Use ups

So after clearing out my scraps box I came across some alcohol ink pieces that were TOO pretty to chuck so I decided to make a card.

All these pieces, from the image to the layers and the anchor all came out of my scraps box.

Sometimes I find it just needs my mojo to be in the same room and stick around for long enough to actually make something-pleased with this card.

Happy crafting

Kyla

WOYWW

Welcome back to my desk and "What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday"....my desk is still clean (seriously those that know me will worry-it is NOT natural) and I have made some progress on the canvass boards I was making last week and whilst they dry (and I await my mojo to return) I thought I would make a start on some tag backgrounds ready to abandon (and then I need to start on some ATCs).

My "Man Bites Dog" cards this week are 'Movie Heiress Strikes Judge'-well, I will be watching the news and reading the papers with interest this week!

Happy crafting

Kyla

Purple scrap box make

Just a quick update on a recent card I made.

Whilst sorting through my scraps box I came across some scraps of fabric card I made and die cut AGES ago (music papers and scraps that I inked and free machine embroidered over) and some small pieces of gloss card with alcohol inks.

Sorting through my scrap box I came across some purple off cuts and using my TH tiny attacher I added some mini staples and a mounted sentiment.

Odd how scraps can sit there for ages then suddenly your mojo sits up and shakes you until you realise you have all the components for a card!!

After all, it's not like my scrap box is running short-but every card is a little more used!

Kyla

Raindrops keep falling on my head

"Raindrops keep falling on my head" so the song goes-I don't know about that, but it has gotten mighty chilly recently (but then it is January in the UK so I am not sure why I should be surprised!)

 I thought I would take a break from posting Christmas present makes (I think there is only one more to go) and post the finished cards from the colouring in I was doing on a previous WOYWW.

To the stamped and coloured image I also added some glossy accents and a strip of scrap paper with some scrap lace over the top (I am trying to make cards from mainly my scrap box in January and so far I have made about 15 - its a big scrap box!!)

 The leaf is made from a tomato puree tube cut open, cleaned, flattened, dyed with alcohol inks then die cut.

 This one is using my new rain drop stamp as a background (at the last WOYWW crop I saw Shaz Silverwolf's stamps and fell in love with ALL OF THEM!!). I thought it would add some interest to the background without having to cut up any more precious card!

I thought these cards would be good for a variety of occasions from Valentines right through to "I'm Sorry".  Cards without words is sometimes all you need to let someone know you are thinking of them.

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

Creative Chemistry Day 4

 Hello once again-I thought I would blog my Day 4 of Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry class (it was last week but its taking me a week longer to complete as I am shattered after the surgery, and lets face it the whole point of an online class is the self pacing, right?

So, Day 4 is alcohol inks-now for a change I actually have several of these as I fell in love with them MANY years ago and I must admit I experimented back then with different techniques.  However, I have gotten a bit stuck in a rut and stopped experimenting so I was delighted with Tim's idea of alcohol inks and stencils!  Genius.

Yet another technique I will be using again, that's for sure.

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

Creative Chemistry Day 3

 So, the inevitable happened....Days 1 and 2 and all those good intentions...Day 3 and I end up feeling crook and going to bed early instead!  Never mind, I started work at 06:30 this morning which means I have finished early and been playing catchup.

This tag is meant to be archival inks with distress over the top...I only have black so I thought....stayz-on has similar  properties (I admit, they are not oil based, but at least they are waterproof so the theory should sort of work...!)

It sort of works, its certainly a technique I have not tried before and that is the whole point of the course....see, you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

This tag is made with alcohol inks and archival ink...now I am loving this one....it reminds me of the film 'Clockwork Orange' (which was on TV again the other day.....which in itself seems odd since it was banned for so long, but I do like it!).

Anyhoo....gonna try to do some on Day 4 with Tim Holtz on Day 4!

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

My first tutorial

So, last weeks WOYWW has 2 mysterious sheets on my desk.  I have been having a play with my alcohol inks.  At a recent craft show it was demoed and I thought I'd have a go and instead of using the pieces as backgrounds I'd run them through my new die cutter (still loving the big shot-if your in 2 minds about buying one or the Vagabond-go for the big shot....I've cut metal, leather etc all with my rheumatoid arthritic hands no problems, and its a FRACTION of the price...thought the vagabond does look very cool-not being a pink laydee I wish they'd make it it just black, or maybe purple...ooh, purple and black, that's be nice....I digress!).

Anyhoo, I thought I'd take some photo's and try my first tutorial, please let me know that you think.

 Step 1

• A sheet of acetate (I used old OHP sheets from a dumpster dive!! Too tight to pay for acetate).
• dribble glossy accents (I used glossy accents and 3D art gel as I had some old stuff lying about) around the edge of the sheet, then scribble all over the sheet making sure the glossy accents overlap

 

Step 2

• drop alcohol inks onto the sheet. I made 2 sheets, one in natural hues, browns, golds and greens and another sheet with teal, purples and cerise

 Step 3

• When you have covered the entire sheet with alcohol inks add a little glitter, maybe some chopped angelina fibres

Step 4

• Crumple up some tissue paper and spread all over the sheet, pressing to down to get good adhesion.  You may want to wear gloves or use some old plastic packaging to poke the tissue paper down as my fingers got VERY stained the first time I tried this!!

 Step 5

Wait 24 hours to dry

Step 6

Use!  I put mine through the big shot, but you could punch it or use it for some nice matting and layering

This is the finished card.  I have NO idea what is wrong with blogger, the card is saved in portrait and on the screen but when its uploaded it seems to change direction!  If anyone knows why, please drop me a line and let me know any ideas?!

I hope you enjoy my first tutorial.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

I know, I have been rubbish

What can I say? I could say I've been ultra busy at work, working ridiculous hours. I could say I have not been feeling too great. I could say I have not had much time to craft let alone blog. I could even say I have been curled up on the sofa whilst the snow falls....wondering why the hell the boiler decided to play silly beggars on Boxing Day and stop giving us hot water.

I could say all of these....and they would all be right, basically life has been taking over, as it often does when its Christmas, you try to make your cards and presents and then the sky decides to deposit a ton of snow which lasts for a couple of weeks!! But that is no excuse for not updating my blog and taking part in the challenges I started to really enjoy back in the Autumn (which seems SO long ago now).

So, my new years resolution is to blog more.....(I'm hoping its easier than giving up alcohol!)

Starting as I mean to go on....

I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to make everyone a handcrafted gift, so to make up I tarted up shop bought goodies with homemade tags.


I spritzed and stamped some background papers, using stamps and sequin waste and then added a seasonal ribbon across the length. Next I added gold mesh material and pink organza and heated these briefly with a heat gun to shrink and distress it.

Next I ironed a sheet of multiple coloured Angelina fibres which I then tore into pieces, gluing to the tag, along with some punched green foliage and a tag backed with card coloured with alcohol inks. I finally threaded through some frilly fibres and added a button. The whole lot was secured with a hot glue gun (I get through so many glue sticks I think the local hardware shop may be thinking I have a problem!).

Hopefully the recipients liked them. I certainly did.

Happy crafting
Li'l Pidge x

154 days until...

So, what is 154 days away?

Christmas? No, that's MUCH sooner (too soon, I have not started making anything for it yet)

When Spring starts? Good lord, it's only the Autumn equinoxe today.....don't wish your life away!

No, it is 154 days until I attend a workshop with Tim Holtz!!! Yep, you read that right........I cant believe that he will be coming to the UK, but the amazing team over at paperartsy (great stamps etc and an amazing angel plus policy....check them out) have managed to secure a workshop with him and I was lucky enough to be able to buy a ticket (they all sold out in 40 mins!)......I even did a happy dance around the kitchen when I found out!


But, back to craft.... this tin was 50p from a charity shop, I coloured it with alcohol inks, stamping on tissue paper, adding words and a metal bird house I made from a paperartsy stamp and ten second studio drawing tools, adding a little lace for a femine touch.


I then made a little book with a shaker window and glittered a little pencil....perfect for slipping in my pocket when out walking in the autumn days and I get an idea I dont want to forget.

All for 50p! Now, that's a bargain.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Crafting x

Alcohol Inks and charity shop finds

Searching through my SD card, I came across this photo which I can't remember if I shared with you.

The cutlery was picked up for next to nothing from a charity shop and the box frame was a cheap Ikea frame (other soul-sucking, impossible to find assitance shops are no doubt also available) and decorated them with alcohol inks, vintage words, wire and beads...it now hangs in my kitchen...a little bit of craft when I am burning water for my morning boiled egg.

Charity shops, bins and skips are now all open terrority for me and my quest for altered art!!! (my hubby is not going to be impressed, he lost his music/computer room-now a craft room and the dining room table looks like a jumble sale some days!!

oh well, I'm sure he must be used to it by now, after all, he married me knowing I was an obsessive crafter (is there any other sort?)

Happy crafting

li'l pidge x