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!

12 Tags of 2013 - September

Procrastinate much?  I'm working on my 'closure issues' and trying to finish up the 12 Tags of 2013.  ;)  As I've mentioned before (and I'm sure you've noticed if you've followed along for any amount of time) that I became addicted to ATCs some time around August.  I completely set aside all of my other little obsessions - cards and tags - and went on an ATC-making binge. While I've thoroughly enjoyed making ATCs, it has been bugging me that I didn't finish out 2013 with the tags.  Here goes...

In September Tim made a beautiful tag using Distress Stains, Distress Paint, embossing paste, stencils, etc.  (See his tags here: http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-2013-september/)  I borrowed a lot of his ideas for my tag.

Embossing paste through a cityscape stencil

Distress Paints through stencils

I feel like I've lost my tag mojo a bit - something seems to be missing from this - but I'm sure if I keep plugging away at those 2013 tags (only 4 to go!) I'll get it back.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Wicked Wednesday Challenge - Zombies Need Love Too

I know, weird, right?  But the theme this week at Wicked Wednesday did crack me up.  Apparently so much so that I got my hand signals confused!  So I'm offering up two ATCs for your viewing pleasure today (both of which my daughter laughed at and said, "Ewww...".)

Title: Zombie Love

Title: Hang Loose Zombie

So ... yeah...  Happy Valentines' Day?

Wicked Wednesday - Your Favorite Team Colors

I'm proud of the Seahawks.  I really am.  And I'll be watching the Superbowl on Feb. 2nd, but they're not really my team.  My team is the Seattle Sounders.  I love these guys!  My neighbors know when the MLS season starts back up again because Saturdays will find me yelling and cheering on the boys in green.  And I'm LOUD.  My husband thinks it's very funny.

I'm such a dork.  I was so excited to make this ATC for the Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge this week.  Training camp started this Saturday and I sat here watching First Day back videos while I made this. (I had been wanting to use the background stamp as a soccer net for ages!)

As luck would have it, Sounders colors and Seahawks colors are really close so I'll look all spiffy in my blue & green on Superbowl Sunday, but you and I know who I really wear those colors for .

Go Seattle!

Journal 52 - Week 3

I was a little behind on Week 2 so Week 3 is right on its heels.  First thing I thought of with the "Smile" theme for this week was my children.  They really do crack me up on a regular basis.  Wonderful and funny little human beings, they are.  But then I ran across this picture from an outing last month.  What a great night!  My sisters, unbeknownst to moi, had schemed and planned a surprise girls' weekend for my birthday.

 
We aren't able to get together very often since we live in different states, but it is always a great time when we do.  Cheeks aching, side-hurting belly laughs and lots of side-long glances from strangers wondering what we've been ingesting.  We're all very different even so, not only do we share the same genetic material but also odd senses of humor and an appreciation for the slightly off-kilter.

They bring out the best version of me.  I don't know that I've let them know this (on the to-do list now) but they really do.  I'm really glad this page evolved into something different than I envisioned.  No doubt, every time I run across it I will definitely break into a grin.

Stuff I used:
Dylusions spray inks
Modeling paste
Random paper scraps
Washi tape
Pitt pens
Zig pen
Stencil

Happy Friday!