A Forest Frolic

Art Journal Fail

Art Journal & Fail - Usually I wouldn't use these words together, because I feel like your art journal, is YOUR art journal, and you can't mess it up.  If you do something you don't like, just do something else over it, turn it into something else, or whatever.

I had no idea where I was going with this (which is usually how I roll), except I knew I wanted to use this 'Birds of a Feather' template from The Crafter's Workshop.  I started thowing distress stain and paint around and then scraped gesso over the template.  I've never done that before and I liked the textured effect...I was rollin' with it.

If I have an idea in my head, sometimes I become very impatient (as far as letting things dry) because if I step away, I might lose my momentum.  Proven fact ;)  Sooo, in comes the heat tool...

I'm drying...my wheels are turning...what to do next?  Oh, I know...I'll spritz some 'True Blood'  glimmer mist on it and...BLAM!!...

What the...

I'm staring in disbelief!  And then I start laughing histerically.

Really!?!  Out of all the places the big splats could have gone, they hit the bird!?  And all the little splatters all around it!?  And out of all the colors, it was 'True Blood!'

This was just too funny to even try to cover up!  So I got out my india ink and calligraphy pen and wrote...

...Poor Birdy ;)

Jamie :)

More Ink Splat Fun: Thank you Cards

My Mum has been asking for some cards (because who doesn't love giving handmade cards?!) and I just haven't been inspired to make any.  But when I discovered this ink splat technique and decided to finally open my alcohol inks, I was!  Do you ever get like that?  Do you ever get in certain moods to make certain things sometimes and vice versa.

These cards were really fun, easy to make and turned out looking pretty neat, so hopefully this will inspire you to try this out! 

You could play around with it and use any variety of washi tape (just orderd a buch of Japanese washi tape from PrettyTape on Etsy and can't wait to get creative with it), ink/thread/background paper colors, and use any stamp that inspires you at that moment...this is the fun part!  You can make this card over and over and it'll never come out looking the same! 

These are all thank you cards but you could change the sentiment, or the placement of it to mix it up a bit, or use a zig-zag stitch, or no stictching at all.  I decided to stain the actual card edges with Tim Holtz Distress Stain to match the 'thank you' embellishment I stamped.  And you could use any color of stain because there are so many to chose from.  I also used glossy paper for the alcohol ink (because I tried regular cardstock and it just totally absorbs the ink).

See how fun these are...all blue with a little gold glimmer.  I'm so loving hot air balloons right now and I like the grey background with this one...

Let me know if you try something like this out, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Hope you all have a wonderful day,

Jamie :)

CowDog & Postage

I don't know why I think this is so funny...

...but it cracks me up!  Treated Ms. K to Chick-Fil-A after a dentist appointment and snagged this moo cow mask.  As if I needed more proof that she was growing up - she refused to let me go back with her, declaring that she was 'NOT A BABY MOM,' and could handle this (she was getting her first cavity filled).  She is so independent!! 

So when we got home the baby was playing around and this is what I saw, so I snapped this pic.  The dog didn't seem too thrilled.  I think he prefers dog-dog, insead of cow-dog ;)

And since when does the post office get off thinking they can jack-up the prices...again...right after I buy tons of stamps in the perfect amount for my standard package (*insert little giggle here*)!?

If you order something from me in the next, oh let's say...month, you're package may look a bit like this, with a gazillion stamps on it.  S'okay though, money is money right!

I'm off to nurse my big sickling back to health, just got home from the Doctor and she has strep throat :(  Sheesh, between throwing my back out, the girls visiting the Doctor for various illnesses and these dentist appointments...I think I've had enough Doctor visits for 2012.  At least we'll get them out of the way for the year!

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!

Jamie :)

 

Ink Splats make me Happy

I bought some 'plain-Jane' page dividers to help organize my binder that holds all of the course materials for my Photoshop classes.  Came home, got it all organized...tabs, page dividers and such.  It should have made me happy, right? 

Nope...I wasn't feelin' it!  It needed something!  Then I remembered those Adirondack alcohol inks I got a few weeks ago and voila'...

I used Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Splatter technique (Video Tutorial Here).  All you need to try this yourself is a somewhat glossy cardstock, alcohol ink, and compresssed air (I used our computer dust bunny cleaner).

I put down some fun strips of tape and a big funky sticker before adding ink to this one, and I used some metallic alcohol ink too.  Just look at that shimmer...

Speaking of fun things, Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist, just posted some free printable Valentine's day cards on her blog...always a treat, and they are super cute!

Now, off you go to make ink splatters and print cute cards ;) ;)

Jamie :)

 

Happy Trails

Without going into great detail and boring you with a sob story or two, I'll tell ya, we've had a rough start to 2012!  So when I was asked to make custom banner for a retirement party that said 'Happy Trails,' I was all like 'oh really, well what's so happy about it!?!'

Okay, not really ;)  I, of course jumped on it and the papers I ended up chosing to match the western romantic theme the customer asked for, really cheered me up a bit!

I just love the blue frills with the subtle hint of blue in the this paper...

And these pink roses and vintage peachy lace are soooo romantic, dontcha think?

Cream shabby roses on ledger paper to match her burlap ivory doilies in the party decor, oh my...

I mailed it off this morning in hopes that the customer thinks it's as swell as I do! 

Hugs & Happy Trails,

Jamie :)