Causing a Scene

Hello VLVS fans!  Mercy here and I am super excited to share my new experiment.  While I have definitely used tissue paper in my craft projects in the past, I haven’t actually stamped directly on it. Being in the experimental mood, I thought I’d use the Whimsical Tree Lady as my focus image for this altered hoop design, and see where it went from there.

My idea was to layer the tissue paper across several inked layers, like a paper mâché meets soft fabric, with the image laying on the top tissue paper layer.  The result was a quilted pillow like surface that easily fits a small embroidery hoop frame.

Supplies:

Whimsical Tree Lady Nude SKU 19681

Black Archival Ink

Dylusions  (or any brand) Yellow-Orange Watercolor Ink

Small 3” round wooden embroidery hoop

Copper Wax Paste

Several sheets of white Tissue Paper

White Butterfly Brad from Eyelet Outlet

Leaf Pins (I had these in my stash)

Die cut flowers

Yellow pearl embellishments

Clear Glue

Tim Holtz Saying

Instructions:

1.  First, I took a sheet of white tissue paper and folded it down into a rough 6X6 stack.  There were about four layers that I used for the base and I sprayed the top with Dylusions Yellow-Orange Ink in the center, allowing the ink to seep down and spread, it was set aside to dry.  Taking a small scrap of white tissue paper and permanent black ink, the Tree Goddess was stamped, allowed to dry, then fussy cut out.
2.  Using clear glue, pour a generous amount onto the center of the yellow inked stacked paper, spreading the glue out thinly.  Once spread, layer the stamped image across it, carefully flattening the stamped image and making sure there are no air bubbles, folds or excess clear glue underneath it.  Allow to dry.
3. While the tissue paper is drying, gently rub some of the copper wax paste around both sections of the embroidery loop. Wipe off all excess wax so that it doesn’t stain or come off.  Get out your trusty small flower dies (or whatever flowers you have on hand that complement the color theme) and color in varying shades of blue to pop off the yellow-orange inks.
4. Place the dried inked and glued tissue paper centered into the wooden frame. Carefully adjust for best presentation and tighten screws to hold everything taut.  Once in, take saying from Tim Holtz stickers, cut and place beside the stamped image.  Once glued down straight, arrange colored flowers and butterfly brad within the circle, then glue or punch down.  Add yellow pearls to the centers of the flowers, and pin through the tissue paper outside of the frame with the leaf pins.
5. More embellishments can be added as well as distressing the tissue paper outside of the frame.  I decided to keep this one simple, celebrating the sentiment and the lovely stamp celebrating nature and woman. 

Hope you enjoyed this and it gives you some encouragement to stamp on different types of papers.

She Was An Artist | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

It's Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project with you. Today I am sharing a mixed media scrapbook layout that I created to document some photos from a recent kids art class that I taught. It was so much fun teaching the kids - they are so free in their approach and have no reservations when asked to do something.

I started my page by creating the background, which was inspired by the piece I had taught in the class. I used the beautiful bright Ranger Dylusions paints, which I applied to my cardstock using a silicone spatula.

Once the paint was dry, it was time to add some stamping. The first stamp I chose was the Whimsical Leaf, which I stamped out over the green paint on my page using StazOn black ink.

I then used the Leaves and Three Extra Leaves stamp to add more foliage over the green paint. This essentially provided a "frame" for my page.

Next, I wanted to add an "arty" quote to my page so I chose the Art is Anything quote by Andy Warhol, which I also stamped using the black StazOn.

Now it was time to add some papery background layers. I wanted to incorporate some art themed things, so I used some Jane Davenport collage paper that featured a paint palette print. I also used a paint sample card from my local hardware store; as well as a doily and some folded tissue paper.

Once I had those layers in place I then collaged on the Magic Maker Paintbrush that I had stamped onto some tissue paper before adding some frayed gauze for texture, then my photos on top.

With most of the main elements in place for my layout it was time to go and add some of the smaller details. I found two more art themed quotes I wanted to add - handmade with he{ART} and then I combined she was and an artist (which I ended up deciding to use as my page title).

I then added some embellishments to finish off my page. First, a handmade heart from Charms Creations, which I placed near the handmade quote. I also added some pieces of twisted coloured wire for extra interest.

Next, I added the Cocoa Vanilla Studio yay flair button and some wood veneer hearts that I painted white.

I also added a black wood veneer arrow that I coloured black using a Sharpie.

To finish off, I stamped the Scribble Heart, then added a few enamel dots dotted around the page and a splatter of white Dylusions mist.

That's all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to get inky too. Until next time, happy stamping! 

Stamps used:

- Whimsical Leaf

- Leaves and Three Extra Leaves

- Art is Anything

- Magic Maker Paintbrush

- handmade with he{ART}

- she was

- an artist

- Scribble Heart

Other materials:

- Miracle Tape

- Bazzill cardstock

- Ranger Dylusions paints and mist

- Tsukineko StazOn ink

- Jane Davenport collage papers

- paint sample card, doily, tissue paper

- Charms Creations handmade heart

- Cocoa Vanilla Studio flair button

- wood veneer pieces

- coloured wire

- enamel dots

Month Challenge Inspiration Art Journal pages

Hello Everyone!
Tera here again with some fun inspiration for this months challenge board.  

It feels like ages since I've played in my art journal.  
This piece was super fun, and I plan to journal on them later. :D Some days you just need those pre-made bases for when the moment hits! 

Stamps Used:

Girl with bird cage

Stitching

Writing Circles

Wire rings

Butterfly Specimens

Plate 1455

You can find the challenge Info HERE

I started with dylusions paints, a variety of stencils, and some Tim Holtz washi tape. I used gel pens and markers to add details

Next I stamped my main images ... Which of course begged for more doodling.
(I love these stamps!)

Next I added some of my "art journal-ish" fun stamps (yes I know I use these on almost everything, but what can I say, they are fabulous.... I linked to the whole plate also because if you are like me you will need them all!!! 1455 is one of my all time fav. plates!)

Detail Pictures:

Thank you for looking! I hope you feel inspired to create also!!

Hop on in for Mail Art Monday...

Hello!

Welcome Back for another Mail Art Monday!

Stamps Used:

Creepy Rabbit by Tera Callihan
Hippitty Hoppitty

Today is an EXTRA fun piece for me because both of the stamps used on this piece are actually created by me!
(I hope you like them!)

To start, I used a piece of paper cut to 8.5in x 8.5 in

 (which makes and A2 envelope when used with my envelope punch board)

 I layered some Dylusions paints, Tim Holtz distress paint and Tim Holtz layering stencils to create my background. 

(the colors I used were squeezed orange, pure sunshine, bubble gum pink, and white linen. I also used the Tim Holtz sponge dauber in picked raspberry and wild honey)

Next I added a few scraps of Tim Holtz tissue paper to add some visual interest. 

After I got all of the background layers just right I stamped my bunny on the envelope and again on a separate piece of paper. I used a variety of markers to color him. 

 To glue him to the envelope I used Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium, which really made the colors even more intense! 

(yes I used this on the bottom and top of the bunny so he would be safe going through the post)

Lastly,  to finish everything off I stamped "Hippitty Hoppitty" by my little bunny! 

Sorry I forgot to take progress photos, but you know how it is when you really get into a project! you have too much fun! 

I can't wait to get this little guy paired up with the perfect stamp and mailed out to his new home! 

Happy crafting!

Wanderlust

Hello everyone,

Today it is my turn to share a project with you. I have made a postcard with a little step-by-step to show you how I made it. As always I'll start with showing you the finished article.
I suggest you get a nice cuppa and sit down and enjoy !

And here is how I made it :

I finger painted a pre-gessoed piece of card stock with 4 colours of Dina Wakley's acrylic paints and also some white by Americana. 

FInger painting is great fun and you have a lot of control. 

This is how it looked after I finished... 

Next I used a Dylusions Stencil and with the same colours of paint I started stencilling. I used a blending tool for this. 

I did the same with the white paint and this is how it looked. 

I thought it was a little too bright and decided to put a wash of diluted white acrylic paint over the top. I liked this much better. 

Next I used this number stamp and some Archival inks in similar colours to add some interest. 

Here is a close up of how that looks. 

Next I stamped the fence (a complete list of the stamps I used is at the bottom of this post). 

As you see the stamp doesn't quite reach the top and the bottom of the card but with a black pen that is soon corrected... 

Here is how that looks.. 

Next I stamped the Rooster directly onto the card and onto some Mixed Media paper. I also stamped the word Wanderlust and cut it out. I used some of the pink paint to go around the sentiment for extra interest. The Rooster on the MM paper was cut out and glued onto the one on the card. That way your stamped image looks perfect even if you didn't cut it out perfectly. 

And here is the finished result after I glued everything on the card. 

I used the following stamps:

19659 Numbers set

19140 Jagged Chain Link Fence

19170 Wanderlust

18891 Rooster

Thank you so much for stopping by today ! 

VLVS and Pocket Letter Pals

Hello Everyone!!
I'm So excited to be back as a part of the VLVS design team!! I hope you all are ready for some fun stamping inspiration!!!
(It may get a little photo heavy in here)

Have you heard of the new fun craze in the crafty mail world? 

It's called Pocket Letter Pals!! Read about it HERE or a short video HERE from the woman who started it. 

I am in love with creating these!!! 

Naturally I love creating ATC's and you know any excuse to create a decorative envelope gets me excited!! So, needless to say this new trend is right up my alley!!!

 I hope you all love what I have to share with you and give it a try also! I know you will love it too!

Stamps used:
Plate 1455 (seriously a MUST HAVE plate! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this plate!!!) 

Pair of Boots 2 1/2 x 2 1/2

Grunge Plus Sign 3/4 x 3/4

Coffee Ring Stain 2 3/4 x 2 1/4

Banksy Achieve Greatness 1 1/2 x 2 1/4

Skinny Minnie 1 x 2 3/4

Pen Tips 2 3/4 x 2

Large Lightbulb 2 x 3

Moon Circle 1 3/4 x 1 1/2

Whimsical Owl in Clothes 1 3/4 x 3

Window Fish 2 1/2 x 3 1/2

Other supplies: 
 Dylusions paints (or whatever you want to create your background with)
Black Ink
Memento Ink in pink (optional used for some background stamping)
Scissors for fussy cutting the owl out
pink marker (color in top right card)
White Gel Pen (add highlights and depth)
Black Marker (to draw "hello")

I started with these super fun painted backgrounds (these two were actually created for me by my mom :D whom is also a craft addict! her blog is HERE) 

           (created the owl card with a cut out from this sheet)

Next I cut the paper up into individual cards measuring 2.25in x 3.25 in (if you don't want to mount yours on black standard ATC size is fine also)... NOW the fun begins!!!

(Here you can see how my layout started... {Sorry this photo is a bit washed out}
and
from the final picture you can see things have been moved around some)

I start by arranging my base cards so that they are pleasing to the eye.. then I start stamping :D I like to add something tea or coffee related since people often send these items with thier letters, so thats what I start with. my next step is usually my "Hello" or about me card. From there i tend to bounce around adding qoutes, and things that blend nicely and make me smile :D 

(Feel free to simplify yours I got super excited and went stamping crazy!! )

Below are some close up - detail shots

(the boots and fish are my 2 favorites... :D )






(had to share one more close-up of this one! I love it!!)

(with VLVS there is no limit to what you can do with these things! Some prefer to work by theme, or style or even color inspiration... Heck you could do cats, dogs or things that start with a specific letter..lol) 

I hope you feel inspired and as excited as I am about these! Let us know if you'd like to see more Pocket Letter inspiration!!