Daring to try New Colors and Techniques for Anything But a Card Challenge No. 49 "ANYTHING GOES"

Greetings Friends! I hope you are having a fabulous 4th of July weekend. Today begins a brand new challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges. 

The new Challenge... is OPEN! With summertime in full swing... we want to see what you're creating! Anything But a Card Challenges No. 49 is ANYTHING GOES. Share you're creations, whatever it may be... scrapbooking, collage, ATCs, tags, art journal pages, altered shrines... whatever tickles your muse and her fancy!

Challenges are a fun way to push yourself to try new things and new styles – and to be perfectly honest – this was way out of my creative box. I was a bit scared as to how I would tackle this challenge board... it's totally out of my box and I had butterflies in my stomach until my creation was complete! But I'm so glad I played along.

I started with a watercolor paper that I monoprinted with a blend of blue and green metallic Ranger Adirondack acrylics. Then I scribbled and smooshed on some blues and green Faber-Castell Gelatos to my liking. Using gel medium I fused a ghost monoprint on deli paper, which glues the layers together while giving translucency to colors below.

I wanted to have a scribbly heart, so I made a dribbly heart mask {click here to see how to} and placed onto my background then sprayed with black Ditto glimmer spray.

Look at all the glorious blue and green exposed! I brushed some water at the top where the spray was still a bit wet and let the black color drip down. This was fun and a bit scary... I'm a total newbie to the dripping technique.

I gave a blast with the heat gun to dry everything and added a few strokes of Gelatos to the heart. To finish this mini masterpiece, I overstamp a bubble wrap texture and spell out "dare to dream" with Hero Arts Unicorn white pigment ink {love this new white ink} and heat set. I stamped, embossed and fussy cut butterfly wings on matching painted paper. I gently slide the my collage into a Deflecto Acrylic Craft Frame and tucked the wings off each edge... and I have a new inspirational whimsy.

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Supplies: Stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps: "Distressed Alphabet from December Daily Plate #1430"; "Bubble Wrap Texture" #19566; and  "Butterfly Spotted" #9459. Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder; watercolor paper, white cardstock detail scissors, black Versafine pigment Ink; Hero Arts "Hero Hues" Unicorn {white} pigment ink; various blues/greens Faber-Castell Gelatos; detail scissors; Faber-Castell Gel Medium; drizzle heart mask made with Amazing Remelt; Ditto black shimmer spray; and a Deflecto 3" x 4" Acrylic Craft Frame.

"Let Your Heart Soar..."

Thanks for visiting! CLICK HERE to jump over to Anything But a Card Challenges and see what the rest of the designer have created. I hope you join in and share your creations. Happy Sunday :) Sb

Tagging King Tut's GOLD for Anything But a Card Challenges No. 46 - "FOOL's GOLD"

It's a long weekend for Easter and Passover. With a new challenge to play with, I putter about and catch up on some tag techniques to see what inspiration strikes. 

We have a new Challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges. Challenge No. 46 is "FOOL's GOLD"... uses the prettiest of all metals – GOLD – as your inspiration to challenge your muse. CLICK HERE to jump over to ABAC to see inspiration from our design team.

My tag is based on T!m Holtz' August 2013 Tag techniques and I'm heading to Ancient Egypt to find some Gilded treasure for my creation for the "FOOL's GOLD" No. 46 challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges.

On a sheet of freezer paper, I applied side by side three Ranger Distress Stains - Brushed Pewter, Old Paper, and Antique Linen. I misted my #8 manila tag with a light amount of water then dragged the tag through the puddle of ink. I tapped off the excess liquid and then heat set to dry. Looks pretty grungy and gold... weathered by thousand of years in the desert!

I built up the layers of color with three applications using the same technique above and heat set to dry between layers. The brushed pewter gave a subtle metallic shimmer over the tag that looks like aged sandstone. I overstamped the "Basket Egyptian Goddess" #6101, "Mummy Case/Female" #5806 and "Stylized Dog Border" #9827 {all from Viva Las VegaStamps!} using Staz-On Jet Black ink. I also stamped each on acetate and a scrap paper to create masks for layering and scene building.

I prepared my masks, two on acetate and the others on paper and adhered to my tag with some removable adhesive runner. The colored image will not appear where the masked areas are. This process of building scenes is a bit time consuming with fussy cutting - but the end results are AMAZING - and for me totally worth the effort!

I mounted the "Nile Flower Background" #1657 stamp and then began coloring with Ranger Distress Markers adding different colors directly onto the stamp. This is a detailed pattern, so I had to concentrate coloring similar sections. This was quite fun and relaxing coloring this large background. I remoistened the marker applied to the background stamp by breathing on it then stamped onto the tag. 

The "Mummy Case/Female" #5806 was not as clear as I liked on the painted tag, though I did stamp clearly - so I stamped it again onto a brushed gold cardstock, fussy cut and adhered with Miracle Tape right over the top. This did the trick! The gold gave the pop and extra bling that I desired and looks just like the artifacts in the King Tut exhibit I saw in the Art Museum!

I went around the edge with a distressing tool for a frayed effect and rubbed edge with a couple colors of Distress Markers. To finish off - I added a pink pearl gem, some additional hand coloring and some ribbon to the top and bottom and this tag looks like it's an artifact straight from the Egypt.

Tag ARTifact from the Pyramids...

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Supplies used: STAMPS - "Basket Egyptian Goddess" #6101, "Mummy Case/Female" #5806, "Nile Flower Background" #1657, and "Stylized Dog Border" #9827. Other supplies: #8 manila tag; Staz-On Jet Black ink; Miracle Tape; Ranger Distress Markers; Ranger Distress Stains - Brushed Pewter, Old Paper, and Antique Linen; water brush; brushed gold cardstock; pink pearl gem; and ribbon/trim.

Thanks so much for dropping by. I invite you to play along with us at Anything But a Card Challenges and the new "FOOL's GOLD" Challenge No. 46.

Hoppy Creating!  :) Sb

It's "SNOW Much Fun" Stamping and Getting Inky

Hello everyone! Today I have a project featured over at Viva Las VegaStamps! I'm so overwhelmed by my ever growing stash of VLVS! stamps – I can't decide what to stamp or create. I found a cool challenge over at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers. SOSS #25 - W is for WOW it's Cold. Winner winner chicken dinner! I'm off and running and I know exactly what I'm going to use to make a couple ATC's to enter in the challenge.

I'm sharing one here... but you have to CLICK HERE to jump over to see my post today at VLVS! to see the other fun ATC.

Snow Much Fun!

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Supplies From Viva Las VegaStamps: "Flamingo Skiing" #5090; "Chicken/Rooster in Winter Parka" #10983; "Barb Wire Fence" #14021; "Christmas Trees Large" #18942; "Christmas Trees Small" #18941 and Miracle Tape. Other Supplies: Sakura of America Gelly Roll Starburst and Soufflé Pens {various colors}; handmade white paper torn into sections; marbelized painted cardstock scraps; labelmaker; Tsukineko Antique Gold Dewdrop ink; waterbrush; and black waterproof ink.

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Thanks for dropping by! Have a fantastic Day! :) Sb

Bluebells Bring Best Wishes for Unscripted Sketches #215

Hello everyone! My new schedule is finally getting into a rhythm and I'm getting back to creating. Today I'm sharing a "Best Wishes" card I made for this week's Unscripted Sketches sketch #215. You know how I'm all about using up every little scrap I can, even the overspray from misting, too! My "ONE-TOUCH" rule won out for this project... and came together really quickly as a bunch of coordinating items were all within reach. I just love the minimal look of the reversed floral stem with the contrasting black, white and silver.

Remember my art journal page I shared the other day??? CLICK HERE for a refresher. It featured a bluebell chipboard embellishment from UmWowStudio that I sprayed with black and silver metallic mists. Well, in the process of painting the chippies... I got some really nice background silhouettes in the overspray from spraying the chipboard. AND I got several because I didn't leave it sitting in a pool of liquid, I let the color set a minute, then pressed off the excess on a blank sheet, then repeated, building up layers.

At the top of the card, I added these two decorative ring buttons {that's what it says on the packaging} - but they are individual mini wedding rings and NOT buttons. Totally perfect for accenting this silver shimmery card. The sentiment "Best Wishes #826" from Viva Las VegaStamps! is stamped on a scrap of the misted cardstock in black dye ink.

This card came together really quickly with some layering and matting and adding ribbon trim for the details, all topped of with my mini rings with bling! This card is a bit larger than normal, but the next wedding I go to, I'll be all set and has room for a special personalized greeting and a gift certificate, too.

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun... and post your creation on their page via inlinkz for all the world to see!

Thanks for stopping by!!! Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday evening and come and play along with this week's sketch.

: ) Sb

Having a "Hoppy Easter!" with Viva Las Vegastamps! and Clearsnap

Today I have a project featured at Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog that is part of the VLVS! and Clearsnap Bloghop. Using a wide variety of products from Clearsnap combined with the fabulous stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! I created this colorful and Easter Tag.

Stamps used: Bunny Looking Right/Large #919, Leprachaun On Mushrooms #18110, Mushroom 1 x 1 #9717, Grass #9746, Grass 1 x 1 # 9719, Easter #18114, and the Small alphabet from December Daily Plate 1430

Clearsnap Inks used: ColorBox Archival Dye Inks - Wicked Black and & Khaki Green; ColorBox Cats Eye Chalk Inks - Citrus Yellow, Lime Pastel, Wisteria, Creamy Brown, Orchid Pastel, and Prussian Blue; Smooch Spritz - Gingersnap; Smooch - Banana Custard, Sweet Melon, Lettuce, and Plum Berry from "JUICY" smooch mini kit. Also used May Arts Satin Crinkle Ribbon and Lime Green Tulle. All available at the Clearsnap website.

Starting with a No. 8 Manila Tag, I spritzed tag with Gingersnap Smooch Spritz. It was quite intense and saturated so I placed the tag face down onto white cardstock and rubbed tag to offset ink to blank paper. This resulted in a mottled and subtle yellow texture which was perfect for this tag base. I stamped the rabbit first, made a mask for him, and then stamped the mushrooms and grass in Wicked Black Ink. I repeated the grass stamping over in Khaki Green.

Using a stipple brush and the faux airbrush technique, I added texture to the grass by pouncing in Khaki Green ink. I repeated stippling adding detail using Wisteria, Citrus Yellow and Lime Pastel Chalk Inks. I stamped the "hoppy Easter" in Wisteria Chalk Ink and added accents to letters with Plum Berry Smooch. Using a Fantastix, I added creamy brown chalk ink to the rabbit to give a soft smudged look. I repeated adding Orchid Pastel to the nose and ear, and Prussian Blue to the eye.

I finished off adding details to the mushrooms, grass and rabbit using all four of my "juicy" smooch colors. I applied smooch in Lettuce and Plum Berry to grass as well - which gave color and added depth to the details. I rubbed edges of tag with Citrus Yellow Chalk Ink to finish off and topped with May Arts ribbon and tulle. Have a "Hoppy Easter!"

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https://apps.facebook.com/mylinqto/saturdaycraftsfair

Thanks for stopping by!!! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. If you have some creative playtime on Saturday - please join me live at 4:00pm EST {1pm PST} in the Daylight Musings room at the Saturday Crafts Fair on Linqto! I am demonstrating there every Saturday where I share my projects, how-to's, tips and tricks and more. This Saturday is an Easter EGGstravaganza. The fun starts at 2:00pm EST {11am PST}. I hope to see you there!  : ) Sb

Flying in some STEAMPUNK LOVE for Leslie Rahye's Very Steampunk Valentine Bloghop

To view last month's National Hobby Month Bloghop
please click here!

WELCOME to LeslieRahye's Very Steampunk Valentine Bloghop. Thanks to our fabulous hostess for giving us our fill of "STEAMPUNK" - which we all LOVE!! I am an addict and steampunk junkie now and I'm sharing a special stamped valentine using all stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps!

I have so many Steampunk projects in progress and they are a labour of love. I'm always scribbling down another idea...one project spawns another and I LOVE IT!!!

On a neutral patterned paper with clocks, I stamped the Pig Store #3164 stamp, several stamps from Plate #1273 full of mostly Steampunk images...and a couple other Steampunk images from VLVS! - over 15 stamped images to complete this, not counting the multiple stamped wings to propel my "Steampunk Pig".

Thanks so much for dropping by. Please click the blocks below to visit the other fabulous stops on this celebration of hobbies bloghop. I hope you have a wonderful weekend doing what you love. Sb

I Love Stamping! A Declaration of Love for LeslieRahye's National Hobby Month Bloghop

To view the VLVS! "BLAST FROM THE PAST"

Challenge Bloghop - please click here!

WELCOME to LeslieRahye's National Hobby Month Bloghop. It's no secret that I have a hobby {or several} and one of them is STAMPING. Thanks for dropping by - I am sharing with you some STAMPED Valentine inspiration ... complete with a Vampiress!

Another hobby, or perhaps a slight obsession is going to concerts. I love music - especially 80s alternative and hair bands. I'm already planning for my trip to Vegas in April to see my favorite "hair band" Def Leppard, whose ballad "Love Bites" is the inspiration for this Valentine ATC. As you can see, inspiration can come from anywhere.

**A TIP** Stamps are versatile and can be used for many projects: from cardmaking to home decorating, to altered books and ATCs - or even embossing a design into velvet.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination - not to mention the themes! Be wild and crazy and break out those off-season holiday stamps and make them work for other holidays, too! For this ATC, I've used stamps from Halloween, Christmas and more. I   just love playing around, experimenting while I have FUN getting inky!!!

There are a plethora of techniques to use with stamps also. For the detail on the heart, I melted several layers of gold embossing powder onto a chipboard heart shape. I inked the Steampunk Heart Large #16020 stamp black pigment ink, reheated the gold embossing powder and pressed stamp into the hot melted embossing powder. For balance, I stamped the words "love bites" and embossed with gold embossing powder to finish this "Vampy Vixen" ATC off right. The golden heart is finished off with a ruffle fashioned out of crepe paper stamped with "23, 24, 25 measuring tape" from PLATE 1430.

Supplies used: all STAMPS from Viva Las VegaStamps! - Steampunk Heart Large #16020, Washi Chevron Background #19072, Chicken Wire #5757, Tree Writing Collage #18914, "23, 24, 25 measuring tape" and Mini distressed letters from PLATE 1430, and Pretty Witch #1639; Also used Miracle Tape; Ranger Distress Markers, Several colors of Ranger Distress Inks; Ranger Embossing Ink, and Ranger Perfect Pearls.

Thanks so much for dropping by. Please click the blocks below to visit the other fabulous stops on this celebration of hobbies bloghop. I hope you have a wonderful weekend doing what you love. Sb