AI Flowers

I hope you guys like the AI pansies/violets.

I have been having such fun with these today...

I've got about 8 or 9 more flowers to share with you so far but I need some time to film/photograph them all.

So much fun, such little time

anyway

I can't wait to show you...

These little puppies are so much fun and very addictive - LOL!!

Off to watch my niece & nephew...

IF I'm not exhausted when I come home tomorrow ;)

I'm going to try to film a couple more.

Anyway, if you give the pansies a try,

please feel free to share a link to your results!

Adirondack Alcohol Ink Pansies Violets Technique

Here is the technique I am so excited about....AI Flowers!! This is just the first. I have several more to share!

ATC Swap Cards

Hi Guys!

Well I had planned on having a Halloween card & Gothic Arch to share with you today but I accidentally discovered a new Alcohol Ink technique that I am SOOOOOOO excited about!!! It is very unique and I've never seen anything like it so I'm pretty sure it's new to everyone. Do you ever get soooooo excited that everything else flies out of your mind and it's all you can think about??? Well, that's where I am tonite! I tried and tried to come up with good ideas for the card/arch but I just kept drawing a blank so I finally gave up.

I'm going to be sharing the new AI technique with you all tomorrow because I want to make a video of it so I don't want to spoil it by sharing anything tonite ;)

So, I just rec'd an ATC swap back and I thought I'd share those with you since my mojo is stuck in the Alcohol Ink zone - LOL!!

Here you go....

ATC SWAP

Artist: Karen L
Hostess ~thanks Karen!!!

Artist: Jeannie L

Artists: Rachel & Laura K
(daughter/mother)

Artist: Phinny
(Hey Phinny!!)

Artist: Ann R.
(this is material, fiber & gemstones)

Artist: (Dixie - a.k.a. Mom)

Gotta love a mail day like that huh?

Be sure to check in tomorrow and see my new AI technique!! I can't wait to share it with you!

Halloween Ornament/Garland

Today I have a quick and fun project to decorate your home for Halloween!

It's so easy and can be made with a variety of goodies you probably already have in your stash. Now I say it's an ornament/garland because you can make and hang these little gems individually or if you prefer you could make several, string them together and use it as a garland.

Either way works perfectly and if you make them double sided it's also a great decoration for windows!

Supplies:

Chipboard

Vintage Halloween Images (Postcards work great!!)

Scissors

Halloween Pattern Paper (or you can stamp your own)

Distress Ink

Ink Blending Tool

Stickles Glitter Glue, Glass Glitter or Regular Mylar Glitter

Wired Tinsel

Adhesive

Instructions:

1. Cut 1 or more free-hand stars from the chipboard. If you're making several ornaments cut a variety of sizes for added interest (mine are approx 5, 4 & 3" in the example). If you prefer you can use a stencil or die-cut machine but I like the free-hand method ~ you get a country/vintage feel.

(Yes, those are my official Fiskateers scissors!!!)

2. Glue the stars to the pattern paper and let dry.

3. While your stars are drying, trim your images.

4. After your stars have dried, trim off the excess pattern paper and ink the edges using Black Soot Distress Ink & Ink blending Tool.

5. Glue the images to the center of each star.

6. Form circles from the tinsel which roughly fit the center of each star and glue so your image is centered. I like to weight the tinsel down with some of my acrylic stamping blocks.

NOTE: if you don't have wired tinsel you could make the circle using a variety of other goodies...Stickles Glitter Glue, Mylar Glitter, Glass Glitter, Fibers, Raffia, Buttons, Game Pieces, etc.

7. Run a small bead of Black Stickles Glitter Glue along the edges of each point on the star. Let dry completely then....ENJOY!!

*If you're using the stars as individual ornaments simply punch a hole, add an eyelet and attach fiber, ribbon, raffia, etc. as the hanger.

*For garlands, punch a hole in the top point or 2 opposite points on each star, add an eyelet then string.

*If you want to use these in your windows, make the ornaments double sided.

*These Halloween stars make not only great additions to your own decor but they also make excellent gifts!!

Christmas Magazine Winners!

The winners of the Christmas Magazine are.....

Kristy Tyra said...
I have already started making Christmas cards and some gifts. I love making things for my Christmas gifts.
October 14, 2009 5:35 PM

Val said...
Love the button tree Roni!I have already made 5 calendars, two more to go, a snowball bucket, Christmas canvases, Christmas ornament using ribbon spools and Dynowriter spools, am making oversized tags for the packages that have to go in the mail, Christmas cards of course, matchbox ornaments, will be baking cookies with my daughter and granddaughter, will be making carmel corn to send to son and family, usually make ornaments for grandkids (need an idea yet), not sure what else!
October 24, 2009 7:38 AM

Ellen said...
oh these are such fun .I am making altered dominos, mini calendars, birthday calenders, and will be baking special cookies to give away
October 14, 2009 4:59 AM

GailnGA said...
My holiday will be very special. I am reuniting with my siblings after a three year "fall out." We started talking again via Facebook and by the grace of God and the internet we've decided to make a fresh start. We are all so excited. I almost feel like a child again. I'm going to treat them to my new favorite cake...a Hummingbird Cake. Money will be short but food and laughter will be plentiful.
October 11, 2009 11:55 PM

want2win2 said...
I will be maing some minis, some decorations and im sure some cookies!!!
October 10, 2009 6:27 PM

Congratulations ladies!!!

Please e-mail me your snail mail addies so I can get these out to you :)

Christmas Magazines...oh my!

Ya know I just realized I forgot to draw the winners for the Christmas magazines!! I set them here by the computer so I will be sure to do that first thing tomorrow.

I've also got a few more Halloween projects to share before the big day so be sure to stop back in and check em out!

Happy Birthday to ME :)

Yes, it's that time of year...

my B-day!

I'm not ashamed to say

I'm 42 today...

I earned every one of them so why hide it!

I thought it would be nice to celebrate with YOU and to say thanks for hangin' out with me here at Ink Stains!! Sooo, as a little gift I'll be pulling names of people who have posted (including today) over the last year. You will receive a little something special from me....could be a set of stamps, a package of cards I've made, etc...whatever I can find.

So if you'd like to post today that would be great but not nec. if you've posted in the past :) I'm thinking 12 lucky people (one for each month) would be a nice round number so be sure to check back often to see if you've won!

Winners...

Kat (from Nov. 08)

KAT said...
What a precious gift... You have 25 of these up your sleaves - can't wait to see what you have to share with us!!!
November 29, 2008 5:11 PM

Erin Glee (from Dec. 08)

Erin Glee said...
Roni! You REALLY are a STAR, now! How exciting! I'm glad I got your signature on a card before I have to pay big money for it...I've been planning on sending you something~sick kids, then sick parents, then the Holidays took over and I have been naughty~ not a single card has been mailed... Happy New Year Cards will have to do. Just know I have been thinking of you.
December 29, 2008 6:48 PM

Cindy Lietz (from Jan 09)

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...
I would use the gluefoil for making jewelry. Think it has all sorts of potential to use with polymer clay and would love the opportunity to experiment with it!

JulieKT (from Feb 09)

julietk said...
Just discovered your blog, What a pretty little card holder, I will be back when i have more time to read :)Juliet
February 12, 2009 6:29 AM

SequoiaLynn (from March 09)

SequoiaLynn said...
Great film debut! You did awesome!
March 28, 2009 8:20 PM

Elizabeth (from April 09)

Elizabeth said...
Hey Thanks for a cool technique! I love it when you do vids!!
April 19, 2009 6:02 AM

Deb (from May 09)

Deb said...
This is great. Wonderful job on these. Thank you for your hard work!
May 13, 2009 12:45 AM

The Craftaholic (from June 09)

The Craftaholic said...
what a cool looking card! Nice!
June 26, 2009 11:49 AM

KarenL (from July 09)

Karen L said...
Wow, that plaque is awe inspiring! Love all the micro beads...that must be so beautiful in person!
July 15, 2009 2:49 AM

Celina's Life (from August 09)

Celina's Life said...
Thanks for sharing this. Great comparisons. I love stickles too!! They are my favorite by far.
August 20, 2009 10:18 AM

Carmen (from September 09)

Carmen said...
Ooh! I love the look of this tag! The copper embossing powder is so warm and inviting on here. LOVE it!
September 27, 2009 10:45 PM

Crafty Creations (from today!)

crafty creations said...
Hi Roni and a very Happy Birthday to youThank you so much for sharing your talent with us all throughout the yearHave a fantastic dayx Hilda
October 27, 2009 11:42 AM

Thanks everyone for such lovely birthday wishes!!

You guys are the best :)

(((((((HUGS))))))

Halloween Treat Filled Crackers

Today's project is a way to make an extra special "Trick AND Treat" for those little ghosts and goblins that will be finding their way to your door step this Halloween.

Treat filled Halloween themed Crackers are a quick and easy project which uses a few very basic supplies found around the home....

Supplies:

Tissue paper (new or used)

Toilet paper or Paper Towel Rolls

Holiday Themed Rubber Stamps

Adirondack Color Wash Sprays (or other dye inks)

Archival Inks

Deco Scissors (optional)

String, Raffia, Ribbon, etc. (to tie the cracker shut)

Candy, Goodies, etc (to fill the cracker)

Instructions:

1. If you are using white tissue paper you may choose to dye it. I used Adirondack Color Wash Sprays but you could use any number of re-inkers. Another favorite of mine to use is Distress Ink Re-Inkers mixed with Perfect Pearls or Glimmer Mists.

NOTE - you may want to spread out paper grocery sacks so you can color and leave the tissue paper to dry in the same spot. Once the tissue paper is wet it is VERY fragile!! Moving it can be a trick once wet.

2. Let the tissue paper dry naturally or speed drying with a Heat Tool (which is what I do...I can't stand to wait!

3. Stamp the heck out of the paper...fill it up! Remember to stamp off the edges of the paper as well for a natural look.

4. (optional) Fold the paper up and trim the edges. It's not necessary but it just gives it a nice finished edge.

5. Cut the tissue paper into individual sheets...I normally get 4 pieces from one standard sheet of tissue paper.

6. Tape one edge of the stamped tissue paper to the tp roll. Roll it up and secure the end.

7. Pinch one end of the tissue paper to the center of the roll. This is very important ~ if you try to just tie the end it is very possible you will rip the tissue paper.

8. Tie the pinched tissue paper closed.

9. Fill the cracker with goodies...

10. Pinch and tie the remaining end closed...AND ENJOY!!!

Now these crackers are a snap to make...

very quick, easy and inexpensive

AND

Great for all sorts of occasions!!

Here are a few variation ideas:

*Use metallic inks to stamp your designs.

*Tint the tissue paper with multiple Color Wash Spray Dyes for more color.

*Use old tinsel to wrap the ends for a bit of glitz!

*Highlight the stamped designs with Stickles Glitter Glue.

*Find tiny gifts to add to the cracker for an extra surprise.

*If you prefer healthy treats, use bagged fruit snacks or tiny boxes of raisins.

Be sure to check in tomorrow...

It's a special day and you just might win a little something ;)

Vintage Halloween Postcards & Halloween Sayings & Riddles

Today I have not only a selection of Halloween Postcards for you but some fun (and corny) Halloween Sayings and Riddles for you! If you don't see what you're looking for be sure to check out my original list of Halloween Quotes, Sayings, Proverbs and More!

Enjoy!!

A haunting we will go!

As I was going up the stair, I met a man who wasn't there He wasn't there again today...Oh, how I wish he'd go away.

Blood donors needed. See the Count.

Broom Parking - 5 cents

Bugs & Hisses to you.

Carve out some good times!

Caution! Black Cat Crossing

Caution! Ghost Crossing

Caution! Low flying bats!

Caution! Witch Crossing

Come as you aren't!

Come in for a bite.

Come in for a spell.

Don't be a scaredy cat.

Fangs for the memories and nightmares!

Free broom with flying lessons.

Fresh Spider Cider Served Here!

Forget the ghosts . . . beware of me!

Ghostly Greetings

Ghosts have real spirit.

Gone haunting. will return at midnight.

Halloween is a real treat.

Hang around for a spell.

Happy Haunting!

Have a bootiful Halloween!

Have a fang-tastic night.

Have a frightfully spooky Halloween!

Have a spook-tacular good time.

How do monsters tell their fortune?They read the ‘horrorscopes’

How do you tell twin witches apart?You can’t tell which witch is which…

I boo-lieve in ghosts

I can’t stop falling in love with brew.

I want my Mummy.

I witch you a Happy Halloween.

If the broom fits….fly it!

It's Hallo-scream!

Just hanging with my ghoul friends.

My other car is a broom!

On Halloween the thing you must do
Is pretend that nothing can frighten you
And if somethin' scares you and you want to run
Just let on like it's Halloween fun. -19th Century Halloween postcard


Practice safe hex.

Remember the ghoul times!

Sit for a spell and have some brew.

Stop in for a spell.

The littlest pumpkins have the biggest grins.

Time for a coffin break.

Too Cute to Spook!

What did the mother ghost say to her son?
Don’t spook unless you are spook-en to…


What did the mummy say to the detective?
Let’s wrap this up!


What did the skeleton say to the bartender?
I’ll have two beers and a mop.



What did the two vampires order at the bar?

A blood and a blood light.

What do ghosts use to shampoo their hair?
Sham-boo.


What do you give a vampire with a bad cold?
‘Coffin-drops’

What do you have when zombies surround your house?
Halloween silly!

What does a child monster call his parents?
Mummy and Deady.

What fairy tale do ghosts like best?
Sleeping Boo-ty.


What is a baby ghost’s favorite game?
Peek-a-Boo.

What is a mummy’s favorite type of music?
Wrap music!

What is a skeleton stone age family?
Flint-bones…

What is a vampire’s favorite ice cream flavor?
Vein-illa.

What kind of car does a ghost drive?
A Boo-ick.

What kind of pants do ghosts wear?
Boo-jeans.

What rides do ghosts like best at the amusement park?
The roller ghoster.

What’s a vampire’s favorite fast food?
Someone with very high blood pressure.

Where do ghosts shop for clothes?
At the Boo-tique.



Where does a witch park after flying?
In the broom closet of course!

Witch Parking…
All others will be toad!

Why can’t skeletons play music in church?
Because they have no organs.

Why did the vampires cancel their baseball game?
They couldn’t find their ‘bats’.

Why do vampires need mouthwash?
They have bat breath.



Why is a haunted handkerchief so scary?
Because it has ‘boo-gers’…


Why isn’t Dracula invited to parties?
Because he’s a ‘pain in the neck’.


Why was the skeleton afraid to cross the road?
It had no guts…

Why wasn’t the vampire working?
He was on a coffin break.

Hope you all have a

Frightfully Great Halloween Week!!!

Card Sketch ~ Halloween Cards!

Hi Friends!!

I hope you've had a wonderful day :)

It's been a while since I posted a card sketch AND I'm in the Halloween mood so I thought I'd share a couple with you today!

Here is the card sketch I came up with... I thought a bit of ribbon around the empty open space above would look nice but it just didn't go with the cards I made so I left it off the sketch as well. I still think it would be cool with the right type of card.

Ink Stained Card Sketch

102309

And my cards...

Witches Brew

Happy Halloween

(I LOVE this card...I tell you I never grow tired of playing with my Ink Blending Tool!!)

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Remember if you haven't posted on the Christmas Magazine thread

you have until Sunday to do so for your chance to win!!

Mini Luminary or Mini Treat Bag!

Hey Everyone!

I had planned on sharing this little project with you yesterday but we had hay down (5 different fields worth) and a forecast for rain today.... Soooooo I spent all day yesterday helping dh bale hay. We ended up working on it until 7:45 and got it all done!! FINALLY ~ the last hay of the year. When we got home I was too pooped to pop so I cheated and we had DQ for supper. By the time we were finished I was ready for bed!

Anyway, here it is...

Mini Luminaries

(for battery operated candles)

Supplies:

Mini Luminary Template

Pattern Paper (single sided, thin paper)

Scissors

Bone Folder

Deco Scissors, Edge Punch, etc (optional)

Exacto Knife (optional)

Battery Operated Candle

Mini Luminary Template -

This fits on an 8 1/5" x 11" piece of paper so you could actually print it out on your pattern paper or if you prefer to print it on heavy cardstock to make a single template to trace each time. Either works great!

Instructions:

1. Trace or print luminary template onto pattern paper* and cut out.

*Note: The reason I use pattern paper for this luminary is that pattern paper is usually thinner than cardstock so it lets the light shine through and it highlights the pattern on the paper.

2. Using a bone folder crease all of the fold lines.

3. Fold each area that you creased with the bone folder...

4. (optional) You may at this time add a bit of extra to your luminary at this time. You could use a variety of edge punches, deco scissors, etc. to create a nice top edge on your luminary. You may also choose to cut out a variety of designs for the bag front and back to let a bit extra light shine through. Some ideas include ~ jack-o-lantern faces, witches, moon, stars, pumpkins, candy corn, etc. But of course this is totally optional you could use the luminary as is.

5. Apply a bit of adhesive to the 4 small flaps and begin assembling the bag by first adhering the two small sides of the bag to the 2 smallest flaps as shown:

6. Finish adhering the last side of the bag and you're done! Your bag is ready for the battery operated candle!

Here are a couple more examples.

((You'll have to forgive the nasty edges on my cut-outs. SOMEONE...has decided to use my exacto knife to modify his model parts. It's dull as a butter knife and I'm out of new blades!))

Finished size: 3" x 1 1/2" x 4" high.

You could use this little bag as a treat bag as well! Cut the bag from cardstock, add a couple bits of fiber, ribbon or raffia for handles to each side and you're set to go. You could also cut out a pattern in the side and cover it with acetate on the inside so the treats will show through!

So there you go a fun and quick little addition to your Halloween decor!!

Have a happy haunted night ;)

Altered Chipboard Bracelet #2

Before I get to today's technique for altering these chipboard bracelet blanks I wanted to share a couple pics of yesterday's bracelet since it's dry!

Now let's get to today's bracelet...

Ribbons & Beads Altered Chipboard Bracelet

Instructions:

1. This bracelet builds off the painted technique from yesterday. Initially I painted the entire bracelet black and decided on a ribbon I wanted to use...

2. Adhere the ribbon to the inside of the bracelet using your favorite liquid adhesive. I like to use Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue. It's super for things like this because you don't have to wait forever to move on.

3. Wrap the ribbon around the painted bracelet leaving about 1/8" gap in between the strips of ribbon as shown.

4. When you get back to where you started, add another small dab of glue and let dry.

5. While your ribbon is drying, thread several beads onto a length of wire. Now you could get fancy and figure out an exact repeated pattern but I like a more random look. Either way it works fine.

6. Adhere one end of the wire on the inside of the bracelet using a piece of scotch tape to temporarily hold it in place. Begin wrapping the wire in the spaces between the ribbon.

When you are wrapping the wire, leave 3+ beads on top side of the bracelet. Don't leave any beads on the inside area of the bracelet.

7. Continue wrapping the wire/beads until you reach the spot where you started. Prop the bracelet up and cover both ends of the wire with more adhesive and let dry...

You now have a snazzy ribbon & beaded altered chipboard bracelet!!

Way cool, very inexpensive and pretty quick to boot!!

Remember you can use any ribbon and beads you might have in your stash...it's perfect for using up all those bits and pieces you have left over from other projects!

Tomorrow I'm taking a break from the bracelets and I want to share a fun mini luminaries for Halloween!

See you then!!

Altered Chipboard Bracelets - #1

Hey All!

I have been wanting to post these for a while now. I saw an ad for chipboard bracelet blanks and by the time I got around to purchasing some they weren't all gone :( SOOOOO, not one to give up I put my dh on the job and he was able to come up with some for me!! He has a machine that will cut VERY thick chipboard tubes...he figured out how shim the tubes up so he can now cut any width I want!

Each bracelet is 3 1/2" wide (outside diam.), 3" (inside diam.) and I had him initially cut 1/2", 1" and 2" wide (for a cuff bracelet).

Now I normally don't advertise for my Etsy store (cause I'm not a good sales person) but if anyone is interested I do have 1/2" and 1" ones for sale.

ANYWAY, now that I have a good supplier I thought I'd share these little gems with you! I've got several fun ways to alter them but I thought I'd start out with something easy today...

Acrylic Paint & Chipboard Bracelets

Supplies:

Chipboard Bracelet Blank

Acrylic Paint of your choice (I used Adirondack Acrylic Dabbers)

Sponge (to apply paint)

Studio Gloss Multi-Medium

Embellishments

Instructions:

1. Pour out one or multiple colors of acrylic paint onto your non-stick craft mat along with a bit of water.

2. Wet your sponge and dab on your paints in desired pattern...both inside and out.

3. After you are satisfied with the colors, let the paint dry completely.

4. When the bracelet is dry apply one or two coats of Studio Gloss Multi-Medium. This seals the bracelet/paint and adds a nice shine! Let this layer dry completely.

5. Now it's time to embellish! I added my first bit by adding Stickles ~ later after this dries I'm going to add spirals of gemstones in between the glitter lines. You can get as fancy as you like with these. If you need holes to add items you can use a Dremel Rotary tool and a small drill bit.

Tomorrow after it all dries I'll share the finished bracelet with you as well as another fun way to alter these chipboard bracelet blanks!

These little beauties make great gifts and they can be personalized to fit anyone's taste, style!