Returning to Creative Tim Holtz Chemistry 101

I am very grateful to be in a position to enjoy my free time at home without fear for my family or finances at present. I know I am not alone in valuing all this time we have had recently to enjoy more time for creating. There has been a wealth of inspiration offered online including lots of Tim Holtz live demos. He has been encouraging us to go make not let the moment of inspiration pass but make and share whatever we do. Its great to be encouraged to play and not worry about the finished project. To enjoy the process, the journey. Today I had a lovely day revisiting Tim Holtz's online classes for Creative Chemistry 101. Not the whole course in a day! Just day two and three.

Day 2.                                                                    Day 3.

Many of the techniques are now very familiar to most stampers. I won’t of course share the steps but revisiting the videos confirmed my feeling that these courses are so worth the money. Even years later I found new information and remembered details I had forgotten. They are a great creative prompt.

I got out some of my old stamps. Where I was practiced with the technique I pushed the designs a little beyond a simple sample. I also wanted to try most of the techniques with regular distress ink and then compare with oxide ink. I was curious to see which techniques would work well with the oxide inks.

Day two was Blended Distress/Spritz & Flick, Wrinkle-Free Distress and Brushless Watercolour. The Oxide ink results are on the left. The first two techniques I have used often so no surprises with either ink. When I first did CC101 I did not enjoy the Brushless Watercolour. I played more this time and loved it. 

I think the oxide ink was less like watercolour as the pigment doesn’t move just the dye but it is great to have two samples to make more informed choices when I pick a medium. I still liked the result with oxide.

Day Three: Stamping with Reflections, Alcohol Ink Agates, Archival Resist 

I skipped this day first time round as I had few of the supplies. The Agates turned out quite dark but I ran out of time today try again but I have plenty of time to try again. Its great weather for using your Alcohol inks, warm enough to leave the window wide open! This is on glossy paper I may try again on Yupo too. I liked the results of the reflections stamping but again I have played with the reflection stamps and embossing folders before so it did not surprise me. My favourite one this time was the archival resist. 

I loved the results of this technique with the regular distress ink, (on the right)  I think I may play with this a lot more. 

Hope you are all free to enjoy your playtime. I am interested to hear which techniques you all prefer. Wishing all a safe and creative time at home. 

insect in a box

Just a quick post to join in with the latest Paperartsy Topic. I am sure I must be in good company with many crafters when I remember all the tiny things I made for and with matchboxes as a child. I was delighted to see the Challenge on the Paperartsy blog was Matchbox art this fortnight.

Of course I was busy and this is a last minute rush to enter. I made a new bug box with some Graphic 45 Nature's Sketchbook paper, Seth Apter's Vintage Beeswax embossing powder and Tim Holtz stamp sets.

I used one of the beetles I had made when my new Entomology dies arrived.

I love this nature themed paper and have been saving it for special project. This little box is perfect way to use a little of it. I was so happy to see it's shine once the embossing layers were built up. It makes the paper seem even more precious, like jewels and without any gold for once! I really enjoyed this little break from the Christmas card making.

Link to the Paperartsy Challenge #21 Matchbox art
also to:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is Anything Goes this week.

Wednesday's Workdesk lots of Mint, Sage, Claret and Gold

Checking in with Whats On Your Workdesk Wed again. More time is spent at your desk 'not making a project' than producing a project. The things that turn out to be a project for me they are the ones that fly along. I think I resolve things when I have a clear path in mind an end rather than a starting point. I know that is not how it works for everyone. I admire people who can just start to play and end up with something amazing. I am definitely a planner.

WOYWW is a great prompt to share the stuff you do that may not otherwise see the light of day - stuff that might be interesting to others but is not 'a thing.' I suppose Journals are a bit like that but people tend to post pages that are resolved from their journal rather than those still hanging in the air. Well here's today's desk:

Ive been playing with lots of paint, ink, infusions, embossing powder, lots of different media but all in one palette Mint, Sage, Claret and Gold. Paperartsy's latest Challenge suggests these colours. So far its all experiments.

I am not sure where they will go. last month I spent ages trying transfer techniques. All interesting but none that I used to make 'a thing' with. I am enjoying this play and I like a lot more of the results. I am planning to carry on for another day and then tidy up and actually use them.

Hope you having fun at your desk this week. Thanks for calling in to mine. x

If you haven't heard of WOYWW Its been going since 2009. Julia Dunnit, who began it, says she started it "because I'm nosey and wanted to see what other people have got and what other people do at their desks whilst I'm busy procrastinating."

Bit like most of the Internet then!  I like this outlet for the chaos that sometimes reigns on my desk or head.

Sweetbriar Paper doll

At last got time today to do some stamping and blogging. After a week where I got no time I had all weekend to craft. Of course once I was free I could not get back into it at all. Sometimes everything seems to turn to mush.  I especially wanted to join in the Paperartsy theme this fortnight which was paper dolls. With only 3 hours I got out my old Sizzix fairy die and cut out the pieces from watercolour paper. A short deadline is never a good thing for creating and  I threw several attempts in the bin.

These were decorated with oxide inks and a little archival ink in darker colours to add some script details.

I used Lynne Perrella's Sweetbriar stamp to make the head of my paper lady adding colour to the flowers in her hair. Happily then I found I had perfect purple brads to assemble her with.

Next I cut and inked a bodice from German book paper and a skirt in watercolour paper. I used similar colours to add colour and pattern to these.

It is not the doll I set out to make but then that is often how it goes. If I can steal enough time this week I will keep going and make a few more.

Thanks for your visit and hope your muse is flowing.

Im entering this in Paperartsy Paper Dolls topic
Joining in with happylittlestampers Anything goes with dies
And another die cut challenge at MOO-MANIA 

Paper Boat on a Caribbean Sea

I have made things with paper and card since I was a little girl but origami still defeats me. I have tried it often but it really is not my forte - that is probably why I enjoy making paper boats it is the only folded form I can make with any success. When I noticed the May theme for A Vintage Journey was Words and Music I thought I would try a boat and use the song Caribbean Blue by Enya. This song was very much part of my early romance with my husband and I love music and the lyrics's imagery of sailing away to a blue sea.

I used a sheet of vintage music coloured with distress ink and perfect pearls.I also used lots of stencils to produce seaweed, bubbles and wave patterns. Once the boat was folded I stamped with archival and edged the boat with lots of my favorite Emerald Creek/Seth Apter embossing powder - in "Deep Sea" of course!

I decided to use the clean up wipe for making the sail as it was such lovely colours and had a great windswept shape to it.
Hope everyone is enjoying the balmy weather we have had here in Ireland, long may it last.

Simon Says Stamp  is also challenging everyone to make something Inspired by a Song link
A Vintage Journey Words and Music link
Also joining Creative Artiste Challenge #38

Fairy Birthday Box

This box is for my daughters birthday. It is empty so I can use it for her gift and the lid is plain as I will put her birthday message onto it. I have a few weeks until her birthday but I wanted to join in with the latest Paperartsy Challenge which is "Boxes" I did manage a few pictures of the process although sometimes I was working at night which shows up the limits of my photo set up, sorry if the pics. are a bit dark. It stretched over three days so Its a long post.
I started with the Sizzix 3-D Block/Cube/Bank die by Eileen Hull. I used heavy watercolor paper. First I coloured it with regular distress ink in Victorian Velvet, Abandoned Coral, Twisted Citron, Forest Moss and Mowed Lawn.

Next I stamped text and an old Prima stamp with Versafine Spanish moss ink. Then I mixed up Paperartsy Grunge paste with a few drops of distress reinker in Forest Moss, Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn. I used a Dreamweaver Maidenhead fern stencil to add some foliage in areas around the box.

While that dried I made a lot of butterflies and flowers. For the butterflies I made three distress oxide wrinkle free background. I used Worn Lipstick and Seedless Preserves, twisted citron and Broken China, and Worn Lipstick and Broken China. 

 I die cut lots of butterflies with the Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers butterflies and a Memory Box Willoughby Butterfly Wings die. I also used a Martha Stewart punch to cut tiny butterflies.

I stamped detail onto them all using lots of tiny Graphic 45 stamps and Leaf Green, Rose Madder and Aquamarine Archival ink. I then edged them with distress ink. I made flowers using another old Prima stamp and a Scrapcosy stamp from her ESC03 set. I stamped them out in watering Can Archival ink and then coloured them in distress ink using a water brush pen.

I made sure to go over the edges where I would be cutting so there would be no white paper showing after I fussycut them out. The fairy was one I made earlier on the computer. I had to put this picture in as the camera caught her sparkle.

Once I had all my pieces I assembled the box adding a snippet of paper from an old copy of the secret garden.

I tried to make break the sharp edges of the box with the foliage and butterflies.

I finished just in time and the sun is shining so it is great for the photographs.

I am off into my garden now to enjoy the flowers and sunshine, and who knows maybe a fairy too! Thanks for visiting and hope you have lots of sunshine and flowers wherever you are.

Im entering this in:
 Paperartsy  Challenge 2018 topic 8 BOXES
Also Craft Stamper May Challenge

Circus Art Blocks

I made lots of these sets of picture blocks for gifts over the last few years but these ones were made for myself. Like lots of the things I make they are nearly always given away. I am going to try and make more things that can decorate our own house this year.

 

 

These are like children's puzzle blocks they look great and use up those lovely scraps of paper. Each side gives you a chance to really appreciate the detail on papers. These blocks use paper from Le Cirque paper an old Graphic 45 collection. They look great as complete pictures or randomly arranged, the trapeze lady is my favorite side.

The blocks are recycled from old chair legs by my husband and the edges are finished with Tim Holtz crackle paint in antique linen. I have a few old tubs I am trying to use up before they go completely solid. These blocks are a favorite with all my visiting nephews and nieces.

Graphic 45 Album

Album using Graphic 45 papers from the Artisan Style and By the Sea paper collections. This album was made for keeping pictures of my Dad who we lost recently. I made the album for my Mum. As she gets a bit confused I have kept to a very simple clear structure for the pages with just a few flaps and easy to spot pockets.

I think my favorite part of the album is this little book which holds some of his old passport photos.

I have tried to use papers that have meaning for my mum and Dad. As they live by the sea I have added some paper from the “By the Sea” collection.

My parents have lived in Spain for years, the houses on this paper remind me of Barcelona they look bright and sunny and very European.

I love that graphic45 make coordinating stamps for the paper. The sets for this collection (Artisan Style) are gorgeous and I have used lots of stamping on plain coloured cardstock to make photo mats and decorate the pages.

I could not resist turning the doors into a little photo spot. I have also used stamps to add paint brushes and music as Dad played the Guitar and painted all his life. He also wrote and loved books so pens and books appear throughout. He was a colourful character who lived a full and creative life and the bright rich colours of G45 paper reflect this. I am entering this in the Mini Album Makers Challenge for March. https://minialbummakers.blogspot.co.uk/

Book Envelope Upcycling no. 2

Secret Garden Envelope

More magical recycling, this gift envelope is made from a damaged copy of The Secret garden. I loved this story as a child and it seemed a shame to let this old copy go into the bin because it had pages missing. A ten minute  project and I can give it away page by page. You could use an old button instead of the brad if you have none of those hanging about. The bird is an Inkadinkado stamp.

Just as well it is a 10 min. project. I have had a mad day taking the cat to the vet. His legs are bandaged up after a car accident and he is confined to a cage. Add that to shopping day and taxi services and craft has to take a back seat.

Alice in Wonderland Theatre Upcycling No.1

 

Recycling a votive candle box

Made this for a birthday gift.  I love Alice in Wonderland stuff and the Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland goes great with this Bo Bunny Timepeice paper.  The Characters are all cut from G45 paper and glued onto acetate strips and can be used to perform on (or rather in) the theatre.

This is the first of a series on upcycling. I am going to make things out of stuff headed for the bin. There is so much we buy to make crafts including card so I will try and turn it around - save money and the planet, one gift at a time.