it's all about LOVE...

the 2nd "make art" challenge

 begins today & the theme is 

HEARTS/LOVE...

it's a nice broad theme...

so however you choose to interpret it will be cool...

here's my contribution to the challenge...

first of all...

remember...

there are no rules in art!

not every Valentine needs to be red...

I started with a 3 x 4 ¼ inch manila cardstock scrap & used the splattered plaster technique with tea rose archival & a tiny bit of tree branch...

you can read about

the technique in this post...

after it was dried, I used jet black to 

stamp my sentiment...

I inked some gold wings with 

watering can archival & 

then embossed them with 

watering can embossing powder...

the wings start out like this...

it's a simple 

total transformation...

and with more embossing powders to choose from, we have more color options...

the next step was to ink 

the old wood floor background stamp 

with tree branch & stamp over my card...

it looked like this...

I used brushed corduroy to ink over the whole card...

then used watering can to stamp 

the small flourishes...

watering can is awesome when used with jet black...

you can see that in the next photo...

the jet black sentiment really pops...

and the flourishes are in the background, 

right where they belong...

I inked the chain stamp with watering can & stamped it between the flourishes...

the heart below was cut with 

tim's movers & shapers heart... 

it's a Sizzix die...

it's cut from the 

new white "magic mat board"...

the heart was inked lightly 

with orange blossom archival, 

then stamped with 

this stripes stamp, 

using watering can...

to add more layers to the background, I used the new vintage ledger stencil 

with tree branch archival to stencil random areas...

sorry for the glare...

my studio has skylights, which I LOVE, but they sometimes are annoying for photos...

you'll see that some areas are light & some are a little darker...

 that tiny addition of the stenciling makes the background much better...

every detail matters!

I added my card to a slightly larger black cardstock panel, then to a coordinating cardstock base...

the ideology heart charm was customized with a new correspondence remnant rub...

using the new remnant rub tool...

(I'll show you a new use for the tool tomorrow)

I used a mini fastener to add it to the wings & heart...

I also like to use a mini fastener at the top of the chain to make it more realistic...

now it doesn't appear to be hanging in mid air...

glue it together...

this is the result...

here's a closer look...

I love the different textures...

the "plaster", the heart, the embossed wings

and the little flourishes 

peeking out from under the heart...

it's a very simple quick creation, 

but the multiple textures make it special...

so that's my non traditional Valentine!

I had several questions to answer...

#1. I have the adirondack snow cap reinker for my ink pad. can that be used with glacier white, if it's the same ink...

YES, you can. NO PROBLEM, since it is the same ink, just rebranded with a new name...

#2. what is the size of the stamp in the new faux graniteware starter set? I'm not sure I need another one.

   it's about 1/4th the size...

I wanted to include a stamp with the mat board & instructions, to make a complete kit to get you started with the technique...

this mini sized stamp is so nice for working on small surfaces & especially curved surfaces like the glass vase I showed in the previous post...

here's a photo to compare them...

the large spatter background 

is on the left & the new mini is on the right...

#3. Have you tested other inks to see if they work with the splattered plaster you showed us?

   I had the big idea to try the technique using the metallic distress spray stains...in my mind, since like the picket fence, they too have pigments, I thought I might get "metallic" plaster...

BUT...

sorry to report...

it did NOT work...

at all...NO clumps...

NONE!

so don't waste your time...

some experiments work...this one didn't...

stick with the picket fence...

it's magic & it works every time!

as far as other brands, I'm familiar with Ranger products & that's what I use & LOVE...

so...I really don't have any other info to offer...

#4. I got the foil packet for Christmas, but have no idea what to do with it. how does it work? do you have any examples of how you've used it?

ah yes I do...

that's tomorrow's blog post...

stay tuned!

#5. THANK YOU for the faux graniteware glass tut. I'm on it. One question. How did you prep the glass?

I did not prep the glass at all...

 I've done it on multiple glass surfaces...

tim's corked vials was the original test piece, 

since they're small...

it has worked perfectly every time...

HOWEVER...

I'm thinking that if you're recycling something...

possibly a salad dressing bottle or something that is oily, maybe a make-up bottle,

then I'd make sure to wash it to remove the oil...

if you read the instructions on the Ranger blog, you'll see that you need to use archival ink...

if you use embossing ink under the embossing powder, it will peel right off...

my new motto is...

EMBOSS it...

DON'T TOSS IT!

or maybe...

DON'T TOSS IT...

EMBOSS it!

that's it for today...

I hope you'll join the challenge...

there is a PRIZE!

our sponsor this month is Linda, 

owner of the funkie junkie & she's giving a $25.00 gift certificate to a random participant!

don't forget to visit the Ranger blog  & enter to win a set of my new archival inks & embossing powders...

they are choosing 3 lucky winners!

make sure to read the intro...

there are several ways to enter...

more chances to WIN!

now it's time for me to...

make art!

wendy

still playing with...

the splattered plaster technique...

I had this tag sitting out just waiting for me...

it's a #8 manila tag cut to 5 ½ inches tall...

you can read how it was created 

in the previous post...

I love the "plaster" & wanted to add this lace stamp to the tag bottom & have it coordinate with the "plaster"...

so...

I inked the stamp with glacier white 

(same ink as snow cap pigment)

& stamped it toward the bottom of the tag...

then sprinkled on the weathered white embossing powder & heated it to melt the powder...

here's what is looks like after I trimmed along 

the lace stamp...

the tag is now 5 inches tall...

perfect for the smaller flower I planned to use...

the weathered white embossing powder coordinated perfectly with the "plaster"...

it's a really nice off white (not too stark)...

I defined the tag edges with brushed corduroy and inked right over the lace...

the ink is darker in the open areas of the stamp & that really makes the lace stand out...

I used jet black to stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner & used tree branch archival to stencil some words...

from the new all occasions stencil...

the stamp & stencil are from 2 different releases, but work together, just as planned...

the tag top needed some white, so I inked the plaid background with glacier white, pressed the tag top onto the inked stamp, then sprinkled on 

the weathered white embossing powder

 & heated it to melt...

after adding more brushed corduroy, it looked like this...

next, I added some stenciling using 

the vintage quilt stencil 

with watering can archival...

and now it looked like this...

some light stenciling...

some darker...

for interest...

hmmm...

I thought it needed a bit more color, so I added some broken china...

I like that better...

since I had used archival for the background, for the stamping and for the stenciling,

I could add distress right over with no worry that there would be any smearing or bleeding...

archival & distress = a match made in heaven!

the next photo shows the adorable 

new marigold SiSi...

to create the flower I added newsprint to clearly for art (CFA), with my fav glue n seal...

I used jet black to stamp it twice & cut out one full flower & one partial...

the marigold was inked with 

the new buttercup archival...

the darker yellow is dandelion archival...

they work together very well...

the leaves are leaf green & fern green archival...

I heated the CFA to be able to shape some of the petals...

I didn't want the whole flower raised this time, so...

I used pieces of the adhesive strips under the full flower & used the black foam adhesive under the partial flower...

these adhesives are both really good 

to use with CFA...

oops...

forgot photos for making 

the mat mini flower pot...

this is the faux graniteware technique...

the full smaller black flower pot was inked with cornflower blue archival ink & sprinkled with cornflower blue embossing powder...

the smaller top portion was inked with 

the new beautiful sky blue archival

& sprinkled with the sky blue embossing powder...

after melting the embossing powder on both pieces, I added potting soil over the tops to age the color...then used the small spatter stamp with glacier white to add the white dots...

after drying the white ink, I added a remnant rub...

LOVE the new remnant rub tool...

L O T S...

you can see in this photo how well cornflower & sky blue work together...

and here's another reason

 I LOVE the remnant rub tool...

after shaking the tarnished brass distress paint, I dispensed some onto the craft sheet...

I tapped the ball end of the tool into the paint...

and added metallic dots to the center of the vintage quilt stencil...

super easy to control...

perfect dots every time!

the dots are a very tiny detail...

but my thought is that every layer & every tiny detail matters in the finished piece...

the dots add a metallic detail, but it's subtle...

the next photo shows how to create a custom embellishment using a stencil...

there's a scrap of CFA that is covered with newsprint...

I used tree branch to stencil the little butterfly...

then, with the stencil still in place, I used watering can to add polka dots...

the polka dots mini stamp was cut from this large background stamp...

after cutting it out, I heated it to shape the wings...

here's the finished tag...

I love the mat mini flowerpot...

it's lightweight, but strong & perfect for tags, cards & mixed media too...

I love the dimension on the marigold...

you'll see that I used the tiny attacher to add the custom butterfly...

here's a shot of the "plaster" & the tarnished brass dots...

there's lots of dimension & detail, but this

could easily be mailed...

it's very lightweight & sturdy...

I love the CFA, because it won't get squished...

thanks so much for all the comments & emails about this new technique...

I hope you can try it...

it's seriously simple & fun...

I'm working on another TWIST to the technique...

keep your fingers crossed that it looks as good as it does in my head...

now it's time for Megan to be sent to a new home...

I had several requests to show how I color her...

I'll get that done & posted as soon as I can...

Rick chose the winner...

CONGRATS to...

 Julia Aston said...

Love this technique Wendy! I'm going to try it out tomorrow!!!

January 23, 2015 at 10:18 PM

 

Julia...please emil me with your address & Rick will get Megan on her way...

I'll be back on Thursday with a special CHA scraptime video & a fun 

G I V E A W A Y...

hope to see you then!

now...

I'm off to

make art!

wendy

splattered plaster technique...

using NO PLASTER!

the studio looked like a scientific experiment was taking place...

I had an idea...

which was based on the properties of the ingredients below...

archival inks...

they are dye inks, which are OIL based...

and

picket fence distress spray stain...

another dye ink, 

but all the distress inks

 are WATER based...

because it's white, 

 keep in mind that the picket fence spray stain

has pigment in the solution which makes it opaque...

so,  just like salad dressing, 

oil & water don't mix...

this was the basis for the idea...

I *hoped* to take advantage of that

 incompatible (when wet ) effect...

I added one last ingredient...

the bottle on the far right is rubbing alcohol...

aka...surgical spirits in the UK...

it went like this...

I swiped the sky blue  & hydrangea archival ink pads onto the craft sheet...

then added plenty of rubbing alcohol... 

& mixed the alcohol into the inks with a palette knife...

then after shaking the picket fence distress spray stain,

I misted the archival ink/alcohol solution with 

ONE blast 

of the picket fence distress spray stain...

one pump is plenty...

I tried 2...it was too much for a small tag...

but I would use more picket fence 

for a larger art journal page or canvas...

***DO NOT MIX this SOLUTION***...

I swiped a manila tag into the inky solution...

the picket fence on top of the archival solution actually looked like curdled sour milk...

here's a wet not yet dry tag...

see those plaster chunks?

this is using tea rose archival ...

now back to the dry sky blue/hydrangea tag we started with...

the picket fence "curdled chunks" dried & have created awesome texture &

 they now they look like...

 splattered plaster!

you can not get this random cool effect with embossing powders, embossing pastes or texture paste...

it's very random and 

much different in appearance...

now this is cool...

before you dry it, you can actually move the chunks or curdles around...

that's pretty fun...

they aren't stuck to the tag until it's dry...

when dry, the chunks are baked into the tag & permanent...

like this...

 it was fun to work over that cool background...

I used watering can archival with 

the new ruffles border to stamp along the bottom of the tag...

next, I wanted a thin border at the top of the tag...

after inking the ruffles stamp

 again with watering can, 

I pressed the tag onto the inked ruffles stamp...

I only wanted that small straight trim piece...

you can see that below...

I inked the old wood floor background stamp with tree branch & pressed it over the tag...

then used jet black to stamp the lace border at the top & bottom of the tag...

so far it looked like this...

sort of shabby chic!

I added sky blue, then hydrangea archival to the tag edges...

then gathered twigs to the edges & gathered twigs very lightly over the whole tag...

LOVE LOVE LOVE how this is looking...

now for the cute mat mini pitcher...

I inked the new stripes stamp with 

watering can archival & 

pressed the pitcher onto the inked stamp, then sprinkled on watering can embossing powder...

and heated the powder to melt it...

you can see the embossed mat mini pitcher 

sitting on the stamp...

to create the flowers

I glued a sheet of newsprint to a sheet of CFA (clearly for art) with glue n seal...

then stamped the hydrangea SiSi

with jet black 2 times and 

cut out one full hydrangea image & 

a partial of just the flowers...

the flowers were inked with sky blue & a bit of hydrangea & the leaves were inked with leaf green over all the leaves, then fern green right under the flower, to create the shadow effect...

the SiSi stencil makes this so easy...

it masks off the flower...

I heated the CFA to soften it so I could shape the flowers...

here's the back of the mat mini pitcher...

after the second layer is added to the back, the hydrangea stem slips right in the slot...

Ranger's adhesive foam in BLACK,

 is the perfect way to add the flower layers...

and I also like to use the foam to add the flower to the tag...

it adds just the perfect dimension & 

the black isn't distracting, 

when viewed from the side...

here's the assembled flower...

I like to offset the layers...

it seems to make the flowers more realistic...

next I stamped the sentiment in jet black archival...

and glued my pitcher in place...

then slipped the flower stem into the pitcher...

the adhesive foam holds the hydrangea securely to the tag...

I wanted to add just a tiny bit of bling...

so after shaking the pewter distress stain, I tapped it onto the craft sheet & used

 tim's new remnant rub tool 

to add dots...

the ball end of the tool makes PERFECT dots...

you can tap the ball end onto the craft sheet into the stain or onto the wet dabber top & dot away...

and this tool is really great for adding rub ons to surfaces...

a MUST HAVE!

I also used the stain to accent the top & bottom of the tag...

I LOVE the mat mini pitcher, the texture & that hydrangea for sure...

I like to use the black Sakura glaze pen 

to add dots to the flower centers...

and  here's the completed tag...

this was so much fun that I couldn't quit...

I tried several other color combos & now I have some tag bases just waiting for me...

first I tried

tea rose & tree branch with picket fence...

here's the result...

here is the wet tag...

and here's the dry tag...

 I just HAD to make another...

this time I tried

watering can & tree branch archival 

with picket fence...

that combo made this great background...

so this experiment paid off...

I absolutely love this technique & I LOVE that we have another way to use the supplies we already have, in a completely different way...

it's fun to play & try ideas...

sometimes we just need to remember 

that it's only ink & paper...

remember...

it's it's ugly...

it goes in the trash...

and you never tell a soul or blog about it...

haha!

so...

have I inspired you?

are YOU going to try it?

tell me...

what color combo are you thinking about?

***if you've read this far***

how about a giveaway?

does anyone want Megan & the ruffles border?

I have this stamp set, compliments of Ted...

for a lucky commenter...

just

leave a comment...

& Rick will choose a random winner...

I hope you can take time this weekend to have fun and...

make (splattered plaster) art!

wendy