Art Tag with lots of Carabelle Studios

Hello My Inky Friends, let's play with some vellum today! I love vellum and have been using it for years & years, so thought it was high time to pull some out today. Let's see what happens!!  **In case you have not heard Topflight is no longer participating in the affiliate program & my coupon code no longer works. Sorry about that. Luckily they have lots of good sales!

*Affiliate- some of these companies have given me product to use, play & experiment with. The ideas are my own but I tend to work with companies whose products I like so enjoy the inspiration.  **some of these links are affiliate, I receive a small percentage from the company at no cost to you. This helps me deliver free content!

Absolutely love this piece, it just makes me happy!! All the layers, some die cuts, inky goodness. Oh what shall I do with it? To see photos of the Topflight Stamp products used go here. The full supply list with links is below. 

This is what started this project, some Eileen Hull embossing powder & some printed vellum sheets. I really had no idea where I was going at this point. Sometimes that is all you need to get the creative juices flowing.  

The fabulous new On The Line stamps by Carabelle Studio were stamped using an embossing pad & the powder in Aqua Splash & White Wonder. The results were so dynamic more play was definitely needed.  

Next up was Tracy Scott's powder in Mojito by WOW. This powder packs a punch of color & glitter, it has a very patina look to it. It is part of the Fiesta Trio.

Definitely needed a back ground for this to land on. Just for something different I pulled out some 49th & Market ephemera packs I got ages ago. This could be fun!

Pulled some pieces together for an audition. 

Using other stamps from the On The Line set did some random stamping using Prism ink. Love the coverage of this ink!

I chose a focal image, also by Carabelle Studios called Pretty One. Love this girlie with wings. I wasn't sure if I was going to add wet color or not so Archival Ink was the way to go. Did you know there are 4 new Distress colors. Some of my favorites too I tried Black Soot, Vintage Photo & Ground Espresso.

I decided to add a bee tab from a previous post. It is from the postage stamp collection The Great Outdoors. To see other ways to use this stamp you can check out my blog post here. I made a bunch of so cool paperclips.

Took some Infusions & sprinkled them on wet watercolor paper. To pull up the excess walnut crystals simply press a piece of card stock on top of the wet product. Left side the watercolor, right is the 2nd print.

Next step was some die cutting using Tim Holtz die cuts by Sizzix, Crochet & Wild Flowers 1. Just love how delicate these die cuts are. 

The last step was adding some interest to the paper slide. It was distressed using watered down Roasted Coffee & then stamped with Thundercloud. The small images from the postage stamps were used like the script & postage marks. I love using my stamps in different ways! Those little details take this embellishment & make it look so much more dynamic. 

All that was left was assembly & even that was fun! Don't you love that crochet colored with Lemoncello & Golden Sands? Again just nummy. 

Some metal touches were added as the layers just go & go. They are all Tim Holtz from his Ideology Line. The arrow has the added bonus of some wire & beads wrapped around it. Well that is it for today!! I hope you enjoyed the tour of my art tag & that you have the chance to follow along with your own supplies.

Supplies:

• Carabelle Studio On The Line, The Great Outdoors, Small Animal Postcard, Pretty One
  
•  Embossing Powder
•  Infusions
• Tim Holtz Diecuts by Sizzix-  Crochet &  Wildflowers 1
• Archival Ink Full Size 4 colors.  
• Tim Holtz Metal by Ideology
  

Paperclip Embellishments for Junk Journals

Hello Blogland, let's make paperclip embellishments for junk journals! This Mixed Media Monday on Topflight Stamps, I just want to add to my stash & have a play with my supplies. These clips can be used to add fun to an envelope, your planner pages, a tag or an art journal page. They are so eclectic & versatile.
**some of these links are affiliate, I receive a small percentage from the company at no cost to you. This helps me deliver free content!

 

Here is the fun addition to my stash. I have used one main technique on these, but really the sky is the limit. I was feeling very out of sorts the last few days & I am sure I am not alone. Too much to do, school around the corner, the world in a shambles, it is easy to lose ones bearings. I cannot tell you how much just pulling out supplies helped! Easy to finish the project too which is just a bonus. 

Let's Make A Paperclip Embellie!

I started with an embossed stamped image using the My Stamp border. This was just regular card stock. Pull out your embossing powders & randomly emboss the images. Faux postage stamps are perfect for paperclip embellishments! Funny story I forgot to use them! However they are ready for my next play.

 

 

Hot Tip: I made a bunch of extras, as I already had my supplies out. So mentally relaxing to have a fav movie on and just emboss away! I keep the Carabelle "My Stamp" system stamps together, so I always know where they are. It was easy to just pop these prepped backgrounds in the container so they are ready to go.

Inky Time

As these embellishments need to be a bit sturdy Using watercolor paper seemed a good way to go. I put some die inks in fall colors on my palette & spritzed a bit of water. Using a paint brush randomly to spread color on the paper. I did a whole strip to give me options.

 

Using some of the Carabelle Studio "Great Outdoors" I did a combo of stamping on white card stock & stamping on the paper I had just colored. 

 

 

A few were also painted using water color paint. These are the ones I ended up using. You can also use the Prism Inks for this technique.

Embossing Time

To give the stamped images that coated epoxy look, clear emboss was added. This will also give the images some protection from wear & tear. I like using Eileen Hull's Glistening Glass as it is chunkier that regular clear emboss & looks just like the name. It also really pops the images.

Making The Paperclips

Now that the covers of my clips are made it is time to add the clip. You will want to use a strong glue for this so I went with Redline. Place your clip on a piece of paper so you get an idea of placement. This also prevent gluing the paperclip shut. I am working on the lady image here so the stamp is vertical. Simply add a few strips of Redline on the back & push the clip into the glue. Back your piece with scrapbook paper or card stock. Add more glue- I used ATG & glue stick then adhered it to some scrapbook paper.

 

Voila done. I love how simple this was to do. Bonus photo...I spent some more time today playing! Embossed a die cut piece from AALL & Create using Seth's embossing powder.  Then backed it on paper with some stencil work. Also made one with words from Darkroom Door Sentiment Stamp. So relaxing! Thanks for joining me today, remember to hop over to Topflight Stamps blog to see photos of most of the products used today. Hope you have a chance to get inky!

Supplies:

• Carabelle Stamps- My Stamp, Fantasy, 
• The Great Outdoors
•  Eileen Hull Embossing in Glistening Glass
•  Prism Inks in Cinnamon, Ground Coffee, Fire Coral, Peacock Green
• Seth Apter Weathered Gold Emboss by Wow 
• Darkroom Door Dream Big Sentiment Strips
• "            " Grunge Border Stencil

Making the Coolest Postage Stamps with Carabelle Studios

Hello stamping fans, I am here with my Topflight Stamps Mix Media Monday!! This week the Design Team are playing with the Carabelle Studios "My Stamp". This is such a great idea!!!! It allows you to make your own postage stamps. 

SO 1st off I flipping love this system. I was literally in the process of making my own stamps when this came out. I made 3 stamps for this post & will show ideas on how to use them. They were made with the same technique just slight variations. Yet the results are subtly different. 

Let me explain the "My Stamp" system. Start with the base which is called "My Stamp". I stamped the full image but you also have the option to make much larger stamps using the frame edge, & repeating it. I so can't wait to play with that one!

Next there are many strips of stamps that will make the middle of the stamp for you. Not going to lie I squealed like a little girl when I saw these. I got "Fantasy", they come with 8 stamps that can be used as the main image. Don't forget you can also use them as stand alone stamps!  You can check out a few of the options here.

   

I started by stamping the images on card stock paper with archival ink, then cutting it out. For Tuba Playing Card lady I colored her in with colored pencils.  Next the edges were distressed with Prism Ink in Roasted Coffee. 

Stamp 2 was stamped in multiple colors of archival ink using a Stamp Press. I started the  bunny fur in brown- simply mask off the face & stamp the rest in black. 

Next color in with watercolor paint & when dry outline the bunny head in black to make it pop.  

I cut out this frame with normal scissors & then cut it out again using postage edged scissors. Which edge do you like best? I really hope Carabelle Studios come out with a die cut that will cut the image out.

Now for the magic. Simply cover the stamp image with Embossing Ink & cover in Vintage Beeswax embossing powder. Shake off the extra & put back into the jar & heat. You will get this lovely vintage faux encaustic shiny look.

The 3rd stamp was made by stamping on book paper. The background of this stamp already has the music notes on it so I ended up with it looking like it was on music paper- kinda fun! It was painted with water color also & then embossed with the Vintage Beeswax emboss. 

Now how to use them, 1st: The butterfly man I used as a closure for an envelope. Simply put tape along the bottom of the stamp & line it up on your envelope so the flap tucks inside the stamp & holds it shut.

2nd:  Tuba playing card lady I added glue on 3 sides & made a small pocket to put a tag in. This would be great to use in a mini art journal or scrap book.  You can also of course use them as an image for a card or art journal page. I hope you enjoy this little postage stamp tutorial & you get a chance to play with this system. Remember if you use my name karenbearse code you save $$$! Have an inky great day.

Supply List:

Carabelle Studios: My Stamp, Fantasy Labels

Prism Ink Roasted Coffee

Seth Apter Vintage Beeswax emboss by Emerald Creek 

Digital tag image by Love Junk Journals Fox Creative

Tag Fun at Mixed Media Monthly

Hello Inky Friends, I have a post over on the Mix Media Monthly Challenge Blog today. We continue to play with hearts & love! Come join us for a chance to win $25 from Topflight Stamps. 

 I made a tag for my on-going #the100dayproject. This is way out of my normal style but I kinda like it & did get to use up some of my stash.

Here is the inspiration this month. We are playing with lots of red & hearts for February.

I added some gesso to start, this tag was the back of a resin tag. The gesso helped to give it a good foundation. I knew I wanted to add some collage elements so this is where my process started. 

Next step was to emboss. I stamped with Distress Oxide & then covered it in emboss powder. I like using Distress Oxide, it is great for embossing & that way if the powder comes off the image is still colored. 

The Silverster Kracher emboss color by Emerald Creek is red mixed with white.

This stamp is from a set by Carabelle Studios,  Steampunk The Butterfly Effect. 
Love that Steampunk set!

I continued to build my tag. More hearts were definitely needed. I used 2 colors of Distress Ink on the hearts. Picked Raspberry & Wilted Violet. 

Side bar: as I was stamping I put too much ink on my stamp so I stamped off on my agenda. This gave me an idea, to stamp over the image in black slightly off from the 1st image. Kinda cool. 

Here is the set the heart came from, that eye is pretty cool too. This set is also from Carabelle Studio called Mirror of the Soul by Birgit Koopsen. 

Time for more... I find sometimes projects go through a case of the uglies. The trick I use is to just keep adding until you find your way. In this case I added some shading & a quote. 

Then I added bling & a stacked flower. Now I may be overdoing it but of course I just kept going. 

I added some gears with star brads, and shadowing around the ephemera. Ok now I am done! Thanks for joining us at Mix Media Monthly, I hope you play along!!

ARTifacts with Seth Apter Page #3.

Hello Inky Friends, I am back for my Topflight Stamps blog post, featuring ARTifacts with Seth Apter. This has been a collaboration that Seth started in January 2017 as a year long project. He is helping to promote other artists as we all play along. I am ions behind which is OK, and I am loving how my book is coming along. This month I am working on March. My book is a look at my art in the month, featuring classes, design team work etc.

 

Here is one of the pages in my spread. You can see January & February prospectively.  I taught 2 classes in March, a tag class & Gel Press Mini Art Journal class. I had the honor of participating in the Canvas Corp Brands/Stencil Girl Match up which was in April but I designed the pages in March. I made a canvas, paint brush holder that is filled with color & images. I really loved making this project & may have gotten a little carried away so I wanted a good documentation of that.

I decided to carry on playing with the same stamps, Set 4 & & wood chips from last week. They are by PaperArtsy, designed by Seth. It just seems appropriate to use his products in this collaboration. 

 These wood chips are sturdy, the sheet comes with lots of bits & pieces. How about a quick tutorial? 

I started by adding gesso to the kraft page. Blocking out where the photos will be helps them to adhere nicely to the pages. Randomly adding Distress Crayons over the page, while activating them with water & paint brush helps them to blend. Don't be afraid to use your fingers to blend!

Next step was some random background stamping. The red circle is a stencil made with Distress Crayon & a blending foam. 

I wanted to add some embellishments, & stamps make great ones. These images were stamped with Archival Ink & colored using the crayons & ink. 

These came from Carabelle Studio, Steampunk The Butterfly Effect.  Love the details of these stamps. 

Amazing how different the image looks when it is on the page!

Finally I painted the Wood Chip star with gesso, then stamped & embossed it. A metal gear was painted & added. The star was also distress with ink. That is it for this week. I hope you have the chance to play with some ink & stamps!!! 

My other ARTifacts Collaboration pages:
Cover
January
February

Other Items Supply List: 

• Gesso
• Emerald Creek - Charred Gold emboss powder.
• Ranger- Distress Crayons, Distress Paint & inks & Archival Inks
• Jane Davenport Inkredible Pen & Mermaid Markers.