Orient Enchantment Event: In-Depth Look at Projects

Hello again, Lost Coasters, and welcome to a post where I'll tell you how I made each of the projects that were posted to the Portal to Creativity in the hopes of inspiring you to participate in our Orient Enchantment event.

I made three ATCs using stamps from the India Set ...the first is "Do More Than Exist," whose directions are the simplest...

I stamped the god from the India set onto a gelli print, then colored him with creamy colored pencils (leaving some of the background showing through) and with white and shimmery copper gel pens. Then I affixed stick-on copper gems to the card and outlined the pattern with more white and copper gel pen. Oh, and added a text label, of course!

For "Talk To The Hand," I scraped some white gesso onto heavy cardstock with a palette knife and let it dry. This gave a bit of texture and a nice base for the next layer. I got out some Distress Crayons, scribbled some color here and there, and blended it with my fingertip (the gesso helps the Crayons smear more evenly than they do on plain paper).

Using permanent black ink, I stamped the Calligraphy Square from Carmen's Veranda for a little background interest. Next I stamped the mehndi hand from the India Set, colored it with gel pens in fluorescent and glitter greens as well as metallic golds and white, and cut it out and collaged it to the card along with the computer-generated sentiment.

To finish the card, I scraped some black glitter paste through a stencil to get the little ball effects on the sides...added 3D dots made of shiny white Enamel Accents and metallic gold Pearl Pen...and edged the whole piece in more black glitter paste. This added dimension and texture to the finished ATC.

For "I Is For Indian Peafowl," I first stamped the peacock from the India Set onto white cardstock and masked him off, then stamped the Taj Mahal behind him and masked that off. Next I applied Distress Inks with a mini blending tool around the masked images, then used the spritz-and-flick method to forcefully apply water droplets to give a mottled effect to the ink background.

Next I stamped the Clover Scroll Border along the bottom of the ATC and embossed the image with silver powder. I colored the clover scrolls with colored pencils, and added a border of dots made with metallic blue, gold, and white gel pens.

I painted the peacock with various colors of Twinkling H2Os--the shimmer on him was amazing in real life! Since the famous mausoleum is white, I left the Taj Mahal uncolored, revealing the plain white cardstock underneath the mask.

Lastly, I stamped and embossed the capital I from the Old Typewriter Alphabet, collaged the genus label onto the card, and edged it all in black chalk ink.

And there you have three very different ATCs, but all with a touch of exotic India. I hope you have fun with the India Set (there are many more wonderful stamps included with it than shown by these three projects!), or check out the Persian and Asian stamp sets from Lost Coast Designs as well for a little more Eastern flavor.

February Is For Lovers: Or, When I Am King You Shall Be Queen

Hello stamplings! Today for your creative delectation I'm going to walk you through the piece I made for our Lovers event, "When I Am King." (You have two more days to enter your lovers-themed art --until midnight, February 25th--for your chance to win cool stuff! Click on the link in this paragraph and find out the deets if you haven't already entered!)

Do you guys know the children's rhyme "Lavender's blue, dilly dilly"? I took it as my inspiration as I was looking at our fab king and queen chess pieces from the Chess Set. You know how some men will promise you anything, right? LOL So here's our lovable braggart king making you his queen.

Here's how I did it.

Using permanent (waterproof) ink, stamp the awesome king and queen onto hot-press (for a smooth surface) watercolor paper. Stamp and cut masks for the figures, and place the masks over the stamped images.

Sprinkle blue, purple, and gray Nuance powders liberally about! At this point, your piece will look approximately like this:

Now go town and mist the powders with water to your heart's content. Watch the magic happen as they bloom and blend! I like to leave them a little dry in spots for texture, but you're the boss here.

I next used a checkerboard stencil to suggest a chess board, and spritzed some more color through the stencil. (Did you know that you can use the Nuance Powders to make your own sprays? Yep--just put a bit in a mister, add water, and you're good to go!)

Let dry, and stamp "king" and "queen" with the Old Typewriter Alphabet, and emboss with silver EP. I outlined the letters in black artist pen to help them stand out, which also has the advantage of giving the letters more of a funky, arty, handmade look. The other text was computer-generated and collaged on.

With the masks still in place, drizzle and splotch some white and silver acrylic paint to bring light to some of the dark areas and add a little dimension to the piece.

When dry, remove the masks, and paint the figures with pale washes of lavender, blue, and purple. Accent the figures with sparkly silver glitter gel pen to further catch the light. Edge the piece with lavender chalk ink.

You are done! Admire the fruits of your labor...and maybe go give the king a kiss for elevating you to royal status!

Anything Goes...with Nuance Powders :)

Hiya Lost Coasters! Today I have two quick projects up for the "Anything Goes" challenge that I wanted to tell you a little bit about and hopefully get your imagination and hands busy creating.  :)

I just got some of the Nuance powdered pigments this month and have been having lots of fun playing with these. Just a tiny sprinkle of powder and some spritzes of water = hours of entertainment! (OK, so I am easily entertained. But you probably will be too--these powders are COOL!)

The first project I wanted to share with you is this card to usher in October:

This was made by sprinkling autumnal colors of the powder onto white watercolor paper, keeping the sprinkles mostly to one side of the card. I then sprayed the paper with several spritzes of water. Where you use more water, the color runs and flows together, as in the big splash of fiery red and orange on this piece; drier specks of powder can also be seen moving away from the "splash" area, which gives an interesting textured look. (You might have to enlarge the pic to get a good look at this effect.) The amount you spray is up to you! Dryish or wet, these powdered pigments look fantastic, and the colors are beautiful.

Next I took two Lost Coast Designs stamps: an abstract background from the ATC Grunge Set, and the Gothic text block from ATC Text Set 1. To ink them, I stamped into the still-wet "splash" from the Nuance powders; I wanted to carry over the colors from the splash, so I stamped the abstract grunge set stamp into the white area of the card, then stamped the Gothic text block several times to add depth and interest to the splash area. It's OK that the text is wet and messy--it's just to add texture and isn't supposed to be legible. No need to be careful with this technique!

I then gave the whole thing a spritz of heirloom gold shimmer spray...you know, because I like shiny stuff. (Actually, it's super subtle in real life, the shimmer--I didn't use much!)

After drying this background with my trusty heat tool, I then composed the word "October" using the Rustic Alphabet Set  and embossed it with a mixture of green and copper embossing powders for a sort of verdigris patina look. Then I used a bullet-tipped embossing ink pen and wrote the word "welcome" and embossed it too.

I edged the card with chalk inks...mounted it on a shimmery pale gold card that I edged with heirloom gold metallic ink...then mounted the whole thing on piece of green cardstock, which I daubed with chalk ink for a soft sort of suede-y look in real life. And that was it for that project!

Now, for the second project that I made for "Anything Goes" using my new Nuance powders.  :) What is special about this ATC is the "cracked-glass effect" that I used to make it seem like the card is encased under a piece of...well, cracked glass.  :)  If you want to learn how to do this easy and fun technique, go have a look at the tutorial up on my blog and tell me what you think!

Here's the piece:

Happy creating...and happy fall!

--Paula

Puppy Love

Hello Again!!! 

It's me Tera here again with some more fun and easy inspiration!!

This time I want to share with you how I made this fun and easy tag for the Circle challenge!!! 

(Have you been over to the challenge blog yet to check it out? Don't forget to enter yours for a chance at a prize!!! Plus there's a lot of fun inspiration over there!!  Check it out HERE ) 

To start I used a #8 tag (the XL one) and added pink and yellow distress stain around the edges. 

(I heat dried it since i have very little patients lol but you can set aside to dry if you'd like) 

Next I stamped my ADORABLE party hat dog (found HERE) in black ink... Isn't he the cutest????

Next I used two of my TCW grunge stencils (pictures of the stencils in my post on June 27th HERE if you'd like a visual ) I sponged black ink through the stencil to add the circles. 

To finish I shadowed around the party dog with my black sparkle pan pastels 

(you can also do this with ink, but i had mine handy). 

See, I told you it was easy!! 

Wouldn't this make the cutest party invitations???  

Or maybe a Doggy Birthday card!!!

Thank you for Hopping in to see me today!!!

Happy creating!!

Cats + Numbers = Party!

Hello Again! 

It's me Tera here with another fun tag project. 

This time I want to share my tag that I made for the June numbers challenge over on our "Portal to creativity" challenge blog! The link is HERE
(If you haven't been there yet you really need to Hop on Over and check it out!!! There are some awesome prizes, challenges, and inspiration!!)

Start with a #8 tag (or what ever the XL-large tag size is lol) Paint or ink it yellow and pink (I used distress stains). Allow to dry. 

On a separate piece of paper stamp your kitty HERE in black ink and your party hat HERE in Black ink and i did the 2nd one in Kaleidacolor "Caribbean Sea" but and blue/ green would be good :D  I then used the same blue greens to sponge color the party hat and kitty (i used a make-up sponge). For the second har i used my pink stain. I cut them all out then set them aside. 

Back to the background... I used 3 stencils from TCW, 2 were grungy looking ones and one was clocks... I added numbers and circles using the black and pink dylusions paints and I added a few more circles with some blue paint to pull things together. 

Last I glued my little kitty and hats on and there you have it one fun ready to party tag!! 

Thank you Again for joining me in sharing this fun inspiration and don't forget to check out the new challenge on July 1st!!! 

Time for a Tag

Hello Again! 

It's me Tera here with another fun and SUPER EASY project. 

This time I wanted to play with my tags...

I started with some card stock that was painted green (using the new Dylusions paints...yes they are magical and play well with my stamps hehe..) 

Next I stamped the text background in black ink (only partially inked to get a distressed look). While that dried I inked up my winged creature "Adrien" (LOVE it you can find her HERE) and stamped her on a scrap of green and yellow painted card stock. I went back to the tag and used one of the Tim Holtz stencils to create the coffee ring stain ad splatter with Black Dylusions paint. Finally I cut out my winged creature glued her in place then cut the overhang wing off to add to the upper left corner, 

Stamp Links 

"Adrien" HERE and Text background "Broken Letters set"HERE 

Don't forget about the new Portal to creativity challenge blog!! There are some great prizes going on over there!!!! The link is  in the side bar so check it out!! 

(Who doesn't love inspiration and Prizes all in one place?!?!?)

Thank you for checking out my work, I hope you are inspired to get crafty :D

Art Journal page with Manga Goth Girl.

Hi everyone,

As I also love mixed media and art journals I made this Art Journal page to show you our stamps are not for card making only. I used 4 different Lost Coast stamps to create this page.
Of course I used one of the lovely new Manga Goth girl stamps as a focal point. For the background I used a Nellann Roberts stamp mat (which I stamped and then sprayed with some water to get a bit of a grungy look), the domino border and a dictionary "Love" stamp.

I took the picture showing you the spiral bound piece on the left so you can see it's really in my A-5 Art Journal and not on a card. Hope you like it  :) 

Mini Birds Note Card Set

Hi Coasties!!
Have you checked out the NEW Lost Coast Design June Challenge!!!??   The theme is Love!!  There is a  prize too....a really nice prize!!!

Today, I have a vintage note card set to share with you.  I used the Lost Coast Design stamp set called
3 Mini Birds.  I used a stencil and some spray inks to create a fun vintage background for the mini birds.

For more pics and instructions check out the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great day!
Karen McAlpine

Lost Coast Stamps with Stenciled Backgrounds - Reduex

Hello Coasties,
I am back again with some samples made with stencilled backgrounds.  I have written a tutorial showing how to create the backgrounds on my blog, Dreaming and Creating, here.  I used some of my favorite Lost Coast Design to beautifully complement my backgrounds.  Take a look.

Praying Angel

Dressforms and  Buttons Border

Stamps: Steampunk Pony and  Buttons Border

That should get you going on some new techniques for the new year.  Give it a try---I find it totally fun and relaxing.  See you next time!
Karen McAlpine

Silhouette Girl with Bird...

Hello dear Stamper friends:

Here Bibiana, with another card...Today I would like to share this card that I made using this whimsical stamp from "Lost Coast Designs" called "The Silhouette Girl with Bird"; that you can find in their online catalog in the "Silhouette" section and that Linda put as an example ...

I decided to play this time with 3 different backgrounds and mix designs... using blues and some browns tones...
On the base piece, I stamped "the Tree branches background", I tear the edges, fold the corners and sponge the whole with blue ink to give more definition to this base.

I used 2 spellbinders labels.
The "label 20" from "Spellbinders" was inked using:
"the stamp resist" technique: which consists in stamping the "concentric circles" background stamp with white embossing powder, heat emboss and then sponging over it with "pumice", "weather wood" and some "walnut" distress inks over it creating a resist...

Do not be afraid to mix geometrical designs, just play with the colors and the shapes and you get an interesting piece, maybe not to the like of more "Simple and clean" looks but you have to play around and find your style ...Art is very subjective, so anything is good as long as You like it!...


BTW: For the people in Germany, specifically in Hagen (by Dortmund) pay a visit to Linda, from "Lost Coast Designs' booth. She is this week-end at the stamp convention "The Stempel Mecca" showcasing her stamps, so go and check them out, remember you only can get her stamps through these special events or through her online store... and maybe you get to see one or two  of my samples there at the booth...too :)

Ok my friends have a nice day! Remember, I love to read your comments that I appreciate enormously, taking into account how busy life is nowadays...Really from the bottom of my heart thanks!

Stamps used: Tree branches; Concentric circles; silhouette girl with bird;

Silhouette Witch using a DIY "Mini Roller Brayer" or "Roltap" tool

Hello Dear Stamper Friends:
Here Bibiana...
Well this whole post came to life thanks to Lindsay...she posted below (On Monday July 22nd) a card and a video on how to make a background card using the "Can Can Show Girls" stamp.

I discovered this "new" tool called "Roltap", thanks to the video that she posted here in this blog...

After seeing her video I had to have right away that tool, but unfortunately as she pointed out later in another video it turns out that this "new" tool, was an "oldie" and that it is a discontinued item:(

So following some of her suggestions, I ran to Michael's and made my own version.
I created my own "Mini Roller Brayer" Or "Roltap" tool...
here it is my take...
To view the complete tutorial on how to make this tool and see the new tool that I discovered that works like the "Roltap" visit my blog HERE ...

I decided to make a card, of course, using this new "mini brayer" or "Roltap" tool! and what better than a card for Halloween...

I used this fun "Silhouette Witch" stamp that "Lost Coast Designs" has in the Silhouette section of the their online catalogue  to make this fun background card in order to showcase how the "mini Roller Brayer" works...

I first did my background in 3 different color inks (black, gray: "London Fog: Memento ink"  and "Pumice: distress ink By Tim Holtz")...
If you prefer straight lines I guess you can use a ruler...but I do not mind the crooked lines... it goes fast, less that 3 min...and I think that's the charm of the background.
I die cut it with a "Spellbinders" label  3 die.

Then I stamped a 2nd panel using a large Background "Three Branches" stamp from "Lost Coast Designs" and I used a "leaf wheel" on the corners...just to use both "new" tools in my card.

 detail of the background...

I decided to make a gingham pattern and the broom has several layers to add some dimension...

Hope you will get inspired as I was, ...THANK YOU, Lindsay!

Thanks for stopping by and until next time,

 

Steampunk Balloons or Montgolfières!

Hello Dear Stamper Friends:

HERE BIBIANA!...
Today I would like to share these 2 cards that I made using the same "Lost Coast Designs" stamp but but with two different looks......"The Steampunk Balloons Guys" stamp!

This first card was stamped on glossy paper. Sponged with inks and then all the stamps were inked with various colors of Archival inks, a technique that I leanrt from Tim Holtz (of course!)...the effect is quite nice...

The balloons/Montgolfières, (as they are also known), are so "French" !! This image is a vintage reproduction!...
The stamp on the corner in pink ink is a somewhat reproduction of the ID card for French citizens...that is how they used to look, more or less!

CURIOUS NOTE: did you know that the "Montgolfière - style/hot air balloon" was invented by 2 French Brothers "The Montgolfière's", back in the 18th century? This stamp here (only the balloon)  is the "exact" reproduction of that first model that the brothers flew at "Versailles" in front of the King Louis the XVI and Marie Antoinette!!! and since then the hot air balloons are also know as "Montgolfières" in honor of their inventors!

In this second card, The sentiment/banner is so appropriate..it is as well a "reproduction" of what you might find in the "old" prints on the back of the French/Canadian old postcards...

The background was first sponged with inks, then dry embossed, add gold embossing powder and last sponged more on the top with black ink ...all these steps to create this "patina" look!

If you are into French stuff, into vintage and old reproductions these stamps are for you then...I really like them and that is why I use them...they "mean" something to me, specially, teaching French and  living so many years over there ... I have always said that my "soul" belongs  to France!
and anyways I found them pretty and this particular one is perfect for cards for men!

I really encourage you to have a pick at the online catalogue!

Ok hope you have a lovely day and keep on stamping! bye for now...

SUPPLIES:
Stamps used: Steampunk balloon guys , travel stuff set (for the ID stamp), Pencils background, Concentric cicles;