Club Scrap September Blog Hop: Garden Shed

Another blog hop is upon us.  This is one of my favorite kits.  I love bees, butterflies and honeycomb.
As usual lets start with some housekeeping.  You should have landed here from: Donna.  Since I am at the end of the hop, you can just start over by clicking This link to start at the beginning.

So as you know, if you have been following me for a time or joining in the blog hops, that I like to pick a technique and see where it goes.  This month the kit was soft and almost vintage and screamed watercolors.  So I busted out my new set of Mission Watercolors and started to play, sort of.  After a bit, I decided I could not just write about watercoloring, how boring, so I settled on masking.  Masking is an important technique and there are many ways to go about it.   So in this posting I will explore 3 ways.  Are you ready?

Card 1:

I love this card.  In person it is soft with shading and has that vintage feel I was after.

My inspiration was the paper that came in the kit.

Started by arranging my stamps on my Misti.

Checked arrangement by stamping on a clear grid sheet.  I also do this just in case I need to add another stamping (which I did) and then I can line everything up.  This is a good trick even if you don't have a MISTI, just stamp on an acetate sheet and then placement is a breeze.  I stamped the image in black and heat embossed in clear (only because I forgot to use Archival in the first place). 

I coated the images with masking fluid.  You could also use rubber cement.  This must be very dry.  I usually leave it for at 30 min to 1 hour.  If you get in a big hurry you will peal off the ink with with the fluid.  Another good reason to place the stamps at one time and not move them.  Takes time to line them up again!!

Started the watercoloring.  Add color and let dry to avoid bloom.  Once dry go back in and add more.

When Happy, and dry!!!, remove the masking fluid.  

Finished!!.  Added some doodles.  All that was left was to stamp and heat emboss the saying, add a little color and mount it onto a card.  A few sequins added just the right amount of bling.

Card 2

This card is using Distress inks to color the background paper.  The technique is the butterfly.  This is a masking technique that I use a lot and have posted about before.  I did some shadow stamping to kick it up a notch.  

This is what I call creative Stamping.  I wanted a bit of a "shadow" effect.  So, I stamped my image onto the plastic grid sheet, and then didn't clean the stamp well.  Kind of hit and missed.  Then inked up with Versamark and heat embossed in Clear.  That gave me a grey look in some areas and clear in others or at least less grey.  Following me?

 Crushed Olive, Peacock Feathers and Fossilized Amber Distress inks were smushed on to my sheet and sprayed with water and then I drug the watercolor paper through the ink.  See how the clear embossing protected the area under the butterfly, Cool.

Next step is to remove the embossing powder.  You can use a clean sheet of paper and an iron, or I use my laminator to remove the embossing.  I layer clean white paper between the carrier sheet and the artwork, run it through and the embossing powder is transferred to the white paper.  

See how the first stamping created a shadow once the embossing was removed. 

I put the image back into my misty.  Used the stamped grid sheet to line it u, offset it a bit and stamped in black Onyx Versafine Ink.  

Last step is to cut down to size, stamp the greeting, add some sequins and mount it onto an A2 Card base.  Done!!!

Card 3:

This card didn't quite come out the way I had envisioned, but the technique is worth reviewing.  This is done using masking papers.   

This technique if you are not brave, works best with a misty.  That way I can stamp several, should I make a mess or want to mass produce.

Stamps arranged on Misty, all I have to do, is rotate the paper.  The biggest trick is to keep the paper clean.  So I insert a plain piece of paper over the stamps that are not being used.  

Here is a photo of the masking in place,  There is one on the wheelbarrow and one on the green stems under the flower. 

Mask removed.  I used a fine point marker to fill in the gaps, added some doodles.  

All that was left was to Watercolor the images, stamp the sentiment, add some sequins.  Still did not look quite right, so added some charms.  Perfect!!

Another look.  This not my favorite one, but it is sweet and looks better in person.  In hind site, I should have clear embossed the image to keep the watercolor in control.  Oh well, next time.

Well that is it for this blog hop.  If you would like to revisit all the wonderful projects again, Click This Link!

Until next time,

Happy Crafing,

Josette

Links:

Garden Shed

Club Scrap: Team Challenge for September 2016

Hello again.  Feels like a lifetime since I sat down to blog.  I will post an update on the happenings at Little Bits, non creative world, but for now I need to join in on the team challenge.

This month the challenge was to incorporate wood into the project and I have my go to project.  I just love this technique and it can be changed up in so many ways.  But before I start, lets take care of the housekeeping issues.  You should have arrived here from:  Jennifer.  If you got lost, you can start at the beginning: Club Scrap link.  Your next stop is:Deb

Ok for the project:  I used this months kit: Garden Shed and a frame from Pink Paisley.  Any similar frame would work.

Prepainted

 Using this product as a resist, I painted on several areas.

Close up of the resist. 

Using a variety of spray inks: Tattered Angels, Heidi Swapp and ColourArt Sprayed the frame until I had the right color.  I was using the ribbon in the kit and the paper for inspiration.  

Once Dry I cut a piece of paper and adhered to back and attatched a clip board holder.

Last step was to stamp words and images onto the frame using black Archival Ink. 

Now onto the sayings:

I cut a piece of cardstock 3.5 X 4" and then used a square die to make a "Polaroid Like frame.

I was going to play with the new digital files, but in the end fussy cut the sayings that were in the kit, stamped the frames and then cut a second rectangle to completely finish the back.  Nice.  

Once I had this all done, it just looked plain.  So off to Hobby Lobby and purchased some flowers, made an arrangement, tied a bow, added a bird, Finished. 

 The sayings can be changed as the mood strikes, or it can be used as a shadow box to display a photo.   I apologize for the photos, I redid my craft room and messed up my lighting.  I will fix it for the blog hop, i promise. 

Glad to be back crafting again,

See you next week for the blog hop and I will post a complete update on my Daughter's equestrian Journey to the Paralympics.  

Happy Crafting,

Josette

Links:

Club Scrap

Garden Shed.

Club Scrap: Team Challenge: ATC Explorations

Time for the Team Challenge at Club Scrap.  This month the Challenge was to make a group of ATC's that coordinated.  I have never made an ATC, so this was truly a challenge.

You should have arrived from:  Jennifer or if you want to start at the beginning, Click Here.

Here are my six ATC, they all coordinate and share elements that are the same.

To make anything coordinate, make sure there are parts that flow from one to the other, or are part of the every card.  I chose to keep the backgrounds the same and add glitter or bling in one form or another.  The colors used are are similar as well.

So lets look at the steps.

Cut out the cards in white cardstock. 

I first sprayed the stencil and found it was too bright.  

Ended up redoing this and used a blending tool and ink with the stencil to create a softer background. I used Frayed Burlap for the ink. 

After stenciling, I used the same ink to go around the edges.  Some a little darker than other, some I also inked up the center. 

Onto the cards.

Set 1:

Images were stamped in a bold ink and heat embossed.  Sentiment was stamped in black and on the left card. Heat embossed and fussy cut the sentiment.  The saying on the right, I did not heat emboss, but wish I had.  Add sequins, and stapled the tag onto the card.  2 down.

Set 2:

Mostly the same with the phone.  Stamped in Potting Soil and heat embossed.  Used a die to cut out the stamped and heat embossed sentiment, again attaching with a stapler.  The Good luck ATC, was stamped directly onto the card, also heat embossed, added the memo tag to the bottom, again with stapler.

Ok, lets talk about the glitter.  This is my favorite trick and a good "secret".
Heidi Swapp makes these Lettered signs and a glitter tape to cover the outside.  Well, that tape is the best thing ever for embellishments.  Is is self sticking and is a vinyl so very strong.

Comes in a roll.  You cut off what you need and die cut. 

Click and take a close look at the lettering,  The same was done with the hearts. 

Set 3:

Again I repeated the same formulae.  Stamped images were stamped and heat embossed in clear.  The red ink is Red Geranium and Black Onxy for the wording.  A stencil was used for the YOU and the swirl was cut from the glitter tape.  A brad attaches the "Look Me Up" tag.  Sequins finish the Stapler card.

So the repeating elements are: sequins or Glitter.  Similar Ink and Coordinating colors.  Staples and the same background.  As a group, they appear to have the theme of someone leaving or going, probably a co-worker.  Individually they have interest, but need to be in a set to relay the message.  This is a good beginning to a pocket card.

That is it for me, you next stop is: Deb at Deb du scrappin

Links:
Club Scrap
Office Space Kit for July

Other supplies:  Archival ink: Black, Potting Soil, Red Carnation, Orange Blossom
                           Distress Ink:  Frayed Burlap
                           Heidi Swapp: Tape
                           Tim Holtz: Tiny attatcher
miscellaneous: brad, sequins, dies,

Happy Crafting,
Josette

Club Scrap: Blog Hop for July, Office Space

Hello again.  Time for Club Scrap Blog Hop.  I am having a busy overwhelming hot summer, probably many more with similar experiences. This month I chose clean and simple.  No fancy backgrounds or techniques.  These are the perfect "stash Buster" projects, generic, simple and timeless.  In thinking about this months kit, I kept going back to the Superman and Batman comic strips.  Somehow the paper and fonts in this kit reminded of those simpler times, so that is what I did, simple.  Before we dive into the cards, lets take care of the travel plans.  You should have arrived from:  DEB.  If you need to start at the beginning:  Click Here!

The techniques are all the same.  I chose background papers to ground the image, stamped the image in a dark ink, either black or brown and heat embossed in clear and fussy cut.  Added an sentiment or saying, also stamped in a dark ink and heat embossed.  So lets look at each card and discuss the design elements.

Card 1:

Picked the square paper from the kit and cut out a mat for an A2 card.  I used the paper as background and oriented it towards the top.  Coffee cut was stamped in Potters Soil on white cardstock, as was the Sentiment.  I used a die from Spellbinders to cut the tag, added a few sequins and a bow out of leather.  This is the perfect card to give someone at work, an acquaintance and is easy to finish and have ready on a moments notice.  Substitute other images, but the focus here is the background paper, let them work for you.

Card 2:

This one is my favorite and makes me think of Batman and the 50's, maybe the 60's but definitely Batman.

Created the same as the first one.  Only difference was that I used copics to color the rollodex and fussy cut out the Happy Birthday.  If you look close, I used the angle of the letters to guide the cuts.  This adds interest and avoids all that white space.  Again a few sequins just to fill it and balance.  I hand lettered the saying on the Rolodex.  I think this is the perfect , opps forgot your birthday card, but again the formulae is simple and easy to create on a moments notice..


Card 3:

Another simple card, where the background is the focus.  Telephone was stamped in Black Onxy and heat embossed, fussy cut.  Same with the sentiment.  Added a Teal bow for color, finished.
I made all three cards in less than 1 hour after I had the design elements worked out.  All are A2 cards and while not my usual cards, are unique and clearly one of a kind.  Isn't that why we make them?

Hope you enjoyed this foray into simple.  Your next stop is: Jennifer.

Happy Crafting,
Until next week when it is time for Team Challenge,
Josette

Links:
http://clubscrap.com
Office Space: July 2016 Kit

Stamping and Stenciling

Hello,
 I am back with another technique.  This month I was the guest designer for Club Scrap.  Every month one of us chose a technique and share with all the subscribers to Club Scrap Blog.  I thought I would take a moment and share this technique here.   Click the lint to go to The blog post for Club Scrap Technique Challenge or just read on.  This is a fabulous technique to give a try.

 I started out with White card stock and added a layer of Old Paper Distress Stain to give the cardstock some color.  I will include the photos here that outline the steps.

 slightly wet the paper

 Add Stain

 spray again with water and remove any excess stain.

 Dry

 Spray again if need to lighten or add more distressing

Make sure very dry before proceeding

 Tape down the Stencil

 Using a light hand, apply ink to stencil.

 I like unmounted stamps.  You can get that stamp into the smalls areas.

 Continue to stamp until you are happy

 Use Rubbing Alcohol to clean the Stencil is using an Archival ink. 

Finished with stenciling and stamping.  Cut down to 3.75" X 5.0".  Note the blended ink is soft and sparse in places, this give this a crayon colored impression.

Products used: Tim Holtz Clock Stencil, Distress Stain in Old Paper, Distress Ink: Frayed Burlap and Iced Spruce.  Black Archival ink and the word stamp is from the Crewel and Unusual Kit from Club Scrap.  

To finish my card, I stamped the coffee mug from this month's Kit: Office Space, in Brown Archival Ink and heat set with Clear embossing powder.  I fussy cut and Using a Copic Marker YG90 and YG 93 added shadow to the cup and filled in the "white space" around the handle.  This kept me from having to cut out that area. 

If you look close you can see where I added the shadow to the inside of the handle.

All that was needed was the sentiment.  So lets, take a pause here and ponder this card.
This background is busy and could easily be the focal image.  But I need more than just the background.  The coffee mug, goes along with the theme, clock time, coffee time, coffee break, get the idea.  We all work and time controls our day.  This is my hidden message.  But to bring it home, I needed a sentiment that reflects the theme. So in looking at the saying,  You might wonder who I would send this card to?  I wondered that myself, but again, this is art and who cares.  I like it, it speaks to me and someone who loves coffee would be a good recipient with a "hello message" inside.   Ok, so I justified my card and my saying.  Point here is you don't have to make "Get Well Cards, Birthday Cards, or any theme card with a message that reflects that occasion.  You can make a card just for sake of design and/or.  I have struggled with this concept for some time and in the end I decided it is what makes me happy and what I like is how I am going to address my designs, and thus my recipient will also be happy because I just know they will see my smile in the message

But how did I tie it together?  The saying...

I colored the white card stock the exact same was as the stenciled background, this is so they match.  Stamped in Black Archival.  Cut the square side down, this will lay along the right border.  Then I fussy cut to get rid of the extra paper and give movement to that inside edge.  If you look back at several of my cards, I do this frequently.  You might consider it my signature element.  I do it because I can never find the right die to fit my saying, or the area I have on the card.  I also think it adds the the uniqueness of my cards.

After I was happy with the tag, I adhered it to another area of my white card stock and cut this out using the finished tag as my guide for the border.  That gave me a white frame around my tag so that it would stand out from the background.

I added a few sequins to balance out the image, mounted it on the gold cardstock from this months kit and a green/gray from a previous kit.  I love this card!!!

Until next time:
Happy Crafting,
Josette