Suzz's Permanently Perfect

Hi!  Suzz here. I hardly ever do perfect... Part of the reason I love the vintage grunge style of crafting is that I don't have to worry about that extra smudge. :)  I love archival inks and the variety of colors along with the ability to not smudge anything and dry quickly!  

The beauty of the archival ink is the ability to use other mediums which you can blend and spray without losing the sharpness of the inked image. I also love the various colors which can be paired with watercolors to change the way the image looks.  I decided to use the same image and ink it up with three different archival inks and color the image with the same watercolor to show  how the outline ink can change your art and how it appears. 

I started with three scraps of paper that I cut into a tag shape.  I then stamped the flower with three different archival inks.  

For my next step I used a pink watercolor pencil and a water brush to add shading to the flowers. 

I loved the effect of all three flowers and how they looked different just because of the ink used on the outline stamp.  The watercolor pencil was the same for all three and yet each flower looks like they have a different shade of pink and green.  

I also used the archival ink to ink up the edges of the tag all around just create a nice crisp line.

Then I took each flower and created a different background  using a mix of distress inks, distress ink sprays, and archival inks to add texture and interest. 

On this first tag I stamped the flower on a scrap paper and cut the flower head out and laid it over my tag's flower.  I then stamped the field label using black archival ink in an alternating pattern.  I then used post it notes to mask off the rectangles to sponge in distress oxide ink in the alternating rectangles. 

I finished with a stamped sentiment which was cut and applied at different angles.  

For the next tag I used a new stencil with the same distress ink to add a little visual effect in the background of the tag. 

I could have used the mask but because I was randomly applying the distress ink, I just sponged around the flower.  

I also used a watercolor pencil (black) to add a hint of shading around my flower to make it pop from the paper.  I used a water brush to soften the shading of the black watercolor and was able to do this because the archival ink will not respond to the water brush. 

I added a hint of distress spray inks to the background and use the same effect on another piece of card-stock to stamp my sentiment and apply. 

For my final tag I wanted to use the archival ink to add the pattern to the background of the tag.

I stamped the pattern using the same archival ink.  The pattern started to take away the focus on the flowers so I smeared watered down white acrylic paint to soften the effect of the archival ink.  

I added shading again with the black watercolor pencil around the outlines of the flowers to make them really stand out.  I finished with a splatter of distress oxide stain spray spritzed onto my craft mat and picked up randomly onto my tag. 

I hope this inspired you to try out your various archival inks in a fun way.  I wanted to share with you the first thing I did when I received the new archival inks.

I always smear a solid section of the ink pad onto a scrap piece of card-stock.  (you also can use labels which already are ready to stick on your ink pad container)

Then I cut strips and tape them to the ends of my ink pads.  Because I have a wonderful ink rack my husband created for me that stores all my archival inks that looks like this: 

It makes it really easy to pick out my ink pads whether they are in the rack or stacked up on my craft desk. 

Suzz

Products:

• Ranger Archival Ink Aubergine
• Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
• Ranger Archival Ink Wine Celler
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Abstract Floral
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencil - Black Soot 
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stencil - Deco Floral
  
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Curiosity Shop
  
• Ranger Distress Oxide - Peeled Paint
• Ranger Distress Oxide Stain Spray - Peeled Paint
• Ranger Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Love Notes
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Mr. Rabbit
  

Suzz's Finish It Project!

Hi!  Suzz here!  I don't know about you but I have many leftovers (as I like to call them) cluttering up my craft desk, drawer and a few other places.  I start something and lack a finishing focal point, image, or inspiration!  The Finish It challenge was a great inspiration for me to finish off one of my many leftovers!

My starting point for the Finish It challenge was to use one of these beautiful shimmery backgrounds with mica stain sprays blending the colors to create a gorgeous mix of colors.

Then Mr. Rabbit hopped into the house and I felt inspired to tag him!  I took one of the pieces created from the backgrounds of shimmery sprays and cut it down to a tag size. 

I then stamped Mr. Rabbit using an archival ink and while it was still wet applied black embossing powder to make him really pop and hop on the background.  

Then I decided I wanted to outline and highlight him with a white gel pen.  This helped make him stand out on that strong orange background. 

I wanted to add a little whimsy to the image and decided he needed a fun bow tie and some jewelry on his floppy ear.  

I also added polka dots with some white embossing powder using Versamark randomly stamped around the background.  

To finish it off a few black gems for his buttons and a smattering of them around the background.  Hopefully the Finish It challenge has you pulling out your leftovers and finishing them off!

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Mr. Rabbit
• Versamark Ink 
• Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
• Ranger Embossing Powder: White Detail
• Stampers Anonymous Tiny Text 
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Halloween Set #3
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Halloween Set #1
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Holiday Set #6 
• Jump Rings

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Festive Collage & Inky Fun

Hi!  Suzz here.  I am here to show how I played around with the beautiful Stampers Anonymous Festive Collage.   I was inspired by the Festive Collage Stamps (they have been on my craft desk for a few weeks) and started to try different inks and ideas!

This actually was my last card I created and I loved how it turned out.  I started with stamping a background using a lovely green ink and various stamps at different angles.  I added a touch of inky distressing around the edges of the card and some splotchy ink spots. 

I then stamped Mr. St. Nick and colored him to put on the front.  I needed a little background to show off his fine attire so I stamped a tag using a lovely mix of gold and brown inks. 

The star was a piece of white cardstock that a star had been cut out from.  I just used my paper cutter to cut around the star shape and created a star frame.  The star frame got a coat of shimmery gold and brown dye ink.  I finished with a fun little sentiment and some embellishments. 

Next up is a cute little treat bag.  I purchased these muslin bags at the craft store.

I knew stamping directly onto the fabric would not give me the best effect.  I decided to stamp on tissue paper and then apply the tissue paper to the bag.

I stamped on the tissue paper multiple times.  It is really important to use an archival ink to get an image that won't be lost when applying the medium to adhere it to the fabric.  Also too much ink and too much pressing on the tissue paper will allow it to bleed and lose the sharpness of the image.  This was a rejected image because it bled a little too much on the leaves. 

Next I applied the decoupage medium to adhere it to the fabric.  I like to use a decoupage medium and find that if I put it on the surface first and then lay the tissue paper onto the wet surface and then apply another coat over the tissue paper I get the best results.  Also make sure you go over the edges with the medium. 

I also made sure to put a non stick surface inside my bag to keep the bag from sticking to itself. :) It made a cute little gift bag and I can stamp coordinating tissue paper to put inside with the gift! 

Next I decided to pull out my white ink and try it on a few different surfaces.

First I stamped on the kraft cardstock.  I used watercolor pencils to add a hint of color to the image. I then sponged the entire surface with versamark watermark ink.  I then embossed with clear embossing powder.  It added a lovely depth to the color of the cardstock and highlighted the coloring and the image. 

The next card was stamped on kraft as well but I used a neutral color and highlighted and shadowed with coloring pencils and white gel pen.

The image was stamped with a brown archival ink.  I then added color with watercolor pencils and a waterbrush.  I finished with a white gel pen to make areas pop on the card. 

After the soft effect of the white ink on the kraft card I decided to try to really pop the ink on a black background.

The image was stamped with white ink on a black background.  Then colored using the watercolor pencils.  A very simple effect but very eye catching!

Finally my favorite way which is to just stamp the beautiful image using a neutral color and then color the image with watercolor pencils. 

I stamped with a soft brown ink and then colored it with watercolor pencils and a brush.  I left it plain to have the image shine. 

I hope this has you inspired to try out the festive collage stamps and various inky ideas!

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Festive Collage
• Stampers Anonymous Darling Christmas
• Ranger Archival Ink - Pebble Beach
  
• Ranger Archival Ink - Mini Collection (Green)
  
• Distress Watercolor Pencil
• Tim Holtz Fine Detail Water brush
• Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black
• Idea-Ology - Metallic Droplets
• Versamark Watermark Ink
  
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
  
• Black Cardstock
• Tim Holtz Kraft Cardstock
• Tim Holtz Kraft Green Cardstock
  

Holiday Gift Card Set

Hello friends! I'm posting this holiday gift card set using the new Festive Collage Stamp set for The Funkie Junkie Boutique today. Inspiration for this set is from @KathStewart one of Tim Holtz's Makers.

Saturday Showcase Shenanigans

 Hello friends! Tim Holtz has produced so many great sentiment stamps and dies recently. I decided to get inky and create a bunch of cards using different techniques for The Funkie Junkie Boutiques Saturday Showcase!

Check out the variety of techniques used for these!

I do have a video here: 

Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/3nhTk1HWuOU

I created eight unique cards using different processes.

We'll start with the Stamping technique.

This one started by stamping the sentiments from Bold Saying CMS #433 in Salvaged Patina Ink. I then selected the Mini Stencil # 159 to stamp over the top by running the Peacock Feathers Distress Ink pad over the stencil. Be sure to wipe off the edges so you only print the stencil pattern. You need to choose a geometric repeating pattern in order to stamp a wider area.

You may need to stamp more than once by lining he inked stencil up. You may notice small dots in the center of the circles. Once I had added a few with my fingers, I decided to make the pattern consistent.

I inked the stencil again on an A2card base being careful to leave a border around. The center piece was trimmed and mounted on another piece of white cardstock.

This is a Clean and Simple one layer card! Using the same Bold Tidings stamp in Shaded Lilac on an A2 card base started this one off. A stamp over using the Architecture Stamp CMS #369 in Wilted Violet is all you really need!

How easy would this be to create a gift set of cards?

Next up is another easy set of cards - positive and negative dies on an alcohol ink panel!

I'll be honest, this one was supposed to be a shaker card but after adding the foam tape, I dropped the sequins in and realized I forgot to add the acetate! Silly me. I used two birthday related sentiments from Bold Text #2 to die cut the alcohol inked piece from my infamous background stash. The piece was trimmed to 5 x 3.75.

After popping out all the letters, and adding a strip of foam tape, the panel was attached to a white A2 card base.

Check out the cool shadow that is created by popping up the front panel.

So, you end up with a pile of alcohol inked letters. We as card makers cannot waste those, so I die cut another panel with the same sentiments, added double stick tape to the back of the panel.  The openings have the right amount of stick to simply pop all the random letters in place to make the second card.

The main panel was trimmed to allow a frame of Curious Metallic Cardstock to set off the inked letters!

Next up is the Bold Tidings Mini #440 with multiple sentiments stacked on the stamp positioner to cover the panel. I used a piece of printed paper from the PaperStash Noel to create this piece. The stamping was done with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

The A2 sized panel was attached to an A2 card base. It is difficult to see the sparkle. I die cut the Snowy Stars die onto white cardstock and used it as a stencil to apply Translucent Paste coated with Rock Candy Glitter using my Glitter Duster. 

The last step was adding a couple of die cut trees using the Woodlands Die and splattering with white Gesso.

How about another take on the multi sentiment background? Another single layer card for the win!

Many of Tim's stamps can just be temporarily taped into a stamp positioner and stamped as a single stamp. I used Noteworthy CMS #446 my new favorite addition as I love sentiment stamps! I stamped the entire stamp with Vintage Phote Distress Ink. The best section was selected and trimmed to 5.25 x 4 inches.

We needed some additional interest, so I selected a few leaf stamps from Pressed Foilage CMS # 376 to add that.  I used Crushed Olive, Dusty Concorn and Peeled Paint Distress inks, inking the stamps up randomly.

Next up is a card for my friend!

This panel started by inking Doily Stencil THS3018 on a white cardstock panel using Shaded Lilac Distress Ink. One of the Floral Outline #430 was stamped in Wilted Violet. The panel was trimmed to 5.5 x 4.0 and mounted on a dark purple panel attached to an A2 base.

Check out the cool raised letters. Alphanumeric Upper Care dies were used to cut the letters. I attached them on a Sticky Strip so the letters could be stenciled with the Doily Stencil and Wilted Violet Ink.  The letters were ink blended with Shaded Lilac and coated with Nuvo Glaze. Once dry, the letters were attached to additional letter die cuts in dark purple, offset slightly. Last step was to attach to the base.

It was hard to choose, but I believe this is my favorite. I stamped another Thank You using the Bold Sayings Stamp CMS #433 and Faded Jeans Distress Ink. Because I used my stamp positioner, it was so easy to stamp additional layers and one layer of embossing ink on top coated with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set. One more step was to add snow using Grit paste on the individual letters.

I took the time to die cut the letters as I wanted to pop them up and add snow using Grit Paste.

The base was created by stamping the Gnome Stamp from Cozy Christmas CMS #444 with Faded Jeans. The stamped panel was trimmed to 5.25 x 4 and mounted on a navy A2 size cardstock before attaching to the card base.

After the grit paste was dry, I used skinny strips of foam tape to pop up the individual letters.

Products used:

• Bold Saying CMS #433 
• Salvaged Patina Ink
• Peacock Feathers Distress Ink
• Mini Stencil from set #52
• Shaded Lilac 
• Architecture CMS#369
• Bold Text #2
• Alcohol Inks
• Bold Tidings Mini #440
• Snowy Stars Sizzix die
• Faded Jeans Distress Ink
• Translucent Paste 
• Rock Candy Glitter 
• Glitter Duster. 
• White Gesso
• Noteworthy CMS #446
• Vintage Phote Distress Ink
• Pressed Foilage CMS # 376 
• Crushed Olive Distress Ink
• Dusty Concord Distress Ink 
• Peeled Paint Distress Ink
• Doily Stencil THS 018
• Floral Outline CMS #430
• Cozy Christmas CMS #444
• Grit Paste

Be sure to check out all the goodies at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I'd love to have you follow/subscribe to my channels all named TerisMailbox.

Saturday Showcase - Sizzix Bold Text #2 Die Set

Hello friends! It's Teri with TerisMailbox. Today I am sharing seven unique cards created using the Sizzix Bold Text #2 Dies with a variety of backgrounds from my stash for The Funkie Junkie Boutique's Saturday Showcase. I tend to sit down and get creative using one technique at a time such as alcohol inks, embossing and ink smooshing. The result is a fun box full of colorful backgrounds.

Check out this great variety!

Before we jump in, I will share I have a video over on my YouTube Channel:

In case the video is not displaying, here is the link: https://youtu.be/YrCYqB0u-1I

Let's start with the ink blended background. This is the only one I created just for this video. I started with the two layer Moon Mask. I sprayed it with Pixie Spray and attached to the upper right section of an A2 size piece of white Cougar Cardstock. Using bright Distress Inks (Twisted Citron, Salvaged Patina, Squeezed Lemonade, Prize Ribbon and Chipped Sapphire), I ink blended the bright colors first in small areas on the base, followed by the blues around these areas. A spritz of water allowed the colors to soften and move. After drying the piece, I removed the moon base and blended Pumice Stone Distress Ink on the clear spot and then used the second stencil to add the craters with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink.

After drying, I splattered White Gesso on top, followed by placing a few larger spots with a paint brush tip. The base was attached to an A2 white card base. I then decided it needed additional texture. Black Soot Distress Ink stamped on the front in small sections using the Ledger Script Stamp provided that interest.

Products Used for Card One:

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Mask Set - Moon THMSK01

Stampers Anonymous Ledger Script Stamp CMS241

Distress Ink Pad - Prize Ribbon TIM72669

Distress Ink Pad - Chipped Sapphire TIM27119

Distress Ink Pad - Twisted Citron TIM43294

Distress Ink Pad - Squeezed Lemonade TIM34940

Distress Ink Pad - Salvaged Patina TIM72737

Distress Ink Pad - Pumice Stone TIM27140

Distress Ink Pad - Hickory Smoke TIM43232

The second card is a bright and sparkly shaker card using an alcohol ink and glitter cardstock background.

This was an easy shaker to make. Start by cutting the sentiment from the alcohol inked cardstock, and trim it down to a smaller rectangle. Attach a piece of clear acrylic paper to the pack. (I used the plastic envelope that stamps come in.) Add thin foam tape around the edges, add sequins and attach to a piece of white cardstock. I did run a small line of white glue on the foam after removing the paper to help it seal well.

Create the base by ink blending Wilted Violet Distress Ink over THS155. Trim the shaker piece and attach to the front of the stenciled base. Create a focal point using the Brushstroke Butterfly Die and cutting the base with heavy vellum and the details from leftover alcohol inked cardstock. Cut the body with black cardstock, assemble and glue the body section to the perimeter of the shaker.

Products Used for Card Two:

Alcohol Ink Cardstock - Silver Sparkle 5"x7" TAC65500

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Brushstroke Butterflies 665848

Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Dotted Line THS155

Purple Alcohol Ink from my stash

Distress Ink Pad - Wilted Violet TIM43263

Next up is a fun Two-fer set. Don't you love it when you have pieces left over to do that? Because these sentiment dies create both a positive and negative piece, it is so easy to make 2 cards!

This is the first card I did. Select a colorful alcohol inked piece. Cut the frame using two rectangle dies from one set. Tape them together to form a frame. After die cutting the frame, cut the sentiment from the inner gold piece as well.

Center the sentiment die and cut from the alcohol inked base. Use double sided tape on the back, covering the letter openings. This will make it easy to pop the gold letters inside.

Trim the alcohol piece and attach to a white A2 base. Center the gold frame around the letters, attach and pop the gold letters in the openings.

Products Used for Card Three:

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Fiesta TAL70191

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Peach Bellini TAL25658

Here is the second card of our Two-fer set! It started with an ink smooshed background with Distress Resist Spray on it. It is textured with great shine. I wish you could see it! Trim and mount the background on an A2 White card base. Center the negative sentiment piece.

Chose a coordinating piece of metallic cardstock from the Metallic Confections set and die cut using one of the Artsy Stems Dies. Thread the stem into the sentiment piece prior to attaching.

Products Used for Card Four:

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Confections Kraft Stock TH93784

Distress Ink Pad - Picked Raspberry TIM34995

Distress Ink Pad - Abandoned Coral TIM43188

Tim Holtz Distress Resist Spray 2oz TDA62059

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Artsy Stems 665846

Next up is another fairly simple card using an ink smooshed background. After selecting the background, ink blend another piece of cardstock to cut the embellishment from and to use as the backdrop for the sentiment. I used Twisted Citron and Cracked Pistachio Distress Ink.

Use the Lucky Love 3-D Impresslit Embossing Folder to cut one shamrock from the green paper plus three more from white cardstock to strengthen the shamrock. Use the "Lucky is a State of Mind" Die to cut it from the smooshed background. Attach the ink blended piece behind, trim to 5" by 3.75" and attach to the A2 cardbase. 

Using a Vintage Photo Distress Crayon colored on your mat, add some water and use a stiff brush to grunge the shamrock. Attach the shamrock to the card in the upper right corner. I am always a huge fan of shamrocks. Our oldest son is able to find them easily. Now I have spent many hours in my childhood searching without success!

Products Used for Card Five:

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Sizzix Tim Holtz 3-D Impresslit Embossing Folder - Lucky Love 665227

Distress Ink Pad - Twisted Citron TIM43294

Distress Ink Pad - Cracked Pistachio TIM43218

Distress Crayons - Set #3 TDBK47926

Next up is a feminine card using Saltwater Taffy (my new favorite color) and the doily embossing folder.

Check out the dimension and texture created with embossing folders! The background is from my stash, but I do demo how to create it in the YouTube video.

In addition to the background, I also used the Floral Frame from my stash that was already colored and ready to go. Attach the Doily background to an A2 cream cardstock base. Cut the "Choose to Shine" from another piece of cream cardstock. Use the Damask 3-D Embossing Folder to add texture and swipe with the Shabby Shutters Distress Ink pad to add a hint of color. Mount this on green cardstock, trim and add to the cardfront.

Select a Photo Shop image and attach to the back of the frame and then onto the card front. This card has so much dimension and texture, nothing else is needed! See how easy it is to make a wonderfully textured card?

Products used for Card Six:

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Tim Holtz 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Doily 665735

Tim Holtz 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Damask 665733

Tim Holtz 3-D Impresslits Embossing Folder - Floral Frame 665016

Ideology Photobooth TH93799

Distress Ink Pad - Saltwater Taffy TIM79521

Distress Ink Pad - Shabby Shutters TIM21490

Last card has a Snarky Cat in front of a brick wall. I Girl Zoe has an excellent blog post describing how to create your own brick wall using the Brickwork Embossing Folder. The link to her tutorial is HERE. I used Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks for mine. Cut the sentiment in the top section of the brick wall. Run the piece back through your die cut machine after cutting using the folder to deepen the lines.

I love the dimension on this background! A Snarky Cat is the perfect addition to this card! Stamp the cat plus a bowtie and hat on Cougar Cardstock. After coloring with Copic Markers, fussy cut the images and add to the front! Isn't he cute?

Products used for Card Seven:

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Bold Text #2 665925

Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Brickwork 664259

Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo TIM19527

Distress Ink Pad - Rusty Hinge TIM27157

Distress Ink Pad - Gathered Twigs TIM32823

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Snarky Cats CMS392 (Note: this one is out of stock, but you could use one from the Snarky Cat Halloween CMS407)

I hope you have enjoyed my collection of cards using the Sizzix Bold Text #2 Dies! The Funkie Junkie Boutique has challenges every two weeks. We'd love to have you join in the fun and you may win a prize.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I'd love to have you follow/subscribe to my social media sites Instagram Facebook, Blogger and YouTube all called TerisMailbox. I am somewhat of a cameleon crafter! I love bright colors, vintage, florals and all things Tim Holtz!