Postcards - Prepping the Bases

I'm still working on organizing my studio. I know. It's been about 4 months since my stuff arrived and about a month since I've really been creating on a regular basis. Most of my things are in places, but since I've started working in the studio, I've realized I need some major tweaking to improve my workflow (pictures of the 'workflow' tomorrow!)

Stamp storage and lighting are at the top of my list. When that happens you may actually be able to watch projects from start to finish! I love watching others create and I'm excited about sharing my how-tos with you!







Okay...onto the postcards bases. I followed a similar process for my first iHanna Swap. You can see those posts here:

• 2011 Postcards - Bases
• 2011 Postcards - More Layers
• 2011 Postcards - Finished

I started out with some glossy 4.25"x5.5" postcards I had around. (I have ALOT of these. I used to be a SU! demo years ago and had hung on to these just for such an occasion! I used these in 2011, too. I did say 'ALOT'!)

I had already started making bases when I remember to take the photos!

I used some fine grit sandpaper and sanded the cards in one direction and then the other. I wasn't trying to take off the entire layer; I wanted to give the layer some tooth so that the next layers would stick.

The sanding left this great crosshatch design. Very Vintage.

Now for the first layer: gesso. I save old gift cards, credit cards, and even those thin cardboard coupon/discount cards. They are fabulous for laying down a thin layer of paint, gesso, gels, etc. Scoop a dab of gesso onto the postcard and then use the gift card to spread it out.

With the gesso I use (whatever's on sale at my local craft store) I have to use a very thin layer, if I want it to be smooth. Otherwise, when it dries it will have cracks. I used thin layers first and then varied it a bit on the last layer.

Don't worry about cleaning off the card. It just adds more variation.

Be sure to let each layer dry in between for the best layered effect. It usually only takes about 10 minutes, if it's thin. When dragging the card to spread the gesso, the edges left lines and marks. Leave them! They add great texture and interest.

Love this layer!

Gesso layers: done! Notice that I didn't completely cover the original layer. It's peeking through! Amazeballs, right?! The postcard is already looking kind of artsy.

Now I wanted to add some text. Here's my En Francais stamp from Stampin' Up! It is my most used script stamp.

I used Archival Ink because I knew I would be adding more water-based mediums and didn't want the ink to smear. However, I did want the script to be lighter and heavier, so when I inked up the stamp I randomly pounced it on the rubber.

The gesso layers are already textured, so when I stamped it the script varied. I stamped it once and then turned and stamped it again without reinking. Then I set it aside, did the rest of the postcards and then took a second look. If it needed more, I added more.

I put the decal on upside down!

The bases took about two hours (I made about 20 bases.) including dry time. I worked assembly line style. I did the first layer on the first card, then moved to the second card, etc. By the time I got to the last card the first card was almost dried. Then I repeated the process for the next layers. This really works well when prepping the bases (or any kind of project you are working on in multiples!)

Does it look anything like it did? Gorgeous transformation!

I really enjoyed prepping the bases. I watched a few episodes of Masterchef and tried not to think too much about it and just work the process.

This is definitely a project you just need to get busy and do it! You may be surprised at just how good your bases look! And just wait until you add more layers...

More postcard goodness coming soon!

2013 (Autumn) iHanna DIY Postcard Swap

Inky hugs,
Angi

Sentimental Sundays #182: Winter Wonderland

Welcome to another week closer to Christmas! I'm starting to feel the time crunch...but only because I  always want to be done a week or two before and I'm usually that crazy lady the night before picking up a few things! lol

Well, you don't want to miss the newest challenge on the Sentimental Sundays Challenge Blog! (We're having a DT CALL, too!)

This week's Sponsor is:

Meljen's Designs Challenge Blog

Meljen's Designs Store
Donating: 4 images, winners choice

This week's challenge is:

Winter Wonderland

(plus a sentiment)

Meljen's is having a 50% off Holiday Sale! If you love cute & whimsical, you don't want to miss out! Melissa shared a few images with our DT and I chose Bitty Christmas Tree Bears. Along with the sketch from RETRO SKETCHES my Winter Wonderland looks a bit like this:

LOVE embossing enamel! It adds such great texture...and I LOVE texture. This is another product from Stampendous: Frantage - Shabby White. It's chunky white with bits of gold and gold glitter. Depending on how long you heat the enamel, you can have smooth and shiny or touchable glam! Perfect for my tree!

Although, true CAS is not my style. I often attempt CAS hoping to be able to grow my crafting skills.   I think I did a pretty good job of staying close to the original sketch this time. Only a few layers.

And what is a Winter Wonderland without glitter?! I added touches of glitter to the snow and to the tops of the flags. My daughter has already claimed this card for her teacher! 

Have you seen my postcards from the Autumn iHanna DIY Postcard Swap? Tomorrow I'll show you how I made the bases.

Inky Hugs,

Angi

Entering these challenges:

Retro Sketches #91

Oozak #26 - Holidays & Anything Goes

Designed to Color #23 - Christmas/Winter

2013 iHanna DIY Postcard Swap - The Quickie. More to Come!

embossing powder, dimensional pearls, gesso, Gelatos, washi...oh my!

Hello, Friends!
I am so excited to share my postcards from the 2013 iHanna DIY Postcard Swap! This year I swapped 10+1 cards; this is my second iHanna Postcard Swap. If you are interested in exchanging postcard-size pieces of artsy goodness, be sure to sign up for Hanna's newsletter to be one of the first to know when she opens the next swap!

Instead of posting all of the cards in one post, I'm going to spread the love around a bit and share a couple at a time over the next few weeks with detailed posts. (I will upload all of the cards to my flickr & instagram accounts this weekend.)

Today I'm sharing one card to get started. Be sure to stop by Tuesday to see how I prepped all the bases and my basic process.

I can't even tell you how much fun it was to make these cards! I am still amazed how the layers build up and the finished product is always better for it. This year I signed up at the last minute, so I was a little pressed for time. I decided to use the same steps for each card and vary the details.

I always wonder what the process looks like for a piece of art. Since I'm not quite set up for video, yet, I took a few pictures, so YOU can see where I started. Above you see the base with scribbles of Gelatos. Not much to look at.

I chose a few colors of sprays/mists and spritzed the cards and used my fingers to moosh it all around. (I'm pretty sure that's a technical term...) Looks better, right?

After letting it dry. I added quotes and phrases using alphabet & other stamps and embossed them with black embossing powder. LOVE the texture and the shine the embossing adds!

(Check out this ornament I made last year...or This ATC - embossing enamels, powders, and crackle accents can make a good project great!)

After the stamping and embossing, I used Adirondack Dimensional Pearls to add more color, shine and glimmer. I squirted a dot or two and then used my fingers to spread it like paint. Using multi-medium gel I added various Frantage Mica Fragments where ever I felt I needed some glam.

After all of that I still feel it needed a bit more, so out came the washi tape! A little bit here, a little there...done! (I wrapped the washi around the edge on to the backside for interest. Sorry, forgot to get a picture!)

Here is the stack before I mailed them... Make sure to click on the pictures in this post to see more details. Feel free to leave a comment, if you have any questions or feedback! And don't forget to check back on Tuesday to see how I created the first couple of layers...

2013 iHanna Postcard Swap (Autumn)

Inky hugs,

Angi

Sentimental Sundays #180 - Warm & Cozy

These weeks are just whizzing by and this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge is spot on with the weather here... Last week I was sharing how much I enjoyed the Fall and this week I'm thankful for warm bathrobes, fuzzy slippers and a fireplace that's ready when I am!

This week's Sponsor is:

Mayzy Arts Challenge Blog 
Mayzy Art Store

Donating: 5 images, winners choice

This week's challenge is:
Warm and Cozy

(plus a sentiment)

(Did I mention that Sentimental Sundays is having a Design Team call? Get all of the deets HERE.)

This week I needed an image with a scarf and although this image isn't wintry, I think she is adorable! Mayzy's Digi Dancer - Line Dance gives warm fuzzies!

I am loving all the Thank You cards out in blog world! The holidays help people remember to express their gratitude and I have lots to be grateful for, too. I'm always in need of another card...

Have you been playing along with any of the gratitude memes? This year I've been keeping it close to home with a project that the family is helping with. Check back later this week to see it!

This cowgirl is layered up! She's moving and I wanted to make sure she didn't look flat. I fussy cut her head and used foam to lift up the tails of her braids. And how could I not lift her boot and keep her kickin'?!

Alright...it's your turn! 

Entering this card into these challenges:

Oozak #25 - Anything Goes with Thanks

Sentimental Sundays #179 - Falling into Autumn

I am loving East Coast Fall!

Check out this beautiful cut file by Fred She Said Designs! Love it!

I didn't realize how much I missed the colors and believe it or not...the chill in the air! My kids are trying to hang onto summer as long as they can, but they don't mind indulging in hot chocolate with whipped cream in the mornings!

With all these lovely fall leaves and nippy noses, it's a perfect time for the

Sentimental Sundays Challenge!

This week our challenge is sponsored by:

Fred, She Said Designs

Donating: $15 Gift Voucher 

This week's theme is:

Falling into Autumn
(plus a sentiment)

and I paired this with the challenge from Chromatic Craze:

plus a couple of Fred She Said designs and came up with...

 Winter Westie & Four Point Star Cut File

(The brown and orange are obvious, right? The westie is colored with gray Copics and there's green on the leaves.)

Oh. My. Is this not the cutest little furry face?! This is WINTER WESTIE. When you purchase this darling image you not only get this digi, but one without the scarf and even a colored version - print, cut and paste! (So, as I've mentioned before, my kids find all kinds of fun stuff on YouTube. Check out this cuteness - The Ermahgerd Song (Puppy Dog) - you can tell this guy really loves his puppy!)

LOVE the leaves. Colors + shine.

I finally got my Sizzix eClips unpacked and wouldn't you know it...the cutting mats were NOT in the same box! Ugh. That's another story...but I did find a solution and downloaded the Four Point Star Cut File. GORJUSS!!! Just watching my eClips make magic appear...I saved the star bits for confetti. 

It's perfect.

The cardstock underneath the star layer was colored using sprays and the following technique.

Watch the video here: DIY Autumn Leaves Tutorial.

(I know...it was my first video. Please be kind! Once I get the studio situated I will post more video tutorials!)

And do you see my leaves? Click on that picture above. LOVE. Ink, kraft cardstock and my favorite add-on *embossing powder* in copper. The copper ep adds just the right amount of shine and texture. These leaves are die cut using a Tim Holtz die.

Texture + layers!

Most of the time I like my projects, sometimes I really like them. I love this one. All the yummy texture and the layout is so versatile - CAS or layers - I can see myself making a few versions of this!

Okay...thanks so much for hanging out with me today! Be sure to link up your project to the Sentimental Sundays Challenge. If you do, leave me a comment here and I'll come visit you!

Entering these challenges:
Cards Galore Challenge - Animals
Chromatic Craze - see above
The Stamping Boutique #68 - Fall Colors
Catered Crop - Washi Tape

Inky hugs,
Angi

Lollyrot & Card Makin' Mamas #76 | Thankful Tidings

This is a great Friday!

The day after Halloween always feels like the real beginning of the holiday season to me. After all the craziness with costumes and candy, I love having a holiday that focuses on gratitude and blessings.

Hello November.

See the glitter? I just HAD to add a little sparkle to those leaves!

Today I'm thankful that Maria of Lollyrot Illustration asked me to be a Guest Designer in October and  I was able to share two projects using her designs. What? You haven't seen the second project? Take a look...

If you haven't stopped by Lollyrot Illustration, do so now! She has the most adorable images and a YouTube channel (lollyrot7) and as if that wasn't enough, she shares her personal art, too. 

Whenever I see an image I want to use I make a few notes: what's most obvious about the image? what not-so-obvious details are there? is there an unexpected way for me to use this image? After all, I want to get the most out of my supplies, right?

The first thing I noticed about Lollypie Pumpkin is her pumpkin shape and leaves. This image is too cute to only use for the fall holidays, so I started brainstorming what I could do to make her not so 'pumpkin.'

I love the look of paper piecing, especially when layering, but not the time it takes to fussy cut the details.

I love coloring with my alcohol markers.

Aha!

Most of the time I use whatever details are available in an image, but this time I decided to use my markers to add some variety. The fall always brings gorgeous textures and fabrics...plaids, corduroy, felt, flannel...and polka dots are good all year round!

Colored in the image, used my blender to move some of the color and create some fun fabric! Now I can use her any time of the year, just by changing up the colors and adding a few tiny embellishments to her hair.

What do you think?

And...it's time for a new challenge at the

Card Makin' Mama's Challenge Blog,

so head over and link up your Thankful Tidings (sentiment required) card and join the fun!

Challenges I'd like to enter this card into:

Oozak - Anything Goes with Thanks

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Whimsy Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes

Graph'It Marker Colouring Challenge - Tic Tac Toe or Anything Goes

Have a great weekend!

Inky hugs,

Angi