"Waterpainting" with Mr. T!m's Distress Inks

As promised, I'm back with a technique I use often.  I call it "water painting" with Mr. T!m's distress inks.  Since Autumn has arrived, I decided to "waterpaint" using some of my favorite Autumn inks.

Now for this technique, it is important to position your inks on your craft mat so that they portray the background your are trying to achieve.  Since I wanted to start by "painting" my sky and ground, I started with the Forest Moss and Tumbled Glass inks...I swished the inks across my craft mat in a kind of "S" fashion.

I know it's hard to tell in this picture, but I swished Tumbled Glass and right beneath, swished Forest Moss across my mat.  Then I spritzed with water using a mini mister water the inks down a bit.

Then I layed a plain white piece of cardstock over the ink.  I have found it's best to use a "non" textured cardstock for this type of project.

Then I dry the ink so when I layer more ink over it, it won't get "muddy".

I then took a "tree" stamp from my stash and just inked part of it since I only wanted the "trees on the edge of the project.  I used archival Sepia ink for these trees so that the trees would not be effected once I layered more distress ink "painting" on top of what I'd already done.

I repeated my "swishing" technique using Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Rusty Hinge distress inks.  I added more water using a mini mister and just patted my paper on the ink. I then used one of T!m's decorative corner stamps and decorated the corners of the project using the Sepia archival ink again.  The cool thing about the archival ink is that once it's dry, it will NOT react to getting wet like the distress inks do.

I added another one of T!m's stamps to another piece of white cardstock (this time with black archival ink)and "painted" with more distress inks as seen below.  With this technique, I just randomly took the ink pads right to the paper, lightly tapping them until I got the effect I was looking for.  I used Tumbled Glass, Mustard Seed, and Spiced Marmalade.

Then viola...I added some subtle fibers and one of T!m's coins and I'm finished...

You can find T!m's distress inks here at CropStop.com.  You can also find many of T!m's ideal-ology products here, also at CropStop.com.  They also carry many of T!m's Stampers Anonymous stamps here.

I hope you enjoyed this short tutorial:) 

Feel free to share a link to your project using this technique via a comment to this post:)

Yours creatively,

Lori M., FSE:)

Frugal Scrappin', Studio L3, and Holiday class samples...

Since I'm working on a class sample for my upcoming Holiday series, I've been closely following Studio L3's TH challenges and WOW, have I found TONS of inspiration over there!  The crafters taking part in the weekly challenges are SO amazing!  If you haven't been there yet, "hop" on over by clicking here.  You will be AMAZED at all the talent you see!

I haven't always been able to complete the weekly projects on time, and have been more of a "lurker" these last few weeks...but that has changed...whoo hoo!  I was able to complete this week's challenge!  (It doesn't hurt that I've taken a "staycation" this week so I can get my crafting "fix", lol).  My grandkids are also visiting and my husband has them at the pool right now...whoo hoo...what a GREAT hubby I have!

Here is a pic of my challenge entry.  I actually added a technique from a few weeks ago that I didn't complete, so this is doubling up (I covered some old chipboard #'s with old print paper).  For this week's challenge, turn to page 36 in your book of "Compendium of Curiosities" for this wonderful technique called Blending Batik.

The bottom torn piece of paper started out as a pale yellow piece of paper...for the technique, you'll have to refer to the book, but I can tell you that I added peeled paint and barn door distress inks...I love the white torn edge and the red plaid pp on the top...I think the "BELIEVE" stamp kind of tells the story I'm trying to tell.

There will be more sneak peeks of the other ATC size "tags" as I go.  This Frugal Scrappin' class series starts in September and will run for 3 months.  For $15 each month we will work toward completing a 12 x 12 canvas that will hold 12 of these individually created "tags"...kind of the 12 Tags of Christmas, Frugal Scrappin' style...using, of course...all things T!m!

Class Location:  Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA (call 760-630-2767 for more info)

Class Dates:  September 30, October October 28, and November 18.

Class Times:  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Class Costs:  $15 for each class

When complete:  After completing all 3 classes, you will have an awesome wall hanging that will contain 12 "Tags" (well 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch ATC's) inspired by none other than T!m (and his awesome new design team AND the awesome crafters over at ATT)...

EnJOY:)

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...

Frugal Scrappin' at Ever After:)

It's that time again, fellow scrappers, to share my class samples for the monthly Frugal Scrappin' class at Ever After Scrapbooks.  As I'm sure you know, this class will include some of my FAVORITE T!M HOLTZ products!

FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' CLASS

Class Date:  Thursday, March 25th

Class Time:  6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

This month is just flyin' by AND the class is already full:) There is a wait list for anyone interested in signing up. (Hey...maybe we can even add a second class date...HOW KEWL would that BE?)

I feel very blessed to have such a great group of crafters that attend my class each month.  I am also inspired by their creativity.  They just make my heart smile:)

Now on to the samples:

You may notice that there are only 3 cards shown, so I'm REALLY excited to tell you about a SPECIAL TREAT this month...Now, each card has a very DIFFERENT technique used and I KNOW each person will have a FAVORITE, sooooo....I will have supplies available for each student to go back and try their FAVORITE technique from the class a SECOND time:)  Whoo hoo!!!!

With that in mind, you will end up with FOUR awesomely creative cards to take home.  You can design it any way you want to.  I will have extra stamps available if you want to make something slightly different the second time around.

If you haven't done so yet, come on down (or up, or over) to Ever After and sign up for this awesome class.  It's sure to knock your creativity into HIGH GEAR.

ADDED BONUS!!!!  We have placed an order ESPECIALLY for you that will include the products used in this class.  This way, once you try these techniques, you can purchase your own supplies to use in class AND you can take them home and try them again! 

Whoo hoo!!!!

Happy Scrappin'

Lori McCausland, your friendly Frugal Scrapper Extaordinaire:)