UTEE Flower Card

Today I wanted to show you how using different colors of embossing ink effect UTEE.

This is a card I made for Ranger for the Winter CHA show. I used clear and black embossing inks paired with a variety of UTEE colors on several pieces of chipboard. I also mixed in some white UTEE with the purple which I'll show you up close below.

This photo is a close up of the leaves and stem of the flower. I used clear embossing ink on the stem while I used black embossing ink on the leaves. Both were covered in Green Zinnia UTEE. You can see that the UTEE on the leaves appears to be darker than the stem and it also has a fine crackle where the black embossing ink floated up in the UTEE while heating. I love this effect.

You can see the embossing ink especially nice in the photo corners which I also used black ink and Green Zinnia UTEE.

Here is the flower close up. You'll notice the purple flower is bi-colored. I thought I'd give it a bit of spark by sprinkling white UTEE into the molten purple UTEE. No additional heating was necessary.

Now for the flower I used....well, wait a minute ~ I've shown you the photo of the flower and explained a bit about the difference between the clear and black embossing inks so it's your turn....

YOU tell ME what colors of embossing ink I used with each set of petals.

I'll tell you I used the same color ink for both sets of blue petals so it's not a trick question.

You can either post here or e-mail me and tell me what color of embossing ink I used on the....

Blue Petals.....

Purple Petals....

and

Green Center.....

You have until 3-4-09 to post your guess at which time I will draw a winner at random from all the correct answers.

The winner will receive a sampling of several colors of UTEE!

So, now think about it, post or e-mail and give it your best shot!

Good Luck Everyone!!

TYV Collage & Altered Arts - Chapter List!!

As promised, here is the list of chapters that is going to be in the book...I hope you all find something in there you'd like to check out :) I still haven't done a full project count but I should be able to soon. I'm almost done with the appendix - so far 30 pages worth so there are loads!

TYV Collage & Altered Arts

Ch. 1 - Intro to Collage & Altered Arts
Ch. 2 - Getting Started (filled with all sorts of supplies you'll need)
Ch. 3 - Aging Tech. for Paper, Photos & More (10 sections - lots more tech)
Ch. 4 - Paper Collage Techniques (10 tech)
Ch. 5 - Paint, Ink & Rubber Stamping Collage Tech. (8 tech)
Ch. 6 - Image Transfer Tech. (8 tech)
Ch. 7 - Altered Charms (11 tech. but many, MANY different examples of each)
Ch. 8 - Fabric, Fibers & Trim (6 tech)
Ch. 9 - Assemblage Art (8 tech)
Ch. 10 - Altered Book Tech (13 sections)
Inspiration Gallery - (40 extra projects)

So, what do you think? Look like fun? I have to say I had loads of fun writing it and even more fun making all of the projects which are included.

Foam Core Board - II

Yesterday I shared why I love using foam core board so much and told you I would share a fun way to jazz up this type of collage....

Now, don't get me wrong...there is nothing at all wrong with this collage as a starting point BUT if you add a bit of paint ~ maybe Jacquard's - Lumiere metallic paints you could kick it up a few notches!

Foam Core Board is also very easy to cut. If you've checked out Tim Holtz's blog he shared a project which incorporates dimensional items into a lay-out using FCB. Place the item you want to incorporate on the FCB, trace a rough opening; remove the item and use a ruler to straighten up your lines. Cut with a craft knife and you're good to go.

I decided to make several little niches for this particular collage to incorporate my title...

Painted and glued the letters into each niche then added some clear micro beads for a bit more texture and interest....

By covering the collage with the paint it brings it all together. You forget about the array of colors (of each piece of paper) and makes the images the focal point while emphasising the texture of the specialty papers. It's a great trick to unify any mixed paper collage.

Pretty neat huh?

You know I am so excited about all of the techniques everyone has been asking for. I must say it it is more a boost than you know because many of the techniques requested are in the BOOK!!!

It makes me feel so much better knowing that I have included many techniques that people really want to learn about!

Tomorrow I will post the chapter titles which will give you a bit of a sneak peek into what's included in the book.

I am also going to be starting on some of the requests which aren't in the book so be sure to check back then.

Go create something people!! :)

Foam Core Board

Today I wanted to talk a bit about a fun material that doesn't get as much credit as it should...

Foam Core Board

I know ~ sounds pretty boring huh?

WELL, it's not ~ once you start playing with it you'll soon realize just how cool this stuff really is. I knew when I started the book I'd need a foundation a bit more substantial than plain old cardstock or chipboard for many of the projects I had planned on making. I used canvas for many of the projects but wanted a bit of variety ya know so I turned to foam core board.

Now, I'm sure if you've used foam core board you've more than likely covered it with cardstock, pattern or specialty papers. It works excellent for stiffening up projects that will be handled frequently, need to travel or will be displayed for long periods of time out of a frame. Many stores and instructors use this material as a backing for items they will be used in classes or store displays.

One aspect I love about foam core board is how sturdy it is. It handles wet applications just as well as dry applications with no damage to the work surface.

This example is a piece of foam core board completely covered in a paint/glaze mixture. As you can see I used a thick enough layer of the paint mixture that I was able to drag a texture comb through. The FCB didn't warp, bend or ripple at any time during the process.

While being very sturdy it also has a bit of give. You can easily deboss the FCB by using any number of tools. This example was made using the cap of my White Pigment Ink Pen! For smaller thinner lines you could use pens, an embossing stylus, paint brush handles, just about anything that has a smooth rounded surface that you could write with. I chose to work free-hand but you could use stencils, masks, templates, or even die-cuts as patterns.

To highlight the debossing after I was satisfied with the pattern, I painted the entire piece with black acrylic paint then went over it with metallic rub-ons. Of course you could use any number of mediums or color combinations.

Since it was a collage book I wanted to make sure it worked well with collage mediums so I made a few test runs by creating a mixed paper collage on several pieces of the FCB. I kept adding more and more layers of specialty paper and collage mediums till I had a pretty hefty piece. The FCB was able to withstand it all....never once did it deteriorate as other foundations might have.

Tomorrow I'll take this collage one step further by adding a bit of paint and dig out my exacto knife to have a bit of fun ;)

Till then friends, have a wonderful evening!

oh...

you're saying ~ hey, wait a minute...you forgot the flowers!!

LOL....no, I didn't, I just wanted to check and see if you remembered ;)

The random winner is.....

LaNell!!

LaNell said...
Love the flower ideas. Must get some more daubers! Thanks for a chance to win.February 21, 2009 8:32 AM

Congratulations LaNell!!!

Please send me you snail mail addy and I'll get your goodies in the mail to you.

Thanks to everyone for playing!!

Remember if you didn't win tonite you can sign up to win one of the goodies in the 2nd Chance Give-a-Way!

Have a wonderful evening everyone!!

Stamp Diva Sale & Newspaper update....

Hey there everyone!

Well, I made it through the interview! Shannon was right, once I got started out something I really love it was easy. Talking about myself...well, that wasn't so easy but I got through it. The photographer was great. I had pulled several projects from the book and she loved some of my favorites so that was cool. One canvas features Cecil (the basset) when he was a puppy so he's making the paper too...she took a pic of me holding both ~ the canvas and the dog ;) Dh is thrilled his dog is going to be "famous" - LOL!! Sheeze! The article is going to be the front page story of the Sunday living section on March 15th! I can't wait to see it, I'm excited to see what they use.

The reporter asked if you had to be a pack-rat? Of course I answered yes and showed him my 2 box full of goodies that were just a sampling of what I used in the book. It brought to mind a conversation I recall about someone discussing they were trashing stuff they had in their stash for a couple years saying if they hadn't used it by then they never were.

WELL....I'm here to tell you that is just not so!!! I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I am a pack rat - LOL!! I had so many goodies to incorporate into various projects that I've had for years and YEARS!!! I knew I was waiting for just the right project and so many of them found their perfect homes recently.

For example, I bought a box of very old silverware (not even sure they were silver) for $2.00 at a garage sale a few years ago. That box has sat in my cabinet for 3 years untouched BUT I pulled it out and used several of the pieces in a variety of ways...one baby spoon is on a cool canvas, a few of the serving pieces are now charms and I had ideas for some other fun goodies that didn't make it into the book due to space issues.

I also had a movie reel tin a friend sent me for my b-day one year. Now, this thing is awesome...very cool vintage metallic blue color - my fav. color and all. I knew the project was going to have to be something fitting and deserving - you know you just can't waste a perfectly good tin like that ~ after all they don't come along every day you know. Well I turned it into a very cool piece of art that I can't wait for everyone to see. I was so tickled with how it came out :)

That is the only complaint I have with writing a book....having to WAIT for everyone to see the goodies I made - LOL!! I want to share them all NOW! Of course my guys have seen them but I think after months of projects they are immune to them ~ "yep, uh huh..." is about all I get anymore.

Well, anyway ~ I don't have any projects or techniques to share today but I do have a sale I wanted to mention...

Stamp Diva is having a free shipping day tomorrow - February 25th - for US residence or $7.00 off shipping for international orders. Use coupon code - feb25 If you've never ordered from there you should, Susan is a great lady and offers excellent customer service!

also,

Eyelet Outlet has some really cool new brads and quicklets you should check out. I LOVE their baby animal brads...they are "cute" which I don't do much but I still love their adorable little expressions. They also have some great new martini and olive (black & green) brads as well!

Well, I think that's about it for me today...have a darn cold that's just kickin my butt.

I think I'm going to grab a cough drop and go read till I get sleepy.

Hope you all have a great evening!

Fabric Heart Pocket

Hey Everyone!

It's so good to hear what you want to see. I'm making a list and will get to work on them for you. Very soon you should all be seeing some of these techniques that you requested.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I tried to squeeze too many techniques/projects into the book so today I have one of the extras that didn't fit. It's a fun and easy project which incorporates fabric by way of Streuter's GlueFilm.

NOTE: The GlueFilm may darken the material. If you're using a light colored fabric you may want to use fusible web or a spray adhesive to attach it to the chipboard.

Supplies:

Thin Chipboard

Vintage Sheet Music

Fabric

Streuter Clear GlueFilm

Heart Pattern (I free-handed mine but there are loads of patterns on the net)

Wire

Eyelets

Vintage Applique or other embellishment

Craft Iron

Ink Blending Tool - Ranger Industries

Distress Ink - Ranger Industries

Needle & Thread (optional)

Paper Piercer (optional)

Crop-A-Dial - WeRMemoryKeepers

Instructions:

1. Cut the following using the heart pattern: 2 hearts from sheet music; 2 hearts from fabric; 2 pieces of thin chipboard; 4 pieces of GlueFilm.

2. Distress edges of sheet music using the Ink Blending Tool and Distress Ink.

3. Layer the following in this order:

Front half of the pocket - fabric face down, GlueFilm, thin chipboard, GlueFilm, sheet music - face up. Iron this stack of materials to melt the GlueFilm and adhere all of the layers together.

Now repeat the same steps for the back half of the pocket.

4. (optional) If desired, poke holes around the outside edge of the heart which will become the front half of the pocket. Sew a blanket stitch around the entire heart.

5. Attach applique or other embellishments to the heart that will be the front of the pocket.

6. Punch 2 holes in the heart which will be the back of the pocket. Secure eyelets.

7. Glue the 2 hearts together by applying adhesive or GlueFilm along the bottom of the heart. Don't apply glue further than half way up the sides so the pocket can be opened once finished.

8. After the pocket has dried or been secured with GlueFilm, twist and attach the wire.

This neat little pocket is now ready to be filled with whatever your heart desires.

Well, tomorrow the reporter and a photographer from the local newspaper comes to interview me about the book. I'm very excited but at the same time very VERY nervous! I am SOOOOO shy...no - seriously, really I am - LOL!!

Wish me luck - I may need it....I'm already shivering with nerves!

2nd Chance Blog Give-A-Ways

I'm finally getting caught up around here. I've had some goodies that should have been mailed a while ago that I'm just getting to now (don't worry...everyone who won something that hasn't rec'd it will be getting something extra in their envie!!).

Hels, Cabbie, Liza & Trine -

your goodies and extras will be going out in tomorrows mail!!

As I was packaging things up I was surprised when I realized that I have several unclaimed goodies setting here....namely 3 packages of bamboo tiles and 2 sets of the new Distress Crackle Metallic Paints!

I can't believe people too the time to enter then didn't take the time to send me their addresses...

odd....

SOOOOOOOO

I'm offering them up to you all!!!

What do you have to do to win???

It's really easy, just tell me a technique that you'd like to see demonstrated

AND

if you win, send me your snail mail addy so I can actually send it to you!

That's it!

Doesn't get much easier huh?

*****As an added bonus you will be able to enter more than once...you will earn one entry for every technique you post!!! So, come on...let me here what you'd like to see!!*****

You'll have until March 1st to post at which time I'll draw at random 5 lucky winners...you won't know what you're getting ~ it'll be a surprise so come on and post post post! And be sure to check back next week so you know who won!

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

Sad news - LuminArte...

I heard some sad news yesterday that I wanted to be sure and share with you all....LuminArte - the makers of Twinkling H2O's (my personal favorite!!), Radiant Rain and Primary Elements is going out of business. I had heard rumors about this very thing but I was hoping it was just talk. Unfortunately they have updated the front page of their site and it's true. They are offering a 40% off sale I suppose to clear things out so if you're a fan of any of these wonderful products I would suggest you grab them now while they are still available.

I know I'm going to update my color chart to determine which colors I have and which ones I don't and try to fill in at least some of the gaps before they are gone. I will dearly miss this wonderful color medium option as I know many of you will as well.

If you've never tried Twinkling H2O's this is the perfect time to give them a try but hurry...if you find you love them then you'll want to stock up before they are gone.

Faux Batik Dyed Flowers

Ask and ye shall receive!!

I got to thinking about GailnGA's request about doing something with colored flowers.

You could stamp on them with Archival or other permanent inks...

But then I thought about trying a variation on one of my favorite techniques - Faux Batik!

Again, the supplies are pretty basic:

Supplies:

Flowers to dye

Clear Embossing Ink - Ranger Industries

Clear Embossing Powder - Ranger Industries

Stamps

Spray Dye Ink - Glimmer Mist-Tattered Angles; Adirondack Color Wash - Ranger

Embossing Gun

Instructions:

1. Ink your stamp up very well...you want to be sure to get good coverage as there are no second chances on flowers.

2. Stamp the flower - if your stamp is smaller than the flower, re-ink and continue stamping until the flower has been covered. Don't worry about the ink drying out, embossing ink stays wet for quite a while.

3. Place the stamped flower in a tidy tray or box top lid and sprinkle the clear embossing powder over the whole flower...

make sure you cover the entire piece since you can't really see where all of the ink is.

4. Heat to melt the ep's. Move the heat gun around frequently so you don't scorch the flower.

5. Once the flower has cooled, spritz with your favorite spray dye ink....

6. (optional) If so desired, you may place the flower between two sheets of copy paper and heat with an iron to remove the embossing powders. I thought the embossed images were pretty cool so I left them. The shiny images gave the flower more dimension.

You'll end up with a flower that has taken on the color of the dye with the original color peeking through where the images have been embossed....

Of course this works with white flowers as well but it just doesn't have the same pizzazz that colored flowers offer.

And once combined with solid colored flowers they really make the finished flowers pop!

So there you go GailnGA ~ a fun technique to try with those big tacky colored flowers ;) I hope you give it a go and let me know how you like them.

Good luck and have fun!

~

Ye ole weatherman is predicting anywhere

from 2-8" of snow for our area this weekend.

I had hoped we were done with the white stuff but I guess Mother Nature has decided we need a bit more.

Ahhh well...such is life in Indiana!

I hope you all have a safe and relaxing weekend!!!

Tie Dyed Flower ?'s & more....

I had a few questions about the tie dyed flowers so I thought I'd post them here as well ...

Q ~ Are they stiff when dry?

A ~ Nope, you don't use that much paint and the water dilutes the paint enough that it is still very soft and pliable.

Q ~ Can I use paints other than the dabbers?

A ~ Yes you sure can...I would suggest applying it with a sea sponge or something similar. You are looking for a light coat, not total coverage. You want the splotchy effect that a sea sponge would yield.

Q ~ Why don't you cover the whole petal/flower?

A ~ You only use a light coat of paint because once you mist the paint with water some areas will be darker while other areas lighter giving the tie dyed effect.

Q ~ Will it work on colored flowers?

A ~ I think it will...I've never tried to dye colored flowers before. I would suggest trying it on one to be sure of color fastness since I'm sure every mfg. is different and I don't know what type of dye they use.

I also wanted to give you a heads up...if you happen to subscribe to or pick up Stampington's - Somerset Studio check out the inside back cover. Streuter has a full page ad in this months copy and all of the ATC cards along the top are mine!! I finally got a copy and am tickled pink! Love how the ad turned out :) I don't have any photos of the cards or I'd share them with you. I will take a pic of the ad though and post it as soon as I get a chance.

Hope you had a great day....

Going to be sharing a few more ideas for dying flowers tomorrow so be sure to check in!

See you then!