The ocean - art journal page

Hello everyone,

Today's art journal page features some landscape stamping which is not my usual style, but nevertheless I enjoyed the process of making it. So here we go with a little tutorial and some technical tips about how to arrange a landscape composition.

When I started my page, I had a rough image in my mind how this page should look like. I already knew my focal image - this man with his dog - and so stamping and cutting this was the first thing I did. Also, I inked up the edges with a black marker which would help the image blending easily into the scene later. At this stage I wasn't sure if I wanted the image to be colored or not, so I left that decision for later.

Next, I chose some stamps for my background scenery: a rower and a pier. And here's my little tip about arranging your composition: When you are not sure where to place your images, first stamp them on some transparency. I always use a slow drying ink such as Versafine as this can be wiped away from the foil afterwards. You can then move the foil or foil pieces to get a good idea how it looks in different positions. In my case I wasn't sure about how high I wanted to have my horizon line. This technique helped me to figure out where to place the stamps.

Ater I added the two stamped images to my page, I added some texture to the sky. Therefore I used the new plus sign stamp (not only as a whole but also just parts of the stamp) and heatembossed that.

Finally it was time to add color. I diluted some Dylusions ink sprays with water and added them to my previously wetted page. I left a lot of white space on the page which I really liked in the end.

Once I was done with my background, I needed something for my focal characters to sit on. I grabbed a piece of tissue and tore it into pieces and strips. Then I crumpled these up and glued several layers down to the bottom of the page with matte medium, making sure to retain the crinkled texture. After it had dried, I added a few more Dylusions inks with a brush and ended up with the perfect ledge for the man and his dog. I also added a few lighthanded lines to the horizon.

That was the point where I decided that they need a little color and grabbed my watercolors. Then I glued them down with foam tape, added a matching quote sticker and called this project done. Here are some close-up shots of the finished page.

 

 

Stamps used:
Man And Dog Sitting (18968)
Plus Sign Background (20571)
Pier or Dock Silhouette (19716)
Man In Row Boat Silhouette (19712)
Recommendation for creating landscapes: Plate 1460

Other material:
- Art journal (Hahnemuehle DIN A4 watercolor book)
- Versafine ink (nocturne)
- Versamark ink
- Dylusions ink sprays (calypso teal, vibrant turquoise, periwinkle blue, chopped pesto, slate grey, melted chocolate)
- watercolor
- embossing powder (Ranger - frosted crystal)
- tissue paper
- matte medium
- Studio Light Sticker (Jenine's mindful art collection)
- black brush marker and fine tip marker

See you soon!

 

The mail has gone to the dogs...

Hello Again crafty friends!

Today I want to share a cute and simple mail art envelope with you!
This one of for all of my dog lovers.

Stamps Used:

Row of Chevrons

Dog Hydrant

Dog with Bone

I started by stamping the hydrant and the dog in Memento ink (Tuxedo Black). I used a scrap of paper to mask off the dogs paws, then stamped the row of chevrons 2x as an accent.  

I used Various alcohol markers to color all my stamped images as well as to add my "grass". Then, I used distress oxide inks to create a few clouds. 

What do you think? 

I think I may need to do a cat one some time too...

Hope this brings you all a smile! 

Happy Crafting!

Blast From The Past

Hi guys, It's Tera again here to share my fun blast the past stamp project with you! 

This was such a fun challenge for me! and I hope it will inspire you!! I love that this stamp can be used in so many situations, from birthday cards, to girls night out, dog lovers, and just about anything! 

For my project I thought I would do a piece on celebrate who you are and your own style!

Stamp used:

Shoe Dalmatian Dog 3 x 2 1/4

Start by inking your stamp in black ink, then carefully wipe the ink off of the shoes/spots that you would like to be a different color and stamp on card stock. Next clean off your stamp and color the shoes in with brick red distress marker and carefully line the stamp up over your already stamped image... 

(it doesn't have to be perfect :-D ... if you would rather you could also mask the area off)

Next if you are like me and need to touch up your edging from wiping the ink off just fix it with a black marker 

 Next ink your desired embossing folder (or stencil) in your desired ink color. I used Brick red again then spritz the distress ink on the embossing folder with water. Carefully set the tag on the embossing folder and brayer it or gently rub it to be sure the whole tag touches to pick up enough color

this is something similar to what you should see after lifting straight up (I heat dried mine, but you can wait on it to dry naturally if you are more patient than me!)

Now comes the fin part sponging on ink!! I used Wild honey and Fired Brick on a make-up sponge

 I made two so i could have options to which I liked best when finished and because it is so fun!

this is when you want to measure out a piece of cardstock about an 1/8 inch bigger to really make your colors pop.. it also fits and looks awesome as a card front for an A2 card!!! (set this piece to the side)

Next Create your desired quote with a Dymo maker if you have one

(or if not another stamp even!! goodness knows I love stamped quotes!!! hehe)

 Next take your two ink pads and stamp them on your craft mat. spritz the ink with water again then rub your seam binding ribbon (or any that you have) around in the colors until you get the look you want adding more ink as you go. I also crinkle mine and heat dry it 

make a pretty bow for the top of your tag and tie it on 

 next lay your pieces out and decide where you want your stamp to go. Stamp it in black ink then color it in solid black This helps add a nice finished look behind your image and a hint of a shadow

 

At this stage you are almost done!! add your pop dots, and staple down your quote! If you are pleased with the look attach your back with Miracle Tape and Enjoy!!!!

(here you can also see the nice shadow added by coloring the back black)

I Hope you enjoyed this tag inspiration!! I had so much fun making this piece and I know that I will have to use this Awesome stamp for some more super fun projects!!

Button Button.. Who's got the button? {A Button Fairy Swap}

Hiya folks!!

Today I'm sharing an overabundance of beautiful art! Here are the results of our VLVS! Button Fairy Swap! We had an astounding number of participants and each day a new fairy arrived on my desk I was in total awe!!

Let's go to it shall we? Here they are in alphabetical order:

This blue boy is by Anne Squire -- this stamp is long retired but still a  favorite among those who snatched him during his sale days!!

 Autumn Renault sent in this beauty! The wings on it are all metallic and glossy - super cool! She kept the Bandana Dog as the focal point for her fairy.

 Barb Rankin chose a glorious steampunky style using our Vintage Fan Lady on a Balloon stamp. The feel is vintage, nostalgic, and super pleasing.

 Cheryl Lindsey wows us with this monochromatic gal.

 Chris McAdams used our Brick Background stamp to create the luxurious texture of her fairy's wings.

 I decided to use our newest Octopus/Cephalopod stamp as the being portion of my fairy.

 Gerrie Johnnic's fairy is sure to delight and create whimsy with the Skinny Girl.

 Jennifer Walker used our Crackle Background to add some enchant to her wings.

 Lyneen Jesse has a love for steampunk and her use of our Steampunk Couple shows it! Metallic-y goodness all around.

 Mary Vogel Lozinak is always a hit and her Clown Face button fairy is hilarious! 

 Michele Kosciolek used our Corset stamp and molded her own fairy heads!!

 Sandra Strait is astounding as usual with this Steampunk Dog Face canvas piece! 

and Shawn Hayden used our Weeping Angel Child  stamp(That split tail is AMAZING!) to finish us off! Fitting as that's the end of our button fairy swap.

But never fear!! We have ANOTHER swap going on ALREADY!! We'll be altering MATCHBOXES! So join us in our facebook group, read up on the info and let us know if you'd like to participate!