Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Creative Chemistry And A Simon Says Challenge

It seems like every other person I bump into online is taking and loving Tim Holtz's online class, Creative Chemistry 101.  Me too!  As experienced as I think I am in all things ink and paint, I learn something new every day.  Anyway, I decided to put some of these techniques into practice, and used a few on the tag I did for this week's Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge.  What did Simon say this week?   Show me......a tag! 



I started with the marbled stain technique from day 5 of the class, added some masking and stenciling, and also the flick technique from day 1.  BTW, the stenciling technique is one I learned from Lynne Perrella.  First I dabbed black paint through the sequin waste on the right.  Then I moved the waste ever so slightly and dabbed gold paint.  One more move, and some metallic orange paint was added.  The two layers soften the black and add a lot of texture (which means adding interest).

Although I knew I wanted to use the fish stamps from Wendy Vecchi's Art For Men set, I didn't have a plan for where the tag was headed, but once those images were down (BTW, I did stamp them before adding the stenciling), the tag started to feel asian to me.  I added the Chinese lettering at that point.

Next step, another technique from Tim's class, watercoloring with stains.  I used that on the two fish stamped directly onto the tag.  Looking at the tag, I thought a focal image was missing, so I stamped one of the fish onto watercolor paper with archival black ink, and after heat setting it, colored it with distress stains and cut it out.  I attached it with pop dots, and as a final touch wrapped the poor guy with some twine.  Guess he was caught.

I'm very happy with the way this tag turned out.  I'm in an asian journal group, and I suspect this tag will eventually find its way into someone's book.

Now for some Creative Chemistry tags I haven't posted yet.  Here are my three from day 4:  watercoloring with re-inkers, layered misting, and custom stamp pad.



I cheated on the third tag.  I didn't have any more of the felt pad needed for it, so I just used the custom pad I made during the last 12 Tags of Christmas, so I'd have it for reference.

Today's class was all about embossing powders, everyone's favorite "magical" technique.



The three techniques are:  nostalgic batik, rusted enamel, and distress powder resist.

If you heard a shout of happiness coming from the east coast this morning, that might have been me.  Patti from Absolutely Everything wrote to let me know that my distress markers are going out today.  And that means I'll soon be able to try out the techniques from day 6.  Color me thrilled.



26 comments:

Dorothy said...

Wonderful work Eileen!
I finally started doing my tags for the class. It is too fun!

Tammy D said...

That's really cool Eileen. I'm so glad you got some ART time today.

Lori said...

You're hilarious! Color me thrilled...HA! Love the fish tag, that tech using the sequin waste is GREAT! I'll try and remember that.

Hetty said...

Hello Eileen,
i just think your tag for the challenge is absolotely wonderful. love thos fishes!! And your tags for the class are beautiful too. Dont we learn a lot in such a short time?!

Alicia B said...

Awesome Tags Eileen!! I LOVE that fish one big time! They are all fabulous! *Hugs*

Diann said...

I love all of your beautiful tags, Eileen...love the extra twist you always add to make them totally you! Diannwouctu

Sue said...

Beautiful tags. LOVE your Simon Says tag. I heard that yelp earlier here in FL!

Bonnie said...

Awesome fish tag, like how you took a bunch of techniques and put them all together! I am learning so much from class, but I struggle a bit to think outside the box. Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

I believe you have out done yoursel this time Eileen. AWESOME!

Helen said...

All your tags are great, of course, but the fish one is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE ALL of your tags Ms. Eileen!!! They are WONDERFUL!!!

Kathy Eddy said...

Love your tags, especially the fish one. Great use of the sequin waste and paints.

Socrates said...

Your tags are absolutely delicious. I must be the only one in the US not taking Tim's class, but this is about to change.

Cher said...

as usual Eileen..your work is lovely! Iespecially luv Wendy's fish too...just no time to try it out yer...ty for sharing

Gillian .... said...

Fab array of tags Eileen,love all the layering to your SSS entry. I too am loving Tim's class, so much fun.

Creatique Candy said...

Eileen,
I'm in adoration of your entire collection & the way you used color combo's with images. Wow! I'm just in admiration over hither looking at them all.
TFS Sweetie

jrmathers said...

Love the tags but I must say my favorite is the one with the fish

Melysa F said...

Eileen.....what a BEAUTIFUL piece of Tag Art you created....great bright colors!

Thanks bunches for joinin' this weeks challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show!!

texasbarb said...

WOW! Love how you've put together your tag!!! Tim's class has been informative so far...even from this OLD stamper...learning more that I thought I would. Anyway, I just love how you take Tim's techniques and turn them into a thing of beauty!!!

Thanks for sharing how to do the punchinella technique...new to me.

Barb A from ATT

Lynne Forsythe said...

hehehe......I didn't realize I was commenting with my daughters account!!

Vic said...

Another set of wonderful tags!!

Candy C said...

Eileen...your Wendy Vecchi inspired tag is AMAZING! I LOVE that fish tag. That sequin waste gave you some WOW results! Love your colors and your background!!! It's fabulous! Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Elena said...

Hell yes!!! You can put that tag into MY asian journal!!! LOL!!! Really beautiful Eileen!

sara j said...

Good to have you back!! I have been so busy, most nights it is all I can do to watch the videos-amazing amount of information! I like everyone else think your fish tag is IT. Just gorgeous. Enjoy the rest of our time with Tim.

craftyM said...

That Asian tag is a beauty and it or one like it would be a great addition to an Asian journal!!!! ooooh la la!
Marita

Christina said...

Thanks for sharing Eileen - I especially like your 'fish tag' :-)