Richele Christensen

Playing with Markers!!

2012-03-01T16:50:00.001-08:00

I've been playing with Copic Markers all week getting ready for my class this weekend at Stampers Corner.

This is the card set we will be making in class.

So it got me thinking today lets try the new Distress Markers. The markers side by side couldn't be more different. Copics are alcohol based and Distress Markers and water based.

I will tell you that they are both awesome, doing what they do best.

Copics are well know for their blend-ability and how you can achieve very smooth graduated color when coloring in an image.

Distress Markers are designed with the same properties as Distress Ink. They are reactive with water. Stamping with the Distress Markers is like no other. The ink stays wet longer so when coloring directly on the stamp you have more of time. If you spritz the image with water you will get a beautiful watercolor effect like the card above.

Find out more about the Tim Holtz Distress Markers here in a video from Tim.

Distress Markers come in 37 colors, 36 of the wonderful Distress Ink colors and 1 Picket Fence which is a white pigment ink.

I'm still playing with these awesome markers and i'll be posting more project with them soon.

The card images above are from a Hero Arts/Sizzix set. Love the stamp die combo concept. No more fussy cutting!

InLinkz.com

My Studio and getting organized.

2012-02-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

I've been getting organized in my studio since I got back from CHA.

Organizing your studio is almost as important as the creative process itself. I sometimes get frustrated looking for that perfect something to add to my projects when I know I have it but can't find it.

Here are a few ideas that work well for me and it will always be a work in progress.

This is my wall of wood stamps. The shelves were hand made by my Dad and Son. It's so nice to be able to see them at a glance. The cabinets below the stamp shelves are from Jetmax Modular storage from Michael's. They have been great for me, I started out with just a few of them and then kept adding as I needed.

The drawer next to my work station has some of the products I love and use the most.

Dividers come in some of the drawers. They worked great for my Tags and ATC cards.

I've collected several dies and embossing folders from the Alterations line. The unit with the 4 cube drawers works great for dies, embossing folders, clear stamps, etc..

This is my work space were I actually get work done.

In this little cabinet on the wall I have inks I use the most, buttons and a few spools of twine and ribbon. I also got this at Michael's. Plastic jars hold Buttons, Game Pieces and Watch Parts. Labeling your ink pads on the side really save time. Ranger Ink has downloads for all there inks on the Ranger web site. They now also have Color Swatch Chart down loads to keep track of your pads.

This is an antique stamp holder, works great for my Blending Tool Handles.

Next up! Book shelves hold some of my class supplies, art tools like colored pencils and markers. The baskets have ephemera in them.

Lots of my art is here for inspiration. Ikea Curtain Wire and Hooks is at the top of the wall, I hang cards there. One package of hooks is not enough. I'll be going back for more.

This cabinet was one of those lucky day things! My husband is a contractor and these cabinets wouldn't fit on the job. So, I had to make a sacrifice, take them of his hands and install them in my studio. It was amazing that they fit with only 1" on each side, like they were made for me. Love them!

The upper cabinet has all my Tim Holtz cling stamps, they are just on the shelf, no binders just on the shelf like books. I can flip through them very easily to find which ones I need to use.

I needed a station for my Vagabond. Off to Ikea I went. I wanted a unit that would be able to roll around the room and this is perfect. As you can see it has 6 drawers, 3 thin drawers and 3 larger drawers.

In the thin drawers I have my Idea-ology charms, trinkets, and more. The charms and trinkets are in a Basic Bead Container also from Michael's they are fairly inexpensive.

In one of the larger drawers I have all my plates for the Vagabond so they are handy when I need them.

This storage idea comes from my friend Carol. Thanks Carol! You know all those "Movers and Shapers" they are magnetic right. This is a Magnetic Board, from Ikea, they will stick to the board. So your dies are all there at a glance.

Thanks for stopping in.

Please leave a comment with a storage solution from your studio or workspace.

Have a great day.

Richele

Upcoming classes.

2012-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Classes coming up at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove, California.

This is a little sneak peak of "My little box of Treasures" class is Saturday, February 25th 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. I only have a few spots left so call to reserve your spot today 916-686-0651. Everything is included in class just bring your tool kit and there will be a one hour break for lunch so you won't get hungry.

"Color your world with Copics" on Saturday March 3rd, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm. This is a beginner class for those of you with little to no knowledge of Copic Markers or a refresher corse.

We will be making a set of cards in class. Bring your Copic Markers to class.

I would love for you to join me for a class!

Richele

2012-02-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Presidents Day!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and for some of you the weekend is still going! Yeah!

I want to share with you a few more projects that I did for Tim in the Idea-ology booth at CHA.

The first project is a necklace "believe in your dreams"

The roses and leaves have been dipped in the Melting Pot full of UTEE. The UTEE coats the roses and creates a hard candy shell. Once the UTEE cools I rubbed Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls powder on with my finger.

"Believe in your dreams" is from Tim's new Chitchat word stickers. The stickers are different then any others on the market, they have a matte finish so they are inkable. The words come in white and kraft.

Using Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers in Pool and Aqua, rub the paint into the crevasses of the bird Adornment and Ornate Plate then buff off the excess. This creates a beautiful patina look.

This pocket watch features the Chitchat stickers and the new Mini Gears.

Using Filmstrip Ribbon, Lost and Found paper stash, Mini Gears, Game Spinners, and Chitchat words make a collage to fit your Pocket Watch. There is some photos in the paper stash that are a perfect fit for the Filmstrip Ribbon. A few of the Mini Gears are floating freely under the glass.

Finally add a Word Charm and some Crinkle Ribbon to the top of the watch.

I've been cleaning my studio and I hope to post some picture of some cool storage ideas latter this week.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.
Richele

InLinkz.com

Big news!

2012-02-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a fabulous Valentines Day!

I have some big NEWS!

I've joined the amazing design team at Inspiration Emporium.

Check out their blog here.

I also have a fun card over on the Sizzix blog today using

Tim's Alterations Butterflight On the Edge Die.

Head on over to see how I made it and say hi to my friends at Sizzix.

Have a wonderful day!

Richele

Sewing Room Configuration Box

2012-02-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday Bloggers!

I wanted to share a project I did for the Idea-ology booth at CHA. The inspiration came from my husband Del's Grandmothers sewing box.

I found some old treasures to use in the configuration box like old bobbins, buttons and even some spools of thread. Can you believe a spool of thread was only 15 cents?

A little vile of old buttons and another with snaps and things adorn the little compartment behind the dress form. I adore the new Wire Pin at the waist of the dress form.

Love this on the edge die, the scissors are to cute for words. A must have!

The edge die even has a few buttons and a little spool of thread.

I also like the new Word Bands, I will be using them on lots of future projects. They easily are attached with brads or you could use a ribbon to thread through the holes on each end.

The Faucet knobs are paintable and after the paint dries you can chip off some of the paint for a real vintage look.

Down to the bottom where the box sits the Pulley Wheels are fun to use.

Happy Monday!

Richele

Sweet Valentine Card

2012-02-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

Hi bloggers!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner this card is a great choice for your sweetie.

I used Worn Lipstick and Festive Berries Distress ink on the Valentine Silhouette set from Stampers Anonymous. After inking the stamp, I spritz it with a little water then stamped it on the front of my card. Once the ink was dry I embossed it with the matching texture fade. Lightly inked the edges of the card with Worn Lipstick using an ink blending tool and foam.

Now use the mini Love Struck set and die cut the cupid and heart form grunge board. Paint the cupid with Barn Door distress stain and the heart with Snow Cap acrylic paint dabber. Let dry. Spray the cupid with Forever Red - Perfect Pearl mist and the heart with Perfect Pearl - Perfect Pearl Mist and let dry. You can use a Heat-It Tool to speed up the dry time.

Add a doily (i inked under the doily first with Worn Lipstick distress ink on my ink blending tool) You could also use the distress doily die from the alterations line. Wrap bakers twine around the card add a key and tie with a bow.

Send it to someone special. They have the key to your heart!

Enjoy your day~ Richele

Ranger - Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Distress Ink Worn Lipstick	Distress Ink Festive Berries	Tim Holtz - Grid Blocks
Tim Holtz Collection - Valentine's Silhouettes	Inkssentials Mister	Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool	Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool Replacement Foam
Tim Holtz - Vagabond Machine	Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 4PK - Valentine Background & Borders	Sizzix Movers & Shapers - Large Base Tray	Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 2PK - Mini Love Struck
Sizzix On the Edge Die - Distressed Doily	Perfect Pearls Mist - Forever Red	Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber - Snow Cap	Perfect Pearls Mist - Perfect Pearl
Ranger - Heat it Craft Tool	Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Locket Keys

InLinkz.com

Ranger Designer Challenge 2012

2012-02-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

Today and throughout the remainder of the week, Ranger will be posting pictures of the Designers' Challenge entries from CHA Winter 2012. The designers were given identical paper mache dress forms and Ranger asked us to decorate them using
Liquid Pearls and Stickles.

This is how they were displayed at the show.

Check out Ranger's blog this week for a close look at all the designers dress forms.

Up, Up, and Away Tag!

2012-02-05T21:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share this hot air ballon tag that was inspired by my demo at CHA. This stamp set seem to be a favorite from those who stopped by to see me demoing at the Stampers Anonymous booth.

What a great show!

This background technique is called wrinkle free distress.

Apply Faded Jeans, Broken China and Dusty Concord Distress Stains to the surface of your craft sheet.

Spritz stains with Biscotti Perfect Pearls Mists. This is one of my favorite Perfect Pearls Mist colors!

Swipe a #8 manilla tag through the stains.

Dry the tag with your Heat Tool.

The trick to this technique is to layer the inks on top of each other until you achieve the background your looking for. I usually take 2-3 passes through the ink. For the 2nd and 3rd pass you want to mono print the tag into the ink, which simple means set the tag into the ink and lift up.

See the spots all over the tag from mono printing.

Spritz water into your hand and flick the water onto the tag to create some light spots.

Dry the water spots with a Heat Tool. As you dry the water on the tag you will see the spots turn lighter. This is because Distress inks and Stains are reactive with water. So cool!

I wanted to create even more texture in the background by using this NEW mixed media set of Tim's. These will be well loved in my studio. They are great for creating texture as you will see.

Stamping the little dots with Broken China Distress Ink.

Stamp the larger dots in Dusty Concord Distress Ink.

You have now created a beautiful background on your tag.

Here is the set of stamps with the Hot Air Ballon.

Stamp the ballon with Jet Black Archival Ink. Dry ink with a Heat Tool. Archival Ink become waterproof after it dries. Perfect for water coloring.

Dab a little Dusty Concord Distress Stain onto the Craft Sheet.

Pick the ink up with a water brush. Tim's new detail brush is amazing, it has a finer tip then most water brushes.

Paint the ballon with Dusty Concord.

Paint the basket with Vintage Photo Distress Stain.

Paint the flag with Faded Jeans Distress Stain.

The final stamp set I used is Attic Treasures. Loved all these images from before but now they are mini. Great to use on cards, smaller tags and ATC's.

Stamp Life is what happens... with Jet Black.

Ink the stamp by swiping the ink pad across the stamp. This will create a lighter stamping, kind of shadow stamping. Stamp the script only in the background, try not to stamp over the ballon and the words.

Color crinkle ribbon with Broken China and Dusty Concord Distress Stain.

Dry the ribbon with a Heat It Tool. Crinkle the ribbon as it dries. When dry attach to the top of the tag.

To a Philosophy Tag apply Snow Cap Dabber paint. be sure to get it in the letters.

Whip off excess paint.

Attach to the top of the tag with a Memo Pin and Jump Ring.

Darken the edge of the tag with a blending Tool and Foam using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.

Thanks so much for stopping by....

Richele

CHA bound

2012-01-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

Well bloggers!

I've been super busy making samples for all my friends for CHA.

So many amazing product sneak peeks like Tim Holtz, Ranger, Dyan Reaveley, Stampers Anonymous, Sizzix and so many more.... I can't wait to get to the show and see friends and all the new stuff!!

I have really exciting news!!

I will be demoing in the Stampers Anonymous booth using Tim's new stamps. This is a dream come true for me and I hope to see some of you there.

I will be demoing everyday for a couple of hours.

Here are the times:

Sunday 10:00-12:00

Monday 12:30-2:00

Tuesday 12:00-2:00

Wednesday 10:00-2:00

Bye for now ~ Richele

Joyful Butterfly ATC

2012-01-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

Check out the Ranger Blog for directions on how to make this fun project!

You will learn how to create a stunning ATC using Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Inkssentials Surfaces Sticky-Back Canvas ATCs, Archival Ink, Liquid Pearls, and everyone's favorite: Inkssentials Surfaces Shrink Plastic!

I loved working with the shrink plastic! Shrink plastic makes great elements to add to cards, scrapbook pages, journals, jewelry and more!

Favorite projects!

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hi bloggers...

I wanted to share a few of my favorite project I did throughout the year.

On the top of my list is the 12 Tags of Christmas with Tim Holtz.

I always make the tags but this year I wanted to put a new spin on it.

The configuration tray makes a wonderful display for Christmas.

Halloween is my favorite holiday and ATC's are a great way to show your spirit.

They are quick and fun to make.

Art From the Heart had a blog hop for their 10th birthday.

For the hop I created this piece and lit the candle in Dyan's honor.

I have a love for birds and this box is a great way to display all things nature.

Just imagine the possibilities.

Take time to be creative!

It's good for the soul!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all!

2011-12-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggers Merry Christmas to you!!

I hope your spending time with family and friends doing what you love

and

may the New Year bring you health, prosperity and all things you cherish most!

The blog winners are!!!!!

2011-12-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments.

Here are the lucky winners...... If your name appears below please email me at californiaartgirl@me.com and I'll get your prizes in the mail.

Scrapthat said...STUNNING! I totally LOVE the idea of having a more permanent version of Tim's tags! it turned out sooo fabulous too! TFS! I enjoyed your version as much as Tim's I think!

Denise said...Very cool tags Richele! I love them all grouped together in the configuration box... what a special keepsake display of your 12 Tags!

DeniseB

Carol said...Love, love, love this tray! You have an amazing talent.

12 Tags of Christmas Tags #10,11 and 12

2011-12-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

Lets get to it!

Here is Tim's #10 Tag.

For this one I created a tag that will be pop doted to the tray.

This is a favorite of mine. The facets are so beautiful with the metal behind them. The metal makes it look like old time vintage mercury glass ornaments. It's truly amazing.

Moving right along this is Tag # 11 from Tim's.

The #11 Tag was my most challenging. The Santa was so large and I was limited on space. Why not use shrink plastic? The effect is the same just stamp your image first with Archival Ink, cut it out, shrink it with a heat tool and color on the back with alcohol inks.

The last and final tag. Tag #12 from the master.

My configuration box.

Save the best for last! I just love the shabby chic look of this tag.

It just glistens in the light from the Rock Candy Distress Stickles.

Put them all together and you have this amazing display of Christmas goodness!

Wow!
Thank you Tim Holtz for all your amazing creativity, inspiration, dedication, and hard work.

Thank you Mario for all the BTS (behind the scene) footage, photos you take and hard work!

Thanks to all of you for stopping in to see what I've been up to.

Leave a comment by midnight on Sunday PST and for the first time on my blog
I have a few special give aways, just for you!

12 Tags of Christmas Tags #6,7,8 and 9

2011-12-15T22:46:00.000-08:00

I'm back from Salem, Oregon. I had lots of fun at Stampin' Cat Studios.

Thanks so much for having me.

Catching up on the 12 Tags.

I just love waking up in the middle of the night to check Tim's blog for the next master piece.

Here's #6 by the one and only Tim Holtz.

The Configuration.

So I have to admit I wasn't super excited about this technique. But after making it I do love it.

I really gives you a vintage look and it's so easy to do.

Tim's Tag #7

My rendition of the tag.

After doing several configurations I was running out of larger boxes so it got me thinking... I don't have to use the boxes I can just create a tag and pop it up in the base tray.
This gives me more flexibility and more space to create.

Moving right along. Here is Tag # 8 from Tim.

Configuration Tag #8

I added this little holly for a more festive look.

I love the Christmas Distress Inks!!! A great addition to already fabulous colors.

Tim's Tag #9

#9 configuration.

For this one I had to cut the candelabra down in order to get it to fit in the box.

Check back tomorrow I'll be posting more Tags.

12 Tags of Christmas Tags #3,4 and 5

2011-12-05T22:58:00.000-08:00

Hey bloggers!

Thanks for checking out my progress on the tags.

After teaching this weekend I needed to catch up.

This is Tim's #3 tag.

My Configuration box.

I really love this Die Cut and don't get me started on Kraft Core.

It's my new favorite cardstock.

Tim's Tag #4.

The Configuration box I came up with.

I think this is my favorite so far. I have always loved snowman.

Tag #5 from Tim.

Tag #5 Configuration box.

This technique always amazes me. It's one of those how'd you do that moment.

Here is the progress all put together.

Tomorrow I leave for Salem, Oregon to teach a couple classes at

Stampin' Cat Studios.

I'm looking forward to meeting some new friends and sharing some fun techniques.

When I return next week I will catch up the rest of the Tags/Configurations...

and finish up the Type Tray I can't wait.

Have a great week.

Thanks for stopping by Richele

12 tags of Christmas Tag #2

2011-12-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

This is Tim's Christmas Tag #2.

My configuration!

I love all the different textures.

This little reindeer is one of my favorite dies.

Just think in less then ten minutes another tag is being posted...

Can't wait to make the next one.

12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 1

2011-12-02T23:37:00.000-08:00

The 12 Tags of Christmas has finally started!

I have been so excited I could hardly stand it.

Here is Tim's beautiful tag #1.

Every year I make the tags but this year I decided to incorporate

Tim's tag techniques into a Configuration type tray.

Here is my finished piece.

I love these little pinecones.

Christmas Configuration Class

2011-11-30T22:05:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggers!

Come join me at Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley, California this Saturday.

I will be teaching a Christmas Configurations Class.

Click here for more information.

After making the above Configuration Box for my class I had some leftover boxes

and I couldn't let them go to waste.

Sooo . . . . I made this mini "Wish" box.

I hope all of you are looking in on "The 12 Tags of Christmas" with Tim Holtz.

I know I can't wait to see them. The anticipation is building.

Also check out Mario on twitter for the "BTS" behind the scenes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggers! Happy Thanksgiving.

I hope you are all taking some time with friends and family.

Here are a few shots from my backyard I took a few days ago, fall is in full swing.

I love this time of year.

Enjoy your day relaxing, creating, eating, being grateful.....

The Ranger Great Pumpkin Challenge!

2011-11-17T02:00:00.000-08:00

Recently, I received a plain ol' craft pumpkin from Ranger and was asked to

create a fall centerpieces using Ranger products.

This is what the pumpkins looked like before:

Here is my finished project. It looks beautiful on my entry table and

will be a great addition to my Thanksgiving table.

Here is a list of the supplies I used.

Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Inkssentials Ink Applicator Tool and Foam

Jenni Bowlin Dabber Paint - Chicken Feed, Brown Sugar, Fountain Pen

Distress Crackle Paint - Rock Candy

Distress Stain - Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint

Distress Ink - Brushed Corduroy

Perfect Pearl Mist - Bronze

Alterations by Sizzix - Tattered Leaves

Tim Holtz - Grunge Board and Grunge Blocks

Tim Holtz Sanding Grip

Claudine Helmuth Matte Medium

Jute Twine

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

Working on your Non-Stick Craft Sheet dry brush the pumpkin with

Chicken Feed and Brown Sugar Jenni Bowlin Dabber Paint.

This toned down the bright orange of the pumpkin.

Die cut Tattered Leaves from Grunge Board.

Paint leaves with Rock Candy Crackle Paint. Let Dry.

Stain the Leaves with Rusty Hinge and Peeled Paint Distress Stain.

Spray Leaves with Bronze Perfect Pearl Spray Mist.

Paint Grunge letters with Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen Dabber paint. Let dry.

Distress the edges of the letters by Sanding them with Tim's Sanding Grip.
Ink letters with an Ink Blending tool and Foam using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

Glue leaves and letters to pumpkin with Matte Medium.
Tie a bow with Jute twine and adhere to leaves.

Tammy Tutterow's reveals her pumpkin today to.

Be sure to check it out... I hear it's fabulous.

Don't forget to check out even more pumpkins on the Ranger Blog.

"Sew Artsy" ATC

2011-10-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

Check out this project on the Ranger Blog!

Click here!

Using the Tim Holtz Sewing Room Bigz Die and Inkssentials Surfaces Shrink Plastic

you get this, super cute, tiny dress form. Great for ATC's.

Check out how to make this ATC here.

Spook-ology Class at Stampers Corner

2011-10-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

Class at Stampers Corner Elk Grove, California was a scurry of creativity!

Here are a few snapshots from class.

Finished projects from class.

What a fun day!

Spook-ology Classes

2011-09-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Bloggers!

I hope you've all had a chance to do some creating with the new Tim Holtz products for the holidays.

I have an upcoming classes you won't want to miss!

When Halloween meets Ideaology you get Spook-ology! Take a creative journey and make this amazing Type Tray. Learn techniques with Distress Stain, Alcohol Inks, Distress Crackle Paints and more. Everything for this project will be included and I mean everything, even halloween treats!

Here is a few sneak peeks of the project.

Classes are being held

October 6th at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove, California

October 15th at Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley, California.

I hope to see you there!

Halloween ATC's

2011-09-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hello blog friends!

I've been so inspired by all the new Tim Holtz Halloween release I just had to make some more projects!

This ATC was made with grunge board die cuts using dies from the Alterations line (Mini Cat On the Fence). I started with a natural canvas ATC from Ranger's Inkssentials surfaces line, colored with Distress Stain then glued all the elements down. The fence was colored with Picket Fence Distress Stain and Distressed with an ink blending tool and Vintage Photo Ink.

The cat has been flocked to make it look like fur.

Aren't these little pods perfect for pumpkins in front of the fence.

This spooky ATC starts with a black ATC and then stamped using Perfect Medium and powdered with Pewter Perfect Pearls. Happy Halloween, Calendar and Poison label are all stamped with pitch black Archival ink and then Distressed with Ink on your Ink Blending Tool.

The mini skull die cut is a perfect size for cards, ATC, and the Configuration boxes.

The Spider is from the Halloween Adornment set.

Stamp the Halloween background image using various colors of Distress Stain. I spritz the image with a little water before stamping it onto a Kraft ATC. Now stamp the spider and bats with Archival Ink. Emboss the stamped image with the matching embossing folder.
It's so amazing how it just lines right up. Ingenious!

Pumpkin die cut has been painted with Rock Candy crackle and after it's dry color pumpkin with Rusty Hinge Distress Stain. The eye, nose and mouth where done the same way using Black Soot Stain. The BOO is a Salvage sticker from the Seasonal pack. Use a Charm Clip to attach this Muse Token.

Happy Creating!

Halloween is coming!

2011-09-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

I know it's not Halloween yet, but I do think it's my favorite holiday.

I picked up my new Tim Holtz Alteration dies at

Stampers Corner this week and just couldn't wait to use them on a project.

So today was the day!

Supplies used:

Grunge Board, Rock Candy Crackle Paint, Alteration by Sizzix (Pumpkin Jack, Scary Jack-o-lantern face set, Halloween Background and border texture fade) Core'dinations Distress Cardstock, Manila Tag, Distress Stains (Picket Fence, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint, Black Soot) Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) Archival Ink (Pitch Black) Idea-ology (Mini Pins, Halloween Tokens, Jump Rings) Paper Distressor, Inkssentials Pop-It Shapes, Twine!

1. Die cut pumpkin from grunge board.

2. Glue dot pumpkin and parts to a scrap of paper. Paint all elements with Rock Candy Crackle Paint and let dry.

3. Shake Pickett Fence Stain. 4. Paint pumpkin and let dry.

5. Paint pumpkin with Rusty Hinge Stain. This may take 2 coats.

6. Paint the stem with Peeled Paint Stain and the eyes with Black Soot Stain.

7. Assemble your pumpkin.

8. Cut cardstock to 4 1/4" x 6". Now emboss with your new Halloween folder.

Tip: To get this effect you must use a cardstock with a lighter core.

I used Tim's Core'dinations Cardstock.

9. Sand the raised area to reveal the core.

10. Cut cardstock to 9" x 6 1/4" and score in half. 11. Adhere embossed piece to your folded card.

12. Pop dot the pumpkin to your card.

13. Stamp Halloween ticket on a manila tag with Archival ink. 14. Color with Wild Honey Stain.

15. Cut out ticket. 16. Use Paper Distessor on all edges of ticket.

17. With an Ink Blending Tool, distress edges of the ticket with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

18. Attach ticket with a Mini Pin. Add the Token with a Jump Ring. Tie a bow with twine around the pumpkins stem.

If you'd like to know more about Distress Stain check out Tim's video here!

This is the same die cut with a different spin.

Just simple die cut the pumpkin from a folded card, but be sure to leave a little of the fold in tact. Distress the edges with a little Vintage Photo Distress ink. Pop dot the face to the pumpkin.

Tie a bow around the stem and attach the Halloween token with a jump ring. The leave are die cut from the Autumn Gatherings Decorative Strip die, distressed with Vintage Photo Ink and the glued around the stem.

Yes it was 100 degrees here in Sacramento but FALL will be here before you know it!

Enjoy your weekend.

Art from the Heart Blog Hop!

2011-09-03T01:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a very exciting blog hop
in Celebration of 10 years of
ART FROM THE HEART!

Lots of exciting things happening at

ART FROM THE HEART

next weekend where the big birthday bash is happening.

Want to know more then click here

So in Celebration we are having 5 birthday blog hops.

You should have reached my blog from Karen "Kaz" Hall,

what an amazing project, and you are following the Tim Holtz team hop.

Here is my project!

This is my configuration box to celebrate the 10th birthday for

ART FROM THE HEART!

I first covered the box with Crowded Attic paper stash and Symphony tissue tape, then colored the Tissue Tape with Distress Stain.

You will notice that I put one of the boxes in upside down so I had a surface to glue the word "ART" onto. The word "ART" was made with Grunge Blocks, the base is painted with Pitch Black Dabber Paint and the letters are painted with Distress Stain, glue them all together and sand with Tim's Sanding Grip then use Vintage Photo Distress Ink on a Ink Blending Tool to distress the edges. The candle is held on with a Hinge Clip that is bradded to the side of the box. The "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" on top are letters from Salvage Stickers that have been placed onto a piece of Grunge Board and then cut out as you see them.

Now just have fun decorating your birthday box!

TIM HOLTZ PRODUCTS USED:

FRACTURED DOLL, GAME PIECES, TIMEPIECES, BAUBLES, GAME SPINNERS, SPROCKET GEARS, CLASSIC ADORNMENTS, FANCIFUL ACCOUTREMENTS, FOUNDATION FEET, CORNERS, HINGE CLIPS, LONG FASTENERS, CROWDED ATTIC PAPER STASH, LOST AND FOUND SALVAGE STICKER, ADAGE TICKETS, KRAFT GLASSINE, PLAIN GRUNGE BOARD, SYMPHONY TISSUE TAPE, 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" CONFIGURATION BOX, GRUNGE BLOCKS, BLACK DABBER PAINTS, DISTRESS STAINS (BARN DOOR, RUSTY HINGE, MUSTARD SEED, PEELED PAINT, BROKEN CHINA), VINTAGE PHOTO DISTRESS INK, AND A CANDLE FOR A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY!

I'm sure you can find all the products you will need for this project at

"ART FROM THE HEART"!

Before you move on - you will need to collect a letter from me
which is the letter
"c"

This is part of an anagram of a Tim Holtz product.
Can you figure out what it is?

Once you get back to Dys blog please email your answer to Ben.

So after leaving me a comment you need to move on to

Magda Polakov
and see what fun project she planed for you.

Happy Birthday to ART FROM THE HEART!

Thanks for being a big part of ART.

We all need ART for our HEART and SOUL'S!

Thanks for stoping by and have fun on the hop!

RANGER PROJECTS!

2011-09-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Exciting news!

I have a few new projects on the RANGER website. Find out how they were made.

"Dreaming of Flowers" Tag features Rock Candy Crackle Paint.

Click HERE for full directions.

"Friends ATC" features Shrink Plastic colored with Alcohol Inks.

Click HERE for step out photos and directions.

Check back tomorrow for a fun Blog Hop celebrating

"Art from the Heart's" 10th Birthday.

My project will be using Tim Holtz products. Surprising I know!

Class Project Photos

2011-08-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS OH MY!
What a wonderful class. Here are a few of the projects the ladies made.

Thanks for spending the day with me!

See you next time!

Nature's Window

2011-08-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

Here's another sneak peak for Nature's Window

this weekend at Stampers Corner.

Only a few spots left in Friday or Saturday's class.

Everything is included.

Call now to reserve you spot.

916-686-0651

Beeswax class

2011-08-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Products used:

6 x 6 Chunky Canvas

Tim Holtz: Crowded Attic papers, Buttons, Baubles, Corners, Ornate Plates,

Trimmings, Distress Inks, Wish Stamps

Claudine Helmuth: Multi Medium, Studio Paints

Ranger: Beeswax, Melting Pot, Heat-It-Tool

Prima: Flower branch

Misc: Mother of Pearl Buttons, Twine

Wow! Great job ladies your projects are awesome!

Here are a few pictures from class.

We started early but it was so worth it, don't you think?

Natures Window Class

2011-08-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Come join me August 20th at Stampers Corner for my

Natures Window Class from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Class will include everything needed to complete this project,

birds, butterflies, flowers and lots of Ideaology elements.

Don't just dream about being in class.

Call now to reserve your spot!

Classes at Stampers Corner

2011-08-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching tomorrow at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove, California.

In the morning we will start off with a Beeswax collage.

Here is a sneak peek!

In the afternoon I will be teaching a Copic Marker Class with Outline Stamps.

Can't wait to see you all there!

CHA samples for Tim Holtz

2011-07-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm back from CHA! What a great trip, it was good catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Wait until you see all the fun new products coming to a store near you.

I love Halloween! This 6 x 6 card made with New Kraft resist paper "Halloween Haunts", New Muse Tokens "Halloween", New colors of Distress Stains, Crackle paint, Alterations, grunge board...

Happy Halloween card made with New Kraft resist paper "Halloween Haunts", New Muse Tokens "Halloween", Adornments "Halloween", Distress Inks...

Christmas Wish Card made with Inkssentials Metal Foil Tape, Alcohol Inks, Alterations dies and embossing folders, Adornments "Christmas", Adirondack Core'dinations Paper...

Christmas Tag made with New Kraft resist paper "Christmas Stash", New Kraft Resist Chipboard Letters, New Distress Stain, Distress Stickles, New Muse Tokens "Christmas", Salvage Stickers "Seasonal", Alterations Die....

PRODUCT I LOVE!

If you haven't tried the new Distress Stains you are in for a treat. They are fabulous! It so easy to color cardstock, tags, tissue tape and much, much more. Now all the colors are here.

One of my new favorites is Rusty Hinge great for Halloween!

I will have more to share with you soon!

Thank You Card

2011-05-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

This Thank You Card was posted on the Ranger Blog a few weeks ago.

I love blue and yellow together it's such a cheery color combination it makes me smile.

Click here to see how it's made.

Bird House Card

2011-04-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hey bloggers!

Hope you all had a great weekend and your week is off to a good start.

I wanted to share this sweet bird house card with all of you today. I love birds. The bird stamp is from a new Hero Arts set CL529 Friendship Frames.

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and happiness!

Artsy Tag

2011-04-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Bloggers!

I feel so honored to have another project on the Ranger blog!

I love this technique and I think you will too!

Check out how I made this ir-resist-ible tag here.

Rubber Stamp Convention

2011-04-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

A few announcements for this weekend. I hope you are going to the Stamp Show Saturday! Details below:

Original Rubber Stamp Convention

~ APRIL 9, 2011

~ Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Click here for details.

Also big SALE at Stampers Corner! Your not going to want to miss this!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 9th.  The annual Rubberama Sale will be held all day at Stampers Corner with prices slashed on clearance items!!  They are cleaning house!

Sewing Room Card

2011-03-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I created this card with my new favorite die from the Tim Holtz Alterations line. The dress form, spool and button are all part of the die called sewing room. Gotta have it! The base card was embossed with the pattern & stitches texture fade and then distress ink was applied with an ink blending tool. The dress form was die cut from grunge board and sticky back canvas. The grunge board was painted with a pitch black paint dauber and the canvas was painted with distress stain. Embellish with Idea-ology fanciful buttons, ruler tape, philosophy tags, jump rings and trimmings.

All these products can be found at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove. They just received a huge shipment so hurry down while they still have some left.

Sweet Birdie Tag

2011-03-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hey bloggers!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and you all found time to play.

Check out the Ranger Blog here and find out how I made this Sweet Birdie Tag.

I'm looking forward to teaching this weekend at Stampers Corner. You can see my classes here.

Distress Stains

2011-03-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday...

I was playing last night with the New Distress Stains.

They are so easy to use and the colors are fabulous.

I hope you take some time this weekend to create a little something.

Here is swatches of all 12 colors.

Believe me you need them all.

Have a great weekend!

Gift for Someone Special...

2011-03-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hi bloggers...
I have been cleaning my studio and came across these cards from a class I taught last month. This would make a wonderful gift for someone special. Hero Arts has everything you need to make these lovely cards. From the stamp, inks, ribbon, gemstones and to even the notecards and envelopes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!

Perfect Pearls Class

2011-02-27T03:14:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Pearl Class at Stampers Corner was fabulous! The ladies were wonderful. It was nice to see old friends and I made a few new ones. Thanks for helping make such a fun day.

Here are a few of the cards they made today.

This card has the hand dyed ribbon I posted a few days ago.

These two cards are from the "Twigs" from Little Yellow Bicycle.

Stamps used for these cards are from Hero Arts.

GREAT JOB LADIES!

Distress Stain!

2011-02-23T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hi bloggers! I'm getting ready for my class this weekend at Stampers Corner and wanted to share how wonderful Tim's new Distress Stains are. The effect is amazing as you can see, you get a beautiful variegated look. With the ribbons below, instead of spraying them with water I used Perfect Pearl Mist to get an iridescent effect. The Distress Stains are very easy to use just press the dabber on the surface you want to paint and gently squeeze the bottle to create the flow of ink. Lift up to stop the flow when done.

Distress Stains comes in 12 colors, love them all.

Inspiration!

2011-02-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

My husband Del and I went to Calistoga for a few day to get recharged. It was a little rainy, a little snowy, and a little sunny. The architecture we saw was so beautiful and spring seem to be in full bloom. Here are my favorite photos of the weekend. Getting away was so inspiring.

Life is full of inspiration!

Copic Class at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove

2011-02-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

I will be teaching a Copic Marker class Monday, February 21 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove, California. There is just a few spots left. Give them a call at 916-686-0651 to sign up.
See you there!

Idea-ology samples for Tim Holtz @ CHA

2011-02-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Just a few samples I made for CHA in the Idea-ology booth.

Take Time for ART because it's so important to feed the creative soul.

My Old Jalopy is from a new Sizzix Bigz Die. I hand cut some wood panel from a stamped tag to make it look like an old woody.

For this card I used the new Kraft Glassine pockets and papers. Try coloring them with alcohol ink for the old time vintage look of the flower. Love the Fanciful buttons too.

This card is using some of the new Pen Nibs, Fractured Doll and Regal Adornments.

You're really going to love them all!

Thanks for stopping by. . .

Rangers Designer's Challenge

2011-02-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

The focus of the Challenge was Rangers Perfect Pearls. All the Designer's received a wood frame, a 12 x 12 piece of black foam core and various Perfect Pearls including the NEW Confections. The colors are Blue Raspberry, Grape Fizz, Pink Gumball and Sour Apple.

Flowers have been die cut from watercolor paper using the Tim Holtz Alterations die "Tattered Florals" and then painted with Perfect Pearls. This week check out the Ranger blog and you can see all the Designer's projects. They are so different and beautiful!