A simple blending technique - an AIRs project

Today I'm sharing a simple blending technique using Imagine Crafts Fireworks! Craft spray.  The beauty of this craft spray is the intensity of the color and the sparkle imparted by the addition of  Mica to the spray, it gives the surface a lovely glimmer.  I'll also share a way to use your inks to make a glowing skin tone, giving the panel almost a water color effect.  Joy Clair was kind enough to send me some stamps, which I adore, this is the sheet of Coffee stamps.  It's called "Coffee Love", click on this link to see some of the other stamps offered on their site. 

Step 1: Cut a piece of water color paper measuring 3 ¾” by 6”. The cardstock mats could be cut at the same time; these are the measurements used for this card: black card stock 4” by 6 ¼”, DCWV dark purple paper cut to 4 ½” by 6 ¾”, DCWV marbled paper 7 3/8” by 4 7/8”. Set all the mats aside and then stamp the image on water color paper using Jet Black StazOn ink.

Step 2: Spray water on the paper, and then spray Bahama Blue Fireworks! Craft spray allowing the color to run on the paper. Lightly mist Fireworks! Lilac Posies and allow droplets to form and mix with the Bahama Blue.  At any point additional water can be added or a paper towel can be used to blot up excess color and water.

Step 3: To achieve this skin tone, apply a small amount of VersaMagic ink onto an acrylic block. This skin tone was a mixture of Pink Grapefruit and Persimmon.  A small amount of Delicata White Shimmer was added to the mix with a few drops of water. It is easier to blend this with a water pen, lift off the desired amount with the pen and apply it to the face. An additional drop of Brilliance Pearlescent Poppy ink was used the same way to color the lips and the cheeks.

Step 4: Use a heat tool to set the inks and dry them thoroughly.  Stamp the coffee phrases with StazOn Royal Purple ink. Dry. Clean up any parts that need extra attention such as the features with a Micron pen if necessary.

Step 5: Mat the panel and glue to the blank card. Add extra detail with a Pico Embellisher in Bronze, clear art pebbles can also be added for interest.

Pop on over to the Imagine site for a list of the supplies used for this project.  Thanks so much for stopping by ~ hugs ~ Renee

Jane Davenport's Mermaid Markers are so fun!

I've been making faces with Jane's Mermaid Markers which I found at Michael's the other day.  I used a Stencil Girl face stencil designed by Andrea Matus DeMeng called "Eve, a modern woman".  I traced it with a pencil and then applied the markers sparingly, they are intense.  I used a water pen to drag color around and Gelatos to adjust the colors. A few parts were brightened with Imagine Crafts Fireworks! spray, also poured into an empty water pen for easy, precise application.  It will take me awhile to learn how to use the markers and not flood the paper with too much color.  A little goes a long way with these pens.

It takes some time to find Jane's supplies, they sell out quickly, but they are worth the wait.

Have a great weekend!  Hugs ~ Renee

Art Journal Faces

I am working in my small, 5" by 8", art journal using the Jane Davenport petite face stencils.  I like the results and the size.  This is one that makes me think of Spring.  I began by outlining her face with my "magic" pencil better known as Stabilo Aquarellable pencil.  To blend it I used a water brush and then added color.

I used TCW stencils for the the flowers and IMAGINE Crafts Fireworks! Spray in the lovely Desert Sand, Bamboo Leaves and Summer Sky colors.  Then I used Pan Pastels for the face and the red and yellow flowers.  A few outlines with a Fude black permanent pen and Voila!  Spring.

Thanks for stopping by.  Take care ~ Renee

AIRs Artist Challenge/ATCs

This is one of those LONG postings that require a beverage of your choice suited to your time zone and a snack.  I decided to make a Master Board using all the wonderful products recently sent to me by John at Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko for the April AIRs projects.  As "Artists in Residence" we have three project assignments every month, one of them being a challenge to use all of the products in the box.  Fun, fun, fun!  When you make a Master Board or the equivalent of your own custom designed background paper, that task is really simplified since anything goes.  Take a look at my product choices!

Here's my finished project.



I started with a 12" by 12" piece of Strathmore Acrylic paper with a linen finish (246 lb paper).  I pulled out several stencils from my collection and started building my layers of color and texture on the blank piece of paper.  I decided that a lot of stenciling would come into play with the chalk inks, Fireworks! sprays and my Imagine Crafts Ink Blusher sponges which I use for stenciling.  After I get done with all the colors on the paper I will make sure it is dry and before cutting it up to make multiple ATCs and a little book for them to fit into.  My theme for the book is "Don't Forget to Give Yourself a Hug" and it is based on a cast of characters from Stampotique who look like they could use a hug.  The first color I apply is Angel Pink Fireworks! spray, followed quickly with Lulu Lavender and Summer Sky Fireworks! sprays.

For that lovely dark blue color, almost purple, I use Imagine Crafts Paris Dusk Fireworks! spray which is sprayed through a lacy stencil.  Dry with the heat gun.  I arranged several other stencils on the paper and sprayed water lightly through them, then I carefully lifted off the stencils.  I blotted off the water by rolling a paper towel roll over the paper, this is a ghosting technique that lifts off some of the inks and leaves light colored impressions from the stencils.  I took the lid off of the Paris Dusk Fireworks! spray ink bottle and used the pump attachment to fling some splatters of the ink across the page. 

Now to make my own stamp with recycled  materials.  In the box was a product called "Tack 'n Peel Cling Sheet".  Since I am first and foremost a rubber stamper I have a lot of flat stamps that usually need to be mounted on some type of rubber foam backing.  I do like to make my own stamps out of "found" items, like bubble wrap, whenever I can.  This can get messy and I generally throw the bubble wrap away after the first use since it moves around and gets all over the place.  I decided to make my own "bubble wrap" stamp with my Tack 'n Peel cling sheet.  (You could also use rubber bands, toothpicks, etc., whatever you want to attach to the sticky mat for your own unique look.)

I attached some bubble wrap to my TsukinekoTack 'n Peel cling sheet that had been mounted on an acrylic block, inked it up with all of my spring colored Versa Magic Chalk Inks and got some really nice textured stamping on my page.  It's like getting a FREE stamp.  After using it I just pulled it off the Tack 'n Peel and tossed the bubble wrap.  I can reuse the Tack 'n Peel over and over, I just rinse off any residual ink or bits of paper that might get on it.  I run it under the tap and rinse off anything I don't want to stick to it, no soap required, just water.  It is really great to use with those unmounted stamps that I never got around to attaching the foam sticky stuff to.  It can be cut to any size you desire and you don't have scissors covered with gunk when you're done.

I also used the Imagine Crafts Creative Medium with stencils to top off all the inky goodness on my page.  Now I have a lot of texture and color.  When I applied Imagine Crafts Goosebumps I got some additional sheen here and there.  There is a tremendous amount of color, shine and texture, bumpy & smooth stuff, going on here!

 I make sure this page is really dry before I start cutting it up, in addition to drying everything between each layer I usually dry it a little more at the end with my heat gun.  I'm going to use this for the base of  ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) and a card or two.  For the ATCs I need to cut my pieces to measure 2 1/2" by 3 1/2", the standard measurement.  Each of them with be matted on a piece of black card stock that will measure 2 3/4" by 3 3/4".  All of my characters and phrases will be Stampotique images with the exception of the stamped image on the cover of the little book.

After making all of the ATCs that I wanted for the project I made an accordion style book to hold them in.  I cut this from the same type of paper that I used for the other parts of the project, Strathmore Acrylic paper with a linen finish (246 lb paper).   This strip measures 4 inches high by 24" long.  I just folded the paper every three inches, sharpening the fold with a bone folder and then added to the book by gluing extensions onto it until I had enough for all of my cards, which ended up being eight ATCs.

The front and back covers measure 3 1/2 inches by 4 1/2" each and the front cover has an additional ATC adhered to it.

I continued to stencil on the accordion book strip with inks and sprays until it looked like this, just in case there were any bare spots on the front side and in addition to that, now the back is ready for me to add any more ATCs in the future that might be a part of this grouping.

Using a strong adhesive I attached all of the ATCs first, then the covers and finally cut a yard and half of grape and white bakers twine to keep it closed by wrapping it around and then tying it in a loose bow.  Here is a close up of the first four.

 This is a close up photo of the second four ATCs.  I still have this much room on the back to add more at a later date.

The finished line up of my cast of odd characters.

When I'm done looking at them or if I ever give them away I'll  just fold up the little book and tie it up with twine to keep it closed.

Next time you go crazy making ATCs that you can't bear to trade or give away think about making a small but durable         3 1/2" by 4 1/2" accordion book and keeping them for yourself.....for a while at least!  Here is a list of all the products and tools I used on this project.

Products

Tsukineko's Versa Magic Chalk Inks:  Spring Pansy, Thatched Straw, Mango Madness, Aquatic Splash, Aloe Vera & Pink Petunia

Imagine Crafts Ink Blusher Sponge Applicators

Imagine Crafts Goosebumps

Imagine Crafts Creative Medium Vintage, Clear and Shimmer

Tsukineko Black StazOn Ink

Tsukineko StazOn Cleaner

Imagine Crafts Fireworks! Spray Inks:  Angel Pink, Summer Sky, Lulu Lavender, Paris Dusk

Tsukineko Tack 'n Peel Cling Sheet

Bakers Twine

Clear Embossing Powder

Black Card Stock

Adhesive

Paper Cutter

Tsukineko StazOn Opaque Ivory Black & Cotton White Inkers
Tsukineko Memento Markers

Tools

Rubber Stamps by Stampotique, Dina Wakley & Magenta

Clear stamps

Old Credit Card

Bubble Wrap

acrylic block

Stencils by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer & Michaels

Imagine Craft Ink Blushers/sponge applicators

Heat Gun

Bone Folder

Ruler

My thanks to Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko for sending me products that I can challenge myself with and then share with all of you.  My thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit my blog and to take a look at my little book!  I hope you'll make your own Master Boards and have fun cutting up your very own uniquely decorated paper to make fun projects.  Have a great day, I'll talk to you soon!

Imagine Crafts Artists in Residence Project for 2013

The exciting news that I mentioned yesterday is that starting today I am a part of Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko's AIRs Team.  "AIR" stands for Artists in Residence.  I was invited, along with 11 others, to join this team recently.  It involves producing 3 projects each month beginning February 1st using products and themes provided to me by Imagine Crafts.  My faves at this point in time are Memento inks, Fireworks, Staz-on and so many others.  I am excited to see what types of things they introduce me to.  The first of these projects will be shown on my blog beginning on Feb. 1, 2013 and on the first of every month following that for the rest of the year.  This opportunity helps me to challenge myself by forcing me to break down my work using tutorials and listing all the products I use.  No more flying by the seat of my pants and forgetting how I get certain effects.  I believe this will work together with my OLW:  "balance".  By staying balanced I'm motivated to slow down a little and be present while I'm creating things.  There are times when I'm asked to teach a class on a project and it has taken days to figure out exactly how I did it so that I can write directions down for others to produce something similar.  I hope you will be open to trying new products and new techniques using those products along with me.
Imagine Crafts has also invited me to make samples for CHA in Anaheim this month which was a big first for me.  I can't share those with you yet but I will later this month.  I will also be attending CHA,  a really big first, and doing some demos there.  If you happen to be there please stop by and say hello.  I LOVE meeting people IRL that I have only known in Blogland.  My family lives near the Convention Center so I'll be spending some time after CHA visiting family and old friends.  January is going to be a busy month.

Lately I've been drawn to making miniature Art Journal pages to see what types of things I want to put in my Art Journal.  Yes, I have been writing the directions down on the back of each card so it can be replicated.  It is a fun project, small (4" x 6") and cute.  It isn't in a book and doesn't require a lot of time and commitment so it is not at all intimidating.  This is a sample of one of those cards.  They can be joined together with a metal binder ring and kept close by for ideas for later projects.

This one was made using Strathmore watercolor paper (140 lb), gesso, Reeves Deep Yellow Acrylic paint, a tad of Cobalt Blue paint around the edges wiped off with a baby wipe (my new best friend).  Then I sprayed a little spritz of Fireworks Dandelion and Tangelo spray ink on it and blended it with a paper towel.  The clip art is by Hidden Vintage Studios and the stencil is by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.  Instead of paint I applied some Dreamweaver's Pearlescent Embossing Paste, forcing it through the stencil with an old credit card and wiped off the excess.  A few black lines with acrylic paint and circles using a lid.  The stamps are by Autumn Leaves.  The white dots and circles are drawn with a wonderful white Signo pen that one of my students, Sandy, gifted me.  I love that pen!

You can buy the pre-cut post cards or simply cut your own to whatever measurements you prefer.  It is a fun way to keep track of new ideas and colors that you might want to repeat later.  Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day, it is sunny here but not very warm, lots of snow.  Take care, I'll talk to you soon!   

New Masterboard using Tsukineko's FIREWORKS

I can't stop making Masterboards lately.  As I continue to try different products and colors I am amazed at how different each one can be.  For this masterboard I used watercolor paper that had first been coated with a very thin layer of gesso.  After allowing the gesso to thoroughly dry I sprayed Tsukineko's Goosebumps, think liquid plastic, through a circle stencil.  It takes a little while for the goosebumps to dry and then I started spraying the Fireworks glimmer mist, also by Tsukineko, over it.  I just bought a package of three containing the colors Tangelo, Lady Bug, and Dandelion so I kept layering one color after the other, blotting with paper towels along the way, until I was satisfied.  A quick dry with a heat gun and then I began stamping.  The stamped images are just little stars by Rubber Stampede and a diamond design by Paper Inspirations.  I used Memento's Pistachio ink to stamp these and then I heat embossed them with clear embossing powder.  Now it was time to bring out the lids.  I have a collection of old lids that I have recycled into stamps.  I dipped the lids in red, turquoise and white acrylic paints, one color at a time, and stamped them randomly all over the page.  Everyone seems to have old gift cards/credit cards/hotel room keys, etc. that can also be used to dip in acrylic paint and make straight lines on the paper.  This also adds some depth and interest to your pages.  I used black and white acrylic paint for the lines.  Now the paper can be photocopied and used over and over.  This is what the entire sheet looked like.

You can add drops of water and blot them for a ghosting effect when it is completed, if you like.  This next photo shows a card made with the paper.

An all occasion card using Dina Wakley stamps.

Masterboards are so fun to make!  I hope this will encourage you to make your own, just the color you want it to be.  If you haven't tried Fireworks sprays you are in for a treat, great colors with a little bit of shimmer.  Have a great weekend.  Talk to you soon.