Watch bracelet and second Arch Mini Album

My daughter gave me a lovely rich autumn colour beaded watch bracelet for my birthday.  I decided to try to make another similar using Swarovski beads. I'm pleased with the way it turned out.
All the components were from my stash apart from the watch face.  Now I seem to have the bug and want to make more in a selection of colours.

I used a toggle charm bracelet, removed three of the centre links and added the watch face with jump rings.


Second Arch Mini Book using Tim Holtz Plaque & Postage Edge die

I thought I would share another mini book I made.  I used the same techniques previously and it is still a work in progress, more to add and alter yet.  I did get a bit carried away with the figure on the front cover, face, ideology hair!!!! Oh well, it is growing on me.


Front Page

Back Page

For the umbrella man page, I used the negative sheet after die cutting the shape.  Overlaid this onto sprayed and stencilled page. The cogs on the metal tape page are a variety of cogs from old clocks and cog die cuts, coloured with black soot distress inks and copper Inka gold brushed over, also punched holes and copper eyelets inserted.  A few die cuts, decorated dominoes and ATC's to decorate the remainder of the album.  On the front page I used an Ideology plate with UTEE face mould, Large butterfly stamped onto gold decorated paper and used for wings.  Until next time.... 

Mystery Arch Mini Book

Back again at last with details of the enjoyable May and June workshops, with a few of the April ATC's (Artist Trading Card) used to embellish the project.  I really enjoyed the fact that in May we completed 7 of the technique sheets but had not shared exactly what they would be used for. Of course the split workshops meant that a few could not attend May but wanted to come along in June and vice versa.  With the help of Postman and one to one workshops etc. we made it.  Two ladies are waiting for their June workshop kit via the post, they are on the way.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

In June we prepared the final 3 technique sheets before I gave out the kits to complete the book, I am lucky to have such a lovely group of ladies that attend the workshops, they all played along until the reveal of my finished sample to use as a guide.

Before I share the photos of the pages, I would like to thank Roni Johnson of INK STAINS fame for inspiration for 3 of the techniques we used which are the cardboard grunge, bookpaper blocking, layered collage sheets and idea for arch shape, please view her fabulous tutorials on her Gothic Arch Book  I did contact her regarding permission to share these techniques and she kindly agreed.  The second person I must thank is Rachel for the metal tape and texture paste sheet tutorials on YouTube RachO113 and visit her blog  Artful Evidence.  Some of these techniques have been changed a little to suit the supplies, or lack of, that are needed for the workshops.

There are lots of pics for these techniques, so you may want to make a cuppa before you proceed lol.  I hope I do not make a dogs dinner of the whole thing, as I am still finding out how to enter all this stuff.  Anyhoo here goes!!

Front Cover

I used corrugated cardboard for the front cover as it is quite thick. We removed part of the top layer cut an aperture and inserted an acrylic shape. Stamped quote with Stazon on top.  Alcohol inks on reverse. Embossed metal tape strips frame and hold the acrylic in place. Painted with metallic paint.




Left sheet - A Rachel inspired technique - Using mesh and metal adhesive tape plus narrow copper metal tape. Cut the tape to small pieces, placed over a few random cut mesh strips.  A paperstump was used to define around the mesh, metal roller tools and stylus to add further detail.  Painted with black paint, removed to leave paint in recessed areas. Inka Gold copper or Rub n Buff to add copper highlights.

Right sheet - Painted with two colours of acrylic paint mixed to watercolour consistency, dabbed off to lighten some areas.  Embossed with Embossing folder.  Stazon black ink pad swiped over lightly on raised areas.
(For finished sample I have added a ATC that we produced at the April workshop)

Left - Another Rachel inspired background technique - Texture paste applied to black cardstock, detail added using stamps and stylus, dried thoroughly. Painted with a generous quantity Luna Light paints, while still wet sprinkle on various colour embossing powders and heat until embossed don't worry if it bubbles it will add more texture.

(To embellish this page, I have used chipboard to form a frame, covered with acrylic black paint and lightly brushed with Rub n Buff gold.  Image stamped onto black card using black embossing powder.  The image painted with Perfect Pearls used as a watercolour.  Butterflies stamped onto black card, gold embossing poweder and painted with Perfect Pearls and punched out using Martha Stewart punch)

Right - Bookpaper and Blockstamping - Roni technique. - Vintage bookpaper glued to cardboard, dry, brush over diluted white paint or gesso.  Using torn pieces of paper or torn centres from Post It Notes to form masks, colour areas with Distress Ink Pads and foam pieces.  Using masks again, stamp images within the coloured areas. 

                                   

Left - Colour and mica spray onto card, heat dried. Stamped with a HUGE webbing stamp and embossed with black embossing powder.
(Another ATC used to embellish)

Right - Another Roni technique - Very popular with everyone. - http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2011/03/mom-gothic-arch-1-segmented-collage.html - Torn strips of various papers both textured and plain, lace, vellum etc. Stamp onto plain smooth papers and glue layers onto card.
(Tim Holtz Alterations Sewing Room die cut - embossed in embossing folder and Brilliance silver lightly swiped over on raised areas. Embellished with lace, beads etc.)

Left - Wax ironed onto card, bank note tissues (top layer only) ironed into wax, more wax added and heat gun to fuse the wax.  Instead of beeswax, we used a tea light candle for the wax, a cheaper alternative to beeswax for this technique.

Right - Crackle paint - Black painted chipboard, heat dry.  Apply Elmers glue with brush, while wet apply layer of white Eco Green paint, heat to crackle. After embellishing I added small dots of Glossy Accents for rain drops all over
(Tim Holtz Alterations Umbrella Man die - Umbrella man and TH stamp quote. Embossed umbrella man in embossing folder and swiped with Brilliance silver ink pad. An alternative umbrella paper used.)

Back Cover - Colour sprays (2 - 3), blotted with roll of kitchen paper, grungeboard waste sheet (circles) used as a stencil, sprayed with water, wait 20 seconds, remove stencil, and blot to leave a ghosting image of circles.  Alpha stencil placed over

Sprayed with one colour spray, lift, reverse and replaced on remaining portion of card to transfer ink from stencil,  heat dry.

(Another ATC used to embellish plus a Martha Steward punched lace strip)

Finally using templates, all boards and sheets cut to size, glued to boards, holes punched for bookrings with added charms, ribbons etc.  A book closure to complete the book, made with small bulldog clips, jump rings and chain.

A photo of the ladies busy with their painting plus photos at the end of the session of a few of their front pages, yet to be embellished.  A fabulous time had by all I hope!

From left to right, Christine, Angie, Pamela, Jane, Nina, Victoria, Liz, Marjet, Julie and Caz (Tanyal, Alex and Margaret to complete via posted parcels)

I cannot seem to arrange these photos in a block, so I have given up.  It is my birthday today, so I am being taken out for lunch.  Hope this information will help you recreate these techniques again. Until next time!

Finished at last

Just completed placing all the various items that we received with the box plus one or two extras.  I did manage to purchase a second one while at the event, so now need to get my thinking cap on for a theme that would suit.

Tims Configeration Box

Onwards now to prepare for next months workshop,  now that my craft room is tidyish!   Having said that I have found long lost items in the clear up, bonus or what! Until next time....

Perfect Day

I cannot believe it is over a week ago I had the good fortune to attend THE most fabulous ArtsyCrafts Event with fantastic workshops with Lin and Leandra and TIM HOLTZ at Newport Pagnell. 

I arrived Thursday afternoon (after getting entirely lost due to sat nav non help) to soak up the atmosphere of the 1st day of classes finishing.  Everyone had strict instructions NOT to show their prescious finished projects.  Also a quick visit to the shop, bought a few must have items, knowing I of course would be back again the next day.

A few of us got together in the evening to visit the local chinese restaurant, yummy food and company, you know who you are lol.

Early (7.30am) Friday morning we went down to the class. Rumours that Tim had lost his voice the previous day and we wondered if he would be well enough!!!!!  Of course he did not let us down.  With the help of a mic he instructed, entertained and we had a ball decorating and filling a configeration box.  Lots of lovely goodies from Ranger to take home plus the surprise of a bag of goodies to fill the box. Tim signed my box and ticket and I had my photo taken with him (sigh). I have not entirely finished the box, so will put up a photo later when complete.

After lunch it was then up to Lin and Leandras class to make this fabby shrine.

Using embossed metal, grungepaper, paperartsy papers and paint, finished with tissue tape and embellished with ideology lovlies.  Lin and Leandra, not forgetting Jo and Linda made it a fun class.

Since the class I have added butterflies to the doors, I still don't know if I like them there or not! Time will tell

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I ran a workshop locally making a mini album, using Tims paper to cover the sample, I decided at the class after the demonstration to fill it with mini versions of photos and copies of tickets etc. taken over the ArtsyCrafts event, it holds a flavour of the day.  Here are a few pics.

Before the event a lovely member of the group attending the event offered to make an album for the Inchies that several of us made to give to Tim. Her name is Tania, and what a fantastic job she did with her album, he was delighted with it and surprised.  Here is the inchie (my first) I sent to be included.

More pics of my album

Well that is all for now. On with finishing the configeration box....but only after I tidy my craft room (very overdue).  I know now why I am not as creative when it is all spic and span.  I reckon with all the stuff piled high around within inches of the usually 12" square clear space, it tends to spark loads of creativity.  When it is all put away, there is nothing to bounce ideas from.  Until next time...

Steampunk Box

At last, time to catch up after a busy few weeks.   Last Wednesday, at the workshop I run locally each month, we had fun decorating a jewelery box in a "Steampunk" style,  perhaps to keep all the Tim Holtz metal creations or just found costume jewelery bits to break up and use again.  Everyone chose different colour paints which produced a variety of boxes, some used the metal embossed tape supplied or just painted the sides.

We decorated a board with different items then overlayed it with a wide sheet of foil tape, using a paper stump to define them.  Painted with chosen acrylic paint then brushed over with metallic paint on raised areas.  (Gary Reef inspired).  When complete this was adhered to the top of the box.

The metal flowers on the top of the box are from the great instructions from Lin Brown on LBCrafts blog (sorry I have not worked out yet how to add a link to her blog) so go check the blog.  Here is a closeup, showing the leaves, which are skeleton leaves dipped in UTEE, plus a beaded stick pin.

close up

Open box

There is a tray provided with the box that sits in the top, but I suggested it might be a good idea to use it separately as a shadow box.  Several decided to keep theirs to decorate at home, but a few decided to paint it and use it in the box.  I did take my camera along but the battery and the spare were dead, shame as it was a picture looking around the hall at all the painted lids, drawers, boxes  and trays.

I had great fun with this tray and although I was in a rush placing all the items, it did turn out okish.

I had a great time at the Stamperama show in Stevenage yesterday, lots to see and buy. Great demo's from Jennie at The Stamp Connection and not forgetting the gorgeous waxy flower and owl that Hels Sheridan demonstrated.  Plus of course Lin on LBCrafts stand, awesome. Must give them all a try.

Lastly I am more than excited and counting the days until THE "Tim Holtz" event on 25th of this month, run by ArtsyCrafts by the wonderful Lin and Leandra duo.  It promises to be fabulous.  I cannot wait.