Playing with Alcohol Inks

A short while ago I challenged myself to come out of my comfort zone... and ... try something different, most of all start using the craft products / items I have instead of hording them. Well a bunch of alcohol ink bottles have been sitting on my shelf for ages and to be honest I did not really know what to do with them.

There is a challenge on the stampman challenge blog I would like to enter but the alcohol ink part was scaring me off so to speak. So.... with my new found courage I started to experiment with my inks.

First I tried the dabbing technique on glossy card... mmmmm the result is ok but I'm not overly enthused by it. Then I saw a video on Andy Skinners Blog about an alcohol ink technique, dropping ink in water and scooping it out with paper. Well I tried it today but I'm still not sure.

The 4 on the left are glossy card... the 3 on the right normal paper en ink and water technique. I guess I will have to keep practising... or come up with something else. I will let you know :)

Special Gift Card

After I had seen a card like this at the stampman, I had to make one. I searched the web and found a tutorial here. I wanted to make a card anyway because I promised a friend to make a card for her niece... a girly one. I decided to use the lovely "Once Upon A Springtime" collection from Graphic 45, he he... about time because the papers were getting dusty on the shelf :)

I have to admit I am not a 'cute' and 'girly' style person, somehow I like this paper as it reminds me of Beatrix Potter. Pink is, just like red, not a colour I use very much... but... I have been challenging myself lately to step out of my comfort zone and to go for it!

Let me know what you think :)

Materials I used are

Bazzil Card Stock - pink

Wild Orchid Crafts - Vintage Seam Binding Rose Petal

Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge - Brackets

Graphic 45- Once Upon A Spring Time

Spellbinders Nestabilities  - Petite Oval Large S4-138, Petit Scalloped Ovals Large S4-139

Die-Namics die - Butterflies

 You can find some of the materials here:
- Graphic 45 Paper from A Trip Down Memory Lane

- Vintage Seam Binding from Wild Orchid Crafts

- Tim Holtz Dies, Spellbinders Nestabilities from The Stampman

Black, White and Red

Yesteday I had another craft session with Christine, although a lot of laughing went on we both actually produced a card. I'm still not very confidant with my stamps and I messed up a couple of times... but he... it's all part of the fun we said. Luckily we had some music in the background... a free (first life) preformance from my hubby on the guitar ~smile~.

I finally got to try out my new Framies 5 stamps from Aspects Of Design, they are compatable with the Nestabilities Labels #5. I got the black and white paper (Anna Griffin Inc.) from The Stampman sale..... love it!!

Materials I used are

Paper Mania Cards - 5" x 7"

Black and Red cardstock

Wild Orchid Crafts - Red Lace

Aspects Of Design - Labels 5

Nestabilities Die - #5 S4-229

Die-Namics die - Butterflies

 You can find some of the materials here:

- Red Lace from Wild Orchid Crafts

- Aspects Of Design stamps, Nestabilities & paper from The Stampman

Graphic 45 Communique Collection - Altered Wooden Cigar Box

This started with a wooden Cigar Box ( 6" x 10") living in our attic for years. This handmade sigarbox, given to my husband during his work travel in the Philippines many years ago, had his name engraved in it. When I found it while we were clearing out our loft,  I immidiately confiscated it to alter and re-use it.

After using sandpaper to ruff up the surface I painted the hole box with white gesso (mistake, I should have used black gesso), on top of that I added black acrylic paint. I then modpodged the Graphic 45 Communique Collection Papers (which I had been hording for ages) on top of that. I finished it with another layer of modpodge on top to seal and protect it.

Last but not least a finishing touch by adding a trim on the edge, red felt on the outside and inside bottom of the box. I like things simple and clean - speaking for itself, that is why I decided to leave it without any more embelishments because the paper is too beautiful to mess it up ~smile~.

I envision using it as a correspondance box... filling it with love letters tied together with a lovely ribbon. I'm still working on the love letter part :)

Materials I used are

Wooden Sigar Box

Sandpaper... and lots of elbow greace

White Gesso

Reeves Acrylic paint - Black

Plaid Mod Podge - Mat

Graphic 45 paper - Communique Collection

Tim Holtz Distress ink - Vintage Photo

Felt - red

Vintage Trim

 You can find some of the materials here:

- Ranger & Tim Holtz products from The Stampman

Papillon Card

Yes, the Tim Holtz Papillon stamp set is definitely my favourite gifted to me by my hubby on my birthday. I'm so glad I added it to my wishlist.. I was not sure at first because these sets are so expensive... but I now have to say it is well worth it!

I used the large text stamp to create a background, using clear embossing ink and vintage photo distress ink. I added a picture I found on the net and altered it on my computer to create room to stamp a butterfly or moth (not sure ~smile~). I added a postage stamp frame, some flowers and metal corners and et voilà...

It is the first time that I enter something I made for a challenge... fingers crossed!

The Stampman Challenge #25 - Butterflies & Dragonflies

Materials I used are

Paper Mania Kraft Card & Envelope

Eco Green Acrylic paint - Mushroom & Mulch

Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Vintage Photo

Tim Holtz Distress ink - Vintage Photo

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection - Papillon

Ranger Inkssentials - Manila Cardstock 81/2 x 11

Ranger Embossing Powder - Clear

Sizzix  Originals Die - Frames, Stamp Combo (655002)
Wild Orchid Crafts - Flowers,  Metal Corners and Vintage Seam Binding

Martha Stewart Craft Punch - Branch

 You can find some of the materials here:

- Flowers, leaves & embellishments from Wild Orchid Crafts

- Ranger, Stampers Anonymous, Tim Holtz products from The Stampman

Graphic 45 On The Boardwalk Altered Box

Boxes... boxes...  yes, I'm officially a box addict :) My friend Christine gifted me several of the 'Michaels' balsawood boxes and I have so much fun altering them. This time I used the Graphic 45 On The Boardwalk Collection (definitely one of my favourites!). I thought that by lack of sunshine outsite I will get in the 'Summer Mood' inside using these papers.... and you know what... it worked!

Inside the box is a little mini album... there is not much room for photos but I suspect that I won't have that many beach pictures this year anyway :) I love working with Graphic 45, it is so inspirational.

I am entering this box in the "Try It On Tuesday Challenge" - Boxed Up

Materials I used are
For the box
- Wooden box (Michaels)
- White Gesso
- Eco-Friendly Acrylic Paint - Ocean
- Graphic 45 - On The Bordwalk collection
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Alterations - Mini Paper Rosettes (657177)
- Wild Orchid Crafts - Deep Ivory Cherry Blossom Mulberry Flowers
- Martha Stewart Craft Punch - Branch
- Woodware Craft Punch - Postage Stamp 1 1/2"
- Vintage trim

For the mini album
- Bazzill - Kraft Cardstock
- Wild Orchid Crafts - Vintage Seam Ribbon Bay Leaf
- Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Movers & Shapers - Mini Ticket Set
- Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge - Plaque & Postage
- Tim Holtz Ranger ColorCore Cardstock - Adirondeck Collection

You can find some of the materials here:
- Flowers, Seam binding ribbon from Wild Orchid Crafts
- Woodware Punch, Tim Holtz products from The Stampman

Message In A Bottle

With some carboot finds from last  saturday - a wooden house and a little bottle - I made this shadow box using Graphic 45 "On The Boardwalk" paper collection. Don't you just love the lady in her bathing suit, I would not mind wearing one of those - it hides a mulitude of bumps :).

I'm happy how it turned out.

Materials I used are
- White Gesso
- Eco-Friendly Acrylic Paint - Ocean
- Graphic 45 - On The Bordwalk collection
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Alterations - Mini Paper Rosettes (657177)
- Pearl cluster
- Hand picked shells by me
- Vintage Crochet lace
- Wooden House & Little Bottle (carboot find)

You can find some of the materials here:
- Tim Holtz products from The Stampman