Memorial Day!

With the upcoming Memorial Day here in the USA, I decided to honor and give thanks to all the men and women who served and protected this great country and their families, so that we can continue to enjoy all of our freedoms. It seemed so appropriate to use Artistic Outpost's "Hero" stamps in remembrance and celebration. My patriotic tag will also join in Lisa's Bloggers Challenge "Red, White and Blue."

The image and sentiment were colored with Stampin Up Markers in Not Quite Navy, Real Red and Black and stamped onto white card stock. Very lightly inked around the edges with Antique Linen and then shaded with Vintage Photo and cornered with Black Soot.

By accident I cut a leftover piece of matte photo paper for my tag and thought, "what the heck." This was inked with Fired Brick and Stormy Sky. I decided I wanted a little more of a watered effect and literally tossed a good amount of water on the tag and let it run and puddle, then lifted off the excess with a paper towel. I dried the tag and then went ahead and flicked on some smaller water drops. The interesting thing is that the flicked drops mostly accumulated in the areas that did not pool and I personally loved how it looked! The next step was to stamp the flag, which I did mask off the frame and sentiments within.

Well I do thank you for visiting today. For those in the US, have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend and a happy weekend to everyone!

The Travels of Skully and Friends

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the cooler season upon us! I am combining Tim's 12 Tags of 2014, September and Linda's Compendium of Curiosities III, #11 Challenge! Linda and the CC have instructed us to open our books to page 52 to learn all about "Effect Powders." What great projects the CC shared with so much inspiration! Now to play along you must have your own copy of Tim's awesome book! This challenge is being sponsored by Inspiration Emporium and there is a $50 prize and always a chance to win a lovely package from Tim and Mario, so that is pretty darn cool!

And so it began with the background for September's tag and I used the "Gothic" stencil (I picked from a previous CC#3C win at the Funkie Junkie Boutique) and I followed Tim's instructions mostly!! I made a few attempts with poor results, so instead of the blending solution, I decided to try it with clear embossing ink that I lightly heat set. The alcohol inks I used were Sunshine Yellow, Sunset Orange, Lettuce.

The leaves treat with the same colors, but mostly Lettuce and a touch of black. I used a script stamp from one of Tim's Halloween sets and touched the edges with Red Geranium.

Now for the "Effect Powders" CC#3C challenge, I can't tell you how I did that, but I did use Black Soot, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo. My creepy crew will be traveling over to Inspiration Journal to join in the "Fall is in the Air" challenge and Lisa's Bloggers Challenge "Fall Colors"

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit!

CC#3C - Dog Days of Summer

Faded Layers, page 58 of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities III, Linda and the Curiosity Crew have us opening our books to challenge #8. The Funkie Junkie Boutique is the generous sponsor for this challenge and offers a $25 store voucher and another chance to win a surprise package from Tim and Mario.

My Faded Layers was totally inspired by Lisa's Blogger Challenge this week, "Dog Days of Summer" and that was the excuse I needed to use this fun stamp by Sutton Enterprises (I think). It was given to me by a local friend some time back. I am also linking this up to Inspiration Journal's August challenge of "Anything Goes."

I followed the lesson in the book, which you need to play along as we will not give up details. The stencils I used are Rays, Dots and School House and alcohol inks of summer colors, Sunset Orange, Sunshine Yellow and Watermelon.

The imaged was stamped with Black Archival and I did some watercoloring using markers, some light stenciling, antiquing with Distress inks and then that flicking of water to cool down that dog.

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you are all doing well and happy. Just a little while ago, I learned of the passing of Robin Williams and how sad that a man who made so many people laugh, was with so much pain. Many people are with so much pain and hold so much inside and just can't get past the depression or the challenges of life. My heart goes out to his family and friends and to all of those who have lost a loved one who just could not see past the darkness.

Wild West and a Little Blog Candy!

Tag Along with Yvonne and all of us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges! That is right, use a tag on your project and of course stamping is a must and you could be the winner of a $20 store voucher from Flonzcraft, a Top 3 or be among the Spotlight fabs! Don't forget to stop by FSC to check out the rest of the DT creations! I apologize in advance for the poor picture quality as it is gloomy today.

Now my tag is obviously on the western side using Tim's Wild West set!  I first Distress inked my background, then used Tim's star stencil with modeling paste, let it dry, embossing clear ink and then gold EP. I then stenciled a few more of the smaller stars in the background!

The Cowboy was stamped and colored with Distress inks and fussy cut!  Oh did that take some time!

The "Wild West" was stamped on a manila ticket die cut, which was inked and water splattered.

This tag will be linked to the following fabulous challenges:
Bloggers Challenge "Backgrounds"
Inspirational Journal "Dieing for 2014"
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge "This Is Where The Cowboy Rides Away"

If you do not have the Odds and Ends stamp set and would like this 100th Collection, please LET ME KNOW! I was a winner of Tim's December 12 Tags of 2013 and I do already own this beauty! Thank you for stopping by! Oh my computer has been terribly slow and takes forever to load pictures, so I am a little behind on blog visits!!! Sorry!

Oh Christmas Tree!

How are you all doing? All caught up and ready to enjoy the Christmas season? I am still working on it and need to finish up my cards/tags will be traveling a distance! Hey, at least I finally went out and did a little Christmas shopping this last weekend! Seriously, where does time go??

As you can see, I am still having some fun with snowy effects! It is so cold here and I mean really cold and yet there is not a snowflake to be found! I feel if it is going to be that kind of cold, at least let there be snow!  I do believe these lovely little "Birds Of A Feather" Artist Outpost sweeties are pretty excited about their Christmas tree and can't wait to open up the packages! Lisa's Bloggers Challenge is "Joyeux Noel" and this will be linked over there!

I first inked the background with Distress Inks (Antique Linen, Old Paper, Brushed Corduroy) then did a spritz and flick with water and added a little snow! Next was to use my new Hollybough stencil and Bundled Sage, Fired Brick and Brushed Corduroy was applied.

The tree was cut from a greenish paper, but further inked and snow applied on the branches with whit paint and some flicks for fun. It is not a Christmas tree if not decorated and the lovely girls wanted some lights and garland and a star for good measure (which was colored with red alcohol ink).

The girls were stamped in Coffee archival and watered colored. I use Tattered Rose for flesh tones! And of course they were fussy cut. I stamped part of the sentiment from Christmas Chalk in Coffee Archival.

I do believe it was the younger of the two, who suggested standing of the box for a closer view of the decorated Christmas tree. Doesn't it appear as if they are enjoying the festive moment?

The packages were cut using my new die from Mr. Tim! Love that die!

Well I do thank you for visiting me today and I know you are all busy with your Christmas preparations. I will be finishing my inky part of Christmas this week, but will be around during breaks to visit you! The current challenge at Artistic Outpost is still "Anything Goes" and there is a random gift certificate to be given to someone, so come on over and join in!

Birthday Time!

With two "Birthday" challenges going on, I decided to make a birthday card that I will need in August! Imagine getting a card done a month ahead of time! Now I will probably forget where I place it!! Linking this us to Inspiration Journal's "Happy Birthday American or Other Birthday Celebration" and Lisa's Bloggers Challenge "They Say It's Your Birthday." Thanks Lisa, the challenge title worked out so well for me!

Decided to use Tim's Kraft Resist paper and I clear embossed the mechanical tools and then did some distress inking! Once done with that, I ironed off the EP.

The "Time Traveler" was stamped using Black Archival on Ranger's Specialty Paper and watered colored using Distress markers.  I did not want this to be very bulky for mailing, so added some of Tim's rub-ons for a little interest and fun!

The Pocket Watch was cut from grunge paper and colored with Distress Stain and Marker. The sentiment is from Stamping Up.  Nothing too fancy here. It took more time to think about what to do then anything, but isn't that how it goes?

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous week!

Stamps: Tim's and Stampin Up
Distress Markers: Fired Brick, Tattered Rose, Walnut Stain, Tea Dye
Distress Stain: Wild Honey
Inks: Black Archival, Distress Peacock Feathers, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint
Kraft Resist and Specialty Stamping Paper

Boardwalk!

Hope you all are having a wonderful start to the week and enjoying the Summer! Yes, it is still hot here and this weather sure makes you think how nice it would be to live at the beach! The current challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges is "Mail Time" and there are still a few days left to join in for a chance to win a gift voucher from Flonzcraft or make the Top Three!  My DT Sisters have nailed "Mail Time" with some fabulous art, so stop by and have a look!

And speaking of the beach, I once again pulled out my Boardwalk stamps from Artistic Outpost for my Mail Time theme and it will actually be mailed!  I started by creating an inky background, a little stenciling, Spritz and Flick and subtle stamping of the little seashell.  The gentleman bather was first stamped and cut out! I did first mask, but managed when all was done to get some blue ink on his face! So not cool!

All main images were stamped using Sepia Archival and some were clear embossed. The Atlantic City was watered colored using markers and Distress Inks.  Such summer fun!

Will be linking this us to Lisa's Bloggers Challenge, "Create Your Own Background" and Simon Says Stamp and Show. "A Little Stamping."

I am so happy that you stopped by today and thank you for taking the time to comment! Enjoy the rest of the week!

Distress Inks: Stormy Sky, Peacock Feathers, Broken China, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain
Distress Markers: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Wild Honey, Broken China, Stormy Sky, Antique Linen
Distress Stains: Wild Honey, Broken China, Stormy Sky, Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo

Summer Fun!

Happy Monday to you all and I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It is official and Summer is upon us, well most of us! The Boardwalk girls decided it was time for another trip to the beach for a day of sun and fun! 

For this tag, I decided on the giant size to give a little more open feel! The girls were stamped with Black Archival, color with Stampin Up Markers and masked! The background was inked with Antinque Linen, Faded Jeans, Salty Ocean and Stormy Sky. I also added a few streaks of acrylic paints in the sky area. The sandy area was also highlighted with a VersaMark pen and Perfect Pearls. Bits of Fragment Flakes and Sea Shells were added with gel medium and Glossy Accents.

There is still a good week left to join the Artistic Outpost, "Monthly Referral Program" for June and it is "anything goes" with your AO stamps! Hope to see you there!  I will be linking this "Summer Fun" up to Lisa's Bloggers Challenge, "At The Beach."

Thank you for taking the time to visit today and I hope you are having a fabulous week!

Seashells By The Seashore

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week and doing something wonderful! My hubby had a birthday on Monday and has taken the week off, so I have not had as much crafty time! This lovely "beach goer" from the new Artistic Outpost "Boardwalk" release, is enjoying her day on the Seashore. It is pretty hot here and I am thinking I might just join her! For all the details on the frame and background, stop by and visit me at Artistic Outpost for my Wednesday post.

Through June 8th all Artistic Outpost stamp sets, including this new release are on sale for 15% off, so now is a great time to add to your collection and join in on the Monthly Referral Program as well.

 A little bit of fussy cutting on the lady!

Love how the three little Seashells made such a nice background when masked and stamped individually.

My card is going to visit the following challenges:

 

Bloggers Challenge - To Die For

Country View Crafts - Die Cuts

Simon Says Stamp and Show -  The Letter S

 

I so appreciate your taking the time to visit today and I hope you are having a great start to the Summer season!

 

Stamps: Artistic Outpost: Boardwalk

Postal Die Cut

Inks: Archival: Coffee and Sepia, Distress:  Pumice Stone, Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Squeezed Lemonade, Tattered Rose, Dried Marigold, Vintage Photo

Distress Vintage Photo Stain, Gold Paint

Rock Candy Crackle

Gold UTEE, Stampendous Aged Gold and Silver

 

 

Playing!

Today I decided would be a great day to play with some of my newer "Tim" stamps and have some inky fun!  So working from three stamps sets, this is what happened!

The "Artful Tools" were stamped with Clear Embossing Ink, covered with clear EP and heat set.  Then came the inking of the background with Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo and next the gears were stamped from the "Time Travelers" with Archival Sepia and then I wiped off the excess on the embossed areas with a dry paper towel.  The embossing was then removed using that "four" letter word, the iron!  Sorry I meant to take a picture of the naked background, but got too excited!

I used Tim's water brush to color the "Time Traveler" with Tattered Rose, Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo, cut him out and shaded with Walnut Stain!  The sentiment from Classics 5 was stamped on inked paper with Archival Coffee and then a little Spritz and Flick for some background interest.

Don't you love that sentiment and so true it is and that is why I decided to just play today! Will be linking this tag to Bloggers Challenge, "Tags" and Inspiration Journal's, "Don't Quote Me."

Hope your week is going well and you are taking that much needed time to stay young by playing!
Thank you for visiting me today!

Tim's Stamps; Artful Tools, Classics 5, Time Travelers
Ink; Archival Sepia and Coffee, Distress Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, Walnut Stain

Domino Book!

Hope everyone is having a great week and a big "HELLO" to my newest followers.  It is always such a pleasure to see some new faces in the mix!  Blogging is such an amazing adventure and leads to many friendships along the way!  Not to mention all the inspiration and challenges that follow.  Lately I have so enjoyed Brenda's domino books and decided I would take the plunge!  After all that is how we learn and flourish, right?   Photo heavy and oh so sorry!

Has it happens, several years back my daughter bought us "dominos" and I for one am not a person who plays games, so there were more items that would end up in my pile of "I can't get rid of it because it comes from family."  Isn't it great to recycle gifts? 

The dominos were inked with green, red, gold alcohol inks and then sealed.  I did cut separate panels from manila paper for each folded page.  Some background stencils were done with "recycled" produce netting, bubble wrap and mesh.  I look at so many throwaways differently these days! 

All images and mostly from Tim's new "Tiny" collection were stamped using Black Archival and color with Distress Inks and or Markers. 

I stamped and cut a second  dancer image on clear plastic packaging and adhered with Glossy Accents.  When I inked the mirror, I removed some of the ink from the center portion to clearly reflect the image.  The butterfly was masked off and stenciled.

Bits of masking and stamping going on here!

Again more masking and stenciling.

This was a bit time consuming, but such great fun!  I am taking my little Domino Book to visit the following challenges:

Bloggers Challenge - In Bloom
Country View Challenges - Butterflies
Frilly and Funkie - Upcycle for Earth Day
Inspiration Emporium - Marvelous Masks/Spectacular Stencils
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Color

Thank you so kindly for stopping by to visit and I wish you a fabulous weekend!