What goes around...

This month, I happened upon a couple of complete strangers who could use some cheering up, or at the very least some friendly support. So I made cards for them, and sent them out yesterday.

This one was to the lady I initially met:

The outside says, "Adopt the pace of nature;
her secret is patience. -Ralph Waldo Emerson"
Inside, I wrote, "I hope this card gives you an
excuse to smile and take a deep breath."
I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in 'Vintage Photo',
'Walnut Stain', and 'Antiqued Linen'. I also used
Stazon ink in 'Timber Brown'. Embellishments
were 'antiqued' with Adirondack Acrylic in 'Eggplant'.
Ranger Stickles in 'Icicle' were used to decorate
the flower and flourishes. Stamps are 'Natures Secret'
by Stampin' Up, and flourishes by Hero Arts.

This card I made for her best friend, who was
recently diagnosed with breast cancer:

It was made in much the same manner as the first.

Inside, the quote by Richard Bach, says,
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
the master calls a butterfly."
And I wrote,
"You don't know me, but that's ok.
I know you've recently been diagnosed with
breast cancer. I'm so sorry.
Even though I am a complete stranger,
I wanted to do something that might
lift your spirits during this possibly
scary and difficult time, so I made this card for you.
And even though I'm not Christian,
I asked my Christian friends to pray for you.
I hope you get well again."

I hope they get a smile and good feeling
when they get these, like I did while making them.

Bookmark card

Every year, I try to make a Christmas card for my mother and closer acquaintances. I usually spend hours designing something, that often takes as long to make. But this year, I took my card a bit further. For the people who read books, or want to throw something interesting on their refrigerator, there is a removable bookmark inside the card. Otherwise, it just looks really interesting and unique when left as is.

Front: Paperbilities 'Naturals" paper and other cardstock, colored with
Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Walnut Stain, Pine Needles, and Aged Mahogany.
Stampin' Up set 'Nature's Secret', snowflake stamped in
Stazon opaque Cotton White ink.
Handmade tag, wrapped with hemp,
natural weathered jute, and placed on dimensional foam.

Inside: Bookmark colored with
Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Walnut Stain. Kitty and clock were stamped with Brown Timber Stazon ink,
the gears and clock numbers were heat embossed with
Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Embossing Powder in Walnut Stain.
An 'Autumn Leaves' ribbon yarn by Lion Brand Yarn was
tied to the top of the bookmark, and strung with a
square yellow AB finish acrylic bead.
A length of copper wire was twisted into a coil and
attached to the ribbon where it's threaded through the bookmark.
It was further embellished with a tiny watch gear,
a rhinestone, and gold eyelet.

This is the bookmark when taken from it's tabs,
which were just cut right into the card with a craft knife.
The sentiment was affixed to the inside with a small craft zot.
Aside from a signature, date and personal sentiment
written in dark ink on back of the bookmark,
I left the overall bookmark design
ambiguous for year round use.

Thank you kindly to Rachel Greig, for inspiration.
I was really taken with your tag card posted on Ranger Ink Link,
and this is what evolved from it.

Flowerpress and Inks

This was a really fun project, though
it took some time, special equipment and preparation.
All told, I'd say it takes 2 seasons to make,
if you wait for the flowers to grow.
:)


This is a really neat piece of art I made using a 4" x 6" double sided frame, flowers pressed in a Microfleur Flower Press, Tim Holtz/Adirondack Alcohol Inks, a transparency, an ink jet printer and any graphic program like Adobe Photoshop. I'd also consider using your favorite stamps with Stazon ink, if you'd prefer not to mess with computer graphics or printing. I made a scan of my favorite french text design, then printed it onto an 8.5" x 11" transparency. Once the ink dried, I cut a piece to fit inside the glass of the frame I'm using. Careful not to get fingerprints on it! Using long handled tweezers, I first arrange the flowers I will use on the transparency, to have the composition and placement figured out before I glue anything. Then I very carefully apply Scotch Quick-Dry Tacky Adhesive to the dried flowers, one by one, and place them back in their place on the transparency.

I grew some of the flowers in my patio garden, or came across them on one of my many summer night walks. There's nothing like the thrill of Lilac Larceny or Grand Theft Pansy to get the adrenaline flowing! (Just kidding! Always ask permission before picking someone else's flowers!) The flowers were pressed during last spring and summer, and I keep a file drawer full of dried flowers to use in my art whenever I please. (pressed flowers make me smile on cold Winter days!)

Next, I removed and cleaned the glass panels of the frame thoroughly, and avoided getting fingerprints on them during the next phase, by handling them around the edges (but careful not to cut yourself!!) On one of the glass panels, I used Tim Holtz/Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Lettuce, Stream, Wild Plum and Stonewashed. I kept the brighter colors to the outside, while using Stonewashed in the middle. You only need to paint one side of the glass with ink. Once you are pleased with your inking and it has dried, place your flowered transparency on top of the inked side, (So that the ink will be on the inside of the frame) and place the second panel of glass on top of the transparency. Slide the glass CAREFULLY into the frame. I do not suggest using any flower or fiber thicker than pressed lavender for this project, otherwise the glass won't fit back into the frame, or it might break if forced too much due to thickness.

In the two projects I've made so far, I used Flox, Lilacs, Lobelia, Dogwood, Bleeding Hearts, Lavender, several smaller unidentified flowers, and assorted greenery. If you love flowers, and like to embellish projects with natural fibers, I highly suggest looking into a Microfleur Flower Press. It is quick, easy and fun to use!

Nautilus framed and Peas!

I covered a 10" x 10" artist canvas with Moda Marble Grey fabric, using furniture tacks and a small craft hammer to secure the fabric to the wood frame. (the Making Memories tool set hammer is just right!) I then cut a piece of transparency about a 1/4 inch larger than the 6"x6" AI Nautilus. The transparency is to protect the art, without the weight of glass. I lined up the AI art and transparency, and poked a hole in each corner. Then I attached the art to the canvas using light grey brads that matched my fabric. I wanted to steer clear of using glue to attach it, since I did not want any discoloration to show through any of the layers. I then selected various fibers from a set by Hand-Dyed Hobbies called 'Quince'. I used Elmers' glue on my fibers, using sewing pins to secure where necessary until it dried, and using just enough fiber to wrap around the art, the front, and sides of the canvas. Sea shell slices were also used to embellish. I attached a hanging wire to the back, then covered the tacks and fabric on the backside with black felt and Elmers' glue. This piece is just amazing!!

This is a set of glass pearls in Sage,
wrapped with wire to resemble pea pods.

A close up of the earrings, which are both the same length.
Because of the way they were hanging, and the fact they have
a slight bend in their design, it looks uneven here.
(I double checked!) They are approximately 2" long, from
the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the pod.

This is the pretty pendant to match those earrings,
with glass pearls that are larger than those used in the earrings.
It is 2" long, and hangs on an easily adjustable 21" silver figaro chain
with a lobster clasp.

Experiments and Gratitude

Hello!
Lately, I've been playing with UTEE, and testing various papers with the alcohol ink painting and tinting as explained in my previous posts. To my joy, I was successful at recreating my very own Czech Dragonfly buttons, using Suze Weinberg's Mold-N-Pour, and Utee products! I will definitely be getting pictures of those up soon.

On other projects, I had absolutely no luck using printed transparencies in my Nauti process, (please refer to recent previous entries) but I of course have not given up on them as a potential crafting medium! Perhaps, I could cut out various shapes of transparency, use some stazon and my favorite stamp, then pour clear or lightly colored utee on it. I wonder what temperature these transparencies can withstand? If they are laser printer safe, then they should be fairly heat resistant. Worth a try anyway, and I could get more shapes than just the squares or rectangles of microscope slides and memory glass... (cogs are turning)...

Oh, if only I weren't too tired to go play with that idea!

I have a tin purse nearing completion, that I used Tim Holtz/Adirondack Alcohol Inks on, and all I can say so far is, "WOW". I'm trying not to hold my breath on this one, because I want to take my time to get it just right. But I'm excited at the pattern and intensity of the ink alone, as even without the beautiful copper heat embossing it is simply gorgeous.

Before I go, I'd like to give a HUGE Thank You to Suze Weinberg, for mentioning my blog in her current newsletter! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, but you've definitely made my year, Suze! I called my mom, and everyone else I knew to tell them who noticed my blog!! I'm thankful for art, for crafting, and I appreciate the quality products Ranger produces to help us express ourselves. Furthermore, I appreciate your artistry and inspiration Suze. You have no idea how much art, and your influence has effected and helped me on a very personal level.

I'd also like to express gratitude for Jan, of Red Rubber Paper and Ink. Her kindness, enthusiasm and inspiration has been, and continues to be a wonderful gift. (Thank you!)

And finally, thank you to all the wonderful artists who frequent RangerInkLink. What a truly gifted and talented lot you are!

A very warm and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Merry Chrismoose and Longfellow

I used Ranger Distress Inks applied with a felt applicator,
in colors of Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo and Tea Dye.
I used the Distress Inks for all the stamping too.
The paper is 'Neutral' cardstock by paperbilities.
The Longfellow stamp and snowflake stamp is from the Stampin' Up
set "Nature's Secrets". The lines on the front right was hand drawn
with Staedlter watercolor pencils, and was embellished just off center
with a sheer dark sage ribbon. The snowflakes on the dark
background were stamped with VersaMark and have
Bronze Pearl-Ex rubbed into it. Unfortunately, the scan
does not bring out the color of the Pearl Ex.
The inside sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.

My 'Merry Chrismoose' was a really fun project I did last year.
I made this card 'book' style. I used burgundy and hunter green
corrugated paper, mulberry paper with grass in it, and
'Neutral' card stock from Paperbilities. I used dimensional
foam under the snout, Root Beer buttons by Lasting Impressions
for the eyes and embellishment,
'Jive Alphabet' by Stamp Craft, 'Greeting of the Season' by
Anna Griffin, vellum paper and Evergreen Versacolor Ink.
The ribbon is doubled sided 'chocolate and strawberry'.
The oval dies used for the head and lower jaw are from Fiskars,
while the ears, antlers, eyes, snout and nostrils were fashioned freehand.

At the time I made these, I really didn't have much to work with,
but I was very happy with the results none the less. Some of the people
I gave them to actually framed them!