Less is More::Week 65 Sketch

The "Less is More" site has a challenge this week that involves a sketch.  The intent of this website is to keep embellishments to a bare minimum, if at all.  The cards or projects are left with a large amount of white space, very few layers and  simple designs.  It sounds easy but for most of us it is not easy at all.  The card I did follows the sketch with a square aperture and a phrase stamped on the front.

I used a blank white card that has a pre-cut square window.  I have been playing with Dyan Reaveley's Dylusion spray inks a lot recently.  I have done sheets of watercolor paper in different shades, this one is done in purple and bubblegum pink.  After the paper is dry I can cut it up to fit whatever shape I need.  I do very large sheets of water color paper so I can get lots of cuts out of it for cards or book markers.  The cut for this card measured about 3 1/2" by 2 1/2" which is the perfect amount of space I need for my Stampotique monster stamp.  I stamped him using Archival Ink in black from Ranger and glued the little guy on the inside of the card, perfectly framed in the window.  The phrase on the front of the card is also from Stampotique and goes well together with the little monster hugging himself!

Stampotique Challenge::ATC

Maria is the challenge hostess this week and she inspired us to create an Artist Trading Card decorated with Stampotique stamps.  An Artist Trading Card measures 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" and can be decorated with just about anything.  My ATC was color blocked first with Ranger Distress Inks using Broken China, Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, and Frayed Burlap.  Then I stamped the Prom Queen in Archival Black, then I poured Embossing Powder over the whole thing and heat embossed it.  I glued some steampunk elements using Glossy Accents and added a Wish ticket to the top.  I taped some film strip onto the side and then attached the whole thing to a spool.

A little close up of the ATC.

Artistic Outpost Challenge::Birds

The Artistic Outpost Blog has posted a challenge that is very Spring-like, "Birds".  What can I say....I'm surrounded by them.  We have multiple feeders outside and have enjoyed so many different types of birds this year and they seem to be arriving even earlier than usual.  Last year we had even more feeders out and it was a constant challenge to keep the squirrels off of them.  I noticed early one morning that all the feeders had been knocked to the ground and the suet cages had been ripped open.  I was amazed that squirrels could be that agressive!  Dumb California Girl.  It seems we have bears up on the hill behind our neighborhood.  One of them cut a swath right through the neighborhood and had quite a feast.  So far this year no bears, just birds.

This was made using the Blue Bird set of stamps from Artistic Outpost.  The colors of Ranger inks used are Wild Honey and Broken China.  I used a cork to stamp the circles on the background with Frayed Burlap ink, also by Ranger.  I cut an image of a woman out of paper and used an egg from K&Co for her face.  The bird is also a peel and stick bird from K&Co.  The phrase and birds held on high are by Artistic Outpost.  If you would like to see their other wonderful stamps here is a link to their site:  http://www.artisticoutpost.blogspot.com/

MORE butterflies!

I can't seem to stop making butterfly cards.  This one is made from random scraps, it measures 5"x7".

The products used for this quick card are the Alterations die called "Butterflight".  It is tucked behind a strip of G45 paper from the "Olde Curiosity Shoppe" line.  I punched the bottom of it with my EK punch.  The phrase is a Stampotique stamp using Archival Black ink by Ranger.  I actually made the paper for the butterflies out of watercolor paper sprayed with Dylusion spray inks that were stamped with random stamps.  I make the colored paper first and then use it as a way to clean off my stamps.  It serves as a masterboard to make other projects with, that way I don't waste the ink on the stamps.

More Butterfly Cards

I had a couple of butterfly cards left in me.....so here goes.

This card is made with one of the new pre-cut step cards.  It makes life simple, just fold and cut the pieces to fit.  I cut sections out from the new Graphic 45 collection of papers called "Old Curiosity Shoppe".  I highlighted the butterflies with Distress Rock Candy Stickles.

Ahhh, a 10 minute special.  I cut out a lacy frame using my Cricut machine and the cartridge called what else but.....Fancy Frames!  I used the phrase by Stampotique and added a peel and stick butterfly made by K and Co.  A few rhinestones and a little Wild Honey ink by Ranger around the edge and it is done.

Our Creative Corner Butterfly Challenge

There is a project challenge going on at "Our Creative Corner" this week incorporating Butterflies.  I adore butterflies since to me they signal spring, which is a really big deal here in New England.  Being from Southern California where there are only 2 seasons, summer and almost summer, I have REALLY come to look forward to the spring season and all the flowers, birds, dragonflies and butterflies that come with it.  I learned my gardening lesson the hard way when I went through my first spring here.  We had one of those odd weeks in April with high temperatures so, of course, eager to plant something I filled my car up with geraniums.  The man at the nursery looked at me like I was insane and asked if I was going to wait to plant the flowers.  Wait?  For what?  He said I should wait until June 1st.  I should have listened.  I planted all my lovely flowers and the next week it snowed.  I was outside in my pajamas with a towel on my head and every sheet we had in the house trying to cover up my plants.  Flash forward 10 years.  Now even if I see butterflies in my garden on some of the hardy plants that are up this time of year I know the magic planting date is June 1st.  I think of them as winged flowers.  Just a hint of beautiful things to come.

Products used:  Dylusions Ink Sprays Bubblegum Pink, Lemon Zest and Postbox Red.  Ranger's Black Archival ink and Adirondack Slate ink, Tim Holtz stamps from Papillon and Fairytale Frenzy (Stampers Anon).  Distress Stickles Rock Candy on the butterfly wings and bodies.  Finished card measures 5" x 7".

Stampotique Challenge::SDC 52

Stampotique has a challenge called "Oodles of Doodles" going on right now.  I am submitting a Mandala that measures about 12" across doodled in the Zentangle fashion.  I stamped Smushallaum in the center and then doodled in circles around her image.  After doodling away in front of the TV for a while I applied chalk around her image and colored her in with some pastels, too.  I inked the edges with Ranger's Black Soot.  The patterns are not perfectly executed but then I was doodling.  Webster's definition of doodling is:  "An aimless or casual scribble; a minor work".  So it is OK if it isn't perfect, it is also very relaxing.  Have you doodled today?

This one is for you Hels!

Hels Sheridan has a fabulous blog called "Ink on my Fingers" that is celebrating Sunday Stamper Week 200.  The theme is NUMBERS.  So in honor of Hels and her 200th post I did a tag a la Tim Holtz.  I used Ranger Distress Inks Wild Honey, Broken China, & Fired Brick on a manila tag.  Spritz and Flicked water on the tag.  Edged it with Black Soot and the stamped numbers from Tim's Stampers Anonymous collection called Fairytale Frenzy using waterproof black Archival ink.  Since I had the stamps out I decided to use the same colors of Distress Inks on the butterfly image and use the watercolor technique he showed in his recent on-line class.  So I inked up the stamp with multiple colors and spritzed water on it, then stamped the image several times so it looks very faded.  I used Idea-Ology Film Strip Ribbon to make the bow at the top of the tag and attached two of K & Company's sparkly butterflies.  The phrase is from Dyan Reaveley's collection.  Dyan's words are so true, the journey is the start of the adventure!

Latest Copy of The Stampers' Sampler

I finally got my new issue of The Stampers' Sampler!  I didn't get the cover, oh well, but they did show off my "girls" very nicely.  As I have mentioned before I adore Dina Wakley's stamps and her particular style.  It is very "grunge" which I love.  When Stampington sent me 5 of her stamps as an AOC project I was thrilled.  I was excited to see in the latest issue of TSS that they gave me a couple of two page spreads showcasing her stamps.  Here is one of those spreads showing some cards that I made in about 20 minutes just playing around.  Since part of the challenge is using only their stamps I got around that by using some old rub-ons that I had in my drawer.  I wanted a "teenager" look to the project which I feel I achieved.  The cards were quick and yet colorful and unique.

Frilly and Funkie Challenge::#2

F & F has a challenge this week called "I'll Take Your Word for it".  So my word is "Dream".  I used some of Tim's ideas for the background on the tag.  Ranger's Wild Honey ink combined with a little Broken China makes a lovely rusty green color.  The edges are inked with Black Soot and some Vintage Photo.  The lady herself is Dyan Reaveley along with her lovely legs.  The dress is Stampotique.  I stamped some of Dyan's vines down the left side and then did some coloring with Copics on her hair, eyes, lips, the leaves and of course the red soles on her shoes.  A little lace on the bottom and ribbons on the top.  My word "Dream" is from some old stamp line that doesn't even have a name on it.  Honestly it looks like it should be called "Envy" but I didn't have a stamp that said that.  :-)))))

Sorry I've been AWOL, I have been a little under the weather!  Feeling fine now and that's all that matters.

After CC101 class

Just wanted to share a tag I completed using Tim's techniques shown in the class.

Thanks to Tim and Mario, GREAT class!

A new challenge

I am trying new techniques that Tim Holtz taught in his Creative Chemistry 101 class.  All of the techniques are a lot of fun.  Some turn out better than others.  This particular tag was done with Distress Inks that were sponged on and then blended with water.  First I ran the tag through a texture fade.  I used Broken China, Peeled Paint and Rusty Hinge inks then blended everything with a little spritz of water.  Afterwards I sprayed some Tattered Angels Bubblegum Pink over it all to give it a little sparkle.  The edges were inked with Walnut Stain.  The stamps are all Dyan Reaveley as is the phrase.  I wanted her to look a little steampunk hence the key.  That's what all of us girls need now a days to keep going.....just like a wind up doll!

http://unrulypaperarts.blogspot.com/

Spring has Sprung

The new Stampotique challenge is "Spring has Sprung" and it certainly has in New England.  A light rain this morning should get all the flowers blooming.  The trees are starting to leaf out rapidly.  Maybe I can plant something this year before the magic date: June 1st.  So anyway, my card is using spring colors, by that I mean Dyan Reaveley's new spray colors:  Cut Grass and Squeezed Orange.  I stamped that cute little huggie monster from Stampotique and added a few other spring like touches.  His arms are full of Prima flowers and the bees are from K&Co.