CC101 FB December Challenge

Yikes! I thought I had posted this a while ago! Thank heavens I had time to jump over and browse! The Creative Chemistry 101 FB Challenge for December was for showing either Vintage or Christmas.  Once all my Christmas Cards were done, and I hadn't found a good way to use one of the new Magenta stamps I had gotten in the summer, I made this my subject.  And, it sorta fits both themes. 

I used Tim Holtz's Crumpled Kraft Suede technique for the background. Colored the stamp with the Distress Markers,  some tan lace trimmings, and viola! So much better than the card I had been struggling with earlier. 

So, squeeking under the wire...I hope you all have a very Happy, Crafty New Year!

CC2C #34: Glazed Mosaics

/Sob!! The Last challenge from Tim Holtz's Compenidum of Curiosities Vol. 2.  Linda at Studio L3 has saved Glazed Mosaics, found on page 60 for last. And as I'm typing this, Thursday morning, I'm hoping she extends it one more week.  Because I'd hate to fail at the last challenge..and I so am!

What with Christmas, Mom being hospitalized, and me having a cold, my weekend sorta ran out. "No problems, I have everything" I think, plenty of time to do it Wed. night.  Again, a sign I have too much stash, as while I do have an extensive supply of shrink plastic, none of it is clear.  'Coulda swore I had clear... No problem, I'll improvise with the white.  Oh, yeah, can't see through it, well, I'll just do the new version of shrinking.  Oh, melting pot is almost empty, guess what, that was the last of my clear UTEE...and of course its become yellow as I've heated it a few times already.
 Huh.  well, I'll try using Tim's Pointasettia die, and attach that to the new pillow box for gift cards. So I cut out the pointasettia out of the shrink stuff; hmm, very brittle.  One of the petals broke off.  I did remember to punch a hole for the brad before I shrunk. Yay me.  I also realized, as I wasn't heating with the heat tool, that the color would come off in the UTEE, so another Yay me.  I stick my pieces into the melting pot; they shrink beautifully, so that too is a plus for the technique.  I figure alcohol inks will color them. but there will be no good way of stamping on them, so the "Mosaic" portion is sorta lost.  Then I realize, the hole I punched is now filled with the UTEE. So I try to drill it out, and they all crack.  Every piece has lost a petal or two.   So, there is the pillow box, and the broken pointasettia pieces, which would have been too small I realize now anyway.  But I did give it the old college try.  And I will be running out to replenish my UTEE and obtain clear shrinky stuff with one of my gift cards from Christmas, and trying this again. 

So Thank You Linda, for leading us through this second amazing book of Tim's.   We all have another 33 wonderful tools in our technique toolbox.  And I, for one, can't wait to see if another book will be soon following.   Have a happy New Year Everyone!

WOYWW #186

Well, for me it's a snowy Thursday morning.  While Albany received 7 inches of snow, up on the hill we had over 15.  And work said we'd open on time?? So I made it in, and have time to do this What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday Post, hosted by our lovely Julia at The Stamping Ground.
My desk: last nights very disappointing attempt at the last Compendium Challenge of Vol. 2.  See the broken shrinky plastic pieces of Tim's Pointasettia die?  Yup, apparently I didn't have clear shrink plastic, so I thought I'd improvise...and in this technique, you shrink the stuff in melted UTEE. So even though I had punched holes to place a brad, they filled up with the UTEE, and then all cracked when I tried to drill out the whole.  At least I remembered not to color them first, as the ink would have contaminated the clear (well, more yellow now as its been heated a few times) UTEE.  The pillow box in the left was to hold the shrunk pointesttia, as well as some last minute gift cards. Time to draw back and punt, as they say.  And last, the two black bars are my husbands work name pins, that keep loosing the backs. So, glossy accents to the rescue..until the next time he forgets to take the pins off his shirts before I wash them.

So, if the day stays slow, I'll get to hop around the world to peek at other crafty spaces.  And until me meet again, a very Happy, Proserous and Crafty New Year's to you All!

CC2C #33: Tissue Tape

A real quick post, (hopefully without the issues of my WOYWW multi-posting issues! LOL!).

Linda at Studio L3 has posted the Tissue Tape Technique for our Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2 Challenge for this week.  Tim Holtz has shown a few different uses for this really cool tape.I went with the second one: NO Comments from the Peanut Gallery...I know it did not end up round.  I'm sure pleating is like fluting a pie; one needs to practice.  THis card is for my Mother's birthday, who is 89 today.  Its the first time I used Dyan's ink sprays and masks, and boy did I make a mess, But I had fun with that, and I know she'll love it (or at least say she does! LOL!)

So I'm now off to finish (well, sorta start, kinda) my Christmas shopping. I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, and a very Happy, Crafty New Year!

-K

WOYWW #185

Wednesday night...trying to do this from home (23 minutes to get to the post screen)...and I had to make my Mother's 89th Birthday Card first. While I was at it I thought I better try to do the Compendium Challenge, which was using Tim's Tissue Tape...as if I didn't do it tonight, it wouldn't get done. So here is the mess, not helped by the out of focus photo, I assure you.

So, what we have on the left side and around the matt are some of the goodies I just bought, thinking I could make pillow boxes for all the gift cards I'd be giving. So there is Tim Holtz's pillowbox die. And then I acquired a couple of Dyan's spray inks and stencils.  I had watched a video of her, you see; and it looked so simple.  Hah! (Of course now I know why she uses the paper towel roll the way she does...notice the few sheets I used on the right?) So, while the card is an experamental mess, I know she'll love it, as she's loved all of my art for 50 years! LOL! I'll try to get that to post tomorrow: as it's taken 48 minutes to load the photo....(for Christmas, I want the bloody cable company to get off their asses and lay some cable up the hill!!)

As far as the pillow boxes???  THey would work great, if all the gift cards I bought didn't come on these full-sized cards that have the activation bar code thingies on them.  OK, maybe I should go to the actuall stores to get the regular sized ones, but then I'd be even further behind, as this was a one stop while doing groceries "get er done" kinda mode. but don't fret; I will be making them to have ready. And as for the stencils and sprays; they kinda facinate me, so I'll work on perfecting them too!
Oh, and I found a great use for the TH little binder clips: they are holding closed the package of the most wonderful cookie ever!! A Moravian Ginger Spice cookie that I found at Fresh Market!!  Some bakery in North Carolina makes them...best I've ever found! Bad news, while they say the serving size is 9 cookies (yay!) I ate probably 30 of them while doing the card...bad naughty Kim...Oh, washed down with Mt. Dew, which is why I can still type at 10:15 pm...

SO, the hour, the sugar, the time waiting, have all contributed to a very bizarre post; which I will end now.  Go see Julia at the Stamping Ground to see what the Wednesday Workdesk thingy is all about, then go hop the world of workdesks! And also, I want to wish all my blogger friends a very Merry Christmas and a very Healthy, Happy, Crafty New Year!!
-K

WOYWW #184

It’s Wednesday!! The day our hostess Julia opens up the magical portal at The Stamping Ground that allows us to share our wacky work desks.

Last night, once I realized what day it was, I quickly ran upstairs to grab a shot of the desk, expecting to find my last set of cards, which I just need to stamp envelopes for.  Yup, not that! I completely forgot that somewhere in the midst of last weekend I “absolutely had to, at that very minute” sort my CD’s to transfer to the IPad.  You see, we were going to my step-sons to access the broadband internet to, because this is very critical you see…update the latest patch on World of Warcraft.  (My other hobby addiction) And while at it, update all the security sites, and I figured, back-up and update the IPad.  First, I’m amazed at how long that takes, even on highspeed.  And, how is it possible that one’s taste in music can change.  I mean, I still love my celtic music, and Jethro Tull (specifically Ian Anderson) will always be my flute hero, but Agnatha Faltskog??? Yes, I used to wail away to her solo albums while painting the house, etc., (never a huge fan of ABBA) but now; gack! Does nothing for me.  And Pat Benetar, while still enjoyable, is just not what I want in the background while crafting.  When did I figure this out?? While listening to my music mixes at work…would have been nice to realize this before I spent 6 hours copying and transferring 22 CD’s!

Stamp Camp Dove

So, back on track, as a few have asked about the Stamp Camp Dove that I had been fiddling with, here it is.  I’m sure I’ll come up with a better treatment of it, but the crystals in the stars worked to jazz it up a bit.  This weekend I’ll take a shot of the whole 2012 collection.

More sparkel on the crystals

Oh, I also took this great connection to update the blog page, as I notices so many of you have already done…I hope you all like it, as it will probably be up for a while!! LOL! (still couldn’t find how to get the photo pages working, another time perhaps…

So, I’ve shown mine.  Now go jump to Julia’s and go see everyone else’s. And don’t forget to open your doors as well! Have a great week everyone!

CC2C #32: Rosettes!

Getting near the end! This week over at Studio L3, Linda has assigned us page 63 of Tim Holtz' Compendium of Curiosities Vol.2.  I have to say; I love these rosettes! I have both dies, and am looking forward to the snowflake ones.  These I tried embossing first; using my Aegean Silver EP (silver and blue glitter ep--and again...I hate glitter...why don't I remember this? I have glitter EVERYWHERE!!!),  Except that my Top Boss pad seems to be drying up, it worked better than expected. And the folding only released a little bit more glitter.




So, what is my issue?  I just don't seem to know how to use them...I was actually toying with making a snowman, except it would have been too big, and clunky, and just didn't look right.  I also couldn't seem to get any more than one to look right in any way shape or form.  So, here is what I came up with.  Ehh.  So, now that I've posted, I can't wait to jump over to Linda's and see what everyone else has done. I loved Linda's fab idea of using as a wreath.
So, as the week is early, you still have plenty of time to grab the die and give it a go.  And then I can see what you did too!  Have a great week everyone.

WOYWW #183

Wednesday! Glorious Wednesday. (And it is too…mid 40’s, sunny, the snow is all gone…/sigh.  If only I wasn’t at work) It is also our day to open the virtual doors of our craftrooms and share our work desks, all via Julia at the Stamping Ground.

My desk is as it was Sunday evening.  What you see (oh my…LOL! the dark block on the top right: a piece of Lindt Chili Chocolate…I can’t believe I didn’t finish it!!! I guess I was really wrapped up in getting them done so I could get to bed! LOL!)
Anyway, what you see are my card fronts that are left to dry the Distress Stickles that I used on the berries.  This is a card I had fun working on for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge over at Studio L3, which you can seehere.  I liked it so much; I decided to make a few to send out.  The envelopes are all stamped, and the card bases have their greetings all done; hopefully tonight I can put them together, and then work on my final 8 cards. The pile in the top left are the stamps I wanted to use this year…hmm, maybe I should leave them out all year long, and I won’t be in this bind next Christmas! (And I can't believe I havent even inked the TH toy Soldier blueprint die

So there it is…my work desk that is not in a frantic state.  Now go jump to Julia’s and enter the portal of other workdesks world-wide, and don’t forget to open your doors as well. Have a great week everyone!

CC2C #31: A Distressed Palette

Wow…we are getting near the end of the Compendium OfCuriosities Vol. 2 challenges over at Linda’s Studio L3.  This week is the third using the Ink Palette, this time with Distress Inks. Tim Holtz shows two different options for this one, and as I have done the first, I decided to try the second one. And let me say: “Halleluiah!”  (so looks spelled wrong).  This is my new fave coloring technique.  I found I liked using the Distress Markers when scribbled on the craft sheet, then had the colors picked up with a water pen, but was worried about using up the markers too fast.  This gives the same wonderful transparent effect using the stains-which will probably last a lot longer (and are cheaper to replace!) I will admit I had to tweak the photo a bit though to show the colors, my original photo was so pale.

This stamp by Stampedous! I first saw as a class sample at Absolutely Everything’s blog. Love at first sight I tell you; but I wasn’t going to get it, as I have so many holiday stamps I just haven’t inked yet. Imagine my surprise to see it at Michael’s, 40% off. Bam! In my cart it went. I thought this might lend to this technique well, and I like it so much I’m going to use it as one of my designs. I ended up using watercolor paper which blended better and buckled less than my first 3 attempts.  I added Distress Stickles to the holly berries, but as these all get mailed, I try to keep them light and flat, so that was all I added.

Now, as I’m actually early, you still have time to jump in: Grab a copy of Tim’s wonderful book, turn to page 51 and give this amazing tool a try. Have a great week everyone.

WOYWW #182

It is Wednesday again, which means Julia at the StampingGround opens up her magical portal, and we all get to peek at the creative work desks of the world!

And first I have to say, the mess last week..not so bad. Took less than 45 minutes to put away, re-stash, re-stack, and get on to more cards.  And this week looks bad, but it’s just everything is spread out so the hats can dry.  They were colored with DI Marker, touched up with red perfect pearls and the waterbrush, then the trim was dusted with Sparkly Fluff (really, that’s what it’s called-the jars is in the far right front)  The horse stamp is from Impression Obsession.  The Dove (from Stamp Camp) I’m still not sure what to do with…so was playing around.

I had toyed with coloring the horses, but they got a bit messy, so I left them just ink.  The layer I embossed with Tim’s wood texture fade, to sorta mimic the fence rail, and I have to say, I really like it. These are all slated to go to my sister and her family, as horses are their business. Below you can sorta see the fluff.

 

So that is pretty much my space. Tonight I conquer the Dove! No go hop to Julia’s and see the rest of What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday! Have a great week everyone.

 

WOYWW #181

Oh boy…another Whats on Your Workdesk Wednesday…where Julia at The Stamping Ground is your hostess to  this wacky weekday, (what has become for me) ritual! 

And, another week: I don’t have the craft fair to blame…or the compendium challenge catch-up-well, I did get that done first, which you can see posted here…but this is just plain a mess!!

So, what are we seeing here: aside from the obvious mess, the card up top used my new poinsettia die…so very cool (and can be seen at the link above) as can the center piece that was an experiment.  And I’ll be ranting on the Adirondack Dabber on one of the lists (see the offending silver dabber above? The one that is now dried up??? Yeah, that one..). And don’t get excited over the multicolored papers on the far right, they are paper towels I used to clean the texture fades, stamps, and craft mat with…and couldn’t get in the trash basket behind me…

So..I vow, on Friday…after I sleep in (ohhh, I may make it to 6:30 with the furbabies!), then make the lasagna, and do some laundry and do the downstairs floors…(wait..isn’t Friday a holiday…what the???) anyway…I vow to clean up, put away, organize, and get ready to do my own cards to get mailed out.  Really..you will see a changed workdesk next week….

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates…and have a great weekend everyone else! (Well, us US turkey eaters can have a good weekend as well…)

CC2C #29: Texture Fade Experiments

Voinks! We are on Week 29 of the Compendium of CuriositiesChallenge at Linda’s Studio L3! That means we are very close to finishing every technique in Tim Holtz’s fabulous 2^nd volume.  I wonder…is there a Vol. 3 on the horizon?

Any who, lets enjoy the techniques we still have left.  This week, we are on page 64, which has 2 texture fade techniques.  And despite me having done this first one many times…let me just say: “Eureka!!” I think I finally figured out which side to ink for which effect! Of course, doing the technique without a plan can lead to a mess, but I did get to play with my new poinsettia die. And now I realize, this won’t fit in a normal envelope, but still great fun to do. 

 

This second one I didn’t know about...and it shows great possibilities…if you choose the right fade...and if your somewhat new Adirondack dabber isn’t already gummy and dried up…..Very annoying…does anyone know, if, like the crackle paints, these can be refreshed with water?  I’m getting tired of sending things back to Ranger…This was just an experiment, done on a manila file folder (I so love end of year clean-up!! I have a stack of folders ready for reuse!!)

So grab a copy of this fab book, grab your favorite texture fade and give these techniques a go…there is still a bit more time, and a new page will be explored on Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!      

CC2C #28 (and #27, #26, and Creative Chemistry Nov!)

Finally, back in the CC2C Swing!  Even though I missed the last two, I still wanted to do the techniques, so I started planning 3 separate pieces.  Then with the #27 Challenge, I realized I could work this into the Creative Chemistry FB November challenge: Altered Metals. So then I decided to try to work all 3 CC2C’s into one as well, so here we are.  As a recap, Linda at Studio L3 has issued the following challenges for Tim Holtz’ Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2. 

#26: Crumpled Kraft Suede from Page 40, #27: Ink Palette: Alcohol Ink from page #52, and #28: Reflections Stamping from Page #65.

As you know, we can’t go into the details, as that just won’t be fair to Tim.  But I will say, the last step on the crumpled suede had me baffled, but then, the more I looked, the more I liked!!  Almost didn’t want to put anything on it!  The close up of the Holiday Muse Token shows the technique much better than the final photo. I used just the gold additive to the mini clip.   The deer underwent a few trials before I hit on an ink combo that was noticeable. Then I embossed with clear EP just to make it stand out a bit more.  The Holly sprig die was my latest superbuy from JoAnn’s. I used the shattered stains technique for those, with the addition of Fired Brick Stickles for the berries, as they just didn’t come out red enough.  Once again, the ribbon/bow addition befuddled me, ended up sticking it on with a mini pin. I really need to learn how to accessorize! LOL! 

So, all caught up, in one fashion or another.  I realize this isn’t the best showcase for altered metal, so I may give that a redo before the month is out. And while there isn’t much time left, do give the reflections stamping a go.  As a bonus, Simon Says Stamp is our sponsor this week, with a very useful GC. Come give it a try! Have a great week everyone.

WOYWW #180

Welcome again to our weekly tradition: What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday! Where our hostess Julia of The Stamping Ground portals us around the world to peek in on everyone’s crafty space.

And, I, sad to report, have fallen back to the state I was in 2 weeks before: unable to walk to my chair. I won’t show the floor; it is not for the faint of heart. Let us just say, the mad dash scurry to get ready for the craft fair (which went very well; sold 75% of the cards, quite a few candles, and netted $150!!), and the fabulous finds from JoAnn’s yesterday afternoon, and my rush to get my compendium challenge piece done, has left this place a Mess! (About JoAnn’s: HUGE sale, 40% of Tim dies (all dies actually), with awesome printable coupons good for total purchase, paper pads at $9.99.  So, how I ended up with the “Wordplay” die, I just don’t know…even if my entire order came up to less than the die itself…I am so weak…)

So, what do we see…front and center, the tag I made for the Compendium Challenge, which you can see in my next post. My tray for Alcohol Inks, some buried distress inks holding it up.  The corner of “the Book” itself, some Christmas stamps in the top left, waiting for my cards to send, the afore mentioned coupons (in case I happen to go back again before Saturday) my Tim Holtz Holiday Reflection stamps used in the challenge,  various distress stains, the cork goes over my exacto knife, not that it makes it that much safer! Oh, some markers are peeking out from under the coupons,  and the right side fades with scraps, other misc. bottles of glue and such, and the 3d tape.

So, there it is.   And as I’m going away this weekend, (to see “So You Think You Can Dance” at Foxwoods!!) I can’t promise it will be any better next week. OH, and on a side note for all you steam punk people, we saw “Wicked” at Proctors this past weekend, and the set was a Steampunk fantasy!! (And the cast was marvelous, if anyone gets to see this production as it moves on…)

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

WOYWW #179

Wednesday, finally, as yesterday I called my entire supervisory committee to remind them to get on the conference call..only to have to call them back because I thought yesteday was Wed.  And, being responsible adults, I had to call them all today as well...but I digress...

Luckily, I did know last night what day it would be, so grabbed this shot as I was heading off to bed in dispare...(really..4 more years of this???!!!) So, all punchyness and venting aside, it is Wednesday, the day decreed by Julia at the Stamping Ground to open our doors and show our workdesk, for better or worse! And, this is soo much better than that mess last week. I didn't show it 'cause the floor is clean, I can walk straight to the chair, and the side desk is neatly stacked.

What you see are the last birthday cards I threw togehter for the craft fair this Friday.  The EK punches I dusted off (and why I don't use them more often, I can't say, except they are not entirely "grungy"..but still a nice touch. There are some scraps, two paper pads to determine the best layering design, and a pile of stamps in pretty much every corner!

Here are some of the cards I've finished up for the fair: first, the birthday..the saying on the inside I love "So many Candles, So Little Breath!" for DSR Designs. (I think the candles come from there too).

This is just a general purpose card...stamps by Memory Box. And a sympathy card I've used more than a few times. The images are from Penny Black and the saying is from Onyxpressions. 















And lastly, the pieces-parts that people had asked about from a few weeks ago: I made them into gift card holder cards, using the big die from Sizzix. Once I got the directions down, they are a piece of cake!

So, there it is, for the world to see...and as soon as I can I'll be nosing about other workdesks as well; because that is the fun!!

Have a great week everyone!

WOYWW #178-Beware the horror!

It isn't pretty....it could give nightmares! Be prepared to cover your eyes... this is what greeted me as I walked in to "hide", err, put away before it gets damaged... the paper order that came in from Scrapbooks.com.  My side desk is shrewn with stamps, scraps, you can't even get to the drawers from the storage cubes! And that is my pile of papers in the foreground...as I rifled through them Monday night...covering all my boxes of inks...once I'm in that chair, I'm afraid to move!! Talk about being your own eye of a hurricane!




So, when I went up after dinner to get more cards done for the craft show..the first half hour was spent cleaning. And I left it last night, your usual view..witht he two sets of cards. The red one used the music sheet parchment parts you saw last week (or the week before).  The mitten cards were part of the Creative Chemistry challenge last month, and I bought thin ribbon to try to tie real bows, which I just couldn't pull off; so now they are done. A sheet of clear sayings stamps, nice and small for little areas, and those IO pine branches...still waiting to be assembled..I just don't have a good layering paper yet...and I may make them into the gift card holders, which means I'll need a lot more of the paper, as the sizzix die can only get 2 out of a 12 x 12.

And here is the 12 Days card...the stamp set is two wood mounted cubes from Stampington & Co.  I also have the Day One, Partridge in a full sized stamp, along with the corresponding "12 Days Of Christmas" title...both of which I've used over the years.  This is the first time I've come up with something I liked using the smaller stamps.  And if figures, I have no more of that patterned paper (which I've had for years)...so now I'm hoping they all don't sell! I am SUCH a hoarder! LOL!

So, now, to see much less scary desks on this wicked workdesk wednesday, go visit Julia at The Stamping Ground, our hostess for this weekly event. And have a happy Halloween everyone! (I get to eat candy..we don't get any treaters..but I have to be prepared don't you know...)

WOYWW #177: Busy, busy busy!

Welcome to another fabulous Workdesk Wednesday! Julia at theStamping Ground is our grand tour hostess of this creative hop across the work desks of the world, and admit it, everyone likes to see what everyone else is doing.  As I remembered it was Tuesday night, and my desk wouldn’t be changing over the next two days, I snapped this as I was heading off to bed (as if it’s that simple…take out dog, medicate and feed cats, get dog treaties for when she gets to bed, find clothes for the morning…why does all that take 1.5 hours??? I think I shampooed my hair 3 times this morning, because I just couldn’t remember if I had done it yet!)  But I digress…

 

I have been very busy these last few days...and all the pieces-parts are coming together.  You see, starting at top left, a Stamp Camp dove stamp I fell in love with, but now can’t quite recreate their sample.  I do like it with the Adirondack Stream, and now need to take it to Michael’s to find a good color cardstock for the card back. Then you see the IO Peacocks that are awaiting coloring for their place on the craft show table.  Then there are the IO pine branches that are drying from the coating of Diamond Dust (one of the jars just above them).  Next are the 12 Days of Christmas music sheets (stamp from Memory Box, the die is a retired Sizixx die) all ready to go. I still need to decide: Do I want to use the 12 Days set from Penny Black (cutesy) or from Somerset (traditional)…hence why you don’t see the actual day images ready to go yet.  Then another Memory Box background ready to go, with the Memory box ornament stamp and dies, all painted with the perfect pearls paint technique from Tim Holtz’s Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2.  Then just some stamp pads not put away.  The stamps (all clean Julia!) ready to get put away, unless I decide I’ll need a few more cards.  Once these are done, I need to hammer out some Sympathy and Birthday cards to bring (the craft show is in my Mom’s Senior Living complex, where from the main apartments, people move to either Assisted Living or full nursing care, and I’ve been told, the little country store they have just doesn’t have a good selection of sympathy cards.  I guess they all get the same ones!)  

Oh, and though the picture just doesn’t do it justice, but using the same perfect pearls palette, here is the anniversary card I made my husband.  The stamp is from OnyxXpressions Stamps, and painting it with the perfect pearls really set it off.

And, one of the Thansgiving Cards I've made, using Tim Holtz's burlap texture fade and the  sizzix diffusion plates...very earthy!

So, whew, there you have it.  Busy, and organized, all a good thing! So now jump to Julia’s to start peeking at other equally busy desks! Have a great week everyone!

WOYWW #176

Happy Wednesday , and therefor WOYWW everyone! And it is a glorious one, as I'm on vacation!! So, while I do have a huge list of "to do's", I have also gotten some serious craft time in! And look, proof this leopard can't change her spots...all signs of neat and tidy are gone!  I actually took this last night right before I went down to make dinner.  There is that silly bird card,(thank you everyone for the suggestions) which I finally like. I found some cool lace at Joann's, which I layered between the background and bird.  I hit the bird with some blue over the previous brown, so while the photo really doesn't do it justice, it is very vintage-ey and subtle, and now I think its ready to go.  Now I just need a better way than the tape runner to attache the lace.
Also, a new spellbinder die I was playing around with...and in the top left, clear packaging that will be die cut for more Christmas cards. Also at Joann's I found that cool rick-rack ribbon, which up close has a gold glitter band down the middle. There is also a tapesty-ish one in cream and white...very pretty!  The box is a stamp set I had second thoughts when I first brought it home 5 or 6 years ago...as it was rather expensive..but those Thanksgiving Word Borders from Hero Arts are the best!!  So very glad I got them. Oh, and the UM rubber is a cool dove stamp from Stamp Camp; can't wait to play with that later! And screwn (?) around everywhere else, paper scraps...and they really do drive me nuts...I try to save them, never use them, and then get annoyed when looking for a color to  layer...arghh! But I just can't toss them..what is a girl to do?

Oh, and here are two cards I made for my Mother's best friends 86th birthday (they are twins).  Does anyome know a trick to get the paper out easily from this type of die?? It is quite the bear!

So, thats my desk (oh, and an empty ice coffee cup). Now head to Julia's Stamping Ground for your portal to other very busy desks!! Have a great week everyone!

CC2C #25 A Palette of Pearls

This week, Linda from Studio L3 has assigned us page #53 from Tim Holz's Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2, using the Ink Palette with Perfect Pearls.  I only have 2 sets, the metals and the patina.and a lone pink, so was sorta limited. And since I'm still working on Christmas, I thought of an ornament.  Now, if only I can line up the stamping with the die cut! Those and the background stamp are from Memory Box.

I'll admit, at first I wasn't thrilled with the first color I tried.  But the next one came out with more "umphhh", so I worked the brush a bit more in the first color, and bam..much better!

 So, there is still time to explore this technique...and as an exciting bonus, this week's challnege is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, who are offering a $25 gift certificate---just in time to get some holiday supplies! I for one, really need some cardstock! (FYI: Michael's sells Core'dination premium solid core paperpacks, but it is so not like regular Core'dinations paper! It says 65 lb., but it is too flimsy for card backs...really only good for layering...now that I have 5 packs of the stuff!)

WOYWW #175

Good Wednesday morning everyone! Also known as “What’s OnYour Workdesk Wednesday” hosted by the lovely Julia at the Stamping Ground!  As I had yesterday off for running the kitties to the vet (we were worried one wouldn’t be coming home…but Yay!! My cardiac kitty isn’t done yet, now we’re adding thyroid meds to his heart meds, and Scratchy should be back to normal soon!)  and waiting on the furnace guys I managed to get some crafting time in.

 I’ve posted my Compendium of Curiosities 2 challenge, which you can see here, as well as worked some more holiday cards (still fiddlin’ with that bird! back and center) But, what you see is, as I’ve cleaned a bit and ready to head downstairs I realize I forgot to make a card for my co-workers birthday!! I used Tim’s reinkers to color the card, but I also used some of the DI markers, which for some reason couldn’t make it in the container. Some of the stamps I was playing with are on the right…all clean Julia!! (I just can’t not clean them as I use them…I wish I could say the same with…oh, everything else! LOL!) Some of the Christmas stamps I want to use this year are stacked in the top left, oh, and most important...my box of Snowcaps. And my rock candy stickles I no longer put away…I leave them lying down to try to keep the stickle part useful, so you see all those bottles scattered about..though why the glossy accents bottle is down too I have no idea (that can’t be good) Some sizzix dies and a spellbinder die that will probably get lost if I leave it there, oh, and the phone, which didn’t get back on the charger…(note to self, go upstairs tonight to put it back and pick up the glossy accents!) And, here is the birthday card, with one of my new stamps from Impression Obsession (I do love their stamps!) Hmm, it didn't look that crooked in person!

So, now hop over to Julia’s to get your passport to visit all the other creatively busy work desks.  Have a great week everyone!

CC2C #24- Hard to Resist Alcohol (inks that is...)

 Oh who am I kidding, I can't resist alcohol period! LOL! Wow, it’s week #24 at Studio L3’s Compendium of CuriositiesVol. 2 challenge!! And this week Linda has challenged us with page #59 of Tim’s fabulous book, Alcohol Ink Resist.  And as I’m working on cards for a holiday craft fair, I worked on a Christmas theme, which also fits into the Creative Chemistry 101 Facebook Challenge for October, which was using any of Tim’s techniques with a holiday theme. 

I used re-purposed packaging for my base, and while I can’t mention any specifics in fairness to Tim, I can pass on an important tip…when working with the plastic packaging, beware pet hair!!!  I almost had my own felts to use with the alcohol inks!!  I used the Tim’s baroque sizzix die, and colored the chickadee with Distress Markers.  (and note to self…cut the paper first!) The stamp is from Impression Obsession, as is the stamp I used on the resist technique which is one of the Cover-a-card stamps.  As I didn’t want the overlay to be too dark, my resist is very subtle, but overall I kinda like it.  Not sure about the back card color, but I think this will be a design for this year as well.

So jump over to Linda’s to see what others have done with this fun technique. And don’t forget to check out Friday when a new challenge will be issued!

WOYWW #174

Oh good grief!! So, not only did I almost miss posting my Compendium challenge here, I only remembered when I went up to take a picture of my workspace on Wed. night.  Then, saw what I had worked on over the weekend, and thought "hmmm, people will see this who can help me out" so I snapped this shot of a card that shows great promise, but I'm just not finishing well.  And I fiddled some more, then realized that dinner was still on the stove...and you guessed it; never took the shot of the workspace...
So I hope I'm not breaking any of Julia's WOYWW Rules!! But I really do need advice on where to go with this card. 
The stamp is by Magenta, and I colored it with Distress Markers and a waterbrush.  I used Tim Holz's music texture fade, which was colored with his new Distress Metallic Brass stain.  At first I sorta liked the monochromatic feel, but the photo is more than "blah".  but a red ribbon/fiber might me too much.  Any thoughts? Ditch the embossed piece and go with a dark red layer? Color the bird red-(nah, not a cardinal)  I haven't gotten the hang of using sketches, or all the layering techniques other than rectangular direct ratio type...I see them in magazines and blogs, but just can't seem to recreate them. So... here I am, with a great stamp and no clue what to do. 

So feel free to chip in your 2 cents worth, then stop by Julia's to portal into so truely inspiring workdesks! Have a great week...I look forward to your suggestions.

CC2C #23: Marker-ed Away!!

Eee Gadz! I almost missed submitting my Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2 creation this week! Really sad because I actually did it Saturday..and just plain forgot to post it. So, Linda's challenge was for page #50 of Tim's book, using his fabulous Distress Markers.  My wonderful hubby gave me a set for Valentine's Day, and is alway asking "you did that with the markers?" (He also gave me a fabulous necklace for my big ## birthday, which he's "don't you like it...you hardly wear it"-to which I reply, "I do on the days I actually dress for work". I really do love it, but maybe he'll get the hint...craft stuff really does get used more!{and costs less..I saw the bill!}) Oh, back to the challenge:






I did two styles-the direct coloring and applying diectly to the stamp. (BTW, I really love the waterbrush method and let me say, I know Tim's waterbrushes are more than a tad pricier than all others..but they are soooo worth it!  Just sayin')
The one above I first stamped the image with Archival black, then finished with some DI Stickles on the berries, candle and flame.  OK, but a little harsh.

On the left is the one I'll probably use as one of my designs for the year.  But, I'll spritz less so it won't run quite so much.  I hit it with a perfect pearls mixture-then hit it again. Live and learn! OK while a new challenge will be posted tomorrow, you really do need to give these neat markers a go.  And check out Linda's and Tim's blogs for some fabulous ideas!

WOYWW #173

Almost missed our Wednesday journey of workdesks across the world! I was so busy getting a card out I almost forgot to snap a shot of the desk. And proof that you can't change a leopards spots...after almost 7 weeks of near freaky neatness, I'm back to chaotic nirvana, which is still showing a touch of neatness-you  can see the whole craft sheet! (I'm also throwing out the paper towels and small edges/scrap right away! LOL!)

Sizzix Flip-it card, with riviting patchwork technique
 

I have found the solution to the clogged up glossy accents bottle...Tapestry Needles (top right on craft sheet). They are a bit thicker, and open it right up!  And the only inks and stain still out are from the card...which I got to play with the flip-it die again...I'm deciding I like it! Now I need better envelopes and thicker cardstock for the base. Oh, and the reddish box on the left...a mini sewing box found at Harbor Freight for dirt cheap that holds all my Tim Goodies (well the larger ones, the jump rings and brads etc, are staying in their packaging!)

So, I will start peeking in at others desks, starting with Julia's Stamping Ground, our hostess in this weekly event! Have a great weekend everyone!
-K