Saturday, May 23, 2015

CC3C Eroded Metallic Technique

We have arrived at the 29th Challenge, the Eroded Metallic technique found on Page 33 of Tim's Compendium of Curiosity III book.  Think it's too late to join us?  It's never too late!  You still have time to purchase an autographed copy of the book here.

This challenge is being sponsored by the Inspiration Emporium, a wonderful online company!  They are providing one lucky randomly chosen winner a $50.00 shopping spree, so buy the book, try out the technique and join us.  All the information, including rules for participating, can be found at the lovely Linda's website here.  Tim and Mario have yet another fabulous prize package for the winner as chosen by the Curiosity Crew!

I was in my studio the other day trying to decide what I was going to create with this fun technique.  I looked out the window, and, as usual, it was raining AGAIN!  That's when I decided that I just had to incorporate Tim's Stamper's Anonymous Umbrella Man with an Idea-ology Faucet Knob to act as a shut-off valve.  That way I can shut the rain off temporarily, at least in my imagination!  I guess the knob also represents shutting off fear and indeed "Living the life you have imagined" - traveling, dreaming, just going for it!  Here is my creation:


I love the look of the finished technique so much that I didn't want to add too many images to take away from the eroded metallic look.  Believe me, I tried!  Finally, I decided that simplicity was the answer and then I was satisfied with this tag.

After completing the technique (wish I could tell you how I did it, however, you'll have to look in the book on Page 44 yourself), I stamped the Umbrella Man directly to the tag along with the sentiment from Tim's Stamper's Anonymous Creative Muse cling mount stamp set.  I also used several rub-ons from Idea-ology Words remnant rubs which I adhered directly to the tag.  Finally,  I had to have my rain Faucet Knob.   Before adding it to the tag, I used some of the Paint colors from the tag background to add a bit of color to the faucet knob.

Finally, I adhered a black mat to the tag and died crinkle ribbon with some of the same colors I used for my technique, Cracked Pistachio, Evergreen Bough, Peeled Paint and Broken China Distress Paints.  I also added a bit of the Metallic Bronze paint on the ribbon.  Voila!  Easy to do!

I also wanted to experiment more with this technique to see what it would look like to be "more eroded".  I made up a quick tag to show you what it looks like.  I actually like how both of them turned out!


I hope you will all try this fun and easy technique!  I am "hooked" now and will definitely be incorporating it into my future artwork!

Once again here is my finished project:


Hope you enjoy it!  I wish you all sunshine (except in drought-sticken areas).  Maybe we can send some of this extra water your way via the Colorado River.  Can't wait to see what all of you create!

Susan

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

B Line Designs Happy Dance!

As you can tell by the title of this post, I am doing the Happy Dance now that I have received the new stamps from B Line Designs!  They are all from the brand new Vintage Spring supplement!


Beverly has knocked it out of the park with this one!  I love them all!  All of the new images blend so well with the wonderful selection of existing ones - lots of nature themes, thoughtful sentiments as well as a few architectural stamps!


I love the new Collaged Butterfly!   

Here a few samples Beverly created with the new images.  There are two pages of lovely full color artwork!

  



I couldn't wait to play with the new stamps!  I used several of my favorites, including the Beehives and Honeycomb I used on my project for the current CC3 Challenge "Alcohol Ink Ombre Technique"  at Linda Ledbetter's site.  I enjoyed this technique so much that I created another one  as well.  


When you pull the tab on this second card, the wings actually flap.  A dear friend of mine gave me a commercial card that incorporated this feature and said "Susan, I know you can figure out how this was done"  She was right - here it is!    I also used the Climbing Vine Duo as well as a sentiment from the Live Each Moment cube.  



 I went on to create one more card using the same mechanism and the new Botanical Cabbage Rose image from B Line's current supplement:


I watercolored the rose and the butterfly on this card.

There is so much more to see on B Line's website at blinedesigns.com !  Head on over to see all the new images from Vintage Spring along with previous supplements.  You'll be glad you did!

Susan





Saturday, May 9, 2015

Don't Worry, Bee Happy Alcohol ink Ombre Technique

The 28th Challenge for the CC3 Challenge has arrived - the Alcohol Ink Ombre technique.  This technique can be found on Page 57 of Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities III book.  Want an autographed copy?  Head on over to timholtz.com and Mario will make sure to get that off to you!

The wonderful Linda over at the Funkie Junkie Boutique is sponsoring this even numbered challenge with a $25.00 shopping spree at her site.  This prize will be awarded to one lucky randomly chosen winner!  Tim and Mario have another fabulous prize package awaiting the winner of the challenge as chosen by the Curiosity Crew.  Good luck to everyone!

Here is my project for this challenge:


I have used B Line Designs images on my card.  I knew I wanted to do something with their new Beehives stamp, so I checked out my stash of fabulous Ranger alcohol inks and found that I had Lemonade, Butterscotch and Honeycomb inks.  What better choices to go with a beehive!  Now I can't tell you how I achieved this effect - you'll have to turn to page 57 of the book to find out!

Sadly, I was so excited putting together this project that I forgot to take step-by-step photos!  I know, I'm, bad!!!!  However, I think you can get the idea after studying the technique.

I started out with a larger piece of glossy card stock and, after completing the technique, I stamped the Beehives and the Honeycomb from the Honeycomb/Wire duo onto the card.  I then trimmed off some of the card at the top and bottom and created strips which I backed with black card stock.  I started by adhering two thin strips to the sides of the card.  I then added two slightly wider strips to the top and bottom areas of the card.

I knew I wanted to add some bees as well as the round "Don't Worry -Be Happy" image from the Celebrate Dreams cube,  so I repeated the Alcohol Ombre technique on a small piece of glossy card stock and stamped the image four times.  I used the entire image for the top of the card and cut just the bees out to add to the bottom strip.  I was in fussy-cutting heaven!  The image at the top was backed with a slightly larger piece of black card stock and the bees were attached to the bottom strip!  Easy!  I love the effect!

Okay, let's see what you all come up with for your projects!  Head on over to the wonderful Linda Ledbetter's site for all the rules on how to participate.  We know we will see some beautiful projects and are sooooo looking forward to it!  You guys blow us away with your talent!

Here is one more look at my card:


Get out those alcohol inks and have fun!
Susan