it so easy to stamp and paint.
 
 
This is a view of the inside as it opens. See how nice the stamping shows up on the Fresco Paint?
 
 The blocks used as a base raise this up so you can see it better. ( Not part of kit)
  
 
  
I made a video to show you this opening...it's my first one on the blog, so if it doesn't work very well, I'll just have to keep trying. Click the arrow to start it.
 
Not very clear, I've tried several settings...you'll just have to use your imagination....
 
Have a good one! And let me know what you think!
 
 Linda 

Friday, January 4, 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things for 2012

It was a very, very good year for me. I've learned a LOT about so many different things to do with ART.
 
I've been published a couple of times, and asked to teach here and there, met some wonderful new friends, and been blessed with new and exciting products to work with.
 
So, I thought I'd show you my favorite projects for the past year. Got this idea from my dear friend Lynne Forsythe.
 
Several have tutorials on the posts...click on each title to take you to that post.
 
 I know I had the time of my life making these and will treasure all the friends I made along the way through them.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 


 

 



 
 






 
 
 
 Bird Song Curio Box
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  
 
 
  





 
So we're moving into a new and exciting year with new products to play with and the first 4 months of the year as Paper Artsy Guest Designer!!!!
 
Check me out on their blog every 3rd week for the next 4 months here.
 
You will LOVE the Fresco Paints.and the GORGEOUSLY detailed stamps..I'm telling ya, I fell in love with them.
 
So onward ho.....let's go!
 
Linda