Trena's Creative Space

In Flight

In our Michael Strong Yahoo Group, we have a bird challenge this month. I used wax to create my scenery beneath my bird in flight.

1. Use iron and waxes to create background, hills, foliage and sky.  Click here for tips,  and a link to a teaching video,  I learned when working with the iron.
2. After it dries, buff it with a soft towel.
3. Ink up bird image and stamp. Allow it to dry.
4. Use paint brush and acrylic paint to add color to the bird.  If you get paint some place you don't want,  gently wipe it right away with a clean paper towel.  The wax surface is easy to wipe clean. Do this immediately when the paint is still fresh.
5. Assemble layers.

Stamps: Michael Strong's Mini Cloisonné Wings MS336EZ
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Neenah Classic Solar White, Stampin' Up! basic black
Inks: StazOn jet black
Accessories: Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons, folkArt acrylic paints wicker white, metallic periwinkle, light periwinkle, floating medium, #6 filbert paint brush

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Flowers For Sale

For Art Impressions Blog challenge 21 you have to use flowers. I chose to bring focus to my flowers with Flower Soft and also used paper flowers.  I used AI's Project 8 Series Instruction booklet to help me build my scene.  For additional information on this AI way of water coloring, see Bonnie's videos at  http://www.artimpressions.com/YouTube.asp

1. Use marker to color directly onto sign-pole image. Stamp onto watercolor paper. 
2. Use paintbrush to pull color out of lines.  NOTE: remove access water before pulling color.  
3. Repeat for house.
4. Color onto a pallet and then use paint brush to add color to the house and  color  background coverage.
5. Use maker to color directly onto other images and stamp onto water color paper. Use paintbrush to pull color.
6. Use permanent pen to fill in detail and print sign.
7. Add white glue to tiny flowers and sprinkle Flower Soft. Lightly press into glue. Tap off excess and put back into jar.
8. Adhere scene onto layer. Use push pen to poke holes into green layer.  Push brads through flowers and green layer.
9. Adhere green layer onto base card.
10. On the inside of the card use the jumbo grass image and green marker to stamp across the bottom. Use the small daisy image and purple marker to add some flowers.
11. Remember to sign your artwork!

Stamps: Art Impressions  Series 8 WCSet2, branches, leaves, daisy bunch, teeny tiny grass, jumbo grass, sm. vine
Paper: Strathmore 140lb cold press watercolor paper,  Stampin' Up! always artichoke, Neenah Classic Solar White
Ink: Marvy 92, 96  ink pads, Brush Art & LaPlumeII markers - various colors
Accessories: Flower Soft Heather, art glitter adhesive, paper flowers, brads,  Sakura Micron .005 archival ink pen, #4 paint brush

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

We know Way Too Much About Each Other....

This card is for the June Art Impressions Card Contest - golden oldies.  AI has so many fun images!  I used a combination of inks, markers and paper piecing with design papers to make this card.  This card is 4" x 6".

1. Inked up image with black distress ink pad and stamped on glossy card stock. Allowed to dry.
2. Decided which parts of the image I wanted to use the design papers on.
3. Used a small paint brush with various ink pads. I also dipped my brush in water to help spread color. I was not sure if it would work on the glossy card stock, but it did!
4. To add color in small places, or to fill in for ink pads I did not have, I used markers. 
5. Added some detail with drawing pen.
6. To give some grounding to the party group, I used a stipple brush and gray ink pad.
7. I stamped the sentiment last with VersaFine and used a stamp positioner for placement.

Stamps: Art Impressions 
Paper: glossy card stock, Basic Gray design paper
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress  ink pads, VersaFine onyx black, Stampin Up!  ink pads
Accessories: LaPlumeII  Markers, paint brush, stipple brush, Sakura Micron .005 archival ink pen, Tombow liquid adhesive, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

A Splash of Color in Your Coffee?

Pink is the splash today!  And a touch of gold on this lovely coffee cup.

1. Choose your design papers. I thought this swirl design went so well with this cute little coffee cup image!
2. Ink up coffee cup image, sprinkle with emboss powder and heat set. Add a splash of pink to the image and line areas of cup with gold pen.
3. Use die cut to cut circle around image and a layer scalloped circle.
4. Trim all layers to fit on base card.
5. Adhere everything down. All done!

Stamps: Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set MS352EZ
Paper: Club Scrap design
Ink: VersaFine vintage sepia
Accessories: heat tool,  craft knife and cutting mat, Stampin' Up! clear embossing powder, Spellbinders Nestabilities classic circle & scalloped die cuts, Tombow 703, Sakura gold gel pen

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Arizona Sunset

More Encaustics! I can not help myself. Once I get started, I just get caught up in all the colors and the surprise of the design.  :o)  When I finished this piece, it reminded me of an Arizona sunset.

1. Ink up image with gray ink pad and stamp image for placement on glossy A2 size piece of  card stock. NOTES: (1) I stamped this image upside down   (2) Since stamping for placement I only inked up a part of the image as a guide for the painting.  I also planned not to use the handles.
2. On a scrap piece of card stock, ink up image with StazOn and stamp.
3. Use iron and waxes to create back ground.  Click here to see a post with tips and Encaustic tutorial video link.
4. Use your stamped guide to show where the leaves will come out of the vase.  Add a little wax just below the top of the vase and then use the tip of the iron to pull and shape the leaves.
5. Use the stylus with the drawing tip to add gold wax to accent the leaves and also the vase on scrap  card stock.  Follow the pattern of the vase.  TIP: use a little bit of clear wax with the gold to reduce the strength of the color.
6. Cut out vase.
7. Adhere layers & colored  image over guide.  Stamp portion of image on the inside of the card (Encore gold metallic ink) and use a metallic pen (Sakura) to draw in leaves.

Stamps:  Mini Cloisonné Containers MS334EZ
Inks: StazOn jet black, Memento london fog
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Neenah Classic Solar White, Stampin' Up! basic black
Accessories: Encaustic Creations iron, stylus, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

B&W

This card was inspired by a card on  Mike's blog.  He has a very nice tutorial creating a B&W card using a basket technique.  This card is 5" x 5".

1. Cut layers for card.
2. On smallest black layer, ink up large swirl image with silver ink pad and stamp in the center, about two thirds up. Ink image again and stamp image to the left moving it down half way, overlapping the side.
3. Ink image again and stamp to the right moving it up, overlapping the side.
4. Turn your paper around, and stamp to overlap the top of each of the stamped images.
5. Allow to dry. Adhere layers.
6. Ink up large coffee cup image with white ink and stamp onto white design card stock, sprinkle with emboss powder and heat set.
7. Cut out coffee cup. Use craft knife to cut inside handle.
8. Adhere to top layer. 
9. On inside, ink up small coffee cup and stamp on left side. Repeat up the side.
10. On the outside coffee cup, add a swirl and dots with a Pearl Pen.  Allow to dry completely.

 Stamps: Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set MS352EZ
Paper:  Stampin' Up! basic black & silver metallic, The Paper Company Designer Paper (I found it at Joann's),  Neenah Classic Solar White (for base card)
Ink: Encore ultimate metallic silver, Stampin' Up! whisper white craft
Accessories: heat tool,  craft knife and cutting mat,  judikins opaque white embossing powder, Pearl Pen white

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Underwater Scene

This week I will be sharing a card featuring Michael Strong's images each day. For this underwater scene, I chose Michael Strong's mini fish - such a cute image!

1. Ink up image with StazOn and stamp. Repeat for two more images.
2. Use iron and waxes to create water background.  See here for post on tips and Encaustic video.
3. Holding card stock in mid air, lightly touch and pull away the iron to create the ocean bottom.
4. Using the tip of the iron pull the wax up for underwater foliage.
5. Use the stylish with the hot brush tip and clear wax to reheat the wax inside each fish. Wipe away color with a tissue or paper towel.
6. Use pencils to add color to each fish.
7. Adhere layers.

 Stamps:  Michael Strong Mini Creatures
Inks: StazOn jet black
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Neenah Classic Solar White, Stampin' Up! basic black
Accessories: Encaustic Creations iron, stylus, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons, Prisma Pencils

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Another Where Your Heart Is...

Sharing another card I made for Melanie's blog. I am honored to have been featured on her blog during her February release of a Gina K set. The vertical fold over card is perfect for an image that can split apart.

 

      


Stamps: Gina K Where Your Heart Is
Inks: Memento tuxedo black, Versafine vintage sepia 
Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury card stock white heavy base weight 120lb,  brown, & digital design, Vertical Inspiration Foldover Card
Accessories: Copics E11, E13, E25, Spellbinders Nestabilities circle die cuts, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Mountain View

Here's another scene where I combined my joy of using Stampscapes images with my new favorite technique of Encaustic Painting. For mountains I used another cool technique I learned from Micheal's Learning Skills DVD. There are so many!  I also found another great teacher of this technique, John. Click here to see one his videos.

1. Choose three colors for your mountains. I chose a blue and two shades of brown. Melt 1st color wax on iron and then spread on two-ply tissue. Repeat for two more colors, overlapping the colors.
2. Lay the wax down on glossy card stock and use the tip/top part of your iron to create a peak. Pull partially away to check how it looks. Repeat for number of desire peaks.  Remove the tissue, and immediately use your finger to spread/blend  the color.
3. Use iron, waxes, and crayons to create remaining background, spring hills, foliage and sky. I colored various waxes directly on paper then melted and little clear wax on my iron and spread over the sky to give more of a subtle look.  Click here for tips,  and a link to a teaching video,  I learned when working with the iron.
4. After it dries, buff it with a soft towel.
5. Before inking up the buck image, I masked the lower portion. I wanted  to make it look like he was standing in grass. Ink up image, remove mask and stamp. Allow it to dry.
6. Assemble layers.  Remember to sign your art work!

Stamps: Stampscapes  008A  
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Stampin' Up! close to cocoa, taken with teal
Inks: StazOn jet black
Accessories: Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons, two-ply tissue, low tack sticky paper

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

ATCs for June

This month our theme is weaving - something I have never done. :o)  So..... as I thought about my project and looked at my supplies, I decided to use yarn. As I learned, not a good weaving material - too many fibers. ::o)  I had fun. I just hope they stay together long enough for me to trade.

1. Used my new favorite medium of wax to create bright backgrounds, ironing on 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of card stock.
2. Cut them into slightly smaller ATC sizes  and adhered them to black background layers. 
3.  After I viewed a couple Youtube videos, I was ready to weave. I laid out several pieces of yarn horizontally on my desk and then taped them at both ends.
4. I then cut several layers of yarn and started weaving it through. Oops, that cute strawberry paper is in the photo accidentally. It's from Papertrey Ink and will be used on a project I'll be posting in a few days featuring a new Hambo Stamps digi image.
5. I used my Xyron to create a double sided adhesive piece of card stock.  I peeled back one side and laid a sticky side onto my long weaved piece.  I trimmed the extra card stock away.  I cut up the weaved yarn into small pieces and set aside.
6. Inked up basket of yard image and stamped onto card stock. Repeated for several images.
7. Used 2 or 3 markers from the same color family to add color to the image. Cut out each image and ran through Xyron.
8. Assembled each ATC.  Used glitter pen to add a little bling.

Stamps: Lockhart  
Paper:  Cryogen White,  Sunday International ATC cards, Peddler's Den Glossy
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Accessories: Copic Markers, Xyron machine, Sakura gold metallic & clear glitter pens, tape, Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares,  Crayola Metallic FX Crayons, yarn

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Springscape

For last month's StampscapesII Yahoo Group swap, we made spring scenes. For this scene, I combined my joy of using Stampscapes images with my new favorite technique of Encaustic Painting.

1. Use iron and waxes to create background, spring hills, foliage and sky.  Click here for tips,  and a link to a teaching video,  I learned when working with the iron.
2. After it dries, buff it with a soft towel.
3. Ink up images and stamp. Allow them to dry.
4. Assemble layers.

Stamps: Stampscapes  151E, 293C, 277F
Paper: Encaustic Creations glossy card stock,  Neenah Classic Solar White, Stampin' Up! basic black, tempting turquoise
Inks: StazOn jet black
Accessories: Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares, Crayola Metallic FX Crayons

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

I Should Have Brought a Jacket!

 

I'm using these cute little penguins again for Hambo Hoedown 17! This time they have taken a trip to the moon. The moon  is a digi image.  My textured background was made using waxes, my new favorite coloring technique!

1. I used the word.doc application on my PC to determine the size of the moon.  I wanted it to be the width of my top layer card. I used the ruler on the side of the application to size it.  TIP: The first time you print, print it on copy paper. Check to make sure it is the size you want.  When you are sure the size you want,  then print on your nice card stock.
2. I inked up the penguin images and stamped them onto white paper and cut them out.
3. I found  free clip art of an astronaut helmet on line. Printed it out onto card stock. I first sized it and printed on copy paper before printing on my nice card stock.  Cut images out. Use craft knife for tight spaces. I ran the smaller images through a sticker maker.
4. Now, time for coloring! I used two or three colors from a color family to add color to the images.
5. On black glossy card stock, I used an  iron and waxes to create space background.  The stars are created with white dots of wax.
6. Adhered all layers and images.  I used Crystal Lacquer to fill in the glass of their helmets.
7. Printed the sentiment on my PC, and cut it out.

Stamps: Hambo   
Paper:  Stampin' Up!  blue, Gina K Pure Luxury card stock white heavy base weight 120lb, black glossy paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Accessories: Copic Markers  & Multiliner 0.5, Crystal Lacquer,  Xyron sticker maker, craft knife and mat, Encaustic Creations iron, wax squares

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Crib Mobile for Lily

I made this cute little mobile for a baby card challenge we are having at the Michael Strong Yahoo Group.   

1. Ink up images with watermark ink, stamp  onto different color card stock, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.  
2. Cut out images.
3. The mobile and crib are hand drawn with a Copic Multiliner.
4. Add color to mobile and crib with markers, using two or three colors from a color family.
5. Adhere layers and images. Use pop-dots for the images in front.

Stamps: Michael Strong Mini Cloisonné Creatures MS335EZ, Mini Cloisonné Wings MS336EZ
Paper:  Stampin' Up! bold brights, Cryogen White
Ink: VersaMark watermark ink pad
Accessories: heat tool,  crystal white embossing powder, Stampin' Up! punch, pop-dots, Copic Markers & Multiliner 0.5

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Stacked Tea Cups

A few years ago I took a Dreamweaver embossing paste class, bought a bunch of stencils, paste and tools - I had too! I had a discount because I had just taken the class ... and there they all sat ... on the shelf.  :o) When I was browsing the store looking at all the lovely stencils, I had such wonderful ideas for projects.  There's so many wonderful ways to be creative, and I want to do them all. :o)  This week, I took those tools and products off the shelf!  Kim over at My Creative Classroom is teaching a class and she's inspiring me to use all my embossing stuff.  If you are interested in learning how to add wonderful dimension to your paper crafting with embossing paste, I highly recommend her classes! She offers a beginners and advanced. 

To create this card, I used the shadow technique that Kim teaches.

Paper: Stampin' Up! basic black, Neenah Classic Solar White
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress ink pads black soot
Accessories: Dreamweaver gold paste & stencil,  spatula, low tack tape, gentle brush (for cleaning stencil), stipple brush.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

When Are These Kids Moving Out of My House?

As much as we love our children,  now and then, we mothers wonder when are these kids moving out of our house?!  :o)  We love them, we nurture them, we encourage them, and we teach them to be independent, contributing citizens - so they will move out and we can have our house back. I made this little scene for this month's Art Impressions card contest  - "A Tribute To Mom."

1. Stamp poor mom image.
2. Mask mom and then stamp kitchen image.
3. Use two or three colors from a color family to add color to the images. I used the sepia pen  
   to color the detail of mom's chair.
4. Use scissors and craft knife to cute above the floor line of the kitchen image. Adhere over design paper.
5. Cut layers so they are nested.
6. I created the sentiment using my PC and printed out.
7. Use black marker to color just the calendar part of the kitchen image and stamp inside for note.

Stamps: Art Impressions 
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety design pad, Stampin' Up! basic black & tempting tourquoise, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Accessories: Copic markers & Multiliner SP BS Sepia, craft knife & cutting mat, Marvy LaPlumeII marker 1

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Coffee with Hetty

Hetty is a lovely, talented woman who is the moderator for our Michael Strong Yahoo Group.  Mike named his newly released coffee set after her. I'm so excited for Hetty!! She works hard to support our group, where lots of ideas are shared about creativity.  This card is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

1. Rub anti static bag over water color paper. Ink up large coffee cup image with watermark ink, stamp  onto watercolor paper, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set. 
2. Choose color theme/design papers and markers.  I picked several from my Club Scrap
   collection  and narrowed it down.  I've been a member for years and just adore their card stock/papers!! They have great designs and texture on quality  paper.
3. Add color to the image with markers. Start with lightest shades and cover the largest area with in an embossed area,  then spread with water brush. Allow to dry.  Color with the darkest shade covering a smaller area and spread color with water brush. Allow to dry.
4. Cut out image.  Cut layers out of design paper/card stock.
5. Adhere layers.
6. Use a VersaMarker to color a part of the swirls image that will fit over coffee cup. Use a scrap piece of paper to mask where coffee cup will be, and stamp swirls about the coffee. Sprinkle with emboss powder and heat set.
7. Adhere coffee cup.
8. Using dual art brush pen to ink image, stamp small coffee cup image inside card. Draw swirls above cup.

Stamps: Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set MS352EZ
Paper: Strathmore 140lb cold press watercolor paper, Club Scrap, Stampin' Up! very vanilla
Ink: VersaMark watermark ink pad, VersaMarker watermark pen
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! embossing buddy, Tombow Dual Brush Pens 452, 491, 969, 977, water brush, craft knife and cutting mat, crystal white embossing powder

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

New Images from Michael Strong

This classy Cloisonné Fleur De Lis comes in a set of two and is one of  Mike's new images.  I call it classy because it can make a simple layout look classy. :o)   See all Mike's images at Sunday International here. 

This layout is for the May challenge we are having at the Michael Strong Yahoo Group.   There's lots lots of ideas and fun going on there.

1. Ink up image with VersaMark, then Memento. Stamped onto card stock, sprinkled with emboss powder and heat set.
2. Use die cuts to cut image and also a black layer.
3. Cut other layers. Use Cuttlebug emboss folder to create Fleur De Lis background.
4. Adhere layers. NOTE: I taped the ribbon down first and then adhered to base card.  Adhered the design paper over that.

Stamps: Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fleur De Lis MS350EZ
Paper:  Stampin' Up! very vanilla, , DCWV Paper Print
Ink: VersaMark watermark ink pad, Memento rhubarb stalk ink pad
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! clear emboss powder, Cuttlebug emboss folder, Spellbinders Nestabilities classic oval die cuts

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Published!

I am so excited about the opportunity to be featured in the July issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts - the Creative Spaces section!  During My Journey from Mounted to Un-mounted, I shared with you all that I was on a schedule. :o)   I was driven to get finished to meet the deadline for the article.  I want to share in my excitement by offering to send an issue to one of you.  That magazine always has creative and inspirational projects, and interesting articles.  My Sunday International Design Team sister Paula has a lovely card published in this month's issue (page 42)!

Please leave me a comment, by Saturday May 28th, about one of your favorite ways that you organize.  Others can read the comments and we can all get more ideas!  I'll select a winner on May 29th.

Thank you!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena  

What's Up?!

This weeks Hambo Hoedown is all about bold bright colors and paper piecing.  I really dig paper piecing.  I think it gives some 'umf' to a flat surface.  Click here to see another paper piecing project I shared.

1. Used the Paint application on my PC to cut the words away from the TIF file I received. I saved it as a separate file.  I wanted to have more room to cut an oval around it.
2. To print the images, I inserted the girl & balloon digi image into my word.doc application, copy and pasted it twice. I made each one a different size.  I knew I wanted an itty bitty one for the inside. TIP: The first time you print, print it on copy paper. Check to make sure it is the size you want.  When you are sure the size you want,  then print on your nice card stock.
3. I chose the larger size I wanted and printed that size on the design paper. I thought this paper was appropriate for traveling.  :o)  I cut out all the images, using a die cut for the words. I cut the strings off also and drew them in later. I wanted the background to show through.
4. I decided which pieces I wanted to use from the design paper and then colored the rest of the girl & balloon. I used two or three colors from a color family to add color to the images. TIP: Color slightly beyond where your design paper will end. That way if your paper does not fit perfectly, you won't have a white space in between.  It will just all blend in.
5. Put small dabs of liquid adhesive on the part of the base image for design paper 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.
6. I used scallop dies to make cloud templates - a big one for the outside and a little one for the inside.
7. I used the air brush system with the template to create a bright fluffy sky on an A2 size piece of card stock.  For the inside, I completely masked the left side and lower part of the card.
8. Adhere all layers. Use a multiliner to draw in strings.

Stamps: Hambo 
Paper:  Stampin' Up!  real red, Papertrey Ink, Paper Pizazz
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Accessories: Copic Markers & Multiliner .03 & .3 pen,  Spellbinders Nestabilities big scalloped circle & scalloped oval,  Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Penguins Love Ice Cream

I think my favorite Hambo images are these cute little penguins. They are so versatile! This time the little guys are after some ice cream!  This card combines digi and rubber stamps. It  is the one time I do measure - an approximate measure. :o)

1. I lined the penguin rubber images up and measured how tall they were.  I inserted the ice cream man digi image into word.doc and used the ruler on the side to determine the desired size.  TIP: The first time you print, print it on copy paper. Check to make sure it is the size you want.  When you are sure the size you want,  then print on your nice card stock.
2. After printing the ice cream man image, I used a stamp position-er to place each penguin on top of the next.
3. Printed the image again onto design paper. Cut out umbrella.
4. Now, time for coloring! I used two or three colors from a color family to add color to the images. Added some detail to the cones with a multiliner.  Added stripes to vendor's shirt with paint pen.
5. Adhered all layers
6. Stamped a penguin on the inside and drew in an ice cream cone.   I used water-based markers to add a little color.

Stamps: Hambo 
Paper:  Stampin' Up!  yoyo yellow, Papertrey Ink ,  EK Success
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Accessories: Copic Markers & Multiliner .03 pen,  Sharpie extra fine white paint pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin' Up!  markers

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena