It was irresistible: Kendra challenged us to make something once a week so that at the end of 2011, we have a book or something with 52 items. It would force us to think, to use our supplies, to do what we love. She suggested tags.
I, of course, HAD to go a step further. No tags for me, no I had to decide to finally start using our copious amounts of studio portraits; and since there are more than one copy of most of each photo, I just had to decide to make multiple layouts. It would challenge my brain and in the process, use up some of my stash of paper. (Question: what is bigger than a stash of paper? My friends who have seen it in person refer to it as my store, but that can't be right, can it?)
Oh, my brain is challenged all right: challenged to stay sane. I am getting grandiose ideas and then attempting to make them come to life. It is not a good idea to be around if my brain and my layout do not match. I know nasty words in two languages. My last layout tortured me for a week, before I gave up and did something else, which is creative, but now what I wanted. Luckily, the one on my desk now, perhaps mindful of the previous one's fate thanks to the now-useless embellishments, is behaving itself and may just be finished in a couple of days.
That is, of course, if I can get the Sil to work with my new Mac, but that is another post. Another Scrapklutz post. Seems my 'abilities' extend to the digital world now...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Cleaning=Trouble
It's all QKMary's fault. She organized and found things. Bloo organized too, but didn't brag about finding stuff. I need to find stuff, and clean my desk so DH can replace my desktop. That's what I did yesterday. I cleaned, I organized. I tossed. I moved.
Then I asked DH to bring up the vacuum cleaner.
BUSTED.
The boxes of Xyron adhesive (11 for the X, 4 for the 250) were bad.
Several albums (mainly empty) scattered on the floor were worse.
The over 2-foot stack of paper packs behind the papers in a box, and next to the overflowing paper holder were the straw that broke the camel's back.
I CANNOT BUY PAPER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR!!!
Darn you Bloo and QKMary!
Then I asked DH to bring up the vacuum cleaner.
BUSTED.
The boxes of Xyron adhesive (11 for the X, 4 for the 250) were bad.
Several albums (mainly empty) scattered on the floor were worse.
The over 2-foot stack of paper packs behind the papers in a box, and next to the overflowing paper holder were the straw that broke the camel's back.
I CANNOT BUY PAPER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR!!!
Darn you Bloo and QKMary!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Mica Gloss - My New Frenemy
Last summer at GASC, Sandy and I discovered Judikins Mica Gloss, and as I previously mentioned in another post, we both forgot how to use it. After Grapevine, I felt brave enough to try, so that's how I spent my birthday - playing with Mica Gloss and my new Ranger Melting Pot.
Mica Gloss comes in gorgeous colors and you can do amazing things with it on a variety of surfaces. The caveat is that you need to heat set it or it will smear if you use it on a glossy surface, and it is best if you mix some Diamond Glaze with it. I decided to play with my MG on a pair of Heidi Swapp mirrored books I picked up at Remember When last year.
I forgot about the Diamond Glaze part, so even though I heat set it several times, it just wouldn't dry. In fact, I had to redo one of the covers four times, before I got the colors right because I kept smearing the edges and retouching the spots caused the removal of the MG. Rather frustrating - and messy. Luckily, the MG washes off your hands with little effort. One neat thing with the longer drying time is that I was able to use a chunky foam stamp to remove some of the thicker ink, which gave it a lovely two-tone effect. I had to be careful, though, so that I did not remove down to the mirrored surface and have to start all over again.
I gave up trying to dry the covers, although the papers I decorated dried rather quickly. I left them out to dry, checking them everyday.
This afternoon, a week later, I went to move them - and they WERE DRY!!! Now I can begin to work with them, and it needs to be something important.
Mica Gloss comes in gorgeous colors and you can do amazing things with it on a variety of surfaces. The caveat is that you need to heat set it or it will smear if you use it on a glossy surface, and it is best if you mix some Diamond Glaze with it. I decided to play with my MG on a pair of Heidi Swapp mirrored books I picked up at Remember When last year.
I forgot about the Diamond Glaze part, so even though I heat set it several times, it just wouldn't dry. In fact, I had to redo one of the covers four times, before I got the colors right because I kept smearing the edges and retouching the spots caused the removal of the MG. Rather frustrating - and messy. Luckily, the MG washes off your hands with little effort. One neat thing with the longer drying time is that I was able to use a chunky foam stamp to remove some of the thicker ink, which gave it a lovely two-tone effect. I had to be careful, though, so that I did not remove down to the mirrored surface and have to start all over again.
I gave up trying to dry the covers, although the papers I decorated dried rather quickly. I left them out to dry, checking them everyday.
This afternoon, a week later, I went to move them - and they WERE DRY!!! Now I can begin to work with them, and it needs to be something important.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Seriously, Silhouette???
Okay, I know I asked for more variety in the Silhouette Store, something more than flowers, but Mr.Men and the Little Miss Collection?!? Seriously?!? I cannot imagine that there are THAT many MM & LM fans that own Sils. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
Thus, once again, my subscription is not being used to its full advantage. I have more than enough flowers and hearts, and don't get me started on the frames.
I begged and begged for something martial arts-oriented and they published one figure who just as easily could have been a kid jumping on his bed. The kanji they offered were things like 'love', 'peace', 'harmony' - things I would NEVER put on a martial arts page. Might use them if Ariana or Alex have a martial arts-themed wedding, but not for the everyday stuff of kicking, punching and headlocks.
If this keeps up, I will most definitely go to the lowest subscription when renewal time arrives.
Thus, once again, my subscription is not being used to its full advantage. I have more than enough flowers and hearts, and don't get me started on the frames.
I begged and begged for something martial arts-oriented and they published one figure who just as easily could have been a kid jumping on his bed. The kanji they offered were things like 'love', 'peace', 'harmony' - things I would NEVER put on a martial arts page. Might use them if Ariana or Alex have a martial arts-themed wedding, but not for the everyday stuff of kicking, punching and headlocks.
If this keeps up, I will most definitely go to the lowest subscription when renewal time arrives.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Stamping Convention in Grapevine
Sandy and I decided that it would be a good idea to attend this convention this past week when I discovered Judykins would be there. We both LOVE Judykins stuff, especially the Mica Gloss, but neither of us really remembered how to use it. Luckily, their booth and ongoing demos were right where you entered the hall.
First thing: the gloss needs to be heat set or you will be waiting a long time or making a huge mess. Yeah, the latter sounds like me! Also, it takes several small drops of different colors to get those gorgeous results. Must remember that clear embossing powder works well with the gloss.
Then we moved onto stencils. I found four I really liked, unfortunately, one of those belonged to someone else - and she got the last one. Bummer. Then, I ran into Frank Vento! He was surprised to see me. I guess that is to be understood since I really love my QK and Sil. I just really suck at stamping. I need to get better because I really would love to broaden my horizons. I do my best with Tattered Angels and Texana Stamps, but there are so many out there I want to try!
Frank and I commiserated about the plethora of flowers on the Sil. I swear there is a new dozen or two every week, usually more. Frank says that Sil claims that flowers are their best sellers, but if they offered more stuff, they might sell more of the others. Makes sense to me. Forgot to tell him that the Mormon Temples must sell well, too!
I found great stamps at AfterMidnight Stamps, which is where I spent most of my money. I found Egyptian stamps for Ariana,as well as a longhorn stamp, postage stamp stamps from Ecuador, Chile and Peru, and a really cool stamp of the coast of China. Now I really have NO EXCUSE for not working on Alex's Indiana Jones scrapbook.
It was a lot of fun and very quick, we were done in about 2.5 hours, but left full of ideas and some great items. Now I need to put some mojo to work!
First thing: the gloss needs to be heat set or you will be waiting a long time or making a huge mess. Yeah, the latter sounds like me! Also, it takes several small drops of different colors to get those gorgeous results. Must remember that clear embossing powder works well with the gloss.
Then we moved onto stencils. I found four I really liked, unfortunately, one of those belonged to someone else - and she got the last one. Bummer. Then, I ran into Frank Vento! He was surprised to see me. I guess that is to be understood since I really love my QK and Sil. I just really suck at stamping. I need to get better because I really would love to broaden my horizons. I do my best with Tattered Angels and Texana Stamps, but there are so many out there I want to try!
Frank and I commiserated about the plethora of flowers on the Sil. I swear there is a new dozen or two every week, usually more. Frank says that Sil claims that flowers are their best sellers, but if they offered more stuff, they might sell more of the others. Makes sense to me. Forgot to tell him that the Mormon Temples must sell well, too!
I found great stamps at AfterMidnight Stamps, which is where I spent most of my money. I found Egyptian stamps for Ariana,as well as a longhorn stamp, postage stamp stamps from Ecuador, Chile and Peru, and a really cool stamp of the coast of China. Now I really have NO EXCUSE for not working on Alex's Indiana Jones scrapbook.
It was a lot of fun and very quick, we were done in about 2.5 hours, but left full of ideas and some great items. Now I need to put some mojo to work!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
What Insanity Hit Me?
What on Earth was I thinking??? What makes me think that it is a good idea to cut out numbers for the calendars I make?
Yes, the QK Calendar set from 2009 is awesome, but gluing those numbers down is monotonous and mind-numbing. It is also sticky-fingering. I had to wash my hands after every two weeks or so. Two weeks on the calendar, not two real weeks! Those numbers are tiny and the Xyron 150 doesn't get each back covered, so I need to use my adhesive pen, which of course I cannot control.
Xyron boogers and wet adhesive make a nasty mess.
Well, the numbers are all done, now I need to put the days of the week (letters) and the names of the month, in addition to mats for the photos.
Breaking my hand really was a bad idea - not that I thought about it. If I had, I sure as h#$l would have done something to my foot. You can scrap without your feet.
Yes, the QK Calendar set from 2009 is awesome, but gluing those numbers down is monotonous and mind-numbing. It is also sticky-fingering. I had to wash my hands after every two weeks or so. Two weeks on the calendar, not two real weeks! Those numbers are tiny and the Xyron 150 doesn't get each back covered, so I need to use my adhesive pen, which of course I cannot control.
Xyron boogers and wet adhesive make a nasty mess.
Well, the numbers are all done, now I need to put the days of the week (letters) and the names of the month, in addition to mats for the photos.
Breaking my hand really was a bad idea - not that I thought about it. If I had, I sure as h#$l would have done something to my foot. You can scrap without your feet.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!
Okay, I used to be really good about posting, but 2010 has been a bust. Not goody as DH would say.
I have also been bad about creating, but I have lots of excuses: my Nook DH bought me, the illness that led to the removal of my gall bladder, and last, but not least, my broken hand. That really sucked. Royally sucked. Paying for it was just as bad.
So, right now I have Xmas cards that need to be sent out. Black Belt Pages that need to be finished. A luminary house that is half done (a gift for DS's teacher) and the list goes on and on. Need to work and not read too much.
Oh, and before I forget, DH bought me a new subscription for the Sil...
I have also been bad about creating, but I have lots of excuses: my Nook DH bought me, the illness that led to the removal of my gall bladder, and last, but not least, my broken hand. That really sucked. Royally sucked. Paying for it was just as bad.
So, right now I have Xmas cards that need to be sent out. Black Belt Pages that need to be finished. A luminary house that is half done (a gift for DS's teacher) and the list goes on and on. Need to work and not read too much.
Oh, and before I forget, DH bought me a new subscription for the Sil...
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sob: Bye-bye Unlimited Subscription (Sob)
Sob!!! Today is the day that my unlimited subscription to the Silhouette Design Store Ends. Sob. It was so much fun, a total blast, but it is gone. I have downloaded over 3000 designs, but that is done.
I had made the decision not to renew BEFORE Sil decided to change their structure. They totally did away with the unlimited downloads, which totally upset people. I can see both points of view: people were downloading every single design, which pretty much meant after a couple thousand that Sil was losing money; as for the customers, well, unlimited was a SWEET deal. As for me, however, I have 3268 designs, including those that came with the machine and the upgrade, and the ones from Postcard, the only cd I purchased. That's more designs than there are days in the year. Heck, that's enough to use one a day for NINE years. If I couldn't use my OK dies everyday, I sure as heck am not going to be using all my Sil designs anytime soon.
I do scrap, I love to scrap, but unfortunately, lots of what I scrap lately doesn't come on either QK or Sil. I have had to create my own. Last night, Sheryl helped me create designs using Google Images, Paint and my Sil software. I now have nunchuks, two types of kamas, sais and the Kanji for honor. Right now I am going to use them a bit more than the 50+ flowers I have....
So, goodbye dear Unlimited; you were wonderful, thrilling, as I checked the store everyday, downloading obsessively (how else do you explain 2 bassinets when my kids are 8 & 11 - and never even used a traditional bassinet?) and suggesting the same stuff over and over. I will miss you, but on the bright side, there will be less to back up! (DH makes me back-up every design, just in case. I am 400 or so behind.)
Tomorrow's withdrawal is going to be tough....
I had made the decision not to renew BEFORE Sil decided to change their structure. They totally did away with the unlimited downloads, which totally upset people. I can see both points of view: people were downloading every single design, which pretty much meant after a couple thousand that Sil was losing money; as for the customers, well, unlimited was a SWEET deal. As for me, however, I have 3268 designs, including those that came with the machine and the upgrade, and the ones from Postcard, the only cd I purchased. That's more designs than there are days in the year. Heck, that's enough to use one a day for NINE years. If I couldn't use my OK dies everyday, I sure as heck am not going to be using all my Sil designs anytime soon.
I do scrap, I love to scrap, but unfortunately, lots of what I scrap lately doesn't come on either QK or Sil. I have had to create my own. Last night, Sheryl helped me create designs using Google Images, Paint and my Sil software. I now have nunchuks, two types of kamas, sais and the Kanji for honor. Right now I am going to use them a bit more than the 50+ flowers I have....
So, goodbye dear Unlimited; you were wonderful, thrilling, as I checked the store everyday, downloading obsessively (how else do you explain 2 bassinets when my kids are 8 & 11 - and never even used a traditional bassinet?) and suggesting the same stuff over and over. I will miss you, but on the bright side, there will be less to back up! (DH makes me back-up every design, just in case. I am 400 or so behind.)
Tomorrow's withdrawal is going to be tough....
Thursday, February 25, 2010
New Sil Blade Works!
I am so happy that the blade arrived and that it works! Turns out that I did NOT need a new housing - at least not for this blade. QKMary was right: not all blades are equal. Of course, this is the balde that I ordered, not the one promised to me by Brian from SilMac.
To try the blade,I cut out tags for a friend's daughter's MA bag and they were perfect (and crossing my fingers while biting my nails might have helped.) Well, at least until my small laminator ruined the best one by having a crease run right down the middle length-wise. Actually, it was more like a long, thin air bubble. Must have fed it wrong.
I cannot win.
Since I have had time to think, a new idea occurred to me: using my Copic Sketch Markers in the Sil instead of the pen. I tried one for size and with a bit of padding, it might just work....
I am ever the optimist!
To try the blade,I cut out tags for a friend's daughter's MA bag and they were perfect (and crossing my fingers while biting my nails might have helped.) Well, at least until my small laminator ruined the best one by having a crease run right down the middle length-wise. Actually, it was more like a long, thin air bubble. Must have fed it wrong.
I cannot win.
Since I have had time to think, a new idea occurred to me: using my Copic Sketch Markers in the Sil instead of the pen. I tried one for size and with a bit of padding, it might just work....
I am ever the optimist!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Frank to the Rescue!!!
Today I was the most frustrated I have been in a long time! My Sil would not cut AT ALL. I tried several times on several pieces of paper y NADA. I felt really bad because I was trying to help Sandy's DD with her Destination Imagination project.
After awhile, Sandy & I noticed that we couldn't see the blade. I was sure I had the cap on wrong. I even wrote SilMac to see what could have happened. Then I saw the picture of a blade on the Sil site and the difference was immediately apparent: the good blade has an angle, mine has a sort of round, jagged end. OOPS!
I posted on SRWMB for Guru Frank's help. He knew exactly what I had done - when I changed the blade, I had lost a little white piece, which I thought was unimportant. I was so very wrong. It is a very necessary piece, a spacer.
Frank told me to contact Sil for a new housing piece. I will do that tomorrow. Until everything arrives (I had to order a new blade online), I can only draw with my Sil.
Bummer. Major Bummer.
Maybe David should change it next time.....
After awhile, Sandy & I noticed that we couldn't see the blade. I was sure I had the cap on wrong. I even wrote SilMac to see what could have happened. Then I saw the picture of a blade on the Sil site and the difference was immediately apparent: the good blade has an angle, mine has a sort of round, jagged end. OOPS!
I posted on SRWMB for Guru Frank's help. He knew exactly what I had done - when I changed the blade, I had lost a little white piece, which I thought was unimportant. I was so very wrong. It is a very necessary piece, a spacer.
Frank told me to contact Sil for a new housing piece. I will do that tomorrow. Until everything arrives (I had to order a new blade online), I can only draw with my Sil.
Bummer. Major Bummer.
Maybe David should change it next time.....
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sil Frustrations
Could someone please explain why certain shapes on the Sil cut like butter and others cut like my blade is a sharpened stone??? I cut two hearts, the scribble and the lace heart. Guess which one cut and removed easily? Wrong! It was the scribble. I had to remove the pieces of lace using my CutterBee's, not something I enjoy.
Did I mention that I cut them at the same time, they were sharing the paper?
IT JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!!!
Oh, btw, even though you should be able to reduce designs down to 1/4 inch on the Sil, I am never sure which ones will actually work. I tried shrinking an elephant, a giraffe and the rhino down to just under an inch - and let's just say that there was a lot of tearing. I put in a black pen and they came out nicely, and I cut them by hand. Then, they didn't work for what I wanted. Bummer.
I still love my Sil, I am just a bit frustrated right now. But, if everything worked the way it is supposed to, I wouldn't be the Scrapklutz.
Did I mention that I cut them at the same time, they were sharing the paper?
IT JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!!!
Oh, btw, even though you should be able to reduce designs down to 1/4 inch on the Sil, I am never sure which ones will actually work. I tried shrinking an elephant, a giraffe and the rhino down to just under an inch - and let's just say that there was a lot of tearing. I put in a black pen and they came out nicely, and I cut them by hand. Then, they didn't work for what I wanted. Bummer.
I still love my Sil, I am just a bit frustrated right now. But, if everything worked the way it is supposed to, I wouldn't be the Scrapklutz.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Bit More Research Was Needed
I really should read up on things BEFORE buying them! And by that, I mean ALL the information. I researched what kind of air compressor to get, going with one that was recommended by an employee at Hobby Town, and even what kind of air hose - but what I totally pushed to one side were the markers. There are different types of Copics. I know I have seen that, but it just didn't seem important. It was. Very.
Turns out that I bought the Ciao. The Copic Airbrush is set up for the Sketch. You can use the Ciao, but it is a bit more work. Once you figure out how to pop the Sketch markers in correctly, they work like a dream.
Oh, and those numbers on the markers DO mean something - blending. I really didn't think I would need that. I was wrong. The colors I bought today have too much contrast, but the ones from last week (the Ciao) blended much better.
So, I guess I will use what I have - and research more in the future. Oh, and I need to post a pic of the dragon. It is so cool!!!
Turns out that I bought the Ciao. The Copic Airbrush is set up for the Sketch. You can use the Ciao, but it is a bit more work. Once you figure out how to pop the Sketch markers in correctly, they work like a dream.
Oh, and those numbers on the markers DO mean something - blending. I really didn't think I would need that. I was wrong. The colors I bought today have too much contrast, but the ones from last week (the Ciao) blended much better.
So, I guess I will use what I have - and research more in the future. Oh, and I need to post a pic of the dragon. It is so cool!!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me!!!!
It was a scrappy-licious birthday! Sandy went up to RW with me as my Jiminy Cricket, much to DH's relief. She basically makes sure I don't spend too much by helping me to question my wants. She's a great friend.
Well, I dropped off my DT items. Man, am I going to miss being on the DT. I think next month is our last. It has been so much fun, so challenging, but it is now someone else's turn to have the limelight. I might try again in the future, but I am not sure.
I also picked up my QK Calendar layaway. I cannot wait to make Mom's 2011 calendar with that!!! My creative juices are really exploding with that set. My 7 Gypsies ATC holder was there (already paid), as was the Copic Air Brush set - both of which weren't exactly as I had pictured. The ATC Spinner didn't come with any of the sleeves! Bummer. The CAB didn't come with the hose - but that can be rectified when we buy the air compressor, hopefully on Friday.
I bought 7 Copic Ciao Markers. Those are going to be for airbrushing only until I use up the rest of my dozens of markers. I also finally remembered the replacement strips for my Tim Holtz hand sander!!! I found a great stamp with Chinese words, which turned out to be 'thanks', great for thanking those who help with the belt tests. Last, but not least, a compass mask from Tim Holtz that coordinates perfectly with the stamp and Glimmer Screens from Tattered Angels.
I feel so inspired - now to find the time!
All in a wonderful, scrappy birthday!
Well, I dropped off my DT items. Man, am I going to miss being on the DT. I think next month is our last. It has been so much fun, so challenging, but it is now someone else's turn to have the limelight. I might try again in the future, but I am not sure.
I also picked up my QK Calendar layaway. I cannot wait to make Mom's 2011 calendar with that!!! My creative juices are really exploding with that set. My 7 Gypsies ATC holder was there (already paid), as was the Copic Air Brush set - both of which weren't exactly as I had pictured. The ATC Spinner didn't come with any of the sleeves! Bummer. The CAB didn't come with the hose - but that can be rectified when we buy the air compressor, hopefully on Friday.
I bought 7 Copic Ciao Markers. Those are going to be for airbrushing only until I use up the rest of my dozens of markers. I also finally remembered the replacement strips for my Tim Holtz hand sander!!! I found a great stamp with Chinese words, which turned out to be 'thanks', great for thanking those who help with the belt tests. Last, but not least, a compass mask from Tim Holtz that coordinates perfectly with the stamp and Glimmer Screens from Tattered Angels.
I feel so inspired - now to find the time!
All in a wonderful, scrappy birthday!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
All Fonts Lead to Star
It was DH's idea that I get a font or two, when I first got into Quickutz. He thought that in the long run it would be cheaper than buying alpha stickers, most of which would get wasted since what I really need is lots of the letter 'a' since DD alone has three in her first name, and one each in her middle and our last name, and DS has 1-2-1. I was hesitant, but we eventually decided on QK Star - with shadows. Man, was that expensive! Then I decided on Indigo Classic, followed by Marisa Classic. The minis of these followed, then a few more and now I have over 20 alphas. We won't even go into how many I have with the Sil...
And, in spite of that, DH still prefers Star and Indigo. Sometimes it makes me wonder why I got anything past Marisa.... Funny thing, Sandy also loves Star, but she can't find all the shadows. I guess you never forget your first alpha love.....
And, in spite of that, DH still prefers Star and Indigo. Sometimes it makes me wonder why I got anything past Marisa.... Funny thing, Sandy also loves Star, but she can't find all the shadows. I guess you never forget your first alpha love.....
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Twinchie Background Photo
A quick pic of the Twinchie background square that I did with the Sil yesterday.
Sorry about the quality, but I took it with my iPhone.
I have finished the squares and the roses look so lovely.
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Sil Pen Experiment
I have been working on my Twinchie Swap for February and it has been a struggle. I wanted to put pink roses on the squares
Well, I tried several combinations of paper and ink, but nothing was quite right. I tried two different roses on the Sil, and two different background squares. I have been trying to get one that I like since Tuesday and nothing has worked. All I wanted to do was draw a 2-inch square with a design along the inner edges, using my Sil. I thought spraying them with Glimmer Mist might soften the bright pink on the white paper, but I sort of over-did it and the colors ran. Nice shiny mess.
Desperate, I decided to experiment. I took out the shiny, textured pink paper that I liked and loaded it into my Sil. I was sure that the ink would smear on the shiny surface or skip due to the texture. It seemed to me that plain paper was the only think I could draw on, and that bugged me. Today, I decided to risk it. The worse thing that could happen would be a useless piece of paper. Then I could blog about yet another ScrapKlutz disaster.
I was wrong! The ink did NOT smear and the pen did not skip. Unfortunately, I erased that file before I thought of putting in the blade to cut out each square, and since they are not lined up perfectly, I need to cut out each by hand.
Oh well. But I got to draw on shiny, textured paper!!!!! Much less messy than using a stamp and ink pad. WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I love it when my experiments turn out (even if I have a few detours.)
Well, I tried several combinations of paper and ink, but nothing was quite right. I tried two different roses on the Sil, and two different background squares. I have been trying to get one that I like since Tuesday and nothing has worked. All I wanted to do was draw a 2-inch square with a design along the inner edges, using my Sil. I thought spraying them with Glimmer Mist might soften the bright pink on the white paper, but I sort of over-did it and the colors ran. Nice shiny mess.
Desperate, I decided to experiment. I took out the shiny, textured pink paper that I liked and loaded it into my Sil. I was sure that the ink would smear on the shiny surface or skip due to the texture. It seemed to me that plain paper was the only think I could draw on, and that bugged me. Today, I decided to risk it. The worse thing that could happen would be a useless piece of paper. Then I could blog about yet another ScrapKlutz disaster.
I was wrong! The ink did NOT smear and the pen did not skip. Unfortunately, I erased that file before I thought of putting in the blade to cut out each square, and since they are not lined up perfectly, I need to cut out each by hand.
Oh well. But I got to draw on shiny, textured paper!!!!! Much less messy than using a stamp and ink pad. WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I love it when my experiments turn out (even if I have a few detours.)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Genius Idea Needs Work
Okay, so after a few coats of the fabric paint, I got the album to a nice dark slate color. Unfortunately, I was shooting for pitch black. My eyes spied a bottle of black artist's pigment on top of the refrigerator and a new experiment came to mind. (Paint bottles on top of the fridge? Well, it's a safe place and much easier to get to than the cupboards above the fridge. Think of it as a hold-over from when the kids were little.)
Out came a foam brush and I got to work. Amazingly, it worked! And it is the tone I wanted. Unfortunately, it was not a full bottle, so the insides are still cream. I think I will take the page protectors out and spray the innards with the black fabric paint, slate is a good color for the insides.
I bet the white ink won't show up. I will try it, but I think some white paint is in my immediate future.
Maybe I should aim some of this ambition toward creating the actual pages.....
Out came a foam brush and I got to work. Amazingly, it worked! And it is the tone I wanted. Unfortunately, it was not a full bottle, so the insides are still cream. I think I will take the page protectors out and spray the innards with the black fabric paint, slate is a good color for the insides.
I bet the white ink won't show up. I will try it, but I think some white paint is in my immediate future.
Maybe I should aim some of this ambition toward creating the actual pages.....
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Mad Genius Inspiration
New Year, new experiment! What better way to enter into the new year/decade, than by try something new. Well, in my case, potentially disaster-filled?
I am feeling like a mad genius: I need an album for the Black Belt photos. I want a special album, but I do not want to buy one since I have so many lying around. Well, DH liked the cream canvas 12x12 from Martha Stewart, but it was, well, cream. Last night I had a stroke of brilliance (well, maybe madness) - I could dye the album with black fabric spray and then decorate it with stamps and stencils. Then, another brainstorm: first stamp it with embossing ink to resist the black paint.
Well, it kindasorta worked. You can just barely see the stamping under the black paint. Guess I need to go back to plan A and stamp over the paint.
Did I mention that I decided to start spraying the paint upstairs, on the beige carpet? Yep, I got some black paint on a few fibers. I am using newspaper underneath this time.....
If it turns out, I will post a photo. I know, I always say that - and one day I actually will!
I am feeling like a mad genius: I need an album for the Black Belt photos. I want a special album, but I do not want to buy one since I have so many lying around. Well, DH liked the cream canvas 12x12 from Martha Stewart, but it was, well, cream. Last night I had a stroke of brilliance (well, maybe madness) - I could dye the album with black fabric spray and then decorate it with stamps and stencils. Then, another brainstorm: first stamp it with embossing ink to resist the black paint.
Well, it kindasorta worked. You can just barely see the stamping under the black paint. Guess I need to go back to plan A and stamp over the paint.
Did I mention that I decided to start spraying the paint upstairs, on the beige carpet? Yep, I got some black paint on a few fibers. I am using newspaper underneath this time.....
If it turns out, I will post a photo. I know, I always say that - and one day I actually will!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
New Disaster Minimizing Potential for 2010!
As you know, I have bad luck with inks and paints. I get them all over the place. You can always tell when I have been altering something by my hands. Once I had dark blue fingers and nails for three days - and that was with washing them constantly. That was thanks to my arch-foe Alcohol Ink. Yep, I even tried alcohol. No dice.
Glimmer mist is another one of my foes. I get that stuff all over, and since I tend to use more than one color at a time, my hands are usually quite colorful. Well, I was looking for some more GM and the local stores were out. Sherri no longer carries it (DD is really bummed!) One of the ladies at Stamp Asylum told me how to make my own. It involves Ranger Refills or alcohol ink, Ranger Pearl Essence Powder, water and a bottle. You put in a dropper or so of the ink, a tad of the powder and gingerly fill the spray bottle with water. Gingerly is the key. You can guess why.
The first try involved me using a Mini Mister and the water from the fridge dispenser. I detailed that disaster on SRMB. After a few more tries, I graduated to a bigger bottle. Much less mess going in, and less coming out. I was surprised. I didn't make much of a mess, until I picked it up and the shimmer came off in my hands. Guess I put in too much powder.
So, I am going to work on this formula because it is much cheaper than handing bottles of GM to DD who can finish one in no time flat, and with my own bottles (made for heavy-duty jobs), I might just be able to lower the mess potential.
Glimmer mist is another one of my foes. I get that stuff all over, and since I tend to use more than one color at a time, my hands are usually quite colorful. Well, I was looking for some more GM and the local stores were out. Sherri no longer carries it (DD is really bummed!) One of the ladies at Stamp Asylum told me how to make my own. It involves Ranger Refills or alcohol ink, Ranger Pearl Essence Powder, water and a bottle. You put in a dropper or so of the ink, a tad of the powder and gingerly fill the spray bottle with water. Gingerly is the key. You can guess why.
The first try involved me using a Mini Mister and the water from the fridge dispenser. I detailed that disaster on SRMB. After a few more tries, I graduated to a bigger bottle. Much less mess going in, and less coming out. I was surprised. I didn't make much of a mess, until I picked it up and the shimmer came off in my hands. Guess I put in too much powder.
So, I am going to work on this formula because it is much cheaper than handing bottles of GM to DD who can finish one in no time flat, and with my own bottles (made for heavy-duty jobs), I might just be able to lower the mess potential.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Odds 'n' Ends of 2009
So, it's the end of 2009, less than an hour to go. I scrapped quite a bit, but I didn't use quite as many dies as I wanted. I did play with the Sil alot, but spent WAY too much time perusing the new releases and not enough creating with it. Although the Santa Owl Cards are pretty awesome and they were all my idea!
I managed to greatly increase the amount of paper in this house, the total opposite of what I wanted. I did finally find a stamp I can work with while reminding myself why I quit using Glimmer Mist. I can get that stuff all over everywhere and it doesn't come off! Okay, let's clarify: it came off of my iPhone protector, but not my hands or cutting pad. People look at you really funny when your fingers are blue. Maybe it's just the bottles, I need to investigate that angle.
I didn't make the SRW DT for the second term, but did for the 3rd. It's been fun and I have learned lots - like I really need to improve my card-making! I have enjoyed the ATC, postcard and recipe swaps. I am always amazed at how amateurish my items look, but they let me come back! Simply amazing the works of art I receive from others!
So, next year I need to work harder on finishing more projects and making them reflections of the person I am, not just check marks.
Good-bye 2009 and hello 2010 - are you ready to scrap?????
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