Busy, busy, busy...

I am so sorry I have been absent without a word.  Life can definitely get busy and sometimes unexpected events lead to adjustments.

I will be posting again soon.  In the meantime you can look for me on Instagram and Pinterest as well as enjoy a nice peek at some artsy goodness while you're patiently waiting.  And I really do appreciate your patience in all this.

 

 

Some stash busting tape I made using shipping tape, die-cuts, paint, and stencils.  I posted this and another photo on my Instagram page is you'd like to take a look!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you do to bust your stash!

For the Love of Texture

I'm so sorry I've been quiet.  Sometimes life gets in the way.  But I'm trying to rework things so it should be better in the future.

You may recognize some of these ATCs from previous posts.  This is a photo I took after I was having more playtime with my supplies.

I had ATCs leftover from a piece of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper where I didn't like the pattern side of it.  I also have old tags in my stash.  Unfortunately, some of my paint supplies dried out.  No they weren't open.  I had Dina Wakley tubes and some Dylusions tubs, so bright and colorful.  Very disappointing.  I can imagine a lot of reasons.  Air could have possibly gotten in at some point.  Life events, moving, or somple mistakes that you're not expecting can cause it.  I remember using them, but I went through a big dry spell due to life, so it's possible that dry spell affected my supplies.  On the plus side, my mediums seem to be okay for now.  And while I love a good psychic, or medium, that's not the type of medium I'm talking about.

Now I have not gone to art school, nor have I taken any strict art classes.  I've taken in person and online classes from several artists (Dina Wakley, Dyan Reaveley, Joanne Sharpe, and Dawn DeVries Sokol come to mind).  In taking the classes, reading blogs, magazines, all of that, I've learned techniques and terms.  Mediums in art are things like gesso, texture paste, and gel medium.

I like using paint with stencils, but .  Also, different paints have different thicknesses.  Some are heavy body so they hold form very well, others are free flow, so they are good for gelli printing.  But for this experiment I wanted more depth without compromising the color.  Most colors I don't mind them being lighter.  However, I'm not the biggest fan of pink.  I can handle it in certain cases, but I was using red, and didn't want pink.  So I know I couldn't use gesso.  Enter texture paste.  I grabbed some red paint, mixed it with texture paste, and used it with a stencil to add the mixtures to some ATCs and tags.  The picture is the result.

I also had some green/blue watered down paint that I didn't want to let go to waste, so I had some play with both stencils and freehand brush strokes.

When you play, do you have a plan or do you just see where things go?  What was the result?  I'd love to hear more!  Come back soon!

Be Bold

Do you have a huge stash you have to bust and use more?  I've definitely got that and I've been trying hard to use items in my stash.  There's one product on this ATC that I had grabbed to use for another project and it didn't happen.  So I worked, and made other projects and finally found a great spot for it.  Which item am I talking about?

The white asterisk sticker, which I believe is from an American Crafts Thickers set.  My background is paint applied with a brayer and through stencils, with some polka dot tissue paper adhered with gel medium, as well as rub-ons, stamping, doodling, and a few items from my stash.

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Creative Fingers Challenge

I'd love to know what you're holding onto in your stash that you want to use more of!  Comment below!

Hello

As you've seen I like using lots of supplies.  Sometimes things come together quickly, sometimes not.  This one was a bit of a challenge, and it's a bit different, but that's a good thing!  Less doodling in my usual ways, but sometimes a little different can be good.

The background has a bunch of layers.  Some paint, stenciling, stamping, then I added some die-cuts, doodling, and paint splatter.  I also broke in a new stamp, a big wood-backed rubber stamp of small dots; you can see it in the bottom left corner.

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Crazy is Our Fame Challenge

Do you struggle when creating?  What roadblocks do you come across?  Tell me in the comments below!

ATC 3 Star

Do you hoard supplies or half-finished projects, just waiting for the right finishing touches?  That was me with this.  I was trying so hard to find the right products to add to this ATC without covering up the background because I love it.

I think I solved my problem.  This ATC is one of several I prepped with a layer of gesso through a stencil.  Then I added some watered down paint to give a light background wash.  I was trying so hard to not cover up the color.  The red circles in the corner is red paint combined with texture paste and put through a TCW Punchinella stencil.  I added doodles, rub-ons, some stamping, a star pin, some thread, and Liquitex ink.

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Simons Says Stamp Monday Challenge

What are some of your favorite supplies?  Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Noteworthy

So check out my newest ATC!  I added some paint because I wasn't a fan of the background.  Then I went to town with adding other details.

This ATC has chipboard, stamping, doodles, stenciling, a digi stamp, and maybe a little more

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Crafty Addicts Challenge

What are some of your favorite supplies?  Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Courage to Go For It ATC

I had an idea to try something new with this ATC and I really like how it turned out.

 

I used a lot of different supplies with this ATC.  Stamping, rub-ons, acrylic paint, die-cuts, adhesive enamel shapes, paint markers.  Did I mention I used a lot?

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge

What supplies do you put together a lot?  Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Background is important

Making a background is important.  It can be the kick start to a new project...

I made a bit batch of ATCs, including this one.  And then I went to town, heh.

I'd love to know what you think.  Have a great day and come back soon!

Ugh...Revisited

So I promised more information, and here we go....

I did a lot of stuff on this ATC.  Tried some new techniques and discovered something new about a stencil.  SO this ATC started out as gesso through a Dylusions stencil and then watered down paint colors added to it (the orange and yellow).

Then I added some darker teal, and then when I was playing with texture paste, I added what I was playing with to the ATC.  I'm going to post more about that soon.

I traced around a few of the numbers with a Sharpie pen as well as around the edge of the ATC.  I also had some ultramarine and purple paint mixed together and added to some projects with a sponge.  I decided to use a stencil that I call a pie chart stencil and only filled in two petal shaped sections with the paint.  I loved it, so I did it again on notebook paper and cut out the heart.

I stamped the star, added the paint bits, and sectioned off letters on another Dylusions stencil to create the word, before outlining the letters with my Uni Posca white paint marker.  I've seen that technique used several times.  I don't know if that's how it was done, but it worked for me.  I will say it took a looooong time.  I used washi tape to block off the letters, but between that and trying to add just the right amount paint to prevent bleed through, the whole process took time.  More time than I thought, though I like the effect.

Will I do it again?  Not sure.  Maybe finding a way to make the process faster.  The paint bits are that paint that spills out over the opening and dries.  You pull it off and save that part.  Those I really love.

I also entered the following challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

I'd love to know what you think.  Have a great day (or night) and come back soon!

Ugh

I was playing around making ATCs and I discovered something interesting with this one...

Come back tomorrow to find out more!

I'm also entering the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Do you like this ATC?  Let me know and have a great day (or night)!

Meh

So I did a thing, I created an ATC heh...I was experimenting and it took a little while with what I was doing.

I used washi tape to mask off the letters and then outlined the letters in white.  And that red bit in the top right corner?  I don't know if there's a name for it, but it's when you pull the dried paint from inside the cap of a paint bottle.  I had done a few layers before it got to this point, and I really like it.

I'm also entering the following challenges:

Creative Fingers Challenge

Crafts Galore Challenge

Enjoy the awesome ATC and let me know what you think!  I hope you visit again soon!

Nope

I played around with some ATCs tonight.  Here's one to feast your eyes on!

I've included affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
• Ranger Archival Black Ink 
• The Crafter's Workshop Gel Medium
• Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Caribbean 
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Texture Fades Arrow & Boardwalk
  

 

Lots to look at, lots to enjoy!  Come back soon!

Speak Up

It's kinda funny...I have lots of different kinds of adhesives.  I've got tapes, dots, foam squares in different sizes, fabric glue, tacky glue, as well as gel medium.  They all have their uses.  Art journaling, scrapbooking, mixed media.  And I find myself using at least a few in any project I'm working on.  But my current obsession has got to be gel medium.  Granted I have to brush it on, but it's great for working with so many different types of elements and dried pretty quickly so you can keep working.

Seriously, this stuff is amazing!  It works for tissue paper, book paper, magazine cut outs, mixing with paint for texture or using through stencils.  So well worth the price!

My previous ATC used tissue paper and I used The Crafter's Workshop Gel Medium to attach the tissue paper.  It worked great, both to adhere the paper and cover the edges so I could work on top without issue.  I used it again on this ATC with the same tissue paper, though it's hard to see.  There's a peek of it near the bottom by the words "SPEAK UP."  I also added some Craftsmart acrylic paint in Ocean Breeze; just swiping it on with my finger.  Plus some drips from Liquitex Carbon Black Liquid Ink.

The heart is cardstock I ran through my Cuttlebug in a Tim Holtz embossing folder.  I grabbed some lime green paint and my brayer, intending to add the paint to the raised image on the cardstock.  It picked up some of the OCean Breeze, so I added more then drew and cut out a heart.  I also stamped a Dylusions border stamp on the left.

I stamped the sentiments on cardstock and used a paint pen to fill in the larger letters.  And I used my Sharpie and paint pens to add the doodles and splatters.  My unicorn girl id a digi stamp from Oddball Art colored with colored pencils, as well as Tombow and Artist's Loft markers.

I'm also entering my tag in the following challenges: 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Creative Fingers Challenge

I've included affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
• Ranger Archival Black Ink 
• The Crafter's Workshop Gel Medium
• Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Caribbean 
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Texture Fades Arrow & Boardwalk
  

 

There's obviously lots of elements to this ATC, hehe.  Which one's your favorite? Let me know in the comments!  And stop by again!

Sarcasm, Anyone?

How often have you had different pieces that you weren't sure how to put them together?  Did you freeze or did you work through it?  Did it work or maybe you're not sure.  That happened to me with this and my die-cuts.

I had this ATC that I had smeared gesso on through a stencil, then added color.  So I had a base of red and orange to work off of, but I still had to figure out how to add the die-cuts to my liking.  Thankfully it worked out well and I really like this ATC.

 

I've included affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
• Ranger Archival Black Ink 
  

 

What do you like about this ATC?  What's your favorite part?  I'm so glad that you visited!  Come back to visit soon!

Hello Tag

I'm bringing another fun project today.  An old tag that I added to and really enjoyed it, although at first I wasn't sure what direction it was going to take.

This tag is one of those projects.   It's a tag I found and added to with paint pens, stamps, die-cuts, and some hardware.

 

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission and there's no price change .  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Balzer Bits Numbers in Arrow (last I checked unfortunately out of stock, but could have changed)
  
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Liquitex Phthalocyanine Blue Ink
• The Crafter's Workshop Well Rounded Stencil  
• Liquitex Gesso
  

What are some ways you use your mixed media?  Thanks for stopping by!

Layer Fun

Another tag that has the beginnings of some fun.  I just added different paint and stamp layers over top of each other, so you can see some of the first marks peeking through the top layers.  Like the circles under the yellow and turquoise paint that mixed to create some nice green.  Green can be a challenging color to use, at least for me.  I like the neon shades, but the regular shades can stop me in my tracks at times.

I also added some purple paint through a stencil.  It's funny because from a distance, the stamped images remind me of ink drips.  Once you get closer you realize it's stamped images, but it's like an unintentional illusion.  I love those types of accidents.

 

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
• Ranger Archival Black Ink 
  

 

What do you like about this tag so far?  What do you think I should add next?  It's so great that you visited!  Come back soon!

Duct Tape Solves Everything

Isn't that what they say?  Anything can be fixed with duct tape?  Duct tape has come a long way from the wide, super sticky, heavy duty tape that could be used to fix pretty much anything.  Attached anything.  Seal anything.  I'm not sure when, but it went from the simple gray to colors and patterns.  I've even seen plenty ofcraft projects using colorful and patterned duct tape.

I don't know if it's done yet, but as you can see I was playing around, heh.  It's been awhile, but I see paint colors of red, neon orange, some aqua green, and some purple through a Dylusions stencil.  A bunch of stamping, including Balzer Designs, are at play, and the interesting addition, patterned duct tape.  I was experimenting with have bits and bobs of the tape in different spots on different tags.

I've include d affiliate links for items I use a lot for my projects.  If you click the link I get a small commission, with no price increase for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
  

 

What do you think of my tag?  Is it finished?  If not, what do you think I should add?  Thanks for coming by to visit!

Fabric Fun...

I've long admired fabric art journal covers.  The change in texture you get from adding fabric.  Eas to add pattern, depending on the fabric you choose.  The frayed edges as if the fabric was torn instead of cut.  It's just lovely and I've always wanted to try it.  So finally, I did.

This is a mini journal I made a few years ago for a monthly challenge.  I don't have thick fabrics, but I have several patterns.  This pattern has a retro vibe with tic-tac-toe symbols.  I rough cut a piece that was bigger then the journal cover itself.  Then I used my Cutterbee scissors to snip all the sides one at a time and ripped the strips off, creating a frayed edge.

The fabric goes over the edge of the paper, which I think adds to the charm.  You can see some paint splotches from the paper I used.  I think it looks lovely, and to touch and feel the fabric, it's really so cool.

You can use any fabric you want, though I would suggest a heavier fabric.  It could be harder to rip it, but worth the look and feel, for sure!

I've include affiliated links for some items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• Alte New Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
  

 

Have you ever considered using fabric?  Have you tried it?  Is is something you absolutely adore?  Comment below!

Stamps and stencils

I really like the first layer of this tag and I'm really curious how it will turn out.

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products, as well as other fun items I've included.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
  

 

Any ideas on what I can add?  What do you think about the color combination?  Thank you so much for coming by!

Turning a WIP into a finished product

I'm very interested in seeing how this tag is going to work out.

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products, as well as other fun items I've included.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
  

 

Any ideas on what I can add?  What do you think about the color combination?  Thank you so much for coming by!