Creative Chemistry 103 - Distress Collage Mediums & Textures

So this time it's catch-up on Day 3.  All done! (apart from the Grit-Paste, which I haven't yet bought.)

Firstly, here's the sample tags of the differences in the various collage mediums & texture pastes ...

Collage mediums

Texture pastes

And now the tags themselves ...

Layered collage

Texture paste colouring

Texture paste embossing

Texture paste resist

Creative Chemistry 103 - distress crayons

Blended Background

Layered Colouring

Watercolour Resist

Smudge technique

      

Gesso Fresco technique

A busy week of so many new & amazing techniques from Tim Holtz's new online class Creative Chemistry 103! (available here)
Great classes & so many hints & tips from Tim! I caught up yesterday with Distress Crayon techniques, a new product i hadn't used before!  Love the vibrant colours & the fascinating techniques, but have now ordered the neutrals set to enable a more 'grungy' look as well!

 

Creative Chemistry 101 revisited

Just a quick post (can't believe it's been so so long since I posted anything!) today.
Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 is up & running again this month (& 102 in July, then NEW! 103 in August) (why don't you join here at onlinecardclasses.com if you haven't already done so).  Same classes for a couple of months, but new forums & galleries, Tim answering new questions & now live chats as well!

So first week is looking at the first couple of lessons, so I've played along.  3 tags using distress inks (all last year's colours - twisted citron, mermaid lagoon, wilted violet, blueprint sketch and edged ground espresso, or hickory smoke).  And 3 techniques blended spritz & flick, brushless watercolour & wrinkle-free distress.  Butterfly stamps by Tim Holtz (Stampers Anonymous) & quote stamps by Finnabair (Prima).

Loved revisiting these techniques & looking forward very much to a summer of Creative Chemistry!

Back soon 

Kay

Mixed Media Academy Open Studio Challenge 1

I first discovered Finnabair & her work a couple of years back, love her work! And now she's just started a new Facebook group - Finnabair & Friends - Open Studio, so many talented crafters out there... just amazed by everyone's stunning offerings!  And we now have a challenge, for a background inspired by one of her creative team's examples (on her blog).  So I had a play on several tags, & decided in the end to go with my take on Rebecca's textured background,.

Using a 5" x 7" canvas, I added strips of papers, hessian rectangles, lace trim, finishing off with texture paste through 2 different stencils.

 Then I covered with a coat of white gesso.

Then for the colour ... What to do?  I wanted to get away from my current bright pastel turquoise/teal/green/purple palette, so I decided on a fairly dark & gold 'grungy' theme...

After several false starts... sprays (the red was too red), shimmering mica powders (again too red!), it looked a real mess!

So, I still liked the texture, & it's only a canvas (!), and as I'd decided to go dark, I covered the whole thing with a coat of black gesso ... that was better, & because I'd used the shimmering powders, it ended up looking quite metallic.

Eventually, I used gold paint on the lace and stencil stripes, and most of the small stencil dots & added a coppery paint to the remaining dots.  A few days ago, I found some micro beads I'd bought years ago... the black, gold & light brown were just the thing to add a little more colour texture - background done!

After trying out several brass/gold toned embellishments, which weren't quite working, I wondered whether it would work better 'landscape'... yes, everything went together quickly after this, and so I finished my canvas...

I enjoyed this, even despite the many re-colourings!

A couple of detailed photos...

 

Tim's tag April 2015

I can't believe it's been 5 months since I've blogged!  Where has the time gone?  I've still been crafting, but I have to admit I've somewhat got out of the habit of blogging.  So here goes with the first of Tim's 2015 tags that I've managed to complete before the end of the month!

Today Tim's new Fossilized Amber distress marker came, just in time to add to the butterfly (from Tim's new Watercolor stamp set)!  I've decided to buy initially just the marker for each new month, (love all the colours so far, too hard to choose a favourite!) and wait 'til the mini-pads come out in sets of four..., so I've already got the 4 new colours in marker form, so I used these to create the tag, just adding vintage photo on the edges & a spritz of Gathered Twigs, as this is the darkest marker colour I've got.

I love using watercolour cardstock, markers & water - love the effect!

I haven't (yet!) any of Tim's word dies or individual letters, so I used an old Sizzlet die 'Love' & die cut letters from Tim's Chip Block letters die onto a spare piece of similarly coloured watercolour paper to give the effect of the letters being cut into the kraft card.

Finally I lightly coloured a flower 'gem' with Lake Mist alcohol ink (just to take off a bit of the brightness) & coloured the ribbon with Crushed Pistachio & Fossilized Amber markers.
Hopefully I'll be back next month with May's tag (if not before!)

Back soon!     Kay

Tim's tag November '14

So I've got a little behind with Tim's tags the last couple of months, (& only just time to do this month's tag before the new one tomorrow!).
As it's now less than a month before Christmas (help!!) I though I'd go with a more wintery theme than Tim's autumn theme.  I haven't got any of his dies with texture fades, so I had to improvise!

I've recently bought Tim's prancing reindeer die, & I'd already cut it out from a piece of white corrugated cardboard.  I used the gothic stencil to lightly emboss the background tag, & added dots with an embossing ink pen to add the sticky embossing powder & gilding flakes.  Then a quick distressing on the cardboard.  I used die cut letters which I painted pewter (to match the spray) for 'believe' which I added to a stained piece of  lace.
I'm glad I had a little time to do this, hopefully I'll have time for the next one as well!
Back soon (fingers crossed!).    Kay

Tim's tag - September

So, for once, I'm early for Tim's monthly tag (September)!  For me, Tim's new technique for 'faded layers' is slightly easier than the one he showed us in Creative Chemistry 102 & the Compendium of Curiosities vol iii - a slightly different effect I think, as the stencilled shapes tend to remain white, rather than just faded colour (which I've found quite difficult if I've used lots of alcohol ink!).

Anyway, although I've got quite of few of Tim's stencils, I decided to use a Dyan Reaveley diamond stencil for the background (inked over with Aqua alcohol ink).  I added multiple stampings of one of Tim's stamps (from Nature's Moments - one of my 'go to' sets!) and decided on the 'frenzy' of butterflies flying over the tag.  I must have somehow known, I've been wanting the Butterfly Frenzy decorative strip since it was first launched; I finally ordered it 2 days ago, & it came the next day, 1st September, so as soon as it arrived, I was all set!  I just love all the tiny butterflies! And I love how they're so vibrant & shiny using various colours of alcohol inks!  (And I've still got plenty to use on another project!)  Finally, just added a few remnant rubs, & it was finished!

the finished tag

tiny butterflies - detail - I used a couple of different text stamps on them

more tiny butterflies!

 Back soon!     Kay

Tim's August 2014 tag

And I'm back to 'last minute' posting again for Tim's August tag!  Where has this month gone?!

I followed Tim's technique fairly closely, using what I had (the face stamp is by IndigoBlu, a UK company - she's Jane Austen's heroine Elizabeth Bennet from 'Pride & Prejudice' - I love this book!)

I love the effect of the texture paste through the stencils, especially the roses from Tim's 'Doily' stencil, so pretty!
Back soon!     Kay

CC3 - Challenge 8

Just in time (again!) for the next Compendium of Curiosities challenge organised by Linda at Studio L3.  As this is an even-numbered challenge, it's sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique.

The technique this time is 'Faded Layers', in Tim's Compendium of Curiosities vol. III on page 58 ... (you'll have to get the book to follow the technique!)

It gives a lovely effect, but it can be a little 'tricky' (!), but I eventually got a few pieces that I was happy with!

So I decided to create a 'Bon Voyage' card... I used Tim's 'Vintage Valise' Sizzix die.  I used one piece for the main body of the case, another for the case 'trimmings', and a final piece for the tags.

Back soon!     Kay

CC3 - Challenge 7

We've been up in Scotland for a week, seeing some of the Commonwealth Games - a great trip!
We only got back yesterday evening, so I'm just in time for Linda's Studio L3 challenge 7 for Tim's Compendium of Curiosities vol 3, this time sponsored by Inspiration Emporium.

Whilst we were staying in Edinburgh, we ate at an Indian restaurant which was decorated in 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh' style ... & I was inspired by one of the small decorative mirrors, to do this 'painted industrial' piece, using picked raspberry & peacock feathers for the birds & heart ...

Back soon !     Kay

Tim's July 2014 tag

So I've completed Tim's tag for July already (needed to get it done before the end of the month as we're away for a few days then!)

I've just got the 'Movers & Shapers' seahorse & sand dollar, so I added two seahorses & 'share' ...  I used a swirl embossing folder for the acetate - sort of sea-like (?) & I like the way the swirls echo the swirls of the seahorses' tails!
& I had great fun making the 'sand'!!!

Back soon!     Kay

CC3 - Challenge 5

And this time, the challenge is to use Tim's Distress watercolour technique (on page 39 of his Compendium of Curiosities vol 3).  Details as before; challenge run by Linda Ledbetter at Studio L3 and sponsored this time by Inspiration Emporium.

So I decided to make a simple watercolour card ... (stamp is a background stamp from the British company Lili of the Valley).  So I used the technique on the rose & flourish top left, then 'grunged it up' a bit!   And finally I added a diecut oval, remnant rub, & inked crinkle ribbon ...

There's another part to this technique, but that's on the following page, so it'll be another challenge, so I'll leave that until then!

Back soon!      Kay

CC3 - Challenge 4

And I'm just in time (again!) for Linda at Studio L3's next challenge for Tim's "Compendium of Curiosities vol 3) - play along if you've got the book! (technique is on p. 49) This time sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique, & another chance for goodies from Tim & Mario.

So this time, its using stencils with texture paste ... so I decided to alter a plain, 'kraft' notebook (around 6" x 4", & a bit darker in real life!) ...

So I followed Tim's technique, & this is what I came up with; with stencils, texture paste, just 3 distress colours (crushed olive, peacock feathers & seedless preserves - love these colours together!) & a little stamping; front ...

And back ...

A simple closure, & it was done! - just adding a layer of matte gel medium over the top for protection ...

Back soon, I've still got Tim's June tag to finish!     Kay

CC3 - Challenge 3

I love using Tim's faux tea roses technique which is in his Compendium of Curiosities vol 3 page 65 ... so here's my take on it, just in time for Linda Ledbetter's Studio L3 challenge!  This time, it's sponsored by Inspiration Emporium, with a $50 Gift Certificate up for grabs!  And, the chance of some goodies from Tim & Mario!!

I painted the wooden heart with white picket fence, then used paint through Tim's Doily stencil for the background - a little too much, so I then went over the whole heart with picket fence stain, which toned it down nicely!  Then I edged with picked raspberry ink over seedless preserves paint!  I then added the tea roses, & a couple of leaf dies & metal embellishments.  And finally, one of Tim's quote stamps (one I use a lot!).

I enjoyed this!  Back soon!     Kay

Tim's tags 2014 - May

It took me a while (30 days in fact) to get around to doing Tim's May tag this month!!!  So, just in time, here's my tag for May!

Somewhat of a challenge, in fact; as Tim says "we’re using our favorite trinkets and embellishments (you know, that stash of things we collect just to admire and cherish the fact that we simply have them)" So I've used some of my bits & pieces I'd got 'saved' up!  With Tim's example having a butterfly as the main focus, I thought I'd go with this, hence the words, butterflies & birds!

The backgrounds for my tiles were pieces cut from Tim's Menagerie paper, the bird is Tim's, the bird cage & the feather other embellishments I've had for a while & wooden butterfly & hearts.  The paper butterfly is one I'd die cut for another project (which I haven't done yet, but I've got several more cut out!).  And finally a 'jewel' from a keyring I bought at a George Michael concert about 8 years ago - it finally 'disintergrated', but I've still got most of the 'bits'!

I haven't yet got any of the ShadowPress words, so I decided to do a faux take on it.  I stamped the words (using foam stamps I'd cut from Tim's Chip Block alphabet die) & then edged the letters in pen to make a shadow effect.  

On the tag background, I used peacock feathers & spiced marmalade ink pads (I'd also used this one on the edges of the tiles) & a little walnut stain.  And for the 'ribbon', I used a piece of raffia I've had for ages, but not used in a long while!

Finally, I added a few pieces of remnant rubs from my stash, & now waiting for Tim's June tag!

Back soon!     Kay

CC3 - Challenge 1

It's time for the next round of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities challenges, this time using volume iii of his book, hosted by Linda Ledbetter at Studio L3.  This first challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium.  This time round, Linda has got together a team of very talented crafters to give us even more inspiration, so there's lots of loveliness for this first challenge!

The first technique is from page 43 in the book (sorry, can't share the technique, but it uses distress paints!)...

I tried the technique on a tag first, & then, with different colours (rusty hinge, peacock feathers & seedless preserves) on a mini (2 3/4" canvas).  A very different effect!

Can you see the heart?  When I'd done the canvas background I saw a heart shape (very faint!) - how's that for 'serendipity'!  So I decided to 'enhance' the heart - I cut a mask & stamped with Versamark, & added Ranger's Frosted Crystal embossing powder.  I used the 'positive' heart to mask it whilst I stamped (with picket fence distress stain) around the edges & used a white gel pen to edge the heart, along with a black pen, & I finally added a couple of rub-ons from Tim's botanical remnant rubs...  

And what about the tag?  I completed the background... & added picket fence distress stain stamping as before...

I decided to complete it with just simple stamping in black archival, with edges distressed with picket fence distress stain ...

Back soon!     Kay

great news!!!

Hi again, some news to share with you...

Joan, one of my friends from the Queens Road Summer Market here in Watford is opening up a shop in Watford (Rebel Pebble, 98 The Parade) on Saturday for local artists & craftspeople to show & sell their work, & I'm renting a couple of shelves for my cards, canvases & more!!!

Thought I'd share a few of the things I've made recently for the shop ...

First some canvases:

Japanese cotton & lace

crackled canvas, wooden butterflies

textures with die cuts & embossing paste, heat-embossed butterflies

And then some hearts (which still need ribbon to hang!)

& lots more ideas, just need time to make!!!

Back soon!     Kay

Tim's tags - April 2014

And I'm just in time for this month's "Tim's tag" - Tim's tag here

And this time, I had most of the 'bits & pieces'!!!

The trellis Framework I bought with the voucher I'd got from Tim & Mario (from Simon Says stamp) in the draw for February's tag!!! (how's that for a good choice of goodie!).  I love this die!  & I love making the paper roses with Tim's tattered pinecone die!!  Here's the roses in detail...

The colours I used were:  antique linen & forest moss paint & peacock feathers ink for the background and peacock feathers & vintage photo for the trellis.  I edged the shapes with vintage photo, mowed lawn & spiced persimmon & I coloured the roses with milled lavender & peacock feathers.

Back soon!     Kay

Tim's tag for March

Hi again!

I was totally amazed & shocked (and speechless!) when Tim released his tag for March!!!  Why???  Every month, all the entries go into a prize draw - imagine my shock when I saw my name in the post as one of the prize winners!!!!!  (& thanks to everyone who commented on my post!)  So at the moment I'm looking forward to the arrival of my prize!!!

So, onward & upward!

This month, Tim used his 'smudge stamping' technique to create two tags.  I did try this before when I took Tim's Creative Chemistry 102 online class although I kept muddling the two tags up!) so I had another go!  (I didn't get them muddled this time!)

 

 

As you can see, the one on the right is paler, more subtle, as it uses second-impression stamping, having already stamped the tag on the left, & using just the ink remaining on the stamp for the second tag, then a little bit of smudging to slightly blur the outlines.   I think with a little more practice, I shall really get to enjoy this technique, and 'two for the price of one'!!!

 

I used vintage photo, seedless preserves, peacock feathers & peeled paint ink pads, with a little spiced marmalade through the stencil for the background.  I used the same colours on the tag ribbons, but added more water to create a paler ribbon for the second tag.  For the little flowers, I used seedless preserves paint, with an addition of a pale grey/blue on the right. 

 

Back soon!     Kay