Monday, April 28, 2014

Smeared Ink Monthly blog hop

Today, I have another Smeared Ink project for your visual amusement.
We're having a design team blog hop for the month of April.
If you'd like to begin the hop from the beginning, 
here is the hop order:

I purchased a few of these blank notebooks from Pick Your Plum
a while back, and I needed a gift for a friend's birthday, so it
was a double duty project. I like that.

The notebook folds out into thirds. This gives plenty of room to decorate
and customize. I started out by removing the covers, and painting them with
a tan acrylic paint.

Then, I broke out with my new TH Clockwork stencil, and some
SU teal ink. 

Next, I distressed and aged the covers using Distress Inks
in vintage photo, and walnut. I have tried many types of applicators
for applying inks to my projects, but I love the fingertip sponge daubers 
the best. They give great control, and they're easy to hang onto.
I gave the covers a coat of matte medium to seal the inks and keep them
from bleeding onto the recipient's hands when they use it someday.

I went ahead and added a script stamp, and then I heat embossed it.
I used this script stamp throughout the entire notebook. I added a Copic colored

I gave the image a coat of Glossy Accents to give it some durability.
I really love this image. It's very 'DaVinci' feeling, to me.

Here is the opened view of the notebook. 
I have continued all of the same techniques and finishes throughout the book.

I have used the Butterfly Jar image from Smeared Ink here,
and I have added both, Glossy Accents, and Crackle Accents to the jar
for a varied effect of textures. I like it.

 I have used another butterfly from the Specimen Jar digi set
at Smeared Ink. I colored it with watercolor pencils,
and accented it Stickles and Gelly Roll Stardust pen.

And here it is all folded out and finished.
I have to say it turned out pretty cool, and I am 
eager to send it to my friend. I have a feeling she'll dig it, too.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Make sure to check out the entire Smeared Ink DT hop
to see more creative craftiness from my fellow DT members.  
The hop order is in my sidebar, and at the beginning of this post.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Buzz Buzz

I finally got a chance to work in my (almost complete) art journal.
I've been working on it for over a year now, and it's finally
nearing the finished stages. So cool to have a bound compendium of
my work to flip through and enjoy in the future.

I made a colorful background using Dylusion spray inks, and a
honeycomb stencil from The Crafter's Workshop. I used both modeling
paste, and Distress Inks with the stencil for dimension and interest. 

The actual stars of the show here, are the awesome bee images I have used.
They are available through Smeared Ink in their Queen digi set, or as singles. 
So many possibilities with this set of images. 

I printed the bees out on Paper Trey Ink paper (I use it exclusively),
and then used (gasp!) Distress Inks to color them with a water pen.  

I figured the less vibrant the bees were, the better the contrast on the vivid background.

I fussy cut everyone out, and added some kaleidoscope embossing powder 
to every bee's wings. Lastly, I added some letter tiles from Tim Holtz.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Make sure to come back tomorrow, as I will have more
eye candy for you to check out, plus a little blog hop, too!    

Monday, April 21, 2014

Monochrome Goddess of Biro

Today marks the beginning of the second challenge for
Aurora Wings.
The new theme is monochromatic.

I chose to work with the gorgeous

I started out (after a few previously failed attempts) with an
8x10 canvas, and painted it with various hues of blue green
acrylic paints. I added some distress inked papers with script on it,
and used a matte medium to adhere it onto the canvas.
      
I salvaged an old earring, and added an evil eye charm, 
and a cool, hand of hamsa charm to it, in the hopes of
giving it a Balinese feel. Even though the hamsa is actually
a Jewish symbol, thought to give protection from the evil eye.  

 I added some white pearl acrylic paint accents and Stickles 
to the background, before adding the finished image.



This image is amazing! So much glorious detail (notice the three faces!). 
It was quite a challenge to color in a monochromatic color scheme, 
but I love how she turned out!
I almost ruined the entire colored image when I decided to add some
color to the edges. Total FAIL! Then I had to try and tear the edges off without
losing any of the image, or leaving any of the offensive color mistake.  



Thanks for stopping by!
Please drop by the Aurora Wings challenge blog and
see all of the beautiful DT work for this challenge.


Thursday, April 17, 2014

New Release Hop for Smeared Ink

I have another new image release from 
to share with you today.

I have chosen to use "Loved Alone Octopus" for my card.
I thought he would be perfect on a Father's Day card. 
One down, three  more to go.

I was able to destash some TH gears and cogs that I had lying
around from another project. The colors matched, so why not?
I popped the gears up on foam dots for added dimension.

I colored this dapper fellow using Copics and tried to fussy cut 
him out with shaky hands. He looks a little rough in spots, but 
it is handmade, after all.

The image I used is from the "I Loved Alone" set of images
now available at Smeared Ink.


Feel free to hop around and see all of the awesomeness that has been
created using these new images. Plus, there is a giveaway involved as well.
Be sure to leave some blog love on each DT's Smeared Ink post, and maybe you
will win the entire set of images!



Monday, April 14, 2014

Steampunk Junk for Macabre Monday

Today begins the second week for Haunted Design House's
StEaMpUnK JuNk.

 This clever theme was all my idea, and I had an ulterior motive behind it.  
I have had this doll baby head (in the middle) from a while back, and I have been
dying to get back to it. I really love transforming these dolly heads!
And I like playing with polymer clay, and getting messy with paint, too!
Yes, this is my therapy.

So, I offered up a Steampunk theme for HDH
and here ya have my finished Steampunk Junk Doll Baby Head. 
Or as I like to call him, Sir Cornelius. Don't know why, I just do. 

"Corny" started out as a thrift store doll. I liberated him, washed him up,
and gave him facial hair using polymer clay. I painted him with gesso,
and then gave him a bronze base coat of acrylic paint.
I used some bright green cogs from a tape runner refill, a rubber cap
for a pipe or something (Hubs donated it), some metal washers, and
a doll eye wood cut. I'd say some of that is considered junk.
My problem is, I see potential in so much crap, I'm starting to fear
an intervention is in order.

Anyhoo,

I used some aluminum tape I picked up at the dollar store (score!),
embossed it with a TH Riveted Metal folder, and wrapped it around 
the top hat, aka rubber endcap.

I gave the hat a coat of black gesso, and then swiped some
Inka Gold in silver over the raised bits. Really brought out the
cool texture. I really like this folder. Well worth the time it took to find it.
I also added some distressed metal wings, another distressed washer, 
and a smoky rhinestone brad to the hat to make it all, "fancy schmancy".
I love using up my old stash, and found items. Makes me feel so good to recycle
the cool schtuff I acquire and collect.    

I attached a TH attacher thingy to Corny's ear, and this allowed
me to attach the monocle to him in a permanent way. Considering he
doesn't have a breast pocket, I had to make do with what he did have. An ear. 
I attached a chain, and a gear to one end, and the other end to the monocle.

That monocle, with the oversized doll eye wood cut is my favorite part of this
project. I used Glossy Accents to adhere the eye to the metal washer, and to 
give it the appearance of an eyeglass. I'm a sucker for wonky eyes.
I accented his facial hair using more Inka Gold in silver.

I used a TH tag, bent it with a heat gun and sheer force,
distressed it and attached it to Corny's neck with a couple of chains.
I attached a distressed tag onto the end to give it an industrial feel.

And there you have it.
My take on the Steampunk theme.
I'm rather proud.

Thanks for stopping by!  

I'd like to enter this project in the following challenges:



Friday, April 11, 2014

Fun with ATCs

It's been a while, but I am participating in today's
challenge at Dilly Beans challenges
The theme is really simple.
Make an ATC.
This is the perfect time to use up some scraps,
and make a mini piece of art.

I used #376 Martin.
He is one of my favorite Dilly Beans images. 

I colored Martin with Copics, fussy cut him out, and then
attached him to a remnant background from some TH ink clean up.
I'm a die hard hoarder. Never throw anything away. 
The day I do throw it out, will be the day I want to use the damned thing.
I used the sentiment stamp for the very first time, even though I've had it for 
probably a year or more. Notice the addition of a cookie in 
Martin's hand. I drew it, and added it to match the sentiment. 
Not sure if Martin is the monster or not....   

I have taken a border sticker from Tim Coffey (K Designs?), and cut it apart to
make a stack of skulls for Martin to stand on. Lastly, I edged the ATC with
Orange Peel Stickles to add some sparkle.
Ta-dah!

Please stop by Dilly Beans challenge blog, and take in the eye candy the
DT has created for this two week challenge. 
Maybe even make an ATC of your own for the challenge!

I'd like to enter this in the current challenge at 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

DT New Release Hop for Smeared Ink

Yes, that's right, I have joined the ranks of the uber talented DT for 
Smeared Ink.
It's quite an honor. I look forward to working with everyone at SI.

Today is a new release blog hop featuring a set of
 horse images, like you've never seen before!

I have used the new Daemon Horse 5  for my project.
I also generated the My Little Pony Nightmare in Gimp.

I printed this handsome fellow out on kraft cardstock, and
colored him with colored pencils. No, really, I used colored pencils.
I usually prefer a more vibrantly colored image, but I do like how
I was able to blend, and use the white pencil for the highlights.
I still prefer my Copics, but wanted to try something different this time.
I glittered his mane with the original MLPs in mind. Not sure it translates
that well, but it sure is sparkly! 

And what creepy card is complete without some MS Drippy Goo punch?
I layered two shades of red, and then covered it all with Glossy Accents.
First time I ever tried doing that. It has now been added to my crafty repertoire.   

Here is the New Release Hop list, as you simply must
hop along and check out the other wicked makes for this release.

Creepy Glowbugg - that's me!
Kapree