8 posts tagged “stamping”
In typical fashion, I had a list of things to do this weekend. Most of which pertained to gettin' crafty. There was "take stuff to storage" that I have yet to scratch off the list. Ugh, that is so mundane! I am proud to announce that while I have yet to take crap to the storage unit, I did indeed get crafty!
First, I finished a project that had been started a long time ago. I just realized that I have not blogged about the pieces, so it is really "new" to you! My very first attempt at beeswax collage (and second attempt) were two small-ish pieces, 5x7 and 6x9 roughly. I used some loose tarot cards along with pages from books, various metal ephemera and natural gemstones. I had them up on the wall, but the background for both is the plain eggshell color of canvas. Against the plain eggshell color of rental apartment walls, well--they pretty much just faded in. I decided to use some decorative paper as a mat of sorts.
The first collage is the bigger of the two. It has two tarot cards used, the Page of Rods and the Nine of Cups. They are obviously from different decks. I have an old key under wax, and a metal frame with a very small lion door knocker on the top. I used green and gold crayons to add color. The first layer includes a page from a Japanese book. Not sure which one, sorry. I also have a piece of garnet in between the cards. The green paper I choose really goes well with the muted tones of this piece.
The second collage is the smaller of the two. I actually used the lid from a cigar box for this. I think the lid was cut off because the box itself was used for the Grandma Shrines. This collage only has one tarot card, due to space issues. It is the Seven of Cups. I have a little image with a mermaid sitting pensive like under the sea on the bottom corner. The first layer is a page from a French book. Like the Japanese one, I do not know what book it is from. On top of the French page, I have a page ripped out from a separate book. The image is of a lion and the text under him reads "Tales of the Lost Land". I tried to incorporate some purple alcohol ink, but it came out a little screwy. I have a piece of Galena, which is a crystallie form of Silver and lead on the top right corner. I got the stone at The Guiding Tree. The paper I choose is an irredescent orange paper that reminds me of Rainbow Brite's dress, but in orange instead of blue. It really pulls out the orange tones of the French paper.
I enjoy incorporating symbolism in my collage's. You can pretty much guarantee that the cards and items chosen for these pieces have meaning. I will let you do the research!
The second project that I completed was a collage using a four-set picture of myself. The picture was taken last year, 6/7/08, at a wedding. It was pretty much one of the last things me and the ex did before The Big Split. The couple had a photo booth for their guests to jump in and get their pic taken. The idea was that you were to leave the pic in a vase for the couple. For whatever reason, we decided to keep ours. Maybe it was to cherish the precious memories of being completely uncomfortable and loveless. Or maybe because I knew it would make a fantastic collage!
The third project I completed was part of an idea that has been hatching in my brain for some time now. It is part of a series, I think. I have a bunch of very decorative and pretty 12x12 paper that I always thought were too pretty some how to be covered up with pictures and tossed in a scrapbook. I thought it would be cool to just have the paper almost as a focal point of the collages. Since I enjoy words, I decided to use different ones that I liked on these collages. The first completed one is 'Adventure'.
The big green swirly thing (in the second and last pic) is more of the Grungeboard, this time painted Citrus with the acrylic paint dabber by Adirondack (Ranger) who, interesting tidbit, also act as Tim Holtz' pimps. Really! I brushed the edge of the swirl using a different sponge dauber with Versacolor Violet pigment ink. I prefer pigment inks to dye, in general. Versacolor is made by Tsukineko, the same people who make the sponge dauber. See, it is all very incestuous!
The second pic also shows words that I wanted to include that go with "Adventure". I wrote in the most perfect penmanship that I could muster: self reliance, love, thrift, character, strength, toughness, adaptability, balance, clarity, courage, honor, poise, abandon and hope.
The tag hanging off the swirl has two quotes written on either side. One side says "Tolerate no hindrance to your seeking" and the other side says "The combination of wild inspiration and out of hand imagination".
The fifth image shows the word 'Adventure'. I used Technique Tuesday alphabet stamps in the font Serendipity. I stamped the letters on to a light tagboard in Opera Pink. I embossed the letters using a clear glitter embossing powder. I then-ready for this- cut out each letter!!! Geez, and I say I have no patience! Well, I now have carpal tunnel! It was worth it though. I think it looks really great.
This piece was inspired by the words of Reid Stowe, who so eloquently describes his journey of love, exploration and adventure for all to see at his blog. I received inspiration for this piece from his January 11th entry. I tried to give a direct link to that date, but was not able to. Thanks, Reid for the wonderful inspiration! Keep on keepin' on!
Paper from Paper Zone. Stamps from Rachael's endless supply of stamps. Ink and ribbon-- using what I had! Woot woot! Rachael encouraged me to work outside of my comfort zone. I typically make ONE style of card. I could not pick between the stamps. She said in a very matter of a fact tone, "well, make two different cards then". Logic! Damn it!! I love the use of non-traditional colors. Purple and orange! Wonderful!
Oh, the bottom stamp on the left card, note to all embossers-- tiny fonts do NOT emboss well. It is supposed to read " Peace and Joy come to you". What people see on their card" Peac and Joy come uoiuiukljkl". Oh well. It is the thought that counts right? I sure hope so, because those two cards? They were supposed to have been sent. You know, before Christmas. I just took this picture. January 7th. Sigh. Remember, it is the thought that counts.
I am sorry to my one reader, the accidental one, that I have not posted in almost 3 months!! But, rest assured, it is because I have not created in OVER three months.
Here is one reason why:
I feel like a druggie at NA. Exposed and vulnerable. That is my so-called "craft area". One could also call it "shithole", "total mess" or "black hole of death". All would be appropriate. Here is how it happened. I am in a funk. Noted, right? Except that doesn't stop me from BUYING crap! So I would bring my purchases home, fling the bag on top of the desk. Yea, I know what you are thinking. There is a desk under there? Yep. I would toss it on without a care, because I knew I wasn't going to be using it any time soon. Well that started a vicious cycle. Because who would create with that mountain of junk looming at them? So, on Memorial Day, I turned on TV, watched Waynes World 1 & 2, Spaceballs and one episode of Futurama and... organized! I have more crap than I know what to do with. I told my friend Rachael that I have placed a "no craft shopping" hold on myself. You know, till I actually use what I have!!! I do not have any 'after' photos, because I said I organized, not that I made it pretty. It is functional. And after looking at all my crap, I might actually feel inspired. Except this weekend marks the beginning of Summer Wedding Bonanza-- first wedding of the season. And guess what?
Ha! I don't! Stamp by Catslife Press. I have not used it. But, because I am a huge dork, I write the date I acquire the stamp on the side. You can see the evidence in this picture. I guess it is so I can say, yes- I have had this stamp for nearly a year and have never used it. Way to go. Or it is because I secretly yearn to be a librarian. I do.
It was a very successful Saturday. I got so much accomplished, I did not get out of jammies and shower till 4pm! It is because I was busy finishing Christmas cards, making to/from tags
(the paper and the stamp are from the Christmas card, see- tying it all together!!!), finished the beeswax collages (both) and repaired 2 that needed it. Plus I wrapped some gifts. I finished watching the movie Happy Endings. I ate some Bellagios Mother Earth pizza (YUM!). I did not decorate for Christmas just yet, I think that is in todays cards.
Speaking of cards, since I don't want to spoil the surprise of this years cards for anyone before they receive them, I will show 2005's. I think they are super cute and clever.
Can you even handle how cute this is!! It is made from a lunch sack!. There are only 2 stamps used here, the girl with gifts-Hero Arts and the star background-Rubber Soul. I could not find appropriate sayings stamps, so I printed my own on cardstock. All three top components ran through my Xyron machine. Boy is that handy.
Here is a full shot of the card, so you can fully understand how the lunch sack concept works.
I loved this idea so much, I am gonna have to pull it out again for another card, that is for sure!!
Today, I am gonna finish that pizza, decorate, and go down to Hawthorne Blvd to do some Christmas shopping.
So, I have made 2 cards this past week, one was for a wedding, that I tried to scan as I was getting ready to go and the scanner behaved in typical technology-in-a-rush fashion, and would not scan completely. Had to go give the card to the newlyweds, dammit! I did get the front of the card.
The poem reads: She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye would wake her heart to a sudden glow; She found in his face the familiar grace of a friend she used to know. ~Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
On the inside top panel of the card, I included the photo of Matt and Olive, the grooms dog. She has a HUGE crush on Matt. They know this. It is supposed to be funny. On the second/bottom panel, I added our personal message, and also a little 'pocket' of sorts to put a money gift in.
Can you even handle how enamored Olive is with Matthew?!?! This is while in the car driving to the coast during my Birthday weekend.
Then, I made super cool Thanksgiving invitations for the relatives and mailed them out. But they were mostly printed stuff rather than crafty-clever. I did not get them scanned at all.
I am making this card for a thank you for some people that we had dinner with while in LA a few weeks ago. This is four pieces of tagboard stamped with a cool Thank you Collage stamp from Hero Arts with clear ink. I embossed it with three different color powders: gold, denim and antique linen. That was the first time I ahd ever done that, I think I will use the technique again, I really like it! I knew I wanted to conect all the pieces with jump rings. But the piece needed more color. So I used some of my beloved Lumiere paints by Jacquard to paint a border. I think it looks really cool! Please note that this is not on a card yet. I need to mount and mail!! Oh yes, you can see a live sample at Collage in the stamp section!
One idea that was included in the shower was this votive. At the Shower, I had a sheet of paper out and as you left the party, you were to leave your email and take a votive. I would then email everyone when Azure goes into labor, you would light the candle and send good thoughts or a prayer out for her and baby! Sadly, a lot of people snuck out of the shower early and did not grab a votive! Oh well!
I used old Gerber babyfood jars (The Del Monte ones are shaped different, and you can't fit a tealight candle into the mouth of the jar). Anyhow, the initial idea was to make a label around it with a baby picture of Azure. But the Gerber jars are short and squat, so that would not work. Then I thought on the lid! But, she could not find any pics, so since her theme is Safari/Jungle-esque, I went with the cute mama and baby giraffe stamp by Savvy Stamps. You can't see from this picture, but the giraffe's spots are hearts! How cute! I stamped the image in Versamark and embossed with Ultra Chocolate embossing powder from Embossing Powder Candy Store out of Bellevue, WA, purchased at Art House. I then glued a small piece of ribbon around the outside of the lid. I used Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! adhesive. It works really well!
Stamp, ribbon and adhesive picked up while working at Collage.
Leave the advice/wishes tag and your email, grab a votive!
I bought a 5 pack of Gerber Onesies and used Versacraft stamp ink. I also used Fabrico pens to color in the flower. I wished I could have found a pack of colored onesies. White is just so boring, and I totally ran out of time to dye it myself.
This one makes me laugh! I bought the 'Hello my name is' stamp and wrote in "Squishy" because it makes me giggle!
This one I joke is mostly for the father, so he knows which end to put the bottle and the diaper! The front says "Milk In".
And of course, the back says "Crap Out". If there is one thing you can count on me for, it is the scatological humor! Love it!
This is a necklace made with a microscope slide and a slide mount. If you are especially crafty, you can forgo the slide mount and solder it, but I do not have that talent or knowledge. Yet. This is by far the easier way, but likewise, the more expensive.
Anyhow. The image of the mermaid is one I found on a Rubber Stamp Madness magazine postcard. I did not draw or color this image. What I did do, was cut the portion of the image I thought was the most attractive. Then I used alcohol inks to color a "frame" around the image on the slide. Alcohol inks are cool like that, you can color glass, metal- anything unusually slick.
The reverse side of the necklace (which is the cool thing about microscope slides, as opposed to say, dominos, there is two sides to decorate!) has the definition of 'Believe' stamped on it. I had to use StazOn Ink for the stamp because that pretty red paper is coated and is very slick. Super easy and cute. My favorite things combined! All items for this necklace were purchased at Collage.
My Groups
-
I made this. Updated: Yesterday
-
Beads and Beading Updated: Yesterday
-
Crafts from everywhere ! Updated: 2 days ago
Neighborhood
Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.
