A Woman's Strength

Whew!

Today is another blog hop with the E-Team and special guests!!  I didn't originally think that I would be able to participate, but while on the drive home from work last night, creativity hit me over the head and I left dishes in the sink so that I could join in on the E-Team's Inspired By Words, part 2!

Before I show you my page inspired by this quote, let me give you the details for a chance to win an eP gift certificate

• Visit each E-Team blog participant PLUS the guest bloggers to leave a comment for the chance to win a $25 eP GC. Comments can be left from May 23-May 28th. Two random winners from the blog hop will be chosen. GC winners posted May 29th on the eP blog.  
  
  Join the E-Team in our journal adventure and post your journal cover on the eP blog. We are going to pick 2 people to join us next month for another journalism adventure.  You have until Sunday, June 3rd, to upload your  journal page inspired by this month's inspiration quote. We'll pick and announce the next E-Team guest blogger Fri, Jun 8th on the eP blog. 

  Daisy/eP Blog

  Broni

  Micki

  Sherry

  Me!

  Guest Melody Schwartz

  Guest Marjie Kemper

  
  

  Here is my page.  I paraphrased the inspiration quote as I felt it fit better with my main image.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  Basic details on the makings of this:  I started with my version of the Wrinkle Free Distress technique. I smooshed (technical term) randomly Distress Inks in Fired Brick, Faded Jeans and Tea Dye onto my craft mat and misted heavily with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Vanilla Breeze and Antique Brass.  I then placed my paper in the wet ink and ran my hands on the back to spread out the wet ink to all the edges.  

  

  
  

  
  

  Using a finger sponge dauber, I applied Claudine Hellmuth's blank canvas paint randomly over the background.  Since I grabbed a finger dauber that is usually used for blue inks, the dots have a blue tint.  

  
  

  The image was found on the Internet and cut out and taped onto the background.  The letters were written with a combination of Copic markers, Faber-Castell PITT artist pens and an inkssentials opaque pen.  

  
  

  I personally am dedicating this to my sister!! Love ya!

  
  

  Hope you will join the journaling adventure!  I look forward to seeing your take on this inspiring quote!

  
  

  'Till next time

  
  

Marbling Faux Many Ways

Hey People!  The E-Team is gathering again today to bring you another technique hop!  Today, the different E-Team members are showcasing Faux Marble!!

Of course it wouldn't be an E-Team blog hop without some blog candy!!  Daisy will chose random TWO winners from comments left between today, February 29, until March 2, on the E-Team members blogs.  The two winners will  receive a $25 eP gift certificate! 

The E-Team

Daisy -esteemed leader

Broni

Micki

Sherry

Me

Linda L--couldn't play along today, but make sure you drop by and let her know she was missed!

The winner's will be announced on the eP blog Monday, March 3!

OK!! Let's get this Faux Show rolling!!



Today I'm going to show you several variations on how you can achieve a Faux Marble.  I must admit I got a bit carried away with playing! 

First up:  This is what I call Distressed Faux Marble.  Step One:  smoosh Distress inks of choice randomly on your craft mat. I just smoosh block and lines here and there.   Spritz with Tattered Angel's Glimmer mist until ink beads up. Place your paper (I used Pure Luxury Ivory in this sample) down in the beaded ink.  Lift, dry.  You have now completed my version of the Wrinkle Free Distress Technique. 

wish I could have captured the shimmer!! Drat these dreary days!

Tear a piece of scrap paper.  Grab your sponge dauber or stencil brush, a couple of Distress Inks in complentary colors and apply the ink along the torn edge of the paper to your background.  Try to avoid making letters with your lines (such as "Y", "T", "K") as they are not natural in marble!!





I used a combination of Distress Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo for the lighter brown lines.  The dark brown lines are Tattered Angle's Glimmer Mist in Tattered Leather.

I have to say I LOVE how this turned out!  I must admit that I stared a this forever trying to come up with a project that wouldn't hide the effect, LOL!  Alas, I failed to come up with anything today, but keep an eye out for this, I'm mulling over some ideas!

Ok...next version of Faux Marble.  Now, this is something that I found on Andy Skinner's blog.  He came up with a faux marble technique that he calls Alcohol Floating Backgrounds.  His technique combines alcohol inks and water.  You can see his video here.  WARNING: THIS TECHNIQUE IS VERY ADDICTING!

Begin with a tub of water and some alcohol inks. 

Drip two/three drops of each of the alcohol inks into the water

Slip your paper of choice into the water

Out comes some fabulous backgrounds!!

Front side

BACK SIDE!!  YEP!! You get two different backgrounds on each sheet!!  This lets you choose which side you want to work with!!

  

Different colors on shipping tags

On Pure Luxury Cardstock

NOTE the middle sample...that one will be used for my project!!

On Glossy Paper

Slight variation.  Spritzed glossy paper heavily with water.  Applied alcohol inks with ink applicator. 

I also did samples with the alcohol ink Snow Cap.  It added a cool effect, but I found that on the glossy, it clumped up and then just brushed off once dried. Still a variation!! 

For the most part, I could make one sample, add new colors for another sample before needing to dump my water and starting over. 

I also tried this technique with some sticky back canvas. I wanted to try to make a background that was complentary to the middle sample seen above on the Pure Luxury.  Funny thing, I actually liked the PAPER backing of the canvas better!! haha!   And this is what I came up with using the Alcohol Floating background. 

This is an 8.5 x 8.5" layout.  the papers are retired Stampin' Up (Sorry, I don't recall the specific paper names and will admit that I'm too lazy and too far behind schedule in trying to get this posted!)  The main base was scored using my Scor-Pal every 1/4".  The backing to the sticky back canvas makes up the second background piece.  Tip:  Tape will NOT adhere to this backing! I had to put the tape on the black layer and then applied the background.  My guess is that if I could pull it up easily.  If I was really wanting this to stick, I would use some glue (either hot glue or strong glue like E6000.

The Suzi Blu image was stamped twice with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I stamped it on a piece of Pure Luxury White and again on the Alcohol Floating background that was seen previously.  I paper pieced her dress using the background.  I added a very slight bit of shading to her dress and hair with some Copic markers, but deliberately left her body uncolored, as I liked the stark, rather gothic look to her!

The roses were made with more of the retired SU papers.  Ok, I felt guilty.  I'm taking a wild guess here:  Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace and Almost Amethyste would be my guess on which shades of paper I used.  The large roses were die cut with Spellbinder's Spiral Blossom One.   The small rose was made from a Spellbinder's Scalloped circle that I just hand cut the spiral to roll.  The large flowers were stamped  and sponged with Distress Inks in Dusty Concord and  Chipped Saphire, using stamps from Wendy Vecchi's Art Colors Life and Be Happy, Make Art sets.  The leaves were die cut from SU's Kiwi Kiss using Spellbinder's Foliage and were sponged with Distress Peeled Paint ink.  The pearls in the center were made with a Viva Decor pearl pen.

The edge embellishment was cut with Spellbinder's Edgeabilities Classic Ric Rac.  The black rhinestones are from Want 2 Scrap nestabling that match Spellbinder's circle dies.  I just cut them to fit the area I wanted to place them in.

Close up of the Faux marble on the dress and flowers

I hope that these variations of doing Faux Marble will inspire you to create!!

'Till next time...................

Thankful

Hey People!!  It's time for another hop with the E-Team!!  We are continuing with out Seasonal theme by  show casing our Thanks with any type of project except a card!!

And what would a ride with the E-Team be without some wonderful goodies?! Leave a comment on the participating team member blogs and be entered at the chance to win one of THREE (3) $20 gift vouches to the eP store!! 

But!  That's not all!! Make sure you also leave a comment on the eP blog for Daisy, as I hear rumors that a random winner will be chosen from those comments to win a surprise box of goodies!!

The E-Team

Daisy, eP blog

Broni

Linda D

Linda L

Sherry

and

ME!

Latrice and Micki are sitting out this hop.  You can visit them and let them know how much they were missed!

When I think of things or words that are synonymous with Thanks, several thoughts come immediately to mind:   Fall, Family, The Toad, The Kiddos.  I chose to focus on the fall theme and my kiddos for this project.

It would seem that somebody, who shall remain nameless, forgot to read the fine print about using a "Tag or ATC" in the project!! oops!!



I am very thankful that while my boys are three years apart in age, they get along well (90% of the time) and are truly friends.  I decided to make a wall hanging from a photo that was taken on a family hike this past spring.  I LOVE photos of my kids from behind!  They are totally in their own world, unaware of the camera.  There is no obnoxious posing, goofy faces or rolling of the eyes when I ask for another "decent" picture attempt!!

I first altered the photo in Photoshop Elements using the sepia effect.  I then printed the photo out on Claudine Hellmuth's sticky back canvas.  Yes!  This canvas works wonderfully in your printer!  And trust me, if it goes through my finicky printer, it will work in yours!  The leaves were made with the Wrinkle Free Distress technique, version Me.  I smooshed some Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick and Peeled Paint onto my craft sheet and misted heavily with a combination of Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Tuscan Sun and Meadow Green.  I then layed Pure Luxury Ivory card stock in the beaded ink.  Falling Leaves were stamped on the paper with more Fired Brick or Peeled Paint and sponged along the edges.  I love the fine, almost lacy detail, of these stamps!  Alpha Parts, Ransom, letters were used to frame the photo.

close up of the canvas and detail of the leaves

To complete my wall hanging, I adhered the sticky canvas to black foam illustration board that I cut to size.  I then made my dimensional frame with some braided trim that has been in the garage for years!  I  dug out The Toad's miter box and cut  the trim to make a fitted frame.  Not perfect, but not bad for my first time at a mitered cut!!  I then painted the trim with Claudine's Charcoal Black studio paint.  Note:  this paint is soooo creamy!  I did not prime the wood at all and the paint covered it beautifully!  After the paint had dried (somewhat), I lightly sanded portions of the trim and added Distress Ink Vintage Photo to the sanded areas. 

after I edited the first photo, I decided that another leaf was needed in the bottom corner!

I was very pleased that this turned out!  I just need to decide where to hang it! 

I am also very thankful for the visits here and comments that you leave.  They really do inspire me!

'Till next time......................





Bea A. Ware!!!

Hey People!  Remember me?!  I know that my posting has been very lacking lately.  I'll spare you the long version excuse and cut to the chase:  LIFE!! Not enough hours or energy in the day/week and the creativity time is the first to go!!

BUT!!  Lucky for you, Mz. Daisy has issued another challenge for the E-Team!!



 And no E-Team blog hop would be complete without the chance of winning some awesome goodies from the eP store!  Daisy is putting together an "Tag/ATC" goodie box that will have a variety of tags and tag surfaces, some Twinery Samples and other eP goodies!!  Three randomly selected winners will be chosen from the comments left from TODAY UNTIL SUNDAY, SEPT. 18, on each of the participating Team member's blogs. 

BUT WAIT! There's more!!  Leave a comment on the eP blog about your favorite Halloween treats and another lucky person will win a $25 eP voucher!!

The E-Team

Daisy/eP blog

Broni

Linda D

Linda L

Micki

Sherry

and ME!

Micki and Latrice are not able to join in today, but make sure you stop by and let them know they were missed!!

 Ok!! Onto the fun stuff!! 

My project started out with this little guy:



It's an M&M mmmmMUMMY!! This little guy was so quick and easy to make!  I started with one of these plastic tubes.(this is the smaller of the tubes).............



.............cut 1/2" and 3/4" strips of Sticky Back Canvas and haphazardly inked the edges with Distress Tea Dye Ink.  Randomly wrap the strips of canvas around the tube and across the top and around the lid, glue on some googly eyes and MUMMY!! You've got yourself a cute little treat holder that your kids can make for their entire class or neighborhood!!

But then my brain got to thinking (yes, it hurt),that all Mummy's deserve a nice home to haunt.  So I got out some Distress Ink in Weathered Wood and Pumice Stone.  Randomly squished it on my craft mat and spritzed with Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Pearl and Patina and layed a piece of Pure Luxury card stock in the pooled ink (this is my version of Wrinkle Free Distress). A little selective shading with my Copic markers, using C1, C3, C5 and C7, a little dry embossing along one edge.



I REALLY wish the shimmer from the Glitter Mists showed up in the picture!  It is just enough shimmer to make the tombstone look like granite!

Of course, it's the little decorating details that make a home stand out.  Since I currently lack the Raven and Branched Tree dies in my collection, I had to resort to drawing my own!  The great thing about ravens and barren, dead trees, is~~ they are suppose to look bad!! BWHAHAAAA!! I drew out my rough ideas on scratch paper and then traced the templates onto Black Pure Luxury card stock.  I spritzed the raven with Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Cinder, which added a great blue/black shimmer.  I deliberately left my pencil marks on the raven to add a faint definition of detail, with so much black!

The tree was embossed with the Texture Fade Woodgrain.  Paper easel's were made to hold the leaning tombstone and tree.

After I was all done with the mummy's home, my kiddo's informed me that Mummy was too "cutesy" for the grave site!! Siiiigh.  If you ask for constructive criticism, you better be willing to listen to the answer!!

So, Mummy will not be moving into this particular grave site.  He will just have to haunt some cute little kid's candy bucket instead. Or, he would make a great ghoulish party favor!!

As for Bea A. Ware's final resting spot~~I think it would make a great table name tag setting.  Change out the name for a guest's name.  Or make each tombstone have some funny play on words.  Both would be just SPOOKTACULAR!!

Until next time...........................



Leapin' Lizards!

Happy Saturday People!

Yesterday, I realized (quite belatedly), the the youngest kiddo has a birthday party to attend TODAY.  Somehow, I got it in my head that it was next weekend.  Doesn't matter.  What matters is, I had to come up with a birthday card PRONTO.  Which is a scary thought when my mojo and I are just holding polite conversation with each other versus chatting like old friends.

But!  We managed to come up with this card, that was inspired by the picture of the birthday boy holding some reptile, on the invitation to join him at the local reptile store for his party.

So help me if my kid starts begging for another reptile.  Been there, done that.  I do NOT miss hearing crickets chirp at all hours of the night, nor do I miss finding the escapees throughout my house. 

Anyhoos!  I digress!  Here is the card that I came up with!

I bought this lizard stamp years ago at a little stamp store in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I bought is purely for the fact that the wood mount has the imaged carved onto the block!  It is a showcase of craftsmanship!  I didn't care if I never used the stamp.  The carving is an incredible piece of art.

See what I mean?!  I can't imagine the time it took to carve this incredibly small detail!

I stamped the image with Memento Rich Coco onto a left over piece of paper that I had done my version of Wrinkle Free distress. This means, I have NO idea what particular distress inks were used.  Or what Glimmer Mists I used.  I think that Antique Brass was one as some of the shimmer looked brassy.  I then had to fussy cut the lizard.  It would seem that someone really didn't plan the angle of her stamping correctly!  shhhh.  I think that might have been mojo.  But, heaven knows!  I don't want to tick her off by mentioning it!

The lizard was then adhered to another Wrinkle Free sheet that was Pure Luxury white based.  The inks that I ended up using were Distress Frayed Burlap, Weathered Wood and a touch of Shabby Shutters.  I spritzed the ink with a combination of Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Antique Brass and Patina.  I then roughly sponged around the edges with Distress Walnut Stain.  I then ran the background piece through the Big Shot with an old Fiskers Leather texture plate, to give a subtle texture and added dimension.  The lizard was attached with a combination of Scor-Tape and a Quickie Glue pen (for those little toes).  I used my Copics, B45, C1, C3, to add some more shading around the lizard to make him pop off the background a bit more.  The sentiment is from SU's, It's Your Birthday.  I did some masking to have the words layered versus in a straight line as the stamp is.  The whole shebang is attached to a Ivory Pure Luxury 5 1/2" square base. 

That's it for me today!  But!! Before I leave, I wanted to remind you all that you have until tomorrow, Sunday, August 21, to add your creation to to the Egg-cellent E-Team challenge! 





 You don't want to miss the chance at a $40 gift certificate to shop all the new goodies that Daisy has in the eP store!!

'Till then..........................



Egg-cellent Challenge

Hey People!  Today the E-Team is introducing a new challenge that will be open to YOU to participate in! 

Have you ever watched the Food Network show Chopped?  The premise is 4 cooks are given a basket of ingredients (some that you would NEVER think of using or combining) and are given 30 min to come up with an appetizing dish that uses the required ingredients.  After each challenge, the "chef" who does not meet the requirements is "chopped" from the competition, until only one winner is left.

Daisy has issued as similar challenge to the E-Team and YOU!  We are inviting you to join us in this new challenge!

It's an Egg-clectic Challenge!!

To enter, you must use the following 3 materials in your project. 

Distress Inks

Any die from any manufacture of die cut machines

and an egg carton

Link your project to the eP blog any time beginning Friday, Aug 12 until Sunday, Aug 21st.  A challenge winner will be chosen and posted on the eP blog Monday, Aug 22nd.

Of course, there is still the chance for other goodies!  Just leave one comment, starting today, Friday, Aug 12 until Sunday, Aug 14, on the participating E-Team member blogs and two random winners will be chosen to win some of the new 6x6 paper pads that have arrived at eP PLUS some more surprises!  The winners will be posted on the eP blog on Monday, Aug 15. 

The E-Team

Daisy/eP blog

Broni

Latrice

Linda D

Micki

Sherry

Me!

Linda L couldn't join us this week.  But make sure to stop by her blog and see what she has been creating!

Ok!  Onto my projects!  Yes, I created two projects, using the same layout and techniques, but one masculine and the other feminine. To be honest, I had grand (dis) illusions of creating something "outside the egg carton", but it would appear that my mojo and I could not agree on the trial attempts.  So, I decided to keep the frustration levle low and make it simple. 

I began by misting the lid of a cardboard egg carton with water so that I could pull off the top couple of layers, removing the writing.  I then heavily misted a portion with Tattered Angel's Tattered Leather Glimmer Mist and Antique Brass Glimmer Mist.  I used Spellbinder's Classic Diamonds Nestabilities to cut my shapes and then ran the diamonds through a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Here is a close up that (kind of) shows the glimmer and texture a bit better (I hope!)

To make my background, I used my favorite technique of Wrinkle Free Distress, randomly wiping Distress Inks in Weathered Wood and Brushed Corduroy along my craft mat and misting with more Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist again in Antique Brass.  I then laid a piece of SU's Textured Very Vanilla in the beaded up inks.  In real life, the glimmer makes a subtle shimmer, that is not too obvious to be used on masculine cards.  The edges were sponged with Brushed Corduroy and then I just swiped the very edge along my Walnut Stain ink pad.  The sentiment, from Tim Holtz's Just Thoughts, was stamped with Walnut Stain.  The entire panel was then matted on Basic Black card stock and adhered to a 5 1/2" square base of Pure Luxury Ivory. 

The die cut diamonds where then mounted on a piece of basic black card stock that was misted with Tattered Angel's Pearl Glimmer Mist.  A thin mat of the textured Very Vanilla behind that finishes off the strip. 

And for the girly version:





Exact same technique, Wrinkle Free Distress, for the background but this time  I used Distress Inks in Victorian Velvet, Scattered Straw and Wild Honey. The mists used to bead up the inks were Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Tuscan Sun and Cherub Pink.  The sentiment is from the same set, Just Thoughts, and was stamped using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

I left the egg carton the original thickness with the writing on it for the butterflies (cut with the Mini Butterflies die).  The butterflies were again heavily misted with Tuscan Sun and Cherub Pink Glimmer Mists.  I customed colored the 1/2 back, self adhesive pearls with Copic marker. 

The green card stock is SU's Kiwi Kiss.  The panel under the butterflies was stamped with Versamark, using the large stamp from Wendy Vecchi's Art Colors Life set.  Another misting of Pearl Glimmer Mist was applied for a bit of shimmer.

Simple, yes.  But think about it, eggs are pretty simple too, but can be the focal of a recipe!  I think these egg carton embellishments add that extra element that makes this simple sketch pop!

I hope you will join along and play with this Egg-celant Challenge!  Here's the positive on joining...you might win some goodies for your effort without having to worry about getting CHOPPED!!  hehe



Finally!!

I finally have Internet!  I don't know how long it will last, so I'm going to try and get my project up ASAP with not much chatter!

This weekend the E-Team was challenged to play with new product from Tattered Angels.  I personally, LOVE the glimmer mists and was very excited for the chance to play with the Chalk, Glam and Glimmer Glaze.

Quick details:  You have until July 17th to leave a comment on each of the team member blogs for a chance to win one of three prizes.  Two winners will be randomly selected from the E-Team blogs to win a $25 voucher from eclectic Paperie.  One winner will be randomly chosen from the eP blog to win new Tattered Angels mist assortment and some other goodies.  



Daisy/ep Blog

Broni

Latrice

Linda D

Linda L

Micki

Sherry

ME!

One of my favorite techniques utilizing Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist is with the Wrinkle Free Distress technique.  I swipe my Distress Inks in a random pattern on my Craft Sheet, but! Instead of misting with water, I mist with the Glimmer Mist.  I love how it just gives a soft shimmer versus a "in your face" sparkle. 

This gave me the idea to use various Glimmer Mists on my craft sheet versus Distress Inks.  I randomly spritzed different Mists onto my sheet and then gave the overall puddles a misting of Glimmer Mist Pearl (my FAVORITE Glimmer mist!!).  I then layed my card stock in the puddles, repeating until I got the look I wanted.  The result was a mottled design paper with a soft shimmer.  IN LOVE!!  You'll be seeing this version of the Wrinkle Free Distress more often!!



The results: 

I actually went back and added more Hay Ride glimmer glam along the edges of the flower and leaves and to the wings of the butterfly after these photos. 

I wish I could get the shimmer to show in the photo, but with the Glossy Accents over the stamped image Time Flies (from Unity Stamp/Marah Johnson Itty Bitty line, with some selective masking to fit my project), it was hard to get an angle that didn't glare! All the papers used for the background, flower (created with the Chalkboard/Glimmer combo), leaves and butterfly are from the various papers I created with my combinations.

I  painted one of Wendy Vecchi's Art Part Pocket Watches with some acrylic Antique Gold. I then coated the frame heavily with Glimmer Mist Antique Brass. LOVELY!

Supplies:  Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists:  Antique Brass, Pantina, Pearl, Cranberry Zing, Tuscan Sun, Frost. Old Olive, Cherub Pink.  Chalkboard:  Apricot Nector Glam:  Hay Ride and Dirty Martini.  Paper:  Pure Luxury Stamps:  Time Flies from Unity Itty Bitty, Fabulous Flourishes.  Other:  Pocket Watch Art Parts, Chain, Glossy Accents, Spellbinders Posie, punches

Ended up chatting more than I thought! LOL! I'm going to get this posted before I can't!! 

Till then................



Rockin' 14

How was every one's Memorial Day?  In our house, it is also a celebration weekend as the Oldest Kiddo just happen to be born on this holiday 14 years ago.   The weekend was spent cooking, feeding, cleaning up, cooking, feeding, cleaning up after four teen age boys and one younger kiddo who so wishes he was a teenager!! haha!  It was all good!  There is nothing like the sound of kids cracking themselves up with a good time!

I finally managed to make the Kiddo's birthday card the morning of his birthday.  Hey!  I got it done BEFORE the family celebration, so that has to count for something! snort.  I'm telling you, the lack of creative time has definitely caused some serious rust in my stamping skills!  After FOUR attempts, I finally was able to get the main image panel to look somewhat as I envisioned. 

I started by clear embossing the large splatter of SU's Extreme Elements onto a 4 1/4" square base of Gina K' Pure luxury.  I then pulled out Distress Ink in Peeled Paint, Broken China and Vintage Photo, randomly swiped them across my craft mat and misted with Perfect Pearls Turquoise for a Wrinkle Free Distress look.  I then sandwiched the panel between copy paper and ironed off the clear embossing (Faux Bleach technique).  The main image was stamped with Azure Stazon using SU's Extreme Guitar.  The other stamps (flourish, grunge dots and stars) are also from the Extreme Elements set and were stamped randomly with Stazon Timber Brown (the flourish over the removed embossed areas), Peeled Paint and Broken China inks.  The sentiment was stamped with more of the Azure Stazon ink and hand cut.  Light sponging with Peeled Paint, Broken China and some Vintage Photo along the edges blends it in with the main image.  Pop dots raise the sentiment forward.

To finish off the card I used the Alpha Parts Ransom numbers to create the 14 in the corner.  The main image  was distressed.  I deliberately did not sponge the exposed white edge as I liked the look against the white base. The image was then matted on SU's Pacific Point and everything layered onto a 5" square piece of Pure Luxury. 

Life will continue to be crazy this next week as it is the last week of school and the birthday boy graduates from 8th grade on Thursday.  I've got 6 graduation cards that still need to be made, but posting might have to wait until after the weekend, LOL!  I'll be lucky to get them done between everything else that is on the schedule for this week!

'Till then....................................take time to Rock some Creativity!



Wrinkle Free and Distressed!



Welcome to Part 2 of the Get Distressed series the E-Team is presenting!  Today, the Team is showcasing the Wrinkle Free Distress Technique (tutorial courtesy of our own team member Sherry!)

Of course, Daisy has some great wrinkle free goodies to share with two lucky people!!  All you have to do is leave a comment on each team member's blog for the random chance to win some new goodies that are just hitting the store!    You will have the weekend to leave a comment and the winners will be chosen Sunday night!

Broni H

Latrice M

Linda D

Linda L

Micki H

Sherry C

and

ME!

In all honesty, this has to be just about my FAVORITE technique!  It is perfect for making custom background papers, adding a grunge look to a project or just an excuse to mix and match!!

For the LIFE OF ME, I could NOT get the "blues" to photograph with the actual "sea green" tone that the paper has in real life versus this turquoise color that is invading my photo!  You will just have to take my word on the fact that the "blues" are more green and that the ribbon matches much better in person!!

Quick Tip:  this technique does work best with Distress Inks.  Distress inks maintain their true colors when mixed with water, versus other water based inks, which become diluted. 



Of course, I have my own little twist to this technique.  Instead of swiping my ink across my craft mat in a nice row, I swipe in splotches. I start with my lightest color and then randomly smoosh the ink on my craft mat.

Yes, these are different colors than what I ended up using. This would be step one of a failed attempt at an experiment.  But it illustrates my method just the same!

Then I spritz the inks with Glimmer Mist.  You could easily use Perfect Pearl mists too.  I just happen to have more GM then PP!!



Then I smoosh my paper ( I used a 5 x 5 vanilla tag for my project today) in the beaded up ink.  I usually dry my paper and repeat the steps until I get the look I like. Using a glimmer mist or the like, gives a soft  shimmer to your project adding that little extra punch!



Then comes the fun part!! You can use the paper as it is, or make a custom design paper to match your project (and at 1/2 the cost of regular design paper!!)

I first stamped the Aged Music Sheet from Cornish Heritage farms (no longer available...sorry!) with Distress Tea Dye.  Then I overstamped the Fabulous Flourishes Distress Sage Shadow.  The edges were sponged with Vintage Photo. 

The cage is from the Alterations Die Caged Bird.  It was die cut from TenSecond Studios Dark Chocolate metal, that I "distressed" by wrinkling the metal, then lightly sanding the bumps before smoothing it out with the roller tool in the finishing set.  I cut two frames and attached them only at the top and bottom, rounding out the front frame to give it a more realistic dimension.

The bird (from the same die) and the sentiment frame were cut from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante paper line.  I cut the bird out twice.  By chance, the paper pattern lent itself to being the birds legs perfectly!  I cut out the branch from the bird and layered it over the second die cut.  The Spellbinders Label Eleven frame is raised over the sentiment (Flights of Fancy) with dimensional tape. 

The ribbon was from idea-ology findings  Trimmings that I sponged Sage Shadow, a bit of Broken China and Vintage Photo onto.  I FINALLY got it to fray and crinkle by pulling threads (why is it, that ribbon always frays when you don't want it too, but won't do it when you need it too?!!)

The tassel was made with some fine chain that I had in my stash.  It started out silver, but I used some Alcohol Ink in Espresso to darken.  The chain and the beads (again, from my stash) were attached to the cage with  idea-ology jump rings.  The whole sha-bang was adhered to a piece of presentation foam board  with Scor Tape to give it some stability.

I hope you found the E-Team's Distress ideas inspiring and Wrinkle Free!