Our Funny Valentine

Scrapped the day away at Posh Scraps today and finished this layout and another one that still needs pictures.  Those, of course, I left at home so will put them into the bin for the Cheeky Chics crop this weekend.  Can't wait!

Viva Inka Gold Question #2

I almost forgot the question about stamping with this goodness and the answer is YES!

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We experimented with both solid  and outline rubber stamps and got the best results from the ones with a minimum of detail and that were outline like the leaf stamp above. 

I used a flat bristle brush and patted the color onto the stamp.  I did not want it too thick as it would smudge so aimed for a thin, even layer.  When I used this on the solid stamp image, the small recessed lines filled with the Inka Gold and the images were blurred.  The outline stamp worked wonderfully.

 I added some Inka Gold in another color experimenting with one of my two tags and like how it turned out.

For expediency sake, I heat set the two stamped images.  The product will dry on its own.  Heat setting it also caused an embossing effect without all the mess of embossing glitter and powder.  Now how cool is that?

I cleaned the stamp immediately using a non alcoholic bases wipey and finishing it off with a toothbrush (my husband's of course....just kidding) and water to remove any of the product from crevices .

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The wipey had lots of color on it so I dabbed it onto the tags to see what would happen.  The color transferred beautifully and the glimmer as well. 

Thinking I want to play with the Viva crackle paint next.  I did a small clay pot with some the other day and LOVED it. Can't wait to try it on other mediums.  So stay tuned and happy creating.

Ask me one question and I go wild! Inka Gold

Wednesday at Posh Scraps in Palm Harbor, Fl., at the mid week crop, several of us were playing with the Viva Inka Gold colors that Michele, the owner, had just gotten in the store.  My friend, Diane Jones, asked it the mixture could be painted on and if the color could be applied with a wet brush.  I tried it and Yes! it can be applied with either your finger tips or with a paint brush either wet or dry.

We moved on to other things but my curiosity was aroused.  What else and how else could this lovely metallic be applied and what effects could be achieved.  Take a look...and I am sure there are many many more than just these.

 

Oh, and by the way, I got that amazing tin star from Tampa Bay Salvage here in Tarpon Springs, Fl.  Stop in and tell Josh that Jules sent you.  So many amazing things in that wonderful store.

Tomorrow is shop small and local businesses day...I shopped a day early so guess I have to go back! lol

The V in Viva must stand for Versitile

When I had the privilege of designing for Creative Imaginations (now Splash of Color), I got to play with some amazing products from Viva.  One of these products is the Precious Metal Effect Paints and oh my! 

Last week, at Posh Scraps in Palm Harbor Florida, I showed the owner, Michele and the Women Who Do Lunch Bunch just one use of the beautiful paints.  Michele now has a big order coming into the store.  For those of you who live within a hundred miles, call the store to reserve yours and come on by!   There are dozens of colors.  The one I used here is called, fittingly enough, Purple.  You really have to see these to truly appreciate the vibrancy of the colors.  If you don't live close enough to Posh, then you can order them from the Splash of Color website, if I am not mistaken. 

Not only are the colors vibrant but will vary depending on the medium you use and how you apply them.  I prepared a display for Posh Scraps that will be in the store Jan. 22 after noon so come on by.  These photos do not adequately show the lovely colors.  Seeing is truly believing.

Have a creative day!

In love with the new Bo Bunny Valentine papers?

They are in at Posh Scraps right now...check them out HERE and then sign up for the class I am teaching on Feb 5 (a Tues for all of you who have been requesting a week day class).  From 1pm- ?, we will be creating this fun little Valentine Cigar Box filled with a multi-tag book and.loads of great embellishments.  It is the perfect gift for someone you love and the class is only $30.00.  We'll be playing with a couple of new products too...Viva Colour's Precious Metal Effect Paint and some new stamping products. 

Due to the limited supply of the lovely red cigar boxes, there are only spaces for five.  One kit has sold already.  If you can not make this class, you can pre purchase the kit and receive step by step directions with color photos.  Call Posh Scraps to reserve your spot now. (727-784-2928).  Hope to see you there!

Oh and if you have liked my altered glass pieces on display at the store, I will be teaching a glass class in April (date to be announced soon).  We'll make a decorated, painted and bedazzled martini glass, a wine glass fit for a queen and a bottle of your choice .  We'll do the bottle last and you can incorporate the painting techniques on your own design with guided help.

Just a few of the altered glass I have done lately...

 

and

 

You will learn the products that work for glass painting and decorating and those that don't along with a variety of ways of applying the paints.  We'll also work with some wrapped paper options as wll such as incorporating mesh and tissue paper.  This will be an all day workshop class and I hope to see you there. 

Shocking...but I scrapped today!

We took the kids to Music with Mar today and, on the way, Leighton did what she always wants to do, hold hand with her brothers and keep time to the music in the van.  Usually one or the other of the boys does NOT want to hold hands but our little girly girl is persistent and, eventually her brothers both give in.  I started this layout last week at Posh Scraps and it will be up at the store tomorrow.  Happy Creating all!

Back to doing layouts

I could not even begin to tell you what papers and embellishments I used on this (ok..."party" is by Anna G) but I sure had fun doing some layouts for Posh Scraps today when the Women Who Do Lunch Bunch got together as we do most Wed. for scrapping, lunch and group therapy. 

This photo is of our good friends, Susie and Justin, and was taken last spring at Miss Vickies on the Anclote River, one of our favorite places to go for local music, cold beer and good Cajun boiled peanuts. 

It was good to scrap and I have 3/4 of another layout for the store (and me) in the works and a Sweetheart's Treasure Box class planned using the fun new Bo Bunny papers and these awesome red cigar boxes.  More details to follow.

I think I may have found that mojo that has been hiding from me lately...thinking all I needed was a good dose of my favorite muses, the Women Who Do Lunch Bunch and a visit to my favorite scrap store.

And yes, I do need to straighten the arrow in the upper right hand corner. 

Keep on creating...a day without creating is a day without sunshine!

A last holiday project

This is a no sew gift bag using one of the beautiful Gecko Galz images and Luminarte's Twinkling H20s along with Viva Colour's Precious Metal Effects Paints (which can be purchased at Posh Scraps, Palm Harbor, Florida .)

Hope your new year has begun creatively!

Last DT project for 2012

This NOEL sign can be found HERE on the Creative Imaginations blog, including directions and products used.

Always, thanks for looking.

Happy New Year's Center piece with Creative Imaginations

For detail on how I made this fun centerpiece, go to the Creative Imaginations blog HERE.

Thanks for looking!

A New Year and a new focus

Happy New Year to you all.  Today signals a change for me, for us, in a lot of ways.  Yesterday was my last "official" day on Gecko Galz.  I have taken a six months sabbatical from the company. I have loved everything about the company and will continue to use the images for a long time.   It also signaled my last day on the Creative Imaginations team. My resignation from CI was also effective Dec. 31.   I have learned tons from both experiences . 

Our son in law, Chris, discovered this past semester that he can no longer take any on line or night classes in pursuit of his degree.  His company agreed to let him use comp time for the Thurs morning class but he is off on Tues, when the other class is held and watches their 3 kids.  We have offered to step in and cover Tues. mornings in addition to the 3 mornings a week that we provide before and after school care for our 3 grandchildren.  We have lots of fun things planned for our Tuesdays and can't wait to begin.  I did not feel I could adequately do it all so I choose family, of course.

For quite a while now, I have felt a need to change the focus of my creative projects.  I will still do layouts (too far behind not to) and will continue to design and teach for Posh Scraps but I also want to try new things.  I find myself most drawn to what I am loosely calling salvage art: using bits and pieces from.reclaimed old houses and building to create something new and fun.  I've been working with one piece now for about a month or so and hope to have the Grand Unveiling soon.   There is a wonderful shop near my home that has a seemingly endless supply of the products I lust after,
 Tampa Bay Salvage and there are a couple of stores in downtown that also provide endless inspiration.

I did a search on the internet for other "salvage artists" and found this wonderful one,  The Salvage Art Sweetheart and I have really enjoyed reading her blog and looking at all the pretties she creates.  I know there are more salvage artists out there so if you know of any, please send me the links. 

Wish me luck on the new direction and thank you all for following me.  I hope to continue with a variety of projects .  This is going to be an interesting year...I can just tell.  Happy Creating to you all.