snowflake tag

I had good intentions of cleaning/organizing my studio.  Really I did.  But there is something about moving art supplies around that, well, makes you want to stop and start using them!  So that's how this tag started.  But hey, at least I managed to clear off the table.

I've been looking forward to using my alcohol inks and decided to create a snowflake tag with bold blue colors. 

Supplies used: glossy cardstock, alcohol ink blending solution, alcohol inks (Indigo, Pool, Sailboat Blue), white felt, clear embossing powder, white embossing powder, clear ink pad, rubber stamps, and clear block for the stamps.  The snowflake rubber stamps were unmounted and from Touche Rubber Stamps - Rochester, MN.

I first cleared embossed a few snowflakes on glossy cardstock to create a resist with the inks. It's kinda hard to see but the clear embossing powder gives a raised image to the card.

 

after this I used a white piece of felt to cover the surface with some blending solution, and then began pouring the inks and moving the tag around.  Note:  you use A LOT of ink this way and it really coats your fingers.  So wearing gloves might be a good idea. Either that or tell people your fingers are blue because it's really cold outside.

 

When using ink this way it will take longer for the tag to dry.

 

Using a clean piece of white felt I wiped away the clear embossed snowflakes.  They didn't show up as much as I wanted so I added a bit of the blending solution to a new piece of felt and gently rubbed it over the snowflakes.

Much better.  After this I stamped the snowflakes again and used white embossing powder.

I really like the dimension of this piece. The clear embossed snowflakes were subtle enough to let the white embossed ones stand out. I finished it with a piece of white fluffy ribbon. 

 

Happy New Year!

Chalkboard lettering/chalkboard art has become very popular lately  Just before the holidays I took a day class in chalkboard lettering.  We used a white charcoal pencil for lettering - not actual chalk.  

Now taking a class for a few hours does not a lettering artist make.  Not by a long shot.  Even though I had some previous calligraphy knowledge and skill this type of art was a bit more challenging than I thought it would be.  I'm still struggling with the layout/design part.  Like all art, it just takes time, practice, patience, and a willingness to create.  So here's my beginner projects for the beginning of a new year.  

Supplies used: Generals White Charcoal Pencil, Faber Castell Eraser, Canson Mi-Teintes Paper in black.

Important note!  you know when you erase something with a pencil you just automatically brush away the eraser bits form the paper?  Well don't do that with this medium!  I can't tell you how many times I "brushed" and then smudged my lettering.  Grrrrr...  But hey the eraser did a great job!

 

 

I cannot take credit for the snowglobe design.  I saw a similar image on wrapping paper and in a magazine so I used that idea to create a similar image.  Even saw a similar image on Pinterest - so its a popular one.  I like how it turned out.