Trena's Creative Space

Creating Tons of Greeting Cards

Hello Beautiful People!

Ok, so that might be a slight exaggeration. :) Please visit my social media sites [links on left side] to see my latest designs.

   

#trenabrannonart #thebrannonfactory #greetingcard #artimpressions #rubberneckerstamps #robertjackson #momanning #magnolia #stampingbella #copicmarkers #colorpencils

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Rubbernecker Stamps Part 2

Sharing more greeting cards I made using Rubbernecker stamps. Love their images!

‪#‎thebrannonfactory‬ ‪#‎rubberneckerstamps‬ ‪#‎greetingcard‬ ‪#‎browngirls‬

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Rubbernecker Stamps Part 1

Sharing greeting cards I made using Rubbernecker stamps. Love their images!

‪#‎thebrannonfactory‬ ‪#‎rubberneckerstamps‬ ‪#‎greetingcard‬ ‪#‎browngirls‬ #penguins

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Gelli Print Backgrounds for Greeting Cards

I've been making greeting cards like a mad woman for the bookstore at my church. :)  I find gelli prints make fabulous backgrounds. Because the prints are so rich, when you  change the color  of the focal point, different colors really pop in your background. 

 

The above images are from Robert Jackson  and were colored with Copic Markers. 

The above image is from RubberNecker and was colored with Copic Markers.

The above image is from the Stamp It-Imagine line and was colored with Spectrum Noir Markers.

On some of the backgrounds, I blended a little ink color to help match the backgrounds to the focal image color. Click here to see how I make my Gelli Plate designs  and all the supplies I use. 

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Designs with Rubbernecker Images

Recently I was invited to design some greeting cards featuring Rubbernecker images for their show booth. I feel so honored that they like my artwork!! Below are snippets of the cards I designed. When you click on them, they take you to the rubber stamp image.  Over the next week, I'll be sharing the full view of the greeting cards on the The Brannon Factory Facebook page.

           

           

           

           

   

Several of the designs have two really cool background music themed images:

   

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

More Designs over Gelli Print Backgrounds

I really dig how this surprise technique turned out for me, so I'm making some more designs! I'm keeping with the music theme and dug out a bunch of music images.  To see the first one I made click here.    

 

 

 To create the background layers I started with a design I created using my Gelli Plate. You can see how I did it here.  Below are the full sheets of the background:

 

I cut them up in A2 sizes and trimmed them to the design. Next, I used a black VersaFine ink pad to stamp various musical images. I stamped off first for a more subtle look.  After the ink dried, I stamped the main images with Memento Luxe, a rich thick ink for the bolder image and VersaFine for the smaller images.

 

After the ink dried, I painted the solid parts with gesso - this will add texture and the colors really pop on top of it.  I allowed the first coat to dry and painted a second coat.

 

Now, time for coloring!! I used Tombow Dual Brush pens to fill in color - both direct coloring and also palette colors. I used a water-brush to spread the color.  After coloring, I used the markers a black artist pen to fill in any gaps.  I used gold metallic paint for the horns, stickles for the bubbles, some glossy accents for the watch.  

 Had to use this fabulous image and gelli print again! :o)

 Take care and STAY POSTIIVE! 

InLinkz.com

Jazzy Gelli Print

I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out so I didn't take break out photos. I really dig how it turned out so I'm sharing this simple technique in case you'd like to try!

To create the background layer I started with a design I created using my Gelli Plate. You can see how I did it here.  Below is the full sheet of the background:

 

I cut the sheet into A2 size pieces then jumped into this idea in my head on what to do with some images I had.  Here are the steps I followed:

[NOTE: allow everything to dry completely in between steps]

1. I used a black Versamark ink pad to stamp Man at Piano from Stamps Happen, Inc (sorry I could not find the image on line from where I purchased mine - it may be retired). 
2. I used a lovely rich black Memento Luxe ink pad to stamp the jazzy sax player from RubberNecker stamps.  
3. Next, I filled in with with gesso.
4. I stamped over the gesso again.
5. I used Tombow Dual Brush pens directly on top of the gesso and a water-brush to spread color.  I added more color after the first coat dried. The sax is painted with Gold Smooch. 

I really dig how it turned out over the Gelli printed background!  When I create a surprise like this, it makes me look at my stamps in a different way. Now I'm going to dig through my stamps! :o)

Thanks for visiting!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum

Sharing another finished card from my coloring frenzy. The sentiment image is from RubberNecker stamps. I received permission from Mo before using her images with other images.

1. Colored (you know I did this first!) :o)
2. Cut out image with punch.
3. Adhere layers and ribbon and stamped the sentiment.
4. Once the coloring is finished, assembly is a snap!

Stamps/Images:  Mo's Digital Pencil, RubberNecker
Paper:  Xpress,   Stampin' Up!  basic black,  Neenah Classic Solar White, Club Scrap
Inks:  Copic 0, W00, W3, C7, C9, BG02, BG05, R24, R29, R85, E11, E13, E25, E31, E35, E51, E79, E99, YG06, YG09, Y11, Y13, VersaFine onyx black ink pad
Accessories:  Stampin' Up!  ribbon, Marvy scalloped punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities classic circle die cut

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

ATCs with Rubbernecker and Ranger

For my upcoming ATC live trade I made ATCs using methods and techniques I learned from Dave, Mr. Rubbernecker. 

1. Make a custom ink pad. I first saw this idea on the Carol Duvall show (I miss Carol!!) when Tim Holtz showed it with a snow man image. :o) Ink up image with permanent ink and stamp onto stamp pad felt.  Allow to dry.
2. Use re-inkers to place ink on image where you want that color. I used green on the stem and red and yellow on the leaves. It does not have to be exact. It will spread. When you ink up the image, the image will pick up the color in the right area. You can place your custom pad in a airtight bag and use over and over. Just re-ink when it gets dry.
3. Prepare the ATC background. On a non-stick surface, lay down color direct from ink pads. Run them next to each other, being careful not to overlap.
4. Spritz with water.
5. Pick up color on the ATC by lightly swirling it around. Don't be concerned if do not cover every spot. Later you can fill it in when sponging.
6. Heat set to dry.  
7. Ink up grid background image with yellow ink pad and stamp onto card(s). Note: This design does not cover the entire background with the background, so you can do a few ATCs at one time with large background stamp.
8. Heat set. Before the next step of embossing, make sure card is completely dry.
9. Ink up leaf image with your new customer ink pad and stamp onto ATC.  Consider size of card and how much of the image you want on the card.  Variations: Stamp on a couple of ATCs at one time, getting a different partial image on each card.  Stamp more than one image on the same ATC.
10. Sprinkle with clear emboss powder and heat set.   The Distress inks stay wet longer than regular die inks allowing the embossing powder to stick - one of their great features!
11. Ink up sentiment image and stamp.  Allow to dry. You can use a heat gun to help it dry faster.
12. Sponge around outside edge with ink pads. This is the time you can cover any bare spaces.
13. Run each side of ATC in an ink pad.
14. Spritz with Perfect Pearl glimmer mist to finish . See here for the Tim Holtz recipe on how to make the mist.

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: ATC Strathmore Bristol vellum surface pack
Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress ink pads scattered straw, crushed olive, spiced marmalade,aged mahogany, re-inkers scattered straw, crushed olive, aged mahogany, Versafine onyx black ink pad, StazOn jet black ink pad
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! clear embossing powder, Ranger cut-n-dry stamp pad felt, Mini Mister with Perfect Pearl mix, water spritz bottle, Tim Holtz ink blending tool

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Paper Piecing, Coloring, & Fashion

I am making several cards for an Art Vendor Fair coming up next month.  Sharing some images that use the paper piecing technique. I also included a photo of dresses I colored. I just love coloring with Copic markers!! I get great results with blending - even when I mess up! :o)

For this project:

1. Stamp several images on white card stock. This is your base image.
2. Color portions of image that you will not cover up with pieces of design paper. Cut out images.
3. Stamp the same image on designer papers. Cut out the portions of the images from the designer paper based on pieces you want to use on your base image.
4. Put small dabs of liquid adhesive on the part of the base image for designer card stock and place designer paper pieces on top. NOTE: For this this technique, liquid adhesive works best because it allows you some time to move your designer paper around to fit perfectly over your base image.  Dab inside your image, not at the edge. When you press down on the designer paper, the adhesive will spread. If it does spread beyond the edge, just wipe it off.
5. Use a glitter pen to add sparkle to jewelry.

          

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Papertrey Ink stampers select white, Club Scrap designer, Paper Pizazz designer
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo tuxedo black ink pad, Stampin Up!  white craft ink
Accessories: Copic Markers & 0.3 pen, Sakura glitter pen, Tombow liquid adhesive

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Fashionable Bookmark

Hello!! I just returned from a wonderful family vacation! We picked up our relatives in MI and drove to the Virginia Beach area in a 12 passenger van, and then met up with more family.  We were talking, snacking, and napping all the way there.  We had a fabulous time. It's always good to see everyone together - the children playing... and the food - oh man!! It was all good!!

Before I left, I made a fashion bookmark as a thank you for a lovely necklace my son's girlfriend's mother made for me.   With this background fill technique, when you are making one, you might as well make two or three as you will have plenty of background color.

1. Cut vanilla tags 1/4" smaller than black book mark.
2. Rub ink on non-stick craft mat.  NOTE: run ink pads next to each other. Do not overlap the colors.
3. Spritz with water.
4. Pick up color on tag card stock by lightly swirling it around.
5. Heat set to dry. Iron flat.
6. Ink up images with ink pad colors used for background and stamp randomly on bookmark.
7. Ink up necklace image with dark blue and lavender ink pad colors and stamp randomly on bookmark.
8. Ink up sentiment images with dark blue ink pad and stamp randomly on bookmark.
9. On scrap piece of white card stock, ink up purse image with dark blue and stamp. Repeat onto bookmark. Ink up another purse image with lavender and stamp on white card stock and on bookmark. On the white card stock, color purses with Copic Markers blending one or more markers from the same color family.
10. Cut out the colored purse bag of purse images - not handles. Adhere cutouts over stamped images on bookmark. Use glitter pen to add bling highlights to purses and handles.
11. Punch flowers out of various colors of scrap paper. Run the flowers through a sticker machine. Add some bling with stickles. Set aside to dry.
12. Add flowers to book marks.
13. Slip into plastic cover and add fibers.

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Bookmarker - Black , manila tags, Stampin' Up! whisper white
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo paris dusk & lulu lavender ink pads, Tim Holtz Distress ink pads milled lavender, tumbled glass, broken china
Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura glitter pen, Xyron sticker machine, Stampin' Up! flower punch & fibers, Club Scrap fibers, Stickles star dust, craft iron, water spritzer, ribbonFX ribbon

Copics:  
Purses:BG11, BG13, BG18, BV0000, BV00 
Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Classy Greta

Greta is from Rubbernecker!  Isn't she classy?!  I wanted to keep the background simple so she would just pop out.

1. Ink up image with black ink and stamp on stampers select white card stock.
2. Color image blending two or more markers from the same color family into an area.
3. Cut out image. Use craft knife for tight areas.
4. Use die cut for the oval layer. Cut piece of design card stock to fit bottom third of A2 base.   Add a little color with a gray marker for a ground she will stand on. Adhere layers and image.
5. Add sparkle to her earring and bracelet with the glitter pen. Allow to dry, add another layer.
6. On an A2 size piece of white card stock, ink up part of image stamp off, then stamp in the corner. Add sparkle to her earring and bracelet with the glitter pen. Trim 1/4" on one side and top. Adhere to inside of card for the message. 

Stamps: Rubbernecker Greta
Paper: Papertrey Ink stampers select white, Club Scrap design card stock, Stampin' Up! basic black
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo tuxedo black ink pad, Stampin' Up! taken with teal (not in photo - just retired)
Accessories: Copic Markers, craft knife & mat, Spellbinders Nestabilities narrow oval die cuts, Sakura glitter pen, Xyron 2.5" sticker machine

 

Copics: 0
face, hands, legs: E11, E13, R21
hair, shoes, belt C5, C7, C9
coat, dress: BG11, BG13, BG18
floor: C1

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

 

Trena

 

The Expo Was so Much Fun!!

 

There were hundreds of names in the big bin to win a $50 gift certificate from RubberNecker Stamp Company and my  friend, Sandy, won!  To the right is a photo of Lynne taking Sandy's picture shopping. :o)  Sandy had the option of using the gift certificate then or using it later on RubberNecker's website. There was no way she was leaving without picking out some (more) goodies to take home! :o)

I had the bestest time!!  I hung out with Dave, Mr. RubberNecker, and demo'd with my new stampin' bud Silvia! Dave is a wonderful boss and I would work at his booth any time.  I had the honor of wearing the apron that Dave's wife wore when she attended Ranger University. Tim Holtz signed the pocket! I felt like he was helping me demo. :o) I demo'd a  technique that Dave does at the shows and expos he attends. The technique uses Tim's Distressing Inks to create a custom stamp pad and then emboss the image for a cool effect - what fun I had!  The people were so nice!  I met Janice who I've exchanged email with and I've visit her blog many times.  I met Marion who is a fellow Club Scrap member - we chatted about how much we love their design card stock. She told me that she will be attending a class that Micheal Strong will be teaching!! I met Paulette who has her own jewelry business in Aurora and had just discovered rubber stamping at the expo. She bought a couple stamps and started stamping the bags for her business - I think she's hooked.   I also met Martha - we both shop at Memories & Beyond. I met a host of other lovely people. There were even a few men there!

    

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

  

Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo Convention in Tinley Park, IL

Are you going on July 10 or 11!?  If you do, please stop by the RubberNecker Booth and say hi!  I will be there both Saturday and Sunday.

Chicago-Holiday Inn/Tinley Park Convention Center
18501 S. Harlem Avenue
Tinley Park, IL  60477
Hotel Front Desk: 708-444-1100
Saturday 9 - 5, Sunday 11 - 4

http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/index.php?ShowID=22

The show is the only on of its kind in all of the windy city!  Exhibitors from all over the U.S. arrive once a year for the exciting show.  Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook exhibitors will be as excited as you to show you their newest products and to demonstrate techniques fresh on the market.  The Chicago show offers FREE PARKING.  The Convention Center is attached to the Holiday Inn Select at I-80 and Harlem Avenue.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Just Chicken in...

I continue to experiment and practice with different brands of card stock and mediums. I encourage you to do the same. When you see a technique you like, you don't have to have the exact same brand name items to try it. I learned that tip from Asela.  Now, that doesn't stop me from buying new stuff when I get a coupon! :o)  Over the years I have collected quite a few crafting items.

Today I made a card with one of my favorite color combinations - red, black, and white.

1. Stamped polka dots on scrap piece of black card stock with white ink. 
2. I then, stamped the rooster image two times; once on white card stock with black ink (the whole stamp), and once on the black card stock with the polka dots, with white ink (just the upper portion of the stamp) making sure the body was over the polka dots.
3. On the full image, I colored his head, wing and tail red - using the colorless blender to pull color out of some spots. I also colored black around his wing on his body. That way if my cutting is not precise (which it usually isn't) you will not be able to tell.
4. Cut body out of black card stock with polka dots and ran it through my little Xyron and adhered to the white card stock image.  Cut out whole image with  die cut. Added some a little ground in gray and dotted with a black fine line marker.
5. Next I stamped the chicken feed image twice on a scrap piece of white card stock and colored with markers. I cut out the base image with a circle die cut. I cut out just the bag portion of the second image. I colored both completely and then chose which I wanted for the base and which for just the pop up bag.
6. Used a large background stamp to stamp polka dots on black card stock with white ink.  Allowed it to dry.
7. I wanted to have just a slight red showing for my layers so I cut the rectangle just slightly larger than the Nestability die cut.  For the circle, the 1 3/4" punch worked perfect for the chicken feed image. That was purely coincidence!
8. I assembled the card bottom up.
9. I popped up the feed bag with pop dot adhesive.

Stamps: Stampin' Up!, Rubbernecker
Paper:  Stampin' Up! basic black, whisper white, real red
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Stampin' Up! white pigment
Accessories: Copic Markers, Nestabilities narrow rectangle die cuts, Prismacolor .005 Fine Line Marker, Stampin' Up! 1 3/4" circle punch, grosgrain ribbon, & pop dots

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

I Love Coloring!

[May 10: Updated to include photos of Copic colors used]

One of my favorite techniques is coloring!  One of my favorite mediums to color with is Copic markers! The Rubbernecker challenge this week is to create something with "your favorite technique."  Also this week, Marianne asked about any experience we've had using Strathmore papers.  I did some coloring on one of the papers she recommended to see what it was like.   I liked coloring on the Vellum. I found it easy to blend and easy to erase - two important things! :o) 

1. Stamped image onto ATC
2. Colored with markers, starting with lightest color and coming back with darker color to show contrast. Then going back again with lighter color to blend.
3. I used the colorless marker (0) to really lighten some areas.
4. I colored her hair black, then went back with the colorless marker in small circles to give a little texture.
5. I used a glitter pen on her necklace and belt to add a little bling.
6. Assembled card and added Dew Drops.

1. Stamped image onto ATC
2. Colored with markers, starting with yellows - lightest shade first and coming back with darker color to show contrast. Then going back again with lighter color to blend.
   
3. I used the stamp as my guide for shading and put the darker colors where the hatches were on the image.
4. I used a glitter pen on one side of the flower pedals.
5. Colored the background by putting down the blue marker on my nonstick mat and picking it up with the colorless blender to give a really subtle background.

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Strathmore Artist Trading Cards Assorted Pack (Vellum Bristol sheets), A Muse Card, Stampin' Up! basic black
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Accessories: Copic Markers, atyou Spica glitter pen, Dew Drops

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

At the Beauty Shop

Here's a finished card using one of the images I colored during my experimenting. For a supplies list and instructions on the ladies under the dryer, go here.

I used decorative paper for the wall paper and ribbon for the baseboard. I used a gray marker to give a little shadow around the ladies' feet. I colored the woman in the picture using the same techniques as the ladies under the dryer. The stamp image is of her holding her hat with one hand. I inked up the image up to just before where her hand touched and filled in the hat with the thin side of a VersaMark marker. It's a bit thicker than the stamp, but overall does not take away from the picture.

In addition to previous supplies, used:
Stamps: RubberNecker
Paper: Stampin' Up! more mustard & decorative paper
Accessories: Tombow markers, VersaMark marker, Stampin' Up! ribbon, Nestabilities

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Comparing Markers at the Beauty Shop

 

Markers are one of my favorite mediums to work with. Over the years, with the help of sales and   coupons, I have collected quite a few. I wanted to compare the look of the water based markers I have.  I used this fabulous image from RubberNecker I just got this week. I dig the expression on the ladies' faces and the detail of the image.

1. Ran anti-static bag over watercolor paper. Stamped image on paper, sprinkled with detail  embossing powder and heat set. The embossed edges acts as a damn to keep the color inside an area.
2. Colored the image by adding small dabs, or lines, of color with the markers and then spreading the color with a waterbrush. I worked with one color at a time.
3. Cut the images out. I used a craft knife to get really close in areas too tight for the scissors.

TIPS:

• Keep a paper towel close. If you put too much color down or spread it to any area you don't want it in, dab the area with the clean dry paper towel. If it's not coming up, add a little  clear water. You have to do this right away before it drys.
• If you want the color very light, color the marker on a piece of plastic and pick up color with your waterbrush. You can also use a wet paintbrush.

Stamps: RubberNecker
Paper: Fabriano Artistico Bright White Watercolor Paper Block 140lb
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Stampin' Up! detail black embossing powder and embossing buddy, & markers, Tombow Markers, Marvy LePlumeII Markers, waterbrush, craft knife

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

A Thank You in a Jar

Recently I received some great customer service from Rubbernecker Stamps.  I just had to send Dave a thank you card - using one of his company's stamps of course. :-)

1. I stamped the jar image on water color paper and used a pencil and a ruler to draw a pattern on my jar lid. I actually started with water color  (WC) pencils, but did not like how it was coming out, so I switched to markers. I used a red WC pencil to color the ribbon and then used a water brush to spread the color. I didn't like it, so I switched to markers and it actually made a rich color. Hey! a new technique....for rich color, use WC pencils first, then go over with marker and blend. :o)

2. I colored the diamond shapes using Tombow markers - adding one dab of color per diamond and then using the blender pen to spread the color. I started with the SU! blender pen, then tried the Tombow. I like them both. 

3. After coloring, I cut out the jar and glued it on the folded edge of the base card - making sure the ribbon and lid were flush with the fold. I then cut around the jar, leaving the ribbon and lid untouched.

The envelop is a little big, but just fine for A Thank You in a Jar.

          

STAMPS: Rubbernecker, Stampin' Up!  PAPER: Fabriano Artistico Bright White Watercolor Paper Block 140lb, Stampin' Up! INK:  StazOn Jet Black   ACCESSORIES:  Tombow Markers and Blender Pen N00, 158, 451, 947, Stampin' Up! Blender Pen

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!