Vintage Bottle Cap Wire Hanger

When I left yesterday I was waiting for the glue to cure and was figuring out what type of hanger I wanted to use for this plaque.

 

Vintage Bottle Cap Plaque

 

 

Since it's for my son (who is 20) I thought it would be appropriate to use a bit of faux rusty wire for a more masculine look.  I just don't think he'd get into fancy fibers, ribbon or raffia's - LOL!!

 

So I cut off about 4' of wire from the spool, doubled it up and started off by threading it through all of the holes at the top of the plaque.

 

In the corners I sort of knotted up the wire to give it a used look...

 

 

I knotted each corner a bit different for a more authentic look.

 

I also added a few kinks, twists and knots in the upper portion of the wire and "tied" the ends together at the top.

 

And here's how the plaque turned out!

 

 

a better look at the hanger...

 

So there you go ~

I hung it up in my sons room already.

The guys (dh & 2 boys) are out baling hay so I'll be excited to see if he notices it when he gets home and his reaction. 

I sure hope he likes it :)

 

P.S...  I bought my Loctite Go2Glue @ Wal-Mart but I think it's ava. most anywhere.  You'll want to look in the Super Glue area.  Mind you this is not super glue and will not stick instantly which is why I used it....set up time 30 - 60 minutes open time, 24 hour cure time...  I've read some negative reviews on-line because of this but these time frames are stated right on the bottle.

Sad News - Blockhead Stamps - Closing/Down Sizing

I know many sectors of the economy have started to recover but the craft industry still isn't back to what it used to be.  With so many store closings and web-sites shutting down I was so sad today when I read this e-mail from Blockhead Stamps....

Starting today - Clearance Sale on Everything 35% Off

Blockheads is closing down its craft supply business after 12 years of online sales.  We will continue to carry clear envelopes, coasters and the Blockheads line of stamps in half sheets and quarter sheets.

Starting today we offer 35% off anything sitewide.  Take advantage of our need to clear out stock and stock up on anything you might need.

As with all fast and furious sales, two things to bear in mind:

1. No returns or refunds, sales are final.
2. Please pay attention to the product details link under an item where you can find out how much we have of something - we will try to keep the inventory as up to date as possible.**

** We do our best to get things off the site as they sell out but a person needs to sleep, so we will do our utmost to keep the inventory accurate - if we sell out of something before we can get it off the site, we will notify you of any problems with your order and appreciate your patience and understanding should something not be available.

Happy Shopping!


 

Vintage Bottle Cap Plaque

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a giant collection of vintage bottle caps at a tag sale.

As I was sorting through them my son was admiring them and later when I went back into my room I noticed a pile of caps off to one side.

 

I asked him what they were and he asked me if I couldn't "do something crafty" with them because he really liked them and wanted to put them in his room.   Now, it's not too often a 20 year son guy asks you to make him something so I got right on it :)

 

I figured it would be easiest to display them on  a plaque of some sort so I dug around in my stash and found this board which was actually left over from a board book kit I had.  I decided to use a piece of vintage map paper for the background because these bottle caps come from all over the US and it would be great for a guys room.

 

I glued the paper down to the board using Collage Pauge from Aleene's but of course you could use any collage adhesive you like.

 

I then placed the map over the board and used my brayer to roll out any excess glue and/or air bubbles.

 

After it dried I sanded off the excess paper...

 

and inked it up with Old Paper & Vintage Photo Distress Inks for a nice worn feel to match the bottle caps.

 

Then came the fun part...

trying to find a pleasing arrangement of the caps!

 

I knew the 7UP pin would be in the center because it's the only odd piece in the mix.

(The pin was a promotion back in the 50s when the Disney Zorro movie came out!)

I just worked from the center out and this is what I came up with.

 

"Bob's" was an extra cool find because my son's name is Bob!

 

Now it's time to glue them all down. 

I used a bit of Loctite Go2Glue around the ruffly part of the cap which I figured if anyone ever wanted to take the caps off they could easily scrap the glue away.  This glue also has a 30 minute window in which you can move them around if needed which really came in handy for this project.

 

I worked from the Namar corner piece spacing each cap the same across and up in a grid pattern.  This is where the Go2Glue worked great.  I could tweak the spacing as needed w/o worrying about trying to hurry before the glue dried or having to pry the caps up and messing up the background.

By spending a little extra time in the beginning setting up this grid pattern it gave me an easy starting point for adhering the remaining caps.  By using the existing caps I could easily space the consecutive caps accordingly so I knew they would all come out evenly.

 

And here's where we're at...

This glue takes 24 hours to cure so I'll be back tomorrow and share with you what I'm going to do for the hanger ~ which at this point I'm not sure myself.

Frantic Stamper

I think I mentioned that I had pre-ordered the new Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells from Frantic Stamper when I shared some of the photos of the new paper line.

 

Well, I rec'd my order today and to my surprise there was a feather mega punch in the box!  At first I thought I might have hit the wrong button when I was ordering the papers but all of the paper and stamps I ordered WERE in there. 

 

I figured that someone packing the box must have made an error so I was about to e-mail them asking what they'd like me to do with it when I found a little slip of paper taped to the back of the paper punch package.   Here's what it said:

 

"Dear Customer,

 

Thank you for your order! We had some space/weight left over without increasing the shipping for your package so we thought you would appreciate some little freebies!!  Please enjoy these items or share with your friends.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

-The Frantic Stamper Team"

 

Not only that but they refunded me $3.00 extra postage!

 

How cool is that? 

You don't get that kind of service just anywhere so I really was very excited to share with all of you.

So, if you're in need of something crafty,

be sure and check em out....

I can say they have awesome customer service :) 

 

 

DaVinci Inspiration for Dad

Looking for something a little different for Dad...

How about a Da Vinci inspired card?

 

I LOVE the great look of these images and by stamping them in layers you can really achieve an awesome finished look.

 

Stamp Credits: Just For Fun Rubber Stamps

 

The dots are actually faux pearl gems that I inked with Espresso Alcohol Inks. 

I love the look it gives them ~ almost like molten bronze.
I think it fits in very well with the bronze specialty paper I used for the mats.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink - Stamping on Fabric

Today I wanted to share the results of my stamping on fabric with Tsukineko's new Memento Luxe mixed media ink. 

I started off with a swatch of cotton (from an old pillow case) that I had ironed flat.

 

I stamped the flowers with Lilac Posies,

 

 

 

a couple flourishes using Rich Cocoa

 

 

and the sentiment with Danube Blue.  I was amazed at how well the ink performed.  It didn't run, bleed or blend together (where I stamped over another color) at all on the cotton fabric.   Even the tiny details of the very small print was easily readable.

 

 

And here is how I used my stamped fabric...

 

Stamp Credits: Flowers & Flourish - Deep Red Stamps, Stampers Best; Sentiment - Just For Fun Rubber Stamps

 

Now since I know it worked well on a tight weave fabric I got to thinking about the seam binding again.  I wondered how well it would do on such a loose weave material so I gave it a shot.

 

I used three different very small fonts (about 1/4" tall) to see how they would fair....

 

Stamp Credits: Just For Fun Rubber Stamps)

 

 

As you can see it does look a bit blurry on this very fine script but I'm not sure if that's because of the ink or if it's because of the loose weave or a combination of the two.

 

 

This bolder print faired much better.  You can even see the tiny dots in the "L" and "U".

 

 

and finally the curlicue font..

 

 

Overall this ink is VERY fabric friendly, it doesn't run or bleed like most inks do and as an added benefit I noticed that it dries very quickly as well.

 

 

Your Opinion Please...Books & Washers

I was going to post about Tsukineko's Memento Luxe ink on fabric today but first I wanted to ask your opinions about a couple things totally un-art related - LOL!!


First, if you had collected a set of books from one of your favorite authors would you keep them after you were finished reading them?   sell them individually or as a set?   or   ???????     I've collected and read all of the Laura Childs series (3 ~ Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries & the Cackleberry Club Mysteries).    Most of them are soft cover (I like to read in bed at night and these are easier to handle I think) but there are a couple hard covers as I couldn't wait till they came out in paper back - LOL!!

What do you do with your old books you love?


Next, my washer died...it's a Whirlpool Duet Frontload and I have to tell you I'm not real pleased with it....  It was very expensive when we bought it (8 years ago) and it was nice but in the last several months we've had the same error code (FH) and the repair man out multiple times.  We've now replaced 3 different parts ~ all of which didn't fix the freakin error code. 

From a little research on-line I've discovered that once these washers get a bit of age on them FH is a common problem.  "I" think it's got something to do with one or the other electronic/computer board because the problem would come and go for months before it became virtually unusable.  BUT, since I'm not a guy I obviously don't know what I'm talking about....at least that's the impression that I got from the (@$#()%^)@!(*#%)  repair man.

Since we've put over 1/4 the cost of a new machine so far with no solution in sight we've decided to get a new washer instead.  I do NOT want another Whirlpool... this one has been a PITB for long enough.  I want to stick with a front load and I'm thinking about an LG with 4 cu. ft.  load capacity.     I've read so many reviews, and most are great but then there are always naysayers....people who have had horrible problems and spent time and $'s trying to get them fixed.  I'm petrified having to go shop for a new one...I so don't want to make the wrong choice because they are so expensive.  Our old top load (no electronics) lasted for almost 16 years...the Duet only 8 (at twice the cost).   I'd really like to find something that lasts, is dependable and won't give me fits.

So, my question for you is do you have a good dependable front load washer, how long have you had it and if so what brand/model is it?    Any input you have would be greatly appreciated!

Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink & Crinkle (Seam Binding) Ribbon

I had planned on playing with the Memento Luxe ink on fabrics today but Amanda, Jennie and a couple other ladies asked about using it to make Crinkle Ribbon (Seam Binding) so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

WELL, this ink works perfectly on seam binding.  I tried a few different looks and they all turned out great.  Here's what I did....

For the first batch I wanted it as dark as I could get it so I held the ribbon down on the pad with one hand and pulled it between the ribbon/finger with my other hand.  The ink is so creamy it coated the ribbon almost completely the first time.  I did have to move the ribbon around a few times and pull a couple spots through twice but it covered completely. 

When the ribbon dried it wasn't stiff at all and it's color held up exactly like what it looks like on the pad.  NOTE: You can see the white tail end of the ribbon that I used to pull the ribbon over the ink. 

 

 

For the next length of ribbon I wadded the ribbon up and pounced it over the pad turning the wad of ribbon several times.  I love the look, it's got a denim feel to it I think.  Again, wet or dry the color looked great.

For my third try I wadded the ribbon up, and inked it a bit the squirted it with water and crinkled it up good.  I was amazed at how by adding a bit of water the entire ribbon was colored very evenly.  It's a bit lighter in color than straight ink but that's to be expected since I diluted it with the water. 

 

Again, after it was dry, the ink held it's color and wasn't stiff at all. 

 

 

I thought I might be done at that point but I had LOTS of ink on my fingers (yes, that helps to make it a great day!) so I figured I'd try one more piece of ribbon.

This time I didn't add any extra ink, I just held the ribbon wadded up in my hand, squirted some water onto my fingers and began using it like a wash cloth to wipe away the ink off my fingers.  I was shocked to see how much ink was actually picked up by the ribbon and how beautiful it turned out.  

 

Now I like blue and I think the first three examples are great but I LOVE this color...it's got a soft romantic feel to it...  and to think it was just the left over ink from the first three experiments!

 

Here are all the inks together so you can compare them for yourself.

 

 

I'd say if you were going to be making some ribbon this is a super ink to use.

The inks offer up great color, doesn't turn funny colors in water and leaves the ribbon just as soft as it was without the inks.

 

Which is your favorite?

 

Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink Charms

Today I wanted to share a fairly new ink with you from Tsukineko ~ Memento Luxe Ink.  It's a mixed media ink that works on any porous surface including fabrics!  I decided to incorporate a few colors of VersaMagic Chalk Ink and Shimmer Spritz as well just for an added dimension.  You gotta love that sparkle!

 

This past weekend I found some round wood disks from an old game at a garage sale that I thought would make perfect charms so I figured this would be the perfect chance to give the inks a try.

 

I started off by inking one of the charms with Danube Blue direct from the pad.  I noticed that this ink has a long open time so it lends it's self perfectly to embossing.

 

After the blue was dry, I inked part of a stamp with Lilac Posies (pink) and Rich Cocoa Luxe inks.

 

 

I then stamped the charm a couple times.

 

 

Once the flowers had dried I added a layer of Gold Shimmer Spritz and inked the edges in brown.

 

 

The shimmer is beautiful!

 

 

I decided to use a bit of the VersaMagic chalk ink on the next charm.  I covered the charm with Magnolia Bud then added a bit of Mango Madness to one edge.

 

 

I stamped a little joyful mouse using the Rich Cocoa Luxe ink and stamped a few leaves using Niagara Mist (chalk ink).  After the inks were all dry I used my Spectrum Noir markers to add a bit of color to the little mouse.

 

 

 

 

But I just couldn't stop so I ended up with 5 charm so far...I've got more in the works - LOL!!  These are like lay's potato chips, you can't just make one :)

 

I'm going to drill a hole in them to add a jump ring and I think I'll add a layer of some clear medium for shine. 

 

(the gears are sprayed with Copper Shimmer Spritz, Flower - Gold Shimmer Spritz and Compass - Frost Shimmer Spritz)

 

 

Stamp Credits: Gears, Compass, Bees - Stampers Best; Flowers - Inkadinkado; Leaves - Just For Fun Rubber Stamps; Mouse - House Mouse Designs

 

 

When I was stamping on the charms I got a bit of the Memento Luxe ink on a scrap of black cardstock.  It looked so pretty I thought I'd try stamping on a black tag.  Here's my steamy, shimmery tag.

 

I used the Danube Blue, Rich Cocoa and Lilac Posies Luxe Ink as well as Mango Madness Versa Magic chalk ink.  I then gave it a shot of "frost" Shimmer Spritz. 

 

 

To show the spritz...

 

 

I believe I'll try the Luxe ink on some fabric next just to see how it looks.

Be sure to stop back in and check out the results.

Baby Dolls....

What do you think of when you see those words?

Well this months challenge at Altered Pages is just that...

all about Baby Dolls.

 

If you hop on over to the Altered Pages Challenge page you can get your own free collage sheet featuring various baby doll images!

 

Now I know some people go to the wild side and see dolls without heads or heads without bodies or other funky visions but that's just not me.  When I think of baby dolls I'm taken back to my childhood and my own baby dolls.   The image I used reminded me of a book I used to have that had wonderful angelic illustrations in it but alas, I can't remember the artist or the book's name.

 

But here's my entry for the challenge....

 

And here's how I made it....

 

I started off by printing the image on Lutradur - it's a fun cross between fabric and paper.  I believe it's a synthetic fiber that has been loosely woven to create a texture that I find is a cross between mulberry paper and a dryer sheet.  It comes in regular and heavy weight which translates into a lighter more bendable sheet to a sheet that feels like it's been heavily starched. 

 

Now, you can run this stuff through your printer, cover it with ink, paints, mists, etc. You can stamp on it, cut it, sew it, and more.  It is really a super mixed media gem to play with.

 

After I printed the image I inked around the edges some with Broken China Distress Stain then sewed on a bit of lace all around the edges.

 

NOTE: You'll want to print your image a bit darker than normal so it shows up better to compensate for the loose weave of the material.

 

I then glued on some batting to the back side.

 

I covered a piece of chipboard with a sheet of paper that I made using the Goosebumps Resist technique I shared a couple weeks ago.

 

I stamped ferns around the edges then inked with Sepia ink.

 

 

I printed out some roses and butterfly images in various sizes and cut them out. 

 

and to add a bit of dimension I used my embossing tool to draw on the back of each flower

 

then flipped them over and embossed a few petal edges as well.

 

I also did the same to a few tiny leaves to tuck here and there.

 

 

Next, I played around with the arrangement until I ended up with a design I liked both on the board and image then glued them down.

 

After the flowers had dried, I glued the main baby doll image down to the board and finished it off with a length of leaf ribbon and a few half pearl gems in various sizes to set it all off.

 

 

And there you go...

my vision/idea of what the words "baby doll"

brings to mind.

 

Now, what's yours?

Go on over and grab the collage sheet

create something that inspires you

and enter the challenge.

 

You might just be the lucky winner of a wonderful prize from Altered Pages!

 

Good Luck Everyone

and

here's to a wonderful week!!!