Thursday, October 20, 2011

"Change It Up" Paper Challenge

I can't stop with the lay-outs now that I have started. The second of my two October "Change it up Paper Challenges" is explained in the last post. Please check out the technique by scrolling down to the last post. Here I used the same "watercolor look" technique to create the other half of the winter day full lay-out. This time I used blue snowflakes. The green in the vellum ribbon will make the bit of green in the first page show up better.

I'm so excited to see 10 comments between the two challenges. This should be fun seeing all the results. I'll keep you posted and let you know who wins the prize!!
Check out my challenge posts at Creative Scrapbook Divas to get in on the fun and I would love it if you left me a comment on these posts here as well so I know who is checking out the techniques :)

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Creative Scrapbook Diva Challenge/Altering Cardstock

For the second of my two October "Change it up Paper Challenges", I used stamping and distress inks.
Inspired by a Tim Holtz technique and scrapbook page.

1. For this design, I used the 3 colors on one stamp. Once the stamp is covered with ink, mist the stamp directly with 3-4 sprays of water.
2. Press the stamp directly on paper and lift quickly. Repeat the stamping 2-3 more times spraying the stamp with water again if necessary. Each time you press the stamp the image will be lighter in color, faded.
3. Immediately dry the wet images with a heat tool. This dries the puddles of dye and water creating a watercolor look. I also like the look if the water get blown around a bit in the drying process.
4. Wipe off the stamp with a towel and repeat steps 1-3, several times creating your design over the entire sheet of paper for a background page.

For me, the paper still needed to be muddied up. Additional steps for this lay-out include:
1. Tear strips of dry paper you created above.
2. Using a cloth, lightly rub the same colors of ink over the designs.
3. Use the mister to spray the whole strip, your table will get wet and there may be some dripping of dye.
4. Use the heat tool to set your new watercolor look.
5.Ink the edges of the paper.

-The tag, which will be tucked down under the paper, strip was made with alcohol inks on a ribbed paper I had in my stash of "found" supplies.
-I added metal brads, ect and chains to match the chains on the tires.


This post and the last post are for my October challenges through the Creative Scrapbook Diva website. I am providing a RAK, random act of kindness gift, for the challenges. Link up through the site for either of these challenges you may win the items below.
To stay with the theme of the challenges, I included a way to add dimension to paper with the "paper effects". In the future, I may have challenges with clay and other ways to get texture within lay-outs and projects. One package of clay is translucent as it can be used for photo transfers. And the trim is just for FUN!



Luisa's explosion card challenge with the Creative Scrapbooking Diva's was really fun to do with the kids. But I had to make one too!!!!! See her CSD link for full instructions.






The message inside reads:

When witches go riding and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers,
"tis near Halloween."


The purple ones were my 7 & 9 yr old kids take on the challenge.








Sunday, October 2, 2011

Creative Scrapbook Diva Challenge/Altering Cardstock

Hello everyone, I'm so happy that the Creative Scrapbook Divas decided to stay up and running. I truly enjoy checking out everyone's unique creativity and personal blogs for inspiration.
As the October guest for the month, the challenge I chose includes ways to alter cardstock for your projects.
For the first example, I used a Heidi Swapp mask. The masks are flexible and a bit sticky on one side. Using glitter spray or ink, color all around the mask then gently lift the mask. In it's place you will have the white background still showing.


Below is my final project. I chose to blend some inks over the shape vs leaving it white and decorated with rub-ons, 3d flowers ect. Tim Holtz has a great video on other ways to use masks.
Don't forget you can make your own glimmer mist. One way is to use perfect pearls and a bit of water in a mini mister. Tim uses re-inkers to the mix on This Project using this exact mask.

My second example of how to alter cardstock is using metallic cardstock and alcohol inks.
Alcohol inks can be used on a variety of surfaces that pigment and dye inks won't stick to. So it's really fun to experiment on metals, brads, glass, plastics, glossy paper and transparencies.
Below I took black metallic glittered cardstock and used cranberry alcohol ink to change the color for this pillowbox.


This tag background is glossy (shiny) paper altered with the alcohol inks, blending tool and Adirondack alochol blending solution.

This is the same technique used on a transparency. The layer is pulled to the side. See the full project Here.
For the challenge, choose a way to completely change the look of your cardstock, glossy cardstock or transparency for any project or scrapbook page. If using glossy paper or transparency is new to you, now is a great time to dive in!! Have fun and I can't wait to see the projects you come up with.
There will be a RAK at the end of October after a drawing of all the participants.

Click on the Blinkie to to go the Scrapbook Divas and link your project with Mr. Linky!!!! Hey, I made a rhyme!!