Sunday, June 29, 2014

Compendium of Curiosities 3, Challenge 5!

Hello, today I'm sharing what I created for the fifth challenge over at Studio L3. There is a lot of inspiration going on over there; I urge you to go see for yourself! The technique covered is Distress Watercoloring as found on page 39 of A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 3 by Tim Holtz. A friend is having an upcoming 40th birthday so a card is in order:


Lots of texture in this card, it was fun to make. You can't tell from the photo, but I painted the chipboard 40 with Black Soot Distress Crackle Paint - it looks really good  in person and adds interest. I also made another silly card to send to my son at Boy Scout camp. We were teasing him about not showering all week:


Most of the supplies I used for these cards can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. I will also point out that US shipping is always $5 and international shipping is just $10! ;-)




Thursday, June 26, 2014

Artist Trading Block - Ice Cream Stand

Hello everyone! It is officially summer now and while I maintain that ice cream is for any time of the year, it is especially fitting for summer consumption. The Art with Heart June Challenge is Summer Celebrations and this ATB fits perfectly. You have until TONIGHT to enter your project and have a chance at a fabulous prize pack! Quick, go check it out! ;-)





This was a super fun project to make. I pulled out all sorts of "messy media" which also makes this a perfect project to be entered into the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #10. Take a look:

Step 1 - When I cut out the block parts I used the Movers & Shapers circle die (smallest circle) to cut a hole in one of the center panels for the top. Then I used the Bubble Stencil and gesso to make the texture on the sides. I also used the Harlequin stencil to make the cone texture by tapping the stencil with a Walnut Stain ink pad, then misting with water. Apply the inked stencil to the paper and it makes a print! You can see full instructions on how to do this on Tim's blog this month.


Step 2 - Once the gesso was dry I scribbled on various colors of Distress Stain and misted them with water to get them to blend together. Once I was happy with the blending, I dried them with my heat tool. I faded the colors back a smidge by misting the panels with a white Tattered Angels mist. It gave it a nice sparkle and whitewash effect. I also hit some areas with Gelatos to add some more texture and color. I like how they catch on the raised gesso areas. I didn't blend them in; I wanted the strokes to show.


Step 3 - I'm happy with the way my ice cream cone turned out. After wrapping and gluing the cone shape, I glued a stryofoam ball into the top of it. Once dry, I used a palette knife to cover the ball with Paper Perfect (very messy but fun!!) I spread it into place and used the knife to sculpt the "ice cream fringe" at the base of the "scoop". I let it dry overnight and was very happy with the adhesion and texture of the Paper Perfect. It's pretty cool stuff and had been living in my stash for quite awhile! It was good to put it to use.


Step 4 - The center panels are squares of bristol board with a base layer of Distress ink. I have a set of foam ice cream stamps that I've had for ages that I used with paint to stamp the images. I stamped the hashtag sentiments with archival black ink and then spritzed all over them to get the speckling. (Those Spritzers are pretty cool!) For a final layer I used the Emboss-It Dabber to cover the panel with embossing ink and embossed clear powder over the whole thing to make it look enameled. The scrapbook nails I've had in my stash forever too.

I hope this puts you in an inspired summer mood! Check out The Artists On the Block for more inspiring ATBs. =)

Most of the supplies I used for this project can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. I will also point out that US shipping is always $5 and international shipping is just $10! ;-)