Friday, February 24, 2012

Stamping Technique Demo Photos

Hi Bloggers!
We had a great time at the Artistry ETC meeting Thursday at Ink Paper Rubber.
Here are the photos from the meeting where I did a demo on the Multi-Stamping Stamp Pad technique.


This technique allows the stamper to customize their stamp pad for multiple stampings of the same image.  Great for Greeting Cards, Invitations, Recipe Cards, and Gift Tags!

First, you place the stamp you are going to use on the Ranger Stamp Foam, draw a line around the stamp, and cut out the stamped shape foam.


Second, you ink up the stamp with PERMANENT ink such as Archival or Memories ink,
and stamp an image on to the foam with the permanent ink.


Clean the stamp thoroughly, as you will be using it again with dye inks.
Using watercolor based dye ink re-inkers,  such as Distress Ink or Adirondack Ink, you will squeeze the ink onto the stamp, using the inked image as a guide. 
Press the stamp on to the ink pad, making sure you get plenty of ink on your stamp. )
You can tell if it's covered if it has a shiny appearance when you turn it over.

Here I have inked up and stamped the Pear stamp with PERMANENT ink.  You can use such brands as Archival or Memories ink.
 Think of it as a coloring book as you ink the image in the colors that you want for each image on the stamp.  For instance, here I put the ink in the colors that I wanted the pear and leaves to be once it was stamped.  You may use as many colors as you wish.  Keep the ink on the lines, do not put any ink on the white areas of the stamp.
NOTE: The ink will "wick" or run.  This is perfectly fine.
Press the stamp on to the paper and viola!  You have a stamped image! If you want a "watercolor" effect, use water pens or a paint brush and water to lightly paint over the ink.
The cool part is that you can repeat these steps over and over with one stamp pad, stamping 30-40 images before you have to re-ink the pad.
What a great way to make handmade greeting cards, recipe cards, gift tags, wedding announcements.
Here is a card I made using one of the stamped images!
See how much prettier the stamped image is when you make your own custom stamp pad!
The image on the left is custom, the other just a regular one-color stamp.
This technique works with "line" stamps like this Penny Black hedgehog.
This also works with "solid" stamps!
Note:  This stamped image didn't have enough ink.
However, after more ink was added and it was worked into the pad, the image was better.

Whether using wood or cling stamps, this technique is a winner!

This was a really fun technique and I would highly recommend that if you have projects that require multiple stampings of the same image, this is the way to go!

See you next time for more fun ideas!

Happy Crafting!
ReNae



Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Multi-Color Stamping Technique

This Thursday evening, I will be demonstrating a stamping technique at this month's meeting of the Artistry ETC Stamp club.  (Club meetings are held at Ink Paper Rubber)  It's the Tim Holtz technique of creating a custom multi-color stamp pad. This technique enables one to make multi-colored stamped images using just one stamp pad, and one stamping.  It's a great way to make invitations, announcements, birthday cards, Christmas cards, Valentines, or any other occasion where you would desire multiple cards with the same image.  Bring the following supplies if you have them: The stamp you want to use, dye re-inkers, Inkssentials Cut-n-Dry Stamp Pad Felt, a pencil or pen, and a water brush or paint brush (small). 
Several years ago, Tim Holtz appeared on the Carol Duvall Show, where he himself demonstrated this technique.  Here's the link:  Tim Holtz Multi-Color Stamp Technique  
It's a little fuzzy, but you should be able to see what a great technique it is.  It will be a lot of fun to practice this so please come and join in on the fun!  You don't have to be a seasoned stamper to participate in this demonstration!  Everyone is welcome!
The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. and is open to anyone who loves to stamp or who wants to learn how!  So please plan to attend, it's day after tomorrow so you have plenty of time to prepare. If you don't have everything needed to participate in the demo, you may  buy what you need at Ink Paper Rubber.  Jen has everything you need on hand for this fun evening.  
Note: Our challenge this month was to make our interpretation of a Paper Doll.  I can hardly wait to see what everyone designs!  



Sunday, February 19, 2012

New Memory Box Stamps & Dies

This weekend I purchased some darling new stamps and dies that I'd like to share with you!
  
They are from the new Memory Box "Love and Kindness" collection.  The stamps and dies are adorable!  Images such as Hearts, Flowers, Butterflies and Landscapes make up the collection.  
Below is a sample, provided by Memory Box, of a tag made using the Scalloped Posie, Pinwheel Posies and Fringe Circle dies, the Vivienne Butterfly die and the Chrysanthemum die and stamp.  It is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, shaded with Memento Markers, and colored with Copic Markers.



Click Here to learn how to make paper roses with the Pinwheel Posie and Scalloped Posie dies - and create a cool background with the Chrysanthemum Frame stamp.
(Video courtesy of Memory Box and YouTube)

Happy Crafting!

ReNae


Thursday, February 16, 2012

Artistry Unleashed!

Hello Bloggers!
Just a reminder that tomorrow, Friday February 17th, there is a meeting of the Artistry Unleashed Club.
It will be a fun meeting, and one you should not miss!  The meeting starts at 6 p.m. sharp!
Here are the details:


This month the focus is on wax – Beeswax in particular.  Due to space (and electrical circuit limitations), Gia will be providing the wax for you to use.  
If you would like to play with the wax, there will be a $1 charge to cover her cost of wax.  You should bring the following additional supplies:  cardboard/chipboard for the collage base, painted newpaper and/or painted tissue paper, tweezers, scraper (an old credit card works fine), natural bristle paintbrush and images (cut-outs and/or stamped on tissue paper).  
The following supplies are optional: mica powder (Pearl-Ex/Perfect Pearls), oil pastels and phrases/words printed/stamped on tissue paper.  
We will have a limited number of ‘collage kits’, including painted newspaper & tissue paper, images & cardboard bases available for a small additional charge.
Remember this is a FREE club, so you are more than welcome to come watch and see what working with wax is all about!
Beeswax and oil pastels are available for sale at a 15% discount on club night.

What a fun way to spend a Friday evening! 
Happy Crafting, and see you there!

ReNae

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

We have a winner!

Yesterday I asked people to comment on their best Valentine's Day!
Feb 14, 2012 09:14 AM
Linda Eustace wrote:
"Strangely enough, I think my best Valentine's Day was February 14, 2010. Since I'd just had major cancer surgery a few weeks before, I was absolutely miserable with pain, but I can't remember a time that was more filled with LOVE...from my husband (who had to do EVERYTHING and did so patiently, never complaining, 24/7) to our wonderful friends who provided food and messages of love, offers of help, and anything else they could possibly think of. Actually, every day for several months was Valentine's Day!"

CONGRATULATIONS LINDA!  
Please email me with your address and choice of store, and I will mail you your ten dollar gift certificate.  You have until 9 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 15 to claim your prize.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Today is Valentine's Day and in honor of our patron saint of love,  St. Valentine, I decided to have a contest!  
Just leave a comment describing your BEST Valentine's Day and you will automatically be eligible for a prize!  

The prize is a $10 gift certificate at the craft store of your choice, 
Michael's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Ink Paper Rubber, Scrapbook Page, Archiver's, Stamper's Ink etc.
  
Leave your comment NO LATER than 9 p.m. CST, TODAY.  The winner will be announced on tomorrow's post.  Check back as I will not be emailing results.  If you win, you have 24 hours to claim your prize.  Winner is chosen at random by using Random.org. 
(If prize is not claimed another name will be chosen the following day)

Monday, February 13, 2012

"How I made the Bridal Plaque" Tutorial

Hi Bloggers!
So many of you have asked me how I made the Bridal Plaque featured on the Graphic 45 website.  I have put together a photo-tutorial for you so that you can see step-by-step how it was completed.
If you have any questions after viewing it, please leave me a comment below and I will answer all your questions promptly!

Here we go!
Select the papers you want to use.  I used le' Romantique by Graphic 45
Paint your frames if desired, I painted mine using colors that went well with the paper collection.
Cut sections of paper to suit your story.  Mine was a bride, so I selected pretty brides from the paper collection.
Use paper glue to adhere paper to tray.
I ended up using different paper than shown here in this photo, as you will see at the end of the tutorial!
Move the finished frames around on the tray until you like the arrangement.
Before the frames were adhered to the tray, I added some bronze colored GLAZE to my frames.
It gave more of an antiqued look to them.
I also experimented with adding green paint to the peach frame, and peach paint to the green frame.
Then added the bronze GLAZE.
After gluing the photos to the frames, the frames were hot-glued to the tray and I could start to decorate.
Be careful using the hot glue gun, add the glue to the tray, not the frames.
Note: At this point I was still experimenting with where the frames should go.  I decided to put them on in order of age.
That way it almost seemed like a walk through history.
Next add all your embellishments, lace, buttons, and trinkets to the tray.
I used craft glue, and also used Glossy Accents.
With the lace I used glue that wouldn't show when dry.  Use your best judgement here.
I used the same papers to make a coordinating card
This is a close-up of the tray.  You can see all the little details.
Another close-up showing the beading, and details of the lace and flowers
After all trinkets, keys, buttons and bling were added,  antique lace and beading was adhered to the sides of the project.
You can also see that I used the Tim Holtz corners to add pizazz to the piece.  It really did look like an antique!
If you have additional question,  I encourage you to write me a comment below!

Happy Crafting!

ReNae

Valentines for my friends!

Hi Bloggers!
Just wanted to post a couple Valentine's I made for some dear friends!



I hope you like them.  They were made in the same fashion as some of my Vintage Christmas Cards, with lots of lace and yummy vintageness!  One more day until Valentine's Day!  See you tomorrow!

Happy Crafting!
ReNae

Monday, February 6, 2012

A project made with the Graphic 45 "Le Romantique" Paper Line

Hi Bloggers!

Here is a little something I whipped up this weekend!  It was a gift for my cousin Jeff's Bride-to-Be, Alison.  I wanted to make something that showed her a bit about the family she was marrying into!
This project featured the last 4 generations of brides in Jeff's family.  It started with Jeff's (and my) Great Grandmother Elizabeth, Grandmother Frances, his mother Barbara, and lastly, Ali herself!




This is a 7 Gypsies Printers Drawer, decorated with Graphic 45 Le' Romantique Papers.

Here is the plaque on the table at the shower.

I made a matching card (shown above) to match the plaque.