CSI: Color, Stories and Inspiration, a new challenge

This is a new challenge that some of us at Imagine Crafts are participating in this month.  You may have already seen the CSI site, it stands for Color, stories and inspiration.

 Now that I have another new grandson I'm trying to get back into the scrapbooking swing of things, maybe you are too.  It is a fun hobby to do during the summer months.  Designing a scrapbook page based on prescribed colors and rules is a unique challenge!  Here is the link to the site showing what the rules are for the month of June.  There are clues listed as to the color, stories and inspiration being used this month.

My layout is all about Zentangle and how it makes me and my students feel like a "Super Artist" after completing a 15 minute tile.  I have matted two of my favorite Zentangle tiles to make my layout.

For my "Evidence" I have used solid white cardstock for the background.  Puffy stickers in the shape of hearts, numbers and exclamation points.  I also added some twine and included stripes.
For my "Testimony" I used inspirational words like "Super, Wow and Awesome".
The "Colors" used for June Major Case File No. 231 are:  Royal Blue, Turquoise, Bright Buttery Yellow, White and Primary Red.

Now is your chance to become a CSI detective.  Check out the site and create something new.  This challenge is taking place the entire month of June.

Hugs ~ Renee

P.S.  I'll share this page with my students next month when I teach a Zentangle 101 class at the local library.  I will post the time and date of that event here on my blog around July 1st, the cost per student is only $5.00 to cover the cost of the supplies, which the student gets to keep.  Each student will complete 3 tiles in a two hour time period.  Let me know if you're in the Myrtle Beach, SC area on July 20th and would like additional information to sign up.

Finnabair's new online class - Art Transformations

I thought I'd share a link with you today.  Finnabair is teaching her first online class called "Imagine" and it is as amazing as one would think it would be.  I used an old photograph of myself for this that I've always been fond of and created a self portrait using her techniques.  I cannot share the process with you but you can check out the class and site for yourself, if it interests you.

Most of us have tons of embellishments in our stash and this is a great way to use them up in a good way.  Finnabair recently released some wonderful waxes that can be employed to get an effect of lights and shadows with a blush of color.  It was really fun and I'm happy to learn how she does all those fantastic portraits of herself that I've seen in magazines and online.

There are other classes also offered on this new site that you might want to check out.

Hugs ~ Renee

Getting a Shabby Chic look using a master board in rose

If you have time, check out the Imagine Craft blog to see how you can create different looks with the same master board beginning.

Don't forget to enter the drawing for a Jane Davenport book, the contest ends tomorrow!

Hugs~ Renee

AIRs Project: Delightful Wintergreen Card

The AIRs color challenge for the month of January is "wintergreen".  Take a look at the card I made using, what else, StazOn Studio Glaze and an ATC.  My interpretation of the wintergreen color is on the ATC as well as in the background.  Here's a sneak peek of a part of the card:

To see the card in its entirety click on the link that will take you to the Imagine blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm at CHA Phoenix right now and will be sharing lots of photos with you when I get back. ~ Hugs ~ Renee

Take It Make It Challenge: November

Here's a pretty mixed media card made with one of Finnabair's stamps:  Don't Forget to Fly, manufactured by Prima.  I've included instructions in the event that you'd like to give it a try.  I made this for the Take It Make It Challenge for November over at the Craft Stamper blog,  The theme is "anything goes", I've included the link for you.

Supplies:

• Ink:  StazOn Jet Black; Brilliance Mediterranean Blue, Victorian Violet, Delicata Golden Glitz
• Stamps:  Finnabair, Stampers Anonymous script
• Other accents:  Ranger Distress Crayons:  Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge, Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves, Chipped Sapphire
• Gelatos:  Grape, Metallic Melon, Mint, Blueberry,
• Stencils:  Unfinished by Seth Apter, Alphabet stencil by Andy Skinner
• White gesso, water color paper, irRESISTible clear glaze, baby wipes, Stabilo All pencil

Instructions:

Apply gesso to watercolor paper panel, allow to dry.  Stamp image in the center, color in with Crayons.  Mask off the image and apply Distress Crayons to the background, use a baby wipe or apply water on your finger if you need to blend the colors.  Place "Unfinished" stencil on top of panel and remove some of the color in background with a baby wipe.  Stamp script, the stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  Outline the wings with the Stabilo pencil and use a water brush to soften the look of the pencil.  Remove mask, apply clear glaze to circles and on the wings.  Use Alpha stencil with white gesso randomly on panel.  Distress the edges of the card with Victorian Violet and the Mediterranean Blue inks.  Adhere to a black mat, glue matted panel to the blank card.  Ink the edge of the white card with the Violet and Mediterranean Blue inks; then apply highlights with Gold ink.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll check out the TIMI link and enter something.  Hugs ~ Renee

CHA Las Vegas Photos

One last group of photos from Vegas!  Graphic 45 had an awesome booth, as usual.  Here are some close ups of Humptey Dumptey.

Then we walked around a corner and look who was here!  Anna Dabrowska aka  "Finnabair" was doing demos.  Her work is even more amazing IRL.  She was very sweet and we watched as she completed this entire page.

We had a great trip and saw all kinds of new techniques.  We were able to visit with so many great artists and watch them up close and personal as they worked their special magic.  Be on the look out for all kinds of new products.  In the meantime, thanks for stopping by.  Talk to you soon.  ~  Renee