Ink Splatter tags

On AFTCM, the latest theme for the October tags is Ink Splatters.

I thought that White glossy paper would work best for this technique so I cut some tag shapes from it.

For the first tag and for the first one I used alcohol inks.

I dropped the inks on the cardstock then used compressed air to blow them around. The can was running out so I didn't achieve the same effect that Tim does when he demonstrates this technique, however, I am happy with it.

Using Rangers Pitch Black archival ink, I stamped the Graphics 45 stamps on the tag. On a scrap piece of cardstock I stamped the PSX sentiment and attached it with double-sided foam tape.

I outlined the edges of the tag with a red marker and attached some foil trim to the top. And of course, added a red reinforcement to the hole and strung some cording through it.

For the second tag, I decided to use the Rangers (Tim Holtz) Distress Stains to create the ink splatters. I just thumped each colour down on the cardstock and they spread nicely.

I stamped the Hero Arts stamp with archival ink then added the Magenta stamp at the bottom using the same ink. I coloured  a piece of scrap cardstock with yellow dye ink, stamped the Hero Arts flower and cut it out. I attached this by the bird with double-sided foam tape.

I outlined the edges with a black marker then added a green metallic reinforcement to the hole and attached the black and silver fibres.

Altered Pringles Can

On AFTCM we did a swap where we altered a Pringles potato chip can with a steampunk theme.

For mine I covered the can with some scrapbook paper. For the top portion I embossed some flashing tape then added some alcohol inks to give it some color.

 I had some Graphics 45 steampunk papers and cut out several images and attached them with double- sided foam tape. I added some tiny roses to the two ladies heads.

Glued some cogs, a watch face and some other items around the can. Stamped a ticket and a sentiment and attached it.

I covered the lid with the same scrapbook paper that I had used to cover the can.

I had discovered a video on Youtube using the Tim Holtz movers and shapers mini clock die ( sorry can't find the link right now) and decided that I would do a steampunk version to put on top of the lid.

I cut the die 6 times out of some medium weight chip board then painted the outside portion black. Colored the hands with a silver paint pen and embossed the "bells", top and legs with copper embossing powder.

I cut the legs off two of the pieces and sandwiched them in the middle. I inserted a piece of acrylic and some scrapbook paper behind the front piece and another piece of acrylic and a pocket watch face on the back piece. Then I glued them all together. I added some tiny cogs on the outside of the front. I glued a large cog to to a piece of popsicle stick then atached the clock. I then added some large gears to hide it and help keep it in place and finished it with a couple of gold dewdrops on the side.

circus wagon

On AFTCM there was a swap to create a circus wagon.

I had many ideas but finally settled on using some chipboard pieces that I had on hand, which are the front and back. For the bottom I used some heavy cardboard and for the top and sides, I cut out pieces of chipboard to fit.

I used some scrapbook papers from my stash, but felt they did not convey the circus theme well enough. However, I was able to get a few sheets of the Le Cirque Graphics 45 papers from the Inked Stamper, which had lots of great images that fit the theme perfectly.

After adhering all the various papers and image to the piece I wanted to add more embellishments to make it look more authentic. When putting away some rubber stamps and dies that I had bought at the the Great Canadian Scrapbook Festival, I realized that the window and door die and stamps from Heartfelt Creations would be perfect for the wagon.  I cut them out and used the coordinating stamp on the door. I also stamped the lanterns from the Decorative Metal Fixtures set, coloured them, added glossy accents and attached them to the side of the door. To complete the doors and windows I printed off some freebie images from Gaby's and Belinda's blog and placed them behind the dies with some acetate.

After completing the various elements, I glued it all together with wood glue.

For the roof I added some metallic coloured dew drops to simulate lights on the wagon. I found an old bottle lid on my desk and covered it with some of the Graphics 45 borders, then added the whirly piece at the top and glued it to the top of the wagon, thinking that it looked like a fan. I did not glue the lid in place, as I thought that the wagon could be used to store items inside.

I wanted to add some wheels on the base and to add stability I attached a clear acrylic lid from an old candy box. I cut up some wine cork and glued them to the base, then attached bottle caps into which I had inserted cardstock pieces and stickers, gears (coloured with inks and Perfect Pearls) and more Dew Drops.

As a final touch I made a tiny fortune teller sign to sit on the step.

The wagon is at it's new home, and I am pleased to hear that the recipient was very happy with it.

Dorothy Where are You? Shadow Box Altered Book

On AFTCM I am participating in a shadow box book swap. That is, we take an old hard cover book and make a niche in it, then create a scene, etc with the theme of "Dorothy where are you"?

I found a youtube video tutorial and used it to make the niche and glue the pages together, and did each step on separate nights.  I painted the book and the sides with black acrylic paint and added some copper paint in various spot.

I went to my local stamp store and was fortunate to get some Graphics 45 paper on sale with the Wizard of Oz theme. I selected several images and cut them out.

I tore some of book pages that came out of the niche and glued them to the cover then did a black color wash over them. I took a frame that I found at the dollar store and coloured it with alcohol inks. Set this aside while I printed off an image of a castle from Dover publications, in two different sizes.

I took a die cut shoe, some German Scraps trim, a label holder die cut, and some metal flower pieces and covered them with clear embossing ink, then added "stamp and stick" embossing powder then covered them with Glitter Ritz glitter.I added a coloured pearl to the centre of the flowers .

I taped a green piece of cardstock to the centre of the cover and framed it with the altered German Scraps.  I took the the two images that I had printed off and coloured them with artist chalks and set them with some fixative. I cut it down the smaller one to fit inside the frame and attached it to the book cover. I added the label holder with "where's Dorothy" underneath.

To make the shoe look a bit more like Dorothy's I added a wee bow and a clear gem and adhered it to the bottom corner. The flowers went on the top left corner. To finish the cover I added a book corner on the other corners.

I then proceeded to work on the inside of the book. On the left-hand side I used the checkered paper as a base, adding some variegated purple paper and some red glittered tape. Glued the scarecrow image, Toto the good and bad witches on. I stamped a Tim Holtz ticket and saying on the purple paper and attached it to the bottom.

I used the larger image from Dover Publications in the niche; my version of the Emerald City since I could not find any copyright free images of it. I used the same glittered red piece at the top of the page and added gems and the Journey embellishment. I put the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow in place with two layers of double-sided foam tape on the back to give them dimension. 

I took some trim and added it around the niche so the inside edges of the niche are not visible and glued some ribbon around the edges. To hide the joins in the trim, I attached four book corners.

I did not use Dorothy anywhere in the book except the back cover. In AFTCM we have the artistic license to create and interpret the theme in our own way and challenge ourselves, therefore,  I chose to have her missing rather than in a specific place in the Land of OZ.

To be honest, I really waited until I had finished the book before signing up for the swap as I was not sure I could accomplish something that I would feel good about sending to someone. Now it is completed I am happy with it and I enjoyed the journey and the challenge.

L technique in A-Z techniques

Continuing on with the A-Z techniques in ArtVentures the latest is L. Initially I had made some ATC's using the Lumiere paint scraping technique, a lattice border and a love stamp. I was not entirely happy with them so I made another set using a different technique and I can use the original ones for RAKS.

The technique that  I decided to use for the L technique to send out to the participants is the layered background technique from Hero Arts and some Graphic 45 lady images.

I cut my watercolour paper to size and stamped embossed a small  Hero Arts  stamp in white. I added the Old Paper distress ink on a clear acrylic block, spritzed with water and placed it on the paper allowing the colour to seep into the paper.

I then stamped a Magenta background stamp over the top (I stamped off a couple of times to make it lighter). I added several colours of distress ink to a craft sheet and wiggled a Penny Black stamp over the inks, spritzed it with water and stamped onto the background.

To complete the cards I cut out some ladies from Graphics 45 paper.