Got Keys? A tutorial showing how you can make your own unique key holder.

Here is a link to a tutorial on the IMAGINE Craft/Tsukineko blog showing how I made this cute key holder for our new place.  A simple project that anyone can do and everyone can use!  Use your own color palette and whatever stickers you might have in your stash.  Sneak peek.

I hope this finds you all well!  Thanks for stopping by, leave a comment if you have time just so I know you're there, have a great weekend.  Hugs ~ Renee

Zentangle 101 Class in a local consignment store

Well, I taught my first class here in Myrtle Beach, SC.  A lady who owns a local consignment store called the Flamingo Porch asked if I'd be interested in teaching some kind of art class in her store during store hours and I said "Sure!"  I figured Zentangle 101 was the least messy class I could teach and I had some wonderful students who had never heard of Zentangle before that signed up.  They were amazing.  Here are their finished tiles.

We started with the basics:  Hollibaugh, Crescent Moon and Poke Root.

Then we moved forward to Knightsbridge, Msst, Keeko, and some fillers.

The final tile was dedicated to learning Rick's Paradox, one of my all time favorites.  We added a little bit of Flux to the edges.

Here's a group photo that has most of the students in it.  I have to be quicker with my camera next time before any of them get away!

I'm so proud of these ladies and what they were able to learn in just 2 hours!  Amazing, like Rick and Maria say it is just "one stroke at a time".  All the students are newbies to this art form.  We caused quite a stir right there tangling in the middle of the store at a large table that was for sale.  A girls gotta do what she has to do, right?

So far Myrtle Beach has been kind to us.  We're really enjoying the weather, the people are absolutely lovely and after just a couple of months here I'm getting back out there teaching and crafting here at home.

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your visits and comments.  Take care, hugs ~ Renee

Paris card on the IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko blog

Check out my "Paris" card featured on the IC/T blog.  Here's the link.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs ~ Renee

"Thinking outside the box" project

For a fun project to do with a nice sturdy box that you want to recycle take a look at this project on the IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko AIRs blog.  Here's the link.  Sneak peek below!

I hope your having a great weekend.  Thanks for stopping by.   Hugs ~ Renee

The (new) Groove Tool Winner!

I have drawn a new name since I didn't hear from the first winner of the Groove Tool.  The new winner is Jackie P. Neal.  Congratulations!  Please contact me at my new email:  renee.zarate2015@gmail.com.

Thanks! ~ Renee

Making cards using a masterboard

These are the two cards I made using my Seth Apter stenciled master board.

The master board portion is the torn paper at the bottom of the stamped and drawn panel.  The girl's face was inspired by the artist Karen O'Brien in the new magazine called "Faces".  I can't wait for her new book to be released!  She has directions showing how she draws her faces in the magazine, it left me just wanting more.

Here again I'm using just a small portion of the master board to create the stem of the flower.  Using your master board this way adds texture and interest to the project.

I hope you'll make your own original master boards, they're not only fun to make and but fun to cut up and use later!
Thanks for stopping by ~ hugs ~ Renee

P.S.  I have not heard back from the winner of the last week's giveaway "The Groove Tool".  If I don't hear from her by tonight I'll be drawing a new winner and announcing it tomorrow (Friday) morning.  Check back then, I'll give the new winner until Monday to let me know their mailing address so I can ship it out.   Best wishes to you all!

An Art Journal created with scraps

I recently shared a master board created with Amplify! and a Seth Apter stencil.  I'd like to share the art journal I created when I started tearing/cutting up my master board.

When you are creating a cover for an art journal (or a page in an art journal) that is a great time to use up your stash of flowers, ribbons, etc.  The master board piece serves as the background and the other items are simply glued on top of it.

Later this week I'll share the cards I made with that same master board.  I used every scrap of it!  Inexpensive and original paper when all is said and done.

Take care ~ Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs ~ Renee

Drum roll please.......and the winner of the Groove Tool is......

Today is the drawing for the newly released Groove Tool!  I put the names of the commenters in a box and had my husband, Joe, draw one out.  The winner is Courtney Craig.  Congratulations!  Please email me (renee.zarate2015@gmail.com)  your mailing address and I will get that out to you right away.

Thank you everyone that entered, I appreciate that, and hope to have more giveaways in the future!

BTW, being in South Carolina I've received a lot of queries as to the floods here recently.  We stayed close to home over the weekend due to the State of Emergency here.  There was flooding to the north and south of us but we are fortunately out of those areas.  The pond in the backyard was filled to the max by Monday morning and only the ducks and geese were happy about that.

 I'm very glad things are pretty much back to normal here and the sun is shining bright.  My thoughts and prayers are with those that were hit the hardest!

 Thanks for thinking of us!  Hugs ~ Renee

A Technique using Amplify! to create an aged metal look

Today on the AIRs blog at IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko I will be sharing a technique used to make the product Amplify! and ink look like aged metal.  I used one of Seth Apter's fantastic stencils and IC/T products to create this master board.  I share on their blog some of the projects you can create with this master board that are really fun!  Check it out by clicking HERE.

Did you leave a comment on yesterday's post for the give-away next week?  I hope you do.  ~ hugs ~Renee

My First Give-Away! The Groove Tool used to alter playing cards.

You read it correctly, this will be my first give-away here on my blog.

From time to time different companies send me their products to try out.  If I think they are really good quality and something that I will truly use, I blog about it.   A few months back I was asked if I would like to try a new product called "The Groove" tool.  Of course I said yes.  During my move my new toy went with me but I didn't really have time to try it out.  The distributor emailed me last week to see what I thought of it......oops.  I pulled it out and gave it a whirl and what a delightful tool this is, can't wait to share it with you.

The Groove by Art-C is the first tool specifically designed for crafters to ink, sand, stencil and distress a wide variety of surfaces (wood, glass, cardstock, fabric, metal and more). It is portable, light-weight and cordless. Click here to watch The Groove tool.

Visit www.myartc.com/thegroove to learn more.
800-448-6656, info@momenta.com

Here is a sample of some playing cards that I altered using the Groove tool.  It sure made sanding and inking very simple.  I've included some directions if you're interested in altering some playing cards in the near future.

Directions:

Sand the surface of the playing card lightly leaving some of the original design on the card.  If you're using the Groove tool there are two different sanding tips and a low and high speed setting.  After sanding lightly tap off the dust.

Apply heavy gesso to the sanded portion of the card.  Allow to dry completely before proceeding.  You can use a heat gun but be careful not to cause the gesso to bubble unless, of course, you want that distressed look.

Stamp your chosen image on the gesso, sprinkle embossing powder on it and heat emboss the image.  Stamp a second image, cut it out, this will be used as a mask later.  BTW, this is one of Magda Polakow's new stamps manufactured by Stampotique.

Cover the image on the card with the mask to apply the background colors.  I used my new Brusho Crystal Colours for this project.  This was a combination of Prussian Blue and Light Brown.

Next I stamped on the card and added stenciling with some heavy gesso.  When this was all dry, I inked the edges of the card and allowed that to dry.

I liked this project so much I altered quite a few of the playing cards with different stamps, colors and phrases.  Here are a few of my favorites.

I am happy to announce that Momenta sent me a "Groove Tool" to offer as a give-away here on my blog.  If you are a follower of my blog and a resident of the USA just leave a comment here at the end of this LONG post.  I will give everyone until Thursday midnight, October 8th to leave a comment and then on Friday morning I will randomly pick a winner out of a hat.  I will include in the package some of my altered playing cards as inspiration just for fun.

I hope to see lots of comments and maybe some new followers, I love this tool and am anxious to share it with one of you!  I will announce the winner on Friday morning, October 9th.

Hugs ~ Renee