Creative Chemistry (And A Few Observations)

I completed all three tags for Lesson 5 in Tim Holtz's wonderful online class, Creative Chemistry, on Friday, but honestly, I wasn't too thrilled with any of them.  I had time this morning for a do over, and I have a few observations that might help anyone else who has been less than happy with their results.

OBSERVATION #1

ALL MANILA TAGS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

I have LOTS of tags.  Some are from Ranger, some from the office supply store, and many are from unknown sources.  There IS a difference.  The two tags I did Friday I now see were done on lighter weight manila, and I really don't like the way they reacted with the inks and stains.  The paper seemed to "pill," and I wasn't happy with the blending either.  Here's an example.  My original tag is on the left, and the new and (I think) improved one, done on Ranger's tag, is on the right:

I don't know how much it shows up, but the first attempt seems blotchy to me, and you can see how much more the first one curls up.  The one done on the higher quality manila has remained pretty flat even with all the liquid layered upon it.  Oh, and by the way, this was the marbled stains technique.  Note:  I do not work for Ranger and I'm not looking to make anyone spend more money than they want to.  I just think that for techniques that involve a lot of liquid, the higher the quality of the tag, the better. 

OBSERVATIONS #2 and #3

I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW THE CORRECT WAY TO RE-INK A PAD

and

IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO COMPLETELY DRY YOUR WORK BETWEEN APPLICATIONS OF WET MEDIA

I thought I did, but not until I watched Tim's video earlier in the week, did I find out otherwise.  I had actually re-inked my black archival pad a week ago (but not the right way), and I wasn't getting good impressions when I stamped.  This morning I followed Tim's instructions and you can see the difference in the two tags below:

The other thing I didn't like about my first tag for the stamping with stains technique is that the background stamp, stamped with white, barely shows up.  I believe I didn't dry the tag enough when I stamped.  I made sure the second tag was totally dry, and you can certainly see the white background now.

OBSERVATIONS #4 and #5

NOT EVERY PAPER IS RIGHT FOR A TECHNIQUE

and

NOT EVERY STAMP IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR A TECHNIQUE

For the stained kraft resist technique I chose a piece of Tim's kraft resist paper that didn't have a whole lot of open space, and I corrected that with my second tag.  I also think the stamp I chose had too much open space.  Add to that, it was done before I correctly reinked the archival ink pad.  I chose another piece of kraft paper, a better stamp for the technique, and worked with a properly re-inked pad, and am waaaay happier with the end result.

I actually don't dislike the first tag; I think it's kind of interesting, but not the greatest example of the technique.

I'm all wound up for tomorrow and the start of week 2 of Creative Chemistry.  Have you joined in the fun yet?  















Inspiration Showcase -- The Completed Canvas

There were three new techniques today, all what Jennifer refers to as "finishing touches."  And so all there was left for me to do was put together my canvas of sample birds.  I chose a 6x12 canvas.  Why?  Because that's what I had in the house!  I didn't attempt to do the rows of daily samples.....one way there wouldn't be enough room horizontally.....the other way there wouldn't be enough room vertically.  So, I just attached the samples four in a row (except for the last row), and they fit beautifully.  They are in the exact order as presented in the classes and I have a list on the back of the canvas to remind me.  Of course, I've also downloaded all the PDFs, so I'll have them as a reminder as well.

In Jennifer's canvas it looks to me like she didn't do anything to the canvas itself, which I understand.  The samples should be the star.  But I didn't like the starkness of the white, so I used some light colored distress stains and inks (mainly old paper and weathered wood) to add just a bit of softness.

First, here are the final three samples, pigment pearl and an embossed button embellishment, distress stickles and pearl painting on the wing, and glossy accents resist and solid embossing on the wing.

And here is the finished canvas.  I used pop dots to attach my birdies, except on the rosette one, as it is already pretty dimensional.

And the back of the canvas has the list of all the techniques for handy reference.

Getting Distressed on Inspiration Showcase

No, not distressed as in annoyed, but you knew that.  Today's video is all about distress inks and stains, and the techniques are fantastic.  Just when you thought you knew them all.....along comes Jennifer McGuire.   But before I get to that.....

The way Jennifer has the class organized, one day she presents five techniques and we do our samples, and the next day she goes into greater detail about one or two of them and shows ways to use them in cards and other projects.  Yesterday, she focused on embossing on acetate and ways to alter rosettes.  I put the two together in one tag, with a steampunk theme.  There is a method to my madness.  I signed up for a steampunk tag swap on ATT and I'm getting a head start.

I used Tim's Steampunk embossing folder on the acetate, and it is backed with some brownish cardstock.  The lovely lady is from Graphic45's Steampunk Debutante line, and I altered her in two ways.  First of all, I replaced the hot air balloon that is her skirt with the very layered and altered rosette I made, and secondly (and I don't know how well this shows up in the photo),  I added lots of lines on her with a copper colored glitter pen.  I topped the tag with a bit of a zipper to continue the steampunk industrial look.

Now, onto today's samples.  Again, sorry I can't go into details but once the class is over you will be able to get the PDFs.  The link to get more information is on my last Inspiration Showcase post.

 pearlized distress resist

 distress stamping

 stamping with water and metallic paper wing

 color blend stamping with distress dots wing

fingerinking (as much fun as it sounds) with distress ink watercoloring wing

Can you believe the amount of information so far?  And this is a two week class!  And, it was only $19.  Maybe the best bargain I've ever gotten.

Inspiration Showcase

A week or so ago, Tim Holtz blogged about an online class taught by his pal Jennifer McGuire.  I haven't had the greatest track record with online classes....not because the classes weren't good, but because I'd sign up and then never find the time to actually watch the videos and do the projects.

But this one, first of all was recommended by Tim, and second of all was only $19, and third of all, I'd have access to the videos forever.  Duh.  No brainer.  I was in.  And to my very great surprise and delight, the instruction is so clear, the videos so well done, and the techniques so interesting, I actually started following along and am up to date!

Registration is closed and you can't sign up now, but in two weeks when it's over, the PDF version will be available.  Click here to find out more and see the finished piece we'll be making after doing all the technique samples.

If you went to the site, you saw that Jennifer did all her samples in the shape of a heart.  I'm not really a heart type so I used a Stampin' Up bird punch instead.  Some of the techniques didn't photograph very well, so you'll just have to take my word for it when I tell you they all look great.  I wouldn't lie to you.

The first 5 samples were all about resist techniques.  The name of each technique is under the photo.  I know I usually give lots of details and directions, but these are not mine to give.

 traditional resist

 paint resist (the wing is a different, bonus technique)

 trapped emboss resist (how cool is this?)

 kissed resist

 canvas resist

The next set of samples explore all sorts of dry embossing techniques.

 embossed glossy (with layered punch wing....another bonus technique)

 embosssed acetate

 paper rosette with embossed canvas

 altered color embossing (with cool tip on perfect punch positioning...say that 5 times fast)

  faux letterpress (maybe my favorite so far) with embossed metal wing

I have been a long time technique junkie, and thought I'd know them all, but there have been a few new ones for me.  And the ones I already knew about.....the class was a good reminder, because some of them I haven't used in ages.

I'm excited about this class and all I can say is, the next time Tim recommends a class, sign up!