WOYWW #140

Wow, it's that wonderful day of the week that crafters all over the world open up their inner sancums and allow us to peek! Julia over at the Stamping Ground is our tour organizer, so check out all the details there!

My desk...not s0 much going on: the back end of my Grungy Monday project, which will be posted later today...my remaining crackle paints that are still getting watered down and stirred...and on the right, a die cutout that may be textured with the wood background fade...maybe for a birthday card...we'll see.

So, now go over and check out Julia's , and then take a world wide visit of some other great spaces! Have a great week everyone!

GM #34: Cackeling...Crackeling

Welcome to the 34th Grungy Monday assignment from Linda at Studio L3. This week we get to play with Distress Crackle paints, and explore Tim Holtz's Crackle Resist. This is actually funny, as my very first bottles of crackle paint were the antique linen and tattered rose: I felt they were the lightest colors, and I could then ink them after they crackled with the colors I'd actually want! (instead of buying a bunch) I didn't know they resisted inks then! I will say, that even knowing you can re-constitute them, and they will always crack, I am a tad dissapointed in the longevity of them, as I don't go in to remix them monthly, and some were dry solid! Has anyone tried storing them upside down to see if that helps? (Someone told me to do that with stencil modeling paste). Anyway....

As the first one that was useable: I was directed into the Lavender crackle...it was still pretty tough to spread it on, so it ended up on a larger area than I intended. While it was drying, I stamped the Memory Box butterfly in Seedless Preserves (also Dusty Concord and Milled Lavender...but they didnt' make it to the tag.)

Then I covered them with the Rock Candy Crackle. Duh...I forgot the ink would run with the crackle, but not bad!I had made a stamp out of Tim's Small Flourish die, and used that as the accent. I wanted to do a Grunge Block, with purples, but I didn't have a B I liked left, so I used the Salvage sticker..

Here is a detail of the crackle..which is an effect I really love! And I do love the one step convenience of the Distress Crackle paints...I guess I should keep them out, and make a point of mixing them monthly...hmmm, give dog heartworm and tick stuff, mix paints..that should work!

So...there is still some time left...go mix up those crackle paints and give it a go!! Have a great weekend everyone!! And for those in the US....Go Giants!!!

woyww #139

Good WOYWW on a Friday Morning everyone! I don't know whats going on...but I just can't seem to get blogger to behave; either can't get to others blogs, can't upload pictures...just a mess! So this morning..so far so good.

So, this is my Grungy Monday project (which I hope to post next)...which took time as my Distress Crackle paints were just a plain mess! You see those 5 jars up there? The rock candy is new; so no problem. I think I have managed to save the lavender and peeled paint; the antique linen--is on the no heroic measures list, and the blue is in ICU. Little more water and mixing before we decide. I did throw out 3 others, when they are rock solid around the brush, I feel there is no amount of water that will save them. Very annoying! There are two stamps I made from Tim Holtz's dies: kinda fun. I think I'll do the bird cage next! And thats pretty much it. Kinda pleased actually, as I've done quite a few birthday cards and things are actually being put back! It can't be too neat; my Muse sorta needs some clutter, but there is room to work and see things...so 1/12 of a new year resolution down! Yay!

So, now to see other fabulous work spaces, jump over to Julia's Stamping Ground, then go peak around. Havea great weekend everyone.

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!