Artistic Etchings Key Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If You're Not Content On The Inside, The Inside Is A Great Place To Begin

I know how easy it can be to turn to instant gratification from the outside when I am not feeling content on the inside.  Tired and grumpy? - ooh, maybe some new craft supplies will cure that!  Depressed and out of sorts?  Some new paint and markers are just the thing!  Feeling down on yourself?  Give in to the temptation for on-line shopping and shipping.  Or don't...  When I am feeling down, the instinct is to turn to a quick pick-me-up - to believe that all it will take is paying some money for something to make me instantly feel better.  And while there is a bit of a "high" as the purchase is being made, it doesn't take long for me to look at the new "thing" - whatever it is - and realize it does not hold the key to my happiness.  If I am not content on the inside I have learned that the inside is where I need to begin - the place I need to start my journey back to feeling better.  It is not something that can be bought.  It is something that deserves my time and attention and sometimes my creativity (after all, even though new art supplies won't do the trick, I definitely have a large enough stash of current supplies that can be turned to for a creative journey when I am feeling down).  Let's see if I can resist the urge to binge when the next slump hits and rather turn to myself for the best kind of gratification there is - the kind that comes from the inside!
Today's card is clean and simple.  I just used my stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the key from Artistic Etchings multiple times using Early Espresso ink at full and half strength.  I then added the greeting from Teeny Tiny Greetings.  Simple and clean.  I hope you like it :)
ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!
It's time for Online Extravaganza!!!!!!  Online Extravaganza, the annual Stampin' Up! sale to kick off the holiday shopping season, will begin today, Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011!!!!!!  Click HERE to log in to my online store beginning Monday, November 21, to take advantage of great savings, like 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!  But wait!  There's more!!!!!
There will be two items on sale today, for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT]) - so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!   Click HERE to shop the Online Extravaganza!!!!!

Online Extravaganza!!!!!

It's time for Online Extravaganza!!!!!!  Online Extravaganza, the annual Stampin' Up! sale to kick off the holiday shopping season, will begin Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011!!!!!!  Click HERE to log in to my online store beginning Monday, November 21, to take advantage of great savings, like 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!  But wait!  There's more!!!!!
There will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT]) - so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!   Click HERE to shop the Online Extravaganza!!!!!

One Way Friday :) Wooden Sign

I have to confess that I am exhausted as I am typing this (Thursday evening).  I traveled for work this week and got home around midnight on Wednesday night and then had to get up early for another work obligation on Thursday morning.  I never seem to sleep well when I am in hotels and when you combine that with time changes and travel my body at times just revolts!  Needless to say, I was relatively useless for most of Thursday!  So, rather than try to put together a Four Ways Friday post, I decided to create a sign for my craft room - a sign that would help me remember my mantra as I battle living in "countdown" mode.
I began with a few pieces of scrap wood - the larger one is 4" x 3" and the smaller one is 2" x 2 3/4".  I covered both of them with gesso and let them dry.  Next, I took the larger piece of wood and covered it using modeling paste.  I then tried an experiment - I pressed the Finial Press embossing folder into the modeling paste and ended up with a bit of a mess!  I'm thinking that the next time I try it I will allow the modeling paste to dry for a bit before trying to press anything into it :)  I ended up with the texture you are seeing in the photo...after adding a few more steps.  I used some mesh hardware tape and pressed it into the modeling paste as it dried.  I also stamped one of the floral stamps from Itty Bitty Bits into the paste.  Once the modeling paste was completely dry, I painted it all with Frost White shimmer paint - I love how the shimmer looks on the texture!  To finish the bottom panel I hammered in a variety of beads around the edges.  Here is a close up of the texture:

 

The next step was to stamp the mantra onto the small panel using Jet Black Staz-On and a retired alphabet stamp set (since I still can't find my letter "r" stamp for my Calendar Alphabet & Numbers stamp set!).  I then sprayed the panel with a mixture of Champagne Shimmer Mist paint and alcohol.  It's hard to see that sparkle in the picture, but it looks shimmery in person!  I then added Crystal Effects around the edges and pressed the edges into some white seed beads that I had in the craft room.  Next came the flower!  I die cut 6 flower shapes (3 larger and 3 smaller) using the Island Floral bigz die and some white organza fabric.  I then held the layers together with a long wooden skewer pressed against a tile and heated the flower using my heat tool.  Since the organza is synthetic, the heat will melt the fibers and create a wonderfully dimensional flower!  I pressed a brad through the center of the flower and then adhered an adhesive rhinestone to the center of the brad.  The smaller panel and the flower were then adhered to the larger panel using matte medium.  Once the entire piece is dry (which will likely take overnight) I will attach a hanger to the back of the piece and hang it on my craft room wall :)
I hope you've enjoyed this project and this short break from Four Ways Friday.  I plan to resume Four Ways Friday next week!  Have a beautiful and creative weekend and don't forget to breathe in the now :)

Metal Tape & Canvas ART Sign

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Say Thank You To Your Mistakes!

I have been working on this piece of art for quite a bit of time now.  It started with the central art sign - using hardware tape, tile tape, Serif Essentials chipboard letters, brass embellishments, metal working tools and some paint.  I then decided that this piece needed a home and figured a canvas would be just the place!  So I began painting the canvas.  It started with black gesso and then I began adding some silver hardware tape and copper tape...and then came the paint...and stencils...and more stencils...and metal embellishments...and more paint...until I got to a point where I was very stuck!  One moment I felt the canvas was too dark.  The next minute I felt it was too metallic.  Then it was too "obvious" in terms of the circle shapes from the stencils.  So I kept going and going and going and finally took out a tube of gold leaf wax and thought that a touch of it would look nice.  I put some on my finger and went to slide my finger across the canvas and BLOP!  A rather large area - definitely unlike what I had been trying to do - spread itself out before my eyes on my canvas!  Ugh!!!!  Now what?!  I was about to panic - what an ugly mistake!  And then I decided to go with it and follow where the mistake was taking me.  So, just to show the Universe I was on board for the journey, I put a bit more of the wax on my finger and brazenly did the exact same thing again...and again!  And as I kept swiping my finger, the canvas began to transform in ways I hadn't even imagined (nor could I have done had I been deliberate in my actions).  Say a big "THANK YOU" to your mistakes!  They may lead you to places where you never would have gone if it weren't for the happy "oops!"

Embossing Folder Kiss Technique & Video!!!!!

 

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Try Unlikely Combinations!

Acorn squash, maple syrup, red pepper flakes and arugula on a pizza crust????  Really????!!!!  If you had told me how delicious that combination would be I would have told you you were nuts!  Yet, after making and eating just such a combination, I was amazed at how yummy it was!!!!!  I get surprised in similar ways in the craft room!  Sometimes the combinations definitely need work.  At other times, the pairing of unlikely companions seems to work out just great!  It is such an unlikely combination that led me to today's technique and video!  I had been playing around with the traditional "kissing" technique where you "kiss" or touch together two stamps (both can be inked or one can be inked and one uninked) and then you stamp the inked stamp onto card stock.  I thought, "hmmm, if you can kiss a stamp to a stamp, how about kissing a stamp to an embossing folder?"  And so we have the embossing folder kiss technique :)  What unlikely combinations can you play with in the craft room...or the kitchen????
Here is a video to show you the embossing folder kiss technique and how I made today's card.  Enjoy!

2-Step Bird Punch Quote Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I Need To Stop Living Life In "Countdown" Mode

Have you ever been to a New Year's party or watched a New Year's celebration on television?  If so, then you know the tradition of starting to count down the seconds, out loud, as the stroke of midnight nears.  Unfortunately, this little tradition has started to invade my daily life.  I call it living in "countdown" mode.  It seems I am always counting down the minutes until my next trip or counting down the minutes until I will return home again.  Or I'm counting down the minutes until Buddy's next walk...or my next meal...or a television show I'd like to watch.  If I'm spending all of this time in countdown mode, I am not living in the present moment!  I know you have heard me share my thoughts before on living in the now - it is something I am continuing to work on - something I haven't learned how to do as regularly as I would like.  When I find myself counting down I want to have a mantra to turn to - maybe something like "Breathe in the now."  Just typing that seems to relax my shoulders and make me feel at peace.  Breathe in the now :)  Maybe that is truly today's lesson from the craft room :)
Today's card was inspired by the Chinese proverb I shared with you last week.  I decided to type it up on the computer and then print it out on plain paper on my laser printer.  I then cut out each of the pieces and adhered them to the card base using glue.  A layer of Crystal Effects was then added to each word to give the words some dimension.  I stamped images from Artistic Etchings in River Rock and Basic Black and then added a bird punched from Basic Black card stock using the 2-step bird punch.  If you are noticing the very subtle rectangular image in the background, you don't need new glasses :)  I was actually playing around with instant film and decided to smoosh one side of the developed film paper onto the card stock and got that nifty look :)  Of course I am already thinking that I can recreate that same look using an acrylic block...I may have to give that a try :)  I hope you like it!

Medallion Bleach Pen Stamping & Video!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested. - E. M. Forster

What are you passionate about?  Have you noticed that when you are passionate about something, your energy is contagious?  I find this with others as well.  If I encounter someone who is truly passionate about what they do, their energy amazes me!  As I sit and think about what I am passionate about I realize that creativity is TOP on my list!  I believe in our ability as individuals to be creative.  I believe in the power of creativity to move hearts and mountains!  I believe in the power of creativity to heal and soothe.  I believe creativity connects us.  I hope my passion comes through to you and that in some way this small landing strip on the world wide internet ignites your passion to create!  And, if you are merely interested in creativity, I invite you to go and explore what you are truly passionate about!  Your passion is waiting for you!!!!!
For today's card I decided to try a fun technique - stamping with a bleach pen!  Here is a video to show you how easy it is to do!  Enjoy!!!!!

Four Ways Friday #69 - Inspired By Nature Coloring Techniques

For this week's Four Ways Friday I'm doing things a bit different.  Rather than share four completed projects,  I wanted to share with you four techniques for coloring the floral image from the Inspired By Nature stamp set.  Enjoy!  Here is a photo of the four variations:

Let's take a look at the different techniques used to color these images:

 

This first technique is simple and fun!  I used markers (Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Peach Parfait, and Chocolate Chip) to color directly on the stamp as shown here:

Next I spritzed the stamp with water a number of times (I keep water in a small spray bottle on the craft table for techniques like this one).  Then I stamped onto watercolor paper.  So simple and such a wonderful, bright image!

 For this second piece I just added one additional step to the technique in the first piece.  I colored the stamp with markers as described above.  Next, I "huffed" on the piece with my breath to make sure the ink was moist and then I "kissed" the uninked baroque stamp from Baroque Motifs on the surface of the inked stamp and lifted.  This "kissing" technique removes ink from the inked stamp and leaves a shadow of the pattern from the uninked stamp.  I then "huffed" again on the inked stamp and stamped the image onto Whisper White card stock.  This creates the boldest of color of the techniques I am sharing with you today. 

This third technique produces a softer image than the first two, depending on how much water you use.  For this piece I colored directly on the stamp with Watercolor Wonder crayons using various shades.  Next I spritzed with water and stamped onto watercolor paper.  I love how this technique really mimics watercolor painting - so soft and pretty.

For the final project I decided to do the Poppin' Pastels technique.  I stamped the image onto Whisper White card stock using VersaMark ink.  Next I dabbed Stampin' Pastels in various shades onto the cardstock using cotton swabs/daubers.  I gently brushed off the loose pastel and used my eraser to erase some of the smudges.  I love the doppled effect this technique creates!
I hope you've enjoyed these four coloring techniques.  I hope they inspire you to try something new or to try a technique you haven't used for a while.  I now need to figure out what cards I want to create with all these panels!  I hope you have a beautiful, relaxing and creative weekend!

A Little More Progress!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sit With Your Art

I sometimes pressure myself to know exactly what I want to do next with my art.  The reality is, I don't know!  What I am learning, is that if I just sit with my art, the next step will come.  Sometimes it might be in a few seconds...or a few months!  I am finding that I am enjoying having a number of pieces "in process" at the same time.  That way, when I get stuck or when I just have to wait for a piece to dry, I can keep moving forward with whatever whispers to me.  I am learning to sit with my art and wait for it to speak to me.
I made a bit more progress on this piece that I shared with you yesterday.  The first thing I added was some gold acrylic paint to the raised images that were stenciled using modeling paste.  Then I decided glitter was definitely in order, so I added some green and blue glitter glues and smooshed them around with my finger on the canvas part of the piece.  Then came some additional inspiration - the desire to add more butterflies.  So, I die cut them out of white organza:

Next I dipped them in diluted fabric stiffener so that I could give the a bit of shape.  I draped them on some wooden skewers that I stuck in a piece of styrofoam:

Once they were dry (it didn't take too long since Denver is dry and the organza is quite thin), I decided to spritz them and paint them with a number of different products (I did use some champagne shimmer mist paint that I had mixed with alcohol and I also used a number of non Stampin' Up! products).  I then attached them to the canvas using matte medium.  Here's what the piece looks like now - I wish you could see all the sparkle from the glitter!

The piece hasn't told me that it is done yet, so I will continue to sit with it and see if it pushes me further.  I hope you are enjoying sharing this process with me as it unfolds.  There is something beautiful about sharing this piece in this way - like the butterfly emerging from the cocoon, this piece is emerging from inside of me in its own right time.

Making A Bit Of Progress: Beautiful Butterflies FLY Artwork

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  A Bird Does Not Sing Because It Has An Answer.  It Sings Because It Has A Song.  -Chinese Proverb

I have been working on a number of mixed media collages for sometime now.  The one that drew me to this quote is not ready for sharing yet...or maybe it is...it is definitely a work in progress!  Maybe I'll give you a peek a bit later in the week.  It began with images of blue jays and has evolved, quite slowly I might add, from there.  Today I decided to pull the piece back out and continue working on it and I felt it needed some words.  So I started looking for quotes about birds and came upon this perfect proverb.  It was exactly the message I needed to hear.  Why do we create art?  Not because we have answers or feel like we are creating the perfect piece.  We create art because we have a song to sing.  There are notes inside of us that need to be expressed.  And so we sing.
I did feel like I made enough progress today on this piece from last week that I decided to share it with you today!  Doris, if you're reading this, I'll be curious about your thoughts on where I'm taking this :)  Let me share with you how I've gotten this far.  It began on my birthday on Oct. 21st!  A friend gave me a gift and the gift was wrapped in beautiful tissue paper.  Once I started working on this piece, I knew the tissue paper had to be incorporated in some way.  So, I took the tissue paper and adhered it to a canvas board using matte medium.  Here is what it looked like after that step was complete:

I decided the pattern was a bit too bold and that it would overshadow the piece I had made, so I took a risk and coated the entire panel with white gesso.  Gesso is great since it is more transparent than opaque.  Here is the panel coated with gesso:

And can you see what else I added????  If you look closely, you will notice that I used the Mostly Vintage stencil to create texture on the panel!  How did I do it?  I held the stencil down and then covered it with flexible modeling paste.  I applied the paste over the stencil using an old hotel room key (very much like using an old credit card) and then lifted the stencil.  I LOVE how you can use stencils for different mediums - not just ink!  I then let the paste dry and started to play around with where I might position the original piece on the canvas.  I started with trying it here:

 

As I was playing around with the placement I decided that the piece needed more color.  So I began creating washes of color - blues and greens - using watercolor crayons and a brush.  Which leaves me with the piece exactly as you see at the top of this post (I have not adhered the original piece down onto the canvas yet - I seem to like it placed more to the left than to the right...but who knows how I'll feel tomorrow!).  I'm not sure where the piece will go next.  I need to sit with it for awhile.  I feel like some sparkle is going to get added to the panel...we'll see.  I'll be sure to let you know where I go next!

Notably Ornate Kissing Technique

Today's Question From The Craft Room:  What Do We Allow Ourselves To Get Annoyed At?

My day began on a bit of an odd note - I allowed myself to get annoyed and then, it seemed, all I could focus on was the annoyance I heard around me.  My annoyance began with contacting Amazon regarding a recent book purchase from one of their sellers.  When the book arrived it had library markings on it (not disclosed in the listing) so I contacted the library named on the book plate and, it turns out, the book had been checked out 2 years ago and never returned.  In my mind, the book was therefore not in my legal possession - even if the last seller was totally unaware of the book not ever making it back to the library.  So, I contacted the on-line help at Amazon...and needless to say it was a very frustrating experience - both in terms of time and because it appeared the person did not understand what I was typing in my chat messages.  I have never cared whether or not English was someone's first, second, or fiftieth language.  And, I realized today that when I am contacting a company that conducts their business in English, it would make sense for their customer service employees to have a certain level of proficiency with the English language.  Unfortunately, the person I was chatting with on-line today at Amazon was unable to understand the language she was reading and was equally poor in her typed responses.  It really became a ridiculous exercise in communication (or lack thereof).  After the experience I went onto facebook and saw a friend's post - she was annoyed at not being able to find a body pump class at her gym.  Next, a friend called and the first thing she said was that her socks were falling down and she didn't understand why socks fall down in the first place!  So there you have it - a curious series of annoyances that just built on one another in my mind...and I let them...and that is what I am really annoyed about!  Why do I allow these things to even stir my emotions, let alone set a course for my morning?  So now I am breathing deeply and focusing on what is worth giving my attention to - my art and my peace.  What do you allow yourself to get annoyed at?
Today's card used a kissing technique.  I inked up the bird from Notably Ornate using Sahara Sand ink.  I then took an uninked stamp from Baroque Motifs and pressed it against the inked up bird stamp.  This removed some of the Sahara Sand ink from the bird.  I then pressed the bird stamp onto Very Vanilla card stock and this beautiful bird appeared!  I cut it out with scissors and then mounted it to a small piece of Very Vanilla card stock with dimensionals.  The mini vintage tag was embellished with a word cut out of a book and then added to the card stock with a rhinestone brad.  I then adhered this panel to a piece of card stock that I had sprayed with ink and shimmer paint.  This whole piece was then attached to the Very Vanilla card base using dimensionals.  The final touch was to add some scored lines on the bottom of the card using my scoring board.  I hope you like it!

Wax Resist Background With Shimmer Paint Stamping

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I Am Preparing To Hibernate!

As I watch out the window of the craft room, I am noticing a change in the behavior of the birds and squirrels.  It seems everyone is becoming more determined to get as many peanuts and seeds as they can as they begin to feel winter in the air.  I am noticing a similar change in my own behavior as the air begins to chill and the days begin to darken earlier.  I had been doing a wonderful job of curtailing my art supply purchases...until recently.  Michael has even joked that it might be time for an intervention!  I have found myself running to craft stores, art stores and shopping on line.  As I reflect on this recent change in my behavior I realize that I am stocking up for winter.  With the end of the year just around the corner, my work schedule and travel schedule will begin to wind down.  I am anticipating a nice long stretch of time at home - time to create and explore new art techniques and supplies.  So it makes sense to me that I am squirreling away the supplies I will need for my art hibernation :)  Do you find your own behavior changing in any ways as the seasons change?  What do you take with you into hibernation?
Today's card was a progression from a card I shared with you last week during Four Ways Friday.  I had fun using the scoring board with the wax resist technique so I decided to try it again and to step it up!  I started with a piece of Very Vanilla card stock and covered it with Certainly Celery ink with the direct to paper technique.  I then placed the piece on my scoring board and rubbed it with a wax candle.  Next I applied Concord Crush ink (direct to paper) and then used a hot iron to remove the wax from the card stock (I placed the card stock between 2 sheets of scrap paper before heating it with an iron).  I then placed the piece on the scoring board again and rubbed it with the wax candle.  Next I applied Rose Red ink (direct to paper) and once again ironed the piece between 2 sheets of scrap paper to remove the wax.  I then stamped an image from Extreme Elements a few times using Jet Black Staz-On ink.  The stars from Extreme Elements were then stamped using Frost White shimmer paint.  Finally, I added some yellow glitter glue (non SU!) and smooshed it around with my finger.  I let the piece dry and then tore it to use on this card.  The greeting from Just Believe was stamped with Jet Black Staz-On and then punched out using a 1 3/4" circle punch.  I hope you like it!
Here is a close-up of the card stock:

Four Ways Friday #68 - Simply Scored Scoring Tool

Thanks for your patience!  It took me awhile to wake up and get the day going this morning, but I have to admit that spending the day in the craft room was perfect :)  This weeks Four Ways Friday provides you with four different ways to use your Simply Scored Scoring Tool!

Let's start with the basics!  Of course you can use your scoring tool to score your base card.  It's quick and easy!  Those same score lines can look great on other parts of your card too!  Here I took a smaller piece of Very Vanilla card stock and scored it one way every 1/2" and then turned it and scored it in the other direction every 1/2" to create this grid.  I then cut the prongs off of the brads and adhered them to the intersections using glue dots.  Next I used the flower from the punch trio and punched the flowers and added adhesive pearls.  They were attached to the grid using glue.  The greeting is from Teeny Tiny wishes and stamped using Jet Black Staz-On.

 If you like making score lines, you will love using your scoring tool for making paper rosettes!  I made the rosette by scoring a piece of designer series paper every 1/4".  I then folded the paper accordian style and glued the end pieces together to form a circular shape.  Once that is done, you can push down on the middle of the circle and use hot glue to adhere the ends together and make the rosette.  Next, I took a vintage tag and scored it every 1/4".  I then sponged the entire tag, first with River Rock ink and then with Old Olive ink.  This helps the score lines stand out!  I then stamped the Medallion background stamp (one of my ultimate all-time favorites!) using Crumb Cake ink.  The rosette was attached to the tag using glue.  I then stamped the greeting from Upsy Daisy onto a piece of Very Vanilla card stock, after coloring the stamp directly with both Chocolate Chip and Old Olive markers.  The ends were cut to look like a banner and then the banner was attached to the rosette using dimensionals.

You can make all kinds of accordion books using your scoring tool!  Here I made an adorable little 2"x2" book.  I cut a piece of 2"x10" piece of Very Vanilla card stock and scored it every 2 inches.  I then accordion folded the card stock.  Next I began masking each "page" and sponging and stamping :)  The letters are from Calendar Alphabet & Numbers and Rough Type Alphabet (retired...I had to use this set since I can't find my letter "r" in my Calendar set...hopefully it will turn up!) stamped with Jet Black Staz-On.  I created a belly band for the book with a small strip of Very Vanilla card stock that is held together with two glue dots.  The heart was punched using the Heart To Heart punch and a piece of scrap Regal Rose card stock that I had stamped.

 

Here's a look at the inside:

I used stamps from Every Little Bit, Extreme Elements, Elements of Style and Heart to Heart.  I just couldn't help myself :)  I also did a bit of coloring using markers and added a touch of super nova old olive glitter and some dazzling diamonds.

Can you guess how I used the scoring tool on this card????  Yes, there is the easy answer that I used it to create the score lines to fold this pocket card...but there's more!!!!!  You see that pattern that almost looks like snake skin?  I created that using the scoring tool and the wax candle emboss resist technique (I have a video on wax candle emboss resist - just check out the link to the left on my blog).  The scoring tool is a textured surface so, I put a piece of Very Vanilla card stock that I had sponged with Pear Pizazz ink on the surface of the tool - a little bit slanted.  Next, I rubbed a candle all over the surface of the card stock.  The next step was to then sponge the entire piece with Marina Mist ink - you will immediately see the waxed areas resisting the ink when you do this.  To remove the wax once you are satisfied with the amount of color you have on the card stock, you need to heat up an iron and cover the card stock with a piece of scrap copy paper.  Iron the piece and the wax will lift from the card stock and get soaked into the scrap paper.  It's a ton of fun and very addicting!  Of course, you can choose to layer more wax on and then add more color - the possibilities and patterns are endless!
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday - it was fun to make these projects today and I'm looking forward to spending more time in the craft room this weekend!  Hope you have a creative and peaceful weekend!

Four Ways Friday will be here...hopefully later today!

It's been a long day!  It is after 11:30 pm Thursday night as I am typing this and I just got back from a trip and I'm pooped!  I am already looking forward to sleeping late and then to spending much of the day tomorrow in the craft room.  I think of the craft room almost like a womb for myself - does that sound weird?!  It's a place where I am so comforted and "at home."  It is my peace.  I hope to put together a few things to share with you by later in the day on Friday.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again in a little bit :)

More Chipboard Shapes & Sizes :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  We Are Not Sent Into This World To Do Anything Into Which We Cannot Put Our Hearts

This John Ruskin quote began as the inspiration for this art piece that is still "under construction."  I truly believe that we are each sent to this planet to do that which speaks to our hearts and I wanted to make a piece of art that I can hang in the craft room that will continually remind me of this truth.  What a wonderful measure for us to test if we are doing what we are meant to do - to ask ourselves if we can put our heart into it.
I began by taping strips of copper tape to a large piece of chipboard.  I then used metal stamps to stamp into the copper tape to create the quote.  I cut out the chipboard pieces and coated each of them with black acrylic paint and then wiped most of the paint off.  The heart was created like the crown I made yesterday - relying on my ability to draw a heart :)  I drew the heart on a piece of scrap chipboard and cut it out and then covered it with aluminum hardware tape and a few piece of copper tape before embossing it and covering it with black acrylic paint (and then wiping the paint off).  These pieces will be joining the crown and this canvas:

I covered this canvas with hardware tape - I believe this tape is used for backing tiles (but I could be wrong about that...I was attracted to all the little squares, not the intended hardware use :).  The tape is adhesive on one side, but I still used matte medium to adhere it to try to prevent any lifting.  I then covered the entire canvas with gesso.  Yes, this is another project where, so far, the only Stampin' Up! product has been the chipboard.  It really is amazing what you can do with that chipboard!!!!!  Just think what you can do with the backing from your designer series paper packs and decor elements and stencil packaging!!! :)  The possibilities are endless!!!! :)  Stay tuned for more photos as this project progresses.  I keep wondering which will reach completion first...this one or the "fly" canvas!  What do you think? :)

Playing With Chipboard

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Trust In Your Ability!

I'm not sure when it started, but I began to believe that I couldn't draw/create shapes on my own :(  Somehow the Big Shot, and the amazing shapes it creates, had an impact on me I hadn't expected.  I began to believe that if I wanted to add a shape to a card or paper project I needed just the right die to do it!  This came to light when I started to play with today's project and I wanted a crown made out of chipboard.  But, lo and behold, I don't have a crown die for the Big Shot and I thought I was sunk.  Then I remembered...I can draw a crown!!!!  (I know, not a miraculous thought...but at that moment it really was miraculous since I had forgotten about my own abilities).  So I pulled out a piece of chipboard and I drew a crown on it with a pen.  I then cut it out with scissors and ta-da - I had the shape I needed.  I then covered the crown with aluminum tape from the hardware store and started to decorate the crown with various metal working & embossing tools that I had on the craft table.  Here is the crown in progress:

This is another project that I am working on step-by-step.  I'll share with you another little part...another shape I created...can you guess what it is?

If you start to believe that you need just the right tool or product, remember to trust in your own abilities!!!!  Oh, and in case you are wondering, I did use one Stampin' Up! product for this project...the chipboard was actually the backing sheet from a Stampin' Up! product :)  Don't throw those chipboard backings away - you can definitely put them to good use!!!!  Tomorrow I'll share a bit more of this project with you :)

Beautiful Butterflies and Simple Alphabet Sign

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Some Days You Can See So Clearly!

It was amazingly clear yesterday.  On our walk, Buddy and I could see forever and the mountains were vivid and sharp in the distance!  Creativity is like those mountains for me.  Some days I sit down to create and in my mind I know exactly what I want to do.  I sit down and start to bring to life the image that is in my head and heart.  And then there are those days when you can't see so clearly.  You still show up to create - you just don't know what is going to appear!  This sign has been like that for me.  Last week I shared with you where I began - it looked like this:

Since the last photo I showed you last week, I added color with alcohol inks (non SU!) and some other bronzing paints and wax.  I also added some glitter glue and spread it around with my finger on the butterfly - the sparkle in person is wonderful!  Now the sign is sitting on my craft table - on top of a piece of butterfly tissue paper that I know will somehow become a part of this art-in-progress.  I will keep sharing as this unfolds - right now I can't see clearly where I'm headed, but I'm going to move forward with the confidence that something incredible will appear!  I hope you like it!

Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Masked Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If You Make It With Your Heart, Whatever You Create Has Significance

I truly believe that whatever an artist creates is imbued with the spirit of the artist.  We can be so hard on our creations sometimes - judging them, critiquing them.  We need to be kind to the works we create - recognizing that our heart and spirit are a part of that creation.  In this way, everything we create has significance - it has us.
Today's card began as a desire to use a butterfly as a mask.  I die cut a piece of chipboard using the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die and the Big Shot.  I then put temporary adhesive on the back of the butterfly and placed it on the Very Vanilla card.  I sponged around the butterfly with So Saffron ink and some champagne.  Next I repeated these steps over and over until I was happy with the base of the card.  By now, the chipboard butterfly was inky and sparkly and I decided I couldn't let it go to waste!  So, I stamped the greeting from Charming using Jet Black Staz-On and then stamped the butterfly with an image from Friends 24-7.  I stamped the Charming words on a scrap piece of paper and cut some of them out and sponged the edges with So Saffron ink.  I added a few to the card with dimensional pieces and also added a word as the butterfly body.  The butterfly was adhered to the card with dimensionals.  I hope you like it :)

Four Ways Friday #67 - Boho Blossoms Punch

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about how you can use the Boho Blossoms punch in fun and exciting ways!

Of course, you can always use your punch in the usual way :)  Here I punched out a bunch of the smallest flowers using Very Vanilla and Basic Black card stock.  I then adhered them to the Very Vanilla card base using glue.  I then added the adhesive pearls to the flower centers.  Finally, I stamped the greeting from Sincere Salutations using Staz-On Jet Black ink and the stamp-a-ma-jig.

For this second card, I took a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock and used the punch to punch out "windows" of flowers in the lower right hand corner.  I then backed the Rich Razzleberry card stock with a piece of Very Vanilla card stock to create the impression that the flowers were Very Vanilla in color.  I added a few punched out flowers to the piece and then added adhesive pearls to the the flower centers.  I then adhered the piece to a piece of Pretty In Pink card stock and adhered the entire panel to the Rich Razzleberry card base using dimensionals.  Next I punched out a decorative label and then adhered a piece of Old Olive satin ribbon behind it using a piece of tape.  I then layered circles onto the label using my 1 3/4", 1 1/2" and 1 1/4" circle punches.  The final 2 circles were attached to the largest circle using dimensionals.  I then added a small flower to the upper right-hand corner.  The last touch was the add a strip of designer paper that I punched with the scallop edge punch.

Punched shapes make great masks that you can use in so many different ways!  For this tag, I began with a plain tag and then adhered a number of punched flowers using temporary adhesive.

Next, I sponged the tag using Crumb Cake ink and then removed the masks.  I die cut the letters using the Alphabet Simple Letters dies and Crumb Cake card stock and sponged the edges using Chocolate Chip ink.  I then used my finger to apply champagne shimmer paint to all of the letters and adhered them to the tag.  A few of the flowers were also punched out of Crumb Cake card stock, sponged, brushed with a bit of shimmer paint, and embellished with adhesive rhinestones.  I then adhered the flowers to the tag and added a small piece of Early Espresso ribbon.  Here's a close up so you can see the masking more clearly:

I also love to layer punched shapes and use them to make magnets or push pins.

 For this last project I punched quite a few of the largest flowers and a couple of the middle sized flowers from Baja Breeze card stock.  I then sprayed them lightly with water and crunched them and let them dry.  Then I uncrumpled them and sponged them with Marina Mist ink.  I also punched a 1 1/4"  circle and sponged the edges.  Next I layered all of the flowers on top of one another and used my paper piercer to make a center hole.  I then pushed through a rhinestone brad and adhered the entire flower to the circle using crystal effects.  Here is a close up of the flower:

 I then used the crystal effects to adhere a magnet and also adhered a smaller circle to the back side of the magnet so that it can be used on metal surfaces without scratching.
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope these ideas inspire you to use your Boho Blossoms punch in new and exciting ways!!!!  I wish you a wonderfully creative and peaceful weekend!  (I will hopefully be doing some more house painting...I'll try to take more pics so you can see the progress!).

Four Ways Friday will be here later today!

Hi!  I just got back from a trip yesterday and was too tired to stamp, so Four Ways Friday will be coming a bit later today!  Hope you stop back by!