Dress To Impress!

Happy Wednesday to you all!  It is my turn to post at Artistic Outpost, so I would love it if you would stop by there and say "Hello."   This will be my first time participating in a challenge at DragonsDream Tag It On.  I follow a couple of the DT members and when I saw the theme, oh how I knew this would be fun!  It gave me a great excuse to ink up my new Artistic Outpost "Secretary Pool" stamps and go with the the TIO "Dress To Impress" challenge.  A little bit about me and why I relate to the challenge and of course those fabulous stamps!  I was a Secretary/Office Manager and had to have nice clothes.  I learned to sew as a teenager and started making my own clothes and out of necessity as a 9:00 to 5:00 kind of gal, continued sewing.  Now onto the tag!

I love this stamp set and there are so many possibilities for making your own backgrounds with the images.  I seldom use designer paper, because I just have too much fun making backgrounds.  I took the Alphabet Block stamp and with Black Archival stamped to cover the tag and then heat set, before masking and inking on the various Distress Inks!  Pretty cool background!  For the yellow background tag, I just stamped the paper clip along the edge for a little interest!

The Typewriter, Phone, Pencils were stamped with Black Archival and clear embossed and shaded and yes, fussy cut and that includes the phone cord!  Yikes!  Used some pretty laces that Lynne had gifted to me to decorate the dress form.  Used Mustard Seed stain to color the ribbon. 

Hope you like my tag and please remember there is still time to join in Artistic Outpost's January Referral Program and it is "Anything Goes" using AO stamps!  Thank you so much for stopping by today and have a great week!

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Secretary Pool
Inks:  Distress, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Worn Lipstick, Faded Jeans, Tumbled Glass, Squeezed Lemonade, Dusty Concord, Black Soot, Archival Black
Distress Stain:  Mustard Seed
Clear EP
Distress Marker:  Old Paper  

Show Some Love!

My DT Sisters Brenda and Joanna are asking all of us to "Show Some Love," for the current challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and as always all of the Fashionettes have some incredible "works of love" to share.  Pop on over and have a look and then pull out your loving stamps and join in all the fun! 

Interesting thing about my card, which when I started I had Valentine Vintage on my mind!  While working with the Great Gatsby set at Artistic Outpost, I knew I would be using two of the characters sharing Valentine Love.  As I stamped the love birds on vanilla card stock in Coffee Archival and matted them on Chocolate brown, I thought a little gold edging would be nice and so it was done.  Actually the card base, and all panels as well as the bottles and hearts were all gold embossed.  Well onto what happened.  As I am looking at my two Gatsby characters, all set to go and the champagne bottles ready to be inked up, my idea for Vintage Valentine changed.  All I was seeing was a wedding card for a very special upcoming wedding, so the original plan changed.  Now I will redo this card for the actual event, because somehow this brilliant person managed to get some weird smudge on our gentleman groom.  Have not a clue, but hey, the second one should be quick!   Just a reminder that there is also a few days left to use your AO stamps and join in the January Referral Program.

With the scanner

This angle view shows some of the gold much better.  I had the most difficult time taking a photo of this card as you can tell by the photos.  The vanilla colors wanted to be white, the golds almost an olive color and the browns were somewhat off.  Used two different cameras, different times and lights.

Well come on and "Show Some Love" with us at FSC!  Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying your creative journey! 

What is my Style?

Today I decided to go with a card and I am combining two challenges for this.  I always love a "Sketch Challenge" and that is exactly what Lisa has treated us to this week at Bloggers Challenge.  Simon Says Stamp and Show is "What Are You Known For?"  Now I was really scratching my head over that one and had left a comment on Anne's Redanne Blog.  Anne let me know that she thought I had a vintage style with a twist.  I suppose I am kind of Grungy Eclectic Vintage with a bit of humor!!  So here is my take on both challenges!

The background is Tim's folder inked, markered, clear embossed and torn.  The corrugated cardboard was cut with the ticket movers and shapers and I gobbed on some Rock Candy Crackle and then inked with Walnut Stain.  The car was cut and stamped with the had and of course clear embossed as cars do shine, except for those rusty junkers.  I ran red paint over the metal sentiment and then wiped off excess and then tied it all up!  Pretty much this was just for fun!

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you are having a wonderful week!

Cupid at Work!

Happy Friday to all or whatever day of the week it may be when you read this!  I just love Friday's, because it means my hubby will be off for the weekend and no getting up at 4:30 AM!  Although, our Molly Dalmatian makes sure we are up before 6:00 AM, but that is OK!  With less than a month before Valentine's Day, I still need to work on a few "Sweet" things and here is the one I will give to the "love of my life."  Being this is for a man, I felt the need to take this to a more masculine state!

So where to begin!!  First I cut some arrows using a masking sheet from Tim's Love Struck die, placed them on the edges and inked with Distress and then did the Spritz and Flick technique.  Pulled off arrows and then stamped the "L" word all around the tag, after masking off the "Potion #9.  All stamps in this tag are from Artistic Outpost the "Apothecary" collection.  I love this set for Valentine's Day and have used in the past!  I crunched up some newsprint paper, highlighted the creases, flattened it, stamped the "Prescription" using Black Archival.  The bottle was stamped using Stazon Black on Shrink Plastic and the Love with Stazon Red, cut and baked.  After this was done, I used a silver Sharpie Pen on the backside and color where the liquid "Love" would be.  The cork was also inked on the reverse side using a tan marker.  Tim's wings were inked with Black Alcohol Ink as was the heart charms.  I placed the heart charms on double sided tape and filled the inside with Stickles.  After it dried, I place removed the tape backing and place it on my wings.  The labels were stamped and I used Chit Chat words.

I die cut a couple of hearts and clear embossed the smaller, heat set and then inked in red.  The next thing I did was to run a bead of Glossy Accents around the edge and sprinkled Black/Glass glitter, let it dry and then over the top, another layer of Glossy Accents.  I do this to keep the glitter in place and not all over.  Speaking of all over!!!!  When attempting to re-jar the glitter, Miss Klutzy over here, not only knocked the funnel over, but most of the container and right onto the carpeting!  I now need more Black/Glass Glitter!  Darn!  The movers and shapers Cupid is Tim's and he was inked with black soot and then embossed with Distress Black Soot Powder.   I was looking for a more rustic kind of cupid!

Did you have a look at the Artistic Outpost's Blog Hop for "Spreading a Little the Love," if not, just click the link and you can check out what the entire DT created.  It was such great fun and I was thrilled to be a part!
Don't forget to pull out those AO stamps and play along in the January Referral Program for a chance at a prize.  This is my tag from last year using the Apothecary stamps!

Many thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Apothecary
Distress Inks:  Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Fired Brick
Stazon:  Black, Red
VersaMark embossing ink
Clear EP
Distress EP, Black Soot
Alcohol Ink:  Black
Glossy Accents
Black Glitter

Love Is In The Air!

Welcome to January's Blog Hop at Artistic Outpost, which is all about Love or Valentine's Day!  How sweet is that and for more inspiration and just in time for the "day of love," please visit all of the design team as follows:  Don't forget to pull out those Artistic Outpost stamps and join in the January Referral Program, "Anything Goes Using Artistic Outpost Stamps."

Gerrie, Lisa, Sue, Tracy, Linda, Alison, Terry (me) Kate

For my first blog hop, I was inspired to use this lovely lady from the Flapper Fashions and frame her with a hanging banner using the Whimsical Melange collection.  I inked over my ivory card stock with Antique Linen to give a worn feel and after I embossed my background, I highlighted the raised areas using Tattered Rose and Festive Berry.  At this point I misted over the inked background and then heat set, distressed the edges and shaded with Vintage photo.  The banner was inked with Festive Berry and embossed as was the frame with a glitter/EP mix of mine in which I added a bit of gold.  The frame was stamped and I cut out the center and the background for my lady, was lightly inked with Tattered Rose.  She was stamped in Archival Coffee and I added color using an applicator.  You can't see this, but her earring, bracelets and necklace are all glittery thanks to Spica Glitter pens.  I made a little card for her to hand to a loved one!  Oh and I was so nervous using an Xacto Knife to cut out a finger to hold the card!  Yikes!  I did cut three frames (yes I did) and mounted this on dimensionals for added depth.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting me on my first every Blog Hop.  Have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Flapper Fashions, Whimsical Melange
Inks:  Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Festive Berry, Vintge Photo, Tattered Rose, VersaMark
Glitter/EP mix
Spica Glitter Pens, Clear, Red, Gold
Embossing Folder: Crafts Too, Vintage Flowers

Joie de Vivre

How is everyone doing so far this year?  Can't believe we are midway through the month of January!  I started this canvas yesterday and had a couple of ideas, not sure what I think about it.  One part of my brain is telling me to add more stamping and I just may do that, so what do you think and be honest with me.  The mixed media art is somewhat new to me, so I am truly open to suggestions!

Revised with a Little Help From my Friends!

 First I painted up my canvas using PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paints, which my dear friend Brenda "Bumblebees and Butterflies" gifted me!  Thank you, Brenda!  I blended these, spayed some water and wiped off some color.  Added crackle and then a coat of a little more green and did some dry brushing with DecoArts Emperor Gold.  Did some stenciling with modeling paste using an older square template from the days of painting and Crafters Work Shop.  I did heat seat the paste, as I do love that raised effect!  These areas were highlighted in gold.  The canvas edges were highlighted with gold and the corner's embossed with Stampendous Aged Gold.  The sentiment was computer generated.  The Eiffel Tower is from Invoke and the background stamps from Tim Holtz.  I cut a piece of lace from a flea market find and embossed that in gold and then added touches of Fresco Paint to give a patina look.  

This canvas will be linked to Unruly PaperArts RAQ2, "Joie de Vivre," Eclectic Paperie's "Get Altered - Using Canvas," and Simon Says Stamp and Show "Lace Love."

Really appreciate your stopping by for a visit and have a great day!

Fresco Finish, Inky Pool, Hey Pesto, Chocolate Pudding, Haystack
Distress Ink:  Tumbled Glass
Archival:  Sepia
Stampendous:  Aged Gold EP
Crackle
Gold Paint

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

This is the first challenge of "2013" at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and Yvonne has chosen the theme of "Trains, Planes and Automobiles."  My lovely DT Sisters have so much stamping inspiration to share with your so ride, fly or drive on over and join us.  There is always a prize from Cottage Crafts and a Top Three selection.

Well this lovely Route 66 collection from Artistic Outpost, really got my motor running!  You can also join in the January Referral Program "Anything Goes" with Artistic Outpost stamps.  Simon Says Stamp and Show wants us to "Embrace the Old" and my stamps are old as are the days of "Route 66,"  so we are taking a ride and join in.  Frilly and Funkie wants us to "Follow Your Muse" and my route, other than Route 66, is to incorporate more color.  Well along with keeping it a little on the grunge side, I could not help but think of the days of "Neon" signs and pretty much let that be my guide.  I knew I wanted some bright colors as well as the vintage tones, so I kept my "Motel and Route 66" signs on the bright side and this is what I did.  These were stamped with Peeled Paint, Barn Door, Salty Ocean, Squeezed Lemon Distress Inks and then clear embossed.  The "Route 66" was then masked and I stamped the little map with Archival Coffee in a random pattern, but covering the entire piece of card stock.  I did use pieces of paper to cover stamped areas as I did not want overlapping map text.  Peeled off my masking and then heat seat.  The background was also inked with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo.  The old car was colored using Stampin Up chalks.


Masked and Stamped

Finished Background

 

Whatever your vehicle of choice was, I do thank you for stopping by today.  I know we all have limited time, so your visits and comments are always appreciated.

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost, Route 66
Inks:  Distress, Barn Door, Peeled Paint, Salty Ocean, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Archival Coffee
Clear Embossing Ink and Powder

Exciting News!!

I was so thrilled to receive an invite to join Artistic Outpost as a DT member and of course I said, "Yes."  What a way to start of 2013 with such an amazing stamp company and an incredible design team!  It makes me just a little nervous, but I will give it my all!  Please stop by Artistic Outpost's blog and check out the rest of the newest DT members, say hello and join in January's Referral Program!  This is an anything goes challenge as long as you use Artistic Outpost stamps.

As soon as I received the invite, I knew I would have to make an announcement and of course wanted to create a little something!  So here is what I came up with!  I inked up my tag background with Distress Inks and then did some random stamping using the ledger background stamp from the Ephemera Backgrounds collection using Archival Coffee.  After I was satisfied, I added a little Stampendous Aged Aqua.  Love that bit of gold!  Next I stamped the Prescription, using the Apothecary collection and the sentiment from the Typography was stamped and then cut out and arranged on pop dots to fit my prescription for happiness! 


Thank you so much for stopping by today and your support on this new adventure.  I can't wait to see you play along with the challenges at Artistic Outpost.  Have a wonderful week!

Distress Inks:  Tumbled Glass, Brushed Corduroy, Antique Linen, Walnut Stain
Archival Ink:  Coffee

Paris in January

This is my first blog post of 2013 and we are starting off a bit unruly taking Tim's January "12 Tags of 2013" technique and combining it with Unruly PaperArts RAQ1 challenge to add a "Fleur-de-Lis," while keeping a Paris theme! So here we go!

The fun part about playing along with any challenge is to change it up a bit or at least I think so! I changed out Tim's grungy gears for the "Fleur-de-Lis" and "Mini Dress Form," but still used all three of those fabulous Metallic Distress Stains! After a light sanding, I shaded using Walnut Stain. I also cut out a foam stamp using the FDL movers and shapers and stamped in the middle of my hanging sign.  Added the metal gears and a little zipper skirt which was inked with Broken China Distress Stain. Pretty much followed the guidelines for inking and embossing. The little hand was inked with Broken China, although it looks more like an off-white. Wish I could figure out that capturing the correct colors, but this girl is not willing to buy an expensive camera! Sorry, I must save $$$ for Tim's new releases! Oh My Crafty Goodness!! Need I say more?

I had to use Google Chrome for this blog post as with IE and Blogger, the area to add pictures from my computer was missing in action!  Anyone else having that problem???  I just don't get this stuff, really I don't!   Anyway, I thank you for stopping by today for a visit!  Welcome to all my new followers!  Have a wonderful 2013!

Distress Stains:  Metallics, Broken China, Tattered Rose
Distress Inks:  Broken China, Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen