Songbird

A few years ago I went to an Auntie Amy's convention in Novi, Michigan. I was overwhelmed to say the least. Since I have some issues with claustrophobia, I tried to stay within eye shot of the door in case I had to leave quickly. There were just too many people in such a small area. I have heard there is a new convention center and it's much larger. I just never felt comfortable going back to the old place. Just the bathrooms alone freaked me out!

One of the vendors who was pushing the new at that time Stazon inks came up with this idea. I have no clue what to call the technique so if anyone knows what to call it, let me know. I am sure he didn't invent this idea but having a teenage boy show you stamping stuff was pretty neat (he was a cutie). He had us take a folded acetate paper holder and put several dots of inks (you can use most any I would think) on the inside and then close the folder and rub your hand over it to disperse the inks. We then opened it back up and spritzed with water.

Then we placed two full size sheets of white glossy paper inside with the glossy sides facing out. Then you closed the folder and laid it flat and rubbed your hands again to color the glossy paper. You would always end up with cool designs on the paper but no two alike. Then you removed the paper and dried with your embossing gun. Then just cut to size for whatever your background project is. You rinse the inks off the folder to re-use again and again. I think you could let the folder dry and cut that for an interesting embellishment too if you have lots to spare but acetate over lays are expensive by the box unless you find a sale, like I did (B2G1).

I then stamped in Stazon this image of a bird, which took on an Asian influence to me with the red base card. I tore the edge of my stamp image and added that little red clippie and voila! Instant card.

The above technique can be quite messy so be prepared. I also tend to get headachy around Stazon and alcohol inks so be sure to use adequate ventilation-all you cubby hole stampers especially. Now I am going into the yard to see my real birdies. I think they need food as squirrely boy seems to be taking it lately.

Tim Inked

I hope everyone gets a chance to play with alcohol inks. Tim Holtz has some incredible colors in his line from Ranger. Since I made this simple card a while back, there have been metallics added to the line. I have several made with those but stuck them someplace and haven't found them yet. This card was the first time I used the alcohol inks and the fumes nearly did me in. As much as I love them I don't use them too much unless I have the doors and windows open. I am very sensitive to smells and I probably drive others nuts when I always ask "what's that smell?" as no one else ever is aware of it. I wont even go into how sensitive my hearing is either!

The Holtz line isn't the only one out there. Pinata makes some. I also remember this bottled ink called Silk I think a while back. I actually saw a lady use it on fabric with gold paint. I haven't seen it in several years tho.

This card is pretty simple and I only added the leaf as I had a scrap laying out and stamped it quick and pop dotted it. This card probably needs something else but I wanted to post it before I forgot about it. I like the wedgie look of it instead of how many times the colors are more meshed to where you can't see the distinct edges. I will post more detailed cards later this week-I need to actually get something done outside if it ever warms up and dries out.

Just Because

I hope everyone gets the chance to work with Alcohol inks. You will never get the same exact background no matter how you try. There are several brands out there but the most available is probably Tim Holtz Adirondack inks from Ranger . The first ones I ever purchased were from Jacquard called Pinata They were on clearance and I had no idea what to do with them either. But what a deal. Now I know.

This card is very simple once you have made your inky backgrounds and you can get carried away making them. Make sure you visit the above links for how-to-do's. And remember to use adequate ventilation when working with these inks-I felt a bit woozy when doing this.

I used a textured cream colored card that I layered my background inked piece on top of black. For the flower image I used Staz-On black and a Penny Black Botanical stamp. Using some Sulky Golden thread, wind a few layers around the image before sticking to the base card. Then add a sentiment if you want.

Jolly Spirit

Tag cards are really run and easy. I used only stickers and paper from my stash. Rather than have this card fold up, I had it fold sideways and then glued it. But it works either way. If you are good at it, you can get two cards from one 12 x 12 piece of paper. So play around with scraps.

I used another piece of white that I edged with red for the front of the actual tag-Here you could write your message or add a photo. Use up your scraps of ribbons to make ties. And don't pay scrap store prices for your round price tags. Go to the office supply and get a few packages-if you are going to use a lot of them, buy a whole box and maybe split with a few friends. They are so much fun to use and kids have fun with them too.

Safety pins again are something to buy in other places than the scrap store. I usually get mine free as the races I do give you a handful to put your number on your shirt. I have even dyed them to match with alcohol inks.

Doggie is doing good-sleeping for now. He went to the vet, and had a joint car ride with Marley and it was okay. I guess I will have two big furries and three small furries again in the bed-with no room for me! I don't trust him in the house alone if I am not present yet. I hope to keep my sofa cushions intact. Hey-check out my other blog soon. I am gonna put up a recipe that was de-lish later tonight. It's an Ethiopian Stew-with my own twist.

Uggos for Allison-AFSS43

Allison is having a "slam yourself" contest of sorts this week. To play the game, you have to post one or more of the ugliest cards you have ever made. Now I personally have a box full of them and don't usually photograph them either. I am just saving the uggos ones to use a parts of new uggos-an odd way to recycle, I guess but sometimes it works.

Or I give them to unsuspecting children (Hi Kayla!)

Anyways, these four actually made it to my blog sometime in the past two years. So here ya go, Allison. I am sending ya a barf bag by cyberspace if you need it. Like a pregnant woman needs an excuse to upchuck?

Just using the bits and pieces in a bin of paper. Could have been good.Could have.But wasn't.

My heart was in the right place-this was for Toby. He is now 4!

Using alcohol inks for the first time-it needs glitter or some gilding (which wasn't available at the time)

My first experience with Staz-On Ink. The stuff still makes me swoony and head achy. This is probably the worst ever. It was a demo we did at my first stamp convention.

Now I go back to trying to find the bottom of my desk and decide if I am game enough to get up Thanksgiving morning to do a Turkey Trot.

Blog Candy?? I Have Nonpareils Up for Grabs!!!

I don't eat candy unless it's peanut butter. I personally would rather eat a handful of garlic to keep the bad spirits away than eat sugary goo. I love to bake for others tho and am a fanatic about those goofy little round colored balls you can sprinkle n cupcakes and cookies. I have them in all colors, sizes, themes and always go to Target the day after a holiday to get them at 50% off. So I have decided to call my blog candy "Nonpareils" which in French means "without equal" for intricate decorations. My grandpa was French so this will be my tribute to him, as he taught me how to bake back in the early 60's.

Anyone that read my blog last week when I said there was blog candy coming may remember I said something about an essay question or test. And that is correct. I have a serious question for y'all and you must answer the question to qualify for the drawing, which will be random but only those who answer the question will qualify.

Here is a photo of the nonpareils you will receive. The photo isn't great because I had to redo it and its 1AM,and somehow the other photos I took got lost somewhere on my hard drive. I use one program for default of photos I don't need to name and index but Photoshop Elements keeps over riding it and is driving me nuts as I don't know what folder it put them in and I have about 5000 artistic ones. I will probably find them when I don't want them anymore.

So this small nonpareil gift consists of one 6 x 6 pad of Basic Grey paper (36 sheets), 3 sets of Gartner pre-folded cards and envies in a red that matches the Basic Grey papers,1 clear stamp package of 4 stamps including a flower and three phrases, one acrylic block to match the words,one four yard twill tape package (you can dye this with inks, chalks, and other colors-markers that are alcohol based work great!!), 5 heart shaped paper clips, three metallic tags that say thank you in script and a piece of Hardanger mesh plastic canvas that I have cut to use as a template for paper piercing. I did this rather than buy those 10.00 ones from the stamp companies as I tend to lose stuff that is clear in my stash. This works for me.

The random drawing will take place June 1 at about 11PM. You must post to this particular posting, so don't email me as it will go to my spam file. One entry per person, and you MUST answer the question honestly and with great thought.

so here is the big question-------

You are being exiled to a remote island and will be all alone and have to survive on your own for 90 days. You can only take one food item with you-as much as you want of it but only one thing. It cannot be an animal or anything that has eyeballs. And you must leave some of it for the next exile to live on. What one food item would you take that you would not get sick of and would enjoy for 90 days every day and could leave some for the next person to do the same with? I am very curious to see what your answers will be.

Remember-only post to this entry and only once. If you don't answer the question, you will not qualify.

Have a good week and see you back here on Friday at 11PM-and the Pistons better be on the way to the NBA Finals by then. No more goofing around guys-my nerves are shot!!