Don't let the twins babysit!

The Stampotique Designers Challenge this week is Perfect Pairs.  I combined this challenge with the ATC swap on Stampotique's Facebook page which has an Outside the Box theme.  I fear my pair may be a bit imperfect, or maybe perfectly evil geniuses.  They are teenage twins babysitting their little brother while mom and dad go out on a date night.  To make him behave they've stuck him in a cardboard box.  Terrible.

  

Enjoy.  ;)

12 Tags of 2014 - February

Hey, it's not even the last day of February and I've got my 'tag' finished!  This month Tim used stencils, embossing, and a faux chalkboard technique on his tag.  See his HERE.  I created an ATC inspired by his tag with mixed results.

 

 

I created my background using a technique similar to his.  I schmeared some Pumice Stone and Walnut Stain Distress Inks on my craft mat and gave them a spritz with water.  Using a base of white cardstock, I dragged it through the inks, dried with a heat gun, and dragged it through the leftover ink again, dried, etc. until all of the ink was used up.  I distressed the edges with scissors and then inked them up with Walnut Stain.

I don't have a heart stencil so opted for a heart border stamp instead.  Using Fired Brick and Barn Door Distress Inks I stamped over the dried cardstock.  I immediately dumped clear embossing powder over the top and then heated it.  The embossing powder didn't stick very well - kind of spotty - but it's a background so no worries.

My chalkboard sentiment failed the first time (since I didn't read directions!).  I used Versamark ink and clear embossing powder on black cardstock and heated it thoroughly.  The chalk didn't stick since it was shiny.  Oops.  I repeated it heating only until it first started melting.  My result is okay, but it's a little hard to read.  Maybe because the font is fine-lined?  Or because I used Versamark and regular embossing powder?  Regardless, it's still legible.

Next, I liked Tim's metallic border but don't have the fancy stickers.  I went with metal tape, an embossing folder and a scallop border die instead.  After I cut the border I dabbed alcohol ink over the top.

 To put it all together and finish it off, I went with an inked up book page ripped into the shape of a heart and some red and brown bakers twine.

I'm still undecided if this is a success or not, but I had never tried embossing with Distress Inks or the faux chalkboard techique before - both of which I'd wanted to try.  So in that sense, it's a success.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy (Belated) Valentines' Day!

Chanelling Eric Carle - Canvases for My Preschool Classroom

I think I've mentioned before that I teach preschool.  We moved locations this school year and when we were setting up the classroom (way back in September) somebody asked me if I could make some art for the walls.  I agreed right away as I love working on canvases.  Lots of ideas swam in my head but I kept coming back to Eric Carle.  Even if you don't recognize his name you will surely recognize some of his books.  They are classics for the younger peeps.

I finally got around to creating them this weekend.  Eric uses painted tissue paper to create his masterpieces.  I had never tried this before but decided to give it a whirl.  What a blast!  Here's a pic of some of the papers I came  up with.

Super easy to do with regular ol' white gift wrapping tissue paper, acrylics and matte medium for gluing.  I used 11 x 14 cheap canvases from Hobby Lobby for the base.

I think they'll look pretty cool hung together since the papers are used throughout the whole batch.
Thanks for stopping by!