April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - "You Are..."

Another month brings another Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart. This month's set is called "You Are..." and all the images in this fun set are pictured in the right-hand column of my blog. The Stamp of the Month is only offered during its month, then it's gone. So if you like it, get it! And if you're already shopping for other scrapbooking and stamping goodies and spend at least $50 before shipping and tax, you can get the Stamp of the Month for only $5! Start shopping here.

To help showcase the Stamp of the Month, over 40 CTMH consultants are sharing their designs in our monthly Blog Hop. If you're already hopping, you've likely come here from Jen Rubio's blog. Keep scrolling through my post to see where to hop to next. There's sure to be plenty of inspiration for you along the way. Have fun!

Here is my card using just about every single stamp in the set...

I used the new Super Hero paper pack for this card. I can't wait to use the rest of it to scrapbook my daughter's MegaCon photos. It's perfect because there are comics, periodic tables and lots of other fun prints that coordinate. 

Here are a few details on how the card came together...

To make the banner topper on the card I simply stamped the long stamp onto a strip of white card stock using black ink, and punched a 1-inch circle for the banner pennants which I stamped in Cranberry, then cut apart to make five total.

Then I glued them so they butted up to the long strip.

For the larger circles that go inside the card, I punched a 1 1/4-inch white circle and stamped it with the little stars in Cranberry, the thin rules with Sky, and inked the edges with Moonstruck and Black then adhered each circle to a 1 1/2-inch black circle.

These were then adhered to the inside flap of the card front. A 1-inch strip of the striped paper puts a nice background behind the circles when the card is closed.

Here's another look at the finished card. This card pattern called "Confidential" (pg. 122) comes from Close To My Heart's "Wishes" book which will soon be unavailable since all of our how-to books are retiring. Wishes is a great card-making book with beautiful samples, blueprints, tips and techniques and variations, so if you don't have yours yet, you better move fast!

Now continue on the Blog Hop and see what Amy McVey has come up with. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Day 10 of Creative Chemistry 101

A bittersweet day. It's the final day of Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 online course, and I am both sad to see it come to an end and so very happy to have participated these past two weeks. I learned so many tips and techniques and thoroughly enjoyed the personalized approach of an online class. You really feel like Tim's talking just to you, showing you around his home, his studio,... heck, we even got a glimpse of Mario today! I look forward to more online offerings from Tim, so I do hope he continues this.

For our final day of the class, we got a thorough education on Dimensional Mediums. Things like Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Sealers and more. Among several techniques using Stickles was the main focus of today's video which was a Rock Candy Distress Stickles technique. This basic technique of rubbing Rock Candy Stickles evenly over an entire surface is so easy, but provides wonderful results. A lovely glimmer across the tag. I love how this looks on Tim's damask stamp and I had something similar so gave it a try.

"Rock Candy Distress Stickles" technique

This lovely Stampin' Up stamp was given to me by my friend Lisa Cerrato who used to be a consultant. I have good friends, don't I? Thank you Lisa! I had put it away and forgotten about it until today and WOW, this will be one of my favorites for backgrounds from now on. I love it! (I don't even know what it's called because I don't have the box.)

I tried to get an angle where you can see the shimmering Stickle layer but this photo still doesn't do it justice. It's so pretty, take my word for it. This was our only tag and technique today, but it was certainly a good one. 

Now, I mentioned in the beginning that I was keeping a notebook and would share it with you when the class was done. So here is what I ended up doing...

You may have to click on this photo to get a better view. This is a basic 1-inch binder from the office supply store with a clear window on the front and the spine. I sort of know my way around PhotoShop a little, so I took all my photos of my tags and ganged them up on a 8.5 x 11 canvas, dropping away the background and adding a soft shadow behind each tag. Then I grabbed Tim's logo and plunked it in the middle with a shadow. The final tag we did today was the odd man out, so it's the one hanging over the logo on the right, again with a soft shadow.

Here's the spine. I just grabbed a section of what I did above, making the logo smaller and turning it sideways. I love how it turned out and how it looks on my shelf.

The inside has a double pocket. For the photo I put the tags in the bottom pocket so you could see them, but for storing I will move them to the top pocket so they don't slide around too much.

I really love that I can quickly grab my tags and flip them over to check the technique labels Tim provided us. I know that I will be using many of the new techniques I learned. In fact, I think I'll go grab my water brush and make something watercolory and pretty!

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a fantastic weekend!

Day 9 of Creative Chemistry

Day 9 of Creative Chemistry 101, Tim Holtz's online class, was a day of pearls. Perfect Pearls to be exact. Professor Tim discussed Perfect Pearl Mists, making our own mists, and different ways to use the Perfect Pearls mica powders. This class was very helpful to me, since all I ever thought you could do with Perfect Pearls is mist them over something. HA!

Here are my three tags from the techniques we learned today...

And here are each of them with the technique name...

"Perfect Distress Mist" Technique

Right off the top, this is something new to me. I had no idea you could add Perfect Pearl powders to re-inkers and water in a mini mister and get such great results. I mixed Turquoise and Vintage Photo, Heirloom Gold with Forest Moss, and Perfect Bronze with Rusty Hinge. Amazing results! I wish you could see the real thing.

"Perfect Distress" Technique

Again, something new for me. You can brush Perfect Pearls powder over a Distress Ink stamped image and it sticks! Then when you spritz it with water, the colors sort of leech out and spread. So Cool!

"Perfect Splatter Distress" Technique

Much like Perfect Distress, this one takes it one more step by adding Perfect Pearls powder to the craft sheet in tiny piles and splotches. I had some fun with this one since there was so much left on the craft sheet. I made several more tags!

Here's a close-up view of the last one. So hard to show just how great this turns out.

As always, thanks for stopping by today. You know it's never too late to sign up for Tim's Creative Chemistry 101 course. Just go here to sign up. It's very convenient because you can do it at your own pace and once you register you have access to the program for life! 

Have a great day!

Day 8 of Creative Chemistry 101

Day 8 of Tim Holtz's online class Creative Chemistry 101 was a focus on paints. Tim discussed various types of paints and their properties and shared some fun techniques with Crackle Paint as well.

Here are the three tags I made today inspired by Tim's techniques...

And here are each of the tags with their techniques...

"Paint Dabber Resist" Technique

I used silver and gold paint dabbers on sticky back canvas. Rubbing the Distress Stains over the top scared me at first, but when sopped up with a towel and heat set, it ended up looking pretty cool!

"Crackle Paint Resist" Technique

Today's favorite for me. I have always put a even coat of Crackle Paint over an entire piece of something. Never had it dawned on me to just spread it more randomly, thicker and thinner in places and not cover the whole tag. I really liked the effect this gave mixed with Distress Stains and stamping.

"Shattered Stains" Technique

This technique of coating a grungeboard cut-out with a generous amount of Clear Rocky Candy Distress Crackle Paint took quite a while to dry, and I got a little impatient and heated the second butterfly to speed things up, and just like Tim warned us, I got some very large trailing cracks. But it doesn't look terrible.

Here's a close-up of the first butterfly which I allowed to dry on its own (mostly) without heating it. Those Distress Stains ooze right down into those cracks giving it the coolest effect!

Thanks for stopping in today. Now I'm off to view the Gallery in Tim's class to see all the other great creations with Day 8's techniques. See you tomorrow!

Day 7 and some winners!

Today is Day 7 in Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 online class, and it was all about embossing powders. Tim gave us a great overview of embossing powder techniques, differences, and the various effects with different types of inks. I have to be honest, this was the first class where I actually had to start over on TWO of the three tags. One went into the trash completely, the other is salvageable. So this shows that I am indeed learning new things and that sometimes it takes a little practice to get things right. When all was said and done, I really loved the results.

Here are the three tags I made today using Tim's techniques...

And there are each of the tags with their techniques...

"Nostalgic Batik" Technique

This was something I had never tried and found it to be very cool! 

I only wish you could see that bird up close. Such a neat effect.

"Rusted Enamel" Technique

This definitely is one of my favorite techniques because of the results you get. Just like a rusty piece of metal, all pitted and variegated. 

"Distress Powder Resist" Technique

I have always wondered about Distress Embossing Powder. I recently bought up a bunch of it because 

I got a good deal, but hadn't really used any of it yet. It's so unique in that it doesn't get shiny when heated. It stays rough and grungy. A very nice effect. Very Tim indeed.

Well, if you've been following me lately you know that I'm celebrating over 400 Followers here on my blog and that put me in the mood to give away some goodies. One box FULL of goodies! 

And a coffee-quiz winner gets a little surprise too.

So without further ado, by random drawing the winner of the goodie box is...

Karen Geckler!

 

Karen Geckler said...

Wow!! that fruit looks almost good enough to eat!! very real life coloriing! Love it!

And the first correct guess of my favorite Starbucks drink (VHCAWLC) is...

Melinda Abrahamson!

Melinda Abrahamson said...

You have done a terrific job on the Tim techniques...

I love guessing Starbucks drinks... Venti Half Caf Americano with lite cream?

Okay winners, you need to e-mail me now with your mailing address to this e-mail:

AnnetteGreen@me.com

Congrats! I can't wait to send off your goodies!!

Day 6 and a Celebratory Give-Away!

It's Day 6 of Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 and I've spent my Monday morning happily playing with markers and watercolor paper while sipping on my Starbucks: VHCAWLC. (If you can tell me what my coffee is based on those letters, I'll send you something fun. First one to get it completely right wins.)

But that's not the only give-away today. I am officially celebrating hitting the 400 Followers mark! Thank you to all those blogger friends out there who faithfully follow. I love what I do and love to share with you, and to see what you're doing as well. I get so many nice comments and I just want you to know that I appreciate each and every one. In fact, I rely on your comments to gauge how I'm doing. And I'm definitely the type that needs the ego-massage once in a while, I have to admit.

So without further ado, I'm giving away a goody-box to a random follower today. Just leave me a comment on today's post and I'll draw a name first thing tomorrow morning and call out the winner on my blog post for Day 7's techniques tomorrow afternoon. You'll have to stop by to see if you won, and if you did I'll need your address, so be sure to check back tomorrow.

Okay, back to Day 6 in Creative Chemistry 101. Today's techniques focused on using Distress Markers through coloring and stamping, and Tim shared the differences and features of these great markers. I have ordered my Distress Markers but have not received them yet, so I experimented with Close To My Heart's markers which are also water-based like Tim's. I will be curious to compare the effects once I finally get my Distress Markers.

Here are the tags I created today while experimenting with Tim's techniques...

The CTMH markers produced pretty good results with some of the techniques, but not as well with others.

Here's a closer look at each tag and the techniques...

"Watercolor with Markers" Technique

Tim asked that we don't focus too much on a masterpiece of a design this time and more on the process and experimentation, and to label the techniques on our tag. I really liked the results of working the water brush into marker inks that were scribbled onto a craft sheet. (the bottom two I labeled "favorite.")

"Blending with Markers" Technique

This is one I found a little harder to control (at least with the CTMH markers) since the blending here was simply marker to marker. The last one I labeled "favorite" because I washed over the colors with the water brush. I'm starting to really LOVE that tool! 

"Stamping with Markers" Technique

Again, I think the Distress Markers might do a better job here. And I didn't have Specialty Stamping Paper (also on order) but I was pretty happy with the outcome nonetheless.

By the way, all stamps used today are from Close To My Heart.  

They're some old favorites I just can't part with. 

Thanks for stopping by today! And I'll see you tomorrow on give-away day!

Catching up on Twelve Tags of 2012

I had a few quiet hours to myself over the weekend to finally get rolling on my Twelve Tags of 2012 inspired by Tim Holtz. In my monthly All Things Tim group we will be making the first three tags. Each quarter, the group will make three tags so that by the end of the year we have them all complete. We have yet to see a January tag from Tim, but the guy's a little busy right now with his fabulous online Creative Chemistry 101 class, so I think we can cut him a break for now.

Going slightly out of order, here is my March tag inspired by Tim's...

I added a third butterfly since I had the "Easter Elements" Alterations Die by Sizzix. The largest butterfly is from that die. The two smaller ones are from the "Mini Butterflies" Movers & Shapers die set.

What a fun mosaic technique Tim shares with us on his blog. These little bits of paper really look like dimension, glossy tiles. I can see using this technique on a lot of things!

Going back to February, here is my tag inspired by Tim's...

I added a Bingo marker with the number 20 since Paul and I will be celebrating 20 years of marriage in May. I just love the Valentine's Texture Fade in the background. Such a cool and easy background technique.

I didn't have the honeycomb paper Tim used to make a red dimensional heart, so I borrowed this layered tissue flower idea I got from my friend Charmin. It's 15 layers of red tissue paper cut with a Spellbinders scallop circle die all at one time through the Vagabond. I put a brad through the center of the stacked layers and starting with the first layer, pulled it up, crumpled it tightly to the center and then continued on with all the layers. At the end, it just takes a bit of adjusting and fluffing and it's a nice carnation-style flower. Easy!

To my delight, Tim created a fun Easter tag this past Saturday and posted it on his blog. Be sure to check out his fuzzy bunny post. Here is my tag inspired by Tim's...

Tim's tag has a very multi-pastel vintage Easter feel which I love. I decided on a different look for mine using Tim's Kraft Kore card stock in shades of pink and burgundy. I was thrilled to have just purchased the "Spring Backgrounds & Borders" Texture Fades on Thursday. I absolutely LOVE the pretty flourish background!

I also liked these butterflies in the Texture Fade set. Since I have the "Easter Elements" Alterations Die as well as the "Mini Bunny & Bow" Movers and Shapers set, I decided to put two fuzzy bunnies on my tag. I love how felt is super easy to cut on the Vagabond with Tim's Sizzix dies. Like buttah!

Thanks for stopping by today. I'm loving going to your blogs and seeing what you're creating too. I'm so happy and grateful to be getting so many wonderful comments. Can't wait for tomorrow's online class: 

Day 6 of Creative Chemistry 101!

 If only my Distress Markers would magically arrive in time...

Day 5 in Creative Chemistry 101

I'm a tad bit sad that classes will stop for the weekend in Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 online course. It has become a part of my daily routine which I look forward to so much.

Today is Day 5 and although we'll take a break for the weekend, we fortunately have another whole week of learning and fun next week! Today's focus in class was on Distress Stains. First we got an education on the difference between spray inks, Distress Stains, and Color Wash sprays. These little tidbits that Tim shares before the class techniques are extremely helpful. It gives us a real understanding of how the products work, their effects, how they differ and how they compare.

So here are my technique tags for today...

Here are some close-ups and the name of each technique...

"Stained Kraft Resist Technique"

"Stamping with Stains Technique"

(I learned you really gotta move fast with that craft heater after stamping with Picket Fence Distress Stain)

"Marbled Stains Technique"

My favorite of the day. Such a cool technique! 

And you can imagine my delight while making this tag, just about to stamp it when the mailman delivered a few Tim Holtz goodies including this Mixed Media stamp set. I've been looking forward to this one and know it will become a favorite set for a lot of projects. Even though I think this one is supposed to be chicken wire, I thought it mimicked honeycomb. Perfect for my bee!

Thanks again for stopping in. I'm having an absolute blast in Tim's class. It's not too late for you to jump in, so just go to this link and get registered. You have all weekend to catch up, or you can just move at your own pace and do it anytime you like.

I see I'm getting close to a Follower milestone, so keep watch on my blog and once I hit 400 followers, I'll do a big giveaway! Watch for the post, leave a comment that day, and your name will be put into the drawing. 

Have a fabulous weekend!

Day 4 in Creative Chemistry 101

Getting things done a little late today. But it was worth it because I got to have a little shopping fun with my girlfriend DiAnn this morning. Scrapbooking store, of course! (The Scrappy Boutique in Orlando.) And I was delighted to find quite a bit of Tim Holtz's new Idea-ology findings, the new Tattered Flower Garland die, and a few new Textured Fades. And to my delight, two of my other friends Kathy and Kathi (also HUGE Tim fans) walked in just as we were checking out, so we got to visit and chat with them for a while. It's an hour's drive to the store, but it's worth the trip since we don't have ANY scrapbook stores in our county anymore.

Anywho, it's back to business. Today is Day 4 of Creative Chemistry with Tim Holtz, and we began with a very informative video on re-inkers and maintenance. Then on to the fun of making three tags using different techniques with re-inkers.

Here are my three tags I made...

I have to admit, I just don't have that many re-inkers yet, but it was fun making it work with what I had.

Now let's take a closer look, and I hope that my photos are okay. 

I had to take them indoors today because I didn't finish them until after dark.

"Watercoloring with Re-inkers Technique"

This was fun to experiment with using a water brush and re-inkers. It takes a little practice, but it's not difficult. You just gotta know when to stop. (which is hard because it's so fun!)

"Layered Misting Technique"

It's really hard to pick up the overall effect in this photo, but the point was to spritz and get those flecks for texture. I didn't have a single stencil in the house so I made my own by cutting out some packaging plastic with Tim's Alterations Dies and laying the pieces down and spritzing over them.

"Custom Stamp Pad Technique"

I had tried this technique once before and this time I was even more pleased with the results. I used two different stamps (the pen nibs and the phrase) so I had to make two custom stamp pads from the Cut-N-Dry Felt.

This stamp is one of my all-time favorites. Just love the saying, and how it looks.

That's it for me today. I love getting your comments, especially fellow classmates! I ask you, does your towel look like this? It's only Day 4 and I need to throw it in the wash.

Thanks for stopping by. See you after class tomorrow!