WOYWW #228 - Distressed Halloween Tags

Hi, guys! Hope all is well.  It is Wednesday, so I am sharing what is on my work desk with you. Thank you to Julia for all the desk-hopping fun! You will see that I was working on my October Tags for the Tim Holtz Tags of 2013.  I made two of them, one for me and one for a friend.

Here are the finished tags!

Lots of Distress Paint and Distress Glitter happening on these tags!   I really enjoyed painting the ribbon and stamping on it as well.

I look forward to visiting your desks today and seeing what you are working on!  If you haven't taken part in WOYWW, I would highly recommend you join in.  It is so much fun and a great crafting community.

Until next time!

My Homework For The Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 102 Class (Lots of Inky Fun!)

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Tonight I am going to share with you some more "homework" from the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 102 online class.  It was a fun-filled week!  Lots of great videos and techniques.  I started out just doing tags as I normally do, but decided to add a couple of Christmas Cards and a pair of gift tags into the mix as well.  I normally use my PDFs and directions to refer back to instead of the tags, so I figured this way I will have a jump on the holidays, too!

The first pair up are examples of embossing using Distress Glitter.  Let me tell you, I have a ton of glitter in my collection, but nothing is as nice as this glitter! On this first card I used alcohol inks to color the gems on the snowflakes, as well as to add color onto the Kraft Glassine paper panel. The glitter I used for the snowflakes was Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.

Another fun technique we learned was how to create an ombre look using Alcohol Inks.  For this, I decided to make a Christmas card.  The picture was taken at an angle to show the use of the tissue tape along the inside of the card as well. I colored the tiny attachers with alcohol inks as well as the film strip tape!

The next Christmas card is a fun example of using both colored Distress Glitter and Rock Candy Glitter with Distress Inks:

This tag was fun to make as it used Distress Embossing Powder and Distress Inks.  I wish you could feel this tag as the gears feel very textured, like a light grain sandpaper.  The background was stamped and embossed using the same powders so it is also textured.

This next tag was made using the chalkboard technique.  It was fun and I plan to use this on a Christmas gift.  I decided to use this fun old vintage-looking Santa from Stampers Anonymous along with the sentiment from the set.

The next few things are not paper crafted.  I used the faux patina techniques that Tim shared on a couple of metal embellishments of his.  They really look great, and I can't wait to incorporate them onto some of my holiday crafts this year.

We learned how to faux crackle glass items as well.  For my bottle I crackled it and then added a mixture of oats and glitters to make "Magic Reindeer Food." I always bring some to my sister's house each year and we toss it on the lawn for Rudolph and company.  I thought this was a fun way for me to present it. (Took a few shots as I wasn't sure which would show off the crackle better.)

Thank you to Tim Holtz for such a great class and all the hard work.  I want to thank Mario Rossi for all the fun BTS and all his kindhearted Facebook fun.  All those behind the scenes at Online Card Classes deserve a great big thank you as well.  I sure hope there is a Creative Chemistry 103 class next year!  If there is, I will be there!

A BIG thank you if you made it through this long post!  Until next time, my friends!

Got Margaritas? Adult Party Favors

Hi, guys! This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend a sister get-together.  My sister moved into a new apartment so we decided to celebrate together along with a few good friends.  I decided we needed to have some "adult" party favors.  I picked up some pre-mixed margaritas and mudslides. You know how I love to make cards, so I decided to make some fun tags to add to them.

The woman holding her head is a stamp by Viva Las Vegas Stamps.  I know we have all had days like that and so I thought it would be perfect for this project.  The "got margaritas?" stamp is by A Muse.  The mudslide tags used an old stamp from Stampin' Up, and the cool thing is the chocolate is embossed with chocolate-scented embossing powder.  Distress ink is rubbed along the tag to look like chocolate smudges (we have all had that happen I am sure!).

These were a big hit with all the ladies.  I think they are perfect for you to make for ladies gatherings, showers, or game nights.

Wishing you a fun day!  Until next time!

Tag a-long with Tim

Hi, guys!  As many of you know, I have been taking part in the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.  Today I will be sharing the last two tags I completed for the December challenge.  All the products I used on these tags are Ranger and Tim Holtz products.

These were so fun to make.  When I work on any of Tim's tags, I end up using a lot of different products and techniques.  While working on these, I used Distress Inks, Distress Stains, Distress Markers (notice a pattern?).  I really enjoyed using the mirror sheets in the first one, as they are so pretty in person and so reflective and die cut very easily.  The poinsettia die was a fun one to use and I enjoyed using acrylic paint and the tissue tape.

Sad that the 12 tags are now complete, but feel so happy that I was able to complete them ALL!  I am hoping Tim continues this tradition in 2013!

Off to see the Nutcracker with my hubby and niece.  I cannot wait!  My niece has been doing ballet since she is 3 and now is 8 and so it is the perfect age for her to experience her first ballet.  Lincoln Center is just so beautiful and I can't wait to share the experience with her.

Have a great weekend!  Until next time!

Made With Love And Memories

Hi, guys!  Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the holiday season.  For today, I thought I would share two tags I completed on Friday.  I made this tags for my sister in-law as a gift.  As you probably recall, I have been taking part in the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.  I had made a set of tags for myself a few months back when we learned to tint photos using distress inks.  My sister in-law liked the ones I did of my late husband and his mother and she requested a pair.  I decided to make them on Friday as it was the 6th anniversary of my husband's passing and thought it would be a fitting tribute to him.  I varied the tags from the ones I did for myself by using stamps that were more specific for a brother and daughter.

This project was very special to me.  I am not sure if I can relay the joy and memories that I was able to recall while creating these tags.  Charlie loved to sail, loved his garden, loved the stars and I was able to incorporate the verse my sister in-law read for us at our wedding.   For my mother in-law's tag, I used a Tim Holtz bingo chip to reflect the year of her marriage and it reminded me of her love of playing bingo and her "big" winnings of a couple dollars and her excitement.  I was able to use a page of an old book (avid reader and teacher) and scripture to reflect her strong faith.

When I was finished with these and put them in the mail, I felt very happy.  If you would have told me I would have felt those feelings Friday, I would have said you were wrong.  Crafting can bring me joy and contentment even when I am feeling at my lowest.  I am sure Tim Holtz probably never realized that such a project could have such a profound effect on someone.

If you are looking to make a special gift for someone (or just for yourself), I would highly recommend you visit Tim Holtz to learn how these are done. I am sure you will enjoy the experience and want to share your memories with those special in your life.

Thanks to Tim Holtz for always inspiring me (and countless others), and for sharing his knowledge. Teachers are truly special people.

Have a great day, my friends!   Until next time!

Holiday Cards & Tags Giveaway

Hi, guys! Hope you had a great holiday!  We sure did! I had dinner here with my hubby and my father-in-law followed by a trip to my sister's for another round of fun and yes, more food.

Before:

After:

I can tell you, I am done with turkey for awhile.  My hubby could continue to eat it if I gave it to him. After day 4, I feel like I am going to start gobbling.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I will begin preparing for the Christmas holiday season.  I am looking forward to making holiday cards for family and friends and plenty of decorating.  I have some fun news to share with you today.  My blogging friend Molly Jo who blogs at http://franklymydearmojo.com/2012/11/25/holiday-gift-basket-giveaway-winnies-inky-fingers-cards-and-tags/ is having a giveaway.  She asked if I would make some holiday cards and tags for her to raffle off.  I hope you pay her a visit for a chance to win the set of cards I donated. There are 5 cards and 5 coordinating tags.  Molly Jo is a great writer and blogger and a fine woman.  I know you will enjoy visits with her there.

Hope you have a great day! Until next time!

June 2012 Tim Holtz Tag - Remembrance

Hi, guys!  Hope you had a great weekend - I did.  Started it off with a great ladies night out to celebrate my friend Asia's birthday.  Nothing better than spending a night out with great friends to start the weekend off on a fun note.  Today my husband and I spent some time in IKEA again to pick up more stuff for my stamp room.  I think they will know us by sight soon at this rate!

Tonight I took some time to complete my two tags for the Tim Holtz Tags of 2012.  These are done monthly and, of course, it is the last day of the month and I was under the wire by 40 minutes! Tim taught us how to tint photos to give them a vintage look.   I was not sure what photo I wanted to use, so I decided to do two tags.  I started by using an old childhood photo of my late husband Charlie.  I thought it was an adorable picture that captured his personality.  I used distress inks to tint the photo.  I only colored his coat (Fired Brick) and bow tie (Salty Ocean).  I used Antique Linen to age the photo and Vintage Photo along the edge.   While doing this tag, I decided to incorporate his love of bicycle riding by using tissue tape.  For the embellishment, I went with the metal angel wings by Tim Holtz.   Charlie is now my guardian angel and I thought they would be a great touch.

For the next tag I decided to use a photo of my late mother-in-law Elsie on her wedding day.  I used distress inks to tint her bouquet and the same Antique Linen and Vintage Distress inks to age the photo. She was married in 1942, so I used the Tim Holtz Alphanumeric stickers for the year.  I stained a portion of a rose ribbon to make the flower and incorporated an old vintage stick pin as an embellishment.   I used the alphabet paper for this tag as Elsie was a teacher her entire life.  Even after she stopped teaching school, she continued to teach those around her every day.

I enjoyed making these tags.  I found them extra special to do since I made them in remembrance of two people who I was lucky enough to love and share my life with.

Hope you have a great day and find some time to do something you love.

Tim's May Tag - No Laundry Involved

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  I just finished my May Tag for the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.  This month we learned how to use UTEE and turn paper flowers into porcelain-looking ones.  It was my first time using my Melting Pot by Ranger.  It was a lot of fun.   We also utilized sewing patterns as backgrounds.  If you know me personally, you know I don't sew a lick.  My hubby gave me a couple from his late mother's collection.  I thought that was sweet and now I will think of her when I look at this tag.

I am enjoying making these monthly tags as I love learning new techniques.  I like to use what I have on hand, so my tag is not identical to Tim's, but that is part of the fun.  Tim used a wooden spool to put his flowers in like a vase.  I could see me losing a digit or two trying to sand down a wooden spool, so I turned my flowers into a corsage.

If you haven't tried making some of these tags yet, I would recommend you give one a try.  It is always a lot of fun and you will get......INKY!

Have a great day!

Creative Chemistry 101 - The Finale

Hi, guys!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I enjoyed it very much as I was able to complete the rest of my tags for the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101 class.  I thought I would share them with you now.

Day 6:  Watercolor with Markers, Blending with Markers, Stamping with Markers

Day 7:  Nostalgic Batik , Rusted Enamel, Distress Powder Resist

Day 8:  Paint Dabber Resist, Crackle Paint Resist, Shattered Stains

Day 9:  Perfect Distress Mist, Perfect Distress, Perfect Splatter Distress

Day 10:  Rock Candy Distress Stickles

This class was full of great techniques and insights.  I highly recommend that anyone who would like to learn how to use the Ranger line of products sign up for this course.  The helpful hints Tim gives you are worth their weight in gold.  It is apparent that Tim really loves what he does and encourages you to stretch yourself and your creativity.  I found some of the techniques I will use over and over, and others I will pull out when I need to try something different and have some play time.  One thing I came away with from the class is that if I have an idea, I should just try it.  It may work, or it may not, but if it does, it can be great!

Have a great day, and I hope you find a few moments in the day to do something you love!

Tag Time with Tim

Hi, guys!  Hope you are all having a great weekend.  I thought I would share some tags that I have made for days 3, 4, and 5 of the Creative Chemistry 101 Class with Tim Holtz.

Day 3
Alcohol Ink Agates Technique

Archival Resist Technique

Stamping with Reflections Technique

Day 4
Custom Stamp Pad Technique  (I made my husband a bookmark!)

Layered Misting Technique

Day 5

Marbled Stains Technique

Stamping with Stains Technique

Stained Kraft Resist Technique

These online card classes are just great.  I love that I can work at my own pace, and around my schedule.  I also love that Tim gives you so much information, with obvious planning on his part.   I can't believe a week has flown by.  One more to go!  I know I will be sad to see it end.  But, with all this newly acquired knowledge, I know I will be enjoying myself in my stamp room!  If you haven't tried one of these online card classes, I would highly recommend you give one a try.  You will have the information at your fingertips for life!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  I plan to find some stamping time tomorrow to.....GET INKY!

Getting Inky with Tim

Hi, guys!  Yesterday was Day 1 of the online card class being taught by Tim Holtz.  It was a blast and he is an amazing teacher.  I would highly recommend you check it out.  This first tag is what I made last night.

Supplies:
Tag: Ranger manila
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress ink and stains, Archival black
Other: Butterflies stamped using JudiKins Mica gloss
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous, River City Rubber Works


Today was Day 2 of the class and we really focused on Tim's line of distress inks.  I can't share how the techniques were done, but I can share my work.   We learned 3 fun and inky techniques.


Day 2 tags

Supplies: 
Paper: Ranger Manila Tags, Watercolor paper
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress inks
Stamps: Stampin' Up, Papertrey Ink


This is going to be a great two weeks learning from such a great teacher.  I love that you can really feel his passion for his art and creating.    I look forward to sharing what I make as I go along.


I hope you have a great day!  Hope you can find a few moments in your day to do something you love.

Tea and (Vaga)bonding

Hi, guys!  Hope your weekend was a great one.  My weekend was great and filled with fun.  I had my sister and two of my nieces over for a tea party and crafting time.  I thought I would share some pictures from the day.

After our tasty lunch and tea we headed down to my stamp area to make some tags.  The girls wanted to make some Tim Holtz-style tags after hearing about them and were amazed when they saw the Vagabond. We spent the afternoon bonding with each other over the Vagabond. A Vagabond machine is a powered die cut/embossing machine that is a wonder.  It really enables you to cut and emboss a lot of stuff in no time and with great ease (a touch of a button!)

Amanda's tag (age 7)

Grace's tag (age 4)

We spent hours making other cards and using plenty of Ranger products.  It was a blast and, yes, it was extremely INKY. Who knew that spray inks could spray so far?  I was able to introduce my sister to the wonder of the Ranger Craft Scrubbie that takes all kinds of ink off hands.  As a kindergarten teacher, I am sure it will come in handy after arts and crafts!  If you don't have one already, I would suggest you get one as they are really amazing!

I hope you have a great day and find a moment to do something you love!