Grungy Monday #21

While at first, while totally understanding Linda's need to slow things down to catch up, what with the TH Cruise and all, (ok, maybe not that understanding...she's going on The Cruise!) I was bummed to not have the Grungy Monday Challenge to start my weeks. Now, thank heavens! I seriously need some time as well! I have officially registered for one craft show in Nov., and still would like to do the local Fire Department one in late Oct., so I really need to get those holiday cards cranking!

So, back to this challenge, which you have plenty of time to join in...it is open until Sept. 18, which starts us off with Tim Holtz showing us 4 techniques for his Fragments. I only used one, as I just couldn't find the right background on the tape transfer one, I suck at collages, and I really want to give the etched glass on my undivided attention, you may see that one by the 18th! So, this is the alcohol ink version. The backgrounds are from the Graphic 45 Christmas Past collection. The ink colors were meadow, cranberry and latte (or maybe ginger...) I layered the fragments over a tag I stamped with my new Memory Box Christmas Stamp, then layered over sanded Core'dinations paper to fit in my 7 Gypsies ATC tray.

You need to forgive the photos; the day I was leaving for Niagara Falls for our Annual convention at work, I smashed my camera lens into the door knob. (good news--seems to only be the filter which shattered, and once they remove that, and straighten out the ding so I can screw another one in-I'll be good as new! Oh, and only 1 week in the shop and $35!! I was ready to by a new lens!!) So I am using my 100 mm lens, and pretty much shooting from across the room! LOL! And, as I had promised before, here is the tray so far...hmmm, butterflies anyone? LOL!

So, go get those fragements out; pick a favorite, or new technique, and get hopping! Oh, and did I mention that Linda mentioned a prize?? You still have plenty of time!

Fragment-ly Dimensionally Collaged! #34

Well, here we are, the 2nd to last challenge on Linda's Compendium of Curiosities Challenge at Studio L3. You'll find this on page 63 of Tim's great book. I'll admit, I wasn't looking forward to this one as much; would much rather it be at the beginning. Not because I don't like the fragments, but because I have never been good at creating a collage. And tiny didn't seem to matter. My "inner vision" was all music and birds, and well, flourishes. The only thin paper I have is from the NYS Law books, which can have some cool things in them...the line I left open in the larger fragment, but still, not very romantic or "flouish-y". And the paper lace wasn't that blue, until the glue hit it..too funny! This was the first time I used the tissue tape, and that is pretty cool! I see some of the new styles have color, and that will add a nice dimension.

Again, that hind-sight; should have colored the background page a bit before starting the collage. And of course, I wrote down the stamp credits, and then left them at home; so if you would like to know where the music and verse stamp (Verses Rubber Stamps?) came from, just email me! Now hop over to Linda's and see the true potential of this technique! Have a great crafting weekend everyone!

More Fragment Fun! CoC #28

Wow! We ae almost finished with the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge over at Studio L3. I just don't know what I'll do when it's finished!! Since starting this blog and challenge, I have discovered a whole world of blog-hoping and other challenges, but this one isn't just about stretching your vision to meet a set of specifications, but about learning new techniques, some I knew I would never have tried on my own. This is one of them. We are on page 57, the colorful layered fragments.

I actually perused some of the earlier entries for this week (I usually try not to do that, but I had some down time at work..shhh) And I have to say, it seems these wiley fragments were getting the best of us!! I too couldn't get a good heat-set image; tried many different inks, finally got one to work, only to find out I was wrong. When flipping it over after coloring, it smudged!! I also had trouble getting good color saturation, but I liked this coloring job; so tried to overstamp. Note the registration is a bit off..but I just couldn't try one more time! LOL! It's a good thing I saw all the other awesome entries, otherwise I might consider this a "glad I did it once", but since I saw the possibilites on everyone elses, I'll keep this one in mind for a project that might need something extra. Afterall, look how many times that alcohol ink monoprint has popped up! I do love that one! So, have a wonderful crafty weekend! For those in the North East, try to stay warm in our sub-zero temps this weekend!

Charmingly Fragmented

So over at Studio L3 we have made it to week 17; Fragment Charms, which is on page 64 of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities. I have found playing with these fragments much more fun than I originally thought I would...but as much as I LOVE the "touchiness" of beads; the raw attraction of natural stones and crystals...beading and jewelry making are just not for me! My stubby, non-nimble flute playing little fingers just won't allow me to relax and enjoy anything involving a jump ring! To the point that while you can't see it; the alcohol ink on the bees was not diluted with the extender; but instead with the glossy accents; which made the felt very hairy..and sticky..and, well, generally quite messy! And does anyone care to guess how quickly I was able to realize that I had picked up the wrong bottle??? Anyone??? All from attaching 6 little jump rings!! Though I will say; Tim's jump rings are by far the easiest I have ever worked with! They stayed in my pliers mouths, and closed pretty nicely; plus they come in such great colors...all my others are just too shiney...and small...and stiff...

Speaking of shiney; I thought the chain was a bit bright as well, so went in with some latte, ginger and espresso alcohol inks on those, but you can't really tell. Those are also the same colors I used on the fragments, with the addition of glossy accents to the felts...of course!

Oh, and another weird realization..this is my second stamping challenge piece that didn't involve one stamp! The images are from my fave Graphic 45 paper! So, while my blog-hopping has been seriously curtailed by work pretty much cutting all non-work related computer activity out, and dial-up being way too slow for enjoyable viewing, I will try to get to Linda's to see what fabulous charms everyone else has come up with! Have a great creative week everyone!