Two simple cards with flowers

Hi everyone,

Today I'm sharing a few cards with you. Usually, I like my cards to be quite simple, and so are these two.

I cut two 4 x 5 1/4 inch bases from watercolor paper and got out four colors of Oxide inks, put some on my glass plate and thinned them down with water.

With a fan brush I put splatters of different colors on the cards and dried between the layers. For the left background I used cracking campfire, victorian velvet and cracked pistachio. For the left one I replaced crackling campfire with rustic wilderness. I always started with the most intense color as the base layer and dried it between the different colors.

After the backgrounds were ready, I stamped Cat Kerr's nature collage on top. I decided that I wanted one card to be horizontally and the other one vertically. In the detail photos at the end of this post you can see how the oxide ink shows a little through the stamped image - an effect I really like.

Next, I stamped my quotes onto some watercolor paper, trimmed them down and placed them onto some black cardstock that's just a little larger than the white paper. I added them to the card front with some foam tape.

With my deckle edge trimmer I cut two more black cardstock pieces to approximately 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inch, glued the card front on top and then everything to my white card base.

As I said, quite simple but I think the splatter background makes it very special. Here are a few more (detail) photos:

Stamps used:

Nature collage by Cat Kerr (20036)

I Hope You Know (20224)

Do All Things With Love (19545)

Other material:
- Canson watercolor paper
- Black and white cardstock
- Distress Oxide Inks (cracking campfire, victorian velvet, cracked pistachio, rustic wilderness)
- Versaclaire ink (nocturne)
- Fan brush

- Deckle edge trimmer (Tim Holtz)


See you soon!

Simply Masculine

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's me, Tera here again to share with you a super simple masculine card.

(you know you always need those!)

Stamp Used:

Fabriue De Cravates

Other Supplies:

Hickory Smoke distress stain spray

black soot and frayed burlap distress ink

Park Lane papers

Tim Holtz stitched rectangle dies

Memento ink- Tuxedo Black

 Tim Holtz "snippets" pack

Voltage Die (by Tim Holtz)

I wanted to create a slightly grungy yet simple card that would be good for any occasion.  I started by picking a background paper that was simple with a light colored pattern.  (The papers I used came from the park lane packs called - Maps, text & ledgers, as well Neutrals)

I began by cutting my focal paper out with a Tim Holtz stitched rectangle die. I then stamped my Fabrique stamp in black Memento ink. To add a grungy effect I used black soot and frayed burlap distress ink lightly around the edges and a few flicks of Hickory Smoke distress stain spray. 

Next, I cut the next to layers of mats for my card. I sanded the edges of the textured card-stock for some extra texture and grunge. I also used black soot distress ink on both of these additional mats to lightly distress them.  Finally, I used the edge of my scissors to rough up the bottom mat layer. 

(the bottom layer is bigger than the biggest die, so I was unable to die cut it with the stitching. It is 4in x 5.25in)

To finish, I matted my card on a black A2 card base, and added my finishing touches.  The rusty bolts I created with my Tim Holtz voltage die, and the tiny ephemera is from the Tim Holtz "snippets" pack. 

(Just a note for the bolts- I used distess oxide sprays to color them as well as distress crayons)

I hope you enjoy this fun and easy card! 

Stay crafty!

Index Card by Jenn Engle

I have a mini journal of sorts to share with you today. It's a 5"x7" index card, but has a few pages stuck in with washi tape to make a little journal. The main star of this project is Girl's Face by Cat Kerr.

Stamps Used:

Girl's Face by Cat Kerr

I started out with a 5"x7" base and painted it with two colors of acrylic paint. Blue and Lime. Using the same blue, I stenciled using a circle stencil. I then stenciled with a darker blue for contrast, and a different circle stencil. This time with solid circles for a more bold look.

I then took 3 library cards, painted them very haphazardly with Magenta and Tangerine. Then, using the same stencils as my base card, I used Lemon and Sky. I used washi tape to adhere my library cards into pages, and added some black splatters.

To finish it off, I added my Girl's Face by Cat Kerr stamp on the cover with some quote stickers. Now, I have a colorful mini index card journal for poems, song lyrics or making lists.

Stamps Used:

Girl's Face by Cat Kerr

Other Products Used:

Dina Wakley Acrylic Paint

Dina Wakley Washi Tape

Tim Holtz Chit Chat Stickers

Crafters Workshop Stencil

Thanks for looking!

~jenn

Art Journal Page by Jenn Engle "Wings"

Hey everyone! I have an art journal page to share with you today. This one has a lot of layers, a lot of steps and a lot of my fave VLVS stamps.
To see exactly how I made it, be sure to check out the process video at the end of this post.

STAMPS USED:

Clockface
Arrow with Stars by Cat Kerr

Let's Get Lost

Wire Bird Cage

Open Up Your Heart Bird by Cat Kerr

Large Star Chart Map

STAMPS USED:

Clockface

Arrow with Stars by Cat Kerr

Let's Get Lost

Wire Bird Cage

Open Up Your Heart Bird by Cat Kerr

Large Star Chart Map

Other Supplies Used:

Distress Paint

Distress Spray Stain

Dylusions Spray

Tim Holtz Dies

Silks Acrylic Glaze

Art Stones in Medium and Small

Clear Droplets

Embossing Powder

Acetate

7 Dots Studio Word Stickers

Jewelry Wire

India Ink

Thanks for Watching!

~Jenn

Art Journal Page with Jenn Engle

Hey everyone! Today I have a fun collage-y style art journal page to share. I love to layer up my stamps in backgrounds and foregrounds. It really stretches how you use your stamps when you think of using them in multiple ways!

STAMPS USED:

Nature Collage

Banksy Child Fishing in Paper Boat

I started out by applying some patterned tissue paper to just the middle section of my page and then using gesso to try to camouflage the edges.

Next, I applied some Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays and magicals for background color. I did a little background stamping with just a portion of Nature Collage to get a little interest.

Lastly, I worked on my focal collage. I started with some sheet music paper and some washi tape. Then, I stamped Banksy Child Fishing in Paper Boat with brown ink. I added a butterfly and a quote on top. I also scuffed a little gesso around the butterfly to grunge him up a bit.

As a final touch, I added some rub-ons that look like paint splotches and some scribbles all over the page with a regular pencil.

To see exactly how I made this page, you can check out the video tutorial.

STAMPS USED:

Nature Collage

Banksy Child Fishing in Paper Boat

OTHER PRODUCTS USED:

Tim Holtz Postale Tissue Paper

Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Spray

Lindy's Stamp Gang Magicals

Sheet Music

Glitter Washi Tape

Gesso

Jane Davenport Rub-Ons

Archival Ink

Butterfly Image from computer

No. 2 Pencil

Thanks so much for looking!

~Jenn

Easy ATCs with Jenn Engle

Hey everyone! Today I have some super easy Artist Trading Cards to share with you. All you need is some patterned paper and some of your favorite VLVS stamps!

STAMPS USED:

Mesh Texture

Butterfly Specimens

Cross Marks Background

Row of Numbers

Dreamers Only by Car Kerr

First, I started by cutting some 7 Dots Studio patterned paper into 6 pieces of 2.5" by 3.5 " (the size of an artist trading card). Then, I took some of my favorite Viva Las VegaStamps stamp and randomly stamped around my cards with Staz-On ink in Timber Brown.

Next, I figured out where I wanted each of my Tim Holtz Paper Dolls to sit on each card. I took Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks in "Night" for one set and "Umber" for the other and drew an area for my paper dolls to stand on. I also dissolved some of the pigment from the scribble sticks to use for splatters on my cards. I also used the "Umber" Scribble Stick to outline my cards.

Finally, I glued the Paper Dolls down and stamped "Dreamer" or "Dreamers" from the Dreamers Only Stamp by Car Kerr.

And that is all there is to it! A super quick and easy way to make a bunch of ATCs at a time.

STAMPS USED:

Mesh Texture

Butterfly Specimens

Cross Marks Background

Row of Numbers

Dreamers Only by Car Kerr

Other Products Used:

Patterned Paper - 7 Dots Studio

Staz-On - Timber Brown

Dina Wakley Media Scribble Sticks - Umber & Night

Tim Holtz Paper Dolls

Thanks for looking!

Art Journal Page by Jenn Engle

Hey everyone! I have an art journal page to share with you today. To see exactly how I made it, check out the process video at the bottom of this post.

STAMPS USED:

Magic Maker Paintbrush by Cat Kerr

Finding My Way by Cat Kerr

Row of Numbers

Mesh Texture
Not All Who Wander

I started by using Distress Oxides Inks with a round ink blending tool to create circles all over my background. I also did a little stamping to add some interest.

I stamped my paintbrush and colored it in with Dina Wakley's Scribble Sticks. I also stamped my two sentiments.

I journaled with a Fude-Ball 1.5mm pen, making it look like my journaling was coming out of my paintbrush. I glued down my sentiments and that's it!

PROCESS VIDEO:

STAMPS USED:

Magic Maker Paintbrush by Cat Kerr

Finding My Way by Cat Kerr

Row of Numbers

Mesh Texture

Not All Who Wander

Other Products

Distress Oxide Inks - Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade

Distress Blending Tool

Black Staz-On Ink

Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks

Fude-Ball 1.5mm Pen

Thanks for looking!

~Jenn

September Challenge - Thoughts of Fall

September has arrived... the month we're all waiting for! Fall is around the corner... cool crisp air... pumpkin spice EVERYthing... and comfy sweaters.

So let's bring out the Fall themed challenges! Like this beautiful fox! Be inspired by Jewel & Earth tones like mossy greens, warm oranges, pale pinks n blues. Draw inspiration from the browns and grays. Use any woodland creatures like deer, foxes, squirrels, birds and more. Trees, branches, pines, mountains... all are appropriate! Also feel free to use lots of marks & textures in your background. GOOD LUCK guys!

Don't forget the rules:

-Create a new project based on our inspiration board (it has to be posted this month, but you can certainly link up to other challenges as well!)

-Use at least one (but certainly more if you want) Viva Las VegaStamps! rubber stamps

(We are now allowing competitors stamps to be on your work, but please make VLVS! the focus of the project, thank you.)

-Post it to your blog with a link back to us

-Upload to our linky using your direct blog post link (You may also upload via facebook, flickr or other gallery)

You could win a Project Spotlight post on our blog + some new rubber of course.

And visit us back here for inspiration!

An InLinkz Link-up

Pretty Journal Page by Fiona

Hello my gorgeous VLVS peeps! Fiona here today to share a journal page I have created with you all.

 This time I have kept it classic black and white with one. the one is the pink and boy does it pop!

 I wasn't too sure about this one when it first began. I was deliberately trying to not use too many colours so i started with the black.

 Well actually I started with the white modelling paste through the stencil but when it came to adding colours I held back and started with the black then added the pink.

The stamping was sort of all ready in my head so it followed the black and pink easily. All that was left was to add a few pink details. The heart and her dress and one or two wings and it was done!

STAMPS USED:

Pair of Butterfly Wings

Fairy Girl by Cat Kerr

Brave heart by Cat Kerr

See you all again next time xx