foiled & fun!

I've done a total 180 degree turn on foils...

I went from...

don't need them to

100% ADDICTED...

let me start at the beginning...

maybe a year ago,

 Ranger sent me these foil sheets...

there are 3 different packages...

vintage is my favorite!

when I first started stamping, 

I bought some leafy metallic stuff...

what I found with the leafy thin stuff was that it was very annoying...

it seemed to have so much static that it was sticking everywhere...

I was not in love at all...

so when I got these 3, 

I thought about my past experience &

I admired them & put them away... 

this past Saturday I had a play day...

I posted the project here & that's what prompted getting out the foil sheets...

if you read the suggestions on the package,

you can add an adhesive strip, remove the protective paper on one side & add it to a tag...

then remove the top release paper &

 press the foil onto the adhesive...

the dull silver side goes onto the adhesive & the color is on top...

and you get this really nice foiled border...

the foil sheets also work well with

 the sticky embossing powder...

just ink the stamp with an ink that will hold the sticky powder in place, then stamp & sprinkle on the powder...

then heat just until the powder turns clear, 

then quickly press the foil onto the sticky powder...

let it sit for a bit & then start rubbing over the stamped image to release the sheet from the sticky embossing powder...

the result is a stamped foiled image...

you can also add the adhesive strips to a

cardstock scrap & cover it with foil...

then die cut or punch out foiled embellishments...

now back to my Saturday play...

and how I came to LOVE these foil sheets...

I had added translucent embossing paste thru the old ledger stencil on several areas of my canvas...

I liked it a lot...

but I kept thinking that if I could add TINY bits of metallic, that would really be cool...

I didn't want paint or gold embossing paste...

I didn't want lots of metallic...

I just wanted some random shiny bits...

remember those foil sheets Ranger sent?

if you look at the next photo, I placed the foil sheet over the dry translucent paste & used my fingernail to add the foil to small areas of the embossing paste...

since the paste is raised, it's easy to feel where to rub...

and the foil sticks really well!

F A B U L O U S!

once I figure something out...

I can't stop...

(kind of like the faux graniteware & the splattered plaster)...

I know...you're thinking poor Rick!

so...

the next photo shows the foil added to the label pull...

I had added a thin layer of 

gold embossing paste 

to alter the label pull...

so now that I figured out that the foil will stick to embossing paste,  I knew I could add foil to the edge of the label pull...

it's the perfect highlight & fits right in with the vintage grunge effect...

the additional color made a big difference...

it appears to have texture, 

but it's completely flat...

the next photo shows the wood frame from the project...

that too had been covered with 

a thin layer of gold embossing paste...

so it was simple to foil just the edge...

I found it so easy to lay the foil in place,

 then use tim's new remnant rub tool...

the slanted end is awesome for foiling...

the next photo shows another tiny area that I foiled at the bottom corner of the canvas...

and I couldn't stop, 

so I randomly foiled the edge of the canvas...

you'll see that I used several different colors of the foil...
the canvas holds the foil securely in place...

this is EXACTLY the effect I wanted...

it's not "in your eye bling"...

it's very subtle & vintage-ish...

but you do notice it...

I also added a little foil to the thin part 

of the label pull, 

right above the word...

that really helped to make it more 

rusty looking...

by now I'm really on a roll & I was looking for other things to foil...

this is why I didn't make dinner...

I decided to add little bits to 

a mirrored star...

 I used the new mini glue stick & added a few small areas, then pressed the foil over the wet glue & let it dry...

when it was dry, I ripped off the foil & dripped on some mushroom alcohol ink...

the mirrored star looks like this......

just a little rusty & crusty...

I am in LOVE!

hang on...

there's more...

I grabbed a black tag, then

I used the gold metallic embossing paste 

with the vintage quilt stencil & let it dry...

when I designed this stencil I thought about being able to add 2 colors...

but that would take a ton of masking...

since I have no patience...

on to

plan B...

I placed the foil over the dry paste & used my finger to rub over just the embossing paste dots...

tada...multicolored!

and a new technique is born...

foiled embossing paste!

oh yes...

there's more...

I used a black tag again...

and added the 

translucent embossing paste 

thru the old ledger stencil...

it dries & looks like this...

I used several colors of foils again...

and got this really fun background, 

with just a hint of metallic...

it's the perfect starting point for tag art...

black tags are really cool to use 

with the pastes & foil sheets...

and just one more for today...

sometimes I want to accent a stencil or in this case, a lace border stamp...

the random worn foil is again,

exactly what I wanted...

I laid the ruler in place, then put a foil sheet over it, then traced along the ruler edge 

with the slanted end of 

the remnant rub tool...

(I LOVE THIS TOOL!)

you can make the line solid & perfect...

or more worn like this...

it's a tiny detail, but it makes a big impact!

I am now 100% addicted to these

foil sheets...

there is no static...

there is no mess...

and there are multiple ways to use them...

I like that they can be made perfect 

or vintage & worn...

I'm...in LOVE!

I started to wonder...

do they stick to 

my embossing powders?

no!

BUT...

if you mix 

frosted crystal embossing powder

 with the colored embossing powders (50/50 ratio) it does!

the texture is the key!

I linked to 

the new large jar of frosted crystal...

this gives us enough to custom mix it with all the embossing powder colors...

that little jar of magic powder will DOUBLE our embossing powder colors!

I'll be sharing lots more about embossing powders soon, but in the meantime

you can learn about this

by watching the video that was filmed by ScrapTime at CHA...

just click the link above...

I hope that you got 

some ideas from this post 

and that you're inspired 

to grab some foil sheets and...

make art!

wendy

ps...we have a NEW distress color being announced TODAY...

can not wait!

EDIT!

say HELLO to the beautiful new

abandoned coral

embellish YOUR art with Blossom Bucket...

Thanks to everyone @ The Paper Niche in Davie Florida for a very fun VERY inky weekend...

to the gals who were brave & spent the entire weekend with me...

THANK YOU! it was very fun...

Friday evening Mr Fed-Ex delivered my new embellishments from Blossom Bucket to the store...

just in time for some retail therapy after the class...

and shop they did...

I'm thrilled that you like these new goodies as much as I do...

they're fun...

flat backed...easy to glue...

and made from resin...

here's a few projects using them...

the huge flower in cream colored, but was altered with alcohol ink...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the large eyeglasses...

and I MIGHT love the big lips even more...

the flower center is from this package...

the heart was altered too...

this shows the BlossomBucket front door...

the flower bouquet...

and the larger of the 2 scallop circles holds tim's light bulb perfectly!

there's the large flower again...

a little different altering, with different piece for the center...

and everything is sized to work perfectly with my stamps & art parts...plus I'm sure you'll find lots of other fun ways to use them for cards, layouts & mixed media madness...

look how cute the little telephone looks...sad to say, I'm old enough to remember this style of phone...

YIKES!

the cream colored heart was altered with gold metallic mixative & it's  stamped with jet black archival ink...

then misted with sunflower sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist...

aka BLING in a BOTTLE...

the smaller size glasses and the mini lips...

fit the art chick...

LOVE the top hat...

the phone again & the altered star...

yes...I DO have a THING for glasses & eyes...

and here's THE ORGANIZER...

I don't have a link for it yet...

but here's what the cutie looks like...

the bottom tray is 14 x 14 inches

the top is 12 x 12 inches...

it's a huge storage piece...

it's easy to customize it for your needs...

I love finding just the right containers to hold supplies...

this will keep your Ranger supplies contained and within easy reach...

use it to store the distress markers, paint dabbers, scissors, water brushes. paint brushes etc...

it stores lots in an area that has a small footplate...

it's handmade by the Amish craftsmen in Ohio...

so if you're familiar with their work...

it's nice & solid & sturdy...

and...

it's BLACK...

I'm planning to stamp on the stars...then add an embellishment to the center to customize it...

you can use it as is & it sits flat..

or add a turntable under it...

to create a spinner...

want to travel with it?

just pick it up by the big ball handle & GO...

for those who asked...the retail price is $59.99

Now about that giveaway I promised...

congrats to...

 scrappin-scrappin said...

Ohhhh, I can't wait for the embellishments!! Any day 

now!! So excited!! The Clicker Cutts look amazing to!! 

Beautiful flower!!

April 17, 2012 8:20 PM

 

please email me with your shipping info...
wbv1213@me.com

***NEWS FLASH***
Blossom Bucket is sponsoring a little contest/giveaway...

we're working on the details, but basically you show us what YOU created using the new Blossom Bucket items...
and some lucky winner will get some BB goodies...

we'll give you time to shop...and then create...
so, if you make something as a gift...be sure to take a photo for us...

stay tuned for ALL the juicy details...
coming soon to a blog near you...

and as always...
in closing...

make art!
wendy

jumping all over the place...

happy Friday!

like the title says...

just lots of randomness today...

I've spent the week designing new "things" for CHA Summer...

it's only 4 months and a week away...

a HUGE...YIKES!

I've been working on new stamps, new art parts & new Blossom Bucket trinkets...

plus a few "things" for the gift market...

and scheduling more teaching weekends...

the scoop is on the right sidebar...

see?...I'm jumping all over the place...

next I want to share a small portion of an email I got earlier this week...

I've answered emails similar to this in the past...

so I thought I'd share it here...

maybe it will help others...

OMG...I just found you by accident. You are exactly what I've been searching for. I want to jump into your world, but I need guidance. I would appreciate any help with these questions. Where do I start? What supplies do I need? Can you explain the process you used to develop your style? How long did it take?Can I do this stamping?

here are my thoughts for people just finding the stamping, inking, mixed media world...

before you make any purchases,

do some research to help you find your style...

find what appeals to you...

this will help you avoid impulse purchases...

things you may not really need...

or want in a few months...

there is TONS of free info on the internet...

visit blogs, searching for key words to help you find them...

YouTube is also an excellent source of free info...

again, search for key words...

or names of artists you find on the net...

check out Pinterest...but beware...

it's a HUGE time sucker...

it's amazing...

I LOVE it...

but time can quickly get away...

don't ask me how I know this!

I think you'll quickly see what style you like,

be it cute, simple or grungy...

then purchase just the basic supplies you need...

don't buy everything you see...

make sure you really enjoy "making art" first...

here's my list of essentials...

Ranger's non stick craft sheet...

to protect your work space & it's great for inky techniques...

good scissors...I prefer tim's Tonic...

quite simply...THE BEST!

a multi-surface black ink...

Ranger's Archival works on paper, chipboard, grungeboard, grungepaper, fabric, metal, Clearly for Art, art parts and more...

a heat tool...Ranger's is awesome!

quiet, hot & it has a built in diffuser, so your embossing powder isn't blown all over the place...

lol...that fit right in with the title!

some card stock...

to get you started with small card projects...

an adhesive...try Claudine's MultiMedium (matte)...

the mini size is a great trial size...

a few colors of ink...start with the basic colors...

choose a green, blue, red, yellow & brown that you like...

I LOVE the distress ink colors...

a stamp set or 2...

when choosing the stamps, try to have several ideas on how you would use them, before you make a purchase...

now about style...

several years ago I probably didn't know this...

but because of teaching I do,

I have the answer...

the style is already IN YOU...

seriously...

IT IS...

here's my observations...

in my Ranger techniques class, each student has access to the exact same products (tags, inks, mists, stamps etc)...

and what I see is that each person has their own style, whether they know it or not...

and I point this out @ the end of the workshop...

it's very obvious...

some people use more inks,

some use the same inks as their table mates, but apply it lighter...

even their "way" of applying inks is unique...

each person chooses the ink colors that SPEAK to them...

no 2 tags turn out exactly the same...

and that's the fun part...

get the technique down, then put your UNIQUE twist on it...

and the last part...

CAN I DO THIS?

YOU BET...if you want to...

YOU CAN...

NO DOUBT...

take some time...

just play & practice....

and don't expect a masterpiece the first time...

like the old adage says...

practice makes perfect...

and eventually YOUR STYLE will naturally evolve!

and in the future,

when you are addicted & want every ink & rubber stamp you see...

remember...

it's NOT MY FAULT!

YOU ASKED!

now jumping to inspiration...

our new laundry room ART...

was inspired by the photo below...

there doesn't seem to be much of a connection...

but in my little mind I guess there was...

keep your eyes & your mind open...

inspiration is all around us...

and speaking of SEEING...Lori GETS it!!!

Lori saw these $1.00 generic wood pieces...

and magically transformed one into this BEAUTY...

I think it's pretty spectacular & she started with a $1.00 find...

wouldn't this make a great gift?

visit Lori's blog...

and she'll give you the scoop on how she created this ART!

THANKS Lori for sharing with us!

and here's a few pieces from CHA...

don't think I shared these before...

this first is a piece for tim's idea-ology booth...

it's small...done on the small square art parts frame...

I wanted to highlight his new destinations papers...

YUM!

the clocks are sitting on a little shelf, that's made with my new Blossom Bucket black metal shelf...

I LOVE THESE ...MILLIONS!

and they ship in APRIL...NEXT MONTH!

and the dimension on the clocks was fun...

I used Glue N Seal to add the destinations paper to my Clearly for Art...

cut out the clocks & heated them to make them rounded...

the clearly for art didn't add a lot of bulk, which was important, since this is such a small piece...

and it allowed me to have 3 clocks layered & they still fit on the shelf...

love the new word bands...

and this was a fun one to create...

this is my small art chick...

sporting an art parts gear halo & wings...

and some Blossom Bucket trinkets...

the large flower, the mini lips & those cool glasses...

these ship next month too!

her body is a canvas rectangle...made by Canvas Corp...

they are fun to ink with the distress stains...

and then embellish...

the optical label was stamped on grungeboard to add some texture...

a little vintage lace...

& she was complete...
I'll be back on Monday @ 9am Chicago time...

I'm participating in a blog hop for an "author" friend...

I'll have a tutorial all ready to talk about the techniques I used to create my art...

until then, I wish you a bright bright sunshiny day

with plenty of time to...

make art!

wendy

favorites on Friday...

I actually have LOTS of favorites...

there's a surprise...

NOT...

but today I'll show you a new favorite...

ART PARTS FRAME and...

another NEW studio 490 stamp set...

and I think I'll throw in a second art parts reveal!

yippee...it's THE weekend! let's celebrate!

one of my MOST favorite art parts that we currently have is the pocket watch...

so I thought...why not make it larger?

this guy has grown to 5 1/2 inches in diameter...

I've used it for several CHA samples...

and I can honestly say that I had a BLAST...

I'm thinking this will make a great gift, when family photos are used...

included in the "Timely Pocket Watches" package are...

2 of the solid pocket watch bases...

2 of the coordinating frames &...

2 of the circle cutouts...

this gives you 6 pieces total for...

"making art"...

I laid tim's ruler next to it, to give you an idea of the MEGA size...

moving on to a new stamp set...

this one is "he ruled it art"...

here's a quick tour of the set, starting @ the top...

there's "the flourish" again,

but it's a mirror image of the flourish I showed in this post...

I like the option of having both orientations available...

and stamping both of them creates a cool border...

"OMG"...

I am so excited to see where people go with this one...

it has a million hilarious possibilities, for sure!

"the gentleman"...

also has a coordinating art part...

I've "altered" him in several different projects...

you'll see that next week...

he can wear all sorts of things...

"the lamp post"...

I flat out LOVE this! And it too has a coordinating art part...

be still my heart...

"specimen collected"...

is great to stamp on a tag or on an envelope that contains a specimen...

it's very easy to use portions of this stamp too, by masking it with Post-It notes...

"you ain't seen nothin' yet"...

gives a hint of what's to come...

"the stache"...

I used this on my large queen stamp...

yep...on a girl & it's funky fun...

and...TA*DA...

one of the "ruler stamps"...

this stamp has a perfectly sized art part, so no more need to chop up pricy vintage rulers...

I like this stamped in jet black archival...

then inked in any color, with distress inks added to the edges, to create an authentic looking vintage ruler...

and the best part...

in ANY color your project requires...

very fun, if I do say so myself...

here's what "he ruled it art" looks like on the storage sheet...

I've been so excited to show this next art parts package of goodness...

meet "mustaches, men & more"...

yes...

that hand is giant...like 3 3/4 inches tall...

so it has plenty of space to stamp a saying!

I wanted to show you a close up of the art parts lamp post...

I stamped it with jet black archival...

inked over it with walnut stain distress ink...

inked the little window area with mustard seed distress ink,

then added rock candy distress stickles for some vintage shimmer...

hmmm...

do I see a hint of another new stamp in the peek above?

OK...

if you are in the mood to SHOP, I have some SALE INFO...

over @ Simon Says...

you can get $5.00 off your order by typing in the secret code...

cruise

this offer is good today, Friday July 8th & tomorrow Saturday July 9th...ONLY...

but wait!

there's MORE...

I see a 20% off sale on my stamps, art parts, tim's idea-ology & more @ eclecticPaperie...

I hope you've enjoyed today's new product show & tell...

I'll be back on Monday with MORE...

I hope your weekend is full of fun & sun and

that you can take time to...

make art!

wendy

nope...not a vase...

I fooled you...

I agree...the peek did look like a vase but...

it's a lamp!

a 2 piece art parts cutie...

to make it very dimensional...

the lamp base is colored with weathered wood distress stain & the "NEW background" was stamped with Ranger's cobalt archival...

the extra art parts lamp shade is covered with tim's"crowded attic" paper & inked & stamped with bundled sage distress ink...

as is the ruffled trimmings...

and you turn the lamp on with the chain tassel...

ok...it doesn't really turn on...it's just there for effect!

LOL...

any comments now?

as always...

make art!

wendy

ps...as the saying goes...

you ain't seen nothin' yet!

celebrating #700...

blog posts!

WOW...

when I started this blog, I wondered if I would have enough to talk about...

#700 posts later, I guess I did...

THANK YOU ALL for your support,

friendships developed thru the blog and for the wonderful comments & emails you send...

#700 would not have happened if I was here talking to myself!

I appreciate each & EVERY one of you...

LOTS...

as promised, I have another tutorial to share today...

it's a little THANK YOU of sorts, to celebrate...

and just a hint...

you may want to read the entire post...

when I first started to demo for Ranger, they asked me to focus on the Adirondack line of products...

so, I'm always thinking of what I can do to show

how versatile these products are...

that pretty much explains my fascination with their

snow cap white pigment ink...

it is seriously amazing, because it works with so many products...

the more I play...

the more fun things I discover...

not only is it an awesome ink for stamping on dark surfaces, but

I have found that it can be used with many of Ranger's products, to alter the look of those products...

in the past I have showed how to use the snow cap pigment pad with tim's distress inks, color washes & new distress stains

and now I can add something else...

tim's Adirondack alcohol inks!

SERIOUSLY...

it's cool that one little magic ink pad can do so much!

here's a simple ATC, using this new technique...

before I start the instructions for the ATC, I want to talk a bit about alcohol inks in general...

they are a transparent ink, intended to be used on glossy paper, metals, acrylic/plastic & basically NON porous surfaces...

they dry in about 5 to 7 seconds & therefore if they are used on plain matte paper, art parts, grunge or cardstock, you have no time to blend/mix the colors...

they are NOT to be put in a mini mister & sprayed...

EVER...

remember, I WAS a nurse...

alcohol is something you would NEVER want

sprayed into your eye...

I get asked this question

in every Ranger ink class that I teach...

PLEASE...DO NOT DO IT!

OK...moving on...

here's a glossy ATC from Ranger...

it's inked with the ink applicator (using felt).

I chose denim & stonewash alcohol inks...

just touch the tip of the bottle to the felt, squeeze a bit & then tap the ink applicator to the surface...

here is the result...

a vibrant beautiful background

that will be very fun to stamp on on later...

and because it's on glossy cardstock, you can see the result is a shiny surface...

hello...that makes sense...duh...

the next photo is Ranger's manila ATC...

now NORMALLY, you couldn't use the alcohol ink on the matte finish cardstock & be happy with the result...

BUT...

I tapped the snow cap white pad over the ATC...

and dried it,

then applied the same alcohol ink colors, to show the difference....

here we have the same alcohol ink colors over snow cap...

the result is a matte finish with more muted colors, that are now opaque instead of transparent...

I LOVE IT!

you'll see too that I added some shading to the edges with walnut stain distress ink, using the blending tool...

it's cool to have this option...

and below is a side by side comparison of the dramatic difference...

hmmm...

I wondered if it would still be possible with this technique to

use alcohol blending solution?

YES! it works just fine...

I didn't use it on these ATC's, but it does work!

hmmm...

how about the metallic mixatives?

YES...they work too...

hmmm...

wondering if the snow cap/alcohol ink will work on my art parts??

YOU BET...

I did it here...

and here...

here's the art parts flower now...

the ATC is stamped with coffee archival ink & my text stamp...

the screen background was lightly stamped over the flower, using coffee too...

wish & the polka dots on the mini art parts frame were stamped with jet black archival...

the flower & mini butterfly were stamped on clearly for art blackout, using the gold paint dabber...

I decided not to use the stem that you see above...

instead I cut some leaves from grungeboard, using tim's new mini branch/leaves die...

it's a GREAT way to use up those small grunge scraps...

the leaves were inked with peeled paint distress stain...

sure wish we had the other 24 colors...

and the finishing touches are the accoutrements button

& the charm clip for the butterfly head...

so the moral of the story today is to PLAY...

if you have an idea...

just TRY IT!

that's what I do...

what's the worse thing that could happen if it's ugly ???

you ruin a tag...

no big deal...move on!

no celebration is complete without a...

GIVEAWAY...

and I have one TOTALLY AWESOME GIVEAWAY...

when Heidi from Simon Says Stamp found out this was post #700...

she asked if I would like to giveaway...

GET READY for this...

drumroll.............

a V A G A B O N D !!!

I am over the moon happy to have this awesome gift from Simon Says Stamp, to give to one lucky commenter here...

to enter...

simply leave a comment...

it couldn't be easier...

Heidi will ship the VAGABOND directly to the lucky winner...

wherever YOU live!

the random winner will be chosen @ 7am (my time)

on Monday morning...

that's MAY 2nd...

GOOD LUCK TO YOU...

and...

we'll have a SECOND WINNER too...

that lucky person will receive a package of goodies from me!

that VAGABOND is soooo much fun to use when you...

make art!

wendy

ps...I'll be up @ 3am tomorrow...

got my seat reserved to see THE wedding...

I can't wait!

THE Linda Elbourne, who just happens to be the design team coordinator over @ Simon Says, will be holding Kate's bouquet & she promised to wave to ME! just me... lol!

now that will be something to see!