Announcing the 2015 Smeared Ink Design Team

We are very excited to announce our new Smeared Ink Design Team!

Black Dragon
Shell
Shoni
Lisa
Elenor
Rebecca
Leigh
Fiona

We had some really fabulous applications come through this time around, which made our decision extremely hard! Congratulations to Leigh and Fiona who will be rocking it out with our veteran Smeared Ink DT Members. You can find their awesome art gracing the Smudgy Antics Blog daily (don't forget to join in the monthly challenge), as well as on the Smeared and Smudged Facebook group and occasionally on our Smeared Ink Facebook page. Congrats ladies, glad to have you on board!

Smeared Ink Design Team Call

We're having a Design Team Call! Read all about it below....


Smeared Ink Design Team Call
Do you have a different way of looking at things when it comes to rubber stamping? Smeared Ink is looking for Design Team Members and *Monthly Guest Design Team Members for the Smeared and Smudged team. Smeared Ink is a rubber stamp company that features edgy, unique, wild, sometimes dark, and fun art stamps. We're looking for team members who are not afraid to think outside of the box and express themselves in interesting ways through their projects. To see some of the current DT members work, visit our forum at http://www.smearedandsmudged.ning.com
To view the types of stamps you would be working with, please visit our shop at http://www.smearedink.com
Design Team Members art will be featured on the Smeared Ink Website, Smeared and Smudged Forum, and Smeared and Smudged Blog.

Requirements for Smeared Ink Design Team Members:

*You must have an active blog related to rubber stamping/paper arts or mixed media arts where you can post and talk about your Design Team projects.

*You must be or become a member of the Smeared and Smudged Forum on Ning.

*You must be able to upload quality photos and/or scans of your projects.

*DT members are required to design a minimum of four items per month, including three cards or paper art (scrapbook pages, etc.) and one altered item. Two of these items must use Smeared Ink stamps exclusively. They must be posted on the forum AND your blog, and also be physically mailed in by the end of each month. The other two items can use any stamps and supplies that you like, and must be posted to the forum and optionally on your blog.

*DT Members are required to participate in and make a project for Smeared Ink New Release Blog Hops. These will generally occur every three months, but may also include special releases. During months that contain a hop, this will be a fifth required project.

* You must actively participate in The Vent group on the Smeared and Smudged forum. A minimum requirement is two posts a week.

* You must promote Smeared Ink Stamps thru your blog, and whenever you see an opportunity.

*International Applicants welcome.


Benefits of Smeared Ink Design Team:

* Your blog projects will be showcased on the Smeared and Smudged Blog, Smeared and Smudged Forum, and Smeared Ink Facebook Page

*Your physically mailed projects will be featured on the Smeared Ink website and also used in displays during conventions and craft fairs.

* We will send you one free stamp set (our choice) per month to use in your projects.

*You will receive exclusive DT Member discounts on non-stamp products, including Graphic 45, Tattered Angels, and any others that we choose to carry.

* Occasionally, you MAY receive freebie products from our Smeared and Smudged monthly challenge sponsors (not guaranteed, as this is the sponsors choice). In order to qualify for these products if they are offered, you must be in good standing with your DT requirements.

* You get to network with other wicked awesome stampers who share the same love for out-of-the-norm stamping.

* You get to sport a really cool S&S Button on your blog.

To Apply, please email the following information to terra@smearedink.com
Name
Email
Blog URL

Pictures of three cards, scrapbook pages, or paper art -AND- one altered item that best represent your style of stamping. These projects must use rubber stamps somewhere on the project. (No all digital projects, please)

What do you think you can bring to the Smeared Ink Design Team? We want to know what makes you tick!

If you could choose one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

What is your favorite non-stamp product or tool to use in your art and why?

Do you feel you can meet all the requirements listed above?

Please list past and present Design Team experience. (Experience not necessary to apply)

Are you interested in applying for Full Time DT status, Monthly Guest DT status, or both?

Deadline for Submissions is Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Winners will be contacted by Monday, September 20, 2010.
DT term will run for six months starting October 1, 2010

*Our monthly guest designers that will be invited from our Design Team applications.


Websites:
http://www.smearedink.com
http://www.smearedandsmudged.ning.com

Dropping The Bomb- Heartflies Garden

Ok, today I'm sharing my third and final catch-up Bombshell Stamps project with you. Not to say there won't be more, these are just the three that I was able to get done this past weekend. I still have ALOT to go to be completely caught up and will share as I am able to.

Like I mentioned yesterday, this one may be my fave out of the three. I used the Growing Hearts stamp set for this one.


*click pics to view larger



On the background of my card, I used a stencil and some black gesso to add some faint swirly images. Then I added some shading to make it look kinda like a night scene. I finished the background by stamping the vine image in white coming from the right edge.

My main image was stamped on white cardstock, colored with prismacolors, and cut out. I wanted most of the colors on her to be soft and faint, almost like moonlight was falling on her. Then I added bold color to the heart in her hand, her lips, and the heart on her forehead using nail polish. I added her to the bottom left of the card. Next I colored and cut out some flowers to surround her.

The rest of the hearts are leftovers from a die-cut that I used a while back. I had tons of the little hearts left over, and the swirly effect at the bottom of them matched perfectly with the heart in the image! I colored them with nail polish as well. I cut the wings from a metal piece that I had laying around (it's the same metal piece that I used for my Creationist spinner a while back), and added yellow embossing powder to them. Then I attached them to the back of my hearts, and added them to the card.

So, now you get the title! She's catching Heartflies in her midnight garden...or at least that's the visual I had. Does it make sense? I think this one's my fave cause it's kinda odd, it fits me. I wish I could go outside and catch heartflies, ha ha! I'd love to hear what you think.

Dropping The Bomb- Tiki Invite

If you joined me yesterday, you heard all about my attempt at catching up. Well, here's my second Bombshell Stamps project that I have to share with you. It's supposed to be an invitation to a summer tiki party. I make it relatively simple to keep with the idea that I'd be making quite a few of these to send/give out, and I think it came our rather nice.

*click for larger view

This card uses images from the Tiki Party and Madonna Woodcut Bombshell stamp sets. I started this time by stamping, coloring, and cutting out my tiki gods. For the coloring, I used two different distress inks, my colorbox tool, and some markers. I choose my cardstock colors to match the colors I used on the tikis.

On the rusty background cardstock, I distressed the whole thing to look kinda soft like suede. I stamped flowers from Madonna Woodcuts using distress ink, and added just a touch of color to them using chalks. For the saying, I crumbled vanilla cardstock and distressed it, then stamped my banner onto it. Then using my colorbox tool, I added deeper shadows behind the banner. Finally, I added two brown brads.

I layered everything, putting the tikis on pop dots, and tied a brown raffia ribbon to the background. To finish off the card, I added these two wood-like buttons to the raffia and tied them so they had space in between. Now I just need to throw a tiki party so I can send the invitation!

I'd love to hear what you think about this, so feel free to comment if you like.Tomorrow I have a third project to share with you, and I think it might be my favorite out of the three, so please visit! See you then.

Dropping the Bomb- Sunless Garden ATC

Lately I've been in a little bit of a slump when it comes to creating. I just haven't had time, and due to some serious personal issues (don't worry, it's all good now!), I've been very lax when it comes to making anything. I've only participated with my Bombshell DT obligations when absolutely neccessary, and unfortunately my beloved Bombshell Stamps have gone untouched for about two months.

Shannon has been absolutely wonderful and supportive, but now that things are getting back to normal I REALLY NEED TO CATCH UP!!! So, with my hubby home and really nothing pressing to do other than a semester exam, I took some time this weekend and made three Bombshell projects that I'll be sharing over the next couple of days. And let me just say, it was exhilarating to sit down and create without any barriers or restrictions. And to think I was debating on ever stamping again... Pshhhhhhhhhhh! As if I could live with that!

Anyway, the first of my projects is an ATC. I know, I don't usually do these, but for some reason after participating in a few of the S&S monthly swaps, they have captured my interest and now I'm in love! I think it's the whole no restrictions thing that I mentioned before. I love when I can just "do" and not worry about following guidelines. I'm sure I'll be making quite a few more ATC's over the next few weeks.

This one features images from the Sacred Heart and Dead Necessities Bombshell sets, and a saying from the Growing Hearts set. It was a blast to make, and I even got a "Wow, that's pretty cool, I REALLY like that one" from my husband, which doesn't happen often. Usually it's a "Yeah, that looks good" or "it's nice", but I think this one just caught his attention.

*click to view larger

I started with a background image from Itkupilli, then stamped my saying in white over the background and added some glitter nailpolish accents. The flying skull and sacred heart were stamped on chipboard, cut out, and colored with paint pens, chalks, markers, and nailpolish. I added some broken jewlery to the heart, then they were both attached with pop dots.

Finally, the saying was stamped again on white cardstock using both black and red ink, then I cut out the strips and matted the word that I wanted in red. Then of course I used some distress ink randomly. After doing all that, I decided to add stitching down the sides and in the opposite corners to finish off the ATC.

So, whatcha think? Is it a "Wow, I REALLY like that" or a "that's nice"? For me, it's a winner. I may make it into a magnet so I can look at it all the time, who knows. I hope you enjoyed looking at it and maybe even got some ideas. And please join me tomorrow for another Bombshell project!

Guest DT Feature- Jennifer Willis

During the month of June, we hosted our very first Smeared Ink Guest Design Team Member, Jennifer Willis. She has been amazing, presenting a fabulous watercolor challenge on our forum, and sharing some pretty wicked stamped projects. Jennifer has been a member of the S&S forum since last September, and since that time has amazed us with her contest entries and beautiful art. Here's alittle bit more about Jennifer.

"I live in North Dakota and am a SAHM with two beautiful little girls. I have been involved in paper art and crafts for many years off and on. I enjoy rubber stamping, creating collage art, scrap booking, ATCs and more. I design for Stampers Quest, Sweet Pea Stamps, Faerie Song and Auntie Amy's Stamps."

Visit Jennifer on her BLOG to view all her fabulous projects!! Be sure to leave some love for her and a big thanks for being our Guest DT for June!

Announcing The NEW Smeared Ink Design Team

We had so many wonderful and dynamic applications and want to thank all of you who applied! The choice was a hard one, but in the end these ladies rocked their applications, and will now be rockin' the Smeared and Smudged Forum from April through the end of September. Congratulations!

Design Team Captains

Alison

Kelli

Design Team Members

Jean

Kathi

Sarah

Danielle

Black Dragon

Kim

Lady Brayton

Meredith

Check out their wonderful blogs, and be sure to come by the forum to see all the wicked projects they will have to offer.

Meet Kathi- Smeared and Smudged Design Team

Yes, I know it's not Friday. I've come to the realization that I am a scatterbrain, and am no longer kidding myself that I can stick to a blog schedule. SO, from now on I'm just going with the flow! All that aside, today I'd like to introduce you to fabulous Kathi! I "met" Kathi through Bombshell, and instantly fell in love with both her sassy-sweet personality and her rockin' art. I was thrilled when she came onboard for the S&S Design Team. Now you and me both get the chance to learn a little more about her and what makes her tick!






"I'm a native New Yorker transplanted to New Jersey which gives me attitude times two! I'm a mom to a college student, wife for over 29 years, and have two cats. Staid on the outside, I have an inner wild child, who periodically appears. My daughter once told me when she was much younger, "Face it Mom. You ARE your evil twin." Out of the mouths of babes...

I'm a scrapper, turned card maker, turned stamper, turned paper crafter. I love all colorants, patterned paper, and bling. My style continues to evolve and can be cute and whimsical, shabby and tattered, or edgy, depending on my mood!

In addition to being a proud Smeared & Smudged DT member, I'm currently Bombshell Stamps Design Team Captain. My past crafting history includes several terms on justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet Design Team, FiberMark's Creative Team, Maisy Mo's Design Team, Scraptalk's Design Team, ScrapBasic's Design Team, and the Cardstock Club's Design Team. I've had work published in several Memory Makers' idea books, Paper Crafts, The Rubber Stamper, Vamp Stamp, Card Maker, and Crafts 'N Things."





















http://kathstales.blogspot.com/

Be sure to give a shout out and show some love on Kathi's blog. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us over on S&S in the upcoming weeks, and if you'd like to keep updated on her S&S artwork, visit her page on the forum!

Stamp Sets In Stock!

Just a note to let you know the first four Smeared Ink stamp sets are now in stock! We're so excited to share these with you and can't wait to see what you are able to create with them!

Also, we have chosen our new DT members, and if you applied you should have received an email from us so be on the lookout for it.

Such an exciting day!!!

Meet the Smeared and Smudged Design Team- Kelli

Now that things have settled down a little bit for me, I'd like to continue featuring the awesome members of the Smeared and Smudged Design Team! Today's post is all about Kelli. Some of you may have seen her very first feature here on the S&S blog way back in "the beginning". You'll be glad to know that Kelli has been rocking our world ever since with some wild projects, blunt humor, and all around good personality. Enjoy.

"Ok, so my name is Kelli Sanchez Green, I'm 37 and married with 2 kids. I am a stay at home mom and love it! I am a big kid at heart and will tell you how it is. I have no fear of speaking my mind....ever. I like scary movies, but my favorite movie of all time is The Wizard of Oz.

I started crafting when I was little with my mom. About 9 years ago, I got into rubber stamping and fell in love! I love the fact that I can take a sexy stamp and make it sexier, or I can take a cutsie stamp and goth it out! My biggest passion is altered items, and I love altering everything and anything.

I like sharing my creations because no matter what, I am an artist. If I can affect someone through something I make, then that makes me happy. It doesn't matter if they love it or hate it; at least it gets a reaction out of them. I like to think that on some level I have a positive influence on people. But even if it is a negative affect, at least they are still thinking about my art!"

http://www.cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com/


To see more of Kelli's art after visiting her blog, be sure to check out her page on the S&S forum! And don't forget, if you're interested in joining the fabulous ranks of the Smeared and Smudged Design Team, we are having a call right now for new team members! See all the info in the post below this one. Hope you got a little more insight into Kelli's world, and I'll be featuring another great DT member next Friday!

Smeared Ink Design Team Call

Do you have a different way of looking at things when it comes to rubber stamping? Smeared Ink is looking to add 5 Design Team Members to the Smeared and Smudged team. Smeared Ink is a brand new rubber stamp company that will feature edgy, unique, wild, sometimes dark, and fun art stamps. We're looking for team members who are not afraid to think outside of the box and express themselves in interesting ways through their projects. To see some of the current DT members work, visit our forum at http://www.smearedandsmudged.ning.com/ Design Team Members art will be featured on the Smeared Ink Website, Smeared and Smudged Forum, and Smeared and Smudged Blog.



Requirements for Smeared Ink Design Team Members:

*You must have an active blog.

*You must be or become a member of the Smeared and Smudged Forum on Ning.

*You must be able to upload photos and/or scans of your projects.

*DT members are required to design a minimum of four items per month, including three cards and one altered item. Two of these items must use Smeared Ink stamps exclusively. These items must be posted on the forum and your blog, and also be physically mailed in by the end of each month. The other two items can use any stamps and supplies that you like and must be posted to the forum and your blog.

*Each DT member will be assigned a group from the Smeared and Smudged Forum. One of your monthly projects must follow the requirements of that group and be posted in that group. The groups will rotate. To view some of the groups available, please visit Smeared and Smudged on Ning.

* You must actively participate in The Vent group on Smeared and Smudged. A minimum requirement is two posts a week.

* You must promote Smeared Ink Stamps thru your blog, and whenever you see an opportunity.

*International Applicants welcome.





Benefits of Smeared Ink Design Team:

* Your blog will be showcased on the Smeared and Smudged Blog, Smeared and Smudged forum, and Paper Craft Planet Group

*Your physically mailed projects will be featured on the Smeared Ink website and also used in physical displays.

* You will receive one free stamp set per month to use in your projects.

* You get to network with other wicked awesome stampers who share the same love for out-of-the-norm stamping.

* You get to sport a really cool S&S Button on your blog.



To Apply, please email the following information to terra@smearedink.com

Name

Email

Blog URL

Pictures of three cards and one altered item that best represent your style of stamping.

What do you think you can bring to the Smeared Ink Design Team? We want to know what makes you tick!

Do you feel you can meet all the requirements listed above?



Deadline for Submissions is Sunday, March 14, 2010

Winners will be contacted by Tuesday, March 16, 2010.

DT term will run for six months starting April 1, 2010





Websites:

http://www.smearedink.com/

Design Team Call...Coming Soon!

Just a note to let you know Smeared Ink will be having it's second Design Team call starting soon, so be sure to check back later to get all the info!! If you haven't seen what the Smeared and Smudged Design Team has been up to, check out the forum HERE.

Meet The Smeared and Smudged Design Team- Jean

If you tuned in last Friday, you know that each week I will be featuring a different Smeared and Smudged Design Team member. Today I'd like to introduce you to Jean. Read her story in her own words, visit her website, and take a look at all these awesome projects!!! Also feel free to leave some love!







My name is Gloria Jean and I use the nickname Jean. I am a baby boomer. Love black clothes and crosses. My eyes tend to move toward the glitter and artsy side of the clothes style but, can be seen in animal print pants and those must have eight inch hot pink shoes or lime green. My hair is flame red and eyes as green as emeralds. I do not follow trends and can never be seen in an outfit twice. I like who I am and always have; I am a self made woman.

I have 4 children and often wonder how someone can have two boys and two girls as different as night and day. But, they accent each other nicely. They grew their wings and knew where they were going and are all doing exactly what they wanted to do in their lives. I am a very proud mother.

I am a nurse and have a degree in liberal studies, A B.S. in mental health and human services. A stamp appraiser, book binder, oral communication major, and a psychology major, data input expert, writer, as well as a poet.

All about me as an artist: I am a chameleon who designes in a variety of styles. One moment I can produce victorian and artsy and then dark and on the edge. Self taught and educated in public schools with the best art programs available; I use my imagination, human emotions and take down all the fences we seem to put up as an artist. I carry no baggage, What you see is just what you get from me.

I am serious about my art and continue to study each day about different ways to express yourself. If at first you don't get the rough draft all you have to do is take another look and hopefully you'll get it this time.

I love everything about what I do in my life. I am a very happy person. Love to share my experiences and teach anyone who is willing to listen. I am often asked for advice from others who view my work. I repeat over and over these words.....If you see the circle in front of you the way you drew it on your own paper, then believe in yourself. Draw that circle your way.

I work with all mediums but my favorite is acrylic painting. There is something special about painting something and then painting over the whole canvas and starting clean and fresh.

I would like to share with everyone that the mouse traps I designed have been selected by Eric Lamoine who is the owner of "WISP Magazine" to be published in February 2010. And I will be working with Eric and the team scouting for new talent that will be published in Wisp. I am blessed!

Favorite Statement:

"I have a dream and I am not ever going to give it up. It may not be the same

dream I had 25 years ago but it's just as important because it's all mine!"





















http://www.jeansartdolls.com/
Click on the Rose to Enter and Sign Up for the Forum


If you'd like to see even more of Jean's, and all the other DT members art, head on over to the Smeared and Smudged forum and join in the fun! Also, be sure to check out a very special post tomorrow here on Smeared and Smudged; I'll be revealing another sneak peek of the New Smeared Ink Stamp Line! 'Til then.

Plethora of Prickley Pear

Today I'm sharing with you some of the cards that I created throughout this month for the Prickley Pear Design Team. I've really enjoyed finding different looks for these stamps and am very excited to give you a little peek of what I've been up to.

Below you'll find four different cards that used Prickley Pear stamps and decorative papers from a Rockstar paper pack. I loved matching the papers to the stamps and making them interesting and fun!

For this first one, I used some copper mesh as my background. I embossed the "Guitar With Wings ATC" stamp onto decorative paper using copper powder, and then went in with my white gel pen to add details. I also framed the mesh with the same decorative paper, then used folded mesh, brown raffia, and my white gel pen to add accents on the card.




This next picture is a little off in the coloring, but you can get the idea. The card is actually a rosey pink without the yellow tinge to it. I stamped the "Skull and Crossbones" stams onto white cardstock and colored with my prismas; then I covered the whole thing with clear mini microbeads. My wodrs were also stamped on white, and a pink jewel brad was added as an accent. After layering my deco paper onto my card, some shiny pink thread was added behind my main image and everything was attached together. I know pink is odd for this stamp, but who says girly girls can't be bad?




I think this card is my favorite out of the four. I used a black card base, and believe it or not, the decorative paper came out of a shipping box. It was the stuff they had to pad the box. Awesome paper, and very textural! The flower image came off of the "Fabulous and Funky" half sheet. I stamped it in black and then used my white gel pen to add accents. I ripped some black paper and a long strip of the packing paper, then used it to wrap and tie a knot. Finally I added in eyelets and a black brad, and stamped the word "Live" by using a saying from the "Motorcycle and Pinup Girl" half sheet.




Finally, I used blacks, grays, and white to make this card. The stamped guitar image also came from the "Fabulous and Funky" half sheet, and was stamped and embossed in silver on gray cardstock. I used black watercolor to add some darker shadows to it. I layered torn paper, decorative paper, and some striped tied ribbon, then added cut out stars and eyelets to finish it off.



I hope you enjoy seeing these fun cards, and stay tuned in the next few days for some more cards and projects. I actually have a few spare days for stamping fun, and I plan on using them!

And don't forget, today is the last day to enter the sketch challenges over on the Smeared and Smudged Ning Group to win the fabulous "Retro Cowgirl" set from Bombshell Stamps. Hurry over to get your sketch on! And Happy New Years Eve!

First Smeared and Smudged Design Team!

I'm so truly ecstatic to announce that Smeared and Smudged has it's first ever Design Team! Thank you to all of you who submitted to be on the team...I have chosen six wonderfully talented ladies, and am very eager to share their stamped art and creativity with you! These DT members will be creating for the Smeared and Smudged ning group, which is growing daily. I'd like to invite each of you to join us over there for a fabulous and unique stamping network, and now even more rockin' S&S projects from these awesome new designers. Their creative projects will be featured frequently on the ning group, and occassionally on this blog. So, without further adeu, here is the new Design Team!



Alison
Jean
Kathi
Jenn
Sarah
Kelli

Smeared and Smudged Design Team Call!!!

Do you have a different way of looking at things when it comes to rubber stamping? Smeared and Smudged is looking for a few "dark" Design Team Members. Smeared and Smudged is a growing Ning group that focuses on alternative, vintage, gothic, and out-of-the-norm rubber stamp art.

To see the type of art styling that I am looking for, please visit the ning group at http://smearedandsmudged.ning.com ,or visit the Smeared and Smudged Blog at http://www.moresmearedink.blogspot.com .

Requirements for Smeared and Smudged Design Team:

*You must have an active blog.
*You must be or become a member of the Smeared and Smudged Ning Group.
*DT requirements will be to design three cards and one altered item per month, and post those designs on both your blog and the Smeared and Smudged Ning Group. Every project must use a rubber stamp image somewhere.
*Each DT member will be assigned a group from Smeared and Smudged. One of your monthly cards must follow the requirements of that group and be posted in that group. The groups will rotate. To view some of the groups available, please visit Smeared and Smudged on Ning.
* You must actively participate in The Vent group on Smeared and Smudged. A minimum requirement is three posts a week.

Benefits of Smeared and Smudged Design Team:

• Your blog will be featured on both the S&S Ning Group and blog.
• You will receive one goodie package from me each month that you can use on your projects. It is not required that you use these items, and the items will vary.
• You can use any supplies you like on your projects.
• You get to network with other wicked awesome stampers who share the same love for out-of-the-norm stamping.
• You get to sport a really cool S&S Button on your blog.

To Apply, please email the following information to zaharstudio@gmail.com

Name
Email
Blog URL
Pictures of three cards and one altered item that best represent your style of stamping.
Why you would like to be a DT Member for Smeared and Smudged.

Deadline for Submissions is Friday, November 27, 2009
Winners will be contacted by Monday, November 30.
DT term will run for four months starting December 1, 2009

Trickster

Happy Day Before Halloween! Today I'm sharing a card that I submitted for a DT sketch challenge over on the Any Stamp Will Do ning group. Hopefully it will get me a spot on the DT; I think it's really a cool looking card, and I tried to make it fun and not so dark. Also, I used some of the embellishments that I got from the Smeared and Smudged Halloween embellishment swap.

This card features a glittery, flaming haired skeleton, once again from Third Coast (gotta love those Third Coast Halloween stamps!) I kept the papers simple this time and just tried to utilize the interesting sketch layout as much as I could.

*click for larger pics*




The little spider button came from the swap, and believe it or not, the wide orange ribbon came off of the packaging of a blanket I bought about a week ago, it was tied around it.

So, let me know what you think, and join me tomorrow for the last day of 31 Days of Halloween!