I think I'm getting better?

Hmm, possibly the mojo is trickling back?  Dunno for sure, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :)
This card came out of nowhere... no plan, no idea of what I was doing!  I (finally) inked up this gorgeous stamp from Stampers Anonymous that my very best friend gave me.  I've wanted this stamp for some time - the girlfriends always come through, don't they?

First I brayered some Ranger dye ink onto glossy paper (Hydrangea, I think) then stamped the angel in black VersaFine & clear embossed it.  Once it had cooled I painted the angel with bleach - several coats in some places.  It dried blotchy (the glossy paper, I think) but I thought it still looked cool enough to use.  I painted some Glimmer Glaze (in Sugarcane) on the flesh parts since I didn't like the blotches on her face and a bit of white Smooch on her wings (although, as usual, you can't see it in the pic).  Finally I trimmed her out as closely as I could and added a light coat of Perfect Pearl mist - which shows up as lighter, splotchy looking color especially in the purple areas near the top.
I stamped the border along the edges of the card base and embossed in clear again.  After cooling, I masked them off and colored them with a Q-tip and 3 - 4 colors of Opalite ink to match the dye background.  I also dotted some smooch and glimmer glaze to tie the two parts together.  The embroidery floss was added (although I still question the gold strand - yes, it's actually a muted gold IRL) then popped up the stamped panel over them.
On a completely different subject, I also learned how to make the picture much, much bigger.  I haven't tried it before, so I don't know if the size will interfere with sidebars, etc when posted.  Do let me know if it takes a long time to load, or if it looks wonky - *please*?  Thank you! :D
Thanks for dropping by!

Agnes

One of the adorable stamps that I've gotten recently was Agnes, which is a Ketto stamp by Stamping Bella (sorry, I can't link directly to the actual stamp, just to the Ketto page. *sigh*).  I haven't had much time (or mojo!) lately, but I needed a quick & cute card to send to someone special.  Agnes was my first choice! :)

I also used a premade card by Doodlebug designs.  These are tri-fold cards, plain on the front and inside but with a pattern on the folded portion.  Did that make sense?  Found these at Archivers last time I was there and loved the bright, bold colors.
As you can see, after coloring Agnes with Copic markers, I cut her out and adhered her so that she shows through the window.  I used some really nice paper from Xpedx to stamp and color her on (it actually *is* wonderful for Copic blending) but I didn't take into account how THICK the paper was!  Oy, what a mess to try and cut this image out.  If you compare the original image to what I ended up with you'll see that I clipped some parts off - I just couldn't face anymore fussy cutting! :D
Here is a shot of the interior.  I just *had* to use this hysterical sentiment!  It says: "If you can't be a good example, be a dire warning."  It's PERFECT for the person that I sent it to!
You can slightly see the doodles I did on the pattern - nothing too obvious, but there is some VersaMarker and Spica pen in areas.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with my mojo intact.  Although I seem to be interested in things other than cards right now - bought myself a small art journal, we'll see what happens!
Thanks for dropping by!

Phases

Do you find that you go through phases with your stamping style?  Not necessarily major differences, but perhaps types of images (and coloring methods) that you gravitate toward in stages. I've been moving toward coloring images with pens and pencils and away from a looser interpretation with color washes and collage-y type elements.  I wonder if I'm the only one?
Don't get me wrong, I've always *appreciated* a gorgeously illustrated and colored image.  But I was never very good at coloring, shading, highlighting - in other words, making it look good! ;)  Now that I'm (much) older I really appreciate the time and effort that it takes to learn how to do it well.  I only wish that I'd gotten started sooner and had more time to practice.
This card is the reason why I ask!  I feel like I've breached a wall, made it into that 'zone' where colors come together the way they're supposed to! :)
(As always, click for a larger view.)

Unfortunately (as ever) the picture really doesn't do this card justice.  She (ching-chou kuik's Serenity) looks pale and, umm, uninteresting here.  IRL she is quite lovely - with the most delicate shading I've ever managed.  This lovely lady is actually a mermaid, but I wasn't feeling very mermaid-ish so I used a circle Nestie to cut out the main portion of the image.
The base of the card was cut from thick black card stock, then embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  I dabbed on two colors of green and rust Opalite ink (remember those?? LOVE 'em!) for a little extra color.  The shimmery gold card stock wasn't exactly the right color - so after cutting it with a Nestie, I ran a Copic around the outside edge to make it match her robe better.
The vines were, ummm, interesting! ;)  These were all cut from black paper using one corner vine die from Cuttlebug.  I think I used six?  Maybe seven.  Either way, once they were all cut out I snipped them apart and arranged them around the main image panel.  Trying to get them arranged in a pleasing way took a *very* long time.  Well over an hour - and it's not that big!  In hindsight, I should have dabbed the vines with Opalite ink *before* adhering them down, but I didn't.  I was just extra careful not to get ink all over!
Serenity was colored with a multitude of Copic markers and a variety of other goodies. :)  There is a hint of Pearl colored Perfect Pearl spray painted on where the light from the candle shines.  There are touches of green smooch on her robe (which show up as black in this pic)(*sigh*).  There is quite a bit of gold, yellow and tan Spica marker around the gold edges of her robe.  Some Glimmer Mist along the leaves and vines surrounding the moon and a little dab of Glossy Accents wherever there were beads in the image (hair, necklace, earrings, etc).  Here's a little better side view:

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Down and Dirty!

Here I am again! Two posts in one day - is it the end of the world?!? :D

I made this card while I had all the stuff out for the blog-o-log. The gesso was just tempting me... so I made several backgrounds (you'll see more of them later). This one wasn't very 'springy' so I kept it for a separate post.


First I stamped with gesso on white paper. Once that was dry I sprayed Amaretto and Pale Ale Memories Mist over it. It needed some glimmer - so the Pearl Glimmer Mist came out to play. Just a thin spritz where the two colors met. I did use a paper towel to blot the extra ink from the gesso. Not a lot came off, that Memories Mist dries ultra fast!
The man (my *new* Tim Holtz stamp!) was stamped over the dry background in Charcoal chalk ink. It stamped beautifully over the gesso. Unfortunately it stained my new stamp. That chalk ink is *never* coming off! Meh. At least you can tell that I love my stamps.
Finally I added some Scrapbook Nails. They're plastic, umm, sort of like brads but they have a piece that fastens on the back. Since I didn't think the color was working well, I coated them with my new Tim Holtz Distress Stickles! (Did I mention that Michael's got a bunch of cool new Tim stuff in? Awesome!) That panel was layered over a textured piece of black (that I rubbed with my Winter Rust Opalite pad) then on a copper colored card base.
Not exactly bright and colorful, but I really love how it all came together! How 'bout you?

Thanks for visiting!

I'm back... with an addition!

So... did you try it?! If you have, I'd *LOVE* to hear about your results! Any results, good or bad! After all, like I said in the tutorial post - I can't get better without some feedback. :)

I've been playing a little more with different combinations of ink and paint. I've discovered that Opalite pads work amazingly! Do you still have some of those? They were such a big deal when they came out, but much like mulberry paper, they seem to have fallen into obscurity. I can't believe it - I love those pads! Beautiful results, and they're sooo versatile!

OK, here's the card. Not my best work, but it shows the glimmer very well. The main image was black acrylic paint (same people as Lumiere's but the flat black I have is called Neopaque) and Winter Rust Opalite. Following the tutorial, I stamped first with the black paint then over stamped with ink. The brown cs is not dark enough to really make the Opalite pop, but the black base really helped that.

The card base is from a much darker brown, opalites really pop on that. I used my delicious Katzelkraft flourish with black VersaFine (and a Stamp A Ma Jig) to frame the bottom and side. Once that was dry I over stamped with Winter Rust (and the SAMJ) to give a little depth. That red ribbon isn't actually ribbon - it's 7 Gypsies fabric tape. DH actually suggested adding red, and I think he's right, but I really wanted some more of that Winter Rust color. I used post it notes to mask a thin line down the middle & colored it with more WR. It looks a little messy, but overall it added something necessary.

The pearls are from Kaiser - they were called 'Latte' but I colored them with Tim Holtz metallic mixative in Copper. They're also a little messy looking (grr). Have you noticed that the glue dots on the backs of those things aren't really the right size? They're either just a *touch* off center or just a bit too big! And yes, they hold alcohol ink just fine. *sigh*

Well, the main thing is that you can see how gorgeous Opalite looks over black paint! And it does, doesn't it?? :)

Thanks for visiting!

Back already?!?

Why, yes! I *am* back already! *lol*

I just finished making this card last night, took me until tonight to get a pic & 'prepare' it for my blog. When I saw this stamp in Mike's I knew I had to have it. I already had several ideas for cards, and I've made two of them. Soon I'll make some more... hope family & friends like it as much as I do!

There are a couple of things you should know about making this card. First is that the base is from Archiver's (called Polarized) back when they still sold 'normal' size bases. I haven't even bothered to pick up any more base cards from them since the change, can't seem to get excited about their new line. I'm sure that you can still get this card stock, maybe I've seen it from the Paper Cut? Oh, yup, linked it there for you. Anyway, it is white, but it also has a gold shimmer to it. Impossible to tell from the pic but absolutely there.

Second is that since my white stamping looked so flat (with the polarized cs) that I went over some of it with Golden Mist Opalite ink. Just a touch (used a blending stump cause it was handy!) so you can't see that in the pic either! :(

And third is that I had the *hardest* time trying to get those red flowers, well, RED. I wanted a nice deep, rich red. Not pink or purple - but RED. First I used prismacolor pencils. Ish. Then I tried ink, Distress & chalk. Still no go. I even bought a vial of ink (for calligraphy) and tried that! That white pigment ink just would not give up! Finally I used the dark red Glaze pen. Success! But just so you know, I did not use the pen by itself - the final piece is over pencil and calligraphy ink (your mileage may vary). You can see the dimension it added in this close up pic. I think for these flowers I liked the shiny effect of the Glaze pens, ties the crystals in with the flowers I think. And in case you can't tell, I used the same glaze pen all around the red layer to make the colors match. Even though I started with a red paper for the layer, the match looks great!

Finally, I know the ribbon looks crooked. It's not IRL, just appears that way because the glue under the crystals stuck the ribbon down too. Maybe someday I'll figure out better photo taking techniques... nah, too much stampin to do! :D

Thanks for visiting with me again! Hope you try some stamping on black!

Recipe: Flower by Hero Arts, Love by Rubber Soul, Ranger Snow Cap, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Opalites Golden Mist (also Distress Ink Brick Red), various prismacolor pencils, red calligraphy ink, Glaze pen in dark red, Satin edged organza ribbon, red swarovski crystals, pop dots, Glossy Accents, Polarized base

Another TJ technique

Hello! I'm stopping in today to post a picture that doesn't look great on screen, but has *mucho* shimmer IRL. This was called Opalite Smoosh (heh, I think it was!) and uses the opalite pad under the regular inks to give it gorgeous shine. There is no way to really give you a hint, but if you've played with opalite inks you can picture the golden/rusty shimmer coming through the distress inks. I hope you like it!

Recipe: stamp from Of the Heart, Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters & Fired Brick, Opalite inks in Golden Mist & Autumn Rust, Graphite Black ink, Mat from DCWV, black & white c/s, green ribbon & asian coin from my stash.

Finally working again!

Yay! Finally this crazy laptop is working again! I have an all new OS installed and am working on adding all the 'extra' programs that make life easier on the computer. However, my posting will still be a little sketchy. My grandpa is in the ICU down in southern New Mexico. So... dh, ds & I will be in the car tomorrow on our way down. I will have connection, but, well, you just never know....

So anyway, I thought I'd drop a little eye candy here while I'm able. :) Here's a card I made by accident. It was not at all what I intended, but I don't really think I had much intention when I started - just kinda slapped things together that I thought looked good.

When I look back at the things that I've posted I notice a lot of black. Hmmm, guess it seems like the perfect pair of shoes to me! :) I just like how it makes rich color *POP*, makes it seem more finished somehow.

I hope you enjoy. See you soon!

Recipe: Black & white c/s, fibers from Fibers by the Yard, blue Perfect Pearls by Ranger, Brilliance black ink, Gold Opalite ink, Waterfall ink pad from Ranger, Heart & Swirls bkgrd from Stampin Up, music from Club Stamp, squares from Stampabilities, and I can't even FIND my dancer stamp... think a little boy got to it?! *lol*