Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Bookmarks to Give Away


These are new bookmarks for The Bookmark Project, which just means that I leave them in library books when I return them.


First, I dry-brushed watercolor across two sheets of white cardstock, and then cut each piece into 5 strips.


I did the calligraphy using mostly felt markers as ink tends to bleed on cardstock.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Autumn Ahead


ATC, Gelatos

Our fearless ATC swap group leader generously shares pre-cut ATC blanks with the group.  She gets these from the print shop where she works.  This is very smooth, slick cardstock; it reminds me somewhat of YUPO paper.  Here, I try some gelatos on it.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Faithful Paper Crafting: Notecards, Gift Tags, Scrapbook Paper & More to Share the Blesing


This is really a paper crafting kit in a book.  I received a review copy from Fox Chapel Publishing yesterday and I'm already starting to tear into it.  It contains:
  • 16 sheets of double-sided scrapbook paper,
  • 21 pages of art cards and greeting cards,
  • 16 gift tags,
  • 18 double-sided "mini cards",
  • 16 double-sided gift tags,
  • Envelope templates - both large and small
  • 2 full-page art prints, and
  • 15 pages of project ideas.
The scrapbook paper is medium weight and one side is patterned; the other side reminds me of watercolor washes of colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel.  The envelope templates could be used with these or with papers from your own stash to create lovely envelopes to mail or deliver your cards in.

All of the paper and cards are perforated for easy removal from the book.  With a quick visit to the paper trimmer you can remove the perforated edge before folding or mounting.

The art cards and greeting cards are printed with some lines or frames for writing on the reverse side.  Some are perforated, some are designed to be folded, and they include 12 black and white cards for you to color yourself.  There are a great variety of designs and greetings, a few Bible verses, but mostly more general inspirational messages.

One of my favorite things in the Kit are the "mini cards".  These are double-sided and could be laminated or layered on a greeting card.  There are instructions in the book on how to make fridge magnets from them.

The ways that you can use the kit are limited only by your creativity.  Add buttons, bows and doodads!  As long as you use them for personal use only you can use them any way that you like.  Why not scan them, resize them if necessary, and use them on journal pages or trace them into your bible journal? 


Some goodies from the kit

Monday, September 11, 2017

In Joined Hands There is Hope


ATC, Rubber Stamps, Inktense, Pen

This is a real mixed media extravaganza!  First I stamped various stamps on white cardstock, dripped Inktense Blocks, and collaged dyed napkin for a background.  

The focal point is stamped on tissue paper and the script added with a Platinum Carbon Ink Fountain Pen.  

I'm using gel medium for collage now and loving it!  Note to self:  Let delicate materials like napkins and tissue paper dry after using the first layer of gel medium to glue them down.  When they are dry, more layers can be added.

Saturday, September 9, 2017