Tag Archives: Studio Calico

Index Card A Day – #11

11 Monday Jun 2012

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Good morning everyone! Are you all shocked at my early morning post? 🙂 There’s a good reason for it – I’m today’s hostess for the Index Card A Day challenge at Daisy Yellow!

For those of you who frequent here to read my ramblings – welcome back, I love to have you here everyday! For those of you who are hopping over from Tammy’s blog – welcome! I hope you find this crazy insight into my process entertaining if nothing else, and that you find something here that inspires you a little!

Onto the card…

My prompt was alphabet stamps, can you tell? Yeah, me neither – it was a journey to get here, let me tell you!

When Tammy asked me to host a day and I chose alphabet stamps as my prompt, I was super excited! I love my alpha stamps, easy peasy…. or not. Pressure people, I felt pressure, and my mojo ran away, tail between its legs. Seriously, it was a bad scene – I won’t subject you to the initial reject cards, you might never come back and that would make me sad. 😦

Finally yesterday I said, “Enough! Pull up your big girl panties, Sara, and just do it already!” Ok, then.

And here’s how it started:

See, a great base of letters – awesome! And then a thin layer of gesso, smooshed around and scraped a bit for texture:

So far, so good! A bit of dimension, letters happening, I have a great quote in mind to stamp out, on a roll people, I was on a roll! I misted:

And tried a ghosting technique:

Hmmmmm….

Let’s do away with that! Mist and wipe:

OK, I’ll make it work. Add some more mist:

And blot:

Ok, I like the colours, you can still see the letters; better. Now, to add the quote:

My teeny, tiny alphas, then my favourite Lawn Fawn alphas:

Finish with my well-used $1.50 set:

Now the fun stuff – Twinkling H2O’s!

Paint the edges:

Still not working for me. Argh.

Tissue paper and multimedium to the rescue!

As you can tell, at this point I was determined to make this thing work, even if it ended up with 37 layers of stuff!

More twinkling H2O’s – lots of it! I love that shimmer!

Add some shimmery painted hearts:

We’re getting somewhere, and I can still see the alpha stamps under all those layers! This is good, my friends!

And then, I got “help”:

AKA: no more pictures!

I simply added the last line of the quote to my card, adhered the hearts and called it done! I love the texture:

…and in real life, you can see all the layers peeking through, including all those alpha stamps!

The moral of this story, the alphabet stamps were a prompt – and they prompted me to layer. Without them, I wouldn’t have the depth or texture I have on the finished card and so, I’m happy. The shimmer is a.maz.ing. And the colours are incredible – I couldn’t take a picture that did them justice. They are so vibrant it’s ridiculous!

And that quote? It’s Audrey Hepburn:

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m Possible!'”

Meet me here tomorrow (at a more reasonable hour of the day!)  for the next instalment of the Tuesday Techniques – Stencil series. We’re playing with paint – yay!

S.

Index Card A Day – #8

09 Saturday Jun 2012

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I’m going to show you M’s index card first today. It’s beautiful, colourful striped lines, so pretty.

Then she broke out the scissors:

Hmmmm.

“Why did you cut it apart?” I asked.

“Because I wanted to.”

To which I replied, “But for me to take a picture and post it, you need a full card.”

“Why?” says she, “It’s my card, I can do what I want.”

Oh, so true! So that was her card for June 8. I kept all the pieces and put them in our little box where we stash our cards.

Then, my friend Lori stopped by with some new Studio Calico masks – you know I had to try them out!

I mixed some Chipped Sapphire Distress Stain with Light Modeling Paste and smeared it over one of the masks. While it was drying I painted the word Friday, left over from some class prep.

I wanted a little more colour so I painted around some of the circles of modeling paste. Blerg.

Sprayed it a lot to dilute the orange circles, then I heavily sprayed the whole thing with Mandarin Perfect Pearls Mist. Better. But it still needed something….

M’s strips! I layered one under the word and called it done!

Not my most exciting card ever, but it’s a day done and it’s got pieces of me and M. 🙂 Plus, it’s super shimmery IRL!

And I do like the texture, it almost looks and feels like velvet… sweet!

S.

Index Card A Day – #5

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in ICAD2, Uncategorized

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The card for June 5 was a doozy. It just wouldn’t work for me – thank goodness for children!

How about if I explain that a little? 🙂

This card started with the most amazing wash of blue and teal and green watercolour paints. It was gorgeous. Sigh.

Then I used a stencil and Distress Ink. Yuck. I’ve now ruined my beautiful background and have nothing. Frown.

And then M let out a roar, “G is ruining my paints!”

That G… He rubbed his paintbrush into all the pots until we had a lot of brown mud and a very unhappy painting girl. So I took a napkin and wiped out each pot, cleaning them all out and explaining to the 3-year-old that it wasn’t nice to ruin his sister’s things (I’m 99% positive it went in one ear and straight out the other).

BUT…. I had this napkin full of cool colours. Hmmmmm.

I peeled apart the layers, tore off a section, and used Matte Multimedium  to adhere smoosh it onto my card. Tore the edges, leaving them ragged, and let it dry. Pretty cool.

And then I noticed the stencil showing through the napkin – even cooler! A good mist of Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls, a great Ali Edwards Stamp, and a wood veneer heart. Awesome!

See that blue? That’s in M’s Crayola set – so beautiful!

Remember this moment
Cherish this story
Celebrate this life

My kids saved my butt today!

And now, here’s the very special card:

M’s ICAD

M made it herself! And she stopped painting before it made brown sludge (that’s normally her end point!) She had cut the top off the card before painting so she picked several Washi tapes to stick it back on – that was the only thing I helped with, lining them up over the seam properly.

Don’t you love it? Wait till you see tomorrow’s! 😉

S.

Tuesday Techniques – Stencils, Part 1

05 Tuesday Jun 2012

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I love stencils and masks! So much fun to play and experiment with and they are so versatile! You can make your own, or buy more permanent ones, and there’s definitely something for every style.

I’ve had people say to me that they don’t like messy, or getting messy, so stencils are just not their thing. Wrong, I say! You don’t like the whole messy, art journally, painting covered, inky fingers stuff? Let me show how to cleanly use a stencil! 🙂

First, let’s talk basics…

1. I will not cover everything about stencils. First, I am no pro and don’t know it all, and second, there’s unlimited uses for stencils so there’s no way I can even touch the surface.

2. The things I will show you are totally buildable. For example, you like 2 or three different techniques? Then use them all – at the same time! But they’re also buildable in that you can start with the basic technique and build your own spin on it.

3. Stencils are not always stencils, sometimes they’re masks. Not a big deal, most people know what you’re talking about but just so you know the difference and can trot out your knowledge at the next dinner party you go to, here it is:

  • A stencil has open space – think those block letter stencils from grade school.
  • A mask covers something up – think the block letter itself.
  • So, you could use the mask to cover some paper, colour around it, and then reveal an uncoloured image:
  • And then the stencil to trace a border around it to further define the edges:

4. One big complaint I hear it that the image someone wants turns out messy. Here’s the easy reason why it’s messy – your medium was too runny. Dry medium (eg. ink, chalk) gives a more detailed image than wet medium (eg. mist, paint). The wetter your medium, the less precise your image as leakage under the stencil will occur. Both are great results depending on the look you want.

So, let’s start our stencil techniques with the neat and tidy stuff – dry mediums. I don’t have chalk, so we won’t be using that but if you have it I’d love to see what you do with your stencils!

If I want a crisp image, I always use Distress Inks. For one, I love them – great colours and very blendable. For two, I have them all and they’re always right next to me – easy access makes for well used tools!

As I said earlier, you can also use chalk for great results, and wet mediums, if you use them dry. Does that sound completely contradictory? It makes sense, but I’ll cover “dry” paint, when we get to paint! Today, it’s all about ink, detailed images, and clean hands!

Just lay your stencil on your tag (or layout, or card, or whatever) and use an ink blending tool to rub on the ink. You can do this on clean background or one that you’ve already painted, inked, prepped, etc.

If you only want certain areas, use sticky notes or computer paper to mask off the areas you want left as is – remember, a mask covers things so it can protect the areas you don’t want inked!

You could also just swipe the ink pad over the stencil, but this may make less than perfect images since direct ink to paper is wetter, and it’s messier since more ink is left on the stencil. I prefer to use the Ink Blending Tool and keep my fingers out of it!

Once you’re finished inking, lift off your masks and stencil and reveal the magic!

Awesome, huh? The reveal is my favourite part! 🙂

Now, complete your tag (or layout, or card, or whatever) and pat your self on the back for a job well done and clean fingers!

I added some shimmer to this one, and a little wooden bluebird 🙂

Try it out, then leave me a link where I can see your projects – you know I love that part too!

Check back later tonight for ICAD #4!

S.

Index Card A Day – #1

02 Saturday Jun 2012

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So I’ve decided to do a quick post everyday with my index cards – let’s see how long that lasts!

Here is day #1 – June 1:

I had planned to use the map prompt, even had some little circle map pieces from Studio Calico’s Abroad collection cut out. As you can see, it just didn’t happen…and I’m ok with that since I like how this ultimately turned out.

I stamped white tissue paper with Olive Archival ink, then smooshed it onto the index card with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matte Multimedium – the multimedium made the red line on the index card run a little which was pretty cool too. I made sure to get wrinkles in the tissue paper for more texture.

Once that dried, I broke out my watercolours (finally!) and painted purple, turquoise, and lilac in stripes over the tissue paper. I really watered them down to make a wash of colour.

Then I broke out my Mini Herringbone stencil from the Crafter’s Workshop, some light modeling paste, and my new liquid watercolours. Lesson learned, liquid watercolours make your modeling paste too runny and so the stencil impression wasn’t as clean as I would have liked. Still a neat look though, so it’s all good!

I stamped a camera in Cobalt Archival ink, cut it out, distressed the edges, and adhered it to the tag, along with a wood veneer Studio Calico bird that I painted in shades of purple.

Finally, I broke out my teeny tiny cheapo letter stamps and added the words in Jet Black Archival ink.

I love the colours, and how there are bits of tissue overhanging the edges of the card, giving it a slightly tattered look. I even like the messy modeling paste – it worked with the look of the whole card.

Now…. What to do today? 🙂

S.

Let’s go!! (Deep breath)

23 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Classes, Week in the Life 2012

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Ok, today is the day – Week in the Life starts.

I have my album ready, the daily sheets printed, a folder set up on my computer, camera batteries charged and memory cards cleared.

Now, I just have to keep up with what’s happening every second then remember to take a picture of it all and write it all down! Yikes!

I’ve tried to do the December Daily before and, although I was really good at the picture thing, I was terrible at writing down the details so the albums (2 of them!) never got finished. I’m counting on you guys to keep me going this time and to hold me accountable to finishing the project!

I’m looking forward to it because we have a big week ahead – eye recheck for M and her kinderstart day for the month, G’s birthday and birthday picture session, L’s birthday party, a night out for D and I, G starting regular gymnastics – he’s too old for the parent and tot session now – plus all the other regular stuff that happens around here. Lots of photo taking opportunities mixed in with pics of my breakfast!

On another note, I’m teaching a Hero Arts card class tomorrow night at The Paperie. We’re doing 3 cards with three different techniques and using the Hero Arts/Studio Calico Calico Borders stamp set, which everyone gets to take home! Call The Paperie if you’re interested in going, there’s always room for one more and we’ll be playing with alcohol inks:

alcohol inks

masking:

one layer card

and watercolour paper:

stains and watercolour paper

It should be fun!

I’m not guaranteeing a Tuesday Techniques post tomorrow since I have to kit for this class and organize today’s pictures but I’m hoping to get it done. You’ll have to stop back and see how productive I will be tonight – think I can fit it all in?

S.

Creative Chemistry 101

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Classes, ScrapBook, Techniques

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I’ve written here and I’ve tweeted about how much I am loving the Tim Holtz class – Creative Chemistry 101 through Online Card Classes. I’ve done quite a few online classes, and this may just be the best! Though, the Inspiration Showcase class with Jennifer McGuire is up there too. Let’s just call it a tie!

I’m having a blast learning about the chemistry behind paints, inks, stains, markers. And just hearing Tim talk about how he got started in the business, why he doesn’t clean stamps, how Distress Inks came to be, and more is worth the money, forget the other stuff!

Here are a few tags I’ve made – pretty basic, I really just wanted the technique on these, but I’ll also show you a card for an upcoming class that combines a couple of different techniques.

From left to right, top row:

Blended Spritz & Flick

Wrinkle-Free Distress

Layered Misting

Bottom row, left to right:

Stamping with Stains

Marbled Stains

I’ve tried a few other as well, but they’re not complete – I’m waiting on tags (black and kraft) and markers! And, before someone asks, the reason I’m waiting for those specific tags is that they are coated and so are a better surface to work on – I’ve tried office tags and they’re just no good!

My favourite is the Stamping with Stains tag – love the bright colours, the white stamping and the black images, which is why I use the white stamping technique on this card, along with the Alcohol Ink Agates technique:

This is just a prototype, but the techniques are very cool! The card class will be the end of April, we’ll make 3 cards, and this stamp set is included! Pretty awesome!

You can join the Creative Chemistry class anytime, the content is available forever, it’s fantastic even for those few scrapbookers who aren’t Tim fanatics, and Tim does a minimum of 2 videos a day – worth every penny and more! Go sign up! Now! You’ll thank me, I promise!

S.

My weekend…

19 Monday Mar 2012

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This past Friday night I went to a crop at The Paperie – fun, fun, fun as always! I love scrapping with my pals, even if I did drive them crazy this time! You see, I forgot my water bottle so stopped at Tim Horton’s for a drink.

And I got an Iced Cappuccino.

It was big.

Me and caffeine – not such a good mix. Let’s just say that I talked. And kept talking for the whole night. Yup, no more caffeine for me!

I did manage, in between the nonstop chattering, to (almost) complete two layouts for different Dr. Seuss challenges that have been posted in blogworld lately. I came home and did some machine stitching, which added a bit more of what I was looking for, but they both still need a little something. I hate that part. Now I’ll be tearing my hair out trying to find that final perfect touch. Argh.

Anyway, here’s the Studio Calico one – I used the new kit I won, Story Hour.

Image

it is fun to have fun...

When I finally find that last bit it needs, I’ll post it again!

Saturday night, we went to a small house party for a friend’s 40th birthday. Neither one of us were in the mood to go out, but we’re glad we did – we had a great time! Good people, good food, and cake. What more could you need? It was worth the trip out!

Image

Image

Finally, yesterday we went to D’s Great-Aunt’s 90th birthday – good food there too and the kids had fun which makes life easier. It was in the basement of the church, so they played away in the nursery with all the “new” toys they had at their disposal.

On our way home, G fell asleep in the car so he and I had a snooze while D and M fed the ducks, checked a Geocache, and played in the playground.

All in all, a pretty good weekend!

And, to start my week off right, today was the first day of Creative Chemistry 101, a Tim Holtz class through Online Card Classes. Today was awesome – all about different inks, mediums, properties, surfaces, etc. Can’t wait until the techniques start tomorrow!

S.

Stuff…

16 Friday Mar 2012

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I was shocked to scroll through my reader feeds this morning and discover this on the Lawn Fawn blog (check out the 4th one down!). M was also very excited to see her picture suddenly pop up! Thanks for the love, Lawn Fawn, you made our day!

Today I thought I’d post a couple of things that I’ve only given you sneak peeks of before!

This is a LO I showed just a corner of a short time ago. I couldn’t post the whole thing since it had some of The Paperie’s March kit in it. Now that the kit has been released, here’s the full view!

My Whole Heart

This pic of M and I was taken during one of our monthly family photo shoots last year.

They were torture. Really.

So this year, we took one in January, we’ll probably do a fall one, and we’ll take another in December. That’s it – 3 meltdown photoshoots rather than 12!

I love the My Mind’s Eye stamp set that’s included in the kit this month – fun, detailed, and a little something for everyone. Plus, the stamps look awesome when they’re heat embossed!

And now, finally, a couple of pics of my Happy Little Moments album that I’m doing through Studio Calico. I haven’t had much time to work on it, and there’s no pictures in it yet, but I like how it’s coming along. I think I’m going to add some of my favourite pictures rather than pictures of a certain event or time. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll do one for M and one for G – still going back and forth on that one!

I’m still debating the cover – it needs something more but I can’t figure out what.

I snagged an idea from Ali Edwards here – the “S” for Strickland and the “4” for the four of us.

The thing I’ve really enjoyed with this is the stitching – my mom is going to have to pry the sewing machine away from me and I’m afraid that’s going to happen sooner than later since she needs to make curtains!

I made the little glassine pocket myself from wax paper and love how the wide zig zag stitch is looking on the pages. And I really love the messy look when the strings are not trimmed.

I stitched through the butterfly here – used Grungepaper so it wouldn’t tear so easily – and used the strings for antenna. The sunshine flash card is an old one I got in an alphabet pack on clearance – perfect for this book.

Tonight, I’m hitting crop night at The Paperie and I. Can’t. Wait. Think I’m going to do a Dr. Suess LO – both Studio Calico and October Afternoon have posted that as a challenge this week and I think it will be a fun one to take part in. Hopefully it goes well and I’ll have another LO to show you on Monday!

Have great weekend, whatever it is you’re doing!

S.

Layouts, Sneaks, and Randomness…

07 Wednesday Mar 2012

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We have a snow day morning here – about 25cm down overnight and it’s still blowing around a bit. Messy, messy, messy.

While waiting for their friends to show up for the rest of the day, my kiddies are sitting at the table doing stickers, which may be their favourite thing to do. Seriously, I could go broke just buying stickers – and I get them at the dollar store!

M & G

And since they’re otherwise occupied, I can take a couple of pics and get this post done!

Saturday was a fun, daylong crop at the Paperie, and it was a productive one for me! I’ve noticed that I’m doing more LO’s for me, but they’re becoming much simpler.

And while I’m ok with that, I feel that they’re lacking something. That means I need to find a happy medium between this super simple style and the “take 10 hours” style that I was doing.

That being said, I did add a little more to the two LO’s I did on Saturday – some misting, embossing, detail cutting, etc.

I can show you this one, made mainly using one of the Paperie kits, with a few Jenni Bowlin Studio plastic flowers from a Studio Calico kit and a Balzer Designs for The Crafter’s Workshop stencil thrown in:

trust your heart

And some detail of the October Afternoon mist, Ranger Clear Rock Candy Distress Stickles, and Kaisercraft wooden flowers:

I still feels like this needs a little something so I’ll leave it out and see what happens. This was one of the pictures from our wedding day, on the deck of our family cabin in Salmon Cove. Love the spot, loved the day, love the pic!

The second LO I did has a touch of product from the new March Paperie kit on it so I can only show you a corner. I get the kit early because I photograph it for their blog.

My Whole Heart sneak peek

Have I mentioned I love Amy Tangerine? The stitched paper and camera stamp are the best! And Studio Calico Shine over the camera? Awesome!

I also did the cover for my Happy Little Moments Class but again, it needs something more so I’ll share that later. I was hoping to be further along in that journey but a seized up and very old Singer sewing machine put the kibosh to that idea. Stealing mom’s tonight so I’m hoping more progress will be made soon!

And finally, an update! All the kitting for the Canvas Class on Sunday is done – whew! That was a major one! I think there may be two spots left if you’re interested, call The Paperie and they can hook you up. This is definitely a great class – it’s based on the Inspiration Showcase Canvas Chris and I did in Houston with Jennifer McGuire and Shari Carroll from Hero Arts. If you’re looking to take your scrapbooking up a notch, or want to learn some new techniques, or just want to be inspired again, this is the class to do!

Hearts

Stars

I know the stars look unfinished – I have another plan for them! 😉

Enjoy your snow day, if you have one!

S.