Distress Watercoloring - Part 1

Boy, we are really changing things up with these challenges aren't we?  We have gone from using heavier Distress Paints to making roses and, this past two weeks, using texture paste with layering stencils.  For the next two weeks we will be focusing on a softer look - Watercoloring with Distress Ink, Part 1 which can be found on Page 39 in Tim's Compendium of Curiosities III book.  Here is the project I created for this challenge:

I used B Line Designs stamps this time around - Miranda, the flower and leaf from the Sunkissed cube and Just Sittin here.  I used Tim's Distress watercolor cardstock and was extremely pleased with the results!  It is a fabulous weight and takes the color beautifully! 

Here are the supplies I used:

I love these soft color combinations - Shaded Lilac, Squeezed Lemonade, Tumbled Glass, Tea Dye, Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint.

I followed the technique on Page 39 and colored the background and Lady.  I then stamped the flowers and leaves on a separate piece of Distress Watercolor cardstock, watercolored the images and cut them out. They were then adhered to the main image.  I finished the card by matting it with lilac cardstock, layering it with a piece of Graphic 45 paper from the Secret Garden collection and finally adhering all to one last piece of lilac cardstock.  I finished by gluing a bow to the left top corner.

Hope you like this week's project.  As always, Tim and Mario have provided a fabulous prize package for one lucky winner chosen by the Curiosity Crew. The Inspiration Emporium is sponsoring this challenge and will provide a $50.00 gift certificate to a random winner.  Good luck to everyone.  Don't forget to leave a comment on all the Curiosity Crews' blogs for your change to win!  If  you are still in doubt as to who we are, head on over to www.lindaledbetter.com for links to all our blogs and official challenge rules!  Most importantly, have fun!

Susan

Layering Stencil: Texture Paste - Does it Measure Up?

I couldn't resist using a play on words here...I used the Tim Holtz "Measured" stencil to create this tag for the latest CC3C challenge, Layering Stencil: Texture Paste.  Can you believe it is already the fourth challenge?!  This challenge is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique who are generously donating a gift certificate.   As always, Tim and Mario have an awesome prize package that will knock your socks off!  Here is my project:

I decided to create a tag this time.  Following the technique instructions listed on Page 49, I used the Measured stencil to make the background along with Antique Linen, Evergreen Bough and Vintage Photo Distress Inks to color the tag.   I used the colors from the Kaisercraft paper that I used for the mannequin's skirt for my inspiration.

Once the tag background was complete, I die cut Tim Holtz's Mannequin from the Sewing Room die twice, once from dark brown cardstock and once from Ranger Sticky Back Canvas.  I peeled the back off the canvas and attached over the top of the mannequin's bodice.  I then cut a piece of Kaisercraft paper and scored every 1/2".  Once scored, I threaded some narrow brown jute into a large eye sewing needle and "gathered" the skirt at the top, starting in the center of the skirt and ending at the center.  Here's how it looked:

I placed the gathered paper over the top of the mannequin and then pulled the jute up carefully at the center, being careful not to tear the paper.  Once the skirt was pleated, I tied off the jute and made a bow.  I then added the matching rose.

I also used Tim's Frameworks Lattice  die which I cut once from cream cardstock, coloring it with Vintage Photo Distress ink, and again from the same Kaisercraft paper I used for the skirt.  I used the reverse side of the paper as well to place in the lattice openings.  Once glued down, I added the finished mannequin over the top with foam tape squares.

To finish the project, I added an Ideology Heart as well as a brad and paper clip hanger.  I also used Tim's Label Letters to spell out "Sew Special" and finally added some metal buttons to finish the piece.

I used some Creative Impressions tape measure ribbon along with some aqua narrow satin ribbon tothe top of the tag at the end.

I had so much fun creating this tag.  I must say, I am officially "addicted" to using Texture Paste!  I hope you have as much fun as I did creating your own artwork with this technique!

It's still not too late to play along!  You can still buy the book from Tim who will autograph it for you.  Head on over to the CC3C Challenge hosted by none other than Linda Ledbetter for all the information and leave a comment on all the Curiosity Crews' blogs to win a prize!  You'll be glad you did!

Fabulous Faux Tea Roses

Here we are at the third challenge for the CC3C Challenge!  I had a ton of fun with this project!  Who would have thought to make tea roses this way - Tim Holtz, that's who!  I love it!  Here is the project I came up with:

I decided to make a middle step card with a bit of a vintage romantic theme.  I started off with the basic card that I covered with paper from my favorite Wallflower paper stash.

I then gathered up my supplies including some of my favorite images from B Line Designs, Lisa and the Open Book.  I also used Tim's leaf and love letter Stamper's Anonymous images along with his On the Edge Distressed Doily and Alterations greenery dies.  Please refer to Page 65 in Tim's Compendium of Curiosities III book for directions on how to create these gorgeous roses.  It's still not too late to pick it up.  Go to        http://timholtz.com/a-compendium-of-curiosities-volume-iii/ for your copy.

I wanted my little open book to have some pages, so I stamped the book once on cardstock and 3 times on text weight paper.  I stamped the love letter text on two of the pages and adhered all the pages to the center of the cardstock image and finished by wrapping a thin piece of gold cord around the book.

It's a bit hard to see in the photograph, but I added some Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edges along with some gold ink.  I edged all the separate images with Vintage Photo as well.  Some Bundled Sage Distress Ink was added to the greenery and Peeled Paint to the leaves.

I finished this piece by adhering all the cut images to the different steps.  The tea roses were the last to be adhered using glossy accents.

I hope you enjoyed my project.  Are you playing along with the challenge yet?  It's not too late!  This week's challenge is sponsored by The Inspiration Emporium.  We will also have another fabulous prize package of goodies from Tim and Mario!  Don't forget to leave at comment at each of the Curiosity Crew Member's pages for your chance to win!  Join us!

Susan

Distress Glitter Fun!

It's time for the second challenge of the Compendium of Curiosities III, Distress Glitter!  Still haven't heard about the Challenge?  It's not too late to participate!  Head on over to Linda Ledbetter's CC3Challenge.com blog page and find out how to play along with us!

You can find the Distress Glitter technique on Page 56 of the Compendium of Curiosities III book.  I decided that I wanted to use my favorite color, Seedless Preserves, to create a glittered frame using Tim Holtz's Ornate Frame die.  Here is my finished project:

The "surprised" girl in the picture is my grandmother.  I wanted a vintage birthday card with a colorful twist, so I kept most of the card vintage by not only using my grandmother's photo, but Tim's fabulous paper from his new Wallflower collection.  I thought it all blended perfectly with the sparkly frame and the brighter colored hat, gift and cupcake from Tim's Blueprint set.  I stamped the images on cardstock first and then reduced the size slightly so that everything would fit well into the frame.

Here's a photo of the frame and Grandma before I mounted everything on the paper:

I think the paper really set the card off as you can see above.

I have so many ideas for using this image and frame for more birthday cards.  The sentiment could say "You're how old? No way!" or "Surprised I remembered your birthday?"  The possibilities are endless!  Don't have an old photo to use and make this card?  No problem!  You can always substitute one of Tim Holtz's Found Relatives.

This challenge's sponsor is The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  They will be providing a generous gift for one lucky winner, so come play along!

Susan

It's Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge Time!

It's finally here! The challenge has begun and I can finally post my project created for the first challenge!

The first challenge is based on the paint marbling technique which can be found on Page 43 of your CCIII book. Here is my project:


I first used the technique on a manila tag using Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold, Broken China and Peeled Paint Distressed Paints. I used some Vintage Photo and Crushed Olive Distress Ink to fill in.

Then I used a piece of manila cardstock and, using the same technique, created a second piece using Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold, Wild Honey and Seedless Preserves. After I dried this piece I ran it through the Vagabond using one of my new favorite dies, Tim's Sizzix Tattered Flower Garland. I then die cut cream cardstock using my other favorite die, the Spring Greenery. I added color using Crushed Olive and Forest Moss Distress Inks.

Finally, to finish the piece, I stamped Tim's Stamper's Anonymous bird and nest on a separate piece of cream cardstock, colored with Distress inks and cut out. These pieces were glued to the tag and then the greenery and flowers filled in around the nest and bird. I also die cut a Memory Box Donnington Tendril and added it to the scene. I used Wendy Vecchi's stamp for the sentiment. I finished the whole piece off with a beautiful new metal piece by Tim that I painted with Distress Paints.

Now it's your turn! Head on over to the CC3C Challenge page to look over the rules, learn the Marbled Paint technique on page 43 and create your own art! Be sure to upload your piece after you have finished to the challenge page (you can find instructions on the Challenge Page and visit each member of the Curiosity Crew's website/blog. Leave a comment if you would like a chance at winning a fabulous prize from Tim and Mario!

Linda Ledbetter - Linda Ledbettter.com
Yvonne Blair -      Life's Little Details
Candy Colwell -  Creativity is Contagious
Annette Green -  Annette's Creative Journey
Cheryl Grigsby -  Cheryl's Paper Artz
Anita Houston -   The Artful Maven
Marjie Kemper - Marjie Kemper Designs
Susan Mostek -  You are Here
Hels Sheridan -   Ink on My Fingers


This week's challenge sponsor is The Inspiration Emporium. They will be offering a 10% discount to anyone who uses the CC3C code.  They are also providing a $50.00 gift certificate to one lucky challenge winner. Good luck to everyone!

Susan

Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge is Here!

The official announcement has been made, so I can now tell you the exciting news! The fabulous Linda Ledbetter is hosting the official Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge (#CC3C) based on techniques from Tim Holtz's incredible new book by the same name, the third in a series.  The book is jam-packed with amazing art inspiration and techniques!  The challenge begins next Saturday, April 26th.

I was extremely honored to be asked by Linda to be part of the Curiosity Crew, a wonderful group of super talented artists and special friends who will be playing along with all of you!  We are ready to get curious and want you to join us in the fun, so pull out your Distress inks and paints and and let's get creative!  

I have it on good authority that there are a TON of fabulous prizes to give away provided by Tim and Mario as well as our generous sponsors, the Inspiration Emporium and the Funkie Junkie Boutique!  Instructions on how to win will  be included with each new post.

To play along with us, you will first need your own copy of the book.   If you don't have the book yet, you may purchase it here.  The challenges will be posted every two weeks along with the page number from the book where the technique can be found.  Linda will be mixing things up, so none of the challenges will follow in the same order as the book.  Check out the Challenge page here for more information and to meet your Curiosity Crew!

Are you ready?  Get those creative juices flowing and join us in the fun!

Healthy Eating

Like many of us, I have been determined to eat healthier this year. As a part of my journey, I decided to try new foods I was not familiar with. The first one I tried was Quinoa, a seed grown in the Andes mostly from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. I love it! I found a recipe on the back of a bag of quinoa from my local Kroger store - a Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - and whipped it up that same day. I enjoyed it so much that I make it quite often and usually take it with me to Rocky Mountain Memories to eat at lunchtime when I am teaching.

Many people have seen and smelled my lunch and asked me for the recipe to try, so here it is!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad


- 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped
1 garlic clove, smashed 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup Quinoa, uncooked 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 large cooked chicken 1/4 cup chives, chopped
breasts, cubed salt and pepper to taste
1 small red onion, chopped 2/3 cup lemon juice
1 large red bell pepper 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and garlic clove to a boil. Stir in the quinoa, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the chicken broth has been absorbed, 15-20 minutes. Discard the garlic clove and transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Gently stir the chicken, onion, bell pepper, olives, feta cheese, parsleym chives, salt and pepper into the quinoa. Drizzle with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Stir until well combined. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

Makes about 8 servings

I like to prepare this dish with vegetarian ingredients every so often. To do this, prepare the quinoa in vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and use tofu instead of cubed chicken breasts.

Hope you enjoy this dish!




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