Trena's Creative Space

Light in the Middle of Color

Hello Beautiful People!

Do you like contrast? How do you use it? I really dig it and I'm learning to use it more.  For this layout I worked on the outer edges with vibrant color left the center light. I used one of the brush word stencils I designed for StencilGirl®.  I am just bubbling with joy and excitement as I'm typing this. 

  

 

In my Jane Davenport 9x6" journal, I put a strip of journal tape to protect the seam from liquid. I then laid down a thin layer of gesso and let it dry overnight.   I then stamped some of my hand-carved images in black. 

 

Next I added areas of resist with a stencil (SC-01-2016 Shaw) and light molding past.  NOTE: Be sure to clean your stencil and tools right away.  I use a soft brush and warm soapy water get all the paste off.

 

Now to add color!  I sprinkled colorbrusts and spritzed with water, allowing the colors to dry in between.  I used a white paint pen to add some white lines.  The flowers and bee (Stampin' Up! In Full Bloom -retired, can find used online) were stamped onto watercolor paper, sprinkled with clear embossing powder, and heat set. I then added sprinkles of the same colors that are in the background. After I spritzed water, I "kissed" the color rich piece of watercolor paper to a  journal page down to pick up the excess color - that will make a lovely background for a future design. I used a brush to paint more yellow into the bees and added sparkle 3D paint to their wings. I then cut out the pieces. 

 

 

The words are added with paint. To make the words crisp, I used the "dry brush" technique - only I didn't use a brush, I used a round blending tool. I dabbed most of the paint off and then dabbed the color into each letter. After the paint dried, I used Sharpies to complete some of the open spaces on the letters and add a white shadow to the letters in the darker color. 

I actually made the colorful background  a few months ago and had it as a draft post waiting for something else to finish it...I didn't know what, but I felt it needed something more.  Little did I know I would have the awesome opportunity to create brush word stencils for StencilGirl®!  You just never know what wonderful things are in store for you... I encourage you to continue doing what you have a passion for and know there's a connection out there somewhere just for you...

  Shout Out: to the talented woman on Youtube who inspired the techniques I used in this layout. It was a random mixed media video I saw and unfortunately I was not on my device so I do not have it my history.  If anyone knows that video (she used butterflies, where I used flowers), kindly include the link in the comments below this post. 

#trenabrannonart #janedavenport journal #stencilgirl #stampinup #goldendpaints #goldenmediums #utrecht gesso #mixedmedia #watercolor #rubberstamps #kenolivercolorburst #stazon #dylusions#artjournaling #art #onmydesk #art🎨 #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Water-colored Ocean Scene

I made this little scene for someone special.  It's actually two greeting cards.

 

The cards are for a  leader in our organization who is retiring. I'm happy for her, sad for us...  We needed two large greeting cards to pass around the office. I painted one scene across two pieces of 5x7" hot press water-color paper.

I layered them on 8.5 x 11" cardstock folded in half, so that when the two cards are butted up together, they form the one scene. 

 

Shoutout: the tropical scene was inspired by this video from thefrugalcrafter. 

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

#trenabrannonart #watercolor #colorburst #tropical #palmtrees #ocean #drphilmartins

InLinkz.com

Painting with Crayons

Painting with Crayons, and a Tombow Dual Brush Pen.  I think I need to introduce her to the woman that does my eyebrows. hehehe

Shout Out: Inspired by  Pam's  Mixed Media Portraits book .

#trenabrannonart #faces #browngirls

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Hanging Out with My Gelli Plate

I'm hanging out with my Gelli Plate today making splashes of color with tape!  After watching a couple videos on this technique, I jumped in. 

First, I saved some white space with punch shapes and cut strips of scrap cardstock.  Picked out a couple colors and brayered paint over the plate. Removed paper pieces and allowed to dry completely.  I started out on my 6" Gelli, them moved up to my 8 x 10".

 

Stamped in some text, allowed to dry completely. NOTE: I cleaned my stamps right away so the paint would not dry on them.

 

Added some design elements with various items (items shown in photo). NOTE: I'll be saving my paint papers and cutting out pieces for the design paper I create. :)

 

After laying down tape and pulling, sprinkled mica powder on sticky side. I saved this step for last and did all the pieces at the same time, working one mica color at a time. NOTE: When you pull, you may find some paint left on the plate. You can easily pick it up with clean tape.  I apologize the photo is not clear - all that bling and shine did not agree with my camera and work area lighting. 

Below are close ups. You'll notice that depending on which mica color you use, you will get a different look. I like them all! :)

Shout Out: (1) gelli plate video (2) Patti video.  

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

I Need a Tropical Sunset!

 

With all this crazy weather we are having in the Midwest, I need a tropical sunset! I was happy to see this month's StampscapesII Challenge of  "Tropical." It also needs to have a bird,  animal or people in it.  I was inspired by a lovely photo I saw on Pinterest and tried to capture it here.  I made this colorful scene for my Stampin' Sister Trish D, who is across the world from me in Austrailia. 

I started by airbrushing the background inspired by the colors in the photo. Copic colors used: R08, R27, V06,  and V09. I masked the horizon line with a piece of paper.

 

Next, I used acrylic paint and a little piece of felt to dab in some clouds. Colors used: folkARt wicker white and metallic plum, Golden naphthol red light.

 

To color the foreground, I tore a piece of paper  as mask and pulled  Golden carbon black paint across the bottom with a little sponge.

 

 After it dried completely, I stamped the scene. Images used: 123F, 137C, 138C, 228A, 302A.  I used a white gel pen to give the water some highlights and also used a pen filled with black paint to fill in the land after I stamped the little people too far out into the water. :o) OOps!

 Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

 

InLinkz.com

Make Your Own Design Papers

I was recently inspired by Patti Parrish. I learn a lot from Patti and enjoy watching her videos/Ustream sessions.  Click here to see what inspired my design.  

I didn't have all the supplies she used, but I certainly have a stash to pull from. :o) For me, that's one of the wonderful things about art - you can use what you have to get the results you want with your own spin on it. Now, that's not to say I have not bought art supplies just cause I saw it on a blog, Youtube, Facebook, in store.... because I certainly have. :)

I started by laying down color with my 2" brayer and chalk ink pads onto ultra smooth cardstock. The 2" brayer works well for this size paper. I have the cateye size ink pads. Brayering would have gone much faster if I had the larger ink pads. :) 

Next, I added color with a variety of paints, drying in between layers with a heat tool.

 

Added  (1) black and white strips of paper (printed out from my computer. I just opened up a document and added lines) and strips of a gelli print I previously made, (2) stamping using images from Cornish Heritage Farms and Crafter's Companion, with VersaFine ink pads & LUXE ink pads. I also used a small dauber and plastic with the LUXE ink pads to add some design elements.

 

 

The focal image is from the Kanji collection. I heat embossed it with gold emboss powder and then edged the circle with a gold metallic ink marker.

On the inside I added the small piece of the design paper that I had trimmed.

 

It was a lot of fun going through the creative process - hanging in there and building more color through the 'ugly' stages. :o)  There's so many possibilities! So many different ways to color and add design elements! I'm going do it again. I hope you'll try too!

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

A Sunset in the Country...Finishing a Scene

Do you have those - designs you start, but have not finished yet? :o)  "Finishing a scene" is  our Stampscapes yahoo group swap this month and I had lots of pieces to start with.  I started this scene sometime last year.  When I first added wax to the cardstock, I was thinking tropical, but after staring at the wax for a few minutes and exploring different ideas, I saw a sunset in the country. 

 To get the sharpest images, it's best to stamp before adding wax, however I have done lots pieces where I laid down wax first and then stamped. A few things to keep in mind is that, the stamp may slide on top of the wax and you will not get as crisp of an image. I have used a black permanent pen many a day to fill in. :o)

I first stamped some bushes on the dark ground, and then just stamped upside down for the reflection in the water. I also stamped a farm off in the distance.

 

Next I stamped the geese in the sky. For their reflection, I stamped them onto a piece of clear plastic, turned it over and pressed into the water. It gave a nice slightly blurry image - just like water.  To give the water a subtle movement, I stamped ripples using orange ink - stamping off each time.

Lastly, I stamped the ducks. I filled in areas I wanted to sharpen with a black artist pen,  drew thin lines for field, added some color with water-based markers and used a white paint pen to add white to areas. The very last thing I did was mail it to my stampin' sister Pia way in Sweden! 

Stampscapes images: 023A, 176C, 191A, 231C, 261C

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

Those Adorable Crackerbox Palace Frogs

Sharing some designs I did with Crackerbox Palace Frogs. I just dig their enthusiasm for life!

 

 Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace

Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, semi-glossy cardstock, Stampin Up!  black, Neenah Solar White

Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, Copic Markers, Adirondack Alcohol Inks

Accessories: 91% alcohol, paper towel, Sakura glaze pen

 

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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace

Paper:  Canson XL watercolor 140lb cold press,  Stampin Up! black & white, Club Scrap
Ink/Coloring: VersaFine onyx black,  Tombow Dual Brush Pens

Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! black detail embossing powder,  water brush

 

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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace

Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, Stampin Up! black, Neenah Solar White, Club Scrap

Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, VersaFine onyx black ink pad (for sentiment), Copic Markers

Accessories: Sakura glaze pen

 

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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace, Stampscapes

Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, Stampin Up!  black,  Neenah Solar White

Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, VersaFine onyx black ink pad (for sentiment), Copic Markers

 

 

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Featuring Crackerbox Palace

 Sharing greeting cards featuring some fantastic designs at Crackerbox Palace Rubber Stamps.  You can see more ideas at the Crackerbox Palace blog.

Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace
Paper:  Canson XL watercolor 140lb cold press, Basic Grey design paper,  glossy card stock
Ink/Coloring: VersaFine onyx black,  Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! black detail embossing powder,  water brush,  Stickles, Hero Arts Sparkle Clear Gems





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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace
Paper:  Canson XL watercolor 140lb cold press,  Stampin Up! pink, brown, Basic Grey design paper,  Neenah Solar White 
Ink/Coloring: VersaFine onyx black,  Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! black detail embossing powder, water brush, 

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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace
Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, Stampin Up!  black,  Neenah Solar White
Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, VersaFine onyx black ink pad (for sentiment),  Copic Markers & Multiliner





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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace, Stampscapes
Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, Stampin Up!  black,  Neenah Solar White
Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, VersaFine onyx black ink pad (for sentiment), Copic Markers
Accessories: Sakura glitter pen, cloud template, Copic Airbrush System



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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace
Paper:   Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for Alcohol Markers,  Accord Scrapbooking Calendar,  Stampin Up!  black,  Neenah Solar White
Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, VersaFine onyx black ink pad (for sentiment),  Spectrum Noir Markers
Accessories: ruler



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Stamps:  Crackerbox Palace,
Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, Stampin Up!  black, Basic Grey design paper
Ink/Coloring: Ink/Coloring: Memento tuxedo black, VersaFine onyx black ink pad (for sentiment),  Copic Markers & Multiliner
Accessories: ruler
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Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

A Colorful Bison

This design was inspired by the artwork of John Nieto.   He creates beautiful, colorful paintings!  Here's how I made this quick, colorful card.

1. I colored direct to rubber with markers onto the bison image, overlapping to blend right on the stamp.  I stamped onto glossy - that's why the colors are so vivid. I cut out the image and set aside to work on the background.
2. For the background, I also worked on glossy. I laid masking tape down to shape the hill. I started at the top of the scene with the darkest blue and a stylus, and pulled color.  NOTE:  I turn my card so that I can pull the color from the top to the bottom - so I'm actually coloring horizontal.  I find that works best for me.
3. Next, I cut off a small part of the buffalo's legs so it would look like the snow was deep. I adhered him down and laid a piece of scrap paper at the bottom of his legs. I sponged the lightest blue so it would look like he was walking in snow.
4. For the beautiful large background image, I colored direct again with the markers and stamped on glossy.
5. For the inside image I colored directly to rubber again and stamped on regular matt card stock.

Stamps: Judi-kins & Posh Impressions
Paper:  Stampin Up!  night of navy, Peddler's Den Semi Glossy card stock, Georgia Pacific
Color/Ink: Tombow Dual Brush Pens 055, 173, 535, 565, 847, 985, Marvy ink pads 3, 10, 13, 60
Accessories: Colorbox stylus, Stampin Up!  sponge dauber

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Where the Buffalo Roam

I am making a variety pack of American Indian themed greeting cards and wanted to capture a scene with a buffalo.  Of course, when I think of scenes, I think of Stampscapes! :o)

1. Inked up buffalo with black ink pad and stamped onto semi-glossy cardstock.
2. Masked the buffalo and stamped the grass. Note: I left his feet un-masked so it would like he was standing in the grass. I also stamped off for the grass a little further back in the scene.
3. Next, I masked the land and a horizon line - I didn't try to make  perfectly straight lines, I just didn't want to go to far- and stamped the water pattern..
4. I then masked the top of the water and stamped trees along the horizon line.
5. I removed all masks and let the coloring begin! I colored the buffalo first using Tombows. I also used a marker to add color to the tree trunks and branches.
6. For the rest of the coloring, I used a stylus and ink pads. I like to use a variety of greens and blues. I left light areas for highlights.
7. I used the darker blue to add clouds to the sky for a dramatic sky.   I learned this technique from Kevin at a Stampscapes retreat. What a wonderful time we had!

Stamps: B&J, Stampscapes 18E, 231C, 240B, 251C 
Paper:  Peddler's Den Semi Glossy, Stampin' Up! basic black, Neenah Classic Solar White
Inks: Memories Black ink pad, Marvy Matchables ink pads 4, 10, 52, 60,  92, 96, Tombow Dual Brush Pens  N95, 899, 947, 992
Accessories: ColorBox Stylus Tool, paper towel, Eclipse tape

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

 

When Life Gives You Limes....

I had so much fun with technique, I had to do it again!  Click here to see directions for how I made the background with gelatos for the card above.  For the lime slices, I colored directly onto the image, stamped onto
 green cardstock and cut them out.

I made a second card using thick embossing powder on black cardstock. What fun!! So many
 possibilities. I thought the background was so pretty that I did not need a focal image. Love these glasses from Judi-kins!

Stamps:  Judi-kins & Posh Impressions, A Muse
Paper:  Cryogen White , Stampin' Up! 
Inks/Coloring:  VersaMark watercolor ink pad, gelatos, Marvy Brush Markers 128, 127
Accessories:   Stampin' Up! clear embossing powder, Ulta Thick Embossing Enamel

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

 

Trena

 

Sailing with Judi-Kins

Today I'm sailing with Judi-Kins! I saw this sailboat on a card one of my Posh Club buds did and just feel fast for it - I had to have it! So I ordered it about six months ago and am just now creating with it. LOL! I'm sure that never happens to you. You probably use your stuff as soon as you get it. :o) The completed card is 4 1/2 x 6"

1. Inked up sailboat image with Memento and stamped onto Cryogen cardstock.
2. Masked sailboat and land horizon line, then air brushed sky with TB2.
3. Masked sky and sponged in water with broken china, leaving white space for highlights.
4. Masked bottom of palm tree image (so it was not so tall) and colored markers direct onto image, removed the mask, then stamped. Sponged in a little more land over the base of the tree.
5. Added some clouds with a piece of felt and white acrylic paint (learned this method from my stampin' sister Lynette at our Stampscapes retreat in May).  Dab off paint before making cloud. After it dried, I went over lines of sailboat with permanent pen.
6. I colored in the sail boat with my Spectrum Noir markers and drew in the birds. I pulled out my color combo chart to help me choose my colors.
7. I used a white paint pen to add water splashes. I know I need to work on my random placement of water highlights. :o) After I added all the dashes, I thought I should have not added any. I'm still learning when to STOP. :o)
8. I stamped a palm tree inside to carry the theme forward.

Stamps: Judi-kins & Posh Impressions
Paper:   Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock, glossy white base card, Stampin' Up! basic black
Ink: Spectrum Noir Markers, Memento tuxedo black ink pad, Tombow Dual Brush Pens  158, 173, 977, Distress ink pads old paper, broken china
Accessories: Sharpie white paint pen, Sakura Micron .005 archival ink pen,  Eclipse tape, white acrylic paint

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Stampscapes - One scene, Two Techniques

           

Scene 1                                                                      Scene 2

I'm so excited to share that Kevin Nakagawa of Stampscapes made these two scenes I created into a Stampscapes Idea card!!

 

When I was at the Stampscapes Retreat, I was reminded by my stampin' sister Barb G of how much I enjoy Encausic painting. I have to admit, I go from one coloring tool/medium to the next and I truly enjoy each and every one!! :o) My favorite is the one I'm using at the time - it really is!!  I'm sharing one scene I created with two different coloring techniques.

Scene 1: Encaustic Wax Painting

1. Inked up Palm Cluster 100D with black ink pad and stamped onto glossy card stock.
2. Spread wax with iron, using palms as a guide to separate the sky and water. Using the wax, I created a little land mass way off in distance.
3. Inked up Seaside Cove sm. 308G with orange ink pad and stamped, lining it up with the bottom of the palms.  Inked up and stamped a second time. NOTE: when stamping over wax, the wax is slippery and acts similar to a resist, so you image will not be dark.
4. Inked up Solo Canoeist 159A with black ink pad and stamped. Used black marker to darken.
5. Inked up Gulls 302A with black ink pad and stamped. Used black marker to darken.
6. Inked up Frond #2 137C with black ink pad and stamped, Repeated several times around top of scene. Used a sponge to pick up black acrylic paint and apply onto 137C and stamped. Repeated several times around top of scene.

Scene 2: Tombow Dual Brush Pen Technique

1. Inked up Palm Cluster 100D with black ink pad and stamped onto card stock.
2. Scribbled yellow 025 marker on non-stick surface. Spritzed with water and swirled card stock through color. Note: leave some white areas. Wiped off non-stick surface before each new color.
3. Repeat for orange 925. Repeat for red 856.
4. Allow to dry. Can use heat tool to speed up drying process. 
5. Used water brush to pick up some red off non-stick surface and painted in a land mass.
6. Inked up Seaside Cove sm. 308G with orange ink pad and stamped, lining it up with the bottom of the palms.
7. Inked up Solo Canoeist 159A with black ink pad and stamped.
8. Inked up Gulls 302A with black ink pad and stamped.
9. Inked up Frond #2 137C with black ink pad and stamped, Repeated several times around top of scene.

Stamps: Stampscapes  100D, 137C, 159A, 308G, 302A  
Paper: Scene1: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Stampin' Up! black. Scene 2:  Cryogen White, Stampin' Up! black.
Inks: Both: StazOn jet black, pumpkin ink pads. Scene 2: Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Accessories: Scene 1: Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons, black sharpie marker, black acrylic paint, small sponge. Scene 2: waterbrush

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Underwater Wax

I love how this underwater scene turned out!! It's all in the wax, more so than any artistic way in which I'm ironing. :o) 

1. Used iron and waxes to create under water background.  See here for post on tips and Encaustic video. 
2. Stamped images in black first, then in craft white - allowed to dry in between. 
3. Painted fish with lovely, rich Studio paints. 
4. Used outdoor paint bottles with fine tip to outline fish and also add green to sea foliage (not sure what the real name is :o)).
5. Allowed everything to dry over night. Layered.
6. Stamped a fish and sea foliage inside.

Stamps: Gina K Under the Sea
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Stampin' Up! black, Neenah Classic Solar White
Inks/Paints: Stampin' Up! craft white, Brilliance graphite black, Studio by Claudine Hellmuth dab of yellow, pastel yellow, gesso, dash of red
Accessories: paint brush,  Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Getting Reacquainted with Wax

When I went to the Stampscapes retreat this year, my stampin' sister Barb G rekindled my love for wax. :o)  I'm trying different styles and just having fun! I have once again taken over the kitchen counter.

I stamped the images first and then added the wax in sections.  One of the joys of using wax is the surprising outcome. If you are not happy with it, you can reheat it and create a different design. I can honestly say I have not discarded one piece of card stock I put wax on. Now I have reheat many, but discarded none. :o)

Stamps: Scales of justice is free clip art, Stampscapes, Alextamping, Michael Strong
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock  Papertrey Ink Stamper’s Select White Card Set,  Stampin' Up! basic black and metallic gold
Inks: StazOn jet black, gold metallic ink pad
Accessories: Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons,   Stampin' Up! gold emboss powder

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Jungle Scene - Colored with Spectrum Noir Markers

I made this card for the StampscapesII April Swap.  The theme is a jungle scene.  My swap partner is Terry in NV. He likes bears, but since there's no bears in the jungle, he's getting a tiger. :o)

I'm so happy with the result I got with my new method of masking! It a new way to mask for stamping -  at least for me! :o)  My stampin' sister Barb G. told me about it. She actaully told me about it last year at our Stampscape's Retreat and I ran right out and bought the product and prompty orgainzed it away. :o) I recently saw a beautiful scene she created and asked her about it and she reminded me about how she does masking, so I got out my stuff for this scene.

Next week we are having our 2012 Stampscapes!! I am sooooo excited! We have people coming from different places in the USA, from Canada, and one of our Stampin' Sisters is coming all the way from The Netherlands!! How cool is that?!  I'll share photos and art from the retreat.  

The finished size of the card is 4.5" x 6".

1. I stamped the tiger first. To mask him, I painted over him with liquid frisket. My new favo rite!   I got a little happy and stamped a smaller tiger for another scene and masked him too.  After allowing the fluid to totally dry, I finished stamping my scenes and allowed the ink to dry. TIP: Be sure to wash your paintbrush right away with soap and water. It's a good idea to designate an old brush just for your friskette. 
2. I used an adhesive eraser to remove the dried mask. TIPs from Barb: use a tissue to dab any ink off of mask before removing. Use eraser to get it started, then pull mask off.
3. I used old fashioned paper masking (that's what I'm calling it now. :o)) for the rocks and airbrushed the sky with TB3.
4. Using a photo of a tiger I found on line and my Spectrum Noir Marker color combo chart I picked my colors for the scene, and then I COLORED!
5. For the foliage and grass, I brayered ink onto Cryogen pieces and then used die cuts to make a few plants.  I ran them through my Xyron sticker maker.  Adhered them onto the little scene and then trimmed the edges with scissors. I've found that to be easier than cutting them first and then tryting to adhere flush at the edge.
6. I added one of the leafs to the inside of the card, added highlights in his eyes with acrylic paint and a toothpick, and he's ready to send!

Stamps: Stampscapes 084E, 185G, 279F, 302A, I Love Rubber Stamps
Paper:  Curious Metallic CRYOGEN WHITE 89lb card stock , Stampin' Up! basic black, white glossy paper
Inks: Memento tuxedo black ink pad, Spectrum Noir Markers, Marvy blending blox shades of olive ink pad
Accessories: Pebeo liquid frisquet, paintbrush, Dees Distinctively large green leaf & Poppystamps, inc. grassland border dies cuts, 2" brayer

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Butterflies Resist

I made this card for my Club Posh swap bud this month, Kimi in CA. Worked in a few fun techniques.

Prepared the background. Inked up butterfly background image with watermark ink pad, and stamp onto Cryogen card stock. Sprinkle with clear embossing powder and heat set.. On a non-stick surface, I laid down color direct from ink pads - being careful not to overlap. Spritzed with water.  NOTE: When I do this, I make several backgrounds at one time

Picked up color on the background by lightly swirling it around in the ink. If you want, you can take a clean paper towel and gently buff away color on the embossed sections. I did not do that on my images. I like the subtle color. Allowed to dry. 

 

Next, I inked up tulip image and single butterfly image with white craft ink, stamped onto vellum card stock, sprinkled with white embossing powder and heat set. As I did for the background, I laid down color direct from ink pads on a non-stick surface, I used a paintbrush to pick up color and paint the backside of the embossed vellum. Allowed to dry.

  

I then cut out the butterfly and tulips and ran them through my Xyron sticker maker. TIP: the Xyron allows for full coverage of adhesive on vellum, so it does not show through.  Adhered all my layers and it was ready to send to Kimi.

I also took a photo before I added the butterfly and tulips. I think the card is pretty with just that background technique - there's such lovely detail in the image, with enough open space to pick up some of that beautiful color from the inks.

Stamps:  Judi-kins & Posh Impressions
Paper: Cryogen White, Stampin' Up! vellum card stock & bravo burgundy, Papertrey Ink Stamper’s Select White Card Set
Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress ink pads broken china, dusty concord, worn lipstick, crushed olive, spiced marmalade, fired brick,  VersaMark watercolor ink pad, Stampin' Up! white craft ink pad
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! clear embossing powder,  judikins opaque white embossing powder, paintbrush,

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Fishing in the Country

This little scene is for this month's StampscapesII Yahoo Group Challenge. The theme is country.  This fishing dude from Art Impressions is catching more Z's than fish. ;o)  I met my swap partner, Sandy K, at the 2010 Stampscapes retreat in Chicago. She is such a sweetheart!

For this scene I decided to cut out my focal image, fishing dude, and place him in the scene. Another way to put him in the scene is to stamp him first, mask him, and then stamp around him. I wanted him to really pop out.

1. Inked up fisherman image with VersaFine ink pad, stamp onto watercolor paper, sprinkled with
   embossing powder and heat set. TIP: rub an anti-static bag over your paper or card stock before you stamp your image. This will help the powder stick only where you want it - to the ink!
2. I used a combination of the blender pen and waterbrush to spread color. For the larger areas, I laid down two shades of color and then used a waterbrush to spread and blend. For smaller areas, I used one shade and the Tombow blender. TIP: If you have any water spots after an area dried, dab a little color and use the blender to blend.
3. After the image dried, I cut it out. I cut out the base pieces of the image, not the small lines, i.e. fishing line.  TIP: If you cannot get close enough with your scissors and have any tiny white areas left, run a black marker along the edge.
4. I stamped my background scene, using StazOn, on scrap paper first to decide which images I wanted and for placement. TIPs: Use your cut out image to help with placement.  If you have any white space in between your images on your background, use a waterproof pen to fill in dots. When you are using alcohol inks for your coloring, be sure to use an alcohol ink friendly pen for dots.
5. I used a stamp positioner tool to stamp the image onto the background. 
6. After the background scene dried completely, it was time to color!  I used my Tombows and a watercolor brush to add color.   I colored the whole barn red, then then thought I should have googled barns before I colored! :o) Sure enough the barn photos I really liked had a white roof - no worries, there's always acrylic paint! And, that's what I used the for the barn roof.
7. With the waterproof marker, I added some grass strands in front of the toolbox and then used a green Tombow to fill in color.
8. After the background dried, I adhered my fisherman, his fishing bobber and worm to the card and adhered all the layers.  Yes, his hat going beyond the border was on purpose. :o) I like that affect!
9. Last step was to send to Sandy!!

Stamps: Art Impressions, Stampscapes 147F, 149F, 176C, 188F, 251C, 276G
Paper:  Stampin' Up!  basic black, Neenah Classic Solar White,  Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Paper Block 140lb hot press (image), 90lb hot press watercolor paper (scene),
Ink: VersaFine onyx black, Tombow Dual Brush Pens, StazOn jet black & stoned gray
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! black detail embossing powder & embossing buddy, waterbrush, craft knife and mat, Sakura  Micron .01 archival ink pen, white acrylic paint, paint bush, stamp-a-ma-jig

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena