Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge No. 3 - Alcohol Ink Monoprint

I missed out on doing challenge no. 2 which was using the technique from Tim Holtz's book on page 62 'Fragments Basics' - mainly because I don't have any of the fragments.  No doubt I will buy some soon though so I can come back to it then.

Challenge No. 3 is 'Alcohol Ink Monoprint' using the technique from Tim Holtz's book on page 51.  If you want to know more about these challenges visit Linda's blog at Studio L3 where each week she will be setting a challenge from the book 'Compendium of Curiosities' - and there are prizes too!!!

Here's my entry using this technique which I've made into a greetings card (even though there isn't any greeting on the front of it - LOL).

I had several attempts at this before settling on this one.  The problem was I think using cheap photo paper which gave a rather sludgy result.  I found some glossy paper in my stash which worked much better with the alcohol inks.  Even so, I cheated a little bit a dropped a few drops of the ink on the top and around the edge.  The stamps I used were Tim Holtz's Stampers Anonymous (Artful Flight) for the large bird and Stampendous (Cling Bird Cage Trio) for the two bird cages, which you may just be able to see in the background, stamped in gold.  I mounted the glossy piece onto two pieces of black handmade paper which I die cut with Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix die (Scallops).

Did anyone else manage to get alcohol ink all over their book like me?   Next time, I'll move it out of the danger zone. LOL

Blog Awards - Thank You!

I haven't been doing much blogging - or crafting lately, too many distractions what with the World Cup (less said about that the better!), Wimbledon, catching up on some gardening and enjoying all the lovely hot weather we're having at the moment.

However, I had to mention two blogs awards I've received recently.

The first is from Jan who has a beautiful blog at Jan's Artyc ATC Journey.  Many thanks Jan for this award and I am now supposed to tell you all ten interesting things about myself and then nominate ten other bloggers for the award.  Well, the nominating bit would be easy as there's many many beautiful blogs out there, but the interesting things about moi - hmmmm, yes, I think I'll have to get back to you on that one - LOL.  Go and have a look at Jan's 10 things though, they do make an interesting read.

The second award is from Debbie, another beautiful blogger at Chameliarts.  This is what I am supposed to do "Tell 6 outrageous lies and 1 outrageous truth about yourself , or switch it around and tell 6 outrageous truths and 1 outrageous lie about yourself. Then, nominate 7 others and leave them a message to let them know"  I'm going to have to take a rain check on that one too!  Outrageous, moi?  In my dreams - LOL.  If you'd like a good laugh though go and have a look at Debbie's 7 outrageous things about herself.  Or maybe I shouldn't say laugh as they may all be true - sorry Debbie if they are, but what an interesting person you are.

Thank you both Jan and Debbie for thinking of me, it means a lot - and now you know what a chicken I am for not 'fessing up anything - LOL. xx

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge No. 1 - Water Stamping

If like me you bought Tim Holtz latest book 'A Compendium of Curiosities' as soon as it became available, but haven't yet explored it thoroughly, this new challenge is ideal!  You can find it on Linda Ledbetter's blog Studio L3.

The first challenge is Water Stamping.  Following Tim's tutorial on page 35 of the book I created some toppers for a greeting card as shown above.

I haven't got any Distress Embossing ink, so used some ordinary Versamark embossing ink instead.  I also stamped the image onto some water colour paper.  The technique is applied to the background of my card, and I overstamped another image with black ink.  I wanted to do more to the card, but forced myself to keep to the one technique. 

I made another background using the same technique, but haven't decided what to do with it yet!

I wonder what the next challenge will be! 

Ribbon Hanger

This month over on the Art 'n' Soul Flickr group the challenge is to create a ribbon hanger for your swap partner who will be randomly allocated.

The challenge has been set by Petra who has made some beautiful hangers which you can see over on her blog Kunterbunt Cottage.

My hanger is made from thick card (measuring approx 5 inches square) covered with scrapbook paper.  I punched two one inch holes at the bottom for the ribbons to hang from.

I then pencilled in the girl's face and coloured it with acrylic paint and distress ink.  The hair is part of a wool scarf which has the look of curly hair - and of course, she has two little blue ribbons in her hair.

As my hanger only has two holes, there isn't much scope for hanging too many ribbons - especially if my swap partner has as many as I have - still, you can't have too many ribbons can you!

On the subject of ribbons, there is a lovely blog which I have mentioned before, called Crafty Ribbons and every Friday there is a 'Friday Freebie' - a ribbon giveaway!  All you have to do is go visit and leave a comment.  There are also some great ideas and tutorials over there too.

Have a great weekend!

Mini Dress Up - Pocket ATCs

The Artist Trading Club ... 'Swap Til You Drop' challenge for this month is 'Mini Dress It Up' guested by Margaret who hosts the monthly Dress It Up challenge on her blog Alice and Camilla.  Margaret has a tutorial on her blog where she shows in very easy steps how to make a paper pocket.

To make a pocket ATC you need to start off with a rectangle of paper measuring 13cm x 19.5m, then follow Margaret's paper pocket tutorial above - easy peasy! 

For the ATC pockets I used old music sheets and one old book page (for the green dress).  I inked around the edges with Distress Ink and scalloped the edge of the pocket with Tim Holtz Alterations On the Edge Sizzix die (called Brackets) 

The amber and pink dresses, I rubber stamped onto and for the rest, I covered the card base of the dress with fabric. 

I rubber stamped some mini mannequins onto tissue paper then applied them to the corner of the pockets with Liquitex gel medium (except the green one which I just rubber stamped directly onto).

To finish them off, I machine stitched (roughly!) around the four sides of the ATC.

What a lovely challenge - and a great pocket tutorial from Margaret too!