Gesso meets alcohol inks... the experiment

Okay, so there was the question - can alcohol inks be used on gesso to cover up what is already on the tin. The answer - sort of.

I started with the tin and covered it with Gesso. I think the next time I do this, I won't put the Gesso on the bottom of the tin and possible avoid the sides. It just got kind of messy.

Next, I started to add my alcohol inks. Since this was an experiment anyhow, I was trying the drop technique using compressed air to move the drops around. It wasn't what I hoped for, so I continued to dab and blend.

Once all blended, it doesn't have the shine that alcohol inks can have. It looked and felt kind of drab.

I added a rub on and some stickers to decorate and then thought that Modge Podge glossy might be able to spruce this up and give it some shine.

It did this, but it also allowed me to see that my letters weren't straight (I don't know why I didn't use the ruler that I purchased just for the purpose of making sure things are centered).

So, I added some flowers. Nope, not what I expected. Not what I hoped for... but, at least now I know... as long as you cover it with Modge Podge, it sort of works. I also know that poorly placed flowers with Glue dots will pull off the letters and rub on if I tried to remove the cheesy looking flowers.

I will just keep telling myself that this was just an experiment.

two small layouts

The first I decided to decoupage in a picture from one of my girlie mags. It makes me think about all the things we depend on even bras.

The second was just a creation about thinking... why do our thoughts always need to have direction? I know mine often don't.

when creativity sucks, take a class

So, my creativity was on one of those lulls that just has you frustrated as you sit down at your craft desk and stare. I set this place up, I have the new apartment, so now where the hell is my creativity.

I took the watercolor class at Archiver's, which sparked the Valentine's day cards that I had made when Caitlin was over, but this time I went over to Craft Fancy to take a class by Martha Bonneau, where we made this awesome altered book.

I need to learn to create outside the lines, so this was an awesome experiment. I am going to try to continue to create in this book without measuring (much) before setting it up.






I was also proud of myself for being able to make a card in about 30 minutes during my lunch break on Friday. My friend has been home recovering for too long, so who can stay unhappy when presented with rainbows and ice cream?

I used an idea from CPS 104.

I am starting to get the grasp of using a sketch once in awhile to spark something.











I also have gotten going on an order for some cards and a journal. The cards are going to take some thought, but when I came across this cute kitty paper at Archiver's, I was sparked.

Plus, I came across these adorable American Craft Thickers, which seemed to keep the idea of the fun going.












Finally, for my last piece, I was back in the altering mood. My friend Anne recently got me interested in Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which has these awesome perfumes. You can get larger bottles or little samples, which they call imps. Anne gave an initial dose in an Altoid tin, but when I found a similiar tin at Archivers (by Art Bin, I think), I had to nab it to alter, so I came up with this. Oddly enough, I did not plan to use quite so much Stickles, but due to a clog and then a burst of glitter, I couldn't let it go to waste. I think it worked, though. I love how the alcohol inks worked. I just hope that I don't end up scratching any of it off.




In the meantime, when not crafting. I just finished Patricia Brigg's Bone Crossed and have just started on Stephenie Meyer's Host. I have really been loving the reading and crafting thing lately.

Well, off to watch Chuck and Heroes. Gotta love Mondays!

Finally got back to making things

So Caitlin paid a visit last night, and I officially had a crafting night. Rock on! I am feeling inspired again.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I made up of V-day cards for people - planned and randomly given.



It is fun. I picked up this stamp at Craft Fancy and it seemed like something I would like for the day - not overly lovey but just a touch. I watercolored the little guys in different colors so that none of the group was the exact same.

Next (well, actually first), I also made up a card order. They are similar thank you cards, but while the design is the same, the colors are different. Made two of each variation for the set.



Definitely something to be said about collections of paper - color matching is easier.



Hope they are liked by their recipients.

Ok, I came across this off of Lifehacker . 

Check it out - very inspirational.

promoting little

I have been busy with moving, so nothing much on the crafty side of things, if you don't count unpacking and figuring out where things need to go.

I have been more active on Twitter. It is a cool site. You can find me here. Come... share the love (in really short statements).

creating through the computer

You should check out the site Mr. Picassohead. It is a nice break for a moment of creativity.