Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Flip Album How To

Happy Tuesday....typed Monday to begin with because it does feel like one.  Several people asked for instructions on how to make the flip album I shared last week and I finally have it all around.






Directions:


1. Start off by making the outside of the album.  Cut 2 pieces of chipboard 4.5" x 8" and one piece 1.5" x 8" as shown.

2. Assemble the cover as you would for any other book. 

Glue these down to desired cardstock that you'd like the outside to be covered in.

Crease and fold excess paper to the inside and adhere.

Before you cover the inside of the album, attach a button to the front cover of the book and stretch cord to the back of the cover.

Cover the inside of the album with a piece of cardstock of your choice.


3. Cut 2 pieces of cardstock 4" x 12" and score every 1/2".   

4. Crease each fold back and forth so they all move easily.  

5. Fold as shown above.  1 hill, 1 flat, 1 hill, 1 valley, 1 flat, 1 hill, 1 valley, 1 flat, etc.  

6. Repeat for the second piece of cardstock.


7. You will glue both of these pieces into the album, one on each side.


From the side you can see that they will become the flaps that your pages are attached to.


8. After you have glued the flap binding into the book, measure the area below each binding.  Cut a piece of cardstock to cover the remaining area, glue it over the bottom of the binding.


9. Cut 16 pieces of 4x4 cardstock - either from a single color or from several different pieces.  I used light blue for all of my pages.

(Optional)  I chose to round the bottom corners of each page.  It's not necessary but it's a nice little touch.

10. Adhere one page to each flap on both sides of the album.


11.  Cut 34 pieces of cardstock/pattern paper 3.75 x 3.75".  


12. Adhere one of the above pieces to the front and the back sides of each flap. Glue the remaining 2 pieces to the area under the flaps.

13. Decorate the cover as desired.  I stamped, colored and fussy cut several images using the stamps from the kit.

Supplies:

Club Scrap - chipboard, Boardwalk pattern papers, cardstock, button, stamps, cut-aparts, book binding glue
Imagine Crafts - Memento Dye Ink, Memento Markers
Other - strech cord





Monday, July 4, 2016

Celebrating Independence Day - Catch the Sun!

Today I wanted to share my sun catcher that I made to help celebrate Independence Day and show a bit of patriotism at the same time...


I made this fun sun catcher with a vintage wooden cloths hanger which was painted with white and blue Chalk Paint from Deco Arts.  Then I cut stars (Seth Apter Spellbinders Dies) from several different sheets of  Vertigo Film and colored with StazOn Inks...

For complete directions please see: 


Hope you all have a safe and happy celebration!

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Pineapple Wreath Card

I saw the newest CAS(E) this Sketch! #179 and I couldn't resist using some Peg Stamps from Rubber Stamp Tapestry to make this fun summery card.


I ordered the pineapple stamps because I just knew they would be lots of fun to use for tropical, summery cards and I was right!  Below is a close up of the wreath - it is so quick and easy to create with these stamps I was done with this card in a flash!  It took me longer to choose the colors than it did anything else - LOL!!



Of course I used my Memento Dew Drops to stamp up this fun little greeting...I'm thinkin' I need to make several more with different greetings on the banner.  Such a fun sketch to work with!


Supplies:

Rubber Stamp Tapestry - assorted stamps
Imagine Crafts - Memento Dew Drops
Georgia Pacific - White Cardstock
Other - Faux Gemstones

Friday, July 1, 2016

Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - Christmas In July!

Welcome July!

Gosh can you believe the year is half over already?  I don't know where the time goes - seems to be moving at the speed of light these days.  It's July 1st and that means it's time for a brand new challenge on the Just For Fun Rubber Stamps Blog!  The theme this month is Christmas in July with a bit of sparkle!

I am lucky enough to be able to share a couple cards using stamps from their brand new release (not yet available on the site but available at the conventions).  


My first card features a fun and funky Stamptangle Christmas Tree.  I stamped the tree on a bit of watercolor paper then sprinkled with Brusho Colour Crystals.  Once try it was fussy cut and affixed to the speckled card panel.  The sparkle is from a bit of glitter glue here and there.


My second card features this classic NutCracker image.  He is stamped on vellum and embossed with gold embossing powder and I've also added a few glittery gemstones to help finish it off.

If you'd like to participate in the challenge or if you'd just like to get a bit of inspiration for your own holiday cards be sure to check out the link - 




Thursday, June 30, 2016

Artist, Designer or Both?

Recently I saw a link to an article on Facebook with the title Designers are not Artists.  In the opinion of the author he stated that designers weren’t artists and visa versa – basically the whole jist of the article was that designers created to promote a product and artists created to express emotion. 

Someone else sent me link to a similar article that stated good art inspires, good design motivates (people to buy products, participate or join).  It went on to state that artists start with a blank slate and work from a viewpoint, opinion or feelings while designers have a fixed starting point such as a message, idea, image or action.  It also went on to state additional differences – good art is interpreted, good design is understood; good art is talent, good design is skill; good art sends a different message to everyone while good design sends the same meaning to everyone.

Why am I talking with you about these articles?  Someone asked me about why I’m “wasting time” being on design teams (and sent me the link to the 2nd article).  This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked about it over the years and I’m sure it won’t be the last.   It got me thinking about why I am on design teams and that maybe I should explain my reasoning’s.

Let me first start by saying these articles (IMO) are crap and that I consider myself a good artist, teacher and designer!  In my experience greedy, mediocre or lazy designers intensions are only to get free products and to entice people to buy/participate/join (and there are many of them out there).  Great designers can take anything presented to them (be it an idea, product or image) and create art which speaks to people in different ways AS WELL AS inspire and motivate.   This is what I strive to do on all of the design teams I participate on and with my own personal art.

Sure I’ve seen lots of designers who are only out there to sell a product (or get free products or are motivated by the all mighty $$$’s) who in turn do a minimum amount of work and just pile on the crap with their only intentions being to put product on the screen in front of as many people as they can making them want more, more, more. 

On the other hand there are other designers out there who put lots of time and effort into each piece of art they create which not only showcases a particular product but inspires, instructs and encourages others to create as well.

Lumping these two very different groups of designers together is like mixing oil and water or saying that the Eiffel Tower is just a pile of metal.

I “waste” my time on design teams because as an artist I have found that IMO the products these companies offer are quality items and that with knowledge and instruction can benefit other artists.  I try to provide that knowledge by spending my time experimenting and through trial and error come up with new, different or fun innovative ways to create art which I in turn share with you.   It might be something as simple as instructing on how to use a new product with an old or forgotten technique; using a product in a totally different way that originally intended or simply make a piece of art to share its beauty.   When the artist in me is truly inspired to create the teacher in me comes out and wants to share it with others.  I want to encourage, instruct and make you want to create as well.

Design teams also offer me a challenge and give me the opportunity to use products I might not normally have thought of purchasing or wouldn’t have been able to purchase.  Ink Stains isn’t a money making proposition… I purchase products for both use and giveaways from my own pocket.  I purposely don’t sell ads or monetize the blog so that I’m not beholding to people/companies that I wouldn’t normally stand behind.

I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) represent a company that I didn’t have 100% confidence in; I’m not in it for free stuff and it’s not paying my bills. I won’t lie or deceive to try to get you to purchase a product, I won’t have you believe that brand “X” is the be all and end all.  I do it because I am inspired and want to share that inspiration with you. 


I design with my artist soul and yes, I’m proud to say I am an Artist AND a Designer!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Boardwalk Club Scrap Blog Hop + GiveAway!

What's today????  
YES - Hummmmp Day and it's also time for the

This is such a fun summery kit - lots of the ole' red white and blue plus a bit of a summer / beachy / boardwalk feel to go with.  With all of the fun summer memories in the makin' I thought it would be nice to create an album with ample acreage to keep them in one place.

And here it is.....


When opened up this album has 8 double sided 4" x 4" flaps on each side -



Plus an extra space on each side under all the flaps.  All of this translates into 34 areas for photos and/or journaling.


Would you like to preserve your summer memeories in this album?
Simply post a comment telling us about your favorite summer past time, event or memory is.

You have until July 9th to post your comment to be entered to win!

Your next stop on the hop is:


and remember
if you get lost along the way, 
the complete hop list can be found here:


Happy Summer Friends!

Supplies:
ClubScrap.com - Boardwalk prints, cardstock, rubber stamps, button, cut-aparts, chipboard, book binding glue.
Imagine Crafts - Memento Dye Inks, Memento Dual Tip Markers
Other - Stretch Cord

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Coloring & Drawing with Grandma

A couple weeks ago my grandma (93) fell and broke her hip...she's been in the hospital then nursing home ever since.  She has had to give up lots of her favorite crafts over the years ~ painting, crochet, knitting due to poor eyesight and arthritis.  She mentioned that she was so bored at the nursing home because she really can't do much of anything. They have a tv but seriously, how much tv can one person watch...specially with the crappy programing on lately.

She has always been into art - she's the one that originally got me interested in it so I thought it would be fun to take her a few goodies that hopefully she would get some enjoyment out of.  The first is a notebook/journal that I made....


I used some of the Club Scrap Boardwalk kit because it was bright and cheery.  
I stamped her name on the front just in case it was shuffled around.


Inside is blank drawing papers....
I thought she could draw, write down notes or whatever inside.


This is the inside of the back cover - using up scraps.


I told her the other day that I was going to color with her when I came back - I explained about adult coloring books but I think she thought I was kidding.  So, I am also going to take her this coloring book I bought by ColorIt.com.   I originally saw it advertised on FB so I went ahead and bought one to try.  I got the wild animals edition which was $16.00.


I have to say I was very pleased with it.  The pages are 8.5x11 (plus the binding) and printed single sided on heavy cardstock.  The front and back covers are both heavy chipboard - almost book board weight and it is spiral bound.  This is very nice because once open the front and back covers make a great sturdy foundation to color on even if you're not at a table.


The above photos are a  just a couple examples of what the pages look like.  They are nice big images that have heavy black outlines great for young and old alike.  This is such a nice coloring book I think I may have to buy another for myself.


I am also taking a small cigar box that I made dividers in for colored pencils, drawing pencils and pencil sharpener and eraser.  At first I just tossed them in the box but I couldn't stand it so I made the little divider out of cardstock.

What do you think?  I'm going to take it to her today or Wednesday (whichever works out)....I sure hope she likes it and that it helps pass the time.  She's always been very active so this is hard on her.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Corset Bachelorette Card

I wanted to share a card I made for my future DIL.  She had her bachelorette party this past weekend and sadly I missed it (bad food at a local restaurant).  I wanted to share the card I made for her though....


She likes hot pink, glitz and animal prints so I thought this was a good combo.  
It's got lots of fun elements - the lace, ribbon, brad "buttons" and glitter.  


What do you think?
Girly girl enough?

I'm giving it to her next time I see her but I wanted to share -
I really liked how it turned out.

Supplies:

ClubScrap - Cardstock, Stencil
Imagine Crafts - Memento Inks, Spong Daubers
Other - lace, ribbon, brads, glitter glue
Corset Card Template - my design

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Imagine Crafts & CAS-ual Fridays Blog Hop

Welcome, welcome my inky friends!  Today I have a special treat to share with you.  The Artist Team at Imagine Crafts is taking part in a joint blog hop with the team from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!  I was having so much fun with the stamps I rec'd from CAS-ual Fridays that I made not one but three cards to share with you today!


My first card was made by stamping the zig-zag's using the Kaleidacolor ink pad - Specturm.  I then stamped the flowers using Radiant Neon Electric Yellow Ink with a dab of Radiant Neon irRESISTible Pico Embellisher - also in Electric Yellow in the center of each flower.  The sentiment - thanks - was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  The panel was then mounted on a yellow card blank.


This card is the polar opposite of the bright colors of the first card.  I wanted to stick to a softer more muted palette so I used Dandelion, Sky Blue and Pear Tart Memento Dye inks to stamp the design elements.  The sentiment was again stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and Wedding Dress (white) irRESISTible Pico Embellisher was used to add a bit of embellishment.  This panel was mounted on a soft blue card base.


Finally my third card is a bit different.  I stamped this card in layers.  The base panel was stamped using the Kaleidacolor ink pad - Baby Powder - bright pastels that I toned down by adding a framed piece of vellum on top.  I then stamped the sentiment and flower on the vellum piece with Jet Black Staz On ink.  The flower was colored using Dandelion Memento Dual Tip Marker.  I finished off the card by mounting it on a yellow card base and added a few dots again using the Wedding Dress (white) irRESISTible Pico Embellisher.

I had so much fun with these stamps, 
I'm sure you'll be seeing more of them in the future!
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Be sure to comment on the blog posts as you go for a chance to win a $50 prize packages from both CAS-ual Fridays and Imagine! Winners announced on Monday the 27th!

Your next stop on the hop is


and 
if you get lost along the way
you can find the complete list of hoppers here:


or





Supply List:

Imagine Crafts:
Kaleidacolor - Spectrum, Baby Powder
irRESISTible Pico Embellisher - Wedding Dress, Electric Yellow
Memento Dye Ink - Dandelion, Sky Blue, Pear Tart, Tuxedo Black
Radiant Neon Pigment Ink - Electric Yellow
StazOn - Jet Black
Memento Dual Tip Markers - Dandelion

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps - Zigs & Zags; Wonderful Words

ClubScrap.com - Cardstock, Vellum
My Favorite Things - Stitched Frame Die

Friday, June 24, 2016

One for the guys....

Happy Friday Everyone!  I hope you've had a wonderful week!  I'm still trying to catch up from working on convention samples, vacation and work....  not doing so well but at least I'm making head way.

Today I thought I'd make a card for the guys using this months Club Scrap Kit - Boardwalk.  The challenge at the Male Room is to include buttons in your creation so I did just that!



Inside I stamped happy birthday.  We have lots of male birthday's coming up in our family so I'm sure I'll be using it soon.  I used 3 wooden buttons (included in the kit) along the left hand side.  I love how they have an etched design in the surface of the buttons.  It adds a bit of texture which is a nice change from normal buttons. 



Before I forget I pulled the name of the winner of the Creative License mini album.  The winner is....

I love this album! What a great gift for my son to put pics of his dream cars in! My car story is a sad one. I had a great 1973 Omega when I was in college. I decided to get it painted because it had been in a fender bender and a friend told me her boyfriend could make it look new. It took a while, but he did a GREAT job. I had the car back for about 24 hours when I was parked at my boyfriend's house. We were eating supper and heard this noise.... When I went out to go home, someone had hit my car and taken off :(

Congratulations Melanie!
Please e-mail me your snail mail address so I can drop your album in the mail.