StarLitStudio

got my eye on you

Glitz Stickles in Purple, an eyeball, and Lockhart's Single Cupcake, make this eye-opening Halloween card.

Lockhart's Single Cupcake was stamped on Neenah Natural White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  A Nestabilities square scallop die was used, and the image was colored with Copic markers.

Cosmo Cricket's Haunted card stock was used to line the card too.  Martha cobweb border punch, Papertrey Ink button with white cotton thread.  All ribbon is from the Cosmo Cricket Haunted ribbon. A Muse Time for Fun sentiment. (Happy Halloween sentiment unknown)  I buy my eyeballs at Michaels.  BOO!  

how to speed dry

Desperate times call for desperate measures.   Needing to speed dry my crack...Distress Rock Candy Crackle Paint that is... I came up with this contraption. 

I keep one of those dollar-store, battery-operated mini fans at my workstation to cool UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) quickly, and I paired it with a jumbo clothespin that I plan to alter in the near future. 

This speed drying method dried the Rock Candy Crackle in about 4 minutes.  Normal air drying time for product (at this time of the year) is around 15 minutes.

A Glue Dot is temporarily holding the bird diecut in place, preventing it from literally flying away.

distress crackle rock candy sympathy card

 

Texture so yummy you'll want to touch...

One of Tim Holtz's newest products, Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint, is featured in today's project.  Tim has a video tutorial using Rock Candy Distress Paint, and in today's post I'll show how to create three easy sympathy cards. 

Sadly, sympathy cards are depleted from my stash faster than any other type of card; I create them in batches.

Using one of Christine Adolph's images from Stampington & Co - Elegant Stems #C8412 - I stamped three times onto Papertrey white cardstock using Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black. 

I stamped just the circle portion of the image three more times, punched out using a 3/4" circle punch, and sponged Distress Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain using a blending tool.

Next - airbrushing.  I have the compressor from Ellen's store, but started out with her beginner's kit and got hooked...  Airbrushed Copic BV04 over the lower portions of the images.

Airbrushed Copic YG95 next...

And lastly airbrushed Copic YR24.  You'll note the airbrushing was not neatly done.  It doesn't have to be for this project, so just have at it and dive right in.

Tore apart the white cardstock into three images.  I left the 'exposed' rough torn side on the left, top and bottom sides.  The right side will be covered up with a gauzy-style ribbon.

Using a blending tool and Distress Walnut Stain, fully ink up the edges and blend inward just slightly. *Note - I went back and inked up the right sides - the white cardstock shows through the gauze ribbon too much.

Liberally and roughly apply Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint to each image.  Do not try to cover the whole image - just most of it...leave a bit of cardstock naked to hit with ink later (next step).  Allow to air dry completely.  Or, allow to dry about 50% - 75% of the way then take a heat tool to the wet areas until dry. 

side note:  Don't try using a heat tool to speed dry Distress Crackle Metallic Paints - only use a heat tool with the 24 colors, Picket Fence and Rock Candy included, and only once the crackle has set up about 50% to 75%.  The Distress Crackle Metallic Paints will bubble and become unsightly if hit with a heat tool.

After the crackle paint dried I worked Distress Vintage Photo ink into the cracks using a blending tool, then wiped away any excess ink with a clean, soft cloth.  Click on the image to zoom and view the beautiful cracking this product provides.

If you're asking about dry time for this product, I live in northeast USA, New Jersey, and it's August - high humidity.  With the ceiling fan running, dry time was about 10 minutes.  The cardstock was curled but just slightly.  Recommend adhering directly to cardstock, or if you want to pop the image using dimensionals, first mat to a piece of good cardstock to provide stability.

Trimmed 1" ivory gauze ribbon lengths in half lengthwise using pinking shears.  The pinked edge simply adds to the texture of this style ribbon.  Using light adhesive, stabilize cut ribbon, then sew a zig-zag stitch using ivory thread and a sewing machine.

I added a smudge of Distress Dusty Concord ink to the 3/4" punched circles after determining more purple was needed.  And I aint' even Prince.

Three sympathy cards made in record time.  Love this look of visible texture.  Finished card size:  4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Card interior features a sentiment from Verses Rubber Stamps and Hero Arts.  A strip of leftover airbrushed cardstock and 7gypsies Catania add interest and color.

altered heat tool

A few years ago I spied Tim Holtz using a Ranger Heat It craft tool - and let's just say, you could immediately identify it was Tim's!    Ellen Hutson did a write up on this tool in this post a few weeks ago - excellent product.  You can email Ellen to find out when this will be back in stock - I didn't see it in the store today but did yesterday.

The tool arrived, and I took a sanding block to the Ranger logo.  It takes just a light touch and maybe two or three minutes of very light, but concentrated sanding strokes.

Gather your favorite Ranger Alcohol Ink colors and have a party!  Tim has an alcohol ink video tutorial here for those that have never played with these.  The dots of color on the caps are glossy paper and a 1/4" circle punch (again, I saw some of Tim's bottles identified this way).  By marking your alcohol ink caps it prevents messing up the nozzle with another color.

I sealed the heat tool by painting it with a water-based sealant - DecoArt DuraClear Varnish in Gloss, available at Michaels craft stores, and a wide, soft brush.

I like that this heat tool from Ranger has a loop in the cord, near the handle, so I can hang it - takes up zero workspace.

(Alcohol ink colors used:  cranberry, red pepper, butterscotch, citrus, stonewashed, stream, purple twilight - the silver metallic was omitted from the project  - the colors were enough without it.)

crackle birds

Today's post is all about Distress Crackle Paint - the quick how-to is located on Ellen's CLASSroom blog here.

Tim Holtz developed this product with Ranger Industries; it's made in the USA.  The CLASSroom blog is just one of Ellen's helpful blogs geared toward education, by sharing a wide variety of crafting techniques.

Best wishes for a great week!

archaic bird atc

Today's post is an ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap utilizing blended Distress Inks, Archival Ink and embossing powder.  The inspiration for this ATC came from one of my shirts:

This Archaic shirt is one of my favorites - I love the studs on the shoulder, the layering of the designs, and the mythical symbolism.

The photo above displays the materials and stamps used.  Stamps used are Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous (birds in flight, wings), Memory Box (petite script) and Birdhouse Words Border (Impression Obsession).

Onto white cardstock cut to size (2-1/2" x 3-1/2"), the birds in flight and bird word border were stamped first with Archival Ink in Jet Black.  The wings were stamped next with Distress Antique Linen, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  The balance of the ATC was sponged with various Distress Inks using a Blending Tool.

An amber bling was adhered using Ranger's Glossy Accents.  Petite script stamp is Memory Box.

ingredients:  Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamps - eclecticpaperie; blending tool & replacement foam, Glossy Accents - StarLitStudio; Distress Inks, clear embossing powder, bling, Archival inks, Memory Box stamps - Ellen Hutson; white cardstock - Papertrey Ink.

stamped jeans

I've been playing around with stamping on clothing, and today's project photo is the pant leg of a pair of jeans.  I'm using Ranger's Archival Ink in Jet Black.

I have since washed these jeans about three times - the ink fades slightly with the first wash then remains consistent. I'm extremely pleased with the Ranger Archival coverage for fabric - specifically denim.

I stamped/wheeled the images once only.  I know with other inks one must repeatedly stamp the image(s) with multiple layers of ink, but I did not find this necessary with the Archival Inks.

This layered text/flourish idea is from a shirt that Tim wore while at Ranger U last April. 

I'll readily admit, stamping on clothing initially brought back a particular feeling - a naughty feeling - it was similar to the feeling of writing in a school textbook back in junior high school!

After stamping several pairs of jeans this feeling evaporated.  I guess I'll have to find other deviant stamping activities to feel naughty about. hee...

ingredients:  Stamp is from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous (Reindeer Flight cling set or wood mounted 'Scrollwork'); script wheel (name:  Say What?) is from Clearsnap.  Ink and Stampers Anonymous stamps are from eclecticpaperie.com; wheel was purchased directly from Clearsnap.

cherish life - altered bottle lamp

Today's post details my fondness for altering objects.  They were fun experiences:  both consuming the bottle contents, and subsequently altering it. 

disclaimer:  These fun experiences did not occur on the same day. 

Your first question might be where can you purchase a lamp kit for a bottle.  I bought mine online, but you can try places like Home Depot or Lowes.  I used a google search for online stores using the keywords: 'lamp kits for bottles'.  They look like this:

To begin, empty a decorative bottle that you are drawn to.  This Cuervo 1800 bottle actually spoke to me and told me it wanted to be altered into another object.  Hence the lamp. I seriously adore tequila folks.

 

I covered his shoulders with torn pieces of deep red mulberry paper and adhered using mod podge.  His neck is covered with a strip of 7gypsies Catania paper.

The sides of the bottle were roughly traced onto the back of two pieces of Catania paper, then roughly torn around the pencil markings.  Torn paper edges are much easier to adhere versus cut edges.

 

Crumple the torn paper for the bottle sides into two tight balls, then unfold and kinda smooth flat.  Apply a Distress Antique Linen pad DTP (Direct to Paper:  hold pad in hand and sweep across crumpled paper surface).  The photo above shows before and after.  Gotta love distressing!

 

Adhere inked sides to bottle with Mod Podge.  Repeat above three steps for bottle back.

Tear a piece of Catania paper for the bottle front.  Using a Tim Holtz Timeworks mask and working over a non-stick craft sheet, position mask on Catania paper.

 

Using an ink blending tool blend Distress Scattered Straw over and around the mask.

Continue to blend ink, changing ink to Distress Frayed Burlap.  Wipe mask with a clean, dry, soft cloth and remove.  Adhere to bottle front using Mod Podge.

 

Using this Tim technique, I smeared a non-stick craft sheet with Distress Shabby Shutters, Pine Needles and Peeled Paint, then misted well with water.  Dropped a manila tag into the ink a few times and heat set after each dip.  I love this technique - it's easily my favorite with these inks.

 

Distress tag edges with a paper distresser, then ink edges with Distress Brushed Corduroy.

Heat set the tag.  Why?  Distress inks don't dry right away, and for this step you'll need a dry tag. 

Stamp one of Tim's stamps (Stampers Anonymous) using Distress Embossing Ink, then sprinkle clear embossing powder and heat set.  (If you didn't heat set the tag earlier the embossing powder would stick to the entire tag - gah!).  Ink over embossed image using Distress Peeled Paint and Distress Antique Linen, then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth, revealing the resist of the image. 

At this point, I chose to cover the tag with blank newsprint and remove (melt away) the embossing powder using a craft iron.  Why?  I wanted to further stamp on the tag and wanted the embossed image to be in the background.  You could omit melting away/removing the embossing powder; however, anything you stamp on the surface of the embossing powder would just wipe away where the ink hits the embossing powder (the embossing powder would act as a resist). 

By melting/removing the embossing powder then stamping, you get the look below:

Using more of Tim's stamps (Stampers Anonymous) and Archival Ink in Jet Black, stamp images onto tag.  I stamped a portion of the sentiment onto a piece of white cardstock that had Distress Worn Lipstick applied DTP (direct to paper) then distressed and curled with my fingers.

 

Added feet (Provo Craft discontinued these - I'm still upset...) using E-6000 cement, and an assortment of Tim's trinkets:  Tim's Word Keys, Jumpring, Sprocket Gears held together with Tim's Long Fasteners; Game Spinners, Grungeboard wings painted with Aged Mahogany Crackle Paint, clock button (secured onto a smashed bottle cap), clock charm and hourglass charm were wrapped around the bottle neck using black fine burlap string.

 

Hope this post inspires you to alter something and have as much fun doing it as I did!

ingredients:  Ranger Archival Ink pads & reinkers, Distress pads and reinkers - ellenhutson.com; Tim Holtz stamps - eclecticpaperie.com

home from Ranger U

 

My hands...during Ranger U this past weekend!

The Ranger class & instructors from April, 2009 (above photo courtesy of Suze Weinberg - thank you Suze & Mario!)

Tim was absolutely amazing and worked non-stop.  The INCREDIBLE amount of work, effort and energy from Tim, Mario, Patti, plus Suze Weinberg and Claudine Helmuth and the entire Ranger staff and owners was overwhelming - the organization was perfection, and the whole weekend flowed seamlessly and without a hitch.

Suze, Claudine and Tim at a Q&A forum one evening (the beautiful blonde/back of the head shot is none other than Cheryl Darrow from Ten Second Studios!):

Tim had fun with UTEE and scissors during our Melting Pot session...

Tim announced Friday morning our three days would resemble boot camp, and indeed it was - Tim, Claudia and Suze worked us hard - nine to ten hour days, yet treated us like visiting royalty. I, and I'm sure the balance of our group, was overwhelmed with their generosity.

My BFF camera shot with Becky Olsen from CHF!:

My peek into Ranger as an industry leader left me with a firm resolve that Ranger has obtained well-deserved success from their vision, committment and quality. I was proud to sell and use their products before Ranger U; now I have the tools and know-how to show the world exactly why I feel that way.

The eclecticpaperie.com gals Joy and Daisy were there, as were so many other wonderful ladies!  Others in attendance were designers, manufacturers and store owners (both online and/or brick & mortar). 

(Joy Kennedy & Daisy Sparks from eclecticPaperie with me above)

the journey matters

 

Today's project is a quick 6x6 page for an inspiration journal headed to a friend.  I've used a few Tim Holtz trinkets, which create great dimension and add character to any page.

A strip of Memory Box Sage cardstock was pierced with a template...

... then sponged lightly with a Distress Vintage Pad. 

Pierced Sage strip was elevated on the 6x6 page base (consisting of Memory Box Jack O' Lantern cardstock and Twiggy patterned paper) using the edge remnants of SU foam dimensionals.

     

The above photos depict the sequential addition of Distress inks using a blending tool (left to right:  Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain) to achieve an aged look to the white cardstock.  Stamp credit:  Stampers Anonymous.

 

Martha Stewart lace punch piece was sponged with Antique Linen Distress, and found lace was added as well.  Tim's Keyhole, Long Fasteners and a Word Key were added, along with felt leaves, a found wooden button and fine burlap string to complete the page.  The key is adhered securely using red line tape.

ingredients:  Memory Box papers, ink blending tool, plush piercing pad, piercing templates & piercing tool, Distress ink pads - Ellen Hutson; ink blending tool, felt leaves, fine burlap string, Tim Holtz Trinkets - StarLitStudio