CMM 5th Friday Fun - Where This Woman Creates

(ETA: I thought this had posted! Apologies for the late post.)

Happy 5th Friday!

Today I am FINALLY sharing the progress that I've made in my studio. This room has been a long time in the making...we're talking years! Let me preface this post by telling you that we moved into this house this past summer and I'm still figuring out my workflow in this room, still trying to figure out where to store everything. (My husband is kindly storing a few boxes in the garage for me!)

Made this canvas banner a few years ago using Adirondack Color Washes. Still love it.

Like a lot of crafters, my first 'craft room' wasn't really a room, but a place where I dragged my supply boxes in and out of - the dining room, the kitchen - wherever I could find temporary space. It's tough when you have to put away your project, so you can eat dinner! lol

Being a military family at the time didn't help much either. Moving around meant that I had to reorganize and regroup every few years or so. At one point, we moved to Germany and since we were homeschooling we decided that I needed a room...for school and supplies. My first room!

From that time on, I have been fortunate to have been able to have a room, no matter how small. I made, collected and found things along the way to organize my supplies and rarely have bought anything for full price!

Because of that my room tends to be a bit mismatched, but I don't really mind as long as I can sort and find things. Let me show you around...here's the full room view.

My studio is still a work in progress...6 months so far.

I used to teach classes and have collected supplies with that in mind...5 of these, 10 of those...so don't judge my stacks & piles! lol

While we moved around I stored items in plastic. Now that we are settled, it's pretty glass for me!

I store my buttons by color in upcycled candle holders (they're upside down). I've found most of my buttons in thrift stores and yard sales. Sometimes I've bought a suit for the fabric & the buttons.

I love having my kids' art on the walls of my studio as well as my own. They love it, too!

The shelf above the fireplace mantel is perfect for holding canvases, initials and banners. The heart piece was made during a Donna Downey Pan Pastels class. My oldest daughter took the class with me and has her own heart.

Bought this desk around 2000. It's all wood and has a pull out in front. I was told the pull out was for a secretary to use for dictation. There's a hidden picture under my desk created by one of my kids. With a sharpie. Could the desk be any more perfect for my studio?

I found over the years that I use 'work stations.' This is my cutting station. (Table from Ikea.) Still trying to figure out where my 8"x8" and 6"x6" paper pads are going to go...

Digital cutter station and 12"x12" paper/cardstock storage. (The table is from Ikea, too.) In case you are wondering why I have 2 machines...I bought the Sizzix eClips a few years ago (love it) and I won the Silhouette Cameo over Thanksgiving week. The other machine is a Dymo label maker that prints postage stamps.

Two-tiered wire sorters hold found papers - musical scores, wall paper samples, etc.

Both of these filing cabinets were great thrift store finds. The metallic red paint job cost me more in supplies than I paid for the cabinet! The red cabinet holds my Stampin' Up! cardstock and scraps - all sorted by family and color. The scraps are stored in manila folders inside the same color files.

The blue horizontal filing cabinet holds legal sized files. I use this cabinet to hold 'others' papers - my watercolor paper (fabriano heat press - bought on sale, of course!), acetate sheets, labels, sand paper, Neenah cardstock, etc.

The pegboard was a gift from my husband. He also came up with the idea of these Ikea racks and buckets to sort small tools, washi tape, rhinestones, pearls...

More stuff from Ikea. You've probably seen these carts around a few studios. I was introduced to Ikea in 1999 and have been a fan ever since (could you tell?!) These carts are holding my coloring mediums: markers, pencils, pens, paints, chalks, Gelatos... I pull the carts over whenever I need them; the rest of the time they are out of the way.

Love having my kiddos art hanging around the house. This is a jellyfish my son made out of stuff from the recycle bin. When the light's on, the jellyfish shimmers and waves! I've been thinking I need to make one, too.

I love the industrial look mixed with the feminine. I wanted to be a librarian in another life. (The Music Man is a favorite musical...) I collect catalogue drawers. The larger magnetic containers are from Ikea, the smaller ones are from a scrapbook company...not sure which brand.

The Ikea Expedit has been through two moves & is still holding up! Right now it's holding crafting supplies by type: metal, wood, plastic, glass, paper, glitter, embossing powder, chipboard, etc. This area needs be reorganized. On the list of to-do.

My husband built this workbench for me. It has a stainless steel top. Durable and cleans so easily. The shelves were built to hold 12"x12" paper holders, so there's plenty of space. I store envelopes, packaging, card bases, stencils, mixed media papers, painting supplies...

Another gift from my husband. My kiddos helped make the punch shelf, too. They even signed the back of it! Holds my older punches and the flat styles, too. The rest are stored in photo boxes.

This started out as my wood mounted stamp shelf, but as we unpacked it was apparent that I needed a different strategy. The plan is to unmount them, but for now this will have to do. I started to store my Studio Calico Project Life kits here, too, but I discontinued my subscription and will probably break up the kits when I have some time.

Okay...lest you think I am usually this neat and organized, here are a couple of pictures of my current studio reality!

I did mention that I was running out of room on the shelves... This couch is supposed to be for the kids to hang out... The red bucket is holding some of my Project Life supplies and ephemera I'm collecting. This year I'm using the Cinnamon and Kraft Editions.

Those black metal drawers (another thrift store find) hold my extra tools: heat guns, melting pot, irons, soldering tools...

My first craft desk. Ever. It's a counter top I found in the clearance section of Ikea for less than $5. The intention is for this to be my sewing table and my kiddos craft area. The roller drawers on the desk top are scheduled for emptying. These contain beads and jewelry making supplies that I've collected. (I've only made a couple of pieces.) The brown boxes will be for those items and any embellishments I don't find a place for.

The chair was found during a junking trip while we were in Germany. The seat cover is leather and not a single hole or scratch in it!

Thanks for visiting today! I hope you found a little inspiration for your own room. (You can see more of my past craft spaces by using the search box and 'WOYWW'.)

Want to see where some of the other Mojo Mamas create? Click on their pictures below to see more!

An InLinkz Link-up

Inky hugs,
Angi

Globecraft & Piccolo - Enamel Stamped Monogram Necklace

Hello, Crafty Friends! Thanks for stopping by...what better way to start your week than to see some crafty goodness?

Have you stopped by the G&P shop, yet? There are a lot of goodies to be found! Sometimes I order stuff I like, but not really knowing what I will use it for just, yet. Not too long ago, I received a 2.25" acrylic circle and have been wondering how to use it. After a week or two of pulling it out and putting it back, I finally figured it out!

I've not made a lot of jewelry, but this was so easy, I may be designing a few more pieces! Let me show you how I made this necklace...

Peel off the top blue liner. Leave the bottom piece to protect the backside.

Dab the Enamel Powder Adhesive on to the acrylic circle. Sprinkle on Vintage Copper Enamel Powder and heat. (The adhesive will bead up, but don't worry! We will add 2 more layers...) 

Remember to be patient and take your time when heating to reduce the loose powder fly-off, especially with the first layer. Melt until the layer is molten and 'flowing'. You'll know what I mean when you see it. Think 'lava'.

Pretty rough looking, right? It's okay...trust me! Dab more adhesive, sprinkle powder and melt. Here's the second layer - much better!

Now ink up your stamp with VersaMark watermark ink and lay it aside. You want your stamp ready to use when the enamel powder is molten. One more time: dab on adhesive, sprinkle on powder and melt. Here's the third layer, molten and ready to stamp. 

Stamp into the melted enamel firmly. Leave the charm to cool with the stamp still in the enamel for a minute or so. Lift off the stamp when the charm is cool enough to touch. Are you as impressed at the result as I was?!

Clean off your stamp and let the charm cool completely. You could stop at this point, but it was a bit too shiny for what I was looking for...

When cool brush on some black acrylic paint and then use a wet wipe or paper towel to remove most of the paint. This really makes the impression visible!

I felt it still needed something else, so I used a script stamp with Jet Black Staz-On. It adds a lovely vintage charm and interest to the monogram, don't you think?

Finish by peeling off the back blue liner and then use a brush to add a light layer of Glastique to seal the piece. Add a chain (the G&P shop has several to choose from), a bail, other charms...whatever you like and you have a stunning piece of jewelry handmade by you!

Did you try this technique? Did you use a different embossing enamel powder? Let me know so I can visit and see what YOU made!

Inky hugs,
Angi

Sentimental Sundays #191 - Lovey Dovey

Happy Sunday!

Time for another Sentimental Sundays Challenge and this week the theme is hosted by Erum:

Lovey Dovey

(plus a sentiment)

With Valentine's Day fast approaching this is a perfect time for thinking about how to tell those in your life how you really feel about them!

This week's Sponsor is:

Sami Stamps

Donating: $12 gift voucher to the store

Sami has adorable line images...I chose Sunshine Love. This stamp is under 'Baby and Parents', but when I first saw this lovely image, I thought of my girls. I didn't have a sister growing up, but there have been sweet moments I have been privileged to see where my girls have shown each other how wonderful sisters can be. (no worries...I have seen plenty of the other end of family love, too!)

I wanted to keep the image soft, so I printed the image (laser printer) onto watercolor paper (cold press) and watercolored the image and background using Stampin' Up! markers:

Calypso Coral

Early Espresso

Garden Green

Night of Navy

Pink Pirouette

Rose Red

So Saffron

Tempting Turquoise

I hadn't used this technique in awhile, but I love the results! The colors mixed and mingled with just a minimal of effort and a heat gun...

Always looking for a way to incorporate a little texture...a little sprinkle of Globecraft & Piccolo Embossing Enamel in Vintage Copper did the trick! Do you see the little bits of green? G&P has the best enamel mixes...

The sentiment is stamped in Jet Black Staz-On on a piece of acetate, layered over the watercolor piece, layered over a backing piece of white cardstock popped up on the card base. 

Now it's your turn! Visit the Sentimental Sundays Challenge Blog to see what else the design team created - serious inspiration!

Inky hugs,

Angi

Challenges I'm playing along with:

Sami Stamps #009 - Anything Goes

Dream Valley #74 - No Designer Paper

Cute Card Thursday #305 - So Sweet

Bloggers Challenge - Backgrounds

Globecraft & Piccolo - Altered Postcard with Adhesive Drippage

Happy Monday, friends!

I've got a fun project to share - an altered postcard! When was the last time you sent some art through the mail? Well, I won't be mailing this postcard without an envelope, but it's definitely more interesting with a few additions from Globecraft & Piccolo!

I started off with a leftover altered postcard I had.

You can see how I make the postcard bases HERE & HERE.

I dabbed on some Enamel Powder Adhesive and then embossed the filigree heart and the key from the A114 Keys to My Heart set with Royal Sterling - this is a stunning mix!

One of the last details I added - 3D Enamel Gel (Mars Black) into the keyhole. It's all in the little details, isn't it?

Here is a piece of the set A100 Steampunk Airship Accents. (My daughter thinks it looks like an owl...we may have to design a project with that in mind some time...) This is embossed with Aged White. Note that this is a tiny piece and the Aged White is a chunky powder. A little goes a really long way here!

These pieces are even tinier...dare I say 'micro'? They are from A138 Micro Flourishes. I decided to only emboss 2/3 of the mini flourish and then coated it with Glastique Gloss for some shine. The Glastique over the plain book board deepens the color. I like the look!

To make the Royal Sterling drippage, I carefully opened the Enamel Powder Adhesive and poured just a bit on my craft mat. Then, I used the end of a cheap paintbrush and preceded to dip and drip on the postcard, pulling the drip down the card.

Tip: use less Enamel Powder Adhesive than I did in the picture! 

Add some more Royal Sterling Enamel Powder & get to melting! As things cooled, I added them to the postcard. I used the Glastique to adhere the the vellum cardstock (the piece with the sentiment) under the ribbon. All of the small accents were adhered using Glastique, too.

Well, I hope that you enjoyed this project today and will stop by the G&P blog. I would suggest tomorrow to see what crafty goodness Tracy will bring! ;)

Inky hugs,
Angi

Sentimental Sundays #190 - More Than 3 Layers

Happy Sunday!

Another week, a new challenge at Sentimental Sundays! This week's theme is More Than 3 Layers - with a sentiment. This week we're sponsored by Paper Pretties. I chose Snow Angel Sophia. Isn't she adorable?

Keeping this short...it's been a busy week and this one is off to a similar start, but here are a few details... colored with Copics, flocking on the boot cuffs, hat and mittens.

Lots and lots of glitter!

Inky hugs,
Angi

Globecraft & Piccolo - Altered Bottle Caps | Love Hang Ups

Happy Monday!

i love saying that...

I have a wall of love in my home and am always in need of a few more magnets. Even if you don't have kids and a plethora of 'Good Job!' papers to hang, you may still want to make these.

They're cute and useful.

Did I mention really cute?

G&P Shopping List:
Enamel & Embossing Powder Adhesive Fluid

Enamel Powders:
Temple Stone
Poodle Skirt

Clear Thick Enamel Powder

Tweezers

your favorite Piccolo Accents 

Other:
Heat Tool
Craft Mat
metal bottle caps (rinsed and dried)
scraps of paper, stickers, sequins, etc. (I cut words from some packaging.)

Notes: Take your time. Let the Diva of Perfection go...because sometimes the powder moves in it's own direction!

The metal cap will get HOT! Be sure to use tweezers and let the cap cool as necessary before you handle it!

1.  Sprinkle a light layer of Stone Temple Enamel Powder into the bottle cap.

black, gray, white, gold

2.  Hold the bottle cap with the tweezers. Heating from underneath and about 5-6 inches away, slowly heat the bottle cap. Once the enamel starts to melt you can heat it from the top, starting 5-6 inches away until the powder no longer blows around.

3.  While still warm, add another layer of Stone Temple. Repeat Step 2.

4.  Repeat Steps 3 and 2 until you have the bottom of the cap covered.

 This is 3 layers.

5.  This time add a layer of the Clear Thick Enamel Powder. Repeat Step 2. Take your time. (It appears the Clear Thick Enamel Powder is heavier than the Stone Temple. It didn't mix as much as it moved the other powder. I LOVE this effect!) 

6.  Using the tweezers, hold the tiny heart. Using a paintbrush dab on the embossing fluid. Sprinkle the Poodle Skirt Enamel Powder on the heart and melt from underneath. Let cool before removing tweezers.

Look at the depth & detail of the Piccolo Enamel Powders (+ Clear Thick Enamel Powder)! Gorgeous!

7.  Repeat Step 5. While still warm begin to add your embellishments. Layering the Clear Thick Enamel Powder as you like.

Two layers.

Here you can see where the melted enamel moved across my sequin.

 Three layers. Done!

8.  Add your favorite kind of magnet to the back! Of course, you could also use this in another project, punch a hole to use it for a charm...I'm sure you'll think of something!

Last notes: I love that I didn't have to wait for stuff to dry, but you could use the Glastique or Instant UV Resin instead.  You can continue to layer more stuff into the cap whenever you want to. Added a tiny rhinestone to the 'empty' area in the top right of the cap.

Stop by the G&P store and check out the NEW ITEMS...I'm already working on a wishlist...

Well, that's it for today! See you here tomorrow with a fab project from Tracy!

Inky hugs,

Angi

Globecraft & Piccolo - First Project Ocean Dreams Frame Card

Isn't that a mouthful? I was so busy over the holidays, I didn't even have a chance to share the good news...

I'm on the Globecraft & Piccolo Design Team!

(click on the link to meet the rest of the girls!)

Raw chipboard, enamel powders and gels, UV resin...so much to play with, so little craft space! (My family would be rolling their eyes right now. One of the blessings of our last move: craft ROOM. Stop by at the end of the month to see it!)

(this is the retake. a little blown out, but the shine and colors are hard to photograph on a gray day!)

If you stopped by yesterday, you'd see that I made a lovely little jar using a mermaid image. Well, I always print & color extra images so I can try different color combos, or for that just in case moment when your marker decides to spit on your project!

Anyhoo, it's been dreary around here, and I've been thinking about warmer weather and beaches, so here's another project using that image, but more importantly using some of the great products from Globecraft & Piccolo!

You know I love using embossing powders. Enamel powders are basically chunky e.p. sometimes mixed with other colors, glitter or super fine micas.

These powders are truly gorgeous! They are fun to use and add great texture and interest to your projects. My first post is a tutorial on how to make this simple 2 color ombre frame that I used on the above card.

To see the tutorial,

please visit my post on the Globecraft & Piccolo blog!

A couple of things I learned while working on this project...

Don't squeeze the Enamel fluid bottle too hard...the lid will pop off and you will end up with a puddle on your craft mat that will work it's way towards the edge of the workbench while you frantically try to move everything out of its way, just in case you can't grab a towel in time to stop it...yep. 

(Obviously, it wasn't moving too quickly...I was able to snap a picture! lol)

If I had been able to get a better picture of the whole card (still working on that got it!), you would be able to see my fingerprint on the frame...don't touch the enamel right after you melt it. It's hot and soft.

Even with my mishaps, I am pretty tickled with the way it all turned out. It's been forever since I've made a shaker card. (not sure I've actually EVER made one...) Foam tape around the edges, a little leftover Christmas snow, topped with another scrap of acetate...and it's a shaker!

Besides the Enamel Powders, I have a few of the gels and one of the Mini Steampunk Airships (I can't wait to start working on this!), and a few more fun things. Lots of projects in the pipeline!

Well, I think I have rambled enough today. Be sure to stop by the G&P blog to see the other great projects!

Inky hugs,

Angi

Playing along with these challenges:
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog - Use a Digi
Oozak - Anything Goes w/Blue Tones
Open-Minded Crafting #1 - Use New Toys/Technique - using Globecraft&Piccolo enamel powders
Outlawz Copic Challenges - New (must sign in to see challenge)