Technique Tuesday - Distress Ink BUBBLE Technique

Hi, Everyone, 

I'm Kathleen and it's Technique Tuesday!

Today we are going to experiment with the Distress BUBBLE Technique.  This Technique uses Distress Ink  and ordinary liquid dish soap.  Remember, Distress Inks are formulated to "react" with water.

This is what the bubbles look like on a black inked tag:

. . . and below is a card I have made using the Distress Bubble tag:

Let's begin.

First, we start off by inking the edges of a manila tag with Black Soot Distress Ink and a dauber. 

We continue inking until the entire tag is covered.

Next, we pour a very small amount of water and a large amount of dish soap into a bowl.  Whisk the soap until large bubbles form.  We do not want the bubbles to look like "merange", we want varying sizes of bubbles.  

This is the type of bubbles we want in order to create the Bubble technique.

Now we take the tag, inked side down, and dip it into the Bubbles only.  Do not dip the tag into the water because you want a Bubble design.  If you dip the tag into the water, you will get a marbled design, not Bubbles. Remember, dip in the Bubbles only.

This is the amount of Bubbles you want on your tag.  Then you blow off the Bubbles into the sink with a short fast puff from your mouth.

Now you take a heat tool and dry the tag.

This is what it looks like when it is finished.

. . . and this is the beautiful card that I made using the Distress Bubble technique.

I will be offering this card class Sunday, July 14 at Treasured Memories from 12-2 p.m.  Stop by and register while you are checking out all the different Distress Inks to experiment this Bubble technique with.

Have fun creating!

Layout with Metal Bottle Cap Embellishments

Hi, Everyone,

Today I created a layout for Treasured Memories using American Crafts "May Berry" papers & Prima's Metal Bottle Cap embellishments.  I will show you how I attached them in the final photo.  The tiny blue/white/red/yellow prints on the "May Berry" papers are very sweet for baby layouts, even boys.  This is my grandson, Austin, at 5 months old.  Here are several photos of how I assembled the layout.

Here I layered 3 coordinating papers one on top of the other & distressed the edges using a paper distresser.  I like vintage lace peeking out from torn paper.   Here the pieces are not torn, they are wet then pushed back onto the paper, revealing the lace.

American Crafts has these Burlap Tags which I really like.  The burlap is attached to a paper backing making it easer to adhere to your layouts.  I then applied Score Tape to the layout and pressed down lace so it looks gathered.  Yes, even little boys get lace. 

Next I pop-dotted my journalling  & attached another Burlap Tag with Score Tape.  The rest of the embellishments were SEWN on.  Yes, sewn on.  Prima's Metal Bottle Caps have a pre-drilled hole in the centre allowing either a brad or a needle to go through.  I threaded a large craft needle with baby blue jute & hand sewed the bottle caps & the paper hearts to the layout.  The zig-zag black sewing was created with the We R Memory Keepers sewing handle.  Instead of hand sewing the zig-zags, I opted for my Precision Pen. 

To strengthen the sewing on the paper, I used clear buttons as an anchor to strengthen the stitches just as a seamstress would.  This is the back of my layout.  The white heart is there because I cut out a section from the blue flower pattern paper to use on my layout.

Have fun creating!

Technique Tuesday - Stencils & Distress Ink Backgrounds

Hi, Everyone,

It’s Technique Tuesday!

Stencils are very hot these days and there are many stencils out there to choose from.  One way to use Stencils is with Distress Inks.  Treasured Memories has a whole wall of assorted Stencils and the complete pallet of Distress Inks to spark your creativity.  

Today we are going to start with a white sheet of cardstock to create a beautiful background for a 12x12” layout.  We will be using Stencils and Distress Inks then adding vintage ephemera, stamped butterflies, Prima bottle caps, and 7 Gypsies velvet brads to showcase my little grandson.

Have a look:

Let’s begin.

To start off with, I chose a Stencil that comfortably fit on the entire page.  Using “Aged Mahogany” Distress Ink and a foam dauber, I inked the bottom left corner of the Stencil.

Next using “Scattered Straw” Distress Ink, I inked 4” upward on the Stencil being careful not to move the Stencil as I inked.

Then using “Pumice Stone” Distress Ink, I finished inking upward on the Stencil.

Next I glued a sheet of vintage book paper onto the Stenciled background.  To age the layout, I used Sepia Ink over a polkadot Stencil.  I didn’t ink the centre because I plan to put my photo there.

One thing that sets Treasured Memories apart from other scrapbooking stores is the large variety of Vintage Ephemera for sale.  When I first cast my beady eyes on this wonderful vintage kraft cake wrap, I knew I had to have it.  I wasn’t sure at that time exactly what I would use it for, but I needed it.  This is the project I have been waiting for.  I trimmed some of the cake wrap in the shape of a banner and glued it over the sepia polka dots saving the rest for later.

I distressed the edges of my photo using a paper distresser then glued it on.  I seem to have an infatuation with butterflies lately so I used the Tim Holtz butterflies and black Archival Ink then stamped them vertically and horizontally around the photo.

I used the same polka dot Stencil and Sepia Ink on a manila tag then tucked it under the left side of the photo.  I stamped more vertical butterflies on the cake wrap, cut out 3 of the butterflies and attached them to the layout with foam pop-dots.  With the remaining butterfly I trimmed the end of the cake wrap  into a banner shape and glued it to the top of the layout.  Keeping with the banner theme I typed my title, "I have Grandma wrapped around my little fingers & my little toes too!" and glued it under the photo.  *** Prima's metal bottle caps are amazing.   They have a hole drilled in the centre making it easy to attach it to your projects with a brad.  I cut out various circles from vintage book paper which are attached between the brad and the bottle cap, creating a cute little flower. . . and voila my layout is complete.

Happy Creating!

Technique Tuesday - Photos in Configuration Trays

Hi, Everyone,

It's Technique Tuesday!

There are many types of Configuration Trays out there made by various companies.  There are Printer Trays & Photo Trays made by 7 Gypsies, Configuration Boxes & Configuration Books made by Tim Holtz, Photo Trays & various shapes made by Kaiser Craft & Wall Sugar, & many more.

Have a look at the tray below:

When working with a sectioned tray, don't be intimidated by the small sized compartments.  Use them to your advantage.  You can decorate each section independantly like I did with the shells, or you can combine sections like I did with the photos.  Don't be afraid to cut your photos, or only use portions of them.  Here is a closer look:

When I take scenery photos, I take several in one spot, rotating slightly on each shot so I can create panoramic views to create with.  In this tray, I used 2 photos from a panoramic view that I shot.  The horizin is slightly off, but I'm ok with that.  I cut the photos to fit within the compartments so the photo extended across the whole width of the tray.  So the photo flows with the patterned paper and the rest of the tray, I added shells & letterpress to spell "Mexico".

Here are 2 more views of how the photos are cut to fit inside the compartments:

Stop by and check out the many different types of Configuration Trays the next time you are at Treasured Memories.  Be brave and cut those photos!

Have fun creating!

Yesterday's Paper Doll Class - Cinderella & Vogue

Hi, Everyone,

Today is my 100th post.  How time flies!

I thank each & every one of you who have viewed my blog & hope that you have found inspiration along the way.  I am looking forward to creating the second half of my life & hope you will join me in my creative travels.

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  I taught a Paper Doll Class at Treasured Memories in which we created 2 beautiful Art Journal Pages.  Thank you ladies . . . you were a lot of fun!

On the 1st page, our doll was wearing a Cinderella gown with a tule underskirt.  The background was created with Modelling Paste & a jagged diamond stencil & sprayed with Dylusions & Lindy's Stamp Gang Sprays.  Here is the page we created:

On the 2nd page, our doll was wearing a Vogue mermaid gown.  We created a collaged background using Treasured Memories Exclusives:  Postal Ephemera & Transparencies designed by Daryl Benson. Again we used Dylusions & Lindy's Stamp Gang Sprays to add a pop of colour.  Here is the page we created:

As well, Courteney shared this photo with us which she found on pinterest.  We are always on the look out for alternate hairstyles . . . because we still have lots of paper dolls we would like to create!

Have fun creating!

French Industrial Configuration Book

Hi, Everyone,

I have been very excited since January's CHA highly anticipating Tim Holtz's new Configuration Book.  It has now arrived in the stores & I am happy to announce a new class.  

French Industrial Configuration Book

Sunday, June 30

12:00 – 4:30 p.m.

$89 Version or $130 Version

Class Description:

If you love configuration boxes, you are going to really love the new *Tim Holtz Idea-ology Configurations Book.

Tim’s new French Industrial Paper Stash, Cabinet Card Frames, Collage Keys, Remnant Rubs, Hinges, Glass Vials, Brad Door Knocker Pulls, Buckles, & Tissue Tape makes this a Unique project to add to your collection!

Phone Treasured Memories at 780-414-1540 to sign up for the class.  If you have any questions, please e-mail me a ksundby1@hotmail.com.

Please Bring:  Scissors, Score-tape, Rub-on tool, paper piercer, Sepia or Vintage Photo Ink, Dauber, tweezers, Fabri-tac

$89 Version below:

$130 Version below:

Have fun creating!