WOYWW #295

Welcome to WOYWW…the “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday”  blog hop created by Julia at the StampingGround,  so hop over there to join the fun.

“SQUEEEE!!” I’m gonna be teaching my first stamping/cardmaking class!!  Truly nothing major; at the town library, they never know how many folks will show up, my time and supplies are considered donations to the library...but it’s a start!! So my time this weekend was coming up with a plan and samples.  So what you see (look, still tidy!!) in the back, a possible sample using markers,(Rubber Necker Stamp set) and a possible sample of embossed (Judikins).   The class is being held on Valentine’s Day, and I don’t have many stamps for that (?? I know…right?)  but I may change the Celtic one for a valentines embossed one.

So, a question to all you educators: do you kit out a variety of cards, and they get to choose? Or are they all the same? As I’m not teaching in a well-equipped store, there won’t be much room for improvisation, but I remember taking a few classes at a LLS that all our pieces where identical, and that wasn’t so much fun.

Anywho, after playing around with those ideas, I thought I’d try to get in a few more lessons from the Online Card Classes “Stenciled”.  So, one sample is hanging out on the acrylic blocks; the other is on the mat. And you can see I haven’t put away the sponges (but the phone was put back to charge)  And there is my note pad, which should be here at work so I can start typing up directions, etc.   

And here are the stenciled cards.  I really like how the Ink Splat one came out, but it’s practically identical to the sample in the class. This other one, the first pattern was of too light an ink, so the shift isn’t so noticeable.  And of course I screwed up the words, so had to layer a new piece to get them straight. 

So, there is my desk, as it was left Sunday afternoon, and sits still…now go jump to Julia’s to portal around the world. Have a great week everyone.

WOYWW #294

Welcome to WOYWW…the “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday”  blog hop created by Julia at the StampingGround,  so hop over there to join the fun.

 Despite having a 3-day weekend, I had very little craft-room time; but, what time I had seemed fairly productive!  And…bonus…still pretty tidy; generally not an indicator of creative productivity!

So, what you see are two of the cards I finished, and will actually be used. I know; odd statement.  But both were products of a class or challenge, which usually means I keep them in my “Ideas” basket. But nope, these puppies are going to be sent out.  There is the package of TH Christmas words dies, which I really need to find a place for, a few of other various tools that need to get put back in the carousel. 

And here are the cards: This one will be for my girlfriends bbirthday , and I also used for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #20, which was watercoloring using the Distress Markers.  The stamp is from one of the Stampers Anonymous Classics sets.  I finally got to try the Distress marker spritzer…with mixed results.  Probably needs practice.

This card for my Nephew’s birthday was done using a technique I was following from the “Stenciled” Online Card Classes.  This is where you aim at a corner, and let the inks fall down the rest of the sheet. I used Dylusions Spray Inks; Love the color…find them amazingly messy.  At least these were contained in a spray box.  And I think I got a bit heavy-handed;  but a pretty cool technique to remember none-the-less. (of course, now that I'm looking at it; not sure it fits an 11 year old boy, despite his obsession with fishing...hmm)

So this week is a bit more settled, so I’ll do much better popping by, but head to Julia’s now and portal to other wonderful desks around the world. Have a wonderful Weekend everyone.

CC3C #20: Watercolor Part 2.

Welcome to another installment of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, Vol. 3, hosted by Linda at Studio L3.  This is the twentieth challenge in where we work through the techniques of Tim Holtz from, you guessed it…his 3^rd Volume of the Compendium of Curiosities!!  As in the past challenges, we can’t give details on the challenge, so don’t ask, but do go get your own copy of Tim’s fabulous book.  Also, The Funky JunkieBoutique has offered an extremely generous $25 Gift Certificate for all the even numbered weeks! So grab a copy, and join in to play!!  All the deets are here, at Linda’s blog!

Ohhh, how I love using these Distress Markers!! So any opportunity to use them better, or in a different way is a plus!  This challenge is a continuation, obviously, of Pt 1 which was challenge #5 all the way back in June. And this part takes using the markers up a notch; but I can’t share all the deets.  So, using my new Stampers Anonymous stamp, here is a birthday card…I tried coloring the butterfly like a map; as I figured using that as a reality would be better than using nature; if that makes any sense. 

Now, I was getting a hang of the gist if the meat of this technique (still with me?) but by no means was it smooth.  But, alas, in true Kimmy fashion; step 5 fell apart. I apparently am not coordinated enough to squeeze the Marker Spritzer thingy while keeping the aim in the right spot…or from jerking it closer to the paper….which resulted in a blotchiness, instead of the cool spritziness I was hoping for.  But, now, looking at the photo...not as bad as I  thought either…finished it up with an textured/sanded layer, and some linen ribbon, and done…and not at the last minute either!

There is still plenty of time to join in! Grab a copy of Tim's book, grab your Distress Markers, and get inky!  Now go visit the Curiosity Crew’s sites…where you can see some truly inspirational work!

WOYWW #293

Welcome to WOYWW…the “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday”  blog hop created by Julia at the StampingGround,  so hop over there to join the fun.

This week: Still clean! ‘though there was a dicey time, during an emergency birthday card making frenzy that all the progress of the prior 2 weeks would be for naught.

So, here is what you see: a clear (definitely not clean) craft mat…perhaps time for a new one? The curly edges are driving me nuts!  The torn, ink-smudged cast-offs of said birthday card emergency.. some Altoid tins I WILL do something with…ditto the business card box...some lists on the right of the craft mat; and see the mug?  It was something I bought for a gift for a co-worker…then found something more suitable…isnt’ it festive! It is Lenox, though, and breakable…so I do have to be a tad careful! And it kept some tea hot for most of my cardmaking frenzy..a plus in my cold room (yes, I said cold…see the window…it was -8 last night)

And here is the card.  Another of my “non-resolutions” is to use all my tools, which includes the 4 Sizzix  pop and cut inserts I have; the possibilities are fascinating; but for some reason I am finding coming up with pleasing designs on/in them is just not happening…

So, while I finally figured out the inside mechanics, the cover is a tad boring; but time; which is a great muse-threaten-er  anyway, was against me.

Oh, also, last week you saw the items ready for me to delve into my 19^th Compendium of Curiosities challenge. So here it that panel. I admit, I kinda like it—not enough to get a sewing machine...or needle and thread for that matter...but still.

Right, so there it is; now go see Julia and portal to other wonderful desks around the world. Have a wonderful week everyone.

CC3C #19: Frayed Fabric

Welcome to another installment of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, Vol. 3, hosted by Linda at Studio L3.  This is the Nineteenth challenge in where we work through the techniques of Tim Holtz from, you guessed it…his 3^rd Volume of the Compendium of Curiosities!!  As in the past challenges, we can’t give details on the challenge, so don’t ask, but do go get your own copy of Tim’s fabulous book.  Also, InspirationEmporium has offered an extremely generous $50 Gift Certificate for all the odd numbered Challenges! So grab a copy, and join in to play!!  All the deets are here, at Linda’s blog!

OK, start laughing now; particularly you quilters out there…yes; I have a fabric/thread, err, not phobia, but, a distinct ineptitude toward anything involving that substance.  Those from the earliest challenges may remember that I only bought a fabric iron to do batik stamping!  And sewing machines…/shudder! My mother banned me from hers when I was 8! (All the more reason why I find all those fabulous projects you quilters/sewers do so darn amazing!) Note: this does not seem to stop me from collecting all manner of lace, ribbon, yarns, etc., for visual and tensile appreciation, but nary an inch rarely makes it to a project (except for the lush blue velvet ribbon for the Christmas card this year…and now can’t replace!)

So, it was with great trepidation that I bought a 6 x 6 sample pack of Tim’s fabric a few months ago, knowing it would be called upon eventually.  So, opening the book: Step one: Check.  Step two, umm, I sorta get why, so did a paper substitution (still not sure where this was going)…step 4…not going there…simply am not getting a sewing machine…ever! So after a mulling over, I pulled out a 4 x 4 burlap (yup, totally contrary to the first paragraph…I do love burlap, when properly corralled on a frame or such) panel. Had some scraps of the dark red Kraft Core, envisioned a butterfly, and it pretty much fell in place from there.  And, I have to admit, had a bit of fun with step 3…got a bit carried away actually, and had to trim down because my fraying exceeded my tag area. Oh, and in honor of step 4; I used glossy enamel to try to draw stich marks, on the fabric and the butterfly body…ehh…sorta worked. Oh! Notice the gold embossing paste in the right corner?   See, I told you I had a jar!!! I didn’t imagine it!!! (err/ umm, it was found while digging in the old computer armoire falling down in the upstairs hall; I wonder if my carousel horse stamp is in there as well…)

Oh (again) I just realized; I also ran some fired brick and Walnut DI around the edge, but that was a further hindsight, and I never took a picture, but it does help define the panel.

Now, please visit the Curiosity Crew’s sites…where you can see some truly inspirational work!

WOYWW #292

Welcome to WOYWW…the “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday”  blog hop created by Julia at the StampingGround,  so hop off there to join the fun.

Welcome to the New Year! I don’t make many resolutions; too much stress to start the year…but I do always try to get more craft time in.  So, for those of you who remember the mess from last week….

Taaa Daaaa! I got all the holiday stamps, umm, not put away exactly, but all in one place (umm, ok, still on the floor) but at least they are off the desk!  All the inks back where they belong; all the holiday papers are put away. Actually all my papers are put away! (even the 3 new packs of identical white..yes I’ll use them, but really??!!)  I can actually walk to my chair without doing funny contortions or risk injury or destruction.  I've even started a list of things I really truly need to replace, like the TH watercolor paper and the Judikins RS paper, which I used up.

And ready to go: the items I’ll need for this week’s compendium challenge…

Oh, and here is the Luminaire I made from the Tim Holtz die; quite the challenge there! I originally thought I’d make them for favors for my step-son’s wedding..when they finally set a date…which we hope will be a ways off….but I've decided I’m just not that good a step-mom. LOL!  I’ll cut them, color them, but the assembly is right out!

Right.  So there it is; now go see Julia and portal to other wonderful desks around the world. Have a wonderful Weekend everyone