Foiled…

It’s almost 4 A.M. I’m still awake. This is bad.

I tried to use the laser printer/laminator foiling technique, and I just can’t seem to get it to work. I can’t tell if it’s my printer or my laminator. 😦

The printing doesn’t ever get fully covered. It’s always a bit streaky. 😦

So I tried using a Sakura glue pen to write faux calligraphy (copied a script I found online). It kind of worked, but it’s not very clean and there are a few places where you can see the pen marks (from the ballpoint end of the glue pen).

Sigh. I love the foil look, but I can’t seem to get the technique down. 😦

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Layers to the rescue

I sort of love how this background turned out. Before this, it was pretty bad.. I started off with lots of washi tape and just randomly taped it everywhere. I then gesso’ed it. I was trying to use a different color combo than I usually do, so I added orange, yellow, and red distress paints. It was pretty.. orange. So I tried to tone it down with some orange, red, and yellow stickles. Still not so good. According to my hubby, it looked like orange vomit with glitter. I tried to tone it down it by adding gesso, some gold texture paste (thru a stencil), and spray ink, but it looked worse. So I just went to bed. This morning, I went back with different shades of blue distress paint and added layers (and layers, and layers, and layers), and this was the result. I love it. You can actually still see the bits of stickles glitter behind all of the blue paint. The texture and the layers… I felt really artsy when it started coming together!

I have a song in mind, but I’m afraid to put anything on it. I really like it. 🙂

I added glitter to the corners. 🙂 Because, per my hubby, [glitter] is a must. I love him. He gets it.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Another attempt at an art journaling page. I decided a long time ago that this journal would be dedicated to lyrics from praise songs. Hopefully they can serve as reminders when things get tough.

I gessoed the page and then added some texture with a Tim Holtz stencil, some embossing paste, texture paste, light modeling paste, and molding paste. I then added watercolor (the Artist Loft one from Michael’s). I used a Teresa Collins stencil with some ferro. Finally, I wrote in the lyrics using a Copic Spica pen (black) and a black Wink of Stella glitter brush pen. I added some detail with my white pen.

Honestly, not thrilled with the page, but I guess that’s what this whole process is about. Just experimenting with my stash and learning. 🙂

I wanted this to be my first page because I spend too much time complaining and/or comparing my life with other people, and I need to just stop. Things in my life are currently very up in the air – I’m thinking about starting my own business, which is crazy and scary and a lot of other adjectives. If you knew me, you’d know why this is such a big deal to me. I know starting a business is usually a scary thing, but for me, I never ever thought I would even want to pursue something like this. I know it’s not going to be easy, and I know that there are probably a lot of dark days ahead. So, I just wanted to remind myself of the things that really matter.

No matter what happens, I want to remind myself to choose to say: blessed be His name!

Let’s try this again….

So, wow, it’s been almost a year since my last post. I know that, since then, I have started working part-time back at my old job, been pregnant, and gave birth to A, but, I really need to stop neglecting this blog. I think my mistake was trying to make this blog into something interesting for others to read, when, really, it should be for me – what techniques worked/didn’t; what products do i love/not; etc. I do want to share my work, but I need to stop being concerned about everyone else since the only person reading this is me, haha~ So.. for the third time, here we go…

These are the goals I have for myself:

• I will use the products that I buy, and stop hoarding them.
• I will use all of the stamps that I have purchased.
• I will create one new thing a week and post, even if it’s just coloring an image or trying out a new product.
• I will finish the glitter post that I started (literally) a year ago, and post it this week.
• I will stop comparing myself to other crafters and try to find my own “voice.”

That’s all I can think of right now, but even those goals are a bit lofty for me. xP We can do this, me! Hwiting!!

Online Card Classes – Faux Watercolor Painting

I am so sad that I didn’t have the chance to play and try all of the techniques yet.  I was really excited about this technique.  It didn’t turn out as beautiful as the samples, but I think I just need more (a lot more) practice.

I used a stamp from Hero Arts and the Sentiment is from a Mama Elephant stamp set.

This is what it looked like before I ruined the bottom by trying to emboss on a still slightly wet surface (haha, see? no patience!)

I can’t wait to play along and try more techniques~~ What a great class!!

Online Card Classes – Watercolor – Stamping with Watercolor

Here is my take on Jennifer McGuire’s technique, using an acrylic block, versamark ink, and watercolor:

I used a Hero Arts birthday stamp set.  🙂  I used distress markers to color the cupcake, and added some sequins.

Online Card Classes – Watercolor – Background – Part 3

Finally, this is a mix of Jennifer McGuire’s technique (with the liquid mask) and Laura Bassen’s technique with the acrylic block and distress inks:

Instead of using the blocks to create straight lines, I went for a diagonal look.  I used Distress Inks in Peacock Feathers, Squeezed Lemonade, and Picked Raspberry for this card.  I used a precision tip tool, put masking fluid in it and wrote the sentiment.  I then added drops of masking fluid here and there to create the dots.  🙂

Online Card Classes – Watercolor – Backgrounds – Part 2

This is my take on Kristina’s video and watercoloring on an embossed background:

I used a Hero Arts background stamp, and a Hero Arts Birthday stamp.  The watercolors are the same Sakura Koi.

Here is a closeup:

 

Online Card Classes – Watercolor – Backgrounds

I loved this class!

Here are a few of my cards demonstrating Day 1:

I really loved Jennifer’s take on using the stencil over a wet background.  I actually tried a few times, but, due to my impatience, I messed it up a few times. 🙂  So, though I love this technique, it is hard for me because I hate waiting! haha~ But, I really love the way this turned out.

Closeup:

I used watercolor paper from Simon Says Stamp.  The watercolors are the Sakura Koi Sketch set (got it for Mother’s Day, love my hubby!) The wood veneer is from Michael’s, I forget which set.  I used a Studio Calico stencil.  I then liberally sprayed with Radiant Rain in Ice.

 

God is so good

My first art journal page!

Though, it took me about half a year to complete.  I really don’t remember what I did to the background.  I gesso’ed the page, and then, just added lots of blues, purples, and black acrylic paints. There are multiple layers of paint because I kept re-doing it and re-doing it. There is some shimmer, too.  For the stars, I mixed some light gold acrylic paint (I believe it was Jacquard) with Golden light molding paste.  This was actually my first time using molding paste, so it’s kind of a mess.  But, it’s ok.  I still think it turned out ok. 🙂 The streaks kind of look like the tails of shooting stars (or at least, that’s what I pretend they are!) 🙂  I used a Studio Calico stencil.

For the grass, I tore out a page of an old children’s book about God.  I used all the green gelatos to color it, and then modpodged it onto the bottom.  I put the lyrics to “God is so good” along the top of the “grass” with a Sakura white gel pen.  I didn’t plan it out, but, amazingly, the lyrics fit perfectly twice~  

The silhouettes on the bottom left are supposed to be my little family – me, K, and J.  🙂  I drew it with a Prismacolor black marker. 

This page signifies last year for me – God has truly been good to me, and to us (our family).  K has been and continues to be an amazing husband, and now an awesome father. J was born, and although it was tough at times, he is a sweet, happy, and very hyper little boy.  I couldn’t have asked for more.  

Some close ups:

  

 

Unfortunately, I really don’t remember the products I used for this project.  I will be better in the future!