Grungy Monday #33! Lovin' the Alcohol!

Welcome to the 33rd Grungy Monday, led by our intrepid hostess, Linda at Studio L3.

This week, we visit one of Tim's techniques from August, 2008...using Alcohol Inks, and Archival Ink.

Now, I have to say I love this...I first used a spin on this on domino's and chalk inks back in the late 90's. I just did it again a few weeks ago for GM on acetate...worked like a charm!! So...why this time became so complicated..I have no idea!! There was much use of the magic solution as I was cleaning and re-cleaning the fragments! I finally came up with images I could live with...

All the background stamps came from Tim's Visual Artistry sets...the harliquin pattern on the top right was cool, as the negative space is what's noticeable. There is also a crown, a butterfly and a floral branch...sorta like a "where's Waldo" challenge...

So once done, I quickly used Tim's Bingo Texture folder, colored with Old Paper DI and Fired Brick DI, layered on a kraft card, and here it is. I'm thinking this could become a Valentine's card for my Husband...any

cute bingo tie-ins anybody?

Well, better go...work time and all...So go check out Tim's technique, see what others have done at Linda's, then get inky (oh...you will!!) then share with us all! Have a great weekend everyone!

WOYWW #137

Welcome to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday, where Julia at the Stamping Ground has found a way for hundreds of crafting folks to open up their spots, and give us a chance to peek around!

Yes, this was my desk on Wednesday...but I just couldn't get time to upload/blog until this morning....a lot of blogs just don't let me get to them on dial-up...ah well, maybe technology will come up the hill some day...

Anyway...

Ta Dah!!! Another resolution...put my cards in a book to 1)keep a record, primarily of Christmas designs and 2) to have pass around and maybe sell some cards. So, as of Wed., my Christmas cards are sorted by year, and from 2004-2008 are entered. And I just couldn't come up with an exciting cover insert...hense, inthe top left corner, all the CHristmas stamps are still on the floor, not yet put away...but hey...it's still January!

So, at work..gotta run....I'll show more of the "book" as it progresses! Have a great weekend everyone!

GM #32: A "12 Tags" Opportunity!

This week over at Studio L3, our Grungy Monday assignment was to pick a new technique from Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas, and do a non-Christmas spin on it. I'm thrilled, as I can never get to the tags in December, so this was my chance! I chose the Double Rusted Enamel one from Day #9, because I loved the regular rusted enamel look, so why not go one better?

Of course, finding the right stamp was a bit tough, but I settled on this tile background from Stamp Out Cute. My inks were Seedless Preserves and Scattered Straw, then hit with Vintage Photo after...I have to say..I just loved it!! Came out almost exactly as I imagined. Of course, I had no clue what to do from here!

So first I went through my dies, and cut out the flourish in Grungepaper, then used the Concord Grape Distress Stain (thanks again Linda!) to color it. I have to say, I'm using this stain more than I thought! Seriously considering get more colors... but I digress... So, now I had the flourishes, figured I'd need some kind of saying, so flipped through my Tim Holtz stamps, and found this one, stamped in in the Seedless Preserves, cut it out with a Spellbinder die, then hit it with the Scattered Straw and Vintage Photo. Layered this all with a yellow card, and not bad, if I do say so myself! I feel it still needs some sort of embellishment...but I just couldn't find anything in my first sort-though of my bin.

There is still time for you to get your "12 Tags" on!! And, as an added bonus, Simon Says Stamp has graciously donated a $25 Gift Certificate to one of the participants!! So what are you waiting for? Have a great weekend everyone!

-K

WOYWW #136

Good morning everyone!! I just met a co-worker for a wonderful breakfast...made more so as she had to pay for a bet we made...(on whether another employee would make it through the new year. I won, she was fired in Sept. My husband thought we were mean to make this bet, but you'd have know to the situation...)
So, this week, on my wonderful workdesk, or actually, the workdesk to my right...I sorta made up for my lost resolutions, and spent time in the craftroom, but cleaned/organized! With all the new year sales, I got another cube for the desk...the one with the butterfly over the drawer. It's got two deep cubbies, and a magazine drawer, which also holds 12 x 12 paper packs. Now I just need baskets for all the cubby holes! And I think I have to say enough is enough with those cubes. (though they are amazing!!)..'cause whats sitting on the top of the second level is just to high to get to! (or, maybe get some for the floor under the desk??--ghahh-stop the madness!) The cabinet on the right is supposed to hang on the wall...was a Christmas present last year..but I sorta drove the molly's through the wall, and don't know what to do now. My husband is not a handyman sorta guy, so there it sits! On the right is a stack of scraps. Still wondering where scrap stops and trash begins; but these are bigger pieces, that just need sorting and space, once I trash out the current bin! Oh, and there is my bright orange tape measure; needed that Sunday...amazing how I didn't see it until now!
Now, Julia, our wonderful hostess of the Wednesday Workdesk phenominum has all the details over on The Stamping Ground, which is the portal to visit other crafty spaces around the world. So go see what else is going on... then show your own space...there is nothing to be ashamed about...we've all been there! Have a great week everyone!

WOYWW #135

OK, it's Thursday, but this was the soonest I could get on to post..where has this week gone! At this rate, I better start my Holiday shopping, 'cause it seems like Christmas will be here again in no time! So, Julia at The Stamping Ground is the creator of this weekly adventure, so head over there to check it out and start hopping some very creative work spaces.

Mine this week;not so much going on. Finished my Grungy Monday card, and snapped this shot as I was coming up to get it in the mail...if I don't lose my nerve! You can see my previous post to see all about that. A few stamps to start another birthday card; but that one has to stay hidden!

And yes, first week of January, and already a resolution broken: stuff not put away after use! (OK, full disclosure: Not the only one broken: Haven't been on the exercise bike, and the first weekend is gone, and my "room a week to total clean/organized" has been blown to hell. But, "Make time to be crafty" is still going strong; and probably the reason the 2nd and 3rd have failed! Oh, and the new Xbox...ah well...

So, go hop over and see what is else is going on around the world. I'll be doing the same as possible. See you next week.

A Grungy Birthday Card: GM #31

I'm not worthy!! This week's challenge for Grungy Monday is to use any Tim Holtz technique or product, and make a card for His Birthday!

So, with no specific technique in mind, I messed around with Tim's watchface texture folder. I also used the Art Collage stamp from Stampers Anonomous and the saying is from Tim's Visual Artistry set "Artful Things" on a Journaling Ticket. I stampded the watch face from "The Journey" set on the charm fragment with Stazon, then hit it with some alchohol inks (latte and ginger). It needed something else, so I added a watch face back from Tim's Salvage Stickers which was attached with a charm holder.

My DI Colors: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Shabby Shutters, Bundled Twigs. MY DI Stains: Antique Linen and Vintage Photo. Inside is a saying from Wordsworth Stamps, regarding Wrinkles on our Brow, not on our Hearts, for the Spirit should Never Grow Old. But I have a feeling Tim doesn't need that advise! LOL!

So Tim, I wish you a Very Happy Birthday, with many more wonderfully creative years!