wants vs. needs

today there is no difference!  I want them so much I need them!!
What you ask??

tim holtz dies for wildflowers and the mixed media set.  Can't find them anywhere but will look.
Sizzix is having a contest and I am entering......maybe I will win them!

keep your fingers crossed for me.

back soon with some projects to share.
margie

what's new

A few projects from me today.......

Metal art:  coca cola can die cut and embossed
glued to cardboard die cut (glue and seal - ranger)
gessoed

watercolored  and glued to another die cut

 

white embossed doilies on Mixed Media paper - same qualities as Water color paper but smooth -  works
good with detailed stamp images

smooshed these inks onto my craft mat
added water to the card and then
dipped into the colors with a wet brush and added them to the wet card
be careful -  it can get muddy - have a paper towel ready to mop up
and lay down fresh ink

finished!  layered a dyed ribbon and crinoline flowers  - die cut, dyed and layered
and layered onto a card for a doily swap! 
I made 8 in a short time .

we counted 15 in the backyard the other evening.

margie



boo hoo......

I didn't win........did you?

(see last post....)

on a little - I hope- lack of ideas.  be back soon....
margie

Pima County Fair Midway
we watched and that was enough!

how cute is this?

no, I didn't make it but maybe you could win it, too.........check out Prims by Kim blog......

cost of stamps goes down!

the cost of postage stamps went down today:  47 cents now to mail a card/letter!
Perfect timing to send that card/letter to someone and even better - April is national letter writing month. 

stamp collaged background, tissue wrap, inked flower die and word, spattered background

 

stamped image watercolored, die cut and layered with 3 stacked ovals, die cut work, spattered background

stenciled background using ink and translucent paste, stamps, spatters, torn paper, die cut and watercolored flowers

die cut work background, watercolored stamped image, spattered

collaged background using stencils, stamps, watercolored image, tea stained crocheted flower

wrinkle free distress background, stamped and colored image, die cut corner glued over text

 



 I finished these up yesterday and they will be going in the mail tomorrow - after I buy stamps.
I used lots of fun techniques along with some favorite old and new stamps, stencils, dies, and inks.
Try something today and put it in the mail tomorrow!
margie

computer on the blink.......

back soon, computer troubles...........
margie

a different project......

I was bitten by the "Loom" bug after seeing Prima's new loom kit.  I decided to give it a try yesterday and made a cardboard loom (looked up how to make one) and gave it a whirl.
Sad to say, it was pretty cool!!!  Even Jeff was impressed with it.

All in all it took about 2 1/2 hours from beginning to end -  making the loom and weaving.

 

It isn't quite finished.  I still have to trim the ends.  But it was fun and I can see more ideas ahead.  It measures 5 x 9.  Not sure how it will look in the end, after embellishing and stuff but I did have fun making it!

And sometimes that is was art is all about!

margie

a few more for you......

white embossed on mixed media paper and water colored background

white embossed on mixed media and wate rcolored

silver embossed on mixed media paper and water colored with black paint

the "fancy" water colors I have been using - crayola!

a quick technique that creates lots of  product in very little time and the final results

 8 cards in an hour! well actually 9 but one is already in the mail!

went for a walk the other day and saw these very unusual desert blooms and they are very fragrant.

they almost look like grapes before they open

we continued along the path and found some trash by the side of the road  and you know the rest......

one man's trash is another's treasure.

yep, we have a new chair!  a little minor repair and here it is, ready to use.

Hope you enjoyed my "March is Craft month"  shares.  

margie

new technique

I saw a new technique this week using T. Holtz distress crayons and archival inks.  My results were interesting but nothing at all like the original.  Maybe that's because I used oil pastels instead of the distress crayons.  I'm trying hard not to buy them.  Here goes:

works best with outline stamp

scribble over with crayon

lay GLOSSY paper over stamp and rub

this is what I got.  I expected much more of the image
I repeated this step and used a few more outline stamps
heat set

go over entire area with archival ink, using a distress tool and sponge
remember archival inks are permanent and that is what you need to use
heat set

rub any remaining crayon away with a baby wipe or damp cloth
the image should remain underneath
I got some great results but I should have been able to go back and color the resist areas
mine didn't resist as much but I like the results.

and here are a few more pictures of a notebook I covered 

I found these scraps in a huge pile of paper I found last week
this is a standard composition notebook and what I use
for all of my ideas, notes, quotes, and directions

and here it is finished
stencils, textures, paste, oil pastels, stabillo pencil, and graphite pencils
waiting for it's first entry.

Hope you have enjoyed my spin on Craft month ideas.  I have one more day left......

see you 

margie

technical difficulties

having problems with tech........
back as soon as it is resolved..............