Studio L3 Distress Embossing Powder Challenge:)

This week's challenge over at Studio L3 is to use the instructions in T!m's Compendium of Curiosities idea book.  The main objective is to use T!m's distress embossing powders.

For the full instructions, turn to page 43 of T!m's book.

Shown below is a simple card I made.  I hope to make something more substantial with the powders today, but wanted to at least complete the challenge:)

I also want to show you a close up since it's hard to see the texture of these awesome distress embossing powders in a photo.

Now, I do LOVE my old "regular" embossing powders, but can I say WOW?!?!?!  These distress embossing powders are an entirely different "animal".  They don't get shiny, they get grungy...kind of like sand paper...the cool thing is that they STAY PUT (well except for the release crystals) that are SUPPOSED to rub off, lol:)

LOOOOOOOOVVVVE IT!!!!

Happy Crafting,

Lori, FSE:)

(Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Studio L3 Challenge:)

I went to the Carson Stamp Show yesterday with my dear friend, Karen and we met some great ladies that are members of a yahoo group called "All Things Tim".  Actually, I believe one of the ladies created the group.  They were very sweet and told me to e-mail them for an invitation to join the group....Thank you, Ladies...I've sent my e-mail and am anxiouxly awaiting your reply:)

Anyway, while I was cruisin' around, I also found this site called Studio L3 where there is an ongoing challenge to use T!m's new "A Compendium of Curiosities" book to complete challenges.  Today's challenge is to use T!m's shabby chic technique...one of OH SO MANY awesome techniques found in his book.

I decided to play along and have completed my project for this challenge:

For detailed instructions on how to do the technique, check out page 49 of the book.  I chose to use the following:

Plain grungeboard for the "bird cage".  I used an espresso paint dabber, then T!m's notepaper stamp with embossing ink.  I used terra cotta embossing powder and once dry went back over with a pool paint dabber.  Then I ran it through my big shot, using T!m's scallop alterations die.  You know me....being the frugal scrapper and all, I just HAD to use the negative cut from the die for the bottom of my "cage".

I covered my grunge page with a snow cap paint dabber, used some of my favorite T!m stamps (frame and floral) with some embossing ink and clear embossing powder.  Over top, I used my citrus paint dabber (and a little pool here and there).

I used sepia archival ink on the bird and branch.  I added one of T!m's mettal keyholes and scraps from my "bird cage" roof to close in the sides.  Once this was done, I spritzed my "new" favorite mist (a mix of water and "pearl" perfect pearls) which gave my cage a nice shiny appearance (hard to see in the picture).

Again, in my typical fashion, I used the key sample from my newly opened hardware findings die, first covering it with my pool paint dabber, then pressing it randomly into embossing ink.  I then added some terra cotta embossing powder to make the key look rusted.

I added a couple of buttons from my stash and a stamped phrase...it's all perspective...is the bird really in the cage or are we?

I had fun playing along...now to go post to the challenge:)

EnJOY:)

Lori McCausland, FSE

I'm just a girl in a mixed media world...

365 Cards Color Challenge

I haven't participated in an on-line challenge in a while, so thought it was time to get back into the swing of things...so I visited the 365 Cards blog and thought I'd give the current challenge a try.  I have to say I'm not crazy about these colors but hey, that's what it's all about, right?  Challenges are a way to stretch your creativity:)

These are the colors we are challenged to use:

and this is what I came up with...I realized I didn't include the blue...better luck next time, huh?

hmmmm...looking at it now, I could have just used aqua buttons...I used a technique I've been wanting to try for a while...I heat embossed the flowers, then covered the entire piece of paper with Dusty Concord distress ink.  Then using a mini mister filled with water and some perfect pearls, I sprayed the paper which gave it a shimmery finish.  I know it's hard to tell, but it also gives it a kind of suede/leathery look.  Kind of cool...

I tried it again using white paper for the background and pumice stone distress ink....I also used a border punch across the bottom.  I liked my second attempt MUCH better:)

Don't they say practice makes perfect?  Thanks for the challenge, 365 Cards:)

Have a GREAT day!

Lori McCausland, your friendly FSE:)

Can I say....WOW!?!?!?!!

O.k., fellow scrappers...I know I'm a bit late onto the "ATC Cards" band wagon...and I have to say, I still don't see myself trading them, but using the size of an ATC card as a mini canvas....can I just say WOW????

Now most of you know I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to promoting my artistic talents. but I have to change that today...I have had the MOST AMAZINGLY creative weekend!  My favorite scrapbook store in the WHOLE world (o.k., I'm probably living a sheltered life here), but it's my FAVORITE scrapbook store that I FREQUENT more than I care to admit, lol, is becoming quite the spot to buy all things T!m....hee hee...I just giggle with glee when I am able to buy my T!m products at my favorite store.

Anyway, I decided to make some samples of the amazing things you can create using T!m's products...I'm taking this master piece over to the store today, so if you're in the area, stop by and see it in person.  It turned out SO AWESOME!  Thanks, T!m for making so many amazing products, and thank you, Ever After for carrying them.

So....are you ready for the REVEAL?????  Huh, huh?????

Drum roll, please.................

This is my own variety of the artist trays that are so popular these days.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE those artist trays, but in my "true" frugal scrappin' style...they are a bit more than I typically spend on my art "canvas"...so what's a frugal scrapper to do, you ask??????

Well, first you start with a 12 x 12 stretched canvas (I got this one at Blick for less than $6)...then I whip out my trusty black acrylic paint and I go to town...cover it all, crafters...don't leave a spot unpainted....then the hard part...let it dry...

Then start creating...just think, in less time than I could have with a larger art surface, I created 11 mini pieces of art!  I started out with each "canvas" being 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches.

I then backed them...some with cardstock, some with grungeboard, some with corregated cardboard.  All are 2 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches.  All are altered with either distress inks or paint dabbers...or both.

I used the following products on this project:

Tim Holz/Ranger/Stampers Anonymous:  Distress inks, archival ink, distress ink blending tool, many of T!m's stamps (and Studio 490 stamps, too), adirondack paint dabbers, textured grungeboard, adirondack embossing powder.

Paper:  Bazzill cardstock, Prima pp, Little Yellow Bicycle pp, BoBunny pp.

Other random items:  Rhinestones, fibers, ribbon, buttons, brads, metal letters, aluminum foil, staz on ink, flowers, corregated cardboard, match book box.

Another great thing about this project is that I also fulfilled a challenge for the TNT Challenge Club at Ever After....TNT's fearless leader, Jacquie is on vacation right now, so I will be the "guest leader" for the July meeting on July 13th.  Come on in and join us...I'll have this project there to share.

O.k., now I don't normally do this, but I'm off to e-mail T!m to show him this AMAZING project.  Whoo hoo!  Have I said I LOVE working with T!m products lately???

Have a tremendously creative day~

Lori McCausland, FSE

Just the "scraps" ma'am at Frugal Scrappin' in July!

That's right, fellow scrappers:)  Whoo hoo...I'm REALLY excited about July's Frugal Scrappin' class at Ever After.  Join us as we go "back in time" and reminisce about those "scraps" we've been hoarding...it's time to bring them out, use them up, and send them out...as awesomely frugally made MAILABLE cards!

July's Frugal Scrappin' class is sure to be a tremendous HIT!  We will "PLAY" with our old favorite scraps as we assemble some great FLAT cards, great for mailing...no extra postage necessary!  We will use layering techniques that will give our cards DIMENSION without the BULK.

I challenge you to bring your favorite scraps and I will show you some tips 'n tricks on how to layer, use positive AND negative "space", make your own "templates", and more!  Of course, in true FRUGAL SCRAPPIN" STYLE, we will use my FAVORITE T!m product...distress inks:)

Below is a sample of some of the cards I've made with some of my favorite scraps...you may recognize these lines from days gone past...a little Basic Grey AND Cosmo Cricket!

As an added BONUS, there will be a little "contest" in class...I'll be bringing out a few of my favorite catch phrases from days gone by...with a word or two missing...all you need to do is fill in the "scrap" for your chance to win a $5 EA gift card!

As always, this class is fillin' fast!  Sign up right away!  Class details below:

Class Date:  July 29, 2010

Time:  6:30p.m. -8:30 p.m.

Price:  $15

Supply list:

• You favorite patterned paper scraps

• Scissors
• Paper Trimmer
• Distress Inks (neutrals and colors)
• Brown/Black Archival or Staz On Inks
• Your favorite adhesive (tape runner, etc)
• YOUR CREATIVITY
 
Can't wait to see you there!