Word Up Weekend!

Back with another Word Up Weekend post! Seriously, have you checked out all of the amazing sentiments and words that Stampotique has on their website?? There is a little of everything from snarky to sweet. So, GO check it out! But not before checking out my card this week.

I have had these wings for awhile and I don't know, I just really loved the idea of them being the background for this birthday card. Maybe not everyone loves sunshine and rainbows on their birthday, you know?

So I used my normal technique and created this bloody, grungy background. Okay, maybe not blood. Side note: Did you know that Heidi Swapp color shine goes bad over time and even if you do get it to come out of the bottle it dries into a sticky blob? I know that now. Guess its time to replace it! Darn...new supplies...

So this Happy Birthday is, obviously, from Stampotique and was perfect paired with these gothic-type wings. Additionally, this stamp comes accompanied by 2 other sentiments. 3 for 1, eh?? Really was satisfied with the outcome here. Topped the card off with some slate gray sequins. (gotta have some bling, guys)

So, NOW you are allowed to go and check out Stampotique's sentiments, words and numbers. Cause, they have those too. .Happy wording!

Ingredients:

3 Greetings, Stampotique
Bat-Like Wings, Stampotique
Dylusions Spray Inks
Faber Castell Gelato
Color Box Black Ink
Paper Studio Sequins
Bristol Smooth Surface Paper

Sling Bag Prototype

So, after several years of sewing it is becoming clear to me that I do  better when I make my own pattern than when I try to find one. After spending about an hour looking for a pattern for a meru/kavu style bag pattern and not finding even one that was free, I decided to make my own. It was difficult and took me all day but I like the result and cannot wait to make another with the improvements I have planned.

So, what I did was take my Meru bag and trace the outside onto paper. Then, I broke the bag down into parts. Back panel, 2 front panels, pockets (including an elastic pocket for the inside)

Of course, you also need some sturdy interfacing and I used 2 layers of plush batting for the shoulder strap portion. The zipper I used was about 20 inches long, possibly 22. It wasn't packaged and I id end up cutting off a small portion on the end.

I have had this fabric for a really long time. Back from my tote selling days. It is so cheerful and I loved how they looked together. It was purchased at Joann Fabrics and is the most soft, flowy cotton. Luxurious!

So, problems....First, I sewed the panels together when I should have left the edges raw. Sewing them together created a problem with the sizing. Instead of having my 1/4 inch seam it turned into a half inch seam allowance because I had to sew it twice. This also caused the smaller panel on the front to be too small so the zipper comes almost to the edge creating a gape when you unzip it.

Second, I put the shoulder strap on the top center instead of placing it to the side. This created a problem where the top of the bag sticks out and the strap loses about a half inch or more. .::facepalm::

Third, the inside has raw edges much like my harry potter bag, however I have not found a solution for this.

Lastly, the bottom portion that attaches to the bottom strap puckers...I am not quite sure how I am going to fix this problem. Suggestions are welcome.

FUN features....

I made my first elastic pocket! SO easy and SO handy for the inside of the bag! Be sure that you sew the pocket to the inside panel as well as the interfacing before you sew the backing on. You don't want a pocket shape on the back of your bag. ;)

Also, I made a clip to hold my keys, just like my Meru has. My Meru bag has single-handedly removed the issue of my losing my keys be it from falling out of my bag, or just losing them in general because they are always attached to my bag! I also created a lanyard that matched my bag to replace my sad 31 lanard that needed to be retired.

I really love that I found a way to use what I have instead of going to the store to buy specialty items. I had this hook and these D rings and used them to create a system, like my Meru bag, that can easily take the bag off without going over my head each time, although, in all truth, I rarely use that feature on my Meru. Now, the seams on the D ring area could be better. Still learning how to do that, but I am pleased with it since it is my first go. 

Here is the back of the bag. This fabric is just so cheerful. You can sort of see the bottom flap here and the top where the strap is messed up. However, its not bad enough for me not to use this bag. I am in love and I already have fabric lined up to make one for my 10 year old and one more for myself. EEEP!

If you have any questions at all, feel free to message me or email me or comment blow. I am happy to share with you! Thanks for stopping by!

A Little Something Extra

So, back a month or two ago I found these cool gear drink containers at Walmart on clearance. One was a warm beverage tumbler and one was a cold beverage tumbler. They had coloring sheets that slip inside the tumbler. Of course, I wasn't thinking of the coloring sheets....I wanted to create something with the latest Stampotique release....so that is exactly what I did.

What I did not anticipate was how difficult it would be to get a good PHOTO of the tumbler when I was done! Yeesh! Finally, the sun came out and that, of course, did help. So, hang onto your hats, this is going to be a photo heavy post.

So this month we had a new release at Stampotique and I was excited to see that there was a merMAN in the bunch to round out the mer-collection. Of course, I wanted to do an underwater scene like, ASAP....so that is exactly what I did here.

I started with a background using Bristol smooth surface paper and Dylusions ink sprays mixed with Heidi Swapp Color Shine ink sprays to create an underwater look. I used Americana acrylic Paint to create colored bubbles and then stamped circles (from Stampotique) to create even more bubbles. The squiggles are also Stampotique. ;) I loaded up with the stamps on this project!

Then, enter the merpeeps and octo-pet. I water-colored the images using Fabre Castell gelatos. I have had a lot of fun using these for water-coloring recently as they fill the gaps left by my watercolor pencils where I am short on certain colors.

I decided to outline the images more boldly with a permanent black marker to make them pop better. One downfall to creating something with a specific color story is realizing it all blends together.

I love how the images, when put all together created a sense of motion and a sense that they were, indeed, underwater! I was very excited to see this project come together. 

I can say this. Using a thick paper has its drawbacks when you are trying to shove it into a thin space. I had a hard time getting everything to fit since the images created, essentially, a second layer. That being said, once it was in the tumbler it came to life for me all over again.

My son keeps threatening to steal this tumbler from me. He loves the images and he loves that it is so colorful. I have to hide my tumbler from my child, haha!

I am so excited with the way this project turned out. I just have it sitting on the shelf so I can look at it. I have a color beverage tumbler too and cannot wait to get going on a story for it as well, so be sure to check back here soon!

Ingredients:

Smushasha: Stampotique
Snuhubala: Sampotique
Octopet: Stampotique
Circles Cube: Stampotique
Squiggle Arms: Stampotique
Bristol Smooth Surface Paper
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Heidi Swapp Color Shine
Americana Acrylic Paint
Fabre Castell Gelatos
Mod Podge
Cool Gear Tumbler
Clear Snap Black Ink
Ranger Archival Black Ink

Seeing Red SDC267

So, if you had told me a few years ago to only use shades of red I may have cried. Seriously. I work so much with teals, and purples and blues and greens that the idea of going red may have sent me around the bend.

Fast forward to now....and I am totally okay with it. I have turned over a few leaves creatively speaking and now dive into ANY and ALL colors.

So, for this challenge, "seeing red" I was all set to use my go-to Dylusions (which I STILL LOVE, btw) and remembered that I have so many Faber Castell gelatos that I never seem to use anymore. So, I used the mess out of them!!

So to create this little hanging I used some chipboard and treated it with a healthy layer of gesso. I used 3 different shades of red to create a fun watercolor background. Also used texture paste with a fun stencil to add some depth.

All in all I am in love with the outcome of this fun little hanging. And, of course LOVED this funny little  sentiment. Had my son in fits of giggles.

I can't wait to find a place to hang this little guy. Its the perfect thing to cheer you up on a dreary day. We can't wait to see all of the shades of red you all come up with!

Ingredients:

Smile (Stampotique)
Hanging Hearts (Stampotique)
Happiness (Stampotique)
Fabre Castell Gelato
Ranger Gesso
Ranger Archival Black Ink
Dylusions Triangle Stencil
Prima Flower
American Craft Eyelets
Sequins

Word Up Weekend

Its that time again! Word Up Weekend! We recently had a new release at Stampotique and this Brolly was one of the newest stamps! It is so versatile and charming! And, of course, one of my favorite sentiments from Stampotique, "Just Keep On".

Of course, this brolly made me want to get out my blue and teal Dylusions to create a spring rainy  day. I also decided to pop out the front part of the umbrella to add more dimension to the umbrella. Its a sweet little ATC and I almost don't want to share it.

My second project, while it has no sentiment, it another image from our latest release. Her name is, Communitree. I love her organic feel. I feel like she really needed something warmer than brown so I went a bit crazy with the color, but not SO crazy. The feather came from my backyard and I felt that it was perfect for the subject of the image.

I hope I have enticed you to check out our new release. There are so many fun stamps to be had!! Happy weekend!

Ingredients:

Brolly: Stampotique
Communitree: Stampotique
Just Keep On: Stampotique
Hanging Hearts:Stampotique
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Ranger Archival Ink
Bakers Twine
Watercolor Pencils
Adhesive Gems
Feather
Doily, Paper Studio

Word Up!

So every weekend when Stampotique has Word Up Weekend I ALWAYS think of Word Girl on PBS.

ANYwho, So I used word up weekend this week to not only use a sentiment that I LOVE to use but to also showcase a stamp from our latest release over at Stampotique How sweet is this dream catcher? It couples perfectly with this dreamy sentiment too!

I have been playing around with Yupo paper and Ranger Alcohol Inks and I...am...in...LOVE! WOW! Seriously, I am having a hard time not using ALL the Yupo! And ALL OF THE INK!! Here is another I made. For my project, however, I lightened the colors to be more washed out using more blending solution and rolling my paper towel roll over the surface. 

So, be sure to check out the Stampotique store to see all of our latest images in the February release, and I hope this project inspires you to get working on some projects of your own!

Ingredients:

Enjoy Today (Stampotiqu)

Dream Catcher (Stampotique)

Studio G Adhesive Gems

Yupo Paper

Ranger Alcohol Inks

Blending Solution

Ranger Archival Black Ink

Bakers Twine