#ArtfulEvidence 6x6 Girl on Swing in Swirling Stars ( Tim Holtz) Die using #CraftersCompanion Inks and gold glitter paper

Inspired by Rachel Black's FB Group - Artful Evidence (Week 37 inspiration:  Stars) where everyone gets a wonderful push to create a 6" x 6" piece of art is a great way to start the day.   I used Tim Holtz' die, Swirling Stars, and Crafter's Companion Spectrum Noir Inks to create the background.  The stamp set with the tree, swing, girl (3 separate stamps) is one that had no manufacturer or artist listed that I bought on Ebay for a dollar earlier this summer.   The glitter gold cardstock is Crafter's Companion Luxury cardstock. which has become my favorite glitter and foiled cardstocks for over a year now.  So much fun.

Sometimes I get a little frustrated and don't finish a project - but knowing that it's only 6" square keeps me focused he often helps me get the JUJU flowing. 

Clear Christmas Ornaments with Transparent Crafter's Companion Stamped Images & Feathers

For over a decade I have seen multiple ornaments with images inside that were printed on clear sheets.  After finding inexpensive clear plastic ornaments (2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree) I had to give it a try.  I stamped some #CraftersCompanion  images onto the transparency, using a permanent black ink (StazOn Jet Black) and allowed a few minutes to dry. Cutting a circle around the image, I just estimated the size of the interior of the ornament. I'm sure more precise crafters would measure (which I would advise). I left a little tab at the top so when I rolled the circle up, dropped it into the ornament, that I could grasp the tag and pull it out to cut in any needed adjustments.  Added some thin feathers behind the image, attached the top with hot glue and decorated with beads, ribbons and more feathers.  I just love how this quick project turned out and it was cheap enough that you can make multiples for the tree or use to decorate gifts. 

Summer's Last Hurrah - Necklace using Crafter's Companion Embossing Folders & Spectrum Noir alcohol markers

outside lighting  

Decided to do something a little different.  I had a thin scrap of copper craft sheet metal leftover from a past project.  After running it through some Crafter's Companion embossing folders (French Lace & Butterfly Trellis), I formed the metal into squares and the one I ran through the French Lace folder, I formed into a cone.   Since I love big bold jewelry decided to put it all together with some beads, charms, chains and make a farewell necklace to summer.  The added color on the metal is where I just touched alcohol markers by Spectrum Noir  to some of the raised areas from the embossing.  It's always fun to make a few items out of the comfort zone.

inside lighting

Shadowbox card FAIRY and Mushrooms in the Forest using Crafter's Companion & Spectrum Noir - Sheena Douglass & Donna Ratcliff stamps & dies

Had the most fun time making this!  I made a little shadow box (about 6" x 6.75" ) out of chipboard first.  Then made attachments by folding ridges (almost like you would for a mini abum) to add scene layers 

 Used the Crafter's Companion Luxury Cardstock for the sparkly purple/gold trim and glued gold leafing fur NUVO to the edges

Just LOVE LOVE Sheena Douglass' Fanciful Fuschia stamps and dies for the flowers, but I attached them to floral wire and used floral tape so they could be used 3D.

the "grass" in front is a mixture of different colored reindeer moss and cheap green pompoms from Walmart just cut in half and hot glued onto the chipboard.

Made a simple card with Donna Ratcliff's fairy stamps and Sheena Douglass' Christmas Deer die (cut the deer out and just left the trees)

Added ribbon, reindeer moss and little mushrooms everywhere 

the 3 little white rocks .. are .. just .. 3 little white rocks :D :D 

Hope she likes it.

Crafter's Companion Fanciful Fuchsia stamp die set by Sheena Douglass coloured with Spectrum Noir markers

I just can't get enough of playing with this stamp/die set from Crafter's Companion, designed by artist Sheena Douglass.  I stamped the images with Spectrum Noir FINESSE alcohol-proof ink (the BEST for alcohol markers I've ever used! not even a spec of ink on my markers or moved by the ink) onto Spectrum Noir Watercolor paper.  Then used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to colour the images.  After cutting out with the matching dies I used some stylus tools to roll the flowers and glued them together with hot glue.  Instead of using the "stem" stamp that came with the set, I decided to make them even more 3D by sticking a floral wire in the top of each flower (again with hot glue) and wrapping the wire with green floral tape that I found at the dollar store.  The turned out wonderfully! Such little eye-candies! #CraftersCompanion #SpectrumNoir

SPREAD the MAGIC - Handmade card using Crafter's Companion Harmony Inks, Sheena Douglas die, Donna Ratcliff stamps

I'm not sure I'll ever get out of this chair now that I have more Crafter's Companion supplies.  I started off making a background for a Halloween project but I saw the fox stamp in Donna Ratcliff's stamp set "New Magic" and it just yelled ... "my tree" ... so ..

Loving all the glorious color.

Stamps, Die, & Inks by Crafter's Companion
Tree Die - Sheena Douglass - Autumn Branches
Fox, Sentiment, Grass Stamps - Donna Ratcliff - New Magic
Paper for stamping and background - Crafter's Companion / Spectrum Noir Water Color Cardstock
Black Paper - Bazzill

Here's a few photos of the progress of ink for the background:

Using different size circles cut from scrap paper I "masked" off as I applied the yellows

Added some oranges and purples

Some of the darker brick red (Bordeaux)

Quck SPLASH of water squirted from a spray bottle

After the water dried the colors were more muted but the water distress was gorgeous

I went back over the inks with more ink to revive the deep yellows and purples 

Some added Bordeaux ink and it's taking shape 

Crafter's Companion Harmony & Finesse Ink Pads - images colored using Spectrum Noir Markers - Fairy & Mushroom Stamps by Donna Ratcliff

I have used ink pads for various art and mix media projects for over 20 years, I have never met the likes of Crafter's Companion water reactive Harmony ink pads.  I can't even enjoy using my old pads now (not even my distress and archival inks).   I purchased 5 sets (4 Harmoney (water-reactive), 1 Finesse (alcohol proof) from HSN and now I have to get all the other colors!  I won't be able to happily craft without them.  Such excellent quality. 

Playing with the inks I made a quck "sunset" like background by just smearing the colours together.  Sprinkled a couple dashes of water to get a beautiful splattered effect.  Added some mountains and some stamps and just had a relaxing morning before the sun came up.  Playing in my little art journal.

Crafter's Companion Fairy stamps using Spectrum Noir alcohol markers

Waiting for my new Crafter's Companion (CC) ink pads (they should be here in a few days) - I only have a couple so far, so I pulled out some old ink pads and smeared on a background.  The beautiful blending of the CC Ink pads just can't be matched.   The "skyline" looked like a good place for a fairy to live so it gave me the opportunity to use my new fairy stamps (from CC also)  - all the stamped images, the Snail Shell House, Fairy, Ferns, & Acorn Lamps) are stamped on CC Spectrum Noir Watercolor Cardstock.  After coloring them with alcohol markers (Spectrum Noir (by Crafter's Companion)) I fussy cut the images out, and attached them to the background by running them through a Xyron machine to apply adhesive.  Art Journals are a new thing for me.  I know crafters/artists have made them from the beginning of time, but I always wondered ... "WHY?" "what's the purpose?" ... Now I know IT'S SO FUN! and a great way to try out new techniques or products without messing up a project.

Acrylic Pour - 8" x 10" canvas - NEWBIE - Second Pour - Needle Pull

2nd attempt at pouring - I'm going to have to give in to buying the treadmill lubricant to get cells I suppose (I did try adding the part glue and it didn't seem to work for me) - but I still loved the colours - reminds me of planet earth a bit.  I did drag a needle through the dark blue paint to give it more of a spider web look.  Such a fun and meditative activity.  Definitely something I'll keep trying in the future.  Maybe I'll perfect the cells at some point.   This one looks like it needs a quote in the lighter blue corner ... hmmmm ... I'll think on it.

Acrylic Pour on 6"x6" canvas - NEWBIE - First Pour attempt

Like a lot of crafters, I stalk YT for videos of things to try.  For over a year I watched videos on acrylic pouring.  How to get "cells" -- so I pulled out my top notch {insert sarcasm here} products (OK OK so basically 50 cent paints from Walmart) and decided to give it a try.  I LOVE it ... I didn't get the "cells" I wanted (I didn't have the silicone (or the knowledge)) but I think the colours still turned out fantastic.  I might have found a new crafting addiction.

Patriotic 4th of July Mini Loaded Envelope for Independence Day swap

Just a few pics of the MINI LE - 4th of July theme.  the little "firecracker" is filled with charms for a little gift.

The back pocket shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence topped with a 3D Sticker from Anna Griffin's Madison collection patriotic "bunting" 

The "wands" include a star "shaker" wand that I created using Anna Griffins shaker dies.  A working pinwheel - I used a wine cork to make the mechanism.  Thought it looked rather rustic.

The feather and inkwell are made from resin molds.  I made the ink well from clay a while back and since I love he quill/ink look, decided to make a mold of it so I could reuse it often.

Mixed Media Canvas Ranger Clear Embossing Paste Stampotique Pigtails & Tim Holtz Crazy Cats Stamp

I'm pretty new at playing with canvas and mixed media - I think I've only tried it 3 times -- here's that 3rd attempt.  I really need to get better markers for the black/white check border.  I've seen several artists on YT do the checked border and always think it just adds a perfect whimsy.  The mandala stencil is by TCW - Rebekah Meier, I used the Ranger Transparent Texture Paste (gloss) to give it dimension and touched over it with Prima's ArtAlchemy Opal Magic (Vintage Silk) - the gothic girl stamp is Pigtails designed by Daniel Torrente and the cat is Tim Holtz Crazy Cats.  The words are just printed out on cardstock from Microsoft word.    I used Dina Wakley Gel Medium to attach everything.  The background and green splatters are just cheapo acrylic paints and the word YOU is heat embossed Melt Art UTEE from Ranger.

4th of July - Patriotic USA Tag - using Priscilla Julie Nutting doll stamp and Madison paper line from Anna Griffin

Getting close to the FIREWORKS !

Used Anna Griffin paper and 3D sticker from the Madison Collection to make this one.  Priscilla makes for the perfect patriotic doll.

Julie Nutting Cowboy Cowgirl Western Family Tags using Adam, Becky, Little Girl with toy stamps, Handmade Resin Cow ( Bull ) Skull

Making a few fun items for a swap and my partner listed she like Shabby Chic and Western - so it was time to have some Cowgirl fun.  I just drew the clothes on Adam and formed one of Becky's hats on Adam.  Also clipped off his should to make it ... slump.  His mustache was a stamp from Three Birds. 

Found a tiny skull replica with no horns at a yardsale .. paid 25 cents for it, added horns using apoxy sculpt, made a silicone mold of it and now I can seem to make enough of these, I love them!

#ArtfulEvidence Week 7 TAG 6x6 Mixed Media Page (Artful Evidence Facebook Group)

I've been sitting back stalking the Artful Evidence group on Facebook and finally dived in after watching RACH0113 Week 7 TAG video for the challenge.   I just used cheap paints from Walmart and Tim Holtz stamp and had a fabulous few hours of crafting.  Thanks soooo much to Rach0113 for giving so much inspiration over the years to all of us to just create. 

 You might think the purple rhinestones for pupils are a little weird, but trust me .. the green ones looked more strange -- and she looked oddly like Mr. Data from Star Trek without pupils.

ART JOURNAL - BEGIN - using Prima Princesses Stamp Claire - First Day of Spring, a new BEGINNING

To me, like many people, Spring is the time to consider changing yourself, a time of new beginnings - a time to forgive yourself of everything wrong and incorrect you've ever done or thought, and start fresh.

As part of the Cat's Meow (MAS swap) I received CLAIRE, a beautiful Prima Princesses stamp, and had to use it.  Like many crafters, I watch YT videos of artsy folks creating works in "art journals" so I decided I finally wanted to start one ... and I had SPRING on the BRAIN.  Fun part? I pulled out foam stamps and flower stamps that I was going to destash years ago (they're from 2006).  Glad I saved them!

SNEAK PEEK of a Steampunk Loaded Envelope (POSEABLE PAPER ART STEAMPUNK DOLL using Graphic 45)

Working on a loaded envelope (Steampunk theme) swap for Loaded Envelopes Galore.  One of the requirements is a Paper Art Doll ... so I cut up some Graphic 45 paper, cut out a mini earth die cut, pulled out a bunch of little metal embellies ... and here she is!  I've been singing "Baby's Got Back" while making her dance across the table, yes ... that's how I spent a waking hour of my life today.  Enjoyed every minute - Creating IS fun.

Valentine Romance Heart Shaped Loaded Envelope (BoxElope) using Sizzix Pro Die Heart Ribbon, Anna Griffin, & Tim Holtz dies, Crafter's Companion Luxury Cardstock

 Made the pocket by cutting the top off another chipboard Ribbon Heart die cut.  The crackle is simply where I painted it black, painted on Crackle Medium, then painted red.  The gold accents are UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) in Gold by Ranger Ink.  Victorian style fabric roses are from TresorsDeLuxe (Etsy store) (I changed the color using Red Pepper Alcohol Ink from Tim Holtz) and a Gold Krylon Leafing pen.

Here's a video I did of the LE - forgive all my lighting problems and my ... brain ... on so many cold medications I'm surprised I'm forming complete sentences.

The altered "giant" paper clip was decorated with wings and a cherub I made with resin.

This wand was created with a resin cherub, red velvet scrap poof, lace and die cuts are Anna Griffins French Fans Dies