Adventures In Alcohol Inks - A bit more info...

I guess I should have explained myself a bit better...I've had several e-mails asking where the class I am teaching is going to be at.  

The class I'm "teaching" isn't really a real-live event, it's an on-line class hosted at Scrapbook News & Reviews art hub - The Art Studio.  Here is a direct link to the class...  Adventures in Alcohol Inks. It's a huge class with many many techniques and LOADS of examples. 

The class is $29.99 which I know sounds like a lot but it works out to less than $1.00 a technique not including a lesson on the materials associated with AI's; a lesson sharing what the inks look like on a variety of surfaces and a AI gallery which has over 50 different examples.

Basically you buy the class, then the class will be shared in increments so you can work a bit on one section then move on.  It's not like some classes that expire, once you buy it you will have access to it from here on out.  So, if you can't finish it right now, the lessons will be there for you when you can finish.  No worries about deadlines or having to print everything out.

I think that answers all the questions ~ hope that helps!

My "Adventures in Alcohol Inks" Class is now LIVE + Give-A-Way

Hi Everyone!

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend...

I'm so excited...today is the day my first class at The Art Studio @ SNR goes live today!!  It was announced in today's newsletter that Katie sends out and I was so touched by her message that I wanted to post it here...  It actually brought tears to my eyes it's so sweet!

From the SNR Newsletter.....

When we had our store, I used to beg the paper crafting gods to publish a book that had all the info our customers—especially newbies—were asking for. When I transitioned from the store to the magazine, I continued to bombard heaven with my hopes for a one-of-a-kind book that would quickly take paper crafters from ho hum to va va voom. In 2009, Roni Johnson, the author of Teach Yourself Visually Collage and Altered Art, answered my prayers.  

Mind you, there are dozens of mixed media and general paper crafting books on the market and my buckling book shelves straining from the weight are proof. However, none are more dog eared and beloved than Roni’s book. So when Miguel, the Education Director of The Art Studio @ SNR, and I came up with a short list of our wants and needs, we knew Roni would be a perfect fit.  

After working with her over the last few months and watching her alcohol ink class come to fruition, we feel sincerely blessed to have her a part of The Art Studio!  

Adventures in Alcohol Inks is a class that focuses on using one product, and--and this is a big and—it’s stuffed to the gills with so many fun, whimsical and easy-to-do techniques that it equates to a 135 page PDF.  

Yes, you read that right, 135 pages! Naturally, the class is broken down into a few really good chunks to make it easier to digest, but trust me, you’ll know more about getting the best bang for your buck with alcohol inks (and comparable products) than you ever imagined.  

Even more than we imagined! By the time Miguel and I were done editing the class, we were swimming in ideas and with Roni’s careful hand-holding style of teaching, we were ripping through the alcohol inks and creating fun and colorful projects with glee. (Of course, we should’ve been working, but hey, everyone needs some “me” time, right?)  

Seriously, what Roni can do to a plain piece of paper and alcohol inks is downright sublime.    

And it’s so much fun to do something out of the ordinary, to do something—anything—that you wouldn’t normally do. Don’t wait another minute. The adventure is ready and waiting for you. Click here to join Roni and other alcohol inked friends now. 

AND not only is my class going live but SNR is also giving away a whole set of Alcohol Inks!!!!

 All 48 colors plus Copper, Gold, Silver and Pearl, and a bottle of Alcohol Blending Solution. Cool, eh?Quick! Send an e-mail to games@scrapbooknewsandreview.com with Alcohol Inks in the subject line. To get another chance to win, like us on Facebook, and let us know in the e-mail, and we'll do the rest! Deadline is Monday, May 20, 2013, at midnight.

I hope you all enter for your chance to win!!

Good Luck All!!!!

SNR & TAS 5 Year Anniversary!!!

It's Scrapbook News & Review Magazine's 5 year anniversary!!!

To celebrate they are having a huge 2 week party and you're all invited!  They will be giving away all sorts of GREAT Give-A-Ways!!!!

Here are the first of several posts & give-a-way announcements....

It's Our Anniversary & Secret to Share

(This is where they tell about their new instructors - Me included!!)

NEW - Donna Salazar's "Faith" Mixed Media 3D Class & Give-A-Way

and

Pan Pastels Give-A-Way!!

I'll be sharing additional links to more news and give-a-ways as they are posted!

Be sure to check em out and sign up...

you might just be the lucky reader that wins something!!

Good Luck All!!

Home...

Well, I'm a bit off on my Just For Fun Wednesday post but better late than never ;)

This week we are challenging you to use Card Sketch #5....

You know, most of the time I add my own little twist on sketches but

I actually followed it like I was supposed to this time ;)

Here's what I came up with...

Don't you just LOVE those houses?

I think they are going to be a favorite of mine.

I stamped them on white cardstock then inked em up with a variety of Dylusions Spray Inks and topped them off with a bit of Sakura White Gelly Roll pen work.

Stamps used: Collaged Row Houses; Home Definition 

Now, it's your turn to play with the sketch!

Goosebumps Resist Covered Book

Yesterday I shared the fun and easy technique for using Goosebumps to create a beautiful resist paper. 

Today's project incorporates that resist design as a cover for a hand-made book!

This is the resist paper I am going to use.  I know lots of people were wondering what the heck I was doing using such a dark brown ink to cover such a pretty design.  I've got my reasons ;)  You'll see in the end how it all works.

NOTE: I will be using a section sewn exposed stitch to bind my book... there are MANY different ways to bind a book and this is just one of the many.  For additional ways to bind handmade books just type bookbinding into a search engine.  You'll be amazed at how many ways people have dreamt up to make a book.

The first thing we need to do is to cut a few pieces of chipboard for the front, spine and back covers.  Since this paper is about 8.3x11.7" (Prima's A4 pattern paper pad size) I'm going to make my book 5x7.

Use your favorite double stick adhesive to affix each piece of chipboard to the paper.  Cut notches at the corners and at the spine as shown.  This makes for much nicer folds.

Apply glue to each of the flaps and fold over so it's securely attached to the inside of the book covers.

If you want your book to have some sort of closure you will need to add it at this time.  Sometimes I like to cut a length of ribbon and glue it down to the book covers or you could just use a strap at the back which folds around to hook at the front with any number of various hardware bits.  Another option would be to use a string closure which is simply a length of string wrapped around a brad or post on the front of the cover. 

I didn't want a closure for this book because I don't want anything to interfere with the front cover.

To finish off the inside I normally like to apply a piece of book binding tape over the spine to strengthen and reinforce that area because it will get lots of wear and tear from repeated openings.  BUT, I have something else I'm going to use in it's place so I went ahead and covered the inside book covers with pink cardstock.

Now I found this REALLY cool looking duct tape in a pink paisley design which I'm going to use in place of the book binding tape.  Since it's so pretty it doesn't need to be hidden under the cardstock which is why I am adding it at this point.

You can set the book cover aside for now.

It's time to make the signatures (inside page bundles) for the book.  Again, to compliment the cover art I am using an assortment of cream/tan cardstock pages in various weights and finishes.  I like to mix it up like this to add interest to the book.

You need to cut each sheet to size then fold each page in half.  My pages started off 6.75 x 11.  I left the length a bit longer so I could even up the pages once they have been assembled into each signature.

Once the pages have all been folded in half, gather 4-10 pages and collate them so they all fit inside each other and the edges all line up.   I am using 6 sheets for each section.

NOTE: Some people like to fold all 4-10 sheets together at one time....I personally don't like to do it this way because the center pages are never creased or lay quite as nice as they do when you fold them individually. 

To finish off each signature I made sure all of the pages were lined up and then cut the width down to size to perfectly fit my cover.

O.k... now you have a "signature" (a stack of folded pages) which is almost ready to be added to your book.    Repeat this process multiple times depending on how many pages you want in your book.  I made 3 signatures with 6 sheets of cardstock in each.

Putting the Book Together -

I am going to be binding my book using a "Section Sewn" which is the string down the center of each signature.  To do this you need to poke 2 holes in each signature.  I did so 1.5" from the top and bottom of each signature as shown.

Next I place one signature in the book cover and line it up where I would like them to lay in the book once finished.  I drew a line to help determine where I needed to make holes in the spine to enable me to stitch each signature in the book.

Since I have 3 signatures I need to poke three holes in the spine which will align with each signature.

To sew each signature in the book I took a length of cotton cord (or wax linen) and began by threading it through the signature and the spine, came up along the outside and in the top hole of the spine and signature....

NOTE: I like to leave a long tail when I begin so I can finish off the binding with fancy stitches, beads, charms or whatever else I'd like to add.

Stitch in the other two signatures and tie off the cord in a knot.    Remember that long length of cord I left at the beginning?  Well I looped it back through the outside stitches and created this fun twisty look to the spine.   I threaded the excess cord through one of the holes back to the inside of the cover, knotted and cut off the excess.

And here's my bound book....  The doily resist design wraps around the entire book giving it such a pretty design.  Now you could finish this book off with any number of cool embellishments...photos; frames; text; flowers; label holders; etc. 

And here are the inside pages all assembled and ready to alter or journal or fill with memorabilia.

Such a fun way to create a great gift for anyone or to make and keep for yourself!

Goosebumps Resist

Hi All!

I wanted to continue talking about the Goosebumps spray medium from Imagine Crafts (Tsukineko).

Today I wanted to show you a fun resist technique that is very similar to embossing resist only without so many steps!  It is so easy you won't believe it.

Goosebumps Resist

Supplies:

Goosebumps Spray or Dabber - Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko
Cardstock, Pattern Paper or Ephemera
Stencils
Ink - Spray Ink, Distress Stain, or other favorite ink*

*I used Fireworks Spray (Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko) for the first example and Distress Stain for the second.

Instructions:

1. Cover your work area to protect it from over spray.  This stuff will stick to anything.

2.  Place your stencil over the paper to be sprayed.  I'm using a Prima stencil over a piece of vintage sheet music.

3. Spray the Goosebumps over the stencil/paper.  Remember, the closer you are the thicker the coat, further away = lighter coat. 

I spritzed it quite a bit in the center and less around the edges because I wanted it to fade away.

4.  After you have sprayed the paper, immediately remove the stencil and wash it with soap and water.  This is necessary because the Goosebumps WILL stick to the stencil. 

5. Let the Goosebumps dry completely.  This usually doesn't take too long but of course thicker layers will take longer to dry.  Temperature and humidity will also come into play as well.  I checked mine after about 5 minutes or so and it was dry.

6.  Shake up the Fireworks spray and spritz it onto the paper. 

Once you've covered the paper, you can wipe away the excess ink off of the Goosebumps to reveal the resist pattern.

Check it out.....

I just LOVE how fun and easy this is. 

The Goosebumps is thick enough that you really don't have a problem with the medium sneaking under the edges of the stencil which is nice.

You can see where the pattern around the edges sort of fades out.  That is where I used a finer mist as opposed to other areas that the Goosebumps was applied with a heavier coat.

Next, I wanted to show you the dabber Goosebumps. 
I started off with a piece of pattern paper and a stencil from The Crafters Workshop.

And since I'm using Shimmer Goosebumps I shook up the mixture to ensure even distribution of the "shimmer".   To apply you just dab it over the stencil as you would if you were using acrylic paint dabber.

I then washed the stencil and let the Goosebumps dry.

After the design had a chance to dry I applied Distress Stain to the paper.... check out that amazing resist pattern just poppin' right off the page!

Wipe off the excess ink and....

Here is my Goosebumps Resist paper!

Now it doesn't get much easier than that does it?
Such a quick, fun and EASY way to get a really beautiful resist paper to use on all your projects.

Spring has arrived...

I thought I'd share a few shots of "Spring" I captured recently.

 

These first few photos are of a baby Dove that has taken up sunning it's self in a small flower bed by our front window.  It sits very close to the house behind some lilies and my bird bath while it's mother stands guard at the front of the flower bed. 

 

I just love how they coo and talk back and forth.

We've never had doves so close to the house before but they are so pretty, I hope they stick around!

 

 

The other set of pics I wanted to share were of some lilacs youngest ds brought me on Mother's Day.  They grow out at our farm and are just beautiful.

 

We have a single purple and a double white lilac.

Both smell amazing!!

I wish I had smell-o-vision so you could smell them too!

 

I had promised to share pics of my Double Daffodils but alas the entire time they were blooming it was raining here...for like 4-5 days straight.  They never did bloom very nice because they were constantly being pelted with rain/hail so I guess that will have to wait till next year.

 

Has Spring arrived where you live?

I hope you're enjoying whatever season it is in your part of the world.

Altered Pages May Challenge - Shoes!

This month's challenge at Altered Pages is to create something based around the theme of Shoes!

Well, I decided to have a bit of fun and create an altered domino using the collage sheet -

Shoes with Attitude!

I covered the image with bits of mica to add a different feel and another dimension to the domino.  If you've never worked with mica before I highly recommend it.  It adds such a beautiful shimmer to your projects.  It can be peeled apart into the thinnest of layers which I like to then layer in various stages to give lighter and darker areas to my project. 

You can see that just a bit in this photo....

and I inked the domino then added a bit of Dresden Trim to the edge....

I wanted to finish it off with a couple tiny gemstones for a bit more glitz ;) 

The red charm says born to shop!

Be sure to check out all the inspiring shoe themed projects in this months challenge.

AND

if you'd like to join in the fun you're more than welcome to!

All you have to do is create a shoe themed project using at least one product or collage image from Altered Pages and post a link to it on the Altered Pages Challenge Blog before May 31st.

The winner will receive a fun surprise!

Good Luck!!

Goosebumps Texture Spray

This week I wanted to share a bit about Goosebumps Texture Spray from Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko.

This is a really fun medium that adds texture without color. 

Goosebumps comes in three finishes - Glossy; Matte and Shimmer.  It's a unique spray that is a bit thicker than a dye/ink spray and holds it's shape once sprayed onto your project. 

All you do is squirt the Goosebumps onto your cardstock and let dry.

Dry time will vary depending on the surface it was sprayed on; temperature; humidity and of course how thickly the medium was applied.

The example on the left is the Matte Goosebumps sprayed while holding the bottle approx. 3-4" from the paper.  The example on the right is Glossy Goosebumps sprayed approximately 7-8" from the cardstock.  You will notice the closer the bottle is to the project the thicker and larger the droplets are.  The farther away you are the finer the droplets.

These next two photos are trying to show you the texture that the Goosebumps creates.

Each little drop of spray holds it's original shape once dry.  The top is the Glossy Goosebumps, the bottom is Matte.

And to better demonstrate how it looks, I have applied a bit of Distress Stain over both of these examples.  You will notice that the Goosebumps spray resists the inks just as if it were embossed which is exactly how it feels!   I simply rubbed the stain dabber over the cardstock and wiped the excess ink off of the Goosebumps.  I did however miss a spot in the lower right corner of the left example.  You can see how the ink pools up on the spray.  I went back and wiped it off with ease.

Now, this medium comes in a handy Dabber bottle as well!

I'll share a few more examples on how to incorporate this amazing spray into your art in the coming days.

Color Changes Everything!

Today's post is a reader request from Melanie.  She is new to stamping and e-mailed me recently asking how I choose colors for my cards.  She says she's having a hard time figuring out how to go about making them and she also mentioned that she is spending more time trying to decide what colors and embellishments to use than she is actually making a card.

First off is I always think about what I want the card to convey as far as seasonal influences; personalization for the recipient; or just what I'm feeling like that particular day.  I might be feeling goofy and want to use a smart or funny comment; I might be thinking of a special memory about that person that I want to incorporate somehow; It might be a beautiful spring day that influences my choices.  Heck, it might just be a new stamp that catches my fancy that I have a need to ink.

As far as embellishments go, I also try to reflect those same intentions and feelings with the embellishments.  

The following is an example of how colors and embellishments can change the entire look and mood of a card.  All of the stamps used are exactly the same for each card, only the ink color and cluster of embellishments have been changed.

 

You'll probably notice that I have a thing for 3's. 

I think embellishments have a nicer balance if used in odd numbers. 

3 is my favorite but sometimes I also go for 5 ~ 2 at the top; 3 at the bottom type thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this helps explain a bit about how I go about choosing colors and embellishments for a card.

 

  How do you choose?